Halloween Pandemic Style

 I love all holidays. The hubby not so much. I would decorate so much more if we had the space and the hubby was into holidays more. So for us Halloween has always been low key. We aren't ones to go to parties (not big with our group of friends) or out bar hopping. So for us Halloween wasn't that different but I did do a few new things we don't normally do.

1. We bought pumpkins for the first time in years.

And then due to the lack of entries in the virtual pumpkin contest at work, I quickly painted it last. I was going to go with a book theme and use stencils from Brenda Novak's Book Group but I was not really keen on any of the designs. I didn't think they would look good painted. After a quick google search, I found the Timber Rattlers stencils but I couldn't find any Brewer ones. I am impressed how it turned out.

2. We always go for a Christmas light ride and like the dancing Christmas lights. I saw that there was a house on Gruenwald Ave in Neenah that was having dancing Halloween lights. I mentioned this to the hubby on the way to DQ one night that I would check them out later in the week. He decided that we should check them out. For all the good things I heard about the light display, I found it kind of lame. It might have been that we parked on the "wrong" side of the road (in front of the house versus across from it) and could only see a portion of it. It could be that I like Christmas music better than Halloween music. I am glad we checked it out. I was hoping to get to another in Darboy this week but that never happened. Definitely check it out next year if they do it again. Great (safe) family activity that is not too spooky for little ones.

3. Instead of a regular Brenda Novak book club meeting, we had a Halloween party on Facebook live. I discovered Brenda Novak book group back in April and enjoy our monthly Facebook meetings. There was a customer contest, giveaways, and Brenda read us a scary story. It was a very entertaining evening.

4. When we are in the office at work, we always have a costume contest and in office trick or treating. This year it was virtual. I dressed up and submitted my photo but no candy this year. I think I miss the interoffice trick or treating the most (and the Halloween cookies). It is fun to see how creative my coworkers can be.

5. Last night, I went on a (virtual) haunted boat ride down the Chicago river. This was put on by Mysterious Chicago via Facebook. I discovered Mysterious Chicago early on in the pandemic and occasionally will check out their history events. This one I really did not miss so much so I was an hour early. As we virtually cruised down the Chicago River like we were on the architectural boat tour, we learned about ghosts that would haunt certain areas of the city and other creepy tidbits form the city's past. I learned some interesting things especially about some of the less known characters of Chicago history. Just don't ask me to remember who they are. I recommend checking out Mysterious Chicago if you every want to learn about some of the weird past of Chicago.

6. One Halloween tradition that will survive any pandemic is pumpkin cookies. Even growing up, the hubby and I both had pumpkin cut out cookies. The first year we were dating, I made him some and nearly killed him. Not knowing he was allergic to almonds, I followed mom's recipe which called for almond extract. He only got a rash but it might have been nice to know beforehand. Now I use grandma's recipe which requires copious amounts of flour to roll the out. I had the lovely job at baking the cookies will the hubby was at football. When he got home, I frosted and he added the faces. 

So it's a typical low key Halloween for us. Maybe one year I will do a party... and maybe cows will fly. In the meantime, I will watch some football, listen to the Opry, and read a book. 

Quarantine Adventures: Basic Watercolor

 Kaukauna Library has some great adult take and go art kits that have sustained me through this pandemic. They usually do one a month. October's was watercolor. I'm not an artist. I can't really paint to save my life but I figured it couldn't be too hard.

The kit included several pieces of paper, a sample of what we were creating, and a set of water colors.

Kaukauna library goes live on Facebook to walk you through the steps of the project. It was a actually pretty easy even for someone with minimal artistic ability.

Basically you swipe blue and purple at the top and bottom of the paper and kind of blend it. Then you add the sunset colors of orange, red, and yellow to the middle. Blend those colors together with water to create a sunset over water look.

The take black and paint some mountains across the middle. Kind of make a landscape.

Finally with a dry brush pull down the black to create shadows in the water.

Like I said I could handle this. It very basic. The hubby even said the painting was frame worthy which is a lot coming from him. He's seen my other paintings.

Hopefully I will be able to do some other of Kaukauna take and make projects. There is limited quantities so I always have to make sure I have to sign up right away. Maybe this pandemic will bring out the artist in me. You never know.

4785. Eat at The Cozzy Corner in Appleton

 As part of my 20 in 2020, I wanted to try a couple of restaurants in Appleton that we've never been to. Then the pandemic hit and we were pretty much stuck with take out. There's not many options on our side of town. I casually mentioned to the hubby about The Cozzy Corner having the best chicken in the valley and WI. They even made a Food Network List. I kept dropping hints that we should check it out. Finally the hubby listened and we ordered take out from The Cozzy Corner. 

The Cozzy Corner features menu of southern cooking. We are talking ribs, chicken, catfish, okra, collard greens, and banana pudding. They are famous for their chicken and waffles. 

Despite all the deliciousness on the menu, we opted to share fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese. It was a little pricy ($22) but then again we are used to pay $12 for chicken and wedges at Piggly Wiggly.

The chicken was very good. It had a hint of smokiness to it that I wasn't used to. It was not surprising though since it is southern cooking. The hubby said it might not be the best in Wisconsin (that may still be Suster's in Denmark) but it still really good. 

The mac and cheese definitely had a bit of a spice to it that made it unusual for this Wisconsin girl but really good. The mashed potatoes are made with real potatoes and the gravy is like perfect. I wish I could make gravy like that.

The corn bread muffins are hands down the best I've ever had. They are not gritty or corny but has hint of sweetness.. melt in your mouth goodness. 

We will definitely be back. The hubby how have we not been here before. We want to try the plates. I may do the chicken and waffles. So many choices.. not enough time. 

4955. Go to Confections For Any Occasion in Theresa

 Since the hubby had no games and it was a nice day for a drive, we headed down to Holy Hill to see the fall foliage. The road to Holy Hill was very busy. We did not go up to Holy Hill but the drive through the area was in full fall colors. This is a drive everyone should take a least once in their lives even if you do not go up to Holy Hill.

Besides you can also see the Holy Hill Skeletons.  Jimmy Zamzow, the creator of the display, has been creating the display of skeletons for the last 21 years. People come from all over to see the skeletons. This year's theme is 'Til Death Do Us Part. The only problem with the display, it is on Hwy 167 which is quite busy with all the traffic headed to Holy Hill, the Ice Age Trail, and Sunday Drivers.

After driving through the area, the hubby started playing down what's this road to head back to Appleton. He didn't really want to take the highway. He decided to take Hwy 175 out of Slinger. I saw a sign that said we were 10 miles from Theresa. I asked if we could stop at the candy store in Theresa. He agreed since he is a sucker for good candy.

I first heard of Confections For Any Occasions by Joel in Our Wisconsin Magazine a few years back. Joel, a blind confectioner, started selling his creations to neighbors. By 2002, he outgrew is production area and opened his own store in downtown in Theresa. 

Joel makes many kinds of treats. They are slightly pricy and the pieces are small. Since I couldn't make up my mind, I opted for a mystery box of 6 pieces and the hubby got a couple coconut clusters. We also got a few hand made caramels which is the hubby's favorite.

Everything was very good. I am not a fan of turtles or toffee but both were in my mystery box and were probably the best I had. The hubby really enjoyed the caramels.

 

I would definitely stop and try other creations. He makes beer barrel truffles which sound really good. I won't go out of the way to get it but if driving through town,  I would definitely stop and get some candy and you should to.

Quarantine Adventures: Virtual Pio Homecoming BINGO

 2020 messed up a lot of things including Proms, family vacations, sporting events, and Homecomings. Carroll College, sorry University, has been offered virtual alumni events since almost the beginning of the Pandemic. They have offered a few cooking demonstrations, cheese tasting, wine tasting, and musical events. Since the traditional Homecoming was not going to happen, especially since sports were cancelled, Carroll University put together a plethora of virtual events throughout the month of October. One of these events was BINGO. Since I have been playing virtual BINGO every month with Brenda Novak, I was game for Virtual Pio Bingo.

I signed up and they sent me a BINGO card and the link to a zoom meeting to play bingo. We were playing 5 different games each with a different design -- regular BINGO, P for Pioneer, C for Carroll, U for University and Blackout. Each game would have multiple winners

It was nice sending us the diagrams for each Bingo board since we tried to do a "N" for Novak when we started play Brenda Novak Bingo and no one could figure out how to do an "N".

All that Brenda Novak BINGO paid off. I won regular bingo and won Pio socks. My orange Carroll wardrobe is slowing growing. I have a t-shirt and socks now.  

Then I won U Bingo and acquired a Pioneer Alumni Garden Flag. 

That is all I won. I was just happy to win one game. Mom said I am lucky this year and should have entered my name in the church drawing. I'm not that lucky. 

It was fun. Zach was a great Bingo Caller. Halfway through he was annoyed with the bingo ball machine, he gave up and just put them in a garbage can. I am glad Carroll was able to create these fun alumni events to keep the alumni involved and connected during these interesting times. It is especially accommodating that we were able to transform Homecoming into something that fit the times. Hopefully they continue this virtual Bingo for years to come even when things get back to normal especially since these events are great for us introverts.