Haunted Hamlet

Halloween and more fall pictures!

2009-11-01T12:25:00.000-08:00

We had a great Halloween!! Jonah had a party to attend, big boy that he is now, so we partied without him. Michael, Makayla and Conner joined us in our trek around the neighborhood in pursuit of candy! Then we came back to the Hamlet and Lynn started a fire in the firepit in the back yard. Here it is..along with Benjie and Conner's legs!

We had some caramel apples..not very pretty but pretty yummy!

And hot chocolate-with or without the coolwhip (extra creamy) and caramel drizzle...

And here's our gang-a blind SEC football referee, a pretty witch with killer boots and a spooky vampire...

Here's a few more pictures of the Hamlet, this time from this year!

This is the mantle in the living room. I have to admit, things don't show up against those red walls like I would hope. It's prettier in real life than pictures show.

This is from the tops of the kitchen cabinets...

A autumnal colored rooster, a berry garland and a white metal pumpkin...

A small vignette on the corner china cabinet...

My ever useful grapevine bunny, this time all filled with fall flowers and another berry garland...

And a silk flower arrangement from the living room.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your fall! I'll be putting Haunted Hamlet to bed now, but join me on Scarecrow Soup for more fall fun!!

Have a great Sunday!

Cathy

My Fall Home and A Tour!

2009-10-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my fall home! I hope you enjoy your tour. Before we start, can I get you something to drink? How about a cup of warm apple cider?

While we're in the kitchen, let me show you some treasures! The white pitchers are part of collection of white pitchers...they are actually oversized cream pitchers. I use them for gravy boats and for syrup on family breakfast days! The boxes were a gift from my mom and dad a few years ago. The dried hydrangeas came from my brother, Michael's yard. Aren't they yummy?

I made the banner...I love the vintagy look of it. And the cabinet? $10 yard sale find! Score!

This is the top of my corner china cabinet. I just love these hat boxes too...they have a fallish look, with roosters on them, so they are perfect for my fall kitchen. I just love that pumpkiny color. I'm adding more and more of that color to my kitchen year round. It's just so warm and welcoming, don't you think?

This is our fireplace with another handmade fall banner. I love the fallish colors!!

OK, I know you saw the dates on these pictures! I confess, these are not new pictures! I just haven't had time to update my pictures. But things look pretty similar this year. I'll add more pictures over at Scarecrow Soup as soon as I get time!

Be sure to check out all of the other Magical Holiday Homes on tour!

Falling for Winter has some pretty things to show us! Don't you love the play on words in her blog title?

Another friend, Patty, has a post ready for us too!

And Aggy, my sweet friend, has some pretty things to show, too!

And a late entry, Haven Haunt has some ideas to show as well!

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Later!

Cathy

Fall Tour of Homes

2009-10-05T20:06:00.000-07:00

It's that time again!! My holiday crazy friends at Magical Holiday Home and I will be doing our second annual Fall Tour of Homes on Friday, October 16! If you want to participate, it's really easy! Just decorate your house for fall-or Halloween, or both-and then take some pictures of it. Post those pictures on your blog and then send me the link, either by leaving me a message here with it or by sending me pm at MHH, if you're a member there. I'd really like to have the link to the post, not to your blog in general..that way, if folks can find your decorations even after you've posted another entry.

I am toying with trying to add Mr. Linky or something like that. I'll make a decision soon-by the weekend, anyway and post it here.

So...get those decorations out, take some pictures and show off your hard work! I can't wait to see what all you have done!!

Happy decorating!

Cathy

Happy Fall!

2009-09-22T20:23:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of autumn!! I plan to wring every little bit of joy and excitement out of this season I can manage! I love fall...and all that that implies!

Some of my favorite fall things, in no particular order:

1. Pretty leaves

2. Cooler weather-cool enough for long sleeves, but not cold enough for a bulky coat!

3. Apples, pears, pumpkins and cranberries

4. Hot cider

5. Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks-my favorite fall guilty pleasure! I allow myself one a week, except that last week I allowed myself 2!!

6. Football!!

7. The Boo!Bash3 is coming in 32 days!

I am hoping to post at least 2-3 times weekly between now and the party. I have a lot to do...but I can't wait to party in the back yard with 60 or so of our closest friends and family on October 24!! I am planning my costume...it's a little out there, but oh, so me!! Stay tuned for more info in the days to come!

Boo!

Cathy

Hellooooo...

2009-08-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

Fall is approaching, and that means the Boo!Bash3 will be here before you know it! I can't believe this is the third year for it! I am soo excited and can't wait to share my plans for it with you in the coming weeks. The date for this year's party is October 24. It's always the Saturday before Halloween. Next year, that'll mean it's the DAY before Halloween. This leaves Halloween open to attend other parties or carnivals or to trick or treat with the kiddies! Fun, yes?

In the meantime, over at Magical Holiday Home we are planning another Fall Tour of Homes. The date has been set, and details will be posted here on the host blog soon! You don't have to be a member of MHH to join in!! So get those leaves and pumpkins out of storage, and take lots of photos to share. I'll be giving you an email address to send a link to if you are not part of MHH. But if you're not, why aren't you? It's a great place to hang out year round, and it's about to kick into high gear with the beginning of all of the holidays and holiday plans. Check out Organized Christmas if you want to begin your own holiday prep plan. CEO has several of them to choose from. It'll make your holidays that much sweeter!!

Ok, see you in September!! I can't believe it's almost fall, ya'll but I am sooo glad!!

Boo!
Cathy

Spooky Jack O Lanterns and a Good Night!

2008-11-02T14:22:00.000-08:00

The boys carved their own jack o lanterns this year...I helped with the lids, and they did the rest. We roasted the seeds and ate them all! They were nice big, plump seeds and so crunchy and good. I always love freshly roasted pumpkin seeds.

Here's Benjie cleaning out his pumpkin....

And here's the spooky result:
Count Spook-yala!

Here's Jonah carefully working on his...

And the masterpiece!

Jonah named his "Spookily"

We had a grand time trick or treating with our friends the Smecks...unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of that night! We ate chili, Mexican chicken stew, cheese dip, chocolate cupcakes and chocolate chip cookies. Yum! Our favorite Halloween menu! We've trick or treated together for at least 9 years now!

I hope you've enjoyed the Haunted Hamlet this fall. It'll be going to bed now, but there will be periodic posts on Great Pumpkin Day, which is the 30th of each month. After all, we do have Boo!Bash3 to plan! Don't forget to check out Scarecrow Soup for all of the November doings of the Miller clan!!

Happy Haunting!

Cathy

More Boo!Bash2 pics!

2008-10-28T05:53:00.001-07:00

This just in! More Boo!Bash2 pictures!

This was hysterical...and the runners-up in the couples costume contest (Mummies and Daddies division!)...a hunter and a white tail deer, complete with the white tail!!

And, the winner in the couples division...the newest bride and groom! This is my brother Mark and his new wife, Laura! Congratulations on winning, the contest and each other!! What a way to spend your honeymoon!!

The prettiest witch I've ever seen! And a pretty good looking shepherd, complete with lamb! Sorry this is so dark...

The Whoopie Cushion won the individual costume contest...but the sock monkey was a riot!! Too funny!!

Hannah, Billy Ray and Ellie May!!

The Flintstones (see below) won the group award, and Jacob (the younger Joker) won the Teenage Werewolf division. Thanks again to everyone who came and dressed up, and a special thanks to Mom and Dana (aka Grandmother Joker and Ellie May) for sending the pictures I missed!!

Boo!Bash3 is already in the works! Planned for the Saturday before Halloween, it is going to be bigger and better than ever!! Mark your 2009 calendars! (Stop laughing, Michael, or I'll tell everyone that you are Fred Flintstone! )

I'll post pictures from Halloween night this weekend!

Happy Haunting!!

Cathy

Success!

2008-10-27T06:06:00.000-07:00

Boo!Bash2 was a big success. We had around 45 attending, most in costume, and what costumes they were! Oh! My! Here's a few pictures...I didn't get any of the decorations, duh! I was so busy putting them out I forgot to document them. And, I didn't get any of the Johnson family, the Carter family and the newest bride and groom, Mark and Laura, so if you attended and took pictures and got any of the ones I missed or the decorations, email them to me and I'll do another post. They all had great costumes...and we didn't get pictures of them. But I know one of you did, so please? Please??

We had candy bars and cavemen, sock monkeys and whoopie cushions...

Fred and Betty and BamBam were here...no word on where Wilma and Barney were...

A couple of sweeties and their dad...

Father and son farmers....

Spiderman and his mom...

Whoopie!!

Candy bars.....

A pair of Jokers...

Hanna Montana and Billy Ray....

And an unlucky skier...

Thanks to everyone who showed up and participated!

I'll have a couple of more posts this week, hopefully with more Boo!Bash2 pictures and then one for Halloween...then I'll put this blog to bed except for monthly Great Pumpkin Day updates...but keep an eye on Scarecrow Soup! We've got Thanksgiving to plan! Yay!

Have a great Halloween week!

Happy Haunting!

Cathy

Boo!Bash2 final countdown!!

2008-10-24T06:36:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the big day! Todd the Weather Man (who was filling in for Melinda the Weather Lady) says that at kick-off time for the Razorback game the temperature should be about 53 degrees, dropping into the 40s during the evening. Since we're kicking off the party at the same time, I figure that's what we can expect, too! Perfect!!

We are having roasted hot dogs, nachos, toasted marshmallows (s'mores anyone??), cupcakes, cookies, candy, candy, candy...and to wash it all down, iced tea and water, iced lemon cider (oohh..me and Benjie LOVE that stuff!!), hot apple cider, hot coffee and hot chocolate. To dress up the hot drinks I have caramel syrup, pumpkin spice and caramel apple creamers, whipped cream, marshmallows, ghost shaped Peeps and cinnamon to sprinkle on top, as desired. Good stuff!

We're having a costume contest with a written ballot and a ballot pumpkin (rather than box) for voting...cute little winner's badges and bags of candy for the little goblins who will all be winners, no doubt!

My brother Michael made the ballots, and they are cute! I'll post pictures Sunday!

Happy Haunting!
Cathy

Fall Tour of Homes

2008-10-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

I love fall decorations and I usually do much more than I've done this year. And, I do plan to do a little more, but I'm waiting until closer to the Boo!Bash2, which is only 11 days away! I'll try to post more photos when I get it all done. But, in the meantime, here's a quick tour of what I have gotten done.

I'll start my tour in the kitchen. This is one of my favorite pieces of furniture, and a favorite for decorating as well! I made the banner from scraps of other projects and really did it just for fun, but ended up liking it, especially on this cabinet!

Here's a close up of the top...the copper piece that the pumpkin is sitting in was from Hobby Lobby, on clearance for $2. It was not copper, but I spray painted it and added the feathers you see at the bottom of the pumpkin. I love how it looks with my copper chicken basket.

These are permanant residents in what I call the "chicken coop". It's a yard sale find that I bought a couple of years ago for $10. I have paint to paint it white and chicken wire to go in the doors, but as of yet I haven't managed to get it done!

I change the tapers in this white candleabra often. Most recently, it held gold tapers and an amber colored ornament hanging on it...but I changed it for Halloween. I'll put gold back in for Thanksgiving, then switch to cranberry red for Christmas. After Christmas, it's back to black to match the toile curtains!

The chicken coop.

Here's my Halloween tree...a little different this year than in years past, and it looks prettier in person than in these pictures...I bought a bunch of foam masks and glittered them up....

This turquoise feathered mask came from New Orleans!!

The Halloween Tree!

These hydrangeas came from a bush in my brother Michael's back yard...they were fresh in this picture.....

And here's some of them after being dried. This is my mantle in the living room.

More pictures coming soon! Be sure to check out everyone's homes in the Fall Tour of Homes!

The links are in the post above this one!

Thanks a lot for looking!

Happy Haunting!

Cathy

Edited to add: Ok, for some odd reason this posted wrong...I'm sure it was nothing I did...well, it really probably was, but I have no idea what. So, anyway, the links for the tour are in the post BELOW this one instead of above! Also, the spacing is weird...so please forgive me, just enjoy the pretty pictures everyone has posted!!

Virtual Fall Tour of Homes

2008-10-12T14:30:00.000-07:00

It's today!

Here's the bloggers who've chosen to participate in our tour:
Our first stop is at Carrie's home.
Next up is Linda who always has the cutest things on her blog.
Be sure you check out Jessica's ghost ring...too, too cute!
Next we stop by Leann's Fall Festivities and see what she's been up to.
Jack Frosty is next...
And here's what Starflake has for us to look at...
Natalie has some things for us to see, too...
And another Cathi has joined us!

Check out Ginger's Great Pumpkin Day blog for her cute decor!

And, if you check out the post below this one, you'll find my home!!

Thanks so much for everyone who has participated. Don't forget that we'll be doing a Christmas tour in December, hosted by Pumpkins and Reindeer!

Enjoy!

Happy Haunting!

Cathy

It's This Thursday!

2008-10-12T14:19:00.001-07:00

It's this Thursday, October 16! I chose that date because it's a significant one to me and I can remember it! I'll be posting links here for you to visit others' beautifully decorated fall homes! I am very excited about this...and if you want to participate, here's how you can do it! It's not too late!

*Leave me a message on this post and give me the link to your blog.
*Take the logo above and on Thursday, post it and pictures of your fall decorations-inside, outside or both-on your blog.
*Thursday morning I'll post all the links and we've got ourselves a virtual tour of homes!!

And yes, you may use pictures from last year or any other year that you choose. You can show strictly fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving or a combo of all of it...whatever you like!

I am so excited about this! I hope you will leave me your link and join in the fun. Even if you choose not to participate by posting pictures, come back Thursday and see the way everyone has decorated their homes for the harvest season.

By the way...we'll be doing this in mid-December too for Christmas decorations...details of that will be coming soon on Pumpkins and Reindeer.

BooBash2

2008-10-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

The party is only 2 weeks away! Can you believe it?

We're working feverishly to get everything ready. The menu has slightly changed, due to unforeseen circumstances! We'll have roasted (or grilled) hot dogs, nachos, toasted marshmallows, cupcakes, cookies and, of course, candy. To drink I'm planning iced tea, cold lemon cider, hot apple cider, coffee and hot chocolate.

I'm hoping we can have a hayride, like last year. And, of course, the costume contest. Categories are:

*Little Goblins (under 12 years of age)

*Teenage Werewolves

*Silly Singles (adults whose costumes are not part of a couple or group)

*Mummies and Daddies (costumes are a couple-the wearers don't have to be!!)

*Group Hug (3 or more costumes designed to represent a group)

It is going to be so fun...sure hope the weather cooperates, since it's outside in the backyard! If it rains, we'll do it Halloween night.

If you are coming, please call me and tell me. We're asking our guests to bring some things, so if you didn't get the email and plan to attend, call me and I'll share with you what we need!!

Happy Haunting!

Cathy

The date is set!

2008-09-20T13:13:00.000-07:00

The virtual Fall Tour of Homes will be right here, on Thursday, October 16. Everyone will probably be pretty well decorated for fall and/or Halloween by then. Just leave me a message or a personal message over at Magical Holiday Home and I'll include you! Feel free to take this picture and use it on your blog...I'm trying to figure out how to make it a logo, but we may just have to use it like this for this year.

This is going to be fun! Be sure to jump in...just take pictures of your home decorated for fall and post them on your blog the day of the tour. Then, I'll link all the bloggers who have left me a message to mine, VIOLA! a home tour!!

Virtual Fall Tour of Homes

2008-09-09T08:56:00.000-07:00

If you want to participate in this, just leave me a message on this or any upcoming posts and give me a link. Then, on the designated date, I'll post the links to your blog, and you post pictures that everyone can "tour"! Fun, huh?? I'm working on a little logo to post, so be watching!

I have a poll up over at Magical Holiday Home, so if you have an opinion about the date, hop over there and vote! It's looking like the majority are voting for mid-October, mostly so that we can showcase our Halloween decor, as well! The poll closes Sunday, September 14, so get going!

I'll post the date here Monday, September 15!!

I guess I'd better get busy decorating! Don't want to be left out!

Pictures!!

2008-09-02T07:32:00.000-07:00

Here's a few little crafty items I've been working on...nothing earth-shattering, but it's kept me off the streets!

I had a bunch of gold and silver metallic cones that I'd purchased from the Dollar Tree, with every intention of using them on a Victorian tree...and I still plan to do that sometime. But after making a few cones from a Gooseberry Patch pattern using scrapbook paper, I thought about those and how cute they would be in some cute paper..so I took one apart and made a new, smaller pattern with the sweet little star on top. Then I found some leftover goldish colored paper and those sunflower stickers in my paper craft box, and VIOLA!! A fall looking cone for hanging on a fall tree or to present full of Harvest Yummies!

Then, I got the idea to do one to look like a candy corn...

Then, inspiration struck again...and a candy corn banner was born!

And, finally, here's my favorite one so far....just a simple little Autumn banner, hung on my corner china cabinet, with fall leaves and raffia....

And my early fall centerpiece...the glass pumpkin will soon hold candy corn (the real stuff) if I ever remember to buy it at the store!

Notice the cut out leaf table runner? End of the fall special at Kirklands last year...$5! Whoo hoo! I wish it was a different color-say a deep pumpkin-but, hey-$5!! I'll live with it!

And what, you may be asking, are Harvest Yummies? My name for a very simple snack mix of salted peanuts and candy corn! I keep a jar of it made all fall long..and for fall parties I've been known to pack it into waffle ice cream cones and wrap it up with plastic wrap and curling ribbons and put them in a pretty bowl or basket for take home favors.

So that's what I've been up to lately! And you?

Happy Haunting!

Cathy

No Pictures Yet...

2008-08-29T19:10:00.000-07:00

I just haven't had time to get pictures made! But I plan to this weekend.

I did a tiny bit of fall decorating today. I put out a copper tray with a candelabra with fall colored gold candles in it, a glass pumpkin that will hold candy corn if I ever get to the store to buy it, and surrounded the whole thing with a faux bittersweet garland. It's just a tiny bit of fall...but it's so refreshing to look at it. It's like the pumpkins...it gives me hope!!

Pictures soon, I really, really promise!!

Happy Haunting,
Cathy

And the crafting continues!

2008-08-28T07:56:00.000-07:00

I am working on several things to show you soon. I am finished with an autumn banner, but I haven't photographed it yet. I also am working on a glitzy glammy "Harvest" banner that I'll use on my double kitchen windows. I have the cutest little bitty "Boo" "banner" done...not sure you can call it a banner, it's kind of different...but, again, no pictures yet. So, today at the Haunted Hamlet I'll be:

*finishing up banners
*photographing banners
*loading photos from camera onto computer
*posting pictures of above banners

Lynn says I make a list for everything, and I hate to prove him right, but, there you have it! And, the odd thing is, he says it like it's a bad thing. Strange, huh? Men are so weird.

So, hopefully late today or tomorrow, I'll show you some stuff!!

Happy Haunting!
Cathy

A little fall on our front porch!

2008-08-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

Here's the first fruits from our pumpkin patch!! Our neighbors, Keith and Debbie, went down to the farm on Saturday and brought these back to the boys! Aren't they great?? Even though it's too early to really decorate for fall, I just love looking out the door and seeing these babies! It won't be long now!!

And hop over to Scarecrow Soup and see what other fallish fun I've been up to!!

Happy Haunting!

Cathy

Halloween crafting.

2008-08-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

I'm just crazy about vintage Halloween decorations. I would love to stumble upon a whole box of them in some little flea market somewhere! That would be such fun!

I am working on invitations and decorations for the Boo!Bash2, and I want it to have a definite vintage angle...I'm loving this piece of art:

Wouldn't it look just wonderful printed out onto cardstock, all glittered and gleaming? Can't you just see it? It would make a great Halloween card, invitation to a party (Boo!Bash2?) or as a part of a banner. I am crazy about this one! You'll likely see it again in another form pretty soon!

I have a few more things done, but I haven't taken pictures of them yet...still tweaking a few of them. My favorite is an "Autumn" banner that I did with construction paper and letters that I already had...plus a little raffia and a fall leaf garland. Look for a picture of it soon.

Great Pumpkin Day will be next weekend, and I plan to have a few crafty things to share!

Can't you just smell the changes coming in the weather? It's still pretty warm and humid here, but it's way cooler than normal, and it has me excited for fall! Next weekend is Labor Day, so that means fall is closer than ever! Oh, yeah, baby!

Happy Haunting!

Cathy

A (Vintage style) Banner Day!

2008-08-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

I got the idea the other day to make a vintage style pennant banner for the Boo!Bash2 decorations. So, I got into my paper crafts box, dug around a little and here's what I found that I thought I might could use:

Orange and black construction paper, with an old fashioned feel to it..sort of faded looking, not bright orange and black-black, but like it was old and had been around a while. I actually think it's because it's cheap construction paper, but hey-whatever works!

I also had some black stick on letters..some silver cupcake liners, and a glue stick!

So, I made a pattern that looked about the size I wanted the pennants to be, and got busy....

I made some black ones and embellished them with orange...

And some orange ones, embellished with black!

And here's the final result! I want to foofify it with some raffia and orange ribbon, but this is the basic banner! And, yes, the "b"s are missing...I tore one and glittered the other before we (Benjie and I) decided we didn't like the silver glitter on the silver cups...so I have to get two more "b"s. But, what do you think otherwise? You really can't tell from the picture, but the bottom of the top piece and the top of the bottom piece are fringed a little...they really stand out in person, but it didn't photograph well.

Not bad for an hour's work and on-hand supplies, huh? By the way, it says Boo!Bash. I may add another pennant on the end and put a 2 on it, but probably I'll just leave it like it is and re-use it every year! I really like the way it looks!

What do YOU think about it?

Happy Haunting!

Cathy

Fall Crafts chat

2008-08-10T19:22:00.000-07:00

Today in the chat room, we talked about fall crafts. Ginger has some great links and ideas for us. Check out the message boards over at Magical Holiday Home tomorrow and she'll have a summary of the chat. It was really fun, lots of folks showed up to discuss rag garlands, paper banners and various other fall crafts.

I'm currently working on a banner for the Boo!Bash2. I thought I was going to have make a trip to Hobby Lobby to get some paper for this project, but I dug around in my paper box and found some construction paper, of all things, that is exactly what I have in mind for this project.

I'm not giving any secrets away just yet, but you should know that it involves construction paper, raffia and cupcake liners! Stay tuned...more to come soon!

Happy Haunting!
Cathy

Fall, Family and Friends

2008-08-04T05:53:00.000-07:00

I got a new Gooseberry Patch cookbook...well, new to me, anyway. It's Fall, Family and Friends, and it's a goodie. I bought it off of Amazon, and I only paid a little for it...maybe $6 or so..I really can't remember. But I do love it already!

Here's a few little goodies from it:

*Kids will giggle over the floating "hands" in their punchbowl. Rinse out a pair of vinyl gloves and fill with water. Tie the ends tightly into knots and place in the freezer. When frozen, cut off the knots, remove the gloves and place the icy "hands" in the punch!

*Slip a dress and apron on your scarecrow this season and she'll be an instant hit as a scarecrone!

*Use cookie cutters in leaf, pumpkin or ghost shapes to cut out biscuit dough...a dinnertime surprise!

Plans for Boo!Bash2 are progressing nicely. I'm still working on invitation ideas, and Jessica over at MHH had a great suggestion for a pumpkin contest. She said that she used to attend a party where the hostess invited guests to bring a carved pumpkin for judging. Doesn't that sound like fun? I'd thought about that last year, except that I was thinking we'd carve the jacks at the party, then judge them. I wasn't sure we'd have enough pumpkins last year, due to the late crop. However, we would have, as it turned out. My handy-dandy pumpkin growing brother, Mark, delivered a trailer load of hay, pumpkins and gourds the night before the party! This year the crop should be earlier, due mostly to the efforts of Keith and Debbie, our neighbors who helped get them planted. Thanks!

I am soooo ready for fall. Melinda the weather lady says it's going to be 102 degrees today, and 101 tomorrow. Highs for the upcoming weekend are predicted to be around 90 degrees. Who would have thought that 90 would be welcome!

Here's a recipe from the new GP book...I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds yummy!

Old Fashioned Kettle Corn
2 T. sunflower oil
1/2 c. unpopped popcorn
1/4 c. raw sugar
1/2 t. salt

Place first 3 ingredients in a hand cranked popcorn popper. Cook popcorn mixture over medium high heat while turning the crank. Alternatively, cook popcorn mixture in a large stockpot with lid, shaking to pop corn. Once kernels begin to pop, reduce heat to low and continue cranking or shaking until popping stops. Place popcorn in a large bowl, sprinkle with salt. Makes 12 cups.

I made a huge batch (a garbage bag full) of popcorn last year for the party, and I'm planning on that again. I served it in a huge orange bowl, with a scoop and a stack of brown lunch bags for folks to scoop up their own. I think I'll add a bowl of kettle corn this year. It's one of my favorite things to get at Silver Dollar City, and I'd love to make my own.

More details as they happen!

Happy Haunting!
Cathy

Happy Great Pumpkin Day!

2008-07-31T06:08:00.000-07:00

Only 2 more until the Big Day!! Wow! Gotta get going!

Today's agenda is to work on those invitations! After making a guest list, I realize that hand-crafted cards with vintage appeal for 100 people is not going to happen! I would need about 30 or so invitations, but still waaaayyyy out of my area of expertise, not to mention patience! So, it's back to the Word document/Office Depot idea. But that's ok...it'll be cute!

Over at MHH's forums, we've got a discussion going on fall decorating. Check out the great ideas those folks have for a festive fall home.

I am planning on hosting on this blog a virtual Fall/Halloween decoration tour of homes! Won't that be fun? I'll set a date, around the end of October, probably, and link the blogs of everyone who wants to participate to this one. Fun, huh? This idea came out of a forum discussion at MHH, but it's not limited to members. If you want to participate, keep your eyes peeled for the date to send me the links and a photo, and I'll set you up! (We'll also be doing this on Pumpkins and Reindeer for Christmas!)

This is from an old magazine (Good Housekeeping, 2004!) and this is exactly how I'd like my outside doors to look for the party! Isn't it beautiful?

Have a great Great Pumpkin Day!

Happy Haunting!

Cathy

GPD post 2!

2008-07-29T06:20:00.000-07:00

So, I'm thinking that I'm going to try to work on those invitations for the Boo!Bash2 on Thursday. I have no clue what I want to do just yet, so between now and then I'll try to figure out how many invites I need, and that will determine what kind I make! If I have a whole bunch to make, I'll do a document in Word, frou-frou it up with clip art and email it to Office Depot to print in color on orange paper. If I only have to do a few (less than 15, say) I may try to get a little more creative. We'll see...last year we had 60 folks and I didn't send ANY invitations, just phone calls, emails and word of mouth!

Off to make my guest list! Might as well get that done, huh? Then I won't have to do any housework if I'm "busy" doing other vital stuff like a guest list for a party 3 months away!!

Happy Haunting!
Cathy

Great Pumpkin Day

2008-07-28T06:56:00.000-07:00

Thursday will be Great Pumpkin Day, which means a fun filled day of Halloween planning! I was scheduled to leave for a trip that day, but due to circumstances that really tick me off, but I can't control, I'm not going, so I'll be here!

I'm not really sure what I'll do on Thursday, but I'll think about it today while I'm clearing and cleaning the laundry room (yuck, yuck and more yuck...hot and dusty job!) and report back later. If I work really hard today and tomorrow getting regular work done, then the rest of the week I can do Halloween stuff and finish up Christmas in July in style!!

So, until then..

Happy Haunting!!

Cathy

Proof Postive

2008-07-24T06:54:00.000-07:00

That fall is coming! I found these on my walk today!! There's hope!!

Halloween Countdown

2008-07-23T17:49:00.000-07:00

Ginger has just announced over at Magical Holiday Home that the Halloween/fall party countdown will start September 21. For those of you who don't know how big of a geek I am...I love to count down stuff!! I mean I love it! I even create my own countdowns, things like "VBS countdown" for preparing for Vacation Bible School, kids' birthdays and of course, any special activities we have planned far enough in advance to count down!

So, visit over there and see if you want to participate! It's fun!

I'm planning on making and sending invitations for the Boo!Bash2! this year. Stay tuned for details!!

Happy Haunting!
Cathy

Ghost Host

2008-07-13T12:20:00.000-07:00

During the afternoon Halloween party planning chat today, we discussed the Ghost Host decoration. I want to do this in our front yard this year. We are planning a virtual project for several to make one at the same time and post our progress on the boards!

FamilyFun.com has the original directions, plus lots of other cool stuff. Click here for more haunted fun!

Ghost Host

craft materials:

*6 dowels

*small white garbage bags

*newspaper

*masking tape

*old white sheets

*string

*black permanent marker

Time needed: under 1 hour

1. First, find a good location for your gathering of ghosts. They look especially good when circling a central pole, such as a tree or lamppost. (I plan to use the sycamore tree in our front yard...)

2. Next, cut your dowels to the height you'd like your ghosts to be. We've seen them in every size, from toddler height (quite cute) to larger than life (quiet spooky). Remember, the larger the ghosts, the more sheets you need to use.

3. To make a ghost head, stuff a white garbage bag or paper bag with crumpled newspaper or leaves to the size you like. Push one of the dowels into the bag, then wrap masking tape around the neck to secure it. Repeat for the rest of the ghosts.

4. Drape a sheet (or half a sheet, if you're making small ghosts) over each head and tie a piece of string around each neck. You may need to experiment with cutting your sheets to the right size. (In the picture they used a queen sized sheet for each ghost and rounded the bottom edges to the desired length).

5. Use permanent black markers to draw a face on each ghost.

6. Gather your ghosts around the tree or pole...with a foot or two around each one...and push the dowels into the earth so that the sheets touch the ground. Angle the ghosts so that they are leaning slightly backward, then knot the corners of the sheets together as if the ghosts were holding hands.

That's it. Very cute, very easy...now to haunt..er..hunt down some queen sized sheets!

Happy Haunting!

Cathy

Halloween Menu and a Reminder...

2008-07-10T11:58:00.000-07:00

...not to forget the Halloween party planning chat over at My Merry Christmas, hosted by Ginger, on Sunday. Scroll down a couple of posts for details, or go to MHH and click on the forums and check it out. It'll be fun, no doubt!

Here's my menu for Halloween night. We have the party on the Saturday before Halloween to allow those little trick or treaters to still hit the neighborhoods for their waaayyy more than recommended amount of candy! For the past several years, our friends Eddie and Melissa and their son, Cameron, have joined us for dinner and trick or treating. We have pretty much the same menu every year...I've thought about changing it, but fear a mutiny if I do. So, here's the usual menu. I'm planning the same this year.

Tamale dip and tortilla chips
Salsa and chips
chili with all the fixings...Fritos ( a southern staple!), cheese, sour cream, onions, jalapenos
Cornbread muffins and crackers
Iced tea, sodas and hot cider (weather permitting..sometimes its' dang cold on Halloween, other years we trick or treat in shorts!)
Double Chocolate Ooey Gooey Cake with vanilla ice cream

Tamale Dip
2 lb. package Velveeta cheese spread, cut into little chunks
1 large can tamales, unwrapped and coarsely chopped
1 can chili, whatever flavor you prefer, either with or without beans
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 cup jarred salsa

Put Velveeta, tamales and chili in a large bowl. Microwave for 3 minutes on high power..stir. If it's too thick, add about 1/4-1/2 cup milk and stir again. Add spices and salsa, stir to combine and microwave another 2-3 minutes, stirring about half way through. Serve with tortilla or other chips.

I like to make this in the microwave and then put it in a crock pot to stay warm. I love this stuff, and it's even meaty enough to stand alone as a meal...although Lynn doesn't think so!! Not very healthy, obviously, but, hey-it's Halloween!!

Happy Haunting!

Cathy

GPD coming up soon!

2008-07-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

I am planning to take a short hiatus from Christmas in July planning and work on Boo!Bash2 a little more. I still haven't decided on prizes for the costume contests...any ideas?? It needs to be fairly generic because I don't know if it'll be man, woman, boy or girl that wins...or any combination of that. We had several divisions last year...Best Costume-child division (individual); Best Costume-adult division and Best Couple (doesn't have to be an actual couple, just the costume needs to be a couple...is that clear as mud?). We ended up with a group award as well..my brother and his brood came as the entire cast of Annie, remember? Their pictures are on the side bar...can't miss them!

So, if you have any thoughts about this, leave me a comment and give me some help. I also want to get those pillows done this month. Since I'm leaving for Chicago for a Jewels by Park Lane convention on July 31, I'll have to use the 13th as my Great Pumpkin Day this month! And that's next week!

I got a new Gooseberry Patch catalog yesterday and found a fabulous fall runner in it. I believe that I can make one very similar, if not just like it...take a look!

I'll keep you posted!

Happy Haunting!
Cathy

Halloween Party Planning chat

2008-06-15T09:38:00.000-07:00

Ginger over at Magical Holiday Home is planning a chat on Sunday, July 13 to discuss Halloween party planning. If you want to participate, just click on the link above and scroll down a bit to the story on chats. She describes what steps you must take to participate. If you've never chatted before, you should give it a try!! It's lots of fun...and I know the holiday crazies that participate will have fabulous ideas and tips! Since I'm in full party-planning mode, I'm excited to see it on the schedule! I can't wait!!

The picture above is our back porch decorated and ready for last year's Boo!Bash! It was a huge hit, so we've decided every year, the Saturday before Halloween, is Boo!Bash! day at the Miller hamlet!!

Happy Haunting!!

Cathy

Double Chocolate Gooey Cake

2008-06-07T13:18:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite desserts to make for Halloween. This recipe is from Paula Deen of Food Network. Boy, is it good! And gooey!!

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus 8 more tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus additional butter, for greasing pan
1 (18.25-ounce) package chocolate cake mix
1 egg, plus 2 eggs
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 to 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Lightly grease a 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 egg, and 1 stick melted butter, and stir until well blended. Pat mixture into prepared pan and set aside.

In a stand mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the remaining 2 eggs, and the cocoa powder. Lower the speed of the mixer, and add the powdered sugar. Continue beating until ingredients are well mixed. Slowly add the remaining 1 stick of melted butter, and the vanilla, continuing to beat the mixture until smooth. Stir in nuts with a rubber spatula. Spread filling over cake mixture in pan. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the cake; the center should still be a little gooey when finished baking. Let cake partially cool on a wire rack before cutting into pieces.

This is really good, but be careful not to overcook it...then it's still good, just not gooey. And, trust me, it's better gooey!! This is yummy served with a little whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Oh, yes!!

Happy Haunting!
Cathy

Sigh

2008-06-02T12:21:00.001-07:00

I didn't do anything for Great Pumpkin Day again this month. Do you realize that we only have 5 more GPDs before the big day? And it looks like we're having a wedding right in the middle of October? Do you know how critical it is for me to get busy? Do you? Do I? Evidently not, judging from my lack of activity. I'll do better soon, I promise!

In the meantime, here's a few more tips and ideas from Gooseberry Patch's Autumn in the Country cookbook. I shared a few on Scarecrow Soup also. I love these books!

#Line the front walk with canning-jar luminaries on Halloween! Paint scary or funny faces on jars using black poster paint and nestle tealights in several inches of sand.

#Show off your pumpkin carving skills...set Jack O' Lanterns on overturned large garden pots

#Place feathered faux black crows in the windows, on lampshades and all around the house for a spooky Halloween feel. (I really like this one)

#Use a linoleum craft knife to carve swirling designs on pumpkins. Since only the outer surface is carved, there's no need to hollow out the pumpkins..so easy!

#Carve or drill a pattern of round holes in hollowed-out pumpkins, then set tealights inside for a flickering glow.

And, a quote:
"I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion." Henry David Thoreau

Me, too!

Later!
Cathy

May Great Pumpkin Day change of plans!

2008-05-28T09:04:00.000-07:00

Oh, I'm still going to work on the pillow tops-but I'm going to do it on Lake DeGray, in between tubing, floating on an air mattress, reading my book and just chilling...drinking iced tea, watching kids swim, etc!! We are heading out on Friday and won't come home until Sunday!!! I can't wait!!

I do plan to put some felt squares, thread, needle, scissors and patterns in my bag to hand stitch while we're there. It is supposed to be hot, but I think just the 8x10 inch squares won't be too bad to work with. I'll try to post pictures!

Later!
Cathy

May Great Pumpkin Day project and a challenge!!

2008-05-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

Ok! I've found my project for May Great Pumpkin Day! I have an old craft book I picked up really cheap at Hobby Lobby a few years ago. I was leafing through it instead of making corsages and bows for the big upcoming Magical Wedding this weekend and found the CUTEST autumn pillows. It's just plain pillows with felt embellishments-pumpkins, leaves, etc.-stitched on to felt squares and then attached to the pillow. I'm planning on making them for the lawn furniture for the Boo!Bash2.

Now for the challenge!

Since our party is a costume party and we give prizes for the best costumes, my second project for this month is to find prizes (or at least start looking for them) for each division of the contest, and to try to make them good prizes this time. I want to make ribbons to pin on the winners that say "Best Costume", etc. Last year I gave bags of candy for prizes. I want to find some cool things to use. So, to challenge you:

Decide if you want to have a costume contest at your gathering, and brainstorm what prizes you want to give. If you are not having a contest or even a gathering, start thinking about costume ideas.

Are you up for it?

Here's a picture from last year's contest:

The Burger King lives! Long Live the King!!

May Great Pumpkin Day

2008-05-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

Over at Great Pumpkin Day, Ginger has issued a challenge for May. She is encouraging everyone to do this:

So the challenge should you choose to accept it is to make a party decor item (or party favors would count!) or if you aren't hosting a party then a fall decor item for your home!!!

Of course, we are planning on hosting our own Boo!Bash2, so this is a good challenge for me. I am thinking about what I want to do for May. Ginger mentioned that she is working on ideas for a haunted kitchen. I think that's a good idea, because, like Ginger, our kitchen is the main thoroughfare for the bathroom! Last year I had it decorated a little, but I want to really make it look good this year. I'll most likely go more fall than Halloween. I especially love my kitchen, and I like it best from September until January, when it's decorated for fall and then for Christmas.

Here's my cute little ghost that I plopped in the middle of the kitchen table last year:

You can't see his purple tennis shoes, but they are SO CUTE!!

I'll be back soon and let you know what my plans are and what I'm challenging you to do. I do know that I'll be taking on Ginger's challenge...it's a great place to start!!

Later!
Cathy

2008-04-17T09:45:00.001-07:00

Pumpkins!

2008-04-17T09:22:00.000-07:00

Around the first of June I'd like to plant our pumpkins. Last year we waited later and we had a green pumpkin patch right in the middle of the Boo!Bash! It was ok, but this year I would like for them to be ripe, harvested and the vines out of the way for the party. Mark brought orange and white pumpkins from the farm, so we had plenty of carving pumpkins, but I am trying to plan things a little better this year.

I love to watch pumpkins growing. It seems like they grow by leaps and bounds, then turn orange overnight. I'm going to try to find some of the seeds for giants this year, and let each boy have a giant pumpkin to claim as their own. I think every kid should have a chance to grow their own jack o lanterns!

When my nephew Wade was little, he grew gourds. He tended them and watered them, trained them to grow on the fence, then picked and dried them. His mom, Debora, painted some of them to look like Santas, witches and some other cute things. I would like to have some of those this year, too.

Good thing I got my GPD planning done early...I had to do taxes on the 13th this month...now THAT was scary!!

Here's a picture of the entrance to the Boo!Bash! last year!

Later!
Cathy

BooBash2! plans

2008-04-07T07:09:00.001-07:00

Here are some really tentative ideas we have for the party. Feel free to chime in with thoughts and ideas, tips or recipes!

I've spent some time thinking about the menu this year. Last year we did a dessert buffet, potluck style, and it worked ok. There were a ton of desserts, mostly uneaten. This year, we're going to include hot dogs and chili, chips, cheesedip and s'mores. I think we'll still do a little potlucking, just because of the sheer volume of food we'll need. I'm thinking I'll starting buying those 5 pound rolls of ground beef in September and stash them in the big freezer until we need them. Chili freezes well, so I may schedule a day just for chili making in early October then freeze the finished product. Then on party day, I'll just defrost the bags of chili and pop them in crock pots to stay warm. We'll roast the hot dogs over the fire, but I may microwave a few too, just for those who don't care for roasted ones. Weirdos.

So, here's the menu as of now!
*Hot dogs
*chili
*tortilla chips and cheese dip
*Fritos (for chili pie or just snacking)
*Various desserts, including s'mores
*drinks-the usual hot and cold assortment with iced tea, cold lemon cider (a big hit last year), hot apple cider, hot chocolate station (another hit) and various canned or bottled soft drinks in ice water.

I loved the decor last year, and plan to go the same route this year...homegrown pumpkins, gourds and hay is hard to beat for Halloween decorations!

I'm hoping my brother Mark can bring the tractor and trailer again for another hay ride...the kids LOVED it. They were freezing when they got back and all gathered around the fire to warm up and tell everyone about the hayride! Fun stuff!

Well! Look at me! My Great Pumpkin Day planning is done for April! And on the 7th at that!

I think on the 13th I'll work on some favors to give out to guests at the party...or to give out to trick or treaters...I do have a huge garbage bag full of toilet paper rolls....now you're curious, aren't you...you'll just have to wait and see...baawhaaaa....

Here's a reminder of how it looked last year...

Boo!Bash2!

2008-04-06T15:57:00.000-07:00

We are planning to host our second Halloween costume party in October. Last year we called it Boo!Bash, so this year, it's Boo!Bash2! It will be on the Saturday before Halloween. From here on out, consider the Saturday before Halloween Boo!Bash day!

I'll be starting the planning process soon. Check back in often for my rambling and journaling on the plans. I will say that the menu is going to be extended a bit this year to include hot dogs and chili, nachos and s'mores.

We had about 60 at our party last year. I hope to equal or top that this year! Here's a picture from last year, just to set the mood!

Great Pumpkin Day

2008-04-04T17:45:00.000-07:00

This blog will be devoted to describing my plans, actions and thoughts on Great Pumpkin Day, as celebrated by the members at Magical Holiday Home. We celebrate on the 13th or the 31st of each month, depending on schedules and real life.

Ginger, our holiday guru leader, has challenged us to each create a blog to celebrate the Days of Holiday Planning.

Look for my Turkey Day blog to document my Thanksgiving plans, and my Rudolph Day blog to chronicle my dreaming and scheming for-you guessed it-Christmas!