Countdown to Halloween - Witch Theme

This is the first day of the 13-day Countdown to Halloween. Today's theme is "Witches" and we did a few things with this theme in mind:

Service Project

We made Witch's Broom Favors that were in the October 2007 issue of Martha Stewart Living, and gave two favors to the girls' equestrian vaulting instructors. Both of the bags were filled with miniature candy bars for Halloween.

The two bags ready for the girls' instructors.

To make the favors, we used two lunch-size paper bags for each broomstick. Unfold one bag, and push out its base while folding in the left and right sides. Using scissors, cut the bag into thin strips, stopping short of the base. Cut thin strips into the top inch of the second bag.

Olivia cutting strips into the brown bag.

Open both bags, and place the second bag inside the shredded one; fill with candy.

Sophia placing one bag inside the other.

Insert a small branch 1 inch into the bag; cinch the tops of both bags, and secure with black twine.

A trimmed and untrimmed witch's broom favor

that is filled with candy.

Trim the top of the bags to the desired length. They are now ready to give as gifts.

Food Treats

Halloween Witches Brew

I saw this pin from Very Culinary for Halloween Witches Brew.  It is very easy to make, and serves 24 people. Since there were only a few of us who were going to drink the Witches Brew, we made half a recipe. This was more than sufficient.

Halloween Witches Brew

that Sophia and Olivia made.

Ingredients:

1 (59 ounce) container Dole pineapple juice, chilled
1 pint orange sherbet, softened
2 bottles (20 ounce each) orange soda, chilled

Directions:

In a punch bowl (or a pitcher if you're using it right away), stir together pineapple juice and sherbet until the sherbet is dissolved.

Sophia and Olivia mixing together the ingredients 

for the drink.

Just before serving, slowly pour soda into juice mixture. Ladle into cups and enjoy!

Halloween Witch Party Sandwich

Food Chics had a creative presentation for a sandwich. Using bread, sandwich filling, apples, olives, and carrots, an image of witch appears on a child's plate.

This was a fun - and healthy - way to enjoy the first day of the Countdown to Halloween. We had some low-fat dip on the side that we could use with the carrot slices and strips. The leftover apple slices also were served as a supplement to the sandwich.

Olivia's sandwich.

Ingredients:

- 2 slices light bread
- 2 slices dark bread
- Green apple
- Carrot
- Olive slice
- Sandwich filling

Directions:

Stack light slices of bread and cut out an angular head for the witch’s head. Stack dark bread and cut out a long, thin hat. Fill both sections with sandwich filling of your choice.

Set sandwich sections in place on the plate. Use long strip of green apple slice for the brim of the hat, layers two slices if needed. Cut small circular slices for polka dots from carrot and arrange on hat.

Sophia's sandwich.

To make the hair, cut five irregular, slices of carrot and add to plate. Use an olive slice for the eye and a thin strip of apple for the mouth.

Enjoying a witch-theme lunch.