Halloween Fun

I was thinking back on past Halloweens for me and the family this morning. Jaiden has dressed up as a University of Cincinnati cheerleader, witch, and a pirate. Arya has gone as a chicken and a pirate. As for myself, I can remember dressing up as a scarecrow, green M&M, snowman, punk rocker (hey, it was the 80's!), dog, a prisoner, a 1920's flapper, and a pirate last year. It's fun to think back!

I was trying to think back as a child, what movies scared me the most. I thought of the Tom & Jerry cartoon. I know you're thinking, "Tom & Jerry?" Yes, it the one where Jerry goes in a bus up to heaven and the dog is dressed up like the devil and takes Tom down the escalator to Hell. It is called "Heavenly Puss."
!

The movie that scared me the most was Disney's 1980 "Watcher in the Woods." I was like 5 the first time I saw this movie and can remember how much it scared me! I would love to be able to find the movie and watch it as an adult!


The book that scared me was Christina's Ghost by Betty Ren Wright. I don't remember what is is about, I just remember leaving the lights on in my room after I read the book.

As an adult, I don't care for scary movies. I have never been a horror movie fan. The only horror movie I watch is Sleepy Hollow with Johnny Depp. Ryan and I watch that movie every Halloween.


Now, I do like the horror books. I have read lots of Stephen King and enjoyed them very much. I think the scariest book I ever read wasn't King, it was instead The Enity by Frank De Felitta. It is a true story about a woman tormented by demons in her own home. They physically attack her and everyone thinks she is crazy. It was a very good book.

And last but not least, we do watch Charlie Brown "The Great Pumpkin".


I hope you enjoyed reading about a small portion of our Halloween past! I will now leave you with a very addicting game:Trick or Treat. Your goal is to find the fastest way back home after trick or treating at the houses. I haven't made it past level 18. Good Luck!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Which Witch is Which?

I think these witches are just so cute! They do take a little time to make them, but the result is just adorable!

I will have the full instructions on Monday to make them. I have two shows this weekend and just do not have the time to write the instructions right now. I will however, list the supplies in case anyone wants to gather them over the weekend.

Supplies:
2 ft 4x4
6x6 square 1/4" plywood
2-2" wood screws
green paint (Walmart Colorsmart Rhubarb 94304)
black/navy paint (Walmart Colorsmart India Ink 96404)
purple paint (Walmart Colorsmart Fortune Teller 94503)
green spray paint
raffia
12" dowel rod
1/2 yd. black felt
1/2 yd. Halloween fabric (for dress & arms)
3/8" acorn dowel cap

Extras:
glue gun
masking tape
3 small paint rollers & trays
pinking shears

Skills:
basic wood working
sewing

Happy 5th Birthday, Jaiden!!

My big girl is 5 today!! How the time files!!

Jaiden was born on a cold, wet, rainy day, very much like today. I had a very easy labor with her and she was born about 9 A.M.

She is growing up into such a big girl. I have really noticed a change in her over this past year. Is is starting to lose the little girl look and look more like a young lady. Pretty soon, mommy will not be the focus in her life! In a few more years, she be walking ten feet ahead of me so people won't know she is with her mom!

I am very proud of Jaiden, she is a very smart and pretty girl!

Happy Birthday Jaiden!!!

Horseshoe; Red Mommy Style

I have a confession: Ryan and I are addicted to the show Man Versus Food on the Travel Channel. If you have never seen the show, this is how the Travel Channel describes the show, "In the new series, Travel Channel's Man v. Food, host Adam Richman sets out to travel the country in search of the best places to do some serious indulging. Adam begins his quest to find the best traditional food the nation can serve up." The host, Adam, participates in local food challenges like eating 5 bowls of habanero chili, eating a 15 pound burger, or even eating 13" pancakes. It is just a neat show because of the food challenges and showing the smaller, local restaurants a particular area is famous for.

Well last night, we were watching the show up in bed, slightly hungry, and they featured Springfield, Illinois. One the the local foods caught Ryan's total attention. It was an open faced sandwich called the Horseshoe made by restaurant called D’Arcy’s Pint
This sandwich had Ryan drooling before it was even described. It starts with a piece of Texas toast, then a hamburger patty, fries scattered on top, all topped off with their famous cheese sauce. Our stomachs immediately started growling. It looked so good!

We talked after the show, and even though we have never been there, I thought I could come up with something similar from the description. I did, and it tastes wonderful!!! We are adding it to our "possibles menu" for lunch.

Red Mommy Version of the D’Arcy’s Pint Horseshoe
Texas Toast Garlic Bread
hamburger patties (I fried ours)
crispy french fries
Velveeta cheese (melted)

Toast garlic bread in the oven. Place hamburger patty on top. Scatter fries over the sandwich. Pour melted cheese over entire sandwich.

I put some chopped green onion on mine, while Ryan left his plain. The possibilities are really endless!

Vacation Photos

Here are a few of the over 200 pictures I took on vacation. We had so much fun!!
You can click on any picture to make it bigger.

Halloween & Fall Ideas

Be sure to check out my Halloween and Fall ideas from last year. You'll find yummy recipes like my fudge, pumpkin roll, and pumpkin spread! And, fun crafts like treat bags, specimen jars, and spooky candy dishes!


Halloween '08
Fall '08

Ballerina Tutu

This is an easy, no sew, and inexpensive gift to give to any little girl. Jaiden and Arya just love to
put on the tutus and spin around. Jaiden says the tutus makes them feel like princess ballerinas, and we all know that there is nothing better than a princess ballerina!!


Supplies:
47" - 2" wide white satin ribbon
3 yards tulle for main color
1 yard tulle for accent color

1. Cut the tulle into 2"x 22" strips. I found it much easier to use scissors than to use my strip cutter. Put strips in groups of 6. You need 5 groups of accent and 18 groups of main color.

2. Find center of ribbon and knot one group (6 strips) of accent color on the ribbon. I do not know my knot names, but it is the kind where you find the center of the tulle and pull the ends through.

3. Put 3 groups (3 groups of 6) of main color on each side of accent color. Repeat until finished. You should end on each side with the main color.