Happy Halloween

Despite two practice pumpkins before the final version, for the second year in a row, I lost the pumpkin carving contest at my work. It's actually pretty sad when there are only four pumpkins competing. Ha! Both years I've tried to do something different, difficult (for me), and not to mention time consuming - and I've lost. So I've learned my lesson- I was so focused on winning that I forgot to have fun. And it should be fun! So only fun pumpkin carving from now on...

On a happier note, my husband IS a winner! He won the contest at his work with his Edward Scissorhands pumpkin. He deserved to win, his pumpkin was really good.

And finally, a loser for the second time yesterday, I lost the Scariest Dessert Contest at my husband's work. I made these Ladies' Fingers from the Martha Stewart website. I thought they looked pretty gross. I didn't even want to eat one! Especially the nails, which are blanched almonds dyed with red food coloring. Ew.

Finally!

Can you believe it? I finally finished making my dress. Well, I finished a long time ago, but it was too long and matronly looking so I decided I wanted to shorten it. Which actually only took me like 15 minutes.  It's kinda boring-looking, but I figured I would most likely wear it with a cardigan (because I always wear a cardigan.) I'm proud of myself for beginning to make things that are actually wearable. Each item I make, I learn something new, so I guess I just have to keep on plugging away!

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

YUM is all I have to say! I made this cake for my boss's birthday this week and I was able to make out with a piece for my husband to eat, after I photographed it of course. This "cake" was really REALLY easy to make and everyone totally loved it. My friend started singing "It's beginning to look a lot like Thanksgiving" when she saw me cutting it. She gets a little excited when food is around... and I kinda love her for it. But she's right, it is Fall after all, so it's the perfect time for some Pumpkin Crunch!

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

1 29-ounce can of Pumpkin

1 12-ounce can Evaporated Milk

1 Cup Sugar

1/4 tsp Cinnamon

3 Eggs, slightly beaten

1 Box Yellow Cake Mix w/ Pudding

1 Cup Chopped Walnuts

1 Cup Melted Butter

Preheat oven to 350. Mix together first five ingredients and pour into 9x12 inch pan, lined with wax paper. It's easier to take out if the paper comes up over the edges of the pan. Spread the entire box of cake mix on top of pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle nuts over cake mix and press in gently. Melt butter and pour evenly over nuts. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Cool completely before removing from pan.

Note: I'm not completely sure whether the pumpkin mixture should be on top or the bottom, but I just flipped it over, pulled gently on the wax paper and it came right out, pumpkin side up, and that's the way it stayed! Top with whipped cream.

Los Muertos at Disneyland

We took our last Disneyland Trip of the season yesterday because our passes expire at the end of the month. Why our passes are not blocked out on Columbus Day, I do not know... it was so crowded. But we stayed long enough to get on the essential rides. The Halloween version of Space Mountain (Ghost Galaxy) was a big disappointment, but The Nightmare Before Christmas- decorated Haunted Mansion never lets you down. Here are some pictures I took of their Dia De Los Muertos display, which I thought was pretty neat.

Shrine Time

Being that it was the first weekend in October, I was really excited to start my Halloween decorating at home. I really wanted to put up a Dia De Los Muertos shrine for my Grandma and my kitty, Miette, who died last Halloween. My shrine isn't that great, but it's a start. I'm not a very good Mexican - It definitely needs more color! I will keep working on making more paper flowers and papel picado (punched paper). Cutting the papel picado was the most time consuming, but they turned out really pretty. I also made some more felt skeletons, Halloween colored ranunculus, and black crepe paper roses to take to work. I love Halloween so much!