This Week's Plan : Anniversary Pasta + Our Halloween Menu

Halloween is here!  Our pumpkins don't look quite this good this year - they are half eaten and a little rotten from the warm temperatures.  But when the fog machine is one and it is dark, they will be perfect for the spooky night we have planned.  Our menu is below.

But before Halloween, we'll celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary tonight.  We loved our wedding so much and I love looking back at photos each year.  So much good has happened in the last seven years!  

Anniversary Truffle Pasta & Filets

Every year, we make our favorite meal inspired by our honeymoon.  When we were in Italy, we fell in love with homemade pasta with truffles.  So, before the Halloween candy and bowls of chili the next day, we'll squeeze this gourmet meal in by candlelight on my favorite powder blue plates (favorite wedding gifts that matched our wedding)  :)

Our Wedding in Seaside
Our Honeymoon in Italy

For Halloween, we'll stick with the classics.  I'll make a big batch of chili + Fritos, sour cream and cheddar for toppings.

There must also be something to graze on - Spinach Dip.  Along with chips, I'll have veggies for the kids to dip, since there will be so much candy...

These Martha Stewart Monster Brownies are still on the menu.  Emma and I are making them after school today + decorating the backyard.

We made our Sugar Cookies last week and they are in the freezer - I'll get them out in the morning so they are perfectly thawed.

Happy Halloween, All!

Easy Halloween Treat Inspiration | Homemade & Store-Bought Ideas

Since Emma is now in kindergarten, we've entered the world of store-bought treats vs. homemade.  I don't love the idea, but I know that we can still come up with something fun and creative.  In preparation for her class party and our annual party at our house, I've put together some of my favorite ideas (more below). 

This S'Mores Kit is an easy classic that is all over Pinterest.  I think this is the direction we're heading for Emma's class since she loves marshmallows.

These are self-explanatory, but for the sake of a supplies list :

Marshmallows

Chocolate Bars

Graham Crackers

Small or Medium Cello Bags
Ribbon

Halloween Tag

I have two Halloween Tags this year - the Trick or Treat Silhouettes, and the Jack-O-Lantern.  Both 10 for $4.

We made these quesadillas a couple of years ago when Emma was in Pre-School - the perfect solution for a not too sweet treat for littles.  You're welcome, teachers.

Another idea I love (this one is more for neighbors or group of teachers... unless you want to give a classmate an entire box of donuts!) is a box of donuts.  You can buy or make, but as we all know, the packaging makes the gift.

Large Window Kraft Box (also available in smaller size)

Treat Bags are a fun way to make something look charming.  You can decorate them with markers or stickers to add a personal look.  Kraft & Glassine Treat Bags >

I love this jack-o-lantern balloon look!  I'm definitely going to do this for our party.  (via Martha Stewart)

These Oreo Brownies were featured in Martha Stewart Living this month and I went crazy for them.  We love brownies AND Oreos around here, and I think these are just so darn cute.  Another must for our party.  I might consider making them as individual servings in my Small Tart Pans.

Monster Mash Brownies via Martha Stewart

Speaking of Oreos.  I LOVE these.  You could do Oreos or we used to make PB Crackers Sandwiches with Ritz and dip them with my Granny.

Pumpkin Oreos

Here's another idea for my Small Tart Pans - Individual Jack-O-Lantern Tarts.  These are pumpkin pie, but you could also make them savory (like a chicken pot pie or chili) or with chocolate pudding.

Jack-O-Lantern Mini Tarts

Aren't these a scream?  They might be just the thing to give everyone a laugh this year : )

Find all of my Halloween Supplies, here >

Spooky Bat Sugar Cookies | Halloween Sugar Cookies + Decorating Tips Video

These cookies may look difficult to make, but they are really simple.  You just need to follow the steps - starting with the body, covering it with sprinkles, and then making the wings and eyes.  It is really as simple as outlining and filling in.  The sprinkles add great texture on the body - giving the cookies one more element to make them look special, but actually make them really easy to decorate.

You can buy the Bat Cookie Cutter here .  I have had them made in Copper, so they are something you can keep and use year after year as a tradition.

I've included a video tutorial that shows the decorating, step-by-step... complete with spooky sound effects that Emma help me pick out.



I used my favorite sugar cookie dough - here is the recipe for the cookies and the royal icing.  I recommend making them ahead of time, then refrigerating them before you bake - it helps them hold their shape.

I've added some fun and simple Halloween packaging to my store - you can see the photos at the bottom of this post.

 

Emma is really getting into making sugar cookies.  She loves picking out the cutters.

And singing.

And eating the dough.

Love those lashes.  She loves all jewelry, but mostly her "canny" necklace.

Sprinkling the "snow" - by the way, I have know idea how she remembers snow! 

Now the baking is done - time to decorate (aka, nap time). 

You'll need :
-Royal Icing
-Black Sprinkles
-Black Food Coloring
-2 Pastry Bags
-Scissors
-Parchment Paper Sheets (used for the baking)

Put a small amount of the white royal icing in a pastry bag.  Cut off a tiny bit of the tip - you'll use this for the eyes.

Use the remaining royal icing to make the dark grey.  Dark icing colors darken as they sit - so mix a little lighter than you'd like it to be.

Put it into a second pastry bag and cut a small part of the tip off.

Everything is ready to go!






Here is a video tutorial on how to decorate them.  If you can outline and fill in you're half way there.  How do you like those spooky sound effects?  Nerdy, I know, but that is what Halloween is all about - right?!

Step 1 is to do the body - then cover the still wet icing with black sprinkles. 

Step 2 : Make the wings with the same black/grey icing.

Step 3 : Do eyes with white icing, then black/grey dots.

 Done - really simple, but they look great.

I love anything that looks like it was a lot of work - but really wasn't.

I packaged them in medium cellophane bags (20 for $7) tied with natural cotton ribbon and a "Trick or Treat" tag (20 for $6).

Definitely a treat.

Stay tuned for more Spooky Halloween Cookie tutorials.

For more Halloween Cookie Cutters and Treat Packaging ideas, visit the Halloween section in my store.

Here is the pin strip :

Donuts for Halloween | Easy Assembly Treat

Everyone wants a box of yummy donuts on their door step when they wake up, right?  Or how about on their desk, or in the seat of their car?  The best part is, is that you can buy donuts, put them in cute boxes, tie on a ribbon and tag, then you have the cutest gift in the world.

You can also make donuts (here are my favorite easy recipes, baked and/or fried), if you are feeling up to it.  So many schools now days restrict homemade treats, so buying and packaging donuts is a great way to make something fun.

Shop my Halloween Products for more great gifting ideas >

If you want to make donuts, shop my donut supplies, here >

To make this gift : 

Window Box

Ribbon

Tag

Parchment Paper

Shop my Halloween Products for more great gifting ideas >