Happy Halloween! I know we have some major Halloween fans out there so I hope you all are having a great holiday. Anybody dressing up? I’m not personally that into Halloween, but that cannot be said for the other person living in my house. Just look a this haul of candy he bought!
John loves Halloween. He grew up pretty far outside of town so he never experienced trick or treaters coming to his house. Now that we live in town (neither one of us have any interest in going back to country living!), it thrills him that we have a ton of trick or treaters every year. He always stocks up on candy, and, since he joined our local Fire Department a few months ago, he’s dressing up in his fireman gear to answer the door this year. He even spent last night carving pumpkins with our niece and nephew. I just sit back and watch it all, and then pay his excitement back in spades when Christmas rolls around 
Halloween isn’t the only exciting thing happening today. It’s Foodie Penpal Reveal Day!
Food Penpals is a program that Lindsay put together about a year ago. Every month you get assigned someone to send a box of fun, foodie things to. In return, someone is given your name, and around the middle of the month something truly wonderful lands on your door step. This was my first month to participate, and I really enjoyed it. If you want to join in the fun next month, CLICK HERE to sign up. You have until November 5th!
I received my package from Kellie this month, and she really did a wonderful job with everything she selected. She even took the time to make some homemade energy bites to include which were really good. She was even gracious enough to let me share the recipe!
Homemade Energy Bites
1 cup (dry) oatmeal
2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup ground flaxseed or wheat germ
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla
Stir everything together until well mixed. Refrigerate and then roll into balls! These will last in the fridge for up to a week.
Here are some of the other goodies I found in my box this month.
Inside was a bag of Bear Naked granola, local honey, and almond butter.
I was really excited about the almond butter. I had never even heard of almond butter until I started reading healthy living blogs, and, until I got this in the mail, I still hadn’t had the opportunity to try it. Now I can positively say I give almond butter two thumbs up!
I saved my personal favorite for last-Kettle corn that Kellie picked up at her local farmer’s market! I LOVE kettle corn. It could become a serious addiction in no time. Luckily, I got my box the day before I left for home for Grandpa’s birthday celebration so I was able to share with my mom. Her love of kettle corn puts mine to shame
This was so much fun to be a part of, and I can’t wait for November. If you’re looking for inspiration on what to send or just want to check out some of the other yummy things that were exchanged his month, check out the massive link-up party that Lindsay has going on today! Also, take a minute to check out Jordyn’s blog. She’s who got my box, and she has a great food blog full of recipes that have gone on my must make list!
Ok, gang, it’s time to prepare for those little ghosts and goblins. Everyone have a safe and happy Halloween!
Do you dress up for Halloween? Are you a Foodie Penpal?
you can send that popcorn my way please and thank you! ha but really so jealous. I wish I could do foodie pen pals, got so expensive though. I wish I was a trick or treater near you!
What are Heath bars and why have I never heard of them before?! It seems as though they would fulfill two of my great loves — candy and Heath!!
haha. Seriously though, I love how excited he is about it!!
I’m a Foodie Pen Pal too — great package this month, but it was amazing to be able to meet the lovely lady to whom I was sending my gift.
Ps. Man in uniform. Nicely done, Nat
I know! I told him his sexiness factor seriously went up
Heath bars are a chocolate/toffee combo candy bar. Unfortunately, I don’t think they have anything to do with Heath Ledger 
Foodie penpals looks like so much fun! Absolutely love kettlecorn too, the sweet and salty combination is one of my favorites. Happy Halloween! I made it home to see a total of one trick-or-treater haha, better than nothing! Now what to do with all our extra candy…
Well, I think the answer to that is obvious
We’ve had quite a few trick or treaters tonight-John is in heaven! Foodie penpals is a ton of fun! You should think about doing it next month!
Cute that John dressed up!
I love giving out candy, and my husband loves Halloween decor! Sadly, it’s so cold that only 50 kids showed up. (I was prepared for well over 150!)
Wow! Well, I guess that means more candy for you to enjoy
Such a cute idea with the food pen pals. And I love that your husband dressed up to give out candy! That’s a keeper. This is my first Halloween living in a city (besides college) and I live in an apartment building off a busy street so I had no trick-or-treaters. I missed it!
Sad! I always wondered how trick or treating worked in apartment buildings. I think he’s a keeper too
You should sign up for foodie penpals! It really was a lot of fun.
OK, that’s it–I *need* to join Foodie Pen Pals. I love the concept behind the program! Please eat lots of Halloween candy (read: chocolate) for me, Natalie!
I did dress up for a Halloween party on Saturday, but last night I stayed as myself and gave out candy
That was my Halloween last night too
Although since I was cuddled up in my sweats with the computer on my lap, I like to think my costume was “cold blogger”. 
Wow, you got great FPP stuff! I would love that popcorn!
It was so good! I had to give it to my mom or I would’ve destroyed the whole bag in one sitting!
The fireman costume is perfect! Haha. I wanted to dress up my dogs, but I never got around to it!