Last Minute Halloween Treats

We aren't having our Halloween bonfire with our teens and their friends until the weekend after Halloween, so I still have time to decide on treats for the party. If you are rushing around this week trying to figure out a homemade treat to make, try one of the following recipes. I'm going to make at least two of the following bars, plus I'll pick up candy after Halloween when it's marked down. Teens eat a lot, so I may have to make 3 or 4 pans now that I think about it:)

Halloween Crispy Bars

Ingredients:
1/4 cup margarine
1 pkg. (10 oz.) marshmallows
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal
2 cups candy corn

Grease a 9x13 pan with margarine or spray well with pan spray.In a large pan, slowly melt the margarine over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until they have completely melted in with the margarine. Remove from heat. Stir in cinnamon and vanilla. Add the rice cereal and candy corn. Stir until well coated. Spread margarine on your hands and press into the pan lightly until even in the pan. Chill, then cut into squares.

Crispy Caramel Chocolate Bars

Ingredients:
5 cups crispy rice cereal
1 bag caramels of 49 caramels
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
3 tbsp. water

Melt the caramels over low heat, mixing with the water. In a large bowl place the cereal. Add the caramel and mix. With buttered fingers, press the cereal mixture into a 13 x 9 inch buttered pan. Sprinkle the chocolate and butterscotch chips evenly over the top of the cereal mixture. Place in 200 degree oven for 5 minutes until morsels are soft. They won't actually melt, but will be soft so they can be spread. Remove from the oven and use a butter knife to spread and swirl the softened chips evenly. Cut in squares.

Triple Chocolate Bars

Ingredients:
2 tbsp. cocoa
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup stick margarine
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups cocoa crispy rice cereal

Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter or spray a 13x9 baking pan. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix well with a dry spoon or fork. In another large bowl, beat the margarine and brown sugar until light. Add the eggs, milk and vanilla; beat well. Gradually add flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the chocolate chips and the cereal to mix well. Bake for 30 minutes. Cool. Frost if desired, or cut into squares and serve as is.

German Chocolate Bars

Ingredients:
1/2 cups margarine, stick variety
1 pkg. German chocolate cake mix
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 (6 oz.) pkg. semi sweet chocolate chips
2 cups toasted oat cereal or crispy rice cereal
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.. Melt the margarine in a 15 x 10 1/2 x 1 inch jelly roll pan by placing in the oven once it's heated. Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the melted margarine and pat evenly onto the pan. Sprinkle with marshmallows, chocolate chips and cereal. Drizzle condensed milk evenly over the top. Bake 20 minutes. Cool and cut into bars. Makes 48 bars.

On OFL you'll find more recipes for Halloween:

http://oldfashionedliving.com/holidays/main.html

Halloween Party Appetizers

I love appetizers. They are dainty, fun and for those of us not on the cocktail party circuit, they are a special treat. When it comes to sharing Halloween recipes I always have to struggle because there are already so many cool recipes out there, and I don't like to repeat what's been done. I was looking through my Modern Encyclopedia for Cooking this morning, and my eye caught the appetizer section. Whether a party is for adults, kids, adults or a mix of all three, presentation is the key. An appetizer buffet can turn into a Halloween themed party by sprinkling the counter with Halloween themed confetti and decorating your home with pumpkins, flowers and other fall decor.

Everyone is so excited about their costumes it's often hard to get them to eat a full mean during Halloween festivities, but who can resist an buffet of appetizers?

Grape Shrub

3 cups grape juice

6 tsp. lemon juice

3/4 cup cold water

4 tbsp. sugar

dash salt

2 pints sherbet, orange or lime

Combine all the ingredients except the sherbet and chill thoroughly. Serve in juice glasses with a scoop of sherbet. Serves 12.

Note: Shrubs were traditional beverages made in Colonial times, always with fruit that was past it's prime. It was made as a syrup, sometimes with alcohol, but always with sugar and some type of acid such as lemon juice or vinegar to preserve it. Water was added to this to make the beverage as it was needed.

Apple Tempters

2 tbsp. lemon juice

2 tsp. sugar

2 tbsp. water

2 tart red apples

slice of sharp cheese, 1/2 inch thick

1 stalk celery

Combine the lemon, sugar and water. Cut the unpeeled apple into 1/2 inch cubes. Marinate in the lemon mixture for an hour. Remove to drain. Cut the cheese into 1/2 inch cubes and cut the celery in 1/2 inch lengths. On each toothpick stick a cube of cheese, apple and celery. Cover and store in the refrigerator to keep moist and cold til serving time. The apples will not discolor.

Makes 30-36.

Dried Beef Pin-Wheels

1/4 cup Roquefort cheese

2 drops Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp. grated onion

5 whole slices dried beef

2 carrots

Mash the cheese and blend with the Worcestershire and onions. Spread on each slice of dried beef . Roll up as a jelly roll. Make rolls about 4 inches long and thick enough to be 3/4 inch in diameter. Chill. Then cut into 1/2 inch lengths. Cut slender carrots into 1/8 inch thick crosswise slices. Stick a slice of carrot and dried beef roll on each toothpick. Makes about 40.

Potato Scoops

1 1/2 ounces cream cheese

2 tbsp. Roquefort cheese

1 tsp. chili sauce

1/2 tsp. vinegar

1/8 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. paprika

dash of salt

30-40 potato chips *see note

Blend the cheeses thoroughly, then add the rest of the ingredients except the potato chips. Mix well. Drop about 1 tsp. of the mixture into center of each potato chip just before serving. Makes 30-40.

Note: The Tostitos Scoops work great for this recipe!

Norse Nods

2 tbsp. anchovy paste

2 tbsp. creamed butter

2 tbsp. finely cut chives

1/2 tsp. lemon juice

24 wheat crackers *see note

optional: pimiento

Combine the first four ingredients and blend well. Spread about a 1/2 tsp. of anchovy mixture on each cracker. Garnish with pimiento or a small piece of chive.

Note: They didn't have the type of wheat crackers we have back in 1949, so I adapted this recipe. Wheat Thins work well, or the wheat Ritz crackers, which I really like.

On OFL I shared plans for an old fashioned apple social:

http://oldfashionedliving.com/holidays/social.html

~Brenda

Halloween Snacks For Teens

I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion. ~Henry David Thoreau

We are having a Halloween party for our teens this weekend so I've been thinking about snack and appetizer recipes that I can make for the crowd. We are asking everyone to come dressed as zombies, and we have decorations I've either saved over the years or I bought after Halloween last year.

I don't go all out for themed food because their friends are 15 through 18 years old, and mostly boys. They do love the decorations but inhale the food too quickly to appreciate anything cute. I do have Halloween and fall themed serving platters and bowls that I use each year. I'm making two pans of brownies, and putting out a large bowl of Halloween candy. I will probably serve tortilla chips, nacho cheese and the fixings. I also love dips and I might serve one or two of the following recipes for those that want something besides nachos.

Crab Dip

Ingredients:
2 packages cream cheese (8 ounce each)
2 cans crab meat (6-8 ounces)
2 tablespoons horseradish
2 tsp. lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped green onion or chives

Combine all ingredients with a large wooden spoon until mixed well. Cover and chill until just before serving time.

Dried Beef Dip

Ingredients:
3 packages cream cheese (8 ounces each)
4 ounce jar dried beef
1/2 of a large sweet onion, minced

Shred the dried beef, and soak in warm water for 5 minutes to soften. Drain and add to the cream cheese and minced onion. This can also be put into a food processor to blend more completely. Scrape out into a serving dish and serve with bagel pieces, or pretzels.

Clam Dip

Ingredients:
8 ounce block of cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 10 1/2 ounce can of minced clams, drained
1 tablespoon minced onion
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. dried basil
dash or two of cayenne pepper
1 tbsp. lemon juice

Soften cream cheese at room temperature. Blend with sour cream. Add the clams, onion, spices and lemon juice. Mix together well until smooth. Chill til serving. Makes 2 cups. Serve with vegetables to dip, pretzels or crackers.

I have an article on OFL featuring Halloween entertaining ideas from 1905. Click Here.

~Brenda

Friday Recipes:Old Fashioned Halloween Party

It's Halloween and you want to stay away from the big parties and door to door trick or treating with strangers. What do you do? Give an old fashioned party that will please everyone and get the whole family together! We can take some hints from The Modern Priscilla Magazine issue from October 1915. They advised the hostess to invite family and friends that are close to each other so everyone can feel comfortable dressing up and joining in.
The Invitations and Decorations

Invitations and menu cards should be adorned with witches on broomsticks, owls, black kittens and such things. Menu cards aren't used much for family gatherings, but they are a fun memento for guests to take home. Simply cut cards out of stiff paper, decorate and neatly print the occasion, the menu, date, and even a little poem or quotation. Place one by each guest, or hand them out at the door.
Decorations in the early 1900s were simple but fun. Jack-o-lanterns peeking from every corner, dried corn with branches of colored fall leaves would be suspended from chandeliers. Pumpkin shells can be scraped clean and used for soups, dips or casseroles. Dye cheese cloth yellow and attach autumn leaves, string popcorn spray painted orange, or a modern touch of black plastic spiders can be added. Faces were also painted on gourds and turnips to decorate the entire house.

Festive Food

The food was rather light and easy, which fits in perfect with our busy lifestyles today. Egg, chicken or tuna salad sandwiches, cut into fourths with additions of thinly sliced cucumber, herb butter, tomato or watercress could be served on platters with colored toothpicks holding the bread in place.
Nut sandwiches were a suggested treat. Bake gingerbread or poundcake in loaves and thinly slice. Toast nuts for a few minutes in a hot oven, then chop or crush. Mix with whipped cream or honey and spread on the slices of bread. In addition to the sandwiches serve brownies, fruit compote or salad, hot cider and salted nuts.

Hot Spiced Cider

2 quarts cider
1 cup brown or white sugar
2 sticks cinnamon
6 cloves
1 tsp. allspice
nutmeg
Add the sugar and spices to the cider in a large saucepan. Simmer, do not boil, for 15 minutes. Strain and serve hot in small glasses or mugs. A little grated nutmeg may be sprinkled on each glass before serving.

Halloween Bars

Ingredients:

1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter
2 well-beaten eggs
1/3 cup molasses
1/2 tsp. orange extract
1 cup flour
1 cup crushed nuts
Cream sugar and butter, add eggs, molasses, extract, flour and nuts. Mix and turn into a buttered and floured cake tin and bake in a moderate (350 degrees) oven for 30 minutes. Cut in fingers and serve warm or cold.

The Halloween Games

Bobbing for apples, dancing, and door prizes were some of the simpler activities in the early 1900's. We can add some modern touches too. On the bottom of each plate tape a number. After everyone finishes eating draw numbers and give away adult and kid's door prizes. Bean bag animals, marbles, and card games are fun and inexpensive for the kids. Adult door prizes can be boxes of herb tea, jams, coffees, fancy cookies or crackers.

Be sure to have some fun music such as the Chicken Dance, The Hokie Pokie, or songs from classic musicals like Oklahoma or The Sound of Music. Besides dancing, musical chairs is a great game to encourage the kids and adults to play together.

A game of Pin the Stem on the Pumpkin can be fun for all ages! Draw and color a large pumpkin without a stem on poster board. Using another piece of cardboard or construction paper cut out a stem, and attach a tack to it with tape. Tape the pumpkin onto a cork board. Blind fold each guest during their turn while they try to pin the stem on the pumpkin. The kids will love seeing the adults playing right along with them!

Old fashioned Halloween parties are a great alternative to door to door trick or treating. It's fun, and safe, plus it brings together family members of all ages to share in the memories.

Halloween Fun and Games from the Past

Play these friendly Halloween games during classroom celebrations, parties or family get togethers. Involve both the kids and the adults for a howling good time!

Guess How Many

Fill a jar with candy corn and have guests guess how many are in the jar. (Don't forget to count as you put them in the jar!) Place the jar near the door and hand each guest a 3x5 card to put their name, their guess and their favorite Halloween candy. Halfway through the party read them all off and announce the winner.

Halloween Memory Game

Place a few themed items such as a candy corn, apple, mini pumpkin etc. on a tray. Show the tray to the guests for a few seconds, then have them write down (or call out) as many items as they remember.

How Many Words

Hand each person a sheet of paper printed out with a Halloween word or phrase such as Haunted House, Trick or Treat, or Scarecrow. Do these on the computer so you can include some small Halloween Graphics. Ask each person to make as many words as they can out of the letters in the phrase or word you've given them!

Mummy May I

One child, or an adult, is "mummy". The other children stand in a straight line, with the mummy standing in front of them with enough distance for them to move forward towards him or her. (It's really neat if you can rip up an old pillow case or sheet and stain them with leftover coffee or tea to wrap around the "mummy's" head.)

The children move toward mummy by asking permission to take steps. For example, a child could ask, "Mummy May I take ten steps forward?" The mummy can be creative as to the type of steps they ask to take, such as giant monster steps, pixie steps, as well as ogre, howling dog etc.

Mummy answers, "Yes, you may" or "No, you may not," and the child must follow her instructions. If the child moves when he or she has not been given permission, they must go back to the starting line. The first child to touch mummy becomes mummy in the next game.

Who's Got the Pumpkin

Place everyone is a circle. Start a song (Halloween themed songs like Monster Mash are neat to use!) and toss a mini pumpkin to one person, they throw it to the next, and so on until the music stops. The person who is caught holding the pumpkin has to leave the circle. The last one left is the winner and keeps the pumpkin!

Halloween Hunt

Using the same idea as an Easter Egg Hunt hide little bags of candy corn, or other fun candy around the back yard. Set the kids loose and let them find the candy. Be sure to keep back several extra in case someone does poorly. You can give them a few more!

More you might like

An Old Fashioned Halloween
A Vintage Halloween Celebration

Halloween Goodness to Share

I thought today I would share the Halloween fun I've been finding online at all my favorite blogs!

Tip Junkie Our friends over at Tip Junkie have oodles of fantastic Halloween inspiration! Crafts, costumes, food, and anything else you need.

Dabbled: Learn how to make Creep Fingers, and Creepy Halloween Cocktails, plus much more!

Amanda's Crafts: Amanda is the Queen of Crafts in my book and she has SO many cute crafts on her blog for Halloween. Most are recycled and EASY so you can do last minute stuff if need be!

Perhaps you'd like to enter some giveaways, if you are like me and LOVE contests.

Mommies United has some great contests listed. Some expire today but a lot of them are going til next week, so check them out. I've entered most of them!

Isabubu Designs: Maker of Isabooties, which are adorable, is having a big give away! Click on the link and then enter from the main page and you'll see the button for the drawing.

~Happy Halloween, Brenda

Family Pumpkin Carving

I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion. ~Henry David Thoreau

Each year my husband carves pumpkins with our kids because I am not good with knives, or anything sharp for that matter. I do love taking pictures of them as they design their pumpkins. We don't use patterns, and encourage the kids to be creative. First they draw their designs:



Next the kids lay their drawings on the pumpkins and poke holes through it into the pumpkin, then they cut the design out.



If you have been carving pumpkins for over 30 years then you can freestyle cut a design for your daughter that's too young to do it herself. This year she wanted glasses on her pumpkin face and a smile.



The finished pumpkins turned out great this year. I hope yours do too!



On OFL we have more pumpkin carving tips here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/holidays/carving.html

~Happy carving, Brenda

A Halloween Pin or Magnet Craft

Go, sit upon the lofty hill,
And turn your eyes around,
Where waving woods and waters wild
Do hymn an autumn sound.
The summer sun is faint on them --
The summer flowers depart --
Sit still -- as all transform'd to stone,
Except your musing heart.

~Elizabeth Barrett Browning


My daughter and I made these easy Halloween pins last weekend, and I wanted to share.



What you'll need:
Craft foam
Sticky back craft foam
sequins
hole punch
Glue stick and Elmer's Glue
craft or floral wire
scissors
magnets or pin backs

We didn't use patterns, but you can get an idea from the picture. The "dots" were my daughter's idea and worked fantastic. We punched holes out of the sticky back craft foam in orange and black, then we simple removed the paper and placed them on our hats or masks. The hats we cut out of the first color (plain foam), then cut the "brim" to match in black sticky foam. The floral wire was fun to use. We curled it around toothpicks, removed and stuck the ends through the foam to attach. The sequins were from an assorted bag that I had purchased. They glued on easily with the Elmer's glue, but not with the glue stick. After all the designs were finished I placed a heavy book on them for the night and they were ready for pin backs in the morning. The pin backs we purchased last month for less than $2.00. It was an entire bag, so we'll be making more holiday pins for Christmas.

My daughter also made this mask in the same way as the pins, but it's about 6 inches across and we hung it for a decoration. We wrapped the craft wire around pencils for this one.



The sticky back foam was about $4.00 at Walmart for a huge package and it's been money well spent. My daughter used the scraps to decorate drawings she made. She seemed to love cutting out dresses and placing them on her girl drawings the most:)

We also have these easy fall kid crafts on OFL:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/fallfun.html

I hope you have a lovely fall weekend. ~Brenda

Halloween Fun for Little Goblins

The snapping of pitch from a burning log,
The faint scent of pine filling the room.
Flames leaping about as if it were a ballet
Performing for its audience.
The soft, comforting glow of candlelight,
Bringing with it serenity and quiet thoughts.
~Linda Christensen

I always love getting different ideas from readers and message board members for Halloween games and activities. This year I'm helping organize the classroom party for my daughter's third grade. We are breaking the kids into groups and having "centers"; one with crafts, one with games and another with food. I'm also putting together a treat bag for each student. I will let you all know when I have everything planned out. In the meantime, here are some neat ideas from our visitors.

Ring Around a Pumpkin - A harvest version of ring toss, it's easy to make this game with a hula hoop and a few pumpkins. Paint point values on the pumpkins - 5, 10, 15,and 25 -and arrange the pumpkins with the highest point value farthest away. Players stand at a starting line and try to toss the hula hoop around a pumpkin. Each kid gets three tries, and the high score wins.

Pumpkin Hunt- Instead of hiding eggs like we do at Easter, we hide mini pumpkins. Let the kids find and decorate them. For the younger children use glue sticks with construction paper cut-outs for decorations. The older kids could use the same, as well as paints, glitter, buttons or whatever you can think of. ~Lina, a long time visitor and friend.

I work in a Retirement Village, and at Halloween, we play a game with the preschool that visits us. All of the seniors sit in a circle, and hold a bowl of candy. The little ones in costume walk around the circle to music and when the music stops, the senior nearest them gives them a treat! The seniors love this, they get to look at the costumes close up. Plus, it gives the children something to do besides be shy! Not all of the seniors give candy, some give stickers, some plastic rings or other small toys. We play this for awhile til all of the kids have a share of treats. Then we have cocoa and cookies, and cap it all off by lighting the jack-o-lanterns the seniors have spent the evening before carving. We turn off the lights, and enjoy it to the fullest, I sometimes read a few poems to set the mood. (Not too creepy, the kids are still small!) Happy Haunting to your little goblins! ~Bunny

On OFL we have a lot of fun ideas for Halloween. Check out our holiday index here: http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/holidays/main.html

The Witcheries of Halloween

The sweet calm sunshine of October, now
Warms the low spot; upon its grassy mold
The purple oak-leaf falls; the birchen bough
drops its bright spoil like arrow-heads of gold.
~William Cullen Bryant

The Modern Priscilla Magazine from October 1950 shared an article by Marion Harris Neil. She starts by going over deep-rooted superstitions that had gotten out of hand in times past, but now "Halloween assumed more the characteristics of a merrymaking festival". She advises that we only invite guests whom we are on "the terms of intimacy" with, so we won't be limited by restraints and will be able to have genuine fun and enjoyment. The article is very long, so I'm picking a few of the tips to share here. The language of the article tickles me more than anything.

Have your menu cards odd to suit this occasion, if you use them at all, and they should portray pictures of witches on broomsticks, owls, black kittens, or brownies (which are creatures from Scottish folklore- a little like gnomes. )

Decorations should be in autumn colors, mainly yellow and brown, with perhaps a little green thrown in the background. Jack-o-lantern faces should peer out of unexpected corners, and ears of dried corn, together with branches of red and brown leaves, should be suspended from the chandelier in the supper room. Use pumpkin shells for your jardinieres (*these are traditionally ceramics flower pot holders.).

There is no better place for the merrymaking than a barn. It may be decorated to your own wishes. Decorations may be elaborate and artistic, or they may be weird, and still the possibilities are all the greater when you can feel your gaiety may have its vent and do no damage to the pretty furnishings of a home.

I have more tips and recipes from this article on OFL:
http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/halloween.html

Fearful & Wonderful Halloween Tips

I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion. ~Henry David Thoreau


The Home Comfort Cook Book from 1948 shares some neat Halloween tips and recipes for children.

Let the youngsters make fearful and wonderful pumpkin jack-o-lanterns, and cut-outs (of heavy black paper) of cats and witches, to trim the house and the table.

Instead of place cards use oranges with the name or initial of each guest spelled out with cloves (stuck in the oranges). The table could be covered with strips of orange and black paper.

Even the teen-agers love to bob for apples in a wash tub. After strenuous games they might like to serve the sandwiches below.

Tomato, Bacon and Cheese Sandwiches

Toast slices of bread on one side only. On the toasted side of each slice place a slice of cheese, slices of tomato and top them off with strips of bacon. Place the sandwiches on a cooky sheet or shallow baking pan in a hot oven (400 degrees F.). Bake them until the cheese is melted and the bacon cooked to the degree of doneness which you prefer.

I hope you have a lovely Monday. ~Brenda

Halloween Recipes for One and All

A grandmother pretends she doesn't
know who you are on Halloween.
~Erma Bombeck

The entire family can help make these Halloween snacks. Let the little ones help form the popcorn balls in the last recipe!

Autumn Popcorn Mix

Ingredients:
10 cups popped popcorn (plain)
1 cup dry-roasted salted peanuts
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons cider
2 tablespoons margarine
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place popcorn and peanuts in a 13x9x2 baking pan. In a pan, stir together the honey, cider, margarine, and cinnamon until well mixed. Bring to boil over medium heat. Drizzle the honey mixture over the popcorn and nut mixture. Toss until well mixed in the pan. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring 2-3 times during baking. When finished, spread the mixture onto a large sheet of foil or a buttered cookie pan. Cool. Store in a covered container.

Caramel Popcorn Clusters

Ingredients:
10 cups popped popcorn
2 cups almonds
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray or lightly grease with margarine. Mix the popcorn and almonds in a large bowl. Combine brown sugar, margarine and corn syrup in a medium pan. Over low heat, stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to high and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in the vanilla, almond extract and baking soda. Pour this over the popcorn and almonds, quickly stirring to coat. Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet, spreading evenly. Bake for 1 hour. Cool and break into pieces and store in airtight container. Notes: You can use another kind of nut besides almonds if you wish. Almond extract would also work for flavoring.

Mini Popcorn Balls

Ingredients:
10 cups popped corn
1 (1-lb.) bag miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup margarine
1 cup toffee pieces or mini M&Ms
1 cup butterscotch chips
Orange food coloring

Place popcorn, candy and butterscotch chips in large bowl; set aside. Heat the butter in a large pan until just melted, then add the marshmallows and cook over low heat, stirring until melted and smooth. Stir in several drops of food coloring and stir. Pour over popcorn and candy, tossing to coat evenly. Cool 5 minutes. Butter hands and form into 2 or 3-inch balls. Notes: Use your imagination on the candy. Use anything that strikes your fancy!

Enjoy your weekend! ~Brenda

October Party Ideas from 1937

The leaves lay like hands upon the ground.
When the wind rustles them, they applaud
softly. ~Laura E. Stevens

Rural Progress Magazine from 1937 has many neat ideas for October parties. The headline reads "October is the Month for Parties"! The article is rather long but I have here some of the ideas and menu plans to share. The emphasis is on keeping expense to a minimum and making food from scratch with what is in season.

If your house is small, plan a yard picnic and cook part of the food over an open fire, even if it is only coffee to go with cake or doughnuts. A fish fry is a good way to entertain a large group of friends or neighbors, providing you live where fish abound. We might also borrow an idea from our neighbors down-south and have an outdoor barbecue. Then there is steak fries and hamburgers. A
slight flavor of wood smoke improves food immeasurably.

This being the month of apple and pumpkin harvests, we
can think of other good ideas for entertaining!

Sweet Cider Party: serve apple cider or fresh apple juice
and fresh baked doughnuts.

Apple Pie Supper: serve apple pies, homemade ice cream
and plates of cheese.

Pumpkin Pie Supper: serve pumpkin pies, fresh homemade
whipped cream, new harvest of black walnuts, and pots of
coffee

Buffet Supper Party: serve baked ham and/or fried chicken,
scalloped potatoes, salad using endive, lettuce, raw cauliflower,
green pepper, tomato with French dressing. Also serve rolls or
muffins and a seasonal dessert such as angel food cake with
orange icing.

To have a successful party it is important for your guests to
participate in activities or games. One popular game is
Popcorn-on-a-string. Thread a darning needle with a yard
length of string. Pierce a large piece of popcorn with the
needle and slip to the middle of the string. Allow one string
for two players. Give one end to each of the players and
instruct them to eat their way to the popcorn. First there
wins a prize!

(I had to read this FOUR times and still don't quite understand. I'm guessing they are suppose to gather the string into their mouths until they reach the popcorn piece!)

On OFL I also have an article on Halloween party ideas from 1915. You can read it here: http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/halloween.html