Im going to get you my pretty...

Halloween is my favorite holiday. Happy Husband and I began dating right around Halloween 2003. We have been to countless scary-thrill-tastic movies and Haunted House ranging from campy-kitschy fun to screaming-laughter inducing terror. To us, this is a season of love. I love to make Halloween themed edibles. Above are my almond flavored Witches' Fingers a creepy and delicious treat.

1 c. butter, softened
1 c. powdered sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
2 2/3 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder (make sure this isn't old - otherwise they don't turn out)
1 tsp. salt
Raw Almonds for finger nails
Green Food Coloring

Mix all (except almonds) ingredients together until coloring is fully incorporated (I use my hands since I like the color to be thoroughly kneaded in). Form into dough ball and refrigerate approximately 30 minutes (or one Twilight Zone episode, he he he).

Preheat oven to 325 F. Remove 1/2 dough ball. Pick out small chunks (my guess is a heaping Tablespoon worth), roll into small ball then into a log form, gently squeezing in a section in the rear and a section just above the middle of the log. Slightly flatten this lumpy log, then using a chilled knife press three lines into the knuckle-area, then press almond-nail into tip of dough.

Repeat with remainder of dough. Keep formed fingers in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Voila! You have a cauldron worth of severed fingers. Everyone you know will be envious.

Listening to: "The Ghost Inside" by Broken Bells, "High Road" by Broken Bells

Concert in the Park

Last night, Happy Husband and I went to a Concert in the Park at Freestone Park in Gilbert (Lindsey and Juniper - just north of Elliott) from 630-800 p.m. Celtic band, Brazen Heads were playing and what seemed like all the children of Gilbert were dancing. It was really a heartwarming sight and wallet-friendly as it was free! We made a picnic of it, eating toasted sandwiches and apples atop a blanket under a tree. Try looking in your area for city/town sponsored events like these, they are great ways to meet your neighbors, too!

Listening to: "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver

'Stache Dash 2010

Ladies and gents, believers and non... I have completed my first 5k! Benefitting cancer research, the 'Stache Dash was an excellent event. I wish I had a camera better to capture the incredible costumes and superior mustache-ery in Tempe that day (R.I.P. camera), but trust me. It.Was.Epic! Behold proof:

I was wearing a "Finger 'Stache" (a temporary tattoo on my finger), not simply holding my finger beneath my nose.



This is the closest I came to being a bonafide runner. And I didn't come in last... boo-yah!



Listening to: "Primitive" by Roisin Murphy

Black Coffee

Having "one of those days" today. My entire office seems very tense, on the edge, ready to explode at the drop of a fedora. Having felt my back muscles knot up as big as a tennis ball, I spent my afternoon listening to late, great jazz legend Peggy Lee, letting the melody soothe my frayed nerves and tune out the raised voices behind my head.

Its beautiful as well as therapeutic, to drink in an incredible song and sipping espresso. Well, in this instance, its the tar-like office rot-gut in a mug, that even my vivid imagination has difficulty masking. Even in this case, I prefer my coffee an unadulterated, unpolluted, rich black.

Listening to: "Black Coffee" by Peggy Lee

Reading: my husband's mind ;)

A Lovely Weekend is Waiting to be Had

I am sitting in my little office cube, listening to musette (french style of music generally accompanied by accordian), dreaming of a light dinner al fresco on our back porch. Candles and wine, baguettes and soft music, dancing in the moonlight on a fairly cool evening - this is what my dreams are made of.

Dream with me, dear reader, and picture what my mind's eye sees (humor me, I still have another hour of work).

Black velvet night, a soft and supple ocean stretching through eternity, winking its shining stars at a listless autumn moon. A whispered breeze tickles through the silver eucalyptus leaves, shimmying the branches a sublte dance. Flickering flame, small and orange crackles in the center of cafe table blanketed with appropriate checkered cloth. There is no one here but you and I; wholly your and wholly mine. Quick, rthymic chords lap at your ears willing you to smile, lifting your toes to tapping. The music plays as if the band leader were playing just 'round the corner. Picture the dancing, the twirling, the skipping feet of young lovers without cares in this world. Chianti, bold and heavy with fruit and spice, swils in the fluted glassware inviting a bold and hungry sip. A faint warmth ebbs from your apple cheeks and over your night chilled nose. A serenity, not often had, permeates throught your bones invigorating you with light and movement; this is a night for dancing in the moonlight. This is a night for being.

Now, let us wait to see if simple dreams come true.

Bon Soir, mon amie!

Have a lovely weekend; I will be doing yardwork.

Listeing to: Musette

Death of a Camera

Sadly, our camera ran away somewhere, sometime between Rockford, IL and Milwaukee, WI (either at the airport or in the rental car). My blogs may be photoless for a while.

A new and better model will make a fantastic present (my birthday IS approaching).

Wedding Weekend in Illinois

We never go dancing, so the weddings we enjoy every three to six months,
satiate that urge to bust a move
(and to have it captured on film for posterity)!

Our Happy Family (my in-laws are incredible)

October 2nd is now my brother-in-law and new sister-in-law's wedding anniversary! They had a beautiful wedding in Rockford, IL at the Anderson Japanese Gardens. It was fabulous to see all of our Happy Family, including those who could not make it to our Happy Wedding in May.

Many blessings to the newlyweds; may they laugh and love all through their lives!

Happy Hubby and Happy Wife for 5 Happy Months

We're looking forward to nieces and nephews and expect them to pony up before we do ;)