"A Wink and a Smile"

Let me start off by saying that the only part of Halloween that I like is the dress up- take a picture part.  Is that horrible?  I don't really enjoy walking the neighborhood and knocking at strangers doors.  I don't even love the candy part.  Well maybe just the Reece's peanut butter cups.  I don't like the fact that my children will consume about 10+ pieces of candy in a sitting. I envision horrible results at the dentist.  I don't enjoy finding wrappers hidden in various parts of my house AFTER the whole treat part is done.  I don't like spending a lot on costumes, but I am proud when I can put together a costume on the cheap with some extra creativity.  I'm just hum-bug about the holiday. This year I had three of my girls going around the neighborhood.  My oldest (who did dress up) stayed home with about 10 other high school kids and gave out candy, had pizza/soda, chatted, and watched scary movies.  Daughter #2 went to another ne...

I can't believe HOW MUCH CANDY my girls came home with this year. IT's borderline INSANE and I'm thinking that in a few days I will let them pick 20 pieces from their stash and donate the rest. How do you handle the candy thing?

So far it is starting off WELL ... Really great weekend with sunny skies, a longest run, pumpkin carving, trick or treating, Feast of All Saints (beautiful mass and my mom's b-day), and yard cleanup. I love when I can create a list and actually accomplish it. My girls had a blast and were so cute to look at. Little {c} was so excited this year. She loudly spoke "trick or treat" at each house and concluded with a very thankful "THANK YOU!" after receiving her candy. I wish I would have dragged around my video camera. My FLAPPER ... My WITCH ... and my ANGEL ... Today is the Feast of All Souls . I'm not sure I could explain it any better than Karen . Go visit her blog if you can!

The beautiful pumpkin carved by my husband ... H/T to SARAH via Margaret

This lovely looking and rather friendly scarecrow is just making me take a second glance ALL DAY long ... We homeschool in the dining room and every time I walk by the window it ALMOST looks like a small child is peeking into my house. IT gives me the SHIVERS .. .

We dug into our grab bag of dress-up this year.  All of these were either repeats or previously worn dance recital costumes, but I'm glad for the $$$ savings .   This year I only had the little ones with me. Daddy and {k} are at a big swim meet, while my oldest decided to comb the neighborhood with her friends.   WE have too much candy that will "magically" disappear in the next 2 weeks.   No it will not be ALL EATEN, but it will be GONE ;)

Is is silly on Halloween to be baking sugary icing chocolate chip pumpkin muffins? Lately I feel like I have a big fat "F" in the special treats department . So today my children will get my pumpkin muffins for dinner.  There is some nutritional value with eggs and pumpkin ... right?  Dessert will be CANDY and lots of it. *Don't worry before crashing from their sugar high those girls will BRUSH THEIR TEETH a long, long time. Recipe for Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins YUM YUM! Ingredients: 1 cup flour 1 cup sugar 1tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp of baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1 tsp. of cinnamon 2 eggs beaten 1 cup canned pumpkin 1/2 cup cooking oil 1/3 cup of miniature chocolate chips Directions: 1. In one bowl combine ... eggs, pumpkin, and oil. 2. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients, then fold in the chips (you can also addpecans, but I am allergic). 3. Spoon batter in to muffin cups (2/3 full) and bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees

HAPPY HALLOWEEN to all! (repost photos from last year)

We had a great night!

Have you noticed the number of costumes that they sell for dogs? As we paraded through stores in the last two months, my girls kept saying "Comet should be this!" I am sorry, but I can't see spending the money on a costume for a dog ... even a cute dog like ours. My old NJ friend just sent me an email last night that I am sure is going around the cyber world. Anyway, it is titled "WHY DOGS BITE PEOPLE". Here are a few of my favorite LOL photos ...