Author: Pamela Layton McMurtry

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Halloween is 48 Days Away…Do You Have Your Soulcakes?

Soulcakes are THE original trick-or-treat. Poorer folks would go door-to-door offering to pray for the family’s dead to help them get into Heaven more quickly, an old Catholic theology. 

We think these are so good, they disappear like magic!
They need no adornment but you may wish to frost them or use to decorate for party or carnival activities with children. Cut out with oval, leaf or Halloween cookie cutters. 

Soulcakes
        Preheat oven to 325°, cream together until fluffy: 

 1/2 C butter, room temperature

 1/3 C powdered sugar                             

 1 tsp vanilla extract           

Set aside.  Sift together:              

 1 C all-purpose flour

2 TBSP cornstarch

 1/8 tsp salt

1/2 C chopped pecans (optional)

Work the flour mixture into the creamed mixture just 

until crumbly. Place dough between 2 sheets of 

parchment and roll to 1/4 – 1/2 ” thickness. Cut with 

cookie cutters, transfer to baking pan, sprinkle with 

sugar sprinkles if desired. Bake at 325° for 10-12 min. 

until edges are golden.

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Glowing Punchbowl and Not-So-Tragic Magic

Halloween comes just once a year bringing a mystery and fantasy. Add a magical touch of whimsy to your enchanted evening by creating a glowing punchbowl. 
 
The punch itself is safe, it’s the illusion of a bubbling, glowing liquid that will surprise and delight your little ones. 
For your enchanted punchbowl directions 
please see tomorrow’s blog and for more holiday fun
and other charming recipes:
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A Mother Goose Nursery Halloween Party

Invite your little friends for a Mother Goose Halloween party. With games, stories and a yummy pre-packed lunch, you can enjoy the energy and wonder of pre-schoolers and treat them to a Halloween party filled with happiness, creativity and cheer.
This party is green too! 
Save your baby food jars to make bumblebee pudding cups and mustard jars for hunny pots of apple juice. 


Go on a treasure hunt to a fairy house filled with treats!


Complete plans for a Mother Goose Nursery party and a 
32 page Halloween coloring book are included in:




Join five little pumpkins sitting on a gate, Kim Power Stilson and me for a Halloween interview on BYU Sirius RadioXM 143 on October 31 at 3 p.m. Eastern. We will be discussing all kinds of creepy (true) stories along with ideas for a happy child-friendly Halloween!

For some more Halloween (eye) candy visit my Pinterest board: http://pinterest.com/pammcmurtry/halloween/

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A Silly Old Cat Party for Children

Black cats are a favorite Halloween icon; ranking number two behind pumpkins in popularity. Stroking a soft animal helps calm people down and cats can be very good friends that way. 
Give your children something to purr about with a black cat party. Serve fish tacos and play games while listening to “What’s New Pussycat?” and “Stray Cat Strut.” I like to serve retro candy to introduce my children to the favorites that their parents and grandparents loved.
For party favors, make these black cat mini chalkboards. They are quick and easy and all kinds of cute!
Complete party plans are in 
A Harvest and Halloween Handbook 
Please join host Kim Power Stilson and me for a discussion about Halloween on SiriusXM BYU Radio 143 
October 31 at 3 p.m. Eastern.
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Hope you CAN Come; Start Saving Your CANS

Yes you CAN! I recycle to show appreciation for our beautiful world and you CAN too. This fun invitation is made of a recycled tomato paste CAN. Or you could change the text and make it a party favor or small gift. The directions for this bit of cuteness and over a dozen other handmade invitations CAN be found in

Get yours today!

You’re invited! 
Please join me for a Halloween discussion with host Kim Power Stilson on Sirius BYU Radio 143; October 31 at 3 p.m. Eastern.
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A Splash of Color: an Autumn Quilt – 54 Days

A quilt is functional art – no wonder quilting is so popular. 
Sewing a quilt is like making a great collage; you create a stunning assemblage with your favorite patterns and colors. Quilts are  the quintessential symbol of comfort and love. Both my best friend’s and my soldier sons requested their moms make them quilts when they returned from their deployment to the war in Iraq.
Quilt = Hug
This simple quilt is composed of (finished) 12 inch squares and features a variety of autumn colors. The quilting templates were 5 leaves: I laid them on a brown paper bag, cut them out, then arranged the templates on the quilt and stitched around each leaf with ecru embroidery floss, adding another dimension of pattern. 
The harvest quilt graces my bed through Thanksgiving, decorating my room with a splash of color and sweet harvest cheer. 
For more fall decorating ideas, please see 
A Harvest and Halloween Handbook


Please join me on Halloween at 3 p.m. Eastern for a interview with host Kim Power Stilson on BYU Sirius Radio 143.
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Fun and Games; Mini Donut Munch

Here’s a throwback Halloween party classic. 
Making donuts for autumn celebrations was a staple activity in many households and this is popular game for children using homemade or bakery donuts. Set up a sturdy frame such as a board secured between two chairs or ladders. Hang donuts for children to try to eat without using their hands. I used dental floss because it has a built-in cutter and new donuts can be tied up quickly during a carnival, but any clean, new string would work. 
You can have the children race or just see if they can eat a donut without touching it. Don’t forget the napkins! Here’s a coloring pages for your little munchkins:

For dozens of party and carnival activities, get your 
A Harvest and Halloween Handbook  
eBook on Amazon.com and Barnes and Nobles.com




Here’s a radio program for you to listen to while you are getting ready for your own happy Halloween on Sirius BYU Radio 143; the Talkworthy program with Kim Power Stilson on October 31 at 3 p.m. Eastern. 




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A Big Pot of French Onion Soup

This oh-my-goodness delicious French Onion Soup is easy to make, low cal, low cost and high flavor. It can be rustic and comforting or upscale and will feed twelve; leftovers freeze well. You can serve it in the traditional crock-type oven-proof bowls, or use regular bowls and top with the cheese toast. Serve with crusty bread and a salad.

French Onion Soup
     
   In a large pot over low heat, melt

1/4 C butter
    
   Add

4 lbs. yellow onions sliced in 1/4″ circles
2 tsp. sugar
  
   Cook, stirring occasionally until the onions are golden and beginning to caramelize, about an hour. Sprinkle over onions, stirring to coat

2 TBSP. all-purpose flour

   Add

12 C. beef broth, I use 6 Knorr brand beef 
   boullion cubes + 12 C. water
1/2 C. Balsalmic vinegar
1 1/4 tsp. crumbled dry thyme or 4 tsp. fresh
salt and pepper to taste

   Cook for at least 30 minutes to allow    flavors to blend. Under the  broiler, lightly toast sliced

sliced baguettes or french bread

 Top each toast with 1/2 C of

Parmesan and/or Swiss cheese

   Broil until cheese is melted. Ladle the soup into bowls and top each with a cheesy crouton, serve immediately.

For more delicious recipes get your copy of 
A Harvest and Halloween Handbook today!


Now that your children and grandchildren are back in school, I hope everything is going well for them and you won’t need this information. But, if anyone you love is experiencing bullying; my friend Ciaran, co-founder of nobullying.com in Belfast, Ireland published this recent interview. He is an insightful and compassionate proponent for kind and humane interaction. Here is his website:

And please join me for an interview with Kim Power Stilson on the BYU Radio Talkworthy program on Halloween at 1 p.m. Eastern on Sirius 143 satellite radio.