Back to traditions!

It's a wintery morning here on the farm and it would be quite beautiful if it weren't for the fact that we still have many acres of corn to harvest before winter really gets here.  Hopefully this little dusting of snow is it until we're done! (just putting my order in!!)

Over the weekend, we had a blast at our annual, which has turned into our tradition.....pumpkin carving and watching the Disney Halloween classic "Hocus Pocus" (my personal favorite!).  The whole event is quite fun as we carve some pretty cool looking pumpkins, decorate sugar cookies, do a craft or two, eat yummy soups and finish the evening off with the movie!.  Probably the best part for me, is that this has become a tradition in our family.  This being our third year, we believe constitutes tradition.  How many of you have a similar event or some type of tradition that can be passed down from generation to generation?  It's sad to think that many of the traditions in the whole world have been lost.  It is time to reclaim that and all families unite and if not bring back an old tradition, create a new one!  That is your mission.  With the holidays right around the corner, I'm sure there are many traditions that families still carry on,  So hands up high, with a whoop-whoop - traditions here we come!

The pumpkins are all ready for the carving event to begin. There are no awards or anything like that, just the thrill of making art out of a pumpkin!

As you can see, the carvers are working their magic on the pumpkins with serious determination - okay not too serious!

Even though our granddaughter had her own pumpkin to decorate, she was more interested in eating the frosting off her newly decorated cookie.

This year's craft was an "after Halloween" clearance item from last year.  My daughter LOVES to shop the clearance aisle after every holiday and I must admit she scores some pretty good deals.

Before we could settle down to watch the movie, we collected goodies to bring home to share. Halloween Bark was a new recipe I just had to try and it was DE...licious, thanks Ree from Pioneer Woman!  Holly's famous sugar cookies (recipe to follow) and a fun spin on cupcakes, recipe courtesy of Six Sisters Stuff. Thanks ladies! The cute felted magnet owls (Target 2012) was the craft that everyone created.

We anxiously awaited for the darkness, so we could light our newly decorated pumpkins.....ahhhhh....ooohhh......so spooky and really cool!

Thanks Allie, Danielle, Holly, Katie and Parker for making tradition!

-Happy Halloween and hugs from Julie-

Holly's Famous Sugar Cookies
Printable Recipe

Sugar Cut-Out Cookies with Buttercream Frosting: 1 c. butter                                            3 1/4 c, flour 1 c. sugar                                             1/2 tsp. baking powder   2 eggs                                                   1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp vanilla extract                          1/2 tsp. salt Combine butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla with mixer until light and fluffy.  Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually stir flour mixture into butter mixture until well blended.  Chill dough for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness.  Cut into desired shapes.  Place cookies  2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake for 4-6 minutes. BUTTERCREAM FROSTING: 1/2 c. butter flavored shortening            1 lb. powdered sugar 1/4 tsp. butter flavored extract                5 Tbsp. water 1/4 tsp. salt                                                1/4 tsp. vanilla extract Beat all ingredients until fluffy.  Add food coloring to make desired colors.