Ghosts of Halloween Past

Yes, it is almost that time again! All the stores have their Halloween displays out and I am making preparations for this year's Halloween/birthday party.  Frankly everyday is Halloween with a middle- schooler and high-schooler (one currently has raspberry colored hair and the other has black), but we still celebrate Halloween.
To read about our past parties and view instructions for decorations, pictures, and recipes go here.

Halloween Birthday Party: Part Trois (or is it quatre?)

My kids have birthdays a month apart. One is turning 13 in a week (save me!) and the other is turning 10 in Oct.
We always do Halloween themed birthday parties (click link for decorations,food, and crafts) for my youngest daughter Onyx.
The husband has demolished our deck so this year's party may have to be somewhere else. I don't really want anyone falling out our sliding door onto the ground below!
 ..and that may happen, last year the kids knocked over the basketball goal in our backyard (encased in cement). Thankfully no one was hurt!

Onyx wants a spa themed Halloween party this year so we are planning a haunted salon. We have a bodiless foot to go in a pedicure bath, a hand for the manicure area, and will be doing "monster" mud masques.
I may set up different rooms as stations.

She is going to be Alice from Alice in Wonderland. I am going to be Marie Antoinette and my oldest hasn't picked her costume yet.

Halloween Themed Birthday

You may remember that my youngest daughter has been having Halloween themed birthday parties the last few years.


This year's bash. OOPS! I don't have any pics of
the birthday girl on my cell phone!




some guests
my 12yr old


decor


Last year I made Vampire Cupcakes. They turned out really good.
Here is a pic from Baking Bites. Mine weren't quite as pretty but were very tasty!


I meant to make them again this year but didn't have enough time. I did make a 6'5" mummy!
The legs are a little spindly. I need to pad them up a bit! Excuse the mummy making mess. I propped it on chairs to wrestle restrain wrap it. In front of our sliding doors. With the lights on. I am sure it looked quite nefarious! "Um, what is our crazy neighbor doing now?".


twins!

Party of the Year Part 2

Yes, finally an update to this post!
I am taking our Halloween/birthday party decorations down today. Here are a few pics of them and an odd party pic. Excuse my camera skills, the batteries are low but I am tired of waiting for them to charge!

The last pic came out strange. Frog was holding still (oh my gosh, that IS strange lol) with everyone moving around her.

Holiday Hazards for Pets

I wrote this last holiday season. The info is relevant for Halloween also. Remember, chocolate is poisonous to your pets!

Holiday Hazards for Pets

It is that time of the year again. The holiday season. Pies, cakes, and cookies! Oh My! You can be sure Fluffy or Fido will be sneaking around trying to get a taste of those tasty vittles.

Here is a list of hazardous items to look out for.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet

- Alcoholic beverages

- Avocado

- Chocolate (all forms)

- Coffee (all forms)

-Fatty foods

- Macadamia nuts

-Moldy or spoiled foods

- Onions, onion powder

- Raisins and grapes

- Salt

- Yeast dough

- Garlic

- Products sweetened with xylitol

Warm Weather Hazards

- Animal toxins—toads, insects, spiders, snakes and scorpions

- Blue-green algae in ponds

- Citronella candles

- Cocoa mulch

- Compost piles Fertilizers

- Flea products

- Outdoor plants and plant bulbs

- Swimming-pool treatment supplies

- Fly baits containing methomyl

- Slug and snail baits containing metaldehyde

Medication

Common examples of human medications that can be potentially lethal to pets, even in small doses, include:

- Pain killers

- Cold medicines

- Anti-cancer drugs

- Antidepressants

- Vitamins

- Diet Pills

Cold Weather Hazards

- Antifreeze

- Liquid potpourri

- Ice melting products

- Rat and mouse bait

Common Household Hazards

- Fabric softener sheets

- Mothballs

- Post-1982 pennies (due to high concentration of zinc)

Holiday Hazards

- Christmas tree water (may contain fertilizers and bacteria, which, if ingested, can upset the stomach.

- Electrical cords

- Ribbons or tinsel (can become lodged in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction—most often occurs with kittens!)

- Batteries - Glass ornaments

Non-toxic Substances for Dogs and Cats

The following substances are considered to be non-toxic, although they may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some animals:

- Water-based paints

- Toilet bowl water*

- Silica gel

-Poinsettia

- Cat litter

- Glue traps

- Glow jewelry

*note: MOST toilet bowl cleaners/deodorizers/colorants are poisonous

"OH BOY! Trick or Treaters!"

What To Do If Your Pet Is Poisoned:

- Don’t panic. Rapid response is important, but panicking can interfere with the process of helping your pet.

- Take 30 to 60 seconds to safely collect and have at hand any material involved. This may be of great benefit to your vet and/or APCC toxicologists, as they determine what poison or poisons are involved. In the event that you need to take your pet to a local veterinarian, be sure to take the product’s container with you. Also, collect in a sealable plastic bag any material your pet may have vomited or chewed.

- If you witness your pet consuming material that you suspect might be toxic, do not hesitate to seek emergency assistance, even if you do not notice any adverse effects. Sometimes, even if poisoned, an animal may appear normal for several hours or for days after the incident. Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center The telephone number is (888) 426-4435. There is a $55 consultation fee for this service. Be ready with the following information:

- the species, breed, age, sex, weight and number of animals involved

- the animal’s symptoms

- information regarding the exposure, including the agent (if known), the amount of the agent involved and the time elapsed since the time of exposure. Have the product container/packaging available for reference.

"Why do you think I look guilty?"

Please note: If your animal is having seizures, losing consciousness, is unconscious or is having difficulty breathing, telephone ahead and bring your pet immediately to your local veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic. If necessary, he or she may call the APCC. Be Prepared Keep the telephone number of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center—(888) 426-4435—as well as that of your local veterinarian, in a prominent location. Invest in an emergency first-aid kit for your pet.

The kit* should contain:

- a fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide, 3 percent USP (to induce vomiting)

- a turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine syringe (to administer peroxide)

- saline eye solution

- artificial tear gel (to lubricate eyes after flushing)

- mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid (for bathing an animal after skin contamination) - forceps (to remove stingers)

- a muzzle (to protect against fear- or excitement-induced biting)

- a can of your pet’s favorite wet food

-a pet carrier

*Always consult a veterinarian or the APCC for directions on how and when to use any emergency first-aid item.

Have a safe holiday!

post for Little Rock, AR locals-last minute Halloween event info

I have talked to several people who don't have plans for tonight, here are a few things going on around town. Note: the Aerospace Education center will be CLOSED tonight! I have seen this listed as an event site but according to their page the center is closed.

CURRENT KIDS AND FAMILY HALLOWEEN EVENTS

We hit Park Plaza a few times in the past few years and it was a big disappointment. Most stores didn't have candy and hardly anyone working there knew trick or treaters were coming by at all. Hopefully this year will be different!

Boo at the Zoo is always fun but VERY crowded. Be prepared to wait in line!
This event features trick or treating booths, rides, a haunted house, etc.
Also Jack Hanna will be there at 8pm for a book signing and to appear on a live taping of the show Unreliable Sources. Seating for the show will be on a first-come-first serve basis.
Cost is $5 per person (regular admission to Boo at the Zoo). Boo at the Zoo will be open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. to accommodate Jack's visit.

For more information, call the Zoo at (501) 661-7208.

13th Annual Big Boo-seum Bash.
Shuttles will take you to the Historic Arkansas Museum, Museum of Discovery, Central High School National Historic Site, Old State House Museum, Clinton Library, EMOBA, MacAuthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, Little Rock Visitor Information Center (Curran Hall), Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 6-8:30 p.m. 370-3222. www.littlerock.com.

Halloween Hike
October 31, 2008
7 PM - 8:30 PM
Pinnacle Mountain State Park
(Sometimes the woods are scary, but they're always interesting! Creep around in the forest with a park interpreter and experience the real sounds of night.

Admission: Free. For more information, call 501-868-5806 or e-mail pinnaclemountain@arkansas.com.

No Costume?
Obama,Biden,McCain, and Palin masks can be printed out here

House stuff & Friday Giveaways

I am doing the happy dance right now. Frog is back in school today. WOOHOO!
She was getting cabin fever being stuck at home (and little real sleep with all her fever problems) and I was right there with her! We went to the park yesterday since it was such a warm and sunny day and the elementary school carnival last night which calmed her down quite a bit. The new antibiotics seem to be chasing the cough away.
The house is a mess, which reminds me I need to pick up Frog's doll before the dogs chew on her, Frog bought with her last year's Christmas money. I am behind on editorials and some freelance writing projects I am SUPPOSED to be doing and I have a ton of errands.

Then there are house issues.

1. I am hoping one of the grandmas can take the kids for a weekend so dh and I can strip the wallpaper in the master bathroom and paint before it gets too cold.
2. Then for the really big DIY project! I need to scrounge up some extra $ to replace our deck before someone falls through it! I am not sure how old the deck is but our house was built in the 1970s so I am guessing somewhere along those lines. The previous owners painted it with housepaint and apparently that is bad. Plus the deck was attacked by termites at some point and we had some dryrot from that. Then I found carpenter ants a few months ago.
   
3. The garage needs to be cleaned badly. While not critical, it is currently a free for all in there! "Laundry Mountain" (aka sleeping bags and winter blankets that need to be washed) is threatening to swallow everything.

No I am not forgetting the giveaways!

• First up, 2 Shannon Nicole headbands from Shopping Is My Cardio-ends Nov.3

black eye

Here is Frog and her black eye. Can you believe she got hit with candy of all things! Jawbreakers are dangerous! The swelling is way down from what it was. I was a little afraid her eye would be swollen shut today because her cheek swelled up almost instantly.
She barely noticed me taking the pic because she was too engrossed in watching Tokyo Mew Mew on the office computer.

Party of the Year part 1

Frog's birthday was a great success. She had a Halloween themed party then a sleepover for the girls. Unfortunately this one was a sleepover w/o the sleep! Dd had permission to stay up until MIDNIGHT. Some kids fell asleep before then but most made it to the witching hour. We awoke to thundering feet early in the morning. The girls who fell asleep were woken up by the ones who slept briefly. I am sure the copious amounts of treats didn't help. Also Frog got a black eye because one of her friends hit her with a jawbreaker. Otherwise it was a blast.

I made Vampire Cupcakes but didn't get a pic before they were eaten!
Disclaimer-NOT MY PICS NOT MY PICS!
Here is what they look like at Baking Bites.


I cheated and used cake mix bought for very little at Kroger. The Kroger site has coupons that you can load onto your shopping card. Combined with a sale they were having on that type of mix these were a really good deal!
Ditto on the frosting. I bought Cream Cheese and a white whipped frosting. If you would like to do different frosting "skin tones" you can use chocolate or the very tasty looking fudge. Or a mix of the two. I chose not to get chocolate because I am allergic to chocolate (I know...what a pain!).

The inside of these cupcakes are filled with blood. Ok really it was pureed cherry pie filling which added just the right tartness. I cut holes in the top of the baked and cooled cupcakes with a bottle lid (before adding the frosting!). Then I removed that part. Next I spooned the cherry puree into the holes. You will need to add a lot for the right gushiness.


Replace the lids and frost.
Use an icepick or skewer for the bite marks and red cake decorating gel for the blood trail.

I will have to try these other great cupcakes Slime-Filled Cupcakes From the Black Lagoon (also from Baking Bites).

Terrific Tuesday Giveaways

• Fall tumbler set at the not-so-blog blog: ends on October 6, 2008 at 11:59pm
• Mommy's Little Monster LED shirt at Momma Findings: ends Oct. 6 midnight EST
• cute LED sz medium Junior Tee at Momma Findings: ends Oct. 7 midnight EST
• What's That Smell Halloween Spice Soy melting tarts from Sweet 'n' Sassy Girls
  

Halloween Crafts Part 2-Sarcophagus with Mummy

This was an Altoids tin. Now it is a sarcophagus. One of the jewels dried before I could pull it off so it is a bit crooked. I am afraid I might rip the paper on the front trying to get it off. Oh well.

Front-


I left the lid slightly open so you can see inside.

Halloween Crafts and directions for spiders!

BEWARE OF THE SPOOKY SPIDERS!

Can you spot them?



I made some spiders for an upcoming Halloween themed birthday bash.

Supplies:

1. pipe cleaners
2. paint and brushes

First you need to form eight legs. The easiest way to do this is to gather 4 pipe cleaners. Twist the bundle of pipe cleaners in the middle and then twist each single pipe cleaner with the one next to it.
Twist the 5th pipe cleaner around the middle to create the spider's body. Leave the ends out to simulate "fangs".
You can paint spiders as desired. I used some stencil paint that glows in the dark.


Here are some other Halloweenie things I made this past week.


I couldn't quite get a shot of the whole label. This is Bog Weed in Dragon Drool. Ok not really. It is a concoction of copper flakes, leftover pipe cleaner bits, a dash of green paint, and hair gel. Here is another shot.



This next pic is of a box I painted. It is shinier than the pic shows, I used copper leaf flakes on it.


Sorry, the light kept reflecting funny when I tried to get a full pic. There are ghostly smudges on some of the squares but the color is not quite right.

Frog's Halloween Birthday Bash

Frog, my 7 yr old, started a new tradition last year. Her birthday is in October. October 12th to be exact.

She wanted a Halloween themed party. That was such a hit that she has been planning her 8th birthday party for almost a year now.
Though a lot of the details have changed (over and over and over!) she is still set on having a Halloween theme.

Decorations
We went to Party City last year and splurged on decorations. The outside of our house had spiderwebs all over the front porch, stairs, and front door.
The dining room walls had murals of tombstones,spiderwebs, and signs all over them. I also bought a cardboard chandelier to hang over the food table.

Food
I made frothy green punch w/ an ice monster hand floating in it. We served that in a cauldron with dry ice. A black light shone through the dry ice fog for an extra creepy special effect. For a cake I made a regular cake with a crack in it. I placed plastic rats inside like they were crawling out of the crack and decorated the cake with red gel along the crack and Halloweenish writing in black and orange.
We got the usual party fare, chips, veggies, dip, etc. I also served eye balls (green olives) on toothpicks.

I am not sure how I am going to top last year!
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