I made the boys homemade trick or treat bags this year.  They have already used them a couple of times for Halloween parties and they have held up well.  I found some templates for pumpkin carving and used them for stencils to make the Halloween designs on the front of the bags.  I bought pre-cut felt letters to make it easy.  I love this owl.  I am going to make an owl trick or treat bag for our youngest (next year - he's still young for candy so I didn't stress out trying to get three of these done).  

I used a stencil to cut out the design for the front of the bag then I used felt glue to glue the design down.  

I bought pre-cut felt squares at the craft store.  I used a whole square for the front and back.  I cut a square in half legnthwise for the sides.  Then I placed the cut side piece on a pre-cut square to cut the correct width for the bottom piece.  

I cut two full legnth strips for the handles.  

Once you have all of your cut pieces you are ready to begin sewing.  First sew the handles to the inside top portion of your front and back panels.  

Next sew the sides together leaving a little room at the bottom to sew on the bottom panel.  

Sew on the bottom panel and you are done.  Happy trick or treating!

Linking up at Create With Joy

This is one of the easiest recipes you can make.  We really enjoyed this last night and tonight as leftovers.  This recipe is slightly adapted from The Country Cook.  My husband said this is great gameday food.  I bought Chuck Roast at ALDI that was labeled as boneless Chuck ribs.  It was actually just a cut up chuck roast and worked perfectly in this recipe.  I bought 2 packages about 1 1/2 lb. each.  They were both reduced for quick sale and had $4 off stickers on them.  I was able to get the roast for more than 50% off this way.  If you purchase meat that is reduced for quick sale, make sure to freeze or use it right away.  

1 (3-4 lb.) Rump, Chuck, or Round Roast
1 packet dry Italian Dressing mix
1/2 (16 oz.) jar Pepperoncini Peppers (use more if you like)
1 (10.5 oz) can beef broth or equivalent of homemade broth
4-6 slices Provolone Cheese
Sub Rolls

This is so easy.  Put meat in your crock pot.  Combine dressing mix, 1/2 jar or more of peppers with juice, can of beef broth or about 1 1/4 cup homemade broth.  Pour this mixture over the roast.  Cook on low for about 8 hours.  Remove meat and slice or shred, then return to juices in the crockpot.  

Serve on sub rolls with a slice of provolone cheese.  

This is a great apple pie.  I have made the topping without the oatmeal for my husband and it still had a wonderful flavor, but I think the texture is better with the oatmeal.  This recipe is from the Family and Consumer Science Dept. at Marysville High School.  

Pennsylvania Dutch Apple Pie

Pie Crust:

1 cup flour
1/3 cup shortening
½ tsp. salt
3 to 4 T. cold water

1.     Place flour, salt, and shortening in mixing bowl and cut in shortening with a pastry blender until crumbly

2.     Add cold water 1 T. at a time.  You may not need the 4th Tablespoon.  

3.     Gather dough into a ball.  Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface until it is slightly larger than your pie pan.  Fold the dough in half and then in half again and lift it into your pie pan.  Unfold the dough and press it into the pan.  Trim and crimp edges of pastry.

Filling:

6-7 apples peeled, cored, sliced or chopped (If apples are really large, use less)
4 T. flour
¾ Cup sugar
Dash of salt
¾ t. cinnamon

1.     Combine ingredients in a bowl.

2.     Add to pastry-lined pie pan.  

Crumb Topping:

½ Cup uncooked oatmeal
¾ Cup flour
½ Cup butter (1 stick)
½ Cup brown sugar
½ tsp. cinnamon

1.     Cut together these ingredients with fork, pastry blender, or mixer until even and crumbly.  

2.     Sprinkle topping over pie

3.     Bake at 375 degrees for 45-50 minutes.