Trick or Treat

Have you boo'd yet?

What is a "Boo Gram"?

A Boo-Gram is a mysterious note, left on neighbor's doors in the middle of the day. The note is usually a poem of sorts, and a large "Boo!" decoration for their front door. The decoration serves as a means of communicating to other neighbors that this house has already been "hit". By Halloween, it is not uncommon to see Boo-Grams lining up and down the street on all the doors in some neighborhoods!

Accompanying the Boo-Gram is a collection of goodies, determined by the giver. The goodies may vary from small Halloween treats, to kid's toys. The magic of these Boo-Grams is the reciprocation of this gift, as it is expected that when you are "Boo'd", you must "Boo" 2 other neighbors as well (after all, if you don't like your "Boo" gift, you can always re-gift to another neighbor!).

Adventurous types "Boo" their neighbors in the broad daylight or early evening hours, as it increases the possibility of getting caught... those familiar with the famous "doorbell ditch" prank of their childhood years will be happy to know that this tradition lives on, though the recipient gets a fun gift in the process.

Many neighborhoods start in early October, however the common time to start seeing "Boo-Grams" is a couple of weeks before Halloween. However don't wait for someone to "Boo" you - start the tradition in your neighborhood... you'll be surprised how quickly the excitement spreads around the neighborhood!

How to start the tradition:

1. Create a "Boo" bag/basket o' goodies (if this is new in your neighborhood, you may want to create 3 or 4)

2. Print a "Boo" gram

3. Find your unsuspecting target

4. Make the "drop"

5. Ring the doorbell and knock

6. RUN!!!

Halloween is coming...

Witches, bats and ghosts will be coming soon!

Linabell Photography

Check out Linabell Photography!
linabellphotos.blogspot.com

digging in the closet

Best friends and cousins :)
Every year M & M get their pictures taken
together for Christmas cards.

This year I decided to dig in their closets
to see what I could find.
I didn't want to spend any money.
This is what I came up with.
I didn't want the girls to be too matchy matchy.
I went with more of a casual look.

To save money,
I might just send something out like this
for the girls Christmas cards this year.
Cute, simple and cheap!

Halloween Greetings

chocolate caramel apples with sprinkles

Ingredients

Preparation

1. Rinse and dry 5 apples (we prefer Granny Smith and Fuji varieties, 6 to 8 oz. each). Insert a craft or popsicle stick halfway into the stem end of each apple. Line a baking sheet with plain parchment paper or wax paper that has been generously coated with butter.

2. In a bowl set over a pan of simmering water, combine 14 ounces (about 50 pieces) unwrapped soft caramels (such as Kraft) and 2 tablespoons water. Stir frequently until melted and smooth.

3. Holding the stick, dip each apple one at a time into the caramel about three-quarters of the way. Swirl to coat evenly.

4. Hold stem side up and use a knife to scrape excess caramel off the bottom of apple back into bowl. Place apples on the parchment paper or buttered waxed paper and refrigerate until caramel is firm, about 5 minutes.

5. Return pan of water to a boil; remove from heat. Place 10 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate in another bowl and set over pan. Stir frequently until chocolate is melted and smooth.

6. Dip the bottom half of each apple in chocolate, turning to coat evenly. Hold stem side up and use a knife to scrape excess chocolate off bottom of apple and back into bowl. Place each coated apple on the parchment paper or buttered waxed paper and refrigerate until chocolate is slightly set, about 10 minutes.

7. Place about 1 cup sprinkles (your choice of color) on a plate. Roll bottom third of each apple in sprinkles to coat. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm, about 15 minutes.

Halloween Party Ideas

Boo! Halloween is almost here!