Jack-O-Lanterns, black cats, ghosts, goblins, and a full moon -
all add up to a lot of fun and enjoyment for family, friends,
and neighbors. Safety-of course should be "preached" well before
Halloween as well as safety precautions to insure that little
ones and "scary monsters" enjoy themselves but are safe and
sound. Reflective tape on shoes, jackets, the back and front of
costumes, and on treat bags is one way of keeping safe when the
day turns into night. Also, "going together" is more fun than
going alone. Little children should be shown that make-believe
is part of this Holiday, and they should not be given a "scare."
Having a home/school/or town party? Decorations are fun and let
the kids help. It's always nice to pack away something this year
that a child makes, and watch their eyes light up when you
unpack it a year later and use it again - they made it - and
their pride will show. Even teen-agers (but they may not show
it) enjoy a little "remembering" when old items are pulled out.
Pick a theme for your Holiday Get-together. It could be a
Monster Bash, a Ghostly Encounter, or a Pumpkin Extravaganza. If
you are inviting a wide range of ages - consider "no-win" games
for the younger set and hand out those prizes freely. Older
children enjoy a little friendly competition and adults should
have a combination of both. Pumpkins, yarn-tied ghosts just
hanging around, or a bit of dry ice in a home-made cauldron
(safely away from little fingers and curious adutls) will go a
long-way with effect. Prizes and treats could be stickers,
pencils, erasers, notebooks, coloring or puzzle books,
glow-in-the-dark anything (necklaces, bracelets, etc.) and other
items that are a great substitute for way too much candy and
sweets.
But sweets are a part of the Halloween Bash so here's a
few suggestions: Start your morning out with pumpkin pancakes: A
Jack-O-Lantern pan helps but you could improvise. 2 cups biscuit
mix, 2 tbs. light brown sugar, packed, 2 tsp. ground cinnamon,
1-1/2 cups (12 ozs.) undiluted evaporated milk, 1/2 cup solid
pack pumpkin, 2 tbs. vegetable oil, and 2 eggs Place your pan in
oven and preheat it (450). In bowl, combine biscuit mix, sugar,
cinnamon, evaporated milk, pumpkin,oil and eggs. Whisk until
smooth. Spray your heated pan with non-stick spray. Pour 2 cups
of batter in the pan. Return to oven and bake 8 mins. or until
top is dry and edges are brown. Cut butter pats in triangles for
eyes, nose, and happy teeth. Or use your favorite pancake mix,
prepare in a frying pan or griddle and decorate. Place a small
stem on the top. Serve with sausage links, orange juice, and a
lot of giggles.
Whatever food
items you prepare for the day should be given appropriate names,
of course. Your family can feast on Boo Salad, Ghoul Hands (a
clear plastic glove with a candy corn placed in the fingertips
for a nail, and filled with popcorn, tied on the top with orange
or black yarn), Scary cupcakes, Witches' Brew, Bewitching ice
cream sundaes, and Marshmallow or Mashed Potato Ghosts. Serving
cheeseburgers: cut out triangles for eyes, nose and make a silly
grin in the cheese just before serving. A Jack-O-Lantern burger
instantly. Gummy worms can crawl out from under plates and hang
leisurely on cups.
Jiggly Pumpkins: Use a pumpkin cookie cutter: 2 pkgs. (6 ozs. each)
orange-flavored gelatin, 2-1/2 cups boiling water, 1 cup cold
milk, 1 pkg. (3.4 ozs.) instant vanilla pudding mix, candy corn,
and black licorice. Dissolve the gelatin in water, set aside for
30 mins. Whisk milk and pudding mix until smooth, about a minute
or two. Pour into an oiled pan and chill until set. Using your
pumpkin cookie cutter, cut into shapes and decorate. *** Menu
Ideas: Hot turkey sandwich Ghostly white potatoes and gravy
Pineapple witches' brew ** Halloween Macaroni and Cheese Monster
teeth (green peas) Graveyard surprise (chocolate pudding with
whipped cream ghosts swirled on top)
Candied apples: 12 apples 3 cups sugar 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
2/3 cup water 1 tsp. lemon juice 15 cloves 1-2 tsp. red food
coloring Place sticks in apples. Combine sugar, cream of tartar,
water, lemon juice and cloves in pan. Stir over heat until sugar
is completely dissolved. Add the food coloring. Boil, without
stirring to hard-crack stage. Remove from heat; remove cloves.
Twist apples in syrup and place on buttered cookie sheet to dry.
Mashed Potato Ghosts: 2 lbs.
potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 3/4 cup milk, heated 2 tbs.
butter 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. black pepper 1/2 cup grated sharp
Cheddar cheese 2 tbs. freshly chopped parsley or dill Place
potatoes in pot and add enough water to cover. Cook 15 mins. or
until very tender. Drain and mash, adding in the hot milk,
butter, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cheddar and parsley. To
make a ghost: Create your ghost shapes on waxed paper or foil.
Cut out your shape to use as a guide. Use 1/2 to 1 cup mashed
potatoes for each ghost. Place the stencil on top of the mashed
potatoes, cut around shape, and remove excess. Use olives for
eyes and mouth or raisins, if you prefer. To reheat: place
ghosts on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 6-7 mins. loosely
covered with foil.
Witches' Brew: 1/4
cup cocoa powder 1/2 cup hot water 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 tsp.
cinnamon 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 1/3tsp. salt 3-1/2 cups milk dash of
vanilla dash of cloves cinnamon sticks Combine cocoa, sugar,
cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in pan; add the 1/2 cup hot water
slowly. Heat to boiling, stirring and cook 2 mins. Add milk; but
do not boil. Remove from heat, add vanilla and cloves. Beat with
mixer until frothy and serve in mugs with cinnamon stick.
Have some old sheets - taking a black
marker, draw eyes and a mouth. Hang on a broomstick and place on
patios and porches. Change the light bulbs in your lamps to
green or orange for Halloween night. If you have "door" duty on
Halloween night, join in the fun - dress up, play some Halloween
tapes in the background, and open the door slowly and at first,
just let your hand reach around - of course, check to see if
little ones are knocking, then greet them with a smile and a
treat. Use colored plates, cups, and cupcake paper cups for
treats or for a meal. Getting into the "spirit" of the day, is
just as much fun as visiting that Pumpkin Patch and waiting for
the Great Pumpkin to arrive.
Halloween Happenings
