Halloween Happenings

Good morning!   Happy Halloween!  We have been doing a little celebrating with the kids around here.  Last weekend my Mom had all of us over for her annual Ghoul Fest.  Her community puts on a little carnival and then invites the kids to come trick or treat on one designated street.  She happens to live on the street that they do this, and it is so much fun.  They all decorate their homes, and then set up tables to greet the ghouls and goblins as they come to trick or treat.  There are hundreds of kids that participate.  Here are our three little goblins.

Yep, that is the best photo I got!  We had a very pretty Pink Mermaid.  A sparkly Pink Princess, and Luigi!!  They had a ball!!!
Off they go!

It was still light when they began, and when they finished making their way around the street, they were excited to come back to hand out candy to the kids.

You would not believe the amount of candy my Mom bought, AND ran out of!  But the kids were sort of handing out more than they were supposed to.
Our Luigi was thrilled to run into his "brother" Mario!!

We had a great time.  Thanks Mom!!!
Yesterday when we got home from school, Noah was excited to find this surprise on the front porch.
We were "Boo'ed"

And later in the day, Christopher brought over this gift for Noah.

Yesterday was Christopher's 20th birthday!  He was so excited!  He came over to show us his birthday hat, and to see what we got him for his birthday.

He is growing up!
Last night I made a recipe that I had seen on my friend Pam's Blog  She has the a wonderful food blog, and you should go visit.  This sort or reminded me of a cross between tortilla soup and albondigas.    She called it Mexican Meatball Soup.
The meatballs are made with lean ground turkey, and had all sorts of goodness added to them.  Like crushed tostada shell, cilantro, onions, spice, etc.

The meatballs are browned in a dutch oven, and then they simmer in a sauce made with salsa and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.    I will be using this recipe for meatballs again and again, and trying them with different things.  They were wonderful alone!!

We had our meal with some quesadilla wedges, and topped the soup with more crushed tostada shells, a dollop of sour cream, ripe avocado, and cilantro.  My husband said this was crazy good.  Truth be told, I am a wimp when it comes to hot and spicy foods.  I just cannot tolerate heat in my food.  Mint toothpaste is too hot for me if that tells you anything!!  But I went very easy on the chipotles in this soup. It had PLENTY of heat.  My nose was running, and I had to eat it with lots of water to put out the fire.  But the flavors were out of this world!  The smokey peppers and adobo sauce, the salsa, the meatballs....so good!!!  If you like spicy foods, do head over to Pam's Blog to get the full recipe.  Even if you are not into spicy foods, go visit her and see the wonderful meals she makes!!  This was fabulous!!!

Go have a safe and FUN Halloween!  We will be having dinner tonight at our oldest daughter's house.  She and Jake have a neighborhood full of kids, so it is a lot of fun to be there and see the excitement!
XO  Kris