In this blog, we share a monster craft and our tasty reduced calorie mashed potatoes with cauliflower and parsnips and, of course, our garden update.

PAGING DR. FRANKENSTEIN!

Halloween is a time when monsters run amuck, but these easy-to-create monsters are fun and functional.

We made these funny monsters with coffee cans, fabric fur scraps and googly eyes. Fun and easy!

You will need: furry fabric; googly eyes; cans, jars, or other containers; craft glue (we use Aleene’s Quick Dry Tacky Glue); rubber bands; felt, pompoms; cloth scraps; construction paper; chenille rope; and anything else that will create the perfect monster!

To Make:

• Wrap fabric around can and secure at the top and bottom with rubber bands;
• Glue eyes onto fabric to create face;
• Add a nose and mouth if desired;
• For feet, we cut out 2 egg shapes, which were approximately 2 inches by 1.5 iches and glued them to the bottom of the container.

• For the arms on some of the monsters, we used chenille rope found at fabric stores.
• For the hands, we cut heart sharps from felt or construction paper.
• Use your imagination and decorate with fabric scraps and whatever you like!

These cute monsters make great vases or containers for candy and silverware for your Halloween parties. Fill one with flowers or candy for a great hostess gift!

MASH

We love mashed potatoes, but they have too many carbs and calories. We change them up by  adding cauliflower and parsnips.

You will need:

• 2 and 1/2 lbs. potatoes, peeled and cut into one-inch pieces
• One lb. bag of frozen cauliflower
• One large parsnip, peeled and chopped
• Butter or margarine
• 3/4 cup milk

To Prepare:

• Place potatoes and cauliflower in Dutch oven on medium high heat and bring to a boil;
• Saute chopped parsnip in butter or margarine over medium heat until tender – 5-7 minutes;
• When potatoes and cauliflower mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes add cooked parsnips to potato and cauliflower;
• Cook an additional 10 minutes until tender;
• Heat 3/4 cup milk until it is warm; milk, butter and salt and pepper to taste;
• These potatoes are great at this point. But reheated at 350 degrees for 20 minutes and they tasted even better!

AND MORE!

GARDEN UPDATE

Summer-like October weather this week. Garden is looking good and still producing!

Here’s a night shot of our patio. Some of this summer’s favorites – shisito peppers, cherry tomatos and impatients continue to thrive.

VEG ART – Welcome Apple (not the computer)

JOKE OF THE WEEK                                                                                                                               What do monsters turn on in the summer? The scare conditioner!                                                source: Halloweenjokes.com

WATCH OUT BEARS – THE MONSTERS ARE COMING! (DONT’T WORRY -THEY HAVE CANDY!!!)

Enjoy!

Roy and Kevin