The spooks, goblins and princesses will probably want to go trick or treating first, and then invite them in for an old-fashioned Halloween party. Carve a scowling or smiling face on a pumpkin and put a lighted candle inside. This jack-o-lantern can be on the porch or in a window and then be moved inside for a centerpiece on the table.

Visit your local party store or shop online for all kinds of favors, orange and black tablecloths and napkins, crepe paper streamers and any other decorations that appeal to you.

You will want to pick up some prizes for costumes, a tub to "bob for apples" and visit your library for some ghost stories or follow the link below for Ghost Stories for Kids.

The menu is simple: Popcorn, caramel apples, Halloween cake, apple cider or juice and milk.

1 3/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/3 cup shortening (room temperature)

1 cup buttermilk or sour milk (add 1 teaspoon vinegar to milk and let stand 5 minutes)

3 egg whites, unbeaten

3 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted

Measure flour. Add soda, salt and sugar.

Stir shortening to soften. Add dry ingredients. Add 3/4 cup milk and mix until all flour is dampened. Beat 2 minutes at low speed of electric mixer.

Add egg whites, chocolate and remaining milk. Beat 1 minute longer.

Pour batter into two round 8 or 9 inch layer pans, which have been lined on bottoms with oarchment paper. Bake in moderate oven 350 degrees F about 30 minutes or until done.

When cool, frost between layers and over top and sides with Golden Orange Frosting (recipe below). Mark outlines of Halloween cats and bats by lightly pressing paper cut outs into frosting, then removing paper. Melt 1 square unsweetened chocolate with 1 teaspoon butter. Using a brush, fill in the outlines with the chocolate mixture.

Golden Orange Frosting

1/3 cup butter

1 1/2 Tablespoons grated orange rind

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup  Egg Beaters or equivalent, unbeaten

4 cups confectioner's sugar

1 Tablespoon orange juice

2 teaspoons lemon juice

Cream together butter, orange rind, lemon rind and salt. Add sugar, alternating with juices, beating well after each addition. Makes 2 cups frosting.

The easiest way to make caramel apples is to get a bag of Kraft caramels. Open bag and pour into a saucepan. Add 2 Tablespoons water. Melt caramels over medium heat for about 3 minutes, or until melted.

Wash and dry apples. Put a stick into each apple. Dip in caramel mixture. You may have to spoon some of the caramel onto the apple. Place in refrigerator for about an hour.