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October will be here before we know it, and that means pulling out pumpkins, spider webs, witches brooms and other utterly eerie Halloween decorations, to create a spooky entrance to your home.

Now, whether you're a minimalist.... or prefer a heart-stopping, scary, stop-'em-dead-in-their-tracks entrance up to your house, remember.... you can do it, and the best part, most are inexpensive DIY projects.

But if you're not sure how to go, check out this pretty simple, but chic decorating scheme from Pottery Barn. It's a great look, and not hard to pull of, at all!

Just take all the elements apart....

all kinds of pumpkins, autumn leaves garlands and wreaths, a few candle lanterns and scary crows... and don't forget the ratty curtain in the front door window!

Now, look at the picture and place what you've gathered in a similar pattern. It doesn't have to look exactly like the picture, so don't even try that! You'll only get frustrated if you try to make it perfect. Remember, this is supposed to be fun!

Now stand back and take a look..... you do good work!

PUMPKIN LUMINARIES 101

Ok crafters....here's our first lesson of the season! Today we'll be making Pumpkin Luminaries! This is a pretty easy project to get your fangs wet, jumping back into the project pool.

Here's what you'll need:
•Krylon Fusion for Plastic® - Pumpkin (Safety) paint
•Krylon Fusion for Plastic® - Sunbeam (#2330) paint
•Two 2-liter empty plastic soda bottles
•Con-Tact® Paper
•Scissors
•Xacto® knife
•Adhesive remover
•2 candles
•Sand
•Paper towels
•Newspaper
•Rubber Gloves (optional)

Here's what you'll do:
1.Peel label from empty plastic soda bottle. Use adhesive remover and a paper towel to remove any residue.
2.Wash soda bottles thoroughly; let dry completely.
3.Using Xacto knife, carefully cut off top of bottle. Cut a half-circle out of the back, near the bottom; this will make it easier to add the sand and the candle.
4.Draw facial features on contact paper and cut out. Adhere features to the soda bottle, being careful to firmly seal edges with fingernail.
5.Cover work area with newspaper. Spray soda bottles with Krylon Fusion – one with Pumpkin Orange and the other with Sunbeam. Let dry for 3 hours.
6.When completely dry, carefully peel off contact paper features. (Note: Krylon Fusion will be dry to touch after 15 minutes but should be allowed to cure for at least 24 hours before the luminaries are put into service.)
7.Add sand to base for weight and insert candle. Light and enjoy.

For more project ideas, please visit favecrafts.com

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Well, it's officially the weekend....(almost) and that means it's 5:00 somewhere, right???  So why not kick off the cocktail hour with a spookified martini?

Check this out..... Add that special spook-factor to your martinis by garnishing them with pickled onions stuffed with black fish roe (or caviar, for a splurge). Slide a toothpick through the sides of the onions, (two per pick) and place them lengthwise over the edge of a martini glass for a spooky “looking” martini.

For more great ideas, check out The Hip Hostess!

WE'RE BAAAAAAAACK......

Hello Fellow Halloweenies!

I've arisen from a long slumber at the Manor, and now it's time to get back in the spirit of  macabre preparations, for the most Spooktacular time of the year!

Thank you so much for all the e-mails over the last few months....so many things have been going on that needed my attention (more on that later...) but I assure you that there will be lots of tricks and treats to keep you entertained this blogging season!

So let's break out the potions.... and maybe snack on a few lady fingers to celebrate....we've only got 159 more days until Halloween!

STILL FEELING A BIT HALLOWEEN-ISH?

I know, I know, it's sad when the most fun day of the year is over... (I know other holidays are coming up, but come on! We all know that Halloween is the only one we really love....) but if you're still in a spooky mood, and you want to freak out the neighbors, why not have a GHOUL'S NITE!

First... Witches hats are a must! Grab your best ghoul-friends...rent some ghostly, scary or zombified movies....turn out all the lights (add some drippy candles) ....make some killer cocktails...and nibble on some Swamp Dip!

Swamp Dip is a favorite around the manor.... any time of the year! Here's what you'll need:

~1 lb. lean ground chuck
~1 regular size package of Velveeta
~1 jar of Pace Picante sauce
~1 cup of milk
~green food coloring

Here's what you do:
1. In a skillet, brown the ground chuck, cook well, drain off excess fat. Set aside.
2. Pour milk into large sauce pan.
3. Slice Velveeta in to cube size, put in sauce pan.
4. Cook on medium-high, stirring as the cheese melts. (Do not let sit, stir to keep cheese from sticking to bottom of pan)
5. Once cheese has completely melted, add ground chuck, mix well.
6. Turn heat down to low.
7. Add picante sauce, mix well.
8. Add several drops of green food color (to desired shade of green)
9. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Add a sprinkle of cheddar cheese and a scoop of picante on top and serve with tortilla chips! (If you can find the blue chips...even better!)

WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO WITH ALL THAT LEFTOVER CANDY?

What to do...what to do as the cauldron of leftover candy beckons you to munch more? Don't know what to do with all that candy? Use it for a variety of crafty projects!!

Here are 10 uses for leftover Halloween candy:

1. Freeze it. It will keep for at least one year, according to foodies.

2. Save it for Christmas stockings. Who says candy wrappers have to be red or green?

3. Bake with it. Use chopped-up candy bar pieces instead of chips in cookies and brownies. Mix Butterfinger and other candy bar pieces into your cake batter.

4. Turn your candy into a holiday wreath -- any holiday. Spray shellac is recommended for the final product.

5. Use the candies to decorate this year's gingerbread house.

6. Try dissolving some candies in vodka and creating an infused booze, suggests http://www.wisebread.com/.

7. Channel your inner Martha Stewart and get crafty. Popular, easy and always appreciated are candy bouquets. Put green floral foam in a decorated pot or basket. Tape wrapped candies to craft sticks and arrange them like candy flowers. For an added touch, wind pieces of garland around the craft stick stem.

9. Skip the poker chips: Bet with candy at your next card game.

10. Make your own apple butter, but instead of using the usual spices, use ½ cup of red cinnamon candies and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon for every 10 cups of apples, suggest the ladies at http://www.livingonadime.com/

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Well, over the last few months, it sure felt like this day was NEVER gonna get here! But we made it!

Happy Halloween to all my faithful followers....and I know you're busy flying around trying to get the last of the cobwebs in place, cleaning the dungeon while the cauldrons are simmering, and putting the finishing touches on the devilishly good boo-fet....but I don't want you to forget why we do all this....to have fun!

So I'm putting one of my magic spells on you, to have a fabulous, fun, and festive Halloween! No need to fret, I'm sure what you've done is perfect...and if it's not.... you're the only one who knows! So enjoy!

Be sure to send me any pics that you may want to share, and have a safe and Happy Halloween!

And remember ....only 365 more days until we have to be ready for next year!

Happy Haunting!