Halloween Costumes...

On Saturday my guy and I are invited to a Halloween party, so of course, we have to dress up.  I didn’t feel like purchasing a new costume so am re-using my "Sorceress" black dress I wore last year, and am going as “Spider Queen” or “Black Widow” or “girl (OK, fine...Lady) wearing all black with a bunch of spiders on her” (I even bought a pet plush spider I named Paco...he's fluffy...or is it hairy? Anyway, he's cute.).   Am going to use one of my new spider friend and also made a hair clip (forgot to take photo).

I decided I needed something besides spiders so made a black rose (to make follow rose tutorial) and added to ring base.

Vivian dressed as a butterfly for school.  Make-up courtesy of moi.

Isn't she pretty!  OK, so I'm no make-up expert but she liked it. 

And Luna…well, Luna was not feeling her costume. Probably because it’s too small on her!  But she is still adorable as a unicorn.

Her face cracks me up!  She was NOT happy!

She was a lady bug one year and Vivian found the head piece and couldn't resist snapping this pic...

Happy Halloween! 

Spiders

I don’t like spiders. In fact when I see one I shudder and if one happens to be in my room or anywhere near me I scream internally (OK, sometimes externally…I’m not proud of it) and immediately call for someone to rescue me.  They can be big or small....I don’t discriminate…I just don’t like the buggers!  BUT! I do like my new spider ring.  They are both creepy and cute!  Can’t say the same for the real deal.  I got the "how to" from Craftily Ever After last year and made it into a hair clip to wear to a Halloween party (I would’ve taken a photo of said hair clip but I can’t find it…OK, imagine the spider, but bigger, with tulle underneath for the "web"…and then glued to a hair clip…I’ll make a new one and post the pic next time) and decided they would be great as rings.  Basically I followed the instructions (her tutorial is easy to follow) the same but used smaller beads for the body and used lesser (used  about 15) seed beads for the legs. 

I added red shoes on one of them. 

But the other one got jealous and went after the stylish spider.  

No worries…I broke them up and all was right in the world.  (Yeah, I’m a dork.)

OK, so I’m still not sure about my Halloween costume, but you bet these little guys will be coming along for the ride.  

Until next time...I leave you with Luna in her Halloween costume circa 2009...

I think the hat lasted maybe 5 minutes on her head. 

Spinach & Artichoke Dip...

I have a serious fondness for spinach and artichoke dip.  I have had this appetizer type dish at many restaurants (well, most just have the spinach part of it) but the best one I ate took place at my older brother's house.  My sister-in-law made it and  I almost ate the whole dang bowl!  She gave me the recipe...I made it and then lost the recipe.  BUT I pretty much remember the ingredients, although I may have added some. I've made it without the recipe and haven't had any complaints.  In fact, I made it on Friday and I was told it was “very good” (and no, I am not the only one that ate it!).  It super easy and you really can't mess it up.  Make it…nosh on it…take it to that Halloween party you are invited to…they’ll thank you for it and you may even win the Best Halloween costume award!   

Side note:  My mom does not like artichokes, but she really digs this dip. So, if you are not an artichoke person, try it...you just might like it.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 package of frozen spinach – thawed (make sure it's fully thawed and it's dried)

1 can of artichokes – rinsed

2 teaspoons of mayonnaise (I "eyeballed" it but it looked about 2 tsps worth)

2 teaspoons of sour cream (same as above) 

8 oz of cream cheese (this I know for sure) 

1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese (or more if you like it cheesier)

¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese (again more if you like)

cayenne pepper (to taste…I added about ½ tsp)

hot sauce (to taste….I added about 4 or 5 drops)

salt & pepper

Get a medium size microwave safe bowl and add all ingredients minus the cayenne pepper & hot sauce.  Zap it for 2 minutes on high.  Take out and stir…and do it again until cheeses have melted.  Then add the rest of ingredients and stir until combined.  Now, grab a cracker, mini baguettes (would that be baguetties?) or whatever you will be using to scoop up some and try it.  Add more hot sauce, cayenne pepper, salt, or pepper if need to and stir and try again….and again just to make sure you don’t need any more seasoning….and once more as you ate the last one so fast you aren’t 100 % sure…and again just because you can...now step away from the bowl as otherwise you’ll eat it all (it’s happened folks).

Until next time…

Luna with her favorite toy.

Dia de Los Muertos

I like the whole idea behind “Dia de los Muertos” or “Day of the Dead” for you non-spanish speaking folks, which is a day to remember family and friends that have passed away.  The tradition calls for building special alters to honor your dead loved one (or ones), which consists of gifts, their favorite foods and beverages, photos, things that remind you of them, etc.  These are traditionally built on their grave site.  I wanted to make sure I got this right, so I did some research and read on Wikipedia that these “ofrendas” or offerings (again for you non-spanish speaking folks) are also “left out in homes as a welcoming gesture for the deceased”.   Hmmm…I’m not sure how I feel about that one….hey, Dad come on in, I got your favorite tequila and tacos. OK, I just had an image of that and I’m actually digging it...if only.  Anyway, as I was saying, some people make these alters in their homes with a cross, sugar skulls, photos, candles (Mexicans are big on candles, fact…just don't look it up) and sit around talking about the deceased…telling stories, praying, dancing, singing, etc.  Growing up my parents were not into this tradition…I think mom was way too busy and dad...well, he just wasn't into it.  However, when Vivian was little I used to take her to Bower’s Museum (in Santa Ana, CA)  for their annual “Day of the Dead” event.  I’m not sure if they still have it.  It was great…making sugar skulls and decorations, they had dancers, food – pan dulce, Mexican hot chocolate, tamales– she really enjoyed it!  But I have yet to build an alter at home and go all out.  This year I thought I would put some effort into it so I started by decorating this little guy….

I found him at Michaels and he was on sale. Bonus!   

At the SoCal Social event that took place on October 8^th they gave fabulous swag bags and in mine I found these paints (minus the black) along with a blue color that for some reason didn’t make it into the photo …OK, just image the black is blue as it is also by Martha Stewart Crafts…

So, I used those paints to decorate my skull along with some bling (but of course!)…

 Here he is with some duckie friends….

The ducks are so darn cute I couldn't resist! 

Ok, that’s it for today. Have a great weekend! 

Luna is ready for a nap. 

Halloween Nails..

Vivian loves painting her nails.  In fact, I don't think I've seen her nails without nail polish since she discovered the stuff! True.  She likes to do polka dots on her nails and today's tutorial is curtosy of her.  She decided that she would paint her nails Halloween style...

Start with clean nails and polish with base coat.  Then paint with orange nail polish...

Luna supervising

You will then need black nail polish and one (or two) toothpicks...

Vivian said it's important to rough up the end of the toothpick (I didn't ask why).

You then add a drop (or several) to whatever surface you are working on (in her case it was a paper towel)...

 

Then pick up a couple of black nail polish with the toothpick end ....

And add a dot to your nail... 

  And continue until you have the amount of dots you want...

Continue the same for each nail...or you can change your mind mid way and make a couple of pumpkin faces...(I'm digging the sideways pumpkin on her index finger).

She decided to leave the pumpkin faces (yeah, she's cool like that) and finish the rest of her fingers with polka dots..

Here's Vivian sporting her Halloween nails...isn't she cute!

I did manage to make some earrings last week.  Check out my "Dia de Los Muertos" (Day of the Dead) earrings...

Until next time...

L.A. Fair Fun...

Last month my guy and I decided to take in the sights, sounds and food of the Los Angeles Fair at the Pomona Fairgrounds, and so I thought I would post some pix about our day.  We got there at around noon and were only planning on staying a couple of hours but ended up staying until 11:00 pm.  There was lots to see but thankfully we didn’t over indulge in the fried food department.  About the only thing I really wanted to try fried was the pickles…I love fried pickles!  So let the tour begin...

Entrace to the Fair....it was a bit over cast when we got there.

There were a lot of great exhibits....like this "Jurassic Park" themed exhibit...

Welcome...now step into my mouth!

The nursery

Baby Dinos!  

These two were all fired up! The one on the left is saying, "Oh, it's on!" 

After that exhibit we checked out some live animals....

This cutie is a Bennets Wallaby

And this cool bird....

I like his pompadour!  He's (or was it a she) is a Greater  Curassow.

They also had contests and one was all about jewelry!  Here are the winners...

There were others but my camera decided to stop working...I guess it got tired.  


So, what else was there to do but check out the food! Luckily my camera decided to get back to work....

 Potatoes anyone?  

How about some ribs?

Funnel Cake with the works...strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate syrup! Yummalicious! 

We did catch the group War ("The Cisco Kid", "Why Can't We Be Friends", "George Lopez Show theme song"...just kidding, "Low Rider" of course!) in concert.  It was a spur of the moment decision so that's why our "let's go to the LA Fair for a couple of hours" plan ended up being an all day and night reality.  It was a great day though!  

I made some new jewelry and hope to post some time this week!  

Until next time...