Saturday my friend Angie and I went to our friend Myrna’s yearly costume party. Myrna and her husband, Bruce, have been throwing this soiree every Halloween for twenty-five years! The first thing you see on entering their house is a huge board covered with hundreds of pictures of party goers from 1989 to the present and a slide show on their computer of all the costumes through the years. Each year they have a theme. One year it was “Your favorite comic book or cartoon character.” Angie and I went as Betty and Veronica from the Archie comics. One time it was “Anything to do with art or artists,” so Angie went as Picasso and I was Mary Cassatt, the only woman impressionist of the 1800’s Paris scene. This year the theme is “Hats.” I found a tiny witch’s hat on sale, 50% off. I bought a headband and a few dibs and dabs at a local variety store, Affordable Treasures, and went a little crazy. The result is a “Fascinator” witch’s hat. Eat your heart out, Kate Middleton!
I have to tell you about Affordable Treasures. It started about 35 years ago in a tiny hole-in-the-wall storefront in a strip mall. I started calling it “Hidden Treasures” because it has everything but the kitchen sink. They carry sewing items, candles, balloons, toys, art and craft materials, cooking and baking bits, coloring books, silk flowers, pinatas, greeting cards, gift wrapping and an assortment of party goodies that will knock your socks off. Giving a Hawaiian themed party? They’ve got what you need from leis to hula girl plates. An Anniversary party? You got it. Almost any child themed birthday party items you can think of.
It’s a magnificent jumble of every doodad or geegaw you could ever want or need; kind of like the old fashioned Five and Dime stores from my childhood. Gradually, as it grew in its selection of costumes and seasonal items, it grew in popularity until they had to relocate to a much larger space. They now have one of the largest inventories of costumes in the area. It has become “the place to go,” to rent or buy costumes any time of the year so naturally, close to Halloween you can hardly get in the door. I did manage to get in and out with my small purchase without getting trampled.
Speaking of Halloween, here's a preview of Lexi's fairy/butterfly wings. She thought I should wait until she has the whole costume assembled before I take a picture but I couldn’t resist a little preview. Put this girl in a studio filled with art, crafts and sewing materials and let her create. She's a wonder!
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| Butterfly wing detail |
Recipes
Monday Night Meat Loaf
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1-1/2 cups onion, chopped
1 Tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon tomato paste
1/3 cup chicken or beef broth
1-1/2 lb. ground beef chuck
1 lb. lean ground pork
1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup ketchup
3 strips bacon (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add onions, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 8-10 minutes until soft. Off the heat add Worcestershire sauce, broth, and tomato paste. Cool.
In large bowl, combine ground chuck, ground pork, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs, and mix lightly. Shape mixture into a oaf on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Spread ketchup evenly over top and sides. (Optional: lay 3 strips of bacon, lengthwise, over the top of loaf.) Bake for 1-1/4 hours, until internal temperature is 160 degrees.
Oven Roasted Herb Potatoes
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 large baking russets
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Rinse and dry potatoes. Cut into 1-1/2” chunks. Put into medium bowl and drizzle with the olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and herbs and mix thoroughly. Spread onto a sheet pan that is lined with non-stick aluminum foil. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crisp and nicely browned.
Jerry’s Brussels Sprouts
About 1 lb. fresh Brussels sprouts
2 Tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 clove garlic, chopped fine
1/4 cup chicken or beef broth.
Rinse and drain sprouts. Slice off ends and cut in half.
In a medium saute pan heat the olive oil over medium heat and toss in sprouts. Cook until you can see slight browning around the edges. Add garlic and oregano. Cook one more minute. Pour in broth, cover pan and lower heat to low. Simmer for about 8 minutes or until they can be pierced with the tip of a knife.
I remember the year you costumed as the Girl with the Pearl Earring! Your costumes are always a success.
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