Halloween Week is Here

Halloween week is upon us and bittersweet memories are evoked once again. My Mom passed away on October 29th, 2005 and her services were held the day after Halloween.  For the past nine years, my grief has kept me from enjoying and embracing the month of October and Halloween.  I did continue to carry on her pumpkin carving tradition each year, but my heart usually wasn't in it. This year, with inspiration from Instagram and the support of close friends, I am embracing this season and the upcoming holiday.  The house is decorated, this week's menu is planned, the goodie bags are stuffed and the candy bowl is full.  

Halloween Week Dinner Menu

Monday: 

Ghostly Chili with all the Fixins 

Sliced Apples w/ Caramel Dip

Tuesday: Annual Pumpkin Carving Night with Mom's Traditional Menu

Mummy Dogs

Baked Beans

Chips & Dip

Wednesday:

Candy Corn Chicken Quesadillas

Tortilla chips, Guacamole & Salsa

Thursday:

French Bread Mummy Pizzas

Tossed Salad

Friday: Halloween Night

Sonic 50 Cent Corn Dogs

Onion Rings/Tater Tots

Sonic Sodas

Saturday: Dia de Muertos Party with the Crossgrove Family

7 Layer Dip

Chili's Restaurant Queso

Homemade Salsa

Taco Bar with all the Fixins

Spiderweb Munch

I can't wait to celebrate Halloween week with my friends and family.  Make your Halloween week a celebration to remember.  Here's to cherishing old memories while creating new ones.  

Our Halloween mantel

Mom and me on our annual pumpkin carving night

Preschool goodie bags are ready to go

We are enjoying fall evenings in our cozy home  

This is Me

I have dreamed of becoming a blogger for years. I envisioned myself sitting in my chair in my cozy home, journaling daily happenings while documenting the recipes & traditions of my simple & satisfying life. But, life is crazy busy and blogging was always pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. After encouragement from dear friends, I have decided to take the plunge. I, by no means, live an exciting life, but I do believe I have something to share.  I hope to share family recipes, meal-planning & organizational tips, party-planning ideas, book talks, money-saving tips, holiday gift & decor ideas and just simple details to help you make every day in your home a celebration of this joyful life.   

My husband, Roger, my daughter, Madison Grace and me in front of our home in rural MO.

This pretty much sums up our happy life!