Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. I loved it as a kid. I had this GIANT plastic pumpkin about a foot and a half tall that would get filled ¾ full with candy. I didn’t mess with those tiny little 6 inch round plastic Jack-o’-lanterns, trick or treating is serious business. You need to have the right tools.
Now as an adult, I just enjoy the spirit of giving joy to the neighbors, as they share their creative costumes with me. So, Halloween has always been a big deal for me. We’ve hosted our family and friends for over 10 years. When we moved to this neighborhood, I intended to keep the tradition going. Thankfully, my new neighbors warned me, “Make sure you buy LOTS of candy.” To which I responded, “Hmph, are you talking to me? (insert eye roll here) I ALWAYS buy lots of candy,” and they responded, “No, I mean LOTS and LOTS of candy.” There was a sense of warning in their voice. So I said, “like how much???” This is when they filled me in on the details, and I went directly to the internet and had half the candy in California delivered to my doorstep.
No joke- they’re full of Candy!
Halloween begins as soon as the sun sets, and a small but steady stream of neighbors drop by with the younger trick or treaters. About one hour later is when the action really starts. Hoards. Droves. Herds. Masses… of spidermen, witches, warlocks, teenage mutant ninja turtles, princesses, supermen, ladybugs, clowns, ballerinas, and the like, descend on the neighborhood with their plastic pumpkins, backpacks and pillowcases ready to be filled. A courteous line forms all the way down the driveway, and creatures of all kinds file in, orderly, smiling, waiting. One by one, they arrive at the door, hopeful, smiling. “Trick or treat!” they exclaim with joy. There’s no tricks, only treats. Off they go to the next house that has an equally long line. This goes on for about 2 hours, or until the candy runs out. About 1,500 kids served and counting.
Thank goodness for the internet…. and my neighborly warning! Look for the November wrap up on Halloween 2016 in an upcoming post! I hope it’s a good year!
Here’s a pumpkin soup recipe that will keep you warm as you dish out the sweets…
Smoked Pumpkin Soup
This soup is great because it’s super easy, delicious, and basically fat free.
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 tsp hot smoked paprika (*)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 29 oz can pumpkin puree (unsweetened)
- 2 c chicken broth (or veggie if making vegetarian)
In a pot, place 4 tablespoons water, diced onion, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Combine and sweat the onions in the spices over medium low heat for 3-5 minutes. Don’t let them brown. Put the onions in a blender, and then add the remaining ingredients. Puree until smooth. Return the soup to the pot and heat for another 5 minutes. You can make this ahead and reheat when ready to serve.
(*) If you want it spicy, then double the paprika.
Our neighbors to the south of us are a quiet couple with two young kids and a puppy. We never hear a peep from their babies, and their dog makes the funniest howling noises when she gets lonely (or wants food, I presume). I feel for her, she’s been bested by the babies. Our dog, and their dog, chat through the fence every once in a while. 
3 Tbsp water
I think I have found my kitchen soul mate, and it is India. Everywhere we ate, we encountered copper. Copper drink ware, copper serving pieces, copper pitchers… copper everywhere. 
Ok, maybe not the world, but India for sure. While visiting the Taj Mahal, we learned about one of the local arts which is quite prevalent at the Taj Mahal- the art of inlaid marble. The marble is etched, and then semi-precious stones are cut and inlaid into the marble. The whole thing is then polished for a smooth surface. While most well known for table tops, I found a plate that I just couldn’t live without, so I brought a little piece of India home with me. 
On day 2 of my Indian adventure, we were instructed to meet at 6:30am in the hotel lobby. They sent us on our way with a box lunch, from which I nibbled only a small portion of the pastries. I was still too scared to attempt the sandwich with meat and fruit. I secretly hoped someone would steal my apple and provide it to someone in need. No such luck. TIP: If you don’t plan to stay in the nicest hotels where food is always available, bring some granola bars and snacks from home. 
For those that have been following my Instagram posts, or read my September Shareable Moments, you would have noticed that I was in India for the last week of September. My Company, which has a large office in India, was generous enough to include me in a visit by our regional leadership team. I had mixed emotions about heading so far away from home to a truly foreign location on my own. Well, on my own with 50 other work colleagues. I was scared, excited, skeptical, optimistic, and curious. When I left, my fears were calmed, and my skepticism reduced. Overall, it was a very positive experience and I am so grateful I was able to go. 
Neighborly Life 