To Give out Candy, or not to give out Candy….that is the question? Also annual Halloween goodies edition.

   

Happy Halloween!  Well I am driving myself crazy as I had decided I was not going to give out candy this year as I do not feel like walking up and down the stairs 100+ times.  Not too mention I have not even purchased any candy at least not yet.  Now the Halloweenie spirit is kinda creeping up on me and I am leaning towards having Dave bring me to the store so I can pay a small fortune for some candy.  Last year I think I spent $40-$50 and almost ran out of treats as I had well over 100 kids.

 

The weather is crazy as the temps have shot up to 70 degrees for today only and back to 50 degree temps tomorrow.  It is very windy out but the perfect night for the trick or treaters.  I remember as a kid it was always freezing and I was always so mad at my parents as they would make us wear our jackets over our costumes…..grrrrrrr   Oh decisions, decisions it is 1:41 in the afternoon and I am still in my p.j.’s.  I have done lots of house work today and would love a nap but that will probably not happen. 

 

I hope everyone has a fun/safe night and do not forget to set your clocks back tonight!

 

Well what ever I decide I guess I will have to let you know.  I do love Halloween so much here is my annual batch of Halloween goodies: Tags (used with permission), recipes, humor and crafts.  Enjoy!  Feel free to snag anything you would like.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be Sure to get be creative and make a great costume…..hee heee

 

Are you a vampire???  Take this quiz to find out:

http://www.quizrocket.com/vampire-quiz

Defending yourself against vampires:

http://www.fvza.org/vdefense.html

 

Some Witchy Humor and tags

Witchy Links:

http://skepdic.com/witches.html

http://www.salemweb.com/memorial/

http://www.agnosticwitch.catcara.com/nonscript-version/oldest-religion.htm

 

Haunted Places, Ghost stories-Enter if you dare!

http://www.hauntedhouse.com/

http://www.halloweenghoststories.com/

http://www.haunted-places.com/

 

Halloweenie Shows to watch:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last but not least some Recipe’s and Crafts:

 

Cooking With Fresh Apple Cider –from one of my favorite sites: http://oldfashionedliving.com/

By Brenda Hyde

Autumn not only brings the arrival of apples, but of fresh apple cider. Nothing beats a cool fall day treat of cake doughnuts and a tall glass of fresh cider. If you can't make it to a local orchard you will find cider in the produce section of your grocery store as well. Don't miss out on this traditional autumn treat. Buy an extra gallon and save it for the following recipes!

Spiced Mulled Cider

2 quarts apple cider
3/4 to 1 cup RealLemon Juice from concentrate
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
8 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks

In large saucepan, combine all ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 10 minutes to blend flavors. Remove spices; serve hot with extra cinnamon sticks and sliced apples if desired. Note: You can tie spices in a small square of cheesecloth to make removal easier.

Apple Jelly Chicken

4 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup butter
2 Tbsp. apple jelly
1/2 cup apple cider
salt
pepper

Place chicken under broiler or grill. Broil 4 inches from the heat for 10 minutes, turning once. Meanwhile, combine butter, jelly and apple cider in a saucepan; heat and stir over medium heat until jelly melts. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Brush mixture over chicken. Broil or grill for one minute, turn. Brush jelly mixture over chicken, again cook for one minute. Turn and repeat process. Serves 4.

Applesauce Pancakes with Apple Cider Syrup

Pancakes:
2 eggs
2 cups flour, sifted
1 cup milk
1 cup natural applesauce
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. baking powder
4 Tbsp. melted butter

Combine all the ingredients, mixing until smooth. Cook on a hot griddle or skillet. Serve with Apple Cider Syrup (see recipe). Makes about 16 pancakes. Serves 4.

Apple Cider Syrup

2 cups fresh apple cider
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
4 Tbsp. butter

Combine all ingredients, except butter, in a saucepan over medium heat until mixture thickens. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the butter. Serve hot over pancakes.

Autumn Stew

2 pounds lean beef stew meat, or roast cut into cubes
1 (1 ounce) envelope onion soup mix
1 (1 ounce) envelope brown gravy mix
1 1/2 cups apple cider
Optional: Diced apples, baby carrots, potatoes

Brown the beef in a skillet, seasoning with pepper. (Don't use salt, since the soup mixes contain enough). Place the beef, onion soup mix, brown gravy mix and apple cider in a slow cooker and cook on low for 5 to 8 hours. Or place ingredients in a casserole and cook in a 325 degree oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Notes: Add the optional ingredients and serve with fresh bread. If you leave those out it can served over cooked noodles or rice.

Apple Bread for Bread Machines

2 1/4 tsp. Active Dry Yeast
3 cups Bread Flour
1 tsp. Cinnamon
2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
2 Tbsp. Butter
1 Tsp. Salt
1 1/4 cups Apple Cider

Place in bread baking pan per manufacturer's directions.

Savory Autumn Carrots

2 tablespoons oil
1 sweet onion, sliced very thin
2 pounds baby carrots
1 1/2 cups apple cider
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 tablespoons chives, chopped

Heat oil and add onion in a large skillet; sauté 3 minutes. Add carrots, cider, sugar, and pepper, and bring to a boil. Cook mixture 10 minutes over medium heat or until carrots are tender. Transfer carrots and liquid to a serving bowl and garnish with chives.

Whimsical Corn Husk Dolls

http://oldfashionedliving.com/

By Brenda Hyde

Cornhusk dolls have been made by Native American girls and women for more than a thousand years, probably since the growing and harvesting of corn began. They in turn passed this craft down to the Colonial families. It was a time when nothing was wasted and a purpose was found for everything. Today we can still make these whimsical dolls with our children!

You will need:
Corn husks, fresh or dried, about 8 sections of husk
String
Cotton balls, or scraps of batting
Scraps of cloth, cording or ribbon, beads, buttons

If you are using dried husks you will need to soak them in water for about 10 minutes to soften them. Fresh husks can be used as is.

Place a piece of cotton in the middle of a section of husk, twisting and tying it with a piece of string to make a head. Create your doll's arms by folding another husk and tying it near each end to make hands. Slip these arms between the husks that were below the head you made. Tie the "waist" of your doll tightly with string. Arrange more husks around the doll's waist so that they overlap slightly and then tie them in place with the string. Fold the husks down carefully. You can trim the husks straight across at the bottom to even your doll's dress hem. You'll now need to let your corn husk doll dry completely.

After she dries, you can leave your figure as is, or add a face with a thin tipped marker or paint. You can attach fake hair if you wish too. Glue on some tiny buttons to the dress or beads and cotton fabric to the doll for a skirt or shawl. You can use very thin cord or ribbon as a belt too.

You can dye your corn husks with fabric dye if you wish. Mix the dye as directed on the package and place your husks in the dye one at a time. Remove the husks when they are the color you want to use and rinse the husks in cold water, then drain. You can also soak them in food coloring for 30 minutes, or for an old fashioned dye, try using strong coffee or tea. Pat them dry before making your dolls.