Fun Halloween Surprises

You are invited to walk down the moonlit path to a journey filled with Halloween magic and spellbinding treats! Just bring your black cat, imagination, witches hat and inspiration with you! Oh and don't forget the broomstick!! Enjoy!

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If this doesn't S~P~E~L~L Primitive Halloween, I don't know what does? Nice!

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Each day, your home is being transformed with a sprinkling of Halloween whimsy that reflects your personal taste. Inspiration can be found everywhere and you weave the spell, sparked by creativity, to reflect your style for this fun holiday.

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Whether it be celebrating "All Hallows Eve" at home by giving a party or decorating because you enjoy it.......conjure up the imagination and your ideas will follow. :)

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The simplicity of white creates a fresh look against old wood. Touches of brown accents lend a earthy feel that S~P~E~L~L~S primitive all the way!

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A beautiful carved white pumpkin shows off someone's creative ability and holds high regard on top of an iron chair.

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Get creative and add life to small gourds, with a brush stroke of whimsy reflecting personality plus! Add a little wool hat accented with acorns and use homespun for a muffler. I found an old baking tin filled it with pumpkins, pods, quince and took an early quilt piece to add spooky charm! Have fun and always be inspired! :)
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Halloween enchantment is building and a pumpkin scarecrow keeps a watchful eye on the cornfield. The house in the distance is warm and secure against a foggy evening, moonlit by a stormy sky.

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Of course on a night like this you are looking for comfort and decide you would love some hot apple cider right about now! Here is a fantastic recipe I hope you enjoy. Available for download!

~Ingredients~

6 cups apple cider
1/4 cup real maple syrup
2 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
6 whole allspice berries
1 orange peel, cut into strips
1 lemon peel, cut into strips

Directions

Pour the apple cider and maple syrup into a large stainless steel saucepan. Place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel and lemon peel in the center of a washed square of cheesecloth; fold up the sides of the cheesecloth to enclose the bundle, then tie it up with a length of kitchen string. Drop the spice bundle into the cider mixture.
Place the saucepan over moderate heat for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cider is very hot but not boiling.
Remove the cider from the heat. Discard the spice bundle. Ladle the cider into big cups or mugs, adding a fresh cinnamon stick to each serving if desired. Yields 6 servings.

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After you are done carving your pumpkin save the seeds you scoped out and try this delicious Roasted Pumpkin Seed Recipe! Yum!

Here's the trick for this treat: Rinse 2 cups pumpkin seeds (from 1 large pumpkin) under cold water, discarding pulp and strings. Heat a large pot with 6 cups water to boiling; add 1 teaspoon salt and the seeds, and boil 10 minutes. Drain seeds well, and dry. In a jelly-roll pan, toss seeds with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then spread them out. Sprinkle lightly with salt and bake at 300°F until toasted (about 35 to 45 minutes), checking and stirring every 10 minutes. Cool completely, then store in an airtight container.

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Uh, Hello......Are we done with this photo shoot yet? I'm a little uncomfortable in this position, don't ya know!

Wonderful carved pumpkin with beautiful detail!

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I was able to find some interesting stencils you can use as a template to either carve your pumpkin or to paint on it! Have fun with this project and I am sure you will receive many nice compliments about your creative efforts!

Click on the images to download the stencils.

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In a hurry to prepare your pumpkins for Halloween......you can just by pass the carving process and paint them instead. Stamp a spider shape on paper and copy it in varying sizes on a photocopier. Cut out the shapes, trace them on contact paper and stick them to a pumpkin surface. Spray-paint the entire pumpkin, and then peel off the spiders to reveal the orange underneath. Create the reverse effect―black spiders on orange or spray-painted pumpkins―by sticking the removed spider cutouts onto pumpkins. You can also use artificial pumpkins made by Funkins and they will last for years to come!

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An enchanting pumpkin awaits welcome visitors with open arms and a friendly smile! Even the cows that enter the barn take notice and are pleased!

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S O U L C A K E S

It is an Irish tradition to bake "Soul Cakes" on All Hallow's Eve. These were then passed around a bonfire and eaten so the lost souls would find their way to heaven. The more you eat, the more souls you will help save! So if you want to help save some souls here is a recipe for you! Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

 

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, ground fresh if possible
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ground fresh if possible
1/2 teaspoon salt
Generous pinch of saffron
1/2 cup milk
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup currants

For the glaze:

1 egg yolk, beaten

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine the flour, the nutmeg, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. Mix well with a fork. Crumble the saffron threads into a small saucepan and heat over low heat just until they become aromatic, taking care not to burn them. Add the milk and heat just until hot to the touch. The milk will have turned a bright yellow. Remove from heat.

Cream the butter and sugar together in a medium bowl with a wooden spoon (or use an electric mixer with the paddle attachment). Add the egg yolks and blend in thoroughly with the back of the spoon. Add the spiced flour and combine as thoroughly as possible; the mixture will be dry and crumbly.

One tablespoon at a time, begin adding in the warm saffron milk, blending vigorously with the spoon. When you have a soft dough, stop adding milk; you probably won't need the entire half-cup.

Turn the dough out onto a floured counter and knead gently, with floured hands, until the dough is uniform. Roll out gently to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Using a floured 2-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter, cut out as many rounds as you can and set on an ungreased baking sheet. You can gather and re-roll the scraps, gently.

Decorate the soul cakes with currants and then brush liberally with the beaten egg yolk. Bake for 15 minutes, until just golden and shiny. Serve warm, with cold pumpkin juice. Makes 12 to 15 2-inch soul cakes.

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Your journey is almost coming to an end as you walk down the dark path with only the glow of pumpkins lighting your way.

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What an amazing display of Halloween Magic lending vibrant color with a touch of whimsy! Very creative and welcoming!

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Well..."Country Living" magazine has done it again!! Just a fantastic outdoor display that is so warm and inviting. I love the detail in this shot and adore the chandelier. Very creative and certainly does spark ones imagination overflowing with ideas!

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Halloween evokes memories of so many fun things including making Carmel Apples! Here is a recipe I hope you enjoy! You can also replace the popsicle sticks with rustic twigs for more of a primitive look! These apples are drizzled with chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy which not only makes them appealing but tastes great as well! Make sure the apples are at room temperature so the Carmel will not slip off.

Halloween

Carmel Apples

Ingredients

1 package (11-1/2 ounces) milk chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
2 packages (14 ounces each) caramels
1/4 cup water
8 large tart apples, room temperature
8 Popsicle sticks
3 to 4 Butterfinger candy bars (2.1 ounces each), coarsely crushed

Directions

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth and set aside. In another microwave-safe bowl, microwave the caramels and water, uncovered, on high for 1 minute; stir. Heat 30-45 seconds longer or until caramels are melted; stir until smooth.

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and grease the paper; set aside. Wash and thoroughly dry apples. Insert a Popsicle stick into each; dip into caramel mixture, turning to coat. Place on prepared pan. Drizzle with melted chocolate. Sprinkle with crushed candy bars. Refrigerate until set. Remove from the refrigerator 5 minutes before serving; cut into wedges. Yield: 8 servings.

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Believe it or not?????? Come All Hallows Eve anything is possible!

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A tribute to Charles Wysocki who was an exceptional folk artist. This painting is called, "Monty Minding the Store" and depicts a beautiful black cat nestled amongst harvest surroundings.

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When the moon is tired it rests in the arms of nature!

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As darkness falls and the black night unfolds, houses take on a enchanting personality all their own. Shadows cast by lit Jack-O-Lanterns and glowing lamps cast a spell upon passersby. Our creative efforts pay off as a gasp or giggle is heard that breaks the quiet silence of the evening.

From our home to yours, have a Happy & Fun All Hallows Eve filled with magick, intrigue and enchanting surprises!!!

If you enjoyed this page, have any ideas you would like me to add, or send pictures of your home decorated for Halloween, please either E-Mail me directly or leave me a comment on my Guestbook page. I would love to hear from you!