Happy Halloween!

The other day at Target, my three-year-old was not cooperating. As she twittered in every direction other than mine, I found myself whispering novenas to Super Nanny, all the while scheming how to wrestle her into the buckled seat of the basket. Just then, my five-year-old swooped in to save the day. Gently taking the hand of our tiny tornado, my dear kindergartner ducked her head down and said, “Hold my hand. I’m just like a grown-up, but I don’t have any rules.” In an instant, my pursed lips turned up into a smile, and the wiggly one moved forward as I wished.

I’m hoping that the “grown-up” will be similarly synergistic this evening when it is revealed that even superheros have rules on Halloween. Before she flies through the night as Batgirl, she’ll have to finish her vegetables, dress in layers, and kiss her mother goodbye. Then I’ll stay back on the front porch to pass out candy and pick up the novena where I left off.

Be safe tonight! Have fun. And when the sugar coma subsides, make for yourself (and all the grown-ups around you) something hearty from the following menu:

Roasted Apple-Squash Soup

Chicago-Style Pizza

Pesto Pork Tenderloin

He-Man Burger

Gnudi with Orange-Brown Butter Sauce

Aunt Norma’s Spinach Supreme

Apple Cider Granita

The Cooking with Caitlin Show

Statewide throughout Ohio, on Time Warner Cable’s On Demand Channel 411, The Cooking with Caitlin Show is in full swing. A dozen 12-minute episodes, this week we are oh-so appropriately preparing comfort food with the family and friends who make it best. The series is like our foodie scrapbook, an inside peek at our everyday. Tune in for great energy and delicious ideas.