The Headless Horseman

 Halloween Party Idea: Have your best storyteller repeat this tale from Washington Irving' "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and present your little listeners with an Old World Christmas Skull Head at the end of the tale.....creepy)))

Skull 26021

One cold winter night, early in the New Year, a certain Dutchman left the tavern in Tarrytown and started walking to his home in the hollow nearby. His path led next to the old Sleepy Hollow cemetery where a headless Hessian soldier was buried. At midnight, the Dutchman came within site of the graveyard. The weather had warmed up during the week, and the snow was almost gone from the road. It was a dark night with no moon, and the only light came from his lantern.

The Dutchman was nervous about passing the graveyard, remembering the rumors of a galloping ghost that he had heard at the tavern. He stumbled along, humming to himself to keep up his courage. Suddenly, his eye was caught by a light rising from the ground in the cemetery. He stopped, his heart pounding in fear. Before his startled eyes, a white mist burst forth from an unmarked grave and formed into a large horse carrying a headless rider.

The Dutchman let out a terrible scream as the horse leapt toward him at a full gallop. He took to his heels, running as fast as he could, making for the bridge since he knew that ghosts and evil spirits did not care to cross running water. He stumbled suddenly and fell, rolling off the road into a melting patch of snow. The headless rider thundered past him, and the man got a second look at the headless ghost. It was wearing a Hessian commander's uniform.

The Dutchman waited a good hour after the ghost disappeared before crawling out of the bushes and making his way home. After fortifying himself with schnapps, the Dutchman told his wife about the ghost. By noon of the next day, the story was all over Tarrytown. The good Dutch folk were divided in their opinions. Some thought that the ghost must be roaming the roads at night in search of its head. Others claimed that the Hessian soldier rose from the grave to lead the Hessian soldiers in a charge up nearby Chatterton Hill, not knowing that the hill had already been taken by the British.

Whatever the reason, the Headless Horseman continues to roam the roads near Tarrytown on dark nights from that day to this.

Don't have a great storyteller? Here's a link where you can listen to the story. The Headless Horseman as told by S. E. Schlosser

Halloween Ornaments

A great item to package and give as a Halloween treat instead of candy, is an Old World Christmas Ornament. Here's a few suggestions for your Halloween tree!

The Raven 18019

Ravens are some of the most intelligent birds and are able to mimic many sounds. Because of this they are considered wise and to possess powers of prophesy. In the Bible, ravens fed the prophet Elijah, and so they are considered to be symbols of God's providing.

 The Lil' Goblin 26056

The Lil' Goblin is new for 2010 and comes in a creamy white color which gives it an antique like look. A very sweet little ornament. The hang tag has this information: Jack O'Lanterns come from the Irish legend of Stingy Jack; a man so mean the devil wouldn't let him into hell. He was forced to roam the earth using a carved turnip with a piece of coal for a lantern and was called "Jack of the Lantern." Thus began the carving of pumpkins as Jack O'Lanterns to place in windows to scare away evil spirits.

A great way to package your ornaments to give as a treat is to use our new clear cello rolls with pumpkins. Nestle the ornament in a bed of shredded kraft paper on a square of cello and gather up around the ornament, tie with natural raffia or orange and black ribbon. Makes a really "sweet" treat .....with no tooth decay!

Pumpkin Cello Roll 24" x 100'

Kraft Paper Shreds 6 oz

Squash

The new Squash ornaments from Old World this year are the Acorn and Butternut Squash. Both are very beautiful and realistic looking ornaments.

Decorate your Thanksgiving table with a cornucopia filled with squashes, vegetable and nut ornaments. Use wood wool or Spanish Moss as a filler to cushion the ornaments and let them just spill out on the center of the table.

Here's a great recipe from Southern Living using the Butternut and Acorn squash. Beautiful dish for your Thanksgiving  table.

• 1  (2- to 3-lb.) butternut squash
• 1  (2- to 3-lb.) spaghetti squash
• 1  (1- to 2-lb.) acorn squash
• 1/4  cup  butter
• 2  tablespoons  honey
• 1  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  pepper

Preheat oven to 400°. Cut butternut squash, spaghetti squash, and acorn squash in half lengthwise, and remove seeds. Place squash, cut sides up, on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Microwave butter and honey at HIGH 1 minute or until melted; stir until blended. Brush cut sides of squash with butter mixture. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake, uncovered, 1 hour or until tender; let stand 10 minutes. Cut into large pieces and serve.

Now, if you live in the south, here's a recipe that you will find on Sunday dinner tables in the summertime!

Squash Casserole

• 2  pounds  yellow squash, sliced (frozen will work also)
• 3/4  cup  chopped onion
• 1  tablespoon margarine or butter
• 2  tablespoons  all-purpose flour
• 1  cup milk
• 3/4  cup  (3 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1/4  teaspoon  pepper
• Cooking spray
• 1/2  cup  soft breadcrumbs, toasted or crushed saltines

Cook squash and onion in a small amount of boiling water 10 to 12 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Drain; set aside.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Melt margarine in a medium, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Gradually add milk; cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat; add cheese, salt, and pepper, stirring until cheese melts. Add squash mixture; stir well.

Spoon squash mixture into a shallow 1 1/2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle squash mixture evenly with breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs. Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until mixture is thoroughly heated.

Visit us at Trendy Tree to gather an entire garden of "vegetables!"

French Fries

Ornament looks just like a red container of shoestring french fries from McDonald's!

French Fries are popular for their taste and convenience. They are a favorite side dish, especially with hamburgers. Millions of french fries are eaten in the U. S. each year! Whether found in fancy restaurants, fast food joints, or at home at the dinner table, French Fries are a universal favorite.

Who among us has not heard that famous question...."would you like fries with that?"

Recipe for French Fries

• 4  pounds  Idaho potatoes
• Vegetable oil
• Salt

Peel and cut Idaho potatoes into 1/2-inch-wide strips.
Pour oil to a depth of 4 inches in a Dutch oven, and heat to 375°. Fry potato strips in small batches in hot oil 12 minutes or until golden. Drain on paper towels. Salt to taste.

Tips: Once potatoes are cut, place in ice water for a while, drain well on paper towels before frying.