Halloween Party 20011

I am trying to put together our Halloween party for this year and came across the pictures of our party last year.... so I thought I would share a few of them with you today!!! 

the little boys loved these spiders.. I had seen some done with white chocolate for the web-- but I had yellow & orange chocolate already melted, so we used what I had.  They turned out perfect!

rootbeer brew'n

chocolate covered oreo's are always a favorite!

marshmallow pops

cockroach candy corn pudding-- the cockroaches looked a little bit too real... the little boys all said I don't want one! ha :) 

my favorite!!

gummy worms in the jell-o shot glasses....

mummy wrapped juice boxes



I didn't get a close-up of the caramel apples... or the sugar cookies- it was a very very FUN night, that never seems to be a problem for us. We LOVE a party!!!  Now to get started on the planning for this year.  What are you doing for your Halloween parties-- please share, I'd love to hear your ideas. 



Tomato Basil Soup

I LOVE soups!! I could eat soup even on a hot day.... but oh how yummy they are on a crisp cool fall day.

This is one of my favorite ones to make- Tomatoe Basil!  Not only is it really good, but it is really easy too.   

click on the magic button to get the printable version!

I use my bottled stewed tomatoes-- the recipe calls for 2- 28 oz. cans crushed tomatoes, but I use 2 quarts of my homemade- so it's more than 28 oz. each. I use fresh basil in the summer- but in the winter I use frozen basil. I have a tutorial on how to freeze basil on the blog- so check it out if you haven't already. So click on the magic button to get the recipe... add a grilled cheese sandwich and you have a GREAT dinner--- hope you enjoy it!!!



Help your cheese last longer in the fridge

I don't know what happened, but at the moment I have 3 blocks of cheese in my refridgerator.  It must have been on sale lately, and I bought it without checking to see how much I already had.  Anyway- I thought I would share a tip with you on how to make it last longer & keep it from getting mold.  It's pretty simple- just take it out of the plastic wrapper and wrap it in tin foil.  I have found that it doesn't get mold on it and it really does last longer.  So there's your Tip Tuesday!!  Now- how about sharing some of your favorite tips with me??  I would LOVE to hear what they are... 

Making Spaghetti Sauce

I've been making Spaghetti Sauce- so I thought I would show you how it's done.  I called my friend Anita and she gave me her recipe-- I made a couple of adjustments to it & found the PERFECT taste for us!!  First get all your produce- I was excited we had everthing I needed in the garden this year except the onions.   Here's what you'll need to get started.....

Tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, anaheim peppers, garlic, basil, oregano & parsley

Pick a 5 gallon bucket of tomatoes- wash & core them.  I don't peel them, just remove the core and any bad spots that may be on the skin.

then blend them up in your blender, and pour into a lrg. stock pot

next blend up 3 T. fresh oregano, 4 T. fresh basil, 3 anaheim peppers, 3 bell peppers, 5 yellow onions & 3 whole cloves of garlic. Add that mixture to the tomatoes in the stock pot.

then add 1 1/2 C. sugar- 1 C. olive oil, 1/4 C. salt and I added 1 more Tablespoon each of dried basil & dried oregano- stir everything together well.

then cook it down for 3 1/2 hrs.  stirring it every now and again so it doesn't burn.

when the sauce has cooked for 3 1/2 hrs. add 4 large or 8 small cans of tomatoes paste and about 1 C. fresh chopped parsley and blend well. Make sure you stir the paste in really good, this will thicken it up a little bit more.

pour the sauce into your jars, wipe the tops with a cloth-



 boil the lids in a small amoount of water and put one lid & one ring on each jar.  Process them for 20 minutes.  Each batch makes 12 quarts.  Oh YUM this makes the best Spaghetti Sauce, I know you will LOVE it.  



Can you say Popcorn & Pears?

We made some Halloween candy coated popcorn today.... love the colors!!

Mix them all together and--

bag it up-- tie them with a bow & you have a FUN and Yummy treat!

Chocolate dipped some asian pears too.....

I think I just found a new LOVE!!!  These were so good!!  Yes it was a good day!!!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

I did it last night!!! I broke out the hot cocoa maker-- really? I know it's only the end of September, but I was so cold, and oh it was soooo good.  I know it's tip Tuesday- so let me give you a tip for a great presentation!!!  First DIP your glass rim IN CHOCOLATE & sprinkle some crushed peppermint on top.. then fill it up with  your favorite hot cocoa and add a squirt of whipping cream, top it with a little more peppermint and ENJOY!!! 

Peanuts & Candycorn

Today I have one of my favorite fall snacks to share with you-- the best part is... there's no cooking involved!  All you need are salted peanuts and a bag of candycorn.....

just mix them together in a bowl- grab a handful & pop into your mouth, and you will think you have just bit into a salted nut roll. 

Beware.. it can be addictive!!  So yummy.... enjoy!!