Here we are, that time of year again. Halloween. Then Thanksgiving. Then Christmas. Last I remembered, it was when Summer started on July 5 and now here we are amidst the beginning of the holiday season.

Before we think about cinnamon and mistletoes though, there is another great holiday to greet: Halloween. If you don’t want to eat your pumpkins, you can still hollow them and carve a frightening face into the outer rind. Especially if you have kids or friends to do this with, carving Jack O’Lanterns and decorating your house will surely get you in the mood for the spookiest holiday of the year. And when the evening is finally there, you can watch all the kids dressed up, going from door to door to demand candy. Spooky television shows and movies make for a great horror themed evening at home. If you don’t want to host your own creepy party though, you can attend many of those around, hosted by different clubs, bars, and other event locations.

Everywhere I go, there’s something pumpkin. I now have Keurig cups of pumpkin coffee in the house. Pumpkins are gracing the neighborhoods and spiders are crawling all over people’s houses. Yikes!

Here is one of my favorite Halloween snacks that you and your kiddos could make together! There’s nothing better than treats made with rice krispies, in my opinion.

PUMPKIN RICE KRISPY TREATS

Ingredients

6 cups rice krispies cereal
3 Tbsp salted butter
1 (10 oz) pkg. mini marshmallows
Orange gel food coloring
3 pretzel rods, end portions broken off into 2-inch pieces (so you'll have 6 pieces)
6 mini green airheads candy or green fondant
Non-stick cooking spray

Instructions

Measure out rice krispies cereal and pour into a bowl. Melt butter in a 4 quart non-stick saucepan or pot over medium-low heat.
Add marshmallows and stir and as they begin to melt start adding in the gel food coloring until desired color is achieved. Stir constantly until marshmallows have melted.
Remove from heat then immediately pour in rice krispies cereal and gently stir and fold with a spatula until cereal is evenly coated. Let mixture cool slightly (until it's cool enough to handle with your hands).
Spray hands with non-stick cooking spray then shape rice krispie treat mixture into balls about the size of a baseball, then insert 1 piece of the pretzel rod into the top center and reshape the pumpkin as needed. Transfer to a plate or dish sprayed lightly with cooking spray.
Beginning on one side of the airhead candy cut out a leaf shape with clean scissors then use the remaining portion of the piece of candy to roll and shape into a thin rope shape then twist into a vine shape (or just shape the fondant accordingly, no cutting required).
Place candy on the sides of each pretzel on the pumpkin (as pictured). Repeat with remaining candy. Store in an airtight container.

OK I am getting hungry now so let’s get to what’s new this week at Meadow Boutique?

The colors of Fall are amazing and when I look around the Boutique, they are all represented. Those hues are so vibrant and warm and just what we need for the magic ahead as the holidays come upon us.

CIELO, STACCATO, KAN CAN, 2 HEARTS, SEEN & BE SEEN, HAYDEN, J.NNA all labels with great Fall fashion. There are so many long cardigans this week in a variety of colors. There are also some velvet dresses for those holiday events. A skirt and a pair of trousers are in as well with many great pairings to complete the outfit. There are blouses and sweaters, oh so many. There are colors of rust and brown and hunter green and beige and rose. There is a table of long and short DREAMERS sweaters that are soft and cozy. There are so many outfits that can pair together to create a lovely Fall outfit to wear for the coming festivities. Just check out the photos below and always remember that all photos are better seen in person. Come on in and see for yourself. Bring your pumpkin spice lattes and browse our racks. It will be quite enjoyable, I promise.

I have kept you here reading long enough. Go grab your ingredients for the Pumpkin Treats or browse the photos below for all things Fall! We look forward to seeing you and helping you find that perfect outfit. Thank you for your support. It’s helped us make this year so rewarding! Now lets get to making our lists and checking them twice, cause we know the coming holidays will creep right up and we want to be ready and fashionable. xoxoxox

"Halloween is not only about putting on a costume, but it's about finding the imagination and costume within ourselves." ~ Elvis Duran