Halloween and.....Snow?

Tomorrow night is Halloween and things couldn't be more spooky around here.  This is what it looked like outside my window yesterday...

Autumn sun beaming down over beautiful red tones....

and crisp fallen leaves on the grass.... 

Well, this is what it all looked like this morning....

We had snow! Crazy, right?

It was just a dusting and not nearly as much as other parts of the state (which got up to over foot!) but snow is snow! Beautiful snow.  And oh how I love a good storm.  The season has begun.

I can never remember having snow before Halloween, so this is definitely unusual.  The weather has all of a sudden turned from cool to COLD.  Heat is on, candles are flickering, and I'm wearing two pairs of socks.  I'm in a state of cozy-heaven.   I just heated some cider on the stove (with a splash of OJ, a cinnamon stick, and a dash of nutmeg) and I'm settling in for the night.  The snow stopped, but the wind is still howling against the house.  My house is a trooper through.  She can stand it.  I'm just hoping not to lose power.  It's too cold to not have a fireplace. 

Unfortunately my little one has come down with a bad cold.  He's snuggled on the couch, wrapped in a green fleece blanket like a cocoon.  I promised him if he kept warm and got a good night sleep he could still trick or treat tomorrow night.  I'm hoping he feels better in the morning. 

I'm just going to sit and wait for the germs to hit me, which as I know, they eventually will.  They always find me : - )

Yesterday we carved our pumpkin.  Do you like him?  He's nothing fancy, but that's the way we like it.  A good old fashion Jack-O-Lantern on the front steps reminds me of all the pumpkins I carved with my Dad when I was little.  Actually, he helped us with this one.  I guess some traditions never die.  Here he is drawing the face....

We always carved our pumpkins on Halloween night just before trick or treating.  While we were gone my mother would roast the seeds. 

They are so good.  I rinse them off well, then lay them flat on a cookie sheet with a towel to dry overnight.  The next day coat with olive oil, salt & pepper, and a little garlic powder.  Roast at 450 degrees for about 20 minutes or until they turn brown.  Give them a little turn half way through so both sides get crispy. YUM!!!!! 

They are like potato chips.  Once you start, you can't stop!

This past week my son had his first party Halloween party in pre-school!  He was so excited to wear his costume to school.  Did I mention he changed his mind again? He's now decided to be Woody AND Buzz by wearing bits and pieces of each costume.  He's also named himself "Woody-Buzz".  He seemed to get a real kick out of this, and I had to admit it was creative.  So off he went, in a Buzz Lightyear spacesuit, with a Cowboy hat and boots on, looking as adorable as can be.  When you are four you can do anything, and I'm so happy he's four. 

For the party I made chocolate Halloween pops.  I'm a huge lover of chocolate pops.  Mostly because they are so easy to make and kids just love them.  I have candy molds for almost any occasion you can think of, as it was quite an obsession to me a few years back. 

All you do is melt the chocolate (I defrost in the microwave for 30 sec intervals until melted)

And pour into the molds. 

Tap on the counter to get rid of any air bubbles and add the sticks.   Put the mold in the freezer for five minutes and viola....

I was feeling festive so I decided to pull out my Sizzex machine and make some labels. 

This machine is a die cut machine used for scapbooking and just about anything else you can imagine.  Once I started using it I wondered why I don't use it more. 

Just line up the die cut you want to use with card stock.  Load into the machine and Press.....

Out pop perfectly uniform little tags.  Love this machine!

It's beginning to look alot like Santa's workshop in here...

Each pop got a leaf, ribbon, and a name tag.

I think they came out pretty darn cute.  Of course to a pre-schooler all that matters is the chocolate, and that was kid-approved as well!  Wink, wink....

Before I sign off today I have to share with you something exciting that happened to me a few weeks ago.  I won my first giveaway!!!!!  The absolute BEST part about having this blog is all of the wonderful, creative, and inspiring people that I have met and had the opportunity to get to know.  Kristin at http://apageofinspiration.blogspot.com is one of those people.  One night while "surfing" I stumbled upon her blog and I'm so glad I did.  She is a photographer from Norway who loves to travel.  You will fall in love with her pictures of London, Paris, and Italy!  She's also a mom who loves to spend time with her family, try new recipes, and enjoy the beauty of every day life.  Every post leaves me feeling happy that I know her.  A few days ago I received my package all the way from Norway.  Kristin sent me these adorable little hedgehogs, along with some fall napkins, and an Autumn leaf candy mold. Check them out...

I just love these little guys.  They have traveled a long way to be with me and I will display them proudly!

For this candy mold I have a great idea. This week I'm going to make honey butter.  All you do is cream together 1 stick of butter (or margarine) with two tablespoons of honey.  Fill the molds and chill.  Each little pat will be perfect with muffins, warm pumpkin bread, or your morning toast.  A little extra sweetness to start the day : - )

Thank you SO much Kristin!

For Kristin's upcoming birthday her husband is taking her to London and I can't wait to hear all about it!  I've already told her that's my dream trip, so I'm looking forward to seeing all her pictures.
Someday, I tell myself...someday.... 

Well, that's all for now.  Have a happy and safe Halloween everyone! Did you all watch It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, yet?  If not, there is still time.  Don't miss it!

Be back soon ~  xo