GUEST BLOGGER: Rachel Denbow from Bling On My Sewing Machine

Fancy meeting you here. I was more than thrilled to fill some space in Victoria's absence these next two weeks. (Is it possible to get stage fright on a blog?) I'm Rachel Denbow from Bling On My Sewing Machine. I spend my days tending to two online businesses, raising a toddler, and growing a baby. I have a habit of making things and blogging about them.

The cooler weather and changing leaves always trigger my creativity but Halloween has never been the holiday to prompt a seasonal, mini makeover in my home. Its always been a good excuse to let the fallen leaves color the lawn and let the spiders finish their web building. Add a few pumpkins and we're done. This year, however, I've been inspired to bring a little spooky inside.
I found some scary branches from my back yard, spray painted them black, and arranged them in a vase filled with gravel from our alley way. The candelabra came out of hiding and a sweet vintage owl joined in the fun. The orange books were added for visual interest but later I noticed the titles and decided it was fitting to have them displayed in this vignette. Even math and geometry strike fear into the heart of man.
Pumpkins can't be spooky when they taste so good. I had never eaten pumpkin spice cookies until my sister-in-law brought some over last week and now I'm craving them every time my sweet tooth kicks in. This recipe at EatDrinkBetter should help with that.

Image from ManyFires.

Amazing Pumpkin Spice Cookies

• 1/2 cup coconut oil (or butter)
• 3/4 cup unrefined sugar (or maple syrup or honey)
• 1 cup cooked pumpkin (cut in half, scoop out seeds, place cut side down on baking sheet and bake at 350 until soft. Peel and mash or blend the pumpkin.)
• 2 eggs (or egg replacer equivalent)
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Mix all ingredients together and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 325, drop spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

Try substituting sweet potatoes or butternut squash for the pie pumpkin for a different taste, or bake in a loaf pan.

If you still haven't decided on a costume or feel unmotivated by the selection you see at your local Halloween store, you may enjoy the inspiration on Etsy. I've gathered a few for your viewing pleasure.

Again with the pumpkins at I'mYourPresent. A new take on a favorite childhood costume. Your co-workers may still be talking about this one on Monday.
You won't stand out in the crowd with one of these faux-facial hair disguises from Lupin.
Maybe you're not so much about the dressing up as you are the loot at the end of the night. This look from Buttonhead might be for you.
What gets you in the mood for Halloween? Do you watch scary movies with your friends and then have them walk you home, enjoy your neighbor's hay bale, mum and squash pyramid from a distance, or skip the whole event and treat it like any other day?