Not Your Average Candy

I saw some cute candy today during my last minute candy journey. One I bought was Ghost Dots. They are shaped like normal dots, but they are an ecto-green color. They are also mystery flavors.

We tried them and even though they are basically ordinary dots, I thought they were so cute. I couldn't tell though what the flavors were supposed to be. Still cute though for Halloween.

The other candy I found (which I didn't get) was costume award Hershey bars. The wrappers are awards for different costumes (cutest, scariest, etc.). I didn't get those, but they would be adorable for a Halloween party.

Well, I'll let you all get back to your loot.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween is here! In my area, it looks like it's going to be sunny and rather warm, the first time in years it hasn't rained. Have fun, get scared, eat lots of candy. ;)

Even though Halloween will be over, The Pumpkin Patch will still be here. I love pumpkins for the entire fall season (if you are like me, you just turn those Jack O's around to hide their scary faces and use them as undecorated pumpkins). So check back in November for Thanksgiving and general fall ideas.



Have a great Halloween!

Got Balloons?

If you are looking for a last minute, quick to put together costume, try balloons. There are many different costumes that can be made by starting out with a plain sweat suit, or long shirt and tights or leggings and balloons.

Bunch of grapes: use either green or purple round balloons and pin (stick the pin through the little tail left from trying it closed) them to your clothing

Bag of Jelly Beans: Get a large clear plastic bag, cut out arm and leg holes, fill with colorful oval shaped balloons and tied the neck closed.

Gumball Machine: Same as the jelly bean bag, except use round balloons

Bubble Bath: Pin various sized white balloons to your clothes and carry a rubber duckie and back brush or other shower item. Wear a shower cap and pin balloons to that too

If you have the time and want to get really creative, make your own ball gown out of balloons. A simple dress can be made by pinning colums of balloons together and using ribbon to hold them in rows, to form a skirt section or go even more intricate like those shown here

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blog.craftzine.com/TwistedBalloonDress.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/02/&h=500&w=375&sz=179&hl=en&start=76&um=1&usg=__EHTKhVfZR1LYKwFrXSrGu8zPiJY=&tbnid=WEtTNOXdBMXrZM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=98&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dballoons%2Bhalloween%2Bcostumes%26start%3D60%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN

And for your Halloweeny entertainment....

Looking for some kid-friendly spook? Here's a list of the Top 10 Halloween movies for kids (or adults, like me, who scare easily).

1. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

2. Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie

3. Wallace & Gromit: The Curst of the Were-Rabbit

4. Casper

5. Double, Double, Toil and Trouble

6. Halloweentown

7. Halloweentwon II: Kalabar's Revenge

8. The Haunted Mansion

9. Hocus Pocus

10. The Adventures of Icabod and Mr. Toad

If you are looking for Halloween movies suitable for the slightly younger group, check out this list of Halloween shows for preschoolers

http://kidstvmovies.about.com/od/halloween/tp/preschoolershalloween.htm

Halloween Has Gone To The Dogs

Here are some tips from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals -- ASPCA, to keep your pets safe during Halloween:

*Don't leave your pet out in the yard on Halloween. Every year there are reports of pets, especially black cats, being stolen, or worse.

*Candy is not for pets. Chocolate is poisonous to a lot of animals, and foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.

*Be careful of pets around a lit pumpkin. Pets may knock it over and cause a fire. Kittens especially run the risk of getting burned.

*Don't dress the dog or cat in costume unless you know he loves it. It can put a lot of stress on the animal. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume is safe -- it should not constrict her movement, hearing or ability to breathe or bark. Be careful not to obstruct his vision.

*Even the friendliest pets can get snappy during the commontion of trick or treating. Too many strangers in costumes can be scary for a dog.

*Be careful your cat or dog doesn't run outside when you open the door for trick-or-treaters.

Follow these suggestions and there is no reason your pets can't enjoy the holiday too.

Trick Or Treat

I already posted what you should avoid (for your own safety). Now these treats are considered to be the cream of the crop among serious trick-or-treaters.

1. Reeses Peanut Butter Cups: These were mentioned most often by the diehard candy lovers. There is just something about that chocolate and peanut butter goodness.

2. Hershey's Chocolate: In any form they can get it

3. Blow Pops: Candy and gum in one, what could be better?

4. Gummy Candy: Worms, bears, random Halloweeny shapes, it's all good

5. Bubble Gum: The softer the better, no hard gum here.

Now you know what to arm yourself with for next weeks festivities.

Can I Trade This In For Something Else?

Here is a list compiled by Serious Eats of the most disappointing Halloween treats (comments added by me). Just a disclaimer: these aren't my choices as the worst, so if you pass these out, don't shoot the messenger. :)

1. Toothbrushes: Oral hygiene and Halloween do not mix

2. Raisins: Wrinkled grapes do not a good treat make

3. Candy Corn: (as a candy corn fan, I disagree on this one)

4. Smarties and Necco Wafers: taste like dust, not a good thing

5. Dum Dum Lollipops: I agree on this one as I find them dangerous for young kids

6. Apples: Bad for a lot of reasons

7. Tootsie Rolls: (chocolate wannabe)

8. Hard candies: again, I agree as I find them dangerous for young kids

9. Laffy Taffy: it's usually hard and sticks to the package and does not make you laughy.

10. Anything fun sized: one bite is not fun.

I'll be back later with a list of treats kids will run to your house so fast to get that they will trample over smaller children for.