Wednesday, October 31, 2012

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

25 comments:

Unknown said...

As always it's a blast around there at this time of year with the kids. Your grandkids are so nice to include your neighbor, it really does mean the world to him and it's actually so good for the kids to.
Now about that soup... it's looks so diet friendly I'm adding it to my short list. When I say short you know there is a short list here for this diet.

Holly said...

Great pics. I love that your mom's neighborhood does that. So much safer for the kiddos. I've been making soup over here too. Just made a big pot of Cheesy chicken tortilla soup. Love soup weather!

Teresa Kasner said...

You sure have a wonderful life! That is so neat what your Mom's neighborhood does.. lucky you! And to have your little girls by you.. wah.. so jealous. I have to make do with seeing mine on Facebook.. ::pout::

Anyway.. love your soup.. I've got the notion to do some soup and stew cooking, myself.

((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Gracie Saylor said...

Your reaction to spicy food is similar to my own, Kris, and your description made me chuckle, but the soup looks wonderful! We are having a rainy cool day so far, so 'hot' soup sounds particularly good:) Blessings to you and yours. xx from Gracie

Debbiedoos said...

Ghoul fest sounds fun Kris. Looks like a big party too. That recipe sounded and looks mouth watering good.

Mereknits said...

What a fantastic thing to do for the kids, Your Mom's neighborhood sounds great. Christopher is getting older but is still so cute. Love that he has such a special relationship with all of you. Have fun tonight!
Happy Halloween,
Meredith

NanaNor's said...

I love it that a senior community has such fun things for the littles to enjoy. The costumes were great; so many fun memories for all. The soup looks good; we have to go to a soup party in two weeks and I'm thinking about taco soup but this sounds equally good-the only thing is that it has to be a favorite. Have a great evening Kris!
Lots of love, Noreen

Linda said...

So great to have all the kids in your Mom's area...what a wonderful thing they do! Your soup looks yummy! Happy Halloween!!

Debbie said...

I love that your mom's neighbor has the Halloween party every year. What a good idea. Of course, I love her WHOLE living place right on the water and all. The kids are getting soo big. My grandson (just turned 6) JD was Luigi last year and wore his costume all year long, haha. In fact his recent birthday party was a Luigi theme. He is to be a Charger football player this year...Enjoy your evening Kris!

Gloria Baker said...

Happy Halloween Kris!!

These meat balls look delicious!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

That neighborhood gathering is so great...those kids will always remember the fun they had! Such cuties!

Linda said...

Hi Kris...
How wonderful to have your Mom...
And for her to have great-grandchildren...
Sounds like a wonderful day was had by all...

Cheers!
Linda :o)

Cheryl said...

Love seeing the celebration at your moms...I remember your post from last year. Looks like such a fun family celebration. I can't wait to try that soup and visit your friends food blog.

Patty Marker said...

Hi friend. I enjoyed seeing your grands all dressed up especially since mine are both out of town this Halloween. It sounds like Halloween is a fun time for your family. Stay safe. Patty

Jill said...

Happy Halloween!!

i just love seeing all the kids dressed up and trick or treating. Our neighborhood is always quite busy as well. We have a great time.
These pictures are adorable!!

Blessings,
Jill

priscilla said...

That soup looks great , I am going to make that for sure ! Looks like the kids had a blast celebrating Halloween ! Have a great weekend !

Jill said...

Hi Kris!

I know I already commented here but I wanted to let you know I featured a great deal on my blog today for anyone who wears glasses of any kind. If you or anyone you know would like to get a great deal stop by and check it out and feel free to share!

Have a great weekend!!

Blessings,
Jill

Val said...

Wow - this looks like such a fabulous time.

Cozart Family said...

That soups looks amazing, do you have the full recipe or a link to the full recipe?
Thanks, Traci

Nicolle said...

The Halloween pictures are so great, what fun for the kids.

Happy Birthday to Christopher. I just love him, and am so glad you've let us get to know him a little through your blog. I'd love to have him as a neighbor as well.

That recipe looks amazing, and I will be looking into making it. YUM. I am a spice lover, so this is right up my alley. I laughed when you said mint toothpaste is too hot for you. :)

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
xo

Grammy Staffy said...

What fun. Mindys neighborhood get together too. I think that is nice with neighbors get together to celebrate.

I want some of that soup! It looks Delish! Have a great week. Hugs, Lura

corners of my life said...

Such a fun celebration for the kiddos and a great event for the neighborhood to keep them connected.

I love when you include Christopher in your posts. He looks like a sweetie.

Eileen said...

Hi Kris,
So enjoyed looking at the Halloween pictures. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays for the children. Unfortunately our little ones have all grown up in this neigborhood and have children of their own now. We have not had Trick or Treaters for many a year.
So looking at the pictures on your post just made my day and brought
back some Halloween nostalgia for me.
Have a good week. Take care
hugs,
Eileen

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Kris, the kids costumes are all so cute. I really missed seeing my grandies on Halloween. They had to instagram me a pic of them. We had a scarecrow, a spider, a dinosaur, a baby sock monkey, and Pipi Longstockings. My son even dressed up like Phil from Ducks Dynasty. He looked just like him. Sounds like the neighborhood party is so much fun. The soup looks real yummy. Thanks for sharing the recipe with us.
Hugs,
Jann

Pam said...

What a fun way to celebrate Halloween. I bet all of your grandchildren had so much fun!!

Thank you for your sweet words about my blog! You are wonderful. I loved that soup & thought the meatballs were so moist and delicious. It was spicy to me too but in a good way. Thanks for the shout out & link. xoxo