All Hallow's Eve. . .

Hello my friends,
today, all Hallows Eve; my friend Ann took me to see a home in the Salt Lake area.
She had attended a Halloween party there on Saturday night and told me how every year this couple goes all out with their decorations. 
They pick a theme and carry it to the max.

This years theme was, Desolation Station.

He built this entire train.



A couple of skellys are willing to take you for a ride!
I commented how I loved that his yard was filled with leaves.  He said that he gathers them from all of his neighbors.



He uses construction foam and black landscaping fabric and recreates the entire front of their home.



Be careful as we walk up to the front door that you don't get lost in the smoke, or eaten by one of the giant spiders!

He built the wooden walkway leading up to the house.






He invited us to step inside.
Oh my!  I'm feeling a bit mummified!!




Turn to the left and you enter the Saloon.  They actually lined the walls with the black landscaping fabric.  They also remove all of their furniture and store it in the garage for the month of Oct.



Belly up to the bar. . .






To the right is the dining room where they entertain.  They host 3 Halloween parties each year.

He built this fabulous table.


Again the walls were draped.  These giant spiders actually move a bit up and down the wall.
They had an amazing collection of clocks.  He said that they have more, but that he covered some of them up with the landscape fabric.


It was fun seeing his incredible work.

He was featured on channel 13 news yesterday.  They also showed some of the themes that he has decorated for in previous years.  I haven't seen it yet, but am going to go on line to see if I can watch it.  I hope you enjoyed seeing this fun Halloween house!

Happy Haunting,
Jann

A SPOOKtacular Evening. . .

Hello my friends,
A few weeks ago one of my craft groups, (aka, the over achievers)
held their last outdoor hurrah.
 
It was a SPOOKtacular evening and it's hard to tell from this spread that the hostess doesn't even like Halloween.
 
 
 
Nope, Joanne doesn't care for Halloween, but the rest of us love it; so she aimed to please.
 
and boy did she ever!!
 
When we arrived the table was filled with velvet pumpkins, whimsical clocks and gorgeous candles that helped give this spooktacular table a hauntingly beautiful feel.
 
 
 
 
 
Each place setting was topped with the cute pumpkins from Target's dollar spot.  Whimsical critters from Wal-mart and a eyeball were placed at the top.


 
 
 
 
She also made us these cute cats on a pick that were tucked into our napkins.  I added mine to my

 
 
We all brought a food item.  Everything was so delicious and I was so busy eating that I didn't get pictures of anything but this fabulous peach dessert made by Jackie from


 
This drink was super yummy as well.  Both it and the dessert had sweetened condensed milk in them.  Now wonder they were so delish!  :)
 
 
 
This is our hostess, Joanne.  We keep thinking we'll get her to come around to loving Halloween.  Hasn't happened yet.  Believe me, we are not giving up!   (wink)

 
I love how the candles had melted by the end of the evening.
 

 
Joanne has this wonderful pergola with a gorgeous galvanized table that is huge!
 
 
A couple of witch mannequins that she dressed joined the party.
(tee-hee)
 


 
Last year in craft group we made Halloween houses.  Yes, she made one, (reluctantly)  lol!
 
 
The year before we made the pumpkin in the urn.  Hmmmm, I'm beginning to think that maybe she doesn't hate Halloween as much as she pretends to.
 
 
I had to laugh at one of our cute members, Karen.  She looked at the crow and commented how cute it was.  Joanne laughed and said, "you gave it to me for my birthday last year".  Sounds like something I would do.
 
It really was a fabulous night and I have to say thanks to our hostess, even if she does hate Halloween.
 
Well, hates a very strong word.  Maybe I should say dislikes. 
 

 
 
She sent us each home with one of the velvet pumpkins and the darling Lollies (fans) hanging from the roof of the pergola.
 
For someone who dislikes Halloween, she really went all out, wouldn't you agree?
 
Happy Haunting,
Jann
 

Share Your Cup #269

Hello and welcome to Share Your Cup, (SYC for short).
 
 
 
The party where you share what makes you happy.
 
It's what I like to call, "filling your cup".

Sorry for the late start!  I ended up being gone all day.
 
We are slowly getting our home put back together after getting new wood flooring.
 
Yesterday I shared this photo of our bedroom on Instagram.
Since then we bought a rug and added it to the room.
 
 
I'm loving the new flooring!
 
Last week I shared a recipe for Frosted Ginger Cookies
This was the first time I had made them.  They were chewy and moist.  I would definitely make them again!
 

 
Now for the features from SYC #268:

Shannon from Belle Bleu Interiors shared her beautiful front porch all decked out for fall.

 
 
JoAnn from Scene Through My Eyes shared her delightful tea set she used in an Autumn tea.
 
 
 
 Cathy from Vintage Paint and More shared some creative lace pumpkins she made.

 
Sandra from Dinner at 8 shared her fun Halloween table.
 
 
Thanks so much for sharing and please grab my button if you were featured.
 
 
 Now let's party!
 
1.  I would love for you to be a follower of Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
2.  Link up a particular post and not your entire blog. Please limit your links to no more than three.
3.  Please have a back link to this post.  That way others will know where the party is.
  Only those with a back link will be featured.
 4.  Please find time to visit at least two other participants.
It's a great way to find new friends!

After you link up, please come back and leave a comment.  They help to fill my cup! 
 
 

Frosted Ginger Cookies

Hello my friends,
 
We are having gorgeous fall weather lately.  There's just something about this time of year that makes you want to bake.
 
I was going through one of my kitchen drawers the other day looking for a recipe for a friend when I came across this recipe for Frosted Ginger Cookies.
 
I'm not sure where or who I got it from.  I've never made them before, but they sounded perfect for this time of year.



Let me tell you, they did not disappoint!  The cookie itself was so soft and chewy and the brown sugar frosting was the perfect addition!

They looked rather yummy fresh out of the oven.


 
 
Frosted Ginger Cookies
 
3/4 c. butter (partially melted)
3/4 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1/3 c. molasses
4-4 1/2 c. flour (I used 4)
1 Tbs. ginger
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
 
Oven Temp:  350
 
In a bowl:  Add butter, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla.
Cream together for 2-3 minutes.
Add:  eggs and molasses
 
In a separate bowl:  Add flour (4 cups), ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
Slowly add to butter mixture.  If mixture is too wet, add the other 1/2 cup of flour.
 
Roll into 1 1/2 " balls
Bake 12-15 min.  (I baked 12)
Let cool on sheet
 
Frosting:
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. milk
Bring to a boil.  Boil until sugar dissolves.  Remove from heat and add 2 tsp. vanilla.  Let cool, but not get cold.  Add 2 cups powdered sugar.
 
Frost cookie and enjoy!
 

 
hugs,
Jann
 
I will be sharing with these lovely parties:
Cooking and Crafting with J & J
 

Share Your Cup #268

Hello and welcome to Share Your Cup, (SYC for short).
 
the party where you share what makes you happy.
 
 
Hubby and I enjoyed our get away to Colorado, but it's good to be back home.  Even if it means lots of work.  :)
 
Our new wood floors look beautiful and now we are painting our trim white and getting our house back together.  It feels like we are moving at a snails pace.  Slow, but sure we'll get er done!
 
Here's a little peek.

 
 
Last week, while on vacation I shared an old cemetery in
 
 
Hubby and I thought we would see some beautiful fall foliage while hiking in Colorado, but  
 Shiver Me Timbers one morning we woke up to snow.

 
Because we were out of town, there will be no features this week.
 
I'm looking forward to seeing what you have to share!
 
 Now let's party!
 
1.  I would love for you to be a follower of Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
2.  Link up a particular post and not your entire blog. Please limit your links to no more than three.
3.  Please have a back link to this post.  That way others will know where the party is.
  Only those with a back link will be featured.
 4.  Please find time to visit at least two other participants.
It's a great way to find new friends!

After you link up, please come back and leave a comment.  They help to fill my cup! 
 
 
 

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