Happy Halloween!

Welcome to our 

Black and White Ghoula: A Spirited Affair

This past weekend, Nel and I prepared for her Halloween costume party.

We decorated her place using a black and white theme 

with touches of orange in the food and decor. 

We made Halloween themed food signs and prepared yummy goodies and spirited wines. 

We printed out spooky black and white photos for display and decorated mason jars with potpourri and candles. 

We created a "haunted hallway" 

where guests walked through a dark walkway into an alternate party room.

Nel dressed as a Spanish dancer, and I was a mermaid.

I made my tail using shiny green fabric and tulle from a fabric store. I decorated a bathing suit top with seashells I collected from my local beach along with pearls and jewels I had on hand. 

After I added some ocean inspired accessories, I was ready for the costume party! 

We had a very spirited time... 

 
We hope all of you have the Happiest Halloween filled with sweets, treats, and plenty of laughs!    

~Jess

Full Autumn

We are in full

Autumn

here, and lovin'

every minute

of it.

 

 

The air is cooler,

the leaves

are falling, and

the birds are

still singing.

 

 

 

The sunsets even

have the Fall

hues in them.

 

 

"The next time a sunrise

steals your breath

or a meadow of flowers
leaves you

 speechless, remain

that way.  Say nothing

and listen as Heaven

whispers,

"Do you like it?

I did it just for you."

 

~Max Lucado

 

I am, indeed,

lovin' this season.

 

 

~Sheri

Pumpkin Carving Contest 2013

Thank you for joining us for our 7th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest! 

If you'd like to catch up on last year's contest, please follow this link.

Sheri and my dad are the judges, and the only rules are: no pumpkin carving tools or props may be used.

The participants are:

Sweet Pumpkin,

Grinny,

Pumpkin Fairy, 

and Too Much Candy. 

The judges were busy in the judging room for quite a while leaving us on our toes about who would take the traditional glitter pumpkin prize...

And the winning jack-o-lantern of the 7th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest is...

(oh the suspense!) 

GRINNY!

Congrats to Grinny and all the participants. 

Until next year, pumpkin carvers!

~Jess 

Just Jack-o-Lanterns

Who's that knocking at the door?

It's the guests for our annual pumpkin carving party!

Every year around this time we gather together a few friends and family for a spirited contest. Who can carve the best jack-o-lantern?

There are always plenty of Halloween treats... 

and the winner of the contest gets to take home the glitter pumpkin prize to keep for the whole year!

Last year Nel took first place with her haunted house.

This year's contest is about to get started...

We'll reveal the winning jack-o-lantern next time--stay tuned!

~ Sheri, Jess, & Nel ~

A Very Nice Gathering

Jess and Nel went to a fundraiser to raise money for doggies that have been abused or neglected who need surgery.  It was a fun event, and there was a photo booth there that you could dress up and take pictures. Here they are acting silly.

 Is there a special

fundraiser that you

 participate in?

~Sheri

Seasonal Treats

Happy Harvest!

Nel and I made our own version of autumn-inspired bruschetta. 

We began by slicing a baguette into thin pieces, then we sautéed some chopped yellow squash in olive oil. After we took the squash off the stove, we mixed in chopped green onions, shredded cheese (we used parmesan), and salted pumpkin seeds. 

We topped the baguette slices with the yummy mixture and baked the bruschetta just until the cheese had melted. Simple and delicious!

These pumpkin macarons are also worth mentioning. 

I wish I could say I made them from scratch, but I must admit that I brought them home from my local Trader Joe's store.

Although the macarons were not homemade, they were delectable with a hot cup of chai tea and a Halloween read.

I hope you have a spicy week ahead.
 

~Jess