HALLOWEEN ON ELM

I felt like we jumped into a Norman Rockwell painting.......

Finn - Uncle Todd - Chloe

walking through the train station

This was the City of Carlsbad's FIRST downtown Halloween Event.  The turnout was triple what they expected, the streets were crowded with children, parents, teens on bikes and animals on leashes dressed up as devils.  We met up with Aunt Kara and Chloe at their condo and walked to the party!  It was incredible.....

Gerome the Knome

Highlight of the evening for Finn.....

meeting Carlsbad Police Officer

Chloe liked the squad car...

they even let you sit inside and play with the police scanner.

Street of Trick 'O' Treaters

Uncle Todd and Chloe checked out the Fire Engine

Finn was shy but Chloe was full speed ahead!

GIRL POWER

Chloe & Casper

City Works Dept went all out....

they created a Gicantic Black Widow Spider

(you can see Chloe & Finn never tooks their eyes off it)

Very Scary....

it had already killed two City Workers in its web.

We walked on towards the live music behind Giocoletti's Music shop.

Even political canidates were out for final voting push!

Soldier Finn was guarding the vintage car.

After all the walking and candy gathering we decided to rest our weary bones at our local Coyote Bar & Grill, food was devine plus the relaxing Cadillac Margarita I just couldn't resist....diet begone!

Todd's dinner

Chloe loved the salsa...she wanted to eat it alone by the spoon full.  I must admit, their salsa is the best, Todd thinks they add cumin. YUM.  I've tried without success to find the recipe online....anyone know the recipe to their salsa?  I would love to have it!

While we were eating a couple of Zombie's came in to rest their bones after performing Thriller,  Finn couldn't resist taking a closer look.  For Zombie's they were extremely friendly and even shared some grooming tips with Finn. 

Kind of Scary

We finished the evening at the fountain in Village Square....we left Uncle Todd chase Chloe and Finn around the fountain to burn off the sugar intake.  Finn met up with the Mad Hatter...you just never know you will meet up with at the fountain....

Mad Hatter & Soldier Finn

The Mad Hatter won for best child costume...

(after running around the fountain his wig/hat was a little askew)

On our way home Finn told us he had the best Halloween ever.....and to think it wasn't even Halloween yet, one more day with two more parties to attend.

Happy Halloween

HALLOWEEN TRADITIONS

Can you guess what we did this evening?

A picture is worth a thousand words.

The Top is Off

Time to scoop out the insides...

Finn wasn't too keen on this part,

he said it was too slimy!

I love my front yard.....if you drove by our house this evening you would have seen all of us seated at the picnic table carving pumpkins, even the dog & cat came out to see what we were up too. 

I highly recommend carving pumpkins outside, keeps the mess out of the house........pumpkins can get very messy.  We lined the table with newspaper which makes clean-up a breeze!  There is also something magical about being outside in the crisp Fall air while we participated in a Halloween Tradition!

Magical

It's not too late to carve your pumpkins.

Here are the finished results....

Finn's Bat

 My Crow

Todd's Classic Pumpkin Face

SCHOOL CRAFTS

Do you remember school crafts?  Paper Chains, Snowflakes, Painted Leaves, Crayon shavings melted under waxpaper? 

Last year for Halloween Finn came home from school with a handpainted ceramic spider....this year I was treated to a pumpkin.  He is my favorite....I adore the color palette he used, especially the silver mouth.

Happy Halloween,

only two more days to go!

FINN'S FREEDOM

Yesterday afternoon it happened.......

the training wheels came off and Finn went flying on by. Everyone keeps telling me...Tiff, this is it, he now has freedom to travel about on his own steam.  There will be no catching him now!

BETTY LOU'S SWEET N SOUR RED CABBAGE

It started with an email from my cousin Ashley to my Aunt Scotty asking for the red cabbage recipe.  That's all it took and I was hooked....I just had to make it.  Todd & I are both cabbage lovers but not usually of the cooked variety, we also love "red" cabbage and are not aware of too many recipe's using "red" cabbage other than on fish tacos and salads.

Friday during lunch I ran out for red cabbage and a pork tenderloin roast.  The weather has been unusually cold, rainy and dark....so what's better for dinner than pork, potato's and cabbage, just like the Irish.   

 Todd slicing the ternderloin....

we coulldn't wait to try the cabbage.

I paired the meal with a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from Line 39.  It accompanied the pork & cabbage well and wasn't pricey, $12.00.

Ta da.....it was absolutely fabulous.  I loved the contrast between the sweet & sour (lemon juice & brown sugar).  It was even better the second day for lunch, all the flavors had meshed completely.

Thank you Ashley for initiating this recipe.  It is a keeper!!!  Is everyone's mouth watering?  For those of you who like cabbage, here is the recipe:

Betty Lou's Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage
(BTW, Betty Lou is our grandmother)

1/2 head Red Cabbage
1/4 c. lemon juice
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 grated onion
4 T. Butter

Melt butter, brown onion slightly.  Add juice & brown sugar & dash of salt.  Chop cabbage add to skillet.  Cook low heat or steam for 15 to 20 minutes (slightly less if you like it crunchy).  Stir occasionally.

Best part....eat & enjoy!

CINDERELLA/PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Presenting Madeline......

Town Crier extraodinaire!! 

Last Friday night you would have found me sitting in the balcony, center stage at the California Performing Arts Center waiting for the curtain to go up....

For those of you who know Mary, Dave and Will....can you spot them in Orchestra seating below?  This was my view....I was tempted to drop water balloons but alas they didn't fit in my evening bag so I left them at home.

This was their daughters first theatrical performance with the San Elijo Dance Academy....I wouldn't have missed it for anything! 

 Me with Cinderella....magical!

I was all a twitter. 

Favorite photo of the evening

Proud Father with his daughter!

Proud Parents

If I had a wish to give....it would be to give you a friend like Mary. She is an amazing mother, friend, sister and mentor.  I was so proud of her daughter on this special evening.  Glad I was able to be a part of it!

SUNSET MARKET - THURSDAYS

What to do on Thursday nights

if you live in North County, San Diego?

Go to the Sunset Market

in Oceanside of course!!

Todd and Finn trying to figure out what they want for dinner...

Wood Fired Pizza

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Fish & Chips

Soul Food

Filipino Chicken Kabobs

Greek Gyros

Thai Chicken & Noodles

Deep Fried Artichokes

You name it, they have it!  We settled on Wood Fired Pizza.....yum!

Finn ordering Cheese & Pepperoni

 Finn eating his Pizza

Best part of dinner....sitting on the curb while listening to live music and eating food that's not on your diet!! 

Let's make plans.......next Thursday lets all meet up at the Sunset Market.  Finn loved the night flier stall, Todd loved G.I. Joe's Military shop........me, I loved the jewelry & chocolate!  There is something for everyone!  See you there.....

BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR TIAGO

WHEN: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17TH

WHERE: FINN'S HOUSE

TIME: 2PM

PIZZA & CAKE

Homemade Birthday Cake by Devon

Peanut Buter Grenache & Nutella Filling

Mother & Child

SISTER & BROTHER IN-LAW

Daddy's Little Pumpkin

Chloe came dressed appropriately!

Cousins ready to party & open Gifts!!

 Birthday Boy in the HOUSE!!

B.C.F.

Best Cousins Forever

Make a Wish

Did you wish for a Masserati for your Auntie Tiff?

PRESENTS - WOO HOO

LOVE THE WRAP AUNT KARA

Festive Finn

THOMAS THE TRAIN

TIAGO'S FAVORITE

Who's that good looking woman hanging out with my husband?  Wait...that's Grandma Edna!  Looking Good Grandma, love the Argyle Sweater Vest. 

It's no secret.....I LOVE games, the latest addition to my collection is "Shut the Box".  I was introduced to this game by Jennifer Liggan, she brought one back from Thailand when she was visiting her husband.  She always has it with her when she goes camping...her's is the only one I have ever seen until a few weeks ago I was checking out the Clearance section at Target and low and behold there was a "Shut the Box" on sale for $6.83!!!!

It is highly addictive.....you can play by yourself or against other people.  Kara and Grandma worked together, I was surprised at how well Grandma Edna did (she has macular disinegration but was able to see the dots on the dice).   

 Kara won!!!  Victory Cheer!!

She "Shut the Box",

 first time it has been done on mine!

               

All good things must come to and end.....Pato walking Grandma Edna out to the car.  It's never goodbye....until we meet again.