It's National Margarita Day! Eat, Drink and be wicKED!

Celebrate today with one of my infamous glowing Margaritas! Click the picture of the Moon light Margarita to find out how you can make one too!

Have a wicKED weeKEnD!

It's National Margarita Day! Celebrate with a glowing drink!

Friday, Feb 22nd is NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY!

Celebrate with one of my deadly drink recipes straight for the wicKED Cook Book of Doom!

Moonlight Margarita (aka. Ghost Margarita):

This is a frozen drink that will actually glow under a black light. I mix mine in a frozen drink mixer that had a setting for “icy drinks” which makes it very smooth (Walmart $26 bucks). It has a max capacity of 48 ounces (6cups). The cool thing about this drink is it tastes really great and it is low cal. What a deal!


4 cups of ice cubes (by volume not weight)
1/2 package of Great Value Lime Margarita drink mix
1 lime juiced
Lime Vodka (your choice)
Tonic Water


Put the 4 cups of ice in the drink mixer. Next add your half package of drink mix and lime juice in. Then pour your lime vodka in till it is up to the 2 cup mark (1/3 of the blender). Don’t panic! I did not just tell you to put 2 cups of vodka in it. The ice displaces most of it so you end up with about 4 good shots. Now you want to top it off with tonic water (which makes it glow). Take it right up to the 6 cup mark (max fill line). Blend until smooth. Serve in a clear skull mug or margarita glass and make sure you have ample black lights around for your guest to enjoy the glow!

Have a Happy and safe Margarita Day! I am going to sit back and recharge on a 4 day weeKEnD!

Halloween Eve's Blast from the Past!

I am busier than a hungry zombie trapped in a brain repository. After work I have to put some last minute touches on the haunt, get treat bags ready, and do the no snow/rain dance into the wee hours of the night. Hop you all are having a safe and enjoyable Halloween Eve!

Here are the top 5 most viewed, shared, and discussed posts from Something wicKED this way comes. ENJOY!

#5: wicKED Recipes

Here you will find the most used recipes served at every wicKED weeKEnD Halloween party!

#4: 13 Steps to Throwing a wicKED Halloween Party

This is the ultimate party guide for throwing one of the wickedest bashes of all. If you need help planning your first Halloween party, or you are an old pro looking for some new ideas....this is the guide for you!

#3 The Wicked Woods Cemetery Yard Haunt of 2011

Pictures, video, and media from last years haunt. Check it out to get an idea of what to expect from us this year.

#2 Why are you so Obsessed with Halloween?

If you have ever had a friend of family member ask you this questions...forward this article to them! Tell em wicKED says hi!

Number 1 by a LANDSLIDE. The absolute most viewed post on this blog is one created by my very own Haunted Honey...M!

#1 How to Zombify your hand with Toilet Paper in 15 Minutes!

M does all our zombie makeup for the yard haunt. This tutorial can be used on your face as well. 

I hope you enjoyed this walk down blog memory lane. May your Halloween be truly wicKED!

Saint Patrick's Day Recipes easily modified from wicKED Halloween favorites.

   St. Patrick's Day falls on Saturday this year. If you plan to celebrate with some green gourmet then I may be able to help.
   Two of the most viewed pages of my blog are "13 Steps to throwing a wicKED Halloween Party" , and "wicKED Recipes". While these both are Halloween guides, they can help out with other party plans. The party guide can be easily modified to assist  you in planning any holiday party you wish. Since St Patties day is all about green food and drink (green beer served at every bar and McDonalds Green shakes come to mind), ghoulish green Halloween treats come to mind. There are a few that can be easily adapted with a a few simple modification and a name change. Here are a few greenish greats that are made over fresh with some Irish magic.

 SWAMP JUICE becomes LUCKY PUNCH

1 two liter ginger ale
1 quart can of pineapple juice
1 package of lime (or lemon lime) drink mix
1 cup sugar (exclude this if you go for the sugar free drink mix)
1 container of lime sherbet
Your favorite vodka to taste. (I suggest a citrus type vodka)

   Keep all of your fluids in the fridge to keep them as cold as possible. Start by combining sugar and pineapple juice in punch bowl. After sugar is dissolved, add drink mix and ginger ale. Make sure don"t fill you punch bowl full with the ale. You still have to add vodka and sherbet. Next add big scoops of your sherbet into the punch. If you have problems with your sherbet, run the container under hot water as well as your dipper for an easy scoop. As it melts, it makes a really cool green foam. Vodka can be added as needed.

   This is the best tasting punch recipe I know of. I always have request for this punch at any party. The green color just makes it a St Patties day have to. 


Crone Claws becomes Leprechaun Finger Foods

    Another Taste of Home Recipe I used by the book the first time. Here it is from the site:

Ingredients

3 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
1/2 cup warm milk (110° to 115°)
1 egg
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon green food coloring
2 to 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg white, lightly beaten
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup sliced almonds
Marinara or spaghetti sauce

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, egg, grated cheese, butter, sugar, salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, food coloring and 1 cup flour. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Punch dough down; let stand for 10 minutes. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 16 pieces. Shape each piece into a 10-in. rope. Cut in half. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
Brush egg white over breadsticks; sprinkle with shredded cheese. Place an almond slice at the tip of each. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm with marinara sauce. Yield: 32 breadsticks.

  My wicKED short cut is to just use Pillsbury breadsticks in a roll. Put in a bowl and using rubber gloves, mix in food coloring,garlic powder and Italian seasoning. This will cut down considerably on prep time. I have also had people tell me they just used the breadsticks dough and add the coloring to the egg whites for a equally green sheen.

  To make these St. Patties Day friendly, just make each finger smaller and reverse the almonds so the rounded edge becomes the nail not the pointed end. 

Dead Leaves becomes CLOVER CHIPS

   What party would not be complete without chips and salsa? If you are looking for some designer chips, this is the place. I used different types of wraps for a variety of colors in my chips.

Corn tortilla  for yellow
Wheat wraps for brown
Tomato and basil wraps for orange
Spinach wraps for green

   I got myself some different sized leaf cookie cutters from Walmart to make the shape. For a flatter, healthier chip, I baked them in an oven at 350. Depending on type of wrap,  baking times vary. Just eyeball it till they are crisp. For an even crisper and more vivid colored chip, deep fry them. Salt to taste (or add other sprinkled flavors).

   Of course to make this delightfully Irish, just use the green spinach wraps and a clover cookie cutter.


Witch Warts become IRISH FRIED CLOVERS

Fried pickles are a treat at any party, especially at a Halloween or green theme party.


1 Jar of your favorite dill pickles (size depends on quantity require).
Corn Meal
Flour
Dried Dill
Eggs
Salt and Pepper

  Drain your pickles (save the juice). Beat eggs for your egg wash. You can add some of the pickle juice to the egg wash for an added burst of pickle taste. Mix corn meal  and flour to roughly 70/30 parts meal over flour. Add dill, salt and pepper to taste.  Dip in wash, then meal mix and deep fry to golden brown.

   For added Irish flair, you can hand cut your pickles to look like clovers.


Raunchy Ranch becomes SHAMROCK SAUCE

Just take your favorite ranch dip (Hidden Valley, store bought, or home made) and add in green food color till desired green tint is achieved. If green ranch is not your taste, then you can always use Salsa Verde or Guacamole for dips.



  Feel free to sort through the recipe section to find other green treats to modify for your own St. Patties day party. If you feel adventurous, you can even attempt to transform one of the glowing margaritas.

   I hope you all find a way to celebrate life a little this upcoming Holiday weeKEnD. At the very least have a green drink with friends. If you do, toast one to your old pal wicKED.

The Zombie Apocalypse is upon us! Well, if you're a Gypsy Moth Caterpillar that is.

   I stumbled across an article today about scientist identifying a virus which cause the gypsy moth caterpillar to turn into mindless zombies!!!
    Nobody panic! It does not turn them into brain eating worms, it just causes them to crawl off and die.
   In a nutshell, these caterpillars eat high in the tops of trees at night and crawl down to the ground during the day to hide from predators.  The virus causes them to crawl to the top of the tree (even in the day) and just stand there. They don't eat or move... just stay there till they die and liquefy (or are horribly masticated by predators). By them dying in the top of the tree (where the other non zombie worms eat) they spread the virus all over the leaves and it continues.

*For full details see the article HERE*

   This is disturbing to me for several reasons. Apparently this virus has come about naturally as a way for population control of the caterpillars. How long is it before nature comes up with something similar for us!?!? Could you imagine what would happen to us if the same virus attacked humans? We would stop what we are doing and head to the nearest McDonald's where we would stand near the counter and drip in the food as it comes out.

Photo credit: Kathryn Findlay

   You may argue that we are safe because the virus only effects caterpillars. Need I remind you that some of the most terribly viruses originated in the animal kingdom (HIV from chimps, H1N1 in birds, etc) ? It most likely will not hop straight over and start being a human strain virus, but it's one mutation away from jumping ship to another species. Life could get sticky if that happened.

   Looking beyond the nature aspect of this whole Zombie Virus mess, we have to look at the human influence. I can just imagine some guy in a cave in a third-world country with a cage full of zombie caterpillars. He is probably laughing like a maniac as he declares war on the infidels with his soon to be perfected Zombie Virus! 

   Too far fetched for your tastes? How about a government bunker out in the dessert somewhere in Arizona? A jeep rolls up delivering a unmarked package.... a package containing ZOMBIE CATERPILLARS! 

   If that were the case and some egg-head super scientist in a bunker were truly working on this for Uncle Sam, I am sure it is for the greater good and protection of this great nation of ours. You know the saying though. The road to damnation is paved with good intentions......

   I know this post has been more on the funny side rather than the dark and creepy, but I for one could use a little humor to start out the week. 

    It is a very real subject and I ran across another blog that details some other scientific cases of zombie like situations in nature. The article comes from Miss Cellania's Files and can be accessed HERE . It's a creepy read indeed! 

    Since zombies make terrible gardeners (and I am all out of my zombie making virus), I am off to do battle with the lawn! I hope I don't run into any zombie wildlife while I am out there!

Frightfully Fantastic Terror Television

  

   Just in time for Halloween season comes some great horror themed programs! Let's start off with what is currently on the Boo Tube:

   MTV offers this little nugget of evil. Think of it as COPS meets TRUE BLOOD with a dash of RENO 911 for flavor. 

“A year ago, vampires, werewolves and zombies mysteriously descended upon the streets of California’s San Fernando Valley. Death Valley is the dark comedy that follows the cops that capture the monsters, and the camera crew that captures the cops.

Follow the horrific yet comedic exploits of the newly formed Undead Task Force (UTF), a division of the LAPD created to combat the emergence of monsters in the San Fernando Valley. Death Valley showcases the outrageous and courageous men and women working the toughest beat in the US: Death Valley."

   Cast members include :  Bryan Callen (Hangover II), Caity Lotz (Mad Men), Tania Raymonde (LOST) and Texas Battle (Final Destination 3).  

   It's a fun little show to watch and with the supernatural theme, it's like icing on the cake. The humor is campy and the effects are fairly good and the acting is... well 2 out of 3 aint bad!. If you're into raunchy reality with a horrifically humorous twist, then this is right up your alley. 

   Death Valley airs on MTV, Monday nights at 10:30 Eastern. 

   SyFy's newest paranormal program offers professional reenactments of documented paranormal cases. 

"From Raw TV, the acclaimed creative team behind "Locked Up Abroad" and "Gold Rush Alaska", this tense, filmic and high-octane drama-documentary series brings to life the stories of people who have lived through paranormal experiences that defy explanation. Using the mixture of intimate first-hand testimony and grittily realistic drama that Raw TV is known for, "Paranormal Witness" will transport the audience into a world turned upside down by extraordinary and terrifying events. "Paranormal Witness" is produced by Raw TV. Executive producers: Dimitri Doganis and Bart Layton."

 
   Not a bad first showing. Reminds me of a supernatural themed "Unsolved Mysteries" with no host. It's good for a couple of chills.
   Paranormal Witness airs on Syfy, Wednesdays at 10 Eastern.


Moving on to upcoming shows for the Halloween minded viewer :

   Spike TV unleashes another epic battle with Deadliest Warriors : Vampires vs Zombies. If you are a DW fan then you already know what a treat it is to tune in each week and watch two historic figures go head to head to the death. Now throw in two of the greatest undead figures of all time and you have a combination for great  TV.

In “Vampires vs. Zombies,” the “Deadliest Warrior” franchise takes on its first-ever fantasy matchup to determine once and for all, which of these mythical creatures would come out on top in this battle of the undead. Vampires and Zombies have terrorized and tantalized their way through pop culture for decades – from “Dracula” to the “Twilight Saga” to “Walking Dead.” The unprecedented television event features an array of icons of film and fiction who are authorities on the topic, including George Romero (“Night of the Living Dead”), Max Brooks (World War Z)¸Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Scott Bowen (Vampire Survival Guide) and Matt Mogk (founder of the Zombie Research Society). Through these expert interviews, scientific tests and careful analysis, it will be determined who would win in a battle to the death between these two iconic groups.

   This will be airing on SPIKE TV September 14th at 9pm. It is a 2.5 hour LIVE season finale event. I kinda hoped for a Vampire vs Werewolf show, but this promises to be one heck of a ride!

Last but not least I have a super sweet tidbit from Food Network. We all know that Food Network always has some great Halloween specials showing us how to decorate and cook up Halloween goodness. This year they have raised the bar....really high! Coming October 2nd at 9pm, Food Network will air :

HALLOWEEN WARS!

The following is a press release from Food Network :

Food Network puts viewers in the Halloween spirit, serving up a deliciously scary new primetime series, "Halloween Wars", premiering Sunday, October 2nd, at 9pm ET/PT. The four-episode competition series places five teams, comprised of cake decorators, candy makers and pumpkin carvers, working in unison to create the ultimate Halloween themed display. One team is eliminated each week, with the winner taking home $50,000. Hosted by Justin Willman ("Cupcake Wars"), and including renowned cake decorator Shinmin Li and Hollywood conceptual artist Miles Teves on the judging panel, the competitors must battle it out to prove who is the best, all the while scaring viewers' pants off with some of the most amazing horror tales through their cake, candy and pumpkins. Each episode will see a celebrity guest judge join the panel including Rob Zombie (musician/film director, Halloween), Jaime King (actress, Sin City), Scout Taylor-Compton (actress, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement), and R.L. Stine (author, Goosebumps).Episodes include:

Premiering Sunday, October 2nd at 9pm ET/PT - SEASON PREMIERE!
"Witches and Scary Places"
Five teams go to battle to create mind-blowing Halloween-themed displays of a creepy witch and a scary haunted house. At the end of the battle, one team's creation won't be enough to impress the judges forcing them to go home with tricks and no treats.

Premiering Sunday, October 9th at 9pm ET/PT
"Scary Tales"
The four remaining teams battle to create Halloween-themed displays of a twisted version of a fairy tale.

Premiering Sunday, October 16th at 9pm ET/PT
"Zombies vs. Vampires"
Three remaining teams create an epic, sugary sweet battle between zombies and vampires.

Premiering Sunday, October 23rd at 9pm ET/PT
"Underworld"
In the finale, the last teams standing create mind-blowing displays of the unknown underworld. In the end, one team creates the scariest and most impressive display and wins the title of Halloween Wars champion and a $50,000 grand prize.

   So we have Cupcake Wars meets Rob Zombie for an all out Halloween treat feat. Sounds good to me... pass the beer.

Since there is no trailer or even pictures out there of "Halloween Wars" (I had to make my own Rob with a cupcake!), I will leave you with a clip of Rob Zombie's  "Dragula".

Do you want your next Halloween party to be truly wicKED?

13 Sinister Step to Help you be The Ghost Host with the Most!

I just uploaded my wicKED Halloween Party Guide. You can access it HERE. This is a labor of love that has spanned years and taken countless hours to compile. I hope it will at least inspire you for your next Halloween Party.

Eat, Drink, and be Scary!!!!!!

FEAST your eyes on this wicKED recipe update!

   I have had numerous requests for me to BITE the bullet and get the recipe page up and running. Today that has happened. There you will find some great recipes and ideas for your next party. Go forth and GORGE yourself on this bountiful BUFFET of an update! If you happen to BITE off more than you can CHEW, feel free to reach out for my assistance with all your evil EDIBLES. I also HUNGER for your FEEDback on this page.You can access the page HERE.

BON APETITE! 

Bubble bubble...toil and trouble.... cauldron boil and cauldron bubble.

   There is nothing like a nice Moonlight Margarita to bring out the spirit in any ghastly gastromaniacs. With this glowing drink, you will be be able to toast with the highest class ghosts!
   This is just a teaser of what is to come in the wicKED Recipe section of the blog. This is 100% safe and tastes amazing! Check back often for the beastly buffet to come!

Have a wicKED weeKEnD all!