Eat, Drink, and Be Scary

Every year about this time, I get myself into trouble.  It happens almost anytime I let my mind start to wander.  I could be at the grocery store, driving in the car, or simply washing dishes.  I live in the illusion of creating the ideal holiday.

In my mind, I can do it all…especially at Halloween.

My house is perfectly decorated:

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I create amazing feats in the kitchen:

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Even my dining room table is flawless:

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As I set out to create a treat with my kids for Lolli’s Eat, Drink, and Be Scary carnival today, I found myself slipping into my old habits, secretly wondering if I could pull off some sort of amazing culinary feat with my kids.

I decided that our mission would be to make Spider Cupcakes.  Cute, kid-friendly, and full of chocolate, we couldn’t miss.  How hard could it be to create what I saw on-line with my two toddlers?

And then I snapped back to reality…

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giancarlo cupcake

Whatever. Perfection is so clearly overrated.

Besides, my kids showed me that sampling is far and away more important than the actual appearance.

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Happy All Hallow’s Eve, everyone!  Today is the last day of our countdown to Halloween.  If you are playing along, then link your post up at Better in Bulk’s carnival. Lolli wants to see what you are making in the kitchen. Show your devilish desserts, give us the scoop on pumpkins, or share your favorite holiday drink. If cooking isn’t your cup of tea, then tell us what you are doing with your leftover Halloween candy. Do you enjoy immediately, save for later, or just bribe your kids with it when needed?

And don’t forget to enter our contest to win one of four Flip Ultra HD video cameras! Simply answer the below question in the comments field.  Be sure to answer the daily question on Mama Kat’s, Angie’s, and Lolli’s sites today for extra entries too.

What holiday moment would you like to capture on video?

92 Responses to Eat, Drink, and Be Scary
  1. Jen@ODBT
    October 30, 2009 | 12:44 pm

    Great post – perfection is so yesterday!

    I’d love to capture Xmas morning when they’re still in their beds. They are so sleepy but yet so excited to find out if Santa has visited.
    Jen@ODBT´s last blog ..where’s mom (35 of 52) My ComLuv Profile

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  2. Night Owl Mama
    October 30, 2009 | 12:47 pm

    I love it and yes sampling is way better I agree

    I’d capture my daughter school holiday performance Every yr I only have still pictures. I’d luv to share video
    Night Owl Mama´s last blog ..Halloween Treat:: Deviled Spider Eggs My ComLuv Profile

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  3. Katie
    October 30, 2009 | 1:24 pm

    I’d love to record my daughter coming down the stairs Christmas morning.
    Katie´s last blog ..Halloween Play Date My ComLuv Profile

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  4. scrappysue
    October 30, 2009 | 1:29 pm

    that is SO FUNNY – she’s eating the decorations as fast you can put them on for her!

    the holiday moment i would most want to capture?

    seeing as it’s summer here at christmas time, probably a big family splash into the water (it’s water proof, right?)

    just kidding! i would stay on the beach and film it all :)

    thanks for a fun week
    scrappysue´s last blog ..CSNBaby Giveaway! My ComLuv Profile

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  5. Michelle
    October 30, 2009 | 1:39 pm

    Christmas morning and my kids tearing into the presents!

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  6. Ashley F
    October 30, 2009 | 1:42 pm

    All the holidays. I always try to do fun family crafty stuff and I’d love to get it all on video.

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  7. Mary
    October 30, 2009 | 2:05 pm

    You know something I have never video taped? Thanksgiving preparation. All the women in the kitchen working hard and having fun being together. Then the video of the family enjoying time together at the table would be even more meaningful.

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  8. Teri
    October 30, 2009 | 2:16 pm

    Your cupcake kind of reminds me of a cartoon character (any will do) who gets in trouble and kind of gets that sad “poor me” look on their face. I like it.

    Holiday moment on camera – probably when my daughter comes downstairs on Christmas morning. She gets so excited. ;-)
    Teri´s last blog ..favorite post friday My ComLuv Profile

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  9. shraddha
    October 30, 2009 | 2:29 pm

    our disney adventure earlier this year needed better exosure on video..
    shraddha´s last blog ..Aloha Friday My ComLuv Profile

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  10. BJ_MAma
    October 30, 2009 | 3:04 pm

    I think your spiders are WAAAYY cuter. More Spunk! And I would love to capture us galavanting around in our costumes! My 2yo is hilarious!
    BJ_MAma´s last blog ..TRiCk oR TrEaT DoWnTOwN My ComLuv Profile

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  11. Jess Leonard
    October 30, 2009 | 3:12 pm

    My fav holiday moment to capture will be…Christmas morning… when the kids wake up and come into the room to see what santa brought….

    If I win… thats what I will tape… and if I dont.. well I better start saving up $$ to go get one anyways…. sob sob sob….. so that I can tape this special moment…. =)
    Jess Leonard´s last blog ..10.30.09 Friday "Eat, Drink, And Be Scary My ComLuv Profile

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  12. Mrs. D
    October 30, 2009 | 3:37 pm

    I would like to capture Christmas morning on video. It’s our new baby’s first so it’ll be memorable.
    Mrs. D´s last blog ..Gotta lose My ComLuv Profile

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  13. kaye
    October 30, 2009 | 3:44 pm

    your cupcakes look terriffic–they must have tasted good to the tasters. I hope to catch my grandkids trick or treating at my door
    kaye´s last blog ..Photo Story Friday: October My ComLuv Profile

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  14. ForeverFoldingLaundry
    October 30, 2009 | 4:20 pm

    You are killing me. I love you. :)

    ~Keri
    ForeverFoldingLaundry´s last blog ..Ever Feel Like You’re Being Watched? My ComLuv Profile

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  15. blueviolet
    October 30, 2009 | 4:37 pm

    Cute, cute, cute! I was cracking up as she was eating the eyes.

    I need to capture my husband walking down the stairs on Christmas morning with a Flip. I can’t explain it. I just need to capture it.

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  16. Bobbi-Jo High
    October 30, 2009 | 5:08 pm

    You are queen of costumes Francesca!

    Love the spider cupcakes! We are having a bug theme for Ryan’s 4th birthday this year and are attempting bug cupcakes made with m&m’s…wish us luck! ;)

    I would LOVE to capture all the crazy birthday parties we throw for both Kara and Ryan. We always go all out and I love capturing the memories for them to cherish when they are older! Of course, winning that FLIP camera will allow me to capture holidays and our trip to Disney next November for Ryan’s 5th birthday! :)
    Bobbi-Jo High´s last blog ..The Toy Fairy My ComLuv Profile

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  17. Carolynn @ Willow Tree
    October 30, 2009 | 5:18 pm

    Great video! I must say, bravo, on the Mr. Potato Head Jack-o-lantern; you Are the queen of Halloween. I’m a queen too… my pantyhose say so anyways.

    The Holiday moment I want to capture on video is simply my children’s Laughter. Last year after the shelter, we were so shell shocked… and the pictures show it. This year we are hopeful, we are whole, and I praise God for it.

    Blessings, Carolynn
    Carolynn @ Willow Tree´s last blog ..Disgraceful My ComLuv Profile

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  18. jessica jones
    October 30, 2009 | 5:22 pm

    I just love the looks on their faces when something happens they are really excited about! Life ins so much better through their eyes!!!!
    jessica jones´s last blog ..Izzy Bella My ComLuv Profile

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  19. Lin
    October 30, 2009 | 6:03 pm

    I would capture our christmas moments. My husbands family visits christmas & it’s the only time we all get together.
    Lin´s last blog ..I’m Back…Temporarily My ComLuv Profile

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  20. Mona
    October 30, 2009 | 6:07 pm

    What holiday moment would you like to capture on video?

    The moment when I give this video cam that I am winning tomorrow to my daughter !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  21. Helene
    October 30, 2009 | 6:10 pm

    OMG, Francesca, you look HOT as a blonde!! The video is so cute….I’m impressed with how calmly your kids just sit there and make their cupcakes. Mine are all over the place…there would be food everywhere!!

    The moment I would love to capture is the looks on their faces as they walk into the family room on Christmas morning and see all the presents under the tree!
    Helene´s last blog ..What every wife should know about her husband… My ComLuv Profile

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  22. Za
    October 30, 2009 | 6:49 pm

    We keep forgetting (on purpose…) our bulky old video cam whenever we go for a holiday. So hopefully, we’ll get a new flip camera to bring along to our next holiday…it’ll be the-holiday-with-a-new-camera moment.
    Za´s last blog ..Definitely not Chendol! My ComLuv Profile

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  23. Za
    October 30, 2009 | 6:50 pm

    That cake looks FAB!
    Za´s last blog ..Definitely not Chendol! My ComLuv Profile

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  24. DG
    October 30, 2009 | 6:54 pm

    Christmas gift opening and thank yous and hugs :)

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  25. Liz @ Loving Mom
    October 30, 2009 | 7:14 pm

    hmmmm…I think I like yours better!! So cute….so fun!!
    Liz @ Loving Mom´s last blog ..You Know You Wanna Know My ComLuv Profile

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  26. Timbo
    October 30, 2009 | 7:29 pm

    Easily gotta be Christmas Dinner. We’re an Italian family, and some of the finest moments in our existence have been around the dinner table, just being in the company of one another.

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  27. Sara@ domestically challenged
    October 30, 2009 | 7:49 pm

    I so want to get Asher singing and dancing to “Jingle Bells” He does this odd leg in the air move that always makes me laugh! I NEED to get it on camera to show his potential girlfriends in later years!

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  28. Meredith
    October 30, 2009 | 7:49 pm

    I want to catch my 2 year old daughters reaction when she walks in and sees the tree first thing on Christmas morning…Priceless.
    Meredith´s last blog ..{A Room for a Princess} My ComLuv Profile

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  29. Kari Bell
    October 30, 2009 | 7:51 pm

    cheezy, but the trick or treat excitement of my 2 and 3 year olds

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  30. Tracy P.
    October 30, 2009 | 8:10 pm

    Oh, the delicious realness of it all!!

    Just today I was SO wishing for a good video of my 8 and 10 year old carving their OWN pumpkins. They are growing up so fast, and I seriously need to start taking more video of them at this silly fun, capable age. GOOD, DIGITAL video!
    Tracy P.´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Feline Fascination My ComLuv Profile

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  31. Anne
    October 30, 2009 | 8:13 pm

    I would love to capture the fun my mom, aunts, cousins, and I all have in the kitchen cooking up our big meals!
    Anne´s last blog ..Steals and Deals – October 29 My ComLuv Profile

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  32. amber d.
    October 30, 2009 | 8:30 pm

    Okay- first of all, I REALLY want to win this camera!

    Now that we have that cleared up… I would like to capture our Christmas moments on video. We have Santa come by a few weeks before Christmas in the evening and it would be so fun to have that on video!

    Thanks and enjoy the weekend!

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  33. Erin
    October 30, 2009 | 9:45 pm

    Sampling is far more important! Those look great! I wouldn’t have the nerve to even try to make them!

    I would love to capture my boys faces on Christmas morning when they wake up!
    Erin´s last blog ..I’ve got my Eye on you…. My ComLuv Profile

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  34. MarfMom
    October 30, 2009 | 10:34 pm

    i want to capture my son’s first christmas on video! my family and my inlaws live far away and i know that they’d like to feel a part of it (he’s the first grandbaby on both sides).
    MarfMom´s last blog ..Neighborly Love? My ComLuv Profile

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  35. Mindy
    October 30, 2009 | 10:47 pm

    I would definitely video Christmas.. it’s thw biggest holiday for us. All of us get together have dinner, open gifts and talk about all the Christmas’ past. It’s always a great time!
    Mindy´s last blog ..Lost treasures found My ComLuv Profile

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  36. Tiffany
    October 31, 2009 | 4:05 am

    Aww! I do the same. What’s so frustrating is looking back at the marvelous, magical holidays I was able to create BEFORE kids. So I know I can do it. But ironically, when you get the kids….who make the holidays totally worthwhile…you don’t have time or energy to create the magical moments anymore! Hahaha! But I don’t think they mind, thankfully!
    Tiffany´s last blog ..It’s Hard To Save The World From My Living Room My ComLuv Profile

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  37. Jenn
    October 31, 2009 | 11:47 am

    My son is in choir and they have a pageant every year, that is what I would love to capture on video!

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  38. Cheri Peoples
    October 31, 2009 | 1:05 pm

    Our video camera broke and with hubs in school right now it is out of the question on the wish list. I haven’t been able to tape Christmas joy for the past few Christmas’. I don’t even have my 2 and 4 year old on video–please don’t think I’m a bad mama–we just couldn’t do it. This would be a huge blessing.

    Cheri
    Cheri Peoples´s last blog ..AN AMAZING home tour–you’ve just gotta see- Its So Very Cottagey home tour My ComLuv Profile

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  39. Mariko
    October 31, 2009 | 3:41 pm

    HA! I totally relate to the real spider cupcakes. And I mean, “really awful looking” by “real.”
    Everything I make that is supposed to be cute turns out ridiculous, and by the time we get to that point, I barely even care. :)
    Mariko´s last blog ..Like a Caramel Apple only Healthier My ComLuv Profile

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  40. Melissa B.
    October 31, 2009 | 7:04 pm

    The best part of a crafty excursion like this, I think, is the effort. They’ll always remember that you tried…
    Melissa B.´s last blog ..One Quarter to Go ‘Til Halftime… My ComLuv Profile

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  41. Unknown Mami
    October 31, 2009 | 8:25 pm

    Now that I have a daughter, I want to capture every single holiday on video. I never knew that pure unadulterated joy could come just from watching a child, my child, have fun.
    Unknown Mami´s last blog ..Fragmented Fridays My ComLuv Profile

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  42. Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry"
    November 2, 2009 | 4:03 am

    Those spider cupcakes are so cute and the video was fun to watch too! Great idea to show the kids making their spiders!
    Karen, author of “My Funny Dad, Harry”´s last blog ..I’m Having A Pill Pity Party Here! My ComLuv Profile

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