A Grown-up Halloween Party

I decided to submit to Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24, for October and asked my daughter-in-law Kristina if she would be interested in hosting a Grown-up Halloween party with me. The day I got the news I was accepted for this month's event was also a day I had nothing but bad news. So, to get this news at the end of the day was certainly a day brightener! Not only did we have the opportunity to host a great party, but my DIL and I had the opportunity to spend some quality time together shopping, talking, cooking and most unfun...cleaning. ;o)

Kristina and I went shopping and found some cool decorations and Kristina did some shopping on line on her own and found some cool items. ;o) Kristina likes to shop for Halloween things. Well, I think she likes to shop! A girl after my heart! Kristina's mom and sister came up with a game we all played and we all voted on the best costume. Mallyn won the favorite costume prize (a bottle of blood - red wine) donated by Kristina's mother. Congrats Mallyn! Justin came in 2nd place for his toadstool costume and won the 2nd bottle of wine. ;o)

We sent the invitations out and let everyone know that it was a Foodbuzz sponsored Grown-Up Halloween Party and to come dressed up! I know this is going to be a long post but please, do go to the end. It is definitely a post worth reading. I'll tell you the stories along with the photos.

THE PREP

Party prep - Kristina (in back), my friend Amanda and myself.

My son Justin helping!

My DIL Kristina decorating cookies

THE DECORATIONS

The Beverage Station

The Pumpkin Greeters

Table of treats

Of wings and toes...

THE PEOPLE

Justin & Kristina (Toadstool and Spider)

Grumpy & HoneyB - isn't he just the character? No, he wasn't drunk, but from the photos of him you might think he was since that bottle of beer is promptly put into view by him. Not to mention some of the other poses he was caught in throughout the evening....I wonder if he has a secret advertising gig with Budweiser??

My friends Amanda and Randy. Amanda spent the weekend with me and the entire day helping Kristina and I prep the party. Thank you SO MUCH Amanda for your help. You certainly are someone who is a pleasure to be around and think goodness your so easy going! My only question is - why on earth does Randy look so mean in this photo! lol. That just is so not him!!

The grandpuppies even joined in on the Grown-Up Halloween Party! They didn't really dress to party but they were there and were such good puppies!

The Star Trek Fan and his wife (Kristina's mom and dad!)

Sarah

Justin's cousin Jessica with her friend Audrey

Justin's cousin Amanda with her hubby Ryan and friend Laura

Kaitlyn (Kristina's sister) & her fiance Jake

Justin's cousin Eric with his girlfriend Malyn and my other son Christopher

THE GROWN-UP HALLOWEEN PARTY

Now, click your heels 3 times and the party begins!!

Grumpy decides to put on a show ... um, I mean a witches hat. :o)

Kady gets Chris to eat some "special" jelly beans!

Scary Movie Pictionary! My team won!! Yay Eric & Mallyn!

Making sure everyone leaves with Treat bags so there are no Tricks!

THE FOOD

Howling Wings. This was a recipe that Kristina had in an older issue of a Pillsbury Halloween magazine. The thought of smoky chipotle chili peppers, caramel sauce and a zesty Italian dressing were too much for me to resist. These were a great party wing!

Mummy Toes. I just thought these were the cutest thing! Well, cute, but still kinda gross! It is also one of Grumpy's favorite appetizers. I think he ate most of these himself...even though he has an aversion to feet. he he. I will say, there weren't many left. We served them with mucus (a honey mustard)

Bubbling Caldron. This is the basic velveeta cheese with salsa dip. really easy and really yummy! This is what Grumpy will ask me to mix up for him when he's craving some cheesy dip and chips.

Crunchie Mummies is another Pillsbury recipe from Kristina's Halloween issue. Not only was this the cutest idea, but it was a delicious one also. There were only a couple left which found their way home with us!

Devilish Eggs. When Grumpy heard we were making deviled eggs he thought we should make bloody eyeballs. Not a bad idea really, but we thought these were so cute! Definitely time consuming, but worth the time to put them together!

Sneaky Snakes we followed this concept, but the recipe I used for the filling is as follows:

1 cup sour cream
1 8 oz package ⅓ less fat cream cheese, softened
1 4 oz can chopped chili
2 Tablespoons Jalapeno Spice Blend
1 cup shredded pizza cheese blend
1 small can sliced black olives
flour tortilla

Mix first 5 ingredients together until well blended. Spread filling over tortilla and roll up, securing with toothpick. Chill up to 2 hours. Slice and arrange on platter in form of a snake.

I can't believe it - I missed a photo so of course, I needed to put some sort of photo to divide food items. ;o) I do have a recipe for you for Guts & Goop: This is a recipe that Kristina got Justin's Aunt April. It is a taco dip recipe that we renamed to fit the party!

1 8 oz package softened cream cheese
16 oz container sour cream
1 packet taco seasoning blend

Blend well together and place on bottom of pan.

Top with ½ of 12 oz jar salsa
shredded lettuce
shredded cheese
diced tomato

Serve with tortilla chips.

Witches Brew punch bowl. My brother Steve sent me a link of Halloween beverages - which I cannot for the life of me find! However, I could remember the ingredients for the Witches Brew and so I will give you the recipe although I can't give the credit where I got it until I hear back from my brother (who is on his way home from his cruise today!).

1 can (46 oz) pineapple juice
1 bottle (64 oz) cranberry juice
1-½ cups coconut rum

Mix together and place in punch bowl with skulls and crossbones ice cubes!

For the Crispy Frankenstein Treats we followed the Rice Krispie Treat recipe, added the green food color when making and dipped the crown in chocolate, drew a face with writing icing and used pretzels and colored mini marshmallows for the bolts.

Halloween Truffles
12 oz semi sweet chocolate
¾ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons dark rum

Heat the heavy cream and butter until very warm. Pour over chocolate and stir until melted. Mix in rum. Put in refrigerator and cool for at least 3 hours. Remove from fridge, shape into balls and roll in sprinkles. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

Ghost Truffles idea was found in the Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate Halloween magazine. Kristina made the Oreo Truffle recipe and then decorated the ghosts!

Looking at You Cheeseball was also found in the Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate Halloween magazine. We halved the recipe which made a good sized cheeseball! The recipe here is for ½.

1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
¼ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup confectioner's sugar
1-½ tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup chopped peanut butter cups
¼ cup peanut butter flavored morsels
½ cup chopped peanuts (we used fresh shelled salted peanuts)
Thin Ginger Snaps
Chocolate Wafer Cookies
Garnish: Candy-shaped eyes

For the Haunted Cupcakes I made Nanny's Mayonnaise cake recipe, topped it with an almond flavored frosting and decorated with cupcake wraps and haunted toothpicks.

We also put a Hershey's miniature tombstone in a cupcake and decorated with some fall leaves.