Happy Halloween!

Here are some close ups of our HORROR D'EUVRES...... most of these ideas I got fromthegirlwhoateeverything.blogspot.com- her blog is grrreat! That got me thinking (googling) about other recipes and I think it all turned out pretty good in the end!

First up, the Halloweenies. Vienna sausages with crescent rolls to mumify them. Mustard eyes add the final touch!

Next time I'm using real hot dogs. I didn't know it until today, but apparently vienna sausages are disgusting.

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Puffs: Reese's peanut butter puffs cereal + scotcheroos recipe = YUM!

Witch's Hats: Fudge stripe cookies and a Hershey's kiss- so easy. The tube frosting we used was solid rock though. Made it tough. But Kennedi and Dad did a great job. Don't you agree?

Candy Corn Trifle: Yellow cake, butterscotch pudding, cream cheese/whipped cream... Collette made this all by herself. Wonderful job :)

Apple Pie

I'm so glad Aunt Mel came down this weekend and could help me make this pie! Grandma Manning is THE PIE MAKER in our family. Every Thanksgiving since the beginning of time she has made pies that everyone looks forward to. So, we used her recipe (Mel's done it a time or two) and baked ourselves an apple pie today. (Yes, I did feel like Snow White the whole time)

The crust:

• 1/3 c. shortening
• 1 c. flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 c. water (or less)

1. Cut shortening into flour+salt mixture
2. Mix until crumbly
3. Add water, as little as possible (1/4 c should be ok- too much water will make it tough!)
4. roll out on floured counter, big enough to more than cover the pie tin.

**You'll want to make two crusts for apple pie (top and bottom)

The filling:

• 7-8 fresh apples (tart is best),
• 1 c. sugar
• 3 T flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 egg ( or a little milk)
• Sugar

1. Peel and slice apples, making about 4-5 cups.
2. Sprinkle flour over top
3. Mix in sugar and cinnamon enough to coat the apples
4. Pour the apple mixture into the crust
5. Lay the second crust on top
6. Pinch the edges together all the way around.
7. Cut holes in the top (as decorative as you want)
8. Brush crust with a beaten egg (or milk)
   
9. Sprinkle a good amount of sugar over top to give the crust a crunchy texture

Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes until it's golden brownWhala! Enjoy with some of your favorite people! Thanks for your help Mel!

Grandpa's Mac N' Cheese

Grandpa Cook passed away when I was little. But still, a few things remind me of him. Funny thing is, almost all the things I can think of are food!

1. Poached eggs (more the smell than the actual dish, but I remember when we used to go to Aunt Karen's house it smelled so gross!! Now I know it was the poached eggs.)

2. Snowcaps (the colorful ones) and sugar-free candies


3. Homemade mac-n-cheese

4. Also the phrase "Oh my lands!" Every time Grandpa is on one of our home videos he says that. It's so cute.

5. Oh, and his belly- he always used his 'built in pillow' to rock one of his grand-babies to sleep.

6. One more thing, my uncle JC. Every time I see him I just can't stop thinking of Grandpa.

SO ANYWAY...

Dad says the fun fact about this recipe is that it was never the same thing twice. Grandpa would use whatever he had around the house and threw it in. Sooo..... here it is.
Ok, so it's not a looker. but, it is what it is, and that's that.

The recipe:

• 1 c. dry macaroni
• 2 eggs
• 1 c. milk
• 1/2 tsp Wocestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp paprika
• 1 1/2 c cheddar cheese
  

1. Cook and drain 1 c. macaroni
2. Beat eggs well
3. Stir in milk and seasonings
4. Layer macaroni and cheese in 1 1/2 quart casserole pan, ending with a layer of cheese
5. Pour egg mixture over top
6. Sprinkle with additional paprika
7. Bake in microwave 4 1/2 minutes