Make A Halloween Craft From Martha Stewart

                 
I love crafts, with or without the kids. It is fun to do them with the kids, but sometimes I need a grown up craft to make me feel "crafty." When I am looking for crafting ideas I like to turn to Martha Stewart. My Mom adores Martha and says she knew her way back when. Because my Mom has so much admiration for Martha Stewart, I do too. Her projects are relatively simple and always classic. I found this Bat Mobile from the Indoor Halloween Decorations page and knew it was the one for me to make this season. I love simple, black and I love things I can find for free, like the tree branch that the bats are dangling from.

Here is the original from Martha's site. 

                                

And here is my attempt at making the "Bat Mobile"

 I found a stick off of one of our trees outside and sprayed it with black spray paint.

 

 

While the spray paint dried, I printed out the bat template provided and got some black post board out. Card stock can be expensive so I just got a piece of black poster board at 2 for a $1.00 and cut it into pieces. 

Then I cut out the template, traced them by folding the paper in half. She gives you half of the bat so that you can trace it and both sides be equal. 

Last I got my dry branch, fishing string, and hole punch. I didn't punch it all the way through the paper, just punctured it a bit so I could slide the fishing string in. I hung the bats up randomly and at different lengths.

Here is my finished product! I hung it high enough over the sliding glass door to the deck so that the children couldn't reach it. It was late by the end of the day when I got it finished so there is a shadow from the light. But I think that makes it look a little spooky!

 

 

 

 

 

This was originally published 10/16/12

Glazed Pumpkin Bread

 

If it's fall, you can bet I'm busy in the kitchen making pumpkin bread. I just adore eating it, and a cup of tea with a slice of this bread in the afternoon is my idea of heaven.

 

This recipe is easy to make, and adding the powdered sugar glaze makes it even more delicious. I don't roast my own pumpkin, but use the canned kind, which is just as good in my book, and so much easier. The recipe makes two loaves.

 

As yummy as this is to eat at home, it makes a wonderful gift for a friend, neighbor, or even a surprise gift for your child's teacher. Either way, it's delicious, and a perfect way to embrace the fall season. 

 

 

Recipe for Glazed Pumpkin Bread

 

Ingredients:

 

3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. each nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon
1 1/2 c. each granulated sugar and packed brown sugar
1 c. oil
2 c. canned pumpkin
4 eggs

For glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

 

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Add the sugars, mixing well.

Mix dry ingredients with the oil and pumpkin, stirring until well combined.Add eggs, one at a time, blending thoroughly. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9 1/2 x 5 1/4-inch loaf pans.Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes. Remove from pans. Place on wire rack to cool.
To make glaze, stir powdered sugar, milk and vanilla together in a small bowl. With a spoon, drizzle glaze over cooled loaves.

 

Makes 2 loaves.

 

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

 

                     Photo Credit: http://fancyshanty.com/2014/10/fanta-orange-scream-halloween-party/

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One of my very favorite holidays is Halloween and the house is already decorated with pumpkins, ghosts, and skeletons. My grandchildren have their costumes, and their excitement for the day makes me excited, too. Along with dressing up, we always love enjoying some great treats and delicious beverages. That's actually one of my favorites parts of Halloween, all the food and drinks!! This will be another great Twitter party with tons of great Halloweeen ideas, and we will all walk away hungry and thirsty!

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DATE:  Friday, October 24
 



TIME:  2:00 – 3:00 PM ET

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Recipe For Ground Turkey Soup

The weather has officially turned fall-like, and put me into full soup making mode. There is nothing better than having a delicious pot of soup simmering on the stove on a cold day.

This soup calls for ground turkey, which I use often as a substitute for ground beef. It's healthier, and my family likes it. One of the good things about this Ground Turkey Soup is that it's loaded with veggies, and is a hearty soup, perfect for dinner.

Sometimes I have a small salad with a soup dinner, and some kind of bread, too. I do think you can skip the salad this time, as this soup is very filling. And there should be enough left over for lunch the next day, which is always so nice.

Recipe for Ground Turkey Soup

Ingredients:

1 pound ground turkey

2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) beef broth
2 cups water
1 can (28ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
3 celery ribs, chopped
3 large carrots, sliced
1 large onion, diced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons dried tarragon
1tablespoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

Directions:

In a Dutch oven, cook turkey over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the broth, water, tomatoes, celery, carrots, onions, potatoes, tarragon, garlic powder, parsley, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain. Stir into soup; heat all the way through.
                                   
Serves 8.

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