Fall begins the season for lots of family fun, get-togethers with friends, and holiday traditions.
I have described below just a few of our family traditions around Halloween including ideas for Booing your neighbors, pumpkin carving and roasting the seeds, decorating, a fun outdoor Halloween party, a holiday craft, and more.
I love Fall. The weather is cooler, the leaves start to change, and I can finally order a Pumpkin Spice Latte at my favorite coffee shop! Yay!
So for me, as stated above, the first sign of Fall begins when I can go to my favorite coffee shop and order a pumpkin spice latte! Usually sometime in early September.
Then I start to decorate with pumpkins and cook with pumpkins. I love pumpkin everything including pumpkin salsa, chips, desserts, savory dishes/soups, and chili's, you name it, if it has pumpkin in it, I will try it. (You will find several pumpkin recipes in the Soups, Stews, and Chili section of this blog, and Pumpkin desserts in the Dessert section!)🎃 I make sure I buy extra pumpkins for pumpkin carving towards the end of October.
*For Pumpkin Decorating Ideas click on the highlighted title above.
Next, I start making plans for a Halloween costume and buy items so I can Boo my neighbors. So much fun! Details below.
Finally, I think about making plans for a Halloween party. We usually invite just a few neighbors and friends. However, last year William had an outdoor Halloween party/bash with his friends. It was so much fun setting the mood with spooky Halloween decor, Food, and some not-so-scary activities. I am working on that blog post as we speak, so stay tuned!
Let's get started with a Pumpkin Spice Latte!
Here is a quick recipe for a healthier version of that Pumpkin Spice Latte if you don't have the chance to go to your favorite coffee shop. 😀
🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃
Pumpkin Spice Latte
For two servings
The Recipe:
2 cups of milk, any kind you prefer
2 tablespoons of sugar, maple syrup, etc
2 tablespoons (or more) of canned pumpkin puree
1/2 to 1 cup of *strong coffee brewed
1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin spice
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and more for the top
Cinnamon Stick (optional)
Whipped Cream (optional)l
Blend everything together in a blender except for the coffee. The milk mixture will be a little frothy, which is what you want.
Warm up half of the milk mixture in a saucepan on medium-low heat
Pour the coffee into 2 or more coffee cups and fill halfway.
Pour the warm milk mixture over the coffee and gently stir
If you have a frother, froth some of the cold milk mixture in the frother, and spoon on top. If you don't have a frother, you can hand-whip the mixture with a whisk or use a hand blender, OR just add more of the hot milk mixture in the cups
Taste and add more sugar, syrup, etc. if you want more sweetness
Optional: finish with whipped cream/Cool Whip, cinnamon, and a cinnamon stick
*Note: I used Pumpkin Spice coffee, but regular coffee is fine.
🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃
Yes, Halloween gives us the perfect excuse to dress up and be a kid again!
This has always been a fun time of year for my kids, well...Carey and I as well. Let's just say it is a good excuse to dress up in a costume at any age!
Look at those cuties!!❤️❤️❤️Oh my mamma's heart!
When my kids were younger, we would have fun neighborhood parties with lots of fun kid- friendly activities and food.
Then we would all go trick-or-treating together as a group. Such sweet memories! 🍁🎃
Neighborhood Halloween Party!
So cute!
We still dress up for Halloween...I am planning the costumes as I write this. We are trying to come up with a theme that includes our two Yorkies!
We are planning an outdoor party for our neighbors and friends.
Last year, my youngest son had an outdoor Halloween party for his friends....so I am going to use many of the recipes, decor, and activities from last year. Stayed tuned! I hope to blog this very soon.
Halloween Activities:
Booing Your Neighbors!!
I have already Booed several neighbors, and one of my neighbors has already Booed us! It was more of an adult Booing since my kids are past the Trick-or-Treating phase! An adult beverage was included, which was so fun and appreciated!
Booing is a fun activity that already encourages social distancing and is Covid friendly. It is also a good way to show neighbors appreciation and have some fun!
So what is Booing? Booing is when you leave a bag of Halloween goodies on someone's doorstep...usually a neighbor.
In the bag of goodies, you should include instructions for how to Boo other neighbors, and a tag to leave on their door letting others know that they have been Booed.
That neighbor makes copies of the instructions and the tag and puts them in a couple of bags with goodies so they can Boo other neighbors, and hopefully, the cycle continues.
My neighbor was kind, and texted to let me know I was Booed!
Nowadays, I give my neighbors a heads-up before we leave the bag of treats.
When my kids were younger, we would do this activity at night. We would leave
the goodies on their doorstep, ring their doorbell, and run!
We would hide in the bushes to make sure the goodies were picked up, before moving
on to the next house!
Yes, it is a little juvenile delinquent!..But so fun! My kids would dress in black for
camouflage.
My Kids dressed up to Boo our neighbors in 2012!
They were not wearing black that year, but they were trying to be in disguise!
If you don't know your neighbors well, or have
any concerns, I recommend that you give them a
head-up that you left a gift on their doorstep. Below: To Reiterate: Leave a message in the bag encouraging the neighbor you Booed, to Boo others. If you are Booed, leave a sign on your door to let others know you have been booed, so you don't get Booed twice. This way other neighbors get a chance to join in on the fun!
It is fun when the whole neighborhood gets involved! Encourage everyone to leave a sign on their door if they have been Booed. It is fun to see the signs increasing as more and more neighbors are Booed.
You can now find Pre-made bags with instructions at Hallmark and other stores, even some grocery stores. But it is just as easy to copy or make your own tags and instructions. I print the instructions and tags on card stock paper so they are more sturdy.
Also, you can buy cheap Halloween bags at Walmart or other discount stores.
Below are many examples of instructions and tags to put on the door.
A bag and card my neighbor left us last year! ❤️
Be sure to include treats for the adults in the family. Some ideas include Fall scented hand sanitizers, lotions, Fall flavored coffees and teas, Pumpkin Spice flavored salsa and chips, candles, gift cards, etc. I have been given adult beverages which were very appreciated.
The adults want to have fun too! Also, I love leaving bags for houses that don't have kids. You are never too old to join in the Halloween fun! And it's a fun way to show your neighbors that you care.
Make these cute Halloween "Lollipop" Treats for favors for your Halloween party or as a treat in a Boo Bag.
Small treats are wrapped up in crepe paper, and put in a cellophane bag with a cute straw then tied together.
*Click on the highlighted titles for specific directions.
Outside Halloween Party:
I am really excited about our neighborhood party this year. Last year we had an awesome Halloween Party for William's friends! We had all sorts of fun decorations and food planned. The party was outside, and we showed some old-timey scary movies like The Creature From the Black Lagoon on a large outdoor screen.
We had a fog machine, Fall and Halloween decor, green lights, and spooky drinks and food to help set the mood.
I have already posted a couple of the food items beforehand- including the Bread Bowl Cauldron Cheese Dip, which is posted in the section Hosting, Holidays, and Home of the blog or press on the highlighted title to go directly to the post.
I am working on posting more party ideas from last year including fun food, Halloween Decor, activities, and more.
*Stay Tuned for more Halloween food ideas and party ideas.👻. See Sneak-peak pictures below for some ideas and inspiration!
Caldron Bread Bowl Cheese Dip!!!
Yes Please!!!
Vomiting Pumpkin...The kids loved it!!
Carving Pumpkins and Roasting Pumpkin Seeds:
Carving pumpkins:
Most people have carved a pumpkin at some point. But here are a few tips I recently got from Master Pumpkin Carver, Barry Brown. 🎃
Buy some pumpkin carving tools... See below. Now easily assessable at many stores.
Most people cut off the top of the pumpkin. Consider cutting the hole in the bottom or at the back. Use the small saw in your kit.
Cut a half of a circle in the bottom of the pumpkin- then push in. Cut the other half of the circle and push out of the pumpkin. This avoids your hand getting stuck in the pumpkin! You're Welcome!
Scrape out the inside of the pumpkin with a pumpkin scraper. It makes it easier to get out the yucky seeds! (But wash and save the seeds for roasting). The handle of the scraper is smaller than a spoon and easier to use.
Scrape the insides of the pumpkin with the scraper. The thinner the thickness, the easier for the kids to carve.
To carve the face or design.....use the small saw in the kit. Put the pumpkin in your lap (or your kid's lap if old enough) for easy access and safe control. Use one of the small saws. Saw with an up and down motion, then slowly move. Don't try too hard, meaning don't push too hard.... or you will break the blade.
Consider using a pattern design. Patterns are available at craft stores or online. You can make very creative designs, and older kids will love it!
Roasting Pumpkin Seeds:
Don't Throw Away Your Pumpkin Seeds, they are delicious and Nutritious!
We do this activity while carving pumpkins or right after. But you can wait for a day/s -if you prefer.
I (Penny) am usually the one in charge of roasting the pumpkin seeds. While the kids are carving the pumpkins, I begin to clean the pumpkin seeds. Here are the directions/recipe:
Remove the seeds. You will have to rinse off the yucky slimy pulp. If this grosses you out, wear gloves. Use a colander under cold running water, to help wash the seeds and separate the slimy pulp that you will discard. This will take a minute, but it's worth it!
Dry the seeds in-between a clean towel. They may stick to paper towels. Get them as dry as possible; or let seeds dry overnight. The drier the seeds, the more crisp and less chewy the roasted seeds will be. Moisture will create steam, which will make the seeds less crunchy.
Toss the seeds in olive oil and seasonings (See below for seasoning ideas). Spread out on a pan lined with parchment paper or sprayed with cooking spray.
Roast the seeds at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes to ensure even browning. Let cool down for 5 to 10 minutes.
If chewy the next day, put in a 250-degree oven for 10 minutes or so.
Pumpkin Seed Seasoning Ideas;
Season the seeds before you put them in the oven. You can also add extra seasoning when they come out.
Taco: Drizzle with olive oil, then season with 1 to 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt.
Ranch: Drizzle with olive oil, add ranch salad dressing mix to taste.
Cinnamon sugar: Drizzle with melted butter or coconut oil. Mix sugar and cinnamon to taste. Sprinkle the seeds with the sugar mixture
Smoked Paprika: Drizzle olive oil, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika.
Use your imagination... consider other ingredients like chili powder, curry, cumin, maple syrup, etc.
I hope you have found some fun ideas! Have fun this Halloween!
Spread some joy to your neighbors and friends!
Halloween with kids and their cousins many years ago! 😍
Happy Halloween!!
Bon appétit!! 🎃
❤️ P
Comentarios