This is Halloween: Sausage and Turnip Skillet

Yesterday it happened peoples - rain!  The first of the season!  The skies were dark and cloudy, and the wind whipped the leaves from the tree.  Lightening flashed, and the thunder rolled.  Which I actually don't mind in October.  It adds to the dark and moody atmosphere of the month leading up to my favorite holiday - Halloween!

I am so ready for Halloween.  I've already dug into my pumpkin spice m&ms  and switched over my music to my Halloween playlist.

Halloween music is vastly underrated.  It doesn't get the attention that Christmas music does  (and seriously - I was in Hallmark this weekend and the were already playing Christmas music!  It was October 5!)  But Halloween music is just as fun.  There's a ton out there, so rather than list every spooky song out there, I thought I would share with you my top 10 Halloween songs!

1.  This is Halloween


Pretty much THE anthem of Halloween.  I love Nightmare before Christmas, and this song can't help but get you in the mood.

2.  Jump in the Line (Shake Senora)


 Technically there's nothing about this song that screams Halloween on its face, but for me it is forever linked to Beetlejuice.  One could make a similar argument for The Banana Boat Song, but my vote goes to Jump in the Line.  Because I can picture singing Day-O without hands jumping from a table, but I can't picture singing Shake Senora without seeing Winona floating through the air.


3. I put a spell on you


 You guys - I just found out this weekend that Thatboy has never seen Hocus Pocus!  We'll be rectifying that very soon, but until we do, I leave you with the three witch sisters singing the classic Halloween hit.

4. Bad Things


As you may have noticed, most of my favorite Halloween songs come from movies.  And this one is my dark favorite from True Blood.  Vampires, Werewolves, Witches.  How very Halloweeny.

5. Love Me Dead

 "And when her edge is softened, her body is my coffin" Need I say more?

6. Thriller
I remember when this came out and it was like its own little horror movie. Creepy, but with a good beat. Which is how all horror movies should be.

7. Dead Man's Party

So much cooler than the Monster Mash

8. Wearwolves of London

I grew up listening to Warren Zevon. And realistically, the entire "Excitable Boy" album fits very well into the Halloween spirit, with songs about headless warriors and a boy who kills his prom date. But this is the most famous of the bunch.

9. Ghostbusters
You know you're a child of the 80s when you answer the phrase "Who you gonna call?" with "Ghostbusters." We can't help it. It's ingrained in our cultural memories.

10. Black Magic Woman
Spooky guitar done by a master. (I love Santana)


And I've moved from summer salads to hearty fall meals.  Because when it's raining outside, you need something that sticks to your ribs a little.  Which to me usually means throw some root veggies in there. This is one of those one dish meals that comes together really easily, and gives you more time for curling on the couch with some apple cider.

Sausage and Turnip Skillet

1 lb turnip, chopped

1/4 cup olive oil

2 chicken sausage links, sliced

2 cloves garlic

red pepper flakes

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.  Boil turnip for 5 minutes, until tender.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Add the boiled turnips.  Cover and cook for about 5 minutes.
3. Add the sausage and continue to cook until browned.
4. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, toss and cook until fragrant.