Green Bean Casserole

INGREDIENTS
1 can cream of mushroom soup
3/4 cup milk
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 1/3 cups French's french fried onions
2 (9 oz) pkgs frozen cut green beans, thawed
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DIRECTIONS
Mix soup and milk, then add pepper, beans and 2/3 cup onions in 1 1/2 qt casserole dish. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes or until hot. Remove from oven and stir. Top with remaining onions and bake for 5 additional minutes.

Candied Yams

Shared by: Dawn Smith

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INGREDIENTS

1 large can of yams (heat and mash with electric beater)
1 tbsp molasses
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp butter
3/4 cup miniature marshmallows + 1/4 cup for topping
1/2 cup chopped pecans + 1/4 cup for topping
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DIRECTIONS

Heat yams and mash with electric beater. Add molasses, brown sugar, butter, 3/4 cup miniature marshmallows and 1/2 cup pecans, mix well. Pour into baking dish and top with 1/4 cup chopped pecans and 1/4 cup miniature marshmallows. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes.

Corn Casserole

Shared by: Dawn Smith

INGREDIENTS
2 eggs
1 can cream-style corn
1 can whole kernel corn (do not drain)
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

1 package Jiffy corn muffin mix
salt and pepper to taste

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DIRECTIONS
Beat eggs. Stir in cream-style corn, whole kernel corn and butter. Add sour cream. Fold in muffin mix, salt and pepper. Pour into well-greased casserole dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 F for 35 minutes or until golden brown.

(Doubled the recipe fills a 9 X 13 pan and another small pan.)

Dad's Thanksgiving Dressing

This post is for my little sister Tracy, who is currently living in Texas... Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn't be complete without dad's dressing.

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INGREDIENTS & DIRECTIONS
2 loaves of brown bread, sliced into cubes
2 loaves of white bread, sliced into cubes
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The following to be sauted in a pan until butter melts:

2 cubes butter
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp sage
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups chopped celery
1 cup sliced olives
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup sliced almonds
1 to 2 cups of craisins
1 cup sliced water chestnuts (optional)

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In separate bowl, mix together:

4 eggs
1 can of evaporated milk
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Fold all ingredients into bread and put into pan for baking.

Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
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Halloween Pancakes

When I was a little girl, my mom would make us the coolest pancakes by adding food coloring to the batter. The tradition continues, always with a twist! Halloween morning would not be complete without our special pancakes.

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The kids use chocolate chips (big and small) to turn their pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns. We've also used sliced bananas and other fruits in the past.

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Last year we tried creating Frankenstein pancakes. Scary!

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Can't wait to see what creations we come up with this year!

In the Graveyard {games and activities}

Here are just a few games and activities for your Halloween parties. What are some of your favorites?

Supplies needed: lots and lots of toilet paper rolls!
Game play: Everyone will need a partner for this game. One will be the mummy, the other will be the wrapper. The wrappers have to wrap their mummy completely in toilet paper within the time given. The team closest to wrapping the mummy in the time given wins!

Whether you make it part of an official Halloween party or challenge another family (or more) to a game of Which Witch is Which Hunt... I promise you trick-or-treating will a bit more fun.

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Game Play: Each team needs to have a camera or video camera and a list of Halloween characters to find while trick-or-treating. Have a meeting place and time for the judging to take place later in the evening.

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Example list:
Witch
Superhero
Princess
Animal
Ghost
Policeman
Dracula
Cartoon Character
Doctor
Astronaut
Knight in Shining Armor
Football Player
Frankenstein
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At the end of the night, gather 'round the television set and view or watch each other's video footage. You could always have prizes for 1. most characters on the list found 2. most unique costume found 3. best decorated yard ... etc.

The good ol' game of O' So Gross! A guessing game, played in a darkened room.

*Read the story below to see what needs to be prepared beforehand.

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Game Play: Have everyone sit in a circle. Pass out paper and pencils to each person. Explain the game - A story will be read. As the story is read, cups will be passed around one-by-one. As the cups are passed around everyone will FEEL what's inside - then WRITE DOWN what they think is really in the cup. Shut out the lights and start *the story:
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Once in this town there lived a man named Brown.
Twas years ago this very night that he was murdered out of spite.
They say these are his remains:

Here is his brain, which now feels no pain.

(Pass around a cup with something like a wet squishy tomato inside it.)

Here are his eyes, still frozen with surprise.

(Pass the second cup which hold two frozen peeled grapes.)

Here is his heart. Be careful lest it start!

(Pass around a cup with a large lump of uncooked liver.)

Now we have his hair, which once was so fair!

(This cup contains a handful of corn silk or wet fur or yarn.)

Feel these drops of his blood. All the rest turned to mud.

(A cup with a little ketchup thinned with warm water.)

One hand all alone, just rotting flesh and bone.

(A damp plastic glove filled with mud or ice.)

Now touch his ear. He nevermore will hear!

(Pass around a cup holding a dried apricot.)

This is his nose. T'will never smell a rose.

(Use a soft piece of chicken bone.)

These worms are all that's left to feel. For them Brown was a lovely meal!

(Pass around a cup filled with wet, cooked spaghetti noodles.)

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When the story comes to an end and everyone has finished writing down their guesses, turn up the lights and collect the papers. As you check their guesses, you can show everyone what was really in the cups.

Supplies: All you need is a package of index cards (or slips of paper), something to write with, and a room full of imagination.

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Game Play: Write a line on each card that makes you think of Halloween. Then, pass around the deck of cards, face down. Have the first person choose a card. Have someone begin the story using the line on their card. They have 60 seconds (or less) until the person on their left takes the deck of cards from them. They choose a card and take the story in another another direction using the line on their card. This continues until everyone has had a chance to take a card from the deck (go around as many times as you would like). The last one to choose a card ends the story.

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Here are some ideas:

the crystal vase was filled with blood the door opened. It was Count Dracula!

there was a ghost, rising from the grave

in the corner, lay a body. It was...

the candlelight flickered

it was a cauldron, and a skull bobbed inside

it was a giant swamp spider

the hand belonged to a wolf man!

the skeleton shook itself, and moved toward me

the casket creaked

rats scattered across the floor

from beyond the grave

the burial certificate had my name on it

it was a zombie nightmare

the severed head spoke

a ghost coughed

I tried to run, but I couldn't move!

Meringue Ghosties

I made these for the first time last Halloween and was thrilled with the response from my family. The ghosties looked frightfully adorable sitting among our other Halloween goodies. Try them alone or in a cup of your favorite hot chocolate.

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INGREDIENTS
2 egg whites

1/2 cup sugar (1/4 cup + 1/4 cup)

mini chocolate chips - for eyes

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DIRECTIONS

Whisk egg whites until they are stiff, then whisk in 1/4 cup sugar. Fold in another 1/4 cup sugar, then place spoonfulls of the mixture on a baking sheet. Make each little pile tall and slightly pointed at the top, so it looks like a tiny ghost. Bake for about 2 hours in an oven at it;s lowest possible setting. When the meringues are cooled, you can add eyes with the mini chocolate chips, or chocolate icing, if you'd like.

Howl at the Moon {halloween songs}

A few years back, I was Activities Director (just one of my many responsibilities) at a wonderful Assisted Living Facility in Orem, Utah. In my search for something fun to do with the residents, I found these Halloween Carols along with many more. The tunes are easily recognizable and easy to sing or even hum along with. These are also fun for children's Halloween parties.

Trick or Treat

(Tune: Jingle Bells)
Dashing through the streets,
Meeting goblins as we go,
Wearing contour sheets,
Wishing it would snow.
Bells in doorways ring,
Making spirits bright,
What fun it is to come and sing
And get some food tonight.
Trick or treat, trick or treat, trick or treat we say!
Try to get the treats before the ghost takes us away!
Trick or treat, trick or treat, trick or treat we say!
If you don't have treats for us we'll never go away!
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Deck the Halls
(Tune: Deck the Halls)
Deck the halls with poison ivy,
fa la la la la, la la la la.
'Tis the season to be slimy,
fa la la la la, la la la la.
Don we now our strange apparel,
fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Troll the ancient Halloween carol,
fa la la la la, la la la la.
See the goblins rise before us,
fa la la la la, la la la la.
As we sing the Halloween chorus,
fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow them as they ascend,
fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Join with all your loony friends,
fa la la la la, la la la la.
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Spirit Wonderland
(Tune: Winter Wonderland)
Screech owls hoot, are you listening?
'Neath the moon, all is glistening.
A real scary sight, we're happy tonight.
Waitin' in a spirit wonderland.
In the streets, we're begging for some candy.
We've been waiting for this night all year.
We've tried to embarrass everybody,
And to make a costume filling you with fear.
Later on, while we're eating
What we got trick or treating.
We'll share all our sacks
Of Halloween snacks,
Waitin' in a spirit wonderland.
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GREAT PUMPKIN IS COMING TO TOWN
(Tune: Santa Claus is Coming to Town)
Oh, you better not shriek,
You better not groan,
You better not howl,
You better not moan,
Great Pumpkin is coming to town!
He's going to find out
From folks that he meets
Who deserves tricks
And who deserves treats;
Great Pumpkin is coming to town.
He'll search in every pumpkin patch,
Haunted houses far and near,
To see if you've been spreading gloom,
Or bringing lots of cheer.
So, you better not shriek,
You better not groan,
You better not howl,
You better not moan,
Great Pumpkin is coming to town!
Songs for the little ones:
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I'M A LITTLE SPIDER
(Tune: I'm a Little Teapot)
I'm a little spider,

Watch me spin.

If you'll be my dinner, I'll let you come in.

Then I'll spin my web to hold you tight,

And gobble you up in just one big bite!
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PUMPKIN SONG
(Tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb)
We are pumpkins big and round, big and round, big and round.

We are pumpkins big and round sitting on the ground.

See our great big shiny eyes, shiny eyes, shiny eyes.

See our great big shiny eyes, looking all around.

See our great big laughing mouth, laughing mouth, laughing mouth.

See our great big laughing mouth, smiling right at you!
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THIS OLD GHOST
(Tune: This Old Man)
This old ghost, he played one,

He played peek-a-boo on the run.

With a Boo! Boo! Boo! and a clap, clap, snap!

This old ghost is a friendly chap.

This old ghost, he played two,

He played peek-a-boo in a shoe.

With a Boo! Boo! Boo! and a clap, clap, snap!

This old ghost is a friendly chap.

This old ghost, he played three,

He played peek-a-boo behind a tree.

With a Boo! Boo! Boo! and a clap, clap, snap,

This old ghost is a friendly chap.
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GOBLINS IN THE DARK
(Tune: Farmer in the Dell)
The goblin in the dark, the goblin in the dark,
Hi ho, Halloween, the goblin in the dark.

The goblin takes the witch, the goblin takes a witch,

Hi ho, Halloween, the goblin takes a witch.

The witch takes the bat, the witch takes a bat,

Hi ho Halloween, the witch takes a bat.

The bat takes the ghost, the bat takes a ghost,

Hi ho, Halloween, the bat takes a ghost.

The ghost says, "BOO!" The ghost says, "Boo!"

Hi ho, Halloween, the ghost says, "Boo!"
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RIDING WITCHES
(Tune: Yankee Doodle)
A witch went riding on a broom

On a cold October evening;

She met a ghost and a big black cat,

And down her neck they were breathing.

"Jump up on my broom," she said,

"Let's come out of hiding,"

"Jump up on my broom," she said,

"And let's all go a-riding!"
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IN THE GRAVEYARD
(Tune: Darling Clementine)
In the graveyard, in the graveyard,

When the moon begins to shine

There's a doctor, crazy doctor

And his monster Frankenstein.

Oh, my monster, oh, my monster,

Oh, my monster Frankenstein,

You are looking very scary,

Sweet old monster Frankenstein.

Harvest Pumpkin Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Brownies:
2 cups solid pack pumpkin
4 eggs
¾ cups oil
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt

Frosting:
6 Tbsp butter, softened
1 (3 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp milk
1/8 tsp salt
1-1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS
In a large mixing bowl, beat the pumpkin, eggs, oil and vanilla until blended. Combine dry ingredients; gradually stir into pumpkin mixture.

Pour into a greased 15 x 10 1 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack.

In a small mixing bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese, vanilla, milk and salt until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar until smooth. Frost cooled brownies. Store in the refrigerator.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread

INGREDIENTS

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

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DIRECTIONS

Beat all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

Pumpkin Seed Brittle

INGREDIENTS

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
3/4 cup raw green (hulled) pumpkin seeds (not toasted; 4 ounces)
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Special equipment:

parchment paper

a candy thermometer

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DIRECTIONS

Put a 24- by 12-inch sheet of parchment on a work surface and anchor corners with pieces of tape. Bring sugar, water, and sea salt to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Cook mixture, without stirring, washing down any sugar crystals from side of pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water, until syrup registers 238°F (soft-ball stage) on thermometer, 10 to 12 minutes (sugar syrup will be colorless). Remove from heat and stir in seeds with a wooden spoon, then continue stirring until syrup crystallizes, 3 to 4 minutes.
Return pan to moderate heat and cook, stirring constantly, until sugar melts completely (sugar will continue to dry and become grainy before melting) and turns a deep caramel color, 4 to 5 minutes more (seeds will be toasted). Carefully pour hot caramel mixture onto parchment and carefully cover with another sheet. Immediately roll out(between sheets of parchment) as thinly as possible with a rolling pin, pressing firmly. Remove top sheet of parchment and immediately cut brittle into pieces with a heavy knife or pizza wheel. Cool brittle completely, then peel paper from bottom. (Alternately, break brittle into pieces once cool.)

Blood and Guts with Eyeballs

INGREDIENTS

1 package green spinach pasta (elbow macaroni is best)

1 jar spaghetti sauce

stuffed Spanish olives

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DIRECTIONS

Boil pasta according to package instructions. Heat spaghetti spaghetti sauce. Cut olives in half to make "eyeballs" and place on top of the "blood and guts."

Bat Wings

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INGREDIENTS

1 dozen chicken wings

1 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup honey

1 teaspoon ginger, crushed and chopped

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DIRECTIONS

Mix together soy sauce, honey, and ginger. Marinate chicken overnight. Grill in oven or barbeque.

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Source: Unknown, Halloween files

Graveyard Gravel

INGREDIENTS

3 cups semisweet chocolate pieces
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
Dash salt
2 cups tiny marshmallows
Unsweetened cocoa powder mixed with an equal amount of powdered sugar
Powdered sugar
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DIRECTIONS

1. Line a 9x9x2-inch or an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with foil; set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat and stir chocolate pieces, condensed milk, butter, vanilla, and salt over medium heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat; stir in marshmallows just until combined. Spread mixture evenly in the prepared pan. Using a table knife or thin metal spatula, swirl marshmallows through fudge in pan until marshmallows are mostly melted. Cover and chill about 2 hours or until firm.
3. Using a small scoop, scoop fudge and shape into rocks (fudge will be sticky). Roll some in cocoa powder mixture and some in powdered sugar. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Makes about 80 pieces (2 1/4 lbs.).

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Source: Unknown, Halloween Files

Shrunken Heads

INGREDIENTS
4 small apples, such as Gala
Lemon juice
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon apple pie spice
Dash salt
Ice cream
Caramel ice cream topping
Halloween sprinkles (optional)
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DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Wash and core apples. Cut apples in half lengthwise; brush cut sides with lemon juice. Carve face on each apple half.
2. Combine brown sugar, melted butter, spices and salt in small bowl; brush over all sides of apples, filling face cutouts. Place apples, cut side down, in baking dish. Pour remaining brown sugar mixture over apples in dish. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until apples are tender.
3. For each serving, place scoop of ice cream in bowl and drizzle with caramel topping. Top with apple half and sprinkles, if desired.

Stuffed Shrunken Heads

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Wash and core apples; brush insides with lemon juice.

Carve scary face on one side of each apple.

Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar

3 tablespoons melted butter

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon apple pie spice

dash salt

Combine in small bowl; brush over outsides of apples. Place apples in baking dish.

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Add:

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup dried cranberries to brown sugar mixture; stuff into apples. Bake, covered, 30 to 35 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.

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Source: Unknown, Halloween Files

Slimy Snails

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces mostaccioli or penne rigate pasta
1/2 package (8 ounces) gnocchi pasta shells*
2 packages (1-1/2 ounces each) four-cheese sauce mix for pasta, prepared according to package directions
1 can (4-1/4 ounces) chopped ripe black olives
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon paprika
1/4 cup shredded carrots
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DIRECTIONS
1. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Reserve 5 to 10 gnocchi and noodles, and 1/4 cup cheese sauce, to make snails. In 9X13-inch pan or serving dish, layer warm mostaccioli and gnocchi pasta with warm cheese sauce. Sprinkle with black olives and parsley. Keep warm in oven while assembling snails.
2. Sprinkle remaining gnocchi shells with paprika. Assemble snails by placing 1 shell on top of each mostaccioli noodle, using a small amount of sauce inside shell to adhere pasta. Insert 2 small shredded carrots at top of snail for antennas. Place in sauce on top of prepared dish. Serve warm.

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Source: Unknown, Halloween Files

Meringue Bone Cookies

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INGREDIENTS

1-1/2 cups sugar
Pinch of salt
5 egg whites at room temperature
Pinch of cream of tartar
1 teaspoon almond, vanilla, orange or lemon extract
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DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 220°F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Prepare pastry bag with round #10 tip (about 3/8-inch diameter).
2. Combine sugar and salt in small bowl. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in small bowl with electric mixer at low speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar mixture, beating constantly. Beat until stiff peaks form and meringue is shiny and smooth. Add extract; beat just until blended.
3. Fill pastry bag with meringue. Pipe log 3 to 4 inches long. Pipe 2 balls on both ends of each log. Smooth any peaks with wet finger. Repeat with remaining meringue.
4. Bake 30 minutes; turn off heat. Leave cookies in oven overnight; do not open oven door.
Tip: To give the "bones" an ivory or "aged" look, add 1 to 2 drops yellow food coloring with the extract.

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Source: Unknown, Halloween Files

Green Meanies

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INGREDIENTS
4 green apples
1 cup nut butter (cashew, almond or peanut butter)
Almond slivers
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DIRECTIONS

1. Place apple, stem side up, on cutting board. Cut away 2 halves from sides of apple, leaving 1-inch-thick center slice with stem and core. Discard core slice. Cut each half round in half. Then cut each apple quarter into two wedges using a crinkle cutter. Each apple will yield 8 wedges.
2. Spread 2 teaspoons nut butter on wide edge of apple slice. Top with another crinkled edge apple slice, aligning crinkled edges to resemble jaws. Insert almond slivers to make fangs.

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Tip: For best effect, use a crinkle cutter garnishing tool to create a toothy look.

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Source: Unknown, Halloween Files

Easy Apple Cider

INGREDIENTS

1 gallon apple cider

4 cinnamon sticks

16 cloves

1/4 cup sugar

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DIRECTIONS

Mix together and boil for 10 minutes, then remove cinnamon sticks and cloves.

Green Ghoul Punch

INGREDIENTS
1/2 gallon limeade

1 liter ginger ale

1/2 gallon lime sherbert

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DIRECTIONS

Mix together juice and ginger ale. Scoop sherbert and add to punch. Add marshmallows and maraschino cherries to float in punch.