Halloweentastic

Wow, what a turn out of ghosts & ghouls for such a tiny village.  If I didn't know better I'd think I was on the set of Buffy!  I'm not usually a fan of Halloween but tonight really has been great fun.

We decorated the house last night.

The kids found treat bags left by the good witches this morning.

The kids did a spot of their own 'Trick or Treating' early this evening.

Since then they have been handing out sweets to all sorts of ghosts & ghouls that have passed our door.  This little bowl was refilled so many times!

I still haven't used my Halloween cupcake cases & glow in the dark mini spider decorations, I ran out of time.

Next year I'd like to:

• be more prepared!
• hand out paper cups of popcorn
• bake some goodies & mulled cider for the grown ups
• find more tasteful decorations
• carve a pumpkin
• light more candles

I've collected some ideas & posted them on my Halloween Pinterest board.  What have you been doing for Halloween?

I Love Autumn

I absolutely love this time of year.  I love seasons, which is probably why I love this country so much but I particularly love Autumn.  So, in honour of Autumn I am going to write a list of how I'm going to appreciate the season.

Autumn

1. Autumnal walks & picnics (kicking leaves & making fairy houses in the woods!)
2. Wear (& maybe invest in new) cosy jumpers - I've got my eye on this one
3. Socks - wellie socks, bed socks, walking socks
4. Pots of tea & homemade shortbread (see recipe below), whilst snuggled up in a blanket on the sofa in front of Downton

I love this shortbread mold found here

Shortbread

140g plain flour
25g rice flour
50g caster sugar
100g soft butter
1 tbsp sugar (for sprinkling)

Preheat oven to 140*C
Mix the flours together.  Add the sugar.  Then mix in the butter until the mixture comes together.  I use my electric mixer but you could use your hands.
I then empty the contents into a round loose bottom 7"cake tin & press it down until it's smooth.  You could go around the edges with a fork & prick it with holes.
Bake for 50-60 minutes or until firm & pale golden in colour.
Leave in the tin to cool but cut it into slices & sprinkle with sugar before it cools.

I think this is a Rachel Allen recipe.


5. Pubs & log fires (find a new cosy pub - any recommendations for child & dog friendly ones?)
6. Halloween - decorate the house, make some treat jars for the kids & try some new pumpkin recipes
7. Bonfire Night - enjoy mulled cider & sparklers outside in the cold with friends
8. Do something creative - although realistically this may not happen, pottering in the kitchen usually takes over
9. Sausages & homemade chutney
10. Visit Westonbirt Arboretum - autumn is the best time
11. Home baked bread (my husband bought me a bread maker for my birthday & I love it!)
12. Make a new compote for my morning porridge