On the Homefront: Spooky But Sophisticated Snoopy Halloween Table

Dalmatian One-Eyed Jack never misses a Halloween celebration!

My dog-themed tables continue for Halloween, this time featuring everyone's favorite cartoon beagle - Snoopy (plus his best buddy Woodstock, even though he is a bird and not a dog)!  I just had to use my Charlie Brown Halloween Plates from Pottery Barn Kids, which set the tone for a traditional color scheme of orange and black, with just a touch of ghostly white.  These plates also inspired me to create a table with children in mind, and that includes the menu I selected.  This tablescape works for youngsters and adults because it is sophisticated as well as fun, and just a little bit spooky! Let's take a look:

Orange round woven placemat; matte black dinner plate (from Target decades ago); Charlie Brown Halloween Plate; stainless steel flatware; black cotton napkin; orange drink glass (from The Cupboard in Fort Collins, CO, eons ago).

Here are the other three Halloween plate designs:

Little Dalmatian Witchiepoo guards the pumpkin-shaped soup tureen.

This cartoon is a holiday classic from my childhood - I always enjoy
watching the Halloween antics of the Peanuts gang!

The salt and pepper shaker set is called "Hug", but I think they look
like black and white ghosts.

I found two of these black and white square plates with a swirl
design at HomeGoods years ago - they make perfect dessert
trays for the table.

I used this Grace's Bake Shop fluted pie plate from HomeGoods
this year as a candy bowl.  It has the word "BOO!" printed on the
bottom, which you would see once you got past all of the
Halloween candy!

My new pumpkin platter from Walmart this year will hold the
vegetable sticks.

A matching pumpkin bowl from Walmart will be filled with avocado dip.

This lovely Coco + Lola bowl with a batty design from HomeGoods
this year is ready to be filled with tortilla chips.

The simple menu features a favorite childhood meal of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, plus dessert bars which include peanut butter and jam as the main ingredients.  You can use store-bought soup as I did (our local Publix sells a great tomato bisque in their deli section) or make your own (I've included a link below to an easy recipe). The avocado dip will hopefully encourage any kids at the table to indulge in a few vegetables, but if not there are always chips to complement the dip!

Snoopy (and Woodstock) Halloween Menu:

Swamp Slime (Creamy Avocado Dip)*
Brittle Bones and Dried Hide (vegetable sticks and tortilla chips)

Bloody Bisque (Tomato Soup)

Oozing Goo Sandwiches (Grilled Cheese)

Globs of Gore Bars (Vegan PB&J Oatmeal Bars)**

*Creamy Avocado Dip

1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, and cut into chunks
1/4 C. sour cream
3 T. grated Parmesan
juice of 1 lime
pinch of smoked paprika
1/4 tsp. salt

Process, blend, or use a fork to mash all of the ingredients together until smooth and creamy.  Serve immediately.  Makes about 1 cup.

**Vegan PB&J Oatmeal Bars

3/4 C. peanut butter
1/2 C. sugar (I used coconut sugar)
1 T. vanilla
1 C. rolled oats (I used quick-cooking oats)
1 C. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 C. milk (regular or dairy-free both work - I used almond milk)
3/4 C. fruit jam (I used a 10-oz. jar of raspberry jam)

In a large bowl cut the sugar into the peanut butter with a knife until well combined (you can do this with a mixer, but I prefer to mix ingredients by hand).  Stir in the vanilla with a mixing spoon until completely incorporated.

Add the oats, flour, salt, and soda to the bowl.  Stir in with a spoon, and then use your hands to combine the ingredients into a mixture of fine crumbs.  Drizzle in the milk, adding and stirring in several additions, until the mixture forms a cohesive dough.

Roll two-thirds of the dough into a ball with your hands and place in an 8-inch square baking pan that has been lined with two overlapping pieces of parchment paper (leave some overhang at the top).  Pat the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan.

If necessary, warm the jam so that it is spreadable.  Spread the jam evenly over the top of the dough base.  Crumble the remaining dough over the jam as evenly as possible.  Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes until the bars are set and golden.  Cool completely and cut into bars (I put mine in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm them up for cutting).  Serves 16.

Note: My bars were rather soft, so I put individual servings into foil cupcake liners.

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A canine vignette on the credenza.

Woodstock and Snoopy in their jack o' lantern.

Dalmatian Ladybug returns for the Halloween party.

Dalmatian Deputy Dawg also returns to keep an eye on the
Halloween happenings.

Of course Glinda the Good Witch has reappeared, sitting safely
on my tea cart while awaiting the repast!

A fancy Halloween wreath from Pier 1 this year (no longer available)
adorns the dining room window.

For an extra special Halloween treat, you can watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" (1966) here.

From Town & Country

I hope your Halloween is "spooktacular" this year!

                

Wish List Wednesdays: Banned Chatty Batty Bag from ModCloth

If you are really looking to make a statement on Halloween, then what could be more eye-catching that the Banned Chatty Batty Bag ($59) from ModCloth?  This versatile bat-shaped handbag can be used as a tote, a crossbody bag, or a backpack with just a quick change of the straps!  At 14x11x4 inches in size it is quite roomy, and of course black is such a versatile color.  So unless you suffer from a severe case of chiroptophobia, this may just be your perfect Halloween accessory!

             

Current Events: Lightening the Mood

From Mental Floss

After the events of last week I think we are all in desperate need of a little distraction, and the video below should help (a day late for National Cat Day, but better late than never!):

                

Current Events: A Deal with the Devil?

"By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes." (from Shakespeare's MacBeth)

A slightly precipitate "Happy Halloween" from perfidious puppeteer Putin and his truckling Trumpkin!

                

Weekend Wardrobe: Walk on the Wild Side Autumn Basic 4x4 Wardrobe Accessories

I love the colors from last week's autumnal 4x4 wardrobe shown above, and I had a lot of fun choosing the accessories for this one.  I decided to focus on the leopard print from the Soft Surroundings espadrilles that helped inspire this wardrobe and its "walk on the wild side" name:

 I can't wait to show you what I found, so without further ado let's get started with the jewelry (I decided that the woman who wears this wardrobe is obsessed with necklaces):

Clockwise from top left: Chico's Reversible Leopard-Print Double-Strand Bib Necklace; KCA Vintage Gems UK Vintage Scottish Style Murano Glass Bead Necklace; CalloohCallay African Beaded Necklace; SpareTimebyYvette Glass Leopard Spotted and Black Beaded Necklace; Center: Claycult Cambodia Mala Ivory Ceramic Beads Necklace.

Next we will take a look at the outerwear:

Clockwise from top left: Max Mara Armonia Wool & Cashmere Coat in Sand; Bellerose Leopard Print Jacket; Lira Clothing Carmen Belted Trench Coat in Brown; BLANKNYC Meant to Be Moto Jacket with Removable Hood in Black; Center: TOPSHOP Chuck On Blazer in Brown.

Some lively scarves will perk up any outfit option for this wardrobe:

Clockwise from top left: S. Oliver Scarf in Brown Stripe; COACH Black Leopard Print Scarf; Peach Couture Women's Leopard Print Crinkle Scarf in Beige/Brown; Uncaptive Bamboo Scarf in Yellow Mustard; The Gap Leopard Print Scarf.

Of course more shoes in addition to the espadrilles are necessary accessories as well:

Clockwise from top left: Soft Surroundings Nissa Espadrilles in Leopard; Eastland Women's Classic II Penny Loafers in Black Leather; Soft Suroundings Savannah Booties in Leopard; UGG Soleda Genuine Calf Hair Slip-On Sneakers in White; Sperry Women's Seaport Penny Loafers in Tan Leather.

And finally a variety of handbags completes this wardrobe (I especially love the stylish dark leopard print backpack):

Clockwise from top left: ALLSAINTS Vincent Genuine Calf Hair Backpack in Leopard/Black; Hobo Amble Handbag in Earth; Macy's I.N.C. Remmey Leopard-Print Zip-Around Wallet; Chico's Leopard-Print Haircalf Tote; A.P.C. Sac Marion Leather Tote in Noir.

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The woman who wears this collection knows what she likes and is not afraid to show it!  As I get older and less concerned about the opinions of others, I am striving to be more like this with my own wardrobe.  I decided to wear my lovely silk Dalmatian-print shirt to a museum fund-raising dinner we attended recently, and it got several compliments!  Why stick with boring and predictable when you can have fun with your wardrobe?  Bring on the fun prints!

                

Foodie Fridays: Pesto Cheese Stuffed Shells in Sausage Pumpkin Sauce

Once again I made an entrée based on a recipe from the Half Baked Harvest website.  This time I tried the Spicy Pumpkin and Pesto Cheese Stuffed Shells, but modified it by using a jarred pasta sauce that I had in my pantry, adding some garlic, and eliminating most of the spiciness since I do not care for really spicy-hot dishes.  The recipe is just a bit fussy with the stuffing of each individual shell, but the end result is worth this tiny bit of extra effort.

I used a different type of shredded cheese because I am not a fan of fontina, but use any cheese you prefer.  If you do not have a squash-based jarred sauce available, refer to the original recipe for the sauce recipe, which is really quite easy to make, and feel free to make your version as spicy as you like.  This baked pasta recipe is a wonderful cold weather comfort food.  It reminds me of lasagne, but to me it is much tastier and less tedious to make.  I know I will be making this recipe again now that our weather has turned chilly!

Pesto Cheese-Stuffed Shells in Sausage Pumpkin Sauce

2 T. olive oil
16 oz. Italian chicken sausages, casings removed*
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tsp.)
1 jar (about 25 oz.) pumpkin or butternut squash pasta sauce**
2 tsp. dried oregano
pinch of cayenne pepper
24 jumbo pasta shells (I used Barilla Jumbo Shells)
2 C. (16 oz.) ricotta cheese
2 C. shredded cheese (I used my favorite cheddar-mozzarella blend)
12 oz. (3/4 C.) pesto (store-bought or homemade)
8 slices fresh mozzarella cheese

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Brown the sausage in the oil, breaking up any large chunks.  Add the red bell pepper and cook until soft.  Add the garlic and cook one minute longer.  Stir in the pasta sauce, oregano, and cayenne pepper and heat through.  Remove from the heat and set aside.

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 10 minutes.  Drain, rinse, and set aside in the pot with just enough cold water to cover (this will keep them from sticking to each other).

Combine the ricotta, shredded cheese, and 1/2 C. pesto in a large bowl.

To assemble, spread 3/4 of the pumpkin sauce on the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking pan.  Stuff each pasta shell with 1 T. of the ricotta filling and place on top of the sauce, covering the top completely with the shells.  Spoon the remaining sauce over the shells, and then spread the remaining pesto over as well.  Evenly space the mozzarella slices on top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts and the top is slightly browned.  Remove from the oven and cool 5 minutes before slicing and serving.  Serves 6-8.

*I used Publix Greenwise Mild Italian Chicken Sausage, but they also have a hot version for those who prefer a spicier dish.

**I used Cucina Antica Tuscany Pumpkin Sauce, which is excellent, but any brand will work (Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce would be a good choice).
             

This 'n That Thursdays: Creative Halloween Front Door Ideas

From CartoonCreative

Last week we took a look at some clever Halloween outdoor décor.  This week I thought I would focus on creative front door ideas (like the one shown above featured in last week's post), since those who are visited by trick-or-treaters will most likely greet them here.  First impressions are always so important, don't you think?  Let's get started, beginning with the simplest ideas and moving on to ever more ambitious projects:

Purchased signs and a few pumpkins are all that are needed to let
trick-or-treaters know they are at the right place (from Amazon).

Creepy staring eyeballs in a variety of sizes are crafted from
styrofoam balls or half-spheres and adhesive-backed felt
(from Woman's Day).

Black paper owl cutouts and dry branches painted black add an
eerie touch to this white-painted house with a black front door
(from Martha Stewart).

Paint a few pumpkins, then cut out numerous bats in varying sizes
and hang them with an autumnal wreath and garland to create
this only slightly scary front door look (from Homedit).

This jack o' lantern garland may be a rather ambitious project,
but it is well worth the effort, and I really like the full moon
stick-on image added to the window above the front door
(from Interior-Magazine).

Lots of fake spiders and cobwebs, plus white pumpkins and scary skulls,
create this frightening front door (from Value Doors UK).

An impressive assortment of eerie accessories makes this
Halloween front door and porch a truly terrifying entryway
(from Decorating Files).

Crafting the jack o' lantern-topped greeter may take some skill,
and setting up a fog machine requires true dedication, but this
Halloween front door approach really maximizes the fright factor
(from HomeMyDesign).

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Have you decorated your front door for Halloween?  Do you choose scary or cute, simple or extravagant, or somewhere in between?  Or do you just turn out the lights and pretend you aren't home on Halloween night?  I hope you enjoy Halloween however you choose to celebrate (or not)!
                

Wish List Wednesdays: Joules Dog Days Sweaters

I just cannot resist any apparel featuring Dalmatians, so it will come as no surprise that I will be ordering the Joules Dog Days Sweater ($89.95) in the Navy Dalmatian design from In the Company of Dogs!  This cotton-blend fine-gauge knit sweater has rib knit trim with contrast color detail on one cuff and inside the neckline.  In addition to the Dalmatian, there is also a yellow version featuring a wraparound Dachshund and a red one with a warmly-dressed Schnauzer.  Fun sweaters like these make me look forward to winter's cooler temperatures!