dc halloween

Man have we been partying around here?!?!  Halloween at the day care is in full force today complete with pumpkins, goodies and costumes!  We truly started out on Monday when we all made super hero masks from cut outs I made a couple of weeks ago and mardi gras masks that I ordered from Amazon.  We all liked that project!  

Then yesterday, the boys and I carved a big pumpkin that will be lit on Halloween night at my house.  Can't blame me for getting help!  I brought out Mr Refrigerator Pumpkin Head and we decided on what face our lantern needed by taking turns making faces on him.  We chose the most used parts, traced them on our pumpkin and took turns digging out the guts, poking tiny holes along the lines and using safe utensils to cut out the face.  It turned out pretty good.

During nap time I roasted the pumpkin seeds (for myself :) ) and after the kids got up we got to work.  We counted out enough seeds for everyone and placed them in a bowl.  Then we added orange glitter, gold glitter and tiny peach sequins.  We passed the bowl around and each child gave it a stir and muttered their wish that the pumpkin seeds would magically come up over night.  We marched out to the garden and each chose a spot to plant our magic seeds.  I tell you I felt like Santa this  morning placing pumpkins in the garden before they all got here and their faces were soooo worth getting my winter moccasins wet in the frosty grass.  I did hide my shoes so no one would be suspicious!  They were giddy with excitement saying "Miss Laurie... our spell worked!!!!

When all of the children were here we traipsed out to the garden, got our pumpkins and brought them back up to the porch.  There were small, carving pumpkins and tiny pumpkins.. enough for each child and a tiny one for me too.  We quickly got to work with glitter (any excuse for me to use glitter!) and glue on the tiny ones for them to take home.  It's up the parents on the bigger ones once they get home.  The bigger ones were given to me by my father-in-law who grew them in his garden this year.  How nice!

We've played Halloween bingo and we still have cupcakes and more games to go once nap time is over.  A full day planned is nice!  Happy Halloween kids!!!

They just couldn't believe it!  How magical!

 I definitely feel as if I have accomplished something today!

Wanna see Mr Refrigerator Pumpkin Head? 

This is my third year to use him!  I have replaced the facial parts but only because I lost them.

By the way... I used a small Pillsbury Funfetti cupcake mix that is orange and only makes twelve cupcakes which is plenty for us!

I got the Halloween Bingo game as a free printable HERE.

I got the free template for the super hero mask accessories HERE.

And the masks at amazon HERE.  Which were a lot cheaper when I ordered them than now.

Christmas Snacks for Far Off Friends

My Mom has always made what we always called "Nuts and Bolts" at Christmas time.  Her version is the best, in my opinion, and we always knew it was there to snack on anytime during the holidays... lucky for us!  I got the hankering for some last week and decided to make some for myself.  I picked up all the ingredients and the grocery and Sunday morning our home was filled with the wonderful smells of butter and worcestershire sauce... yum!  I actually called Mom to see what her recipe was and she uses the chex mix recipe on the box minus the garlic but I bought the off brand cereal and wasn't sure the recipe would be the same.  While I was browsing the internet for the right recipe I came across Pioneer Woman's version and seeing as how I trust PW's taste I decided to try my hand at her recipe too which turned out wonderful. 

 

While I was making the treat, I was talking to my dear friend Melia in Memphis.  I was telling her how good it smelled in the house and how good they came out and decided to send her some.  I have some tins on hand but they seemed a tad big and would have taken the whole batch to fill so I decided to use the ole noggin and make my own containers using the tubs that the mixed nuts and peanuts came in.  I took the original paper off and cut and glued Christmas wrapping paper to the outside.  The lid was already red and creates a pretty good seal.  A good idea to use what I was going to toss out anyway and it made my postage a little friendlier to mail something smaller to my friends. 

Hope you gals enjoy a little love from my kitchen!

 

Here's the LINK to the recipe on Pioneer Woman that I used for this batch.

 



Sweet Ideas for Holiday Parties

I've compiled a tiny list of easy recipes for holiday baking.  Any of these recipes would be perfect to take along to a party or get together this season in case you are asked to bring something along.

 

 

Coconut Goodies

 

Soda Cracker Fudge

 

Magic Cookie Bars

 

Brandied Chocolate Covered Cherries

 

Pecan Tea Cookies

 

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

 

My Favorite... Cake Mix Cookies

 

My For Real Favorite... Rolo Goodies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Hulsey Apple Pie

Having a Fall party?  Want a cider-punch recipe?  Well here it is.  This shot-style sipper is best served at room temperature and in moderation.  I served this drink at our last get together.  I borrowed a glass gallon jug with a tap from my Mom… you know, one of those summer tea jugs, and purchased the smallest plastic cups I could find at Walmart.  This isn’t the type of adult beverage that you need a Solo cup full of.  Just a dab’ll do ya!

 

Hulsey Apple Pie

1 gallon apple cider (non-pasturized!)

1 handful red hots

4-5 cinnamon sticks

2-3 packets powdered apple cider drink mix

1 750ml bottle Ever Clear

1 750ml bottle Bacardi 151

 

In a large stock pot bring apple cider, red hots, cinnamon sticks and powdered mix to a slight boil stirring until red hots are melted and powdered mix has dissolved.  Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.  After cooled, add alcohol and stir together.  Pour into large mason jars to store.  Serve as you wish… and beware! 

This one will sneak up on you quickly and is oh-so good.

 

 

 

 

 

Fluffy Peanut Butter Dip

Now let me tell ya boss... this dip ain't just for parties anymore!  I have proof that you can sit there and eat the whole batch by yourself.  You ain't got to share it with anybody if you don't want to!  Cause I said... that's why.  I actually did make it "for the DC kids" and they tried it at lunch and although it is kid approved... you still don't have to share it.  One of my boys said, looking at a little girl at the table when she was trying the dip "Well.... how does it feel?  Good?"  Sometimes I could just squeeze them I swear.

 

This recipe is actually mine but not mine.  If you are from around here you should recognize that it is a Pampered Chef recipe from Kids in the Kitchen cook book and I am sure other cook books from them.  Just so you don't have to search for it among your recipe books, I typed it up for you.

 

Warning: this will make you run to the store for apples and the like. 

And I hereby declare it healthy because it has yogurt and peanut butter in it and you eat it with fruit.  If you are on a diet you can skip the fruit and just eat it with a spoon! 

See.. there's an answer for everything.  Walk to the mailbox and back after your snack if you are that worried about it for cryin' out loud.

 

 

 

 

Oh yea... I got all "Outlaw" on you with the font and shell butts. 
You have to watch this girl sometimes.