Friday, October 29, 2010

Halloween Weekend

Boo!  I have given a Halloween Party for more years than I can remember.  As I mentioned previously when I was working full time, it was difficult but somehow I was much better at planning ahead and always was ready to give the neighborhood party.


This is the children's table, sort of mid century with Jadite, Ruby Red Glassware and McCoy pottery.  I like to use my collectibles instead of having them on a shelf to look at.  The McCoy vase was from 1948.



This is the Shell Pattern produced by Anchor Hocking from the 30's to the 70's.  This was produced in the 60's.  The Royal Ruby Glass was also produced by Anchor Hocking in the 40's and 50's.


Ruby Red Glassware by Anchor Hocking



I love the colors that show up inside the cabbages after some time being exposed to the cooler weather.






Miss Bateman greeted me when I went into the back of the yard the other day.  I could not believe it was still blooming!



This year, I am all decorated outside and inside, have made apple pies (with Cortland apples from Door County, Wisconsin), chocolate cake and brownies.  I have also made what I call "kids lasagna," and barbecued ribs.  Of course, we will have appetizers, salad, homemade feather rolls (from the Fannie Farmer Cookbook) and garlic bread.  It's a lot of comfort food this weekend.


Pies can be made ahead of time uncooked and frozen.  Put in the oven frozen at 400 degrees and cook for approximately 45 minutes.

Solomon's Seal


Peacock Cabbage

The kids lasagna was a recipe from my former neighbor (who has left us way too young) that all of the kids and grownups loved.  It is quite a departure from the Italian version, but I feel I must share it with you since my granddaughter insisted I make it for Halloween:

           1 lb. of ground beef
           1 large can of crushed tomatoes
           1 large can of tomato paste
           1 medium onion
           2 cloves of crushed garlic
           1 teaspoon each of basil, oregano and parsley (fresh is better if you have
           any left in the garden)
           1 package of Swiss cheese, 12 oz or 16 oz
           16 oz carton of small curd cottage cheese
           16 oz package of no yolk egg noodles broad, cooked, rinsed and drained
           Salt and pepper to taste
           Parmesan Cheese shredded

The lasagna has been frozen uncooked ready to put in the oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to one hour until lightly brown and bubbly.


Brown beef, onion and garlic, add tomatoes, paste and herbs, salt and pepper to taste.  Boil noodles, rinse, layer half on bottom of 9x13 pan, layer half of beef mixture, layer half of Swiss cheese, half of cottage cheese and repeat whole process beginning again with noodles, sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese, cook at 350 degrees until bubbling and Parmesan is light brown.



Have a BOOtiful weekend!

26 comments:

Shirley said...

You post such beautiful photos here. I enjoy the colours of the children's table and will definitely have to try your recipe. Thank you for sharing. Happy Halloween!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Shirley, hope you like the recipe, not quite as heavy as the Italian version.

Eileen

Anonymous said...

Dear Eileen, So much work! But, it will, I am sure really pay off. The decorations are all looking lovely and the food all ready prepared. How lucky are your family andfriends to have such a thoughtful hostess. Have a lovely time!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Edith,

It is a lot of work, but I have a deep freeze, much colder than a normal refrigerator freezer. This helps a great deal in preparing dishes ahead of time without affecting the taste. I will make the appetizers tomorrow as most of these do not freeze well.

Eileen

Lona said...

Hi Eileen. Your table looks so pretty. Glad you like that Anchor Hocking glass wear since they are very near us. LOL!
Cortland apples make the best apple pies! I love using them but we can only get them at one nursery around here. I always ask for them.
Your Kale is looking even prettier now.
Have a wonderful weekend and party.

Lisa ~Suburban Retreat~ said...

Hello Eileen ~ Your table is ready; your food is prepped and your decor is gorgeous! Wishing you a successful party and a Happy Halloween Weekend!

Karen said...

Eileen, you are a hostess with the mostest! Wow. I am in awe of your decorations and your table settings and of course the food! Wish I had your energy.

The cabbages are coming into their own right now, aren't they? Such beautiful colors and the way you have them planted is so stunning. The clematis is amazing too, I'm going to have to search for that variety, blooming so late in the season.

What lucky guests you have, to be able to see all of this first-hand, but how lucky we are to have a peek. Thank you for the opportunity and the recipes. Happy Halloween!

joey said...

I see you are really into the holiday spirit, Eileen. All looks so festive and 'Halloweenie', the guests certain to have a fun time.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Lona,

There is a small grocery store in town that brings in the Cortland Apples each year. So I was lucky to get them when they just arrived.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Lisa, now I just have to clean! Not a favorite thing to do.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Karen,

It is such fun doing it all for the children of course, ha, ha! I like everything about Halloween except the trick-or-treating, ring, bark, ring, bark, you get the picture.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Joey,

I am not sure what I have more fun with Halloween or Christmas.

Eileen

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

You make fantastic containers!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks LC, I do love doing the containers.

Eileen

Bonnie said...

I like your Ruby Red. I have a large collection and I use it on Christmas Eve. My Halloween pics are up on my blog. We used to do a haunted yard, but the kids are grown and no longer here to help. My neighbors aren't into Halloween as much as I am, oh well - I will enjoy the night anyways.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Bonnie, thanks for visiting! I love your Orb web and all of those great Halloweenies.

My kids are grown too but they come back with their kids, what fun.

Eileen

MRBROWTHUMB said...

Wonderful set of photographs. Such nice fall coloring and decorating for Halloween.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks MBT, I love Halloween and all of the fall containers. However, I am dreaming of spring!

Eileen

Mary Anne said...

OMG Eileen, you have been busy! Everything looks so wonderful and I mean everything. The chilrens table looks yummy! Wish I could be a child sitting at the table and appreciate all of the work. Loved this post so much....right up my alley with tablescaping!!
Enjoy your weekend.

Mary Anne

BernieH said...

Happy Halloween, Eileen! Fabulous table setting ... loved everything about it! What a shame we don't celebrate like this ... Halloween hasn't been part of our culture here, although it's starting to make inroads now. I think that's from all the movies and the widespread appeal of popular American culture amongst the younger generation. Your containers are just terrific too!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Mary Anne,

Halloween is such a fun time even for the "big" kids.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Bernie, it seems like Halloween is more worldwide than I thought. The traditions came from Europe many years ago and now they have bounced back again and spread out even further. Halloween is the second biggest holiday next to Christmas in the United States.

Eileen

Beth said...

Eileen, Your header is fabulous! Love your clematis and your ornamental cabbage, as well as your Halloween table. Nice post!
Blessings, Beth

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Beth,

I can't believe I still have clematis blooming. I thought they were so fragile.

Eileen

garden girl said...

How festive everything looks Eileen! Hope your party was a great success!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

We had a great time, but I am nibbling way to much on the leftovers, pie, candy, etc.

Eileen