What makes me happy

Jewelry reorganization

2012-01-16T12:25:00.000-08:00

Here are pics of my before and after jewelry reorganization. Much better!

Before:

After:

January 15 2011 - Finished my scarf!

2012-01-15T13:25:00.000-08:00

I had started it last year but my hands hurt so I had put it away. I was hesitating in putting in a fringe like the last one. I appliquéed 3 flowers on it. I think it looks like Meg Ryan's scarf in 'you've got mail' (except for the flowers ;) ).

20 things I love about the Christmas Season

2011-12-08T05:52:00.001-08:00

Decorating the house
Fire in the fireplace
Christmas music (love the crooners!)
Christmas lights, sparkles
Macy’s Thanksgiving – Christmas parade
The Elf tradition
Eggnog!
Christmas crafts
Christmas issues of magazines
Ornaments (hand-made!)
Christmas movies
Hot chocolate with mini marshmallows
Vacation time
Time with the family
Baking cookies, fudge, cakes
Receiving Christmas cards in the mail
Snow on Christmas Eve
Gifts
Santa’s arrival at mom’s house on Christmas Eve with the small kids all excited
Smell of evergreen and of baking
Snuggling up under a throw in pj’s, with a cup of hot chocolate, listening to a Christmas movie with the lights on the tree all aglow.

December 1st 2011

2011-12-01T18:26:00.000-08:00

Today the Elves have arrived! Mr.M & Jujubes. They arrived with the advent calendar. Only 1 day was filled... dec. 1st and it was a piece of chocolate. Joannie ate it saying there seemed to be nothing for her brother ;) I told her it would alternate days between the 2 of them.

More Christmas crafts - Advent calendar

2011-11-27T12:21:00.000-08:00

Here's the Advent calendar I made. The kids don't eat the chocolate ones anymore so I decided to make something more permanent. :)

Christmas 2011 crafts

2011-11-26T15:28:00.000-08:00

Here are pictures of my finished candy canes

More Halloween pics

2011-11-03T04:42:00.000-07:00

Florence

Antoine

Alexandre

Samuel et Olivier

138 trick or treaters this year... ran out of candy!

Halloween 2011 pics!

2011-11-03T04:37:00.000-07:00

Halloween Boobash 2011 résumé

2011-11-02T04:06:00.000-07:00

Pictures will follow in another post.

The 4th annual Halloween Boobash was on Friday, october 28th 2011. Friends : Alain R+ Johanne, Alain F + Nat, Denis + Nat, Serge + Kathleen & us.

I was dressed up as a doctor and JC as Indiana Jones.

Menu
Cheeseball + crackers
Chili + tostitos scoops + sour cream
Veggies + dip (Johanne)
Cheese plate (Joanne brought 1 cheese to add to plate)
Chips + chocolate (Nat F)
Mini egg-rolls + flaky pastries (Nathalie-Anne)
Shrimps in beer batter + brie&figs (Kathleen)
Deviled eggs
Thumbprint cookies
Chocolate covered cookies (store-bought)
Cocktail sausages
Pasta Salad

Guests arrived around 8 :00 and left at 1 :30 am.
Lots of laughter, eating, chatting, dancing. We had a really great time.
Great music… from Serge,s ipod 

Note to self : If I prep all this food do not ask people to bring any potluck dishes. We would’ve had enough with what I had.

Halloween craft weekend

2011-10-27T11:26:00.000-07:00

Since we were to have some visitors, mom + Kasandra (11), the weekend before Halloween, I had planned some Halloween crafts so we could have fun & chat together. I had also invited Florence (also 11) to join us.

Here’s what I had planned :
- Black eye wreath (still need to buy a wreath)
- A pixie (like in Harry Potter movies) (need blue fimo)
- Tablecloth with bloody hands
- Spider victim (this one I had no idea how to do but I thought mom might have some ideas)
- Giant spider
- Charmballs
- Mummyballs
- 2 eerie Halloween signs. (need 2 pieces of wood or store-bought signs at the dollar-store)

Unfortunately, they were unable to come as planned. I’ll keep the stuff until next year and will get the girls to the crafts at another time.

It did get me to thinking, however, that I just might prepare some crafts for us all to do during Christmas time…. Hmmmm…..

October - Halloween month

2011-10-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

uh-oh, just remembered that last year I posted EVERYDAY during october for Halloween. We are now the 13th and I'm just thinking about it.
Guess the 13th is a great day to start putting up some Halloween posts.

Today it'll be a joke
Q. Why didn't the skeleton dance at the party?
A. He had no body to dance with.

What makes me happy... in Fall

2011-09-07T08:17:00.000-07:00

Smells
- Warm smell of vanilla when cooking
- Smell of crisp air
- Pie in the oven
- Smell of a warm fire

Colors
- Spicy, shades of oranges, yellows, reds, brown, eggplant
- Leaves changing colors

Cozy - warm feelings
- Warmth - candle, throws
- cozy up the house (cocooning) - pillows, curtains, linens, rugs, flowers, plants, candles, flannel sheets
- Comfort cooking: caramel apple porc chops in the crockpot, spaghetti sauce, grilled cheese sandwiches with soup, smell of warm bread, apple pie, apple crumble, casseroles,
http://www.countryliving.com/cooking/recipes/comfort-foods-1109
- Apples, pumpkins
- Watching movies snuggled up in a warm blanket
- Cozy fluffy socks and warm sweaters
- Flannel pjs

Other things that Fall brings and that make me smile:
- Halloween
- Indian Summer
- Fall magazines
- Crafting
- New tv programs
- Watching Macy's Thanksgiving parade
- Watching the Greater Snow Goose pass overhead

Fall is a coming

2011-09-06T10:22:00.000-07:00

List of housechores to do for fall (before winter), some are done by me and some by JC.
- Clean windows
- Take down screens & put them away
- Cut flowers
- Bring in firewood
- Put away summer clothes
- Take out mittens & hats
- Decorate for halloween
- Fill up trick or treaters' Halloween bags
- Put away patio table & chairs
- Put away gazebo
- Cut hedge
- Start cooking to fill up the freezer.
- Spaghetti sauce
- Put carpets at the doors
- Winterize the cars
...etc...

CIJ 2011 - day 25 - Merry Christmas in July!

2011-07-25T05:59:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas in July! and thanks for joining me during this month.
Since it's the last day for CIJ how about another CIJ movie - a classical? and this time accompanied by a s'mores jar.

Joyeux Noël en Juillet!! et merci de vous être joint(e)s à moi ce mois-ci. Puisque c'est la dernière journée de Noël en juillet, j'ai pensé à un autre bon film de Noël - un classique. On pourrais accompagner le tout d'un petit pot de 's'mores'

Source: http://phar-ma.com/smores-in-a-jar

CIJ 2011 - day 24 - Glitter church

2011-07-24T05:56:00.000-07:00

Christmas eve - let's make a glitter church. I remember mom had some village houses like these when I was younger. Much nicer than the plastic ones I now have.

La veille de Noël (en juillet) - pourquoi pas une église en carton? Je me souviens que maman avait des maisons de cartons quand j'étais jeune. C'est beaucoup plus beau que les maisons de plastiques que j'ai!

Source: http://littleglitterhouses.com/paul/small_glitterhouse/hl_beginning_glitterhouses.htm

CIJ 2011 - day 23 - Melted snowman craft

2011-07-23T05:54:00.000-07:00

I find those so incredibly cute! they are nice and easy to do. I just might make something like this next year.

Je les trouve vraiment mignons! facile & cute. Je crois que je vais essayer d'en faire l'année prochaine.

Source: http://www.etsy.com/listing/69656019/ill-be-back-someday-handmade-snowman

CIJ 2011 - Day 22

2011-07-22T04:29:00.000-07:00

Friday night at the CIJ movies! And why not have some Frosty cheeseball with crackers?
Vendredi-cinéma avec des films de Noël. Et pourquoi ne pas accompagner le tout d'un bonhomme de neige boule de fromage et quelques biscottes?

A glass of wine with this?
Un p'tit verre de vin avec ceci?

Source: http://familyfun.go.com/winter/snowman-snacks-crafts-printables-games/snowman-recipes/frosty-the-cheese-ball-800502/

CIJ 2011 - day 21 - Gifts of hope

2011-07-21T04:25:00.000-07:00

Why not make a family gift this year to some organization or other that helps out?
Like this one.

Source: http://plancanada.ca/Giftsofhope/default.asp
Buy one of these four legged mammals and you'll be helping provide a family with almost 100 litres of milk each month. Which adds up to a whole lot of nutrients to keep a family healthy and enough milk leftover to start a healthy family dairy business.
Pourquoi ne pas faire un cadeau de famille à une organisation ou une autre qui aide dans le monde?
Comme celle-ci.

CIJ 2011 - day 20

2011-07-20T03:54:00.000-07:00

Family recipe book - I think that's a great idea for teens, young adults and even other family members. Gather all family recipes which you can find (grandma's, great aunts, must-haves, etc...), either print or handwrite them in a notebook and you can add pictures either of the dish, of someone enjoying the dish, or of the person making the dish. We did this a few years back for the teens in the family. Now every Christmas we just add a few more to put in their book.

Livre de recettes de famille - Je crois que c'est une idée superbe pour des ados ou des jeunes adultes, ou même d'autres membres de la family. Réunir toutes les recettes de famille que vous pouvez trouver (celles de grand-mère, des tantes, des incontournables, etc...), les imprimer ou les écrire à la main dans un petit livre. Vous pouvez y ajouter des photos de l'assiette, de quelqu'un qui mange l'assiette ou de la personne en train de cuisiner l'assiette. Nous avons fait des livres recettes pour les ados il y a quelques années. Maintenant à tous les ans nous ajoutons quelques recettes.
Voici de quoi pourrais avoir l'air le livre, mais utilisez votre imagination!
This is what the book could look like, but use your imagination!

CIJ 2011 - day 19

2011-07-19T04:08:00.000-07:00

How about Snowman popcorn wrappers? They could be added to a movie basket composed of a dvd, a throw, popcorn seasoning, some m&m's, etc...

Pourquoi pas des emballages bonhomme de neige pour popcorn? Ceci pourrait être inclus dans un panier cinéma composé d'un dvd, une jetée, des assaisonnements de popcorn, des M&M's, etc...

Source: http://debsheartandhome.wordpress.com/category/homemade-holiday-gifts/popcorn-wrappers/

CIJ 2011 - day 18

2011-07-18T09:52:00.000-07:00

I love sitting on the couch with a throw, some hot chocolate, some Christmas music and reading a Christmas book.
A few book suggestions:
- The night before Christmas Clement Clarke Moore
- Christmas in the big woods - Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Skipping Christmas - John Grisham
- Little Women - Louisa May Alcott
- Gooseberry Patch recipe books

Quoi de mieux que de s'assoir comfortablement avec une jetée, du lait au chocolat chaud, de la musique de Noël et un bon livre de Noël.
Quelques suggestions de livres:
- La nuit magique de Noël - Clement Clarke Moore
- Noêl dans les grands bois - Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Pas de Noël cette année - John Grisham
- Les quatre filles du Dr. March - Louisa May Alcott
- Livres de recettes de gooseberry patch (en anglais seulement) - Ce livre a des recettes, des idées décos et des bricolages très simples

CIJ 2011 - day 17

2011-07-17T09:59:00.000-07:00

How about some snowman stew?
Pourquoi pas un ragoût de bonhommes de neige?

Source: http://cuteeverything.com/cute/food-fun/snowman-party-stew/

CIJ 2011 - day 16

2011-07-16T13:02:00.000-07:00

I don't have the tutorial for this but it would be kind of easy to make.

Je n'ai pas les instruction pour faire ceci, mais ça semble assez simple à faire.

Source: http://cottageinthemaking.blogspot.com/2010/12/gingerbread-apron.html

CIJ 2011 - day 15

2011-07-15T04:21:00.000-07:00

Friday night at the movies.
I chose 'You've got mail', it's not, striclty speaking, a real Christmas movie, but for me it is - it brings all the good Christmas feelings with it.
And to accompany that movie why not some rumballs?

Source:http://www.dreamhomedecorating.com/free-homemade-gift-ideas.html#rumballs

Vendredi-cinéma.
J'ai choisi 'Vous avez un message' avec Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan. Ce n'est pas un 'vrai' film de Noël, mais pour moi il évoque tous les sentiments de Noël.
Et pourquoi ne pas accompagner le tout de boules au rhum?

CIJ 2011 - Day 14

2011-07-14T04:02:00.000-07:00

For me a great Christmas would be spent in a cottage with all my family (including parents & siblings). Now to rent one of those places you have to reserve a long time in advance. Things to be determined:
- Number of people
- Outdoor activities (snowshoeing,walk in the woods, ice-skating, sledding)
- Indoor activities (movies, board games, crafting)
- Family pictures are A MUST.
- Food (fondue, raclette or potluck), each family could bring 1 meal.
- PJ's for all - Christmas ones!
- Number of nights - I think 2 would be great
- Don't forget to bring a book to write down memories.
Any other ideas?

J'aimerais bien passer un Noël dans un chalet en famille (incluant les parents, frères, soeur). Mais, il faut réserver longtemps d'avance pour ça. Choses à prévoir:
- Nombre de personnes
- Activités extérieures (raquettes, promenades dans les bois, patin, glissades)
- Activités intérieures (films, jeux de société, bricolages)
- Surtout ne pas oublier de prendre des photos de famille.
- Bouffe (fondue, raclette ou casseroles), chaque famille pourrait amener un repas.
- Pyjamas de Noël pour tous!
- Nombre de nuits - je crois que 2 serait parfait
- Ne pas oublier d'amener un livre pour y inscrire tous les souvenirs.
D'autres idées?

CIJ 2011 - Day 13

2011-07-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

Since I stop CIJ on the 25th (Merry Christmas!), I am already at my half-way point for CIJ blogs.
Lots of gifts will be gift cards, so why not make some gift-card holders that are nice?

Déjà à la moitié de mes publications pour Noël en juillet (j'arrête le 25 - Joyeux Noël).
Plusieurs cadeaux seront des cartes-cadeaux, alors pourquoi ne pas faire des portes-cartes spécialement pour l'occasion?
Source: http://creativepad.typepad.com/creative_pad/2009/11/seasonal-saturdays-mitten.html

CIJ 2011 - day 12

2011-07-12T04:51:00.000-07:00

Source: http://fullofgreatideas.blogspot.com/2010/12/golfers-snowman-ornament.html

Craft for our men out there (teens & older too) - golfball ornament
Un bricolage pour les jeunes hommes & moins jeunes hommes - une décoration avec une balle de golf.

CIJ 2011 - Day 11

2011-07-11T04:50:00.000-07:00

Source: http://frederictonquiltersguild.blogspot.com/2010/12/tutorial-elegant-rag-garland-lights-by.html

What better way to use up scarp materials? or just beautiful fabric? I've been wanting to do one of these for a long time. Guess I'll have to buy the fabric before Christmas and make it after Christmas (when I have some time). Impossible to buy Christmas fabric after Christmas around here.

Belle manière d'utiliser les restes de tissus ou encore de beaux tissus. J'ai envie de faire une de ces gurilandes mais il faudra que j'achète le tissu AVANT Noël, même si c'est pour faire après Noël, car autour d'ici les magasins de tissus n'ont pas de tissus de Noël après les Fêtes.

CIJ 2011 - day 10

2011-07-10T04:37:00.000-07:00

I love a Gingerbread theme Christmas (but I don't like to eat Gingerbread men - too many spices).
This is just a picture (no tutorial) but I'm posting it because I like it.

J'aime bien les décors de Pains d'épices pour Noël (mais je n'aime pas manger le pain d'épices... trop épicé).
J'ai juste mis une photo parce que je trouvais ce coussin beau.

Source: http://www.issuedwivescrafts.com/webshop/viewitem.php?groupid=2&productid=38

CIJ 2011 - day 9

2011-07-09T04:24:00.000-07:00

I had written down a schedule of what I wanted to post each day for CIJ and wouldn't you know it I seem to have misplaced it. Ah well, I'll find something to post.
How about decorating your car?

CIJ 2011 - day 8

2011-07-08T04:00:00.000-07:00

Another Friday at the movies for CIJ. My 2nd favorite Christmas movie 'ElF' (I must admit I watched it for the June Rudy day). How about some pretzel hugs with that?

Un autre vendredi-cinéma pour Noël en juillet - mon 2e film de Noël préféré 'Le Lutin' (j'avoues que j'ai regardé le film le 25 juin - pour Rudy day). Et si on accompagnait le tout de Pretzel hugs?

Source: http://applevalleygirl.blogspot.com/2010/11/project-9-giving-christmas-hugs.html

CIJ 2011 - day 7

2011-07-07T01:00:00.000-07:00

How about a Snowman jar today? A hot coco mix in a jar
Un petit pot de bonhomme de neige aujourd'hui? un chocolat chaud dans un pot
http://deliacreates.blogspot.com/2010/12/neighbor-christmas-gifts.html

CIJ 2011- day 6

2011-07-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

I found this cute tutorial to make a burlap tree. I just love the country christmas look!
J'ai trouvé un 'tutoriale' pour faire un arbre de Noël en jute. Moi j'aime bien les Noëls champêtres et rustiques.

http://jpalltrades.blogspot.com/2010/11/burlap-trees.html

CIJ 2011 - day 5

2011-07-05T05:09:00.000-07:00

Christmas menu - the important word here is SIMPLIFY
- Use crockpots (I've got 2)
- Use warming plates (I've got one with 2 sections)
- Make in advance meals
- Use the freezer!
- Buffet style (potato bar, soup & bread bar, chinese, appetizers, salad bar, etc...)
That's what I've come up with so far.
Here's a copy of my Christmas freezer list (couldn't find a way to put it in annex so here's the list)

Liste pour congélateur du Temps des fêtes / Christmas freezer list
Viandes & mijotés /Meat & stews

¨Sauce spaghetti (en pot – re : entreposage) Spaghetti sauce (in pots)
¨Chili
¨Saucisses italiennes (cuites/coupées) Italian sasauges (cooked & cut into slices)
¨Jambon (haché & cubes) Ham (cubed & minced)
¨Poulet (cubes) Chicken (cubes)
¨Poulet précuit (pour sautés) Chicken (cooked for stir frys)
¨Steak haché cuit avec oignons Ground meat cooked with onions
¨Saucisses / bacon Sausages / bacon
¨Boulettes de viande Meatballs
¨Filet porc préparé pour stir-fry Porc tenderloin for stir-frys
¨Dinde cuite & désossée Turkey (cooked & deboned)
¨
Desserts & pains Deserts & breads
¨Fudge
¨Sucre crème
¨Galettes chinoises
¨Dessert X
¨Dessert Y
¨Muffins
¨Pains à déjeuners

Autres Other

¨Os à soupe Soup bone
¨Won-ton soupe Won-tons for soup
¨Fromage râpé Grated cheese
¨Légumes surgelés Frozen veggies
¨Pain Bread
¨Beurre Butter
¨Boule fromage (couronne poulet) Cheeseballs (chicken cheeseball)
¨Ailes de poulet Chicken wings

Menu pour Noël - l'important ici est de SIMPLIFIER
- Utiliser le crockpot (J'en ai 2)
- Utiliser des réchauds (J'ai 1 réchaud 2 sections)
- Prépare le plus possible à l'avance
- Utiliser le congélo!
- Style buffet (bar à salades, bar à soupe & pain, bar a patates au four & garnitures, buffet chinois, buffet d'entrées, etc...)
Ce sont mes idées à date.
Voici une copie de ma liste pour congélateur que j'utilise dans le temps des fêtes

CIJ 2011 - Day 4

2011-07-04T04:53:00.000-07:00

Stocking stuffer ideas for young adults
- $$
- Gift cards (gaz, restaurant, stores, specialty shops, coffee shops, telephone minutes, itunes, movies, ....)
- Lottery tickets
- Christmas ornaments
- USB keys, computer mouse, computer gadgets
- book
- CD
- DVD ($5 at Walmart for some classics and some other great movies)
- Perfume samples
- Consumable foods: gum, chocolate, dry sausages, nuts, etc...
- Socks
- Underwear
- Wine charms
- Coasters
- Earphones

Idées pour remplir les bas de Noël pour jeunes adultes
- $$
- Cartes cadeaux (essence, retaurants, magasins, boutiques spécialisées, restos-déjeuners-café, cartes-téléphones, itunes, cinéma...)
- Billets lotterie
- Décoration de Noël
- clé usb, souris d'ordinateur et autres gugusses d'ordinateur
- Livre
- CD
- DVD ($5 chez Walmart pour des classiques et autres bons films)
- Échantillons parfum
- Grignotines: gomme, chocolat, saucissons secs, noix, etc...
- Bas
- sous-vêtements
- Marques-vins (??) ... des guédilles qu'on mets après les verres de vins
- Sous-verres
- Écouteurs

A good link for stocking stuffer ideas according to age, traditions, what can be found at the drug store, at the grocery store etc, homemade stuffers ...

http://www.plumpstocking.com/

Un bon endroit (en anglais seulement) où trouver des idées selon l'age, les traditions, ce qui peut être trouvé dans une pharmacie, dans une épicerie, faits maison, etc..

CIJ 2011 - day 3

2011-07-03T04:34:00.000-07:00

Day 3 of Christmas in July - how about a craft today? I liked this one for the teens.
Jour 3 de Noël en Juillet - pourquoi pas un bricolage aujourd'hui?

http://www.bootandcrown.com/catalog.php?item=3

CIJ 2011 - day 2

2011-07-02T05:19:00.000-07:00

Today I thought I'd post some pics of bathroom decorations. After all, that room is used alot during the Christmas season.

Aujourd'hui j'ai décidé d'afficher des photos de décorations pour salles de bains. Après tout, cette pièce est très utilisée pendant la période des fêtes!

Santa on the toilet could be put in a frame for the season. Christmas window clings (from the dollar store) can be added to the mirror, Curtain rings can be made Christmassy with a hot glue gun and some accessories. Use Christmas towels and Christmas lights in a basket full of pine cones.
Enjoy your 2nd day of CIJ!

Le Père-Noël sur la toilette pourrais être mis dans un cadre pour la saison. Utilisez des décorations auto-collantes pour fenêtres pour décorer les miroirs (au magasin du dollar), les anneaux pour rideaux de douches peuvent être décorées avec de la colle chaude et quelques accessoires. Utilisez des serviettes de Noël et des lumières de Noël dans un panier rempli de cocottes.
Profitez-bien de cette 2e journée de Noël en juillet!

CIJ 2011 - day 1

2011-07-01T04:40:00.000-07:00

This is it the start of CIJ!

I've decided that every Friday during this month will be Christmas movie night suggestion + a recipe.

So today's suggestion is 'Christmas vacation' - for me that's the movie that starts out the Christmas season.

How about some hot-chocolate on a stick to go with that?

Have fun!

C'est le début de Noël en juillet

J'ai décidé que tous les vendredis du mois seront des suggestions de soirées de cinéma de Noël + 1 recette.

Alors aujourd'hui, le film est 'Le Sapin a des boules' - pour moi c'est LE film qui annonce la période des fêtes.

Et pour accompagner le tout, pourquoi pas du chocolat chaud sur batonnet?

Profitez-en bien!

http://candy.about.com/od/christmascandy/r/Hot-Chocolate-On-A-Stick.htm

Christmas in July

2011-06-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's that time of the year again :) Fun, fun!

I've been working on some Christmas crafts - I must admit I started in June though.

Here's what I have up to know. So, what do you think?

Garage sale buys

2011-06-13T11:23:00.001-07:00

What do you think of this?

$5 for the wooden armoire

Now, what to do with it?? I washed it, maybe it needs a little oiling and some nails have to be fixed.

$1 for the enamel pot (it is now sitting in the bay window with flowers in it).

Making me not so happy

2011-05-06T04:26:00.000-07:00

Haven't posted in awhile. Been busy with springcleaning and everyday business.

Doc called - he wanted to see me... 2nd time this has happened... 2nd kick in the butt.
1st time - he told me I had a IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) or MII (maladie inflammatoire de l'intestin). It made my life miserable for 1,5 yrs and it still has its ups & downs - and here's to hoping I don't have another 'crisis'. If you want to know more go read about it on the web, I'm not talking about it. Just thinking about it drives me nuts. Just know it's like having a 'gastro - 24hr flu' , 24 hrs a day 7/7 for months. Pills to take for life and it took 6 months for them to start working. Chronique disease
Yesterday I went to see him for the 2nd time. My left arm was getting numb and hurting from the little finger to the shoulder - so had an IRM (résonance magnétique) done and he wanted to give me the results. He thought I had a cervical hernia - nope that's not it... it's DDD degenerative disk diseas. Seems all my cervical disks (except 1) are used up as in an old person. Nothing to do but take pain pills when it hurts to much, do some exercises and improve my posture. From his expression I gathered he was kind of amazed of the extent to which I have this. Oh joy! More pills to take and possiblity of always hurting. Degenerative disease.

I've always been careful about taking pills, now I have life-long pills to take for IBD, cholesterol pills and now pain pills! Hey, let's buy a drugstore!

Whoopy! can any of this get better?

Working on Christmas 2011!

2011-01-29T17:24:00.001-08:00

I'm presently working on an advent calendar for Christmas 2011.

I have a pic but no pattern.

I've wanted to do this for years but didn't have the fabric to do it. The only thing I'm missing to finish right now is some fabric paint to put the numbers.

When it's finished I'll post another picture.

December 18 2010

2010-12-18T18:49:00.000-08:00

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.

December 15th

2010-12-15T04:59:00.000-08:00

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.

December 13

2010-12-13T10:50:00.000-08:00

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?

December 9

2010-12-09T04:34:00.000-08:00

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.

December 6

2010-12-07T04:55:00.000-08:00

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! :)

December 1st - Christmas preps - elves have arrived!

2010-12-02T04:43:00.000-08:00

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, November 24th 2010

2010-11-24T04:48:00.000-08:00

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?

Halloween 2010 - the food

2010-10-31T12:24:00.000-07:00

Halloween 2010 - costumes

2010-10-31T12:20:00.001-07:00

Less people this year. We were 8.

The boys:

The girls:

The group:

Rag doll: (me)

Zulu (J-C)

Pictures of Halloween 2010

2010-10-31T12:14:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-10-31T04:51:00.000-07:00

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!

Halloween fun - day 30th

2010-10-30T04:44:00.000-07:00

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.

Halloween fun - day 29

2010-10-29T04:36:00.000-07:00

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!

Halloween fun - day 28

2010-10-28T04:29:00.000-07:00

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/

Halloween fun - day 27

2010-10-27T04:23:00.000-07:00

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/

Halloween fun - day 26 - APPLES

2010-10-26T04:14:00.000-07:00

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

Halloween fun - day 25

2010-10-25T04:59:00.000-07:00

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

Halloween fun - day 24

2010-10-24T04:48:00.000-07:00

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

Halloween fun - day 23

2010-10-23T04:37:00.000-07:00

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

Halloween fun - day 22 SNAKES!

2010-10-22T10:34:00.000-07:00

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

Halloween fun - day 21

2010-10-21T10:27:00.000-07:00

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.

Halloween fun - day 20

2010-10-20T04:55:00.000-07:00

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?

http://www.favecrafts.com/Halloween-Crafts/Witch-Legs-Pillow-from-Creative-Home-Arts

Halloween fun - day 19

2010-10-19T04:50:00.000-07:00

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.

Halloween fun - day 18

2010-10-18T04:45:00.000-07:00

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/

Halloween fun - day 17

2010-10-17T04:40:00.000-07:00

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

Halloween fun - day 16

2010-10-16T10:49:00.000-07:00

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.

Halloween fun day 15.. creepy...

2010-10-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

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

Halloween fun day 14 - Cute fun!

2010-10-14T08:47:00.000-07:00

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

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

2010-10-13T05:47:00.000-07:00

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)

Halloween fun - day 12 Scary!

2010-10-12T05:39:00.000-07:00

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!!

Halloween fun - day 11 - Kids' day!

2010-10-11T05:34:00.000-07:00

Joke:
Q - What is a pumpkin's favorite sport?
A - Squash

Recipe - Jack-o-Lantern pizza

I won't post the recipe because I find it easy to visualize. Just make your ordinary pizza & put bell papers to make the face.
Kids will love this!

Craft - Candy garland

Isn't that cute??
http://www.not2crafty.com/2008/09/halloween-candy-garland-made-with-fabric-and-wooden-beads/

Halloween fun - day 10 - More witches!

2010-10-10T05:26:00.000-07:00

Today is the 10th of the 10th month 2010... Scary!!

Joke:
Q. What happened to the witch with an upside down nose?

A. Every time she sneezed her hat blew off

Recipe - bubbling cauldron

Bubbling Cauldron
Yield: Makes 20 servings
Ingredients:
1 package (16 ounces) processed cheese
2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, well drained
1cup medium or hot salsa
1can (4 ounces) diced jalapenõ peppers, drained (optional)
2loaves (18 ounces each) round marble rye bread, unsliced
Pretzel rods
Cocktail rye or pumpernickel bread slices

Preparation:
1.Melt cheese in medium saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in beans, salsa and jalapeño peppers, if desired. Carefully cut center out of bread, leaving 1-1/2-inch shell. Cut bread center into pieces for dipping.
2.Reserve 1 pretzel rod. Arrange remaining pretzel rods on serving plate to resemble campfire logs. Place bread cauldron on pretzels; fill with cheese dip, allowing some to spill over top of bread cauldron. Arrange bread pieces and cocktail bread around cauldron. Place reserved pretzel rod in cheese dip; serve immediately.
Tip Use your favorite Halloween cookie cutters to cut scary shapes from the cocktail bread.
http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/bubbling-cauldron-recipe.htm

Craft - Witch boot stocking

Tutorial at:
http://www.not2crafty.com/2008/10/halloween-dog-stockings/
She uses it as a dog stocking but I wouldn't!

Halloween fun - day 9 Witches

2010-10-09T05:20:00.000-07:00

Joke:
How do warty witches keep their hair in place?
With scare-spray!

Recipe:
Abracadabra Hats
Yield: Makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
1 package crescent dinner rolls (8 rolls)
½ teaspoon dried basil (optional)
16 turkey pepperoni slices
3 to 4 salami sticks, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 cups pizza or marinara sauce

Preparation:
1.Preheat oven to 375°F.
2.Separate dough and place individual pieces on work surface. Gently shape each piece into long triangle. Sprinkle triangles evenly with basil, if desired.
3.Cut pepperoni pieces into crescent shapes using small cookie cutter or knife. (Each slice will make 2 crescents). Place 1 salami stick piece along base of each dough triangle. Partially roll up dough to cover salami and create brim of hat. Place 2 pepperoni crescents on top part of each hat; place on ungreased nonstick baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes or until golden brown at edges.
4.Meanwhile, warm sauce in small saucepan over low heat. Serve hats with warm sauce for dipping.

http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/abracadabra-hats-recipe.htm

Craft - wine-glass witch markers

Great tutorial with step-by -step pictures at:
http://www.not2crafty.com/2009/08/wine-glass-marker-halloween-parties/

Halloween fun - day 8

2010-10-08T05:09:00.000-07:00

Joke:

Q. Why did the ghost go into the bar?
A. For the Boos.

Recipe - Halloween drink

Goblin Face Caesar-tini
By The Canadian Living Test Kitchen
This recipe makes 1 servings
Ingredients
4oz (113 g) tomato clam cocktail
1-1/4 oz(35 g) vodka
2 tsp(10 mL) pickle juice
1/2 tsp(2 mL) prepared horseradish
3 dashesWorcestershire sauce
3 dashes hot pepper sauce
1 pinchsalt
1 pinchpepper
Goblin face
2pimiento-stuffed green olive
1miniature dill pickle dill pickles or gherkin pickle
Garnish1 1lime wedge1 1celery salt
Preparation:
Goblin Face: Thread 1 olive for eye-ball onto toothpick. Thread pickle cross-wise for nose beside olive, them remaining olive for other eye. set aside.Garnish: Moisten 1/4-inch (5mm) rim of martini glass with lime wedge. Dip into plate of celery salt to coat. Set aside.Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add tomato-clam cocktail, vodka, pickle juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, salt and pepper; shake vigorously to blend and chill. Strain into prepared glass. Garnish with Goblin Face.
Additional Information:
Nonalcoholic Goblin Face Bloody Mary-tini:Omit vodka. Reduce pickle juice to 1 tsp (5ml).

Craft: Candy bouquet

Step-by -step tutorial

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://ediblecraftsonline.com/candy_bouquets/cb13/step%25205-d.jpg&imgrefurl=http://ediblecraftsonline.com/candy_bouquets/cb13/index.htm&usg=__S2za5Kt2S8RyMkqp1lEjrdYDDv8=&h=567&w=450&sz=173&hl=fr&start=20&tbnid=bVyubOSgkEW21M:&tbnh=134&tbnw=106&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhalloween%2Bcrafts%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dfr%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1

Halloween fun - Day 7 Day of the Mummy!

2010-10-07T04:48:00.000-07:00

Joke:
Q. Why was the mummy so tense? A. Because he was all wound up.

Recipe:

Yummy Mummy Cheese Spread Recipe

Photo by: Taste of Home

24 Servings
Prep/Total Time: 30 min.
Ingredients
2 port wine cheese logs (12 ounces each)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon milk
2 whole peppercorns
1 pimiento strip
Directions
Cut cheese logs into pieces for mummy's head, body, arms and legs; arrange on a serving plate.
In small bowl, beat cream cheese and milk. Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert basket weave tip #47. Pipe rows across the mummy, creating bandages. Add peppercorns for eyes and pimiento strip for mouth. Chill until serving. Yield: 1 cheese log.

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Yummy-Mummy-Cheese-Spread

Craft:
Mummy candy pots from better home & gardens

The black eyes add an extra spooky touch. Ordinary terra-cotta flowerpots, muslin strips, and some acrylic paint are about all you'll need.
What You Need:
· Glue gun and hotmelt adhesive
· 12 1-x-36-inch strips of muslin
· Terra-cotta pot (6 1/2 inches in diameter and 5 1/2 inches tall)
· 2 round black beads
· Stencil brush
· Fluorescent acrylic paint: hot green or orange
· Paper towel
· Candy

Instructions:
Spot-glue the end of a muslin strip to the rim of the terra-cotta pot. Wrap the strip around the pot, spot-gluing in place as needed.
Continue covering the pot with muslin strips, gluing the beginning of each new strip to the end of the previous one. Occasionally twist the muslin during the wrapping process to add dimension, and spot-glue the twist to the pot.
When the pot is completely covered (leave the bottom unwrapped), make a brow by wrapping more strips around the top of the pot. Wrap additional strips around the bottom of the face to give the mummy the appearance of a concealed nose and mouth. Add back beads for eyes.
Dip a stencil brush into the fluorescent paint. Dab the brush on a paper towel to remove any excess paint, and lightly brush back and forth on the muslin until the pot is covered. Allow paint to dry.
Fill the finished mummy pot with candy.

Halloween fun - day 6

2010-10-06T04:39:00.000-07:00

Joke:
Q. Why did the ghost go into the bar? A. For the Boos.

Recipe: Meringue ghosts

I usually make these but don't use a pastry cone. I just spread some meringue in an oval shape with a spoon & then using the tip of the spoon I make arms by spreading some meringue on the sides.

Ingredients
3 large egg whites
½ teaspoon cream of tartar
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
16 to 24 miniature semisweet chocolate chips or pieces of semisweet chocolate
Set oven for 200 degrees
• Line the cookie sheets parchment paper.
• Put the egg whites and cream of tartar into bowl and mix, with a mixer, on high speed until thick.
• Add sugar, 1/8th cup at a time at 30 second intervals, while continuing to mix. Mix until stiff peaks form.
• Mix in vanilla.
• Spoon meringue into a pastry cone with ½ inch tip or wax paper cone with ½ inch cut off the end.
• Pipe meringue onto the cookie sheets forming ¼ to ½ inch thick ghost shapes. Be creative making them 2-4 inches wide and 4-6 inches long. Keep each ghost 2 inches apart.
• Make the ghost eyes by slightly pressing the chocolate chips into the meringue shapes.
• Bake for 45 minutes and turn cookie sheets around. Continue baking for another 15 to 45 minutes or until meringue begins to turn golden.
• Turn off the oven, leave the oven door closed, and let meringue sit for 1 additional hour.
• Remove cookie sheets and transfer the Halloween ghosts to a serving dish.Read more:

Craft:

Another Halloween eye-wreath tutorial

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=53867.0

Halloween fun - day 5

2010-10-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

Joke:
Q. Where does a ghost go on Saturday night?
A. Anywhere where he can boo-gie.

Recipe: Deviled eggs - eyes

Just make your usual deviled eggs & add green coloring, a lice of black olive for the eye & piece of red bell pepper.

Craft
Black-eye Halloween wreath tutorial:

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.favecrafts.com/master_images/Halloween%2520Crafts/HalloweenWreath-1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.favecrafts.com/Halloween-Crafts/Spooky-Eyes-Wreath-from-Creative-Home-Arts&usg=__TeunNDto2fvGqAlllVBgfDWhJmo=&h=550&w=413&sz=80&hl=fr&start=105&tbnid=aw00Hx3bHWNeqM:&tbnh=133&tbnw=100&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhalloween%2Bwreath%26start%3D100%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dfr%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1

Halloween fun - day 4 - Easy stuff!

2010-10-04T04:25:00.000-07:00

Joke:
Q. What do you call a witch who lives at the beach?
A. A sand-witch.

Recipe: Test tube tomato soup

Just make soup & pour into test tubes!

Craft

Bugs in soap. Just add plastic bugs or plastic mice!

Source: http://www.not2crafty.com/2008/09/bugs-in-soap-for-halloween-fun/

Halloween month - day 3

2010-10-03T05:17:00.000-07:00

Joke:
Q. What is a Mummie's favorite type of music?
A. Wrap!!!!!

Recipe - Bat bites

Prep Time: 50 minutesYield: 16 ServingsCost per Serving: $0.82
Ingredients
· 1 (4 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
· 8 ounces soft, mild goat cheese, at room temperature
· 1/4 cup pesto
· 2 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
· 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
· 8 pitted olives, sliced
· 32 peppercorns
· 32 triangular blue corn chips or free-form wing shapes made from leftover tortillas from Ghost Chips
Preparation
Mash together cream cheese, goat cheese and pesto. Chill for 40 minutes.
Shape mixture into 16 2-inch balls, about 1 heaping tsp. each. Roll in black pepper and poppy seeds to cover. Press two olive slices into balls for eyes and place peppercorns in centers for pupils.
Insert chip on either side of ball for wings; serve.
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1875211

Craft - black cat pillows.. gotta love them!!

Turn ordinary black pillows into creative Holiday decorations with crystal buttons and just two strands of floss
Skill Level: Beginner
Materials: Hand sewing needles; black thread; 1⁄2-inch black or pink button; black pillow (about 12 inches across in any fabric as desired); two 1⁄2-inch crystal buttons; white embroidery floss.
Directions:
1. Thread a long needle with black thread; sew the 1⁄2-inch button to the center of the pillow, stitching all the way through and pulling the thread tight, forming the cat’s nose.
2. Sew crystal buttons above nose to make eyes.
3. Thread an embroidery needle with 2 strands of floss. To make whiskers, make a small stitch on one side of nose; tie thread ends together and trim to about 2 inches long. Make several more whiskers on each side of nose in this way.
Source: http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Crafts/Halloween-Crafts-Black-Cat-Pillows.html

Day 2 - Halloween fun 2010

2010-10-02T04:21:00.000-07:00

Scary food (more fingers!!) Very easy & good!... think I'll try those this year.

Sliced Fingers
Use mozzarella sticks, shape them into fingers, press knuckle marks into them and use anything from bell peppers to sliced carrots for the fingernails.

Source: http://www.bambooandtikis.com/blog/easy-halloween-food-ideas

Craft:

Ghostly gourds

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.thebellalifeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Ghostly-Gourds_full_article_vertical.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thebellalifeblog.com/2009/09/19/halloween-kids-craft-ghostly-gourds/&usg=__At4WhZD8MAm3HrrSCTH21rQt0Rc=&h=384&w=324&sz=38&hl=fr&start=99&tbnid=Mi-O7cb0jzT0AM:&tbnh=123&tbnw=104&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhalloween%2Bcraft%26start%3D80%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dfr%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1

Joke:

Q. What do goblins and ghosts drink when they're hot and thirsty on Halloween?

A. Ghoul-aid!!!

Fact:

Edgar Allan Poe to receive proper burial 160 years after his mysterious death.... WEIRD
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/edgar-allan-poe-given-funeral-160-years-after-his-mysterious-death-1801346.html

A month of Halloween! Day 1

2010-10-01T04:16:00.000-07:00

I'll try to post everyday in October for a month of Halloween fun!

Let's start with a joke:

Q: Why was the skeleton afraid to cross the road?

It had no guts…

How about some scary recipe?

I've been doing that recipe for the past 2 years (except for the green food coloring). I do it in advance & freeze!

Frightful finger cookies
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened1 cup confectioners' sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 3/4 cups flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup almond slices

1 tube green food coloring

1 tube red decorating gel (or use some red jam!)
1. Set the oven at 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a mixer, beat the butter, sugar, egg, and almond and vanilla extracts.

3. With the mixer set on low speed, beat in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add drops of green food coloring to the dough until it is a deep green color.

4. Divide the dough into four equal parts, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

5. Using one part of the dough, break off one heaping teaspoon and roll it into a finger shape. Squeeze it around the middle of the finger to create a knuckle shape. Then, with a butter knife, make indents in several places to resemble a finger. Repeat with the remaining dough.

6. Set the fingers on the baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until firm.

7. Let the cookies sit until cool. Squeeze red decorating gel onto the tip of each finger and gently press an almond slice on top so the gel oozes out from underneath.

Source:

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.boston.com/ae/food/dishing/halloween.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.boston.com/ae/food/dishing/2007/10/14-week/&usg=__iNjzWWgg9KzlhahH0JLBj530k0k=&h=180&w=270&sz=13&hl=fr&start=6&tbnid=y0cdS8ukz8TTbM:&tbnh=75&tbnw=113&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfinger%2Bcookies%2Bhalloween%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dfr%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1

And a Halloween craft?? Creepy charmed balls... cute & easy!

http://aupapotagedesdames.over-blog.com/ext/http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Crafts/Creepy-Craft-Charm-Balls.html

August 25 - Rudy Day - Month of the elves

2010-08-25T05:13:00.000-07:00

Starting today it's a whole month of Elf Magic at these 2 sites:

http://rudolphday.com/
http://magicalholidayhome.com/elves/

Our elves have been coming to our house the past few years. Jujubes & Mr. M. (see post of december 2009 for a pic of our elves).

My children are now 17 and 19 and they do enjoy them ... even if they roll their eyes and say 'ah mom' and shake their heads.

I've started collecting some ideas for when the elves will be here in December.

Joke
Who is the most famous singing elf? Elf Vis.

lol! I just might print this out and have them bring it for the teens :), I'm sure they'd enjoy that!

Craft

Pasta Christmas Elf

What you'll need:
1 jumbo shell (head)
1 manicotti pasta (body)
6 ziti pasta (arms and legs)
4 elbow macaroni (hands and feet)
Acrylic paint: flesh, green, red, white, pink, black
2 small wiggle eyes
1 mini pink pompom
1 small glittery white pompom
2 small glittery green pompoms
1 sheet white felt
8” green yarn
Hot glue gun
Paintbrush
Toothpick
White craft glue (step 9 only)
How to make it:
Paint the manicotti, four pieces of the ziti, and two elbow macaroni with green paint.
Paint the jumbo shell and the other two elbow macaroni with flesh colored paint.
Paint the remaining two pieces of ziti white (see image).
When the white ziti pieces are dry, paint red stripes on them and let them dry--these are the socks (see image).
Paint the top 1/3 of the jumbo shell with green paint to make the hat (see image).
Hot glue the head into one end of the manicotti body.
Cut a thin strip of white felt and glue it around the border of the hat line, where flesh paint meets green.
Glue the white glitter pom-pom to the top of the hat.
Glue on two wiggle eyes (use white craft glue for this step) and the mini pink pom-pom for the nose.
Dip a small paintbrush into pink paint and dab off most of the excess, your paintbrush should be fairly dry. Dab the dry pink paint on as cheeks (see image).
Cut two strips of white felt and glue around the top and bottom of the manicotti shell.
Glue two green pompoms onto the front of the manicotti shell.
Glue two of the green ziti just inside the bottom of the manicotti shell for the legs.
Glue the striped ziti socks onto the green legs (see image).
Glue green elbow macaroni to the striped socks.
Glue the two remaining green ziti to the sides of the manicotti body and then glue the flesh colored elbow macaroni on as hands.
Use a toothpick dipped in black paint to add a smile and eyebrows.
Glue a looped and knotted piece of yarn inside the back of the jumbo shell head.
Tips:
This is a very delicate project and could prove frustrating for smaller children. To include them, use felt for the arms and legs instead of the smaller pieces of pasta.
Always supervise children with hot glue. If hot glue gets on skin, remove it as quickly as possible to avoid burns.
If you prefer to use white glue, assemble the limbs separately where they can lay flat to dry. Attach them to the body afterward.

Source: http://crafts.kaboose.com/pasta-christmas-elf.html

Weird Halloween Trivia

2010-08-23T04:55:00.000-07:00

Halloween stirs up all kinds of phobias, and if you are feeling creeped out by the festivities this year, you may suffer from one of the following:
• Fear of cats = ailurophobia
• Fear of cemeteries = coimetrophobia
• Fear of ghosts = phasmophobia
• Fear of Halloween = samhainophobia
• Fear of spiders = arachnophobia
• Fear of the dark = nyctophobia
• Fear of witches = wiccaphobia

It was believed that black cats were witches’ familiars and protected them.

Vampire bats do exist, but not in Transylvania. They are typically found in Central and South America where they feed on horses, cattle or birds.

If you stare into a mirror at midnight on Halloween, legend says you will see the face of your future spouse.

It is also believed that if you see a spider on Halloween, it is the spirit of a loved one watching over you.

Finally, if you have tattoos, a unibrow or unusually long middle fingers, then you just might be a werewolf, otherwise known as a lycanthrope. Creepy!

Menu Plan

2010-08-08T12:12:00.000-07:00

I decided to try and menu plan, to save time, money and most importantly to have something to eat when we get home from work\school at night.

I used Hockey card plastic sheets (fits nine cards), cut off & kept 6 pockets. Then I cut up index cards to fit the pockets - wrote down our most used recipes & pasted pictures on the front. On the back either the recipe or ingredients needed to make it.

Here's what it looks like:

I put magnets on the back of my plastic sheets (4 corners) and it is now posted on the fridge.

There is still place to add new ideas but this should simplify things! At least it helps to make the grocery list.

Klipboard winner!

2010-08-08T12:05:00.000-07:00

I won a fantastic clipboard from Terri at:

http://christmastreelane.blogspot.com/

Isn't it lovely?? Thanks Terri!

2010-08-01 - Month of the elf!

2010-08-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

Over at MHH August is month of the elves.
Here's my latest creations... Christmas pillowcases with a little pocket to put $$ and a poem. Who knows maybe the elves will bring this for Christmas!

One side of this one is a nightshirt.

Christmas elves

2010-08-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

If you want to know about the magic of elves, go to this website and everything will be explained. It's so much fun.. no matter at what age!

http://magicalholidayhome.com/elves/

CIJ - day 31. Last day of CIJ

2010-07-31T04:41:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's the last day of CIJ. I'll have to take a break of Christmas planning because Halloween is coming up! Boo!

Recipe for today: Christmas tree pizza

Ingredients
1 package frozen, chopped spinach
Yellow, red, and orange bell peppers
Olive oil
Cornmeal
Pizza dough for one 12-inch round pie
1 cup tomato sauce
1/4 to 1/3 grated Romano cheese
Feta cheese (or why not bocconcini?)

Instructions
Heat oven to 450 degrees. Cook the spinach, drain, and press it to squeeze out excess liquid. Set aside.
Use tiny cookie cutters to shape circles and stars from the peppers. Set aside.
Coat a 12-inch pizza pan with olive oil, then sprinkle on the cornmeal. Roll the dough into a circle and place on the pan, pushing the edges to the rim.
Spread the tomato sauce on the dough and sprinkle on the grated Romano cheese. Top with the chopped spinach and then drizzle olive oil over the spinach. Sprinkle the crumbled feta over the spinach and arrange the pepper circles.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the bottom of the crust is browned. Cut the pizza into triangular slices and then trim the crust to form a trunk. Finally, top each slice with a yellow star. Makes one 12-inch pizza.

Craft of the day - Christmas napkins

Some vintage buckles and ribbons for the napkin rings. old vintage napkins and a fine-tip Sharpie and simply write a recipe (a gingerbread recipe, cookie recipe, ...) on each napkin.

Beautiful! and can be reused.

Thanks to: http://storybookwoods.typepad.com/storybook_woods/christms/

Joke of the day:

T'was the week After Christmas...
T'was the week after Christmas, and all through the house,

Every creature was hurting-- even the mouse.

The toys were all broken, their batteries dead;

Santa passed out, with some ice on his head.

Wrapping and ribbons just covered the floor,

whileUpstairs the family continued to snore.

And I in my T-shirt, new Reeboks and jeans,

Went into the kitchen and started to clean.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the sink to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the curtains, and threw up the sash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a little white truck, with an oversized mirror.

The driver was smiling, so lively and grand;

The patch on his jacket said "U.S. POSTMAN."

With a handful of bills, he grinned like a fox

Then quickly he stuffed them into our mailbox.

Bill after bill, after bill, they still came.

Whistling and shouting he called them by name:

"Now Dillard's, now Broadway's, now Penny's and SearsHere's Levitz's and Target's and Mervyn's -- all here!!

To the tip or your limit, every store, every mall,

Now chargeaway-chargeaway-chargeaway all!"

He whooped and he whistled as he finished his work.

He filled up the box, and then turned with a jerk.

He sprang to his truck and he drove down the road,

Driving much faster with just half a load.

Then I heard him exclaim with great holiday cheer,
""Enjoy what you got ... you'll be paying all year!"

Submitted by Kenneth, Shropshire, England

CIJ day 30th

2010-07-30T04:32:00.000-07:00

Recipe for today - this looks good! - Crescent wreath

Ingredients

2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent rolls

1 cup shredded Colby-Jack cheese

2/3 cup condensed cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup chopped fresh broccoli

1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper

1/4 cup chopped water chestnuts

3/4 cup cubed cooked chicken

2 tablespoons chopped onion

Cooking Directions

Arrange crescent rolls on a 12-in. pizza pan, forming a ring with pointed ends facing the outer edge of pan and wide ends overlapping.

Combine the remaining ingredients; spoon over wide ends of rolls. Fold points over filling and tuck under wide ends (filling will be visible).

Bake at 375 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Yield: 6 servings

Craft of the day - Half-eaten gingerbread man: http://www.elsiemarley.com/pattern-for-a-half-eaten-gingerbread-man.html

Joke of the day

Would you look at that?? They're making a baby right in the front yard!

It's disgraceful.

CIJ day 29

2010-07-29T04:05:00.000-07:00

CIJ today will be for guys!

Recipe - gift in a jar: BBQ spice rub

1 part each: onion powder and cumin1.5 parts each: brown sugar, paprika and chili powder.5 parts each: coriander and garlic salt

Anotherversion too:
1 part each: chili powder, paprika and kosher salt1.5 parts of brown sugar

From : http://whatscookingblog.com/2009/11/19/making-homemade-gifts-from-the-kitchen-with-kids/

Craft: Nuts & bolts Santa, snowman & angel

Get the instructions here:
http://www.favecrafts.com/Ornaments/Nuts-and-Bolts-Christmas-Ornaments-from-Inspired-at-Home

Joke - Dear Darling Son
Dear Darling Son (and That Person You Married),
Merry Christmas to you, and please don't worry. I'm just fine considering I can't breathe or eat.

The important thing is that you have a nice holiday, thousands of miles away from your ailing mother. I've sent along my last ten dollars in this card, which I hope you'll spend on my grandchildren. God knows their mother never buys them anything nice. They look so thin in their pictures, poor babies.

Thank you so much for the Christmas flowers, dear boy. I put them in the freezer so they'll stay fresh for my grave. Which reminds me -- we buried Grandma last week. I know she died years ago, but I got to yearning for a good funeral so Aunt Viola and I dug her up and had the services all over again. I would have invited you, but I know that woman you live with would have never let you come.

Well son, it's time for me to crawl off to bed now. I lost my cane beating off muggers last week, but don't you worry about me. I'm also getting used to the cold since they turned my heat off and am grateful because the frost on my bed numbs the constant pain. Now don't you even think about sending any more money, because I know you need it for those expensive family vacations you take every year. Give my love to my darling grandbabies and my regards to whatever-her-name-is -- the one with the black roots who stole you screaming from my bosom.

Merry Christmas.
Love, Mom

CIJ day 28

2010-07-28T04:12:00.000-07:00

Recipe - gift in a jar

Curried lentil soup
Ingredients
· 2 ( 1 quart) jars with tight-fitting lids
· 1 pound(s) red lentils
· Salt
· 6 tablespoon(s) minced dried onion
· 2 tablespoon(s) curry powder
· 1 teaspoon(s) garlic powder
· 1 pound(s) green lentils
· 1/2 package(s) (5-ounce) dried apple rings, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
· 2 tablespoon(s) dried parsley leaves
Directions
1. In bottom of each glass jar, place 8 ounces red lentils; top with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 3 tablespoons dried onion, 1 tablespoon curry powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 8 ounces green lentils, 1/2 cup apple pieces, and 1 tablespoon parsley, in that order. Seal jars and store at room temperature up to 1 month.
2. Prepare labels with cooking instructions; attach to jars. Add these cooking directions to each label before giving as a gift: Place lentil soup mix in 3-quart saucepan with 7 cups water. Heat to boiling on high. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Makes 8 cups soup.
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/curried-lentil-soup-december-recipes

Craft of the day:

No instructions but pretty self-explanatory. Georgous!

Joke of the day - Holiday Eating Tips
I hate aspects of this time of year. Not for its crass commercialism and forced frivolity, but because it's the season when the food police come out with their wagging fingers and annual tips on how to get through the holidays without gaining 10 pounds.
1. About those carrot sticks. Avoid them. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnogaholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later then you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other peoples food for free. Lots of it. Hello? Remember college?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Years, You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa. Position yourself near them, and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. You can't leave them behind. You're not going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day ?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean have some standards, mate.
10. And one final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips. Start over. But hurry! Cookieless January is just around the corner.

CIJ day 27

2010-07-27T04:18:00.000-07:00

Recipe - Butterscotch brownies - gift from the kitchen

Butterscotch Brownies
Makes: 24 bars
Prep: 30 minutes Bake: 20 minutes Cool: 2 hours

Ingredients
· 1/3 cup butter
· 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
· 1-1/3 cups flaked or shredded coconut
· 3/4 cup chopped pecans
· 1/2 cup butter, softened
· 1 cup packed brown sugar
· 1/2 tsp. baking soda
· 1/4 tsp. salt
· 3 eggs
· 1/2 tsp. vanilla
· 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
· 1/2 cup chopped pecans
· 1/2 cup tiny marshmallows
· Caramel-flavored ice cream topping (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside. In a small saucepan melt 1/3 cup butter; stir in 2/3 cup brown sugar, the coconut, and 3/4 cup pecans. Pat evenly in prepared pan; set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl beat 1/2 cup butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add 1 cup brown sugar, the baking soda, and salt; beat until combined. Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Add flour and beat until combined. Stir in 1/2 cup pecans and marshmallows. Spoon small mounds of mixture over coconut mixture in pan. Carefully spread to cover.
3. Bake about 20 minutes (mixture should be evenly browned; center may jiggle slightly when shaken). Cool in pan on wire rack. To serve, cut into bars. Drizzle with caramel topping. Makes 24 bars.

Craft of the day - Candy cane signpost ornament

Materials
Large craft stick (ours was 4 ½ inches long)
Acrylic paint: white, green and red
Craft knife
Permanent marker
Glue
Small green felt holly leaves
Red mini pom-pom berries
White glitter
5-inch piece of ribbon

Instructions
1. Coat a large craft stick (ours was 4 ½ inches long) with white acrylic paint and another with green paint. Let them dry, then add stripes of red paint to the white stick.
2. Use a craft knife to cut a 3-inch section from the green stick, notching each end to create an arrow shape, as shown. Write "North Pole" on the sign in permanent marker, then glue the sign to the red-and-white craft stick.
3. Next, glue on small green felt holly leaves and red mini pom-pom berries. If you like, add dabs of white paint, then sprinkle on white glitter for snow.
4. Finally, glue both ends of a 5-inch piece of ribbon to the back of the signpost for a hanger and let the glue dry.

Joke - 20 Uses for Fruitcake
1. Use as a doorstop
2. Use as a paper weigh
3. Use to clean your pots and pans
4. Use as boat anchor
5. Use as bricks in fireplace
6. Build a house with them
7. Use it to hold up your Christmas tree
8. Use as a pencil holder
9. Give it to the cat for a scratching post
10. Put it in the back yard to feed the birds and squirrels
11. Hold up your car when changing tires
12. Slice and use for poker chips
13. Use it to carve your turkey on
14. Use as replacement for Duraflame log
15. Take it camping with you...use it to weigh down the tent
16. Use it as a seat at a stadium event
17. Stand on it when you change a lightbulb
18. Put it in the back of your car/truck for snow/ice driving
19. Replaces free weights when you work out
20. Use as book ends at the school library

Can you guess I don't like fruitcake?

CIJ day 26

2010-07-26T04:24:00.000-07:00

Recipe - gifts from the kitchen - Deep chocolate brownies

Deep Chocolate Brownies
Makes: 24 bars
Prep: 25 minutes Bake: 35 minutes
Ingredients
· 1 egg
· 1 cup butterscotch-flavored ice cream topping
· 2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
· 2 cups flaked coconut
· 3/4 cup butter, softened
· 1-1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar
· 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
· 2 eggs
· 2 teaspoons vanilla
· 2 cups all-purpose flour
· 1 teaspoon baking powder
· 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 1 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate pieces
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl beat the 1 egg with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy and light colored. Stir in ice cream topping. Fold in pecans and coconut; set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Beat in brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in cooled chocolate, the 2 eggs, and vanilla. Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; beat or stir into chocolate mixture. Stir in chocolate pieces. Spread in prepared pan; spread nut mixture over batter. Bake about 35 minutes or until golden and set. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 24 bars.

Craft of the day - Christmas ball

No-fuss kissing ball. Wrap a 4-inch Styrofoam ball in a 14-inch fabric square; secure with a rubber band. Thread the end of 1 1/2 yards of ribbon down through the band, around the ball, and up through the band's other side so ribbon ends match up (knot them to hang the ball). Wrap 14 inches of ribbon around the ball's other side (crossing first ribbon, as shown); tuck ends into band. Hide band with a shimmery bow and festive sprigs.

Joke :
To All EmployeesFrom Management
Subject Office conduct during the Christmas season

Effective immediately, employees should keep in mind the following guidelines in compliance with FROLIC (the Federal Revelry Office and Leisure Industry Council).

Running aluminum foil through the paper shredder to make tinsel is discouraged.
Playing Jingle Bells on the push-button phone is forbidden (it runs up an incredible long distance bill)
Work requests are not to be filed under "Bah humbug."
Company cars are not to be used to go over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house.
All fruitcake is to be eaten BEFORE July 25.
Egg nog will NOT be dispensed in vending machines.

In spite of all this, the staff is encouraged to have a Happy Holiday.

CIJ day 25 - CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

2010-07-25T04:32:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas in July!!

Recipe - Christmas tree fruit brochettes

The "pine tree" here is a pineapple laden with colorful fruit-kabob branches.
Ingredients
Large pineapple
Small skewers (we used 50 6-inch bamboo skewers)
Assorted fresh fruit (we used grapes, strawberries, star fruit, and honeydew)
Instructions
To make the tree trunk, remove the top and cut 1 inch off of the bottom of a large pineapple, then peel it (all a parent's job).
On the skewers, thread three to five pieces of assorted fresh fruits.
Starting at the bottom, insert the skewers into the pineapple at a slight angle. Top the tree with skewered slices of star fruit. After the branches are eaten, don't forget to slice up the tree trunk.
(Source: Family fun)

Craft of the day - today is more like a viewing of a craft you could make or buy - a gingerbread tree.

Better viewed here: http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.luv2craft4udesigns.com/epatterns/GBTreeLg.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.luv2craft4udesigns.com/epatterns/epatterns2.html&usg=__d07AVuCiNVcnHyIWMnOI1q4AQ8c=&h=681&w=366&sz=90&hl=fr&start=23&tbnid=GroIQiG7ASgzaM:&tbnh=139&tbnw=75&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgingerbread%2Btree%26start%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dfr%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1

Joke
As a little girl climbed onto Santa's lap, Santa asked the usual, "And what would you like for Christmas?"The child stared at him open mouthed and horrified for a minute, then gasped: "Didn't you get my E-mail?"

CIJ day 24

2010-07-24T04:46:00.000-07:00

Christmas-in-July Eve!

Recipe - Sandwich Christmas tree

Ingredients
1 16-ounce can whole-berry cranberry sauce
4 large (9- or 10-inch) spinach-flour tortillas or flat breads
Mayonnaise
3/4 pound thinly sliced Monterey Jack or American cheese
3/4 pound thinly sliced smoked turkey
1/2 head green-leaf lettuce
Toothpicks
Red and yellow bell peppers
cocktail onions, for garnish
Instructions
Spoon the cranberry sauce into a food processor and pulse it briefly.
Then lay the tortillas or flat bread on a flat working surface and lightly spread them with mayonnaise (a rubber spatula comes in handy for this). Now your kids can top each tortilla with a layer each of cheese and turkey. (Tip: When stacking ingredients, leave an inch margin along the top of the tortilla. Roll the bread toward that edge to keep the filling from falling out.)
Spread cranberry sauce on the turkey layers and cover them with lettuce. Snugly roll up the sandwiches, ending with the loose edges underneath.
With a serrated knife, cut each roll-up into 1 1/4-inch-wide pinwheels and insert a toothpick to hold each one together.
On a serving platter, arrange the pinwheels in rows to create a Christmas tree. Garnish with pepper-star ornaments (cut out with a small cookie cutter) and cocktail-onion lights
(Source: Family fun)

Craft of the day - fabric CandyCanes

No instructions... draw your candycane freehand in beautiful fabric & add ribbons, greenery & bells.

Joke:
Two young boys were spending the night at their grandparents. At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside their beds to say their prayers when the youngest one began praying at the top of his lungs.
"I PRAY FOR A NEW BICYCLE...I PRAY FOR A NEW NINTENDO... I PRAY FOR A NEW VCR..."
His older brother leaned over and nudged the younger brother and said, "Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn't deaf."

To which the little brother replied, "No, but Gramma is!"

CIJ day 23

2010-07-23T05:10:00.000-07:00

Christmas Breakfast Casserole

Make-ahead casserole. 6-8 ServingsPrep: 10 min. + chilling Bake: 50 min. + standing
Ingredients
7 slices white bread, crusts removed and cubed
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
6 eggs
3 cups milk
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
Directions
In a greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish, combine the bread cubes and
cheese. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, mustard, salt and
pepper; pour over bread and cheese. Top with bacon. Cover and
refrigerate overnight.
Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake,
uncovered, at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a knife inserted
near the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before
serving. Yield: 6-8 servings.

(Source: taste of home)

Christmas craft - Edible popcorn balls

Like decorations stolen from Willy Wonka's Christmas party, these ornaments are meant to be eaten. For a fun party activity, have children decorate their own. For homemade popcorn balls, try this recipe.

After sugar reaches the hard ball stage, it requires some speed in handling so the candy doesn't set. You may want to halve the recipes using cooked sugar the first few times you make them. If you make these balls to use as tree ornaments, be sure to pop some extra corn for munching.
Ingredients
6 cups popped popcorn (1/3 cup unpopped)
2 cups toasted oat cereal such as Quaker Toasted Oatmeal
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. vinegar
Instructions
In a large bowl mix the popped popcorn with the toasted oat cereal and set aside. In a heavy, medium-sized saucepan mix the sugar, syrup, water and vinegar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches 260 degrees on a candy thermometer, or until a bit of the mixture dropped into iced water forms into a hard ball.
Pour syrup over popcorn. Stir gently with an oiled wooden spoon until the popcorn is well coated. Allow to cool slightly, and when it is cool enough to handle, with buttered fingers press into balls.

To use as ornaments, wrap them in red and green ribbons. Makes around 18 three-inch balls.
Ingredients
Small popcorn ball (one for each guest)
Mini candy canes
Colored sugar
Frosting
Mini M&Ms
Instructions
You'll need a small popcorn ball for each person (ours are store-bought and about 3 inches wide). Use a wooden skewer to poke a small hole in the top, snap the end off of a mini candy cane to create a point, and gently press the sharp end of the cane into the popcorn ball far enough to make a loop, as shown.
For the sugar dots and lines, pour colored sugar onto a flexible paper plate (the flexibility makes it easy to pour the extra sugar back into the container when you're done). Fill a pastry bag with frosting, or scoop frosting into a quart-size plastic bag and cut off one corner. Working on one dot or line at a time, pipe frosting thickly onto the ball, then press the ball gently into the sugar so that only the frosting touches it. Use frosting to glue mini M&Ms to the ball.

Joke of the day:

CIJ day 22

2010-07-22T06:54:00.000-07:00

This is the recipe for the fudge I make every year.
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Candy/ChocolateFudge.htm

The only time I failed was when I used colored marshmallows.. warning.. they DO NOT melt!

Snowman soup craft
http://www.msgr.ca/msgr-2/Snowman%20Soup.htm

Joke:

Darn modern architecture!

CIJ day 21

2010-07-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Easy carrot cake bars

http://www.womansday.com/Recipes/Carrot-Cake-Bars

Santa Hat tutorial

hhttp://icecreamandboys.blogspot.com/2009/12/santa-hat-tutorial.htmlttp://

Joke:

Why is it always cold at Christmas?

Because it's Decembrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.