Well, I've been watching a lot of Food Network this morning and they seem to be making lots of dishes with garlic. Since it's so close to Halloween I wondered how the whole garlic and vampire thing came into being. Some people believe that the association of garlic warding off vampires has to do with bug or animal bites. One is rabies. You can get rabies from any animal bite from an animal that has rabies. Remember Cujo (Stephen King) getting rabies from the bat? Anyway, I guess if you have rabies you become fixated on certain scents. One of them being garlic. Another theory is that of mosquito bites. Since mosquitos suck blood, they fly and can be warded off be garlic, it's not a difficult jump to vampires (if you have a vivid imagination.) Anyway, here's a little more info! Here is a link that might be useful: Garlic & Vampires

One year I bought smaller size pumpkins along with enough black sharpees for each child to use as well as a number of colored sharpees for the kids to share. As the kids got older, the pumpkin project elevated to the carving stage. You can easily find the "kid friendly" pumpkin carving tools. I have several sets accumulated over the years. Most of the carving tool kits come with patterns as well. I have several books which I've photocopied the patterns for. I'd let each child pick an pattern and then they would carve away. It was a huge hit. I know you're thinking messy, but it really isn't if you plan it well. Lay out lots of newspaper on a table and when the kids are done carving you just have to roll it up and throw it away. You will have to help them "gut" the pumpkins, but I always did that in advance of the party. I love to carve and do several large pumpkins for decorating for the party and the kids loved the idea of carving, and the pumpkins made a great non-candy "party gift" as well. I also like the idea of baking cupcakes and letting the kids decorate their own. You can do the frosting ahead and just put out bowls of "decorating" stuff like gummy worms, etc. I think the Martha Stewart website may have some kid party ideas. I always enjoy watching her holiday shows, and I think she did one children's party if my memory serves me. I think the younger kids do well with a project at a party, it keeps them from getting into the run wild around the house. Have fun!

Soup would be great, and I may use that combination for my grand kids, but I don't have a Crockpot big enough for the gathering. About 10 or 12 of us will bring food, and this time, there's no co-ordination at all. That's why I'm stressing :P And I saw those eggs, too, and loved them, but I work all day Monday and then have to take the grand kids to soccer Monday night, so I don't think I'll have time for them this year. What about pimento cheese sandwiches? Dark bread and "orange" cheese should look appropriately seasonal, I hope. I have a Linzer cookie cutter with Halloween inserts--I could make the cheese Monday night and assemble the sandwiches Tuesday morning. It's an hour drive, but I could package the sandwiches and keep them in an ice chest; then plate them on site. Think that would work?

Shirley! My amazing package arrived yesterday. Brian and I spent the day away from home, and checked the mailbox after we returned late last night. To my relief, your package and another was in there. I am starting to wonder if something drastic must be going on at our regional mail distribution center.... The prize contents are amazing! Thanks so much, but especially for the tea and paper products. Really, I need to come hang out with you and learn how to make some of these cards and gift tags. They are so beautiful. ❤️