Spooky Spells

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sneak Peek Open House Dollies

Ok y'all I am calling this a sneak peak LOL anyways the characters are gettin restless in the old hollow to come out and play. They are anxiously awaiting an adoption so be sure to stop by and peruse them and if you so like we can fill out the paperwork so one of them can be yours to take home or more ...I know they have been partyin and causing much chaos here at the house and I will be glad to adopt them to a good prim home.....

Rabbit Hollow Prims Fall 2010 Gallery

Monday, August 9, 2010

History of Pumpkin Carving

I grew up in the Northeast USA, where pumpkin carving was a MASSIVE Halloween tradition. Over here in Europe, people look at me like I’m an idiot when I tell them I want to cut a pumpkin up and stick a candle in it. At least, I hope that’s why they look at me like I’m an idiot – hard to know what these Europeeps are thinking. I was once asked why we (Americans) do this every October, and I realized I actually didn’t know. My answer was something along the lines of, “Well, cos we do.” Hmm. I may have just discovered the reason behind the aforementioned look.. Well, in case you’re clueless like I was, let me just fill you in on why we do it.

Where did all this start?

First, let’s mention that the idea of carving lanterns out of vegetables originated in Europe. Specifically, Scotland and Ireland. Which makes sense, considering the legend of Jack o’ Lantern started out with Stingy Jack – an Irishman.

Jack was cheap, eh?

Well.. yeah. I doubt he was a real person, however, so don’t get too upset about it. Legend says he was having a drink with the Devil and then refused to cough up his share of the check. He convinces the devil to turn himself into a coin, and once in that form, Jack puts him in his pocket. Seems Stingy Jack had a cross in there, which then made the Devil powerless. Before Jack released him, he made the Devil promise not to claim his soul.

**So Jack was sly, eh?**

Actually, I’m more inclined to think the Devil a total fool. If he could turn himself into a coin, surely he could have turned something else into a coin, and just paid for the drinks? Jack probably would have made a nice sized purse!

Well, he was sly enough to get away with it!

Depends on how you look at it – he saved his soul from the Devil, but God didn’t want him after that, either. So he was cursed to wander the earth in darkness. When Jack asked the Devil how he’d be able to find his way around, the Devil chucked him an ember from the eternal fire. I think we can all imagine how hot that would have been to hold, so Jack promptly carved a hole into a turnip and dropped his little light into it.

**Sorry, did you say turnip?**

Yeah. Sorry. If it were my legend, it would sound a lot better, I promise.

So what’s this to do with pumpkins, then?

It seems that people in Ireland and Scotland started carving faces into all kinds of vegetables, in order to keep ol’ Jack away – and other spirits, too. When these peeps emigrated to the USA, they brought their veggies along. No, I’m kidding. They got new ones – and discovered pumpkins were particularly well suited for scary faces and candles.

How long has it been associated with Halloween?

Wikipedia claims since 1866. I wasn’t there, however, so I can’t verify that claim. It would seem, however, a logical conclusion as the scary face thing does seem to go well with the general scary theme we associate with Halloween.

And there you are - the history of the Jack o' Lantern!

Saturday, August 7, 2010

How to Host a Kid's Halloween Party

Get ready for some serious sugar highs and heeby-jeebies because this Halloween party is all about getting the little ones grossed out and sugared up. Get ready for the oooohhhhs and aaahhhhhs because it's gonna be a good one!

Things You'll Need:

Marshmallows
Colored beanbag chairs
Ribbon, lifesavers or gummysavers
Sugar cookies, frosting, cake decorations, candy, sprinkles, cardboard base covered with tin foil
Pedestals, glass bowls, candy
Candy hearts, pen, foil
Pancakes, cake decorators, sprinkles, chocolate chips
Button candy, large swirl lollipops, lollipop tree
Jars covered in fabric or foil, gross supplies to place inside

Read more: How to Host a Halloween Party for Kids | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2001196_kids-halloween-party.html#ixzz0vywp3Y4H

Friday, August 6, 2010

Fall Drinks Sure to Please


Why not start the party with our Pumpkin Milkshake? 
Bonus: it comes in the family-friendly mocktail version, too.* 

Tip: Though pumpkin is inherently healthy, a lot of us try to watch our calorie intake around the holiday time, so it's easy to lighten this up. 

Simply substitute low-fat milk, and low-fat ice cream or frozen yogurt in the recipe.
*To make the mocktail, simply forego the rum.

Ingredients
2 Oz Dark Rum


1 Can Pumpkin Puree


1 Pint Vanilla Ice Cream, softened


4 Cup(s) Skim Milk


1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon


1/2 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg


 Whipped Cream (Optional)


Steps
Place the pumpkin, ice cream, milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a blender. Blend slowly until thickened.


Serve with a dollop of whipped cream on top, if you’d like.





Since everyone may not be in the mood for a thick milkshake cocktail (or mocktail), you have the option to lighten things up even more.   In that case, serve our special Blood Orange Martini, introduced to us by our favorite regular customer from our bartending days, Bernie McSherry.   Though it isn't pumpkin, per se, the pumpkin garnish and cinnamon make it the perfect and playful companion, and one that's just a touch lighter, for any Halloween or Thanksgiving party, than a milkshake.
Ingredients
1.5 Oz Orange Vodka


1.5 Oz Campari


1.5 Oz Orange Juice


A Sprinkle of Cinnamon


 Sliced or chunked raw pumpkin for garnish


Steps
Combine the vodka, orange juice and Campari together and shake in a shaker with ice.


Pour into chilled martini glass and sprinkle cinnamon on top.


Garnish with sliced pumpkin on the side of the glass or chunk of pumpkin as a floater.
 

No imbibing would be complete without a delicious snack, and with pumpkin cocktails, we'd be remiss in not providing a recipe for toasted pumpkin seeds!  Ingredients: One pumpkin Olive oil, vegetable oil, or olive-oil based cooking spray Sea salt
  Directions: 
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Cut open the pumpkin and scoop out the insides.
Separate and rinse the seeds.
Add the seeds to water (2 or so cups of water to every half cup of seeds—use half tablespoon of salt for every cup of water.
Bring to a boil, then turn down heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and drain.
Spread oil or spray over the bottom of a roasting pan, and then put the seeds out over the roasting pan, all in one layer.
Bake for 15 or so minutes or until the seeds begin to brown.
Remove from oven, let cool, and then enjoy!
Source: 
http://www.celebrations.com