Saturday 18 December 2010

December 18 2010

All Christmas wrapping is done! Cooked a turkey tonight and will cook another one tomorrow to put in the freezer.

The elves brought some hockey socks for DS and some things for DD's trip (toothpaste, first-aid kit, shampoo, mini-towelettes)

Cleared out the office so it can be turned into a guest room for the holidays.

Unfortunately this year no horse-drawn carriage - the guy only has 1 horse left and he doesn't want to do this anymore. :(

Just some cooking & cleaning left to do.

First gifts will be going out tomorrow to hockey friends.

Wednesday 15 December 2010

December 15th

The elves brought Christmas pillowcases for the teens. The pillowcases have pockets with some $ in it.

They were asleep when I left so I'll know tonight how they liked them.

I also made 20 ribbon pockets for small chocolates to give to some friends. I've started counting... and I'll have to do more.

Monday 13 December 2010

December 13

Fudge & thumbprint cookies are done. Wrapped all the kids gifts this weekend. I only have 2 more gifts to wrap.

Need to do ribbon pockets to put some small pieces of chocolate in for my friends.

How are you doing?

Thursday 9 December 2010

December 9

The elves arrived with some Christmas lottery tickets this morning. I wasn't there when the kids scratched them... it would be fun if they won a gift :)

The only things left to wrap are the kids gifts & stocking stuffers.

The only thing DONE in baking is the sucre à la crème. Need to do at least 2 more things this weekend.

I'm way off in the food department... but hey there are grocery stores near by if need be.

Tuesday 7 December 2010

December 6

This morning the elves arrived with a new Christmas movie 'Miracle on 34th street' the old version. Can't wait to watch it.

Teens were jumping up & down they were so thrilled to have ANOTHE christmas movie! (Not!)

We had DH's company party on the 4th in Beauce. Nice supper & pleasant evening. He's been with the company 30 years, but they reward 15, 25 & 35. At 35 they get a trip (I think it's a vacation credit of 4 000 $).... better start planning! :)

Thursday 2 December 2010

December 1st - Christmas preps - elves have arrived!

The elves arrived this morning with 2 chocolate advent calendars for the teens. Christmas season kick-off.

I wrapped a few gifts tonight so that's my Christmas prep for today.

Buying gifts - DONE
Decorating - DONE

Left to do:
- Wrap
- Cook & bake

I'm on my way...

Last weekend I watched my favorite Christmas movie - National Lampoon's Christmas vacations to start off the Christmas season.

Wednesday 24 November 2010

Wednesday, November 24th 2010

1 month from Christmas!
My Christmas preps are coming along fine. I need to get new lights for the tree since mine aren't working... so what color? all white or multi-colored? hmmmm
All decorations are up, even the tree but it isn't decorated.
90% of gifts are bought and I'll start wrapping this weekend (I have 2 gifts wrapped and in MY stocking! lol!)
My Christmas outfits are done too.
Food prep has not started though. I might try and start some things this weekend.

How are you coming along?

Sunday 31 October 2010

Halloween 2010 - the food




Halloween 2010 - costumes

Less people this year. We were 8.

The boys:


The girls:


The group:


Rag doll: (me)


Zulu (J-C)

Pictures of Halloween 2010

Decor - I'll only post pics of new things... the rest are the same as last year with a few minor modifications. My bathroom was a spider lair - complete with spider cocoons.


Halloween coasters I made this year (6).

Halloween - October 31st!

Don't forget to hand out candies to the kids!

I'm keeping this post open so I can add pictures of our 3rd Halloween party. Decorations & costumes.

Have a great Halloween!
Boo!

Saturday 30 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 30th

Joke
A butler came running into his important masters office. "Sir, sir, theres a ghost in the corridor. What shall I do with him?"
Without looking up from his work the master said, "Tell him I can't see him."

Recipe - ghost cakes
Prep: 20 min., Stand: 2 min.
Yield: Makes 10 servings
Ingredients
· 1/2 (12-oz.) container ready-to-spread white frosting
· 1 (11-oz.) package cream-filled chocolate cake squares
· 1 (0.68-oz.) tube black decorating gel
Preparation
1. Microwave frosting in a microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 30 seconds to 1 minute or until melted; stir until smooth. Let stand 2 minutes.
2. Place 1 cup melted frosting in a gallon-size zip-top plastic bag. (Do not seal.) Snip 1 corner of bag to make a small hole. Pipe frosting onto each cake square in the shape of a ghost, adding remaining frosting to bag as needed. Pipe 2 dots on each cake using black gel to form eyes.
Note: For testing purposes only, we used Little Debbie Devil Squares and Betty Crocker Decorating Gel.
Southern Living, OCTOBER 2008
Craft - bat storm
Get some foam sheets from the dollar store & cut bats from them. Hang from the ceiling.

Friday 29 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 29

Joke - graveyard humor

Dead end


Recipe - graveyard chocolate pudding



Make your own favorite chocolate pudding (from a box is fine), put in see-through glasses, crush some chocolate cookies on top (for the earth), add some vanilla cookies (oval shapped) on which you have printed RIP with some cake frosting.



Craft - Monster gloves






Get cheap black gloves, long plastic nails from the dollar store. Glue nails to glove & put some glittery nailpolish on them.

One year I made some for my son. He was dressed as Freddy Krueger. I bought those dollar store finger ends with knife blades at the end & glued them to a black glove. Tadda!

Thursday 28 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 28

Joke:
Bob the Bat was hanging from a tree asleep one night.
When his friend Bill flew in and landed next to him,Bob Immediately smelt blood, and turns to Bill and notices blood all around his face.
He says to Bill excitedly,"Hey Bill, where did the blood come from, did you find a good meal"?"No i didn't", Bill says.
Bob trys again, "cmon Bill I wont tell anyone, where is the meal you found?"Bill says "there is no meal Bob, dont worry about it go back to sleep"
So, they stay hanging there for 5 minutes, but curiosity gets the better of Bob, so he asks again,"Cmon Bill wheres the meal you got, i wont tell any one else"
So Bill, fed up, says ok come wih me and flys off with a very hungry and excited Bob behind him.
After about 5 minutes, there both flying along,Bill gets closer to Bob and says,"See that big tree up ahead near the river bank"?Bob says "Yeah, yeah."
Bill says, "Well I didn't!"

Recipe - Fruit ghosts

• Fruit: Small seasonal fruit. Strawberries are completely out of season. Instead, look for small green figs, globe grapes, or very small lady apples.
• Chocolate and wax: We wouldn't use very expensive chocolate on these; the fun is in the look. Also pick up a small bar of paraffin wax and a bar of white chocolate.
• Other things you'll need: Wax paper or parchment. Small saucepan. Toothpicks.
• Melt chocolate: Add a walnut-sized lump of paraffin wax to about 8 ounces of chocolate and melt over very low heat. Let the wax completely liquefy and whisk together with the melted chocolate.
• Let chocolate cool: Here's where the project gets a little tricky. You would want the chocolate melted but thick so that it won't run off the fruit immediately. Let it cool for a few minutes then stir and try dipping the fruit.
• Dip and swipe: Dip the fruit in the chocolate and immediately drag out the excess chocolate on the wax paper or parchment, using a toothpick to swirl the end like the ghostie tails above. If the chocolate is too thin let it cool longer. If too thick, warm up again.
Alternatively, you could use a small spoon to create individual ghostie swirls on the paper, then immediately dip the fruit and place it on top.
• Eyes and mouths: Let the fruit cool until the chocolate is hard, then dab on mouths and eyes with the flat end of a toothpick dipped in melted white or dark chocolate. http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/holidays-halloween/diy-ghost-fruit-for-halloween-034917

Craft - Bat pumpkings


Video tutorial available here:
http://familyfun.go.com/halloween/halloween-crafts/halloween-decorations/bat-o-lanterns-674621/

Wednesday 27 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 27

Joke - Sandwich joke
A ham sandwich goes into a pub and says, "Barman I need a drink"; and the barman says "Sorry, we don't serve food here"

Recipe: halloween sandwiches

Dress up your sandwiches using cookie cutters!

Craft: Holloween printable cards
http://tpettit.best.vwh.net/dolls/pd_scans/halloween/index.html

Pop-up scary card
http://familyfun.go.com/printables/spooky-pop-up-greeting-card-for-halloween-704121/

Disney’s Eeyore card
http://disney-stationary.com/greeting-cards/halloween/Happy-Halloween-Eeyore-Card.php

Witch invitation card
http://familycrafts.about.com/library/projects/blhwitchinvite.htm

Canon kitty card
http://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/3057/c-halloween0002_s09/index.html

Party awards
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.123certificates.com/images/forest.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.123certificates.com/halloween.php&usg=__SxDEBVBojBBG9aA-ZjoG-wXFtZI=&h=180&w=125&sz=10&hl=fr&start=34&tbnid=WLrvSuD3Jv5w-M:&tbnh=101&tbnw=70&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhalloween%2Bprintable%2Bcards%2Bfree%26start%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dfr%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1

RIP party invitation
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://0.tqn.com/d/familycrafts/1/0/V/l/blhgraveinvite.jpg&imgrefurl=http://familycrafts.about.com/library/projects/blhgraveinvite.htm&usg=__NqTCbR5jkE5Lxaqr8I-sOhD0tBg=&h=745&w=534&sz=46&hl=fr&start=33&tbnid=EmOYXZImJNc9zM:&tbnh=141&tbnw=101&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhalloween%2Bprintable%2Bcards%2Bfree%26start%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dfr%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1

Variety of cute cards
http://www.mintprintables.com/greeting-cards/halloween/

Lots of choices here… create & print
http://printable-cards.gotfreecards.com/index.html?cat=Halloween

Cute kiddie cards
http://familyfun.go.com/halloween/halloween-printables/halloween-cards-stationery/halloween-cards-704084/

Tuesday 26 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 26 - APPLES

Joke:

Fred came rushing in to his Dad. “Dad!” he puffed, “is it true that an apple a day keeps the doctor away?” “That’s what they say,” said his Dad. “Well, give me an apple quick ? I’ve just broken the doctor’s window!”

Recipe: Caramel apples


Yield: Makes 6 apples
Ingredients
· 6 large Granny Smith apples
· 6 wooden craft sticks
· 1 (14-ounce) bag caramels, unwrapped
· 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
· 1 tablespoon water
· 2 cups chopped pecans, toasted
· 1 (12-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate morsels
· Pecan halves (optional)
Preparation
Wash and dry apples; remove stems. Insert craft sticks into stem end of each apple; set aside.
Combine caramels, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon water in a microwave-safe glass bowl. Microwave on HIGH 90 seconds or until melted, stirring twice.
Dip each apple into the caramel mixture quickly, allowing excess caramel to drip off. Roll in chopped pecans; place on lightly greased wax paper. Chill at least 15 minutes.
Microwave chocolate morsels at HIGH 90 seconds or until melted, stirring twice; cool 5 minutes. Pour chocolate where craft sticks and apple meet, allowing chocolate to drip down sides of apples. Press pecan halves onto chocolate, if desired. Chill 15 minutes or until set.
NOTE: For testing purposes only, we used Kraft Caramels.
Calypso Caramel Apples: Substitute 1 cup chopped toasted macadamia nuts and 1 cup toasted coconut for pecans.
Georgian Caramel Apples: Substitute 2 cups chopped toasted peanuts for pecans.
Black-and-White Caramel Apples: Microwave 6 ounces white chocolate morsels at HIGH 60 seconds or until melted, stirring once; drizzle evenly over semisweet chocolate.
Southern Living, OCTOBER 2003

Craft : Caramel apple cards

All wrapped up with shredded paper in 2nd picture

http://kellishouse.blogspot.com/2008/10/caramel-apple-cards-paper-crafting.html

Monday 25 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 25

Joke:
Q: What do you get when you cross a black cat with a lemon&
A: A sour-puss

Recipe: witch wands



Just dip pretzel sticks in chocolate and roll in candy bits.

Costumes - easy costume ideas


1. A Highway: Wear all black sweat suit, stick on white or yellow tape on your legs and chest to resemble lines in a road. Attach tiny cars and road signs onto your pants and shirt.
2. Typical Tourist: Wear a big floppy hat, flowered shirt and long shorts, flip-flop sandals and a camera around your neck. Carry a map and look lost all the time
3. Twister Game: Buy a Twister game. Staple ribbon to two corners of the spinner and tie the ribbon under your chin so the spinner becomes a “hat.” Cut a hole in the center of the Twister mat and wear it like a poncho. All night long you can tell people to “put left hand on red” and so on.
4. Tornado: Wear all black or gray clothing. Sew strings of varying lengths all over your outfit. On the ends of the string, tie on tiny houses, people, cars, animals, etc. When people ask what you are, spin around fast and make sounds like a tornado.
5. In the Shower: Wrap a towel around your body (wearing a tube top and shorts under the towel is optional). Wrap a towel around your head turban style or wear a shower cap. Carry a rubber duck and a back scrubber.
6. Sleepy Housewife: Put your hair up in curlers; wear a bathrobe, no makeup and yawn a lot. Don’t forget fuzzy bunny slippers! This is especially funny for guys to dress up as.
7. Spirit of Halloween: Wear black and orange. Attach as many Halloween decorations as you can to your outfit.

More ideas can be found at: http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/halloweenweird_sdsu.htm

Sunday 24 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 24

Joke:
Q- What do you call a little monster's parents?
A - Mummy and deady.


Recipe -Ghostly brownies



Make up a batch of your favorite brownie recipe and leave to cool. Cut into squares or rectangles.
Cut a ghostly shape out of a piece of paper and use it as a template, laying it over each brownie as you sprinkle it gently with icing sugar (confectioner's sugar). Use silver ball cake decorations for eyes, or use the end of a chopstick, dampened, to take the icing sugar away where you want the eyes to be.
Simple, quick and spooky fun to eat!
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/ghostly_brownies.htm

Costumes - No-sew sweatsuit costume ideas



Using a hooded sweat suit as a base for a no-sew costume provides you with almost unlimited options.
To start with, you will need a sweat suit with a hood. A matching set of sweats isn’t always necessary, and in fact some costumes look best with different colored tops and bottoms. There are also some costumes that would look best without a hood.
All of the costumes can be made without machine sewing, however, if you would like the costume to be more permanent they can be sewn. Other non-permanent alternatives for constructing the costumes include white school glue (it washes out in the laundry!), sticky backed Velcro, hand basting and safety pins. Choose a method that will hold the costume secure enough for your child.
Skunk-
-black hooded sweat suit
-white medium pile fake fur
- black cotton lining fabric (broadcloth works well and is inexpensive).
Keep in mind the markings of a skunk when creating this costume! Cut an elongated oval piece of white fur for the white tummy spot and attach to the chest area on the front of the sweat suit. Next create the long stripe that runs from between the skunks ears to the tip of its tail. It the process of doing this you will create a tail that will swing loose from the costume. Measure from the front edge of the sweat suit tops hood down to the bottom back edge of the top (it is easiest to do this while the child is wearing the top).Then measure from the bottom edge of the top, to approximately your child’s knees (or where ever you would like the bottom of the tail to reach). Now take your measurements and cut a long piece of fur that is tapered to a point at the top and widens out to a curved bottom, like an elongated tear drop. The pointed end is the top, and attaches to the hood. Secure the tail to the sweat suit, leaving the remainder of the tail to swing free. Cut a piece of black lining fabric for the part of the tail that extends beyond the sweat suit top and attach. Then cut half circles (two each) of black lining fabric and fur for ears and attach the two pieces wrong sides together (so the right sides are showing). These are the skunk’s ears, and should be attached to the hood on either side of the back stripe. Now you have an adorable little skunk!
Dalmatian:
I made a dog costume for my child one year... it was not Halloween but he came home one day saying he had to dress as a dog the NEXT day!! I used a sweatsuit, glue gun and leftover fabric to make the spots.
You will need a white hooded sweat suit, black felt, a small amount of fiber fill, and old dog collar (if it still has tags that’s an added bonus!). Cut small random semi-circular spots out of the black felt and apply all over the sweat suit. Cut out 2 rounded triangular shapes for the ears and apply in an appropriate position on the hood of the sweat suit. Next cut a long rectangle piece of felt for the tail. Measure from the waist band of your child’s pants to where you would like the tail to extend. Use this as the length measurement for the tail, and cut it about 3 inches wide. Fold the piece of felt in half length wise and secure. Stuff with fiber fill and close the ends of the tail. Attach the tail to the waist band of your child’s pants. When your child is in costume you can add the dog collar and face paint to complete the effect!
Cow:
Cows come in a variety of colors and breeds, but we’re going to stick to the traditional black and white Holstein for this example. You will need a white hooded sweat suit, black felt, tan felt, and fiber fill. Cut large rounded spots out of the black felt and attach to the sweat suit. Cut out two oval shaped pieces of black felt for the ears, and secure in place. Out of the tan felt, cut four cornucopia shaped pieces for the cow’s horns. Secure two pieces together, and stuff with fiber fill. Attach horns right behind the ears on the hood. To make the tail, cut a long rectangular piece of black felt about 2 inches wide and long enough to reach from your child’s waist to their knees (or longer if you choose). Attach one end to the waist band of the sweat suit pants. Cut the bottom of the tail into fringe pieces about 3 inches long to create the tuft on the end of the tail. You can add a collar with a small cow bell and face paint to enhance the costume.
Horse/Unicorn:
Horses come in many colors, and the possibilities for a unicorn are endless! So, choose a sweat suit that pleases your little equine lover! You will need a sweat suit, yarn, and matching felt. For the horses mane wind pieces of yarn around a book or other stiff object that will create the length you want for the mane. Wrap the yarn around the book several times, and then tie a piece of yarn securely around the wound hank at one point. Slip the hank of yarn off the book, and cut the loop of yarn opposite where it is tied. Secure the hank of mane to the front edge of the sweat suit hood at the point where it is tied. Repeat this process down the center of the hood until a full mane has been formed. Be sure to apply some of the mane so that it will fall forward from the edge of the hood to create the horse’s forelock! Cut 2 triangles with rounded edges out of felt for the ears. Secure to the hood on either side of the mane. If you are making a unicorn, cut 2 pieces of a long triangular shaped horn. Secure the edges of the horn and stuff with fiber fill. Secure to the hood an inch or so back from the front edge in the middle of the mane. Create the tail by wrapping yarn around a long object (such as the back of a chair) until a nice thick tail has been formed. Tie the tail hank, and then cut the yarn loops opposite of the tie point. Secure the tail at the tie point to the waist band of the sweat suit pants.
Source:
http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/halloweencostum_szmf.htm

Saturday 23 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 23

Joke:
Q: What do sea monsters eat for lunch?
A: Fish and ships.

Recipe - Pumpkin cake


Cuts into 15 generous portions
Preparation and cooking times
Prep 20 mins
Cook 30 mins (without frosting)
Ingredients
For the cake
300g self-raising flour
300g light muscovado sugar
3 tsp mixed spice
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
175g sultanas
½ tsp salt
4 eggs , beaten
200g butter , melted
zest 1 orange
1 tbsp orange juice
500g (peeled weight) pumpkin or butternut squash flesh, grated
FOR DRENCHING AND FROSTING
200g pack soft cheese
85g butter , softened
100g icing sugar , sifted
zest 1 orange and juice of half
1. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Butter and line a 30 x 20cm baking or small roasting tin with baking parchment. Put the flour, sugar, spice, bicarbonate of soda, sultanas and salt into a large bowl and stir to combine. Beat the eggs into the melted butter, stir in the orange zest and juice, then mix with the dry ingredients till combined. Stir in the pumpkin. Pour the batter into the tin and bake for 30 mins, or until golden and springy to the touch.
2. To make the frosting, beat together the cheese, butter, icing sugar, orange zest and 1 tsp of the juice till smooth and creamy, then set aside in the fridge. When the cake is done, cool for 5 mins then turn it onto a cooling rack. Prick it all over with a skewer and drizzle with the rest of the orange juice while still warm. Leave to cool completely.
3. If you like, trim the edges of the cake. Give the frosting a quick beat to loosen, then, using a palette knife, spread over the top of the cake in peaks and swirls. If you're making the cake ahead, keep it in the fridge then take out as many pieces as you want 30 mins or so before serving. Will keep, covered, for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Try this
Recipe from Good Food magazine, October 2007.


Costumes - for couples


Some funny costumes for couples ideas:

Caught in Lover’s Lane: Man can wear a button-down shirt buttoned all wrong, lipstick kisses on his face and shirt, pants slightly unzipped, shoes untied or on wrong feet and hair messed up. Woman can wear skirt tucked into back of pantyhose, missing one shoe, make up smeared, hair messed up, and bra on the outside of shirt.
Movie, TV or Cartoon Couples: pick your favorite couple from TV and dress as them.
Widowed Wife and Deceased Husband: Woman dresses in all black with a black veil and carries tissues. Man dresses in a nice suit but paints face to look dead.
Dead Groom and Bride: Woman wears white dress and man wears tuxedo of black suit. Paint face to look pale and eyes sunken in.
Celebrity and Paparazzi: One of the two dresses up real nice, wears sunglasses and acts real stuck-up and popular. The other wears regular clothes but has 2 or 3 cameras around neck and is following the celebrity. Paparazzi often hide around corners or behind things and sneaks photos or shouts things like “turn to the right! And “just one photo please!”
Ketchup and Mustard: One wears all red and the other wears all yellow.
Salt and Pepper: One wears all black and the other all white.
Hot and Cold: One wears blue and has icicle decorations (like the kind sold at Christmas) or pictures of icicles on clothes. The other dresses in all orange, red or yellow with pictures of flames and fire.
Dracula and Victim: Man dresses as Dracula. Woman dresses as his victim with a pale face, nightgown and bite marks on neck.
Doctor and Patient: One should dress in a lab coat and wears stethoscope or has doctor equipment in pockets. The other dresses in a hospital gown.
Fish and Chips: One dresses as a fish and the other can wear solid color clothing and attach empty chip bags to clothes.
Wild West: One can dress as a cowboy and the other as a saloon girl.
Me and My Shadow: One wears regular clothing, the other one wears all black including painting face black and wearing a black hat that covers up hair. Follow the other person around all night and mimic what they do.
Gangster and Flapper: Man dresses as a 1920’s gangster and woman dresses as a 1920’s flapper.
Vampire and Slayer: One dresses up as a vampire and the other dresses up in normal clothes but carries crosses, holy water and a wooden stake.
Frankenstein and his Bride.
King Kong and Faye Ray: One wears a gorilla suit and the other wears a dress and blonde wig.
Sailor and Mermaid: Man dresses as a sailor and woman dresses like a mermaid.
Pirate Couple: both persons dress as pirates.
Amazon and Slave: Woman dresses like an Amazon warrior and man dresses like her slave. Works best if she has a whip and he is in chains.
Cop and Prisoner: One dresses like a cop and the other in a prison suit (the type with black and white stripes).
Farmer and Animal: One dresses as a farmer and the other dresses as a barnyard animal.

More couple ideas at:
http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/couplehalloween_sdsw.htm

Friday 22 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 22 SNAKES!

Joke:

An old snake goes to see his Doctor. "Doc, I need something for my eyes...can't see well these days". The Doc fixes him up with a pair of glasses and tells him to return in 2 weeks.
The snake comes back in 2 weeks and tells the doctor he's very depressed.
Doc says, "What's the problem...didn't the glasses help you?"
"The glasses are fine doc, I just discovered I've been living with a water hose the past 2 years!"

Recipe: Snake sandwich


Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
· Cornmeal, for dusting
· 3 (1 lb.) loaves frozen bread dough, thawed
· 2 green, pimento-stuffed olives
· 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. olive oil
· 2 (12 oz.) jars roasted red and yellow peppers, in oil
· 3 large celery ribs, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
· 2 cups pitted black and green olives, coarsely chopped
· 1/4 cup capers, coarsely chopped
· 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
· 3 ounces arugula
· 1 pound thinly sliced prosciutto
· 3 pounds fresh mozzarella, sliced
· 1/4 large red pepper, for tongue
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1875217

Craft: Tie snake


Tutorial with pics:
http://www.makeandtakes.com/crafty-snake-tie

Thursday 21 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 21

Joke:
Q. What goes "Ha-ha-ha . . . THUD!"
A. A monster laughing his head off

Craft: Halloween paper doll printables
Here are a few great links for printable paper dolls


Frankenstein to color
http://www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/halowen/Frankenstien/PaperDoll.shtml

Add a girl picture to this one
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrpinky_boi/2970528954/

Dress up Halloweenie boy & girl
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.livinglocurto.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/girldressup.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.livinglocurto.com/2009/10/halloween-paper-doll-free-printables/&usg=__1tuHn58JNAjR8Si-TK-Ku050w_s=&h=354&w=500&sz=111&hl=fr&start=8&tbnid=QD5Pd3vF9lKD3M:&tbnh=92&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhalloween%2Bpaper%2Bdolls%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dfr%26sa%3DX%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1

Boy & girl paper dolls
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.thetoymaker.com/Toypages/53Paperdolls/TinyLittlesBoysT.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thetoymaker.com/Toypages/53Paperdolls/53Paperdolls.html&usg=__j3IPRQpfqKJGOBdi722TgdcQMeY=&h=193&w=265&sz=10&hl=fr&start=23&tbnid=DYXDm93OXIhOWM:&tbnh=82&tbnw=112&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhalloween%2Bpaper%2Bdolls%26start%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dfr%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1

Barbie paper doll
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://marlendy.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/barbie-halloween-card-3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://marlendy.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/a-barbie-halloween-paper-doll-greeting-card/&usg=__cVYXK8nmYUL-_jq89BZoqFp_OT8=&h=1146&w=771&sz=293&hl=fr&start=50&tbnid=zOlQVfEkY64PNM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=101&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhalloween%2Bpaper%2Bdolls%26start%3D40%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dfr%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1

Print & color paper dolls – large variety of costumes for your doll
http://www.billybear4kids.com/paperdoll/PaintOutfits/PrintMeHalloween.html


Recipe: Pita bread fingers


Make this bloody finger food using hotdogs, pita bread, and ketchup.
Cut up pita bread into 1-inch strips.
Wrap it around cocktail hotdogs and secure with a toothpick.
Toast or bake them until slightly crisp. Dot with ketchup.

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 20

Joke:
Q. What does a skeleton orders at a restaurant?
A. Spare ribs

Recipe: spider-web dip

Ingredients:
1 (16 oz) can refried black beans
1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope taco seasoning
1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies, drained (or jalapeños if you like it hot)
1 C. salsa
1 C. sour cream
1 C. guacamole
1 1/2 C. shredded cheese
2 green onions, sliced
2 C. shredded lettuce
1 C. chopped fresh tomatoA couple large bags of tortilla chips
Instructions:
1. In a small mixing bowl, stir together the refried beans and taco seasoning.
2. On a large festive Halloween tray , spread the beans in an even circular shape. Leave room around the edges for the garnish.
3. Sprinkle green chilies over. Smooth salsa over. Smooth guacamole over.
4. Place your sour cream in the end of a ziploc bag. Cut the corner off. Squeeze sour cream on top of guacamole in several concentric circles (or octagon shapes for a more authentic look). Using a knife or the handle of a fork, run lines lightly through the sour cream to make the web shape.
5. Sprinkle lettuce in a circle around bean dip. Sprinkle tomatoes and green onions over. Sprinkle cheese over.
6. Garnish with a creepy spider and serve with lots of tortilla chips!

Craft: Witch boot pillow

Isn't this cute?


Tuesday 19 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 19

Joke
Q - What kind of mistakes do spooks make?
A - Boo boos.

Recipe - itsy-bitsy spiders (rice krispie squares)
Serves: 8Update
Total Time: 40 min
Prep Time: 20 min
Ingredients
· 3 tablespoon(s) butter or margarine
· 1 package(s) (10 ounces, about 40) regular marshmallows, or 4 cups miniature marshmallows
· 6 cup(s) Ready-To-Eat Cereal Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® Cereal
· Food coloring
· Assorted candies
· Canned frosting or decorating gel
Directions
1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2. Add Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Using buttered hands shape cereal mixture into eight spiders. Cool. Decorate with frosting and/or candies. Best if served the same day.
Tips & Techniques
For best results, use fresh marshmallows.1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème can be substituted for marshmallows.Diet, reduced-calorie, or tub margarine is not recommended.Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container. To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.Kellogg's® has reduced the sodium content of Rice Krispies® to meet current consumer flavor- and nutrition-preferences. Rice Krispies Treats™ made with the lower-sodium cereal taste great without any added salt , but, if you desire, add 1/4 teaspoon salt to the butter before melting. Continue with recipe as directed.Microwave directions: In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.

Craft - Skull& flower wreath
Found this on the web. I don't have instructions but you would need a vine wreath, dollars-store skulls, black & red roses & a glue gun.

Monday 18 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 18

Joke:
Q - What is Beethoven doing in his coffin right now?
A - Decomposing

Recipe - Creepy critter cheesecake (to go with chocolate rats from yesterday)

Serves: 8 Yields: 1 cake
Oven Temp: 350
Ingredients
Crust:
· 1 1/2 cup(s) ground chocolate wafers (Famous Chocolate Wafers)
· 4 tablespoon(s) sugar
· 5 tablespoon(s) butter, melted
Filling:
· 2 package(s) (8 ounces each) cream cheese , softened
· 1/2 cup(s) sugar
· 2 large eggs
· 1/2 teaspoon(s) grated orange zest
· 1/2 cup(s) sour cream
· Yellow food coloring
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom.
2. Combine cookie crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a medium bowl; stir well. Press crumbs evenly onto bottom and sides of prepared tart pan. Bake until fragrant and lightly toasted, about 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
3. Beat cream cheese and sugar in a medium bowl, until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition and making sure to scrape sides of the bowl. Add orange zest and sour cream and beat until just blended.
4. Add 4 drops of yellow food coloring and stir well to blend. Remove 1/2 cup of the cheesecake batter and place into a small bowl. Add 5 drops of yellow food coloring to the 1/2 cup batter and stir well. Spoon into a resealable bag.
5. Pour light yellow batter into baked tart crust and smooth top. Snip a very small corner from bag with darker yellow batter. Pipe random spots of batter on top of the tart in a variety of sizes to make the cheese holes. Bake tart until lightly puffed and center is just set, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; cool completely. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Serve with Chocolate Rats.

Craft - fright on the fridge


This makes me think of the snowman on the fridge I did for Christmas.

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/halloween/outdoor-decorations/spooky-home-decorations/

Sunday 17 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 17

Joke:
Q - What is Dracula's favorite kind of dog?
A- A blood hound.

Recipe - chocolate rats!
The effect of these would be great!

Yields: 8 rats
Ingredients
· 8 large strawberries, stems removed
· Sliced almonds
· 1 container(s) (7 ounces) dipping chocolate
· 1/2 cup(s) black decorating sugar
· Yellow and brown candy-coated chocolate-covered sunflower seeds
· Slivered almonds
· Black licorice laces
Directions
1. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Trim a small piece from one side of each strawberry so they can rest horizontally on wax paper. Insert 2 sliced almonds — about 1 inch from pointed end of strawberry and about 1 inch apart — to make the ears of the rat.
2. Follow heating directions for dipping chocolate. Insert a fork into the large end of a strawberry. Holding strawberry on fork over container of dipping chocolate, spoon chocolate over strawberry to coat. Allow excess chocolate to drip off, tapping fork lightly. Sprinkle with black sugar to coat and transfer strawberry to prepared cookie sheet. Add yellow candies for the eyes, slivered almonds for the teeth, and brown candies for the nose. Repeat with the remaining 7 strawberries. Refrigerate rats until ready to serve.
3. Make a hole with a toothpick in back side of a chocolate-covered strawberry and insert one end of a 4-inch piece of black licorice for the tail. Repeat with the remaining 7 strawberries. Serve with Creepy Critter Cheesecake.

Craft: spooky sign


http://www.allfreecrafts.com/halloween/signs.shtml

Saturday 16 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 16

Joke:
Q. What do you call a little monster's parents?
A. Mummy and deady.

Recipe - liquorice ice mice


Yields: 16 cakes
Oven Temp: 350
Ingredients
· 1 box(es) Betty Crocker Super Moist German Chocolate cake mix , prepared
· 1/3 cup(s) grade-A dark maple syrup
· 1/2 cup(s) pumpkin pie filling
· Black food coloring
· 1 tub(s) Duncan Hines Classic Vanilla frosting
· Black licorice
Directions
1. Coat a mini-egg cake pan with cooking spray and fill each compartment to the top with prepared cake mix. Bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes, then cool cakes on a wire rack. Repeat until you've baked 16 cakes.
2. Slowly add black food coloring to 3/4 tub of frosting, while stirring, until frosting turns pale gray. Microwave for 10 seconds, and stir; repeat until frosting is thin enough to pour, then coat cakes.
3. Apply pieces of licorice to form tails (cut to 4 inches) and shaped ears (cut to 2 1/2 inches), as shown.
4. Slowly add black food coloring to remaining frosting, while stirring, until frosting turns dark black. Pour inside a freezer bag with one tip snipped off to create a piping sleeve. Use piping sleeve to draw eyes, nose, and whiskers.

Craft - tattered drapes



I have made these. Just use dollar-store cheesecloth (gauze), drape over your curtain rods. tear holes through them.
You can spray tea or coffee on them to add stains. I also put some plastic bugs on them.
It's really creepy and gives the atmosphere for the party.

Friday 15 October 2010

Halloween fun day 15.. creepy...

Joke:
Q. What did mama cannibal said to baby cannibal when he told her that he really liked his grandfather?
A. "Would you like another piece?"

Recipe: Crunchy doughnut eyeballs
Yields: 20 treats
Total Time: 40 min
Ingredients
· 20 glazed doughnut holes, Entenmann’s®
· 1 cup(s) premier white morsels, Nestlé®
· 2 tablespoon(s) solid vegetable shortening, Crisco®
· 20 Life Savers Gummies®
· 20 medium mini candy-coated milk chocolate candies, M&M’s Minis®
· 2 drop(s) red food coloring
Directions
1. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or waxed paper. Cut 1/8-inch-thick slices from 2 opposite sides of each doughnut hole.
2. Melt white morsels and vegetable shortening in top of double boiler or in a microwave-safe bowl in microwave.
3. Working with one doughnut hole at a time, use a fork to dip into melted morsels mixture to coat. Lift coated doughnut holes from coating, shaking excess melted morsels mixture back into bowl. Place coated doughnut holes, one cut-side down, on prepared cookie sheet.
4. Place jellied candies on top of doughnuts. Dab chocolate candies with some of remaining melted morsels mixture and press onto jellied candies. Chill in refrigerator for 10 minutes or until coating is set.
5. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of remaining melted morsels mixture and 2 drops of red food coloring. Using toothpick, paint colored morsels mixture onto doughnut eyeballs to resemble scary veins. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/crunchy-doughnut-eyeballs-halloween-snacks

Craft - spooky silhouettes
Easy, cheap & very effective
You just need cardboard paper and you can use coloring book pictures
http://www.bhg.com/holidays/halloween/outdoor-decorations/spooky-home-decorations/?page=12

Thursday 14 October 2010

Halloween fun day 14 - Cute fun!

Joke
Q. How do you fix a jack-o-lantern?
A. With a pumpkin patch.
Recipe
A crockpot pumpkin pudding recipe, made with canned pumpkin, spices, milk, and eggs.
Cook Time: 7 hours
Ingredients:
· 1 can pumpkin puree (15 ounces)
· 1 scant tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
· 2 teaspoons vanilla
· 1 can evaporated milk (12 ounces)
· 3/4 cup sugar
· 1/2 cup biscuit mix
· 2 tablespoons butter
· 2 eggs
Preparation:
Spray the slow cooker crock with non-stick spray or lightly oil the inside.Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Using an electric hand-held mixer at low to medium speed, beat ingredients together until smooth.Pour the mixture into the prepared crockpot.Cover and cook on Low 6 to 8 hours, or cook on High 3 to 4 hours.Spoon into cups and top with whipped topping or a lightly spiced whipped cream.Serves 6.


Craft: Fun Halloween wreath

Tutorial here:
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.huckleberryprairie.com/homestead/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/13.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.huckleberryprairie.com/homestead/halloween-hoedown-wreath&usg=__2p-5UM8KkkKMBs9IZSK1QGQGLxM=&h=556&w=450&sz=99&hl=fr&start=300&tbnid=-iR37W09_bIcRM:&tbnh=133&tbnw=108&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhalloween%2Bwreath%26start%3D280%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dfr%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1

Wednesday 13 October 2010

Halloween fun - Day 13... woooooooooooo.....

Day 13.... Boo!

Joke
Q: What kind of key opens a casket?
A: A skeleton key

Recipe - black punch

Black Punch1 750 ml bottle Vodka2 packets Grape Kool Aide3 Quarts Water2 Cups Sugar1 Liter Ginger Ale
Make Kool Aide according to instructions using the water, sugar and Kool Aide in a large punch bowl. After sugar is dissolved, add a block of ice or dry ice. Mix in the Vodka, then when ready to serve add the Ginger Ale.

Craft - Crow in a jar

Easy to visualize, but step-by-step instructions are here
http://www.not2crafty.com/2009/09/2352/

1 extra large size jar
moss
a crow (Dollar Store)
a twig
black spray paint (use the cheapest flat paint from Wal Mart that only costs about a dollar)

Tuesday 12 October 2010

Halloween fun - day 12 Scary!

Joke
Q: Did you hear about the cannibal who was expelled from school?
A: He was buttering up his teacher.

Recipe: - Brain cupcakes



Brain Cupcakes
Ingredients
· 1 batch chocolate cupcake recipe of your choise
· Buttercream topping
Directions
1. Prepare chocolate cupcakes according to recipe. Cool completely.
2. While cupcakes are cooling, make buttercream.
3. To decorate, use a medium round tip (such as Ateco #12) to pipe a mound of buttercream in the center of cupcake, then outline and pipe a brain design over it.
http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/brain-cupcakes-recipe




Craft - skull wreath






I don't have instructions, but I'd say use a vine wreath, glue spanish moss all over it and glue dollar-store skulls. Scary!!