So what to do when Halloween rolls around? Obviously, there's no point Trick Or Treating. But Halloween is her favourite holiday. She loves the spooky, dress up season even more than (gasp) Christmas. Could I allow her fun to be diminished just because she can't participate in the big candy gobble?
No way.
Halloween's not about candy anyway. Okay, well, maybe it is mostly about candy. But leave out the bother of tromping around the neighbourhood lugging heavy bags full of belly-ache inducing sweets, and suddenly the whole evening opens up, full of possibilities for Halloween fun we normally don't have time for.
So instead of Trick Or Treating this year, we're staying home to party. The kids and I are more excited about Halloween than ever before. We won't have to rush through dinner, we won't have to drag Graham's tired little legs through the dark, cold night, and we won't have to miss out on greeting all the kids that come to our door. Instead, we'll crank our spooky tunes, turn on the orange and purple lights, don our costumes, and just enjoy the magic of the night.
Will there be candy? Of course. Thanks mainly to recipes printed in the October/November issue of MaryJanes Farm Magazine, we made candy corns, coconut-almond chocolates, caramel toffee, and black cherry gum drops.
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And, of course, pumpkin pie.
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And, of course, pumpkin pie.
I made everything myself, so I know every ingredient. We'll feast on them all evening knowing that, as candies go, they're not so bad for us. And making them together created lasting memories, too.
If there's time, I may even make another cake like this seasonal one that I made for my sister's fall birthday:
What about the kids who come to our door? Well, no, they won't get candy. The days of being able to hand out homemade treats disappeared during my childhood. Instead, we've got a big bowl full of handmade hair barrettes, ties, wrist cuffs and brooch pins:
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Plus a selection of fun goodies that should appeal to kids of all ages, boys or girls:
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So tell me:
Who's coming to Trick Or Treat at my house?
Happy Halloween!
It sounds like you will have the best Holiday ever. Thanks for being creative and making it special. I enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I'll be sure to post the results of all the hard work. :) So glad you enjoyed the post.
DeleteJust found out my son has food allergies, but I was inspired by your blog post. Next year I hope to be more like your family and switch candy for other goodies, and make my own! Hope to see some recipes fm you!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear it, Dawn, although for our family, Ariel's food sensitivities are the best thing that's ever happened to our family, health wise. We eat so well now! It's a challenge re-learning how to cook with new ingredients, but for me it's been fun at the same time. I'll be sure to post more recipes. What is your son allergic to? Maybe I can post some ones just for him.
DeleteTake care,
Adrienne
I loved your treat ideas. You are adjusting well! Dietary challenges are difficult! Several of our family members have ciliac disease. We have to be very careful about having everything extremely clean in the kitchen to prevent cross contamination. There are a lot of foods available now that are gluten free. So things are getting easier.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine what it would have been like for Celiacs a decade ago. Choice was limited, and people had no knowledge of the disease, so restaurants weren't savvy. These days, I think people are more aware of food allergies and sensitivities in general. There's a lot of support out there!
DeleteHi Adrienne! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you too Lynne! Shame on me for not posting on here since I added the recipes in November. I will remedy that soon!
ReplyDeleteTake care!