Autumn/Halloween

AUTUMN ARTS & CRAFTSLEAF PLACEMATS

Begin with a walk through the fallen leaves. After you have collected the leaves place them in between clear contact paper to make autumn placemats.

AUTUMN PLANTERS When cold weather arrives, gourds, winter squash, Indian corn, and small pumpkins can fill the planters that once overflowed with flowering annuals; tuck some colorful leaves into any gaps. There’s no better way to capture the spirit of the fall harvest season

Natural fall decorations are not only easy but also charming and beautiful. Here are a few ideas to perk up your house for fall: ~Brightly colored leaves nestled in a woven basket~ ~Pumpkins, gourds, dried corn and acorns~ ~Bowls of nuts with nut cracker~ ~Baskets or bowls filled with apples and pears~ ~Stacked magazines tied with raffia~ ~Pinecones in decorative buckets or baskets~ ~Eucalyptus swags~ ~Dried flowers in canning jars or vases~ ~Birdhouses~ ~Pussywillow branches and cattails~ ~Quilts and throws~ ~Simmering potpourri~ ~Candles and/or oil lamps~ ~Straw hats and wreaths~ ~Seasonal books and cookbooks~ Five Quick and Cheap Ways to Decorate for Fall By Kathleen Wilson1.Utilize the "use what you have" theory! Go through your cupboards and drawers to find items that can be used as props in your fall display. Find pitchers to use to hold wildflowers and dried grasses bring out warm throws to toss over your couch, layer fabrics on your tables. (Remember, pretty blankets and quilts can work well!)2.Take a nature walk. Gather organic elements that can be used in your fall makeover. Acorns, pinecones, seedpods, bark, even stones can be used as display in bowls around the home. Press pretty leaves and strew them on tables and around centerpieces.3.Bring out the candles! If you put away your candles for winter, now is the time to bring them to center stage. Gather groups of inexpensive votives and tie together with scraps of raffia. 4.Add scent to the home. Simmer apple peels and cinnamon sticks on the stove, or invest in a couple of vials of potpourri oil. They are relatively inexpensive at just a couple bucks apiece, and they last forever, as you only need a few drops. Cloves, Cinnamon, NutmegMix spoonfuls of these spices together. Pour them into a square of aluminum foil. Add a few drops of water and close leaving a small opening at the top. Place them onto a cookie sheet and into a 275-degree oven. As the water evaporates you will notice the aroma wafting through a three).






5.Celebrate the tastes of the harvest season. Keep apples and pomegranates out in bowls, store squashes on countertops, pick up a pumpkin or two at your produce stand (even though it's not Halloween yet!) and use as a centerpiece, or pile a couple next to the kitchen door.

AUTUMN FAMILY FUN
Paint with foods such as corn, apples
-Explore the inside of a gourd or pumpkin with your little
ones. Let them feel, taste and smell the wonder
of the season.
-Have a pumpkin seed-spitting contest!
-Bob for apples...it's been a while hasn't it!
-Fill a wagon with hay and take your little one on a
"hay ride" around the neighborhood.
RING THE PUMPKIN
Line up three large pumpkins with stems, to form a ring toss. Use embroidery hoops or make hoops with rope and duct tape. Mark a throwing line on the floor and take turns trying to ring a pumpkin stem. It doesn't matter if the players make a "ringer" or not, reward them
with small prizes or stickers. Smaller children can attempt to ring an entire large pumpkin with a hula-hoop.
Use empty plastic pop bottles for bowling pins.
Each child gets three chances to roll the gourd into the pins. The gourds go every which way but straight. Lots of giggles for this one.
POPCORN RELAY RACE Set out bowls full of popcorn at one end of the room,
empty bowls at another. Teams must transport the popcorn from full bowl to empty, using a measuring cup. This is a messy game - plan it for the end of the party!
Autumn Recipes
Warm and Spicy Autumn Punch
The aroma of this punch tells you that fall is in the air. Make a batch and your home will have a fragrance that will alert anyone's sense of smell. Prep Time: approx. 20 Minutes. Cook Time: approx. 50 Minutes. Ready in: approx. 1 Hour 10 Minutes. Makes 16 servings. Printed from Allrecipes, Submitted by Michele O'Sullivan

2 oranges8 whole cloves6 cups apple juice1 cinnamon stick 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/4 cup honey3 tablespoons lemon juice2-1/4 cups pineapple juice

Directions
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Stud the whole oranges with cloves and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven.
2 In a large saucepan, combine the apple juice and cinnamon stick; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the nutmeg, honey, lemon
juice and pineapple juice.
3 Serve hot in a punch bowl with the 2 clove-studded
baked oranges floating on top

Autumn Cheesecake
This is a delicious Apple Cheesecake that I usually make in the fall. Prep Time: approx. 30 Minutes. Cook Time: approx. 1 Hour 10 Minutes. Ready in: approx. 4 Hours. Makes 1 - 9 inch spring form (12 servings). Printed from All recipes, Submitted by Stephanie

1 cup graham cracker crumbs1/2 cup finely chopped pecans3 tablespoons white sugar1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup white sugar2 eggs1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract4 cups apples - peeled, cored and thinly sliced1/3 cup white sugar1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/4 cup chopped pecans
Directions1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large bowl, stir together the graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and melted butter; press into the bottom of a 9 inch spring form pan. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.2 In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar. Mix at medium speed until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in vanilla; pour filling into the baked crust.3 In a small bowl, stir together 1/3-cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Toss the cinnamon-sugar with the apples to coat. Spoon apple mixture over cream cheese layer and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped pecans.4 Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes. With a knife, loosen cake from rim of pan. Let cool, and then remove the rim of pan. Chill cake before serving. Iced Pumpkin CookiesWonderful spicy iced pumpkin cookies that both kids and adults love! Prep Time: approx. 20 Minutes. Cook Time: approx. 20 Minutes. Ready in: approx. 1 Hour 20 Minutes. Makes 3 dozen (36 servings). Printed from Allrecipes, Submitted by Gina 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg1/2 teaspoon ground cloves1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 cup butter, softened1 1/2 cups white sugar 1 cup canned pumpkin puree1 egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract2 cups confectioners' sugar3 tablespoons milk1 tablespoon melted butter1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside.2 In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2-cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.3 Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.4 To Make Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, and 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1-teaspoon vanilla. Add milk as
Needed, to achieve drizzling consistency.


Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Use a zucchini Bread Recipe and instead of Zucchini add a large can of pumpkin then add a small bag of chocolate chips. Yummy!

Halloween

Hand Print Spiders
You'll need: Black paint, paper and wiggly eyes
Paint your child's four fingers and palm black NOT THUMB...
Stamp paint on paper pointing fingers out.
Paint other hand and stamp it in the opposite direction overlapping palm prints. Add wiggly eyes.

Costume Ideas
http://www.costumeideazone.com/default.asp
WITCHES HATS
12 striped shortbread cookies (such as Keeblers)
12 chocolate Hershey Kisses candies, unwrapped
1 tube ready-to-use orange decorating icing
1. Place cookies upside down (so that the all chocolate side is up). Place a small dab of orange icing on the bottom center of a Hershey Kiss. 'Glue' the kiss in the center of the cookie. With the writing tip on the orange decorating icing, make a ribbon with a bow around the bottom of the Hershey Kiss...or pipe a ring around Hershey Kiss. There you have little witches hats! Makes 12.
Bugs in a Bowl
Mix cooled popcorn, chocolate chips and gummy worms.
In a bowl.









Happy Halloween
Since this is the time for goblins and bats
Halloween spirits, ghosts and black cats,
Weird happenings and witches brew,
These are the things we wish for you:
May the only spirit you chance to meet
Be the spirit of love and warm friends sweet;
May the only goblin that comes your way
Be the neighborhood Phantom that you’ll want to give away!
So by tomorrow, pick three friends sweet
And give them all a Halloween treat.
You only have one day, so hurry!
Leave that treat on the doorstep, and then flee in a flurry!
Now these are the things you will need to do:
1. Make 3 copies of this letter and 3 copies of the phantom ghost
2. Post the Phantom on your door until Halloween. This will ward off the Phantom Ghost from returning to haunt you and yours.
3. Then take your letter, Phantom and treat, and deliver them to three homes in Laurel or Blakely that do not have a Phantom posted.
‘Tis better giving than receiving, we all know this is true.
So show your love to a neighbor and remember:
NOW THE PHANTOM IS YOU!!!


Identity Crisis: Wear a sweatsuit or other uniformly-colored clothing, and put "Hello my name is..." tags with random names all over your body.

Bellybutton Lint: Take any pair of sweatpants and sweatshirt that are white on the inside. Wear the sweatpants and sweatshirt inside out. Pin a sign on yourself that says "Bellybutton Lint." For extra points, wear a black knit stocking hat with cotton balls glued to it.

Static Cling: Wear any kind of mismatched clothes, pin one pant leg up, pin dryer sheets on you as well as socks, small towels, etc., and then use hair gel to make your hair look like it has static.

Mrs. Potato Head: Use brown felt to make yourself into a potato, wear white leggings, turtleneck and gloves underneath, with red clown shoes. Make up some felt body parts (eyes, lips, etc., and attach Velcro everyone will be able to play with your parts!)

The History & Legends of Halloween
By Cheri Sicard

The word Halloween has its origins in the Catholic Church, coming from a contraction of All Hallows Eve. November 1, or "All Saints Day"), is a Catholic day of observance in honor of saints, but the history of Halloween goes much farther back than the Catholics or the name.

In 5th century BC Ireland, summer officially ended on October 31. The Celts believed that on this day ghosts walked and mingled with the living. The holiday was called Samhain (sow-en) which marked the third and final harvest of the year, the Celtic New Year.

The reason the Celts celebrated this day as New Year, rather than Yule, like other European pagans, was probably due to the fact the that the sun is at its lowest point on the horizon, as measured by the ancient standing stones of Britain and Ireland.

The Druids sacrificed to their deities by burning victims in wicker cages. Prior to the ceremony, all other fires extinguished and were then re-lit from the sacrificial fire.

Today modern pagans and Wiccans celebrate Halloween or Samhain as the New Year, the day when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. The pagan god dies at Samhain, only to be re-born again at Yule. For these pagans,
Samhain is a day for remembering and honoring the dead and celebrating the eternal cycle of reincarnation.

Pope Boniface was instrumental in superimposing a Christian festival over the pagan traditions. Originally, the holidays took place on May 13, but a century later, Pope Gregory III changed it to the present November 1. October 31 was no longer the last day of the year and Samhain was reassigned to the Feast of All Saints.

It is interesting to note that many of the customs surrounding the observance of the Christian All Souls Day also center around accessibility to the dead. In fact, many customs with their origins in pagan traditions have survived to the present. In addition to the souls of the dead alleged to be roaming about, the devil, witches and other assorted monsters and goblins are believed to be at the peak of their supernatural powers.

In Europe, Halloween eventually evolved into a celebration for children. "Ghosts" went from door to door asking for treats, or else a trick would be played on the owners of the home. When millions of Irish immigrated to the United States in the 1840s the tradition followed them.
The History & Legends of Jack O" Lanterns
By Cheri Sicard

Carving Jack O' Lanterns is a Halloween custom that dates back to ancient Ireland, although the first Jack-o-Lanterns were made of turnips, beets or even hollowed out potatoes, not pumpkins. The large orange squashes didn’t come into prominence until Irish immigrants settled in the United States, where pumpkins were cheaper and more plentiful than turnips.

Several version of an Irish legend tells of a man named Stingy Jack, who invited the Devil to have a drink. When it came time to pay, he convinced the Devil to change into a sixpence, but instead of paying for the drink Jack pocketed the sixpence and kept it stored beside a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back. Jack made a deal with the Devil before letting him free that the Devil could not harass him. Next Halloween Jack died and was turned back from the Gates of Heaven. He went to the Gates of Hell and the Devil told him to go away, as Jack had made him promise not to claim his soul. Jack didn't want to leave because it was dark and he couldn't find his way. The Devil tossed Jack a glowing coal and Jack put it inside a turnip, and ever since with this "Jack O' Lantern", Stingy jack’s lonely soul has been roaming the faces of this earth.

Another version has Jack tricking Beezelbub into climbing a tree, where upon Jack then carved an image of a cross in the tree's trunk, trapping the devil in his high perch. Jack made a deal with the devil that, if he would never tempt him again, he would promise to let Lucifer down from the tree. According to the folk tale, after Jack died, he was denied entrance to Heaven because of his evil ways, but he was also denied access to Hell because he had tricked the devil. The rest of the legend remains the same.