Weekend Update & Recipe for Halloween Bark

We had the best weekend here, despite Rob being out of town! He's been so busy lately, and we've missed him...

 

According to our forecast, the weather was supposed to turn much cooler on Saturday, so I had big plans for us that day. Once the girls got up, we headed to Krispy Kreme for some Halloween donuts. I mean, is there anything better? We took advantage of the cool temps and ate them outside on the deck! What a perfect start to our day...

  

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We played a lot of hide and seek. Seriously, there is nothing my girls love more than a game of hide and seek. It's so fun to hear Hadley trying to count. She always starts with "10." And Lily thinks if she stands perfectly still that I won't find her. Too funny!

 

 

 

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I did a little gardening and planted some pansies and rosemary in one of our plant boxes. That should get it for the fall and winter. Fingers crossed...

 

 

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And what weekend in October would be complete without some pumpkin crafts? I found these cute googly eyes, mustaches, and gems at Target, and they were perfect for decking out a pumpkin.

 

 

 

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We did this crayon pumpkin craft last year, and it was such a hit I knew we'd have to make it a tradition. The link to the craft is below. It's seriously so much fun...I enjoyed it as much as the girls. Aiming the hairdryer at the crayons to melt them was oddly cathartic. Ha!

 

 

 

 

Melted Crayon Pumpkin Craft
(click the above link for directions on how to make)

And a few tips just from experience. I used regular super glue, and it worked fine. I learned the hard way last year to not use a hot glue gun. Umm...hot glue + crayon wax = melted crayon before it's supposed to melt. Duh. You have to be patient with this craft. Hold each crayon in place with your finger after you've glued it onto the pumpkin. They don't stick right away. Lastly, if a bee lands on your hand during the crayon setting process, don't wildly fling your hand and knock all the barely-glued crayons off. #truestory #lessonlearned
 

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I'd been seeing recipes for Halloween Bark on Pinterest and knew I wanted to try it. Be forewarned...it's really good...like, I need to find someone to give the rest of ours to before I stay up late, hide in a closet, and eat it all myself. It's so fun and colorful and is perfect for this time of year. And it'd be so cute for a Halloween party!

I couldn't find almond bark at our grocery store, so I used an entire bag of Ghirardelli melting wafers, and they worked perfectly.

 

 

 

 

I lined a baking sheet with wax paper, so clean up was a breeze. It took only about 3o minutes in the fridge for mine to set, and it easily broke apart into pieces for serving.

 

Halloween Bark

{The Pioneer Woman}

 

1 package White Almond Bark

16 whole Graham Crackers

Pretzel Sticks, Broken In Half

Oreo's, Chopped

Reese's Pieces

Chopped Pistachios (I didn't use these)

Mini Chocolate Chips

Other miscellaneous ingredients: mini marshmallows, candy corn (I used these), M&M's, colored sprinkles, different nuts, broken chocolate bars

 

Melt the almond bark over a double boiler (I used a glass bowl over a saucepan of simmering water). Stir until smooth and allow to cool slightly.
Arrange whole graham crackers together on a rimmed baking sheet so that they're butted up against one another. Pour the melted almond bark over the top and use an offset spatula to spread it evenly over the surface.

 

Sprinkle on pistachios, chocolate chips, pretzels, and Reese's Pieces (along with anything else you'd like to add.) Lightly press all the ingredients with the palm of your hand to make sure they're all anchored on.

 

Place the pan in the fridge and allow it to set completely. Break the bark into smaller pieces. Serve on a platter or package in small cellophane bags.

 

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Lastly, just some photos of my girls...I thought I got some good ones that really capture their little personalities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I hope everyone has a great Monday and a happy week ahead!