Happy Halloween!

Shadows of a thousand years 
Rise again unseen
Voices whisper in the trees

Tonight is Halloween

– Dexter Kozen

🎃 Happy Halloween! 🎃

Quote of the Week

Gwoeii

When witches go riding,

and black cats are seen,

the moon laughs and whispers,

‘tis near Halloween!

Photo Of The Week

And just like that, my collection's complete. It may be silly, but these ridiculous Halloween buckets from McDonalds really do make me happy.

Calling All The Monsters - Thriii

Disney

Here's a delightfully spooky Halloween music video to kick off the weekend. I love Thriii's 2021 remake of China's 2011 "Calling All the Monsters."

Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

Marvel

This Marvel Special Presentation looks absolutely hilarious! Drax and Mantis have a most interesting Christmas gift planned to cheer up Quill in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special arrives on DisneyPlus on November 25th.

Pretzel Bread Pudding Recipe From Disney

Disney

I love finding new desserts in the Disney Parks. They're not always to my taste, but they're so fun to discover and share. If you can't make it to EPCOT to try this dessert from Sommerfest in the Germany Pavilion, how about giving this recipe from Disney a try. A bread pudding made with pretzels? Sounds pretty yummy to me.

Pretzel Bread Pudding - Sommerfest, EPCOT

Makes 15-18

Vanilla Sauce

1 egg

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup heavy cream

1 cup milk, divided

2 1/2 tsp cornstarch

3/4 tsp vanilla extract

Beat egg and sugar in small bowl. Set aside. Bring cream and 3/4 cup of milk to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Slowly add 1/3 of the simmering cream mixture to the eggs, whisking constantly to temper eggs. Carefully pour back into saucepan.

Whisk cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup of milk together in a small bowl. Add to saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sauce thickens. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.

Place a mesh strainer over a bowl. Pour sauce through strainer and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate up to 7 days.

Pretzel Bread Pudding

1 pound pretzel bread

1 cup milk

1 2/3 cup heavy cream

1 1/3 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 3/4 tsp vanilla paste

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp cinnamon

Tear or chop pretzel bread into large pieces. Place in a food processor and pulse until coarse crumbs form.

Whisk milk, heavy cream, sugar, eggs, vanilla paste, baking powder, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add pretzel bread pieces. Cover and refrigerate 4-12 hours.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 15 1/2 cup ramekins or muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray. Add 1/3 cup pretzel bread pudding mix into each ramekin or muffin tin. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until centers of pretzel bread puddings are firm. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from molds.

Topping

Caramel sauce

To Serve

Remove vanilla sauce from refrigerator. Heat in small saucepan over medium-low heat until warm. Place warm pretzel bread puddings on small plates. Top each with 2-3 tablespoons vanilla sauce. Drizzle caramel sauce on top.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Trailer

All images: Marvel

The first trailer for Marvel's Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania has arrived and it looks rather mind-bending. The heroes' unanticipated journey to the Quantum Realm finds them in a world they never could have imagined.

Here's the official synopsis from Marvel: 

The first trailer for Marvel Studios' Ant-Man and the Wast: Quantumania has arrived, reuniting the Ant-Fam once again for another adventure. In the film, which officially kicks off phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Super-Hero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp. Together, with Hope’s parents Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), the family finds themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible. Jonathan Majors joins the adventure as Kang.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania arrives in theaters on February 17, 2023.

Long Live Wakanda

Marvel

The countdown is on to the premiere of Marvel's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Are you ready?

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever arrives in theaters on November 11th.

Quote of the Week

Jim Henson Productions

For all you know,

a witch might be living next door to you

right now . . .

- Roald Dahl, The Witches

Photo of the Week

Is it ridiculous that I've always wanted the witch Halloween bucket from McDonalds? And now I have one!

Journey To A Strange World

Disney

The latest trailer for Disney's Strange World is most intriguing. The Clade family is in for one wild reunion.

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ original action-packed adventure “Strange World” introduces a legendary family of explorers, the Clades, as they attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob, a three-legged dog and a slew of ravenous creatures.

The voice cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade, a family man who finds himself out of his element on an unpredictable mission; Dennis Quaid as Searcher’s larger-than-life explorer father, Jaeger; Jaboukie Young-White as Searcher’s 16-year-old son, Ethan, who longs for adventure; Gabrielle Union as Meridian Clade, an accomplished pilot and Searcher’s partner in all things; and Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal, Avalonia’s fearless leader who spearheads the exploration into the strange world.

Strange World arrives in theaters on November 23rd. 

Disney Pumpkin Ideas

Do you agonize over choosing the perfect pumpkin carving pattern each Halloween? It's always difficult to pick just the right design. Well, if you're looking for a bit of Disney themed inspiration, why not check out my Pinterest board filled with a plethora of delightful carving and decorating ideas. You're bound to find something fantastic.

Enola Holmes 2 - Another Grand Adventure

Netflix

I loved the first Enola Holmes movie from the moment it arrived on Netflix. It was such a fun and exciting adventure, full of mystery and intrigue. Enola Holmes 2 looks even better!

Enola Holmes 2 arrives on Netflix on November 4th.

Almond Sweet Corn Cake Recipe From Disney

Disney

If you're like me, you get excited every year when the Disney Chefs create a new array of Halloween treats. And you're probably disappointed on the years when you won't get a chance to taste them. Fortunately, Disney has shared the recipe for one of their most intriguing new desserts from Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party so that we can all try making it at home. (Since the batter needs to rest for 8-12 hours be sure to plan ahead before trying this one.)

Almond Sweet Corn Cake -  Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe

Makes 4 Cakes

Almond Sweet Corn Cake

10 Tbsp butter

7 egg whites

1/2 cup powdered sugar

3/4 cup almond flour

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp corn extract

1 tsp yellow food coloring

Melt butter in small saucepan over medium-low heat, swirling occasionally for 5 minutes. Once butter foams and begins to brown, pour butter and solids into a small bowl. Cool for 15 minutes.

Whip egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment for 20 seconds; set aside.

Combine powdered sugar, almond flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Add reserved egg whites, corn extract, and yellow food coloring and whisk to combine. Stir in brown butter. Cover and refrigerate batter 8-12 hours before baking.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread 1/2 cup batter into four 7.3-inch silicone corn molds. Place molds on baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes and remove from molds. Cool completely before decorating.

Topping

1 cup white chocolate melting discs

Yellow food coloring*

Orange food coloring*

Candy corn

Melt white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl according to package instructions. Evenly divide melted white chocolate among 3 bowls. 

Leave one bowl white. Add desired amount of yellow and orange to remaining bowls to make yellow and orange icing to match candy corn.

Drizzle each cooled cake with all 3 colors of white chocolate and decorate with candy corn.

*I have tried to color white chocolate melting disks with food coloring in the past and had the chocolate seize. I would recommend using either a gel coloring or powdered coloring instead of the liquid colors you find at the grocery store.

"Life Hereafter" - Muppets Haunted Mansion

Jim Henson Company

The songs from last year's Muppets Haunted Mansion are so dark, yet Muppety. I especially love the moment in this song where the ride stops and you get the "please remain seated in your Doom Buggy" spiel. 

Muppets Haunted Mansion is available on DisneyPlus.

Quote of the Week

The farther we’ve gotten

from the magic and mystery of our past,

the more we’ve come to need Halloween.

- Paula Guran, Halloween

Photo of the Week

I love all of the pumpkins displayed throughout the Magic Kingdom at Halloween. These two, which were in the window of Sleepy Hollow Refreshments for many Halloweens, are probably my favorite.

Matilda The Musical

Netflix

Matilda The Musical is coming to Netflix this Christmas. Roald Dahl's delightful story of a truly exceptional girl has always been one of my favorites (both the book and the movie). I can't wait to see how this new version turns out.

Matilda The Musical arrives on Netflix on December 25.

Wakanda Forever Character Posters

All images: Marvel

Marvel has released twelve new character posters for next month's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and they are striking. Above is Letitia Wright as Shuri.

Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda

Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia

Danai Gurira as Okoye

Winston Duke as M’Baku

Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross

Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams/Ironheart

Florence Kasumba as Ayo

Michaela Coel as Aneka

Tenoch Huerta as Namor

Mabel Cadena as Namora

Alex Livinalli as Attuma

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever arrives in theaters on November 11th.

Return To Wakanda

Marvel

Just one month remains until Wakanda returns to the big screen in Marvel's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Although tinged with sadness, it looks absolutely incredible.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever arrives in theaters on November 11th.

Silly Symphony: The Skeleton Dance

Disney

Since it's October once again, it must be time for my favorite Silly Symphony short: "The Skeleton Dance." This macabre little animated story is truly bizarre, which is probably why I love it.

And if you want to add a bit of "The Skeleton Dance" to your Halloween, be sure to check out the delightfully ghoulish decor from shopDisney.com.

Werewolf By Night Is Classic Halloween Fun

Marvel

If you love classic monster movies like I do, you should enjoy Marvel's Werewolf By Night. It is definitely a throwback to the early days of cinema when movies relied on moody lighting and creepy music to really set the scene. And, like those old films, it's not too scary or gory, perfect for a bit of Halloween fun.

Werewolf By Night is now streaming on DisneyPlus.

Quote of the Week

The Witches in 'Macbeth' by Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps 

By the pricking of my thumbs,

something wicked this way comes.

– William Shakespeare,

Macbeth

Photo of the Week

Seattle is a very different place when viewed from underground. These lovely purple vaultlights once allowed light onto the old sidewalks after the street level was raised more than a story higher. The purple color is caused by the manganese in the glass reacting with sunlight. Humorously, it was added to help keep the glass clear.

Slumberland Looks Amazing

Netflix

Netflix released the first full trailer for Slumberland yesterday and it looks amazing. What kid, or adult for that matter, wouldn't want to go on incredible journeys each night in their dreams?

Here's the official synopsis from Netflix:

Welcome to Slumberland, the world of dreams! Jason Momoa plays “Flip” an eccentric outlaw on a mission to help a young girl (Marlow Barkley) travel through dreams and flee nightmares, in hopes of reuniting with her father. 

Slumberland arrives on Netflix on November 18th.

Ghostbusters - Pentatonix

Pentatonix

Pentatonix's version of the Ghostbusters theme song is upbeat and fun. A perfect addition to a not-so-spooky Halloween playlist.

Wakanda Forever!

Marvel

A new trailer for Marvel's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has arrived and it looks incredible! It looks sad, and intense, and like one astounding journey, but incredible.

Here's the official synopsis from Marvel: 

Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta as Namor, king of Talokan, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livinalli.

Marvel

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever arrives in theaters on November 11th.

Rocky Road Cake Recipe From Disney

Disney

There are so many delightfully decadent desserts to try at this year's EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival that it's hard to decide where to start. But if you can't make it to this year's festival, you can still try at least one new dessert at home. Here's a recipe from Disney for the Rocky Road Cake from the Flavors from Fire Booth. Yum!

Rocky Road Cake – EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 

Serves 8

Spicy Sugared Almonds

• 1/3 c plus 1 tsp sugar, divided
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground cayenne
• 3 Tbsp water
• 3/4 c unsalted almonds

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Combine 1 teaspoon sugar with the cinnamon and cayenne in a small bowl; set aside.

Stir remaining 1/3 cup sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until boiling. Carefully add almonds and stir frequently for 8-10 minutes, until water evaporates. Continue stirring for 2-3 minutes, until sugar begins to caramelize. Sprinkle cinnamon reserved mixture over almonds and stir to mix.

Carefully pour almonds onto prepared baking sheet, separating with spatula. Cool completely, then coarsely chop. Store in airtight container up to 3 days.

Chocolate Ganache

• 6 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 2/3 c heavy cream

Spray eight 6-ounce ramekins with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.

Place chopped chocolate in a medium glass bowl. Bring heavy cream to simmer in small saucepan over medium heat. Pour over chocolate. Let chocolate sit for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth.

Place 1 1/2 tablespoons of ganache in each ramekin and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Keep remaining ganache at room temperature until ready to serve.

Chocolate-Buttermilk Cake

• 1 c all-purpose flour
• 1 c granulated sugar
• 1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 1/2 c vegetable oil
• 1/2 c buttermilk
• 1/2 c hot water

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add egg, oil, and buttermilk. Whisk to combine. Carefully add boiling water and whisk until batter is smooth.

Remove ramekins filled with ganache from refrigerator and fill each with 1/3 cup cake batter. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 5-10 minutes before serving.

Toppings

• 1 c mini marshmallows
• Sea salt
• Reserved chocolate ganache

To Serve:

Carefully remove cakes from ramekins. Top each cake with 2 tablespoons of mini marshmallows and 1 tablespoon of spicy-sweet almonds. Warm chocolate ganache in the microwave for 30 seconds on 50% power. Drizzle ganache over each cake and sprinkle with sea salt.

Werewolf By Night

Marvel

Marvel's first live-action Halloween special is just a few days away and I can't wait. Werewolf By Night looks so delightfully dark and spooky, it should be a blast! Here's a quick look behind-the-scenes at this eerie addition to the MCU.

Werewolf By Night arrives on DisneyPlus this Friday, October 7th.

Quote of the Week

Yearling

The pumpkins on the tree were not mere pumpkins. Each had a face sliced in it, each face was different. Every nose was a weirder nose, every mouth smiled hideously in some new way. A thousand grimaces and two times a thousand pairs of fresh cut eyes. Each blink held the remnant holiday spirit of years gone by.

- Ray Bradbury, The Halloween Tree

Photo of the Week

I love seeing Mickey and his pals dressed up for Halloween. Daisy was the cutest witch in 2020.