Christmas in July day 15 / Noël en juillet jour 15 2014

Cookie recipes / Recettes de biscuits

Old-fashioned gingerbread men / Biscuits en pains d’épices

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/old-fashioned-gingerbread-men-10000001010480/index.html

http://www.recettes.qc.ca/recette/biscuits-au-pain-d-epice-et-glacage-214024

Old-fashioned peanut butter cookies / Biscuits au beurre d’arachides

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/old-fashioned-peanut-butter-cookies-00000000046655/

http://qc.allrecipes.ca/recette/6597/biscuits-au-beurre-d-arachide-classiques.aspx

Old-Fashioned sugar cookies / Biscuits au sucre

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/old-fashioned-sugar-cookies-recipe2.html#

http://www.coupdepouce.com/recettes-cuisine/desserts/biscuits-muffins-et-carres/biscuits-de-noel-au-sucre/r/3435

Christmas in July day 14 / Noël en juillet jour 14 2014

Maple syrup and mustard glazed ham / Jambon glacé au sirop d’érable et moutarde

It smells so good when the ham is cooking in the kitchen. Un bon jambon qui cuit ça sent tellement bon dans la maison.

Source :

http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/2015/maple+syrup+mustard+glazed+ham

Ingredients

• 4kg leg or shoulder of ham, on the bone 1 gros jambon avec os (de préférence)

• 1 x 40g pkt whole cloves 1 paquet de 40 clous de girofles (ou moins)

• 125ml (1/2 cup) maple syrup ½ tasse de sirop d’érable

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 cuillères à table de moutarde de Dijon

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a roasting pan with foil. Use a small knife to cut around ham shank in a zigzag pattern, about 10cm from the end. Run a knife under the rind, around the edge of the ham. Gently lift the rind off in 1 piece by running your fingers between the rind and the fat. Wrap the rind in a damp tea towel and place in the fridge (the rind can be used to cover any leftover ham when storing). Score fat in a diamond pattern. Stud the centres of diamonds with cloves. Place in the prepared pan.

Préchauffer le four à 180C. Mettre du papier de plomb dans une rôtissoire. Couper le jambon en diamants et insérer un clou de girofle à chaque jonction et placer dans la rôtissoire.

2. Combine the maple syrup and mustard in a small bowl. Brush the ham evenly with the maple-syrup mixture.

Mélanger sirop & moutarde dans un petit bol. Appliquer cette preparation sur le jambon.

3. Bake in oven, basting occasionally with pan juices, for 1 hour or until golden brown. Set aside for 2 hours to cool. * Note I would leave it 2 hours.

Cuire au four, en arrosant de jus de caisson de temps à autre, pour 2 heures. Laisser refroidir.

4. Carve baked ham into slices to serve.

Couper en tranches et servir.

Christmas in July day 13 / Noël en juillet jour 13 2014

Recipes – beverages. Recettes pour des breuvages de Noël.

Eggnog / Lait de poule

I like to drink a few glasses of eggnog during the Christmas season but I’ve never tried homemade.

Here you have the light, the traditional and the light ice recipes with step-by-step instructions.

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Eggnog

J’aime bien quelques verres de lait de poule dans le temps des fêtes mais je n’ai jamais essayé du fait-maison.

http://www.recettes.qc.ca/recette/lait-de-poule-3849

Recette Lait de poule

Temps de préparation : 5 min

Temps de macération : 4h 0 min

Temps total : 4h 5 min

Portion(s) : 1

Ingrédients

• 1 tasse lait

• 2 jaunes d'oeufs

• 1 1/2 c. à soupe sucre au goût

• Cannelle au goût

• 1 pincée muscade moulue

• 2 gouttes essence de vanille

Préparation

• Mélanger le lait avec les jaunes d'oeufs.

• Ajouter le sucre et bien dissoudre.

• Ajouter la cannelle, la muscade et l'essence de vanille. Mélanger.

• Réfrigérer de 2 à 4 heures pour un goût optimal.

Mulled wine / Vin chaud aux épices

Source : http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/25231/easy-mulled-wine.aspx

Ingredients

Serves: 4

• 1 litre dry red wine 1 litre vin rouge

• 2 (5cm) cinnamon sticks 2 bâtons de canelle

• 1 dessertspoon whole cloves 1 c. table de clous de girofles entiers

• 1 dessertspoon whole allspice 1 c. table de 4-épices

• 1 large piece orange rind (avoid the pith) 1orange tranché

• 1 large piece lemon rind (avoid the pith) 1 citron tranché

• 4 tablespoons sugar, or to taste 4 c. table sucre, ou au goût

Method

Prep:3min › Cook:20min › Ready in:23min

1. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine the red wine, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, lemon rind and orange rind. Heat gently, but don't bring to the boil. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the sugar, and once dissolved, taste to see if you'd like to add more.

Dans une casserole, à feu moyen, mélanger le vin, la canella, le girofle, les 4-épices, tranches d’oranges et de citron. Laisser chauffer doucement me ne pas amener à ebullition. Ajouter 2 c. table de sucre et lorsque dissous goûter pour voir si on veut en metre plus.

2. Keep hot on medium to low heat for 20 minutes to let the flavours infuse the wine. Serve your mulled wine hot in glasses or mugs.

Garder au chaud à feu doux pendant 20 minutes pour laisser infuser les saveurs. Servir chaud.

CIJ 2012 - day 24 Treat Tuesday

Source : http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Hawaiian-Dessert
Hawaiian Dessert Recipe

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 15 min. + chilling
Yield: 24 Servings

Ingredients
• 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) yellow cake mix
• 3 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 4 cups cold milk
• 1-1/2 teaspoons coconut extract
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, well drained
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped and sweetened
• 2 cups flaked coconut, toasted

Directions

• Mix cake batter according to package directions. Pour into two greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pans. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until the cakes test done. Cool completely.

• In a large bowl, combine pudding mixes, milk and coconut extract; beat for 2 minutes. Add the cream cheese and beat well. Stir in pineapple.

• Spread over the cooled cakes. Top with whipped cream; sprinkle with coconut. Chill for at least 2 hours. Yield: 24 servings.

CIJ 2012 - day 21 Santa Saturday

Love this cake! (Source: http://cakesbymay.blogspot.ca/2010/12/five-tier-wedding-cake-this-cake-says.html) of course, it is a bit too complicated for me but it would be a great cake for Christmas.. the kids would love it.
Source: http://cakecentral.com/gallery/92690/sleeping-santa



I might manage one like this one though:
Source: http://spoonful.com/christmas/christmas-recipes/christmas-desserts/santa-cake/8663

CIJ 2012 - day 19 Tradition Thursday

Gingerbread houses are a tradition in many families.


Source: http://www.gingerbread-house-heaven.com/pictures-of-gingerbread-houses.html

I love the log cabin!!

 

Easy Gingerbread house to make with kids… I think even I could make this one!
Source: http://www.cookingwithmykid.com/holiday/easy-gingerbread-house/

CIJ 2012 - day 17 Treat Tuesday

Gingerbread cakes – makes 8
Source: http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/23446/little+gingerbread+cakes

Ingredients
• 125g butter, chopped
• 2/3 cup golden syrup
• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 2/3 cups plain flour, sifted
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice
• Lemon zest, to serve
• Lemon icing
• 2 cups icing sugar mixture, sifted
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons boiling water

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Grease an 8-hole, 3/4 cup-capacity mini loaf pan.

2. Place butter, golden syrup, sugar and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 4 to 5 minutes or until butter has melted and sugar dissolved (do not boil). Remove from heat. Add bicarbonate of soda. Stir to combine. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.

3. Add egg. Whisk to combine. Add flour, ginger and mixed spice. Whisk until smooth. Spoon mixture into pan holes until half-full. Bake for 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted in centre of 1 cake comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Make icing Place icing sugar, lemon juice and boiling water in a bowl. Stir until smooth. Spoon over cakes. Stand for 5 minutes or until icing starts to set. Top with zest. Set aside until set. Serve.

CIJ 2102 - day 5 Tradition Thursday

In Québec, the traditional Christmas meal is Tourtiere, a meat pie that dates back to the earliest settlers. Another tradition is turkey, mashed potatoes & cranberry sauce.

Here’s a recipe for tourtière (there are as many different recipes as there are cooks!) :

TOURTIERE DU SAGUENAY
1 pound lean pork shoulder
1 pound beef, venison or boned wild fowl meat
1 pound veal shoulder or boned chicken
6 medium onions, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 large potatoes, peeled
Enough pastry for three 9-inch pie crusts (your favorite recipe or refrigerated storebought pastry)
Egg wash (1 egg, beaten, mixed with 1 to teaspoons milk or water)
Chop the meats into 1/2-inch cubes. Coming meat cubes with onions, salt and pepper in large bowl; mix thoroughly with your hands. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Dice potatoes into 1/4-inch cubes. Put in large bowl. Add 4 to 6 cups cold water. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
The next morning, roll out pastry. (Use two-thirds of the pastry for the bottom crust, and the remaining one-third of the pastry and trimmings for the top crust.) Use bottom-crust pastry to line a baking dish (preferably a cast-iron Dutch oven) at least 4 inches deep that will hold about 12 to 14 cups of filling. Drain potatoes, reserving water. Add potatoes to meat mixture. Transfer mixture to pastry-lined baking dish. Add enough of the reserved potato water (about 3 cups) to bring it up to the top of the meat; add additional cold water if needed.
Brush outer edge of pastry with eggwash. Cover with top crust; seal edges. In the center, cut a 2-inch hole and insert a small “chimney” of foil. Seal the base of the chimney with eggwash and a bit of the pastry trimmings. Brush surface of pastry with eggwash. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven one hour; reduce temperature to 250 degrees and bake 6 to 8 hours, or until richly golden brown. Check from time to time during baking to make sure the meat is not too dry and the juices can be seen in the foil chimney. If not, add a little hot water through the hole.
Serve piping hot with beet pickles and a variety of relishes.
Yield: 10 to 12 servings.
Note: Traditionally, lard pastry is used.
Adapted from “The Flavours of Canada” by Anita Stewart (Denise Schon Books, 2000).

Dessert is usually a yule log (bûche de Noël)
Here’s a recipe for one :

Source : http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Chocolate-Yule-Log-2


And of course lots of Christmas cookies & goodies!!

CIJ 2012 - day 3 Treats Tuesday

CIJ 2012 – day 3 – Treats Tuesday

In keeping with the Polar Express theme how about a crockpot of hot chocolate from mrs.happyhomemaker.com.
Creamy Crockpot Hot Cocoa

Ingredients:
1.5 cups whipping cream
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
6 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups of milk chocolate chips

Instructions:
Stir together the whipping cream, milk, vanilla, and chocolate chips in a crockpot.
Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted. Stir again before serving. Garnish as desired.

Or hot-chocolate truffles?
Source : http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2010/12/truffle-hot-chocolate-balls-sugar-rush-2.html




I’m thinking those hot-chocolate truffle balls would make great gifts too.

CIJ 2011 - Day 22

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 17

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 8

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 1

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

Halloween fun - day 30th

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

Recipe - ghost cakes

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

Craft - bat storm

Get some foam sheets from the dollar store & cut bats from them. Hang from the ceiling.

Halloween fun - day 29

Joke - graveyard humor

Dead end


Recipe - graveyard chocolate pudding



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



Craft - Monster gloves






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

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

Halloween fun - day 28

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

Recipe - Fruit ghosts

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

Craft - Bat pumpkings


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

Halloween fun - day 27

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

Recipe: halloween sandwiches

Dress up your sandwiches using cookie cutters!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Halloween fun - day 26 - APPLES

Joke:

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

Recipe: Caramel apples


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

Craft : Caramel apple cards

All wrapped up with shredded paper in 2nd picture

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

Halloween fun - day 25

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

Recipe: witch wands



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

Costumes - easy costume ideas


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

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

Halloween fun - day 24

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


Recipe -Ghostly brownies



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

Costumes - No-sew sweatsuit costume ideas



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