From Your Editor

Fall is my favorite time of year. Gone are the steamy hot days of summer! There are so many things I love about this time of year–the countryside's crisp landscape of color-quilted leaves, apple picking and pumpkin picking, corn mazes and hay rides, and long walks through the nearby forest preserve's leaf covered paths.

But basking in fall's glory is my favorite holiday–Halloween! To me, it's the most entertaining holiday of the year. As the countdown to Halloween begins, we find that not only children are excited about the upcoming day, but adults too! It gives us the opportunity to conjure up a little hocus-pocus of our own and to use spellbinding creativity to enchant our homes with.

And, while witches are out and about on their broomsticks and children are out trick-or-treating, we'll be busy brewing up a little magic of our own to mastermind the fabulous spirited designs in this issue; designs not only to enhance the inside of your home, but outside as well.

From ghoulies and ghosties, long-legged beasties, and things that go bump in the night, to captivating designs with which to entertain the fall season, and wonderful Thanksgiving notions to help celebrate the day, this issue has got it covered!

So to celebrate the upcoming events of the season, I invite you to take part in the brilliant, exclusive designs of the featured artist's in this issue.

As a "treat" from me to you, try this no-trick easy-to-make homemade Halloween cake.

Mummy Cake

Use Wilton® Ball Cake and desired cake mix for face mold. Bake as directed. Frost entire cake with milk chocolate frosting; let set. Use white fondant strips to cover "face", placing strips in various directions. For eyes, roll yellow fondant into balls, then for pupils, roll black fondant into small balls and press flat. (For more great homemade cake ideas, visit www.coolest-birthday-cakes.com)

Enjoy!