Halloween Candy Solution #3 :: Hard Candy Ornaments

Since Christmas is just right around the corner (eight weeks!), it seemed like a good idea to turn some of the "extra" candy into ornaments.  This is a crazy simple project and perfect for the kids.  After the candies are smashed up, have them help you put them in the cookie cutters.  They can get as creative with color as they'd like.  

They are also great because if you have small children who would break and/or eat ornaments, these aren't ones to worry about.  Merry October!

Candy Ornaments

You'll need

Hard candies

Metal cookie cutters

Ribbon

Skewer

Oil

Step 1 :: Smash up hard candies.  Keep colors separate.  

Step 2 :: Place cookie cutters on a silicon baking sheet or parchment paper

Step 3 :: Fill the cookie cutters with hard candy pieces to create about 1/2 inch of candy at the bottom

Step 4 :: Place cookie sheet in a hot 200 degree oven.  Bake 10-20 minutes until candy is completely melted.

Step 5 :: Remove from oven and let cool three minutes.

Step 6 :: Grease the top of a skewer with oil and puncture the top of the candy where you will want a ribbon to hang.  Spin the skewer around gently until the hole is the correct size. 

Step 7 :: When all holes are created, move the cookie sheet to the freezer for five minutes.  Remove from freezer and pop cookie cutters off ornaments.  

Step 8 :: Tie a ribbon through the hole and hang!

Happy Halloween

The court jester was sleeping.

Halloween Candy Solution #2 :: Rice Krispie Chocolate Treats

More "extra" candy?   The chocolate variety?  Dump that business into a batch of rice krispie treats.  I have found there are some chocolate candies that just don't get eaten on their own - the "Cookies and Cream Hersey Bars" to be exact.  But those are awesome in these treats.  As are really anything with a chocolate coating.  Don't try to get exotic with taffy or fruit flavors.  It's not good.

:: Ratio ::
6 cups rice krispies
40 regular sized marshmallows
2 cups chopped up candy (maximum - you can use less)
4 tablespoons butter

:: Instructions ::
Melt together butter and marshmallows over medium heat.  When fully melted, remove from heat and stir in rice krispies.  When cereal is mostly coated, add candy and stir quickly.  Spread into a buttered 8x8 pan and let cool at least an hour.  Cut and eat.

Halloween Candy Solution #1 :: Lemon Head Vodka

I don't know about you, but the term "extra candy" is a lot like the term "extra money."  It just can't be done.  We never end up with "extra" but we always end up with lots.  I have some solutions for using up that "extra" candy in some fun ways.

Lemon Heads are a fabulous way to create quick and dirty Lemon Drop Martinis.  Simply dump the candy in vodka and shake.  Let sit 24 hours then strain out candy.  Shake over ice or serve on ice with soda water.  Cheers!

:: Ratio ::
16 mini lemon head candies to one cup of vodka
4 regular sized candies to one cup of vodka

Happy Hour Friday :: Witches Brew

Witches Brew
1 ounce vodka
1 ounce pineapple juice
dash orange juice
dash of cointreau

Shake everything in a martini shaker and strain into a martini glass.

A Halloween Party!

Are you ready for a Halloween party? Here's everything you need to make this Halloween smashing.

Candy Corn Balls :: Eyeball Jello Shots :: Caramel :: Bat Garland

If you're looking for a little inspiration, check out this amazing party from my friend Kelly at Studio DIY's 

Getting Costumed :: Bag o' Jelly Beans

When I was a little girl, I was a bag of Jelly Beans for Halloween.  It only seemed reasonable to repeat the costume again.  Not only is this a cute costume for children, it's a comfortable costume for an adult and a PERFECT costume for pregnant ladies.  

If you can find clear trash bags, then this just got a lot simpler for you.  I discovered in my hunt that they are mostly only available to corporate cleaners.  While I was able to get my hands on a few, it didn't seem fair to tell you to hit up your local grocery store and beg for a few trash bags.  Instead, Mr. Hedin suggested using visquine - also known as plastic sheeting - to create our own "trash bag."

You'll need
tape (preferably strapping)
ribbon
plastic sheeting
small balloons
marking pen or lettering stickers


Step 1 :: Cut plastic sheeting so it fits from your armpits to your knees and wraps around your body twice.
Step 2 :: Tape together the length of the plastic sheeting forming a very large 'tube.'
Step 3 :: Tape together the bottom of the plastic sheeting forming a very large 'bag.'
Step 4 :: Cut leg holes
Step 5 :: Write "Jelly Beans" on the bag or use lettering stickers (like my dad did)
Step 6 :: Slice small slits near the top of the bag and thread ribbon through the slits.
Step 7 :: Step through the leg holes and fill the bag with small balloons.
Step 8 :: Tie the ribbon.

* Note * I did not add arm holes to the bag and tied in, instead, below my armpits.  You could hoist the bag up further and cut arm holes near the top.  Be sure to try it on before cutting!

Getting Costumed :: Circus Strong Man

You'll need

1 cardboard tube from wrapping paper, paper towel, etc.

2 black balloons

white paint + a brush

metallic spray paint

rubber bands or elastic

wax 'stasche

Step 1 :: Spray the cardboard tube with metallic spray paint.  

Step 2 :: Paint numbers on the inflated balloons and let dry.

Step 3 :: Daisy chain together rubber bands.

Step 4 :: Tie one end of the rubber band to one of the balloons.  Pull the rubber bands through the tube and connect them to the other balloon on the other side.  You may need to use a wire hanger, the rubber bands need to be tight.

Step 5 :: Put on a striped shirt, red shorts, and a mustache.  Voila!

* I almost didn't post this costume idea because of Jordan's recent post.  I came up with this idea while on an airplane and I thought it was so crazy clever.  Then I landed and looked at my blog reader only to see my "crazy clever" idea done by another person.  Because I still love the idea - and no matter how hard I brainstormed I kept coming back to this costume  -  I decided to stick with it.  

Getting Costumed :: Moose Head Trophy

Perhaps my favorite costume of all - and definitely the simplest!  This is made even easier if you have a large sheet of cardboard lying around.  

You'll need

black Foam Core Board

x-acto knife

spray glue

brown or wood grain paper

moose antlers

Step 1 :: Trace the outline of the "trophy" shape on to the foam core.
Step 2 :: Cut out the trophy shape with the x-acto knife + cut out one circle in the center of the board the size of your head.
Step 3 :: Spray one side of the foam core with spray glue and adhere the paper
Step 4 :: Trim the paper

Getting Costumed :: Head in the Clouds

This is the first in a series of costumes that I'll be posting this week and next that fall into "super simple" costume ideas.  I think people who don't wear any costumes are party poopers and with costumes this simple, there's no reason to be a party pooper.

Head in the Cloud Costume
1 headband
white yarn
rolled batting

Instructions 
Step 1 :: Lay out batting around headband
Step 2 :: Tie one end of batting tightly to the headband with the yarn.
Step 3 :: Gather batting to headband (on the outside of the band only) and tie on with yarn.  Repeat until the entire headband is covered.
Step 4 :: Add extra batting to the base of the headband if needed.

In Costume at Studio DIY

Pop on over to Studio DIY today where my friend Kelly is featuring me!  As a toddler - as jelly beans - and follow her all week for fabulous handmade costumes.

Get the Look :: Classy Halloween Party

1. candle holders 
2. white pumpkin
3. grey plates
4. orange bowls

As seen on TV :: Halloween Party

Tune into Q13 Fox News this morning at 9:45 

to get your Halloween party started!

bat garland  ::  pumpkin popcorn balls  ::  finger cookie mold  ::  black candlesticks  ::  candy corn balls

Pumpkin Popcorn Balls

Can you believe it's almost time for Halloween?  It's definitely time to start planning any Halloween parties and costumes. These popcorn balls are really easy to make and are perfect for class parties or for your own trick-or-treat snacks!

Pumpkin Popcorn Balls

½ cup unpopped popcorn

½ cup light corn syrup

½ cup packed brown sugar

1 cup butterscotch chips

orange gel food coloring

butter

Air pop popcorn in an air popper or on the stove.  Place in a large bowl and set aside.  In a medium saucepan combine corn syrup and brown sugar over medium heat until mixture begins to boil.  Add several drops of food coloring until mixture looks dark orange (about 4 drops). 

Pour candy mixture over popcorn and sprinkle in butterscotch chips.  Mix with a wooden spoon.  Butter your hands and – working quickly – form popcorn into balls.  Place balls on a piece of waxed paper and let cool. 

To form stems, bake your favorite sugar cookie dough in a flat sheet.   Cut dough while still warm and form into stems. 

Halloween :: Eyeball Jello Shots

Halloween is for the kids.  At least it is around here.  So while the grown-ups are busy being all grown up, I like to inject a few surprises.  Like jello shots.

I can think of very few things that are as nostalgic as jello shots - at least they make me a little nostalgic for our college days when we didn't have kids, 8:30 bedtimes, and mortgages.  Even if you don't have all the markings of a grown-up, these jello shots are perfect for Halloween.


Eyeball Jello Shots
makes about one dozen


3 ounces lemon jello
6 ounces boiling water
6 ounces citrus vodka (like Absolut Citron)
lychee fruit
maraschino cherries

Pour jello in a large measuring cup (one that can hold 12 ounces or more).  Add boiling water and stir until jello is dissolved.  When jello mixture has cooled slightly add vodka and stir to combine.  Set aside.

Slice lychee fruit and maraschino cherries into rounds.  Place one round of lychee in the bottom of a disposable 2 ounce cup and place a slice of maraschino cherry in the center.  Repeat filling 12-15 cups.

Place all 'eyeball cups' on a cookie sheet that will fit in the refrigerator.  Very gently pour the jello mixture over the eyeballs.  Fill the cup to about 1/2 inch below the rim.  When done filling cups, place the cookie sheet in the refrigerator and let set overnight.

**Important Common Sense Warning**

Be sure to mark that these contain alcohol!  Do not serve them to the kids!  Keep them out of reach of children!  If the kids want jello too - make jello jigglers in Halloween shapes that are in completely different colors and are not in cups.  Please be safe!!

Good Morning!

I'm on New Day Northwest this morning!  Tune in at 11am on KING 5 to catch my ideas for a fun Halloween party.  We're hosting a party this year (if you're around, stop by) and we're so excited to finally have trick-or-treaters!  Our old house got literally nobody.  We left a basket of candy out last year and not one piece was missing when we got home.

I love the neighborhood camaraderie of Halloween.   I love seeing the kids having fun in their costumes.  And - only this one night - I love that Lars is allergic to nuts.  Mr. Hedin and I get to eat Snickers and Reeces and Almond Joy bars and anything else that 'may' contain nuts.  But I digress...

Here's what we're doing at our party.  I hope you have a few people over too.  It's not about making everything perfect, but having fun.  A really great time is always perfect.


:: A big pot of chili - it's easy, inexpensive, and can accommodate people coming in and out.  Keep a stack of bowls beside the stove so guests can help themselves.

:: S'mores bars

:: Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream sandwiched between two gingersnap cookies

:: Eyeball jello shots (recipe coming this week)

:: Black Cat Punch (1 part grape juice, 1 part orange juice, 1 part ginger ale)

:: Hanging a felt bat garland over the mantle

:: Candy Corn Balls!  So fun, just keep little fingers away - Pearl has eaten a side of mine already...


Don't forget to have fun, invite friends in, and relax!  This week I'll post a timeline so you can pull off an awesome Halloween party without killing yourself.

Cook it :: S'mores Bars

These are addictive.  And delicious.  And I shouldn't know how to make them.  But they are perfect for Halloween or really for anything at all.  I'm making them for our Halloween party next week and I really think you should too!

S'mores Bars
12 ounces milk chocolate, roughly chopped
1 package graham crackers
1 recipe marshmallow
butter

Lightly grease the bottom and sides of a 9x13 pan with the butter.  Cut a piece of parchment to line the bottom of the pan and to hang over two of the sides.  Press parchment into the buttered bottom and set aside.

In a small pan, bring two inches of water to a low boil.  Place a glass bowl over the top of the pan and fill with the chocolate.  Melt the chocolate, stirring often, over the hot water.  If the water begins to boil too hard, turn down the heat and continue.

Pour melted chocolate into the bottom of the prepared pan.  Press the graham crackers into the chocolate so they completely cover the bottom of the pan.  Cut crackers with a serrated knife if needed.  Set aside.

Make marshmallows and pour into the pan.  Using a buttered offset spatula, spread marshmallow to completely cover the graham crackers.

Let sit at room temperature - undisturbed - for 24 hours.  Cut into 2x2 squares and roll sides in powdered sugar.  Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.

Cook it :: Spider Pancakes

This morning is chaos at our house.  The electrician is here running the new wires for the basement.  The plumber is coming back after being here all day yesterday.  And we need to find somewhere to go.  There's no power in the kitchen and we can't use running water this afternoon.  Trauma.

So we needed a good breakfast to get us through the morning.  In keeping with the Halloween theme I made Spider pancakes.  They are easy, so you can make them too.



Spider Pancakes

2 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
2 egg
3 cups milk
brown food coloring

Mix all ingredients together - leaving aside 1 cup milk and the food coloring.  Remove 1/4 cup batter and place in a squeeze bottle.  Drop in brown food coloring and stir until the color of chocolate is achieved.

Add milk to remaining pancake batter and whisk until combined.  Place 1/2 cup batter on a hot griddle pan.  Squeeze brown pancake batter onto the top of the pancake to create a spider shape.  Cook over medium heat until bubbles begin to form on the top of the pancake.  Flip and cook another two minutes - or until done.

** We made bats too.  You could also spell out a name, if it's short.

Martha Radio Interview

In case you missed it, here is the interview I did on Martha Radio with Thomas Farley yesterday!

Halloween Round-up

Over the years I've posted a lot of Halloween ideas - here are my favorites so far...  I'm posting more all month!

Candy Masks

Halloween Hoodies

Bat Garland

Bag of Popcorn Costume

Halloween Masks + "facebook"