Halloween Goodies and Fun…

(Here are my two little cuties – Transformer and Ladybug at a costume contest at the YMCA festival)

Well, I don’t know about you guys, but Halloween started a week early for us! I really don’t remember wearing my costume more than once when I was a kid, but nowadays with all the festivals and parties going on our kids are really getting some good wear out of their little costumes. This weekend’s festivities started with our first ever Kiddie Halloween Party at our house…it was originally planned for the front yard but the rain brought it inside, which meant that 17 sugar filled preschoolers would be running wild around my house…I was a little nervous about how to entertain them, but luckily they found a way to entertain themselves without too much adult intervention. Toys, candy and lots of little Super Heroes, Princesses and Transformers were everywhere…while the adults enjoyed old school Halloween tunes, munchies, Sangria and that yummy Pumpkin Ale in the kitchen (don’t worry, most of our guests were neighbors and only had to walk a few houses home!).

One of my favorite friends, Allison (mom of Spiderman and Superman), brought us these yummy and festive treats! These Mini Caramel Apples were adorable and a hit amongst the adults and the kids…my son declared that the peanut butter version was his favorite.

(sorry about the pictures…the lighting was working against us!)

Mini Caramel Apples
Recipe found in Family Fun Magazine

4-inch lollipop sticks

Melon baller

Granny Smith apples (one apple makes about 8 mini apples)

Butterscotch or peanut butter chips

Chopped nuts, nonpareils, sprinkles, shredded coconut (optional) First, cut the lollipop sticks in half at an angle (the pointy end will go into the apple pieces easier). With the melon baller, scoop little balls out of the apple. Each ball should have a section of apple peel. Push half of a lollipop stick into the peel of each ball. Pat the apple pieces dry. Melt the chips according to the package directions. Dip and swirl the mini apples in the melted chips, then roll the apples in nuts, sprinkles, nonpareils, or coconut, if desired. Place the mini apples in paper candy cups to set.

Oh and a great tip from Allison…after dipping the apples into the topping, place them apple side up into a cooling rack (with the stick hanging down), if your cooling rack is like mine and has short legs, place it over a bowl so the stick has room to hang. This will let them dry without smooshing the caramel or peanut butter coating.

Another one of my favorite mom friends, Betsy (mom of Transformer Bumblebee twins), brought us this fun Halloween Pasta! She found it at World Market (aka Cost Plus)…that store is one of my faves, you can really find some cool stuff in there especially around the holidays.

(Look at the cute little bats, pumpkins and witches! Thanks Betsy!)

Have a Great Week Everyone!

a2a_linkname=”Aggie’s Kitchen”;a2a_linkurl=”http://www.aggieskitchen.com”;

Halloween Goodies and Fun…

(Here are my two little cuties – Transformer and Ladybug at a costume contest at the YMCA festival)

Well, I don’t know about you guys, but Halloween started a week early for us! I really don’t remember wearing my costume more than once when I was a kid, but nowadays with all the festivals and parties going on our kids are really getting some good wear out of their little costumes. This weekend’s festivities started with our first ever Kiddie Halloween Party at our house…it was originally planned for the front yard but the rain brought it inside, which meant that 17 sugar filled preschoolers would be running wild around my house…I was a little nervous about how to entertain them, but luckily they found a way to entertain themselves without too much adult intervention. Toys, candy and lots of little Super Heroes, Princesses and Transformers were everywhere…while the adults enjoyed old school Halloween tunes, munchies, Sangria and that yummy Pumpkin Ale in the kitchen (don’t worry, most of our guests were neighbors and only had to walk a few houses home!).

One of my favorite friends, Allison (mom of Spiderman and Superman), brought us these yummy and festive treats! These Mini Caramel Apples were adorable and a hit amongst the adults and the kids…my son declared that the peanut butter version was his favorite.

(sorry about the pictures…the lighting was working against us!)

Mini Caramel Apples
Recipe found in Family Fun Magazine

4-inch lollipop sticks

Melon baller

Granny Smith apples (one apple makes about 8 mini apples)

Butterscotch or peanut butter chips

Chopped nuts, nonpareils, sprinkles, shredded coconut (optional) First, cut the lollipop sticks in half at an angle (the pointy end will go into the apple pieces easier). With the melon baller, scoop little balls out of the apple. Each ball should have a section of apple peel. Push half of a lollipop stick into the peel of each ball. Pat the apple pieces dry. Melt the chips according to the package directions. Dip and swirl the mini apples in the melted chips, then roll the apples in nuts, sprinkles, nonpareils, or coconut, if desired. Place the mini apples in paper candy cups to set.

Oh and a great tip from Allison…after dipping the apples into the topping, place them apple side up into a cooling rack (with the stick hanging down), if your cooling rack is like mine and has short legs, place it over a bowl so the stick has room to hang. This will let them dry without smooshing the caramel or peanut butter coating.

Another one of my favorite mom friends, Betsy (mom of Transformer Bumblebee twins), brought us this fun Halloween Pasta! She found it at World Market (aka Cost Plus)…that store is one of my faves, you can really find some cool stuff in there especially around the holidays.

(Look at the cute little bats, pumpkins and witches! Thanks Betsy!)

Have a Great Week Everyone!

a2a_linkname=”Aggie’s Kitchen”;a2a_linkurl=”http://www.aggieskitchen.com”;

Halloween Goodies and Fun…

(Here are my two little cuties – Transformer and Ladybug at a costume contest at the YMCA festival)

Well, I don’t know about you guys, but Halloween started a week early for us! I really don’t remember wearing my costume more than once when I was a kid, but nowadays with all the festivals and parties going on our kids are really getting some good wear out of their little costumes. This weekend’s festivities started with our first ever Kiddie Halloween Party at our house…it was originally planned for the front yard but the rain brought it inside, which meant that 17 sugar filled preschoolers would be running wild around my house…I was a little nervous about how to entertain them, but luckily they found a way to entertain themselves without too much adult intervention. Toys, candy and lots of little Super Heroes, Princesses and Transformers were everywhere…while the adults enjoyed old school Halloween tunes, munchies, Sangria and that yummy Pumpkin Ale in the kitchen (don’t worry, most of our guests were neighbors and only had to walk a few houses home!).

One of my favorite friends, Allison (mom of Spiderman and Superman), brought us these yummy and festive treats! These Mini Caramel Apples were adorable and a hit amongst the adults and the kids…my son declared that the peanut butter version was his favorite.

(sorry about the pictures…the lighting was working against us!)

Mini Caramel Apples
Recipe found in Family Fun Magazine

4-inch lollipop sticks

Melon baller

Granny Smith apples (one apple makes about 8 mini apples)

Butterscotch or peanut butter chips

Chopped nuts, nonpareils, sprinkles, shredded coconut (optional) First, cut the lollipop sticks in half at an angle (the pointy end will go into the apple pieces easier). With the melon baller, scoop little balls out of the apple. Each ball should have a section of apple peel. Push half of a lollipop stick into the peel of each ball. Pat the apple pieces dry. Melt the chips according to the package directions. Dip and swirl the mini apples in the melted chips, then roll the apples in nuts, sprinkles, nonpareils, or coconut, if desired. Place the mini apples in paper candy cups to set.

Oh and a great tip from Allison…after dipping the apples into the topping, place them apple side up into a cooling rack (with the stick hanging down), if your cooling rack is like mine and has short legs, place it over a bowl so the stick has room to hang. This will let them dry without smooshing the caramel or peanut butter coating.

Another one of my favorite mom friends, Betsy (mom of Transformer Bumblebee twins), brought us this fun Halloween Pasta! She found it at World Market (aka Cost Plus)…that store is one of my faves, you can really find some cool stuff in there especially around the holidays.

(Look at the cute little bats, pumpkins and witches! Thanks Betsy!)

Have a Great Week Everyone!

a2a_linkname=”Aggie’s Kitchen”;a2a_linkurl=”http://www.aggieskitchen.com”;

Halloween Goodies and Fun…

(Here are my two little cuties – Transformer and Ladybug at a costume contest at the YMCA festival)

Well, I don’t know about you guys, but Halloween started a week early for us! I really don’t remember wearing my costume more than once when I was a kid, but nowadays with all the festivals and parties going on our kids are really getting some good wear out of their little costumes. This weekend’s festivities started with our first ever Kiddie Halloween Party at our house…it was originally planned for the front yard but the rain brought it inside, which meant that 17 sugar filled preschoolers would be running wild around my house…I was a little nervous about how to entertain them, but luckily they found a way to entertain themselves without too much adult intervention. Toys, candy and lots of little Super Heroes, Princesses and Transformers were everywhere…while the adults enjoyed old school Halloween tunes, munchies, Sangria and that yummy Pumpkin Ale in the kitchen (don’t worry, most of our guests were neighbors and only had to walk a few houses home!).

One of my favorite friends, Allison (mom of Spiderman and Superman), brought us these yummy and festive treats! These Mini Caramel Apples were adorable and a hit amongst the adults and the kids…my son declared that the peanut butter version was his favorite.

(sorry about the pictures…the lighting was working against us!)

Mini Caramel Apples
Recipe found in Family Fun Magazine

4-inch lollipop sticks

Melon baller

Granny Smith apples (one apple makes about 8 mini apples)

Butterscotch or peanut butter chips

Chopped nuts, nonpareils, sprinkles, shredded coconut (optional) First, cut the lollipop sticks in half at an angle (the pointy end will go into the apple pieces easier). With the melon baller, scoop little balls out of the apple. Each ball should have a section of apple peel. Push half of a lollipop stick into the peel of each ball. Pat the apple pieces dry. Melt the chips according to the package directions. Dip and swirl the mini apples in the melted chips, then roll the apples in nuts, sprinkles, nonpareils, or coconut, if desired. Place the mini apples in paper candy cups to set.

Oh and a great tip from Allison…after dipping the apples into the topping, place them apple side up into a cooling rack (with the stick hanging down), if your cooling rack is like mine and has short legs, place it over a bowl so the stick has room to hang. This will let them dry without smooshing the caramel or peanut butter coating.

Another one of my favorite mom friends, Betsy (mom of Transformer Bumblebee twins), brought us this fun Halloween Pasta! She found it at World Market (aka Cost Plus)…that store is one of my faves, you can really find some cool stuff in there especially around the holidays.

(Look at the cute little bats, pumpkins and witches! Thanks Betsy!)

Have a Great Week Everyone!

a2a_linkname=”Aggie’s Kitchen”;a2a_linkurl=”http://www.aggieskitchen.com”;