Halloween being on a Monday isn’t fair to the kiddos. We got only a handful of trick-or-treaters.
I’m sure most people celebrate during the weekend. I know I did. We had my niece’s Halloween party on Saturday. I made cupcakes, and guys, I made fake edible blood for the first time, and it came out so dark, but the kids didn’t even notice; they just saw sugar.
We made the whole event look super spooky, and I thought the kids would be scared, but nothing scares kids nowadays.
The theme was the living dead. We had our beautiful crispy toxic waste victim Scully (named after x-files), flying ghosties and other little skeletons scattered around. The kids loved it.
If you guys haven’t seen my Instagram, I was Velma from Scooby Doo, and I thought I looked super cute. But six different kids asked me what I was dressed as. So now I feel old. While we’re on the topic, a Velma show is coming out soon. I heard there wouldn’t be a Scooby Doo in the show. So I don’t think I want to watch it. Like it’s called Scooby Doo. How do you make a show without the main character?
I just realized it’s midnight. Happy Day of the dead.
We have 11 days to Halloween, and I haven’t been my usual Hallowqueen self this year.
I started this month off so strong by watching Hocus Pocus 2 and making spooky crafts. But I haven’t done much since. It’s almost time to see the little cuties dressed as princess and Jedis or whatever the latest trends are.
But it made me realize that my niece’s Halloween party is next weekend, and I forgot to get a costume. I didn’t buy a costume last year since I had to work. And I guess this year, with going to Vegas and visiting my family and everything else; I spaced out.
Now getting a costume isn’t hard. I have Amazon prime- gotta love two-day shipping. But the price of an outfit is ridiculous.
Fifty bucks for a cheaply made costume I couldn’t even wear again next year? You can’t be serious! Don’t even get me started on the fact that I have to pay extra since I’m buying a plus sized costume.
Instead of buying a costume, I’m going to make my own. In a lazy, last-minute type of way. I already had to talk myself out of trying to sew things together. I just decided to use what I had in my closet. I don’t even know if it will be cute. If you couldn’t tell from the title, I’m going as Velma from Scooby Doo.
For the fit. The closest skirt I could find to the one I have currently is on Amazon. I’m just wearing a regular orange t-shirt but I kinda want to get this shirt cuz it’s like a mock turtleneck and Velma is known for her turtlenecks.
I would also recommend using thigh or knee high socks but my thunder thighs do not work well keeping socks up. So I wear tights. I think I got mine from target or Walmart but Amazon has some good ones. I’ve used these before and they offer them in orange.
Base Layers: Remove all stickers before doing the base layers. Spray paint was used for the base. I like an even coat so we did two layers with the stray paint. Once the base layers were applied spray with a matte mod podge.
Detailing: this is the easy part. It all depends on what you want your house to look like. I recommend you hunt around and see what you can find that might suit your haunted house. I think twigs, spiders, and pumpkins can be fun.
As a basic witch who loves getting spooky, I’ve been busy.
Every Halloween my friend has a party for her daughter and her friends and other little kiddos who live in the neighborhood. It’s always super cute and fun and we go all out decorating.
The theme this year is a kid-friendly hell house. We’re going spooky but not too spooky.
I don’t know where my friend gets her ideas from but I love them.
We got a little bit of a headstart on some of the decors since we’re making most of them ourselves.
These milk carton skulls came out amazing. Now they are a little tricky to make.
What you’ll need
• 1 skull made of cement or resin (whatever won’t melt)
heavy dutyglove
heat gun
ice water
sponge
scissors
electric hot knife
masking tape
glue gun with glue
Steps
Step 1: Set up your guide skull in a safe place to use a heat gun and hot glue so you don’t accidentally set something on fire or melt something you didn’t mean to.
Step 2: Cut the handle off the jug and position the jug over the Guide skull with the long part over the face.
Step 3: Wear gloves. To begin shaping the jug, set the heat gun on HIGH and begin to sculpt but holding the jug about 3 inches from the plastic until it turns clear. Once clear, you should be able to manipulate and shape it. Using your gloved hands, shape the plastic against the Guide skull and tuck at the cheekbones.
Step 4: Now begin to heat the rest of the plastic again until clear. Then grab your sponge and dip it in ice water. This will cause the jug to mold to the skull’s details. Press it gently into the nose and eyes to deepen them, but be careful not to rip the plastic. The harder you push, the more detailed it will be, but watch out for tears.
Step 5: Trim the excess plastic under the mouth and tuck the remaining plastic to finish the jaw.
Step 6: Now you can cut the back of the skull to get it off the Guide skull. The easiest way to get it off is to draw a line going up the back of the skull, then a wide V on top. This will create the guide for the Y-incision you will have to cut to get the jug off the skull. Heat your hot knife then cut on the Y-incision guide. A box cutter will also work.
Step 7: Pull the mold forward off the skull. Tape the incision from the outside. Use your hot glue gun to seal the incision closed from the inside. Let dry.
You can fill them with LED lights for a cool nighttime look
If only California had sweater weather. I’m ready to cuddle up with a book and warm tea and enjoy the peace. Instead, I’ll cuddle up with an iced coffee and read.
I Fear My Pain Interests You by Stephanie LaCava is a short novel that follows Margot, the daughter of a famous mother and father. Margot is an aspiring actress but feels the pressure of living in her parent’s footsteps build up, so she leaves her hometown and stays at her friend’s secluded house in a small village. The book focuses on the characters and Margot’s complicated relationships with the people in her life.
I read all my murder mystery books these last two months I needed some drama.
I go into a lot of books blind but I think it allows me to make predictions about the story and analysis the book as I’m reading. These predictions have become helpful when I’m watching a movie or tv because I can infer what’s going to happen in scary movies and makes me less afraid.
My predictions for I Fear My Pain Interest You.
At least one Suicide attempt from the main character.
A toxic relationship with a male. “savior” character. “I just want the best for you.”
A friend will either die or abandon the main character due to the drug abuse and parting
I don’t think the main character will grow as a person. For some reason, the book gives me Breakfast of Tiffany’s vibes
I didn’t get a costume because I assumed I would be working today. I’ll make do with a rainbow unicorn headband and rainbow makeup.
I’m going to my friend’s house for a Halloween party. It’s for my niece and her friends, and I’m just going as an extra chaperon.
The setup looks Fang-tastic.
We decided to make the game the floor is lava to a whole new level. All it takes is a couple of cans of expanding foam, orange, and black spray paint, string lights, and a random piece of cardboard or plywood you don’t care to get ruined. We got everything from Walmart.
Put down our cardboard, bunched up the string lights, and just started spraying the foam on top, waited for it to dry for about 20 minutes, and poured some paint on it. we got inspiration from this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w6Tft040jU
We did this as a way to keep the kiddos away from the side of the house. You always have that one kid who wants to wanter, and the last thing we need is a kid to wander out the side gate on their own.
So on top of having three giant bags of candy we have to give to the kids, we have two dozen cupcakes, a bunch of Halloween cookies we found at Albertson, chips, and we’re ordering pizza. The party starts at 2. wish us luck.
If you’re out partying tonight, trick or treating, or just staying home, I have a delightfully spooky and safe Halloween!
It’s time to dust off those skeletons in the closets and put them in the front yard if you haven’t already. Halloween is Scary close.
Since the weather wants to be unbe-leaf-able, I’ve decided to force a vibe. Can California pick a season? Somedays it’s super hot and sunny and others we’re getting nice windy days.
I just want to get a taste of fall. And since today is the perfect day to stay bundled up I’ve decided to make a fall favorite. It’s nothing too fancy, but I love the autumn feel that butternut squash and sweet potatoes give off.
I originally made this meal when my boyfriend met my grandmother for the first time. So whenever I make it now, I think of her. I miss her, and I’m still sad she’s gone, but she is in a better place now.
Roasted Vegetables
1 cup fingerling potatoes cubed
1 cup baby carrots
1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 cup broccoli
1 cup Brussel sprouts, halved
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
*For a keto diet, replace fingerling potatoes with turnips
Preheat oven to 400°. Generously coat a sheet pan with foil and coat with cooking spray.
Spread the vegetables out on the sheet pan in a single layer.
Mix together the olive oil, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a small bowl.
Drizzle the olive oil mixture over the top; use your hands to toss the vegetables around to evenly coat.
Roast for 20 minutes before using a large spatula to flip the vegetables.
Resume roasting for another 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are tender and starting to caramelize. Then serve.
Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts
6 chicken breasts (thin, boneless, and skinless)
3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon of sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoon onion powder
3 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
3 tablespoons olive oil
Combine flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning in a large bowl. Stir well to blend.
Coat the chicken breasts in the flour mixture and set aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Once the skillet is hot, place flour-coated chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown on both sides. Turning once between cooking, about 8-10 minutes.
Remove chicken from pan and serve
The best side for this meal is a Halloween playlist my friend made.
Goblins and ghoulies from last Halloween, awaken the spirits with your tambourine.
Does anyone know where this quote is from?
I cant wait to celebrate Halloween. I usually plan months ahead of time, but this year everything Halloween-related was planned last-minute.
Does anyone else realize how fast this month has gone? October is almost oct-over. Talk about disappointment. Now I know what my parents must have felt when they finally read my blog.
I’ve been trying to force a vibe for the past two weeks, and while my family was hesitant at first, I’m proud to announce that my family has caught onto my festive mood. The biggest shock of the season was my brother, and he came up with his own fall checklist, which pumpkin-spiced things up. This guy has it all, from leaf art to trying a pumpkin spice latte for the first time.
I recommend everyone creates a fall checklist. Try going to a local harvest festival, having a bonfire with s’ mores, going on a hay-ride, and baking fall cookies. My favorite place to go to for a spicetacular time is Moapa Valley Corn Maze in Nevada. I settled for Tanaka Farms in Irvine this year.
I will say that there is nothing better than being surrounded by fresh pumpkin, except going home and making something with those pumpkins?
Now I know some of you aren’t as Spooktactualar as I am, so I decided to share with you mere mortals my ultimate fall cookie recipe. Give ‘Em Pumpkin to Talk About cookies.
For those who have never been introduced, here’s the basic gist. A light, moist, refreshing dessert with pumpkin as a bonus! These are probably the softest, fluffiest cookies, like little pumpkin pillows that melt in your mouth.
INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
1 cup pure pumpkin
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
1 tablespoons milk
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease baking sheets.
Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl.
Beat sugar and 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter in a large mixer bowl until well blended.
Beat in pumpkin, egg, and vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
Gradually beat in flour mixture and chocolate chips.
Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the edges are firm.
Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
Please let me know how it turned out for you.
Feel free to send in cute pictures of your spooky decorations, costumes, and any fall recipes you are willing to part with.
My niece told me a joke, and I just had to share it. It’s soo terrible, and it’s soo freaking cute.
What does a panda ghost eat?
What?
Bam-BOOO
Last year I lived with my religious grandmother, so my fall theme was pumpkins, nothing fun or spooky.
Since I couldn’t decorate, I had to find a new way to get creative and get my nieces into the Halloween spirit. I found that making fun recipes not only got them to eat, but it made eating fun.
Today’s recipe is a family favorite: Mummy meatloaf and mashed boo-tatoes.
Oh, My Blog! I’m telling you this is the best meatloaf! Ever!
MEATLOAF
1/2 cup finely chopped onion (1 medium onion)
2 large cloves garlic minced
1/2 cup Progresso™ Italian style bread crumbs
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
salt and pepper to taste
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated Crescent Dough Sheet
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the onion, garlic, milk, oats, egg, salt, and peppers in a large bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes to soak up the liquid. Add in the ground beef and mix gently with your hands, just until combined.
Place ground beef into 4 (6×2-inch) loaves. Bake for 45 minutes
Meanwhile, remove dough from the can; unroll and Cut into 4 rectangles.
Cut each rectangle lengthwise into 7 strips. Alternately cross 7 strips over each meatloaf to look like “bandages.”
Bake 17 to 20 minutes longer or until golden brown
Allow to rest 5-10 minutes before cutting.
MASHED POTATOES
1 1/2 lbs russet potatoes peeled and quartered lengthwise
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp heavy cream
1 Tbsp reserved liquid from cooking potatoes
1/4 c parmesan cheese
1 large egg beaten
Salt and pepper
Put potatoes into a saucepan.
Add 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Add water until potatoes are covered.
Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, 15-20 minutes, or until done.
Melt butter and stir in cream.
Drain water from potatoes, reserving some.
Put hot potatoes into a bowl.
Add cream and melted butter and 1 Tbs reserved liquid.
Use a potato masher to mash potatoes until well mashed.
Use a spoon to continue stirring/mashing, adding more liquid until you get the desired consistency.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Now stir in parmesan cheese and 1 already beaten egg.
Put potatoes in a piping bag, or Ziploc with a corner cut off, and pipe your ghosts onto a lined baking sheet.
Put black peppercorns in for eyes (black sesame seeds work too)
Put in a 375-degree oven for 15-20 minutes.
Mashed potatoes were one of the first things I learned to make. I’m not going to lie; I’m usually tired and lazy when I cook and use a bag instead of making actual ones.
You can use instant mashed potatoes and achieve the same thing by piping the mashed potatoes out into ghost form!
I am still trying to get in the spirit of spooktober and all things Halloween. I needed ideas to decorate because I feel like a spooktacular failure for not having any new fall decor and recipes.
I feel like, realistically, we all want to be able to celebrate Halloween and be spooky. Still, life is too busy to decorate and do everything. With social media nowadays, people make it seem like we have to go all out with decorating and make the rest of us who don’t have the time or money feel bad for not having their aesthetic. I spent a lot of money throughout the years and didn’t use half of my Halloween decor.
Usually, my boyfriend and I always try to do something to at least be able to say we did something, but we mostly make plans for Halloween.
I feel like drive-in theaters would be a go-to for fall because the weather gets colder, just having a fave flannel and a coffee from Starbucks. Last year we didn’t get to go to a pumpkin patch, which was a little disappointing. Every grocery store has pumpkins; despite how costly they are, at least we would be able to decorate for Halloween.
Suppose you just want to experience a fall vibe without actually going out. Try going to Barnes & Noble. Do I even have to mention how books and a hot tea give you a fall feel?
Don’t sleep on Dollar Tree. They are a must for those who can’t afford all the Pinterest and Instagram fall decor because they’re inexpensive, so bless them. I also love thrift shopping, mostly in fall time; something about doing that is fantastic around this time.
Even popping a bottle and lighting candles, watching scary movies, or listening to dark academia music, you’ll feel like the main character who does it because, hello, you are one.
