Entries Tagged 'Halloween' ↓

For THE WIFE’s article on Keeping Carved Pumpkins Fresh Click HERE

Image: Martha Stewart

Pumpkin beers are traditionally brewed with pumpkin in the mash, and they’re often flavored with fall seasonings such as cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. I’m not sure if it was the change in season, which came with a nice drop in temperature, but I found myself really enjoying the differences of the various selections — and felt a sudden urge to roast some meat and eat some root vegetables. - Article By: Dennis Ayles, William Sonoma’s resident beer expert.

Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale - As you approach the glass to take your first sip of this brew, you may think you’re getting ready to bite into a piece of pumpkin pie. It’s not until you look back and see the dark amber hue of this beer do you remember you are about to sip a beer. This one was very well balanced, and I could even taste the crust of the pie.

Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Ale - Per the bottle, Buffalo Bill claims to be the onewho revived this style of beer. I wouldn’t be surprised — for the sweeter versions, this is one of the best. I was only able to try the Original Pumpkin Ale, but they also offer an Imperial verison in 22 oz. bottles that comes in at 9.8% ABV.

Blue Point Brewing Pumpkin Ale - This copper-hued masterpiece was a bit of surprise. I immediately smelled cinnamon with hints of the other spices you would find in pumpkin pie. Due to the strong scents, I anticipated the same when I took my first sip. I was pleasantly surprised when the flavors were much more subtle; the sweetness increased with every sip, making for a great choice.

Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin - Shipyard offers two different pumpkin beers, and I found this one to be the my favorite of the the two. This version has a great balance of the pumpkin pie taste, but with a more roasted profile. The higher alcohol content (9.0% ABV) and roasted malted flavor helps give it great weight over the tongue, even though you wouldn’t expect so with its light amber color.

The set of 6 personalized Halloween favor bags is perfect for a Halloween kids party. Each bag is big enough to hold candy, a giant cookie, small toys, snacks and even mini ghosts and goblins! The possibilities are endless! Each off-white bag is made of 100% cotton and measure 5” x 8” in size with red stitching across the top. $15.00 for 6 Custom Bags.

www.perideaudesigns.com

Faux Hay Bales, $99.00

Martha Stewart’s Flicker Flame Light Strand. Once darkness falls, trick-or-treaters can’t tell our Martha Stewart Flicker Flame Light Strand from real floating flames. These flame-shaped bulbs are clear, but the dancing lights within are a deep orange, perfectly emulating the look of sourceless candle flames. $19.00

Bubble Fog Machine. The Bubble Fog Machine is an extraordinary machine that produces fog filled bubbles. Each 200 watt bubble machine takes fog juice and bubble solution and is electric with an AC plug. Simply plug in the Bubble Fog Machine and turn it to your favorite bubble setting and watch your guests be amazed at the peculiar outpouring of bubbles that turn into fog once they burst! Standard fog juice and bubble mixture (not included) can be used in this machine. $99.00

All Products can be found at

GrandinRoad.com

Parents with Young Children:

Before Leaving Home:

1. Make your child eats dinner before setting out.

2. Make sure children use the bathroom before leaving home.

3. Plan your route ahead of time.

Flash Lights:

1. Make sure your child carries a flashlight or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.

2. Carry a flashlight to illuminate sidewalks, steps and paths. Check or replace batteries before you leave the house.

3. Glow Sticks can be used in the dark along with flashlights.

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Myself, Amber, Michelle and Veronica

My All Hallows Eve night was spent at the Maroon 5 Party in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. What could be more fun and creepy then dancing with the actual dead in a mausoleum, eating churros and taking photos in Rony’s Photo Booth. Perfect Halloween Fun! - Taryn Cox for The Wife

1. Select pumpkins that are vert fresh and firm. Avoid choosing a pumpkin that has bruised or soft areas or cuts or other visible blemishes.

2. Remember that warm weather and hot sunlight can speed decay in a pumpkin. If you live in a hot climate be sure to store your uncut pumpkins in a cool spot and wait to carve them until a day or two before Halloween.

3. Heat from electric lightbulbs and candles can also contribute to the early demise of a pumpkin. Try cutting a hole in the top of the pumpkin, allowing heat to escape.

4. Try Covering all cut edges of a pumpkin, as well as the entire interior, with petroleum jelly or vaseline. This will reduce moisture loss and keep a pumpkin looking fresh longer.

5. Or try soaking your pumpkin before and after carving in a bleach and water mixture to keep mold from growing.

6. Or try spraying carved pumpkins with acrylic finish spray. The spray is intended to seal the pumpkin flesh, preventing dehydration and acting as a barrier to mold growth.

7. The best known method I’ve heard is to spray/treat your carved pumpkin with ‘Pumpkin Fresh.’ This unique product has a breakthough formula that fights mold, rot and decay. Its biodegradeable and eco friendly. Available for purchase Here. - Taryn Cox for The Wife

For Directions on how to make your own do it yourself Pumpkin Glitter Candles Click Here

Images and Idea: Twig and Thistle

Image from: Twig and Thistle

Parents with Young Children:

Before Leaving Home :

1. Make your child eats dinner before setting out.

2. Make sure children use the bathroom before leaving home.

3. Plan your route ahead of time.

Flash Lights :

1. Make sure your child carries a flashlight or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.

2. Carry a flashlight to illuminate sidewalks, steps and paths. Check or replace batteries before you leave the house.

3. Glow Sticks can be used in the dark along with flashlights.

Costumes:

1. Try on costumes before Halloween to allow time for altering.

2. Make sure your costumes are hemmed so they don’t drag on the ground.

3. Wear comfortable walking shoes, that fit properly. Make sure shoe laces are tied tight.

4. Make-up should be hypoallergenic and non-toxic.

Safety Rules:

1. Try to go trick or treating during daylight hours

2. Always walk, do not run.

3. Stay on the Sidewalks. If their is no sidewalks, Then walk on the left side of the road, Single file, Facing traffic.

4. Obey all local traffic signals. Cross only at corners holding hands.

5. Instruct your child to never go into the home of a stranger or get into a stranger’s car.

6. Report any suspicious or criminal activity to an adult or the police.

Homes:

1.Visit houses that have lights on, especially houses with Halloween decorations.

2. Don’t trample through grass, flower beds and gardens.

3. Respect other people and their property.

Candy:

1. Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you.

2. Throw away candy that has loose wrappings, is unwrapped, has puncture holes, or is homemade.

3. Small children should not be allowed hard candy they may choke on.

4. Always carry a spare Halloween bag just in case yours breaks.

Manners:

Always be polite. And don’t forget to say “Thank You”.

Parents with Older Kids:

1. Make sure that your child is old enough and responsible enough to go out by themselves.

2. Plan a safe route so parents know where their older kids will be at all times and Set a time for their return home.

3. If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.

4. Let them know that they should stay together as a group if going out to Trick or Treat without an adult.

5. Let your children know not to cut through back alleys and fields. Make sure they know to stay in populated places and don’t go off the beaten track. Stay in well lighted areas

6. They should only Stop at familiar houses in your own neighborhood

Home Owners:

1. Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.

2. Pets get frightened on Halloween. Lock them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently bitting a trick-or-treater.

3. Battery powered jack O’lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.

4. If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.

5. Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won’t be blown into a flaming candle.

6. Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later. ( Make sure all treats handed out are sealed shut by a plastic wrapping)

Celebrate Halloween at Walt Disney Concert Hall with our annual silent film horror classic, when Clark Wilson returns to improvise another spooky score on the hall’s magnificent pipe organ on Tuesday, October 31, at 8 p.m. This year, the featured film is Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde - one of the more faithful of the many screen adaptations of Robert Louis Stevenson’s story, recounting a visionary scientist’s ill-fated attempts to unleash the human mysteries that dwell beneath the shell of the civilized self.

Considered by many to be the first great American horror film, John S. Robertson’s Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (1920) allowed stage legend John Barrymore to deliver his first virtuoso performance on film. The film blends historic charm with grim naturalism. Mastered from a 35mm negative, this Kino edition beautifully showcases the dramatic brilliance and gruesome thrills of this influential American classic. Tickets ($15-$52) are on sale now online at LAPhil.com, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office, or via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000.

Eyeball Highball

Meringue Bone Cookies

Jack O’ Lantern Tarts

Shrunken Heads in Cider

Orange Jack O’ Lanterns with Sorbet

Bubbling Cocktails

Pina Ghoulada

All Images and Ideas from MarthaStewart.Com

Always charming and quaint, Larchmont Village, near Hancock Park will be hosting a “Family Fair,” complete with talent and costume contests, as well as rides, games, and food suitable for the kiddies. The Larchmont Family Fair takes place on Sunday, October 24th from noon to 5 p.m. and is free, with all proceeds going to various local non-profits. Be sure to visit the pumpkin carving station and grilled corn with all the fixin’s. See you there!

Root Beer Costume, $59.00

Milk Costume, $59.00

Popcorn Costume, $59.00

www.PotteryBarnKids.Com

Now in its sixth year, the consistently sold-out Muse Costume Ball attracts more than 1,000 costume-clad revelers to the museum for a night filled with tricks and treats. Enjoy live music and video projections in the BP Grand Entrance and an exclusive preview of William Eggleston: Democratic Camera, Photograph, and Video, 1961-2008 along with after-hours access to Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700-1925, Olmec: Colossal Masterworks of Ancient Mexico, and Eye for the Sensual: Selections from the Resnick Collection. The party continues in the LACMA West Penthouse with DJs, art installations, and the annual costume contest. Get ready to compete for Best American Icon, Most Fashionably Fashionable, and Best Halloween Costume with the winners taking home fabulous prizes.

Includes complimentary drinks by Malibu Family Wines, Effen Vodka, Hornitos Tequila, Dekuyper, Pernod Absinthe, FIJI Water, and more.

Tickets: $25 Muse Members | $50 General Public. Ticket includes admission, complimentary drinks, and parking. On sale now. Purchase tickets by clicking here, calling 323 857-6010, or in-person at LACMA’s Ticket Offices. Please note: $2 convenience fee per ticket added to all phone and internet orders.

Self Propelled Dancing Witch’s Broom. Create a moving Halloween experience with our Self-propelled Dancing Witch’s Broom. Partygoers will be aghast as this broom starts moving around the floor, playing spooky music and an option to emit frightful sounds. $49.00

www.GrandinRoad.Com

Tombstone Candles, $4.99 - $9.99

Bottle Brush Cat and Rats, $4.50 - 39.00

White Pumpkin Candles, $29.00

Pumpkin Candles, $6.00 - 29.00

Set Black Ravens, $49.00

Halloween Decor can be found at:

www.PotteryBarn.Com

Turn a pumpkin on its side, and use a knife to carve out a circular opening in the bottom. Make the opening large enough so your hand can fit comfortably through it. Use a spoon to remove the flesh and seeds. With a serrated loop tool, scrape away the pumpkin’s inner wall until it’s about 1/4 inch thick. Turn the pumpkin right side up.

Drill holes using a 1/4-inch bit; use tape as a guide for a uniform pattern, or make randomly spaced holes.

Insert a string of lights through the bottom, and place one bulb in each hole, pushing the bulbs through so they protrude slightly. Tuck the remaining lights into the pumpkin, and turn the pumpkin right side up with the light string’s plug running out from the bottom. - Martha Stewart