Halloween Dinner!

Every year on Halloween I make a themed dinner which is always a big hit. This year, I decided not to wait until Halloween night. I thought it would be fun to have a Halloween themed dinner once a week. I also wanted to enlist the help of my 6 year old, Buttercup.

This was our first dinner! Buttercup and I planned the whole thing. We looked up different ideas and made a list of the ingredients we would need. We kept the whole thing a secret from her sister and Dad. We wanted to surprise them with a spooky dinner.

They got in on the fun too and were happy to just sit on the couch watching TV while Buttercup and I cooked did all the cooking.

We made "Blood and snakes" for the main course. That translates to Tomato Soup and Breadsticks. Then we had Jack O'Lantern sandwiches and Pumpkin Spice cookies for dessert.

I got the inspiration for this dinner from Delish.com, this is the direct link to their recipe. As always, I didn't have the exact ingredients, so I changed it up a bit.

Here's my own version of Blood and Snakes.

Ingredients

• 1 can of refrigerated breadstick dough (I think there were 5 or 6 in the can which was just right for my family. If you have a larger family I suggest 2 cans)
• 1 large container of tomato soup (I used Wegman's brand) not concentrate (I hate those that you have to add water)
• 2 or 3 red gumdrops

Directions

1. Place foil on a cookie sheet.
2. Unroll the breadstick dough and separate them.
3. Roll each strip into a rope (I did this with my hands).
4. Arrange the rope like a snake on the lined cookie sheet.
5. Bake according to the package directions.
6. Once the breadsticks are done and cooled, you're ready to decorate it with eyes and a tongue.
7. Roll out the gumdrops to flatten them.
8. Using a knife, cut out the tongue shape.
9. Using a knife, make a small opening in the breadstick where the tongue will be, and place it there.
10. Roll tiny gumdrop eyes and place them on the breadsticks. Gumdrops are sticky so you shouldn't have any problems attaching them.
11. Heat the soup and serve with the breadsticks!

Here's how they turned out. I don't have pictures of the making process, but it was really easy.



 Jack O'Lantern sandwiches, also from Delish.com, direct link to recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 box refrigerated pie crusts (there are two in the box, I only used one)
• Thinly sliced ham
• Thinly sliced munster cheese (any other cheese will do)
• 1 egg yolk beaten

Directions

1. Roll out the pie crust and roll it a little bit thinner than how it is packaged.
2. Using a pumpkin shaped cookie cutter, make the shape cut outs for your sandwiches.
3. Make sure to cut an even number  because you will need a top and bottom.
4. Cover a cookie sheet with foil.
5. Cut out eyes and mouth on half of your cut outs.
6. Place a cut out on the cookie sheet, top it with some cheese, then ham, then place a cut out (the one with eyes) on top.
7. With your fingers, pinch the top and bottom dough to seal it.
8. Repeat 6 and 7 for all your sandwiches.
9. Using a pastry brush, spread some egg yolk on the dough.
10. Place in oven and bake according to package directions.

The pumpkin spice cookies were made from a package. Next time, they'll be homemade! I put whipped cream on top of the warm cookies and sprinkled some cinnamon on it. Yum!!

This was such a fun meal! Everyone enjoyed it and it helped us get in the Halloween spirit.

Enjoy!



Spooky Halloween candle holders

Buttercup and I made these candle holders last year which we are using again this year because we love them. They were super easy to make!

For one of them we used a Smucker's Jam jar. The other two are from the dollar store.

We made simple cut outs for the eyes, nose and mouth. Buttercup cut triangles for the eyes and nose and I did the mouth, since the cuts were more difficult to make.

We taped the shapes on the glass jars and painted them orange. That's it. I think a second coat would make it darker and then the effect with the lit candle would be better.

 

We are using tiny battery operated lights instead of candles, so Buttercup can turn them on and off whenever she wants and I don't worry about her burning her little fingers!

Happy Homeschooling Adventures!

Fall project ideas!

It seems that without any warning whatsoever, Fall has snuck up on us here in the Northeast. I like Fall but I do enjoy the gradual change in temperatures.  Oh well! Here we are and I've been seeing a lot of posts with awesome Fall and Halloween project ideas as well as some really great recipes. I want to share with you some of my favorites. In this blog post, I'll focus on arts and crafts and decorating ideas for Fall.

For an elegant Fall table setting, this one over at The Cards We Drew has got to be my favorite.

For an easy, fun Fall/Halloween project to do with your kids, check out this beautiful centerpiece from The Penny Parlor. She uses dollar store pumpkins and paints them gold for a super cute, different look.



Another super easy project that will get your kids involved and make your house look nice for the Fall, thanks to Spoonful for this toilet paper roll pumpkin project.

I just love these beautiful candles from livelaughrowe. Absolutely gorgeous and her tutorial is easy to follow. I'll definitely be making these to decorate my dining room table!

 

 

For a different take on garland, I love this from Craft Interrupted. Pom Pom garland to decorate your mantle or doorway.  I'm not really good at making pom poms, but I think I'll give it a try. Jaimee and Tiffany have other amazing Fall decor ideas too!

 

                                    

 

I hope these ideas get your imagination going! I know I will be trying some of these crafts out.

 

Enjoy!!