Halloween Breakfast

Happy Halloween! Start your critter's day with a fun Halloween-themed breakfast. Mummify a link sausage in biscuit dough, serve pumpkin panckes in spooky shapes, or try these pictured below. *Thanks Rachel Ray and Betty Crocker for the lovely pictures!

Bloodshot ketchup egg eyes with olives!

These ghastly grins are made from yogurt, apple slices, and mini marshmallows!

Shape hash browns into a brain for a cerebral treat. Don't forget the ketchup!

Sugarless treats

We enjoy the company of over 300 trick-or-treaters at Halloween! I have to say the favorite treat that kids love are the non-candy treats. Here's a quick list of ideas:

• Halloween-themed pencils
• Halloween-themed erasers
• Tatoos
• Sticker sheets
• McDonald's or Wendy's coupon books
• Silly bands
• Trail mix
• Fruit leathers
• Glow sticks
• Bubbles
• Gum
• Granola bars
• Crazy straws
• Bouncy balls

"Super" Boy Gift Idea

I recently saw this idea online and thought it was just simply perfect for that adventurous little guy in your life. Give a super hero fort kit for Christmas this year! (Ok, I admit that I kind of want one!)

What's inside?

• 2 twin flat sheets (sew ties onto the corners from ribbon or fabric)
• Nylon rope
• Flashlight
• Glow sticks
• Heavy duty clothespins
• Drawstring bag (Make a simple bag from scrap fabric)

*This bright idea and picture are from: http://megandandymade.blogspot.com/

Fall Treat

Kids and adults love this quick and easy snack. They are also perfect for those fall bake sales!

Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls

10 cups popped popcorn, lightly salted
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Over low heat, stir together corn syrup and sugar until sugar has dissolved.
• Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter til' smooth.
• Stir in vanilla extract.
• Pour mixture over popcorn and stir to combine.
• Spray hands with cooking spray and shape into balls.

*This recipe is easy to adapt, since the measurements are all the same!

Don't Forget!

This is the time to plant bulbs and sow grass seed! I've already mentioned planting your fall garden, but don't forget your yard and beds. You'll be so happy to see the blooms and green grass in the spring!

Spicy Christmas Gift Idea

I love Christmas gifts that are hand made- especially when made by the person giving the gift! Dan made this beautiful, practical spice holder for me one year and I have to say it is among one of my top ten favorite gifts. So gals, if you like this one and you have a handy man in your life, have him check it out. Guys, if you are handy and are reading this, give it a shot!
*He ordered the glass vials and corks online. (Can't remember where, sorry!) Be sure to order those first before you drill the holes!


Sitting pretty on my countertop.

 

Easy to refill!

Ahh...walnut. My favorite!

Yes folks, you will need a drill!

Alphabetically organized...makes my heart sing!

Filler

Add a dash of fall color and texture with beautiful, natural fillers! For about a buck, you can buy a bag of dried split peas, popcorn, or black beans to nestle around a candle. You can even eat them when you're through!

Split peas

Popcorn

Black beans- perfect for Halloween!

*More fall filler ideas: green lentils, acorns, gumballs, leaves, dried beans, candy corn, coffee beans.

Crockpot time!

As of late I have been getting my money's worth out of my crockpot. Not only does it save on electricity, it frees me up in the late afternoons!

Here are some ways I have been using mine - give it a try!

• Baked potatoes - literally pierce the spuds and place them in the pot - that's it!
• Baked sweet potatoes - cook the same way as potatoes or peel, cube and cook with brown sugar, butter and cinnamon
• Overnight oatmeal - awaken to breakfast hot and ready to eat
• Whole chicken - prepare as you would for the oven and slide in the pot
• Rice pudding
• Soups, stews and chili
• Apple cider or mulled wine
• Dried beans

Overnight Crockpot Oatmeal With Apples

2 apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1/3 cup brown sugar

4 cups water

2 cups old fashioned or steel cut oats

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

 

Mix brown sugar and cinnamon with apple slices, coating apples.

Mix oatmeal with water and salt.

Put apples in bottom of crockpot and pour oatmeal mixture on top. Do not stir.

Cover and cook overnight on LOW (8-9 hours).

In the morning stir thoroughly. Serve with milk and additional sugar, pecans, walnuts, raisens, cranberries or chopped dates.

Pumpkin prank

Placing a baby monitor receiver in a pumpkin near the candy bowl is a fun way to spook even the oldest of trick-or-treaters! Have someone hide out of view and talk into the monitor with creepy messages for the costumed throng for a good laugh!

The Great Divide

To de-clutter those jammed kitchen utensil drawers, use one drawer for cooking and baking utensils and a separate drawer for serving utensils. For example, one drawer holds measuring spoons, graters, basters, mixing spoons, and whisks and the other drawer holds spatulas, ice cream scoops, large serving spoons, and tongs. Now you will know exactly where each tool is!
*Thanks Susi for this wonderful tip!