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.

Football, Nascar on a beautiful fall day….must make Chili

 

Hi Everyone,

Well my football team the Patriots just kicked some major butt In London, now we are watching the Nascar race.  Yesterday was freezing, rainy with some major winds gusts up to 50 mph!  Today is the perfect fall day it is sunny out and cool.

 

  We decided to make chili in the crockpot, I have to keep getting up to stir it as Dave did all the cutting, chopping and browning the meat.  We are making garbage chili today as we did not go to the grocery store so I used what I had in the fridge.  This chilli has hamburg, sausage, bacon, onion, peppers, garlic, mushrooms, crushed tomatoes, whole tomatoes, dash of steak sauce, dash of bar-b-que sauce, 1/2 jar of salsa, cumin, cayenne pepper, chilli powder, salt…….so far :)  At the end of the cook time I will make a rue of a little flour and water for thickness and throw in 1 can of pinto beans as neither Dave or myself are big bean people.

 

 

I feel ok today better than yesterday so that is a good thing, seeing the neurosurgeon Wednesday I am really hoping he can fix me up because I have had enough.  Well enough of that subject.  Dave went back to work last week part time to start 4 hour days for 2 weeks, he is doing great.

This is what is sister sent him for his Birthday.

 

  I finally decorated for Halloween last weekend as it is my favorite holiday it took 2 days to put things out and I have rearranged stuff numerous times but I wanted to post some pictures.  Also last weekend Delilah was so cute she was all wrapped up in my robe like a queen the pictures are cute.    So here are some more pictures.

 

Well I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday I am off to stir the Chili again…….

Quick post

Hi Everyone,

I have not done a post again for a while. I finally have an appointment to see a top neurosurgeon in Boston next Wednesday, hopefully he can find out what the heck is going on with me and fix me up. After I told my regular doctor how that spine doctor treated me he told me he was sorry I had to deal with that and not to go back to him, I took great glee in cancelling that appointment.

I hate complaining, I am sick of being in pain, I am sick on not being my old self, and being snappy at people....so that is one reason I have not been doing posts. I have to catch up on quite a few blogs too, I miss checking in with all you.

Last week my doc gave me a new fentanyl pain patch (strong stuff) I wear for 3 days then change and doubled the pain meds. The one draw back is I can not take the pills that stop the daily break through pain while I am at work because It makes me kind of out of it. The patch makes me tired and sick to my stomach the first day, I felt good Saturday for a while, then miserable yesterday I think the cold wet weather makes the pain worse. Yesterday was 34 flipping degrees and rain wind and some snow! Yes I said Snow in OCTOBER!

Dave went back to work today! He was getting stir crazy but the doctor only approved 4 hour days for 2 weeks to start out with then he has to go back to see if the doctor will allow him to return full time (he has been out since June 19th!). We celebrated his 46th Birthday Friday and we sure where both grateful he is around to have another one, I took him out for prime rib dinner. I finally put my Halloween decorations up this weekend, it took we 2 whole days as I had to take it slow and easy. I will try to post some pictures soon.

Well that is about it I just want to let everyone know I am still breathing:)

Jus checkin in

Hi Everyone

I am just checking in. Yes I am still home, going on week 3 from this dam back pain. I went to see the back specialist last Thursday and let me tell you he was an Ass I do not think I have ever been so humilated but let me explain. I was prescribed by my regular doctor pain meds for the intense pain I have been in (percocet & valium) and I was taking the minimum dose as I hate being drugged up. So I go see this guy and after waiting for almost an hour after my appt time he brings me in. He tests my reflexes and does a few regular test like how far I could lift my leg bend over etc. He said well first you need to stop taking the pain meds as you have been on them too long (it was 10 days), so I said ok. My whole left side is messed up, besides my back hurting I have pain down my leg, tingles and my left arm kills me. He said it was because of how I am compensating for my back pain. He then says I can schedule for a epidural/cortisone shot for next Wed which is tomorrow. I told him how I have not been able to work and he said well you should be if you just sit and type.....duh sitting for too long and having to move my left arms is draining me. He then says ok I will excuse you for work until oct 12th and see how the shot helps. So I had a form my boss told me to have him fill out for the crappy disablility we have at work that covers only 150 a week which I was thinking of not even bothering to submit as I do have savings to live off of. Then he goes woooo what are you trying to pull, I am like What??!!! You are trying to get disability I am a nice guy and have been screwed before. I was like what are you talking about??? I am not here asking you for any pain meds I just want you to help me, so he is like fine I will do this but you better be aware of insurance fraud. I am like mister I sell insurance and have been in the business over 25 years I am not that kind of person. So then he goes well keep taking your pain meds and I will see you next week. I was livid and almost in tears when I left. He made me feel like some junky and loser who was looking for a free ride. Come on really $150 a week what a big score, I am not putting in for the disabilit I decided and just to prove a point I stopped taking pain meds for 5 days...and yes I have been miserable, this pain just wont stop. I get the shot tomorrow and I hope it will help and I will return to work the following week in pain or not. Believe me I am bored out of my mind and am not having fun and having a great time. I will not be going back to this jack ass and will be telling my regular doctor I want another referral after this. I am sorry if I have not commented on your blogs much I am just not myself, I cry a lot and am depressed. I hope everyone is well. Wish me luck tomorrow.