Halloween – Cottage Green on the Lake

Easy Halloween Project…”Not so Spooky” Eensy, Weensy Spider Treat Stand

Here’s one last quick and fun Halloween project that you’ll have time to finish, before you hear the doorbell ring, signaling the arrival of your first trick or treaters!

Getting Ready for Halloween…DIY “Not So Spooky” Halloween Wreath

It’s almost Halloween, and this week I’m getting ready for our family’s traditional chili fest…always a fun, pumpkin filled evening with lots to eat, and festive treats. Our dinner menu for this special evening is always the same…steamy bowls filled with Chili con Carne served alongside a topping bar, a large salad, and a crockpot filled with delicious Pumpkin Spice Latte. No tricks are allowed, but it’s, “all about the treats” for the grandchildren. There will be Candy Corn Sugar Cookies and Harvest Moon Pies. For the adults, there’s cheesecake covered in a caramel and toffee drizzle, and for toasting, later, there’s Ghost Peep S’mores…all treats worthy of a night reserved for goosebumps and thrills.

Halloween Tablescape “Trick or Treat … Give Me Something Good to Eat!”

Just in time for Halloween night S’more Ghost Peeps and Candy Coated Pretzel Wands are easy to make. These festive looking treats are perfect to grab “on the go” or to serve after your Halloween dinner and they are “something good to eat!”

S’more Peeps – The best part of these adorable treats … there is “no baking” required! Just “gather” ingredients and put them into treat bags!

Ingredients & Supplies:

graham crackers
fun size Hershey bars
Ghost Peeps
favor bags (I used Wilton’s small, clear, favor bags from the baking aisle in Michael’s)
Halloween ribbon
package of blank gift tags or tag punch (I used my Recollection tag punch)
Halloween stamps
ink pad
standard hole punch
Halloween plastic rings (I bought mine from the Dollar Tree)

Instructions:

Open gift tags or punch out gift tags, using a die-cut punch
Stamp each tag with a Halloween stamp of your choice (since I was adding spider rings to my treat bags, I stamped each tag with a picture of a spider
Using a standard hole punch, punch a hole in the top of each tag
Break a graham cracker sheet into 2 squares and slide both squares into a clear favor bag
Place 2 fun size Hershey bars on top of the graham crackers
Top Hershey bars with one Ghost Peep
Tie top of bag with Halloween ribbon in a simple knot
Slide tag onto ribbon and knot again
Slip Halloween ring over knot

Candy Coated Pretzel Wands

Ingredients & Supplies

1 bag of Salted Pretzel rods
Wilton vanilla baking chips (I used bright green and purple)
Halloween sprinkles and nonpareils
large treat bags, large enough to cover entire pretzel (I used Wilton’s large favor bags located on the baking aisle in Michael’s)
Halloween ribbon
black tulle
Halloween plastic rings (I bought mine at Dollar Tree)

Directions:

Melt baking chips according to directions on package (I used a tall mug to melt my baking chips)
After baking chips are melted, insert pretzel rod into candy and swirl to cover.
Place candy covered pretzel on wax paper placed on a cookie sheet
Repeat until pretzels are all covered with candy
If you are only coating your pretzels with one coat of candy and one color, sprinkle the warm candy coating with decorations and nonpareils. Do not sprinkle decorations on the pretzels that you want to coat with a 2nd layer of melted candy. (See picture below)
Place cookie sheet in freezer to speed up hardening of candy
If you would like a 2nd color of candy coating on your pretzel, repeat process of melting baking chips and dipping pretzel, after the first coating has hardened (10-15 minutes in freezer)
Sprinkle 2nd coating of candy with sprinkles or nonpareils
Cool until candy hardens. NOTE: I placed my cookie sheet filled with pretzels into the freezer to harden. If cooling in freezer, do not place pretzels in favor bags until coating has reached room temperature to prevent condensation from forming in favor bag!
Slide candy coated pretzel into favor bag and close the opening by tying with a 7-8″ strip of black tulle and Halloween ribbon.
Place Halloween ring over the knot in the ribbon

Ready to eat!

It’s Halloween!!! Time to …

“Unfurl the tablecloth, set out the plates!

Put out the punch bowl, if tarnished, that’s great!” It’s Halloween Night! by Trenda

Glitzy Spider Napkin Rings add a little bling to black and white napkins covered with bats.

Little Ghost S’mores don’t scare anyone, but they look so cute standing upright on a antique relish tray, next to a twinkly gazing ball. Candied Pretzel Wands are tucked into a copper canister with Boo! tags, spiders, and bats …”oh my!”

Dangling from spooky branches painted black our Treat Bags are filled and ready to be “picked” by our kids and grand kids, coming for Halloween dinner.

Hope you have a spook-tacular Halloween with plenty of “sweets” and even sweeter moments to look back on.

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for reading my blog! To have all my posts delivered directly to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

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Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

This week I’m joining Chloe Crabtree with Celebrate & Decorate

DIY Halloween Treat and Favor Bags

by Trenda

It’s almost time for our porch to be filled with ‘little feet’ and I always enjoy making special treats for everyone that ‘calls out, “Trick or Treat!” These cute Halloween favors are fun to make and should cause all your little ghosts and goblins to break out in toothy grins that would rival any jack-o-lantern! (:

Supplies Needed:

Treat bags
Roll of “Cling Ons” (*picture below) assorted holiday trims w/self-adhesive backs on a spool
Black tulle
Assorted Halloween ribbons
tag punch or a package of plain tags
standard hole puncher
Assorted Halloween stamps
alphabet stamps or black marker for lettering
black ink pad
scissors

Recollection tag punch and Halloween stamps …

Directions:

If you are making your own tags, punch out gift tags using a die-cut punch or use a pattern to trace a tag for your treat bag. I used a Recollection punch for my smaller tag and I traced a pattern out to make my larger tags. Each of my treat bags had 2 tags; a larger white tag and a smaller orange tag.
Stamp or write the words or design on your tags. I stamped the word “BOO!” on each of my smaller, orange tags and I stamped “Happy Halloween” on the larger tag.

3. Choose the trim *(“Cling On”) that you want to decorate your bag. I used a different trim for each treat bag.

4. Adhere the trim to the top of your favor bag. Begin on the side so the final cut and matched ends will not show.

5. Cut a 9″ length of tulle and a 8″ length of Halloween ribbon. Place the tulle and the ribbon together.

6. Slip both stamped tags onto the tulle and the ribbon (the larger tag beneath the smaller tag.)

7. Tie the tulle and ribbon into a simple knot on the left, front handle of the treat bag.

8. Stuff treat bags with Halloween candy and favors.

I had fun stuffing my treat bags with Halloween candy, “Boo” notepads, pencils, and erasers, bubbles, playing cards, and stickers. For more treats (click here for “No Tricks just Treats”)

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for taking some time to read my blog today! To have all my posts delivered directly to your email address, just click FOLLOW in my post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

FOLLOW ME on PINTEREST!

Trenda@cottagegreenonthelake.com

Halloween DIY Napkin Rings …………. by Trenda

Look who suddenly appeared, looking like he flew straight from the pages of Edgar Allan Poe’s poem and obligingly perched, right next to me. While I slowly reached for my phone, my mind began the recitation of these remembered words … “Once upon a midnight dreary, when I pondered, weak and weary …” .

I love decorating the table for any occasion and for HALLOWEEN … I use all kinds of “fol-der-ol and fid-dle-dy dee” to set the mood for a magical night that’s filled with possibilities and imagination! During these next 3 weeks, I have several fun projects that I am going to be sharing with you that will help you create your own “boo-tiful” Halloween tablescape! Today, I am going to show you how to make these spook-taular Halloween napkin rings!

Supplies needed:

glue gun
glittered spiders
copper wire (10 yds/20gauge)
beads (glass seed bead mix “Scream”)
assorted ribbons matching beads (I used Halloween polka dot & spider ribbon)
wire cutters
needle nose pliers

Instructions: (see pictures below)

Cut 4 pieces of copper wire, each approximately 12 inches long
Lay the 4 lengths of wire together and pull the wires up and around your fingers to form a circle large enough for a napkin to be inserted into the opening.
Twist where the wires cross at the top of the circle 1 or 2 times to secure the circle in place.
Splay out the 8 wires above the now-formed wire circle.
Begin threading beads, creating your own color pattern.
Leave enough wire at the top exposed to bend the wire with your needle nose pliers, forming a small closed loop to secure the beads in place.
After each wire is filled with beads and the wire is crimped, wrap the beaded wire around your little finger to “coil” your wire.
Remove your finger and bend each of the 8 coiled “legs” into desired shape.
Using your hot glue gun, place a small amount of glue on your ribbon and begin wrapping the copper circle.
Continue wrapping until the entire wire circle (the napkin ring) is covered with ribbon.
Cut the ribbon and hot glue in place, at the top of the napkin ring. Shape and adjust beaded “legs” how you like them, then hot glue on glittery spider.

Just look what a glitzy napkin ring this makes … perfect for all things “outlandish” for Halloween!

Pumpkin patch and harmless spiders …

Even just stacked in a pedestal votive cup “the eensy, weensy, spiders …” look frighteningly festive!

“Candy-Coated Ghost Peeps” click here for instructions

Little Ghost “Peeps” wearing “coats of chocolate” adorned with sprinkles and non-pareil’s make charming favors to take home or tuck into Halloween bags.

Click on the links below for all things “HALLOWEEN”

Halloween DIY Treat Bags

… DIY “Jolly Jack-o-Lantern” Halloween Wreath

Have fun getting your home ready and making these Halloween napkin rings! Before you know it, while your nodding … “nearly napping, suddenly” there will be “a tapping, as of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door” … shouting “Trick or Treat! (:

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you for taking some time to read my blog today! To have all my posts delivered directly to your email address, just click FOLLOW in the post above … or click on my site: cottagegreenonthelake.com

This week I’m joining Courtney with Feathered Nest Friday

Chloe Crabtree at Celebrate & Decorate

All the supplies I used for making these Halloween napkin rings were bought from Hobby Lobby.

Halloween Epilogue … recipes for Chili con Carne and “Cake Mix” Cookies with Candy Corn

For us … yesterday was a carefully orchestrated frenzy of driving to different places in 4 different cities and spending time with all of our family. Adding to the enjoyment of all our Halloween activities, it was also Grandparent Day at our granddaughter’s school! (: We were finally able to relax a while when our son, daughter-in-law and little grandson came over, that evening, and we all sat down together for our traditional Halloween family dinner, getting ready and “fueled” for the rest of the evening’s activities.

Now … before we close the “book” to October, here’s the epilogue with 2 recipes I told you I would include in a subsequent post. Both of these recipes were a part of our “traditional Halloween dinner.” The Chile con Carne recipe below is from Better Homes & Garden; I have been making this same chili recipe for my husband and family for 39 years! (:

Better Homes & Gardens Chili con carne

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef or stew meat
1 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 cup chopped bell pepper
1 16-oz. can Petite diced tomatoes
1 16 oz. can Dark Red Kidney Beans (drained)
1 8 oz. can Tomato sauce
1-2 teaspoons chili powder (I used only 1 teaspoon, since I wanted our 2 year old to be able to eat it!)
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
salt, to taste (I used 1 teaspoon Morton’s Light Salt)

Directions:

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook ground beef or stew meat, onion, bell pepper, and garlic until meat is browned. Drain fat. Stir in tomatoes, drained dark red kidney beans, tomato sauce, chili powder, basil, and salt. (to taste) Heat to boiling. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes. Makes 4- 6 servings. Ladle into bowls. Garnish w/add’l onion, jalapenos, grated cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, and Fritos. Tip: If using stew meat in your recipe, cook until meat is tender.

Cake-Mix Cookies with Candy Corn (pictured on right)

These “cake mix” cookies are so easy and delicious and … the variety of cookies you can make using different cake mixes and add-ins, is only limited by your imagination! (:

“Cake Mix” Cookies with Candy Corn

Ingredients:

1 box of yellow cake mix (I used Duncan Hines Yellow Cake Mix)
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
orange, white and yellow candy corn

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ingredients together and roll into 1-2″ balls. Tip: Candy Corn will dissolve into liquid if it comes into contact with the metal of your cookie sheet. I added my candy corn, 2-3 per cookie, after the dough was already on the cookie sheet so I could place my candy into the batter. Bake for 9 minutes.

For different variety’s of cookies, just pick the flavor of cake mix you want and choose whatever you’d like to add-in. Devil’s Food “Cake-Mix” Cookies with white chocolate morsels are “delish” … as our granddaughter would say! (:

Our little grandson eating his cupcake. After the first bite, he broke into a huge smile! (:

A busy, tiring, fun Halloween; October is over! Scarecrows and spider webs are already being taken off of porches and wreaths and are being replaced with harvest decorations and pilgrims. Because, as hard as it is to believe, in only 3 short weeks and 2 days … it will be Thanksgiving! (:

But for now …

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you so much for spending some time with me today! I’d love to hear from you and I am truly delighted, reading what you have to say. Please leave any questions you may have or comments, below. Don’t be dismayed if you don’t see your comment “appear” right away. Word Press checks everything I receive for SPAM and all have to be approved, before posting.

“No Tricks just Treats”… by Trenda

It’s almost here … the most “spook-tacular” evening of the year! The days in October have slowly “peeled off the calendar” until finally, to the children’s delight, the “countdown” and last preparations for this very special night of costumes, late-night curfews, lots of candy, and fun are winding down.

It’s Halloween Night!

Unfurl the tablecloth, set out the plates,

put out the punch bowl, if tarnished, that’s great!

Pumpkins by moonlight, a cauldron of sweets!

There’s Reese’s, and candy corn, Kit’s Kat’s galore!

If there’s not plenty, the ghosts are forlorn!

C’mon, let’s hurry … it’s Halloween night!

Giggles and doorbells, signal the start.

Small faces peering ‘neath masks, some quite scary!

Proffer bags, shouting, “Boo … trick or treat!”

by Trenda

Getting the “table set” for our traditional family chili dinner and desserts (before all the hay rides, dunking booths, bounce houses, and slides …at the Harvest Festival, held at our church. It’s a “Happy Halloween” indeed when I get to see all our family and grandchildren! (:

Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins …

I LOVE everything about these cupcake liners “Simply Baked – elegant entertaining everyday by Christy Designs, LLC.” … the playful design with scalloped edges and black stripes against the orange background; how sturdy they are compared to traditional cupcake liners, how easy it was to pour the batter in these little baking cups … and the easy clean up. My cookie sheet was clean after baking my cupcakes! I bought my Baking Cups (20 paper baking cups per container) at Home Goods for only $1.99! Here they are setting on my cookie sheet, when I was filling them. Directions on the clear plastic sleeve they are packaged in, says to fill each baking cup, 1/2 full. Tip: One of my favorite time savers and tricks is to use a baking funnel (I bought mine at a Kitchen Supply shop) to fill my baking cups and cupcake liners!

Here are the cupcakes after baking, frosted with vanilla frosting and topped with miniature bats and ghost sprinkles. Tip 2: When in a hurry, use your favorite tub of frosting. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the tub of frosting for a homemade flavor, stir well to combine. To color white frosting, use food coloring (I use Wilton’s concentrated gel for coloring my frosting, to create the bold orange color I wanted, without thinning my icing.)

Halloween sweets … Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting and “Cake Mix” Candy Corn Cookies

Our Traditional Halloween Dinner Menu

Chili con Carne with toppings … Fritos, shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped onions, and diced jalapenos (recipe in subsequent post)

Tossed Salad with Iceberg Lettuce and Fresh Spinach, diced red onions, chopped celery, chopped red onions, sliced radishes and peperoncini

Desserts: Chocolate Cupcakes w/vanilla buttercream frosting and “Cake Mix” Candy Corn Cookies (recipe in subsequent post)

” … the moon and the stars to govern the night; His love endures forever …” Psalms 136:9

Hope you have a safe and fun-filled day and evening with those that make your face and heart smile!

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

A Sunday Drive in Autumn …… by Trenda at Cottage Green on the Lake

It was a beautiful autumn day here in East Texas. The gray-blue clouds had been hiding the sun for most of the day and kept our temperature’s in the lower 70’s. It was a perfect day for a Sunday drive … a Sunday golf cart drive!

Lately, our lives have seemed more harried than usual and we were way overdue for some relaxation … “gazing and cruising, along the lake and the lane.” Our only regulations for the day …

to stop for any ducks crossing the road
no speed over 20 miles per hour!

I grabbed all the essentials for a lazy Sunday drive … a jacket, a soft buffalo-checked blanket, and my vintage plaid picnic satchel – a favorite gift Richard surprised me with, reminiscent of my favorite lunch box and affection for anything in red plaid! (: (You’ll be seeing it, from “time to time” so I decided to add a full description here, for you to visualize!) The zippered picnic bag and contents were made by Aladdin in the 1970’s; the red plaid bag has two tall, red plaid thermos’ inside and a cherry red sandwich keeper. All had never been used and still had the original advertising tags when Richard gave it to me!

I’d just made some chocolate chip cookies, so I wrapped up some of those (still warm from the oven!) grabbed our thermos’ and headed out the door. Are you ready to go? Let’s go together… “gazing and cruising, along the lake and the lane.” (:

Up the road we go and around the Pumpkin Patch …

A neighbor’s house where … like the banner says, pumpkins, mums, and the people within, make everyone feel welcome!

A lovely stone entry draped in autumn leaves …

A scarecrow standing sentinel and greeting all, with the lake beckoning in the background …

A lovely spot to “sit a spell” by the water …

Grinning Jack-o-Lanterns line the curvy lane leading to this house. We couldn’t help but smile back, as our cart whizzed by!

Let’s stop here for a little while, enjoying our cookies and looking at this beautiful view of the lake from our peninsula. We were thrilled when this flock of double-crested cormorants flew in chasing a school of minnows and decided to share our picnic spot!

As the Cormorants swam away, we brushed the crumbs from our laps and headed our golf cart on up the peninsula road. The lake is on either side of our road and can be seen in this gap between the trees …

On further down the road, something you wouldn’t expect to see near the lake … this quaint little barnyard with llama’s, goats, and chickens. These little goats are enjoying their evening meal …

The owner scatters pumpkins about his charming barnyard and atop his fence posts …

Rounding a corner we came upon this miniature lighthouse “guarding” the coastlines of our gentle lakeshores … I love the beautiful Fan Palm flourishing beside the lighthouse!

Another sunset … (we can never resist!) and had to pull over to gaze at this gorgeous sight of the deepening shadows in the sky, as the sun slipped below the horizon …

Last surprise of our tour, a little Tuscany at Cedar Creek Lake, a vineyard on the sloping bank leading to the waters …

It’s getting chilly, for this Texas chic and the evening shadows are deepening. Last bend in the road and time to head home …

Did you enjoy our Sunday drive and our views along the lakeshore? This is just the beginning of our “autumn show” here in Texas. I love all the different sights, sounds, and smells associated with every season and look forward to sharing each with you … 4theseasons! (;

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Halloween DIY Treat Bags and Candy-Coated Ghost Peeps …….. by Trenda from Cottage Green on the Lake

Part 2 of “A Halloween of Memory Past” (Click on Part 1 of … A Halloween of Memory Past from previous post “Jolly Jack-o-Lantern Halloween Wreath” by Trenda)

PicCollage[439].png Halloween of Memory Past by Trenda ~ cont’d from previous post “DIY Jolly Jack-o-Lantern Halloween Wreath”

As we walked up the sidewalk, I would size up each house, trying to determine if first … anyone was home and would answer the door and second … what kind of treat would be handed out. My experiences had already taught me that behind the door of an unwelcoming house, there always seemed to be a stale bit of peanut butter taffy wrapped in orange or black paper. Whereas, the brightly lit homes with welcoming porch lights and cheer-y doorbells seemed to house people who would fane surprise that there were spooks at their door and would generously grab into their bowl of treats and distribute a handful of goodies! …………………………… by Trenda

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Recalling my memories of Halloween’s Past, I love making special treats and stuffing little treat bags for each of the masquerader’s coming to 0ur home! Look at these cute little Halloween bags. They were so easy and fun … to make and fill! My treat bags are filled with a little trac of Knock-knock jokes, vampire teeth (complete with a packet of red watermelon-flavored goo, to squish out like blood!) Halloween candies, and Jack-o-Lantern rings. I also made some bigger sized bags for our own precious goblins (a cheerleader and a vampire!) and concocted these extra-special treats … Candy-Coated Ghost Peeps and Harvest Moon Pies

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I bought the larger sized handled Kraft bags at Hobby Lobby, 5 for $1.99 and the smaller ones at Michael’s, 6 for $2.99. I stamped each bag with black ink from my “Pigment” black ink pad and used 2 cute stamps I “found” on sale at Hobby Lobby! To dress up my little bag, but wanting to keep it, simple … I tied a piece of raffia into a bow on each handle. I love the “scarecrow-look” of this rustic little bag with the straw bow!

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Now, for some fun and easy treats to make and put into each treat bag! These darling little Ghost Peeps are dressed for Halloween with a “coat” of candy (; and are adorned with bright polka dots, sprinkles, nonpareils’ and a fun assortment of Halloween pumpkins, bats, and mini ghosts.

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Pictured below are all the supplies needed to make the Ghost Peep Pops. Tip: I melted my candy melts in tea cups so I wouldn’t have to use so many melts, but would have enough “candy depth” to coat the bottom of each ghost.

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Then I inserted a Halloween straw (I bought mine from Home Goods) into the bottom of each ghost and propped the chocolate coated Ghost Pops up, while the candy hardened. Tip: I found that my toaster made a perfect drying rack! (: I made sure my toaster was unplugged and then inserted each Ghost Peep Pop into the toaster slots. The candy hardened up perfectly, without having any side flattened.

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After the candy hardened, I wrapped each ghost in a cellophane candy bag and tied it with a brightly colored polka dot ribbon.

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From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you so much for spending some time with me today! I’d love to hear from you and I am truly delighted, reading what you have to say. Please leave any questions you may have or comments, below. Don’t be dismayed when your comment doesn’t “appear” right away. Word Press checks everything I send or receive for SPAM and all have to be approved, before posting.

Halloween DIY Treat Bags and Candy-Coated Ghost Peeps …….. by Trenda from Cottage Green on the Lake

Part 2 of “A Halloween of Memory Past” (Click on Part 1 of … A Halloween of Memory Past from previous post “Jolly Jack-o-Lantern Halloween Wreath” by Trenda)

Halloween of Memory Past by Trenda ~ cont’d from previous post “DIY Jolly Jack-o-Lantern Halloween Wreath”

After the candy hardened, I wrapped each ghost in a cellophane candy bag and tied it with a brightly colored polka dot ribbon.

From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda

Thank you so much for spending some time with me today! I’d love to hear from you and I am truly delighted, reading what you have to say. Please leave any questions you may have or comments, below. Don’t be dismayed when your comment doesn’t “appear” right away. Word Press checks everything I send or receive for SPAM and all have to be approved, before posting.

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