Halloween Mystery Dinner~2013

It's that time of year!

 

We just moved in to our new home 2 weeks ago.

I was going to cancel our Annual Family Halloween Dinner this year,

or at least do something a little more "low-key"...

But my kids (mostly my daughter and daughter-in-law)

guilted  talked me in to it!

And honestly, it turned out fun!

We did get the kitchen unpacked & most of the main floor

"tidied up" a bit, so I felt better about hosting a party.

(Also, I am loving my new kitchen...more on that another time)

 

I even pulled out a few decorations, to liven the place up a bit!

I think everyone had a great time.

 



(Cotton Candy Spider Webs & "Vampire Bites")

 

 

This year's menu consisted of:

 

Mummy Snot: (Ranch Dressing)

Alien Pods: (Green Beans)

Mouse Droppings: (Sunflower Seeds)

Vampire Bites: (Candy Cup w/ all red candies)

Witch's Broom: (Fork)

Bony Knuckles: (Mini Garlic Monkey Bread)

Sticky Spider Web (Cotton Candy)

Brains: (Fettuccine Noodles)

Dragon's Blood: (Red Punch)

Scarecrow Noses: (Croutons

Moldy Bat Wings: (Salad)

EscarGROSS!: (Creamy Italian Chicken)

What IS That? (Pumpkin Spice Cake)

 

The stand-out favorites this year were the Mini Garlic Bread & the Pumpkin Spice Cake. I've linked to both recipes for you.

The garlic bread was super easy & I will be making them again.

 

How are you celebrating the season?

 

Happy Halloween!

Early Arrival

Our sweet little granddaughter made an early debut!

She was born May 3rd, 2013 ~ 10 1/2 weeks early.

 (29 1/2 weeks gestational age)

 

She was so tiny!

She weighed 2.1 pounds and was 14 1/2 inches long.



Her mama had an undetected case of Preeclampsia, which developed into Eclampsia & HELLP Syndrome. She was one sick chickee!

Thankfully, we got her to the hospital, where it was determined the baby needed to be delivered ASAP!  It was a scary ordeal for us.

Shae had a seizure while we were in the ER. Did I mention she was pretty dang sick?

Pretty. Dang. Sick.

I won't go in to all the details, but if anything had happened differently, I think we would have lost both of them, her condition was that serious.

 



Thankfully, both mama and baby are doing well.

Baby girl spent 6 weeks in the NICU, where she was able to continue to grow and develop.

So thankful for modern technology that saved her mama &  gave this little girl a chance to live and thrive.

 



 

 After 8 weeks in the NICU, she was finally doing well enough that they could bring her home.

Curtis & Shae had just moved back to Utah the week before little baby J was born, so

they have been staying with us until they could move back into their home.

 



 

It's been kind of fun having the baby here.

And I'm kinda diggin' the whole grandma thing!

 

(Taken today)

Sure do love this sweet little bundle of joy!

I could just kiss those sweet cheeks all day!!!

And so thankful that she and her mama are both fine!



Pistachio Cake

 

We had an extended family party yesterday, with a St. Patrick's Day theme.

I made this Pistachio Cake for dessert.

 

This cake is so yummy!

It's dense & moist~ almost like a banana bread texture.

Even my pickiest eater liked it, which is saying a lot!

 

Pistachio Cake

 

1 package yellow cake mix

2 small packages pistachio instant pudding mix

4 eggs

1 cup Sprite

1/2 cup oil

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup cold whipping cream

3/4 cup cold milk

2 tsp. powdered sugar

 

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, ONE pudding mix, eggs, Sprite and oil.

Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.

Stir in 1/2 cup walnuts. Pout batter into a greased and floured 10-inch Bundt pan.

Bake for 40-45 minutes.

Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

When cake is cool, place the cream, milk, ONE pudding mix and powdered sugar in a large bowl.

Beat on high until stiff peaks form. Frost cake, then sprinkle with 1/2 cup walnuts. Keep refrigerated.

 

*My Notes:

I just stirred the nuts in the frosting, rather than sprinkling on top.

This can also be made in a 9x13 pan.