Halloween at my home, pictures as promised!

As promised, I’d like to share with you some my favorite Halloween decorations that I’ve placed around my home.  Come along and have a peek.



My canaries were probably wondering what was so dark and mysterious clinging to the top of their cage, but they quickly became accustomed to my rather life-like black crow, feathered owl, and scary looking bats.  Undaunted, the canaries are still singing beautifully!


Here’s my rather hungry looking turkey vulture staring forlornly at a glittered skull and pile of bones.  No meal for him here.

More glittered skeleton parts.  The candles on the table are bees-wax molded acorns.  By the way, here in the Northeast, it’s been a bumper year for acorns.  It seems the oak trees went absolutely nuts!!!

I just love my twin black owls with their blood shot eyes.


My black pom-pom spider looks absolutely menacing on top or this glass cake dome.  A good reminder not to taste the treats underneath.


Here’s my Halloween glitter tree.  It’s so sparkly and festive.


More black spiders protecting a basket of gourds.


As I mentioned previously, it’s also been a wonderful season here for pumpkins and gourds.  I have them on display, outside, all around the house.  I just love all their various shapes, colors, and textures.  I hope you’ll enjoy these photos and I wish you all a very happy, spooky, and safe Halloween! 

As promised, here is my write up about pumpkin seeds!

PUMPKIN SEEDS

When carving a pumpkin, it’s always fun to roast some of the seeds.  Roasted pumpkin seeds are a tasty and nutritious snack, and you don’t have to wait for Halloween to nibble, because the seeds of all varieties of pumpkins and winter squashes are edible.  For the simplest roasting method, scoop the seeds from your pumpkin or squash and remove the clinging pulp. Spread the seeds on a parchment lined baking sheet, sprinkle on a bit of salt, and roast in a 350-degree oven for about 40 minutes, until golden brown.  The seeds will be crunchy and have a pleasant nutty flavor.

You can also experiment with other seasonings.  For example, grind up 2 tablespoons of dried rosemary in a mortar and pestle, or in a spice grinder.  Transfer to a mixing bowl and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 cups of pumpkin seeds, and a sprinkling of salt.  Stir to coat the seeds well, and then spread them on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees.  Check frequently for doneness, as the addition of olive oil will cause them to roast quickly.  Remove the seeds from the oven when golden brown.  You’ll find them savory and quite tasty.   

Comments

[Kenn]

Outstanding! I especially love the tree 'plant stand' that is attached to the side of the house with the variety of pumpkins and gourds. The interior of your home has just the perfect 'touches' of Halloween. Love the owls..

[Rilico]

Hello!I live in japan.
I really like you!! I always enjoy your magazines and books. There are lots of beautiful pictures and wonderful idea and yummy food!

I had Halloween party at my house and your wonderful idea helps me a lot!!

I'm looking forward your new number from Japan!

[Laurie Ivanchuk{Ukraine}]

I love your Blog and these Halloween pictures are the best keep the Blog going :)

[Benita / Sweden]

Here in Sweden the oak trees went nuts too this year! I've never seen so many acorns on my lawn!!!
I adore you!

[Cat]

I agree...I love the tree plant stand! Another cute and fun idea!

I love the colors and shapes of the pumpkins and gourds lined up on the wall. I just picked up some from a roadside stand and he had the most beautifully colored Cinderella Pumpkins. I will be saving those seeds!

xo Cat

[Margie]

Ah Martha,

I have the shudders. I have the shudders for fear a cat would take out the turkey vulture. I also have the shudders because I am seeing myself boxing all the decorations up and packing away. So many fragile things. More storage space please.
Margie

[joan eason]

martha,

i enjoy your show very much.
i'm watching the show now,and want
you to know you look very pretty
dressed up for halloween.your hair
looks good fixed that way.
keep up the good work.

thanks.

[Claudine]

I love all the glitter! And that bird cage is just amazing! I like how the birds are in the festive Halloween spirit being dressed in Orange and all. Happy Halloween!

[joan eason]

martha,

i enjoy your show very much.
i'm watching the show now,and want
you to know you look very pretty
dressed up for halloween.your hair
looks good fixed that way.
keep up the good work.

thanks.

[Claudine]

I love all the glitter! And that bird cage is just amazing! I like how the birds are in the festive Halloween spirit being dressed in Orange and all. Happy Halloween!

[Allison Richardson]

What a joy it was to discover your blog. You are an endless source of creativity and inspiration! Happy Halloween Martha.

[Deb Schiff]

Love the gourd tree. That's just the coolest!

[Trish]

Very creative and colorful decorations and I like the faux green painted wall in the room with the hungry turkey. Thanks for the pumpkin seed recipe too.
Trish

[TD]

That first gourd is just wonderful--what a fabulous texture! And the spiders on the basket of white gourds are a great touch, and a really interesting contrast. Thanks for sharing!

[Alice]

I'm a great fan of yours and I'm happy to discover your blog. I love all of the halloween decorations and can't wait to see more of the up and coming holidays. I love all the pumpkins and gourds lined up on the stone wall. As always you remain an inspiration to all of us in blog land.

[Jenna]

Hi Martha, I love your Halloween decorations. The bird cage is pretty and the owls are so cute.

[Regina]

Hello martha
I love your blog and these Halloween
pictures are so cute.
Happy Halloween Martha.

[Patrick]

Martha,
I applaud your vigor and passion for life. You live artfully, which is something I try to blend into my own life. The small details in projects and activities bring happiness to others as well as ones own self. I appreciate all that you bring to the world from your "good things" to your confidence. The Halloween decorations are phenomenal!
Best Wishes,
-Patrick

[Jon Mondrik]

Happy Halloween Martha!
Love getting little peeks at your Bedford New York home and how you have decorate it. The French gilt porcelain collection is beautiful.
The article in the September 2006 MSL featuring your Bedford kitchen was amazing. Have you done a Before & After of your Bedford home? I would love to see that!
Take care,
Jon

[Barb]

I really like all the gourds, especially the tree stand attached to the side of the building. I love fall it is my favorite time of the year.

[Robb]

I look forward to seeing your blog each morning! I cannot get enough of Clive, Rufus, Billy and all your Bedford estate. You live up to your goal to inspire others. THANK YOU.

[N Atwood]

Everything that Martha does is always wonderful! I just wanted to say that I miss the old television format. Some how It was always so comforting to be invited into her gracious home.

Warm regards,

N. Atwood

[Debbie]

Martha thanks for sharing the pictures with us. I love them all.
Happy Halloween!

[Carrie]

I love all the ideas that print on your show and magazine. I made glitter pumpkin this year as centerpeices. They turned out really nice. I don't consider myself very crafty, but it is nice to get ideas that anyone can do. I love your show and glad it is now on in my town. Thanks for all the ideas.

[Sue Mannel]

Thanks for the sneek peek!

Sue :)