Happy Halloween!

Have a safe and haunting Happy Halloween!

I thought I would share one of my favorite Halloween pics from 2000

Look at my girls.. awwww

Halloween Pumpkin 2009

Wednesday night we carved our pumpkins. My 17 Year old and I did "the Raven", while my 10 year old and the hubby did a traditional Jack-O lantern. I think they turned out great! What do you think?

the tools

The final product - The Raven

The Jack-O Lantern

Lit up in the window

Pumpkin Seeds

Do you save the seeds from your pumpkins and roast them yourself? We do! We actually carved our pumpkins last night (pics tomorrow) and roasted up the seeds. mmmm delish!
Here's a quick how too:
Get the seeds out using a large scoop (like an ice cream scoop), remove any stubborn strings from the pumpkin flesh; rinse with cool water and dry well. I dry them flat on clean paper towels. Toss the raw seeds with a little olive oil and sea salt. Then roast on a sheet pan in a 375 degree oven for 7 to 10 minutes.


pic from healthyeats

Leave it to Martha - Pumpkin Party Cooler

Loving this idea...

battling a cold

Sorry for the lack of posts. I am battling a horrible head cold, but I think I am finally winning. Thanks to my sudafed, advil and Puffs with vicks. Hopefully I'll be back to my post happy self!

Can't they just play nice?

Our Phillies are heading to the World Series AGAIN. Seems like someone should teach the New York Yankee fans a little manners. The NY post ran these articles today...and they say Philly fans are obnoxious? oh I beg to differ! Keep showing the world your true colors New Yorkers. Finally we won't seem so bad! Let's go PHILLIES!!!!!!!!!

Weekend Stuff

It's Monday already? Ugh. This weekend just flew by but I guess I can't complain, it was a great weekend all in all. Saturday had me running around. Took the 17 year old daughter to Goodwill to find her Halloween Costume (a success). Then running the 10 year old to a local farm to pick a pumpkin .. in the rain! It had rained on and off all day, so when the sun decided to come out we made a break for it. Not such a great idea. But we did get a great pumpkin and now I don't have to feel guilty over missing it for the 1st time in 17 years!
Saturday's Slowcooker meal turned out better then I could ever imagine - It was delicious!
Saturday night, my girlfriend Bobbi and her hubby Tony came over for wine, nibbles and Rock Band and Beatles Rock band (yeah baby). Oh what fun we had. We noshed on Buffalo chicken dip, specialty cheeses, salamis and crackers, all while consuming Rosemount and Smoking Loon wine(s).
Sunday had me up too early and off before 9 AM to see a College with the oldest. This may be the one for her. NJIT. I'm hoping! far enough that she can't commute, but close enough so that I can still drive to see her, as much as I want. Plus it's a 15 minute train ride to NYC. Great for me, I mean her. Her.

Also I have a budding photographer in the family. My 10 year old loves to use my BB and take pics. I thought I would share a few pics that she took, on our rainy day (she's right here with me and is excited that her pics are on the my blog) :)

Sephora - Friends & Family Discount

Shop it while it's hot - Now through Nov. 2, Sephora is holding a very rare Friends & Family sale, offering 20% off of everything online. Enter the code FF2009 and ENJOY.

Slow cooker Saturday - UPDATED

10/25 - This recipe was to DIE for.. delish. I highly recommend!!

It looks like I will be out of the house all day Sunday, so Slow Cooker Sunday will happen on Saturday. I think I found the perfect recipe for a rainy dreary Saturday. Braised Chicken with Tomatoes and Olives. Here is another version of the recipe from Epicurious, just in case don't own a slowcooker. Both recipes look yummy!

pic from Epicurious

A Spooky Side table

I got this email today from MyHomeIdeas.com and I am just over the moon that they had almost the same idea that I had when I did my spooky branches. I'll have to add a few updated pictures since my sidetable looks a little different now that I added a few more "scary" things. Next time I know to make the branches thicker and fuller and I love how they have 2 on each side of the table. I also will need to pick up a few Apothecary jars. Looks like I will need to go to Homegoods. ohh the sacrifices I make for style....

Blog <3 Shanty2Chic

So do you need inspiration for decorative projects around the house? You do? Oh is this the blog for you. There is no shortage of fantastic unique ideas on this site! You have to check out this site - These sisters are 2 crafty ladies. Shanty2chic

A Brilliant idea

How smart and Eco -friendly is ShopGreenBeing.com! I love the idea of a reusable "coffee sleeve". I am so ordering one of these. They are adorable! I actually call them "cozies". I don't know why, I just do. A few weeks ago, my 10 year old asked the guy behind the Starbucks counter if she could have a "cozy" for her drink. He looked at her like she was crazy. I had to tell her what they were "really" called. We both decided we liked "cozies" much better. :)

Spooky Cocktails

This drink just makes me want to entertain on Halloween....

Black Widow Martini for HWTM.

Loving this idea

Spooky apples.

Isn't this so creative? Mattbites.com Check out his blog - His recipes look delicious!

Carving it up

This weekend we had plans to take the 10 year old child pumpkin picking and to a Cranberry Festival. Well it looks like the rain is coming through and that will be changing things. Hmmmm maybe I'll get a start on the master bedroom redo instead? Oh I'll just lay on the couch and relax with hot chocolate and my magazines? Hopefully the weather gives us a break to at least make it to pumpkin pick, but I doubt it. I don't know about your family but picking the "perfect" pumpkin is a family tradition in our house. It's actually more of a competition, so is picking the Christmas tree, but I'll save that for a December post. The perfect pumpkin means it has to have a perfect intact stem, and it has to have hardly any flaws. It must be perfect carving material. Yup, I'm that anal. Sounds hard, but it's actually pretty easy. Someone usually finds it in about 10 minutes but I turn a few away so that so the kids have more fun finding the perfect one. I have no idea what this years pumpkin will be carved into. I don't normally know until I find a pumpkin and than the idea comes to me based on the shape. I do have a few ideas "brewing" though.

I'd thought I would share a few of my carved pumpkins from years... fun stuff!!

Have a great weekend - I'm outta here!

Slow cooker Sunday

This weeks recipe is Orange Chicken and I got the recipe here. Last year while I was doing Slowcooker Sunday's, I would go to this site all the time. She now has her own cook book! How cool is that!

Wish my office was like this....

Creative Pumpkins

I just had to share these adorable pumpkins carving ideas. I wonder if the dollar store has plastic mice? I just love it!

pics found here -bhg.com

Saving money - The Martha way

Martha came up for 50 money saving ideas. Some of which I already do, and highly suggest you do. Really does save you some dinero!

1. Budget vases - instead of buying vases, make your own with spray paint and clean empty glass jars.

2. Store wine on a budget - Instead of buying an expensive wine cooler, just store your wine in a cool dark spot. Unfortunately I broke my wine cooler a while ago, but I learned that you can chill reds in the fridge for about about 15 minutes, open the bottle and slowly bring it to room temperature. Those wine fridges are very pricey.

3. Keeping a well kept pantry - Transfer your flour, sugar, and other dry goods to wide-mouth, airtight containers. This keeps them fresher longer and also makes it easier to scoop with measuring tools.

4. Buy Generic - I'm not as big of a label whore as I use to be. Some things are just as tasty in the store brand variety (especially Target brands).

5. Go low-flow - This one we are in the process of doing now. I hate the amount of water my shower will waste. Last week, I went looking for a new showerhead and bizarrely it was really confusing, so I passed this one on to the hubby. With this one small change, we can save up to $145 a year on our water bill a year.

6. Run appliances at night - HA! I knew I was right about this one. Sorry hubby you are WRONG!!! :)

Settee Pretty

Any day (or weekend) now we are going to start on Operation "dining room redo". Sanding, priming, staining and poly-ing, good times, good times! Our original dining set is very "country" looking. Although I do love country.. It's more along the lines of french country, not farm country. Roosters and eggs just ain't me, sorry to the rooster and egg lovers everywhere. I have the design idea all worked out in my head, shocking huh? I have the material to recover the chairs, I have the paint all picked out, but what I don't have is a settee. Yes I said settee. My design idea involves using a settee as seating. I've been checking craigslist every day and so far, nothing. Well nothing that I just have to have. I still have time to find it and I know I eventually will find it. Once I get a great idea in my head... well, it just happens and I just LOVE LOVE this idea. What do you think.. tres chic.. no?
pics from here, here, here

I'm really loving ......

Gray boots..

The weekend all wrapped up...

Monday already? ugh. Boy are these weekends just flying by - don't yah think? This weekend sure was a good one. The weather ended up being absolutely gorgeous (it started out iffy on Saturday morning). The house was sparkling clean and decorated to my giddy satisfaction. Add in good friends that we haven't seen in a few years, along with their completely adorable kiddies, great food and you can just call it perfect. Seriously - a great time. With all the running around I was doing on Saturday, I completely forgot that I didn't have a centerpiece! Gasp.. the horror. What I did have was pumpkins, acorns, candle holders and tea light candles. Viola! It was exactly what the table needed. Perfect!

Loving TLC

Have you had the pleasure of going on The Lettered Cottage? ooh girl, you must! Her house is to die for... Her eye for decorating is flawless. Check out her gorgeous and simple monogrammed pumpkin idea. I was JUST discussing Monogrammed pumpkins with my gf Bobbi while we were strolling around AC Moore yesterday ~ weird. :)

Weekend stuff

Ahh it's Friday and am I ever excited for the weekend to finally arrive. The weather is supposed to be perfect! Makes my plans so much better. Tonight we are heading to my daughter's school for some little B-I-N-G-O. Ever play? It's actually lots of fun. Saturday, the hubby is having his college roommates over for dinner. I had planned to have a Mexican feast, but I am totally stealing my girlfriend Desiree's idea (thanks Des) and throwing a Fall Harvest themed dinner. The menu includes; Roast beef with horseradish sauce, roasted root vegetables, hand-smashed and sweet and white garlicky potatoes. The other couples are bringing side dishes, appetizers and the desserts. The table will be set with lots of leaves, gourds, acorns and mini pumpkins.

Sunday is an Eagle's homegame. We sold our tickets this week (LAST game where that will happen), so I am getting in some girly time and maybe going shopping Sunday morning with girlfriend Bobbi. She needs a dress for a Halloween wedding. Don't you love the idea of a Halloween wedding? How about you.. got any plans?? Pumpkin picking Perhaps? We are doing that next weekend. Whatever you do, have a great weekend.

I'm outta here!

pic from country living

Slow cooker Sundays

Yeah it's back! I actually started this Fall/Winter tradition this past Sunday. I made a rotisserie chicken and it was delicious! I heavily seasoned the chicken with sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and rosemary. I also placed a few cloves of garlic inside the chicken. I then placed the chicken breast side down and cooked on low for 6 hours. No need to add extra juice, it made plenty. I then turned the slow cooker to high for the last 2 hours. Yum.
This weekend the hubby is making his famous wings (seriously the BEST wings) for the football game (GO EAGLES). So I want to have something other than chicken - I'm thinking PORK! Check out this supper easy and delicious recipe from things aluna makes - crockpot carnitas. I'll be sure to take pics and post them on Monday!

pic from things aluna makes

yummmm Yoplait yogurt

You just have to try Yoplait light Pineapple upside-down cake yogurt. Only 2 WW points and seriously - DELISH!

You can thank me later - just sayin....

Looks like the Fall around my house..

Just thought I would share a few pics of how the outside is looking around the "C" house. I still have to pick up the pumpkins and carve them. Please don't mind the mud stains on the concrete walkway. A few neighborly "critters" came and made mudpies outside my front door. Cute lil critters though. :) It's needs to be scrubbed down again.. And hey that's me in the reflections! :) Don't you just love the witch's face?

Loving the hair

Katie Holmes on the cover of Elle.

LOVE the hair..

Cookies for book club

Tonight the girls and I meet for our October Book club. This month we read Julie and Julia. I'll save my comments about the book for the girls tonight :). Last night I decided to bake cookies.. I know, I know, why do I bother? Peanut butter banana oatmeal cookies. They taste ok, very healthy, so healthy in fact, that I drizzled a little Ghirardelli chocolate over them. I'm sure it was something I did.. trust me, it's always something I did when it comes to baking. :(

Wreath Re-do

Yesterday I decide I had to redo my front door wreath. It was just blending in too much with the door. Also with the "Welcome" lettering, the C really need to pop.. I just love it! Doesn't it look so much better now? Thanks Sarah :)

New Website <3

I've been on this site practically ALL day long. Her recipes look wonderful, her photographs are beyond beautiful and her tips on beauty? Fantastic! oh and she is pretty funny too.. Check out the site - The Pioneer Woman

Sephora Cash for Beauty Clunkers

Get $10 off a purchase of $50 or more, in-store right now at Sephora. Bring 5 unwanted beauty items into any US Sephora store and trade them for up to $10 off!* That's a crazy offer! Ok, here are the rules:
This offer valid now through October 12/09. It's a one-time-use-only promotion valid for $10 USD off one merchandise shopping transaction of $50 USD or more. Offer may not be applied toward previous purchases, eGift certificates, gift cards, shipping, taxes, or with any other Sephora promotion. Return of discounted merchandise will be for the price actually paid. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Not transferable or valid for resale. Valid in U.S. Sephora stores only. Not valid in Canada, Sephora inside JCPenney, or on sephora.com. Sephora employees are not eligible for promotion. Sephora reserves the right to end or change this promotional offer at any time. To redeem in stores: this barcode (under) must be handed in at time of purchase. Sephora reserves the right to end or change this promotional offer at any time. blah blah blah!