trick-or-treat

 It's just about that time, when the trick-or-treaters will be out ringing our doors and gathering candy.
Take one, which I seriously wonder if anyone ever takes just one.  I mean we are humans, right?

"Light's out" - it's Halloween night!  Boo!

Halloween Etiquette

You all know that Halloween these days does require some sort of etiquette or rules for your little trick-or-treaters.  Do you stand watch, tell them "not that house" or "no" to that street.  The above illustration was created for Sheridan Road Magazine.  It is inevitable that word gets out about the "best" candy or "best neighborhood" for treats.  What sort of protocol do you instill or at least try to enforce for your trick-or-treaters to follow?

a merry halloween

Have yourself a merry halloween.  My daughter went to school a ballerina but we have snow on the ground and it is cold, so she donned a merry mask tonight with warmer attire.  I wonder if this will be her last year for trick or treating.  Excuse my late post, our internet was down, no phone, no cable but we are one of the fortunate to have heat and electric.  Enjoy your night.  Be safe and be merry.

hallowed eve

This was taken last year on the night of Halloween. We were all lit up and ready for any trick-or-treaters that dare climb our scary stairs. I changed out the bulbs to purple strobes.

Spooky music was playing and treats at the ready.
The torches were lit up and down the drive-way to ward off any evil spirits and vampires.

We had a small jack-o-lantern and an electric pumpkin light in the window.

My Mom gave this electric light to me years ago. All it requires is an outlet.

There is something to be said for no carving, no mess.

I am not lazy, just busy - and this holiday seems to come and go so fast, that I barely have the chance to hang the skeleton and bring out the rats, which by the way are on the steps, hiding.

Happy Halloween to each of you!

trick-or-treat

1950's vintage Halloween robots

Wishing each of you a Happy Halloween full of treats! Love these "bots" made of boxes.

wonderstruck

"Wonder Woman" Halloween costume 2008 ( my daughter and the store-bought costume)

There is something dear about the "wonderstruck" years. Happiness of a store bought costume and the anticipation of holidays that mark time as well as occasion. Last year my daughter and some friends made it very easy by joining forces and collaborating on being "Super Heroes."

It was nice knowing that each one of them had unique powers, all special, none better than the other.

"Beauty and the Beasts" One home-made costume, and two store-bought

Over the years, I have had great fun making and creating the annual costumes, and often wondered if the level of perfection would bring about wonder or if a "store-bought" costume would be just "fine." Funny how the things we never forget stay with us. We always had to rally and make our costumes, we were "hobos, farmers, indians, cowboys, pilgrims" - all easy to make from things we had. After all, I can not imagine my Mother giving in to "splurge" on seven costumes.

My "Colonial Gent" (with braces) 2003 Colonial Day

How about you, do you remember those wonderstruck years and the trauma that went into the anguish of the Halloween Costume and then to have your big brother tell you, "Who cares about the costume, it is all about the candy and who can get the most!" It made me wonder, is is about the candy or the costume? What say you?

witch-craft

The Witch is IN - Photo from The Kansas City Star, Tammy Lujunblad

Feeling witchy? Does Halloween bring out your inner Witch-craftiness?

Does your holiday decor reflect you inner witch?

Happy Halloween

David Lloyd painting, the Headless Horsemen

From the land of the Headless Horseman 

Happy Halloween.