Trick~Or~Treat

Read a spooky book ~ Eat too much candy ~ Watch a scary movie ~ And a cute one too ~Listen to some creepy music ~ Wear some orange and black ~ Drink some warm cocoa with some colored sprinkles on top ~ Today is Halloween! 

(Pinterest is all about Halloween too!)

They Were Worth Waiting For

How Much Halloween Fun Can We Cram Into One Weekend?

Well, let's see...

Friday!

Here we are, my friends. Can you believe we have arrived at the last weekend of October? Take a deep breath, because the fun is about to begin! Tomorrow we start the festivities with Trick-or-Treating, followed by pumpkin carving on Sunday. 

So...this happened last weekend!

Cocoa And Cookies

This time of years lends itself to all kinds of festive fun. The evenings are cooler and longer as darkness falls sooner.  We embrace this seasonal shift by continuing simple traditions started years ago.

Just for fun!

I found these oatmeal place and bake cookies at Walmart, and the orange colored cocoa packets right

here on the McStevens website.  We will enjoy this little treat while watching one of our favorite Halloween movies...like Twitches or Halloweentown.

What are some of your family traditions, my friends?

Have a cozy day!

Pumpkin Spice Lattes And Caramel Apples

This is my time of year, my friends. Some people live for those hot summer days with barbecues and boat rides. Others wait all year for picnics in the park on a spring afternoon. Still others are all about hot coffee in the snow while skiing and sledding. Me? I enjoy few things in life as much as being inside on a blustery fall afternoon. Something about a cozy afternoon with soft throws, warm drinks, and my people together brings peace and joy to my soul. 

This Sunday was such a day. I awoke early and filled my crockpot with delicious pumpkin spice latte ingredients, turned it on, and waited for the amazing scent of fall to fill our home. Little by little, my people awoke and we enjoyed a morning together in our jammies. Marian was here, and soon we were playing games, watching movies, and drinking pumpkin spice lattes with homemade whipped cream. Later in the day, we gathered in the kitchen and made some yummy and festive caramel apples. 

Outside it was windy and cold. Inside, we were happy and cozy and warm. And blessed.

Friday!

Happy Weekend, my friends! And for those of you who share my love of  obsession with the Halloween movies...Happy Halloween Movie Day! I have loved the original Halloween forever and have waited for this movie just as long. Marian is coming up for the weekend, and yes, I have a party planned and t-shirts purchased. What can I say? I'm weird like that.

It is all fall ~ all the time ~ around here.

I broke out the boots for Mass last weekend.

My sweet bloggy friend Danielle posted almost the exact same picture on her blog right here!

Autumn Mornings

           Autumn

           Early mornings

            Steaming Pumkin Spice

            Soft throw~warm fire

           Two snuggly puppies

           So quiet

          Cozy

Pumpkin Patch 2018

Last weekend, we loaded up the cars and headed to the pumpkin patch! We visited the one we have for the past several years, even though it meant driving a bit farther, because you know me...tradition and memories, right? We were so happy my mom was with us, and we also picked up our dear friend Mary for the trip too. It was also Nicolas' first time at a pumpkin patch!

Pumpkin Patch Crew

2018

It was fun to decorate our new home for my favorite season!

Happy Happy Happy

Pumpkin Time, my friends!!!

Friday!

Welcome to the weekend, friends. While here we are enjoying the beautiful autumn days, our thoughts and prayers are with those devastated by the hurricane earlier in the week. I hope you are safe and sound and looking forward to a cozy autumn weekend. 

An October Afternoon Walk

Take a walk today, my friends.

Tuck these beautiful October days into your heart.

Soon they will be but a memory.

Favorite Fall Recipe Number Two ~ Pumpkin Stuffed Shells

This is one of our very favorite autumn meals. I have posted this recipe many times before, but in case you have missed it, here it is. Please don't be afraid of the pumpkin. It is so subtle but adds just enough to make these shells even more delicious.

Pumpkin Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:

1. 1 box pasta shells, cooked, drained, and rinsed in cold water
2. 1 can ( 15 oz. ) Libby's pumpkin
3. 2 cups ricotta cheese and yes, use the whole milk ricotta : )
4. 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese...and more to sprinkle on top
5. 1 egg
6. 3 garlic cloves, minced or the garlic powder equivalent if you forgot to buy them like I did.
7. Dash of salt and pepper
8. 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
9. 1 45 oz. jar of pasta sauce. We use Tomato Basil.

Directions:

1. Cook shells according to directions...and then drain and rinse.
2. Grease two 13x9 baking dishes and pour some sauce on the bottom.
3. Mix pumpkin, cheeses, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
4. Stuff each shell with pumpkin mixture and place in baking dish.
5. Cover with remaining sauce.
6. Cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes in a 350-degree oven.
7. Uncover, sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese, and bake for 15 more minutes.

Enjoy!

A Touch Of Halloween

Halloween has arrived in our new home for the very first time. I am finally able to bring out the decorations I bought back in July! It was a cool, rainy day when we added a touch of Halloween to our cozy home. Exactly the way it should be.

Friday!

Are you just loving these October days, my friends? We sure are. Although, sometimes I have to remind myself that these are the days I wait all year for. I get so wrapped up in the day to day routine that I forget to take note of the glorious shades of orange the leaves are beginning to display. I don't want these days to pass by without filling them with all things autumn and Halloween. But first, a wrap up of the past week here in our cozy home!

A Few Special Favorites

Today I am sharing a few of my very favorite things. I am a fairly simple person, but I do splurge on a few things every now and then. These are some of the items I really love, and are actually really good for my skin and for my well being too! I discovered these products at The Canyon Ranch Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada.

10 Things To Do in October

1.  Bake Pumpkin Bread


2.  Visit a local pumpkin patch

3.   Read Big Pumpkin and drink orange cocoa


4.  Drive around looking at decorations while listening to Halloween music


5.   Go on a leaf walk together

6.   Watch Halloweentown during family movie night


7.   Carve Jack o' lanterns


8.   Burn a Halloween Candle


9.   Make Candy Corn Pizza and orange Kool-Aid for dinner


10.  Snuggle under a cozy throw and sip pumpkin spice tea

What are your October plans, my friends?

P.S. Click on the BOLD words for links. : )