4 Simple Spooky Sweet Halloween Treats + $50 Frey Candy Giveaway 10/16

Momma Told Me: With a little creativity any supplies can be made magical.


In the guise of genetics I was born with a disposition for weak knees- as a result, at 11, my left knee went out while washing some dishes in the kitchen. I landed on said knee, tearing the meniscus, and ending up in a full foot to thigh sot cast for several months. What does this story have to do with Halloween? Well, being at that tween age, on the cusp of no longer caring about childish holiday traditions, and them being the only thing of importance in the world- that is the Halloween in my life that stands out the most.

I remember for months I sulked and pouted, upset about my circumstances, and 'rightfully' taking it out on my parental units. Whenever Momma would ask what I wanted to be for Halloween that year I'd furrow my brow and clench my mouth. I wanted absolutely nothing to do with Halloween- it was 'ruined'- my adolescent mind had decided.

That is, of course, right up until 5 days before the actual holiday, when the excitement of friends making plans, and the street full of haunted decorations began to finally break me down. All of a sudden I was no longer upset that my knee has ruined the holiday, but that I had. I remember one day plopping into our minivan in tears and, with very little prodding, divulging to my mother how I so very badly wanted to trick-or-treating, and how everything was ruined because I had no costume, and a bum leg.

Of course Momma was determined to teach me a lesson of never giving up. And, while our Halloween eve's are often in the 80-90s, and she truly had no desire to follow me door to door- she knew that likely would be one of my last childhood chances to truly get out and enjoy the holiday as a kid.

The following day I opened our front door to see our dining room counter sprawled with crafting supplies- a grass skirt, a carved bamboo stick, and lots of colorful fake feathers. In just a few hours, while I had been at school, that day she had created an entire costume literally from a few things we'd had laying around the house. Even better- my 'witch doctor' costume would help hide the hideous grey soft cast I'd been so self conscious of lugging around. And the homemade apple 'shrunken heads' would even dangle nicely from my crutches.

Yes, Momma taught me several great lessons that Halloween- but my favorite is that holiday magic happens, truly, with just a little bit of imagination. You don't need to spend a ton of money, or time, to have a wicked god time, and today I'm sharing a little bit of that spirit with you. If you have some old candy cauldrons or plastic jars rattling around, some marshmallows and candy melts, a few Celebration by Frey™ and/or Sixlets® bags are all it takes to whip up some spooky sweet treats for entertaining this Halloween.

Celebration by Frey™ and Sixlets® products are sweet confection decorating candies or little candy coated chocolate balls, which come in a variety of colors and styles. (You'll even find delightfully spooky gumball eyeballs for seasonal characters and chilling creations!) These products are often found in the baking aisle at your local Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Wegman's or more- the selection and colors change seasonally, so I always stop by to see what's new.

Sixlets chocolate candies are one of my favorite choices for cake decorating and seasonal treats- I've essentially combined different shapes and sizes of Celebration by Frey™ confection and Sixlets® in 2 frightfully easy party favor creations- Witch's Cauldrons and Spider Egg Vials. With our FREE Printable above any age an whip these up. Add some seasonal ribbon, fun decorative brooms, and gumball eyeballs for a really wicked treat.

Sixlets are also my go to because they offer a vibrant pop of color at an affordable price- and are especially fun for playing with texture- Just check out my simple Frankenstein bark, below. All you need are some green chocolate melts, lime green Sixlets chocolatey candy 'boils', a red glitter 'blood' candy writer, eyeball gumballs, and any other fun sprinkle additions you feel fit the mood.

It may look a little silly at first, but this bark will break up into delightful fractured treats with a real 'stitched' vibe! I also used black Sixlets and some melted chocolate to create little 'bolts' for an extra dash of character. The swirls in the chocolate will even give your bark a rippled 'skin' texture that is ghoulishly fun!

The Frankenstein bark is literally as simple as melting chocolate and pouring it into a parchment paper lined baking sheet or pan- then liberally apply sprinkles, Sixlets, and other decorations as the artistic mood strikes. Send the pan to the freezer for about 10 minutes, then break apart into chunks of various sizes.

Our final spooky selection involves all of those leftover marshmallows you inevitably have laying around after all those Summer S'mores events. Using some cake pop sticks, pierce jumbo marshmallows in the center, to create a standing 'pop', then take a pretzel stick and run it through the center horizontally to make 'arms'. Dip your treat in a bowl of melted white chocolate and place the an orange Sixlets at the nook where arm meets marshmallow. Set upright on a baking sheet and place in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to set.

These 'boo' ghost pops are much easier to make than traditional cake pops, and lighter to enjoy among a giant Halloween spread. Use a food grade marker to decorate your orange Sixlets with a pumpkin face, and to add eyes to your ghosts for some frightfully fun final touches.

I whipped up this entire Halloween spread in about 90 minutes- Momma may have spent a little more time on that infamous last minute costume, but the sentiment remains the same. Holidays are meant to be fun, and delicious- you shouldn't have to shell out all of your hard earned cash, or time, to celebrate them. Celebration by Frey™ and Sixlets® are just two of my secrets for Halloween entertaining success.

What Daughter Says: You don't have to be a Martha Stewart to pull off a fun Halloween spread, just use a little imagination!

At Home Photo Booth Fun

Momma Told Me: Express yourself.

I don't have kids.

Every time I say that I feel like it's a bit of a lie. Every time I fill out a survey or form and it asks me to list my children, there are at least 20 that come to mind. Sure, I can't claim them because I didn't give birth to them, and they don't go to sleep under my roof- but, whether they're blood related (nieces/nephews) or just children from the daycare, I feel a bit of a stake in the quality of their lives. I don't have children, yet, I would do just about anything to see the children in my life happy. And, really, there's a reason they say 'It takes a village.'

But, before this post gets off on an entirely different tangent, about how people can have consciously chosen not to give birth to children, at this point in their life so far, and it doesn't mean they don't like children- (Yes, that is a stereotype I get a lot) Let us all agree that it takes next to nothing to make a child happy. In most cases, simply your time. And that the time spent is always minimal compared to the rewards.

So, whether you have children of your own, or nieces or nephews, or maybe are a childcare provider- you likely know that 1. Kids can find fun in just about anything if you point them in the right direction, 2. Kids have amazing personalities and 3. As constantly changing as children are, it's important to capture every moment you can.

When I was a child I was obsessed with capturing the world on camera- Momma and Pop had a Polaroid that was my absolute favorite, but I was only permitted to take 1 photo a week, given the cost. Of course I had a disposable camera too, and it always seemed like an eternity to get my prints back from the drug store. These days it's free, and easier than ever, to capture moments and memories in images thanks to smart phones and electronic devices with built in cameras.

One would think this would make the concept of taking photos a dull one, to the modern kid- but I've found there's still something magical about having the camera turned on them. It may be a little vain, but the kind of kids I hang around just adore to see themselves on screen, or in print. This is great because, as easy as it is for the modern parent to chronicle the childhood of their children most parents often don't think to stop and take photos that will actually be displayed. Sure, you pay ridiculous prices for the digital format of your children's school photos- but do they really capture the essence of who your child is in that particular moment and year?

And that's exactly why I decided our activity of the week, at the daycare, would be a carnival themed photo booth. It may sound a bit elaborate, but it really cost me less than $15. Photo props can be purchased on Amazon quite cheap; I bought a 65 piece set for just over $10. For our 'booth' we really just set up a background by clipping some leftover fabric to an oversized appliance box. To really help the kids' personalities shine I even offered to do a little face painting.

I might not be the world's best artist, but I truly enjoyed listening to each child talk about what they wanted, and how the painting's subject inspired or empowered them. Sure Spiderman or 'rainbow triangles' (the 3 year-old's request) might not be 'in' next year, but that's the fun of capturing this day in time on film.

At first some of the kids were a little shy. Though we'd broken the ice with some face painting, many of the children expressed that photos were for 'nice faces' and only taken when something important happened at school, or for a holiday. As soon as they got the idea that they could truly bring any mood to life, things really began to get fun.

"Photo Booth" is now the most requested Thursday activity in our little group- and, while I don't want it to lose it's special charm and become novel, we're always looking for ways to take this simple concept and work it into something else.For example, a photo booth can be a great way to discuss emotions, build creative play and cooperative skills, or help boost self confidence in diversity and individuality. Of course, the best part of this little project was printing out the photos for parents to take home. Now, tell me a little bit about your favorite photo of your child, or your favorite photo of yourself from growing up! Mine is a photo of 2 year-old me with a stuffed beaver backpack, in diapers with my hair a hot mess, standing in my mother's shoes, just crying red hot crocodile tears. I always knew turning on the waterworks would get attention from my father, haha!

What Daughter Says: Treasure every moment, capture everyday character!

Are You Ready L.A.? Be Prepared For Disaster Year Round

Momma Told Me: There's no such thing as too prepared.

At 4:31 AM on January 17, 1994, a seven year old me was awoken from her slumber by a very intense and disorientating rumble that lasted exactly 16 seconds. A blip on the map of my life, but the original Northridge Earthquake and the aftershocks that followed were forever ingrained in the back of my mind. The 6.7 earthquake would soon go down in history as one of the fastest accelerating tremors in an urban area, and just 18 miles from the quake's epicenter, our little condominium community was more than shook up. Clutching Momma's nightgown, and my favorite stuffed porpoise, I wandered outside. Our neighbors were in various states of panic, many without proper footwear, or even a flashlight; but my father had his emergency preparedness kit on hand. As we waited out future aftershocks and structural clearance through that morning several of the elements inside proved invaluable for comfort and peace of mind.

Living in Southern California our biggest natural disaster concerns are wildfires, earthquakes, and flash floods/tsunamis (living near the beach we are in a marked tsunami evacuation zone.) Unfortunately Hollywood would have us in the mindset that a Zombie outbreak is more imminent than a REAL natural disaster. Us Southern Californians are pretty laid back and, as nice as that is to live here, that kind of mentality could lead to being unprepared during a real natural disaster. It doesn't matter how nice the climate is where you live, every family must be prepared for a variety of natural and unexpected disasters. As I type this it is 85F outside, at the beginning of February- the sun is shining, and I am just a 10 minute walk from the beach. It's hard to get into the mindset of natural disaster preparedness when the climate is so ideal and the terrain so mild. But is is crucial.

As the Santa Ana winds kick up here in the Los Angeles area it truly is important that local residents take note of their emergency plans and also consider other natural disasters natives may encounter. We must ask ourselves; Am I prepared if a wayward brush-fire cinder lands on the roof after lights out? Do my kids know how to exit the house from the second floor? What would I do if a power grid outage meant lights out for days? What's the safest evacuation route in case of a tsunami? There are many details to consider when preparing for emergencies in Southern California; communication should always be your biggest tool. Go over your family's evacuation plan and outline any first aid kits or fire extinguishers on a map of your house. Be sure to go over the escape route a minimum of twice a year, and verify that marked exit routes are unobstructed and prepared.

Piecing together an emergency kit can seem overwhelming, but having one is necessary in any size home. Two story homes should have a minimum of two fully stocked emergency kits containing everything from survival essentials to first aid staples.  You can buy pre-made emergency kits from your local hardware or big box store. All of the necessities inside are often bundled in an easy to see orange backpack with or red carrier with a reflective ID and emergency contact tag.

I highly encourage LA County residents to store their emergency kits in a hard shelled container, such as a bucket, which will keep supplies clean and undamaged in the case of property damage or debris. You will likely also want to ad some of your own essentials (batteries and power banks, candles, a crank radio, personal hygiene items, activities for the kids) or even a refill kit of first aid supplies. Having all of your emergency supplies in an easy to grab, and spot is essential come the panic of an unforeseen natural disaster or emergency. For more tips on what to stock your emergency kit with refer to this Emergency Kit worksheet.

Part of being prepared is following up on your safety kits and plans yearly to ensure all supplies and documents meet current needs. In the case that some of your supplies expire you can always pick up a refill kit from the kit's manufacturer or supplement with your own supplies. Choose a central location near multiple exits in your home to store your main emergency kit, and be sure to pick up a few smaller, basic first aid kits to have in alternate locations around your home should you or a family member be cut off from the primary one's location.

 When considering natural disasters it's also important to stock up your vehicle with a condensed version of your emergency kit, in addition to flares, emergency blankets, and water.Especially here in Southern California, natural disasters may strike without warning at any location. Should you find yourself on the road when one does you should not rely solely on modern technology to get you by. While power banks could help, smartphones may be compromised and cell service may even be shut off- Always keep a current map book or road guide on hand. In the event you are caught on foot, or need to divert your route, in an emergency knowing the terrain for alternate routes, as well as local emergency meeting points (schools, government buildings, etc) can prove life saving.

As a pet mother I'd be remiss if I didn't wrap up this reminder with a note to prepare for furry family members too. Most emergency shelters do not accept pets for sanitary reasons, be sure to locate and identify safe places to bring pets in advance of a disaster. Often veterinary offices and animal shelters will open during an emergency to house pets. Be sure to have backup food and water for them, because supplies may be limited at such temporary shelters, and ensure all crates and kennels are well marked and identified with hard shell frames or exteriors.

You can never be truly prepared for an unexpected natural disaster, but the difference between no preparation and some could be a life. For Los Angeles locals the ReadyLA online emergency resource hub has a wealth of free natural disaster preparedness resources, please stop by and learn more today. Sign up for local L.A. County emergency and disaster updates via text at www.nofiyla.org. You may also text NOTIFYLA to 888-777 (one word) for updates if you don't wish to to sign up through the website.

What Daughter Says: Awareness is the first step to preparedness.

Circus Animal Cookie Truffles Recipe

Momma Told Me: If you play with them long enough they might eat you!

There are few grocery products/brands that go back far enough to span the memories of 4 or 5 generations. Unless you're talking Heinz and beans or ketchup, or Oreos, you'll be hard pressed to find shared memories over a product launched in the early 1900s. And while I may as well not even know Mother's Cookies produces 14 different varieties of cookies, I do know it's near impossible to resist the playful charm of their classic Circus Animals. Cookies so pretty and fun that I rarely actually ate them when my grandmother gave me a handful.

It was the only sweet I could be given and found in possession of hours later- and not for lack of deliciousness either, I was simply transfixed by the imagined interactions of these pink and white cookie animals come to life. The camel, in Pink, was always my favorite, followed closely by the lion, in Pink. These two often had several disagreements, ultimately ending with the lion's beheading because, after all, in a young child's mind, the biggest most powerful character should not always win by default. Yes, I was tackling some heavy issues with my Mother's Circus Animal cookies and you might even say they made me the strong communicator I am today. All from a cookie.

But my memories not only go back to time spent with my grandmother, who often recounted her first Mother's Cookies experience upon the family's immigration from Germany, but to tales of a father and daughter.  A manly man, to this day my father refuses to handle the color pink; that is unless his baby girl has asked him. I remember reaching into the giant bag of Mother's Cookies and pulling out a pink animals, full of giggles, "This one's just for you, daddy!" A wise man, he'd quickly distract me with the age old question, "Do the pink animals taste the same as the white ones?," or does the rhino taste the same as the bear?" and shortly a sampling of ALL the cookies wold ensue (for due diligence, of course.)

To this day I get a little bit of special delight from seeing Mother's Circus Animal cookies on a shelf or at a store. Our local frozen yogurt shops always stock them at the toppings bar and I never miss an opportunity to add 2, one pink and one white, to the very top of m yogurt creation. Then I reveal a secret smile as I recount the memories of childhood and past so vividly linked to them.

So it will come as no surprise, when contemplating the month of love and potential Valentine's Day content I was found reflecting back on Mother's Cookies. It had been far too long since I actually bought a bag of these delicious snacks, and the playful pink color was perfect for the theme of romance. But, to me, Mother's Cookies were also appropriate for mother's day, baby showers, Spring, and more. So many memories and so many smiles attached to this simple treat.

I decided I would not make a Valentine's Day recipe, but an any day of the year, all around pick me up, instant smile inducing, super simple recipe of deliciousness. And it was literally as simple as dumping a bag of Mother's Cookies Circus Animals into my food processor (your hand will fight you, but it's for the best,) and hand mixing the crumbs with a softened brick of cream cheese. This can get a little tedious so just keep rolling the blob of crumbles onto more crumbles, and folding them in until all dry ingredients are gone.

If you're as slightly twisted as me you can take your Circus Animal truffle 'dough' and shape it into a circus animal of you choice. then rip small sections off of your truffle dough and roll them into 1-1 1/2" balls. Place these balls on a piece of parchment paper on a plate or cutting board and refrigerate them (do not freeze, as freezing will cause issues with the 'coating' process.) Next, take some white and pink Wilton's chocolate melts and melt them (separately) for dipping. Add a little shortening to your melting chocolate to thin it out a little for smoother dipping and dip each ball into the chocolate, gently rolling it to coat it entirely.

Place your dipped balls on a clean sheet of parchment paper and toss some festive rainbow sprinkles atop before they set. Store these delicious balls of heaven in the fridge until ready to serve as they're best enjoyed cold (in my opinion.) These Circus Animal Cookie Truffles would be great at a girl's baby shower, first birthday, Easter gathering, on Mother's Day, or just because. They're so simple to make, why not make them more than once? After all, you don't need an excuse to feel like a kid again!

What Daughter Says: These truffles are adorable, but at least I don't parade them across the couch!

Circus Animal Cookie Truffles

***Click here for printable Circus Animal Cookie Truffles recipe.