The Candy Haul

Our little pumpkin went out for trick-or treating a few short weeks ago. Is it already November 25th?! Look at all the loot he collected. They counted his big brother's candy and there was about 350 pieces of candy! Almost one for every day next year; oh how the dentist must love Halloween. I think a large quantity has already been squirreled away for a children's charity or a big birthday party.

Below: some creatively carved pumpkins along the route. I do love freshly roasted pumpkin seeds with a little bit of salt. Not a fan of the pumpkin pie though, it always just sits at our table and people take a tiny piece of it then it gets left in the fridge for a while hoping to be eaten, Italians don't really do pumpkin unless it is in ravioli, and even then I think that is a recipe from the north.

It is Thanksgiving this weekend in the Excited States of America so am sure there will be a lot of pumpkin pie consumed. Enjoy the holidays to our friends south of the border. Renee, I want a pic of your bird! xo

Rainbow TwizzlersThe lovely Astaire (love the name) brought these back from Georgia - a few comments:

• Twizzlers should not come in other flavours than original as it is just wrong - the blue and yellow and purple ones taste terrible! Although I do like the packaging and they look good in those color combinations.
  
• I love Twizzlers especially from North America, they always taste better
• I love these little packs as they are a great snack size
• These were probably sold for the big build up to Halloween, which is something I miss, the Brits don't know how to get all excited for Halloween like the Canadians and Yanks do
• Now that Astaire is back we are going to have candy in the office every day - that is a bonus and a negative at the same time as we are all trying to trim down for the lovely sunny weather that is on its way! Our sun dresses may get one more chance to emerge from the closet into the fresh air (fingers crossed) and our umbrellas may get a rest...

Off to pray to the sun God for a lovely and non-rainy weekend in Scotland. But also off to find some wellies that are lurking in the closet, as sometimes our prayers aren't answered!

Pumpkin pound per pound
The difference: Canada vs UK

With three days left until Halloween these are my observations.

UK

• I have had no Halloween invites nor have I heard of a fabulous Halloween party that I should attend in full costume - I am going to a gig Wed night with work and doubt any of the musicians will be in costume

• I have not seen any pumpkins in any doorways or any type of Halloween decoration -unless you count the lone, orange pumpkin candle I have on our lounge table

• If you do want to buy a pumpkin, they are probably only sold for the expat American community, you will pay through the nose - at £1 a kg, thoughts of having pumpkins strewn along the stairs and on the porch may be quashed as it could end up costing you a pretty penny. The BBC reports that due to such a terrible summer pumpkins are in shorter supply as they are not ready yet so some people will have green-y orange pumpkins.

• Am positive that we will not get one trick or treater - we haven't even bought a bowl of candy!

I think Halloween is not so big in the UK because a) it is considered an 'American' thing and b) the Brits are always throwing 'fancy dress' (costume) parties - they happen a lot and it is great fun to get the chance to dress up in silly, flamboyant, outrageous or sexy outfits all year long -not just on Halloween.
CANADA

• I have heard of several parties and lots of talk of what people are going to wear and where they are going to get their costume from

• When I left T.O. in October there were already several houses with elaborate scary decorations, inflatable ghosts and goblins and bats hanging from trees

• Trick or treaters will be out everywhere and am sure friends and family will give out bags of candy and see a vast array of cute kids costumes

• Several friends have been to pumpkin patches to pick their own pumpkins and am sure the prices for pumpkins in Canada are not outrageously expensive - can anyone tell me how much they paid?

Am going to check the Time Out to see if there are any Halloween parties - fingers crossed some American contact lets me know of a great house party to slink away to after work on Wed! Must remember to bring some ad hoc costume ideas to work...