#22: Caramel Apples

Not the fancy shmancy ones coated with chocolate, peanuts, coconut, m&m's, or any extraneous bullshit like that. I'm talking about straight up ooey gooey apples covered in caramel... only caramel. There was a brand that we used to use when I was a kid, I think it was called Affy Tapples or something like that. It was basically a package of 12 sheets of caramel. You just wrapped a sheet around each apple, stuck a Popsicle stick in, and put them in the oven for a few minutes. They were the best. If anyone remembers the name of this delicacy, or better yet - knows where to find something like this, please let me know....I'll repay you in popcorn balls!!!

#23: Autumn Leaves

Blankets and blankets of multicolored leaves that cover endless unraked lawns and unswept sidewalks. The month of October is the best time to experience this. Enough brightly colored orange, red, and yellow leaves have just catapulted themselves into the array of crunchy brown ones to keep people from wanting to clean up such beauty. Nonetheless, as kids, we were not only willing to help people rake their leaves, we would often knock on doors and beg to do it...for free. This gave us a great opportunity to achieve the goal of making the biggest leaf pile on the planet. We would often take a leaf pile from one house and transfer it over to the lawn next door, combining as many piles from the surrounding neighbor's yards together as we could. The best part about leaf piles is throwing your body onto the crunchy goodness of them, I would imagine the sound and the sensation is very much like belly flopping into a bowl of cornflakes.

Living in LA, I am deprived of this experience, and while I can happily do away with the season that follows, I can't help but miss the familiar snap, crackle and pop of Fall under my feet. *sniffle* *sniffle*

#24: Popcorn Balls!

Really, what more need I say about this? They are fun to throw at people, and they taste good too.

Candy Corn Popcorn Balls

8 cups popped light butter microwave popcorn (about 1 [3-ounce] bag)
1 cup candy corn
1/4 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (10-ounce) bag

marshmallows
Cooking spray

Combine popcorn and candy corn in a large bowl.
Melt 1/4cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and (10-ounce) bag marshmallows. Reduce heat to low; cook for 7 minutes or until the marshmallows melt and the mixture is smooth, stirring frequently.

Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn mixture, stirring to coat well. Lightly coat hands with cooking spray; shape popcorn mixture into 20 (2-inch) balls.

#25: The Spider and the Fly

by, Mary Howitt
With special dedication to those who have found themselves in the position of the fly, and likewise to all those "spiders" who have helped us learn our lesson...at Halloween time and always.

"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the Spider to the Fly-
"Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show you when you're there."

"Oh, no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.
"There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest a while, I'll snugly tuck you in!"

"Oh, no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly: "Dear friend, what can I do
To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?
I have, within my pantry, good store of all that's nice;
I'm sure you're very welcome-will you please to take a slice?"

"Oh, no, no," said the little Fly, "kind sir, that cannot be,
I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"

"Sweet creature," said the Spider, "you're witty and you're wise;
How beautiful are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking glass upon my parlor shelf,
If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."

"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again;
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.

Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing-
"Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;

Your robes are green and purple, there's a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"

Alas, alas! how very soon this little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew-
Thinking only of her crested head-poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast;
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlor-but she ne'er came out again!

And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed:
Unto an evil counselor close heart, and ear, and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.


WORD.

#26: Monster Finger Puppets and Spider Rings

Yeah, that's right....AND Zombie Finger Puppets.

#27: Halloween Children's Books

But of course.

I've come to realize that not everyone is up on the latest children's books, or even the classics for that matter. It seems to be an unusual interest that I have, or so I am noticing. As a kid of the 70's - being left home alone, coming home to an empty house, or just being told to actually go outside and play on a regular basis wasn't looked down upon or reason to call the DCFS - I spent a lot of time reading...the library next door was my home away from home. In the years to come, I ended up working with children a lot and shared my geeky book-love with the little ones around me. Children's books are one of the major reasons why art, books, and kids play such a significant role in my life today. Anyway, there must be someone out there who relates, and so here they are. Some old, some new.



These are just a few, and let's not forget:
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by, Washington Irving
and
The Raven by, Edgar Allan Poe

#28: Kleenex Ghosts

The most humble of all Halloween decorations, I just love them.

Materials:

• Tissue paper or Kleenex tissue
• String or thread
• Black marker

General Instructions:

• Wad up tissues to form a ball. Place a full piece of tissue around the wadded up ball.
• Tie off with a string or thread.
• Draw on eyes and other facial features with the marker.
• Hang from ceiling fan, tree, cat, dog, etc. YAY!