10/20/15

BLACK HAT SOCIETY - PARTY ON, WITCHES!

SOME VERY STRANGE FOLKS CAME TO MY HOUSE ....
and we had so much fun!
(Photography by Bleudog Fotography)

They wore black hats...
 and big smiles

 they were helpful
 and very stylish


 some went all out






I decided to feed them...
 Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Dip
Sweet Pepper and Onion Dip
Chili shots
Fudge Bars
Monkey Bars
and 
Maple Cinnamon Glazed PB Cookies... 
 but the most fun was being together





We gave away some prizes
 a book by author Kristy Tate
 beautiful botanicals from my new Etsy store..

a few other trinkets to thank them for their support



So we visited
and giggled at our silly hats

 and ate some more...






Made banners


and potion bottles...

 and had a really good time...



 And as promised, some recipes follow:


CLAUDINE'S LAZY DAY CHILI

Into a crockpot put the following:
2 lbs of ground beef, fully cooked and browned - seasoned with salt and pepper - and a little garlic if desired
and with 3-4 Tbsp chili powder (more or less to taste) mix while still in pan.
2 cans (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can stewed tomatoes - (peppers and onions)
2 cans diced tomatoes with onions and green pepper
2 cans (15 oz) Red Kidney Beans with liquid 
1 regular sized can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained
1 regular sized can cannellini beans (or great northern beans) drained
1 regular sized can black beans (unseasoned) with liquid
Optional - 1 cup frozen corn

Mix together and heat in a crockpot on slow until hot and seasonings are blended.  Taste and add more chili if needed (best to have to add it than find out you've made it too hot).  Top with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, avocado wedges and a dollop of sour cream.


OATMEAL FUDGE BARS
(wicked)
1 c. butter
2 eggs
2 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. milk
2 t. vanilla
2 1/2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
3 c. quick cooking oats

Fudge filling:
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/3 c. butter
1 t. vanilla
2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix butter, eggs and brown sugar.  Add vanilla and milk.  Slowly incorporate the rest of the dry ingredients.  Mix well.

Make the fudge filling by melting the ingredients over medium heat in a saucepan.  Don't overcook.

Spread 3/4 of the cookie mixture on the bottom of a greased 13x9 pan.  Pour fudge filling mixture on top and spread evenly.  Top with rest of cookie mixture, in spoonfuls, breaking it up and distributing as evenly as possible.

Bake for 25 mins at 350 degrees.  Let cool before cutting.


MORE LATER!


10/11/15

HALLOWEEN DECORATING FOR A PARTY!

DING DONG - THE WITCH IS DEAD...


HARRODS HALLOWEEN DISPLAY IN LONDON IN 2010

AND AGAIN IN 2015 - 
SIMPLY AWESOME


Meanwhile, back in Southern California - 
I'm preparing for the 1st Annual Black Hat Society
Halloween Party - at my house!

and taking advantage of the decorating, 
Mr. B decided to add a party of his own...
so with two events upcoming - I decided to pull out the stops!

Its also the first entertaining we have done since the remodel,
so, I invited a couple of friends to get into their party gear
and welcome our guests.
they were more than willing to don party hats and their best ruffled collars

and create a welcome for guests






I confess I hate pumpkin slime... gives me shudders...
so I am more than happy to go faux

an added plus is that they are reusable...

I made the wreath last year from what I had laying around.
I LOVE him...

he looks a bit cuckoo...

Welcome Witches...
what are you waiting for..


park your brooms here...

Matilda got dressed up just for you...



she's quite old but has kept her figure...
 she has some lovely accessories...




and rather good shoes...

for a witch

In the living room,  the Ravens have set up residence

pecking tediously at the old typewriter...
the same word
over and over




















The dining room was the perfect spot for the witch's cupboard...


and lots of candles...





it was the perfect place for the puppeteer...


There's not much room for decoration in the kitchen...


Just enough room for a little chair and my ugly little pumpkin head doll...




and maybe
a few pumpkin votives...

and a little something for the island...


I had fun with the family room mantle this year...







 I added a tree created from curly willow branches stuck in an old crock...

and hung brightly colored paper lanterns and fans

and vintage style halloween lanterns










I added just a few final touches in the powder room...





 and some party lighting for the patio...




The stage is set...
now I just need the guests to arrive...











WHAT DID YOU MISS?

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