As one of America’s most haunted cities, Savannah goes all out at Halloween. Nobody in this town is too long in the tooth for dressing up or telling ghost stories. And it’s the perfect setting, too. Don’t get me wrong, Savannah’s a beautiful city, but at night it gets real creepy-like. That moss looks eerie hanging from those big ol’ oaks, and the statues in the squares give me the heebie-jeebies, like they’re trying to reach out and grab me. Doesn’t help that you can’t swing a dead cat around here without hitting a graveyard, most of ‘em with headstones older than the Civil War.

Needless to say, at Halloween I aim to have just as much fun as those little ones out there trick-or-treatin’. Course, I’m more for treatin’ than trickin’, so I’ve brewed up some fun ideas for throwing a Halloween party that’s spooky chic. My talented design director, Brandon Branch, shows how to transform your home into the perfect backdrop for a spooky soiree. He has a ton of ideas for decorating up the mantle and creating centerpieces. He even conjures up a festive candy corn floral arrangement that’s as easy as pie. Just add some caramel apples and witches’ brew and you’ll be having yourself a cacklin’ good time!

I’m also real excited to share with y’all the launch of my new Food Section. It’s so chock-full of fun reads and recipes that I just know you’ll be coming back for more and more. In Southern Recipes and Ruminations, Savannah’s own Southern gentleman and food historian, Damon Lee Fowler, spins a sweet Halloween story that’ll get your mouth watering, plus he gives us a new Halloween cookie recipe that’ll do the same. Have a sidesplitting good time reading how The Culinary Coward takes a stab at makin’ my pear fritters. I’m also kicking off my new Apron String Recipes by sharing with y’all a recipe and a story about a very special apron that was made for me by Miss Gloria, whom I was blessed to have known and worked with at The Lady restaurant. And you just know the Food Section wouldn’t be complete without getting my boys in the mix. Be sure to check out Jamie’s How-To Videos and take a walk on the lighter side as Bobby strips the fat (but not the flavor!) from my most scrumptious recipes in Bobby Lightens it Up.

Whew! My cauldron’s just been bubbling over with activity, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I certainly look forward to hearing from y’all about your own Halloween parties and letting me know what you think of my new Food Section here at Pauladeen.com. In the meantime, as the hand towel in my guest bathroom says “If the broom fits, ride it!”.  As always, I send you love and best dishes.
Paula