Dear Moms,

Howdy! It's a gloomy, rainy Monday here in Rockford...oh, and it's the FIRST DAY OF HALLOWEEN! (aka October) Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit!!

Halloween
Heights Herald, D., Sydnee school reporter
The history of halloween. 10/17/2017
Retrieved https://whesjournalism.com/3581/uncategorized/the-history-of-halloween/

Anywho, I am getting ready to play our family's annual fall game of, "How Long Can We Freeze Before We Turn On The Heat" and gearing up for some spooktacular fun and decorating! I know some of you Mamas are celebrating your little one's first Halloween and I began to go through the laundry list of mommy worries about this holiday of scares and candy...

• Why marketers should stop worrying and start loving big data

Retrieved https://datafloq.com/read/marketers-stop-worrying-start-loving-big-data/331

1. Where should we trick or treat?
2. How do I check their candy?
3. Do people really put razor blades in apples?
4. How much candy is too much?
5. What kinds of costumes are appropriate?
6. What do I do about allergies?
7. SO, MUCH MORE... 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

So, I say all of that to say this: Halloween is fun and can be dangerous, but using a bit of common sense is all it takes to keep your littles safe and happy this Halloween.

• Trick or treat in neighborhoods where you know people, or that you're familiar with. In the event of a situation where you may get separated from your child/children set up a meeting place and even institute a code word to ensure they don't leave the meeting place with a stranger. Never let your children go trick or treating unattended. Granted, older children in groups may be okay, just be sure to set a time limit for their being out and a perimeter for their treat seeking. Also, make sure you can get in touch with them and vice versa. When dressing your trick or treater, make sure that all costumes with masks give your child an unobstructed view and that all clothing is reflective or light colored. 

• NHTSA statistics show that over the Halloween nights from 2009 to 2013, 43 percent of all motor vehicle deaths involved drunk driving, and in 2013, 26 percent of all pedestrian fatalities on Halloween night involved a drunk driver. Coale, Rianne (2015) Let's all remember to look both ways up and down the street before we move our feet! 

• Checking candy is not brain surgery, people. In 2014, vice.com talked to Joel Best, who is an expert on the supposed pervasive, but fully unfounded urban legend about tainted Haloween candy. Even back in 2014 he was sick and tired of people not listening to him, even though there are no confirmed reports of tainted treats being picked up in the course of trick or treating At the risk of truly dating myself, I can recall in the 1980s and 1990s during a surge of satanic activity and there was fear that those, "devil worshipers" were- excuse the pun, hellbent on killing the then youth of America with needles and razor blades, sneakily hidden in trick or treat candy. This is when the hospitals and local medical centers began opening up their radiology departments to x-ray those candies. While the facilities did admit, that the x-ray technology could not detect cyanide within the center of a taffy- it could detect a solid object- like that classic razor blade of lore. Meanwhile, a study in a medical journal called Veterinary and Human Toxicology examined the cost of this practice all the way back in 1988. Long story short, it's costly, and there's really no reason for the paranoia. Simply check to make sure that all of the wrappings and packaging held within your little one's pail or sack are intact. See to it there are no naked pieces of candy laying around. Eeek- nudity! Make sure as well, to take stock of any candy that may contain anything that your child is allergic to tree nuts, peanuts, etc. In our house, things made with sunflower oil are also a concern for my oldest daughter, Sam. Moms, understand that nobody is trying to kill your precious little ones on Halloween, but just stay vigilant mamas!

When it comes to how much candy is too much candy- our house has a tradition, where I allow the kids to gorge themselves on candy, soda, and pizza. I actually encourage them to eat as much candy as they can until they either feel or make themselves sick. (yeah, I know...Mother of the Year right here) Meanwhile, over the years we [the kids] have learned how to self-monitor their own consumption. Now, they know their limits and understand that the candy is not going anywhere and that responsible consumption is best. We haven't had anyone barf in over five years! lol

Now, don't think I would leave you mamas out in the dark all alone without at least one cocktail recipe inspired by the season! I found a recipe for a cocktail that is not only going to put you in good spirits- but it's supes pretty too! It's called Shimmer Liqueur! Check out the recipe and the link to the video to get the science behind this amazingly gorgeous drinkie-poo. 

MAKE YOUR OWN FLAVORED SHIMMERY LIQUEUR AT HOME (VIDEO AND THE SCIENCE!)

SERVINGS: 1 1/3 CUP EACH

AUTHOR: DINI FROM THE FLAVOR BENDER

FLAVORED SHIMMERY LIQUEUR

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups of 80 proof vodka
• 1 cup gin
• 1 cup white rum
• 2 cups of simple syrup simple syrup is made by dissolving sugar with water at a 2:1 ratio over medium heat
• 6 -7 strawberries cut in half
• 6 - 7 blackberries
• ½ cup packed mint leaves
• 1 rind of a large orange or 2 small oranges
• 5 - 6 dried Butterfly Pea flowers
• 2 x 1-inch slice of fresh pineapple
• Luster petal dust - in RedYellow, White, Purple, Green, and Orange
• Crushed dry ice to serve plus small pellets - optional

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Divide the vodka into 4 different jars (2 cups capacity). Add the gin to one of the jars, and the white rum to another.

STRAWBERRY RED SHIMMERY LIQUEUR

1. Place the strawberries in 1 of the vodka jars. Cover the jars with the lid and let it infuse for 1 week (up to 2 weeks) at room temperature.
2. Next, strain the infused liqueur through a cheesecloth to remove the fruits and any small particles.
3. Mix the infused liqueur with ⅓ cup of simple syrup (or more or less to suit your preferences).
4. Add a small amount of RED LUSTER PETAL DUST to the liqueur and mix to combine.
5. Add more luster petal dust to get the shimmery effect you like.

BLACKBERRY PURPLE SHIMMERY LIQUEUR

1. Place the blackberries in 1 of the vodka jars. Cover the jars with the lid and let it infuse for 1 week (up to 2 weeks) at room temperature.
2. Next, strain the infused liqueur through a cheesecloth to remove the fruits and any small particles.
3. Mix the infused liqueur with ⅓ cup of simple syrup (or more or less to suit your preferences).
4. Add a small amount of PURPLE LUSTER PETAL DUST (or a mix of blue and red) to the liqueur and mix to combine.
5. Add more luster petal dust to get the shimmery effect you like.

MINT GREEN SHIMMERY LIQUEUR

1. Place the mint in 1 of the vodka jars. Cover the jars with the lid and let it infuse for 1 week (up to 2 weeks) at room temperature.
2. Next, strain the liqueur through a cheesecloth to remove the leaves and any small particles, and gently press the leaves to remove any alcohol.
3. Mix the infused liqueur with ⅓ cup of simple syrup (or more or less to suit your preferences).
4. Add a small amount of GREEN LUSTER PETAL DUST (or a mix of blue and yellow) to the liqueur and mix to combine.
5. Add more luster petal dust to get the shimmery effect you like.

ORANGE SHIMMERY LIQUEUR

1. Place the (fresh) rind of 1 large orange in 1 of the vodka jars. Cover the jars with the lid and let it infuse for 1 week (up to 2 weeks) at room temperature.
2. Next, strain the liqueur through a cheesecloth to remove the rind and any small particles.
3. Mix the infused liqueur with ⅓ cup of simple syrup (or more or less to suit your preferences).
4. Add a small amount of ORANGE LUSTER PETAL DUST (or a mix of red and yellow) to the liqueur and mix to combine.
5. Add more luster petal dust to get the shimmery effect you like.

COLOR CHANGING BLUE SHIMMERY LIQUEUR

1. Place the Butterfly pea flowers with the gin in 1 of the jars. Leave it overnight (does not require days to infuse)
2. Next, strain the liqueur through a strainer to remove the flowers.
3. Add 1/4 of simple syrup to make it a liqueur OR keep it as is to use as a straight alcohol for color changing cocktails.
4. Add a dash of WHITE LUSTER PETAL DUST to the liqueur and mix to combine. This is so that the color change can occur without interference from the color of the luster dust.
5. Add more luster petal dust/coloring to get the shimmery effect you like.

PINEAPPLE INFUSED SHIMMERY LIQUEUR

1. Place the pineapple in 1 of the rum jars. Cover the jars with the lid and let it infuse for 1 week (up to 2 weeks) at room temperature.
2. Next, strain the liqueur through a cheesecloth to remove the pineapple and any small particles.
3. Mix the infused liqueur with 1/4 -1/3 cup of simple syrup (or more or less to suit your preferences).
4. Add a small amount of YELLOW LUSTER PETAL DUST to the liqueur and mix to combine.
5. Add more luster petal dust to get the shimmery effect you like.

FOR ALL SHIMMERY LIQUEURS

1. Use these as you would any liqueur, or serve them straight in shot glasses.
2. You can add a little powdered dry ice for a smoky effect (see GIFs and photos in the post).
3. While serving - a small chip of dry ice can be dropped into the bottles to keep the liqueur swirling (but remember not to close the bottle with dry ice inside).

Have a safe and happy Halloween and remember to good ghouls!!