Halloween

Chocolate Daddy Long-legs Decorations

October 21, 2018 Regina Cozzi Lifestyle

halloween chocolate spider country parent 4 copy 2

Interested in making your Halloween drinks a little bit creepier?

Dress up your hot chocolate or other drinks with these fun decorations sure to impress your little ones. Try this super easy method to make chocolate daddy long-legs and spiderweb decorations.

Materials

♦ dark chocolate chips

♦ squeeze bottle

♦ wax paper

♦ mug

♦ hot chocolate

Instructions

♦ Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or double boiler

♦ Mold a piece of wax paper to the rim of the mug

♦ Add the melted chocolate in the squeeze bottle

♦ Create the daddy long-legs spider by making a circle of chocolate in the center of the wax paper, then filling it in with more chocolate to create the body.

♦ Add 4 legs to each side of the body. Make sure that the spider legs fold over the edge of the mug, so that they are hugging the rim. This will allow for the spider to stay in place on top of the mug.

♦ Finally, add the candy googly eyes on the spider.

♦ Refrigerate for 5 minutes, or until the chocolate hardens

♦ Carefully detach the spider from the wax paper

♦ Place hot chocolate in mug and add the chocolate spider on top.

Feeling creative?

Using the same technique, create other designs, like this white chocolate spiderweb.

or bats and even simple words…

Enjoy!

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2 comments fall, Food, Halloween, hot chocolate

Pumpkin Carving Contest Photos 2018

October 15, 2018 Regina Cozzi Lifestyle

pumpkin contest antigonish country parent

Did you submit your carved Halloween pumpkin photo yet?

Enter the contest for a chance to win great prizes by The Wheel, DQ, Subway, Pita Pit and Goji’s!

Take a look at these wonderful creations for some inspiration.

Green glowing pumpkin by Sherry & Cohen MacLean

Patches, all ready for his dentist appointment! by Katie MacDonald

Werewolf pumpkin by Katie MacDonald

Toronto Maple Leaf pumpkin by the Bell family

Angry pumpkin by Danny Hunter

Ghost pumpkin by Mackenzie Gormley

Ghost pumpkin and Jack-o-lantern by Mackenzie Gormley

Jack-o-lantern and Carrot pumpkin by the Bouchie family

Cat pumpkin by Emily Spears.

Creepy glowing pumpkin by Azel Noceja.

Happy pumpkin by Bria MacHattie.

Scary pumpkin by Jared MacHattie.

Scary shark pumpkin by Patrick MacGillivray

Cat pumpkin and vampire pumpkin by Lilah and Nellie Hallett (and Vincent Hallet)

Buck pumpkin by Mitchell.

Howling wolf pumpkin by Bria.

Skull on fire pumpkin by Lauren.

Ghost saying ‘BOO’ pumpkin by Angel.

“Ahhhhh! Don’t eat me!” hungry pumpkins by Greylen and Myca Ash

Happy pumpkins by Tigh and Nola DeYoung

Yoda “Hmm, Happy Halloween you must have” by Amy Harris

Happy vampire pumpkins by Bridget, Darren and Danielle Murphy

Happy pumpkin by Simon MacDonald

‘Optimus Prime is ready to roll out the treats’ by the Tate family

‘Mr.Sucker Head is feeling sweet for Halloween’ by the Tate family

Bob the minion pumpkin by Gavin Dort

Anchor pumpkin by Jenna Dort

Foster cat pumpkin by Ashlyn MacDonald

Abstract art pumpkin by Grace MacDonald (“who at 20 months old wanted to join in on the fun!”)

Charizard pumpkin by Easton Poirier

Demers family creations by (top to bottom): Zach, Karlie, Marcus and Clara.

Family of cat pumpkins by Hazel, Evelyn and Constance

Griffiths’ family pumpkins

Pumpkin in the Emerg. by St. Martha’s ER 🙂

Kitty and Owl pumpkins by Jase Melanson

‘E.T. phone home’ by Aimee

Would you like to enter the contest too? CLICK HERE for the details.

Leave a comment Activities, Antigonish, carved pumpkins, Halloween, kids, Pumpkin carving contest

Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest

September 24, 2018 Regina Cozzi Lifestyle

Ready to carve some pumpkins? Country Parent is hosting a Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest. Send me a picture of your creepy creation for a chance to win wonderful prizes.

The pumpkins will not be judged. I believe that all pumpkins are beautiful in their own unique way, so instead, I will draw the names of 3 lucky winners.

To Enter the Draw

1. CARVE a pumpkin between now and October 30, 2018

2. SUBMIT your pumpkin photo* by email to by October 30, 5:00 pm. Email must include “Pumpkin Carving Contest” in the subject line. Please include your location (e.g. town or county) and a short title for your pumpkin in the email as well.

3. LIKE & FOLLOW the Country Parent FACEBOOK PAGE

*NOTE: Photos will be featured on the Country Parent Blog. Participants names will not be included in photo descriptions if requested. Contest is open to NS Quad Counties residents only.

And to increase your chances for winning…

Here’s how you can get up to 6 additional entries for the draw:

1. Comment on this post, below.
2. Share this post (through Facebook and/or Tweet)
3. Follow @countryparent on INSTAGRAM
4. Follow @countryparent on TWITTER
5. Follow @countryparent on PINTEREST
6. Sign up with Country Parent – this also helps me contact you directly if you win, especially if you do not use social media
[jetpack_subscription_form title=”Sign up for an additional entry” subscribe_text=”Enter your email address below (your email address will not be published)” subscribe_button=”Click me!”]

The draw will take place October 30, 2018 at 7:00pm EST.

The lucky winners will be announced on the Country Parent Facebook page and/or contacted by email (with 24 hours to respond).

Browse through all the photos HERE. Draw prizes are generously donated by:

$25 gift card from Dairy Queen

$25 gift card from The Wheel Pizza

$25 voucher from Subway

$25 voucher from Pita Pit

$25 voucher from Goji’s

Browse through all the contestant photos HERE.

Good Luck!

8 comments Antigonish, contest, Halloween

Glow-in-the-Dark Stick Figure Halloween Costume

October 29, 2017 Regina Cozzi Lifestyle

I’m not sure who came up with the Halloween stick man idea originally (too many references online), but if you are looking for a quick and cheap DIY costume, this is a cool last minute option.

Making a glow-in-the-dark stick figure costume is very simple.

Here’s what you’ll need:

♦ 8 long glow sticks (or 16-18 short glow sticks, depending on the body height)
Side note: you can use glow-in-the-dark tape instead or glow sticks

♦ Clear packing tape

♦ Dark clothing

Instructions:

♦ Tape glow sticks along limbs on the dark clothing.

♦ Use the connectors that come in the glow stick package to make a circle for the head.

♦ To secure the circle, tape it on the T-shirt’s collar.

This fun stickman costume takes only 5 minutes to make and costs about $4.00!

Click below to view the stick man in motion

Isn’t this neat?

Create your own stick figures this Halloween or even an entire stick figure family 🙂

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Brownie Critters

6 comments Halloween, Halloween costume, stick figure, stickman

Halloween Brownie Critters

October 23, 2017 Regina Cozzi Lifestyle, Recipes

If you are looking for last minute ideas for fun treats that your kids can make, check out these Halloween brownie critters. They are adorable and easy to prepare.

Here’s how you can make them too.

You will need:

◊ Small round brownies (I used the PC Blue Menu Two-bite mini brownies)

◊ Flat cookies (I chose the Dare dipped cookies. The detailed lines resemble bat wing fingers).

◊ Pretzels

◊ Candy eyeballs

◊ Icing

For the six-legged spiders

Gently break off the rounded parts of 3 pretzels

Insert 3 pretzel pieces on each side of the brownie.

Add icing on the back of the candy eyeballs and glue them on to the brownie

For the brownie bats

Carefully break one cookie in half

Insert each half on both sides of the brownie

Add icing on the back of the candy eyeballs and glue them on to the brownie

Draw fangs on the bat’s face, using the icing

Use peanut-free brownies and cookies to include these cute treats in school lunches.

Happy Halloween!

You might also like:

Homemade Halloween Chocolate Candy

Leave a comment Desserts, Food, Halloween, Recipe

Homemade Halloween Chocolate Candy

October 19, 2017 Regina Cozzi Lifestyle, Recipes

Celebrate Halloween this year by making your own spooky chocolate candy.

A simple way to do this is to use Halloween themed silicone ice trays as chocolate moulds.

The recipe for these melt-in-your-mouth treats requires only two ingredients: chocolate and sweetened condensed milk! All other add-ins are optional.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Materials

◊ Halloween themed ice trays (I found these ice trays at the Superstore for $2.00!)

◊ Parchment paper (or wax paper)

Ingredients

◊ 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate chips)

◊ 1/2 cup butterscotch chips

◊ 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

◊ 1 can sweetened condensed milk

◊ White icing (for decoration, optional)

◊ 1/4 cup red glace cherries, a.k.a candied cherries (optional)

Instructions

To make plain chocolates, prepare the semi-sweet chocolate chip mixture. For the marble chocolates, prepare two separate mixtures of your choice.

For the semi-sweet chocolate mixture

♦ In a medium glass bowl or glass measuring cup, combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips with 1/2 cup condensed milk.

♦ Microwave for 30-45 seconds, until bubbly.

♦ Mix with a spoon. Place bowl or measuring in a bowl containing hot water, in order to prevent the mixture from hardening.

For the butterscotch mixture

In a small glass bowl, combine the butterscotch chips with 1/4 cup condensed milk.

Microwave for 20-30 seconds, until bubbly.

Mix with a spoon. Place container in a bowl half-full of hot water, in order to prevent the mixture from hardening.

For the white chocolate mixture

In a small glass bowl, combine the white chocolate chips with 1/4 cup condensed milk.

Microwave for 20-30 seconds, until bubbly.

Mix with a spoon. Place container in a bowl half-full of hot water, in order to prevent the mixture from hardening.

Making the marble chocolate pumpkin candy (with cherries)

♦ Spray a thin layer of cooking spray inside each mold to prevent the chocolate from sticking to the silicone.

♦ Add a small amount of white chocolate mixture in the bottom of the mould.

♦ Add a bit of semi-sweet chocolate mixture on top

♦ Insert the cherries

♦ Add a dollop of the chocolate mixture on top to cover the cherries.

♦ Place a piece of parchment paper (or wax paper) over top and press down firmly to allow for the mixture to penetrate the creases of the mould shape at the very bottom.

♦ Slide the back of a butter knife over the parchment paper to remove any remaining bubbles at the top of the mould.

♦ Slowly remove the parchment paper.

♦ Carefully remove overflowing mixture from the sides.

♦ Place in refrigerator.

♦ Let set for 3 hours or overnight.

♦ Gently pop the chocolates out of the mould.

Making the spiders & spider web chocolate candy

Using the same technique as shown above, fill the web candies.

Add a bit of butterscotch in the spider moulds to highlight the insect.

For an added touch, decorate the chocolates with icing, by tracing some of the details of the candy, as shown here with the spider webs.

Hope you have fun making similar Halloween treats 🙂

2 comments dessert, Food, Halloween, Halloween candy, Halloween treats, kids activities, Recipes

Venus Flytrap Halloween Terrarium

October 3, 2017 Regina Cozzi Lifestyle

We were lucky enough this year to purchase a few Venus flytrap plants from our local grocery store.

The plants are small, only about 3 inches high. Nonetheless, they have a mesmerizing prehistoric look to them and are fascinating to watch while they trap their prey.

The kids enjoy feeding them all sorts of insects and to be honest I think these are the coolest plants ever!

Seeing that we love our new house pets, instead of just keeping them by the window sill, we decided to provide them with a special oasis worthy of their wickedness. We built them their own spooky terrarium.

Here’s how you can incorporate these fascinating carnivorous plants in your own Halloween decor too.

Materials

♦ Large glass bowl or vase (any shape)

♦ Plastic eyeballs
We found a headband with eyeballs that fit perfectly in our bowl.

♦ Plastic creepy crawlies and other Halloween decorations

♦ Potting soil
Make sure you choose a multi-use potting mix for tropical plants, a blend of peat moss, sand and perlite. Since Venus flytrap plants are carnivores, they get most of their nutrients from the insects they digest, so they do not need the extra nutrients found in regular potting soil. In fact to much nutrients will kill them!

♦ Moss
If you can’t find any in your back yard, you can purchase a small bag of green moss from the Dollar store.

Instructions

♦ Start by placing the eyeballs at the bottom of the bowl.

♦ Then add potting soil on top.

♦ Plant the Venus flytrap plants in the soil.

♦ At this point, surround the plants with the moss for a bog-like environment, to mimic their natural habitat.

♦ Add small Halloween decorations on top, like large insects, plastic pumpkins, skulls, skeletons, bats, etc.

Place the terrarium in an area with plenty of sunlight.

Water the plants with rain water or filtered water, as regular tap water contains more minerals then the plant can handle.

Click here to view a short DIY video of this craft!

You might also like:

Going Teal For Halloween?

2 comments Crafts, DIY, Halloween, terrarium, Venus flytrap

Going Teal For Halloween?

October 27, 2016 Regina Cozzi Lifestyle

You will likely notice more teal pumpkins at the front doorstep of houses this year.

The Teal Pumpkin Project^® has become a worldwide movement! The program was launched as a campaign in 2014 and has been steadily growing since.

The goal is to create a safer and all-inclusive Halloween for children who have food allergies.

Whenever you see a teal pumpkin in front of a house, this means that the owner is offering an alternative option to edible treats (e.g. small Halloween toys, stickers, pencils, glow sticks, etc.).

To take part in this movement, simply place a teal pumpkin outside your doorstep.

You can purchase a teal pumpkin or just paint one yourself.

Roll up your sleeves… let’s get creative!

We made a melted crayon pumpkin design. You can make one too.

Materials

♦ Teal color paint & paint brush, or teal color spray paint

♦ Wax crayon pieces

♦ Glue

♦ Hair dryer

Instructions:

♦ Paint the pumpkin and let dry for 10 min. You can accelerate this process by drying the pumpkin with the hair dryer, on low heat.

♦ Glue the wax crayons on top of the pumpkin, around the stem.

♦ Let dry for 10 minutes.

♦ Position the hair dryer about 1 inch above the pumpkin and melt the crayons using high heat. The wax will start to drip down the side of the pumpkin.

If you don’t have time to make a teal pumpkin, you can place a promotional sign on your door. Free printouts are available through the Teal Pumpkin Project® website. Here’s an example:

And, if you do chose to participate you can even place your home address or home town on their website’s interactive map.

You might also like:

Venus Flytrap Halloween Terrarium

Leave a comment Crafts, Halloween, Teal pumpkin project

Materials

Instructions

Enjoy!

Would you like to enter the contest too? CLICK HERE for the details.

To Enter the Draw

And to increase your chances for winning…

Browse through all the photos HERE. Draw prizes are generously donated by:

Good Luck!

Here’s what you’ll need:

Instructions:

Click below to view the stick man in motion

Happy Halloween!

You might also like

You will need:

For the six-legged spiders

For the brownie bats

Happy Halloween!

You might also like:

Materials

Ingredients

Instructions

Making the marble chocolate pumpkin candy (with cherries)

Making the spiders & spider web chocolate candy

Hope you have fun making similar Halloween treats 🙂

Materials

Instructions

Click here to view a short DIY video of this craft!

You might also like:

Materials

Instructions:

You might also like:

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