Cooking Up Halloween Fun!

Ariel became an Iron Chef for Halloween this year. Since I still have creative control, I wanted a costume that was off the beaten path of vampires, pirates, and princesses (although, the princess thing is sure to rear up one of these years).

Our participation in the festivities included a mall trick-or-treat event and a trick-or-treat dinner and door knocking party. On Saturday, we went to the outdoor mall by our house. We wanted Ariel to take a nap, but since she feels she’s such a big girl, she skipped it. So we wasted a good part of the treat collecting and got there 20 minutes before it was over. Now it sounds sad, and it was, but that girl hauled away a good quarter bucket full of loot. Impressive, to say the least. Eric and I also dressed up. It was nice to see we weren’t the only parents to do so.


Pumpkin Carving with Daddy



On Halloween night, we went to the house of Eric’s running friend. She and her husband were so gracious to feed us all before trick-or-treating. There were 6 kids in the group that went out, with Ariel being the youngest. Someone at every house commented on her costume. Yeah, score one for Mom! We’ve been teaching Ariel about patience and waiting your turn, so she was the last one of the group to get candy, but she managed to say “trick or treat” and “’thank you,” every time. Then she would run back to us shouting, “Candy, candy, candy!” Her little beach bucket was so full by the end of the night, that candy was falling out of it, but Ariel wouldn’t let us hold any of it so she could get more. Yes, we are in the “Mine, Mine phase” of the terrible twos. Fun.



We all had a great time this year. I’m wondering if I’ll get another year to choose her costume or if she’ll be old enough to dictate what she wants.

À la cuisine!





The Boo Crew



Obi Wan Kenobi Vs. Pj Pookie




Pirate Girl, Arrrgh!

Costume on a Shoe String: Pirate Style

Ariel was invited to a Pirate birthday party. The family asked the guests to dress in costume. Now Eric and I are not pirate people, so that meant we needed to find a costume. Luck would have it that it was too early in the season for Halloween costumes to be out. So we were now engaged in an exercise of creativity and ingenuity.

What we started with: a plain white t-shirt, frilly socks, black shorts, red material, large lace, red tulle, purple satin, and unrelated costume pattern.

What we bought: sheer dance skirt, black shoes, sequin trim, stiff white felt, and headband.

<-----I used this picture for inspiration.

How we brought our Pirate Girl to life:

1) Trimmed the bottom off the t-shirt. It was a 3T and way too long. Released the gathers in the sleeves. Sewed the large lace onto the neckline and end of loose sleeves.

2) Use Simplicity pattern #, for the vest on the monkey costume. Pinned, cut, and sewed vest and hand sewed sequin trim on the vest. (Yes, this was tedious and time consuming. And yes I stabbed myself…repeatedly).

3) Folded 4 inch wide tulle in half, and ran it through the sewing machine to make it gather and scrunch up. Glued to head band. Using a picture of skull and crossbones on the Internet, traced the image onto stiffened felt and cut two out. One for the headband, one for the belt.

4) Cut a 4 inch wide piece of purple satin 18 inches long. Folded it in half and sewed a seam. Turned it inside out and closed off the opening for the belt.

5) Sail Away:

The shirt was tucked into black shorts and the sheer skirt went over them both. The purple sash was tied around Ariel’s waist and the skull patch was safety pinned on. On went the vest. Ariel’s hair was kept down and curly. She loves headbands, so getting her to wear it was easy. Frilly socks and black shoes and our pirate girl was ready to sail the open seas!

*apparently Ariel was not in a picture taking mood, so this is all we have.

Found this in the Que

September 2010: Banned Book Week

I've always heard of books being on the "banned" list, but I never really knew what that meant. Until now.

Banned or challenged books are works that certain groups or individuals feel should be censored and/or made unavailable to the general public. Mostly they feel that the censorship will protect those who have impressionable minds. "Harry Potter" by J.K. Rowling made the list for witchcraft (a church in Alamo actually burned this book) and "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway was banned for homosexual suggestion.

Small towns have a bad reputation for being closed minded, so I was pleasantly surprised that the Friends of the Library were hosting a series of events during the annual celebration of freedom of speech, freedom to read, aka Banned Book Week (always the last week in September).

On Tuesday, the community college hosted a read-aloud-session where everyone was encouraged to read aloud from their favorite banned book. I totally missed this, but I heard it was good. On Friday, the library is having a community viewing of "The Lovely Bones," based on the 2002 book by Alice Sebold. This was banned/challenged for content inappropriate for its age group.

On Wednesday, the FOL held a Banned Book Week Costume Gala. Participants were encouraged to dress up as a character from their favorite banned book.

How could I pass up an opportunity to dress up? I literally put my costume together in an hour (with help from mom).

I portrayed “Offred” from “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood. This feminist dystopia novel was required reading in my AP English class in 1998. It was placed on the “list” in 1999 or 2000. I chose it because the costume was super easy to do and it is a book that has stuck with me all these years. A well crafted piece about freedoms lost and a new age of oppression. It was banned/challenged for violence against women and sexual content.

There were 20 people who showed up, with half of us in costume. I didn’t know there was going to be a contest, but it was a bonus! Especially when you win “Best in Show” or Best overall Representation. I'm an award winning poodle. I know, way cool. And you thought my talents were only for writing. I had my first pick of prizes and of course chose a gift card to the local book store. Predictable, I know. I also made the paper. Here is the link to the article. http://www.alamogordonews.com/ci_16222379

Regardless of close minded idiots who think they know better than us, those of us with common sense can think critically about the issues tackled in the banned/challenged literature, and make up our own minds.
I enjoyed participating in this week of events. In honor of reading from the list of banned books, I chose to read “Speak” (1999) by Laurie Halse Anderson. It is currently being challenged for pornography. Some stupid idiot thinks that a tragic and horrible rape is pornographic. (I roll my eyes). It was a well written piece, and surprisingly funny, given the topic.

Perhaps next year, you'll be inspired to step outside your comfort zone and participate in Banned Book Week.

May you read something that challenges you to think today.

Halloween is a Scream!

We spent Halloween in Alamogordo this year and, man, what an exhausting weekend.

Since I wasn't motivated to do the group/family costume this year, Ariel was the only one who dressed up. She has her whole life to be something cute or pretty, so I was going for something less typical.

And so, Ariel was a rock star! A punk rock star, actually.

Over the course of Halloween weekend, she got to wear her costume three times. Now that's what I'm talking about.

Thursday: Eric carved the pumpkin we picked out a few days earlier. We wanted Ariel to help with the gutting process, but as soon as she touched the slimy, stringy innards, she gagged so hard, she nearly puked. Awesome. Daddy went solo on the carving this year and he did a mighty fine job.

Friday: Eric, Ariel, and I went to downtown Alamogordo for trick-or-treat. The participating businesses invite the kids to the door for their goodies and Mom and Dad get to scope out some shopping. The first stop we made, Ariel tried to say "trick-or-treat" and we did manage a thank you out of her. But after that, it was all silent staring. Well, who doesn't like the strong but silent rock star type?
loot bag #1
Saturday: We headed to "Zoo Boo" at the Alameda Park Zoo. It absolutely was a zoo that had nothing to do with the animals. The line to get in was so long, it looped back on itself. Ahhh! I entered Ariel in her first costume contest in the "Most Unique" category. There was a cute category, but that was over saturated with 110+ entrants! She didn't place, but seemed to have a good time on stage. I don't remember what costumes bet her out, but one of them for sure was an astronaut. I now have some neat ideas for future costumes. One of my personal costume highlights was a kid dressed as a toy machine. Like one of those filled with stuffed animals you have to try to get with the metal claw. Yeah, and stupid me didn't get a picture. There was a winner's light on top, money in the shoot, and an actual claw hanging from the ceiling of the box this boy was in. Costuming genius.

Saturday night: My mom and I took Ariel for another round of trick-or-treat in the mall. Our little rock star was quite content to just run around the mall looking cute. Ariel had no interest in begging for candy. Every time I took her hand for the trick-or-treat ritual, she would fuss and try to shake my hand loose. It could have been a lot more fun if we had taken naps after the zoo. But when the princess boycotts her nap, nobody sleeps.

loot bag #2

Sunday: Ariel put the stickers on her pumpkin she picked out at the pumpkin patch. We left it outside to hang with Big Jack so the passing trick or treaters could see her artistic abilities. We left the neighborhood canvas to the professionals and stayed inside with the lights off. Or so I thought.

One of my mom's friends asked if Ariel wanted to trick-or-treat with her granddaughter, Riley. I just couldn't say no to Riley, so we dressed Ariel up in a Halloween theme and set out. We went to Bethel Baptist Church for their "Trunk-or-Treat" event. This is where cars are lined up in a semi-circle, with their trunks open, full of candy. You still have to say the magic words, but you definitely get a bag full of sugar with minimal walking.
Riley as "Dora" and Ariel as "Cute"

Ariel had a great nap today, so going out was so much better. She waved or clapped her hands in thanks whenever candy was placed in her bag. But the highlight of her evening was the helium balloon she got. Despite all the candy, we probably could have got the balloon and gone home. Even though I planned on being in my pj's all day, it was nice to go out for once last Halloween hooray.

loot bag #3

Hope you all had a wonderfully scary/fun/awesome/safe Halloween!

Gotta Catch 'Em All!

As everyone knows, the All-Stars do enjoy dressing up for Halloween. Since the addition of the team's shortstop, the costumes this year had to be a very special team costume. After kicking around a few not so good ideas, we decided on "Pokemon." It's kind of a shame to do this now, as most people have gotten out of the Pokemon craze. The younger kids don't even know what it is. *Sigh*

Pictures are posted early as we participated in the Pet Palace Pet Costume contest. Last year, Eric and Pazu won 4th place for the Red Koopa Troopa and Luigi group costume. This year, we shooting for gold. Pazu and Ariel will be Pikachu, and electric mouse Pokemon. Eric will be Professor Elm, a Pokemon scientist. I'll be going as May, a Pokemon trainer and coordinator. Who wouldn't fall in love with a matching set of Pikachus?
Well, it appears that cute and adorable would not be enough to win this year. The competition was stiff and as we walked in and scoped out the other costumes, we knew we had a snowball's chance in Haiti. The Aurora Sentinel (a local newspaper) was there to document the event through pictures. That's where these links are coming from. I hope they don't mind I borrowed them.
http://aurorasentinel.com/content/gallery/gallery_3/album_195/midsize_photo4ae4d7ebbcaba274808613.jpg

Our costume didn't place this year, but we lost fair and square.
Fourth place went to a long haired Chihuahua dressed as "Strawberry Shortcake" (striped tights and everything). http://aurorasentinel.com/content/gallery/gallery_3/album_195/midsize_photo4ae4d7ea3c83a874476261.jpg

Third place was the winner from last year. He and his Lab were the "GhostBusters" (jumpsuits, hoses and all). http://aurorasentinel.com/content/gallery/gallery_3/album_195/midsize_photo4ae4d7e9dc314121858515.jpg

Second place was my personal favorite-superhero Green Arrow with his sidekick (a cat), the Hairball Breathing Dragon http://aurorasentinel.com/content/gallery/gallery_3/album_195/midsize_photo4ae5c84165b98366052221.jpg
. I give props to this guy. He showed up in spandex green tights and totally rocked it.
The winner was a couple of cocker spaniel mixes dressed at Peter Pan and Wendy (the owners were Tinker Bell and Captain Hook). http://aurorasentinel.com/content/gallery/gallery_3/album_195/midsize_photo4ae4d7ed85edc662037135.jpg
Like I said, competition was tough, but we had a great time. People are so creative with Halloween costumes.
So we're thinking about costumes for next year. Yeah, we're not competitive or anything. I'm going for the "Wow" factor. We are accepting ideas if you have any.

Professor Elm

May

Pikachu

Halloween 2008

The late nights are over and the eye strain has run its course. Now to unveil for the first time the Halloween costumes of 2008! This year we nod to the greatest (and original) game alive -

The Super Mario Brothers.

Pazu as a Red Koopa Troopa

Eric as Luigi

Nicole as Princess Peach (or Princess Toadstool)

Hope you all had a safe and fun Halloween!

Best in Show (sort of)

Today we went to Pet Palace, a locally owned pet store (http://www.petpalaceusa.net/). Every year they have a pet costume contest. Last year Pazu went as a wizard, but he didn't place. This year, since he had such a kick-butt costume, I was hoping he would finish strong. Even if someone recognized him, that would have been a great consolation prize.

Since I'm a screw up, I didn't get my costume finished before the event, even though I tried my hardest to do so. Eric dressed up and this is what made Pazu's costume so great.

Anyway, there were about 30 entrants and some of the costumes looked fantastic. I was starting to get a little worried. There were a lot of butterflies and princesses. Eric was not impressed by these. We were #27 and Eric took Pazu to center stage. Since our dog is full of chicken poo, he didn't do any tricks. He didn't pee on anything either, so I shouldn't complain.

The judges went back into deliberation and here were the results.

Honorable mention to a dog in pj's and king of the hound dogs (yes, he was dressed as Elvis in the white jumpsuit).

4th place - Pazu as a Koopa Troopa! (did they just say our dog's name?)

3rd place - dog dressed as a fighter pilot (complete with goggles)

2nd place - dog dressed as a life guard (this was cute, he had the striped shirt and life preserver)

1st place - dog and owner dressed as reconnaissance field agents (think camouflage and ammo packs)

I am totally floored by our 4th place finish. It's nice to see hard work pay off. We were also awarded a $25 gift card to the store, so we'll be using this for Pazu's Christmas and birthday gifts. Just wanted to share this wonderful and surprising accomplishment.

Costumes of Halloween Past

Halloween is quickly approaching and Eric and I find that we turn into little kids when it comes to picking out a costume (at least we haven't resorted back to trick-or-treating). For the past few years, I have been using my newly discovered sewing talents to make Halloween costumes for Eric, Pazu and myself. Here is a quick review of what we've been over the years.

2006- Robin Hood and Maid Marion

I made both these costumes from scratch using fabric, a pattern and sewing machine.

After looking at these pictures, I got the notion in my head that the Maid Marion dress made me look quite overweight. So, I went to the thrift store and bought a velvet dress for like $7. I added a satin cowl and drapes and instantly became a Greek goddess. (I know, I cheated. I got two costumes this year).

2007- A Journey through History

Pazu-Purple Wizard (medieval period)

Eric as Young George Washington-1757 (he was often mistaken for Mozart)

Nicole as a Geisha-Japan 1922

So we were invited to a Star Trek party this year and went as holograms from the Holideck. I made this Star Trek cupcakes which were a big hit!

What we will be for 2008?