Gross Halloween Recipe

  I saw this on Pinterest. It is the grossest Halloween food idea I have ever seen.  You stack up a bunch of straws...the kind with the bendable top..into a jar and make sure they are straight and tight together.  Pour into each straw some Jello...purple/red combo and let set up.  Let the straws drop out their treasures when they have set up and you have a bowl of what looks like earth worms to feast on.  I can hardly look at the picture but it is a clever idea.  I don't think even gross little boys would eat these.

Edible Earth Worms

Ingredients:
1 pkg. (6 oz) purple gelatin (raspberry or grape work well)
3/4 oz. unflavored gelatin
3 C. boiling water
3/4 C. whipping cream
green food coloring, as needed
100 plastic straws
Instructions: 1. In a medium, heat safe mixing bowl, stir together plain and flavored gelatin powders.
2. Pour boiling water over, stirring until gelatin is fully dissolved.
3. Allow gelatin to cool til only slightly warm.
4. Stir whipping cream into the gelatin mixture. Stir in green food coloring (you'll probably need 10 drops or more) until your gelatin gets that purpley-brown-grey color of earthworms.
5. With your 100 straws fully extended and snug in your chosen container, pour the gelatin mixture over the straws, filling the container.
6. Cover container and chill at least 8 hours. You can make them and store them this way up to two days in advance of your Halloween party.
7. Remove straws from their container (cutting or ripping a disposable container away is easiest).
8. With hot tap water running, place batches of 4-5 straws under hot running water for a couple quick seconds.
9. Remove "worms" from their straw casings, pressing with fingers. Set on waxed paper to set up.
10. Repeat until all worms are removed.
12. Chill, covered, on waxed paper at least 2 hours.
13. Serve in a chilled bowl, as pictured. Then watch all the kids gobble up this fun Halloween party food.

ThisTime of Year

I love the autumn time of year.  I love the colors, the foods, the cooler weather, the harvest and the promise of holidays to come.  It's my favorite time of year and this Fall has been extremely beautiful and mild.  I found this picture online and loved it.  My thought was...how many pumpkin pies could be made out of these lovely squash?  My mom used to make pumpkin pies, but she also made squash pies that were even better than the pumpkin.  I miss those times and her pies.  I need to get her recipe.

The Perfect Apple

I went visiting teaching to Nicole's last month, and on the way out she was telling me that her apples were almost ready to can and maybe needed just a couple  more days.    I asked her if I could just pick one and she said yes.  I reached in and randomly picked one. "They are Jonathan's  she said".  That is one of my favorites ...not too sweet, not too sour and so delicious with just a sprinkling of salt.  When I got it home, I washed it up and shined it before I ate it.  Whoa, wait, I didn't/couldn't eat this....not yet.  It was the most beautiful apple I have ever seen.  It was perfect in it's shape, perfect in it's redness and perfect in it's shine. It did not have a scratch, peck mark, or a blemish of any kind. It was like a mini work of art.  When Wayne got home I showed it to him and he didn't even think it was real.  It stayed in my refrigerator for over a week before I gave in and consumed the beautiful orb.  It was as good as it looked.  Sometimes all you need it a tiny miracle to make you remember the giver of all miracles.

Fashion Trends

When I was younger (and much thinner) I followed the fashion trends every year and picked  up several things that went along with that trend .  It was fun, revved up the wardrobe, and with careful shopping, it didn't cost much.  I like to look nice but really don't care much for the trends anymore.  if I like it I'll wear it and if I don't, I won't.  However,  I have been going over the Internet sites and stores lately to see just what are the trends for 2011/2012.  Some are fun and some are really ugly.  The trend for Spring is cropped tops again.  OH HOW I HATE THOSE.  I couldn't wait until Brittney Spears fell from the spotlight because I was so tired of looking at muffin tops and belly buttons.  Not only that, but 99% of the tummys that were bare shouldn't have been. Here is what Internet and TV shows say are the new trends for the year.

1.  Anything with a 60's style to it.  I lived through that once and the styles weren't all that cute except for maybe a couple of things.  I didn't like the psychedelic colors but the brighter colors I did like.
2.  Coats and sweaters with fur trim.  I had that and liked it about 30 years ago. Remember Sony Bono's vests?  I didn't like those, but my coat was pretty darn cute.
3.  Boots, boots and more boots.  Did that too and have some now. LIKE!
4.  Dolmen sleeves on blouses.  Didn't have that and still won't.  They are fine on other people, but on me...no thank you. I look like Humpty Dumpty.
5.  Ponchos.  Been there, done that.  I do like them though.
6.  Scarves, pencil skirts and strappy shoes are still trendy.  I like them all.
7.  Animal prints are still big.  I like some of them but don't own any.
8.  Bright colored pants are really big this year.  I don't own any but I do like them.  Hot pink, yellow, bright blue, and red can be seen everywhere. I don't own any and probably won't.  I did wear them in the 70's and loved them then.
9.  Everything with polka dots. Now I can get on this trend.  I love polka dots and have 2 sweaters with them.  I will be happy to buy more.
10.  Long skirts are back, especially peasant skirts.  I always like them...still have a couple.
11.  Trench coats and parkas.  Like them both.
12.  Color blocking..such as .wearing a red shirt with a gold skirt and a purple sweater.....all solids.  It's OK.
13.  Things that lace up such as shoes, corsets, dresses and belts.  Hmmmm
14.  Layering clothes in earth tone.  I can do that.
15.  Wedge shoes are still in style.  I like them and they work on my poor broken foot.  I can't wear high heels.
16.  Shiny fabrics such as satin, etc.  Wear it on top or bottom.  I leave that to the young.
17.  Big jewelry....it has been around a while and I like some of it but only own one chunky necklace.
18.  Giant bright and gawdy prints.  No thanks.
19.  Jeans with holes all over them.  No thanks again.  Hope this trend ends soon. They will be even worse when worn with a cropped shirt.  I especially don't think they are cute on anyone over 30.
20.  Sweaters....love, love, love.

Friends

I have a friend Marsha that lives in Florida.  We were close in high school and did lots of things together along with our other friend Cindi.  You could find us in Cindi's Mustang or Marsha's VW bug almost every night.  Our lives revolved around boys, dragging main and food from the Rose Bowl drive in.  We went to dances every week-end and they are good memories.  Marsha has a daughter that moved to Utah and so had a good excuse to come.  We had not seen each other for probably 30 years or more but she made her way to my house last week and we went to lunch.  We just starting talking and caught up where we left off.  She is a really good person and I'm so glad we got together.  If the daughter stays here, it may happen more often now.  Love you Marsha.  I haven't seen Cindi in many years either and we need to remedy that.  Our other good friends go to our little town celebration once in a while and I get to see them which always makes me happy.  Friends, new or old, are a treasure.