Welcome, we are glad you could join the party!

Make sure you visit our archives for more Halloween Ideas!

We are having such a good time!

I think that these two may have had a little too much punch. They do seem to be having a good time. This couple is the life of the party so you can imagine what the rest of the guests are like! LOL. I know that the jokes that my husband is telling really aren't all that funny.

Caramel Apples

WOW! Caramel Apples! Yummy.
Grams just arrived at the party with a fun tray of apples. Thanks so much for the treats and thanks for coming to our party.

We need more refreshments!

Dear Guests, we are a little low on refreshments so if any of you have some fun Halloween goodies and treats I could post please leave me your link. I think I will visit Kristy and bring some decorated Halloween cookies over. This is a potluck party so feel free to bring whatever you would like to the party. Deb Make sure you check the right sidebar for some Caramel Popcorn and a glass of Pumpkin Bubble Tea.

Halloween Decorations for the Door

What a warm welcome. I could not resist posting this adorable door decoration from A Soft Place to Land. She is also having a Halloween event and you are invited to visit her blog
A Soft Place to Land

Cottage Way of Life, a blog to "die" for!

I love parties! This is so much fun. We have some new guests at the party, Sue and Sarah from Cottage Way of Life. The gals are counting down the days until Halloween. They have invited us to stop by their blog and I am telling you, it is to "die" for, you'll see what I mean. They wanted to bring the spirits, hum I may need to think about that for a moment. It all looks a little spooky to me. Have fun visiting them, then stop back when you can, we will have more fun decorating coming up and free party favors for everyone who is in our guest book. Make sure you sign up before you go.

Pumpkin Heads

Okay, one more pumpkin picture. This one is from the blog
Cottage Way of Life. I am glad that the gals over there accepted my invitation to join our party, you just have to go by for a visit. Just a warning, be careful what you eat or drink there. I saw a lot of poison bottles sitting around. Let them know that the Cottage in the Country suggested you go by for a spell. He he, it is very late so that may not be all that funny but hey, this has been a great party and as long as you are out Trick or Treating, you may as well stop by. They are offering a tutorial on making their old timey poison bottles. Fun Stuff!

Let's Start with Pumpkins

This weeks party theme is Halloween decorating, I found these great art prints I thought you might enjoy them. Click on the sidebar link for more information regarding the prints

Halloween Decorations

I apologize that I misplaced the link information for this wonderful Jack-o-Lantern photo as soon as I come across it, I would like to give credit to the photographer for sharing this wonderful photo with all of us in the cyber world.

Halloween Door Prize

For those of you following my blog, I thought you might want to see what Lori Gardner has won as a door prize for making a special craft to show at out blog party and then doing such great instructions to go with it. Here it is, a Vintage 1978 porcelain white owl. Lori likes vintage owls so let's get this to her in time for the Holiday. Thanks again Lori!

I met a couple of new folks at the Gatehouse in Orem, Utah so I invited them to stop by the party. This skeleton was trying on the wonderful hats that are available at the Gatehouse. There were so many to choose from, but I think this one looks quite nice on her. She showed up at the party dressed for the occassion. If you don't have your Halloween accessories chosen you may want to stop in and try a few on.

Trick or Treat! Caramel Popcorn ANOTHER WINNER

We have another winner! Kathy you have been chosen to receive a door prize for taking time to make some treats for our party. Thanks for your support! Party goers, make sure to have a handful of this wonderful, soft and exceptionally yummy, caramel popcorn. This is probably the best recipe I have ever tried. If the bowl is empty when you get here, you will want to pick up the recipe by visitingInsightful Nana Trick or Treat!

Dancing Skeletons

LET'S HAVE A CONTEST!

Okay, I have heard some pretty crazy stuff about the laughing skeleton so to make things a little more "Lively", let's start a contest for a prize drawing. You can all be in on it. Leave me a post so we can see some of the reasons he might be laughing. I will post the comments and we can vote on them. The prize will be awarded on the night of the Halloween Blog Dinner Party.

Lori Stopped By To See How The Party Is Going

My good friend and mentor
Lori Gardner stopped by the Halloween Blog Party last night and left this darling little project for the party. It is so fun when two heads can get together and come up with something so adorable. Lori is a visionary designer, put the stuff in her hands and "Voila, ta da"! Vintage wallpaper, vintage sheet music, vintage buttons and her creative mind all came together in this darling little notepad holder. You could use this little envelope for a party favor or a wonderful invitation. Be sure to visit Lori for all of the instructions. Thanks Lori, YOU HAVE WON A DOOR PRIZE! Let me know your address so I can get it sent. Deb

WHY IS HE LAUGHING?

-----------Why is that guy on the left laughing? He laughed so hard that he fell apart and lost his head. I have done that some days. Wait until you see why he is really laughing!

WHAT THE HECK? This picture should be censored!

What the heck? I thought I better check on where my guests were? I hadn't seen Dorthea in a while and this is where I found her, in the kitchen eating the candy corn and drinking up my non-alcoholic wine. I was saving that for the Halloween dinner party. And get this, she isn't even dressed yet! What will the other guests think?

COULD THIS IS BE THE REASON?

After the deal in the kitchen, Dorthea showed up dressed in a towel. Seems her stylist is late getting here to help her get into her party outfit. They guys were laughing when they saw her in her towel.

Early Party Guest Arrivals

Since I have been planning this Blog party, I have found some incredibly talented artists and designers. Make sure you also visit them for more of the fun. This gal really knows how to throw a party! Deb
http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/
A Fanciful Twist

Trick or Treat! The Holiday Queen has eye candy!

Late last night Melissa from the Holiday Queen stopped by and gave me a little moral support. You have got to go see her blog. Wow!
Please note that I asked permission first to use her images on my blog. Please respect the copyrights on her photos. FOR A REAL TREAT, you will want to visit her blog and her Etsy shop. Many of her darling items are for sale in her shop. Thanks Melissa for bringing the eye candy to my party! Deb

Holiday Queen
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5196421

Meet one of our Photographers

While we are still setting up, I thought you might like to meet my photographer, Courtney Crabtree. Courtney is one of those amazing people who is just good at everything. Thanks Court for all of the great photos. Mom

Have a glass of Pumpkin Bubble Tea

( Click here for recipe )

I want to thank Brian for bringing potluck this morning.While we are waiting for the rest of the party to arrive. Please enjoy a glass of Pumpkin Bubble Tea. As I told you in a previous post. This is yummy-licious! Bubble Tea is very popular in Asia and some cities in the United States. For those of you who would like more information, leave me your email address and I will forward all of the information for supplies and this delicious recipe. This is a drink you will want to try. It is sipped through a super large straw and the whole experience is to "die for". (photography by Brian Steele)
Brian Steele

OH MY GOSH!

Looks like we better be hurrying. Here is Brian and Caden getting their pumpkin ready for the blog. Brian, who is a self taught chef has created a special drink for the party. "Pumpkin Bubble Tea", it is so yummy-licious, Don't know what bubble tea is? Be sure to be at the party. Where has the time gone? I need a good witch to stop by and give a helping hand. Yes, I know, tomorrow is the 1st of October. I look forward to seeing you here. I will close for now. I have to go cut and glue and glitter to get ready for my guests.

Fall is officially in full swing!

Okay, I admit it I am so excited I am about to bust my buttons. I have been so busy getting ready for the Halloween Blog Party that I can barely think about anything else. It is like cooking and cleaning and decorating before the in-laws come over. It is kind of like that. I spent today gathering new ideas for the blogs and taking pics to share with everyone and making sure that all of the people that want to participate are ready with their projects. I love parties! I can't wait until we start this month long celebration, but I will. LOL Just a bit of nervous teasing. I will post more during the "party" about the cool places I have been visiting. Hope to see you all there. Deb

You are Invited

Celebrating Fall

Okay I can't hold it in any more! I am letting the cat out of the bag, so to speak. I won't be posting a lot this week because I am getting ready to have a Halloween Blog Party. I will spend this week preparing for this event. Be sure to leave a comment so that I have your name and email. We are "cooking" up some fun ideas. My kitchen table is a mess with all of the supplies I am gathering. I hope to have many of you stop back for this event.

More Photos from Farmers Market

Changing of the Seasons

Well I think that I am going to have to face the facts. The seasons are changing here in Utah. I tried to just enjoy the change without thinking about it, but it has crept up on me. I see the changes in the photos we have been taking lately. I think I will get a cup of tea, relax and enjoy a beautiful fall evening.

I have a few more pics I want to share with you from Farmer's Market. When I look at them they make me think about cooking. The mushrooms and the squash make me feel that perhaps trying some new recipes are in order. I enjoy cooking with the new harvest vegetables. If any of you have a new recipe that you want to share, drop me a note. Especially for the mushrooms.

Farmer's Market-The Petal Pusher

The Farmer's Market in downtown Salt Lake City is so much fun to visit. It absolutely awakens most of your senses. Beautiful visions of produce and products. Ethnic food smells and music from the mood inspiring musicians, make this a great place to spend Saturday morning. Some of the finest crafts, photography, art and handmade products are there inticing shoppers. I met a very nice lady who allowed me to take pics. She was gracious enough to share visions of her handmade products with us. Thanks again Kari. Kari's business card is shown if you are interested in any of her dried flower arrangements. For more information on Kari's beautiful items contact her husband by email focuspokus@msn.com

Craft Vendor from Downtown Salt Lake City Farmers Market

Farmer's Market Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah

Farmer's Market Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah

It is a tradition for me during the summer and fall months to attend the Downtown Farmer's Market in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is so fun to listen to the music being played by the street musicians and to sample the wares of the vendors. There is something there for everyone. Handmade soap, fresh flowers, honey, jams, jellies and a variety of fruits and vegtables. Many of the varieties of fruits and vegtables are organically grown and some are labeled as heirloom varieties. There are artisan breads and many ethnic food vendors. Arts and crafts booths round out the vendor list. There really aren't words to describe the sights and smells of the early morning Farmer's Market. If you don't live in the Salt Lake City metro area, you may consider checking out a farmer's market in your area. Be sure to get there early for the best selection and be prepared to stick around for the entertainment.

Last Blooms of Summer

A recent road trip yielded some beautiful end of summer photos. These pictures are courtesy of my sweet daughter Courtney Crabtree Photography.

Visit my Cottage Boutique Blog

Finishing up Projects

Be sure to visit my other blog, Cottage Boutique. There are more fun Cottage images to enjoy. Many of the items will be offered in my Etsy shop soon. I would love to hear what you think so please leave a comment. We will get back to the fall stuff next week. http://debscottageboutique.blogspot.com/

Labor Day

Today has been a quiet, thoughtful day. The thought of friends and fellow Americans facing another possible devastating storm in the Gulf of Mexico has caused our family to really pause and think about the things that are important in our lives. Over the past few years I have heard of more disaster than I have throughout my lifetime. The memory of Hurricane Katrina is still so painful to think about, that we are checking the news often to see what the situation is with our friends in the Gulf. Please know that our prayers are with them and we will continue to carry a prayer in our hearts for their safety.

Last Flowers of Summer

I think we may be looking at the last flowers of the summer. Last night we had a storm move in and the mountains above us are topped with new snow. The last snow on the mountain was gone by the Fourth of July. That gave us two months without snow on the mountains. Hum, I think we may see an early winter. I am planning all of my fall projects. I think I should be scheduling them before we see snow here in the valley. The great photos are by Courtney Crabtree, my wonderful talented daughter. Thanks for stopping by.