Embracing Life

It's here! My favorite time of year! For fun, I'm going to list just a few of my favorite October things. :) Spooky stories: When I was in grade school, I found this book (yes I tended to read things that I probably shouldn't have at certain ages). It was the best, spookiest book I'd ever seen at that time. Every year, when the leaves began to change colors and fall from the trees, I would check this book out from the library.  I'd sit in our darkened living room in the evenings after supper and treat myself to one scary story after another. Once I went to college, I lost the tradition. It wasn't until a few years ago that I found the book on Amazon. It was even scarier than I remembered - especially the story called "Eyes" by Charles L. Grant. In fact, as a mother (it's about the death of a child and the guilt the father endures) I can't read the story anymore. But all the other ones are super good! Devilish Decor: Here is...

I've always loved books. And when I was younger: the scarier, the better. One of the scariest books I've ever read is Halloween Horrors: New Tales of Dark Fantasy and Terror by Alan Ryan. Background - When I was in middle school, I was searching the library's Halloween section one gloomy October day. The cover of this book got me first..... creepy, right? I checked it out and devoured it in a day. I remember sitting in our dimly lit living room on a cloudy afternoon, reading horror after horror story.  They aren't gory.... but truly terrifying. After going away to college, I forgot about the book. Well, not the book, but the title.  It took me years to track it down. I was able to find a used copy on Amazon last year and bought it. I love that I own an old library book. There are thirteen creepy, spooky, and just-plain scary stories in this book.   The one that stands out the most is called "Eyes". It's about a Halloween tragedy involving a s...

The countdown to Hallowe'en begins! Please note this is not the actual number of days until Hallowe'en. The picture was taken two days ago. The house is totally decorated, although I still could use a few more things ;) One of the cool new decorations I bought this year are these Halloween Pumpkin Wall Decals from Kohls.  I love them!  My structured, OCD self feels the mantle is too cluttered, but the spooky side of me just doesn't care. ;) How do you decorate for Hallowe'en?

13 (lucky 13!) years ago,  I met a boy with an orange mohawk and tattoos.  (My parents were thrilled.) I didn't like him.  He was kinda annoying and talked a lot. When I ran into him at a party, he poked me. And annoyed me some more. Then one night I met a friend at the drive-in movies. The boy with the mohawk was there. We sat in the back of his truck and watched Shrek. On our first year (dating) anniversary,  he gave me a sunflower just like Shrek gave Princess Fiona. On our second year anniversary,  we rode a carriage through the French Quarter  and went on spooky ghost tours. I told him I was going to get married  on Halloween 2004. Would he be there? If so, he should get to proposing. Nine years ago today, we had our spooktacular wedding: See my skeleton bride and groom over on the left? I love those guys! Seven years ago, we added a little pumpkin to our family: A...

I love love love Halloween. It's my favorite holiday. So much so that I had a Halloween wedding (actually the day before Halloween thanks to the Catholic church's rule of no Sunday weddings).  The video above is the bride and groom I received for a shower gift. They held a prominent place on the cake table, ready to dance and sing for whomever chose to press the button. As I was getting out my Halloween decor on Saturday, Keith surprised me with an early anniversary present.  He remarked later that I did not say thank you. However, I thought that squealing with delight, clapping my hands and jumping up and down (yes I am a dork), is even better than saying 'thank you'. I guess not. So THANK YOU KEITH (even though you rarely read my blog).

One of the things I love about autumn is pumpkin everything.  I can't help it.  Keith bought me some pumpkin creamer for my coffee,  which I love. I got back late Sunday night from a refreshing weekend away,  then ended up working 12 1/2 hours (there was a big event).  This morning I was exhausted.     But pumpkin-flavored coffee,  plus my favorite Halloween mug made this morning bearable.

I wait all year to get my Halloween stuff out! And this year is the first time that the Bride and Groom make an appearance in five years! When you press the button on the Groom's hand, their eyes light up (red) and they sing "I Got You Babe." Apparently this is frightening to small children, but this year, the twins loves to dance around to them singing. As long as they stay on the bookcase, of course. We got them as an engagement present and had them sitting on the cake table at our wedding reception. Connor isn't falling out of the chair, he is just "hiding". The sign on the front door says: A Happy Witch Lives Here With Her Little Monsters

Far off in a field, in central Illinois, there lies a patch of pumpkins of the magical kind.    No one knows where they come from; they appear every October, yet no one ever plants a seed. Rare in nature is the person who finds this field.  It is said that only those with a touch of magick in their hearts can find this place.  As you walks delicately through the vines, you cannot help but feel a slight tremor upon nearing this particular pumpkin:  Stooping down to take a peek, you hear the faint humming of a song... What could that be? A party? A celebration? A wedding! The guests are arriving: The bouquet is prepared: Guests are seated: The "best men" take their places:  And now, the moment they've all been waiting for.... Let the celebration begin! But first, a wedding blessing: Deep peace of the running wave to you. Deep peace of the flowing air to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the ...

Now that it actually feels like fall (a couple of weeks ago, it was still in the 80-degree area), I'm just so darn happy. ;)  Autumn is my favorite time of year.  Here are 10 reasons why: Pumpkin spice latte Beautifully colored leaves  Rocket Dog Sweater Boots - but mine are brown.  Sooooo comfy!  Pumpkins! And of course - pumpkin pie! Decorating the house Our wedding anniversary is the day before Halloween   Our wedding cake toppers - I put them out every year  Halloween   Dressing up (Halloween 2009)  Can you see why this is my most favorite time of year? This post was brought to you by Working Mommy Wednesday's prompt to list your Top Ten anything!

I'm a lover of all things Hallowe'en.  Back in May, I saw this necklace on etsy:  It was at a cute shop called Gradum Gypsies  . My husband, being the wonderful man he is, bought it for me. I have waited rather impatiently for it to be October so I could wear it to work. It's the little things.