Jack-O-Lantern Layered Kiddie Cocktail

I am having fun with this blog... my mad-scientist oldest child was my assistant today.

 

Our goal was to make a cute layered Halloween drink.  After a few false starts, this is what we ended up with...

Fill your glass with ice cubes, then carefully add orange juice until it's about 3/4 full.  In a measuring cup, mix Sprite with green food coloring.  Slowly pour this on top of an ice cube, not directly on the orange juice.

I had some leftover sticky-backed felt scraps, so I cut out a little jack-o-lantern face.  Because of the condensation, the pieces are movable, so we had fun making other faces, too.  Cute, right?

How do you mend a broken jack-o-lantern?

With a pumpkin patch!

Note:  If you have older teenagers, simply buying them a Monster Energy drink would be a cute treat for Halloween!

What kind of monster has the best hearing?

The eeriest!

Note:  For an adult beverage, there is a black Vodka that is sold seasonally called, Blavod.  You can achieve a layered drink by pouring orange juice over ice, and slowly adding the vodka (poured onto an ice cube).

 

Happy Halloween!

Gramogram Quiz

Words that sound like letters are called Gramograms...


Example:  The number after 79 is 80 (A-T).



Can you figure out which two letters represent the following words?

  1)  A climbing vine
  2)  Frozen roadways
  3)  Popular spreadsheet program
  4)  Native American tent
  5)  Description of a snake's eyes
  6)  Too much of something
  7)  Jealousy
  8)  An English composition
  9)  Not full
10)  Mayberry lad
11)  Not hard
12)  To fall into ruin
13)  Master of ceremonies
14)  Barry, Robin or Maurice Gibb






ANSWERS:

  1)  A climbing vine  I-V
  2)  Frozen roadways  I-C
  3)  Popular spreadsheet program  X-L
  4)  Native American tent  T-P
  5)  Description of a snake's eyes  B-D
  6)  Too much of something  X-S
  7)  Jealousy  N-V
  8)  An English composition  S-A
  9)  Not full  M-T
10)  Mayberry lad  O-P
11)  Not hard  E-Z
12)  To fall into ruin  D-K
13)  Master of ceremonies  M-C
14)  Barry, Robin or Maurice Gibb  B-G

Did N-E of you get them all?

Your gramogram would be proud!

Barbie Quiz

Barbie made her debut at the American Toy Fair in 1959.  Can you answer these trivia questions about her?

1)  What company produces the Barbie doll?

2)  How much did the first Barbie doll sell for?

3)  What is the approximate value of a 1959 Barbie in mint condition today?

4)  Who was Midge?

5)  Who was Skipper?

6)  Who was the first Barbie celebrity doll?

7)  What famous Hollywood fashion designer created the "Jewel Essence Collection"? 

8)  What famous person turned down an offer to have Barbie modeled after her?

9)  Barbie had more than 80 careers...what was her first one?

10)  Barbie's first pet was a horse named...?

For additional information:  Fashion Doll Guide

ANSWERS:

1)  Mattel

2)  $3.00

3)  $10,000

4)  Barbie's best friend (introduced 1963)

5)  Barbie's little sister (introduced 1964)

6)  Twiggy

7)  Bob Mackie

8)  Cindy Crawford

9)  Teenage fashion model

10)  Dancer

Since I was the oldest sister, all of my Barbie things were passed down to my younger siblings (my mom did keep Mrs. Beasley and Long-haired Chrissy for me).

Do you have any prized dolls from your childhood?

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones!

Make a skeleton bones treat!

Put a mini marshmallow on both ends of a pretzel stick.  Melt almond bark (or white chocolate chips) according to package directions.  Dip the "bone" into the melted candy.  Remove with a fork and gently tap off the excess.  Place on waxed paper to dry.

My son made these...some he made into "crossbones" which were cute, too.  He also had the idea of making big bones using a pretzel rod and large marshmallows.  (Have you seen the super-sized ones?!?)  We haven't tried this yet, but we do have ingredients left over...

(Are you wondering where I dug up this idea?  I don't exactly know, but I can tell you that it was a bone-afide hit in my house!  I had a race with my son to see who could  make more of these.  He won, but only by a marrow margin.  There were just fractures of a second separating us!  Here's a little bit of tibia for you...a human skeleton, on average, weighs about 20 pounds!  What?  You don't think it takes a lot of skull to come up with these factoids?  Well, what can I say?  I am pretty much blogging pro-bone-o!  Anyway, if you'd femur comfortable, I'll tell you some jokes that I hope you'll find humerus!)


JOKES:

Why are skeletons so calm?
Because nothing gets under their skin!


What did the skeleton say when he caught his brother lying?
You can't fool me, I can see right through you!


What happened to the boat that sank in a river full of piranhas?
It came back with a skeleton crew!


What did the motorcycle riding skeleton say?
I'm...bone to be wiiiiiiild!

 

Thanks for reading this post and...

Bone-appetit!!!

FRANK-ly SCAR-let, this was easy!

Make a Rice Krispies treat Frankenstein!

Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons butter
• 4 cups mini-marshmallows
• 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
• 2 large marshmallows (for eyes/nose)
• 1 tube black decorating icing
• 1 pretzel rod
• 2 large gumdrops
• green food coloring

Spray an 8" square baking pan with cooking spray.  Over low heat, melt butter then stir in marshmallows until melted.  Use food coloring to tint the mixture green.  Remove from heat and stir in the cereal until combined.  Spray hands with cooking spray and press the mixture into the pan.  Cool for a few minutes in the freezer, then turn out onto platter.

The black decorator icing will be used to draw hair/brows/mouth/ scars/pupils.  Cut the large marshmallows in half and press onto face for the eyes and nose.  Using a sharp knife, cute a hole in the bottom of each gumdrop.  Break off the ends of the pretzel rod and insert into the gumdrops.  Gently press them into Frank's neck.  Finish decorating his face to make him one of a kind!

My son made the first one and liked it so much that he gave it to the neighbors!  I had enough supplies for another one, so here is my version:

 Let me be FRANK, this was a lot of fun!

JOKES:

What does Frankenstein call a screwdriver?
Daddy!

How does Frankenstein sit in a chair?
Bolt upright!

What did one of Frankenstein's ears say to the other?
I didn't know we lived on the same block!

What do you get if Frankenstein steps on Batman & Robin?
Flatman & Ribbon!

What happened when Frankenstein swallowed uranium?
He got atomic ache!

Love, Mummy

Transform any gift into a ghoulish delight!  Give your gift a spooky mummy makeover perfect for those who love all things creepy and kooky.  I've also included an optional free printable "Love, Mummy" gift tag.  DARE your family and friends to unravel the mysterious surprise hidden inside!

How to:  Simply buy white streamers (at Dollar Tree, Party City, Target/Walmart, etc.).  Tape one end to the back of your present and crisscross wrap until your gift is covered.  (I used ghost peeps, but you can wrap any size/shape gift with the streamers!) 👻

Michael's has peel and stick googly eyes that work great to give your gift some character (yay - no glue gun).  The eyes are available in multiple sizes depending on the size of your "mummy".

These are easy and cute!  They would make great party favors, classroom treats, or fun presents your for kids or coworkers.

If you want to add a free printable gift tag, I've got you covered!

Download/print the Love, Mummy gift tag (x12) here.

Simply use a circle cutter (or make it a square tag by using your paper trimmer).  Punch a hole through the heart and use baker's twine to tie the tag onto your mummy (or just use a loop of tape on the back and stick it on your gift).

Satisfaction guaranteed or double your MUMMY back!!!

💀👻 Happy Halloween!  Karen

More Halloween Fun:

• Ghost Writer Treasure Hunt
• Pumpkin Gifts
• BOO-ze Gifts
• Witch Gifts
• Scary Good Halloween Gift Tags

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MUMMY JOKES:

What kind of music do mummies like?

Wrap!

Do you think mummies enjoy being mummies?

Of corpse they do!

Who is the best mummy wrapper in Egypt?

The Wizard of Gauze!

Gift Tags | Free Printable (Halloween), Holiday | Halloween

Target Free Family Concerts

If you live in the Twin Cities area and your family likes music, I encourage you to click on the link below and register for Target Free Family Concert Tickets (Spring)!

Update:  I registered over the summer and just found out that we won tickets for Sleigh Ride in December!

You can't win if you don't enter, right?!?

The tickets are emailed to you and after the one-hour concert there are "musical experience stations" for the entire family to enjoy.

Minnesota Orchestra, Minneapolis/St. Paul

Target Free Family Concerts
Enter to win 7/19/2010 to 9/30/2010 for December 2010 and January 2011 concerts or 10/5/2010 to 1/5/2011 for March and May 2011 concerts.
http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/

Original post:  Target Family Days

I encourage you to sign up...

even though we'll be competing against each other for tickets!  :-)

Share Questions

Have you ever thought you knew certain things about your friends/kids/spouse/parents and then found out that you were wrong?

These questions would work for conversation starters in the car, around the dinner table, or as ice-breakers for your small group.

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I'll share a little about myself...

• Share your greatest pet peeve.  (Hmmm, one is loud gum-chewing.)
• Share one thing you don't like to be nagged about.  (That would be my weight.)

• Share one career path that you would be interested in pursuing if time and money were available.  (Something creative!  Advertising or behind-the-scenes TV production.)

• Share about the one item you would take with you if you were a contestant on Survivor.  (I have thought about this one...I used to think that I would take a razor, but I've settled on a non-perfumed lotion.)

• Share a recipe that you absolutely could not live without.  (Truthfully I am not a big recipe girl...maybe you can share some of your favorites for me to pass on to my hubby!)

• Share about a place in the world you would like to visit, but have not yet.  (Australia...except for the long flight.)

• Share about your favorite hobby.  (I love to traditionally scrapbook, but I am taking baby steps toward digital.)

******************************************************

Do you have a favorite, go-to recipe?

A joke for the married ladies...

Throughout the ages, men have tried to unlock the mystery of why their wives accepted them as they were before they were married, but then wanted to change them after they had exchanged their vows.

A social-scientist has finally arrived at a simple and logical conclusion...

When the bride, accompanied by her father, starts to walk slowly down the long aisle, she sees the altar in the distance and hears a hymn quietly playing in the background.

Walking down the aisle, the brain is conditioned to absorb these three stimuli: aisle, altar, and hymn.  The nervous bride becomes mesmerized and continually reinforces these perceptions as she walks: aisle, altar, hymn . . . aisle, altar, hymn . . . aisle, altar, hymn . . .

Finally, as she stops beside her groom, the conditioning process is complete!  She looks at him lovingly and thinks,

"I'll alter him!"

This story reminded me of my very own beloved...here is a recent picture of my Prince Charming!

Ha, ha, ha...hopefully he won't see this rather unflattering photo!

Note:  This is from our photo shoot at the Guthrie Theater (Target Family Day).  Hubby is dressed with clothes from Little House on the Prairie!  (Watch out for the crazy neighbor, Laura!)

Link to post:  Target Family Days

Como Park Zoo Boo

(Twin Cities area)  Take a child in your life to Zoo Boo at Como Park.  When my kids were young, I loved this event even more than they did!

 

Note:  It does get very busy on warm nights, so don't be in a rush (or pick a colder night)!  Both children and adults need a ticket and I suggest that you buy them ahead of time (see below).

Como Zoo Boo Info.

Zoo Boo is a fund raiser for Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.  Zoo Boo is a non-scary Halloween event, recommended for children between the ages of 3 and 10, but everyone is welcome.  For this unique fall fundraiser, the grounds of Como Zoo are transformed into a world of fairytales and fun!  Over 200 live costumed characters interact and entertain children!  This magical event offers families a safe trick-or-treating experience and many Halloween surprises.

 

ZooBoo 2010 will take place from 4:30-7:30pm on October 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24.  The Zoo and Conservatory will close early at 3pm on those days to prepare the grounds for ZooBoo.Tickets are $7 per person at the gate (children 2 and under who do not wish to trick-or-treat are free). Tickets are valid for any night of the event.  All children wanting to trick-or-treat must have a child’s ticket.

 

Discounted $6 tickets are available in advance at Como’s Garden Safari Gifts, participating Cub Foods (after Oct. 1st) or online at the ZooBoo ticket store.

 

Children are encouraged to wear costumes, but many come dressed as they are.  This outdoor event is held rain or shine so please dress appropriately for the weather.

 

We encourage ZooBoo guests to use our FREE park and ride shuttle service during ZooBoo. The park and ride lot is a State Fair parking lot located next to the International Institute of MN (1694 Como Ave.), directly across from the MN State Fair grounds.

Have you ever been to Zoo Boo?

Do you have other tips or recommendations?

October Fun at Nickelodeon Universe

"Adventures!"

I feel like everyone knows of hidden gems and fun things to do that others may not be aware of.  I'd like to use this blog to share some of my adventure ideas and find out some of yours!  At first, these might seem like "Minnesota" things, but I'd also like to expand it to include fun things to do in other parts of the country.

Nickelodeon Universe (Mall of America) has family-friendly events every year mid to late October.  This is not an inexpensive idea, but for the price of a wristband, the kids went on rides and "Nick-or-Treated" at different stations.  There were also some cute photo ops.  It was busy, but not terrible.  My hubby doesn't like this kind of stuff, so I went with a girlfriend and we had a great time!

This year their event is called BLACKOUT and it sounds like fun!  (My teens would love the glow in the dark tattoos, but this is really geared toward younger kids.)

October 22 & 23 and October 29 & 30
5:00 - 10:00 p.m.    Experience the thrill of Blackout at Nickelodeon Universe®!

• Black Light Atmosphere
• Rides
• Live Music
• Bubble Dance Party
• Costume Contests
• Glow in the Dark Airbrush Tattoos
• Black Light T-Shirt Making
• Make Your Own Spooky Goo
• Themed Entertainment

Check it out at:  http://nickelodeonuniverse.com/events/

I'll be telling you about Zoo Boo in the next couple of days...

What other fall events are out there that we may not know about?

Paper Plate Picture Game

This is an oldie, but a goodie!  Unleash your artistic talents and have a blast with this fun and imaginative game that's perfect for all ages.  Whether you're planning a family gathering, a kid party, or just looking for a creative way to spend time with friends, the Paper Plate Picture Game has got you covered.

You will need cheap, white paper plates and a pencil, pen or marker for each person.

• Have everyone put the paper plate upside down on their head.
• Instruct them step-by-step to draw certain things and mix up the order.

To make it a little harder:

• Have children slightly lift the pencil off of the plate between each step.
• For adults, ask them to put their hand down by their side after each instruction.
• One person will call out the instructions.

Example:  Let's draw a pumpkin!

"Draw a large circle."  (lift pencil)

"Draw a triangle for each eye."  (lift pencil)

"Draw a circle for a nose."  (lift pencil)

"Draw a stem on your pumpkin."  (lift pencil)

"Draw a pumpkin mouth with two teeth."

We usually have a contest to see who has the best drawing.

Do you recognize Frank N. Stein?

How about Kit E. Cat?

During Covid, we played this game at a "Virtual" holiday office party.  Click the link for more details; however I've copied the simple step-by-step instructions for you below.

Note:  We even played a joke on our co-workers (someone pre-drew the instructions super artistically, but pretended to draw live and then ta-dah, showed their masterpiece to the camera).  There were gasps all around! 😆

Let's draw a snowman!

"Draw a large circle for the base of your snowman." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw a medium circle for the middle of your snowman." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw a head on your snowman." (lift Sharpie)

"Put three coal buttons on his chest." (lift Sharpie)

"Your snowman is wearing a top hat." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw two eyes made out of coal." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw a stick arm on each side of your snowman." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw a carrot nose on your snowman." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw five pieces of coal for a smile on your snowman." (Done!)

Let's draw a Christmas tree!

"Draw a Christmas tree shape with branches." (lift Sharpie)

"Put a shining star on the top of your tree." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw a trunk on the bottom of your tree." (lift Sharpie)

"Hang five round ornaments on your tree." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw three presents with bows under your tree." (lift Sharpie)

"Hang three small striped candy canes on your tree." (Done!)

Let's draw an Elf!

"Draw a round head for your elf." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw two pointy ears on the elf's head." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw a little neck with a rectangle for the body." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw a pointy collar at his neckline." (lift Sharpie)

"Attach two skinny legs with pointy elf shoes." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw a pom-pom at the tip of each shoe." (life Sharpie)

"Draw two arms wearing mittens." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw two eyes with eyebrows on your elf." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw a pointy hat with a pom-pom on your elf." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw a nose and a smiling face on your Elf." (Done!)

Let's draw Santa!

"Draw a round head for Santa." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw two arms and a jacket on Santa." (lift Sharpie)

"Put a hand at the end of each arm." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw two legs with boots on Santa." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw a belt with a large buckle under Santa's belly." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw two eyes with bushy eyebrows on his face." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw a floppy Santa hat with a Pom-Pom on his head." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw hair and a beard on your Santa." (lift Sharpie)

"Add a round nose and a smiling mouth." (Done!)

Let's draw a Fireplace with Stockings!

"Draw a large fireplace with a square opening." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw bricks on your fireplace." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw a mantle on your fireplace." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw two stacked logs in your fireplace." (lift Sharpie)

"Add a fire with flames on top of the logs." (lift Sharpie)

"Draw some draped garland on your mantle." (lift Sharpie)

"Hang two stockings on your fireplace." (Done!)

Enjoy!  Karen

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

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