First signs of season

[Murfreesboro]

Aaaand yesterday at the supermarket I bought my first Halloween mag of the season, the special Taste of Home Halloween issue.

[MauEvig]

That's awesome Murf! Let us know if you find any neat new ideas in it. I haven't seen any fall magazines here yet. I saw a summer issue though that had some creative tips for carving watermelons. I still want to try that one of these days.

[Murfreesboro]

Yes, the summer mags are starting to suggest carving watermelons like jack-o-lanterns!

Not sure yet what I might try from the new ToH mag. Actually, the thing that caught my eye most was a spiced pear drink, since I don't ordinarily think about using pear nectar as the basis for my autumn punches. The kids' party section is featuring space aliens this year, not my favorite motif, but I guess they were overdue for that theme. There is some kind of dip called "Witches' Caviar" that features chopped black olives. My husband might like that. I am still exploring the issue. They also have a few pumpkin carving patterns, including one day-of-the-dead pattern, and a mustachioed jack-o-lantern. I night try both of those.

[MauEvig]

Yeah I don't normally think of pears as a fall treat myself; but I suppose it's worth a try. I usually think of Apple Cider or Pumpkin Spice flavored things. Though I often just go for my usual soda drink of choice; once I saw at a grocery store that they claimed "Chocolate Milk is the official drink of Halloween!" Well I suppose that was just a campaign to convince kids to drink more milk. Still, I like a good glass of Chocolate Milk now and then.

Space Aliens; well I enjoy talking about alien lore and stuff but I don't usually think of it as a Halloween sort of theme. I admit some alien stories can be down right scary and fit right in with Halloween stuff, but UFOs don't usually say Halloween for me. They seem more like a Sci Fi convention thing. It could be implemented into decorating if done right though; such as the video from Kipkay that had those balloons with the glowing alien egg sacks which looked really creepy. That might be too much for little kids though. But you could get creative and original while putting in some traditional motifs as well. What about Space Alien werewolves or vampires? That would be interesting, or even put your own outerspace twist on original horror.

The Witche's caviar sounds interesting I just hope it's not like real caviar. I'd like to see what you do with the patterns if you try them out. Normally I like using my own designs.

Edit: Actually, I think space vampires and space werewolves have been done. Then again I think you can pretty much attach "space" to anything and it becomes an alien monster.

[Murfreesboro]

My daughter is interested in our trying a pasta dish with a pumpkin cream sauce. I think I will go for that later in the week and tell you how it turns out.

[Andybev01]

The new BHAG, Halloween edition is here.

GOOD STUFF BE IN THAR!

[Murfreesboro]

I need to post a retraction about the Taste of Home Halloween edition. I said above that their themed party for kids was about space aliens, but when I looked at that section better yesterday, I realized it was actually a "mad scientist" party. Sorry! My bad.

I also bought an All Recipes fall edition that has a good Halloween section--by which I mean the recipes look easy and effective for a party.

BTW, the pasta with pumpkin cream sauce I mentioned above turned out quite well. My husband ate two bowls of it, and he hadn't even wanted me to make it!

[ramaries69]

Purchased these pretties, two weeks ago, ironically at the Christmas store. lol

[witchy]

ramaries69, I love the witches, ooh, aah!!!

[ramaries69]

I figured you would, Witchy!

[Andybev01]

Here's a shot from downtown this morning, for those of you who might need some fall color.

[Murfreesboro]

How beautiful! We don't have color yet, but our weather has faired off and our temps have dropped. Fall, baby!

[JACKRYAN592]

I'm back! Member since 2006. Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!!

[Andybev01]

Any trouble logging on?

[Murfreesboro]

Welcome home!