Halloween 2015

I love Halloween. A lot. Back in the day I used to throw some pretty elaborate parties, but due to circumstances of life, I haven't been able to do that in years. 2015 was going to be the year I pulled out all the stops and showed everyone I still had it in me. Apparently I do (even though this morning my house looks like a bomb went off and Brian and I feel like we've been hit by a truck... lol)! All the weeks of planning and work totally paid off, and everyone had a fantastic time!

A couple weeks before, I started making decorations for the front porch...

A few days before, I started carving the pumpkins...

We had wanted to get everything set up before the day of the party, but we had a series of rather blustery storms roll through. My incredible husband took over and got everything done in the nick of time!

Lucky for me, Brian is a part-time DJ, so we have all these great lighting effects and a fog machine! I had wanted to have it out on the porch, but it was way too windy. We ended up using it in the living room and it was a great effect!

As usual, there was WAY too much food, but that's just how we roll. The complete menu was pulled pork sliders with coleslaw, brain dip, bacon-wrapped Lil Smokies, fresh guacamole with tortilla chips, crock pot spinach dip, eyeball deviled eggs, steamed dumplings with chili sauce, enchiladas and rice, various chips, crackers, and store-bought dips, crock pot apple crisp, and a graveyard cake. Thanks to my good friends Chrissy and Jill for bringing the desserts!

The original recipe called this a dip, but it was more like a shrimp mousse. Absolutely delicious!!

The classic puking pumpkin guacamole.

Jill's graveyard cake. So moist and delicious!

Almost all of the recipes, tutorials, and reference photos are on my Pinterest Halloween board if you're interested in doing some of them yourself. Feel free to check it out HERE.

And in case you're wondering, yes I AM already planning for next year!

Meaty Meaty Bolognese Sauce

My eldest stepson was over for dinner last night, I wanted to make something special, and I actually had all day to do it (which was a good thing, because this sauce took nearly 6 hours to make!). I'm sure this isn't completely traditional, but it was the best pasta sauce I've ever made!!! Buon appetito!!

Meaty Bolognese Sauce

1-6 oz. package prosciutto, cut into 1/2" pieces
1 T. olive oil
1 lb. extra lean ground beef
1 lb. Italian sausage (removed from casing, if links)
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 large stalks celery, diced
1-8 oz. package sliced crimini mushrooms, coarsely chopped
1 medium onion, diced
1 T. minced garlic
1 C. red wine
1-6oz. can tomato paste
1-28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
2 C. beef broth
generous amount of fresh basil, sliced
Handful of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Black pepper to taste

In a large, heavy pot over medium heat, saute prosciutto until just crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels, leaving fat in the pot. Slowly brown ground beef and sausage, seasoning with pepper, until cooked through. Add carrots, celery, mushrooms, onion, and garlic; continue cooking until vegetables are tender. Add wine and boil until almost completely evaporated. Add tomato paste and stir until completely incorporated. Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and reserved prosciutto. Reduce heat to low simmer, cover, and continue to cook for another 1-2 hours, adding water if it appears to be getting too thick. Just before serving, stir in basil and cheese.