Barbie This and That... Halloween & Christmas

We're at that fun time of year when there's a ton of things going on... Halloween, football, Thanksgiving coming up, cooler weather, and the stores are putting Christmas out. This will be my third post of Dollar Tree Halloween ideas for Barbie. And even thought it's been a few years, most of the items are still available. I picked up a pack of skeleton hands figuring I'd come up with ~something~ to make for Barbie... Even the dollhouse gets a few Halloween decorations:@)

My inspiration from Walmart,

Candle Holders:

What I started with:

And I have some leftover for future crafts...

These felt cut-outs make a quick Ghost Costume. I glued some ribbon at each shoulder, and some at each side will help tie the costume on. I was surprised to find out that the eyes and mouth were already cut and just needed to be popped out. There are 12 pieces in each pack, so that's enough for 6 dolls for a sleepover, or if your girl is having a Halloween party. Easy, fast, and cute:@) And of course, you could cut a ghost shape out of felt and draw the face on with a Sharpie too...

The cut-outs:

There are six more crafts here, and another five or so here.

I stopped at the thrift store and found this Santa pants ornament/gift bag and had a feeling it would fit Cousin Rube:@) I cut the bottom of each pant leg open, slid it on up over his belly, and wa-la... The big man is now ready for some Christmas fun:@) 

What I bought for 50¢:

🎃🎅Make something just for fun and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Pumpkin Crescent Rolls with Marshmallow -Breakfast Danish

I wanted to try something new, yet easy, for breakfast... These Pumpkin Crescent Rolls with Marshmallow made a nice Sunday breakfast pastry:@) I even assembled them on the parchment lined baking sheet making clean-up a snap. Simply smear the pumpkin mixture all over the roll, add a few mini marshmallows, roll up, sprinkle with some sugar and spice, and bake. Pour a strong cuppa and breakfast is served. Thinking holidays? Use colored sugar or switch out the sugar/spice topping for a glaze for a fancier presentation. This is a nice way to use up some leftover pumpkin puree.

Tip: I made these in my traditional oven. If you have access to a convection oven, I feel crescent rolls get even flakier in a convection oven.

Have a little pumpkin mixture leftover? Add to a coffee cup, pour in coffee, sweeten with some of the sugar/spice, whipped cream topping is always nice, and enjoy a cup of pumpkin spice coffee:@) Don't want the puree in your cup? Add pumpkin to the filter in the basket of a drip coffee maker.

Pumpkin Crescent Rolls with Marshmallow

For each 8 count tube of crescent rolls:

1/2 C pumpkin puree-may have a little left over

up to 1/4 C brown sugar-I used half

1 tsp pumpkin spice

24 mini marshmallows-more if desired

Cinnamon or pumpkin spice and sugar for tops

1. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix pumpkin, sugar and spice.
3. Unroll dough, spread pumpkin mixture all over dough.
4. Add three mini marshmallows to widest end and roll up into crescent shape.
5. Place on baking sheet and sprinkle top with sugar spice mixture.
6. Bake at temperature and time recommended on package.
7. Remove from oven and let sit on baking sheet for a couple minutes before serving.

Eat well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Cream Cheese Colored Brownies, Halloween Jalapeno Poppers & Bean Dips

Looking for a little Halloween inspiration or party planning??? While I first posted these Colored Cream Cheese Topped Brownies for Halloween, this idea is great for any holiday, occasion, or sporting event:@) We can achieve bold color with three simple ingredients, and it adds a little something extra to the brownies too. I might try putting the mixture in a disposable icing bag and adding big, bold squiggles next time...

Let's give a fan favorite a little ~face lift~ and just for fun, whip up some Halloweeny Peepers for the party or next football game:@) Seriously as easy as stuff, wrap, bake. Maybe add some mini sweet peppers if that's more suited to your crowd...

And bean dip is truly a blank canvas:

Jack-O-Lantern and Graveyard Dip

📌My Halloween Food Pinterest Board here.

📌Dips & Cheeseballs Pinterest Board here.

Make something just for fun and

Have a Happy Weekend🎃

No words, just awe...

🍁Have a Great Weekend:@)

Chunky Monkey One Ripe Banana Muffins -Use it up...

If we buy bananas we know one thing for sure, they can ripen quickly. And as Halloween approaches, we also might have some leftover candy to use up... May I suggest a small (or large) batch of Chunky Monkey One Ripe Banana Muffins. They are surprisingly good and call for minimal ingredients. The banana simply gets mashed with a fork, and I mixed the batter with that fork too. Paper cupcake liners help make clean-up easy. This is a nice recipe to use up that last one ripe banana folks:@)

This is a variation of two recipes previously posted, One Banana Muffins and Chunky Monkey Jiffy Mix Corn Muffins. Even easier, buy a banana muffin mix and add a peanut butter cup:@)

Speaking of monkeys...

I bought a new coffee mug for the office:@)

Yep, that about sums things up.

One Ripe Banana Chunky Monkey Muffins

One large banana

1/4 C sugar

1 egg

2 1/2 Tblsp butter, melted

1/2 C A/P flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

Pinch salt-optional -I used salted butter instead

One unwrapped miniature peanut butter cup for each muffin

1. Mash banana in medium bowl.
2. Stir in sugar, egg and butter.
3. Add flour and baking powder, mix well.
4. Pour into paper lined muffin tin. Plan on about 5-6 muffins.
5. Add peanut butter cup to each muffin, slightly push down.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool and enjoy!

Let's use it up and 

Have a Happy Day:@)

Barbie dia de los muertos Lollypop Holder -Halloween

I wanted to use a dollar store Plastic Skull as a Lollypop Holder and decided to mix a Barbie Halloween party idea with dia de los muertos... I allowed myself to spend $5, skull, two headbands and the groovy eyelashes:@) BTW, if you have the patience for false eyelashes or extenders, God bless... Goggly eyes and Sharpies were from my craft stash. The face art can be as elaborate as desired, stickers and rhinestones are a couple good ideas. Turns out these skulls may be a bit too ghoulish to properly get the Barbie vibe... But I do think it's a fun idea, especially for a Day of the Dead party.

I drilled holes into the plastic to hold the lollypops, a small Dremel size bit worked well. Then hot glued the skull to a plate so it would stand securely. 

Wrapped candies (preferably) scattered around the plate would complete the look, or maybe create a Halloween charcuterie tray with the skull as the centerpiece... (Best perhaps without the hair.)

🎃Make something just for fun and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Savory Sports Team Logo-Willing a Phillies Win... & Quick Turkey Shepard's Pie

As we all know, the term 'fan' is just short for fanatic. And we can be a little extra cra-cra here in Philly... After a soul crushing loss on Saturday, I decided desperate times deserved desperate measures... We were having a Turkey Shepard's Pie for dinner on Sunday so I cut a logo out of paper, laid it on the smoothed out mashed potatoes and gave it a liberal dusting of paprika. I like to think I had a little something to do with the win! You are welcome Philadelphia:@)

A fan has to do,

what a fan has to do:@)

As for the recipe, I really don't have one. This is a toss in what you have meal, great for Thanksgiving leftovers. Don't have enough gravy? Sub some green bean casserole. Want a smaller amount? Make it in a pie dish, or loaf pan for two. Anything goes:@)

Easy Turkey Shepard's Pie

Half medium Onion, diced

Stalk of celery, chopped

1-2 Tblsp butter

Cooked turkey, cubed, as much as you'd like

12 oz frozen mixed vegetables, thawed, drain any liquid

very small sweet potato, cooked, peeled, diced-optional

2 C gravy

Poultry seasoning to taste

S&P to taste

Mashed potatoes, enough to cover top

Dots of butter and sprinkle of paprika for top-optional-I didn't use butter because of logo

1. Cook onion and celery in butter until begins to soften.
2. Mix everything except mashed potatoes, pour into 9x13 baking dish.
3. Spread mashed potatoes over top.
4. Dot top with butter and sprinkle of paprika if using.
5. Bake at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes or until heated through.

⚾Eat well and

GO PHILS!!!

QVC Tech Gifts Under $40 and Free Shipping...

The biggest thing I wanted to mention today 10/6/24 is, there is free shipping on everything on both QVC and HSN. So if there's something you want or need, that might help:@) Now, I am not a techy person, I'm glad I can learn the things I need to just get by... But, the holidays are approaching folks, and I wanted to mention a couple things in case you're looking for gift ideas... The first are these Groovz Earbuds. Everyone acknowledges they aren't the ones in the white box, but, these have good reviews and at $35 your heart won't skip a beat if one gets lost. They are wireless and come with a charging case and gift box. Check them out to see what colors are left.

Another idea that would be good for anyone (especially guys) are these Stone Wireless Chargers. Rather contemporary looking and sleek.

And I'll add these Personal Safety Alarms to my little tech round-up... There are several brands and varieties. Some rechargeable, most with lights, some have pepper spray. A great idea to help keep loved ones safe.

Obviously there are tons of things to look at and search for. Power banks and charges, screen cleaners, carrying cases... I just wanted to mention a few items that would work equally well for all age groups.

Let's cross a few names off the gift list and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies

I thought it might be fun to a add a little fall flavor to my favorite Ghirardelli cookie recipe, and these Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies disappeared pretty quickly. How much pumpkin spice to use? Well, say it with me now... You know your crowd. Love pumpkin spice? Add 2 tsp. Spice mix a little old? Add 2 tsp (and please replace it. I feel pumpkin spice loses it's potency a lot faster then other spices). Otherwise, cut back a bit to just add a hint of warmth. This is really just a nice excuse to whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies, and in my world that's comforting, and never a bad thing:@)

Want to really amp up the flavor? Use all chocolate chips then add a drizzle of melted white chocolate to the tops. Immediately sprinkle with pumpkin spice while it's still wet so the spices stick.

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 C butter, softened
3/4 C sugar
3/4 C brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 - 2 tsp pumpkin spice
2 1/4 C A/P flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt (if using unsalted butter)
up to 2 C of chocolate chips-I mixed white and semi-sweet

1. Cream butter and sugars.
2. Add eggs, vanilla, pumpkin spice, mix well.
3. Add flour, baking soda and salt (if using). Mix until just incorporated.
4. Stir in chocolate chips.
5. Drop by tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheets, about 2" apart.
6. Bake at 375 degrees for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Remove to cooling rack.

Enjoy a cookie and 

Have a Happy Day:@)