Haunted houses, pumpkin patches, costume contests, and more are on the agenda! It's October the month of all Hallow's Eve! Everywhere you look there's pumpkins being transformed into jack-o-lanterns, yards being converted into cemeteries or spiders web covered images of nightmares, apples turning into candy, and people turning into various ghosts and goblins.
As time grows closer to Halloween, more and more carved pumpkins are emerging on doorsteps, and I swear, they get more creative every year. People have put their carving skills to the test - what used to be three triangles and a crooked smile, is now a fully carved and fully detailed landscape, cat, bat, or.. Pablo Picasso's Starry Night. Whenever the trend started doesn't matter because they sure are fun to look at!
Looking at these fun, festive pumpkin decorations gets me thinking about everything people have found to do with pumpkin and pumpkin spice.
1. Bake the Seeds - after carving your beautiful masterpiece, a big pile of delicious seeds sit in a pile of goop. All you have to do is fish them out, put them on a baking sheet, sprinkle some seasoning (just about any), and pop in the oven. Voila! Fresh, crispy pumpkin seeds await.
2. Pumpkin Spice Latte - need I say more? Many wait all year round for this special fall treat. I'll see you in line at the favorite local coffee shop!
3. Pumpkin Pie - this specialty is complete with a nice layer of whip cream and a big family gathering saying thank you for all that we've been blessed to have encountered over the years. Pumpkin pie, in my mind, tends to be synonymous with family and cozy thoughts of thanks.
4. Pumpkin Pie FUDGE - Yes, I have to throw in the pumpkin flavored fudge we make here at the Sweet Granada. Secret fact - it's made with actual pumpkin, just like the pie!
And who can forget the favorite fall transformation of a plain apple to caramel apple? Apples are going from plain to caramel! Here at The Sweet Granada we use fresh granny smith apples and our own sweet, chewy caramel for the perfect tart, sweet, crisp and chewy combo.
Last, but now least, let's bring on those super fun costumes! People are transforming from their everyday selves into the world of fantasy to be something different. It's a great time to show creativity and have some fun! I always dust off my old witch's hat to greet the costumed customers for one of the cutest Emporia Main Street events - Eek-town down Commercial Street. During this trick-or-treating event, we see all the local children dressed in their scariest Halloween costumes. Well, maybe not the scariest, but definitely the cutest. We get to see the princesses, gladiators, ninja turtles, firemen, gnomes, mermaids and more.