Chili Cheeseburgers | Fright Night meets 'Salem's Lot

Welcome to another round of the All Vampire Book and a Movie Challenge! Our assignments this month were Fright Night (the original) and 'Salem's Lot by Stephen King. The connection between these two stories comes in the form of two young men who discover discover and try to fight the vampire(s) that is killing the people in their hometown. Coincidentally, both of their love interests are turned, though with different outcomes, and a once-empty house that is now occupied by a vampire.

Mrs. Lovett's Famous Meat Pies | Sweeney Todd

I have waited an entire month to share these little meat pies with you! Since the Fandom Foodies are celebrating the movies of Tim Burton this month, I knew that I wanted to feature a recipe inspired by the dark, tragic, macabre Sweeney Todd for this month's edition of #FridayPieDay.

I've been a major slacker on the Friday Pie Day front for the past couple of months (though I have shared a few pies on other days), but I think these little meat pies mostly make up for it.

Easy Beetlejuice Truffles | #FoodnFlix

This month's Food 'n Flix pick is the kooky 1988 Tim Burton flick, Beetlejuice! It's a perfect choice for Halloween month, which also happens to be the Fandom Foodies #Burtoween event, hosted by Carrie at Witchy Kitchen. Beetlejuice was released when I was in 7th grade and was my introduction to the dark and magical world of Tim Burton. I mean, aside from Pee Wee's Big Adventure, which I never even realized was TB until recently.

If, for some odd reason, you're not familiar with Beetlejuice, it's the story of Adam and Barbara Maitland, a young couple who dies after their car goes off of a bridge not too far from their home. At first, they don't realize that they've died, since they wind up back in their beloved home. That is, until they realize that nobody else can see them and they stumble upon the Handbook for the Recently Deceased in their attic.

Muffin Bottom Pudding Pie | Gilmore Girls Coffee Klatch

I can hardly believe it, but I only have ONE episode of Gilmore Girls left to watch. I could have watched the series premiere and included it in today's post—it's a mere 38:00 long. However, I wasn't quite ready to be finished, so I'm going to devote next week's coffee klatch to share my thoughts on the way things ended and my overall thoughts on the series.

Bloody Feetloaf (aka Halloween Meatloaf)

With Halloween less than a week away, I thought it would be fun to ask the other Progressive Eats bloggers if they'd join me in putting together a Halloween-inspired menu today. Cute and spooky, orange and black, maybe even kinda gross (that's me!)—I love all of the spirited menu inspiration that surrounds All Hallows' Eve!

Pumpkin Einkorn Muffins | Life After Coffee

Today I'm happy to be hosting a TLC book tours stop for the first novel by Virginia Franken. Centered around 30-something wife, mom, and coffee buyer Amy O'Hara, Life After Coffee delves into the somewhat taboo storyline of a working mom who actually enjoys her life. Amy has a hunky husband (Peter) who takes care of their two young children (Billy, 5 and Violet, 3) while she travels the world in 6-week stretches, sourcing the finest coffee beans and connecting with farmers and is happy to be the sole breadwinner in the family.

Her life tumbles down around her when her boss sells his company due to troubles in the coffee industry and she's left without a job. Peter is only too happy to immediately hand over the reigns so that he can finish the screenplay he's been working on for five years. Hilarity and hijinks ensue as Amy realizes that she really has no idea how to fill the parental role she's been thrust into.

For the Love of Butter Chicken

photo credit: Simi Jois

Words have always had a profound effect on me. Not just the ones that cut and tear, also the ones that build and inspire. For as long as I can remember, people have been asking me the question "why are you crying?". It used to embarrass me, as if I was doing something wrong. I'd apologize and say that I was an emotional person, until I realized that was nothing to apologize for. I am me.

A couple of years ago, in a room full of at least 100 people at a blogging conference, I found myself brought to tears (of the inspiring sort) listening to Monica Bhide's presentation. It wound up being my favorite portion of the entire conference, and I was so happy to have the chance to meet Monica and chat with her briefly later that day.

Ogling Eyes Breakfast | Gilmore Girls Coffee Klatch

I made myself slow down this week. Well, to be perfectly honest, I binged season 6 in a couple of days then made myself stop. I need a season to talk about next Wednesday! But never fear—even if I binge the whole final season this week, I'll fill up the following Wednesdays with more coffee talk and Gilmore Girl inspired recipes, quotes, and clips.

Actually, I'm looking all the way back to Season 1:Episode 19 for today's recipe. I've been craving pancakes something fierce since I haven't been able to press play for the past 5 days. I've been dreaming about Luke's. Or maybe it's just withdrawal. Either way, the mood called for a breakfast that would ogle me.

Easy Mixed Seafood Chowder

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Seafood Nutrition Partnership. All opinions are 100% mine.

Is there anything more comforting than enjoying a bowl of chowder on a cool, crisp day? I'm going to go ahead and answer that question. Nope, nothing is better. Especially if that chowder isn't only comforting, but also healthy, tasty, and best of all–quick and simple to make!

Roasted Carrot and Farro Salad

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Land O'Lakes, Inc. All opinions are my own.

Nothing puts a bounce in my step like the onset of fall. Cool, crisp days replace the oppressive heat, and a sense of renewal fills my body. Cool weather fruits and vegetables bejewel my little part of the Midwest with rich reds, oranges, and gold around every corner. College football, sweaters and sweatshirts, hayrides, the pumpkin patch, corn mazes...I could go on.

Ambrosia Salad | Edward Scissorhands #Burtoween

It's October, which means it's time for all things spooky and kookie. In that spirit, the Fandom Foodies group theme for the month is #Burtoween! Carrie at Witchy Kitchen is our host and she has invited everybody to participate in this spooktacular feast by creating recipes pulled from or inspired by Tim Burton films. Whether he wrote, directed, produced, or did the art work—they are fair game! For more info on how to participate, visit #Burtoween at Witchy Kitchen!

I'd been meaning to do a dish inspired by Edward Scissorhands for months, so this was the perfect opportunity for me to cross that off my list! I didn't go creepy (I know, boring), but who could resist the allure of a retro dish that is somewhat quirky? Not I.

Fried Marshmallow Pies | Gilmore Girls Coffee Klatch

I told myself that I was only going to watch one season of Gilmore Girls this week. But alas, I have no willpower when it comes to the town of Stars Hollow. I watched another two seasons, which means that I only have two seasons to go and am way ahead of schedule. I'll wind up kicking myself for it when I finish and have to wait too long for A Year in the Life.

But hey, what's a girl to do? Today I'll be recapping seasons four and five. Did I mention how much food there is in this show? Aside from coffee, which is a food group in and of itself, there's always inspiration to be found in Sookie and Luke's kitchens, Friday night dinners, and even movie nights.

Pot Roast Bouquet | Gilmore Girls Coffee Klatch

I don't know whether to be proud of or horrified by myself right now. I binged over 2 seasons of Gilmore Girls in the past week. I know that I only "need" to watch an average of 3 episodes a day to stay on track, but last week was dreary and rainy and...well...it just sort of happened. But here's the thing—I'm going to run into some busy weeks pretty soon with Halloween, Thanksgiving and 2 birthdays (mine included) between now and Black Friday. Which means I'll probably have weeks that I'm struggling to find time to watch, so really, I'm just staying on top of things.

Two-plus seasons in quick succession means there's been an up and down rollercoaster of boys, men, food, and teenage hormones and angst flling up the last 7 days. The funny thing is, the recipe that I made was actually pulled from one of my first episodes of the week. But it was so funny, and inspiration struck so hard that I had to make it.

Apple Brandy Punch | Chaos Comes to Longbourn

Calling all Jane Austen lovers! Today I'm hosting a book tour for the latest Pride and Prejudice variation by historical romance writer Victoria Kincaid. While Kincaid has actually written numerous variations, Chaos Comes to Longbourn was my introduction to her writing. Pride and Prejudice happens to be my favorite Austen, so I eat up any and all versions I can get my hands on.

Chaos Comes to Longbourn begins with a frustrated Mr. Darcy fleeing the ballroom in an attempt to get Elizabeth Bennet out of his mind. He winds up in the dark Netherfield library, only to stumble onto (literally) Lydia Bennet in a mild state of undress.  Although he witnessed a figure slipping out the back door, he was found in a compromising position and is forced to propose to Lydia.