Family Resources Kid's Resources
Family Support
The Parlor Join us on our message boards for conversation, introductions, support, encouragement and chit chat. Stop by and introduce yourself Here!
Recipes
Tea
Crafts
Garden
Forums
A Night of Friendly Fright
By Arleen M. Kaptur
Halloween - an opportunity for family
and friends to get together and have
some fun -
There are some inexpensive but fun ways
to enjoy the spookiest night of the year,
no matter the age. Whether young or old,
have fun, make memories, and enjoy food
and friendship.
Little ones can have some very pleasant
surprises without being scared, and older
guests, friends, and family can separate
the fantasy from the real and enjoy them-
selves too.
The real "treat" is being together and
sharing...
-Design and make your own costumes one
evening just before Halloween.
-Make a whole town of "pumpkin" people
from "small" citizens right up to the
"grand" marshall-the big pumpkin- that
needs three "citizens" to move it from
place to place.
Roast and eat pumpkin seeds, make
taffy apples, colored popcorn, pumpkin
pie, cinnamon doughnuts, apple cider -
s'mores around a bonfire. In essence, all the bounty of flavors
and color that Autumn brings.
-Have a party! Play, laugh, make believe
and stick your hands into unseen
bowls of - I can't tell or I'll spoil the
fun - but you'll find out when you turn
on the lights. Decorate with cobwebs, colored lights,
brimming cauldrens of dry ice, and
flying bats overhead.
A Trick or Treat Supper
Just before venturing out to see if you
can outsmart all those creatures that
go bump in the night have a trick or treat supper.
Menu: Crown Roast of Franks(enstein),
Boston Baked Beans, Witch's Brew,
Hoot owl cookies
Appetizer: A big bowl of tomato soup
with eyeballs (tiny onions) and spooky
salad -
Spooky Salad
1 large orange, peeled, 6 pineapple
slices, lettuce, raisins, 3/4 cup mayonaisse
Cut orange crosswise into 6 slices.
Place each slice on a pineapple slice.
Place on crisp lettuce. Make eyes, nose
and mouth on each orange slice using
raisins. Serve with mayonaisse thinned with pineapple
juice.
Mix together cracker crumbs, butter,
sauerkraut, apples and caraway. Shape
into a mound on a baking sheet. Stand
frankfurters around the stuffing, joining
with cocktail picks near the top. Bake
at 375 for 40 mins.
Witches' Brew
1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/2
tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg, 1/2 tsp.
salt, 3-1/2 cups milk, 1 tsp. vanilla, dash
cloves, cinnamon sticks, and whipped
topping
Combine cocoa, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg,
and salt in pan; gradually add 1/2 cup
boiling water. Heat to boil over medium
heat, stirring and cook 2 mins. Add milk;
heat but do not boil.
Remove from heat; add vanilla and cloves.
Beat with rotary beater until foamy. Serve hot,
garnished with a dollop of whipped topping
and a cinnamon stick.
Halloween can be fun without a lot of
expense and enjoyed by Trick or
Treaters of all ages. ENJOY!
Arleen Kaptur has written numerous books and articles on
simple, rustic living and enjoying each and every day.
You may visit her at her website Arleen's Site and
sign up for her free newsletters.
Sheila "I am a Christian Woman, a stay home homemaker and a Mom.
My interests: I love to knit, crochet, sew, embrodiery, and quilt. I play the piano, read music, I write Chrisitan poems and writings. I collect teddy bears, angels, hearts and butterflies."
Tips for Selecting the Best Summer Fruit Summertime brings with it a bounty of fresh fruits, but consumers often have no idea how to choose the best fruit. This can lead to the frustration of lackluster fruit, which can make all the difference in the quality of your dining experience. Keep these handy tips in mind when choosing summer fruit and you'll always get the pick of the crop.
Preserve and Display your Wedding Memories Create a lovely shadowbox frame to preserve the memory of that most beautiful day, your wedding! Perhaps your son or daughter are the ones tying the knot? This makes a wonderful gift that they will cherish forever.
Caring for Wicker Furniture Regardless of the material from which your wicker furniture is constructed, keeping it clean can be a challenge because of the textured surface.
Here are some great tips on caring for your wicker furniture so that it will last you for years.