Halloween Grubs

I've been wanting to try these Cheesy Cocktail Straws for a while now. I decided to make a few fingers with the dough. My dough spread considerably, so keep that in mind if you whip them up. The fingers kind of look like mine when I over indulge in olives. The cheese straws couldn't be easier or tastier. I could eat them as a meal with a good salad and a glass of wine. Whir them up in a food processor in no time. The hardest part is grating the cheese.

The spider deviled eggs were a little labor intensive, so I made some eyeballs too. I used red food coloring to color some of the filling and attempted bloodshot eyes. Hollywood and Inspector Gadget love deviled eggs. College Boy wouldn't touch one with a 10-foot pole. He's "allergic" to mayonnaise. Probably not a bad thing.

Spinach barf dip, anyone?

The mummy dogs were a big hit with both young and old. I'm not a hot dog fan, but I found some that didn't seem too unhealthy. No nitrates, no fillers, no preservatives. I didn't tell the hot dog fans around here for fear they wouldn't eat them. Hey, they weren't turkey dogs. All beef, it just didn't say what kind of beef. I served the mummies with blood and puss which were really just ketchup and mustard.

Hollywood made some cupcakes. She used a yellow cake mix and turned it purple. And she bought the biggest bag of candy corn she could find. I'm so screwed.

My newest little cousin made his appearance Halloween! What a fun birthday to have. I went to visit him this morning and he is so sweet.

Happy Halloween!

I had a little fun making this zombie. The askew pigtails cracked me up. There's a boy version too. You can get the patterns here. I had the yarn out earlier trying to crochet something, but that didn't work out. I'm all about repurposing.

Carving the jack-o-lantern was a bit less fun. Yuck, what a mess. I am in awe of those that can carve intricate designs into one-inch thick pumpkin walls. I wanted to do the throw up version, but I decided to roast the seeds since everyone likes them.

I did discover a cool idea this year. Cut the bottom of the pumpkin out for the light source. What an aha moment. The top stays nice and you don't have to reach in and scorch your hands to light it. Just sit your jack-o-lantern on a light source and voila.

Enjoy your Halloween. I'm off to make mummy dogs, baked bean larvae, spider deviled eggs, apple mouths, cheese fingers, and spinach dip barf. I have to do something to get that image of Matt Lauer as Pam Anderson from Baywatch out of my head.

Another Blogtoberfest down the drain. Thanks for keeping me company.

Wordless Wednesday

It's Almost Halloween

It's almost Halloween. Candy, check. Trick or treat bag, check. Hollywood is bringing her little charge to our neighborhood to trick or treat, so I made him a fancy bag. Hollywood has fond memories of trick or treating, we have a fun neighborhood. My mom usually made chili for Halloween, but we're attending a chili cook-off Saturday, so I think I'll pass on that tradition.

This is what Bones thinks about the approaching holiday. "Oh no....doorbells and laughing children. I hate both." I'll get the old man cozy in his crate so he doesn't bark all evening. He loves his crate. Or, I might dress him up in a costume. Ya hear that Bones? Behave.

Look at the size of these dried chili peppers. I have no idea how to use them, but I'm going to find out. Mexican night again. Everyone will be happy. Adios!

Let's Salsa

I watched The Great Gatsby (2013) over the weekend. When the movie came out in theaters this year, I watched the 1974 version with Robert Redford, which I had never seen. The new version was very colorful and I really enjoyed the alternative soundtrack. We also watched World War Z, which was pretty good. Inspector Gadget doesn't appreciate zombies like I do, but he was on the edge of his seat the entire time. Ha ha!

There was a Mexican Fiesta here Saturday. I usually hand chop all the veggies for pico de gallo or salsa, but I whirred everything in the food processor to save time. I also made The Best Homemade Refried Beans. They were pretty good! You have to love a confident recipe title like that. We piled the beans, salsa, guacamole, lettuce, fresh cheese, and sour cream on tostada shells and shoved them in our faces.

Last night I made a mess o' caveman pops (aka turkey legs). We shoved those in our faces too. See a trend here?

Linking with Made by you Monday.

Blogger's Quilt Festival Fall 2013

Amy at Amy's Creative Side hosts a Blogger's Quilt Festival to coincide with Quilt Market held each spring and fall. There are several categories of quilts and it's always fun to see what everyone has made and hear the stories behind the quilts and quilt makers. If you have a blog and a finished quilt, you can submit your blog post to share and also have a chance at winning fabulous prizes.

Help! I'm stuck!

My lack of photography skills decided my entry for the Festival. I had good intention of taking a few quilts out to shoot photos in this gorgeous weather, but I ran into a few snags. Literal snags. Uh oh, Double Delight is stuck on the neighborhood wall. Really stuck. I was sure it would rip. Remind me to bring a step ladder and/or assistant next time. The quilt survived, but my neighborhood reputation may be in question. Again.

This baby quilt hung out on a lawn and behaved itself, so it was the choice. It's made from vintage fabrics that I've collected over the years. I've used the fabrics here and there, but mostly admired them and shared with others who like the old stinky stuff. This summer while cleaning, I decided to organize the vintage fabric bin and donate the prints I didn't love so I could collect more of what I do love. While I was sorting, re-folding, and organizing, I was inspired.

A bow tie quilt being sold on eBay this summer provided the inspiration, so I set out replicate the scrappy look. The inspiration quilt had 929, 2-3/4" blocks. Gulp. I was lucky to eek out 110, 3-1/2" blocks before my eyes glazed over. I worked on the blocks here and there between other projects.

The quilt measures 40" x 44" and was machine pieced and machine quilted by myself. I did have to throw in some cheddar orange from newer fabric to achieve the look of the antique quilt, but the majority of fabrics are oldies but goodies.

I even found a fun Wonder Bread polka dot fabric for the backing. Remember when cotton fabrics were only 36" wide? Yep, I had to piece it. Luckily I had plenty. Thanks for taking time to look. I hope you enjoy the Festival.

My Past Festival Quilts

Spring 2012 -- Attack of the Cartoon Characters

Fall 2011 -- Scrappy Coins
Fall 2010 -- Batik Bargello
Spring 2010 -- Postage Stamp Mini

Another thank you to the beautiful park for providing picnic tables and grass for my photo shoot. Is it just me, or does even looking at Spanish Moss make you itch? Chigger city!

I'm Waning

Two of my favorite things, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. All the sun-dried tomato products were on sale this week, so I stocked up. I'd never seen this product before. Yum.

The sourdough bread was heavy. See how it flattened out during the last rise? We tried some of it, but I think you need tiger teeth to eat this stuff. It had great flavor for a boat anchor. So much for that little experiment. But I do have another idea for sourdough bread. I won't be defeated quite yet.

The sunrises have been so pretty this week. I've loved the cooler weather too. We'll be back to the mid-80s next week, but I'm hoping the 90s are history for a while.

I made a huge mess with terry cloth Friday. I'm still finding bits of terrycloth everywhere. I used an old towel and scrap fabric strips to make a dish mat. I may have to break out a vacuum cleaner today.

I baked these chicken breasts last night. They were so good. I based it on this recipe, but made a few changes because I didn't have a few of the ingredients. I can't wait to try it with Ritz crackers and cream of chicken soup for the sauce.

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups cheese crackers, ground to crumbs
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
Chopped parsley (fresh or dried)

Cut chicken breasts into three equal pieces. Beat egg and milk in one container, and combine ground crumbs and cheese in another container. Dip breast pieces into egg and milk mixture, and then press into crumb and cheese mixture. Place in greased 9" x 13" dish. Cover baking dish with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with parsley and bake 10 more minutes.

Optional Sauce
1 can cheddar cheese soup
2 tablespoons of sour cream
2 tablespoons butter

Combine ingredients in small saucepan and heat until it warms through and is a sauce-like consistency. Thin with water or milk if needed. Serve over chicken.

Only five more days of Blogtoberfest. I'm plodding on...