Happy Halloween!

 Beggars night is one of my favorite nights! You get to see so many adorable, creepy, and funny costumes! Every year there is something new! This year I have a feeling that I will be seeing a lot of Fortnight costumes. That is what our 10-year-old wants to be this year. 

As beggar's night gets closer and closer the question always arises. What age are you too old to trick or treat? There are people out there that get so upset when older kids are out getting candy on beggars' night. My opinion is let them! Why is it a bad thing that older kids are going door to door all dressed up and having fun? Why wouldn't we support this? Would you rather them out on the town causing problems? Getting into trouble? Partying? I mean come on this is about as innocent as it gets! 

When older kids come to the door I am happy that they are having fun. I may be stricter on telling jokes. The younger kids if they don't have a joke then they still get candy. The older kids they better have jokes! 

 

Let our kids have some fun this year! Parents its time for you to have fun also! Get dressed up when you are handing out candy and just have fun! Life makes things so busy and it is hard to have fun! This is the perfect day to just let go and enjoy the 3 hours of fun!!! 

Prep for Thanksgiving dinner

It doesn't matter if you are hosting your 1st Thanksgiving dinner or your 20th Thanksgiving dinner you will still want to make sure that you have everything planned out!




Like everything else I have a check list. This has helped me the past 4 years we have hosted Thanksgiving at our house. The first year I was a complete mess because usually we always go to someone else house and decided it would be so nice to have a big family dinner at our house. Little did I know what I was getting myself into.

So, the second year I made sure that I had everything planned out. For the past 3 years it has been wonderful! I have never been happier and am so thankful we have such a large turnout of family and friends!

Here is what my Thanksgiving Dinner list looks like. I keep this in my planner. This way I have it when someone messages me and tells me what they are bringing. It also helps so you will not have 5 pumpkin pies and no pecan pies!

I will start prepping all of this the end of October first of November. I think it is easier to plan early then scramble at the last minute! You can find more recipe & fun Thanksgiving ideas on my Pinterest page! Happy Holidays!

Christmas Shopping Organization

The trees have just started turning and all I can think about is how much time is left before Christmas! It's crazy but, as parents we have to start planning early. If you do this then it seems like it is easier on your bank account and your sanity!

 

I like to start early in the season for all of our extended family. We don't get a list from them so when I see something that I think would be perfect then I buy it. This may be an impulse pulse purchase, but it has worked for me so far! This also works for stocking stuffers! When you see some fun little trinkets in the store or online that are cheap don't pass them up! Those are going to save your ass when you are trying to wrap presents, bake cookies and do everything else this holiday season!

 

Here is my schedule that I try my hardest to stick with!

 

 

End of October -

1. Make list of names of people you need to shop for - Family, friends, and if you have any annual parties you attend.

 

2. Keep your eye out for clearance stocking stuffers - summer stuff is on sale and will be marked down pretty low by this time.

 

3. Budget - get your budget in order so you have an idea of how much you need to save. This will help when you start shopping in the next couple weeks!

 

4. Make a list of gift cards for those hard to shop for people!!  

 

 

November -

Now is the time to start your shopping. Leave the big items you know will be on sale for Black Friday on your list but, start getting those other items checked off! This will also help your budget, so you are not spending a ton of money all at once!

 

Black Friday! Start planning your Black Friday shopping list and you game plan for the day! This is important, so you can take part in as many deals as possible! 

This is also the time I will start getting family who is out of state and we will not be able to see checked off my list. We have 2 nieces that live in Minnesota and I like to make them a Christmas Eve box. I will explain more about these boxes in my DIY Christmas post!

 

You all know how much I love lists! I also have a list for all of my D.I.Y gifts also! This helps me stay on track both in the store and at home!  

 

 

December -

Crunch time! Starting in December you are now like the jolly fat man himself! Get that list out and start checking it twice! Along with gift shopping December 1st I will usually start getting my baking list started. I like to make baskets and trays for people. By getting my list done now I will have time to plan everything out! 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

November menu

I can't believe that I am already doing a November menu! It feels like I was just getting things ready for the kids to go back to school! Since this will be the month the holidays kick off I like to keep things simple and easy, so I can focus more on my holiday list!

Here is what I have for November! Enjoy!

 

Monday - Monday night football means fun but easy dinners. This way you can focus on getting all the homework, and crap done before kickoff! We will be having Big Mac Sliders, Chicken & Broccoli Bake, Meatball Sandwiches, and Chicken Sliders!

 

Tuesday - Taco Tuesday! Everyone at our house always loves taco Tuesdays! We will be having Chicken Tacos, Burritos, Taco Bake, and Mexican Tater Tot Casserole!

 

Wednesday - Casserole Wednesday. I decided we need this night to be something I can throw into the oven and still get shit done. My husband has class this night, so I try and get caught up on all the housework while he is gone. On Wednesdays we will be having Sloppy Joe Casserole, Chili Mac & Cheese Casserole, Italian Sausage Rigatoni Bake & Pizza Bake!

 

Thursdays - Breakfast. We have breakfast on allot of our menu's because it is one of the kid's favorite meals. So, in November we will be having Egg Bake, French Toast, Biscuits and Gravy, and I hop Pancake & omelets!

 

Friday - Dinner and a movie night! This month I thought it would be fun to watch "Thanksgiving" movies and incorporate dinners that match the movie. You can find out more about our movie night here! 

 

Saturday - Leftovers - I want to keep the fridge as clean as possible with Thanksgiving being this month. So, leftovers it is!!

 

Sunday - Football Sunday! Since football is in full swing. We have a fantasy football league that meets every other Sunday. For our off weeks we will be enjoying Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes, and DIY Calzones!

Indoor Halloween Decor

 

 

 

Well it's finally that time again! The weather is getting colder and all the Halloween decorations are finally coming out of the box! This is my favorite time of year! I love all the creepy scary aspects of Halloween! Decorations outside and inside and we can't forget the costumes!! Here are some ideas for decorating your house this year! You can also find more ideas on my pinterest page!

 

 

Indoor Halloween decorations

I have said it a couple times now, but I will say it again. We go all out for Halloween! Inside the house we have everything from webs covering our paintings to talking voodoo doll heads hanging from the walls!

 

Kitchen Decor

*Make a colorful drink lab in the corner of your counter

 

*Add skulls around the kitchen ( I put ours on top of the microwave)

 

*Use your old wine bottles as creepy props ( I spray paint them black and purchased a color changing candle, add this to the top and let it burn. As it burns and drips down the bottle you will have a fun colorful prop!)

 

* Instead of changing out my fall flower arrangement I just add some black flowers and some fun Halloween arrangements to what I already have out. This not only saves on money but it is still fall so it gives the kitchen a pop of color!

 

* Everyone knows how much I love sugar skulls! I have 2 sugar skull table cloths that I will switch out through out the month. Plus I have a sugar skull place mat that I use as a center piece.

 

* We have a glass top stove that I hate. The reason I hate it is because it ALWAYS has spots on it and I tried to use the self cleaner which then made the top of the oven door yellow! So I make sure that I always have that decorated so it hides the crappy stove!

 

 

Now for the living room

* Everything must be covered in cloth webs! All of our DU pictures, and even the lamp!

 

* Sugar skulls placed throughout the living room

 

* Creepy old school radio that talks

 

* Voodoo head hanging right by hallway entry so if you make a loud noise she will greet you!

 

* Glitter skull that was made into a vase for black sparkle flowers!

 

*Don't forget about the front door wreath! 

 

 

Bathroom decor

 

* Decorate your mirror. It can be really drastic like adding blood splatter or you can keep it simple by just adding some fun gold skulls! 

 

* Change out your hand towels to match your decor

 

* Finally don't forget about the floor! You can add some cool Halloween rugs to complete your look!

Favorite Halloween Movies

This month on my menu I have added a Halloween movie and dinner night! This gives us a chance to watch some of our favorite Halloween movies and watch some new movies! Here are some of our favorite Halloween movies and some cool snack ideas you can make to match the movie!

 

 

Hocus Pocus - This is one of my favorite movies. I get upset every time is see a spoof that they are making a second one because it gets my hopes up! Here are some food ideas to match this fun movie! Sugar Cookies with candy pumpkins or candy corn on top & Popcorn in mini cauldrons

 *** Fun prop idea for this movie.......light a black candle!! ***

 

 

Casper The Friendly Ghost - This is a Halloween classic! What do you eat when watching Casper? Well breakfast of course! Eggs, Bacon, pancakes & don't forget the orange juice!

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown - All my boys love Charlie Brown! You can't watch the great pumpkin without eating some pumpkin pie and lighting your own pumpkins on the door step! For props you can add some of these mini pumpkins that light up!

 

The Nightmare Before Christmas - This is the best movie to watch the last weekend in October! Start out the movie with some pumpkin cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting & candy corn. Here are some Nightmare Before Christmas dinner sets that would be fun additions!! Finish the movie with some hot coco and a peppermint stick to stir it with! I found these awesome cups to put your hot coco in!

Beetlejuice - Another classic! Who can go wrong with watching Michael Keaton & Winona Ryder! Now you are probably thinking what do we eat with such an odd movie?? Start out with some Chinese takeout, then serve some shrimp cocktail right before the epic dinner scene! If you are having a dinner party you can also get the handbook and set it on your table! See which one of your guests recognizes it! 

 

 

 

You can't celebrate Halloween without having some Ghostbusters in your life! Snack ideas for this movie Slime popcorn balls, & lots of marshmallows! There are so many yummy snacks you can make out of marshmallows! You can find ideas on my Pinterst page! 

More Halloween Movie & Food Ideas:

Scream - Jiffy Pop Popcorn

Cabin Fever - Lemonade

 What are your favorite Halloween Movies??????????????????

Pizza Bake

Ingredients:

1 box rotini noodles

3 jars pizza sauce

2 lbs ground beef

1 lb sausage

1 lg bag shredded cheese

1 pack pepperoni

1 can mushrooms

(any other pizza toppings you choose)

 

Directions: I make 2 pans because the kids do not like mushrooms & onions on their pizza. So large pan for kids small pan for parents lol

 

#1 Brown ground beef & sausage

 

 

#2 Put in large bowl after cooking

 

 

#3 Cook Rotini Noodles

 

 

#4 Add to bowl

 

 

#5 Mix together with one jar of pizza sauce

 

** Pre-heat oven 350 degrees 

 

#6 Now it's time to layer your pizza bake!

 

#7 1st layer - Your first layer will be of your noodle mix. Make sure to make this a thin layer so the cheese will melt evenly through your pizza bake!

 

 #8 Now add cheese and your toppings.  I like to add the cheese first then the toppings this way the cheese will melt evenly through your first layer of meat and pasta!

 

#9 2nd layer -  Add the rest of your noodle mix

#10 Pour 1 jar (or less if desired) of pizza sauce over mix

 

 

#11 Finish topping with cheese and add pepperoni (or whatever topping you want)  on top!

 

#12 Place in oven & set timer for 25-30 min 

Gold Star Mothers Weekend

Last weekend was Gold Star Mothers weekend. This is the weekend dedicated to mothers of fallen soldiers. The week leading up to Gold Star Mother's weekend is Gold Star Family week. This is for all the families whose soldier has made the ultimate sacrifice. My mother is one of those hero's. She was KIA January 20th, 2007. She was the first female Command Sergeants Major in the state of Iowa and the first female to be KIA from the Iowa National Guard.

On Gold Star Mothers Day (Last Sunday of September) We run a 5k to honor our soldier. The last part of the run is so emotional. You have flags on each side of you along with pictures of soldiers we have lost. I am always okay until I see her beautiful face. Then I am sobbing to the finish line.  If you want to help support this run, you can go to http://iowaremembrancerun.com/.

 

My mother is my biggest hero. She was also my best friend in the whole world. Not a single day went bye that we didn't talk. I can't express how much I miss her and wish she was here. She showed me how to be strong and if you put your mind to it anything is possible! January 2007 was the worst day of my life. When we got the news, I fell to my knees and just bawled. I couldn't believe that she was gone. She was only supposed to be gone for 6 months. She left in December 2007 and one month later she was gone.

 
I can't say she is gone forever because a soldier is never gone until they are forgotten! Remember that please A SOLDIER IS NEVER GONE UNTIL THEY ARE FORGOTTEN! I say this because as the news/ media changes to new political stories and other disasters around the world our families of fallen soldiers are being forgotten! Programs that are in place to help support our families are becoming less and less accessible. We are told that we are not at war anymore. There are still soldiers being deployed all of the time. So please keep all of our hero's in your heart every day. Thank you