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Posts Tagged ‘Shanna Hatfield’

The folks at Big Chill have come up with some great tips for creating a scary kitchen this Halloween! Here are their hauntingly hip ideas!

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Got a bug for all things ghoulish? Or maybe you just know that Halloween is not your typical holiday? Halloween is a time to show off your creepy side; the side of you normally reserved for haunting cemeteries, flying on broomsticks, or mixing mysterious potions. While most of us have already outgrown trick-or-treating, there is still plenty of ghoulish celebration to be found in Halloween parties, dinner parties, or simple ghostly gatherings. And what better place to come together than the kitchen?

Your kitchen is your cozy and beloved space year-round, responsible for cooking up all kinds of trouble on a daily basis. However, this is the time of year to really cook up some bewitching magic and illusion.

With a refrigerator full of surprises and a pantry full of delicious candy, there is no better time to invite loved ones into your kitchen for a bowl of zombie brains.

Let your creep side out! Here are 10 Decorations for a Frightening Halloween Kitchen.

 

1.) Halloween Hutch

Give kitchen hutches and dish cabinets a spooky makeover with the addition of Halloween decorations and accessories. Introduce jack-o-lantern themed plates, skull shaped sugar dishes, or simply add spider webs where there were none before. There is no way to incorrectly decorate your Halloween hutch, as long as you stick with the general theme – The creepier, the better.

 

2.) Spooky Kitchen Tables

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Your Halloween kitchen or dining room table display is where it all comes together. When it comes to October 31st, there is no spooky theme off limits, and there really is no strict format when it comes to ghoulish and ghastly tabletop decorations. Stick with classic black and orange colors, or stay inspired with a Tim Burton or Bride of Frankenstein theme. And don’t forget to reserve a place for Mr. Plastic Skeleton, your most important guest at dinner and source of all after-hours gossip.

 

3.) Spider Magnets

Glue plastic spiders or bugs to magnets to decorate your refrigerator, stove, or dishwasher with some Halloween-themed creepy crawlers.

 

4.) Ceiling Hats

Hang witches hats from the ceiling to remind everyone that you brew magic in the kitchen daily. Simply use tacks and clear fishing line to create the illusion that the hats are floating in mid-air.

 

5.) Creepy Cauldrons

Handcraft a creepy, well-utilized witches cauldron with a little bit of creativity and magic. No witches kitchen is complete without a cauldron, and can be used to serve your guests by filling it with cold sodas or punch. Try these instructions for the perfect handmade cauldron.

 

6.) Skeletons at Work

Freak out guests, friends, and family by propping up a skeleton in your kitchen and positioning them to perform household duties. Skeletons can do dishes, cook on the stove, or even sweep up that spilled bucket of eye balls you’ve been meaning to clean up. Now put those bones to work!

 

7.) Monster Knives

This one is a simple and creative way to spook up your kitchen display of knives. Simply draw or use these simple printouts to create your favorite monster, then sending him to the grave by way of your home knife collection.

 

8.) Ghostly Decor

Paint wine bottles to look like monsters, or spray paint mason jars to look like delicious sugary candy corn. There are endless ways to get creative and turn your kitchen into a haunted cookery your ghoulish guests will never forget.

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9.) Fancy Pumpkins

 

Paint pumpkins in matte or metallic colors to create an eye-catching effect on traditionally orange gourds. Or, cover and glue pumpkins in lace or rhinestones to bring out your fanciest, bling-iest Halloween ghosts. Place fancy pumpkins on top of your refrigerator, in kitchen hutches, or anywhere that needs a fall-themed accessory. Small pumpkins also make perfect autumn additions to kitchen table centerpieces.

 

10.) Eerie Dry Ice

Nothing sends a chill up the spine like the effect of mysterious fog flowing freely from your kitchen sink. For those who aren’t afraid of a little science experiment, dry ice can be a great way to create a fog-like effect for that extra spooky Halloween touch. Look for instructions and ideas here, but be sure to read up on dry ice safety if this is your first time working with the solid form of carbon dioxide.

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Information provided by Big Chill.

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big-chill

Join me today as I welcome Lisa Tilley from BigChill.com

I kid you not – you have to check out their cool appliances!

Welcome, Lisa!

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From as far back as we can remember, kitchens have represented the most important part of any household. The fact that most families spend the greatest part of their day together in the kitchen proves how vital a part it plays in the household.

And since their development, refrigerators have been a staple in any kitchen anywhere in the world, creating and telling stories about the families that own them.

Over the years, refrigerator has grown from being a simple commodity to a representation of style and design expertise, a foundation of the kitchen.

People at BigChill.com pride themselves on taking all of these inspirational designs, capturing their nostalgia and creating modern made classic refrigerators. Check out this timeline of the refrigerator for a look into the early days of the fridge, and to see what inspired the Modern Made Classics of today.

Find out more about the company at  BigChill.com

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SS logoWhen we arrived home from vacation, I had the most wonderful box of goodies awaiting from ScentSicles.

If you haven’t heard of them, ScentSicles are the first scented ornaments that make any Christmas tree smell like you’ve trekked into the woods and cut it down yourself.

ScentSicles scented ornaments bring the magic to the season by allowing Christmas enthusiasts everywhere to have all the convenience of an artificial tree but with the real-tree smell so many of us desire.  It’s true – no messy pine needles but still the real tree smell that makes it feel like Christmas!

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And the ScentSicles are so easy to use. Just hang on your tree, inhale the wonderful fresh-cut tree smell, and relax knowing that there aren’t any pesky needles to clean up. ScentSicles holiday scents include: White Winter Fir, Christmas Time Spruce, It’s a Wonderful Pine, SnowBerry Wreath, and Two Dashes of Cinnamon.

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ScentSicles offer the following products:

  • ScentSicles Table Ornaments – the ultimate housewarming gift!  Better than a candle and always “on”, this festive jar filled with holiday scents is a safe way to infuse the home with the smells of the season…without the flame.
  • AutoSticks – the annual holiday trek to Grandma’s house wouldn’t be complete without the smell of Christmas for that car ride.  Just hang a ScentSicles Autostick from the rearview mirror or hide under your seat, and let the memories begin!
  • Decorative Ornaments – one of the most popular holiday traditions is decorating a Christmas tree.  Enjoy new decorative ornament designs including gold and silver glitter.  Beautiful and fragrant!
  • Scented Sprigs – go from Grinch to Cindy Lou in a flash with the aroma of perfectly sized smaller ScentSicles ideal for tucking in a wreath, placing in a tablescape or hiding in a mantle display!

I’d noticed ScentSicles in a few of our local stores a month or so ago, so when the opportunity arose to review their products I jumped at it.

I can’t say enough about how much I like the scents and the ease of use (my idea of a perfect combination!).

As a special holiday surprise, one lucky randomly drawn winner will receive a ScentSicles Gift Package! The gift package includes ScentSicles ornaments, AutoSticks and their new table ornament!

Just post a comment below about your favorite scent of the season to enter!

For more information, visit: www.scentsicles.com

And be sure to watch this fun video with Jack:

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Darigold – the company with all those wonderful dairy products, shared this yummy summer recipe.

Enjoy!

Rosemary Shortcake with Balsamic Strawberries & Honey Cream by Darigold

INGREDIENTS

SHORTCAKE

  • 2-1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons Darigold Unsalted Butter, chilled, cubed
  • 1/4 cup Darigold Sour Cream
  • 3/4 cup Darigold Buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • Darigold Whipping Cream
  • Crystal sugar

BALSAMIC STRAWBERRIES

  • 2 pints fresh strawberries, rinsed, stemmed, halved
  • 1/4 cup aged balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

HONEY CREAM

  • 1-1/2 cups Darigold Sour Cream
  • 6 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt then pulse to combine. Add the chilled butter and process just until combined. With the motor running, add sour cream, buttermilk and rosemary, stopping just before the dough forms a ball. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured sur face and gently knead, forming a smooth ball. Do not overwork. Roll the dough out to 3/4-inch thickness. Cut into desired shape using a biscuit cutter or a knife. Arrange the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet; brush the tops with cream and sprinkle lightly with crystal sugar. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cakes are golden and firm to the touch. Cool on a rack.

Meanwhile, prepare Balsamic Strawberries: Toss berries with balsamic vinegar, sugar and lemon zest in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Prepare Honey Cream: Combine sour cream, honey and lemon juice in a small bowl. Set aside.

When ready to serve, split each shortcake in half and warm slightly. Place the bottom half of shortcake on a dessert plate. Spoon about 1/4 cup of strawberries on the cake and top with 1-2 tablespoons of the Honey Cream. Top with the remaining half of the cake. Serve immediately.

RECIPE YIELD/SERVING SIZE

Makes 8 to 10 servings.

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