Really?

Me ... bursting through the door, not even taking my shoes or coat off... "Out of my way"

Husband.. ."where are you going"

Me .. " to our room"

Husband ... "SWEET"

Me.. "not for THAT" ripping my item out of my bag and tossing it on the bed

Husband "What is that"

Me.. "isn't it AWESOME"

Husband .. "um yeah, I guess... "

Me... " I LOVE IT"

Husband... "are you going to leave it up all year or just for Halloween"

Me glaring at him with discontent .... " I am not speaking to you the rest of the day"

Husband... "what what did I say?"

seriously doesn't EVERYONE have a black skull pillow for their bed??? I would have bought more if they would have had them...

Celtic Love Knot

It has been several months since I put a plug in for my Scentsy Business, but with Valentine's & St. Patrick's coming up I couldn't resist. I am taking pre-orders for this little gem the CELTIC LOVE KNOT warmer. It will be $27 plus your local tax and shipping thr0ugh the end of February. Contact me to reserve yours today. Pre-orders now through January 30th. Beginning February 1st you can order directly
through my website.

The Celts of ancient Ireland created intricate knots with no beginning and no end to represent all things eternal: the seasons, love, hope. Bring this traditional art into your home to celebrate the promise of spring after a long winter—not to mention St. Patrick’s Day! The embossed and distressed Celtic knot pops on the emerald green background, accented by Irish cable details around the warmer dish. Celtic Love Knot makes an ideal gift for a special friend (Irish or not!) to let them know you will treasure them forever.

Scentsy Wickless warmers are safe enough to leave on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The low watt warmers melt a wax product to slowly release the scent from the wax. There are over 80 scents to choose from and over 100 different warmers in three different sizes. There is something for everyone.

The full size & Jack O Lantern Warmer is also still currently available -
but only through February 28th or as supplies last.


or the Mini Plug In Jack

Have you Seen My Ghost

Already a fan of the BBC series "Being Human" UK version staring Aiden Turner, Russell Tovey, and Lenora Crichlow I have to say I was a torn a bit about the excitement created over the past few weeks for the Americanized version of "Being Human" that debuted last evening on the Scyfy channel here in the states.

I mean honestly, why do the powers that be in television and movies think that they need to constantly remake or repackage classic entertainment. But I have to say in this case, I was more than pleasantly surprised. While it will take me a while to get past the lack of British accents, Annie's mannerisms, Mitchell's stunningly good looks and put aside this series is going to play out like the book I have already read 100 times. I must admit, this series has been done with class, a unique style, and the difference in the level of special effects already can be clearly defined. This new cast consisting of Sam Witwer, Sam Huntington, and Meaghan Rath is instant chemistry.

Even the level of comedy hasn't been overlooked, just rethought to reflect the cultural mannerisms of the States. All in all, no longer on the fence, after one captivating hour I am hooked like a moth to a flame, or better off in my case a witch to a cauldron, you can guarantee you will find me first thing every Tuesday morning after my wee sproglet climbs aboard the school bus and is whisked away tucked under a nice comfy skeleton throw on the sofa with a nice cup of tea and the DVR remote enjoying the next chapter in one hell of a remastered entertainment piece.

I leave you with the video from Wintersleep's Have you Seen My Ghost featured in the first episode, I have already placed creating me a new section on my iPod for this band on the to do list for my super tech savy son to aquire for me later today. With tracks like Mausoleum, and Trace Decay how can I not fall madly in love with this band, and wonder HOW did I not find them before?

On a Sugar Roll

Looking for a unique pinata for your next get together or Dark Holiday Party? I have found the place for you. Birchangel's Made to order Pinatas are perfect. You can choose from pre made designs like this beautiful Sugar Skull, or custom order. But plan ahead and order early most designs take 4-6 weeks for delivery and the shop will be closed down in March for some time.

If you are looking for the "not so ordinary" pinata fillings try some of these.

Orange & Black Rock Candy Sticks

GummyVampire Teeth

Gummy Earthworms

Insect Orange Lolly's

Freaky Fingers

Tour of Sour Candy Urine

Nector of the Gods

Gather the players together....
can of sweet condensed milk
devils food or double fudge cake mix & ingredients to make
snickers bars 4 large or about 12 snack size
12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
two 8 oz containers of cool whip.
one jar of Smucker's Special Butterscotch Caramel Ice Cream topping.


The Creation:
Mix and bake cake mix accoding to directions.
Remove from oven and turn oven off.
Using a Straw poke holes in the entire top of the cake.

Pour on an entire jar of Smucker's Special Butterscotch Caramel Ice Cream Topping

I suggest buying two jars of this while you are at the Market BECAUSE it is THAT good. I think it would make a lovely additive to a hot apple cider drink...topped with a little buttershots & little fresh cream....(hint hint)

The top will be shinny when you remove it from the oven.

Pour an entire can of sweetened condensed milk over the top

Top with a 12 oz bag of Hershey's semi sweet chocolate chips allow to cool about 20 minutes on a wire rack, then top with two 8 oz containers of cool whip.

Crush 4 large or about 12 small snicker bars that have been frozen

Crush 4 large or about 12 small snicker bars that have been frozen





Sprinkle on top

Place in the fridge for at least 18 hours before you cut it
Serve slightly warmed to room temperature

This is more like sludge nector from the Gods vs a true cake.. ENJOY.


Just look at those layers of indulgence!

I fell in love again tonite.....

with these ingredients. Especially the jar of Smucker's Special Butterscotch Caramel Ice Cream Topping....

Halloween Classifieds

Ron Hanak had a dream, a dream many Home Haunters share... a Craigslist environment of all things Halloween... His vision is now a reality.

Halloween Overload

What exactly is Halloween Overload? A site for haunters wishing to buy, sell, or trade props, decor and creations needing to find a new home. Personally I know I need to sort and go through my things and decide exactly what I am going to part with sooner, than later, especially after the move, when I am turning my focus more towards outside vs. inside.

It will only take about a minute or so of your time to complete the registration. I found out after the fact that there is a monthly T-Shirt giveaway to everyone that registers during that month. So bounce on over there and get registered, get your chance to win that T-shirt and maybe list a few items or buy a few items.. but most of all.. SPREAD the word!

It is that time of year

When I have to semi abandon my Halloween visions of grandeur and delusion and focus on the annual Birthday party for me wee lass who isn't so "wee" any longer... She has informed me that she will be "double digits" this year.. yes 10.. when did that happen? TEN?

Over the past 4 months is has been quite apparent as she has had one massive growth spurt from a size 6x to a 12... and has grown over 12 inches... I put her to bed one evening a shoe size 1 and she woke up a 3.. no kidding.. thank goodness I buy clothing in advance when I find it cute and irresistible in larger sizes or she would have gone to school in a Halloween Costume that day.

So I started perusing the web this am, in search of the perfect "theme" party ideas.. which I might add is slightly difficult when I have been given the bullet point list of everything that needs to be included as...

1. lime green
2. sonic the hedgehog
3. chocolate covered pretzels
4. Lemonade
5. dragonflies
6. tootsie rolls
7. Marshmallows
8. balloons
9. mint chocolate chip ice cream
10. a transforming eve

Not exactly what I had in mind when I asked her for a list of 10 things that would make her Birthday the best ever...I should have been more specific, after all, she isn't exactly 10 yet..
what was I thinking?

So on my relentless search to figure it all out I had a light bulb moment.. WAIT a minute...
MY birthday is so 2 weeks before hers.. why am I not focusing on the things that would make MY birthday rock out? So I have thought about it in my antibiotic altered mind..
and these are a few of my favorite things I would like on my wishlist....

1. A totally rocked out Desert table featuring these little

Tootsie Roll Steam punk cupcakes featured on Bakingdom

and a fabulous cake like one of these.

2. Someone else mixing the spirits all night long other than me and the list would include: A vodka martini with blue curacao pearls, Bleeding Heart Martini's and some kind of punch served in a really terrific punch bowl.

Recipe featured on Martha Stewart Serves 4

• 2 ounces dry vermouth
• 8 ounces premium gin
• Ice cubes
• 4 Pickled Baby Beets Recipe

Directions

1. Chill 4 martini glasses in the freezer or fill with ice water and let sit until frosty, about 5 minutes (pour out water). Add the vermouth, dividing evenly; swirl to coat the glasses, then pour out. Add gin to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until chilled; divide among chilled glasses. Garnish each with a skewered pickled baby beet, and serve immediately.

3. A fun container of masks and mustaches provided for guest keepsakes and would be perfect for photo props during the evening.

4. of course this means I would have a Live Photo Booth because it is virtually impossible for anyone that I know to attend one of my parties and be able to remember to actually take photos of the event... including ME.

5. PERFECT weather so we could be inside and outside maybe even have a nice fire in the evening. Of course with a February 17th birthday living in North East Ohio the only way I am actually going to get that wish is if I transport my party out of state and somewhere south or out West. But oh what a lovely wish.

6. Decorations that would include Air Dimensional Designs
and preferably from the tentacle collection!

and last but not least, my guests leaving with a feeling of total party satisfaction.

Too Much Pink....

How about it if was PinkOWeen?

Not that I myself enjoy the color pink either, but I felt inspired after my dear friend Chris aka the Frog Queen's comments about our pink candy buffet to come up with some delectable Halloween fan fare in yes.. the color pink of course...

Miss Courtney over at Pizzazzerie made excellent use of the color pink to help fight the cure and benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation for the cure. They fell short of their goal last October to raise $1000 maybe we can help them out a bit still... by clicking HERE. These are just a few photos of her excellent interpretation of our beloved holiday using traditional black and yes... my dear friends PINK...




I think I am going to "borrow" this large lolly and rock candy idea for my party favors this year. And i really like the popcorn container idea too,
but I think I would go with Monster Crunch.

MONSTER CRUNCH

1 box crispex or chex cereal
1 stick butter
1 cup peanut butter
2 oz chocolate chips
1 bag powdered sugar
orange powdered food coloring (optional)
nuts, raisins, mini pretzels, m&m's etc (all optional add ins of your choice)

color the powdered sugar with the food coloring.

In a saucepan melt the butter, peanut butter and chocolate chips stirring frequently over low heat to prevent burning.

Place cereal and any optional add ins of your choice in a large bowl. Pour Peanut butter mixture over and toss to coat.

Place into a large ziplock bag and add in powdered sugar and toss to coat evenly. Adding more sugar to coat evenly.









even the glitter is edible... NICE it's called disco glitter

Hoping I haven't thrown you all over the edge with the crazy amount of pink, sequins and glitter.

Images borrowed from Pizzazzerie

Twist

Remember the Candy Buffet I had great hopes for last Halloween before we decided to completely pack up our entire lives into cardboard boxes and move? Well, while I was up in the attic today organizing my Halloween treasures that had just been stockpiled during the move I came across the box with all of the glass...

I thought with Valentine's day coming up I would put them to good use. So off to the market to find some yummy treats and some co-coordinating ribbon and Wala...

Red sugar coated Jelly Hearts.. MY FAVORITE

Heart Shaped Strawberry flavored marshies

Peanut Butter hearts, Wonka Pomegranate chews, apple bites, Twizzlers

Mini Charm Lollies, Raspberry Dark Chocolate Truffles, and HELLO Jumbo Conversation Hearts!

There are also dark chocolate peppermint bites, Milk chocolate hearts, and Hot Tamales on the menu too.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

So husband let me sleep late yesterday, which put me at a running start when I finally woke in the afternoon, yes... AFTERNOON.. I haven't slept until noon for at least a decade...I rarely sleep as it is with him working 3rd shift and needing to get up before the sun during the week to get Peanut off on the bus by 6:30 am for her 1.5 hr commute.
I figure I can sleep when I am dead right?

So now that the New Year's festivities are over, all of the trees and deco is down and put away (with the exception of the mud room tree.. it stays up until after the 16th of this month as a tribute to my sweet Gabi Beth who will be celebrating her 12th Birthday in Heaven this year) I can now begin to attempt to focus on what really matters.. Yes... I can hear you all say it with me now.. in unison... 1... 2... 3..... HALLOWEEN!

I have been compiling a new list of potential recipes that I have been wanting to use my family for guinea pigs on. Since it is always easier to get them involved with sweets I decided to start there. I knew I wanted to get a cheesecake in the oven and had some leftover solid pack pumpkin from making pumpkin rolls last week that I wanted to use, so a little of this and a little of that... and wala... a VERY nice version of a pumpkin Cheesecake al la Alltogetherdead version. I think I will make some little chocolate accents to top the edges off for our actual party.



I have to say, please forgive me for not having step by step crust photos, I totally forget that the blogging world wants those and get so carried away with my projects and then realize... OOOPSIE especially on days when I take on multiple cooking projects, today was the Pumpkin Cheesecake, home made chicken noodle soup,
herbed bread, and an accidental pumpkin ice cream topping.

I wanted a light fluffy pumpkin cheesecake this recipe is super easy and almost no fail and if you are allergic to eggs or simply do not care too much for cheesecake, you can cut the recipe steps and have a wonderful dip that you can use for gingersnaps or grahams.

Alltogetherdead Pumpkin Cheesecake

Preheat oven to 350 butter the sides of a spring form pan and line with parchment

Crust:
1.5 sleeves of Ritz Crackers crushed finely
1/4 cup melted butter or margarine

mix together and press tightly into the bottom of a spring form pan.

Filling:
Three 8 oz pkgs of cream cheese at room temperature
1 cup solid pack pumpkin NOT pumpkin pie just PLAIN PUMPKIN
1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 Can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tsp Cinnamon (optional- I like a strong cinnamon and pumpkin flavor)
2 TB flour
1 tsp real vanilla extract
3 large eggs

Fresh whipped topping for garnish

Directions




Blend cream cheese & vanilla until fluffy do not over beat will cause cracking during baking.


mix in the pumpkin



In a small bowl mix flour, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. It is easier to mix these fine spices when they have a little substance so they do not clump up when added to the wet mixture.
set aside.


If you like a stronger flavor, feel free to dump in a little more cinnamon



Blend in the sweetened condensed milk and flour mixture, mix until just blended.


at this point you can stop if you do not want to make the cheesecake and this is a yummy yummy spread for gingersnaps or grahams. Or, you can keep going...

Add in eggs one at a time. Keep in mind again, as you mix each step not to over beat, once it looks mixed.. stop and move on to the next step.

Pour mixture into prepared pan.




Place in oven on center rack and bake 60-70 minutes until set and the top has slightly darkened, no need for a water bath or bowl of water, just put it in there.

Turn oven off, and set door adjar, allow to cool until you can remove pan without any potholders.



Place on rack and allow to cool to room temperature.


Carefully remove the parchment, cover with foil and this is the hardest step.....
Place in the fridge and allow to cool 24 hours. Yes, DO NOT TOUCH IT.. leave it alone...
not even a peek...

The next day, remove the outer ring from the pan, slice and serve with fresh whipped cream.