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Happy Halloween! Hope you had a boo-tiful day, and a most bewitching night. What treats did you
- Thread starter pat-nocal
- Start date
I had about 120 goblins. I always give one candy and one bubble gum. this year it was
Twix and Reeses/Hershey products mix and assorted bubble gums. Also, 2 bags of the caramel apple suckers---the big kids really like these. and some little cookie packets for the toddlers. We had 25 degrees and by 8 the snow was really flying, but kids kept coming till about 8:30. we usually have them till 9, so they gave up the ghost early last night.
Twix and Reeses/Hershey products mix and assorted bubble gums. Also, 2 bags of the caramel apple suckers---the big kids really like these. and some little cookie packets for the toddlers. We had 25 degrees and by 8 the snow was really flying, but kids kept coming till about 8:30. we usually have them till 9, so they gave up the ghost early last night.
Zero trick-or-treaters. (They go to shops here, instead.) Roasted pumpkin seeds, though!
My husband does not understand the appeal of roasted pumpkin seeds, but he indulges my need to carve a pumpkin and roast the seeds, every year (or every year we're in the U.S.). There's something about that taste--it *always* tastes the same, and it's ridiculously nostalgic, for me. Nutty and crunchy and slightly spiced. smileys/smile.gif
My husband does not understand the appeal of roasted pumpkin seeds, but he indulges my need to carve a pumpkin and roast the seeds, every year (or every year we're in the U.S.). There's something about that taste--it *always* tastes the same, and it's ridiculously nostalgic, for me. Nutty and crunchy and slightly spiced. smileys/smile.gif
I pulled a Martha Stewart. In previous years I've gotten hundreds and hundreds of kids.
It's a dense LA neighborhood with lots of kids and very few homes are open for business. After years of buying tons of cheap candy and running out by 7:00, I've learned to keep the lights off, sneak out the back door, and go to my friend Dennis' house in a swankier zip code. He's much more into the whole thing, decorating the house for days and buying expensive candy and making chili for the adults--I acted like a kid and ate about 20 mini butterfingers.
It's a dense LA neighborhood with lots of kids and very few homes are open for business. After years of buying tons of cheap candy and running out by 7:00, I've learned to keep the lights off, sneak out the back door, and go to my friend Dennis' house in a swankier zip code. He's much more into the whole thing, decorating the house for days and buying expensive candy and making chili for the adults--I acted like a kid and ate about 20 mini butterfingers.
Instructions inside, Cheezz smileys/smile.gif >>
(This is just how my mom did it.)
1. Under running water, separate seeds from pumpkin strands in a colander.
2. Spread seeds out in a single layer on a baking sheet (probably best if lined with parchment). Bake at 200/250 for 30 minutes.
3. Shake the pan (or scrape w/ a spatula) to dislodge the seeds. Scrape the seeds into a bowl, toss with salt and pepper (or any other seasonings), and then toss with 1 tbsp. vegetable oil. (That's about enough for a small pumpkin.)
4. Spread the seeds in a single layer in the pan again (on same parchment, or not--doesn't matter). Crank the oven up to 300/350. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until desired level of crunchiness. smileys/wink.gif
I usually toss 'em again with seasonings after taking them out, then spread them on paper towels for a few minutes.
Incidentally, not recommended for those fearful of a little fiber. smileys/wink.gif
(This is just how my mom did it.)
1. Under running water, separate seeds from pumpkin strands in a colander.
2. Spread seeds out in a single layer on a baking sheet (probably best if lined with parchment). Bake at 200/250 for 30 minutes.
3. Shake the pan (or scrape w/ a spatula) to dislodge the seeds. Scrape the seeds into a bowl, toss with salt and pepper (or any other seasonings), and then toss with 1 tbsp. vegetable oil. (That's about enough for a small pumpkin.)
4. Spread the seeds in a single layer in the pan again (on same parchment, or not--doesn't matter). Crank the oven up to 300/350. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until desired level of crunchiness. smileys/wink.gif
I usually toss 'em again with seasonings after taking them out, then spread them on paper towels for a few minutes.
Incidentally, not recommended for those fearful of a little fiber. smileys/wink.gif
richard-in-cincy
Well-known member
I don't get the seeds either, I can't get past the shell. But I know they're good for you.
mariadnoca
Moderator
Smarties. It's not Halloween without Smarties. I had a great last min Halloween...
I too sorta pulled a Martha Stewart, but as in I decorated outside of the house with some of her silhouettes: black crows, spiders, and bugs.
The last couple of years I couldn't find Smarties but this year found a huge bag early September that I nabbed. Though I love Halloween I waivered giving out candy/decorating this year, but seeing the Smarties sitting there a month later going, really - can you eat this whole bag? Well that made me decide the day before to decorate the viewable house for Halloween this year. I ran out got more candy (I give out a mix: KitKat, Reeses, Whoppers, Butterfinger, candy corn and of course, Smarties), pulled out some props for outside and candles (I kick it old school at Halloween and do all candles inside/out -- even the walkways). This year I added the plasma ball on the porch with a witch/broom holding a real candle and giant spider/web with bats from the ceiling -- all the kids loved it. I was amazed at the big turnout. I only had 5 pieces of candy leftover by 9:25 when I shut it down. Honestly I've done scarier, but this was one of the best overall looks ever and I didn't even spring money for a pumpkin. Lots more candlelight viewable from the street. I put wax jack-o-lanterns at staggered heights with candles inside in the big window along with candelabra on each side and black/orange luminaries outside on the planter shelves under windows plus the walkways. Oh and I had a arm hanging from the trunk of the car in the driveway with blood splatters all over and evil flashing eyes in the rear windshield.
Yep, all due to the Smarties. All tossed together at the last minute. It was fun and I had waaaay more kids than expected. However, none were from my neighborhood.
I too sorta pulled a Martha Stewart, but as in I decorated outside of the house with some of her silhouettes: black crows, spiders, and bugs.
The last couple of years I couldn't find Smarties but this year found a huge bag early September that I nabbed. Though I love Halloween I waivered giving out candy/decorating this year, but seeing the Smarties sitting there a month later going, really - can you eat this whole bag? Well that made me decide the day before to decorate the viewable house for Halloween this year. I ran out got more candy (I give out a mix: KitKat, Reeses, Whoppers, Butterfinger, candy corn and of course, Smarties), pulled out some props for outside and candles (I kick it old school at Halloween and do all candles inside/out -- even the walkways). This year I added the plasma ball on the porch with a witch/broom holding a real candle and giant spider/web with bats from the ceiling -- all the kids loved it. I was amazed at the big turnout. I only had 5 pieces of candy leftover by 9:25 when I shut it down. Honestly I've done scarier, but this was one of the best overall looks ever and I didn't even spring money for a pumpkin. Lots more candlelight viewable from the street. I put wax jack-o-lanterns at staggered heights with candles inside in the big window along with candelabra on each side and black/orange luminaries outside on the planter shelves under windows plus the walkways. Oh and I had a arm hanging from the trunk of the car in the driveway with blood splatters all over and evil flashing eyes in the rear windshield.
Yep, all due to the Smarties. All tossed together at the last minute. It was fun and I had waaaay more kids than expected. However, none were from my neighborhood.
Oh, great; I'm glad it worked. smileys/smile.gif
I always think about tweaking it (maybe using olive oil--which would probably burn, though--or peanut or sesame), but fresh pumpkins only roll into the markets once a year, so... Maybe next year. smileys/wink.gif Glad you enjoyed it!
I always think about tweaking it (maybe using olive oil--which would probably burn, though--or peanut or sesame), but fresh pumpkins only roll into the markets once a year, so... Maybe next year. smileys/wink.gif Glad you enjoyed it!