I have some treats for my neighbors. I'm giving them candy so they don't have to steal from their kid's stash. I don't want to throw the candy in a baggie and hand it to them. I want my gift to have a little pizazz. Like I put some thought in it. These ideas work for any treat whether they are homemade or not.

I love my Halloween table this year. I took a nice black tablecloth, I used orange scrapbook paper for a placemat under each plate (yes there are only 5 of us). Then I used my everyday plates and white fabric napkins. The spider on the napkin is from Pottery Barn (clearanced from last year). I tied Halloween ribbon around the glasses and rested a plastic skeleton on each one.
The skeletons on the table are from Zurchers party store but you can get them at Michaels or Hobby Lobby. I got the skeleton candle holders at Albertsons...can you believe that?! The little flower holders are from Ikea and I just wrapped some ribbon around them and filled them with orange carnations. I'm excited for dinner Sunday afternoon.

The countdown to Halloween is on. Just two more days and kids will be trick-or-treating at your door. Before my kids go out I usually do a quick dinner of soup and salad so they can have something nutritious before overdosing on sugar. This year I'm making some really cool beverages for the little goblins. Try them...your kids will be SO impressed!

Your kids will wonder how you got a "ghost" in their glass. Perfect for breakfast on Halloween morning.
You'll need some chocolate syrup (add a little black food coloring if you have it on hand), a paintbrush, milk and a clean glass. Lay the glass flat with the opening facing you. Paint the eyes and mouth on the inside of the glass. Pour milk in the glass and serve immediately.




This next drink would be great at dinner.
Isn't this cool? It looks like blood dripping down a glass. It is really easy to make and very impressive.

You'll need corn syrup, red food coloring and a clean glass. Mix the food coloring with the corn syrup. Dip the edge of the glass in the mixture and tap of the excess. Then turn the glass upright and wa - la. Let set for a while and fill glass with any beverage.

I think an important part of parties is the ambiance. The decor, the lighting, the scent, and the music. I love going to a party that has a playlist specific to that party. My friend Lisa is a master party DJ. I came up with a little playlist for my Halloween party that I think is a keeper. To add a little game to your gathering, play the playlist and give a prize to anyone who knows the most titles and/or artists. Let me know what you think. Here goes:

Dead Man's Party (Oingo Boingo)
Thriller (Michael Jackson)
Werewolves of London (Warren Zevon)
Devil Inside (INXS)
Witchcraft (Frank Sinatra)
Moondance (Van Morrison)
Building a Mystery (Sara McLaughlin)
I'm Your Boogie Man (KC and the Sunshine Band)
The Ghost in You (Counting Crows)
Ding Dong The Wicked Witch is Dead (Ella Fitzgerald)
Witch in the Ditch (Erasure)
Hungry Like a Wolf (Duran Duran)
Walking After Midnight (Patsy Cline)
Black Cat (Janet Jackson)
Zombie (Cranberries)
Voodoo (Spice Girls)