Peas and Carrots aren't so scary! Halloween Pasta

When I was a kid, cooked peas and carrots were the veggie combo that scared me to death.

I couldn't stand them and thought they were not only mushy and tasteless but torture to eat.

As an ode to my childhood fears, I
 made a Spooky Pasta Salad fit for Halloween night.

This is what I've learned about peas, 

I like them fresh and crisp...

(You'll need 2 cups)

This is what I've learned about carrots, 

I like them raw and spiralized...

(you'll need 2 large fresh ones)

This doesn't look so frightening does it?

To keep that Halloween Spirit, mix them both with a fun black pasta

(this is one bag of  Trader Joe's Black Bean Rotini, 

cooked according to package instructions and cooled)...

Then toss with my favorite dressing of:

3 Tablespoons White Wine Vinegar

6 Tablespoons Light (in color) Olive Oil

1 finely diced shallot

1 tsp dijon mustard

I think my childhood nightmare has turned into a dream!

Halloween Stem-ware

It's just not fair.

The big, beautiful orange gourd of the pumpkin gets all the glory.

It is what you notice first, what gets carved and decorated.

But what about the stem?  It is the pumpkin's life line, does all the work helping it grow,

and gets NO respect...

until now!

Introducing Halloween a few taSTEMakers that will stand out at the pumpkin patch...

Give your pumpkin a greeting!

This long, lean, straight stem was begging for a flag to wave in the October air.

Make your pumpkin GOURD-ous!

This perfectly curved stem was crying out for chamomile.

I hot glued them on and she was ready for her close-up.

Happy Halloween

4 fun ways to use Plastic Fangs for Halloween

There is no better way to sink your teeth into Halloween

than grabbing a pack of Dracula's dental work.

So many uses, so little time!

Make a Bite Invite

Let your friends know that dinner is on you on Halloween Night.

Mount those molars on card stock and let the good times roll...

"Chews" to serve fruit

You will have everyone saying, 

"I want to suck your blood oranges"...

Cut fruit nestles perfectly in the jaws of death...

Tell your friends, "fang"you...

Treats are always sweeter with a silly pun attached...

In this case you will be doing them a favor when answering the age old question, 

"How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?"

No one is patient enough to find out so they can chomp to the center with their new fangs...

Make a Teeth Wreath

An all around sharp way to decorate your door.
Incisors in a circle and tied with a bow...

and look, no cavities!

DIY Halloween Face Masks - Get BOO-tiful

Mask can have many different meanings.

mask

mask

noun

1. 1.

   a covering for all or part of the face, worn as a disguise, or to amuse or terrify other people.

   
   

For Halloween, we usually think of the standard variety that comes with your costume,

 but this year I am all about the beauty of the mask!

Something that covers the face,

 bold and colorful, 

natural and homemade, 

that will make you feel good 

and will definitely amuse or terrify anyone who catches you with it on. 

DIY face masks are fun and easy to make.

The perfect treat to keep for yourself or give as a gift because 

the trick of  glowing, radiant skin everyone appreciates.

You can't celebrate Halloween without pumpkins and your skin will be glad you did! 

Not only are they festive and colorful but they contains fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids which increase cell turnover, to brighten and smooth the skin. 

The antioxidants Vitamin A and Vitamin C it has also can help soften to and soothe the skin and boost collagen production to prevent the signs of aging.

Pumpkin and Spice Mask
8 oz. pumpkin puree
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 Tablespoon honey
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Combine all ingredients well in a blender or hand mix.  Place in an airtight container and use within 2-3 days.

Carve out a little time for yourself and slather this mask on.

 Relax for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it off.

Avocado is a bewitching fruit.

There are many benefits to putting this amazingly colorful green goop on your face.

It moisturizes, reduces inflammation, can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and also exfoliates.

Magical Avocado Mask

1 ripe avocado

1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 Tablespoon honey

1 Tablespoon olive oil

Mix all ingredients well in a blender or hand mix.  Place in an airtight container and use within 2-3 days.

Cover your face with the mask and sit back for 5-10 minutes while the spell is cast.

Here is to a BOO-tiful Halloween!

You've been Brew-ed... Halloween Beer Gifts

Why should kids have all of the Halloween fun?

Not only should October days be full of BOOs 

but don't forget about those who may enjoy some BREWs!

A delivery of ice cold Witches' "Brews" 

will ensure a very Happy h-ALE-oween!

and if other BOO-ze is what you prefer...

there's a tag for that too.

Tags are available in my Etsy Shop!

I scream for Kit Kats! My favorite use for Halloween candy

Halloween...

that time of year filled with screams, chills and candy!

This year I am combining them all in one amazing treat-

The Kit Kat Ice Cream Sandwich.

The trick is to use frozen jumbo Kit Kats, your favorite ice cream and sprinkles.

Break off 2 sections of 4 Kit Kats and scoop the ice cream in between.

Quickly add the sprinkles along the sides and place on a plastic wrap lined plate.

Pop back in the freezer for at least an hour and...

enjoy your sand-witches!

The Purrr-fect Black Cat Care Package

This time of year, many people think Black Cats are bad luck.

My family is obsessed with the elegant, ebony felines so

to celebrate Halloween, my daughter's next College Care Package 

is all about these cute coal colored creatures-

wrapped up ironically in everyone's least favorite chore...

The Litter Box!

The package includes:

Kitty Brownies made from our favorite organic mix then the cookie cutter does its black magic

a warm and fuzzy felt succulent holder,

purrrr-fect for the dorm window sill

to keep the feline fiesta going...

a fish filled piñata for the midnight snack attack!

and there is nothing better than cuddling with a kitty to warm you up, 

chilly feet are covered with these plush slippers!