The end

I am always saddened by the end of October. Most of the leaves are down now and snow and cold are just around the corner. I know they are always just around the corner. But now that Halloween is over.... Well, anyways! The monsters had a ton of fun last night. It was a brisk night, but the full moon guided our way and scent of balefires filled the night air. I love Halloweens like last night. They remind me of when I was a little monster!

I have put up The Soccer Mom's to Wicca button for "31 days of Yule daily contest" Button. I can't wait. It I have the luck that I had with the October giveaways then I will be very happy indeed. And if not, then I will have kept myself busy, having fun entering into all the contests.

I need to get working on making things for Christmas/Yule! Next week we are done with Band for this year.... So I will be making cookies and freezing them. The monsters today started putting in requests for their favorites. I have a ton of preserves already to go into baskets with the baked goods. I have the zucchini bread made. I need to make cherry nut bread. Oh, and the nuts should be showing up in the stores soon. Last year I paid $1.98 a pound for unshelled walnuts. I will do this again this year and shell them. I saved a ton of money and once they are shelled they go into the freezer so I have them when I need them. Last year we did almost 10 pounds and I used them in everything all year. I like having that type of staple on hand.

I started to knit a hat. I got all twisted around so I had to frog it. I went to talk to my knitting teacher and she was able to set me straight on it. And she also showed me how to lock in the last stitch on the casting on row. Good thing she did cause what I did was completely wrong... LOL! I can't wait to get back on to that project I think that making a hat and knitting in the round will be great fun.

Oh, and I can't forget. We have a birthday today.... Mouthy monster is 6 today! She will keep the name Mouthy, just change the age. She wanted cheeseburger helper for dinner and homemade chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Needless, to say she was very happy with the day that she had!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Pumpkins

Here are the pumpkins all done and placed outside for their big night!

I won again

I entered myself into a drawing over at The Modern Pagan. I won!!! Not sure which prize I won but WOW! This is my second time winning this month and I'm entered into several other drawings as well!

Grim, wants to get the monsters to carve their pumpkins tonight before the festivities of the weekend begin. We have to be up at Mouthy monsters school for the parking lot parade! The kids in costumes all walk around the parking lot showing off! They have a ton of fun doing it and we have lots of fun checking out the costumes! Mouthy went to school with cat ears. Now this isn't her costume... she will be a fairy with pretty pink, sparkley wings and a wand of pink satin! But since I didn't want these to get ruined before the real deal... She will be a kitten today! The reason I don't trust the good stuff not to get ruined.... I sent her to school in a brand new sweatshirt (pink) and she came home with marker all over it.... front and back!

I have to say that the lentil stew is just as good if not better the second day! I had enough leftover for a couple of lunches and another full meal. I will freeze the rest and see how that works out. Since the monsters will be gone to grama's for a few hours tonight, Grim and I will be having hotdogs and French fries for dinner.... It is quick and I don't have a huge clean up to do. Then we are going out with a blast from the past for a drink.... Gotta love facebook! We used to 100 years ago hang out so her and her DH and me and mine are meeting up tonight!

Tomorrow Band monster has an all day competition. She is going to miss out on Halloween. The other 2 will be going to grama's to spend the night. We are going to the post for a Halloween party. Grim is going as Michael Myers from Halloween and I am going as an English Tavern Wench! I love the ren fest! That is where all of my costumes come from! I need to pull it out so that it isn't wrinkled. I even have a cloak to wear so I don't freeze to death... LOL!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Thoughts

I was hit with a thought this morning. And I'm saddened a bit by it. When I took the monsters to school it was still very dark out. The side streets were all but deserted. The wet leaves that had finally given up their last hold were laying lifeless on the ground, shining in my headlight beam. After Band monster was dropped off dawn decided to make its appearance. Reddish and purple hues of autumn, reflected on the world. This breif moment in time only lasts for about a week, as the fime change happens this weekend. And come next Monday the sun will be out and the birds will already be starting the day way before we even open our eyes. I love this week but it is bittersweet as it only lasts as long as the blink of an eye!

I had a bit of a fright yesterday. Nothing major just got me to open my eyes and appreciate what I have a lot more then I had been. I see now that I was slacking in some important parts of my life and those of my family. So with an empty head (LOL!) and open heart, today is a new day with a chance to make/do things different. I know that probably didn't make all that much sense from the outside, but from here it was just a reminder in print of what I want to try to accomplish.

Yesterday was a busy day. So busy in fact that I forgot that I was suppose to go to a meet and greet with the special ed teacher for Mouthy monster. Mind you there is nothing wrong with her, she just didn't go to preschool. What that means is they actually need to teach this one... LOL! And they put the kids who need this into the special ed class. Now I have Band monster who generally is a straight "A" student and I have Picky monster who is in special ed because she is Dyslexic and needs accommodations, because by the time they figured out something was wrong she was already behind. Enough of that. But with Mouthy, she gets it, she just isn't where they want the kids in 1st grade to be.

Back to yesterday, wow, I do ramble! I cooked pork chops in a tomato puree /w some BBQ sauce and green peppers. It was a bit hit. I also got around to making laundry soap again. The laundry is only a little backed, up maybe 3 loads. The 5 gallon bucket will last me for months now. I love saving money. And the work isn't hard just time consuming. Same with making bread. It's not had work at all. It can be daunting in the beginning. After you do it a time or two, you can get a rhythm down. Like for me, got home from taking monsters, mixed the bread and kneaded it. Cleaned kitchen, dining room and living room during the first rise. The punched the dough down, separated it for individual loaves. Now they are rising for the second time and I am doing laundry and all my internet stuff. Then once the loaves go into the oven I will clean the bathroom.

I don't know what I'm going to do for dinner. I might make calzones tonight and lentil stew (got the idea from Mother Hen over at Ship Full of Pirates) for tomorrow night.

Gotta Run,
Yart

More Halloween Activity

I found more Halloween activities in Woman's World.

View Scary movies on line here or here.

Read Spooky stories here and for the kids they can read more age appropriate stories here.

Take a look at pet costumes at i-Pets and also here.

Creepy Snacks here.

Ghoulish Games can be here.

Secrets

Last night I got out a journal and started practicing the power of 3. I wrote down 3 things that I was grateful for, 3 things that I want and 3 things that I see in my future. I also added an affirmation. And low and behold my luck has already started to change!

I got a comment from Mrs. B from over at Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom
I am a winner of the 31 days of Halloween Giveaway! I am the winner of the ebook, Me and My Ghoulfriends by Rose Pressey. The book looks really interesting. I can't wait to get to read it!!!! Thank you Rose for donating this prize! If you haven't gone over and checked out the prizes for today its not to late! Get those entries in! Dreams really do come true!

Bingo tonight! The jackpot for the progressive is around 15K. I think that they are going to have me sell the cards and call the numbers again tonight. Surprisingly, I'm bothered by it. I really don't like being up in front of people. Things are changing all over!!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Pajama Day

Even though Marching season is winding down, with only one more competition left in the regular season. We are still doing Jammie day on Sundays! I think that this is going to be a tradition from now on. The kids really seem to enjoy it and I love not having to do anything. Come summer we will be back into the swing but for now I am enjoying this! By the way we are in 5th place in our flight! If nothing changes we will be going to State Finals!

The monsters and I just finished watching Van Helsing!

It is listed as PG13 movie so it safe for my monsters to watch! Plus, Hugh Jackman is just way to hot in all that leather.... sorry *running for a cool drink* LOL!

Oh, I forgot to tell you, I got all the rest of the apples done the other day. I had 8 quarts but 1 broke in the canner. Boy, was I upset!!! All that work just to have some of it go to waste. Still have to make the sauerkraut. Yes, if you haven't noticed I do procrastinate. But surprisingly, once I see that I've written it here a few times I really do get moving on it.

I just saw a trailer for a new movie coming out.... Old Dogs
Here is the trailer!

And here is another one

I wish I could have put them on here. But they are Disney, so you have to go to You tube.

Thursday Afternoon

I have been busy trying to get stuff done. Yesterday I made the weekly bread. Good thing to, cause tonight I want to make grilled cheese and soup. It is still in the 60's after our little bout with Indian Summer yesterday. But the chill is starting to set in the basement as I type. I think I am going to look into getting electric baseboard heaters. Since we live in a town that makes its own electicity it is way cheaper then heating with gas. Once we can get the basement dug out so that it doesn't leak anymore, we will be able to finish it the right way. But until then it gets fricking cold down here.

Tonight after dinner, when I get back from dropping the band monster off, I have a new recipe to try. It is thanks to The Vintage Sage, she posted the Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chip recipe. It looks like it is going to be a family favorite! Then hopefully, this weekend I am going to have the monsters help to make a whole slew of items that I found over at Cat In The Moon. She posted 3 yummy recipes that I just am dying (LOL!) to try! Homemade Marshmallows, S'Mores Hot Chocolate With Graham Crackers, Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Oh, and before you get to the recipes you get to read a ghost story... It is very fascinating! Considering that it could be true...

I have one slipper done! And I'm half way done with the second one. By tonight I should have my feet in Handmade Slippers! Then I need to adapt the pattern to fit Grim's foot. He had picked out the yarn about a month ago. He has been patient waiting for mine to get done first. Remember the orange and varegated yarn I was telling you about I am going to make a hat. Well, maybe two if I can stretch the 2 skeins. It should work. They will be mirror images. That's if I get to it.

I have been looking on line at different activities for gift giving this year. I know, but we only have a short time for those of us who either procrastinated or didn't have cash until the last minute. I have seen what is being called a recycled Christmas/Yule. Where everything is bought at Salvation Army, Goodwill, yard sales or from a charity (Humane Society). I have already picked up a couple of things. My MIL is done (yard sale find), the monsters have a couple things I've picked up so far (yard sale finds), Grim will get new ( Just because I can't buy his gift used), my mom will get ?, she has enough stuff now, maybe a gift card. With my mom that's not a copout either. There is a Goodwill in another town I might try to take a trip to and see what they have.

Well, I've rambled enough!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Stencils and Printouts

FLAG PUMPKIN CARVING PATTERN
http://www.yankeehalloween.com/flagpattern.html


FREE PRINTABLE PUMPKIN PATTERNS
http://www.pumpkinmasters.com/


FREE PRINTABLE PUMPKIN STENCILS
http://pumpkinglow.com/Patterns.htm


FREE PRINTABLE HALLOWEEN STICKERS
http://www.kidprintables.com/stickers/halloweenpage.gif


FREE HALLOWEEN FONTS
http://www.acidfonts.com/halloweenfonts1.htm

Carve your own Pumpkin

I thought this was so cool! Have fun!!!

Monday Chores

That seemed to be all I got done today. I love feeling better. But I hate looking around at all that has been neglected. Got a ton of laundry done, dishes and washed down the bathroom (still needs more work), garbage ready to go out. Tomorrow I need to make more bread, shred the cabbage for sauerkraut & finish up the applesauce.

I took the easy way out tonight, I made hamburger helper for dinner. It was fast and filling. I cheated like that because I had to work bingo tonight also. I figured I would sell the tickets like I usually do. Nope they had me sell one of the specials and then I had to call it. I have a phobia about people, (now Grim would say that is bull - He would say I just don't like them enough). I don't like being the center of attention at all. I am fine to stand in the background. Everyone said I did good. I just looked at the numbers and didn't look at the crowd. It worked, good thing to since they want me to do this more. They eventually want me to be a regular caller. That is because I have a freshman and I will be stuck doing this for the next 3 1/2 years.

I have been diligently working on my slipper. I had it done once and had to rip out all the stitches because the pattern was for pixies. And I don't have pixie feet. But I think I am about 3 inches from being done with the first one. I can't wait to have a pair done. I even already bought the yarn to make Grim a pair. Oh, when I was at the yarn store the other day I got the pretties variegated purple and orange skein & a solid orange skein. I don't know what I am going to make yet but they sure are pretty.

I got the other day at the farmers market a cinnamon broom. It is in a bag, on the bag it says not to hang on painted surfaces. So now I have a dilemma as to whether or not to hang it up in the bag. Or do I just prop it up near on of the registers to send the scent through out the house.

Pictures 1 of 2

As promised here are some pictures that I took.

These houses are right next to one another and compete for who can put the most up in the yard.




Next are only a couple of pictures of the Museum. There were a lot of people and I didn't want them in my pictures to ruin them... LOL!



This is the mantle of the fireplace in the Dining room! Love it!!!



Here is a picture of my boy little boy Princess. I just had to get him this costume!


Doesn't he just look like the cutest chicken..... I thought he was going to bite me... LOL!

And here is a picture of some of the green peppers from the farm market yesterday!


Gotta Run,
Yart

Friday

Woo Hoo! No football game tonight. The monsters are just going to grama's for a visit and Grim and I will be heading down to our hometowns monthly walk. They have been trying to increase foot traffic in the city and they came up with this. The town museum is all done up for Halloween. It is fun every year.

Grim and I went to the farm market for the last time yesterday. I got a ton of squash, 100 pounds of potatoes, 50 pounds of onions, 50 pounds of carrots and a bunch of pumpkin's for the monsters. They were only $1.50 per carving pumpkin. Not bad the monsters were a little upset but they each got 2 to carve up so that made up for it. I also got 8 pie pumpkins. Oh, and a ton of green peppers and a hubbard squash made there way into the cart. I processed the green peppers and got 8 quart bags of chopped and sliced peppers for the winter.

I also got started on making the apple pie filling. Only problem was the apples that I got for that are more suited for sauce of some type. I didn't know this when I bought them, went off the recommendation of the salespeople. Not to fear. I cooked down some last night and the rest will go tomorrow. I will be making carmel apple butter. Haven't tried the recipe but it sounds so good. If it is I will post the recipe for everyone.

I will have pictures later to make up for the lack of a post yesterday, later!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Getting Caught Up 2

Here are some of the Halloween things that I have found to add to my ideas book for next year. Just click on the pictures to take you to The Taste of Home website.

Dracula Cookies Recipe



Marshmallow Witches Recipe



Strawberry Ghosts



Quick Ghost Cookies

Tuesday Ramblings

With yesterday being Thanksgiving in Canada, that meant my mom was home from work. One of her friends came over and they went shopping for the day. They were nice enough to call me to go to lunch with them. Nothing fancy just Big Boys. The food was alright, but the company was fantastic. I love this friend of my mom's, she is always ready for a good laugh.

I tried to get the sauerkraut canned up yesterday. Needless to say, it didn't go well. I made it way to early and it went bad. So now I need to go and get more cabbage. I am fine with that. I only spent a dollar on the cabbage last time. And it was a learning experience. Don't make sauerkraut until the first frost. Not because it changes the cabbage but the area that it will ferment will be cooler. So now I just have the apples, zucchini and 2 acorn squash to process. Then I can decide if I want to get carrots to put up and if I want some more apples to make an apple liquor. And anything else that might catch my fancy at the farm market. LOL! I know, I'm terrible. I look forward to canning and then I complain and then I look for more things to do so it doesn't end.

I have a pot of chili simmering on the stove as I type. I made it a little different this time. I did a quick soak with the beans, I like this method way better. And I didn't add as much liquid. Have to wait and see if they like the thicker chili?!? It is 48* outside right now. So I wanted to have something warm in my belly tonight. We will have corn bread muffins to go with the chili. I had to dig around in the cupboard to find these mixes. Need to add it to the grocery list to get more.

Tomorrow will be bread day. This will be the first time in months that I have made bread. I am dreading it. Once I get started with it again it will be like a long lost friend. But it is just the thought of all that work. LOL! I'm already thinking of the cinnamon bread I could make or the banana bread, ohhhhh the muffins and cupcakes. Like I said terrible.

Mom and I took the monsters down to one of the orchards over the weekend. That's where I got the Jonathon apples from. While we were there they were making apple butter in a cauldron over an open fire. The woman had a great big huge paddle that she had to use to constantly stir the apple butter so that it wouldn't burn. I am so happy that the crockpot was invented, among other appliances of convenience. I can see myself outside all day stirring apple butter or anything else for that matter. But then again if I had to do that then maybe I wouldn't have to clean the bathroom or some other dreaded chore.....hmmmmm!
Since I still don't have batteries for the camera and I'm tired of the crappy camera phone pictures I found a graphic to represent the woman and the apple butter.

Picture Post 1 of 2

Here are the apples I have been talking about. I still had 1/2 bushel of McIntosh and that wasn't enough for me so I bought 1/2 bushel of Jonathan's.



And here are some of the jars done up into applesauce!


When it is all said and done, there will be 18 quart jars of applesauce 6 with cinnamon and 12 plain for cooking. I still need to get the wolf creek apples made into apple pie filling. Now that I got this done I feel like I can take on the world.

I turned the heat on this morning. 38' was definitely cold enough for me. I have it set at 56', and that is just if we need it. I was really hoping not to have to turn the heat on for until after Halloween. But it is just to cold for that. Plus, with me just getting over whatever the hell it is. I will only turn the heat up to 62' in the dead of winter. I need to check into what we can do to help heat the house with some type of passive system. A wood stove would be lovely. But I don't know if that is a good investment for this house. Something to think about over the winter.

Picture Post 2 of 2

Here are some of the decorations that I finally got around to putting up!


This is the mirror that I painted black and now sits on the coffin. My living room table.


This is the little witch that sits out all year long on the shelf. Watching over and protecting.


I love this candle holder!


Front Door Guardians

Historic Cemetaries

Have you ever wondered who takes care of these wonderful treasures? Did you ever think how cool it would be to track and record information? Were you ever witness to the aftermath of a storm or vandalism and wished you could do something about it? Well, here is the "Michigan Historic Cemeteries Preservation Guide". It is in PDF form. But it is full of information on the how's and how not's to preserve our Cemeteries. Now mind you I think every state should have some form of Preservation Society, but this is the one that I stumbled across. So where ever you are if your interested in helping them out, I'm sure they would welcome the enthusiasm and the help!

Eastwick

Even though I did catch the first episode I am hooked on Eastwick. Here is the trailer. Got to love the Devil?!? The witches aren't bad either. LOL!

Tombstones

DH wanted a better looking tombstone then just plywood cutouts. And the ones that are in the store are either to cheap looking or very expensive. So online I go to find what I can. What I found was very ingenious. Here is a link to making foam tombstones and the painting techniques that go along with it. With tombstones you will also need names (Dawn Under & Kerry M. Off are my favorites) that can be found here and epitaphs that can be found here.

Here is also a DIY Video for your viewing pleasure...LOL!


Gotta Run,
Yart