Our Bodacious October 2021 Highlights

 

October is our favorite month. We managed to escape for a few hours on the weekends to visit our favorite orchards and farm-to-table markets. On those days, breakfast consisted of fresh-made cider doughnuts and apple cider slushes. However, this year, something else happened. 

We didn't invite anyone over for Halloween.

Not only was that a big deal for us, but it was also a decision that we made at the last minute. 

To back up a bit, since 2014, we've always opened our doors on Halloween to our friends. In our old neighborhood, we had quite a few neighbors who came over along with other friends who lived nearby. 

The day before Halloween, I'd begin prepping. I made pumpkin whoopie pies, pumpkin bread, apple bread, and cranberry bread. On Halloween morning, I threw the ingredients in the crockpot for my annual harvest stew. I made the filling for the whoopie pies and put them together. By the afternoon, the yeast bread would be rising and the "cauldron" of corn chowder was well on its way.

Our doors opened about an hour before trick or treat began. Our friends were treated to a huge feast. We all enjoyed adult beverages, lots of food, handing out candy, the adult candy exchange, shenanigans, and an endless amount of laughs. 

That went on from 2014 until 2019 at our old home. In 2020, we bought our house and celebrated our first Halloween in our new home. Unfortunately, that was the year when the COVID-19 Pandemic hit. That year, I made a small cauldron of corn chowder, corn muffins, and pumpkin whoopie pies. We invited only a couple of people over. Very few trick-or-treaters came. We gave our neighbors pumpkin whoopie pies.

This past October, early on, a few people asked us if we were making our Halloween feast. We said yes, but it wasn't going to be a large affair as it had been in the past. 

However.

We realized that Halloween fell on a Sunday. The day we usually took off for a few hours to visit our favorite orchards and farm-to-table markets. 

We had a choice to make. 

Do we spend half a day on Saturday prepping and all of Sunday prepping?

Or.

Do we enjoy the last weekend of our favorite month visiting our favorite orchards and farm-to-table markets? Ending it with handing out candy and homemade cookies to trick or treaters? 

We opted to enjoy our last weekend.

I messaged those who were going to come over.

Then, I waited for the guilt to set in. 

But.

Guess what? 

There. Was. No. Guilt. 

The Thursday before Halloween weekend, I made over 200 of my homemade chocolate cookies. Baked and bagged. For Lisa to hand out to her team members. 

On Saturday, the day before Halloween, we ran errands and got a lot of stuff down around the house. Then, on Halloween, we handed out candy and cookies. Outside. The weather was fairly mild. We sat in our favorite lawn chairs. We had a fantastic time. 

When trick or treat hours ended, it was time for a late dinner.

As posted on my Facebook wall...

"After a few days of making Halloween Goodies, delivering, cooking, baking, and enjoying our trick or treaters, the lights are off. Now, it's time to enjoy dinner. Homemade Shepherds Pie for Lisa and fresh-made California rolls for me. Complete with pickled ginger and wasabi."

We played Yahtzee while eating. 

There was zero guilt. 

After 8 years of opening our doors and hosting a scrumptious Halloween feast for our neighbor friends and beyond, we officially threw in the towel. 

That was something we had discussed doing back in 2018 and 2019. 

But. 

We always caved. 

Because.

It was tradition and something that everyone expected and looked forward to.

But.

Not this last Halloween.

And. 

After we ate and played Yahtzee and snuggled on the sofa watching whatever Netflix series we were watching at the time, with our furry kids...

We both concluded that this is what our Halloween day will be like going forth. 

No more spending almost 2 days prepping and contending with the clean-up.

It doesn't matter what day Halloween falls on. 

We're going to do what is best for us and our family. 

This year?

The same. 

Maybe? 

Halloween falls on a Monday. 

I may or may not have to hand out Halloween candy alone. 

Only time will tell...