Halloween Round Up

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In the spirit of Halloween, I figured I'd round up a few of my favorite Halloweenie links for you today. Everything from food to decor to costumes. Ready, set, go!

Clockwise from top left:
Halloween Eyeball Appetizers.
Halloween Web Cookies (because even lazy people deserve festive food!).
Effie Trinket and Seneca Crane costumes and props.
Pumpkin Scones
Halloween Cupcakes from Bright Bazaar (also known as, drizzle caramel in a web formation).
Candy Corn Candle DIYs

Frozen Tapioca Brownie Cups - Perfect Party Food!

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Frozen Tapioca Pudding that is thawed just enough to make it ice cream like. Small brownie bites. And whipped cream. What's not to love?! Here's a unique and delicious treat that will have your guests peppering you with questions - What's in it? Where's it from? How'd you make it taste so delicious? 

We had a first here, people. Well, a "first" since I started this blog, at least. For once, I actually followed the directions on the back of a box. I'm usually trying to make substitutions, like swapping a can of La Croix for eggs, oil, and butter or adding applesauce instead of oil. It's fun!

For this recipe, I was a good girl and followed the directions on the boxes. First, I made a pan of brownies. As they were baking, I made one batch of Tapioca pudding using Instant Tapioca granules. As usual, they overflowed. I have a Tapioca curse, I swear, which means that every - and I mean EVERY - single time I make Tapioca, I manage to boil it over and make a huge mess. This is how my kitchen looked:

Yeah, I know. Somebody save me. Bake on!

Frozen Tapioca Brownie Cups

Servings: 20 (This recipe makes enough for a whole party. If you like Tapioca Pudding and Brownies, though, feel free to make it all and eat the leftover ingredients as separate treats!)
Ingredients:

• 1 box Brownie Mix and necessary ingredients (See box)
• 1 batch Tapioca Pudding Instant Granules and necessary ingredients (See box - probably 1 egg, 3 cups milk, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tsp Vanilla)
• 1 can Whipped Cream
• 1/2 cup Almonds

Directions:

1. Make the brownies. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (or other temperature, as listed on brownie box). Mix brownie batter and pour into a greased cake pan, then bake for time prescribed on box. Make Tapioca while it bakes, then remove from the oven and let cool.
2. Make Tapioca. Mix your Tapioca batter and bring to a boil. Watch it carefully! This is where I always mess up because I get so impatient that I go to do something else. Once it boils, remove from heat and stir in Vanilla, then let it cool.
3. Once everything is cooled, cut the brownies into small, bite-sized pieces. This is not an exact science, just make them very small. Mine were about 1/2 inch by 1/4 inch.
4. In small cups (or martini glasses - someone try that, please, and send me a picture!), start with a heaping spoon full of Tapioca pudding. Next, add a layer of whipped cream, then the brownie bites, then more whipped cream, and then some sliced almonds. Feel free to continue layering if you'd like to fill the cups up even higher!
5. Optional: Freeze for 2 hours, thaw for 5 minutes before serving. I initially did this on accident -- I wanted to keep them cold but planned to thaw them fully before serving. Instead, I ended up serving them straight from the freezer... but my coworkers seemed to love it and enjoyed the temperature and consistency. Apparently, frozen-and-slightly-thawed Tapioca pudding is to die for. Who knew?! Hey, kind of like how they discovered chocolate chip cookies...

Oh, and because I love you...

Full of shrimp and chips and 60 calorie cupcake and... love

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Last night my girlfriends and I each brought appetizers & wine to a friends and... well, I'm still full.  

Highlights:  Cajun shrimp.  "Secret Ingredient" Guacamole.  Taco bites.  Bruschetta.  Honey & Ricotta Dip.  And, of course, yesterday's cupcakes too! 

Trust me, that plate was just the beginning of my feast.

I feel full.

Full of shrimp and chips and 60 calorie cupcakes and... love.

And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.  Deuteronomy 8:10

How often are we able to catch those moments in which God fills not only our stomachs but also our hearts and souls?  It is one thing to remember to thank God when sitting down for a meal, when laying down for a good night's sleep, or when an obvious moment occurs - when we take a moment to see His work clearly.  Yet, while we may recognize Him in these instances, there is not a single moment in which He is not at work in our lives.  My prayer today is that I be more aware of this when I cannot see clearly - because I do not need to see His presence to know He is working.

Update regarding yesterday's cupcakes: They were a hit. I brought them to my girls gathering and everyone had at least one.   Seriously.  La Croix.  Who knew?  Probably Bill Nye... Bill! Bill. Bill.  Bill.  Bill! BILL!