Queen of Halloween

Photo from Brooklyn Limestone blog

I'm convinced that Brooklyn Limestone is the "Queen of Halloween". Seriously, go to her blog and check out her decorations! It makes my measly Joanne's spider and webs look absurd. I'm in awe!

{wordless wednesday}

Halloween Party Games & Activities for the kiddos

Looking for ideas to keep your youngest Halloween party guests entertained? Here are a few games and activities for school or home celebrations:

Skeleton Scavenger Hunt {Family Fun Magazine}

Photo from Family Fun

What You Need

• Large cardboard or plastic skeleton decoration
• Long sheet of paper
• Marker
• Tacks or tape

Instructions

• Trace a large cardboard or plastic skeleton decoration on a long sheet of paper. (Use a skeleton with movable limbs like the one shown here.)
• Next, carefully take the skeleton apart at its joints and hide the parts around your house or yard.
• During the party, ask the kids to "unearth" the bones and reassemble the skeleton by tacking or taping the parts onto the outline. When the skinny spook has been re-created, celebrate by giving each player a small prize.

Halloween Tossing Game {Better Homes & Gardens}

Download and print the Better Homes and Gardens patterns (found here), a sign for the Can Toss game and one to wrap each can. Measure around the cans and cut printed papers to wrap around them; secure with glue. Arrange the cans on a tiered shelf with designated points. Provide the kids with table tennis balls to toss into the cans.

Photo from Better Homes & Gardens

Roll a Jack-O-Lantern {my own interpretation of a game at Oopsey Daisy Blog}

FREE printable from PaperCourt Press

What you need

Pumpkins cut out of construction paper

Eyes, noses, mouths and teeth cut outs (or markers for the kids to draw the features)

Dice (I'd love to find a huge die to use for little kid's kindergarten party but a small set will work just fine.)

Instructions

Roll the die and let the kids create their crazy pumpkin!

Easiest Pork Tenderloin recipe

The busiest time of year is among us so I'm here to share a scrumptious easy weeknight dinner :: Amazing Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker.

Ingredients

1 (2 lb) pork tenderloin

1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix

1 cup water

3/4 cup red wine

3 tablespoons minced garlic

3 tablespoons soy sauce

freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Place pork tenderloin in a slow cooker with the contents of the soup packet. Pour water, wine, and soy sauce over the top, turning the pork to coat. Carefully spread garlic over the pork, leaving as much on top of the roast during cooking as possible. Sprinkle with pepper, cover, and cook on low setting for 4 hours. Serve with cooking liquid on the side as au jus.

It was delicious and moist and so very easy!

EAT, DRINK, and BE SCARY! dinner menu

If hitting the streets in a polyester costume on Halloween is not up your alley, an EAT, DRINK, and BE SCARY dinner party is a perfect way to spend the evening with friends.

Once your guests sit down for dinner, start your goulish meal with a warm bowl of Green Gruel with Eyeballs.

Photo from Epicurious

or for a more elegant presentation, Spiderweb Soup (use yogurt or creme fraiche to draw the spider webs)

Photo from Le Chat Gourmet

For the salad course, a Warm Butternut Squash and Arugula salad hits the spot.

Photo from Apartment Therapy The Kitchn

And for the main course, Beef Tenderloin with Garlic Horseradish served with a side of Potato Ghosts.

Photo from Epicurious

No party is complete without dessert so try Epicurean Mom's No-Bake Spiderweb Cheesecake.

Photo from Epicurean Mom

Later this week, I'll have drink recommendations to round out your Halloween dinner party!