This is Halloween

Nothing makes me more disappointed than missing a holiday. I wake up the next morning with a sick feeling in my stomach knowing that I will have to wait a whole year to redeem myself. Dramatic, I know, but true. So this Halloween I decided to keep my family's tradition and throw a party. A party complete with pumpkin carving, doughnut bobbing, and hot spiced cider. Only problem was, I decided to throw this party 2 days before Halloween and I had to work 12 hours-both days. So, I told Max what I wanted and gave him the reins. I told him I didn't care if it was just the two of us, but we were having a party. 

He came through. 

We even got free pumpkins because it was already Halloween. Score. 

We started the festivities with a gruelling game of yahtzee, while we drank the most delicious hot spiced cider (another Wendy recipe, see below). 

The next game was a winner. It's one we played every year at my family's party, and it's always a real treat-literally and figuratively. If you want to bob for something without the soaking wet aftermath, this is the game for you. Each person has their own doughnut tied to a string, and with hands behind their backs, they race to be the first to eat the whole thing. It doesn't sound complicated, but it's harder than it looks...and a lot more fun to watch than apples.  

We finished the evening with the classic-carving pumpkins. The results were a little less classic, including a visit from Kanye West in the pumpkin-flesh. 

Yes, that's Kanye.

Ben's pumpkin was so excited to meet Kanye that he puked. Or maybe it was because he had a cleaver in his head...either way. 

Happy Halloween!



Spooky Cider (Hot Holiday Wassail)

1 tsp whole cloves
1 tsp allspice berries
2 cinnamon sticks (broken up)
2 c water
1/2 c brown sugar
8 c (2L) apple juice
1/4 tsp salt

Boil spices, water, and sugar for 10 minutes. Add apple juice and boil 10 more minutes. Serve hot.