Skeleton Week: Van Gogh's Skull

Happy Skeleton Week! Since Halloween is fast approaching, I thought it might be fun to start throwing in a few theme weeks, starting with an underrated icon of the season: the skeleton! Each day this week, expect a new post dealing with skeletons, bones, or skulls....starting with today's art feature!

You've probably seen this image before, but did you know that its actually a painting by famed artist, Vincent Van Gogh? This oil on canvas masterpiece is entitled Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette. It is believed to have been painted during the winter of 1885-1886 while Van Gogh was attending art classes at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Since 1973, the painting has been on a permanent loan at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Definitely check out the Wikipedia page for this painting for more information!

Jack Pumpkinhead

I love this picture! At first glance, it is VERY Halloween-y with the jack-o-lantern head guy. But, it really doesn't have anything to do with Halloween....

This is a still shot from the 1985 movie, Return to Oz, starring a very young Fairuza Balk as Dorothy. The movie is loosely based on several of L. Frank Baum's Oz novels and introduces Jack Pumpkinhead to the big screen. If you're familiar with the Oz books, you probably recognize this hilarious, yet chivalrous character. I really like the way he is portrayed here, and he does give off quite an autumn vibe!

Christmas Decorations Before Halloween

If you belong to or follow ANY Halloween Facebook page, then you've seen this meme---probably multiple times, lol. I thought it was pretty funny and sort of fitting for my own life right now. As Halloween enthusiasts, we are the ONLY house on our block so far to put up any outdoor Halloween decorations. However, some of the exterior decorating has been a comedy of errors. Last weekend, my boyfriend started stringing up our purple and orange Halloween house lights. Unfortunately, we were one strand too short. A busy schedule of scouts, baseball, and jujitsu hasn't left any available time to remedy the situation, so for a week now, my house has had an unlit, partial strand of what looks like Christmas lights across our facade.

I'm sure our neighbors think we're absolutely insane. Not only did I start with the outdoor decorations in mid-September, but now we have unlit, sagging (some of our light clips needed replacing as well) lights that for all intents and purposes LOOK exactly like Christmas lights, lol. Oh well. At least the inside decorations look absolutely fabulous!

Anyway, more on topic with this meme...when do YOU put out your Christmas decorations? I won't let my boyfriend even start on Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving, which is pretty hypocritical of me since I start decorating for Halloween in August. Let me know in the comments when you start decorating!

Spooky Halloween Chili

Okay, so I don't actually eat chili. However, I know plenty of people who love it, especially on a cold, wet, rainy fall day. Today IS a slightly cold, and super wet and rainy day here in the tri-state, making a spooky chili dish perfect for today's Foodie Friday post!

Ya'll know how much I love REALLY simple ideas for giving food a creepy Halloween feel, and you can't really get much simpler than this. Make a pot of chili like you normally would (or find one of thousands of recipes online), and cut out fun, Halloween shapes from slices of cheese. A variety of Halloween cookie cutters are available this time of year at just about any store for only a few dollars. The photo and recipe for this variation comes from Parents.Com and is included in a slideshow feature 'last-minute' Halloween dinners!

Halloween Doormat

Boo Y'all! I wanted to stop in and share my new doormat with you all! For the past few years, I had a haunted house scene doormat. At the end of last season, my boyfriend threw it out, saying it was in REALLY bad shape. At the time, I was really upset. I loved that doormat and thought we could get away with at least one more season, lol. Turns out, it was a blessing in disguise. Since I needed to replace it, it gave me a reason to buy this lil' ghostie doormat, which I'm totally in love with. I found it at Walmart in the Halloween section for $9.97!

Where Does Candy Corn Come From?

Candy corn is just nasty....and this proves it, lol. Although, if you ARE a fan of the tri-colored sugar spikes, you might want to check out my previous blog about how candy corn is made! 

Healthy Halloween: Veggie Trays

Usually my Foodie Fridays involve less-than-healthy options for Halloween themed breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, desserts, and even cocktails---but sometimes I like to provide a healthy alternative to the traditional sweet and sugary treats of the season! Today, I'm sharing a few ideas for Halloween veggie trays. Veggie trays are a great way to offer a healthy option at Halloween parties and gatherings, and can even be incorporated into a family snack tray. Here are some options:


I love how quick and simple this idea is. De-gut your pumpkin, and just slide the container of dip right into it. Add your favorite cut veggies and you're done. For a Halloween party, you could take the creativity a step further with a fun platter and added touches, such as some olive spiders!

Source: One Little Project

Nothing screams Halloween like a Jack-o-Lantern, and the adorable icon of the season makes a great shape for a veggie tray featuring MY favorite cut veggie, carrots! Again, you can really put your own mark on this creation, using various veggies for the stem, vine, grass, etc. Get creative! 

Source: Mom Endeavors

If Jack-o-Lanterns aren't your thing, or you want something a little spookier, how about a cauliflower skull? I like this option because it allows you to have a variety of veggies available without having to worry about making them into something specific, lol.

Source: Mommy on the Money

As a paranormal investigator, I HAD to include something that features a ghost! This one is similar to the cauliflower skull, but instead is a lil' ghostie made of cauliflower on a bed of other veggies. I seriously might need to make this one!

Source: Mommy on the Money