Trick or Treat

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

trick or treat.
smell my feet.
give me something good to eat.
if you don't,
i don't care.
i'll pull down your underwear.

So we started the festivities with a little party at Karen and PJ's. Ed was in Colorado sitting in the stands of the Red Sox vs. Rockies World Series game. In his place, Ed's uncle, Wadeed, stepped in. Many pictures were taken at the party, but we'll have to wait until those get passed around.

Here we are posing like prom night.



This house gets the award for "best dressed" house:



I didn't decorate the house or yard, but I did make three pumpkins. I had so much fun at Christine's pumpkin carving contest that I now have the fever. I can't take all the credit on these; I used stencils!!! I think I'll decorate the yard really big next year.




The pumpkins made some really good pumpkin seeds. I found the secret to making crispy seeds. Put them in the oven at 250 degrees for about 1 hour to dry out before seasoning in a skillet, stirring occasionally. It makes a world of difference. I made two different recipes that I adapted by taste. The spicy wasn't spicy enough. Here are the recipes that I tried.

Sweet and Spicy
5 tbsp of sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
pinch of cayenne pepper or to taste (I added much more)
1 1/2 tbsp peanut oil

In a medium bowl, combine 3 tbsp of the sugar (you may try with a little less), salt, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne.

Heat the peanut oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add the baked pumpkin seeds and 2 tbsp sugar. Cook until sugar melts and the pumpkin seeds begin to carmelize (about 45-60 seconds). Transfer to bowl with spices and stir well. Let cool and enjoy.

Spicy and Savory
1 tsp Worcestershire
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 dashes of hot pepper sauce (I used Mezzetta Californa Habanero Hot Sauce Merah turned me on to)
1/4 cup peanut oil

Heat peanut oil in a nonstick skillet on high heat. Add baked pumpkin seeds and ingredients. Cook for about 45-60 seconds. Let cool and enjoy.


Isabella dressed up as a giraffe and helped me pass out candy to the 10 little kids that came through the neighborhood. This year I decided to go big and buy big candy bars. I overbought by about 50. Darn it. I thought it might inspire more kids to come by next year.






During the trial run she wasn't too happy.


But it turns out she was just cranky for her bottle.