Dinner in a Pumpkin

*image found here

I have been wanting to try this for quite some time but have never been able to find a recipe! I was so excited today to come across this recipe from Studio 5. I don't know that I'll get around to trying it this year, but maybe next Halloween! Have you ever tried dinner in a pumpkin? Did you like it?

Ingredients:

• 1 pumpkin, 10-inches in diameter
• 3 cups hamburger
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 can mushrooms, drained
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 2 cups chopped onions
• 1 cup chopped green peppers
• 1 cup rice

Method:

Clean pumpkin and set aside. Brown hamburger and drain well. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, mushrooms, soup, onion, celery and peppers. Cook rice according to directions on box. Add to meat. Mix well and add mixture to pumpkin. Put lid on and bake at 375 degrees for one hour.

Spooky

I used to love watching this little music video when I was younger. Well, I decided to show it to my little youngster this year and he loves watching it! He always asks "again? again?" after we finish watching it. Or when we haven't watched it for awhile, he will come to me and ask "watch spooky computer?" and what he means is that he wants to watch this on the computer. He calls it spooky, and comments about how it's spooky throughout the video. :) I think it's cute. Hope you like it!

Halloween Drinks

When I was growing up, my mom would make "Witches Brew" every year for Halloween. It was a lot of fun and a special drink we only got once a year. Unfortunately, I never really loved the taste of it. But I would love to have a special drink for Halloween still! I found these two fun alternatives that sound much tastier. :) Find the recipe for Ogre Eyes Hot Cocoa here, and a different Witches Brew with Broomsticks here.

Mummies, Owls, and more

There are owl cutouts at the "library" here in town, and my little honey loves them--I just found these printable owls. I wonder if you could change the colors for Halloween? They would be fun to hang around the house, in a window, on a garland, etc...


Growing up we used terra cotta pots to make Halloween bats and spiders, so maybe I like this because it reminds me of when I was young. Aren't these cute though? Find instructions here.

ALSO, I found this great collection of Halloween ideas, many of them printable! When you don't have a holiday decor budget, but love holiday decor, I think that is wonderful!

Obsessed with Treats

For the past few years I have been obsessed with the idea of making homemade donuts. I still have never done it, but here is another easy recipe I have found. I'm really hoping this is the year to do this--I think it would be so fun to make these for Halloween!

I am also obsessed with cinnamon rolls--to me they are full of tradition, romance, and one of the ultimate treats ever. This recipe looks amazing, I can't wait to try it!

Several Ideas

One thing I love about holidays is decorating for them! I was so excited to find these fun, easy, and inexpensive ways to decorate from Blue Cricket Designs. Here's to hoping I can whip these up this year to decorate our house!

Bleeding Candles...I was surprised how easy these are! Check out the instructions here.

I love garlands and banners...this one is cute, inexpensive, and could last through Thanksgiving if you wanted! Find instructions for this here.

This idea I absolutely love! I don't have a chandelier, but how fun would it be to put these on your light fixtures or maybe your mirror? Find instructions here. Any ideas how to get vinyl bats (I think spiders would be cute too!) if you don't have a Silhouette or other vinyl cutting machine?

Do you have any favorite decoration ideas?

Pumpkin Carving

Can you tell what I am excited about lately? I am so happy it is Halloween time (well...practically)!! You can find free printable stencils from Better Homes and Gardens for carving your pumpkin here!

Poisoned Apple

I am itching to make these "poisoned" apples! I've never had a candied apple before and how fun would it be to make these for Halloween? Especially since I plan on making an appearance as Snow White...

How fun would this be to have in your kitchen or bathroom for Halloween time? You could change up the colors to match your room decor...or make it totally different for Halloween. :) Find instructions here.

Love Journal

I have been feeling lately like I need to be better at keeping a journal and then I came across this idea. I love the idea of having a journal where you write about only your spouse. Also, this is a great idea for an inexpensive journal of any type--whether it be a journal you write in about your children, your spiritual experiences, or just day to day life. Find instructions here.