Halloween is here tomorrow. I love a little mid-week party! Even though my kids are older they are still enjoying getting some kind of get-up together. Well, it’s mostly gory and scary stuff now. The joy of boys! I love getting the house decorated. Loved these linen pumpkins I got at Pottery Barn this year.
They blended well with my bland and natural decor I dig so much.
My friend Sue who can make anything gave me this cool wreath!
Together with my old books and crow it gave a darker vibe to my entry.
I tried to glam it up a bit in my dining room with some Halloween colors and silver. I think adding Ivy gives anything a pretty look don’t you? I grab them whenever I can.
We are carving tonight. Some scenes from last year’s massacre.
They usually have their ideas all planned out. We often refer to an oldie, but goody Martha Stewart Halloween book for inspiration. Notice Grif’s home made tattoos? Hope it’s not a mark of things to come..
Jackson used a drill for his!
Quick mom take the picture, it’s cold!!
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| Last year. These have to be my favorite Halloween costumes so far. So aptly representative! |
I like to make chili and a platter of quesadillas for the kids to grab as everyone is running about. I’ve also got to have the fire on and some appetizers and wine for any friends who stop by. It’s all about the candy now and the high-schooler and his pals still plan on hitting the nearby homes before coming back to hang in the guy cave – aka the garage. We also have a sweet senior neighbor who still gives the street kids $2 bills. Can you believe it? She makes a special trip to the bank I’m sure. Bless her. She likes to see the costumes and they like to give her a hug. My husband will take the middle-schooler and his pals out for a bit. Yes, we assured him, dad will stay a few homes behind them. 😉
These were just five short years ago at our last home…Sniff.
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| First and Fourth grade here. It goes by too fast! |
Answering the door is getting even more fun for me as the little ones on our street are getting big enough to get really into it. One thing I will miss this year is the wonderful parade of kids at our elementary. After 11 years of having a student there, we are done. Our school always does a wonderful parade next door to the senior housing complex. The older folks look forward to it and the kids love the attention. I think every grammar school and senior home should be built next to each other! It’s a win-win.
Our neighbor girls’ costumes last year. How cute is Abby with the Rudolf nose and sign?
Seraphina was pretty clever with the raining cats and dogs thing..
How do you celebrate where you are? I know some countries have only recently begun having Halloween. It does seem like a bit of a money-making scheme sometimes..I tried to have my kids make their own costumes and not purchase store things. It’s greener too to use what you have around the home. We always did and it was fun. Who doesn’t remember being a gypsy or a tramp with your parents clothes and the dress-up box?
Making your own, encourages a bit of thought and frankly some of the store costumes are just gross and in the case of girls, downright wrong. I don’t believe parents should let their girls buy into the slutty version of a nurse, devil maid, angel, doctor and so on. Let girls be something fun or cool, and don’t get them start thinking being sexy is something good at a young age. A young woman from our local high school, Caitlin Cozine just wrote a terrific piece for the Mercury News on the choices out there for young women. Check it out here. Then while searching for that article I found this…
The meme above, and it’s hilarious, yet wise accompanying post, can be found at The Every Girl a awesome blog for young women. Highly recommend stopping by, or telling your daughter about it. I just found this blog and I wish I had something like this to read when I was younger.
Our neighborhood has a little pumpkin carving party also about a day before. It’s very casual. We set up some tables and tools and let kids get dirty and creative. The moms and dads (if they are home) and neighbors all come out and chat a bit, share a glass of wine, some nibbles and relax. At the end, we have all the kids line up their jack-o-lanterns. Precious!
Well, I’m off to indulge in a pumpkin latte, (apparently they are calling it liquid crack now?), and get a few items ticked off. If you still haven’t gotten in the Halloween mood, here’s some of my favorite ideas out there this month.
From the talented Annie, of Most Lovely Things, darling goodie bags to make for your Trick-or-Treaters!
And for the grown-ups a gorgeous Halloween cocktail created by the fabulous Mr. Paul of The Magical Christmas Wreath Company, The Blood Rose. Both of these blogs are favorites of mine!
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You can find more fun on my Pinterest board, I Love Fall and my last year’s post, Getting Your Pumpkin On!
Remember, you can still keep the pumpkins around until Thanksgiving! (Sorry not the carved ones! That could get ugly.) I remove my webs, spiders and the like. Just and add acorns, pinecones some fall foliage and you have Insta-Thanksgiving! I’ll be back soon with some more beautiful ideas for that.
Watch out for those zombies. They are awfully popular right now!
Happy Halloween Friends!
x
Kim
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