Read To Your Little
Pumpkins
For the kid who’s a little beyond Casper The Friendly Ghost
but not yet ready for Frankenstein, there is Michael J.Rosen’s Night of the Pumpkinheads. This 32-page
illustrated hardcover brings to life the story of a group of “pumpkinheads” (read:
feisty jack-o’-lanterns) who are sick of spending Halloween outside like bumps
on a log while kids get to put on costumes and trick-or-treat. This year, the
pumpkinheads decide they will leave their stoops and join in the festivities by
transforming into frighteningly fun creatures like dinosaurs, zombies and
killer bees. But things backfire when the pumpkins find out that kids are more
afraid of turgid turnips than creatively-carved pumpkins. The plot is
complemented by pictures spotlighting master carver Hugh McMahon’s real-life
work, and a step-by-step guide for families to carve them, too!
Cook With Your Little
Pumpkins
Breakfast gets spooky with a batch of Catherine McCord’s
pumpkin pancakes. For more great fall recipes from McCord, check out her food
blog at weelicious.com.
Pumpkin Pancakes With Chocolate
Filling
1 cup white flour
1/2 cup whole wheat
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 large egg
1 1/4 cup whole milk
1 tbs honey
1 tbs vegetable oil, plus extra for greasing the pan
1 cup pumpkin puree, canned
Chocolate Filling:
1 cup cream cheese
2 tbs cocoa powder
2 tbs honey
1. Sift the first six ingredients in a bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients.
3. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet until combined;
it is ok if there are some lumps.
4. Heat a large sauté pan or griddle over medium heat and
grease with oil.
5. Drop about 2 tbs of the pancake mixture onto the griddle
and cook for 2 minutes on each side until golden.
6. Set aside and allow to cool.
7. In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the
filling until smooth.
8. Place 1 tbs of the filling between two pancakes to make a
sammie.
9. Continue to make the rest of the sammies.
10. Serve.
*Tip: Use an ice cream scooper to drop the pancake batter
onto the griddle for perfectly round pancakes
Dress Up Your Little Pumpkins
If your kid is just itching to hop into his costume weeks
before October 31 rolls around (a Monday this year), a peace offering in the form
of these jack-o’-lantern pajamas from Chasing Fireflies may be in order. These
long-sleeved pjs will keep your whole family in the Halloween spirit throughout
fall and keep the kids warm and cozy with its snug-fitting cotton.
Check out Chasing Fireflies for the perfect
Trick-or-Treating costume, too. The company has some really original and unique
finds from the Glittery Goldfish to the scary Great White Shark!
For a local option, try State News for a variety of
Halloween costumes, make-up, wigs, accessories, decorations, candy, crafts and
party supplies that will be in store by mid-September. State News has two
locations on the Upper East Side (212-879-8076).
Pick With Your Little
Pumpkins
For a true pumpkin-picking experience you may have to leave Manhattan,
but you won’t have to go very far. There are many farms chock full of fall
festivities just a train ride away. Here are three quick-trip pumpkin patches.
Queens County Farm, Queens
The sprawling 47-acre farmland is a
destination for any family looking for a classic pumpkin patch. Look out for
their Fall Festival in late October, navigate your way through the Corn Maze, go
on a hayride and let the kids enjoy pumpkin painting. For more information, visit queensfarm.org.
Decker Farm in Historic Richmond Town, Staten Island
Visit the 200-year-old Decker Farm
for the usual fall festivities: hayrides, pumpkin-picking and, best of all,
eating. Your fam can tour the Historic
Richmond Town Museum
and grab a bite to eat at the bed and breakfast style Bennett Café. For more information, visit
historicrichmondtown.org.
Demarest Farms, New Jersey
In its 125th season, Demarest Farms
is a festive favorite, featuring pumpkin and apple picking and face painting
throughout the season. Be sure to see the talking scarecrow, sip on some apple
cider, enjoy the weekend barbecues with live music and stop by the country deli
for lunch. For more information, visit
demarestfarms.com.
