Thursday, October 29, 2009

Hot Apple Cider


If you are looking for something to take to a Halloween party this weekend, I have just the thing.

My friend April served this hot apple cider last weekend, and I just couldn't get enough.

Combine Target-brand caramel apple cider (although I am sure regular apple cider would work just fine too) with 1/2 a bottle of Hot Damn cinnamon schnapps and a few cinnamon sticks. Mull over low heat (a crockpot works great) and serve steaming in mugs!

If you want to fancy this drink up a little you could add an orange studded with whole cloves to the mulling. I am thinking I can handle more of this cold, rainy weather as long as I have plenty of this drink on hand!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Bean There



Here is an easy transition centerpiece from Halloween to Thanksgiving from Everyday with Rachael Ray. Pick up a bag of lentils and grab some juice glasses, filling each about 1/2 full. Nestle orange votive candles inside and tie it all together with raffia from the craft store.

Friday, October 16, 2009

A-dorable!


That is what I think of these Halloween furniture leg covers from Pier 1.
Just slip them over the legs on your table or chair for a Halloween treat.

We promise you and your guests will get a kick out of them.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Spooky Halloween Ideas



I have been having so much fun getting ready for Halloween this year and incorporating lots of spooky ideas into my decor. I just had to share a few!

Let's start with the front door...I am not really one for carving pumpkins, since they just don't last. Instead use simple black stickers to spell out some fun Halloween sayings. Then take cuttings of ribbon in black and white to "dress" up a traditional orange pumpkin. Stick ribbon ends into pumpkin with straight pins. Faster and much less messy than carving!

Moving on into the living room....guests are greeted by a glowing ghost above our corner fireplace. A paper lantern is the perfect shape for this ghost. Cut a slit in some semi-sheer white fabric or an old sheet to allow the lantern cord to poke through. Add haunting eyes and a mouth cut from black felt.

Finally in the dining room, our sidebar features an adorable sign that reads, "Eat, Drink and Be Scary." This is fitting, considering the shiny bats on the tablecloth and the black sparkly skulls in my apothecary jar. A few cobwebs add a finishing touch. Happy Haunting!!

SATC moment....




I definitely had a Carrie Bradshaw moment on Sunday when I finished putting all of my jewelry onto my new organizer. I just know she would approve of this wonderful addition to my life. I can't believe how much it holds! Thanks to mom and dad for the fantastic early b-day present. Get your own at http://www.ltdcommodities.com/home/catalog/cat_item_pg.asp?G=718&P=302&Rec=1&Ntt=jewelry+organizer&N=37&Nao=0&R=463389-7J4O---1

This piece complements my already organized shoe and belt collection. Gotta love Container Store....check out these great and affordable items and makeover your closet for Fall today! www.thecontainerstore.com

Monday, October 5, 2009

Witches Fingers


"Witches' Fingers" are without a doubt the hottest food item this Halloween. You can find the recipes in almost any book or magazine.

Here is a recipe for these fun treats that is sweet....

  • 1 package of peanut butter refrigerated cookie dough (nothing with chips or chunks in it)
  • 1/4 cup of peanuts
  • Chocolate syrup or chocolate icing

Cut the cookie dough just as you would to make round cookies, then cut the cookie circle in half. Form a long cylinder with your fingers or roll the dough between the palm of your hands to form something that looks like a fat snake or worm (great task for kids!). Arrange the cookies on a cookie sheet and if you wish, create indentations where the knuckles are. Bake according to package directions.

The cookies will flatten as they bake, turning out looking as if something ran over them on the road. Once the cookies are ready and have cooled, make the gnarly fingernail by taking half a peanut and adhering it to the tip of the cookie with chocolate syrup or chocolate icing. That's it, you're done!


And here is a savory one...

Ingredients

1 can (11 ounces) refrigerated breadstick dough
12 sun-dried tomatoes, cut in half crosswise or 12 jumbo pitted ripe olives, halved lengthwise
2 tablespoons olive oil
Dried basil or dill weed
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Unroll breadstick dough; separate each strip and cut in half crosswise. Place on 2 ungreased baking sheets. Place tomato half about 1/8 inch from top of each strip and press down firmly; shape ends to round out tip of thumb.
2. Gently press down on dough with knife in 2 places to resemble knuckles. Brush breadsticks with 2 tablespoons olive oil; sprinkle with basil. Bake 10 minutes or until light golden brown.
3. Meanwhile, combine dipping sauce ingredients in 1-pint jar; cover and shake until well blended. Serve with Witches Fingers.

Friday, October 2, 2009

What will they think of next?

Check out this video. These are so fun! The Tigers should definitely have one of these machines at their games this fall!
http://www.flogos.net/index.html