October 31, 2014

HALLOWEEN TIC-TAC-TOE AND GHOSTIE'S ON PARADE


Little ones will love playing spooky Tic-Tac-Toe! It's a fun DIY craft project to do with your children and grandchildren! Who doesn't love crafting and using their own creativity? I just used scrapbooking paper and divided it into nine sections. Craft any little Halloween shapes you wish~ I used ghosts and black cats! You can dress it up a bit by using glitter (recommend Martha Stewart's brand and her glue is wonderful for projects)! Just have fun with the game pieces and have fun seeing what your little ghosties come up with! 



OK y'all.....I'm an "oldie but a goodie!" As All Hallow's Eve draws near, it was time to bring out all the little vintage Halloween figures I have collected over the years! I still get great enjoyment out of this collection. Some, I have already passed on to Luke, and will probably keep these that are remaining a bit longer. I hope you enjoy seeing some of these adorable figures! It's the "Ghosties and Ghoulies on Parade!"











We're setting the scene for a festive Halloween night 2014!




October 30, 2014

CHICKEN TACO SOUP.....THE IDEAL FOR COLD AUTUMN MAINE DAYS





Nowhere does time feel shorter and more precious 
than on a beach in Maine on an Autumn day. 
The light is audacious. 
The sea holds winter’s chill, a reminder of what’s to come. 
Fog could roll in any minute, and often does.


Kennebunkport

Private residence, Ocean Avenue in Kennebunkport

Cape Elizabeth...Portland Headlight

Kennebunkport near Walker's Point




For the past few weeks, I have seen a Taco soup recipe on various blogs! It just so happened, Miss Judy from Pensacola was telling me about a new recipe her coworker was sharing. It was a crockpot Chicken Taco Soup! Now, you must realize, Miss Judy does not know a taco from an enchilada.....she's a southern comfort food girl! She gave me the few simple ingredients over the phone and both of us ended up making it last weekend! 

As strange as it was, The Divine Miss M said her sweet neighbor, Kelly, told her she had just made a taco soup and it was pretty much the same recipe......she said it was SO delicious! 

Honey, anything that is a recipe you can throw in the crockpot is tempting to me! So.......y'all need to try this, even if you are not a fan of Mexican food! You could prepare this with either chicken or ground beef....I have seen both! However, it is absolutely DIVINE with chicken! 




CHICKEN TACO SOUP
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can of black beans, undrained
1 can kidney beans, undrained
1 can white northern beans, undrained
1 can Rotel
1 package of Taco seasoning mix
1 package dry Ranch dressing mix



Place chicken breasts in a crockpot. Add rest of ingredients and slightly stir. Set crockpot to low and cook for 6 hours! Before serving, cut your chicken into bite sized pieces, while it is still in the crockpot. Serve with toppings of sour cream, cheese, chips and fresh avocado! We also add hot cornbread! Now, how easy is this for a delicious autumn dinner! 


October 29, 2014

HALLOWEEN CHILDREN'S BOOKS IN THE READING CORNER, WITH DIY BOOKMARKS



Me: "What's Luke the Duke going to be for Halloween this year?"

Miss M: "Would you believe he wants to be a Zombie?
 I want him to still be little enough to wear "cute" little costumes!"

Me: "I don't like Zombie's either! 
How about something from Disney....something from Frozen!
 That's got be very popular this year!"

Miss M: "I think those days are over. 
Cayden is going to be Ninja, so I am working on that idea. 
I think a Ninja is better than a Zombie, don't you?"

ME: "Sigh.....remember when he was that cute little monster?"

These are Luke's recommended Halloween books for children!
DIY bookmarks and A First Visit to The Pumpkin Patch:
 Compliments from Maine Grandma!



A young green witch tells us about witches and humans. Witches, she says, love Halloween for the decorations and the costumes, but they are afraid of humans because they are not green. She points out that humans are afraid to fly, they do not wear pointy hats, and they seldom cackle. But this brave young witch is determined to take a look at humans, so she and her orange cat take off on her broomstick to observe the celebration of Halloween. Swirling around a tree, she loses her balance and falls to the ground. She is immediately surrounded by young humans who treat her very kindly, asking if she is all right and admiring her costume. One little girl pats her and tells her that she dreams of flying. The two girls climb on the broomstick and fly happily above the trees, discovering that their fears have been groundless.


The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch's hat, then her bow, and then her wand!  Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom.  But is there room on the broom for so many friends?  And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?



Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the little old lady heard . . . clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap. And the little old lady who was not afraid of anything had the scare of her life!

A little old lady who is not afraid of anything must deal with a pumpkin head, a tall black hat, and other spooky objects that follow her through the dark woods trying to scare her. 



Once there was a witch who longed for a pumpkin pie! Unfortunately, the pumpkin she had grown from a seed became so big, she simply could not get it off the vine. Although she pulled and tugged and pulled again, the pumpkin just sat! Along came a ghost! "I am bigger than you and stronger too" he said. "Let me try!" Well, the witch wanted that whole pumpkin all for herself. But....she needed help...Halloween was just hours away.......




Halloween.... or Bust is the perfect October read for your little Fancy Girl. Nancy shows you that Halloween is ALL about dressing up. Nancy knows how to make everything even more fancy, with special touches, and special FANCY words that give the ordinary a new meaning. Here are just a few of the new words Fancy Nancy introduces the young readers to:

* Unique - one of a kind
* bonbons -fancy candy
* disastrous - very bad

Nancy's Halloween Party included games such as, pin the tail on the monster, but before the party is over Nancy experiences something "disastrous" herself -- it has to do with her costume. Fortunately, the readers lucky enough to read this book, can help Nancy make a new costume with the lovely stickers that come with this book.


I introduced Fancy Nancy books to our granddaugher Abbie, when she was younger. They are marvelous books for both illustrations and the story line....a beautiful way in which to enhance your child's vocabulary! Little boys enjoy these books just as much as little girls! 





Each day the teeny tiny ghost goes to haunting school to try to become scarier. It's hard work, though — especially since he's frightened by his own screams! Then, one bat-black October night, the teeny tiny ghost is floating in his teeny tiny home when he hears a RAP TAP TAP on the door. And then he knows it's up to him to keep himself and his teeny tiny cats safe. But what are the chances that a teeny tiny timid ghost will really be able to scare someone away?


One of life's treasured moments! 

October 28, 2014

FROG EYE SALAD....THERE'S A HALLOWEEN PARTY AHEAD

It's time for Trick or Treat in a few days!
Are you planning a party? 
Do you prepare a festive little spread for the little ones prior to taking them out in
 your neighborhood to begin their night of fun?


We miss that! Don't you just love the spicy aroma of the Jack-O-Lantern burning! Did you know that you can create a more fragrant pumpkin by taking an apple corer to carve out round vents in the hallowed out pumpkin. Rub pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon on the underside of the pumpkin lid and push cloves into it. Set a lighted tea candle inside and this will give off a wonderful scent! 


The Divine Miss M and I were reminiscing about Luke the Duke and how much he had grown up in the past few years! Since he is the youngest of the three grandchildren, we take great fun in looking back at his costumes over the years! It will be interesting to see what he is transformed into this October 31st! 

 Bob the Builder


Bob the Builder


Little Monster

 Robin Hood

 Enjoying Mom's homemade Caramel Apple! 

 A Knight in Shining Armour
or was he a
Gladiator!
Luke....call Maine Grandma....she can't remember???

 Now, onto planning a fun little Halloween party for the little ones! 





Those delicious little party ham and cheese sandwiches on
 Hawaiian rolls are perfect for little sized hands. 
If you are serving these for the adults, then plan on two to three per person!





 Even the darling loved the Frog Eye Salad.
 I think this will be on the Thanksgiving menu also....but....
I'll have to change the name! 




FROG EYE SALAD
¾ cup sugar
1/2 t. flour
½ t. salt
1 egg, beaten
20 ounce chunk pineapple, drained and juice reserved
20 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained and juice reserved
1 t. lemon juice
1 c. prepared acini di pepe pasta
2 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
8 ounce whipped topping
1 cup mini marshmallows


Mix sugar, flour, salt, egg and 2/3 cup of reserved pineapple juice in a saucepan, cook until thickened. Add lemon juice; cool. Stir sugar mixture into prepared pasta. Cover and chill. Add remaining ingredients; stir to coat. Chill for 1 hour before serving. Top with a few maraschino cherries!

October 27, 2014

CHOCOLATE PUNCH!


If you have little Trick or Treater's at your house, 
then this chocolate punch will delight them at their little spooky party! 
It tastes like an old fashioned chocolate soda! 
It will be a frightfully fun halloween 
when you serve up ghostly goodies for your little "punkin's!"



 Chocolate Punch
1 cup chocolate syrup
5 cups milk
1.75 quarts vanilla ice cream
1 quart of ginger ale, chilled
Chocolate Sprinkles
Whipped Topping



Combine the chocolate syrup and milk in a punch bowl. Stir until well mixed. Add the ice cream stirring until partially melted. Add the ginger ale and stir. Top each serving with a dollop of whipped topping and chocolate sprinkles! 


Always a classic for the babies!



One of our yearly favorites for some of the "oldies!"



October 25, 2014

AUTUMN BLESSINGS AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING


The month of October will always be my favorite!
 It's the beginning of the holidays and the season to reflect and 
be thankful for all of our blessings! 
Making your home feel special and reflect these 
special moments need not be a period of stress. 
Gather inspiration for your holiday home! 


Simplicity


A Touch of Elegance


Embellished Styling using one of my Joan Rivers Brooches


The beautiful whimsy of Susan Branch


Feeling the warmth of sun puddles


Remembering family



Falling in love with books that reflect the season


Waking to the aroma of a homemade breakfast, with woodsmoke in the winds



The baking of cookies for Halloween night



The joy of Autumn baking


Goblins, ghosts and ghoulies everywhere


Mmmmmm.....buttermilk cupcakes with buttercream frosting......


Tis the season...

TO WOW
TO SHARE A MOMENT
TO CELEBRATE WITH FOOD
TO CARRY ON TRADITIONS
TO BRING US TOGETHER
TO SHARE WITH FAMILY
TO SHOW OUR LOVE