Return of the Light. Lessons from the Eclipse.

I don't mean to wax poetic about the waxing moon, but I just wanted to share a little moon moment.

One quick glimpse at social media and the flurry of blurry photos of light blobs on black backgrounds and you know that there was some sort of lunar event.

There was also ample warning leading up to the eclipse that made sure we all knew that there was yet another once-in-a-lifetime sight to see in the sky.

But imagine life before technology.

Imagine a time when instead of our little glowing phone screens, the only thing to light our night was that big comforting ball of cheese in the sky.

Imagine how terrifying it would have been when that big ole' cheese-ball suddenly and unexpectedly turned an ominous shade of crimson, and we had no idea why -- and we wondered if it was the end of the world.

Now we've got google and iflscience to light our way and explain these mysteries to us, so it isn't scary. We know our beloved cheeseball is safe and sound and playing hide and seek in our shadow -- it will be right back and as bright and beautiful as it ever was.

If only all of life was that simple.

For me, this eclipse was a little reminder lesson about when we enter the dark moments in our lives. We have no control, and we don't know if the light will ever return.

We don't have a magical website that explains the reasons behind the dark and scary moments in our lives --we don't know how long they will last. We don't have that same reassurance that like the eclipse, it is natural and normal and everything is going to be alright. We don't know for sure that it is not the end of the world until we start to see the return of the light.

Above is the picture I took as the September 2015 Blood Moon eclipse event was coming to a close. The moon was just beginning to free itself from the darkness. 

Don't worry 'bout a thing, because every little thing is gonna be alright.

It is the return of the light.

Hang in there... 

I took this picture (above) of a 'supermoon' in its full glory a year or two ago.

Pineapp-O-Lantern: A Tropic'alloween Treat

Who says you can only make a Jack-O-Lantern out of a pumpkin? 

Not me! 

Allow me to introduce you to a frightfully fun Halloween treat that makes a great presentation when serving a fruit plate, or fruit and cheese platter or even an awesome Halloween breakfast!

I'm calling it a Pineapp-O-Lantern: A Tropic'alloween Treat!



It's basically the same process as carving a Jack-O-Lantern, so I wont bore you with an in-depth how-to, but I will share some tips.

I went the traditional route - cutting the top to make the 'lid' of the Jack-O-Lantern and then scooping out the contents, but I'll definitely be doing things differently the next time I do this (see tips below).

A much more efficient way (and what I ended up doing about half way through digging and scooping pineapple) would be to make the 'lid' cut at the top, and also chop the bottom off the pineapple so you can approach it from both ends.

Then you'll only need to run the blade of your knife around the inside edge of both ends, hollowing out a cylinder and sliding it out. This will leave you with nice hollow shell for carving a face, as well as a nice neat tube of pineapple to core and slice for serving.

All that's left to do is carve a face, and pop in a battery operated tealight candle (I got my candles 2 per pack at Dollar Tree, batteries included and they even flicker like real flames!).

This project is great for bringing some whimsical Halloween fun to an unexpected place like a fruit platter, and I love that the pineapple top looks like spooky spiked hair!

EXTRA TIP: It's not just for Halloween! Change the facial features slightly and you could carve a tiki face into the pineapple for an awesome display for a luau or other tropical themed summer party!

Well hello there Mr Creepy Pinapp-O-Lantern face!