The big costume reveal

Two Halloweens ago, I went trick-or-treating as Superman. Great costume, but not much of a surprise. Everyone knows I love Superman, and that’s my nickname at school.

So, last year, I changed things up with a great astronaut costume, inspired after I met Dr. Robert Thirsk, the astronaut who took 200,000 canola seeds into space. I got lots of compliments on that costume, but wearing the helmet was a bit claustrophobic.

This year, I thought about dressing up as a race car driver like Mr. Kevin Therres (who built the first Jet Fuel Engine Car to run on 100% canola biodiesel) – but I’ve given it a lot of thought and I’m going with something a little scarier and won’t be make me perspire all through the school day.

FRANKENSTEIN!

Mom says I don’t have to go trick-or-treating with my little sister, Amelia; so my friends and I have decided to dress up like some of the scariest monsters from the movies. There will be a Dracula. A Godzilla (can’t wait to see that costume!). I think one of my friends is even dressing up like The Blob. We’re going to look pretty cool around the neighbourhood, right?

I hope we don’t scare anyone too much. <grin>

Anyway, I gotta jet. There are still a few things to get ready for next week. Have a safe Halloween, everyone!

- Chase Superman Duffy

PS – In case you’re wondering, my sister is dressing up like an Entomologist. Ha! What a joke. I’m pretty sure she’s scared of bugs.

Tis the Season...

...for pumpkin carving, of course!

Let me tell you, I’ve carved a lot of pumpkins in my short thirteen years. It’s not just an annual tradition in our house – we sometimes carve two or three pumpkins each. And not even because we’re picky…well, maybe a little because we’re picky. (At least I am.) We just really love carving pumpkins.

Tonight, we’ll head to a local pumpkin patch to each select the perfect canvass. I prefer the tall and skinny pumpkins, but my sister likes the short, fat ones. Dad always goes for quirky, and last year, Mom bought a pink one in support of breast cancer. She gave it a pig face. Ha ha.

Next to the actual carving, my favourite part is scooping the goop. I love how the guts squish between my fingers and turn my skin orange. Mom goes through every bit of the pumpkin innards to collect the seeds – which of course, we season with garlic powder or Italian spice and throw in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes of roasting. Delicious!

Next, we draw out the faces or design with dry erase pens. I try to keep mine secret until the very end, but sometimes I get so excited I can’t help it. Last year, I did a pirate face, and my sister Amelia carved a witch. That was kind of funny, because Dad was helping her with the knife, and he was focusing really hard when all of a sudden the doorbell went and he jumped. Dad almost cut off the witch’s WHOLE nose.

I don’t know what to carve this year. I think I’m going to wait until I pick my pumpkin – or maybe I`ll try to carve a squash, a large potato, or... Maybe something will inspire me.

What are YOU carving this year?

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy

A Thanksgiving poem

We’re learning about rhyming poems in my Language Arts class, so I thought I’d write one for the long weekend. 

As you can guess, Thanksgiving is one of my favourite holidays – not just because of the great food, but also as a time to celebrate everything I’m thankful for.

And, I’m thankful for a whole bunch – my family, my friends, my teachers, my running shoes (ha), my notebook, and much more than I could even begin to list here.

But really, I’m most thankful for Grandma’s cooking!

So this poem is really a shout out to her and our upcoming feast. 

Okay, here goes:

An ode to Thanksgiving

‘Twas the weekend of Thanksgiving,

And all through the farm,

The smell of roast turkey

Was working its charm.

The sweet potatoes beckoned,

Without sugar, I guess,

Cuz Grandpa’s a diabetic

And less sugar is best.

The thought of homemade buns,

Fills me with anticipation,

Glazed peas and carrots

The center of infatuation.

I stare at the table,

Full of goodies galore,

“I’ll stuff myself silly!”

I hear my Dad roar.

On my mark, get set, run fast -

So fast I can fly…

I’ll beat Dad to appetizers,

To dinner, to pumpkin pie!

But I’ll be sure to yell,

As mom sprinkles her salad with cheese,

“Thanks for a wonderful dinner, Grandma,

Now pass the cranberries, please!”

Wishing you and your family an amazing Thanksgiving!

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy

Brrr...it's time to bumdle up!

Is it just me, or do we seem to be skipping seasons in Alberta this year?

First there was spring, which you pretty much missed if you blinked. Even after the snow melted, we had very little spring-like weather before it was suddenly summer, and except for a couple of really hot days, that season kind of went by in a blur.

Now, only a week after the first day of autumn, parts of the province are already seeing snow. SNOW!

Don’t get me wrong. There is much to love about winter – like snowshoeing (my new favourite hobby), wood burning fires, and of course, Christmas. But the leaves haven’t even finished changing colours, and the prairies are so beautiful in Autumn. It’s kind of sad.

Grandpa and I checked the Farmer’s Almanac, and it’s calling for a c-c-cold winter. I don’t know how much I believe in that old book, but I do know this: it’s time to dig out my winter coat and get bundled up.

The weatherman predicts a fairly mild weekend. I plan to spend it snapping pics of the beautiful fall colours before they disappear under a blanket of white. What’s on your agenda for the next couple of days?

Gotta jet!

- Chase Superman Duffy