Pages, Pucks and Pantry

Halloween - October 20, 2014

Sometimes it's the simple things that make me smile when it comes to Halloween props. This "Meat Hook Chain Garland" is so simple (and inexpensive coming it at only $13.59), but hang several of these around the house, in your dungeon, on the garage door or even out the back of the car window, and you could probably scare a few people. Or many.

These are made out of plastic, are 12.0 " H x 12.0 " W with a 3.0" depth. They were originally found at Target here (though they are currently sold out). (skull and death figurine not included).

Halloween - October 19, 2014

And since we seem to be on a zombie trend, how about a game of Zombie Cribbage? Though I haven't played in years, Cribbage used to be "my" game. At an old job, employees used to get together at breaks and lunch and have wild games of Cribbage where, I must say, I held my own and was one of the top players. Wish that luck would have continued over to the roulette table in Vegas, but I was never that lucky.

This travel edition of Cribbage plays just like regular cribbage, except everything's been zombified. The game board looks like an old street (complete with manhole cover and chainsaw) and the deck of cards has a touch of the "zombie virus" too.  Even the little pegs have been turned into zombies (two per player, and each different). All made into an edition that can travel with you. Won't this be fun to take to Grandmas house to play with? She thinks you're weird anyway so this won't bother her at all.

You can find this game at ThinkGeek here. Normally $19.95 it's currently on sale for $15.99. Set includes folding scoreboard (storage container), 4 zombie scoring figures (2 per player, zombie pieces approximately 1.5" tall), 54 zombified playing cards, and instructions.

Halloween - October 18, 2014

Ah, nothing says "date night" like a couple of custom zombie bobbleheads that look just like you and your partner. Personally if you know someone who got married on Halloween, I think this would be an awesome anniversary present. They also come in individual zombies for those single folks who have birthdays on the greatest day of the year.

Of course, maybe you don't really like that neighbor couple down the street? Wouldn't it be fun for them to find a bobblehead of them on their front porch come Halloween? Bag of flaming poop optional.

These are not cheap...$250 for a a couple or $170 for an individual. But the fact that you can personalize it to resemble people you know is a bit priceless. You can find them here.

And yes, I know I'm way behind in my countdown but I've been looking for a hideout from the Zombie Apocalypse. One should always have a safe place to run to.

Halloween - October 17, 2014

You don't really have to wait until the holidays to find wine that works with your Halloween decor. I know that Cost Plus World Market always seems to come out with a bevy of Day of the Dead wines this time of year. Then there are the pumpkin beers and such that show up. But sometimes you can find wines with cool or spooky labels in the spring. I'm constantly on the lookout for wines that I can set aside and bring out to drink around Halloween.

Even if you don't drink wine, just having a bottle or two of something with an appropriate themed label looks good sitting on your counter or sticking out of your wine rack. These three wines were found at Trader Joes back in August. They sell for $5 a piece. If I don't drink them, no worries, I'll stick them in the wine rack and bring them out as a decoration again next year. And the year after that. Wait, who am I kidding. Wine. It will be gone before Halloween ever gets here.

Halloween - October 16, 2014

Ahh, tequila. I do have a soft spot for the alcohol that makes my lovely Margaritas. And vodka. Though I'm not as fond of it as I am of tequila, there are many wonderful drinks that can be made with vodka, not to mention several wonderful recipes that incorporate the distilled beverage composed primarily of water and ethanol. But yes, if I had to chose between the two, tequila would top the list. But lets not let rum feel left out of this party. There is nothing like a good Mai Tai when one is sitting on a beach somewhere tropical. Or a good rum and coke every now and then. Or a good rum cake.

These days, alcohol just doesn't come in a basic bottle anymore. "Specialty" alcohol comes in all shapes and sizes of vessels. And alcohol bottled in skulls? Been there, drunk that. And then the very nice skull bottles sit around all lonely. No more alcohol inside. So what does one do with these lovely lonely skull works of art when they are empty (besides stick the obligatory candle in the twist top)? One makes sconces out of them. Or even Tiki Torches.

There are several stores on etsy that will send you the bottle and hardware to make your own tiki torches. JadaNJace will send you the bottle, mounting kit, wick, and brass screws (you'll need to provide your own tiki torch oil) for $29.99 plus shipping. Though the bottle shown (KAH-Extra Anejo Skull Tequila) is sold, they do have some other interesting tiki kits with different type alcohol bottles. These skulls make great decorations during Halloween, but would also work over a bar area any time of the year. You can find these here.

If you are looking for something a bit less tiki bar, Moonshine Lamp Co. makes wall sconces below out of Crystal Head Vodka bottles. Made from a recycled 750 ML bottle, this handmade sconce takes a candelabra sized bulb, up to 40 watts and sells for $235. The seller even suggests adding colored bulbs when the holidays come around. You can find them here.

 

Halloween - October 15, 2014

These are just odd...and glorious...and super simple to make. They incorporate one of the things I love about Halloween. Something simple, that at first glance looks beautiful, but that has that Halloween edge that makes me smile.

Find a few fake flowers at the local craft store, grab a few eyeballs (don't go all Dexter please, buy your eyeballs from a reputable dealer, er store) and surprise your loved one with a pretty bouquet. It's the kind of Halloween gift that will last all year...and maybe make that pesky couple next door think twice before dropping over to chat during the middle of dinner....

Photo of flowers found online. I have no idea where this originated. If you know please email me so I can give credit.

Halloween Taste Test - Herr's Candy Corn Pretzels

Most of the "candy corn" flavored items I've come across usually disappoint. These actually do not. But then they don't actually taste like candy corn. They taste like animal cookies....the same sort of coating with the little sprinkles on top. And they are shaped like pumpkins. Works for me. What doesn't work for me? Not exactly healthy.

The coating and nonpareils are full of sugar. And there is palm kernel oil and artificial this and that. One serving is about eight pieces and will run you 140 calories with 21 grams of carbs. But this is Halloween, and the nature of the season is eating all those things that might not actually be good for you.

Found these at Target but again, I've lost my list of prices.

Halloween - October 14, 2014

If you've followed my blog before during the Halloween season you know that I end up buying tons of candy to do taste tests. This year is no exception. If it's got something to do with Halloween or fall, I'm going to try it. I buy regular items that may have changed their packaging, special flavors or Halloween food items I've never seen before, and of course anything pumpkin flavored (I've found a ton of new pumpkin products, most of which will be featured in November when I have a bit more time). If it's Halloweenish, it will find it's way into my shopping cart.

 Watching a program on TV awhile back, I came across these very cool little bloody skulls. It was a program telling how Halloween candy was made and I thought these little skull candies looked really good. I decided to try to find them, but at that time, didn't see them in any stores. I went online, found the company that manufactured them, SweetWorks, and asked them if they knew in my area where I could purchase them. They graciously said they would send me some. Imagine my surprised when this giant box arrived and all the candy pictured here was included!

I had never heard of SweetWorks before and was surprised how many candy products they produced. Founded in 1956, SweetWorks is headquarted in Buffalo, New York. The make premium confections with brands including Sixlets, Celebration by SweetWorks, Niagara Chocolates, Ovation, Oak Leaf, and a product I had heard of...Nerds! From chocolates, to gum, to jawbreakers, to pressed candy in sweet and sour flavors, to Sixlets (candy coated chocolate), SweetWorks sent me some great Halloween and fall products to try out (and these are just some of the Halloween items they have available, not to mention candy items for all the other holidays of the year).

I've spent the beginning of the month parcelling out little snack bags of goodies to family, friends, and coworkers asking them to give me their input on the items shown above, and also all the other Halloween goodies I picked up to try. The next few weeks you'll have to follow along and see which items became our favorites. Just don't tell our dentists!

 

Halloween Taste Test - Godiva Chocolate Covered Pretzels

I wish I could tell you how much this little box of Godiva Milk Chocolate Covered Mini Pretzels cost, but I seemed to have misplaced my list that had all the pricing of the Halloween goodies I've bought. I found this at Barnes & Noble with all the other Godiva goodies near the registers. I know I was surprised that for Godiva it wasn't that expensive.

I bought this because the box was cute. If you were making a nice Halloween basket to give someone, this would be a perfect item to include. Wasn't the best chocolate covered pretzels I've had but they were certainly better than most of the cheap ones that seem to be around during the Halloween through Christmas season.

Barnes & Noble Cafes tend to have some cute Halloween items but most of them and any decor items Barnes & Noble sells tend to be gone by the time October rolls around.

Halloween - October 13, 2014

For those of us who go a little crazy around this time of year with all things Halloween, a box of Halloween themed tissues might not seem like a big deal. But when a majority of the tissues one finds is all pretty pastels with pretty flowers or beautiful graphics on them, it just doesn't blend in with that spooky decor I'm working with. I'm sure if I looked at some goth web sites I'd find black boxed tissues, but not at any of my local retail stores.

A nice light blue and green swirled tissue box would not look great next to my black skull candle that seeps red candle wax when lit...so I stock up on these tissue boxes...cute, not scary, but at least they blend with the decor. Found these at Target.