SWEET OWLS AND CAKE POPS

The owl plates at Homegoods flew to my table this week, and along with them, came some cute spiders from Hobby Lobby, scary spiders, dirty ole rats, spider venom and vampire blood.  EEK!

I love the eyes on the owl plates. Not scary at all.

Would you care for some spider venom or vampire blood? How about a cup of coffee with a dirty ole rats tail? Eek!

I used rubbery spider webs, rats and spiders from the Dollar Store to embellish the table. I attached spider webs to the canning jar candleholders that I used in my yard all summer. To attach the spider web, I used invisible thread that I bought at Joann Fabrics. Added two orange votive candles, and enjoyed a candlelight dinner.  Well at least I tried to...there were too many rats and spiders for my liking.

Look at that dirty rat hanging on for dear life. He needs to be shooed away before dinner can begin. Eek!

No rats allowed at the Black Widows' Ball!  On the invitation, I asked the ladies to wear their little black dress (no witches allowed) with spidery accessories. After the party next weekend, I'll show you the spider skirt that I made for the party ;o)

I found a recipe for these adorable Cake Pops in Everyday Food, Oct. 2011, and bought the festive sprinkles in small quantity in the bulk section at Wegman's. Some of the pops were decorated with mini M&M's and candy corn. Very easy to make, I assure you.

Store bought pound cake, melted chocolate, sprinkles and lollipop sticks is all you need to make these CAKE POPS. I had to transport the pops 90 miles, so I can tell you they travel well!

Instructions for CAKE POPS:

1)  Cut pound cake into 1-inch slices and cut into rounds with a 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter.

2)  Microwave semisweet chocolate chips until melted. (I used chocolate bark since I had it on hand, and it worked very well)

3)  Place one round at a time on the tines of a fork and submerge in chocolate. Transfer to a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet and let excess drip off, 5 minutes.

4) While chocolate is still wet, transfer rounds to a parchment-lined baking sheet with an offset spatula. Carefully insert lollipop sticks. Decorate with sprinkles or small candies. Refrigerate until set, 10 minutes. (I recommend keeping them in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve them so the lollipop stick stays secure)

I will be joining the creative blogger Susan for Tablescape Thursday and fantasic author Michael Lee West for Foodie Friday.

Thank you for stopping by! If you leave a comment, I'll know you were here and will be sure to visit you!

Debbie

Happy Halloween!!

What a beautiful week we are having, and perfect weather for setting up mom's pumpkin display. My sister and I put the finishing touches on the display last evening, and counted 59 carved pumpkins!

Mom uses the "carvable" foam pumpkins and Pumpkin Masters patterns. After she finishes carving the pumpkin, she traces around a quarter coin on the bottom back of the pumpkin and cuts a hole for the light.

The trick or treaters look forward to the display each year, and people come from all over to see them. Again today, our local TV station featured them :-)

You only carve once and several of her pumpkins are over seven years old.  I think it's safe to say that my creative mama loves Halloween. Thanks for stopping by! Happy Halloween to you and yours.

If you have a favorite, I'd love to know.

Debbie