DIY Halloween Costumes - Darth Vader

 

Halloween is just around the corner, and we like to celebrate by inviting our friends, family, and neighbors to stop by and share a treat with us, and this year is no different. 

The only difference is that this year we have a Star Wars theme. My son 3d-printed this Darth mask. Unfortunately, it's a little small on my husband. So, I think we'll end up giving it to a neighbor's son...BUT, that's not going to stop us from having a lightsaber battle out in the front yard and dressing the part. I think I can do a Leah hairstyle and wear a white robe...ish cloak. . . 

. . . while I battle my husband in his new Darth Vader costume.

My son has a little bit more to model and print out...so he needs to get going on it because time is running short. And, I need to come up with a white cloak, dress, outfit to play my part. But, no matter what we wear, eat or drink...it's going to be a fun-filled evening for the neighborhood kids and that's what this time of year is all about. For one night a year, we let the kids dress up, eat candy and go to bed late. At least that's the way we've always celebrated, and I love to see the kids all dressed up as their favorite superhero characters, animal costumes and clever lego designs.

But, how do you celebrate? I'd love to hear what you're planning to do while we're drinking blue milk and dunking donuts (hopefully, not in the rain). 

Here are a few more photos of the current mask, my son has been working on.

Have a Happy Halloween!

THE CROWS OF PORTLAND

 

Every morning I go outside and feed the crows, so I love sharing a story about these super-intelligent birds, and this is a story that touches the entire community of Portland, Oregon, and beyond. . .

THE CROWS OF PORTLAND, or more correctly, the OHSU Foundation and LAIKA, is a wonderful Free artistic display that the entire community can enjoy in more ways than one. And, it is local artists who have brought these birds to life. 

But the crows' farewell event will be from October 31^st to November 1^st. So, if you want to see them, get out there now to hunt them down, and be sure to come equipped with your camera to capture these colorful crows. What a perfect way to celebrate Spooky Season and 100 years of OHSU’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, which has provided expert health care to our kids and any child in need. Plus, the crows caw-caw to everyone about the upcoming Wildwood Stop Motion magical movie, and you can watch the trailer here: Wildwood movie - Search

Just don’t miss this fun way to celebrate the season with your family and friends because it comes out on October 23^rd in a theater near you.  

Here are a few fun photos to give you a taste of what these amazing crows look like, so you’ll have an idea of what it is you’re hunting down.
 

The statues of the Crows will be auctioned off on November 15^th.

You can read more about this amazing partnership with Portland DownTown Clean & Safe, the Portland Metro Chamber, Travel Oregon, Travel Portland, NW Natural, Wild in Art, City of Portland, Alaska Airlines, All Classical Radio, Oregon Symphony, 1^st Security Bank, Bird Alliance of Oregon, Oregon Electric Group, JH Kelly, ZGF Architects, Columbia Precast Concrete, Andersen Construction, JH Kelly, Oregon Electric Group, ZGF Architects, Columbia Precast Concrete, Township Building Services, Friends of the Multnomah County Library, Harold Goldstein & Carol Streeter, Hyatt Centric Downtown Portland, Lewis & Clark College, Lithia and Driveway, Melvin Mark, Downtown Development Group, McMenamins, OMSI, Oregon Film Trail, Portland Events and Film Office at Prosper Portland, Pacific Office Automation, Oregon Film, William & Fran McKa, Skanska, Ness Campbell, Stoel Rives, The Standard, Wieden &Kennedy, and Willamette Week.

For more information, click on the link below:
https://ohsufoundation.org/wildwood-follow-the-crows/

And, here is my own animated tribute to the LAIKA movie and my love of my local murder of crows:

 

OLD FASHIONED POPCORN BALLS

OLD-FASHIONED POPCORN BALL RECIPE AND INSTRUCTIONS

INGREDIENTS

7-10 CUPS OF POPPED POPCORN (I salt mine)

1 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup light corn syrup

½ stick butter (plus a tablespoon to spread on your hands to form the popcorn into balls)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract or other flavoring you would like to use

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS – IF YOU WANT TO CREATE PUMPKIN POPCORN BALLS OR JACKOLANTERNS :

GUM DROPS OR CHOCOLATE CHIPS

CANDY EYEBALLS

LICORICE (FOR A MOUTH)

INSTRUCTIONS

Sift out any granny kernels from the popcorn and set the popped corn aside while you prepare the syrup. I create the simple syrup first by mixing the granulated sugar into the 1/3 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat. The simple syrup is ready when the sugar is dissolved, and the sauce looks like water. Then slowly add the Karo syrup. Finally, add the butter until it is melted. If you want to add in food coloring, this is a good time to do it.

Cook the syrup until it reaches 250 degrees (measured with a candy thermometer); this will take a little time. The syrup will be bubbling quite a bit, and you will want to stir it with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon (do not use a metal utensil, as it will get too hot in your hands).

When the syrup reaches 250 degrees, quickly pour it over the popcorn, being careful to spread it all over the popcorn (which you should have in a large metal mixing bowl).

Let the syrup cool on the popcorn a little bit (a couple of minutes) before you spread some butter over your hands and work the popcorn into balls (this is tricky as you do not want to let the syrup cool so much that the candy is hardened, because it will be too late to form the balls and have them stick together). Place the balls on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet or cookie cooling tray. Quickly add the gumdrops, eyes, and licorice before the syrup hardens.

   

Halloweentown in St. Helens Oregon

 Looking for a fun film to watch for Halloween? Why not try an old favorite like Halloweentown? If you're interested, check it out here

But if you're looking for a fun outing and you live in Oregon, anywhere near St. Helens, I'd suggest you check out the Spirit of Halloweentown 

There are a lot of free things you can do with your children and there are additional events you can enjoy for a small fee, if you wish. Check out the website for more info here.

Here are the event details: 

And here are a few photos from the day I visited Halloweentown:

Trouble Sleeping? Try ASMR

 

If you have trouble relaxing at the end of the day, try this asmr hair brushing and styling video. Plus, I talk about board games, tennis and try to give some hair styling inspiration for the upcoming holidays. 

And, if you're a board gamer, let me know if you've tried CLANK. I highly recommend it and would love to know what you think of the game. Or, if you're a crafter, let me know if you'd like to see some craft videos.  But, overall, let me know what you think: by clicking here

Join us as we read the Bible - John Chapter 9

 We're reading through the Bible to learn what Jesus teaches us in God's word. If you're interested click here to join us. 

Get Ready With Me - Makeup and Hair

 

If you're looking for a relaxing video, sit back and listen to this Get Ready with Me video. It's just the thing at the end of the week to help put you to sleep so you can wake up refreshed for your weekend. 

If you're interested in makeup for older women and hairstyles that help you stay active, even if you have long hair, then join me on this journey to getting ready for tennis.

Here's the link: https://youtu.be/ukoj3PChab0

And, let me know if you have any questions or helpful tips for me.