Halloween

Jamie's, mine, Maria's, Bryce's

I have always loved Halloween. I used to start planning my costumes in the summer and give my mom detailed designs of the various outfits she had to sew for me in time for the parties and trick-or-treating. Lots of trips to the fabric store and arguing over hem length. Aside from dressing up (and meeting my loving husband), one of my favorite things about Halloween is pumpkin carving. We had our friends Bryce and Maria over to carve pumpkins last night. It was so fun! And they all turned out to be so different. I highly recommend you all have a little pumpkin carving get together this weekend!

Also, Halloween is now even more amazingly special because on Halloween three years ago (October 31, 2009) I met Jamie. Now I don't only get to dress up and carve pumpkins, but I get to do it all with my Jameball. I love you!!

Halloween Dinner: Carrots and Black Bean Dip, Black and Orange Pasta

Happy Halloween!! 

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love pumpkin carving, I love candy, I love dressing up...it's got everything. Jamie and I had some friends over this weekend for pumpkin carving and I wanted to make a Halloweeny dinner. The black and orange pasta recipe came from Epicurious, and then I made a roasted garlic black bean dip with carrots as an hors d'oeuvres. It was yummy - the bean dip was silky and had a great depth of flavor from all of the roasted garlic, and the pasta had a great mix of flavors with the spiciness of the red pepper flakes and the sweetness of the roasted peppers and butternut squash. And, of course, it looks very cool and Halloweentastic. If you have no plans tonight (and need some fuel before braving the crowds for the village Halloween parade), whip this up and celebrate All Hallows Eve in style.

Roasted Garlic Black Bean Dip
Ingredients:
1 whole head of garlic
1 can black beans, drained
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp water (maybe more)