Either you are reading this on Halloween, November 1st, or later. If it’s Tuesday, then I hope you are having a SpoOkTaCuLaR day! If it’s November, then I hope you’re ready, because I mean, pretty much, Christmas is here. Where did October even go!? Are you ready, because it’s coming fast!
I’m sad that Bonnie and Clyde will get put away for the next ten months. Bonnie and Clyde are our five-foot skeletons that were a new purchase this year to add to our Halloween collection of outside decor. They sat at the end of our driveway around a campfire in lawn chairs while their fire glowed orange as night grew near.
Bonnie waved to literally everyone driving by. She’s pretty friendly. Most people are out here in the country.
Clyde sat there roasting Bonnie a few marshmallows. He got pretty concerned about her weight. Haha. I’m honestly really surprised that the real marshmallows even lasted on Clyde’s stick. We really thought our wildlife would have that gone in a day.
We will look forward to getting them out again next year. Each year, we want to do something different with them. Our neighbors who drive by wonder — “What will Bonnie and Clyde be up to this Halloween?”
At least now they know their names since I know many of my neighbors read the Webb and know how much I enjoy decorating for the holidays around the ole homestead!
Yes, Christmas is coming, but we can’t skip over Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays simply because there are no gifts. The gift is your family. It’s being together around the table and just simply giving thanks for the ones around you. Blessed for everything you have in life. Not worrying about filling a basket, stuffing stockings, buying fireworks, or having the best candy in the neighborhood. All you have to stuff is your bellies, kick back, and enjoy the day! It’s seriously the best.
I just love that we spend the day with my brother and his family, my dad and stepmom, and my sissy-in-love’s momma and stepdad.
For years, we spent Thanksgiving with grandparents. When that ended, I really thought I would have a hard time adjusting. The first Thanksgiving I decided to have was right before my Grammy Perry passed away. I just wanted to spend a Thanksgiving with her and my dad. It just continued from that Thanksgiving, like eleven or so years ago. Now, I can’t imagine Thanksgiving without these amazing people.
We all know what everyone is making and enjoy celebrating Thanksgiving together. My momma and stepdad even stop by after dinner with our Liddick family, and my in-laws will join us when they are able to. It’s just a simple day surrounded by those you love and eat pretty incredible food.
Afterward, I skip skedaddle over to Summer Street in Southside and make my first visit to my happy place, Candy Cane Lane!! I make my famous Snapchat video with my big mouth filter singing “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” or “Mistletoe and Holly” by Frank Sinatra. “Oh by gosh, by golly, it’s time for mistletoe and holly.” I sing as I shriek loudly with excitement. I seriously think it’s tradition now, and people just know it’s coming that evening.
I bless them with my singing on Thanksgiving. That’s what I give at Thanksgiving. You’re welcome to those who receive that beautiful blessing. Until then, though, let’s celebrate this Thanksgiving season with things we should be thankful for, big and small. Including my glorious voice shrieking with excitement. *Insert cheesy smile here*
Pumpkin Bars
Ingredients:
For the bars:
1 1/2 cups of flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 stick butter, melted
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup pumpkin puree
For the frosting:
1 stick of butter, room temp
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp milk, plus more if needed
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350.
In a large bowl, combine flour, spices, baking soda and salt.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together butter, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, and pumpkin. Add the butter mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until just combined. Pour the batter into a lightly greased 8 by 8 baking pan.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until the knife comes out clean. Be careful to not over bake.
Set on a wire rack and rack and cool completely.
To make icing:
Beat together using an electric mixer the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the cinnamon and salt. On low speed, slowly add in the powdered sugar. Add in vanilla and milk and increase speed. Beat until light and fluffy. If it’s too runny, add more sugar. If it’s too thick, add milk. Spread over bars. Sprinkle with fall sprinkles and store in the refrigerator.
