Halloween Decorations with Pumpkins and Spiders

 Halloween is approaching and it is time to start thinking about ways to decorate your home. Two items that can not be forgotten during this holiday season has to be the pumpkin and scary spiders.

Making Decorations with Pumpkins

A Halloween party would not be complete without at least one big orange pumpkin. You can purchase these in all shapes and sizes and once you have scraped out all the pulp from the inside, you have a perfect container to place a large candle. You can choose to carve a whole host of designs into the front of your pumpkins. The most popular design is usually a frightening looking face with big eyes and a jagged looking mouth.

The great thing is that you do not have to be particularly skilled in order to carve a design into the front of a pumpkin. This would also make a fantastic activity that you could share with your children. You can keep them fully entertained if you get them to draw a simple design, which can then be transferred onto their own pumpkin.

If you are worried about using candles and having a live flame near the children, you can buy very cheap LED lights that will illuminate their pumpkins without any fear of danger or accidents.

Adding Scary Spiders

There is nothing more terrifying than spiders. People who are scared of them will jump out of their skin to try and escape from them. If you enjoy seeing such terror in the eyes of your guests then you can sprinkle plastic spiders all around your home and just listen out for the screams. Your friends and family are sure to see the funny side once they have calmed down and realized than your spiders are not real.

You can also make your own gigantic spider by using black plastic bags. Create the shape of the head and the body by filling one black bag with paper or smaller bags and then simply cut more black bags into long strips to use for the legs. Then you just need to attach each strip to the body. You can choose to hang your DIY spider from a picture hook or you can place is on a table and make it a real focal point.

Creating the perfect atmosphere for your Halloween party may take a little bit of time and effort but the end results will most certainly be worth it. Whether you are holding a fancy dress party in your home for adults or for children get into the party mood and have a Happy Halloween.

Halloween Decorations with Pumpkins and Spiders

Grannies Kitchen Tips

This is an awesome way for thoses picky eaters. Grannies Kitchen is thanksful for this Kitchen Tip from Recipies Filled With Love

Recipes filled with Love
Cute idea for picky kids, fill an ice cube tray with a variety of colorful treats. Does anyone here do anything fun (or sneaky) to get their kids to eat healthier foods?

Fun Facts About Halloween

5 Fun Facts About Halloween

Halloween is the second most popular holiday celebrated around the world after Christmas. It is now a huge commercial event with many companies making their best sales during this period.
 
Every year we celebrate Halloween on 31st October by getting dressed up in fancy dress costumes, sending the children out trick or treating and holding a whole host of fantastically themed parties featuring ghosts, ghouls and witches. Some people may have forgotten the true story behind Halloween. Here are some fun facts about the origins of this particular event and why we celebrate it.

What Does Halloween Mean?

Halloween is actually short for Hallows Eve or Hallows Evening. It was a Celtic event which actually celebrated the end of the Pagan year. Even though it was a time of celebration, there was a fear and belief that the spirits of the dead would rise on this evening and cause widespread panic and mayhem.

Why Do We Wear Costumes?

This is also linked with the traditions of the Pagan holidays. It was believed that the prosperity of the new season could be affected due to the appearance of the evil spirits.

People were scared so they would disguise themselves in different types of costumes in order to prevent any evil spirits from being able to recognise them as being human.

What Is the Importance of Bobbing For Apples?

During this period of time, apples were considered very sacred and it was a tradition to honour Pomona, who is the Goddess of fruitful abundance. The origin of the game of bobbing for apples dates from this time. This is where apples are placed in a container of water and people have to try and pick one up without using their hands. It is a very messy but hilarious activity that can be enjoyed by children as well as adults.

What Is the Significance of the Colours Orange and Black?

You may have noticed that the colours used in the majority of Halloween decorations and clothing tend to be predominately orange and black. This is because way back in history orange represented harvest while the colour black represented death and darkness.

Why Do We Carve Pumpkins?

During the Hallows Eve, candles would be placed in hollowed out turnips and used to ward off evil spirits that were thought to have risen from the dead. These were called Jack o’ Lanterns. When Immigrants arrived in America they continued to celebrate this date and pumpkins became the vegetable of choice. This was because they were more readily available and as they were larger than the average turnip, they were also easier to carve.

These days’ people create amazing designs using pumpkins, gourds and other types of vegetables. Candles are still used but many people prefer the safety of LED lights especially if they have small children.

Light

You will never see the light of the future by hiding in the darkness of the past.

Grannies Kitchen Tip

 

"Lead with grace; Not with judgment."

 

Raspberry Pear Salad with Glazed Walnuts

The sweet and tart tastes of this spectacular salad both surprise and please the palate. A raspberry vinaigrette ties everything together.

Raspberry Pear Salad with Glazed Walnuts Recipe

This recipe is: Quick and  Diabetic Friendly

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup walnut halves
• 2 packages (5 ounces each) spring mix salad greens
• 3 medium pears, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
• 2 ounces Cambozola cheese, cubed
• VINAIGRETTE:
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons raspberry vinaigrette
• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

• In a small heavy skillet over low heat, stir honey and sugar until sugar is melted; add walnuts. Transfer to a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until nuts are toasted. Spread on foil to cool.
• In a large bowl, combine the salad greens, pears, raspberries, cheese and walnuts. In a small bowl, whisk the vinaigrette ingredients. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately. Yield: 12 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 cup equals 150 calories, 11 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 6 mg cholesterol, 140 mg sodium, 12 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 2 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 fruit.

Coffee

Good Morning World!!! What a great day..coffee in hand...and getting ready to head to the kitchen to create some tastey treats for the grandkids when school is out today.  How fun!!!..it is the beginnings of a positivity convention to come!!! WOOHOO! Have a great day everyone!

Watermelon Cups Recipe

Watermelon Cups Recipe  Quick and Diabetic Friendly

 

This lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs.

Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

Yield: 16 Servings

This recipe is: Quick and Diabetic Friendly

Ingredients

• 16 seedless watermelon cubes (1 inch)
• 1/3 cup finely chopped cucumber
• 5 teaspoons finely chopped red onion
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh mint
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh cilantro
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon lime juice

Directions

• Using a small melon baller or measuring spoon, scoop out the center of each watermelon cube, leaving a 1/4-in. shell (save pulp for another use).
• In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; spoon into watermelon cubes. Yield: 16 appetizers.

Nutritional Facts 1 appetizer equals 7 calories, trace fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1 mg sodium, 2 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, trace protein. Diabetic Exchange: Free food.

 

 

Sour Cream Chocolate Cake Recipe

Impressive to look at but easy to make, this cake is a good old-fashioned "Sunday supper" dessert that melts in your mouth.

Prep: 35 min. Bake: 30 min. + cooling
Yield: 16 Servings

Ingredients

•1 cup baking cocoa
•1 cup boiling water
•1 cup butter, softened
•2-1/2 cups sugar
•4 eggs
•2 teaspoons vanilla extract
•3 cups cake flour
•2 teaspoons baking soda
•1/2 teaspoon baking powder
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
•FROSTING:
•2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
•1/2 cup butter, cubed
•1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•4-1/2 to 5 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

•Dissolve cocoa in boiling water; cool. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition. Add cocoa mixture and mix well.
• Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
• In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and butter; stir until smooth. Cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Add confectioners' sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 16 servings.


Nutritional Analysis: 1 slice equals 692 calories, 30 g fat (18 g saturated fat), 119 mg cholesterol, 451 mg sodium, 102 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 7 g protein.

Grannies Thought for The Day - Encouragement

♥♥ Thought For The Day:
If you need encouragement or hope, look in a child's eyes.