​**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. ​  But, all opinions expressed are my own.    ​​​​

     Hurray Fall!  The time of year when there are things baking and leaves falling and lots of cool looking veggies in the stores and backyard campfires and eating chili and cornbread! 
      Wait!  Let's stop right there with the cornbread part.  I have not really been a big fan of cornbread throughout my life.  It is often dry and crumbly, which I can deal with in chili but not in any other way. Or, it has jalapenos mixed in it, which makes it too spicy for my taste.  Then, for awhile I made the cakemix kind of cornbread, which made it more moist, and sweet, but let's face it, I was eating cake with cornmeal in it.  So, nothing really satisfied me when it came to cornbread.  Now, fast forward to this year and our annual church Halloween party and chili cook-off.  I signed up to bring cornbread.   Don't ask me why.  It had become a challenge to me, I guess.  I started thinking and thinking about what I could do to make a really good cornbread.  Then, I realized that in my refrigerator I had some leftover winter squash begging to be used.  It was from the turban squash I had used in this recipe.  I wondered to myself if that squash would work in my cornbread?  Oh My Goodness!  I have created the best cornbread ever!

     First of all, the turban squash has a very mild flavor, so the taste is very subtle in the cornbread.  But, it added such moistness and the bread came out fluffy and amazing to eat with chili.  As a side bit, it can't hurt to sneak a little vegetable into your cornbread! 
     If you don't have some puree already ready to be used in your recipe, I suggest baking your squash for about an hour or so at 350 degrees, then cutting it open, scooping out the seeds and pureeing the flesh.  It is super easy to do. (It is especially nice to do on a rainy day because it really makes you feel like you are doing an autumnal thing.)  You don't have to use just turban squash.  Butternut, acorn or even pumpkin should do the trick.  The color and flavor may vary slightly though.

Winter Squash Cornbread

I hope that you will give it a try!  You won't regret it! Try it, let me know what you think! (And share please!)

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. ​  But, all opinions expressed are my own.    ​​​​

That's right!  Today is Frankenstein Friday, and Monday is National Frankenstein Day!  Isn't it amazing that this very strange story written by Mary Shelley two centuries ago, in 1818, has retained so much popularity and has so many versions of the story made? I wonder if she ever suspected it would become such a classic horror story.  Did you know that Thomas Edison made the first film version of it in 1910?
     Most people are more familiar with the 1930's Boris Karloff version, which is really nothing like the book.  That would be a great book to discuss on a From Cover to Reel podcast! (Don't miss the episode that covers Roald Dahl's Witches on there now!)

     Around our house, if we are given the choice of which version of the Frankenstein Movies to watch, we would probably all choose Young Frankenstein.  (We aren't really purists in this case! We love to laugh!)  

     So, today, in honor or Frankenstein Friday and National Frankenstein Day, we are asking this Friday Faves question: 

What is your favorite line from Young Frankenstein?

#2:  "Yes!  He was my BOYFRIEND!"  Cloris Leachman.  And who can forget her classic, "Ovaltine?"
#3:  "There wolf, there castle." Ha ha Ha Ha
#4:  And this is my favorite, "You take the blond, I'll take the one in the turban!"

     If you have no idea what we are talking about with these movie lines, then you definitely need to go watch Young Frankenstein this Halloween, or sooner! National Frankenstein Day is a great reason! Or, if hearing these lines is making you crack up, go watch it again.  And don't forget to go to the comments and tell us what some of your favorite lines from the movie are! 

     If you are really into Frankenstein, here are a couple more versions you may want to check out. 

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     One place I feel like I failed  as a mother is at enjoying Halloween.  It was never really that important to me, so my kids usually had last minute, thrown together costumes to go out trick or treating in.  Once in awhile I would make or buy something that would be passed down from year to year and repurposed, but not often. I wanted Halloween to be fun for them, I just wasn't that into it to give it a lot of fore thought and time. Consequently, the holiday for me was just exhausting and probably disappointing to my kids.  Surprisingly, most of my children have embraced Halloween as adults and really come up with some fun ideas and costumes.  Perhaps if I had been more like they are now, I would have planned ahead and Halloween wouldn't have been so exhausting for me.  
     My DIL told me last month what she was planning as a costume for my young grandson.  They usually do a family theme and last year they all went as Moana characters.  LIttle Spencer was Maui! My son was that giant turtle that loves shiny things and DIL was Moana.  They were adorable.  And, this year, even though Lindsey doesn't love Halloween that much, she is getting into it for the sake of her daughter and has their costumes planned.  
      How about you? It is mid-September and time to get into thinking about your kids costumes, and your own if you do that, not to mention parties and decorations.  Don't be a bad Halloween mom like I was! I'm here to help you! 

Costumes:

•     Last year, Alicia had already recognized the need for planning ahead, and shared these last minute costume ideas.  But, they don't have to be last minute! They are so cool and if you spend more time on them, they could be even cooler! 
• Disney characters are popular costumes for those who don't like scary. Our Mouse Ear tutorial will help you out and save you money!
• On Friday Faves last year we shared some of our past costume ideas that might get you started with some costume ideas of your own! 

Decorations:

• Last year, Maddy, who loves Halloween, shared 3 Fall Wreaths.  This one was my personal favorite and the most Halloweenish I think.  
• Last week I shared how to use old pill bottles to make a string of spooky lights! 
• Alicia gave us some tips for throwing a Halloween party on this post.  There are some awesome decorations suggested!  

     Of course, many of our supplies come from Dollar Tree! 

Food:

• You may just want some simple cookies for a kids party, or even let the kids do the decorating!  Here is a simple way to do it. 
• For your own friends, Lindsey shared some great Halloween themed appetizers. They look gooey and creepy, but taste great! 
• The previously mentioned post by Alicia also has some fun Halloween food ideas. 

Activities:

     If you have ever wanted to throw a Murder Mystery party, Halloween is the perfect time to do it!  The Dating Divas have one all ready for you! ​It includes everything you need to host a party of your own - invitations (customized to each character), biographies, task cards, decor, awards...it's the whole package! Here is a more detailed list, courtesy of the Divas:
Hosting Ideas & Suggestions to make party planning a breeze.
Invitations personalized for each character with costume ideas.
Character Biographies to set the stage and story.
Name Tags to identify each unique character.
Table Cards & Food Tents to use if playing over dinner.
Task Cards for the characters to complete in each round.
Evidence Pieces to add intrigue and suspense!
Voting Ballots and Awards to vote for your favorite characters & suspects.
and much MORE!

• Here is a list of favorite card games that would be fun for any party!
• This post has 10 Great Party Games that our family loves to play! 

     OK! Now get started! If you plan ahead you can help your kids and  yourself ​have a terrific Halloween this year!