Happy Halloween!

Today has been one of those S-L-O-W computer days. Everything I do seems to lock my computer up, and it is about to drive me crazy. I know that I promised to announce my Flip Giveaway winner today. I'm afraid that picking a winner from 740 entries (including bonus entries that need to be counted) with a computer that keeps locking up is proving quite difficult. Plus, I had this vision of printing out all of the entries and having one of the kids pick the winner out of a Halloween trick or treating bag and posting it as a video. It seemed like the perfect ending to an incredible week. And here I am ready to throw my computer across the room (I'm just hoping now that it will let me publish this post).

Thanks for your patience. I will be back with the winner soon.

Happy Halloween!! Enjoy your candy!

Eat, Drink, And Be Scary

Today is the last day of my Flip Ultra HD video camera giveaway (details here). I have loved reading through everyone's comments this week. You guys are awesome! Remember that you can earn 5 extra entries for the Flip if you link up here with an Eat, Drink, and Be Scary post.

I want to see want you are making in the kitchen. Show your devilish desserts, give us the scoop on pumpkins, or share your favorite holiday drink. If cooking isn't your cup of tea, then tell us what you are doing with your leftover Halloween candy. Do you enjoy immediately, save for later, or just bribe your kids with it when needed?

If you are here for Give Me Your Best Shot, you are still welcome to link up your favorite photo of the week....and if you are so inclined, answer one of the questions up there in your post. It never hurts to get in a few extra entries. Here are my favorite shots from this week:





I have a confession to make. I stayed so busy this week.....taking the family to the pumpkin patch, baking, volunteering at school, hiking, and going to social gatherings, that I almost didn't get around to preparing for this post. I had big plans to make something special in the kitchen...but I just didn't get around to it. But I did take some time this week to enjoy my kids. Here's a quick recap of my week.....Eat, Drink, and be Scary (and then have some fun!)


PS--the "Scary" in this video was the cake that I just barely finished making for Necco's Halloween party tomorrow after school. Yes, I actually agreed to let my 10 year old throw a party THIS WEEK. And then I agreed to make her an orange cake, decorated like a pumpkin. I am NOT a cake decorator. Scary.

Don't forget to answer the daily questions on Seven Clown Circus, Mama's Losin' It, and Mayhem And Moxie, too.

The last question of the day from me is:
What was the last thing you video taped?

**Winners will be announced tomorrow!**

Spooky.

Have you entered my Flip Ultra HD video camera contest yet? All the details can be found on Monday's post. Don't forget to answer the question at the end of this post for an entry to win a Flip!

Today I am participating in Mama's Losin' It's Spooky Writer's Workshop. Although I can't enter the Flip giveaway as a host, YOU can earn 5 extra entries if you link up with MamaKat today!

MamaKat challenged me personally to Vlog today's Writer's Workshop (ahem--that doesn't require much Writing, does it?) and it was tough. Vlogging does not come naturally for me. So if you do risk watching my first lone vlog, here are two key things to keep in mind: 1) my son AJ joined me half way through the video and totally makes the whole thing worth while. I thought he was just being restless. I didn't realize he was putting on an entire show for you while I gabbed away. And 2) there is some special information at the end of the video about how you can earn an extra entry just on my blog today.



Don't forget to link up your Spooky Story Starter with Mama's Losin' It for 5 extra entries today, and then answer the daily questions on Seven Clown Circus, Mama's Losin' It, and Mayhem And Moxie, too.

And then come back HERE tomorrow for "Eat, Drink, And Be Scary": I want to see want you are making in the kitchen. Show your devilish desserts, give us the scoop on pumpkins, or share your favorite holiday drink. If cooking isn't your cup of tea, then tell us what you are doing with your leftover Halloween candy. Do you enjoy immediately, save for later, or just bribe your kids with it when needed?

And now for today's question for your daily entry to win a Flip Ultra HD video camera:

If you could capture a video of anyone in history, who would it be (and why)?

Ghosts of Halloweens Past

That's me in the red and white ballet costume, with 3 neighbors and my baby sister, Halloween 1980

Psst....Don't forget to answer the question at the end of this post for an entry to win a Flip Ultra HD video camera!

Today I am participating in Seven Clown Circus' Ghosts of Halloweens Past - WorldFul Wednesday carnival. Although I can't enter the Flip giveaway as a host, YOU can earn 5 extra entries if you link up with Angie today!

So are you ready to see my Ghosts of Halloweens Past? I had fun today pulling out some old Halloween pictures from my own childhood. I was a little shocked that I was only able to find a few of them.

Halloween 1979

I have to say, I loved Halloween as a child, and yet I don't remember doing anything extremely special during the Halloween season. Except, of course, for my birthday. And dressing up for school and trick or treating in our amazing neighborhood. We had great neighbors, and I remember huge groups of kids running in mass from house to house.

My 7th Birthday (most of my birthdays were Halloween-themed)

My 5th Birthday Party-I still remember that doll that a neighbor sewed for me

And I remember carving pumpkins and roasting the pumpkin seeds, although I have no pictures to enhance the memories. My guess is that we kept things really basic. Just like I do with my own kids today. Basic costumes. Basic pumpkin carving. It's a tradition that I am proud to carry on with my own kids. :) We don't have amazing decorations, I don't sew their costumes. I don't even buy their costumes new. But Halloween is a happy time.

Good times. Good times.

I don't suppose it could have anything to do with the candy......

**Don't forget to answer the daily questions on Seven Clown Circus, Mama's Losin' It, and Mayhem And Moxie, for more entries. And then link up with Angie today, and get your Spooky Story Starter ready for Mama's Losin' It tomorrow.**

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Now for the question of the day (for an entry to win a Flip video camera):

If you had owned a Flip when you were eight years old, describe to me what your Halloween video would have looked like.

Creepy Crawly....Oreos for Halloween?

Psst....Don't forget to answer the question at the end of this post for an entry to win a Flip Ultra HD video camera!

Today I am participating in Mayhem & Moxie's Creepy Crawly Crafts carnival. Although I can't enter the Flip giveaway as a host, YOU can earn 5 extra entries if you link up with Francesca & Kacey today!

I don't have a single Halloween decoration out in my house. The extent of our craftiness this Fall is limited to my allowing the kids to use some really old orange and black glitter glue that I picked up on Halloween clearance a few years ago.

I thought about making something creepy and crawly and absolutely festive just for you...but I didn't have it in me. And, to tell you the truth....something messy and chocolate sounded WAY more appealing than something simply messy. So Necco and I set out to make some Halloweeny Oreos. This instructional video is a little longer than I typically like to post....but I couldn't leave out any of the steps (or Necco's cuteness).



Homemade Halloween Oreo Cookies

Cookie ingredients:

1 box devil's food cake mix
1 stick of butter
2 eggs

Directions: Mix ingredients together. Roll into small balls (I would have made the cookies smaller than Necco did in the video). Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees. After cookies have cooled completely, spread frosting on one cookie and sandwich with another.

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

2 Tbls of butter
4 oz. cream cheese
1/2 t vanilla
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar

Directions: Beat ingredients together until smooth, and then spread between two cookies.



Don't forget to link up your creepy, crawly craft with Mayhem And Moxie for 5 extra entries today, and then answer the daily questions on Seven Clown Circus, Mama's Losin' It, and Mayhem And Moxie, too.

Then get your WordFull "Ghosts Of Halloween Past" Wednesday posts ready for tomorrow.

And now for your daily question for an entry into the Flip Ultra HD video camera giveaway:
How do you decorate for Halloween?

Flip Cameras Are Better in Bulk, too....

Have you noticed that I have been including a few more videos on my blog? I haven't quite gotten brave enough to vlog myself much (this week---I swear one is coming!), but I do love capturing the action that is so prevalent in my house. The single reason for those videos? I got myself a an early birthday present. One of these fabulous cameras:

My Flip camera was one of the very first things I packed for my trips to New York and Vegas...in fact, it's almost always in my purse anyways because it's small, durable, and so easy to use. And no, I'm not getting paid to tell you that.

My Flip helped me capture videos like this -- SITScation in 56 seconds:



And what about this beauty from my birthday? My lunch time entertainment:

In addition to being small enough to keep in my purse, I can also use it to take snapshots (like this shot I sneakily captured during my Minnie Driver interview....). Just take a short video of whatever you'd like to take a "picture" of, and then use the handy included software to take a screen shot.

Doesn't Minnie look gorgeous framed between the pitcher and the glass? I was trying to be discreet while I was taping the interview. :)

My Flip also comes with movie making software AND hooks directly into my computer for easy video uploading.

You should know that Flip has never given me a camera. I bought and own my own camera because I love it. But Flip HAS given me a FLIP ULTRA HD camera to give to YOU.

Not all of you, of course, but FOUR of you....because I'm not alone (not too bad, right??).

So if you're interested in owning one of these bad boys:

.....here's what you need to know.

Seven Clown Circus, Mama's Losin' It, Mayhem And Moxie and I will be hosting interactive carnivals all week long...to enter each giveaway you must answer a daily question in the comment section that you will find at the end of each carnival post. This means, everyday each of us will ask new and different questions providing you with the opportunity to earn a total of 20 entries by the end of the week.

**Today's question for my blog is "What past event do you wish you had a Flip camera to capture?"**

In addition to simply answering questions on each of our sites each carnival you link up to will earn you FIVE additional entries.

This means if you leave daily answers on each of our blogs AND participate in all four carnivals you will have a total of 40 entries and an opportunity to win one of four Flip cameras (sorry multiple cameras will not be awarded to the same person if their name is drawn more than once).

Here's a sneak peak of the carnivals you may want to prep for this week:

Tuesday "Creepy Crawly Crafts": Link up with Mayhem And Moxie by sharing anything you've created this Halloween. Examples include, Halloween costumes, recipes, crafts, party invites, treats, decorations etc...

Wednesday "Ghosts Of Halloween Past": Link up with Seven Clown Circus by posting pictures and descriptions of Halloween Past. This could be a memorable Halloween from when you were a child or simply a cute story and picture from just last year. If you are contributing to this theme as an entry into the Flip camera giveaway Angie's asking for you to put an asterisk next to your blog name when you enter it into Mr. Linky. This way she can specifically view and enter the correct participants for the Flip camera Giveaway.

Thursday "Spooky Story Starters" : Link up with Mama's Losin' It by choosing a writing prompt and participating in her Writer's Workshop:

1.) Show your spooky side
2.) Show and Tell using your favorite Halloween home decor
3.) Write a poem to your child as their Halloween character (for example I may write a poem to "Pongo"...the 101 Dalmatian Laina is going to be for Halloween)
4.) Post a vlog of yourself playing a Halloween prank on a family member or friend.
5.) Describe a favorite Halloween costume or moment you wish you had on video.

Friday "Eat, Drink, And Be Scary": On all Hallow's Eve, I want to see want you are making in the kitchen. Show your devilish desserts, give us the scoop on pumpkins, or share your favorite holiday drink. If cooking isn't your cup of tea, then tell us what you are doing with your leftover Halloween candy. Do you enjoy immediately, save for later, or just bribe your kids with it when needed?

That's a lot of information. All you need to do right now is:

1.) Answer today's question on my blog ("What past event do you wish you had a Flip camera to capture?") and visit the other 3 contest hosts to answer their questions, too.

2.) Prepare your "Creepy Crawly Craft" post and link up at Mayhem and Moxie for five giveaway entries tomorrow!!

2.) Remember to answer the question left on Mayhem and Moxie's site tomorrow and then head over to the other three sites to answer more questions for three additional entries.

Just to reiterate, you don't have to participate in the carnvials to enter to win. Those are bonus entries. You may simply answer the daily question (different question each day) posted on each of the four blogs to be entered to win.

Updated: Click HERE to answer Tuesday's question for an extra entry!
More! Click HERE to answer Wednesday's question for another entry!
Another: Click HERE to answer Thursday's question for another entry!
And the last!: Click HERE to answer Friday's question for the last entry!

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Contest is open to US residents and ends on Friday October 30 at midnight EST. Winners will be picked at random, notified via email, and announced on Halloween! Good luck!