Potluck and A Moment of Silence

...and the Halloween themed potluck dinner finally arrived this past Friday and it was everything I had always dreamed it would be! Ok, well to be honest, it was a bit of a stressful event considering I happen to be the biggest overachiever and spent the entire week planning all of the genius Halloween themed finger foods I could make - but hopefully my craziness paid off!

Take one house full of Halloween decorations, add several bottles of wine and a large pitcher of homemade butterbeer, mix in a table full of food, and end with 5 lovely ladies and I'd say you have quite the recipe for success.

Enjoy!

Chipotle black bean and pumpkin sliders from Very Vegan Holiday

Spinach dip in a cauldron bread bowl

Candy corn shaped crudite display for dipping

Moldy cheese log made of Sunergia blue cheese and Tofutti cream cheese with black sesame seeds

Black bean and pepper quinoa salad (courtesy of the lovely Meg)

Spooky ghost tortilla chips with "dried bat wing" chips

Mini Halloween shaped cheezy crackers from Have Cake Will Travel

The poor pumpkin wasn't feeling so well and vomited up a heap of guacamole!

Shortbread witches' fingers with almond nails and jam from Chef Chloe and "Just Bitten" red velvet cupcakes from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World

The desserts and butterbeer (butterscotch schnapps and cream soda = heaven in a glass)

And the full spread:

Overall it was an awesome evening and I can't wait for Halloween!!

And now for the serious part of this entry. A tragedy occurred Saturday that I think needs to be brought to light. As a present for my friend's ho-down themed first birthday party for her son I spent hours slaving over the cutest vegetable themed cupcakes (adapted from Hello Cupcake) only to have them destroyed in a monumental accident involving my friend's mother, a cupcake tier, and a lot of broken glass.

And so, in their honor, a moment of silence for our fallen brethren and one last chance to see them in all their glory. Cue Will Ferrell and "Dust in the Wind".