Planning a Halloween Party!

HGTV 41 Printable Templates





Make an Adorable Bat & Pumpkin Centerpiece like this one from Ella Claire.  Which is Simply Spooktacular!

Bat Printable - HGTV

Or how about adding a few Creepy Mice to your décor.  Like these from Martha Stewart!

Creepy Mice - Printable - Martha Stewart

How about making a B-E-W-A-R-E Banner at your front door

Beware Banner - Printable - HGTV

Here are links for some more Halloween Printable Templates
Raven
Black Cat



Check out our Fall issue and past posts, for more Fall / Halloween inspiration!

lovefabdecor
ellaclaireblog

This time of year brings lots of different decorating options.  And it's easy to express your inner spook without spending a lot of money.

We hit up our local Dollar Store and found lots of fun and easy items to add a little mischief to your decor.

It's so simple to haunt your house without a lot of effort or money.  Just get creative and have fun!

Here are our top 9 tips to decorate on the cheap.

1.  Make a felt wreath.  Felt is 4 for $1 at most places, which makes this project super affordable.  We added skeleton ribbon and a skeleton head, from the dollar store, and made paper feathers from our paper stash.



2.  Make some frightening frames.  We will have the tutorial for this later this week.



3.  Add touches to your existing decor by  attaching a spider or a crow from the dollar store.  The print on the wall?  Five dollars from Staples.


4.  Hit up your thrift stores for spooky books to add to your decor.




5.  We bought white battery operated candles 2 for $1 and then painted them a distressed black.




6.  Stack some heads on a plate, in a bird cage or in a lantern.



7.  Frame pictures from previous Halloweens to bring back fond memories.



8.  Add spider webs to your family photos.



9.  Cut bats out of black paper and attach to the wall for a frightful entrance.

MEET GLORIA - Gloria is a two time breast cancer Survivor! First diagnosed in 1999, she endured chemo and radiation treatments. Diagnosed again, in 2013, this time having to under go a double mastectomy. She was in and out of the hospital multiple times over the next year, due to complications of this surgery. She still suffers with related health issues to this day. Yet, she keeps up the fight. She is determined not to live a life that is dictated by cancer, but a life according to her own desires. She greets each day with such hope and promise, she is determined and a fighter. She enjoys all that life has to offer, and is fierce in her determination to live each day to the fullest. She meets trials and tribulations head on, she does not let them define her. She is pure grace under fire. Gloria is 73 years young. She has been married to her lifetime sweetheart for 57 years. She is the Mother of 3 children, 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Her youngest grandchild was born with Angelman Syndrome. Just months after having her mastectomy and experiencing multiple hospital stays for complication of that surgery, (blood clots in her lungs) Gloria was determined to do the walk for Angelman Syndrome with her cherished grandson Mason, just like she had in years past. So she did! This Beautiful, Strong, lady is such an example of Strength, Courage, Love, Compassion and Faith. She is a true inspiration of Positive attitude, a genuine loving spirit, living a life of purpose and always living a standard of do good, feel good. She never gave up, she never quit fighting, all, while still tirelessly giving and helping others. Gloria is an Amazing woman, an inspiration, and a Survivor!

The Fall issue of Sparklers Magazine is Live!!!

Make your party the talk of the neighborhood with these song suggestions that are sure to get your kids happy and in the Halloween Spirit.


"Monster Mash" — Bobby “Boris” Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers 
"Ghostbusters" — Ray Parker Jr.
"I Want Candy"
"Thriller" — Michael Jackson
"A Nightmare on my Street" — D.J. Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
"Purple People Eater" — Sheb Wooley
This is Halloween" — from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
Addams Family Theme
"Hedwig's Theme" — from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
What’s New Scooby Doo? – The Complete Halloween Party Album
Witch Doctor – Alvin and the ChipmunksI
Put A Spell On You – Hocus Pocus 
Grim, Grinning Ghosts – Mickeys Monster Bash
Yo, Ho! (A Pirate’s Life For Me) – Disney’s Greatest Hits
Oogie Boogie’s Song – Ken Page



Keep the kids happy and busy with these great party games.

We love all things Pumpkin around here.  My friend told me about these 3 ingredient cookies a few years ago, and they have quickly become a family favorite.  They are easy and yummy, and bring the yummy smell of autumn in your home.

These cookies are so easy that my 10 year old daughter has made them a few times while I recover from surgery.  I think I need to make some more this afternoon.  Yummy!

http://www.raininghotcoupons.com/caramel-apple-taquitos/

Are you ready for some Football!?  We LOVE Football!  And when college football started again we dusted off our game day shirts and got out the snacking recipes.

Here are 3 of our favorites.  (Pictures aren't the best.  Sadly my lens was not working and I didn't realize it until I already uploaded them and ate all the food!)

Loaded Potato Skins

 3 large baking potatoes (washed)

Directions:

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Wings

Football Queso

My kids FAVORITE thing to eat for breakfast is French Toast.  I make it for them every Sunday, and any day in between that they can talk me into it!  (which is a LOT!)

Last fall I came across a  recipe for Pumpkin French Toast!  How perfect is that for this time of year!?

As soon as September hits, I start making these tasty yum-yums, and score big points with the family.

Pumpkin Pecan French Toast

• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup half and half
• 4 eggs
• 2 Tbsp packed light-brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 10 slices wheat bread
• Butter, for griddle
• sugar pecans for topping (You can make your own, or buy them in the salad topping section.)
• powdered sugar for topping
• syrup for topping

• Preheat an electric griddle to 350 degrees.  Whisk together half and half, pumpkin puree, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and pie spice until well combined. Pour into a shallow dish.
• Butter griddle and dip bread into egg mixture (allowing a few seconds for it to absorb) then rotate and coat opposite side. Transfer to griddle and cook until golden brown on bottom, then flip french toast to opposite side and cook until golden brown. Serve warm with butter, pecans, powdered sugar and maple syrup.