Spooky Things

So I have to post some of the fun things we did at the party so that you can try them too. We had a scary mad scientist lab with some crazy looking things to look at and eat.

I just can’t get enough of ghoulish things on Halloween and here they are:

Water with food coloring was used for most of these things, the picture takes away the eerie effect of the colored water, it looks so much better in person.

Poly Juice Potion – water, milk and coloring
Bat Wings – Beef Jerky
Gnome Brains – Cauliflower in red water
Troll Toe Nails – Shaved Coconut
Swamp Creature Fingers – Pickles
Your Brain – Cabbage cut to brain shape in grayish water
Bunny Tails – Craft Fuzz Balls
Phoenix Feathers – white feathers
Peeled Mummy Skin – long shredded pieces of paper towel in eerie colored water
Chocolate Covered Ants – chocolate sprinkles
Vampire Heart – Fennel in red dyed water
Werewolf Liver – natural sponge in dyed water
Alien Baby – baked salt dough shaped like an alien fetus looking thing with pieces of paper towel coming out like an umbilical cord in dyed greenish-bluish water
Goblin Boogers – green raisins
Human Blood – red dyed water
Swamp Water Juice – Naked Juice Super Food Green Machine, so tasty, so nasty looking must drink in clear cups

Some other ideas
Toasted Lizard Brains – pecan halves
Fried Dried Worms – chinese chicken salad noodles
Dwarf Ears – Dried Apricots

Are you grossed out yet? Have some fun, you probably have some of this stuff already in your fridge and cupboards. There are so many possibilities. We also displayed some red apples, red poisoned apples of course! Obviously not all of this stuff was for tasting, some was just for looking.

Yes that's a brain shaped Birthday Cake!

Mummy Dogs - Hot Dogs wrapped in canned croissant dough, I tear one triangle of dough into three pieces and then I wrap them around like a mummy suit. Bake in oven until golden brown. Mustard dots for the eyes and ketchup dot for the mouth. These are delicious, make sure you make enough for the adults. If your kids eat like birds, cut the hot dogs in half length wise and then wrap them. Enjoy!

Halloween

It's already October (I mean it's practically over), only two months 'til Christmas. Time flies when you're having fun or busy. Not that I'm not having fun, but it just seems like I’m so busy and just going from one thing to the next. I struggle so much when I’m busy, just making the time to take in the little moments instead of rushing right past them when you have lists of things to do. I have to focus hard and find ways to remind myself. Well last night was one of those times. Rushing all day trying to get things done, manipulating time to squeeze the things on my list, I have to pause and enjoy. We had our annual Halloween party last night. Don’t be offended if you didn’t get invited, it’s like Christmas where it is a family thing (That’s right, Tom Gilstrap has been adopted into our family since before Mike and I were married). We have been hosting the Halloween party since we lived in our teeny apartment. Mike and I love Halloween, so it just came naturally. We have been working hard to get things ready, or it just seems like it because we are so busy right now with other things, that so much more effort seems to be what it takes.

I was running around last night and during each activity I made sure to pause and take it in. I had to realize that the next time I see these little ones in their costumes they’ll be a year older, there will most likely be new additions to the family, and more will be
passing me up by height.

They are growing by the minute and I don’t get to see them as often as I would like, not even my own Jonathen. Some family members are so far away that they weren’t even able to make it. I love watching the cousins get older together and love each other. I love talking to my in-laws and having my brothers there too. I had so much fun! I am so grateful for all the work everyone put into to it. Especially my sweet-no-sleepy husband, my friend Krisha , and my brothers Sam and Jorge.

Yummy Food

So I haven't posted in a while, mostly because we are down to one computer and I'm so busy with school. I realized that I needed to post this fabulous recipe I came accross:

Salmon Wrapped in Fig Leaves

I want to make sure and share it while fig leaves can still be found on the trees.

What you need:

Salmon

Olive Oil

Black Pepper

Salt (I used Sea Salt)

Fig Leaves (washed and dried)

Preheat oven to 400˚C. Cut Salmon to approx. 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inch rectangles. Place one in the middle of a fig leaf. Brush with Olive Oil, sprinkle Salt and Pepper, flip and repeat. Then take the Fig Leaf and wrap it up. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 18 minutes. I always pull one out and check it (I like mine a little juicy just barely cooked, before it turns into a flaky brick) :) The leaves get papery dry on the top.

This turns out so delicious, it just melts in your mouth. It acquires the surprising taste of coconut, with a more earthy flavor and is a great alternative to cooking it on a plank. Just writing about it makes my mouth water. It's perfect to serve with mushroom cous cous or wild rice. If you need fig leaves come over and get some! This is our own version of Lembas Bread.

p.s. I also tried this recipe with chicken breasts and grape leaves. I used marinaded chicken (italian dressing starting the day before if you can), and you have an option to eat the grape leaves, it was also very good.

Family Filled Weekend

Last weekend we had a memorial service for Mike's great uncle, Charles Everett Marshall.

He was so loved by many and will be greatly missed.What I really loved about "Unk" was how lovingly he took care of his sister (Mike's Grandma). After she passed he became more active in participating at family gatherings. He came to the dinners and birthday parties, and family trips. He always came. I grew to love him so much. I am so grateful to have been able to spend some time with him right before he passed away. He served his family, neighbors and country. He gave with his whole heart. Love you Unk!