1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup fresh or canned pumpkin puree
3 eggs 1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
2 1/3 cups Bisquick
Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9- by 5-inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together with a wooden spoon. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 45 minutes. Test with a knife-if the knife comes out clean, the bread is ready. If not, put back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes. Cool before removing from the pan. Keep in a plastic bag, in a cover dish in a cool location or in the refrigerator. When you are ready to serve, cut into slices, then cut out slices with a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter and spread with cream cheese or jam. Serves 12 to 18

Mystic Punch

Ice cube tray
raisins
4 1-pint bottles cranberry juice
2 1/2 cups peach juice
1 cup fresh lime juice
2 cups orange juice
sugar to taste

Place raisins in ice cube trays. Add water. Freeze. This will make them look like they have insects in them. Keep the juices refrigerated until you are ready to use them. In a punch bowl, combine all the juices. Add the ice cubes and serve. Makes 20 cups

What All The Owls Know

Clouds are flying over the moon,
The dark night air is cold;
the wind sings a continual tune
whose words are very old.
Forgetting that we forgot that song
(Like daisies in December)
We hear all night, all winter long
what only owls remember.

They see inside the blackest skies
And darknesses of night;
Somewhere deep, deep behind their eyes
there shines a sparkling light;
Everything that we've yet to know
(Like snowfalls in September)
Is being seen when the high winds blow
and only the owls remember.

What All the Owls Know, John Hollander

~Poem by Unknown Author~

When Pumpkins Glow

When Pumpkins Glow
Then you will know
I think of you
And hope you too

Remember times
When even dimes
Would buy those things
Like store-bought rings

And make a call
Say Hi Ya all
And candy bars
Big ones like Mars

And pumpkins fat
Even a hat
Things fun for you
And for me too.

Happy Halloween!

~~Poem by M.J.M. ©1999

A friend is someone who fills our lives with
Beauty, Joy and Grace and makes the
world we live in a better and happier place.