Easy Halloween Treats Even The Kids Can Make

Candy Corn Push-Up Pops ~ Craving a big bag of candy corn? Get your Halloween sweet fix a different way with these creamy cake push-up pops.
To make, follow these steps: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 8x8x2-inch baking pans and line with parchment paper; set aside. According to the recipe, prepare, divide, and tint the cake batter. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Once the cake has cooled completely, transfer to a cutting board. Prepare the orange filling and cream cheese filling according to the recipe instructions, then spoon both into separate pastry bags fitted with a large round tip. Use the open end of a push-up container to cut the cake into circles. Pipe cream cheese filling into the bottom of each container, then insert one yellow cake circle, followed by orange filling, one white cake circle, and cream cheese filling.

Goblin Cookie Truffles ~ Boo! These adorable little goblins are made from everyone's favorite snack, chocolate sandwich cookies. They're frightfully good!
What You'll Need: 8 ounces cream cheese, softened-36 chocolate sandwich cookies-Purple candy melts-36 white and milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped-Purple, orange, and black sprinkles for decorating-Candy eyes, such as Wilton brand
To make, follow these steps: Crush sandwich cookies in a food processor. Combine softened cream cheese and cookie crumbs until evenly mixed together. Form cookie mixture into 1-inch balls, and place them on a waxed-paper-covered baking sheet. Chill for 1 hour or until firm. Melt purple candy melts over a double boiler; once melted, transfer to a piping bag. Pipe small circles onto a waxed-paper-covered baking sheet. Immediately press an unwrapped chocolate kiss into the center and add sprinkles around the brim of the hat. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until chocolate is set. These goblin hats will sit on top of the cookie balls. Once cookie balls are firm, dip them into melted chocolate. Use a fork to lift the balls from the bottom and transfer back to baking sheet. Apply candy eyes to cookie balls by gently pressing them in. Immediately top goblins with the chocolate kiss hats. Allow truffles to set for 30 minutes in refrigerator.

Marshmallow Pops ~ A marshmallow, a straw, and your kid's imagination are all you need to create a collection of frightful friends.
To make, follow these steps: Skull- Insert a straw into each marshmallow. Press in two chocolate pieces for eyes. Flatten chocolate caramel logs and cut into thin strips. Use strips to form "mouth". Mummy- Insert a straw into each marshmallow. Roll fondant to 1/8-inch thickness and cut into 1/4-inch wide strips. In a small saucepan cook and stir candy coating until just melted. Cool slightly. Dip marshmallows into candy coating and wrap fondant around wet marshmallows. Place on waxed paper to dry. Attach "eyes" with additional melted candy coating. Ghost- Insert a straw into each marshmallow. Thinly roll fondant. Divide fondant icing into 8 portions. Roll each portion into a 4-inch circle. In a small saucepan cook and stir candy coating until just melted. Dip marshmallow tops into candy coating. Drape a fondant circle atop each marshmallow. Press in black sugar pearls for eyes. Pumpkin- Insert a straw into each marshmallow. In a small saucepan melt candy coating over low heat, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly. Spread marshmallows with candy coating and sprinkle heavily with orange nonpariels. Flatten black gumdrops and cut into shapes for eyes and mouth. Flatten green gumdrops and cut into into leaves and stems. If necessary, secure with candy coating. Frankenstein Monsters- Insert a straw into each marshmallow. In a small saucepan melt candy coating over low heat, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly. Spread marshmallows with melted green candy coating. Flatten gumdrops and cut for hair and mouth. Attach candy-coated chocolate pieces for eyes. Slice two of the candy logs for bolts. Flatten remaining candy logs and cut into strips for eyebrows.

Learn and Do

"Pray that the LORD your God will show us what to do and where to go . . . Whether we like it or not, we will obey the LORD our God to whom we are sending you with our plea. For if we obey him, everything will turn out well for us." Jeremiah 42:3, 6

According to the Scripture above, when the Israelites asked Jeremiah to speak to God on their behalf, they had already decided they were going to learn what to do, and, no matter what it was, they were going to do it. Wouldn't it be nice if we all declared as much.....we all KNOW what to do in almost any situation, BUT knowing what to do and actually doing it are two totally different things ~ human nature, and I blame it on Adam and Eve and that darn apple! (Notice, I'm admitting that I still pass the blame!)

I wonder what would happen if people today had this same attitude every single time they sat anywhere the Word was being preached. What would our life be like if every time we went to church or listened to a teaching CD or read the Bible we had the mind-set, "Whatever I learn today, I’m going to do it"!

James 4:17 says "if we know what to do and don’t do it, that is sin." The wrong things we commit are sin, but the right things we omit are also sin. We need to make a conscious decision to be a “doer” of God’s Word, and not merely a “hearer.”

Dear Heavenly Father, help and guide me to do what I already know to do and not to do.  Give me conviction  when I start to slide and sin, open my eyes and ears to listen and obey you. In your Name I pray, Amen.

Dazzling, Gleaming, and Shining DIY Halloween Pumpkin Decorations

The Shining ~ Studded with self-adhesive crafts store jewels, these blinged-out pumpkins prove that diamonds are a ghoul's best friend.

The Gleaming ~ Paint jack-o'-lanterns shades of heavy metal before carving features. "Rock" them out with plastic gems, sequin strips (around the witch's eyes), and glitter glue (outlining the ghost).

The Dazzling ~ Creating a trio of crystal-accented cats is so simple, it's frightening. Pick large pumpkins for the bodies, smaller ones for the heads (snap off stems; turn upside down), and squash for the tails. Spray on a couple of coats of glossy black paint, and carve almond-shaped eyes. Cut triangle ears and collars from felt; affix with straight pins. With a hot-glue gun, attach plastic gems and rhinestone strips for purrfectly gloomy glamour.

Easy Last Minute Halloween Party and.or Snack Time Treats

Candy Corn Popcorn ~ Pop some corn, homemade or packaged, add in some candy corn, shake it up and around! You've got a wonderful party mix.

Jack O'lantern cocktail ~ 1 ounce bourbon, 1-1/2 ounces orange juice, 1/2 ounce bubbly (prosecco, Champagne, sparkling cider or ginger ale), Orange wheel for garnish. Combine orange juice and bourbon in a cocktail shaker. Pour into a glass over ice. Top with bubbly and garnish with a large orange wheel.

Ramekin Treats ~ Find holiday or party colored ramekins and fill with treats like M&M's, Goldfish, Nuts and of course Candy Corn!

Fall Outdoor Decorating That Will Last from Now through Thanksgiving

Planters ~ Pumpkins in various colors and sizes make a beautiful fall decoration when piled in a planter and placed on your porch. If your planter is too big for your pumpkins, use a block of florist's foam to keep your gourds at the top.

Centerpieces ~ Transform a traditional cornucopia into an outdoor table centerpiece that's absolutely wow-worthy. Shop the supermarket for squash, shallots, onions, nuts, and pears. Pile them in a woven basket that's treated to withstand autumn weather, along with a few dried naturals from a crafts store, and place the display on any outdoor surface.

Go Batty With Grosgrain Ribbon Bats ~ Easiest Projects EVER

The simplest bats ever! Just grab a few yards of black grosgrain ribbon, tie them around anything you desire, add eyes if you wish, and trim the tales to resemble bats. Here are a few ideas to get you started but with the easy decorating idea the skies the limit ~ this is also an easy craft project for the kids that won't leave a mess that will drive you batty! Have fun creating and post a pic if you wish of your creation.

Party Invites ~ Make 2 hole punches, thread the ribbon though, tie in a knot (the knot will be the body) and hot glue two tiny wiggly eyes.

Decorative Straws ~ Just simply tie the ribbon around a straw in a knot and trim the tales, here pinking shears where used to resemble the scalloped wings.

Treat Bags ~  Make 2 hole punches (here they added 2 bats so you would make 4 holes), thread the ribbon though, and tie in a knot (the knot will be the body).

Fun Halloween Party Favors and Tablescapes Projects and Ideas

Pumpkin Balloons ~ A gaggle of helium-filled jack-o'-lantern balloons hovers near the refreshment table. The simple features are drawn onto the inflated balloons with permanent marker. Choose an assortment of geometric shapes that are easy to create freehand.

Halloween Crackers ~ You will need: Crepe and colored papers, Scissors, Stickers or rubber stamps, Toilet-paper rolls, Glue stick, Twine and Plastic spider or bat rings Instructions: 1. Cut an 11-inch square of crepe paper and a 4-by-7-inch piece of paper in another color; decorate with stickers or stamps. 2. Roll crepe paper around a candy-filled toilet-paper roll; glue seams closed. Wrap paper rectangle around center; glue. 3. Tie ends with twine; snip for fringe. Slip rings over twine. Pull ends to break open.