4th Annual Halloween Party

The little Sister's annual Halloween party was a hit as always!  She's beginning to make a name for herself as kids and parents start asking for details mid summer.   With the children getting older, we have to adapt so the "entertainment" varies each year - she can't disappoint and this party was no exception.

The basement was transformed into a teen night club with professional lighting, fog machines and a live DJ.  As a person with no children and someone who likes kids in small doses, this was the perfect set up.  Candy crazed kids danced their energy away while I attempted to match their every dance move...well, for a good 45 minutes at least.  Apparently my legs don't bend as low as they use to - I can only do the Cha Cha slide so many times. As a result of my awesome dancing, I neglected to take pictures.  Thankfully, my niece loves my camera and snapped a few shots for me.

Food:  This year my sister opted to have the party catered to save time and sanity.  It was a success and ended up saving her a few bucks in the long run. (the main dishes were catered but we still managed to make desserts and appetizers).

I made my Husband's smoked salmon dip - I found this is not for everyone.  Especially kids.  I'm a fan though and it's simple to make.

Smoked Salmon Dip

• 1 (15 1/2 oz.) can pink salmon, drained well
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp. onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. liquid smoke

The brain dip on the right is made of cream cheese and finely chopped onions - topped with jalapeno jelly.

Nutter Butter 'Witch Toes' covered in white chocolate.  Served with Jam - "Toes & Jam"

We used Pam to bartend my Sister's Summer Solstice party back in June and it was a great move.  She made a return appearance and we couldn't have been happier.  When having a party as large as we did, it's a good idea to have someone regulating the bar.  Some people don't know their limits and we didn't want that liability - especially with so many underage guests.

I wish I had more pictures to share - maybe next year we'll hire a photographer.  I hope to upload costume pictures soon.  Stay tuned.

Halloween Recap & Pinterest Inspiration

It's my favorite time of year and I'm always on the hunt for easy, inexpensive and creative ways to decorate for Halloween!  Pinterest is my biggest source of inspiration these days and boy have I compiled an arsenal of Halloween goodies!  

A few Pinners/Bloggers I love to follow for Halloween ideas are:

• Dawn Villarreal (Pinterest)
• Stormy's World (Pinterest)
• Carmelita Casteel (Pinterest)
• C.j. Hill (Pinterest)
• Polish the Stars 
• True Blue Me & You 

Who inspires you?  I'd love to go check them out!

Some of our Halloween projects

Halloween Party Recipes

Here are some of the recipes from our Halloween Party - enjoy!! 

Veggie Pizza

Ingredients

• 2 8 oz Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
• 1 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1sp. dill weed (or add dry Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing to 1/4 tsp. to cream cheese and sour cream)
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• FRESH VEGGIES: broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, carrots - whatever) 

Directions  

• Chop veggies fine or use food processor for ONLY 7 seconds.  
• Separate dough into 4 pieces.  Place crosswise on 15x10 cookie sheet.  
• Bake @ 375 for 15 min. (until golden brown).  
• In small bowl combine cream cheese, sour cream, dill weed and garlic (or Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix).  Spread mixture onto rolls.  Top with small pieces of assorted veggies.  
• Refrigerate 1-2 hours (covered).  
• Cut into square pieces when cold.

 Waldorf Salad

Ingredients

• Jonathon Apples {or tart} -- sometimes we add a Granny Smith or two just for tartness {allow 1/2 apple per person to determine quantity}
• Core and dice up with skins still on
• Red seedless grapes -- cut in half (if you cannot get seedless then cut them in half and take out seeds)
• Celery -- diced small
• Miniature marshmallows
• English Walnuts, halves or large bits
• Hellman's mayo

Directions  

• Mix ingredients 
• Use enough mayo to glue ingredients together
• Cover and refrigerate till used
• Best if made a few hours before use

Homemade Dill Dip (for veggies or whatever) 

 Ingredients 

• 1 pt. sour cream
• 1 pt. Hellman's mayo
• 3 tbsp onion, minced 
• 3 tbsp parsley flakes
• 1 1/2 tsp. Lawry's Seasoned Salt
• 1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 tbsp dill weed
• 1 tbsp accent salt (check label for MSG)

 Directions   

• Blend all together in bowl, cover, refrigerate till ready to serve with tray of fresh veggies.  
• Best made a day ahead.  
• Best to serve small amount and keep refilling rather than have entire amount sit out at room temp for several hours. 

Buffalo Chicken Dip

The Most Popular Dish of the Night!!!!

Ingredients

• 2 (10 ounce) cans chunk chicken, drained
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup Ranch dressing
• 3/4 cup pepper sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot®)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 bunch celery, cleaned and cut into 4 inch pieces (this is how I prefer to eat the dip.  Somehow I feel it makes it more healthy)

 

Directions 

Heat chicken and hot sauce in a skillet over medium heat, until heated through. Stir in cream cheese and ranch dressing. Cook, stirring until well blended and warm. Mix in half of the shredded cheese, and transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, cover, and cook on Low setting until hot and bubbly. Serve with celery sticks and crackers.

 

3rd Annual Halloween Party - Costumes

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!  

We saw many creative and spooky 

costumes this year.  

Being one of the party props however, left me with little time to play photographer :(  

The Dead Bride

Skin: Dermablend Leg & Body Cover in Ivory (a little goes a long way) / White eyeshadow was used as powder to seal the foundation in place.

Eyes: Black, white, maroon eye shadow and black eye liner / White out contacts

Mouth: White and Black eyeliner and foundation - cover mouth with the Dermablend then outline with white liner.  Draw crack marks with black liner and blend slightly.

Hair: Farrah Fawcett wig I used last year for my Princess Peach Costume

Dress and Accessories: Aunt's Wedding dress circa 1977 and Wedding veil purchased from Hobby Lobby

 

 Fiona

A Lawn Jockey and his Southern Belle

Twisted Santa Clause

Dead Bride and Victorian Hostess

 Design DNA

3rd Annual Halloween Party - Food & Spirits

___________________________

Halloween Treats

___________________________________

 Red Velvet filled Halloween Cake (professionally made)

Mini cupcakes and Brownies

__________________________________

 Halloween Snacks

__________________________________

Cheese Balls in the shape of a brain 

Ingredients:

• 2 - 8 oz pkgs of cream cheese (room temp)
• 1 small onion diced
• 1/2 tsp. hot sauce
• 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• crushed pecans  (no nuts were used for these brains as so many of the kids had nut allergies)

Directions:

1. Place a piece of Reynolds Wrap with Saran Wrap on top of it on counter so you are ready to transfer cheese ball to it to store.

2. Place a ll of the above ingredients in a lg. bowl. 

3. Mix all ingredients together with hands, folding cheese over and over until all the fluids are absorbed and all color is worked in.

4. Place mass on Saran Wrap.  Sprinkle with crushed pecans (or not)

5. Shape into a brain.   

6. Wrap tightly and refrigerate (best if made the day ahead) 

Other snacks 

Veggie Pizza

Apples and Carmel

Waldorf Salad

Veggies and Homemade Dill Dip

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Click here for recipes

______________________________

 Spirits

_____________________________

The "Zombie Virus" Margaritas were a huge hit this year! 

Halloween Martini Glasses * Toilet Paper Roll Candles * Thrift Store Plate

**One of my favorite adult treats this year were the pudding shots!  

3/4 cup of milk
1 (3oz) small box instant pudding mix
1 (8oz) tub extra creamy whipped topping, thawed
3/4 cup of alcohol

Mix milk and liquor together then add pudding mix and whisk together or blend on low speed for 2 minutes.

Fold in whipped topping.
Pour into 3/4-ounce plastic cups with lids.
Best if frozen overnight.
Each recipe makes about 20 servings.

The best combination = white chocolate pudding, mocha Kahlua and Peppermint Schnapps!!

3rd Annual Halloween Party - Inside & Outside Decor

Inside

________________________________________________________

Carved Gourd

Clear wine bottles were collected over a period of time to make this elegant center piece.

Creepy Mantel

Foyer Accessories

A white faux pumpkin was tattooed with spider decals

Outside

________________________________________________________

Front Yard Cemetery

Haunted House - Rooms # 5 & 6 - "What Goes Bump in the Night...?"

The kids that made it out of the Bloody bathroom were guided into a black room.  Inside the room rested a large mirror and a strobe light.  The guide advised the children to look into the mirror to see something special....  behind the children a masked man appeared in the mirror scaring the holy crap out of them!!

I wasn't able to capture this on film or even see it with my own eyes as I was busy playing my part in the "white room" for several hours.

White Room Prisoner

On to the next room!  The kids were guided into the dark abyss. Taped to the floor, several helium filled black balloons were set up to distract the kids.  An oscillating fan was used to bounce them back and forth as black masked people hid in the corners.... 

....as I sat in the "White Room" I heard a few kids say how "lame" it all was and how they weren't scared at all.  Once the children left the balloon room, cries and screams were all that could be heard. Muahahahahahahahaha!!

Haunted House - Rooms # 4 - "The Bloody Bathroom"

The Next room doesn't need much explanation.  The children found the Mad Scientist's latest victim...

• Spray blood was used to splatter wash cloths, hand towels and a thrift store bath mat.

• The spray blood was used to spray the inside of the shower walls.

• A jug of fake blood was poured into the bottom of the bathtub and sink.

• Bloody gel foot prints were placed on the tile (warning: this stained the tile!)

• Bloody gel prints were also used on the wall and mirror (these left no marks)

Amber and Red light bulbs were used in the bathroom to add more drama.

***A drama student showed off her incredible acting ability.  Submerged in blood she sat in the tub sobbing and shivering.  Once the children came close, she extended her hand to reveal her bloody heart that she explained was ripped from her body.   Scary!