HAPPY

HALLOWEEN

2006

From Queen Caffeine’s

Castle Dispatch

What is it about Halloween that gives us a strange sense that something creepy is lurking about... Is it the time of year… October, a month of changes from warmth of the summer to wetness and coolness of fall… Is it the dying of the leaves or the emergence of fall coats. The sky always seems darker and cloudier than normal and that chill in the air as temperatures drop... The closer it gets to the end of October, the more abnormal the atmosphere becomes.... I walk a lot and this time of year always brings my imagination alive... Seems like fall is the death of summer...The leaves begin dying and losing their brilliance… While walking, the crunching of leaves can be heard… Yes, this time of year brings many scary stories alive...

And here are six terrifying tales of Halloween:http://paranormal.about.com/od/trueghoststories/a/aa101606.htm

John Lennon http://classicrock.about.com/od/history/a/ghost_stories.htm

The cemetery link photo gallery of tombstone symbols and their meanings http://genealogy.about.com/od/cemetery_records/ig/tombstone_symbols/index.htm

Ever wonder who was born on Halloween???http://www.biography.com/search/botd.do?mon=10&day=31

And who died???  Harry Houdini, for one...check out this page for more:  http://www.biography.com/boo-ography/boo_died-halloween.jsp

On this page, find the top 20 spookiest personshttp://www.biography.com/boo-ography/boo_spooky-biographies.jsp

Other Interesting Web Sites:

Escape the Haunted Househttp://www.dobhran.com/greetings/GRhalloween5.htm

Silly Halloween Songs
http://www.dobhran.com/greetings/GRhalloween3.htm

Beware of Spooks - Cute fun!
http://www.dobhran.com/greetings/GRhalloween1.htm

A Puzzling Halloween! - A jigsaw greeting
http://www.dobhran.com/jigsaw/GRjigsaw2.htm

Trick or Treat - A fun Halloween greeting
http://www.dobhran.com/greetings/GRhalloween2.htm

Halloween game from dorks.com http://www.dorks.com/html/Haunted-House.html

The History of Halloween in a movie clip:  http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Video_Clips&content_type_id=1297&display_order=2&mini_id=1076

On this page are many stories of haunted houses…examples are the ok corral, street ghosts, bird cage and many others.... 

Halloween Clip Art:  Are you looking for some clip art to use to make Halloween cards, decorations or letters? Or maybe you want to decorate your Web page with it? Well, if so, this is the right place to start your search. And best of all, all of it is free! You’ll find navigation on the side menu with tons of categories for you to choose from. For example, Backgrounds, Bars and Banners, E-mail and Guestbook Signs, Spooky Eyes, Old Halloween Cards, Vampires and even some webs! That’s just a small listing of what they have to offer. To save these images to you computer, right click over the image and select Save As, choose a file name and click OK. More importantly, take note of where you saved the file so that you can use it later! Hmm, what else is there to tell you?! Oh, each page links back to the main page, so you'll never have a hard time getting back to choose a different section to look at. Also, a lot of the graphics you’ll find here are even animated for that extra pop and sizzle on your Web page. Oh! I almost forgot! Check out the Halloween Links section for more great sites, like Wanda’s Halloween Cookbook, Halloween Photography, Pumpkin Carving, Halloween Fonts and many more! http://www.halloween-clipart.com/

Pumpkin Carving

Want to send your friends and family a Halloween greeting? Well, now you can and you can even personalize it!

This Web site has sound, which can be turned off with the ‘Sound Off’ button in the lower left corner. Once you’ve decided if you want the sound or not, go ahead and click ‘Start.’

Next, you are taken to the Instruction page where they explain how both the free-hand carving and the straight cuts work. There is even an animated demonstration to really bring it home.

Finally, you are ready to begin carving your pumpkin, so click ‘Start.’ You are now on your blank canvas, which is an un-carved pumpkin. Choose from free-hand cuts or straight cuts on the left-hand side. Also, notice that there is an ‘Undo Last Hole’ option, in case you mess up like I did. You can even start all the way over with the ‘Clear All’ button. There is also a ‘Help’ button on the right hand side if you have problems.

Once you’ve carved your desired shape into the pumpkin, you can light it up by clicking the little flame button on the right-hand side. So, how do you like your pumpkin masterpiece?!

If you like it and are ready to send it out to your friends and family, click ‘Done Carving.’  Here you can change the message it will send if you want. Just use the ‘Change Message’ button. The ‘Change Image’ button lets you pick a different background image. If you’re happy with your creation, click ‘Done’ again and you can then send it out. Make sure you unclick the ‘Receive Information from TheoWorlds’ if you really don’t want to receive it in your e-mail.

And off your pumpkin goes, sending holiday greetings to the ones you love! http://www.gamegarage.co.uk/play/halloween/

Munchies for the Party!!

Healthy Whole-Grain “Power” Treats – Makes 12 servings.

• 3 cups (half 10-ounce bag) miniature marshmallows

• 1 ? Tbsp. unsalted butter

• 2 cups puffed whole-grain cereal

• ? cup whole grain flake cereal

• ? cup pecans, chopped, or salted roasted soynuts

• ? cup raisins

Coat a 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Line pan with plastic wrap, letting edges hang over sides of pan. Coat plastic with cooking spray. Coat a wooden mixing spoon with cooking spray and set aside, close to stove.

In large saucepan over medium heat, cook marshmallows and butter until they are melted and start to color, about 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Take pot off heat.

Using coated spatula, stir in two cereals, nuts and raisins until dry ingredients are well coated with marshmallow mixture.

Turn mixture into prepared pan. Using wet hands, smooth and press mixture into an even layer. (You can also lightly spray your hands with cooking spray to do this.). Set aside to cool. Invert pan over cutting board. Lift off plastic. Using serrated knife, cut into squares, or rectangles about the size of a small candy or power bar.

Per serving: 128 calories, 5 g. total fat (1 g. saturated fat), 21 g. carbohydrate, 2 g. protein, 2 g. dietary fiber, 27 mg. sodium.

Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

1 egg white
? cup natural cane sugar
? teaspoon cayenne pepper
scant ? teaspoon fine grained sea salt
1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds

Preheat oven to 375. In a medium-sized bowl whisk together the egg white, sugar, cayenne and salt. Add the pumpkin seeds and toss well. Drain off any excess egg white (using a strainer) and place seeds in a single layer across a baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes or until seeds are golden. Sprinkle with a bit more sugar and cayenne pepper when they come out of the oven. Taste and season with more salt if needed.

Makes one cup.

Curried Pumpkin Seeds

1 egg white
2 teaspoon curry powder
scant ? teaspoon fine grained sea salt
1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds

Preheat oven to 375.

In a medium-sized bowl whisk together the egg white, curry powder and salt. Add the pumpkin seeds and toss well. Drain off any excess egg white (using a strainer) and place seeds in a single layer across a baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes or until seeds are golden. Sprinkle with a bit more curry powder when they come out of the oven. Taste and season with more salt if needed.

Makes one cup.

 

Black Tea & Butter Pumpkin Seeds

You can use many different types of tea here. I opted for a smoky black one, but you can go for one infused with other flavors, or even tisanes (I have a dried lime tea that I be would be interesting in this recipe). Choose a tea that is fragrant and has a pronounced flavor for best results.

1 teaspoon (black) tea
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
scant ? teaspoon fine grained sea salt
1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds

Preheat oven to 375.

Using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, grind the tea into a fine powder. Set aside.

In a medium-sized bowl combine the butter and salt. Add the pumpkin seeds and toss well. Place seeds in a single layer across a baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes or until seeds are golden. Sprinkle with the ground tea. Taste and season with more salt if needed.

Makes one cup.

 

Extended cooking technique: If you have more time and patience you can boil the seeds in salted water for roughly 10 minutes before draining and proceeding with the rest of the instructions (scale back on the salt called for in the individual recipes). Your seeds will have a nice crunch to them, and more balance salt distribution. But to be frank, I usually skip this step (particularly if you are at a pumpkin carving party and people are excited about sampling the fruits of their labor). That being said, be sure to check out Elise’s Simply Recipes site if you want the play-by-play on this method.

For the Year-Round Scare:

TEN CREEPIEST PETS

Creepy crawly pets are critters that have the potential to bring out phobias in many people. However, every kind of pet on this list makes a good pet if matched with the right owner. Be warned though: the pets on this list may surprise, shock, or even scare some of your family and friends!

1) Tarantulas

Big hairy spiders--need I say more? Just remember that tarantulas are not as dangerous as many people believe and they are compact, quiet, clean pets.

2) Hissing Cockroaches

Okay, not many insects are as universally loathed as cockroaches. But really, these giant cockroaches are perhaps the ultimate in low maintenance pets, and are sturdy and slow enough to be handled quite easily.

3) Giant Millipedes

Did you know that millipedes don't have a thousand legs? Still, their 100-400 legs and giant size (up to 10 inches long) make African giant millipedes a little scary for many people. However, they are really quite docile and easy to look after.

4) Emperor Scorpions

As far as scorpions go, emperors are the most suitable as pets. At an adult size of 6 inches with good sized claws and a big stinger these chunky black scorpions are pretty intimidating pets. Despite their scary looks, they are quiet, undemanding and quite long-lived.

5) Snakes

Snakes are another pet that some people find absolutely terrifying. Snakes come in a wide range of types and sizes (which should be carefully considered before getting a snake), and usually become quite tame and make excellent pets.

6) Rats

Rats still conjure up images of disease-carrying pests inhabiting murky sewers for many people, but rats are really among the most ideal of pets. They are very social and enjoy interaction with their humans, and they are loaded with personality.

7) Lizards

Lizards are another group of animals that is the subject of many unfounded fears. Although they are generally not low-maintenance pets, they can make great pets for owners prepared for their demands. There are a wide variety of lizards available as pets and some are quite lovely in both appearance and temperament.

8) Frogs

Frogs are another largely misunderstood creature. From cute little dwarf aquatic frogs to homely giant bullfrogs, frogs can be very interesting pets. Although not really low maintenance pets, some are quite easy to care for and long-lived, and some are quite vocal with beautiful calls.

9) Stick Insects

These nifty little critters are very intriguing--their natural defense is excellent camouflage among the branches they live in. However, many people would not appreciate sharing their home with a four inch insect that excels at hide and seek. They are quite easy to care for and fascinating to watch.

10) Giant African Land Snails

Giant African land snails (GALS) are not available in the US, but are surprisingly popular in the UK. These snails are definitely giants, with some species reaching a foot long as adults. Imagine one of these beauties crawling over your hand! However, they are fairly easy to care for, and they reproduce very readily (one reason they are not allowed into the US!).

                             

Dia de los Muertos

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS (Day of the Dead) Contrary to its morbid name, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a joyful celebration observed in Latin countries and communities throughout the world. On November 1st and 2nd (All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day) the lives of the deceased are honored with feasting and family gatherings. In Mexico, sweetened egg bread is baked into whimsical shapes for a traditional holiday treat. Pan de Muertos (Mexican Bread of the Dead)

Submitted by: LolaRated: 4 out of 5 by 17 members

Yields: 15 servings

"This is a version of the bread that is made for the November 2 celebration known as the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico. You can also mold the bread into different shapes like angels and animals."

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup margarine 1/4 cup milk 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C) 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast 1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons anise seed 1/4 cup white sugar 2 eggs, beaten 2 teaspoons orange zest 1/4 cup white sugar 1/4 cup orange juice 1 tablespoon orange zest 2 tablespoons white sugar

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Heat the milk and the butter together in a medium saucepan, until the butter melts. Remove from the heat and add them warm water. The mixture should be around 110 degrees F (43 degrees C).
2.	In a large bowl combine 1 cup of the flour, yeast, salt, anise seed and 1/4 cup of the sugar. Beat in the warm milk mixture then add the eggs and orange zest and beat until well combined. Stir in 1/2 cup of flour and continue adding more flour until the dough is soft.
3.	Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.
4.	Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. This will take about 1 to 2 hours. Punch the dough down and shape it into a large round loaf with a round knob on top. Place dough onto a baking sheet, loosely cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until just about doubled in size.
5.	Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for about 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven let cool slightly then brush with glaze.
6.	To make glaze: In a small saucepan combine the 1/4 cup sugar, orange juice and orange zest. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 2 minutes. Brush over top of bread while still warm. Sprinkle glazed bread with white sugar.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2005 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 10/28/2006

Source:  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pan-de-muertos-mexican-bread-of-the-dead/detail.aspx?ARBMID=736&ARFMTID=1