The Tradition At Our Haunted House: Trick or Treat Taco Soup

This taco soup recipe post is an updated version of last year’s post. It’s that good and worth a second run! Tradition lives on from Halloween to Halloween at our haunted house aka Places In The Home.

Trick or Treat Taco Soup is on the spooktacular supper menu  as per the request of family and friends who have come to expect it over the years.  It is the perfect and easy make ahead soup– one that warms the bones after a day of ghoulish fun and a night of busy trick or treating with the kids and/or handing out Halloween candy.

Trick or Treat Taco Soup

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef

1 onion chopped

1 package taco seasoning mix

1 package dry ranch salad dressing mix

1 8 ounce can tomato sauce

2 cans pinto beans

2 cans whole kernel corn, undrained

2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can Mexican flavored tomatoes

2 ½- 3 cups water

 

Directions

Brown the ground beef and onion; drain off grease and add dry seasonings. Add the tomato sauce, beans, corn, tomatoes, and water. Bring to a low boil to allow all flavors to blend. Reduce heat and simmer for at least 1 hour.  Serve with corn chips or hot cornbread.  Garnish with sour cream, shredded cheese or green onions.

enjoy

 

Show & Tell

My Idea Of Halloween: Decorating With Black And Orange

Decorating with black and orange reaches beyond traditional Halloween colors.

IDF Studio

IDF Studio

decorating-with-orange-and-black (1)

Scalamandré-zebras-orange-black

Scalamandré Zebras Wallpaper

From the dramatic divine to subtle yet striking hints, decorating with black and orange welcomes spectacular and spooktacular reviews.

Kimpton Fitzroy London

Kimpton Fitzroy London

bath-black-orange-wallpaper

Elle Decor

RD Architecture, LLC

RD Architecture, LLC

I’ve used this image in another post to illustrate the undeniable decorative impact of the color duo black and white.

black-orange-curtains1Skonahem

I could not resist using it again to stress how stunning a space can be with the choice and pairing of orange and black.

orange-black-Chinoiserie-fabric-upholstered-chair

Jardin du Luxembourg Wallpaper

Jardin du Luxembourg Wallpaper

orange-and-black-dining-room-colors (1)

Jenn Feldman Designs 

orange-and-black-deck-orange-outdoor-trellis-rug-black-lattice-railing

 Megan Winters

When the primary palette stands as the focal point of the space.

Adrian Wilson interior photography, NY

Adrian Wilson interior photography, NY

Select one as the primary color and let the other serve as the accent- the result a treat for the eye.

decorating-with-orange-and-black

House Beautiful

Refined Haystack

Refined Haystack

These gorgeous rooms, accents, and accessories do not rely on tricks- only decorative and stylish treats for the eye.

Darleen-signature-love

Show & Tell

Two Recipes, One Party: Strawberry Ghosts and Pimento Cheese

I’m getting ahead of myself with the Halloween celebration for a good reason. A very special 21st birthday celebration is taking place at Places In The Home this week, and this particular October baby favors a Halloween theme.  Strawberry Ghosts and Pimento Cheese top the appetizer and dessert menu.

Strawberry Ghosts

Ingredients

30 fresh strawberries

8 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped

1 teaspoon vegetable shortening

1/8 teaspoon almond extract

¼ cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

Wash strawberries. Lightly pat the strawberries with paper towels until completely dry. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate and shortening at 50% power; stir until smooth. Stir in almond extract.

Dip strawberries in chocolate mixture; place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet, allowing excess chocolate to form the ghosts’ tails. Immediately press chocolate chips into coating for eyes. Freeze for 5 minutes.

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt remaining chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Dip a toothpick into melted chocolate and draw a mouth on each face. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen (30 strawberries)

Taste of Home

Pimento cheese is the caviar of the South and great as a dip for a Halloween soiree.  This recipe is my dad’s, and it is as basic as it is delicious with just two ingredients- Velveeta and pimientos.  Grab a package of Ritz crackers or a bag of Fritos and it’s a monster mash y’all!

Ingredients

1  32 ounce package Velveeta cheese

4  4-oz jars pimentos, drained

dash of fine black pepper

Directions

Cut Velveeta into evenly sized chunks. Drain pimentos and add to cheese.

Monster Mash the Velveeta and pimentos together with potato masher until well mixed to desired consistency.

enjoy

 

 

Show & Tell

Bargains,Thrifting Finds And Imperfections

A good bargain, the perfect find, and a successful Goodwill run is the lagniappe of my day, and I like lagniappe.

Thrifting, flea market, or auction finds aren’t usually free, but if the find is really good or exactly what you’ve been looking for it’s both a gift and a bonus! When we walked into Goodwill I didn’t know I was looking for a triple switch plate cover, but evidently I was. A bargain archaeologist I am not. I do not like to dig through, over, or under anything looking for something- that’s Dave the Builder’s role.

The switch plate cover was sitting between two other items- a decorative box and some item I can’t recall. The first item Dave picked up was the box. He opened it up and loudly proclaimed, “there’s a hundred dollar bill in here!”  Now I’ve known this man and his brand of humor for 35 years however, the two gentlemen standing next to us have not. Bless their hearts, they almost broke their necks looking to see if in fact a Ben Franklin was up for grabs. By the way, Dave’s comedy routine at our local Goodwill got a huge laugh.

Back to the switch plate. I consulted with Dave to get his mechanical and electrical opinion. With a thumbs up things started to get interesting. I noticed a piece of the bottom banner was chipped off.  I reasoned if I could not live with it I would simply chip off the intact piece on the other side. The persuasive pot was sweetened when I realized  the store was having a special sticker something or other additional 40% off sale bringing the total price to $2.17.  Ring- it- up, baby!

The breakfast area toggle light switch situation was updated to the new and so very improved rocker style.

I darkened the plate with a thin coat of Americana acrylic paint in raw umber. What areas a foam brush can’t get to and the initial coat won’t cover a Q-tip dipped in paint will.

The color deepens the details and camouflages the imperfection. I’m debating leaving the switch plate in its present form. Would performing decorative surgery by removing the detail on the left side in order to smooth out the imperfect edges make such a huge difference to the finished look, or would it not move the needle enough to matter?

As odd as it sounds, the story is found in the imperfection. That’s the wonderful thing about certain items and objects we use in our decor. The story, the memories, and the tales of the hunt that go along with the bargains, thrifting finds and imperfections is often what is so appealing.

Love your style!

 

Show & Tell

I’m Not Quite Through Enjoying Fall Decor Just Yet

Fall decor confirms what I’ve known for sometime.

I like, no, I love this fall decor time of year.

Fall excites the senses through seasonal colors on parade, thread counts of warm and cozy fabrics, tastes of pumpkin, apple, cinnamon and spices, and pitch clear sounds floating through the air of a crisp fall evening.

Those of us who live for and love the fall season savor the season, knowing fall is best enjoyed when we keep calm and harvest on.

keep-calm-fall-harvest

Fall is the gateway to the season of warm colors, cool weather fairs and festivals, and home for the holidays celebrations.

diy-fall-scentsHouse Beautiful

I wait all year for this time of year to roll around and I want to enjoy the look of fall decor for as long as I can.

I’m adopting a stop and smell the cinnamon and apples attitude.

fall decorSouthern Weddings

Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas decor ideas and decorations are in stores and magazines, but I remind myself to keep calm and harvest on.

I’m not quite through enjoying the beauty of fall decor just yet.

branch-light-fixture-dining-room-rustic-with-adirondack-antlers-birch-bark

Houzz

This space definitely got the natural elements works memo.

Stone masonry, white cedar logs, and birch bark veneers carry out the Adirondacks feel year round.




The spot on twig chandelier and stag horn candle holders emphasize the season and put the finishing touches on the rustic package.

rustic-chandeliers

Wildwood Branch Chandelier

You are good to go with nature inspired home decor pieces from September to spring.

Pasillas+Flared+Arm+Loveseat

Pasillas Flared Arm Loveseat

Spanish-style-chandelier

Balsimo 30″ Wide 8-Light Spanish Traditional Chandelier 

Copper cookware and home decor accents lend an element of warmth and distinction to stove and space.

Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper Chef’s Pan with Acorn Handle

Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper Chef’s Pan with Acorn Handle

John Derian’s Fall Frolic fall collection of digital notecards and party invitations has a vintage vibe.

The artist based them on 19th-century pieces from his own decoupage archive.

These fall frolic invitations are anything but boaring.

boar-john-derian

This time of year gives our seasonal home decor choices a permission slip signed go ahead- get cozy, relax, and stay awhile.

Show & Tell

Think PINK For Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Prevention- Information- Numbers- Knowledge

Think PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Prevention. 

Information.

Numbers.

Knowledge. 

pink-ribbons

Cancer screening, early detection, and prevention is vital in the fight to cure this disease.

Pinterest

Pink is the official color associated with Breast Cancer Awareness.

amy berry design

Amy Berry Design 

It’s a fabulous color choice, it’s a fabulous cause to support, and won’t it be fabulous when the cure is found!

pink-fabric-swatches

For my mother, dear friends and old and new, the woman in the waiting room, the names and faces of cancer I will never know, the growing numbers of survivors and thrivers, and the walkers and runners uniting together in pink solidarity- this one’s for you.

brooke crew interiors

 Brooke Crew Interiors

Be proactive in the fight against breast cancer by scheduling a yearly mammogram.

It’s a “pressing” engagement to keep.

Show & Tell