Fall Party

Well today was all about my 5 year old grandson Tyler. I got to go to his school and take pictures of his Fall Party. Then we were off to the Pumpkin Patch but I didn't pick a very good one (so I was told)they didn't have any hay rides or animals you could feed. Then it was off to the park to play for awhile. Tonight the grand kids and I are making a cookie haunted house.

Tomorrow Mark and I are going trick or treating in the Village with the grand kids and then we are headed back to Oxnard. We hope you have a safe and Happy Halloween

Technically Challenged

I must be technically challenged lately. Evey time I touch something it breaks or malfunctions. I was down loading the pictures I took to show you the animals when all my pictures erased. I don't know how I did it but they're GONE. I guess I wasn't suppose to show how cute that squirrel was basking in the sun. I am so darn mad at myself. I will probably never get another picture like that...the bad thing is it was Mark's camera now I've lost all his pictures also.....Oh what's a girl to do!

Some of you have asked for my Pumpkin Dip recipe so here you go

Pumpkin dip

Ingredients
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 15 oz. canned pumpkin
2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

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. I like to serve this is good served with ginger snaps. Enjoy!

It's a beautiful day here so I'm off to go for a walk. Have a great day!

Invasion of wild life

I think we are being invaded by wild life. We have so many blue jays I can't keep track of them all. Today we had three covey of quail totaling over 30, a couple of rabbits not to mention all the squirrels. They all come right up on the deck and eat. They will even let you walk up to the window and take their pictures without even moving.

In fact the animals are getting so use to me taking their pictures I could have sworn the squirrel was posing for me today. He let me get with in a foot of him...he was laying on the porch railing basking in the sun. He was so cute. I know he was posing when I was taking pictures of him through the window. He looked right at me and let me take his picture and I'm sure that was a smile on his face LOL.

Oh and did I mention GOPHER'S our side yard looks like swiss cheese. Any suggestions on how to get rid of them? Mark has tried everything and I do mean everything so if you know of a sure fire way to get rid of them we would love to hear from you.

I also got the most gorgeous picture of a crowned blue jay. These animals will do just about anything to get to Mark's bird feed.

I would love to show you the pictures however my computer isn't letting me upload photos off the card onto my computer. I will try again tomorrow....you have to see this little guy posing. So come back tomorrow!

HIGH TECH NIGHTMARE

Sorry for the lack of blogging again. My computer would not let me on the internet this week so I had to call the repair guy again. We haven't connected yet to get the problem fixed. Whats even weirder is that the internet works fine on my computer at the retreat, it's usually the other way around. I may have to call Sony if this keeps up.

If that wasn't enough my cell phone also died this week. I love all the new technology until it breaks then it's a nightmare LOL. I have to say I am loving my new phone. I got the new Palm Pre now if I just learn how to work it. I think it can do everything but wash my dishes hehe.

To all my Bakersfield friends I have to tell you. I had to run to Bakersfield last thursday to get ink for the computer before the retreat on friday. It was cold here in Frazier I was freezing so I went in a sweatshirt and shoes and socks. Needless to say I was roasting when I got there....it was 80 degress at 6 at night. You would think I would know better. LOL

The weather here on the moutain is beautiful it is in the low 70's during the day and dropping to the low 40's high 30's at night. The leaves are turning...it's really starting to look and feel like fall. It's so nice after all the heat (OK maybe not heat like Bakersfield but hot for me LOL) I am such a wimp when it comes to hot weather.

We have been invaded by Blue Jays. Marks has two feeders for them and he fills when he gets here on thursday and then again before he leaves on Saturday. By the time he gets back on thursday they are empty. Seems like there is always one or two at the feeder protecting it from the other birds. They are very territorial. They are the darkest color of blue this year...they are just beautiful!

Sunny California

You sure can't beat the weather here in Southern CA...yesterday it was raining and today it's in the high 70's. I know awhile back when it was hot I said I was ready for snow. I LIED 2 days of cold rainy weather and this CA girl is ready for Sunshine and warm weather. I have a feeling winter will be here on the mountain before I want. It's no wonder I still live Ventura County you just can't beat the weather here.


Spooky Brownies


Your favorite brownie recipe or box of brownie mix.

Decorations
1 container white frosting
Neon green, pink and blue food colors
24 large marshmallows
Miniature candy-coated chocolate baking bits
Black decorating gel (from 0.68-oz tube)
1 roll Fruit Roll-Ups® chewy fruit snack (any red variety)
Gummy worms candies

Make and bake brownies in 13x9-inch pan as directed on box. Cool completely, about 2 hours. Cut into 6 rows by 4 rows, making 24 brownies.

2 In small microwavable bowl, microwave frosting uncovered on High about 20 seconds or until frosting can be stirred smooth. Divide warm frosting among 3 small bowls.

3 Decorate as directed below, using 8 brownies for each bowl of frosting.

Franken-Brownies Add 5 drops green food color to frosting in 1 bowl; mix well. Top each of 8 brownies with 1 large marshmallow. Spoon 1 tablespoon green frosting over each marshmallow to coat. Decorate with green baking bits for eyes and ears. Use black gel for mouths and centers of eyes. Cut fruit snack to use for hair.

Boo-Brownies Top each of 8 brownies with 1 large marshmallow. Spoon 1 tablespoon white frosting over each marshmallow to coat. Use black gel for eyes and mouths.

Spider Brownies Add 5 drops pink food color and 3 drops blue food color to frosting in 1 bowl; mix well. Top each of 8 brownies with 1 large marshmallow. Tuck gummy worms candies under each marshmallow for legs. Spoon 1 tablespoon purple frosting over each marshmallow to coat. Use orange baking bits for eyes. Use black gel for mouths, centers of eyes and eyebrows.

I found these on tablespoon.com. I think my grand kids are going to love these. Although last year I made them bleeding witch finger cookies and they wouldn't eat them because they said they looked to real LOL!

Lovin' the Rain

Don't you just love the rain? What is your favorite thing to do in the rain? I love to bake and read which I am going to do both today :-) I just found a new recipe for pumpkin bread that has cream cheese swirled in it. Oh my....YUMMMMM

Pumpkin Swirl Loaf

Mix together well:
-1 cup pure pumpkin
-1 egg
-1/3 cup water
-1/2 cup melted butter


Add:
-1 1/2 cups white sugar
-1 tsp baking soda
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1/2 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp nutmeg
-1 3/4 cups flour
Beat together well.


Cream Cheese Topping:
-8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
-1/2 cup sugar
-1 egg
Beat together until smooth.


Grease pan. Put half of the pumpkin mixture into the pan. Spoon half the cream cheese mixture on top, then pour over the remaining pumpkin mixture, and top with remaining cream cheese.
Using a knife swirl, making a marbling effect. Bake in 350º oven for 1/1/2 hours. If you make in two pans baking time will be about 50 minutes. If the topping is getting too dark loosely cover with foil. Allow to stand in pan for 10 minutes and then remove to cooling rack. Does not freeze well.

Even though I am excited about another day of rain my prayers goes out to all those in the burn areas.

Franken-Snacks

I'm getting really bad about blogging. Since my computer has been acting up for the past month and a half I don't even want to get on the darn thing. I think it is finally fixed :-)!!!! I hope it's the fourth time I've had it in the shop to be fixed.

I talked to one of my grandson's yesterday and I told him I was making him this for halloween. He was so excited. I'm not sure he'll eat it but it's to cute not to make.


Franken-Snacks
Ingredients:
8 c. Corn Chex Cereal
1 package Lemon-Lime drink mix (unsweetened, we used Kool-Aid)
1 c. Granulated Sugar
1/2 c. Light corn syrup
1/3 c. Butter or Margarine
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 oz. vanilla candy coating (we used Candi-Quick, available in the baking aisle)
1 oz. chocolate candy coating (we used Candi-Quick, available in the baking aisle)
1/4 c. Cheerios
Toothpick
Wax Paper
Non-Stick cooking spray

Mix-ins (you can change them as desired):


3 C. Kix Cereal
2 C. Trix Cereal
3 C. mini-pretzels
1 bag Goldfish Crackers
1 C. M & M's Candies



Directions:
Heat oven to 225 degrees and spray a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat the sugar, syrup and margarine in a medium saucepan over medium heat until boiling, stirring occasionally. Boil for 3 minutes (do not stir).
Remove from heat and stir in soda and Koolaid.

Pour over 6 cups Chex Cereal and stir gently. Spread onto greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 225 F for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and while still warm, set 20-30 pieces on another greased cookie sheet to use as your "Frankensteins". Cool completely, stirring occasionally if desired.










To assemble "Frankensteins", melt chocolate candy coating in a small microwave-safe bowl for 45 seconds. Stir well. Dip one end of a Chex square into the chocolate. This is your "hair". Set on wax paper to dry. Using a toothpick, dip end into chocolate and draw two eyes and a mouth on your creature. Repeat with all 20-30 squares. When set (about 5 minutes), melt vanilla candy coating as above. Dip two Cheerios in coating and attach to sides of Frankenstein (these are his "bolts"). Let dry completely.
Mix remaining Chex and other Mix-ins in a large bowl. Top with your "Frankensteins" and serve it up to the waiting Goblins and Ghouls!







You can also spoon into small bags and tie with ribbon for a fun school snack or party favor. This recipe I found on Mon on the go

Pumpkin Bread

This is what my day looked like yesterday.

3 mile walk at the beach








Washed canning jars










Mixed a triple batch of Pumkin Bread










Baked in jars and sealed










They are all canned and ready for Fall gifts. Look how cute

MUMMY DOGS

I just got back from my morning walk and wanted to post before I get wrapped up in the day. I have a lot I want to get done.
Speaking of wrapped up if you kids like hot dogs these are a must.


Since my computer crashed and I wasn't able to save anything on it....and no I didn't think to back up my recipes. I had to hunt for a picture of this one for you. They are so cute and the kids love them so it's easy to get them to eat something before they go trick or treating. I found it and many other Halloween ideas on Our Best Bites

MUMMY DOGS
Cut crescent roll dough into thin strips and wrap around hot dogs. Bake according to crescent package directions and use ketchup or mustard for eyes. I cut my hot dogs in half to make them bite-sized.

I make halloween shaped corn chips to go with these. You need your halloween cookie cutters, corn tortillas and oil. sing cookie cutters cut the tortillas out drop into hot oil and fry until crispy. Remove to paper towel sprinkle with salt and let cool.

Hope you have a great day!

Candy filled Skulls

You would think with all these ideas I would be ready for Halloween. Not even close. I still can't believe it's Oct. I haven't even decorated yet. I did make a Halloween banner for a Halloween swap I was in. That is about all the decorating I've done so far. Have you decorated yet?


Here is another idea that is supper easy and cute. All you need is some left over plastic Easter eggs and white and black duck tape.