When things go bump in the night

Today is Halloween and there are certainly some strange things going on around me. I've had pens disappearing off my desk at work, my cat starting ferociously at absolutely nothing and my next door neighbours are having a bonfire and fireworks party.

I guess that's all part of the spooktacular that surrounds today. We've had a flurry of trick or treaters knocking on the door - luckily my housemate bought a bag of sweets just incase so we've been able to get involved. I've only ever been trick or treating once when I was 16. I know, I know, who dresses up and goes begging for sweets at the age of 16? Now I'm all about getting dressed up and going out for a few drinks and that's exactly what I did on Saturday. Dressing up as a devil I went to the Picturedrome with some friends for a night of horror and lots of prosecco! 

Now I don't have the best track record when it comes to going out for Halloween because I always end up with my head down the toilet the following morning and the whole day is a write off, but the devils were on my side this year and I survived with just a minor headache and dehydration! 

Another first for me this Halloween is I finally got round to calving a pumpkin after my housemate bought us both one to decorate the house with. I can't say I'll rush to do one again and my calving skills are a lot to be desired, but in the spirit of Halloween, it was fun! 

Now as the stragglers continue to knock on our door, I have given up the scaremongering in favour of the GBBO final. The kettle has boiled and a big cup of tea is calling so I'm off to indulge in some cake envy for the next hour! 

Happy Halloween lovelies x

The Chocolate Elf

Christmas is getting closer and there's nothing I love more than planning what presents I'm going to buy, baking cakes and mince pies and watching cheesy festive movies. What I also love is the way in which people come together to help and support those who need it. 

That's exactly what local Facebook group, The Chocolate Elf are doing. Set up in 2015 and run by a group of people in Northampton, The Chocolate Elf set out to deliver Christmas cheer by donating advent calendars and selection boxes to children in Northamptonshire.

After what started off as a status update from a young lady called Kelly McAlinden, asking if anyone would like to contribute to a local food bank after she bought a stack of selection boxes for them to give out on Christmas Day, soon turned into a thriving charitable production with the help of her friends, and a mass of people and local businesses within the community. 

"Our dream is that on 1st December every child in Northamptonshire should have an advent calendar to open, on the 25th December every child in Northamptonshire should have a selection box to open."

Three years later, the group have have now identified a range of good causes to deliver to including Northampton General Hospital, St Andrews Healthcare and to local young carers in the area. They are now also taking donations of adult socks and include the elderly and homeless with whom they are helping. 

The group have set up various drop off points around the county to give people the opportunity to get involved in their local areas, and already the donations are coming in. Not only that, The Chocolate Elf have this year expanded to Newmarket, Bury, Eastleigh and Southampton so it won't be long before they are reaching world domination! 

So when you are out and about over the next few weeks, spare a thought for this group and if you can, pop a couple of extra items into your shopping trolly that can be donated and let's all do our bit to help. 

For more information on where to donate, visit The Chocolate Elf on Facebook.