It’s that time of year when little ghosts and goblins put their masks and make-believe on and enjoy a night filled with goose bumps, thrills, and things that go bump in the night.
I’ve been having fun in the boathouse putting up some festive (not spooky!) Halloween decorations. We just finished renovating the boathouse in spring and I thought it would be the perfect place to have our Family Halloween Chili Dinner…a fun evening together, before “the witching hour begins.” The grandkids come dressed in their costumes and everyone gets something “good to eat” before the candy consumption begins!
Trick or treat
Smell my feet
Give me something good to eat!
~ Author unknown, originated in early 1900's
This banner with its colorful images and playful raffia and tulle set the mood for the “not-so-spooky” boathouse decorations and a festive night filled with possibilities.
The banner is so easy to make and uses inexpensive Halloween cards from The Dollar Tree. Click here for DIY and full instructions.
Remember this treat stand with webbing and glitzy Halloween spiders? It’s another DIY project we did together, 4 years ago! It cost less than 4 dollars to make and I use it every year! Click here for DIY and full instructions.
Pumpkin straws stacked in a fun little bucket, white and black buffalo checked napkins edged with orange trim…the contrast of the bright orange against the stark black makes setting a simple, but festive tablescape easy.
In addition to our chili, I always make an appetizer for everyone to munch on before dinner. This snack, I call Scarecrow Mix is so easy to make, it’s just a matter of opening up packages and tossing 4 ingredients together!
Ingredients:
- Pretzels
- Crunch ‘n Munch
- Reese’s minis unwrapped candies
- Brach Autumn Mix
Directions:
In a large bowl, add:
- 4 cups Crunch ‘n Munch
- 3 cups pretzel sticks, broken in bite sized pieces
- 3 cups Reese miniature candy pieces
- 3 cups Autumn Mix /Candy Corn
Stir all ingredients together, mixing well.
She liked anything orange: leaves, some moons, marigolds, chrysanthemums, cheese, pumpkin, both in pie and out, orange juice, marmalade...
~Katherine Applegate
Our Halloween meal is a tradition, and the menu (click here to see recipes) remains the same every year, (with the exception of some additional sweets and snacks, every year!)
On the day of the dinner, I’ll move the treat stand and bucket of straws to the storage cabinet that holds the drinks and the ice maker. The cheesecake with caramel-toffee drizzle will become the decadent jewel on the Spider treat stand!
Sticky fingers, tired feet; one last house, trick or treat!”
~ Rusty Fischer
Hope these fun and simple decorating ideas will “spur your imagination” and you’ll try making this yummy and easy treat!
“He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.” ~ Psalm 104:19
From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda
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