by Sharon | Oct 5, 2016
The largest U.S. Holiday in retail sales is, of course, Christmas.
Is Halloween second?
When you think about it . . . decorations, costumes, candy, parties . . . The whole concept of Halloween has grown in popularity over the years. There are elaborate face painting endeavors, people are fascinated by the occult . . . It’s the first major celebration after summer . . . and fall brings something in the air . . . why not ghosts and witches riding on broomsticks . . . bats turning into vampires . . .
There is something special about going out at night wearing a costume and carrying a bag to collect candy as you go door-to-door. It was a major highlight when I was a kid. And, now, as an adult, I like to pass out candy to the costumed trick-or-treaters.
Many of my neighbors go all out with lights and decorations for Halloween . . .
The thing is, when you think about Halloween . . . the decorations, the parties, the costumes . . . and the candy . . . It doesn’t compare in retail sales as Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day, Easter and even Father’s Day.
The major difference is that there is no gift giving. Christmas, as #1 is the major gift giving holiday. This is followed by Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Easter and Father’s Day.
That brings Halloween to #6.
Be that as it may . . . Halloween has truly captured the imagination of many . . . and there are paper crafters and scrapbookers who go all out with their cards and decorations and costumes and parties . . . How about all those pumpkins? The movies? Amusement Parks with their special Halloween attractions?
Yes, but Mother’s Day is still #2 with Valentine’s Day #3 followed by Easter at #4 and Father’s Day at #5.
I’m finding it difficult to allow a good urban legend to die . . .
All right, so it’s not the second largest U.S. holiday in retail sales behind Christmas . . .
It is still celebrated . . . It’s a huge neighborhood celebration . . . It’s a great kick-off to the end of summer and the beginning of fall. That’s a celebration in and of itself.
I’m going to still celebrate it by reading Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and maybe some of Edgar Allan Poe’s Poems . . . and I may watch a Halloween theme DVD or two . . .
I do like a good ghost story . . .
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Oct 4, 2016
Witches, ghosts, goblins, ghouls . . . Pumpkins, skeletons, spiders and spider webs . . . Mummies and monsters . . . Super Heroes and cartoon characters . . . Pirates and Princesses . . . And so very many more “things” that go bump in the night on All Hallows Eve . . .
Or are in costume greeting us at our door hoping for a sweet treat.
Yes, Halloween is definitely in the air. I noticed Amazon has their Halloween Shop open. I’m sure everyone is looking for just the right costume for each member of their family . . . I wonder what it will be?
These witch shoes are always fun to make and give as gifts this Halloween season. It works for different age groups and can be decorated to go along with the theme of your party or get-together.
You can use your own designer paper for the inner lining and for the shoe as well. It can be creepy or funny . . . depending upon how you view Halloween.
Click the links above for the PDFs of the shoe and the lining. Then find ribbon and buttons and maybe some suitable clipart that will decorate your witch shoe quite nicely. It’s always fun to have designer paper at least for the inner lining, but you can use any solid color . . . cardstock does work well for the shoe . . . it needs to be sturdy to hold your bag of assorted goodies.
This is a fun way for your children to give candy to their school friends . . . and even for their teacher.
Start early with this project . . . you’ll be making dozens of them.
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Oct 3, 2016
I don’t do many product reviews here, but it’s October and I’m feeling like getting into the DVDs.
There are always the classics . . . I like to keep my collection family friendly . . . and I’m in my second childhood.
This double feature set of Halloweentown and Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge is a great adventure for Marnie and her family. They delve into a world of ghosts, ghouls, witches, warlocks, werewolves, evil curses and so very much more.
This Disney classic gives a wholesome message regarding the power of family, cooperation and perseverance.
Halloweentown/Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge Double Feature is for ages 5 years and older. It is a must have for your family Halloween viewing. And don’t forget Halloweentown High and Return to Halloweentown.
Next up is Twitches with Tia and Tamera Mowry.
This is truly an enchanting story. Two ordinary girls who discover they are powerful witches from another dimension separated at birth. This was a Disney Channel Original Movie, so it is suitable for the whole family.
I’m not usually into scifi, but this gives just the right blend . . . it is a bit quirky, but it is made for children ages 7 years and older. Parental Guidance is suggested.
Don’t forget to check out Twitches Too.
Then there’s another classic that comes to mind this time of year . . . You may not need a hint, but I’ll give you not one, but three — Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy.
Yes, indeed, it is none other than Hocus Pocus!!
These three outlandish witches return from 17th-century Salem, actually by accident from some unsuspecting pranksters, but since the trio of witches are back they’re determined to cast a spell on the town and reclaim their youth. The foes in this are three kids and a talking cat.
This is fun and crazy Halloween entertainment recommended for ages 7 years and up. It’s also from Disney, which means family friendly.
Now, where do I want to take you next . . . I was thinking of continuing with the “sister” theme . . . Does any Halloween movie come to mind?
Are you thinking?
How about Practical Magic with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman!!
And we can’t forget the doting aunts played by Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest.
This is witchcraft at its best . . . This story involves two sisters who live with their aunts and are all believed to be witches. Yet, the Owen women have been cursed . . . This is a movie worth seeing and watching each and every Halloween . . . It’s great to show at your Halloween party!!!
I do like this one!!
I have a few more I’ll link to below . . .
I know I forgot many of your favorites and mine, too, but this is enough for now.
And you can always explore on your own. You may prefer something more frightening . . .
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Oct 3, 2016
For many J. K. Rowling fans, it was a sad day after the release of the last Harry Potter book . . .
Then there was a high point with the release of the movie . . . Another with the release of the DVD .
. .
There were other books published, but none as popular and beloved as the Harry Potter saga. Then miraculously came Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts 1 & 2, Special Rehearsal Edition Script.
Of course it was an Amazon #1 Best Seller with all the pre-orders placed in anticipation of the release date of July 31, 2016.
Now there’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to find Them: The Original Screenplay to be released November 18, 2016. Yes, it’s available for pre-order now at Amazon — of course, being a #1 Best Seller.
Yes, there is a film coming out of the same title in November the day before the book release. There is no mention of when the DVD will be available for pre-order . . . I’m sure many are anticipating that.
J. K. Rowling has written a novel for adult readers, The Casual Vacancy. She writes crime novels under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. But, they don’t seem to fill the void many fans feel. There are mixed reviews regarding the script format of The Cursed Child and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Sure we’ll buy them, but we want a novel to emerge ourselves into the printed words and imagination of the master story teller, J. K. Rowling.
It is that time of year when many of us are re-reading the Harry Potter books . . . and watching the DVDs . . . We have to once more delve into the wizardly world . . . It’s like visiting an old friend. And that’s exactly what J. K. Rowling has brought to her many fans . . . old friends, Hogwarts . . . with a brief look to the future with anticipation of more to come . . . I hope we won’t be disappointed.
Here are some links you may find helpful . . . I’ll try not to get carried away:
I’m looking forward to November!
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Oct 2, 2016
The moose population in Alaska is doing quite well.
Since my brother moved to Alaska I get regular weather and moose updates.
It seems my brother’s house is a favorite place for the moose to come and graze. His neighbor took some pictures last month and shared them with me, so I thought I’d share them here.
They seem to have their favorite grazing spots . . . and it looks like they decided to stay for awhile. They don’t seem at all bashful . . . To be honest with you, I wouldn’t like to open my front door and be greeted by this trio.
I would imagine, if they could, they’d go right on in. Last year my brother found some smudges on his window where a moose was looking in . . . the young ones seem quite inquisitive.
There’s no snow yet, but it was a rainy summer and fall in my brother’s neighborhood. Hummmm, I’m wondering if these youngsters are thinking of trick-or-treating . . . That last one seems headed for the front door . . .
They are interesting critters . . . My brother had one big moose that was in the yard earlier this summer . . . and took it in his/her head to attack the gizmo where they put the paper . . . Maybe it was just scratching it’s head . . . It did a bit of a number on the contraption, but it’s still intact and holds the newspaper just fine.
Oops!! The neighbor was spotted taking pictures . . . are they posing for the camera?
Two seem to be alert, while one is busy eating . . . maybe it did find some good treats.
I’m not well versed in the goings-on with the moose population and their migration patterns, but I do know the residence in my brother’s neighborhood do like seeing the moose come around with their young. Such moose sightings are a cause of delightful celebration by bring out the Iphone to snap some pictures.
I am quite grateful for the quick thinking and generous nature of my brother’s neighbor in taking the time from her busy schedule to capture these pictures and share them with me.
I do enjoy seeing nature . . . not necessarily up close and personal . . . but I guess in order to get the good pictures, you have to be right out there.
For now, I’ll be content by taking pictures of my beautiful Yorkshire Terrier and her toy moose.
Yes, I know the vase of flowers behind her appears to be growing out of her head . . . I assure you, ears are the only things protruding from her noggin. She does look a bit worried . . . I think she was just tired of posing for pictures. She should be happy I removed the bow from her top-knot.
Well, be it Alaska Moose or spoiled California Yorkshire Terriers . . . all is well this fine fall Southern California day. It’s now 61° F and will reach a high of 81° F. Tomorrow’s forecast is 76° F with it getting a bit warmer as the week progresses. I am looking forward to fall . . . but summer wants to hang on a bit longer.
Again, I’d like to thank my brother’s neighbors in Alaska for sharing their moose pictures with me . . . so I could share them here with you.
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
