BARBECUE BAT WINGS

Now that party season is right around the corner, I've been getting lots of requests for The Queen of Halloween's Famous Barbecue Bat Wings! In case you missed it, let's revisit The Posts of Halloween Past.....

What party wouldn't be complete with some really good appetizers? And who isn't a fan of hot wings? You can do it really simple and buy them in bulk, and just throw 'em in the oven....or you can do it from scratch, with this super-easy recipe! They're so quick to make, and the presentation really completes the special effects!

INGREDIENTS:
~24 chicken wings (3 to 4 pounds)
~1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
~3/4 cup molasses
~1/2 cup beef broth
~1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
~1 cup ketchup
~2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
~2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
~1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
~1 tablespoon sesame oil
~1 teaspoon hot sauce

PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 375°F.

Stretch out each chicken wing to resemble bat's wing. Arrange wings, skin side down in single layer in large roasting pan.

Combine soy sauce, molasses, broth and ginger in small saucepan; heat over low heat until mixture is smooth and well blended. Pour evenly over wings. Bake wings 30 minutes; turn and bake 30 minutes more or until sauce is thick and sticky.

Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients in small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until bubbly, stirring occasionally. Let cool slightly before serving.

Makes 8 servings and 1-1/3 cups sauce

HOST A CEMETERY TOUR

If you're looking for something really different to do this Halloween, why not host a Cemetery Tour? These parties are springing up all over the country. It's a fun, spooky party and really easy to put together, and is a great idea for a smaller, intimate party. (I would suggest no more than 12)

There are a few things that you'll need to plan ahead of time. First of all, most cities have a historical society that host "walking tours" of local cemeteries. If your city doesn't offer that, contact a historical home or destination that has a cemetery on site, and make arrangements to rent the space including the cemetery, for the evening.

(Remember you need to go through the proper channels to be at a cemetery after hours, because that would be "trespassing"....and you don't want to do that!) And find out if anyone on site is available to be the cemetery tour guide. Most of the time, they have someone on staff who is quite the historian and knows a lot of information about the cemetery and some of it's more popular inhabitants.

Once the arrangements have been made, this is where you get creative:

• Make sure to mail each of your guests a formal invitation
• Serve a spooky sit-down dinner
• Rent a limo to take your guests to and from the location, after dinner
• Once you return from the cemetery, cocktails are served
• Host the seance.

Sounds like a party to me!

Again, please remember, get permission to be there after hours..... it's not really a good time if you have to get bail money to get out of jail!

30 MINUTES OR LESS

Happy Monday, Halloweenies!!!

We're getting down to the wire, and you're still looking for cool Halloween projects? What to do.... what to do....

Ok, so if you've got an extra $20 laying around, and you've got about a half an hour... why not make a wreath?

I just happened to be hanging around my favorite craft store this weekend, armed with a $20 bill and a few discount coupons, I managed to pick up a few goodies, and decided I'd pull together a festive wreath for one of the many doors, here at the Manor.

So here's what I did....

I took the grapevine wreath and wrapped it in orange and black tulle, and made a big bow, to match. Then I added the black flowers and spiders, with a dab of hot glue.

After I was happy with how it looked, I added the spider webs to the front and back of the wreath. Then, added a wire hook on the back of the wreath, and hung it!

You too can create a spookified wreath, just like this in 30 minutes or less, I guarantee it!

BLACK AND WHITE HALLOWEEN

 

Even though I've said it many, many times....orange and black have always been my favorite Halloween colors, but I really love this idea that's so simple and looks very chic. If you're not a fan of the orange and black color pallet (really?) try this....

If you're decorating style is more Martha Stewart than The Munsters, you're gonna love this! Doesn't this table setting look fabulous? Just add some black birds and white dishes.... and viola! You've got an awesome look for a Halloween brunch.

Remember to add some black and white candles to complete the look.... and don't forget the spiders!

FREEBIE FRIDAY

It's another Freebie Friday, Halloween Homemakers!

For today's freebies, I've got over 40 Halloween printables from the Happiness Is Homemade site!  (Be sure to click on the link to go to the freebies) Everything from gift tags and party favors.... banners and garlands, masks and candy wrappers.... oh my!

The instructions are super easy, and each project can be completed reasonably quick. My personal favorites are the garlands and the treat cones!

Happy Friday, Halloweenies! Enjoy.....

IF THE SPIRIT MOVES YOU

I'm sure all you Halloween Homemakers know the importance of serving a fab-boo-lous cocktail at your annual soiree!

Well, if you're looking for the perfect signature cocktail to perk up those evil spirits, check out my top 5 favorites.... and remember, these are strictly for adult monsters only!

Candy Corn Martini
                  
3 oz vanilla vodka
¾ cup candy corn
1oz Grand Marnier

Directions
In a glass dish, soak candy corn in vanilla vodka for 1-2 hours. Stir and strain out candy. In a martini shaker with a handful of ice combine the candy corn-infused vodka and Grand Marnier. Strain into a martini glass and serve. 

Classic Bloody Mary

Celery salt

1 Lemon wedge

1 Lime wedge

2 oz Vodka

4 oz Tomato juice

2 dashes Tabasco Sauce

2 tsp Prepared horseradish

2 dashes Worcestershire sauce

1 pinch Celery salt

1 pinch Ground black pepper

1 pinch Smoked paprika

Garnish: Celery stalk and lime wedge

Directions

Pour some celery salt onto a small plate. Rub the juicy side of the lemon or lime wedge along the lip of a pint glass. Roll the outer edge of the glass in celery salt until fully coated. Fill with ice and set aside. Squeeze the lemon and lime wedges into a shaker and drop them in. Add the remaining ingredients and fill with ice. Shake gently and strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with a celery stalk and a lime wedge.

The Black Widow

2 oz black vodka
.5 oz Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur
2 oz blackberry or grape juice
black licorice and sugar for garnish (optional)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain into a sugar-rimmed martini glass. Garnish with black licorice and add a plastic black spider to the stem of the martini glass.

Green Ghoul

2 ounces Blue Ice Organic Wheat Vodka
1/2 Organic Kiwi, Peeled
1/2 Organic Lime, Cut Into Quarters
1 teaspoon Organic Sugar

Directions
Muddle fruit and sugar in a mixing glass until well crushed and juicy. Add ice and vodka and shake vigorously.  Pour all contents into bucket glass and drink with straws.

The Wicked Witch of the West

1oz Midori Melon Liqueur
1oz Vodka
.5oz Grenadine
.5oz Blue Curacao


Directions
Using simple syrup, rim your chilled martini glass.  Then dip the rim into black sprinkles.  Pour the grenadine and Blue Curacao in the bottom of a chilled martini glass.  Stir as necessary to obtain the dark black color.  Then pour Midori and vodka into a shaker and shake with ice.  Very carefully, using a spoon, layer the green Midori vodka mixture over the grenadine and blue Curacao.

Each recipe makes 1 cocktail. Enjoy responsibly! Every Halloween Homemaker knows these potions are for adults only!

OH CANDY CORN TREE, OH CANDY CORN TREE

I stand here shocked and amazed..... that I never thought of this before!!! How great is this tree? Not only could you put it up in October..... but you could keep it up until December!

This candy corn tree is just like any other artificial tree, and could be decorated with all kinds of goodies like plastic spiders and bats.... black and orange ornaments.... and a lovely string of candy corn garland. The possibilities are pretty much endless, and I think would be a fun focal point for any kid's Halloween party.

Or if you're more of an understated elegance kind of decorator..... just simple black and orange bows would look quite beautiful!

Now for the tree topper, I think I would go with a shiny, black bow.... or instead of an angel, a lovely witch on top would be just fab-boo-lous!

If you're sold on it, and looking for the purchasing information on this tree, be sure to log on to Treetopia.com to get one for yourself!

Ok, so I know it's a bit extravagant... and maybe buying a candy corn tree just isn't in your budget right now.... you could always find a used artificial Christmas tree, and break out the white, orange, and yellow spray paint!

See..... problem solved! Candy corn trees for everyone!