{Recipe} Pumpkin Cinnamon Burst Pancakes

 Pumpkin Cinnamon Burst Pancakes

2 1/3 cups Bisquick

4 Tablespoons Sugar

1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger

1 cup Milk

2 Eggs

1/2 cup Pumpkin Puree

1/2 cup Applesauce

1 cup Cinnamon Chips

Heat griddle to 300 degrees.  Mix all of the ingredients together until just incorporated and all large bisquick lumps have been broken down, then add the cinnamon chips.

Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup and spoon onto the griddle.

Cook until browned then flip.

Serve with caramel sauce or warmed maple syrup.

Enjoy the smell and the taste.

 Two weeks ago, we went to Grandma and Papa's farm to choose our family pumpkins.

 This year they planted GIANT pumpkin seeds.

Of course Asher chose one of the largest pumpkins at almost 200 pounds.

Abbie chose one of the smallest.

 We had the kids decorate their pumpkins with foam faces, until we got closer to Halloween

and could carve them.

Asher had Frankenstein

and Abbie had a Witch.

Last night we carved our pumpkins for Family Night.

Asher was super excited to get to use the baby carving saw.

We asked the kids what they wanted them to look like.  Asher and Abbie both said "Mad eyes and sharp teeth!"

We made two bat pumpkins and one happy face.

Asher and Abbie were so excited to put little candles in the pumpkins.  

Abbie would giggle every time she touched the "puntin duts(guts)." 

It was so much sticky fun to carve the pumpkins as a family.

Matt carved the big pumpkin, and I did the two smaller ones.

The kids just danced around and giggled.

It was a great memory:)

Glitter Glam Pumpkins

Last Friday I guest posted over at Doodles and Doilies again.

You can see my first post HERE.

Today I am going to show you how to make Glitter Glam Pumpkins

Funkins are carvable, fake pumpkins from the local craft store that generally come in Orange, Black, and off white.

Supplies

1 large Funkin- white

1 small Funkin- any color as it will be covered by black paint

Martha Stewart Glossy Black Craft Paint

Martha Stewart White Pearl Craft Paint

Fine Black Glitter

Fine White Glitter

1 pack Black Glitter Spiders

Foam Brushes

Mod Podge

Hot Glue/ Elmers Glue

Take the large white funkin and brush on the Pearl craft paint. Once it is dry, paint Mod Podge on the top and partially down the sides at different levels.  Move quickly, and pour the white glitter on the Mod Podge.  Tap off the excess glitter, and set Funkin aside to dry completely.

Take the small funkin and cover with the black paint.  Because my funkin was orange, I had to do 3-4 coats.  Allow paint to dry in between each coat.  Take he Elmer's Glue and pipe glue into the funkin crevices at varying levels.  Work quickly and pour on the black glitter, covering the glue.  Tap off excess glitter and set aside to dry completely.

While the funkins are both drying, plug in your glue gun.  Once it is heated, take a spider and fill with glue on the bottom. Quickly place it on the funkin, and hold it there until the glue has had time to set up.

Place as many or as few spiders as you desire. 

Once the glue has hardened, your Glitter Glam Pumpkins are ready to display.

If you use coupons at your local craft store, this craft will cost you approximately $15.

Enjoy your Spooky Decor.

{Recipe} Candy Corn Cream Cups

Last week I Guest Posted over at Doodles and Doilies.  Now I am back here posting the recipe on my blog.
Halloween is my favorite time of year.
 These little dessert cups are the perfect size for the quick, sweet fix.
The layering of flavors blend well together and help in making it so that it isn't overly sweet.

Ingredients

Yellow Layer

1 3oz package Instant Vanilla Pudding

2 cups Milk

Orange Layer

1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream

1 1/2 cups Candy Corn

White Layer

1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream

1/2 cup Powdered Sugar

Coordinating Sprinkles

1 Candy Corn for each cup

Directions

Yellow Layer

Mix milk and pudding together in a bowl according to package directions, and let it start to firm up slightly.

Place 2 Tablespoons of the pudding in the bottom of the dessert cup.

Orange Layer

Make the first part of the orange layer the night before or at least 4 hours before.

On medium heat, pour the whipping cream in a saucepan and stir constantly to prevent scorching.  Once the whipping cream is heated, pour in the candy corn, again stirring constantly until the candy has disintegrated and turned the cream a pumpkin orange. 

Remove from burner, bring to room temperature, then place in the refirgerator for 4 hours or overnight.

Once the orange layer is fully chilled, place it in a mixing bowl and whip until soft peaks form.

Place 2-3 Tablespoons on top of the yellow layer

White Layer

Pour whipping cream into a new mixing bowl and whip until soft peaks form.  Add the powdered sugar, and whip on high speed until desired consistency is achieved.  Be careful not to overwhip, as it will begin to break down.

Scoop a dollop or use an open star frosting tip in a pastry bag.

Sprinkle with desired toppings.

The orange layer is super sweet, just it is tempered nicely by the vanilla pudding and whipped topping in each bite. 

This rich dessert is the perfect portion size, to not go into a sugar coma:)

A friend on facebook also talked about using the Chocolate Candy Corn, and Chocolate Pudding, then making it the same way.
  Could be interesting... you would just have to see what color it turned out to be:)

Linking to~
Running with Glitter
Craft O Maniac
Marvelously Messy
I Heart Naptime
Topsy Turvey
Tip Junkie
Vintage Wanna Bee
The Blackberry Vine
Trendy Treehouse
Sugar and Dots
Lil Luna
Southern Lovely
Someday Crafts
Mom on Timeout
Ladybird Ln
Whipperberry
The Answer is Chocolate
Something Swanky

{Recipe} Pumpkin Spider Cupcakes

It was so exciting to be guest posting over at Bear Rabbit Bear last week.

For the gueast post I made a
Spooky Halloween Cake Stand with Silly Spider Cupcakes

Supplies

Purple Charger Plate

Wood Candlestick

Rhinestone Spider Sticker

Black Swirl Rhinestone Stickers

Martha Stewart High Gloss Black Paint

Foam Brush

E6000 Glue

Total cost with coupons- $10 at Micheal's 

4 Step Directions

Step 1- Remove the metal candle holder in the top of the candlestick with a pair of needle nose pliers.

Step 2- Paint the candle stick Black.

Step 3- Glue the candlestick to the bottom of the plate, and let it cure over night.

 Step 4- Place rhinestone stickers in desired location.

This cake stand is for decorative purposes only, be sure to never place food directly onto plates- according to manufacturer's directions.

Display with cute little Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Spider Cupcakes and enjoy!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Spider Cupcakes

1 box Spice Cake Mix

15 oz can Pumpkin Pie 

1/2 cup Applesauce

3 Eggs

3/4 cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

Mix first four ingredients until blended, then add the chocolate chips.  Pour 1/4 cup of cake batter into 24 cupcake liners.  Bake at 340 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Once the cupcakes are cool to the touch, place them in these spider leg cupcake frames.  I got them on sale at Micheal's... 4 for $2.75.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

1 stick Butter- room temperature

1/2 cup Cocoa Powder

4 cups Powdered Sugar

2 Tablespoons Milk

Cream butter, then add other ingredients.  Mix until incorporated, scraping the sides frequently.

Place the chocolate frosting in a pastry bag with Wilton Tip #233 (the grass tip) attached.  Squeeze the pastry bag, and let the frosting begin to fall onto the cupcake in random formations until the top is covered.

Place to Royal Icing Eyes (found HERE for an excellent price) on each cupcake.

Set it out as a spooky surprise for the kids and watch their faces light up:)

Make It My Own- Googly Eyed Halloween Frame

As soon as I saw this Googly Eye Frame from A Diamond in the Stuff...

I immediately pinned it to my Halloween Crafts Pinterest Board.

I loved the concept, and I wanted to Make It My Own

{My Version}

{Inspiration}

Supplies
1 Wood Picture Frame- Michael's $1
1 Large Pack Googly Eyes- Walmart $5
Purple Craft Paint- Walmart $1
Ribbon and Scrapbook Paper- On Hand
Glue Gun
Foam Brush

*Paint the frame your desired color
*Heat up your glue gun and glue on ALL the eye balls haphazardly.
Be careful not to burn your fingers repeatedly, and also pull off all of the glue strings when they happen rather than waiting until the end.  The glue strings really stick to the eye balls.

*Cut out your desired embellishments, and glue them to the frame as well.
*Enjoy the SPOOKY new element to your Halloween Decor.

I couldn't figure out what I wanted in the center of the frame.
I took some leftover scrapbook paper and a Sharpie fine point marker...
Then I sketched a little spider and it's web.

I knew that every. single. component of this project were little things that make my kids happy.
Purple
Googly Eyes
Spiders
Halloween

Their reactions did not disappoint.
This costing me less than $10 was a great benefit too:)

Linked to
Topsy Turvey
Funky Polka Dot Giraffe
Doodles and Doilies
Craftaholics Anonymous 
Life in the Motherhood 
Someday Crafts
Mum of All Trades
Ladybird Ln 
Craft O Maniac
Vintage Wanna Bee

{Party} Asher's Birthday Bash Part I

(Asher's favorite was the "smoke" in the root beer. I think Claire was thinking, "Why is is he spitting/blowing in the rootbeer?")

It was Asher and Claire's 3rd birthday, so I decided to celebrate them together with a Younger Cousin Halloween Party.

 I let Asher choose and help with a lot of the details, and we had a blast together getting it ready.

I can't believe that it has already been three years.  He is so smart, and when he uses big adult words, with his little voice, it cracks me up.  He is the biggest percentage wise, that he has ever been, at about thirty one pounds and 30%.  He is 38 1/2 inches and missed being able to ride Splash Mountain by an inch and a half.  Maybe next time:)  I love that he plays the "Save Me Tickle Game"  Matt tickles Asher and his giggle makes my heart soar.  He then gasps for me to save him and waits for daddy to return.  His imagination grows each day, and it is awesome to see where the adventures take him, and us.  I love the fact that he wants to be such a helper with the farm, with cooking, and with crafting.  He is going to be an awesome missionary one day:)

Onto the party...   

The Favors

Multicolored Crayons

 Asher helped break the crayons and I put them in a silicone mold to bake at 200 degrees for about 30 minutes.  At first I wanted to to what Jill at Homemade by Jill did, but I didn't have the time or patience. The crayons looked so cool, but a tip if you make these...

 Don't unwrap 96 crayons by hand, it will take FOREVER! I used scissors and dug into the paper and the crayon, it is going to be broken anyway.  Also, Crayola Crayons are the best, don't try and use the cheap stuff or they won't turn out as well.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

I used the same silicone jack o lantern mold as the crayons.  I got the idea on How Does She, it was so easy to make, and works great.  You can use any of the Wilton Cake Gels, and make a variety of colors.  The options are endless.

The Food

Creepy Cupcakes

 Asher knew months before his birthday that he wanted a purple cake.  I used a white cake mix dyed purple and my homemade chocolate cake and marbled them together for his cupcakes. I got some fun lime green polka dot liners, black polka dot liners, and vibrant purple liners to go with the Halloween palette we chose. I got an awesome deal at TheTomKat Studio for some of the Halloween cake toppers.  I made the "beware" toppers using Picnik.  Asher of course wanted bright purple frosting, so I made a yummy homemade butter cream frosting.

Franken Fingers

Asher helped dip the pretzel rods, and he and Abbie loved eating the leftover sprinkles. Bright, fun, and super easy.

Spider Web Cookies

 Asher told me that I had to use the sparkles on the cookies, so after I made the spider webs with Royal Icing, I used the edible Disco Dust.  They were soft and yummy, though it seems like my royal icing is never going to harden like it should. Oh well they were eaten, so no worries.

Yummy Mummies

I got the idea for these mummy suckers over at How Does She.  Asher helped make them at the same time as the pretzel rods.  They were easy, and the perfect salty sweet treat:)

Witches Wands

I wish I knew how to make these:) They were my favorite growing up, so I had to get some for Asher too.  Luckily, the local party store has many different flavors and colors. (The root beer is the best, but brown suckers would have totally thrown of the color theme) 

For dinner, my mom and step mom helped make Monster Eye Mini Pizzas, Bone Breadsticks, and Homemade Rootbeer.

The Decor

We used my awesome spooky tree that I made last year, and my mom's dungeon backdrop with "flickering" wall torches.  We also used here spooky candelabras and my creepy spider webs.  The only casualty was a picture frame that I will fix someday:)

 It was fun to set the stage of spooky magic for the little kids.  The cousins that were older, like Porter, noticed the small details like the skeleton bone ladle for the root beer.  None of the kids were scared, so the night was a success even though we started a little late.


Linked to- Life in the Motherhood

A Little More Halloween

This is the wreath I made for Halloween. I just sprayed a brown stick wreath with black spray paint. After it dried i spread some tacky glue all over in random spots and sprinkled on some lime green glitter. I then wired on the BOO ornament. I like how it turned out, but not on my ugly, brassy wooded front door. Total around $7.00
For my spooky tree, I had my dad cut off an old dead limb from a tree. I the spray painted the limb and the pot black. I took some floral foam and "planted" the spooky limb. I hot glued some moss on the top of the pot and two crows onto the tree. Next year I might use hot glue to make spider webs on the branches. Total $5.00

A friend at work brought in her little ghost garland. Hers was a little too cutesy for me with blushed cheeks and hair bows, but a liked the idea.
I just took an 8 inch square of white fabric,
fold it in half, then in half again.
Now you have a smaller folded square.
Flip the square so that it looks like you are staring down at a diamond shape.
Round off the bottom point with sewing shears or pinking shears.
Then take a clothes pin. I painted mine black and then Mod Podged some Halloween scrapbook paper on the front.
After drawing eyes and a mouth on my ghost, I hooked it to the clothes pin.
Note: The bottom of the ghost is the rounded end that you cut, and the point at the top is the head. You decide where you want the eyes and mouth after you have chosen where you would like the clothespin.
Repeat process for however many ghosts you want in your garland, then thread with black or whatever color ribbon you want; through the metal spring in the middle of the clothespin.
Total: Free- as I had everything on hand.


EnJOY!

Our Haunted Hollow

Here are some fun decorations I made for Halloween this year. I had a blast creating and they were all so easy.

I got a pack of Halloween paper and used my Cricut cutter for my EEK! sign. The picture did not do it justice. It is very vibrant and all of the black shapes on the toxic green colored paper had glitter. Total Time: 15 minutes
For the Happy Hallows Eve sign I refurbished an old white picture frame to black and roughed it up. Then I found a spider web transparency, Halloween paper, and some black Thicker's at Robert's Crafts. After cutting the paper to the sizes I wanted, I distressed the edges with black ink. I positioned everything and glued down with GlueDots. Then I flipped it over and hot glued some bright green grosgrain ribbon.
Total Time: 1 hour

For the Our Haunted Hollow blocks I used chopped and sanded wood painted black. Then on the front of each block I Mod Podged a square of distressed Halloween scrapbook paper cut to size. Next time I need to use a roller so that it doesn't bubble. I then cut out and distressed the letters using the Cricut cutter and black ink. Mod Podge again and display.

Here are some close ups

EnJOY!