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!

GONE BATTY....

Are you fiends feeling frantic, freaked-out and frustrated, and looking for some fun crafts to do with the little monsters, this Halloween-weekend? Check out these spooktacular ideas from Disney........you're welcome....

TIME TO DECORATE THE MANOR!

Ok folks! It's getting down to crunch time! And it's been awful hectic around here....lots to do! Cobwebs to put up, cauldron's to polish and zombie cookies to bake! Hope my ideas have inspired you this Halloween season!

I've got lots of e-mails asking for decorating photos, so check out some of these ideas for Spooky inspiration......

CHEEZY SPIDER

Halloween is my favorite time to surprise guests with new recipe tricks  and treats! Sautéed shallots and feta cheese flavor this simple spread, which is a delicious hors d'oeuvre at any time of year, formed into a spooky spider! Check this out:

Here's what you'll need:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 very large shallots, thinly sliced (2 cups)

10 ounces fresh goat cheese, softened

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

6 ounces Greek feta cheese, at room temperature

Black sesame seeds and 1 piquillo pepper, for garnish
Six 6-inch painted twigs, for spider legs
Crackers, flat breads and bread sticks, for serving
Crackers, flat breads and bread sticks

Directions:
1.In a medium skillet, melt the butter. Add the shallots and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Scrape the shallots into a food processor and let cool. Add the goat cheese, cream cheese and feta and puree until smooth. Scrape the cheese into a bowl and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.

2.Shape one third of the cheese mixture into a ball and roll in black sesame seeds to coat; shape the remaining two-thirds into a larger ball and coat with black sesame seeds. On a serving board, press the balls together to form the head and body of a spider. Cut the piquillo pepper into 2 small triangles and place them on the body in an hourglass shape. Serve with crackers, flat breads or bread sticks.

Make Ahead The unformed cheese mixture can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

For more Festive resipes, check out FOOD & WINE!