Happy Halloween

Wanted to stop in and say

I hope that you get to see lots of little faces like these ..........

And this is the way your evening ends.

Remember to greet each child with a smile or a laugh (for those funny costumes) or a gasp (like you have been scared) - because you are only a child once (so they say - I guess I am still one in that case) and Halloween is a special time for you.


And if you have time ........ remember tonight is the last day for my Fall Giveaway.  I've added a few items to the box so there will be a surprise for the winner as well.

mischief night came early

I really am having trouble remembering this is still October and that tomorrow is suppose to be Halloween.  what we are suppose to be getting ready to see are all kinds of ghosts and goblins and witches and all kinds of superheros.

instead we are trying to dig out from an early mischief night as evidenced here -

 Yes this is my front steps (in the far left hand upper corner is my mailbox) and the 80 something year old azaleas are under that "mound" at the bottom of the steps

This was the "whiteout" condition from yesterday afternoon.

Deja Vu again ............... we did this one already last "season" too.  Don't you just love how the snow just curls under as it starts to slide off the roof?

Somehow these are just too familiar to those that we experienced earlier this year .... January and February, to be exact.

I really do hope that all of this has gotten it "out of its system" and we will have a much "lighter" winter this coming year.  Especially since it seems we have already gotten hit - in October no less!




There's still a little time .... don't forget to enter My Fall Giveaway (yes it is still Fall even with these pictures)

Maxine on Halloween Costumes

Are you looking for something "different" as a Halloween costume this year?  If you are going to an "adult" party and want to have the BEST costume ..... I mean seriously WHO of your friends will have thought of this one?

Now I almost wish we had been invited to a party this year.  Ok I know I'm bad -- but somehow this one just really tickled my funny bone today.

DIY Spices Part 1

I really like making my own spice mixes. I get to control the salt/spiciness of each blend and it usually saves me a ton of money. Lets face it - sometimes you are making something that needs just a teaspoon or two of a spice blend .... even some of those little spice canisters are super expensive. And to make matters worse - you may never use the spice again! If you keep a variety of spices in your cabinet, you can make a HUGE selection of spice blends for a fraction of the cost.

When I make my blends, I store them in 1/2 pint wide mouth mason jars. They are air-tight and easy to use (measuring spoons fit nicely) and easy to see when you need to make more.


Cajun blend:

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix well, gently crushing to release and combine all the flavors/oils.
Store in a container with an air-tight lid in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.

Five-Spice Powder

3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
6 star anise or 2 teaspoons anise seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons whole Szechuan peppers or whole black peppercorns
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Combine spices together in a spice grinder (or coffee bean grinder only used for spices) until it is a uniform colored powder. Makes about 1/3 cup.  Store in air-tight container in a cool, dry place.

The Anise and Fennel both have a slight licorice flavor. Both are usually found in the grocery store spice aisle.


Steak Seasoning

2 tablespoons ground black pepper (fresh if you like)
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
4 tablespoons dry mustard (powder)

Combine ingredients and store in air-tight container.

Double Pepper Barbecue

1/4 cup Paprika
1Tablespoon ground cumin
1 Tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
1 Tablespoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground clove

Mix together well store in air-tight container in a cool, dry place for about 1 month. 
Makes approximately 2/3 cup.  Use as a rub for meat or poultry in a ratio of 1 pound protein to 1 tablespoon rub.

Mediterranean

2 teaspoons dried rosemary
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried minced onions
2 teaspoons dried minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Combine together in a air-tight container, in a cool, dry place for approximately 1 month.  This makes about 1/3 cup of mix.  To use, rub 1 tablespoon of rub over 1 pound of meat or poultry. 

Don't forget to enter My Fall Giveaway.

Stupidity

Can you tell what kind of day it has been?

Enough Said.

My Fall Giveaway

If you recall, earlier this week I decided that it was time for a giveaway and set out to find some things for my Fall giveaway.  Today is that day!

I have selected these items because they remind me of the scents/smells of Fall.  Hopefully they will make you think Fall too.

We have a leaf plate, a mini pumpkin and mini squash.  We have 2 tea light holders with Cinnamon Spice Cookie Tea Lights, Pumpkin Spice Tea Lights and Warm Apple Pie Tea Lights.  Oh and a Cinnamon Spice Cookie/Cinnamon Toast candle.  And they all smell sooooo good.

I'm going to make this really easy because I hate mega entry giveaways (unless they are for some unbelievably wonderful prize like an I-Pad 2 or one of the new Kindles).  Besides, this makes it much easier for me too.

First Entry (Mandatory) is to follow using GFC and then leave me a message (on this post) saying that you did.  I will jump on over and follow you too.  Make sure I have a way to contact you (email public on your site or leave me your addie in your comment)

Second (Bonus) Entry is to share this with your friends and followers and send them over here.  If they join in and let me know you sent them (again on this post) - you both get an entry.

Pretty Easy Right?

This giveaway will be open from today through Oct 31st.  I will draw the winner on November 1st and contact the winner via email.  The winner will have 72 hours to get back to me with their mailing address.  If that doesn't happen - the winner will forfeit their prize and I will draw another winner.

This giveaway is open to followers in the US and Canada. Hopefully we will have some great new entries to make this even more fun.

Because I have time .......... If I find other things that call out to me, that just MUST be included, then there could be other things added to the box, you never know what I might find.  No promises here - but well ya never know.

Ready, Set ............. GO!

DIY Gifts Part 1

Yesterday, as I was going through my "magazine stash", I found (again) my Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publication from last year on Food Gifts.  I have to say I have already marked off a few things I will be making this year.

Some will be for gifts and others (maybe even the same ones) will be used for my pantry. 

If you want to make cookies or muffins or even "drinks" in a jar I will just send you to the Domino Sugar site for some really great Gift Mixes - they even have a link for printable gift tags and certificates

If you want to make something other than "edible" gifts ....... how about a body scrub?  You can find the instructions for this under Unique Gifts

I'm starting to look at sugar in a whole new way. 

My magazine has all kinds of things to make (150 holiday recipes) or ways to display/give away that I will be looking for even more things to do this year.  I will be sharing with you as I find more things I want to "experiment" with or that I find interesting.  Oh and I may even look for more DIY Gifts to share.