Adult Costumes

Halloween is REALLY one of our favorite holidays.  We are so lucky that in our neighborhood we have an annual 'Adult' Party at a hall which is even better because we can 'WALK' which is VERY important!!  There is a DJ and lots of dancing.  We usually start at 'friends' houses.

The Mr. and I try to come up with fun costumes every year.

This year:

LOVE my boots!

Of course - either you get that I am Coraline or not... most did not :(  But we hold this heroine dear to our hearts here.   Can you see my 'buttons'?

Some other oldies but goodies: (sorry - photos of photos)

2010:

A Ghost Hunter and her fool

2009:

Kate Gosslin

2008:

A Lost Girl Scout leader (which I am)

 I will have photos of the girls costumes tomorrow!  Of course, some snow fell here over the weekend.  A lot of communities in New England actually rescheduled Halloween.  But we will be out there tonight!

HAVE A SAFE NIGHT EVERYONE!

The temp. on Friday night during the party!

 We had fun.  But I paid for it all day on Saturday.  

Photo of the Day

New England morning surprise today:

New England Day Trip

This day trip had a sidetrip involved.

I spent the day with my sister and in good ole sister fashion we started the day with a HORROR Movie!  We went to see the movie Paranormal Activity 3.  I LOVE a good scare and these movies have filled the bill.



Then we hit the road and took in the New England Foliage and headed to New Hampshire.  A beautiful trip on the road brought us to our destination - Outlet Shopping!

We exhausted our selves hitting our favorite stores and we made sure to make our first stop at the Coach Outlet.  Where everything in the back is 50% off AND the store had 30% off everything.  It was a GOOD shopping day.


    
  

I restrained myself!  Treated myself to a new bag at Coach Outlet and a down vest at Eddie Bauer.  Both I am sure I will use daily!

More Uncluttering

While I was coming to terms with the condition of my sewing area.  It occurred to me that I really need to take a look around the house and see what other 'clutterings' have happened.

Take this spot in my kitchen.  An unassuming set of drawers.  Now, here in the Little Red House, I have mentioned before how space is at a minimum.

When the drawer is opened... avert your eyes if you cannot handle clutter - this could cause you anxiety:

Now.  I know this is bad!  I am not sure how this even happened. I am sure it started when the girls were little.  Back when they needed access to all kinds of 'kid' things in the kitchen.  It kept them happy.  Everything has to have its place - and this was their place.

But if you look here - right NEXT to that drawer is this:

Now.  Something is not right.

SO I spent some time last night FIXING this problem.

Half way done:

Completely empty:

Hmmm.....  found this in there... it's blue- so that means Easter.  Should I?  Would YOU?

NOW - this seems much better:

But wait - yes, THIS is better.

And - gee I think this drawer is best for this stuff now.

I cannot believe it has taken me this long to make this switch but I feel that inner peace again when I open those drawers.

Do you BOO?

Do you BOO in your neighborhood?  We do!  We decided to put these in our buckets this year for our 'Boo Victim'.

I cannot take credit for these - they are all over the web but they are SO CUTE!

LOOK - my ghost is even levitating!!

Well, not really - just Lulu helping me make S'more Ghosts!

We made extras to hand out to teachers and loved ones.  I love simple projects like this.  I love even more when Lulu says to me 'Mom, I love making things like this with you!' sigh....

 
  

Chicken Soup for the Family

I say for the "family" because here in the Little Red House - it is about the only meal my whole family loves these days.  I should also add my Mom in this.  She says it is the best chicken soup she has ever had - and she is 80 years old so she has had a LOT of soup in her lifetime!

I start out with that FABULOUS Chicken Stock that I make HERE.

Ready Set - COOK! (This is one of those recipes that I say 'some' and a 'handful' in.  Just go with it.)

First I prep all my fresh ingredients.


I should note: the Mr. does NOT like onions.  SO I have learned to chopped them up VERY small.  He does not even know they are in there! Shhhhh!



I add some butter and olive oil to a hot pot.



First I add the onions to get them good and soft.

Then I add the celery for a minute or two, next comes the carrots.


I throw in a heaping TBSP of flour to 'thicken' things up a bit.



Next comes that Fabulous Stock!  Just pour it ALL in!

Once that is all stirred - its time to add some chopped chicken.



Last I add pasta.  Pasta of your choice really.  The girls like Orzo.  We like a LOT of pasta.  I add about two handfulls (maybe 1.5 - 2 Cups).


Then, bring to a low boil and keep stirring so pasta does not stick.  Let this go on for about 20-25 mins.  I do lower the heat once it 'boils'.

Salt and Pepper to your liking and PRESTO -

What CUTE dishes!


NOTE:  When chopping the veggies - if there are leftovers or unusable pieces- throw these into a Ziploc in the freezer.  These are the veggies I use in my Stock!