Happy Halloween!

In honor of next week's official kickoff to the holidaze (aka HALLOWEEN) I'm sending a few "treats" your way...



By October I've brought out the candles and decorated the house (something that just doesn't happen around here from March thru August) and while the hint of the other upcoming holidays is definitely in the air, of course for October Halloween is the main event. 

You can find really adorable Halloween candles and holders at PartyLite.  If you don't already have a consultant (and you really do want one because then you get to see the special online "sale" page!), use mine - Stacy Masters, Kirkland, WA.  She's fabulous!  (And don't worry - PartyLite mails directly to you!)

Something else I'm enjoying this fall, TEA!  One of my favorite vendors (Murchie's of Canada) has some really wonderful fall blends perfect for these crisp mornings or to enjoy by the fire in the evening:  Canadian Breakfast (a marvelous breakfast tea with a hint of maple - perfect when you're having pancakes!) and Pumpkin Spice (warm and cozy!)  Murchies does ship to the U.S. so while you're at it, check out their Christmas blend and make sure you have this specialty to enjoy Christmas morning (it's really wonderful - I start enjoying mine the day after Thanksgiving)!



My new Halloween bag (with two
PartyLite holders in the background!

Make your own Halloween bag with this free Lickety Split pattern by Rae.  It takes only two yards of fabric (one yard of each of two coordinating fabrics and the Halloween fabric is on sale - and probably clearance priced - at JoAnn's!) and only one hour to make for even the most novice seamstress!  Here's the latest for my collection (I figure I'll hit JoAnn's up for the clearance fabrics after each holiday until I have an entire year's worth!)  Note: Once you figure out how easy it is to make these, you'll discover they are the perfect gift (diaper bags for new moms...or grandmas, book bags for kids and grandkids, even as reusable grocery bags!) and you'll be mass producing them in no time!

They aren't in the store for too long so here's a couple of ideas of what to do with those "fall" candies:

Chai Pumpkin Spice Thumbprints

Banana Ghosts & Satsuma Pumpkins



Clever costume for someone's
first Halloween!

and though there are lots of recipes for holiday chex mix, here's one I cobbled together from some of the best:

Terri's HALLOWEEN Snack Mix

Ingredients:

• 1/4 Cup Butter
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (which I love but you could just use cinnamon)
• 1 - 12 oz.box Crispix (or Rice Chex or Corn Chex)
• 1 package Chow Mein Noodles (I used the 12 oz. bag of La Choy)
• 2 Cups Cashews (or any other nut - or combination of nuts - you like)
• 1 - 16 oz. container Planters' Honey Roasted Peanuts
• 1 - 12.60 oz. bag Harvest Mix M&Ms (or M&M peanuts.  I used regular but I'm thinking the peanut ones would have been more fun!)
• 1 - 15 oz. bag Reeses Pieces

Directions:

Melt butter and stir in spices.  In a large pan (one that has sides - I used my roaster), mix together anything that needs a bit of "toasting" (the cereal, the nuts - but not the honey roasted ones...that sugar will just melt or worse burn - and the "noodles"). Pour butter/spice mixture over this and gently toss to get everything evenly coated.

Bake at 300 F. for 15 minutes.

Let cool COMPLETELY! before stirring in honey-roasted nuts and candies.

Hope you have a frighteningly fun HALLOWEEN!

~later, getting my costume ready, tw