Happy Halloween!

My funny kids pooped out on the trick or treating at 650pm (It wasn't supposed to end till 730pm). But they were cold/tired/too little to care. Everyone went to bed at 8pm. Little-man did good for his age. This is the first year he made it all around the neighborhood for trick or treating. Pitty-pat and Tippy-toe almost managed to stay together with us while walking from house to house. On a whole much better than last year. Camryn was beautiful as a masquerade ballgowned girl. Pitty-pat was a fairy godmother, Tippy-toe was a skeleton, and Little-man wore the traditional cat costume. The black cat costume 4T was given to me by my neighbor Liz when Jessi was just two years old. Jessica, Aimee, Taylor and Cam have all worn the black cat costume in their turn. Soon little Alijah will be the next to wear it.

halloween count down

Roasted pumpkin seeds are a fall favorite of my family we always roasted them plain when I was growing up but I wanted to try this new recipe I found here.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

2 cups pumpkin seeds
3 Tablespoons butter, melted
2 teaspoons worchestire
3 shakes garlic salt (this is a "man" measurement so around 1/8 tsp)
3 shakes onion powder (around 1/8 tsp)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Rinse seeds under cold water and make sure all of the strings and pulp are removed. Drain well. Stir seeds with melted butter, worchestire, garlic salt, and onion powder in a small bowl making sure they are fully coated. Place seeds in a single layer on a cookie sheet and bake for 50 - 60 minutes (or until brown and crispy) stirring every 20 minutes.

halloween count down

Here is a little poem I remember Mrs. Zigray teaching me in Kindergarden at Luce Road.
Five Little Pumpkins
Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate
The first one said, “Oh, my it’s getting late.”
The second one said, “There are witches in the air”.
The third one said,”But we don’t care!”
The fourth one said, “Let’s run and run and run”.
The fifth one said, “I’m ready for some fun!”
Wooooo, went the wind
(clap)And out went the light
And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight!

halloween count down

For This Is Halloween
sung to the tune of 10 little indians
One little skeleton hopping up and down,
One little skeleton hopping up and down,
One little skeleton hopping up and down,
For this is Halloween.

Two little children playing trick or treat...
Three little pumpkins standing in a row...
Four little goblins running all around...
Five little witches flying through the air...

halloween count down

In honor of October's Full Moon tonight today's Halloween theme is the full Moon. It is called the hunter's moon around here for obvious reasons.

Pumpkin Prayer

I must confess the whole halloween thing is an issue for me. While I love carving pumpkins, and drying the seeds to eat. The trick or treating is not as fun. My kids love to dress up and meet the neighbors but I don't want to leave God out of our lives.

I found this little prayer I want to share with you today.

Dear God,

As I carve my pumpkin, help me say this prayer:
Open my mind so I can learn about You; (Cut the top of the pumpkin)
Take away all my sin and forgive me for the wrong things I do; (Clean out the inside)
Open my eyes so Your Love I will see; (Cut eyes shaped like hearts)
I'm sorry for turning up my nose to all You've given me; (Cut a nose in the shape of the cross)
Open my ears so Your Word I will hear; (Cut ears shaped like the Bible)
Open my mouth so I can tell others You're near; (Cut mouth in the shape of a fish)
Let Your Light shine in all I say and do! Amen. (Place a candle and light)

It is from Homeschool Nature Study

pumpkin flour recipe

I plan to try this with an extra pumpkin. Pumpkin bread with pumpkin flour yummy!
Pumpkin Flour Recipe from pumpkin's nook.com

"Description: Pumpkin flour is a great substitute for use in just about any recipe that uses flour. Pumpkin Flour is rich in minerals and vitamins, many of which are believed to have several medicinal benefits (see below).
Pumpkin Flour most likely originated in Mexico, the origin of pumpkins. It is popular there today.
Potential and real medical benefits include:
Aids gastrointestinal ailments
Cancer avoidance and treatment
Kidney ailments
Diabetes- both helps in deterring the onset of Diabetes, as well as treatment.
Heart ailments.
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Ingredients:
There's just one ingredient..........one or more pumpkins.
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Preparation Directions:
Select one or more fresh, ripe pumpkins. Sugar pie variety makes a good, slightly sweet flour.
Cut open the pumpkin, remove and discard seeds and strings.
Remove the skin from the pumpkin. Use a sharp knife for hard skins. A potato peeler may work on soft shelled varieties.
Slice pumpkin into thin slices and set out to dry. A food dehydrator is helpful.
Allow pumpkin to completely dry.
Place slices into a food processor and grind into a flour-like texture.
Place pumpkin flour into an airtight container, and store in a cool, dry place.
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Using Pumpkin Flour:
Pumpkin Flour can be used in any recipe that calls for flour. Most recipes suggest substituting pumpkin flour for up to 1/4 of the amount of regular flour.
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