This is Grownup Halloween - A hallow's eve escape

Tonight, delightful company, a bottle of wine, and a chilling, midnight picnic in a secluded spot beneath a cloudy, shapeshifting, haunted sky.

a sleeping bag, a flashlight

no tricks, just treats

I know just the spot

Happy Halloween thirsty nightcreatures, I do hope it’s a spooktacular evening. Enjoy the candied confections and the spooky spirits

Make certain to have a safe and wonderfully wicked devil's night

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This is Kiddo Halloween

After many years of failed attempts and various explanations as to why candy corn does not constitute a serving of vegetables, I finally figured out how to get the kids to eat their vegetables on Halloween.

Make snacks disgusting, or make them fun.

a Frankenstein pudding army 

a meaty, delicious, watermelon brain

cheese pumpkin bites

banana and coconut ghost pops

Veggies with hummus cleverly disguised as pumpkin puke

spooky milkshakes

scary strawberries

carrot broccoli and dip pumpkin platter

peanut butter and bananer platter

harvest pops

fruit salad snack o' lanterns

Fruits and veggies down the hatch, then onto the gruesome cupcakes.

The kids are as happy as prowling, black-sparkled cats upon the witching hour.

The Elvis costume turned out to be a rocktastical piece of work, and it quite lived up to its fast-paced rock and roll namesake. Well worth the late nights of sparkle-fastening to the said jumpsuit.

Now onto costume numero dos.

Hope those pumpkins are ready for night flickering.

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Purple velvety acai goodness

Ever since Oprah Winfrey announced that she too is consuming the amazing Brazilian fruit that's packed with antioxidants, the frozen pulpy goodness of acai has proliferated.

I eat the superfruit and crunchy granola goodness far more often than not, and I firmly believe they're slipping small addictive doses of something to leave me in such a desperate state of constantly yearning for more.

Have a go at the Brazilian superfood, as it's nutritious, delicious, and after you've finished you will feel like you can punch through manhole covers like it's nobody's business.

Perfect for the day after Halloween revelry. I do hope no one needed to check into trick or treatment!

Sunday Happies to you

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There is heat in freezing, be a testament. - Tanya Davis

A frosty pumpkin for you on this chilly October morning.

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Smileybones

It's Friday, dance your bones off

even if they are watching, 

chances are... 

those they folks probably aren't.

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Since there is nothing so well worth having as friends, never lose a chance to make them. - Francesco Guicciardini

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Things to do in the belly of a whale - Dan Albergotti

Measure the walls. 

Count the ribs. 

Notch the long days.

Look up for blue sky through the spout. 

Make small fires with the broken hulls of fishing boats. 

Practice smoke signals.

Call old friends and listen for echoes of distant voices.

Organize your calendar. 

Dream of the beach. 

Look each way for the dim glow of light. 

Work on your reports. 

Review each of your life's ten million choices. 

Endure moments of self-loathing. 

Find the evidence of those before you. 

Destroy it. 

Try to be very quiet, and listen for the sound of gears and moving water. 

Listen for the sound of your heart.

Be thankful that you are here, 

swallowed with all hope,

where you can rest and wait. 

Be nostalgic. 

Think of all the things you did and could have done.

 Remember treading water in the center of the still night sea,

 your toes pointing again and again down, 

down into the black depths.

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It's the Great Pumpkin Ale Charlie Brown!

 The pumpkin beers have harvested!

Tis' the season for spiced, nutmeg, chestnut, cinammon, and the ginger additions to the maltiness of your brew.

 or what I like to call bottled pumpkin pie

A small number of brown-bottled beer options:

in order from my greatest to least favorite

Kuhnhenn All Hallows Ale

copper, pumpkin color pour, on the nose: cinammon, allspice, brown sugar, delicious with a nice, malty finish

Fisherman's Imperial Pumpkin Stout

very dark brown in color, non overpowering muted pumpkin aroma, complex flavor sweet, molasses, light chocolate notes, mildly bitter with a sweet finish

Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale 

clear, light orange-colored with gold body, subdued aroma with slight butterscotch, wheat beer based, liquid pumpkin pie

Dogfishhead Punkin' Ale 

full-bodied brown ale, with a hint of spiced herb and pumpkin (great for cooking)

South Hampton Pumpkin Ale 

 Amber colored, aromatic, thick malty base, slightly nutmeg and pumpkin spiced

Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale 

Belgian White ale, no pumpkin scent, slightly spiced with touch of pumpkin

Jack's Pumpkin Spice Ale 

 clear copper orange pour, Budweiser with a hint of pumpkin

Why not throw a pumpkin ale tasting party, with the big beautiful orange gourd eats in tow?

Pumpkin plays especially well with any of the following:

pork with a pear reduction sauce

roasted butternut (root vegetable) squash 

spiced dishes

roasted rich meats and stews

Don't forget to pour a tall glass of sweet ale such as Pumking and add a scoop of vanilla for a delicious dessert!

Cheese tip:

  For a warm-bellied treat, try a pumpkin ale with with the nutty, sweetness of a cave-aged, mountain Gruyère, or pair with the eggy, richness of a French Comté as a suitable companion.

Whatever ales you, enjoy!

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Cheese or Font?

Test Your Cheese Expertise

Enjoy

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Sunday Breakfasting

Alotta frittata with veggies and three cheeses

mozzarella 

bel paese

parmesan

Happy Sunday funday folks!

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Sweets and treats for the happiest of days

Today I wish you the joys of a satisfied sweet tooth.

Cream buns and doughnuts and fruitcake with no nuts so good you could go nuts.

baked alaskas, cheesecakes, buttered cream meringues, banana royale, creme brulees, candy buttons, twizzle sticks and pixy sticks, red-velvety cupcakes, and pecan-chocolatey turtles.

whirly-popped love

malted milk ball showers

a pink little macaroon afternoon

caramels and chocolate malted milk goodness

a score of smores

a gooey, caramel treatsicle

stripedy straws of pixie dust 

sweet strawberry-topped cupcakes

and the happiest of fridays with m&m's on top.

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