Big Fish Book Review

Big Fish by Daniel Wallace
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love getting books sometimes that you end up reading in one sitting. It can be so satisfying to read a book from beginning to end and get the whole sense of it at once. I decided to read Big Fish after watching the movie recently. Because I'm not a fan of Tim Burton (sorry!), I never bothered with the movie. Then someone brought it home and I've watched it like five times since! I love that movie!

Big Fish the Book

Big Fish the Movie

For one thing it was filmed in my home town, Montgomery, Alabama. My daughter attended college at the campus where they filmed (not Auburn!) which is also in Montgomery. The book and movie is about facing our own mortality. The fictional son records his father's "fish tales" and interspersed throughout the book are the final moments of a son with his amazing but definitely flawed father. By the end of the book, the son seems to come to terms with his dad.

"I looked at this old man, my old man with his old white feet in this clear-running stream, these moments among the very last in his life, and I thought of him suddenly, and simply, as a boy, a child, a youth, with his whole life ahead of him, much as mine was ahead of me. I'd never done that before. And these images--the now and then of my father--converged, and at that moment he turned into a weird creature, wild, concurrently young and old, dying and newborn.

"My father became a myth."


What do you think?  Is this Tim Burton's Best Movie or do you prefer another, and if so, why?

When There's Nothing Else to Eat

So I was making a grocery list to determine what I had in the fridge and what I needed from the store.  I noticed that there was about a cup's worth of leftover turkey (or chicken, or ham), a long stalk of celery, a couple of sliced green onions, a couple of handfuls of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and mayonnaise in the refrigerator.  Then I checked the pantry and found half-a-box of small elbow macaroni.  I never do this--I'm not creative with food, I normally must have a recipe--but for some reason these ingredients just came together in my mind as a really good salad.

I put off going to the store and cooked the macaroni, chopped the meat and diced the celery.  After rinsing the macaroni in a colander under cold water and quick-drying it on paper towels on the counter, I combined all the ingredients together with enough mayonnaise to moisten.  I didn't season it with salt and pepper, leaving that for family members to do.  Then I tried it.  Maybe I was hungry but it was the best macaroni salad I've ever had!

I'm writing this post just to remind myself how I made it.  Even though it's simple, I'm liable to forget.  This was enough for 4-6 large helpings.  (My daughter, a 115 lb. college cheerleader with a coach who will tell you you're fat, actually went back for a second large helping.  This is not normal for her!)  It just goes to show you how often we throw food out or think we have nothing to eat when the leftover and last bits of something can turn into a fabulous (if simple) dinner.  All the ingredients are "to taste."  Some might like more of one thing and less of another.  Print Recipe

Turkey Macaroni Salad
1 cup small elbow macaroni, prepared (or whatever pasta you have on hand)
1-2 cups turkey, (or chicken, or ham), cooked and chopped
1 stalk of celery, diced 
1-2 sliced green onions
1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese 
1/2 cup mayonnaise (enough to moisten the ingredients)
Prepare macaroni according to directions.  Rinse in cool water and drain thoroughly.  Combine all the ingredients adding more mayo if necessary.

Snow-Couple Bell Ornaments

Snow-Couple Bell Ornaments
2, 6-1/2 inch square pieces cotton batting
1, 4x4 inch piece of black felt
2 tiny jingle bells
2, 1-3/4 inch diameter clay pots
2, 6x1 inch homespun scraps
2, 14 inch long pieces light-weight wire
4, 1 inch cinnamon sticks
4 buttons
2, 1 inch diameter wooden balls
white, black, and orange paint
small brush
scissors
heavy thread
sewing needle and glue
Allow paint to dry after each application.
For each head, paint wooden ball white.  Paint an orange nose on face.  Use marker to draw eyes and mouth on face and add details to nose.  Paint pink cheeks on the snow lady.  Cut two 6-1/2 inch diameter circles from batting for bodies.  Trace patterns, onto tracing paper.  Using patterns, cut one each of hat crown, hat top and hat brim from black felt; and ear muffs from green felt.
For each body, use heavy thread to work running stitches along edge of batting circle.  (A sample of running stitches can be found on my Natural Angels post).  Center bell on circle and place flowerpot over bell.  Pull thread ends to gather batting over flowerpot; knot ends together to secure.
For each set of arms, thread wire through one cinnamon stick and button hole, then back through button and cinnamon stick; continue for opposite arm.  Leaving one inch between arms, twist wire ends to secure.
Glue arms and head to top of body.
For snowman hat, glue short ends of hat crown together.  Center and glue crown on brim; glue top on hat.
Glue hat on snowman, earmuffs on snow lady and remaining buttons on bodies.  Tie a 1x0 inch homespun scarf around each neck.  (Original Source:  Gooseberry Patch Christmas Book 2, pp. 21, 25, and 123)
Snow Couple Bell Ornaments Google Docs Pattern

Fall Fun

Three favorite recipes for fall: Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Pumpkin Play-dough...

Halloween Crisp Candy Corn Treats

1/2 c. butter

10 c. crispy rice cereal

9 c. mini marshmallows

2 c. mixture of candy corn and Indian corn

3/4 c. mini chocolate chips--if desired (refrigerated or frozen)

Melt butter and marshmallows; stir until smooth.  In a large bowl, mix rice cereal, candy corn and mini chips together. Add marshmallow mixture to cereal mixture; stir quickly to combine.  Spread on a large buttered 9 x 13 inch pan; press with buttered hands.  While warm.  Refrigerate and cut into squares.

Print Recipe

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

2 T. butter
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. seasoning salt
2 c. washed, cleaned pumpkin seeds
Heat oven to 300 degrees F.  Melt butter in a saucepan.  Add seeds and spices; toss to coat.  Spread seeds on a large cookie sheet or jelly roll pan.  Bake 40 minutes, stirring often, until they're browned and crisp.  Yield:  2 cups.
Print Recipe

Pumpkin Play-Dough

I purchased a lump of this play-dough at an arts and crafts festival when my kids were little.  This smells great, so remind small children that it is not for eating.
5-1/2 c. flour
2 c. salt
8 t. cream of tartar
3/4 c. oil
11-12 oz. container pumpkin pie spice
Orange food coloring:  2 parts yellow, 1 part red
4 cups water
Mix all of the ingredients together.  Cook and stir over medium heat until all lumps disappear.  Knead the dough on a floured surface until it is smooth.  Store play-dough in an airtight container in refrigerator.
Print Recipe

Simple Oktoberfest Family Meal

This meal can be cooked over an open fire or right in the oven.  Be sure to use a pan to catch possible drippings if you cook in the oven.  A great way to enjoy a beautiful fall evening at home or camping.  Print Recipe

Simple Oktoberfest Family Meal
1 lg. sweet onion, sliced
3 lg. bell peppers:  green, red, and yellow
4 medium potatoes, sliced 1/2-inch thick
6 medium carrots, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 small cabbage, sliced
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 to 1-1/2 lb. cooked Polish sausage
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
Place onion, peppers, potatoes, carrots, cabbage and tomatoes on three pieces of double-layered heavy-duty foil (about 18 x 18-inch).  Cut sausage into 1/2-inch pieces and add to foil; dot with butter.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Fold foil around the mixture and seal tightly.  Grill, covered, over medium coals for 30 minutes.  Turn and grill 30 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender, (if you open bundles to check, be careful of steam escaping, and carefully fold back if more time is needed, so they don't leak).  Yield:  6 servings.

Jello Popsicles and Kool-aid Playdo

For yummy popsicles you can't buy from the store:
Jello Popsicles Print Recipe
1 pkg. Kool-Aid
1 pkg. Jello (same flavor as Kool-Aid)
1 c. sugar
2 c. boiling water
2 c. cold water
Pour into popsicle forms and place in freezer.  (Or pour into ice trays and when partially frozen, put plastic wrap over tray and insert wooden tooth picks into each cube-plastic keeps toothpicks straight).

For play-dough with a vibrant color and wonderful smell:
Koolaid Playdo Print Recipe
2-1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
2 pkg. dry unsweetened Kool-Aid
2 c. boiling water
3 T. oil
Mix dry ingredients together in bowl.  Mix liquids together and pour into dry ingredients.  Stir until it forms a ball.  This may take a while.  As mixture cools and becomes less sticky, take out of bowl and knead until smooth.

Mom Mix

I had the children hand these out to their mommies one year when I worked in Primary.  I think they're pretty cute!  The mix can be put in a simple baggie with the following attached:

Mom Mix

Marshmallows because you're a big "softy,"

Cheese crackers because you're "squarely" behind us,

Gummy bears because you're a teddy bear,

Peanuts because I'm "nuts" about you,

The Fruit Loops because you're so sweet!

P.S.  I recommend using Teddy Grahams instead of Gummy Bears, just change the wording to "Teddy Grahams because...".

HERE is an 8x10 printable of the Mom Mix poem.

Download This Printable

See also:

Spa-Rific Bath Mixes to Give

Aromatherapy Bath Potpourri Bags

Peanut Butterscotch Morsels

Had a creative week during Christmas break.  Maybe it was because I was so used to working on Christmas crafts that I started to go through withdrawals and needed a "fix."  So besides coming up with (and maybe someone had already discovered it) Chicken Macaroni Salad, I decided to see what sweets I could quickly create.

I had half a bag of butterscotch chips and half a can of salted peanuts on hand.  That was pretty much it unless I wanted to do some baking--WHICH I DID NOT!  I threw the butterscotchies in a microwave-safe bowl and zapped it for 45 seconds twice, stirring in between.  The bowl was hot so I carefully took it from the microwave and added my peanuts.  Then with a teaspoon I dipped out very small amounts onto wax paper, using a spatula to make sure not one speck of melted butterscotch was left in the bowl.  The spoonfuls set pretty quickly since they were small.  In about 15 minutes the Peanut Butterscotch Morsels were ready.  SERIOUSLY GOOD!

Now that I have this easy, quick fix for a sweet tooth, I'm going to have to increase my workout time for sure.  I'm writing the recipe for my kiddos who inherited their parent's sweet tooth.

Peanut Butterscotch Morsels
1 cup Hershey butterscotch chips (brand melts the best)
1 cup salted peanuts (I wonder how cashews would taste?)
In a microwavable-safe bowl, melt butterscotch morsels for 45 seconds.  (Start with 20 seconds at a time to see how long your microwave takes--it may need more or less time).  Stir just a bit to loosen; microwave for another 45 seconds (depending on your microwave).  Stir morsels just until nearly melted; stir in peanuts to coat.  Dip out mixture with a teaspoon onto wax paper placed on a flat surface.  Let it set for at least 15 minutes--unless you like to eat them gooey :) like I sometimes do.  Once set, they store very well in a ziploc baggie.  Recipe can be doubled.  This would make a nice candy to place on cookie and candy plates you give out at Christmas time.  They are very pretty and would look nice in a pretty dish at a party.

Christmas Coffee Cake (Biscuit Mix)

As shown, I make Christmas Coffee Cake with pecans on one side because my son doesn't like the nuts.  I use my own homemade baking mix (like Bisquick) that has wheat in it to make this beautiful coffee cake.  This way I can rotate my wheat a little faster and the coffee cake tastes sooo much better.  If you make Wheat Quick Mix, you can use regular shortening (that's what the original recipe from Southern Living magazine called for), but I like it even better with butter-flavored Crisco.  Find a scrumpious pancake recipe using Wheat Quick Mix found near the bottom of Some Favorite Campy Things, camping part 2 post.  For delicious homemade 7 Up Biscuits see Homemaker's Journal post Easy, Perfect Biscuits.

Christmas Coffee Cake (Biscuit Mix)
1, 3-ounce package cream cheese
1/4 cup margarine or butter (I prefer butter)
2 cups biscuit mix or Bisquick
1/4 cup milk
1/2 can pie filling of your choice (I like cherry)
1/4 - 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Cut cream cheese and butter into biscuit mix till crumbly.  Add milk; stir until mixed.  On lightly floured surface, knead dough 10-12 strokes.  On waxed paper, roll or pat dough into a 12 x 8 inch rectangle.

Invert onto greased baking sheet; remove paper.

Spread filling down center of dough.  Make 2-1/2 inches cuts from long sides toward center at 1 inch intervals.

Fold strips over filling and pinch in center.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden.  FREEZE at this point if desired.  When thawed, drizzle with Powdered Sugar Glaze.  Yield:  12 servings.

Powdered Sugar Glaze
In a bowl stir together 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and enough milk to make a drizzling consistency (1-2 teaspoons).  If using peach filling, add 1/4 teaspoon almond flavoring to glaze mix and a little less milk.

Natural Angels Ornaments

I made the natural angels ornaments after seeing them in Gooseberry Patch Christmas, Book 2.  I also taught a mini class on how to make them.  By doing some of the work ahead of time, it made a nice 30 minute class.  You need white felt--I chose ecru (creamy off-white).  Other materials include a little polyester fiberfill and 4-inch tall wooden doll clothespin, country print fabric, hot glue gun, dried bay leaves, and dried apple slices.  See below on how to dry the apples and seal them and the bay leaves so they'll last a good while.

running stitch

1. For each angel, cut one 2-1/2-inch square from felt.  Place a small amount of fiberfill at center of felt square.  Gather felt around top of clothespin; wrap and tie thread around gathers to secure.
2. Tear a 3-1/2"x9" piece of fabric for dress.  Work running stitches along one long edge of dress.  Pull ends of thread to gather dress around neck of angel; tie thread to secure.  (Running Stitch:  a series of straight stitches with stitch length equal to the space between stitches).
3. Glue 2 bay leaves to angel for wings and an apple slice over bay leaves for halo.

Dried Fruit Slices
Dry apples the day before you plan to use them.  Begin by slicing apples vertically to make 1/4-in.-thick heart shaped slices.  Soak slices in mixture of 1/2 cup lemon juice and 1/2 tablespoon salt for 3-4 minutes.  Drain and place apples on oven rack (wire, oven-proof cooling rack works well since apples will eventually shrink up some); bake at 150 degrees (not above 200 degrees) with door ajar for 5 to 6 hours or until they feel leathery.  When apples are cool, spray with 2 coats matte clear acrylic spray sealer to retain color (allowing to dry between coats).  This can be done with oranges and grapefruit slices as well but you don't have to soak them in the lemon juice mixture.  (Country Woman Magazine, May/June 1992, p. 21)

Better Than Potpourri Brew

Made a smaller pot of this fragrant brew.

This may not look beautiful, but the mixture smells great!  (It is not for consumption).  It works great to get strong smells out of your kitchen as well.  I think I found this recipe and some of the following information in Southern Living Magazine.  I used the Better-Than-Potpourri Brew when showing my home for sale and sold my house within 2 months!

Better Than Potpourri Brew
6 cups water
Peel from 1 apple
Rind from 1 lemon
Rind from 1 orange
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and quartered
3 (2-inch) sticks cinnamon
16 whole cloves
1 teaspoon whole allspice
2 teaspoons pickling spice
Bring all ingredients to a boil in a Dutch oven over high heat.  Reduce heat, and simmer.  Gradually add more water as the liquid evaporates.

Festive Fruit Basket Liners

When I was a teenager we made larger versions of this cute little basket liner for church fruit baskets we helped deliver (using Christmas material of course).  I have given many, many cookie plates and gift baskets throughout the years.  The cookie plates are something my extended family did for each other.  My favorite thing to receive on a cookie plate was Aunt Janice's divinity.

I like to fill my gift baskets with things like homemade mocha fudge, freezer cookies, banana bread, and candy, fruit, and nuts.  Baskets can be found at stores like Hobby Lobby.  The dimensions for making a pattern of a small basket are 15 x 12.5 inch rectangle, with corners cut out so that you have a long flap of 8 x 4 inches and a shorter flap that is 5 x 3.5 inches.  Happy Giving :0)

Fragrant Vintage Ornaments

Satisfy your handcrafting urge by making Fragrant Vintage Ornaments.  Though mostly made from items in your pantry, these ornaments are not edible.  This recipe makes about 12 ornaments.  They can be used for tree and package decorations, bookmarks, necklaces, pins, and/or drawer fresheners.

First combine 1 cup of cinnamon, 1 tablespoon ground cloves and 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg with a whisk in a medium size bowl.  With hands, work 3/4 cup applesauce and 2 tablespoons of Aleene's Tacky Glue and mix with hands 2 to 3 minutes to make a mildly wet dough.  If it is too dry and another tablespoon of applesauce.  If it is too wet add a little more cinnamon.

Divide ball into four balls and knead dough like Play Doe.  Keep the other balls of dough covered with a damp cloth until you work with it.  This is a good time to pass out dough to as many as 8 children by dividing into 8 pieces.

Placing the dough between two pieces of plastic wrap, roll or pat to 1/4 inch.

Take off the top plastic and cut dough with cookie cutters.  When doing this project with children, cookie cutters with few corners works best.

As long as the dough has been well kneaded and not rolled too thin, the dough should be easy to peel away and reused.  The cutouts can be gently peeled off the plastic and placed on a cookie sheet.  I like to line my sheet with parchment.

Using a straw, make a hole at the top of the ornament, but not too close to the edge.  Place in an oven no more than 200 degrees for 2-4 hours, turning over halfway through.  Or place in a sunny window on a cooling rack turning over time to time to ensure even drying.  This could take up to 4 or 5 days.

When ornaments dry, you can insert ribbon--cut to 22-inch lengths--through hole and tie ends into a knot.  Tie another length into a bow around first ribbon near ornament top.  Ornaments can be decorated with opaque paint markers found in arts and crafts stores, if desired.  I used white Puffy Paint to make it look like royal icing.

Retro-Christmas Stockings

The first time I saw this idea was when my Aunt Phala brought one for each family at my Grandma's annual Christmas party.  These are what I call Retro-Christmas Stockings.  When I was still a newlywed, my husband's mom gave each of her children's family's one of these stockings. Growing up, he and the other siblings got at stocking each year and his mom would put their name on a slip of paper at the bottom of it so that they wouldn't get mixed up (seven children in the family).  I'm not sure of the actual history, but it seems they come from the Depression Era.  If you're thrifty, you use old, (clean) knee-hi pantyhose (stockings as we called them), however, I buy the cheapo new ones.  Then in each "stocking" you place

• about a cup of mixed nuts (in their shells--very pretty)
• an orange, couple of tangerines, and a red and green apple (I like the smaller apples)
• Christmas candy (something that won't melt!)
• and a small gift or two (could be a handmade ornament for the family tree, or for an individual, socks, gloves--a tie for men or missionaries, scarf for a woman, small toy for a child)

Distribute the items evenly throughout the stocking.  Then tie with curling ribbon.  They can be made assembly line fashion and generic so that each family gets the same thing, or you can make them by males and females each sex getting the same items.  Or if you do them for your own family members like I do (five in all), I make the small gift a little more personal.  This is also a nice gift for visiting and home teaching families and employees or coworkers.

Candy Cane Reindeer Ornaments

Reindeer Ornaments would make cute table centerpieces for parties or to decorate side and coffee tables.  I like to decorate my tree with them and then give the reindeer out to visitors (especially children).  You need mini red poms for the nose, mini googly eyes (I could have gone up one size on both), and brown pipe cleaners.  Also Aleene's fast drying craft glue keeps the eyes from sliding, and don't forget the box of candy canes!  This is a pretty good project for kids.

First cut a pipe cleaner in half (unless you want really big antlers).  Making sure the candy cane is in the middle of the pipe cleaner half, twist the pipe cleaner around the top of the candy cane crook.  Then fold the pipe cleaner in 45 degree angles about two or three times (more for larger antlers).  Put a bead of glue on the back of the antlers behind the twist so that the antlers stay on tight.

Next glue a pair of googly eyes to the candy cane making sure they touch each other.

Add a red pom for a nose.

Setting each into a cup is a good way to help them dry safely.  If you made your antlers large, they can lay flat on a table.  Now read Imogene's Antlers by David Small (hilarious!  He also wrote George Shrinks):

Old-fashioned Travel Games

This came from a really early Southern Living Magazine--like from the mid-seventies!  I love to read really old Southern Livings.  The early eighties must have been really good issues and not disposed of cause those are the only S.L. I couldn't find.  As you can see in the scanned photos, these kids are not wearing seatbelts!!!  Well heck! neither did we in the mid-seventies.  I would have been about these children's age.  I had an aunt whose nine kids were all geniuses and they always wanted to play car games that were way over my little pea brain.  But I kept this article cause I think the little ipod thingys and other techy toys need to be left at home, and moms actually find their arts and crafts supplies, dust them off, and prepare games that can involve the whole family.

Anagram--Cut some small squares of paper.  Write one letter of the alphabet on one side of each square, making more vowels than consonants.  Turn the lettered side of each square down.  Draw six squares, and try to use the letters in one or more words.  Score one point for each letter used.
Name Pictures--Try to write your name in as many ways as you can.  For example, you can make tall, short, fat, striped, and polka-dot letters.
Pathways--Make up a theme for a game.  For example, you can choose a treasure hunt or animal safari.  Draw a numbered path of squares on a piece of paper.
Use coins for men, and throw the dice to determine the number of moves for each man.  The first one to get to the end wins.
Puzzles--Draw a picture on a piece of paper, and color it.  Cut the picture into pieces; then try to reassemble the picture.
Spot a Word--Write the letters of the alphabet in a column on the left side of a piece of paper.  Opposite each letter, write a word that begins with that letter; use only words that you actually see printed on signs along the road or the names of animals or objects you see.
Squiggles--Draw an oddly shaped line on a piece of paper; then try to turn it into a funny face by adding other lines.
The following verbal games are good to suggest to children who cannot read in a moving car.
Animal Game--Take turns naming kinds of animals.  The last one to name an animal wins.
Color Game--Name a color, and take turns naming objects that are that color.  The winner is the one who is last to name an object.
Name All Your Relatives--Name a relationship, a cousin, for example; then try to name all your cousins.  Or you can name a city or state and try to name all the relatives who live there.
Tapes--Many families take a cassette player along on trips.  Children can record impressions of the trip, or amuse themselves by recording their voices.  They can also play tapes recorded on previous trips.  (YOU CAN STILL BUY TAPE RECORDERS AND TAPES!!!--They're not obsolete!!!)

Spa-Rific Bath Mixes to Give

Fragrant Bath Salts Mix 
(Wonderful as a foot soak!)
1 c. borax
1/2 c. sea salt or Epsom salts
1/2 c. baking soda
1/2 t. lavender soap fragrance
1/4 t. orange soap fragrance
1/4 t. sandalwood soap fragrance
Combine borax, sea salt and baking soda in a mixing bowl and mix well.  Stir in fragrances.  Pour into decorative 1-pint container with tight-fitting lid.  Attach gift tag with raffia or ribbon.  Yield: 2 cups.
Fragrant Bath Salts Directions:  Pour 1/2 c. Fragrant Bath Salts Mix into tub of running warm water and swish to dissolve.

Victorian Milk Bath Mix
(Use up powdered milk that's a little too old to drink!)
2 c. powdered milk
1/2 c. old-fashioned oats
1/2 c. dried lavender flowers
1/2 to 1 t. plumeria or other floral soap fragrance
Process powdered milk and oats in blender or food processor until fine; transfer to medium bowl.  Stir in lavender flowers and fragrance.  Pour into decorative 1-pint bottle or jar with tight-fitting lid.  Attach gift tag with raffia or ribbon.  Yield:  3 cups.
Victorian Milk Bath Mix Directions:  Pour 1 cup Victorian Milk Bath Mix into knee-high stocking, knot and toss into tub while filling with warm water.  Squeeze stocking a few times to release all the oats' skin-soothing features.

Oatmeal Facial Scrub
(For amazingly softer skin!)
1-1/2 c. old-fashioned oats
1/2 c. cornmeal
1/2 t. jasmine soap fragrance
Process all ingredients in a blender or food processor until oats are very finely ground.  Pour into a decorative 1-pint container with a tight-fitting lid, or into cellophane bags.  Attach gift tag with raffia or ribbon.  Tip:  If your gift recipient has especially sensitive skin, you can make an even gentler scrub by substituting baking soda for the cornmeal.  Buy soap fragrances at arts and crafts stores.
Oatmeal Facial Scrub Directions:  Pour 1 teaspoon Oatmeal Facial Scrub Mix into palm of hand.  Moisten with a little water and gently massage into skin with fingertips in a circular motion.  Rinse off immediately with plain water.

See Also:  Aromatherapy Bath Potpourri Bags

Trick or Treat Family Night Idea

Blast from the Past:  Maybe everyone knows about Tootsie Roll Ghosts, but in case you don't, they're a cute addition to Halloween goody plates.  In the 1970's my elementary school teacher showed us how to make these.  I was so excited cause, "Hello!" it's a Tootsie Roll Pop!  Delicious :O)  Take a couple of tissues and wrap around the Tootsie Roll Pop and tie off with string to make the head.  (I use candle-wicking or crochet cotton found in the crochet isle).  Then with a permanent marker make two eyes and a mouth.  Voila!

Georgie is a favorite "Ghost" book of mine!

Below are two versions of cute poems to leave treats anonymously and help others catch the spirit of "treating."  (Leave poem with a ghost door hanger and your gift of treats)  You've Been Boo'ed PDF

source unknown

The air is cool the season fall Soon Halloween will come to all 
The spooks are after things to do In fact, a spook brought this to you 
"Boo" is a shield from witching hour Just hang it up and watch its power

On your front door is where it works It wards off spooks and scary jerks 
The treats that came with crypted note Are yours to keep, enjoy them both 
The power comes when friends like you Will copy this and make it TWO

Then others here among our friends Will give warm fuzzies that do not end 
We'll all have smiles upon our faces No one will know who "BOO"ed whose places 
Just one short day to work your spell Or a big ZAP will strike your tail

And don't forget a nifty treat, Like something cute or something sweet 
Please join fun, let's really hear it And spread some"Boo"s and Halloween spirit.

2nd Example

The Phantom has been here with a treat just for you,

He crept to your door in a fog misty blue.

This isn't a trick, this treat isn't for free,

Now it's your turn and the Phantom you'll be!

The Phantom loves treats and also loves rhymes.

Take you this paper and copy TWO times.

So he won't strike again, hang this on your window or door.

Take this and a treat and deliver TWO more

To a neighbor or friend in the black of the night.  

Pound on their door, and give 'em a fright.

Then by Halloween night, there surely should be

Phantoms on all the doors that we see.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

October Traditions: Fun with Cookies!

These are my absolute favorite cookies!  I made some today and realized when it was time to add the flour that I only had a little all-purpose flour left.  So I used half wheat and half all-purpose.  They turned out sooo good!  In fact everyone said they liked them better.  I think they taste better a little thicker, so I only make a dozen/recipe.  Spook someone with this Trick or Treat Family Home Evening idea!

Autumn Owl Cookies

1 c. packed brown sugar

1-1/2 sticks butter, no substitutes

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2-1/2 c. all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1-oz square unsweetened chocolate

1/4 tsp baking soda

Reece's Pieces

whole cashews

In a mixing bowl, cream brown sugar and softened butter. Add egg and vanilla; mix well.  Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture.  Remove two-thirds of the dough; roll into an 8-inch square on waxed paper and set aside.  Combine chocolate and baking soda until thoroughly blended; beat into remaining dough.  Shape into an 8-inch-long roll; place on edge of white dough.  Wrap white dough around roll and pinch seam together.  Wrap in waxed paper; chill for at least 2 hours.  

Cut into 1/4-inch slices.  To form owl's face, place two slices side-by-side on a lightly greased baking sheet (I like parchment paper on my baking sheet instead of greased).  

Pinch dough at the top of the circles to form ears.  Place Reece's Pieces in the center of each circle for eyes.  Place a cashew in the center of the face for the beak.  Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Cool for 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack.  Yield:  about 1-1/2 dozen.  (From Taste of Home's Halloween Food and Fun)

October through December, we enjoy Baking Days which includes these chocolaty cookies my son loves and which we like to mail to missionary friends:

Kitty Cookies

1 c. butter (no substitutes), softened

2 c. sugar

2 eggs

3 t. vanilla extract

3 c. self-rising flour

1 c. baking cocoa

candy corn and red-hots

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Combine self-rising flour and cocoa in a separate bowl. Gradually add flour mixture to creamed mixture.  Roll dough into 1-1/2-in. balls.  Place 3 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets.  Flatten with a glass dipped in sugar.  Pinch top of cookie to form ears.  

For whiskers, press a fork twice into each cookie.  Bake 350 degrees F. for 10-15 min. or until cookies are set.  Remove from oven and immediately press on candy corn for eyes and red-hots for noses.  Remove to wire racks to cool.  Yield: 2 dozen (From Taste of Home's Halloween Food and Fun, p. 14).

Here are some tips I found in the magazine, Quick Cooking, on packaging cookies: 

~When choosing recipes, look for bars, drop cookies, slice-an-bake cookies and sandwich cookies, which are fairly sturdy and less likely to break when shipped.

~Avoid delicate cutout and shaped cookies, which may break; chocolate, since it will melt easily; and items with perishable frostings or fillings.

~When packaging the goodies, wrap bars individually in plastic wrap.  Drop cookies can be bundled back-to-back in packages of two.  Slice-and-bake and sandwich cookies can be wrapped in plastic wrap in bundles of two or three.

~Pack soft cookies in containers or tins separate from crisp cookies.  If packed together, the moisture from the soft cookies will make the crisp cookies lose their crunch. 

~To help retain the best flavor, don't pack strong-flavored cookies like gingersnaps in the same container with mild-flavored ones like sugar cookies. 

~Line the containers with crumpled waxed paper to help cushion the cookies.  Snugly pack the cookies to within 1 in. of the top.  Use crumpled waxed paper or bubble wrap to fill any gaps between the cookies.  Add more waxed paper or bubble wrap over the last layer to cushion the cookies and prevent shifting during shipping. OR
Place pieces of wax paper between cookie layers and add mini marshmallows to make sure cookies don't move around.  Tuck in a couple packages of cocoa for a great gift! (from Gooseberry Patches' Country Quick and Easy Cookbook).

~Place a layer of crumpled paper, bubble wrap or foam shipping peanuts in the bottom of a sturdy corrgated box that is slightly larger than your cookie container.  Set the container on top; then add more paper, bubble wrap or shipping peanuts.