A Halloween with actual spookings

This was the first Halloween in memory that I just stayed home instead of getting dressed up and going to festivities on Halloween or on the corresponding weekend. In NYC, from what I've seen, the kids who grow up there don't really get to trick or treat. Maybe they get to trick or treat in a certain safe neighborhood or in a certain apartment building, but let's face it, Halloween is one of those categories where the suburbs WIN, city kids! HA HA, jerks! (The opposite is true for adults.) All kids there over age 10 are probs going to the clubs hopped up on goofballs anyway.

Even though I was technically in a city that really might as well be a suburb, last night was quite fun, and a lot of real screams happened right here at the porch of this little pink house...

At first it not only did not seem like Halloween, it didn't even look like October outside. Even while indulging my new luxury--driving to the grocery store in my own vehicle!--blasting Black Sabbath's album Black Sabbath doesn't quite deliver the desired effect when you're driving past lush foliage and flora in the sunshine. Oh well. 

But once the witching hours came, the neighborhood got festive. My cool neighbors sat out on their porch, smoking, one handing out candy and one in a mask scaring the kids. I knew Cooper the Irrepressable Yellow Labrador was going to be a barky jerk with all the trick or treaters, but I hadn't yet put him away when the first ones arrived. I was on the phone with my favorite aunt, and put the phone down so I could give out the first candy.

As soon as I opened the door, Cooper exploded out the door barking his head off, about twelve kids of all sizes scattered screaming in every direction, and then he thought they were playing so he continued tearing around after them. Trick! Every little shit dog in the neighborhood was barking like gangbusters.  What an embarassment, Cooper. But I was laughing hysterically, and so, I think, were most of the kids once they realized he was fine. But my neighb later told me one of them said, "I ain't knockin' on no doors ever again." I got back to my aunt on the phone and she said, "It sounded like a bunch of screaming and laughing," and I thought that sounded like a perfect mix for Halloween. My other neighbor from up the street came by a minute later to trick or treat with his kids, saying, "That was hilarious."

Coop was in solitary confinement in the bathroom for the rest of trick or treat time, while I set the mood with candles in the windows and got down to quickly carving a small pumpkin. Once, when I answered the doorbell, a short monster roared at me, and I couldnt' help screaming. It was my cool neighbors but the guy had been kneeling with his mask on, waving his arms over his head like a creepo, looking very much like the critters from one of my all-time favorite horror movies, the 1973 made-for-TV movie Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. They had come over just to laugh with me about Cooper's the Watch Dog's earlier antics.   

Many kids and young adults just came by with plastic grocery bags wearing no costumes. (They numbered just as many or maybe even more than the kids who were in costume.) LAME! I made sure to hassle each kid who didn't have a costume and let them know they were only getting the small candy instead of the candy bars. Then I realized it's probably their parents' fault they don't have costumes. Even if you're broke, how hard is it to put a sheet on? Or wear your grandma's silliest old outfit? Shoot. That's sad. 

I also realized I dont' have very good candy-giver-outer patter. The kids give you nothing to go on other than "Trick or treat," and then I'm like, "Heyyyy, a pirate! Ahoy matey!" [doing the double point] and trying not to sound like some weird perv, and then they say nothing in response. 

Anyhooz, it was a homey little Halloween, and the bf even came home much earlier than usual so we had some waking time together.

CoKane's Deeelish Cajun Pumpkin Seeds

Throw your rinsed pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet.

Pour melted sweet cream butter over them. Toss.

Sprinkle with Tony Chachere's Original Creole seasoning (err on the side of too little--a little goes a long way). Toss.

Bake at 350 til properly toasted, flipping the seeds a few times. I think mine took about 20 minutes?

Chow down.

I believe the bf's word to describe these was "phenomenal." If you don't want to be a fatso like I'm going to be soon, substitute olive oil for the butter.

Comments

[Beth]

So nice to have you back in the blogging world.
Sounds like a perfect halloween.
I have to agree that the doorway transaction at Halloween is particularly awkward for the adult. I think I have actually said "A princess-Yahoo!" And crickets actually chirped after that comment. Out in the woods we have no visitors-I would have to say I prefer the awkwardness to nothing. Sigh.

[Beth]

So nice to have you back in the blogging world.
Sounds like a perfect halloween.
I have to agree that the doorway transaction at Halloween is particularly awkward for the adult. I think I have actually said "A princess-Yahoo!" And crickets actually chirped after that comment. Out in the woods we have no visitors-I would have to say I prefer the awkwardness to nothing. Sigh.

[amy]

Your first Halloween in BR, my first Halloween out in NYC. Your story made me laugh, and I too am glad to have you back in the blogosphere and to hear you have wheels now!

[ecs]

Couldn't your recipe also be ______ slathered with Sweet Cream Butter and still be delish?

Yumm. FFE foreva.

[rebekah]

this is exactly how i make the pumpkin seeds! tony's is the magic!

[kartek]

My halloween was real quiet. I had seen two 12 12year old boys in the parking lot so I made no attempt to hurry and get in the house. So I missed them and no one came after that. Boo.