Spooky Halloween Treats

Each year in October, we rush out to department stores during the month of October and spend a fortune on candy. Did you know that candy manufacturers take in the most money at Halloween, Valentines Day and Easter and Christmas. These companies depend on these holidays to increase their profits and now manufacture special candy for each of them.

This year you can save a bundle of money by making your own Halloween treats. Send them to the school Halloween party or to serve at a Halloween party at your home.

The Spooky Hand

Supplies:

* Candy corn.
* Transparent plastic glove.
* Spider rings.
* Orange ribbon or yarn.

Method:

* Place a piece of candy corn in the end of each finger of the glove, including the thumb.
* Fill the entire glove with plain or caramel popcorn.
* Tie the wrist of each glove with orange ribbon or yarn.
* Place a spider ring on a finger of each glove.

Kids love these and it's a great treat to send to school parties or to send your child as a treat in his school lunch.

Lollipop Ghost

Supplies:

* Orange ribbon or yarn.
* A bag of lollipops.
* White facial tissue.
* Scissors.
* Black or orange marker.

Method:

* Center facial tissue over the center of the lollipop.
* Tie the orange yarn or ribbon just under the candy.
* Draw a face with orange or black marker.

Tip:

Be certain to leave the paper on the lollipop. If you take it off, the lollipop will stick to the tissue. Also, many parents throw out unwrapped candy.

Slime Punch

Supplies:

* 1 large bottle of lime soft drink.
* 2 cans frozen lemonade.
* 2 cans frozen limeade.
* 2 quarts lime sherbert.
* punch bowl and cups.

Method:

* Place the limeade and lemonade in a punch bowl.
*Add the bottle of lime soft drink.
* Add lime sherbert.
* Mix and serve.

Tips:

*To add more of a spooky effect, add ice that's been frozen into the shape of a hand. This is done by filling a plastic glove with water, securing the wrist and placing it in the freezer overnight. You may make a colored hand by adding a few drops of food coloring to get the color you desire. Add red and blue for a purple hand. Add yellow and red for an orange hand.

*When serving place gummy worms over the edge of the cup.

Note:

Be sure to include your children, grandchildren or a neighborhood child when making these treats. Children love to make food and preparing for Halloween is a great way to bond with a child. Enjoy!

Friday Feast

Today was my birthday, so we decided to have a feast. I cooked the Turkey with pecan and cherry stuffing that I wrote about on Monday. I also decided to try a new potato dish - Golden Potato and Apple Gratin. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

1.5 cups whipping cream.

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.

Salt & pepper to taste.

1 cooking apple (northern spy, granny smith, crispin etc.)

2 lbs. potatoes - Yukon Gold works well, as do any other types of potatoes.

2 tablespoons parmesan cheese.

Method

Butter a shallow baking pan that will hold 8 cups.

Preheat oven to 375 F.

In a medium sized saucepan, combine Dijon mustard, cream, salt and pepper. Place on medium heat until steaming. Do not boil.

Whisk to ensure all ingredients are combined.

Set aside to cool.

While waiting, peel potatoes and slice very thin.

Peel, core and slice apples.

Pour enough cream mixture into the baking dish to cover the bottom.

Place a layer of potato slices.

Place a layer of apple slices.

Cover this layer of potatoes and apples with a portion of the cream mixture.

Continue in this way, ending with potatoes and the last of the cream mixture.

Bake for 1 hour or until potatoes and apples are tender when pierced with a fork.

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Place back in the oven for approximately 15 minutes to melt cheese and allow the top to become crisp.

Broil for a couple of minutes if necessary

Serve piping hot.

Note: This is my version of the recipe that was originally provided by the Dairy Farmers of Canada.

Since this is harvest season, we had a lot of veggies and of course a wonderful salad to start it all off.

For dessert we had birthday cake. It was a beautiful dinner. The grandsons came and I had invited Mom but she's feeling a bit under the weather, so she declined.

I was spoiled rotten. Brandon gave me a beautiful spider plant - not the white and green one, but an all green one. Apparently it is a new type of spider plant.

Jordan gave me what (and I know this isn't politically correct, so I apologize in advance. I don't know the real name of the plant.) is called a wandering jew. If anyone knows the correct name of this plant, please let me know.

My neigbor and friend, Marianne, gave me a bed in a bag. I've never had one before, so that was a real treat.

In Ontario you have to buy your licence tags on your birthday, so that is always a big expense - I got those so I can continue to drive.

Joanne, who has been my friend for 32 years gave me $35 - a nice treat. I don't often get money to spend on myself and I will find something I really like and want with that.

Hubby wants to get me a new crock pot. We'll see.

Mom will bring her gift when she's feeling better.

I was abundantly blessed on my birthday this year. I am truly blessed with the love of family and friends and that's all that counts.

Give the potatoes a try. They're delicious.

Thankful Thursday

Today was a very hectic day. I was beside myself with so much happening. Then I read Flip-Flop Floozie's blog and it made me think about what I had to be thankful for.

Today I'm thankful for:

1. Spending time with my grandsons and that their school situation is improving. We've had a lot of problems with bullying this year and the school was dragging their heels about taking care of it. We had the same problem last year. Finally, the new vice principal is taking the bullies to task.

2. Pain free legs. My legs have been terribly painful off and on now for over 3 years. The last two weeks I have experienced very little pain and for that, I am extremely thankful.

3. Good friends. I've met some wonderful people here and am thankful for each message that is posted. Thanks everyone.

4. My grandsons negative test results. Brandon had to have an EKG and an ultra sound today. Both his grandfather and his great-grandfather died at a very young age from a hereditary heart condition. Brandon is only 12, but had to be tested in order to catch any problems early. He is free and clear and doesn't have to go back for anymore tests for five years.

5. For all things of nature. The world is beautiful now dressed in her colored autumn gown.

Of course these aren't the only things I'm thankful for, but these are very high priority this week. Thanks, Sandy for reminding me to be thankful.

Tuesday at the Farm

On Tuesday it was Brandon's turn to go to the farm. When we were only a block from his house, he said, "Grandma, we need to go back home. We need to get some apples?"

"Why, are you hungry?" I asked. (Duh)

"No Grandma, we need apples to feed the horses."

So Grandma turned around and went back. We hurried into the house and grabbed a handful of McIntosh apples. We were running late as it was. However, we know we are always welcome at the farm. If no one has the time to accompany us, we strike out on our own.

When we arrived, everyone was busy. I had the camera in hand and we headed to the goat pen to see if we could get a picture of Baby Pueblo. We did. He's the small goat in the forefront of the photo.

Then, into the barn to see King Arthur. Brandon hadn't seen him yet. When King saw Brandon coming, he nickered softly and pushed his neck forward. Though Brandon was clear across the barn, King knew he had those apples.

Brandon enjoyed feeding King the apples. But when King started grabbing at his shirt with his teeth, Brandon became a little leary. Come to find out that King does this when he wants attention.

We stayed with King about a half hour and then Cassie came along. Brandon fed both Cassie and King some hay from a nearby bale. He loved that the horses liked him and were eating out of his hands.

Then it was off to the trampoline where Brandon had about a half hour of good exercise. He isn't much for sports but he loves bouncing on the trampoline. In fact, Brandon loves everything at the farm and seems to be in his element there. He is a different kid when he's on the farm and he's learned so many new things since he started going there in March. It's given him a world of confidence. He's learning about the world in a different light than he's ever seen it before. And that's a good thing.

Game of Tag

8 Things That Make Me, Me.

Deborah Wilson has tagged me for the Random 8 Meme.

According to Deborah's blog, these are the rules.

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.
2. List (8) random facts about yourself.
3. Tag 8 people at the end of your post and list their names, including a link back to their blog.
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Note: I'm not sure I've been at blogspot long enough to list 8 people who haven't already been tagged. However, I will tag some.

8 Things That Make Me, Me:

1. My grandmother had a big influence on my life. I find myself remembering advice that she gave me and passing it on to my grandsons. Many times throughout my life, Grandma's words have helped me to face life and I want to give my grandsons the same gifts that Grandma gave me.

2. Growing up on a farm in southwestern Ontario certainly had a big impact on my life. I learned at a young age that death is a part of life. This fact alone has helped me face the loss of many loved ones throughout the years.

3. I was widowed at a very young age. I was a single mother for 17 years, at which time I remarried. Being a widow and single mother taught me to be independent and how to take care of myself and my daughter. When I married my second husband, it was difficult sharing experiences and decisions, as I'd always done it on my own.

4. When I was in grade 5, a teacher I disliked intensely told me that one day I would be a great writer. Though that hasn't occurred, I am a writer. Without his words of encouragement I'm not sure that I would have had the courage to face all the rejections I've had over the years. Thank you Mr. Chrysler.

5. My father and mother brought us up in a house were alcohol wasn't allowed. This has had a great impact on my life, as alcohol has never been a part of it.

6. Mom and Grandma brought me up to be a good cook and a thrifty shopper. Thanks to them both. Without them I would have had a more difficult time through the financial hardships I've experienced.

7. I've been a mother, a nurse, a factory worker, a retail sales clerk, a manager, a business owner, a landlady, a freelance writer and a grandmother, among other things. The many experiences I've encountered have made me a woman of many hats. Without these experiences, I wouldn't have the knowledge that I have today.

8. My grandparents were strict Penecostals. I used to go to church with Grandma and stand beside her throughout the services. I can still remember standing there, singing the hymns and loving the music. Having a church background has certainly had a huge impact on the way I look at life. I wonder how different my morals would have been had Grandma not taken me to church every Sunday. Would I have been a different person than I am today? I guess I'll never know.

-------------------------------

Tags:

Tina
Hootin Anni
Tossing Pebbles in the Stream
Sandy
Willow
RocRebelGranny

These people may or not participate. I only ask them to if they want to and if they have the time. This was fun and it was nice of Deborah to tag me.

Turkey with Pecan/Cherry Stuffing

This recipe makes a delicious turkey dinner for those who would rather not cook a large turkey. Many of us live alone, or there are just a couple of people in the family. Long gone are the days of large families when we needed a 30 pound turkey to feed everyone.

Canadian Thanksgiving is over, but in November the US will celebrate their Thanksgiving. So if you have eight or less mouths to feed, try this dish.

Supplies:

* One turkey breast, approximately 4 pounds. Can be fresh or frozen.

* 2 cups pre-cooked rice.

* 1/3 cup pecans, chopped.

* 1/3 cup dried cranberries or cherries, whichever you like.

* 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning.

* 1/4 cup peach preserves.

* 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.

Method:

* Thaw turkey breast in the refrigerator overnight if turkey is frozen.

* Remove all skin from the breast.

* Cut turkey breast 3/4 of the way through and about one inch thick.

* Stir rice, cranberries or cherries, pecans and poultry season together in a large mixing bowl.

* Stuff the mixture between the slices of the turkey breast.

* Tie or skewer if necessary so the breast will hold together.

* Place stuffed turkey breast in a crockpot and cover with the lid.

* Cook on low for 6 hours or until your meat thermometer registers 180F when inserted in meat. Do not insert the thermometer in the stuffing, as you will get a false reading.

* Mix Worcestershire sauce and peach preserves together.

* Pour over turkey breast.

* Allow to stand for approximately five minutes or until the preserve mixture is hot.

* Serve while hot.

Note: I have used this recipe a few times. It can be found in the recipe book Crockpot Slow Cooker.

The Gift of a Treat

A dear friend that I met just this week left me a gift of a treat this morning. I was to link back to her site and can't remember the HTML code to do so. Hootin' Anni, thank you for making my day brighter.

You can visit Anni's blog by following the link in "My Favorite Blogs."

Thanks, Anni, your thoughtfulness is much appreciated.

PS. Anni gave me instructions on how to link the graphic to her site. Just click on the treat to visit her blog.

Thanksgiving Day - October 8th

Today was Canadian Thanksgiving Day. As usual, the family gathered at Mom's for dinner. Though Mom turned 80 on September 24th, she still insists on having family dinners for practically every holiday. A couple of years ago, we coaxed her into letting each of us contribute a dish so she didn't have to do everything herself. Until that time Mom had fed up to 20 people every holiday that came along.

Once my husband and I got back from dinner, I sat and reflected on all of the things I am thankful for. They include"

1. That Mom is in good health and still able to celebrate the holiday, as she enjoys.

2. That we could all be together for Thanksgiving dinner to share a meal and reminisce about bygone days.

3. That everyone in my family is in fairly good health, though many of us older ones do have some issues. They could be a lot worse.

4. For a new baby in the family. He is a darling and a miracle baby, literally, and he was the hit of the day.

5. For the blessing of having two wonderful grandsons.

6. That I have a house to live in and food on the table. There's been times in my life when food wasn't plentiful.

7. For the love of family and friends.

8. For a baby's kisses, coos and aahs.

9. For my health, my husband and my beloved pet, Meeko.

10. For all blessings that God has provided me with, including a plentiful harvest. I am truly blessed and thankful for all things that are provided.

Enjoy the photos of the things I am thankful for. It was a blessed Thanksgiving.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving