Witch's Brew

When Brian, our now 8th grader, was a sweet little kindergartener, he had a great teacher named Mrs. Pearson. She was old school, over retirement age, played the piano in class, and all. I was fortunate enough, because my friend Karen babysat Natalia, to be able to work in the classroom once a week.

Mrs. Pearson did a lot of fun things with the kids, including a spooky Halloween party. During the party, she put on her witch's hat, turned down the lights, unpacked her black cauldron, and mixed up a batch of Witch's Brew. You should have seen the eyes on those kids! With the addition of each ingredient she cackled and stirred. It was great! She gave me the recipe, so I'm posting it here in case you need to whip up a batch. This makes enough for a classroom of kids, so cut down the juices and soda to make a smaller cauldron full.




Witch's Brew

2 bottles of Old Witch's bath water (apple juice)
1 bottle of Vampire Blood (Hi-C concentrate)
1 bottle of Red Sea Water (cranberry juice)
2 bottles Ghost Water (Ginger Ale)
2 bottles of lemon-lime soda
6 slimy worms (gummy worms)
5 hoppy toads (gummy frogs)
1 pet tarantula (plastic spider)
1 bag dried flies (chocolate covered raisins)
2 dried bat wings (fruit roll-up pieces)
Dry ice

Put ingredients one at a time (except for dry ice) into a large plastic cauldron (you can usually find them at Wally-world or party stores) and stir the brew. Wiggle the worms and toads as you add them, and really use some drama! Add dry ice last. The steam will pour out of the cauldron. You can wait until it's done to pour out glasses full.

Happy Haunting!

Family Home Evening Idea

We try to plan Family Home Evening in advance, but sometimes the most fun we have had has been when we've been the most spontaneous.

A couple of weeks ago we decided to play Scripture Spoons. We laid out 5 spoons, then played the regular Spoons card game, but left the Jokers in. Whenever a Joker was passed, someone would read a few verses from the scriptures. Then, when a player collected a hand with four-of-a-kind and grabbed spoons, whoever was left without a spoon read some more.

We played for quite a while, and will probably play every few weeks.

Blog World

So, this blogging world is something, isn't it? I was invited to a blogging event for next weekend in St. Louis at the Build-A-Bear workshop, everything free as long as I blog about it. Unfortunately, I'm not going, but isn't it neat to have the opportunity? I told them to feel free to invite me to anything anytime. Hee hee.

A lot of bloggers hold carnivals and giveaways, and 4 Reluctant Entertainers is having a giveaway on her blog for a cute Fall box full of seasonal stuff. You can enter by leaving a comment here.

Maybe someday I'll have a giveaway or contest, but I'm not sure I've got enough readers! And maybe you will all come out of the woodwork, then.

Those rascally little fellows!

OK, one more birthday boy post

On Joe's birthday, Andy went into the post office here to pick up the mail, and Vicki told him she had a package for him, but couldn't guarantee that the butterflies were still alive! Turns out the package that Nonni had sent from insectlore.com arrived on Friday, but thank goodness they were still catapillars! We watched as they formed chrysallids, then we moved them into their butterfly habitat. They all turned into painted lady butterflies. We enjoyed them for a day, then let them loose to pollinate the fields.

Birthday Bash on a Budget

We celebrated Joseph's 7th B-day last month, and he really wanted to invite a few of his friends over for a party. Andy gave him a new fishing pole as an early present, then Aunt Mellisa and Uncle Adam got him his own tackle box and gear, so we decided to have a fishing party! I made up some invitations using my circle punch and some cute paper, then printed out an invite to go inside. I also had some clear envelopes which make them so fun to send and receive!

Then, for the actual party day, I picked up Joe and his friends from school, and Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, Uncle Ben and Uncle Adam took them all out to the neighbors pond to fish. Unfortunately, the fish weren't really biting that day.

The treat bags had individual bags of goldfish, some balloons and blow toys, and candy in them. I punched holes and strung the "fishing pole" swirly straws with the dangling fish on them. The fish were just funny shaped wooden pieces, and Joe painted them, then we finished them off with the names of the party-goers with a Sharpie.

Joe also wanted a fish shaped cake, so I took the idea from the grocery stores and made cupcakes, arranged them into the shape of a fish, then frosted them all as one. I used 24 cupcakes and 1 tub of frosting tinted orange, but the frosting was barely enough. I then used gel icing to detail some scales and cinnamon red hots to make the eye. Not real artful, but he liked the finished product! It worked great on my huge, blue platter.

Dinner was Bobbers and Worms (spaghetti and meatballs) with Rods (breadsticks) and cucumber salad and Jell-O Jigglers.

We used brightly colored paper plates and napkins, and not including the dinner, I spent less than $20.00. Not bad.

Menu Plan Monday

I'm trying to be organized! So, here is my plan for this week.

Monday: Chicken, Macaroni Salad, Baked Beans (From a can) Corn on the Cob (Grandpa's garden!)

Tuesday: I have dinner at church for Enrichment, so the family can have leftovers.

Wednesday: Pasta, Breadsticks (Dough made in the bread machine) Veggies

Thursday: Herbed Polenta with Mozzarella, Salad

Friday: Chicken and rice and peas

Saturday: Soup and cornbread

Yum!

What? It's October already? No, really, you're kidding, aren't you.

Wow, where did September GO! Not to mention this whole year. Lots going on here in the middle of MO, not the least of which is my new baby neice. I'll post pictures soon. (forgot the camera. Oops!) Oh, wait, I'll steal one of Tara's pictures. Her name is Kady Scarlett, and I'm already her favorite Auntie.

I know you're dying to hear more from me (just kidding!) so I'll post some more soon!