Green Slime Dip

Yield: 2 Cups

10 oz Frozen Spinach, Thawed
4 oz Cream Cheese
1/2 c Sour Cream
1/3 c Mild Salsa
2 ea Green Onions, Chopped
1 ea Garlic Clove, minced
1/2 ts Salt
1/2 ts Pepper

Drain spinach; squeeze dry.  In food processor, pure spinach, cheese, sour cream, salsa, onions, garlic, salt and pepper.
Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until thickened slightly.
Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.  Serve with crackers or bread

Well......now that I have your attention..........LOL!  This is my favorite time of year.  Still nice days, chilly nights.  Sweater weather.  Pumpkins, decorations, and let's not forget the candy.......mmmmmm!!  Halloween, when it's OK to let the kid in you out to play.

Party Plans

Like the song says...........let's give 'em something to talk about!  It's never too early to plan a good party.  Make it easy on yourself and sit back and enjoy their pleasure.  Don't forget to have lots of film around.  Start a to do list now with each new idea.  Then weed out the lame, been done, seen it, boring items, and center your theme on a couple of powerful displays.

Decide on your party theme type.  Will it be costume or just a spooky social event?  Halloween can be very elegant with just a little extra planning.  Make everything almost like a "black tie" event.  Use black paper plates, napkins, tablecloths.  You can use black paper cups also, but to go high style, serve a punch in your stemmed wine glasses dressed up.  Use black cat stickers, (just one per goblet) or add a bow-tie using black ribbon around the stem.  And of course......................tell you guests to wear "black".
 
We all know about the wonderful effect that dry ice produces.  However, if you don't want it in your punch, use a few votive holders through out your table with a bit of dry-ice in each.  This gives an overall nice effect.  Just keep filling the ice cups as you replenish the table snacks. 
 
Make an ice hand to serve in your punch.  Use lemonade in a rubber glove and freeze it(make up a couple to keep the punch looking fresh).  The lemonade gives a spirited greenish tint to the hand.  You can even add a drop or two of food color.

Webbing.........use tons of it.  Fill a corner with webbing stretched from ceiling to floor and take time to make it look real.  If there is a plug-in behind the web put in a couple of nite lights for effect.  Using colored bulbs will really add a touch of spirited effect.  If you don't have a plug in an old trick is to duct tape 2-3 cheap flashlights together and place in the corner to shine against the wall, bouncing the reflection.  And of course use candles, candles, candles.  The are perfect for Halloween and they ooze elegance.

Mood music is a must.  Now is a good time to check out the internet and download all those good ole songs.  Burn yourself a CD that makes them feel it's spook night.  Play it low in the background keeping the lurking theme. 

Set up a camera tripod at a special corner with great halloween decor.  As your guest arrive, take a snapshot of them toasting the evening.  They will love the idea and can hardly wait for the pictures.  Put them on the web, and tell everyone!  They will be talking all year about your party and can hardly wait till next year to do it again.  People will beg to come.  What a compliment that is!

Food can be great fun at any party.  But on Halloween it can be spectacular.  Be creative.  Use a brain mould for your cheese ball.  Use hand moulds for your dips.  Put all your munchies in black cauldrons. 

Here are a couple of great sources for decorations, black cauldrons, moulds, candles, etc.  Both have lots of good items at extremely reasonable prices.

Black Halloween Punch

Makes 1 gallon(32 servings) 
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Ready in: 1 Hour

Ingredients
1 (.13 ounce) envelope unsweetened grape soft drink mix
1 (.13 ounce) envelope unsweetened orange soft drink mix
2 cups white sugar
3 quarts cold water
1 liter ginger ale
Add Rum or Vodka to taste(optional)

Directions
To make a frozen hand, wash a disposable glove, fill with OJ, Lemonade, or Fruit Punch.  Seal with a rubber band and freeze until hard.
Stir together grape soft drink mix, orange soft drink mix, sugar and water until solids are dissolved.
Combine with chilled ginger ale just before serving.
Dip the frozen hand briefly in warm water, then peel off the glove.
Float the prepared hand in the punch bowl for a ghastly effect.