HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween. Last night we carved pumpkins. The two older children did each of their own and I did one. I also roasted the pumpkin seeds...though I think I'll leave out the seeds if we get a white pumpkin. They don't taste as good as the seeds from the orange ones. The morning I woke to hear the older 2 kids playing in one of their rooms. They were too excited since is was now finally Halloween.
In a flash we busied around the house getting ready for school. I packed their lunches, made them breakfast, packed their backpacks since they needed their swimsuits. The afternoon they will be going swimming while the morning, the grade 6's are putting on a penny carnival. You can get in by giving pennies or some food for the food bank. They also get to have a treat that they are selling so I made sure they had some pocket change so they could get one.
Last night we had them try their costumes. The youngest was in a foul mood and did not like it when I tried to put on her Halloween costume. So I decided that today if she still didn't want to wear it I have a back up plan...she can wear my older daughter's lady bug costume that she wore years ago. Meg seems to hate the witch's costume but didn't mind wearing the bug's costume. So...we shall see which of the two she will choose to wear this evening.

One more day!

Halloween is tomorrow! The kids are excited and can't wait to try on their costumes. My son wants to be a fisherman. Just have to dig out is fisherman's hat. My older daughter is of course snow white. She likes being any of the princesses...she's a princess nut! LOL! Helps me when I need to think of what to get her for a gift whether birthday or Christmas. The younger daughter is only 2 and she will be a cute little witch. We will just have her go around the block then come home to stay with me to help hand out candy while their dad takes the 2 older ones out for trick-or-treating.

Today when the kids come home from school, we will be carving out our pumpkins. We have a white one and 2 orange ones. That is the least amount we have ever had. Usually we carve anywhere from 4-7 pumpkins. Talk about alot of pumpkin seeds to roast! LOL! I'm just hoping and praying that the weather will be warm enough for them. But as usual here in Canada when it is cold, we just put the costume over their winter coats/snowsuits.

The Headless Horseman

When Halloween draws near the one story I remember being fond of as a kid was the Headless Horseman. I couldn't wait for the cartoon that Disney did to come on every year. Now there is also a movie about it that Johnny Depp stars in. (Though that is more for the adults.) There are actually many stories of this infamous horseman...New York, Texas...even in Europe where many say the story originates from. Exactly where, I am not sure yet. There is even an account of it by the Brothers Grimm.

In one story a man wanted to ride in a local race, even though he knew his horse really isn't the best. He sets out late, and meets up with the local ghost - a headless spirit on a black stead. The ghost challenges the man to a race, and since the man's a good jockey he manages to win it. The ghost is amused by the whole thing and loans the man his spirit horse for the race. That was the rough but it is out in a book somewhere.

Even in Ireland they have their story. The Dullahan - Ireland’s Headless Horseman. My friend sent me this story years ago. I think it was written by a B. Haggerty. And seeing as some of my ancestors are from Ireland...I thought I'd post a story about it here...

It is said that after sunset, on certain festivals and feast days, one of the most terrifying creatures in the spirit world, the Dullahan, can be seen riding a magnificent black stallion across the country side. Wherever he stops, a mortal dies. Clad in flowing black robes, the Dullahan has no head on his shoulders. He carries it with him in his hand, and because he is endowed with supernatural sight, he will hold the head up high. This allows him to see great distances, even on the darkest night. But beware watching him pass by. You’ll be punished by either having a bucket of blood thrown in your face or you might be struck blind in one eye. The biggest fear of all, however, is if he stops wherever you are and calls out your name. This will draw out your soul and you’ll no longer be among the living. Unlike the Banshee, which is known to warn of an imminent death in certain families, the Dullahan does not come to warn. He is a definite harbinger of someone’s demise and there exists no defence against him - except perhaps, an object made of gold. For some reason, the Dullahan has an irrational fear of gold and even a tiny amount may be enough to frighten him off.

One story from Galway says that a man was on his way home when all of a sudden he heard the sound of horse’s hooves pounding along the road behind him. In dread , he turned around to look. It was the Dullahan. He tried to run, but nothing can outrun the angel of death. Then the man remembered that if he couldn’t outrun him, he could outsmart him. With that, he dropped a gold coin on the road. There was a loud roar in the air, high above him, and when he turned to look again, the Dullahan was gone.

While no-one knows for certain how the Dullahan originated, it is thought that he is the embodiment of the Celtic fertility god, Crom Dubh, who was worshiped by an ancient king of Ireland, Tighermas. Each year, Tighermas sacrificed humans to Crom Dubh, and the usual method was decapitation. The worship of Crom Dubh ended in the sixth century, when Christianity came to Ireland and the old sacrificial traditions went out of favor. But Crom Dubh was not to be so easily forgotten, for it’s said that he then took on a physical form - the headless Dullahan - which means dark man - riding his mighty charger and using a human spine for a whip. And, while this is the way he is most often described, in some parts of Ireland, he drives a black coach drawn by a team of six black horses. They travel so fast that the friction from their hooves is said to set the hedges on fire along the sides of the road. And, no matter how firmly they are locked, all gates fly open to let the Dullahan through.So, if you’re in Ireland this Hallowe’en season, be safe at home by sunset, don’t look out your window, and definitely keep a gold object close at hand!

Picking Pumpkings

Your pumpkins will be in your home for at least a few days, so take the time to give your potential pumpkin some thought.

*Envision the shape of the pumpkin that would best suit your jack-o'-lantern design. Go so far as to draw some simple faces on pieces of paper that you would like to carve in your pumpkin. You can also look online for some ideas or buy at the store stencils.

* Go to your local pumpkin patch or the local grocery store. Don't go too early, since you want your pumpkin to be in good shape when Halloween arrives.

* Make sure the pumpkin you choose is able to stand up. Pumpkins do not have to be perfect; they look a lot scarier if they are weird. Once I had it laying on it's side and used the stem as the nose. Everyone thought it was one of the best ones we carved. :)

* Choose a pumpkin that is big enough to be striking when lit inside, but not so big that it keels over when carved.

* Examine the stem. If the gourd's stem is loose or has evidence of rotting, don't buy it.

* Pick up the pumpkin and examine it from all sides. Reject any pumpkins with blemishes such as white mildew, brown stains or wormholes.

* Knock on the pumpkin. It should sound hollow when ripe.

* Barter for a lower price if you are buying many pumpkins, and if you are buying them close to Halloween.

Stained Glass Pumpkins

Soften and alter the stark light of a jack-o’-lantern’s candle or bulb by using sheets of colored wax paper to create a stained glass-o’-lantern.

Or, if you can’t resist the lure of tradition, you can also use this technique on a classic pumpkin and carve a motif such as an Indian-summer sun. When the light diffuses through the wax paper, it casts a unique glow onto a stoop or stairway.

1. With a serrated knife or mini handsaw, cut a hole into the gourd’s top or bottom; scoop out the seeds.

2. If you’re using a template, draw the design on a sheet of paper and cut out. Tape the drawing to the gourd, and use a needle poking tool or pushpin to trace your design. If you’d rather draw directly on the gourd, use a soft felt-tipped pen, so the nib won’t bruise it, in red or green ink so stray marks don’t stand out. Cut the design out. Use a smooth blade to clean rough edges.

3. Attach colored wax paper to the inside of the gourd with straight pins. If you’re using a candle, make sure that it’s short and sturdy so the paper doesn’t burn. Or to be safer use battery operated lights to place inside. There are lots out there to choose from.

Easy Halloween Wreath

This is so easy to make, the kids can make it up in 5 minutes! So gather them 'round to make this spooky fun Halloween wreath.

You will need:

* 8" styrofoam wreath

* 2-2" strips of orange fabric 44" long

* 1 2" strip of black fabric

* 12" long Metallic trim (optional)

* 1 yucky rubber spider

* Craft glue

Do not worry about the type of fabric you are using. It is the color effect we are after, anything that is orange and black will work. Wool, felt, satin, cotton, etc.

Instructions:

Wrap the orange strips around the wreath to cover the base entirely. Glue ends down in the back. Do not worry about raw edges showing. Wrap metallic trim around the wreath in the same manner and bring ends to the back and glue down. This step is optional but I think it gives some extra "snap" to the end result. Tie black strip in a bow and attach at the top with glue. Tie black thread around the body of your yucky spider and hang down from the middle of the wreath. Glue the thread ends in the back of the wreath as well. Let the spider hang free. This is the spider's web. It is so simple and the kids will have fun hanging all sorts of yuckies from the wreath. It also costs next to nothing if you use odd and ends from around the house. Enjoy!

Homemade Face Paint

For those of us who prefer to save a little money and make things rather than buy it here is some homemade face paint you can make.

* 1 teaspoon cornstarch
* 1/2 teaspoon cold cream
* 1/2 teaspoon water
* Food coloring of your choice

Mix the cornstarch and the cold cream together. Add the water and stir. Add the food coloring one drop at a time until it is the shade you want. Do this for each color that you want. Paint on the child's face with a small paintbrush. Store in an airtight container.

Halloween Definitions

Here are some cute Halloween definitions :)

* Coffin: What you do when you get a piece of popcorn stuck in your throat.
* Frankenstein: Hot dog and a mug of beer.
* Full moon: What your repairman reveals when he bends over to fix your fridge.
* Goblin: How you eat the snickers bars you got for Halloween.
* Boogieman: Guy who passes time at a stoplight picking his nose.
* Invisible Man: What a guy becomes when there's housework to be done. Also, see Mr.Hyde.
* Jack O' Lantern: An Irish Pumpkin.
* Jack the Ripper: What Jack does to his lottery tickets after losing each week.
* Mummy: Who kisses the boo-boo after you scrape your knee.
* Pumpkin Patch: What a pumpkin wears when trying to quit smoking.
* Skeleton: Any supermodel.
* Vampire Bat: What Dracula hits a baseball with.
* Zombie: What you look like before that first cup of morning coffee.

Candied Carrots

Carrots...one of my favourite vegies. I try different recipes all the time and found one that was tasty. :)
Ingredients:
* 3 cups sliced carrots
* 3 Tbsp. butter
* 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)
* 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cook the carrots until tender. Drain the liquid. Add the other ingredients, stirring well to coat.

Halloween Countdown...week four

Time to look at decor! This is my favourite thing to do...though I think I got the jump on decorating. LOL! I couldn't wait so I did alot of my decorating already. ;)

This Week:
* Inventory the freezer and record the contents. Plan to eat from the freezer for the month of October, freeing up space for party foods and food for the oncoming holiday season! Use your food budget savings to stock up on items for the party or on holiday staples. (Haven't done yet)
* Do a mini freezer cooking session and put 5-10 entrees in your freezer. Use these meals on busy fall evenings with sports practice, football games, or just relaxing with family. (Haven't done yet.)
* Start now to buy one bag of Halloween candy or treats for the Trick or Treaters. If you buy a little each week is much easier on the budget. (Already have some candy put away)
* Do a quick declutter this week so that your fall decor will sparkle. (Check)
* Decorate for fall this week. (Got most down already)
* Don’t forget your front porch or entry. Give it a quick clean and add some pumpkins, scarecrows, or other fall decor. (I did clean up the front porch outside but I didn't decorate. People tend to either destroy or steal things so I'm concerned it will happen.)

Hot Apple Cider.

As the cold winter months approach, hot apple cider sounds better and better. Of course you don't have to stick with the usual apple...you can try different kinds. I have saskatoon berry cider and cranberry/raspberry cider. Mmmm...it definitely helps keep warm these bones. :)

HOT APPLE CIDER

Ingredients:

* 1 1/2 gallons Apple Cider

* 2 whole cinnamon sticks

* 5 cloves

* 1 large orange, sliced thin with peel left on

* 1/2 lemon, sliced thin with peel left on

* 1/2 cup sugar

Directions:

In large pot, combine cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange and lemon slices, and sugar to taste. Serve hot.

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all Canadians, I want to wish a happy Thanksgiving. I hope everyone pauses to appreciate and are thankful. I am thankful for the time we had with my FIL. It's one year ago today that he died. I pray he is now at peace and no longer has to suffer any more.
We had the usual big turkey dinner. It was just the five of us this year. Everyone seems so picky about what they like and don't like. So I just told them..."I'm cooking what I am and if you don't like it you can go hungry and maybe it will make you think more and appreciate what we do have." Thankfully this year I only had to fight with one of my daughters to eat. One of them actually didn't whine or complain. *sigh* I started this morning for a couple hrs. and then paused to head off to church and drop off food for the food bank. Then once back home, finished cooking/making everything that was planned for the dinner. Trying to keep the kids out of the kitchen when they are hungry is a chore in itself! LOL!
So once everyone chowed down and was almost finished eating, I was actually able to sit down myself and eat. *phew* It was delicious. So dh then shortly after, fell asleep on the couch and I had to clean up and put everything away. It's hard to wash dishes when your 2 yr. old daughter is playing in the water and trying to drink it. *yuk* So I managed to get most of the dishes washed. I'll wait till the kids are in before I tackle the rest of them else I'll have more of a mess to clean up when I'm done! LOL!
I'm taking a break at the moment...in another hr. I'll get back to it. A woman's work is never done!

Witch's Mix

This fun mix takes only five minutes to prepare, looks great on the table, and taste terrific. It's great when you are in a jam and don't have much time to make something or need to make something in a jiffy.

Ingredients:
* 1 cup popcorn (or Cracker Jack's)
* 1/2 cup candy corn
* 1/2 cup small marshmallows
* 1/2 cup black jelly beans

Mix all ingredients together in a colorful bowl. Makes 8 servings.

Black and White Halloween Ideas

If you decide to go for a kind of theme for Halloween...here is one theme you might think about doing...black and white!

http://www.365halloween.com/black-white-costume-ideas

http://www.countryhome.com/projects/holiday/blackmagic_1.html

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/theme_parties/25906

Halloween Hangman

Do you love playing the hangman game? Here is one for Halloween! Have fun!

http://www.dedge.com/flash/hangman/

Halloween Countdown...week 3

This is the week for planning your party menu, treats, and any special Halloween meals as well as freezer meals for when you are too busy to cook.

Things to do...
* I don't have to worry about anything to do with getting ready for any parties...not having one.
* Finish picking up all decorations. There’s plenty out in the stores by now. (Got pretty much all of it. Just picking up the odds and ends if I see something I like that catches my attention.
* Food is the focus…try out a party recipe or two this week..better to test before serving. (Since I'm not doing any parties, I have decided to focus the food geared towards Thanksgiving since it is next Monday. I have all I need to make the Thanksgiving dinner.)
* Party favors and goodie bags.(Not for any party but I have started to buy candy for the trick-or-treaters)
* I'm still working on getting the rest of the Halloween costumes together.

Thanksgiving...10 days left!

For us Canadians, we have Thanksgiving the second Monday of October...so we have 10 more days! My son is excited because he love the big meal. We found turkeys on sale so we got 2 of them...(the other one is for Christmas.) We will have some of the pickled beets I made, stuffing and deviled eggs. I don't know if dh will make his own special stuffing but I will make the one I like. (I don't like his). I still need to pick up a few things this weekend for the dinner but it's not much left to get.
It will only be the five of us this year unless my dh invites someone who doesn't have anyone to celebrate Thanksgiving with. His brother and sister that lives nearby will be going out of the province to their mom's for the holiday. There is also a feast/gifting going on there. It will be a year the day before Thanksgiving since my FIL died and their family, being Native Canadians, usually have a feast and gifting a year after a family member dies. It can get expensive. So they will be going to that. The kids were diappointed thier aunt and uncle won't be here but they felt better when I told them they might be here for Christmas.