Halloween is Almost Here!

Halloween is almost here, nine days away to be exact! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! I look forward to the costumes, the Halloween party foods and spooky decorations every year.

Are you in need of some spooky inspiration before Halloween gets here? These Halloween Decoration Ideas and Recipes are sure to be a hit!

Halloween Crafts/Decorations:

Pumpkin Luminary 
Clothespin Vampire Bats 
Easy Halloween Wreath
Ghost Luminaries
Salt Dough Pumpkin Patch


Halloween Party Foods:
Edible Crawlies for Kids
Edible Haunted House
Frankenmallows
Goofy Spooks Halloween Cake
Mummy Cookies
Tombstone Cheesecake Cups

Giveaway: Evenflo® Journey™ 200 Travel System

We have another great prize for you! This time we've partnered with Evenflo to give you the opportunity to win this fabulous stroller and travel system! Perfect for a stroll in the park or a drive through the city, this combo system has everything new parents need to travel in style and comfort, as it comes with an infant car seat, car seat base and a stroller. Specific features include:

STROLLER

• Stand Hold and Fold™ - One-hand folding and self-stands.
• Stow N’ Go – A large basket and full parent console offer great  solutions for storing on-the-go needs.
• Smooth Ride – All wheel suspension and front pivoting wheels ensure a comfortable ride.
• Convenient Features –Child tray with cup and snack holder pivots for easy ins and outs.
• Comfortable – Multi-position reclining seat and a fully lined, pivoting canopy ensure child’s comfort day or night

EMBRACE™ 35 INFANT CAR SEAT

• NEW! Extended weight rating accommodates infants 4 – 35lbs.
• Side Impact Tested!  Meets or exceeds all applicable Federal Safety Standards & Evenflo's Side Impact Test Standard

Retail Value $159.00

RULES: Must have a U.S. shipping address, be 18 years or older, and enter by the giveaway deadline of October 31, 2012. They are daily entries available so be sure to come back regularly!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cool stuff: folding bluetooth keyboard

All I can say is I hope this product comes out soon because I want one! This little folding keyboard attaches to your iPhone, Android or iPad to give you a usable bluetooth keyboard for your mobile device! Here's the full scoop: Jorno — the pocketable, folding, bluetooth keyboard. 

Jorno serves as an on-the-go solution for typing on a variety of mobile devices. This pocketable keyboard is the size of your palm when folded, measuring in at 7.6mm for a clean and modern design.

It folds down five ways, unlike any other competitor on the market, and easily fits into your pocket or purse. By transforming your iPhone®, iPad®, or AndroidTM device into a fully functioning laptop, users can enjoy the freedom of easily writing emails, taking notes in class, or working on other assignments from virtually any location. Jorno also comes equipped with a detachable cradle to securely hold your device in landscape or portrait mode for the most practical and productive user experience.

The cradle is designed to support phones as well as mini- and full-size tablets. Jorno pairs via Bluetooth to deliver convenient connectivity capabilities, and also guarantees compatibility with a wide array of devices. The Jorno keyboard also has an intelligently rigid design, so it won’t collapse as users are typing on their lap. The built-in rechargeable battery lasts an entire month to deliver maximum usage time without concern for losing power.

Halloween Costume Ideas

It's never to early to start working on that Halloween Costume!
Halloween will be here in just a few weeks!




Don't wait until the last minute and then try to battle the crowds at the start for a Halloween Costume! Instead of all of that trouble, why not make a costume at home? We've  got some great ideas for you!

Princess, Fairy, Cowboy, Indian, Knight, Pirate Ideas

Fisherman, Firefighter, Pizza Slice, Bag of Jelly Beans

Mummy, Witch, Dracula, Pumpkin, Skeleton

Going to an Adult Halloween Party?
We've got a list of great Couple Costumes!
Halloween Costume Ideas for Couples

Need a little something extra for your Halloween costume?
Homemade Halloween Make Up, Bruises & Blood

Fall Crafts From Our Readers

We love hearing from the FamilyCorner.com readers and seeing what they've created in their homes using the tutorials they discover on our site. Below are two fall crafts from two different visitors, and we thank you so much for sharing. They are wonderful!

Selena created these adorable Jack O'Lantern votive holders using wines glasses. She followed the tutorial for Pumpkin Candle Holders on our site. Thanks so much for sharing Selena, they are great!

Devetta found the pattern and tutorial for our Welcome to Our Patch Jar and and has made several to give as gifts. So cute, thank you Devetta!

Have you made any of our crafts? We'd love to see them and share them with our readers. When on one of our tutorials look for this:

 

If you make this project we'd love to see it! Just send your photos and comments to the editor and it may get published on our Facebook fan page! 

Looking forward to seeing what you've created! Find more fall crafts and Halloween crafts you can make.

FamilyCorner on Twitter!

We are a little late to the Twitter party, but better late than never! FamilyCorner.com is all set up on Twitter, now we just need some friends. :) We actually had been tweeting now and again through a different account, but it was high time to set out on our own, so here we are!

Follow us on Twitter because:

• We'll have Twitter parties
• We will giveaway stuff
• We share lots of tips
• We love talking to you!

so don't delay. Follow us on Twitter today! @familycornercom

Giveaway: VTech Kitchen Basket Prize Pack

We are excited to partner with VTech and provide you with the opportunity to win this great prize package! Our Chief Editor uses VTech phones in her office and loves them, now you can too! There are lots of opportunities to win, so be sure to follow the instructions below!

RULES: Must have a U.S. shipping address, be 18 years or older, and enter by the giveaway deadline of October 15, 2012. They are daily entries available so be sure to come back regularly!

Retail value $100.00

Good luck :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

World Pasta Day

Pasta is one of my favorite foods. Macaroni and Cheese, Spaghetti, Lasagna, I love them all! I don't know what it is about a big bowl of pasta that just screams "comfort"!


With that being said, I must mention that today is World Pasta day! So grab a seat, enjoy some of your favorite pasta and get ready to fall in love with these delicious pasta recipes.

Cauliflower Mac 'n' Cheese
Chicken Asparagus Penne Pasta Salad
Chicken and Pasta Primavera
Scarpetta’s Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce and Garlic Basil Oil
Healthier Lemon Pasta 
Sesame Noodles With Shrimp And Vegetables 

National Chicken Month

I could probably eat chicken every day of the week. I don't know why, but I could. 

My husband on the other hand can't. He wants things like hamburger, steaks and pork chops. Weirdo......(just kidding).

So if you're in love with chicken like I am, here are some great chicken recipes!

Pot Roast Chicken
Campbell's® Grilled Chicken Salad
Easy Chicken Skillet Stew
Chicken Asparagus Penne Pasta Salad
Lemon Thyme Chicken
Chicken with Olives
Skinny Chicken Enchiladas
Crispy Fried Chicken
Sesame Chicken

Breakfast Is So Important

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It's what gives us the energy we need to start our day and it also kick starts our metabolism! 

Normally I only have time to cook a big, hearty breakfast on the weekends. Weekday mornings are so busy for me that I normally need something that I can grab and take with me. Either way, eating breakfast is a habit that everyone should have. 

Fabulous Breakfast Recipes:
Buttermilk Pancake Mix (and others)
Campfire Eggs & Breakfast Tortilla Wraps
Breakfast Pizza
Sausage Breakfast Casserole
Cherry Delight Breakfast Cake

Breakfast To-go:
Berry Crumble Muffins
Apple Cheddar Muffins
Banana Smoothie

Do you ever skip breakfast or it one of the things that you must have before you can start your day? What is your favorite thing to have for breakfast?

A New Kitten

Within in the past month we have acquired a new kitten at the house. I've always been against cats in the house because of my allergies, but after hubby gave me the pitiful look and asked if he could get her a litter box and collar I agreed to let her stay. For now. :) 

With this new little addition to our family, I've been checking out some information on kittens.

Here are some useful cat/kitten tips that I found.

Little Box Training
Problems with Cat Scratching Furniture
First Aid for Cats (and Dogs)
Proper Kitten Nutrition
Removing Pet Urine Smells


If you are looking for a new 4-legged family member, here are some great Pet Adoption Guidelines: Choosing a Pet

At Home Spa

Everyone could benefit from a day at the Spa. I've had a few trips to the spa here in VA and when we lived in North Carolina and I loved every second if it. Time to relax and unwind, a time to forget about the stresses of the day or week. But sadly I don't have time to go to the spa a lot (or the money for that matter).

So instead here are a few little "Spa" like things you can do at home.


A Guide To Pampering Pedicures
Fifty Ways to Use Essential Oils
Relaxing Herbal Teas
Rose Toner, Tea and Facials
Orange Face Mask
Treating sore, cracked and stinky feet
Brown sugar oatmeal scrub
DIY Bath Bombs

Patriot Day

Today is Patriot Day, the day we remember the victims of the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. 


I remember that day, I was in French class in high school when we got the news. Our teacher rolled a TV into our classroom so that we could watch the news. It was an awful day. 

A day that brought out the America Pride in everyone. It's also the day that hubby decided to join the military. 

A day in history that has affected so many people. 

Today we're joining together as a nation and thinking about and remembering the victims, their families, our service men/women and their families and everyone affected by the attacks on 9-11.

Feeling extra patriotic today? Here are a few of our favorite patriotic recipes and crafts:

Lemon Bar Flags
Patriotic Crispy Rice Star Sparklers
Independence Punch

Fireworks Flowers 
Glitter Glue Yarn Stars 
Patriotic Flag Patriotic Candle Jar

Always Be Prepared for an Emergency

An emergency can happen anytime and anywhere. There are normally no warning sings and emergencies can turn from bad to worse in a matter of moments. Natural disasters, automobile accidents, and health problems are just a fraction of the kinds of emergencies that can spring up at anytime.

While you can't always prevent emergencies from happening, you can be prepared for them! Plan out escape routes in case of a fire and set up a meeting spot with your family. Make sure harmful chemicals are kept out children's reach. Put together a home First Aid Kit and make sure that everyone in the family knows where it is kept. Learn CPR and make sure that your other family members do as well.

Here are some other helpful links that can help you plan for and prevent emergencies:

First Aid Kits: Stocking the Essentials
How To Make Your Own Emergency Kit For Your Home
Hidden Dangers: Children, Choking, and Toys
Bathtub Safety
Room-By-Room Safety Tips
Keeping Afloat Around the Pool

Frankenstein in the spotlight

                                                                                                                 

August 30th was Mary Shelley's Birthday. You know who that is don't you? If you don' t already know, Mary Shelley wrote the novel "Frankenstein" in the early 1800's. Mary was born on August 30, 1797, in London, England. This famous author also wrote: Falkner, Lodore, The Fortunes of Perkin Warbeck, and The Last Man.

In honor of Mary's birthday, we've put together some birthday goodies and some Frankenstein inspiration, enjoy!

Chocolate Bundt Cake

Vegetable Dips

Granola Fruit Kabobs

Frankenstein Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Frankenmallows

Frankenstein Trail Mix

Frankenstein Pudding Cups

Frankenstein Crafts:

Tin Can Frankenstein

Frankenstein Treat Bags (Favor Bags!)

It's National Lemon Day

Did you know that Lemon Trees will bloom and produce lemons all year long? Each lemon tree can produce anywhere from 500-600 pounds of lemons in one year! They are high in vitamin C and also aid in the relief of fevers and sore throats. 

It's National Lemon Day, so let's celebrate this awesome little super fruit!

Lemon Bar Flags
Flavored Ice Teas
The Ultimate Lemon Bars
Lemon-lavender Greek Yogurt Pound Cake
Spinach Lemon Orzo Soup
Lemon & Blackberry Cream Cheese Swirl Cake

An Apple A Day

"An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away". 

Every time I think of apples, (which has been a lot lately thanks to Back To School stuff) I think of that little saying that I heard so much as a kid. 

Snacking on an apple is a good way to provide your body with immune-boosting vitamin C and fiber, but apples are also great for different crafts. They are super tasty when added to different recipes. 

Plus the "apple" theme is so cute! 

Next time you're in the kitchen, jump on over and try these apple themed recipes and craft ideas!

Apple and Apple Themed Recipes:

Sausage and Apple Chowder
Chocolate Peanut Butter Coated Apples 

Awesome Apple Munchies  Apple Pie Biscuits Apple Cinnamon Pancakes Krispy Apple Treats Caramel Apple Pie Apple Themed Crafts: Scented Apple Wreath Class Act Apple (Paper Bag Craft) Apple Prints Terra Cotta Pot Apple Container Apple-Shaped Stamped Cards for Back to School Apple Coasters

Do you have any favorite apple crafts or recipes?

Back to School Lunch and Snack Ideas

Most schools are back in session now and that means that it's time to start packing lunches and snacks again. While you can't be there with them every moment of the day,  you can make sure that they have a good nutritious lunch and a healthy snack to give them the fuel they need to get through the day.  

These 30 Healthier Snack Ideas are great for kids of all ages. Don't forget that healthy doesn't have to mean boring! Tortilla roll ups, mini homemade pizzas and pita pockets can brighten any lunch box!

Also check out these great lunch ideas:

Cheesy Corn Dog Muffins

Sandwich Kabobs

Curried Turkey Wraps

Homemade Apple Sauce

50+ Ways to Beat the Heat!

It's August and that means the hottest temperatures of the summer! Only a few more weeks and school will be in session. So to keep the kids cool before they get back to hitting the books, try a few of these 50 summer crafts, recipes and games. Want to make a party out of it? Try our summertime Beat the Heat Party for hosting an end of summer bash!

Need some back to school ideas? Try these back to school crafts and tasty recipes. Our experts have fabulous parenting advice and some money saving tips too! 

Chicago: Family Fun Festival

The Family Fun Festival returns to Millennium Park this summer, making the Park the place to be for kids of all ages. Every day, from July 2 through September 2 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., family performances and hands-on activities will take place in the Family Fun Tent, located on the Park’s Chase Promenade North. The Family Fun Festival is sponsored by Target and presented by the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

“At Target, we are committed to serving local communities where we do business,” said Laysha Ward, President, Community Relations, Target. “That’s why we are proud to partner with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events to present the Family Fun Festival as we work to strengthen communities and enrich the lives of our guests and team members.”

Activities in the Family Fun Tent every day include Wiggleworms® at 10 a.m., when instructors from the Old Town School of Folk Music lead young children in a fun-filled sing-along that has kids singing and dancing to popular children’s favorites from the Wiggleworms program. A reading circle follows at 11 a.m., and concerts by some of the most notable names in local and regional entertainment will take place at 1 p.m.

Throughout the day, the Family Fun Tent’s Activity Zone will include hands-on craft projects and garden, science and environmental activities led by some of the region’s popular museums and cultural institutions, including Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Architecture Foundation, Chicago History Museum, Chicago Park District, Chicago Wilderness, Chicago Youth Circus, CircEsteem, Lurie Garden, Museum of Science and Industry, Swedish American Museum and William Moss and Friends.

The Family Fun performer line-up and the Activity Zone schedule can be found at www.millenniumpark.org. For more information about the Family Fun Festival and all of the programming in Millennium Park this summer, visit millenniumpark.org, call 312.742.1168, visit Millennium Park on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @Millennium_Park.

Weekly Activity Zone Partners
July 2-8

Wild in the City with activities led by Chicago Wilderness

July 9-15

Pop Goes the Easel with activities led by Art Institute of Chicago

July 16-22

Past, Present and Future: Your Chicago with activities led by Chicago History Museum

July 23-29

Under the Big Top with activities led by CircEsteem and Chicago Youth Circus
 July 30-August 5

Architecture Week: Building Chicago with activities led by Chicago Architecture Foundation

August 6-12
TBD

August 13-19

Science and Exploration with activities led by Museum of Science and Industry

August 20-26

Cultural Exchange: Explore Swedish Traditions with activities led by Swedish American Museum

August 27-September 2

Garden in the City with activities led by Lurie Garden (August 27-31) and Get Out & Grow with activities led by William Moss and Friends (September 1-2)

Millennium Park
Millennium Park is located in the heart of downtown Chicago. It is bordered by Michigan Ave. to the west, Columbus Dr. to the east, Randolph St. to the north and Monroe St. to the south. Convenient parking is located in the Millennium Park Garage (entrance on Columbus at Monroe or Randolph) and at the Grant Park North and East Monroe Garages, all located within a short walking distance of Millennium Park. 

Millennium Park, managed and programmed by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, is an award-winning center for art, music, architecture and landscape design. The result of a unique partnership between the City of Chicago and the philanthropic community, the 24.5-acre park features the work of world-renowned architects, planners, artists and designers. Among Millennium Park’s prominent features are the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind in the United States; the interactive Crown Fountain by Jaume Plensa; the contemporary Lurie Garden designed by the team of Gustafson Guthrie Nichol, Piet Oudolf and Robert Israel; and Anish Kapoor’s hugely popular Cloud Gate sculpture. 

For more family fun in Chicago check out the article on FamilyCorner - Fun Things to Do with Your Kids in Chicago

The Doodle Roll + A Giveaway!

A perfect “anywhere, anytime” family product, the Doodle Roll® is available in two sizes with a safe EZ tear edge. Manufactured by Imagination Brands Co., LLC, a small US based company, the Doodle Roll is an all-in-one portable arts & crafts activity kit that contains a roll of paper and crayons in a compact package that doubles as a handy dispenser.

Doodle Roll is competing in WalMart’s “Get on the Shelf” contest. They need your votes! If they win, their products may be available both online and in WalMart stores across the country.

How can you help Doodle Roll get the most votes? 

Simply go to "Get on the Shelf" to Vote Daily via Facebook or Text Message 1288 to 383838  every day from now until April 3rd!

Email the info to all your friends and family! No obligations, no sign ups, no personal info – Just Vote! Kids can vote, too!

**************

You Can Win! 

As a Thank You for Voting, we are giving away a Doodle Roll to one lucky winner here on FamilyCorner.com: The Blog.

How can you win?

It's simple! After casting your first vote at "Get on the Shelf", come back here and post to let us know!

*One submission per person only, multiple submissions will be deleted.

This contest will run from now until April 3!

The winner must reply within 24 hrs or a new name will be drawn.

Congratulations to our winner: MamaStace!!! 

Please contact me within 24 hrs to claim your prize! :)

More Orlando Entertainment

Here's a bit more fun to check out if you're visiting Orlando this spring! The Goo Goo Dolls and Sugar Ray will perform at Universal Orlando Resort’s Mardi Gras celebration, completing one the most powerful musical line-ups of the event’s history. Goo Goo Dolls will rock the Music Plaza Stage at Universal Studios Florida on March 3 and Sugar Ray will do the same on March 17.

Sugar Ray first gained fame in the music scene with the hit “Fly.”  Since then, lead singer Mark McGrath and his band mates have taken their combination of sunny pop and lightly funky hip-hop grooves and created several of the most infectious summer singles of the late ‘90s, including “Every Morning,” “Someday” and “When it’s Over.”

Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration kicks off Feb. 11 and runs every Saturday and select nights through April 14.  The authentic and family-friendly version of the famed New Orleans street party combines unparalleled theme park entertainment with an elaborate Mardi Gras parade, dozens of colorfully costumed performers, authentic New Orleans bands, delicious Cajun cuisine and live concerts by some of today’s most popular artists. Guests can enjoy the Mardi Gras event and great theme park entertainment for the price of regular admission.

For more information, visit www.universalorlando.com/mardigras.

About Universal Orlando Resort

There are many ways to enjoy your Orlando vacation – but there is only one Universal Orlando Resort.  It is a completely separate destination featuring two theme parks, three magnificently themed on-site hotels and a nighttime entertainment complex.  It’s the only Orlando destination where you are not just entertained – you are part of the most exhilarating entertainment ever created.  You can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, battle aliens alongside Agent J, and help Shrek save Princess Fiona in Shrek 4-D. You can be courageous, be outrageous – and be extraordinary.

Heading to Orlando?

If you're heading to Orlando this spring break, be sure to check out Universal Orlando’s Blue Man Group show! The show opens to the public on Friday, February 24 and new sections include Blue Men interacting with “GiPads” (think Gigantic iPads), a funny and perceptive look at contemporary modes of communication; and a pulsating new finale featuring an original Blue Man Group music score that will have guests jumping to their feet.

“This show will take one of Universal Orlando’s most popular experiences to a whole new level,” said Alice Norsworthy, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Universal Orlando Resort.  “It’s the perfect complement to the incredible entertainment we offer at our destination.”

Blue Man Group is best known for its wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts that combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The blissful party atmosphere created at the live events has become the trademark of a Blue Man Group experience. Currently, Blue Man Group theatrical shows can be seen in New York, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, Berlin, Tokyo, and on tour throughout the U.S. Blue Man Group can also be seen onboard the new Norwegian Epic by Norwegian Cruise Line – the Official Cruise Line of Blue Man Group.

About Universal Orlando Resort

There are many ways to enjoy your Orlando vacation – but there is only one Universal Orlando Resort.  It is a completely separate destination featuring two theme parks, three magnificently themed on-site hotels and a nighttime entertainment complex.  It’s the only Orlando destination where you are not just entertained – you are part of the most exhilarating entertainment ever created. You can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, battle aliens alongside Agent J, and help Shrek save Princess Fiona in Shrek 4-D.  You can be courageous, be outrageous – and be extraordinary.

For more information about Blue Man Group at Universal Orlando Resort – or to purchase tickets – visit www.universalorlando.com/blueman. 

Super Easy Valentine Cards

Make super easy Valentine cards this year using card stock and patterned scrapbook paper. Very easy to make and super pretty. You can customize these however you like. Make them simple for little kids and more intricate for teens.  A great family project.


Get the instructions for these Charming Valentine Greeting Cards.