“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost
Showing posts with label halloween. Show all posts
Showing posts with label halloween. Show all posts

Saturday, October 12, 2019

It's October...



It's October, time for pumpkins, black cats and tricks or treats!  I must celebrate my best furry friend and all time favorite Halloween decoration, my cat Guy Noir!  We've gotten through the worst of it together without our best furry sidekick Dot.



I took Guy to the vet the other day and he was afraid and didn't want to come out of the cat carrier. He always used to just bounce out and run around the exam room. It's the first time he had been to the vet without Dot in several years, so maybe he was just feeling insecure that his big sister isn't around to back him up anymore.  Otherwise he is doing well and thankfully got a clean bill of health!




Pumpkins and gourds are just everywhere aren't they?!  Snapped this photo at the market the other day.  Some of these are so unusual! Anyone remember back when pumpkins only came in that orange color?


And now how about a TREAT!

'Witches Brew'- A Halloween Cocktail

 Witches Brew - A Halloween Cocktail

This 'Witches Brew'- Halloween cocktail is so stunning. The vivid color is dramatically beautiful, but with a dark eerie feel perfect for a Halloween party.
To rim the glass
  • 1 fresh lime
  • 3 drops purple food colouring
  • 1 tbsp sugar

For the cocktail

  • 1/2 cup vodka
  • 1/3 cup lime juice (see note 1)
  • 1/4 cup raspberry liqueur

Instructions

  • Start by preparing the shot glasses.
  • Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice together into a saucer.
  • Add the purple food coloring and mix with a cocktail stick.
  • Place the sugar in a second saucer.
  • Dip the shot glasses into the lime juice and then into the sugar.
  • Set to one side.
  • Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Add the ice.
  • Shake well.
  • Strain into the prepared shot glass.

Notes

  1. To turn this shooter into a long drink replace the 1/3 cup lime juice with a 1 cup of citrus soda and serve in a highball with crushed ice.
  2. Click for more info... (source

TRICKS, as in the Design kind.....

Fall Decorating Hacks! How to decorate your space for the fall with DIY ideas that will save you time and money. Why haven't I thought of these before? 



Hope everyone is having a wonderful autumnal season. We've already had a few snow flakes! Would like to see some warmer days again before winter sets in for good!

Happy October!
🍂 Diane


Sunday, October 21, 2018

Hallow's Eve Is Almost Here 🎃👻

It's almost Halloween my friends! I've made my annual candy purchase at Costco and am ready for the little ghosts and goblins to appear at the door! Hopefully our weather will cooperate and we won't have snow! Since it occurs on a Wednesday night, I'm thinking we'll have a light turnout anyway.

We've actually already had snow here. If you look closely at Guy's coat in the picture below, you'll see tiny little snow flakes! It was a surprisingly cold day and you can tell by his expression he wasn't too pleased! Shortly after I took the photo he was at the door wanting in. Neither of us was ready for snow yet!








I found an autumnal poem about the moon and twinkling stars with witches having tea and current cakes. What else could you want of a friendly gathering!?




Dusk in Autumn
Sara Teasdale, 1884 - 1933
The moon is like a scimitar,
A little silver scimitar,
A-drifting down the sky.
And near beside it is a star,
A timid twinkling golden star,
That watches likes an eye.

And thro’ the nursery window-pane
The witches have a fire again,
Just like the ones we make,—
And now I know they’re having tea,
I wish they’d give a cup to me,
With witches’ currant cake.
 



My image below of Cranberry Scones is the best I could do to represent the witches' current cake from the poem. This photo took on a rather ghoulish look though, sometimes food photos don't turn out the way we want! I've posted the recipe before here's the link if you'd like it.
 Scone Recipe









Gotta fly folks! Hope your Halloween is fun!
🎃🎃 ~ Diane ~ 🎃🎃


Thursday, October 27, 2016

Love My Black Cats 2016



Hello All! Halloween will be here soon! Most of the leaves have been blown off the trees and they have that spooky look to them in the dusky evenings. That chill in the air and the pumpkins sprouting on every porch is a sign that it's time to go to Costco and buy about 10 pounds of candy...

Because soon the little trick or treaters will be pounding on the door! But first this message from Dot and Guy, my two favorite furry friends....



Black cats are a scream! So says Dot in the photo above! Well she was actually yawning, but since this is a Halloween post, lets pretend she's screaming a nasty old cat scream. What can I say? I love cats, and am very lucky that I've had several black cats over the years.  So Dot and Guy want you to show some love for a black cat or dog this time of year and celebrate and appreciate their unique place in this crazy world!


Black cats have been associated with Halloween for a long time, and originally not in a good way.  Over the years we have come to love seeing black cats in all types of advertising.


Here's is my other black cat, Guy Noir.  He loves to help in the yard. As you see, he was helping with some tree branches and thought they would make a good cat lair. What better way to surprise the poor chipmunks, but by leaping out at them from within this twiggy mess!





Below are just a few random images I've picked up over time...
from books, old photos and ads.









I really like this old photo of the litter of kittens, all striped, except for the one in the middle.  Sometimes it's better to stand out in a crowd!





Happy Halloween my friends! 
Hope you have a spooky-good time!
~~Diane~~




*some images from public domain The Library of Congress

Friday, October 16, 2015

Black Cats are Beautiful!

In Celebration of Black Cat Awareness Month! 

My lovely black cat, Guy Noir, in the spooky image below, wants to remind you to support your local animal shelter by adopting a black cat.  Black cats are always some of the last ones adopted and are in need of loving homes.  If you're not able to adopt, then donate to your local animal shelter!


"Guy Noir"




If a real black cat is not an option for you, how about one of these decorative types?

Here are some great Black Cat items from a few sellers on Etsy.  Click on the images below that you like and the link will take you to the Etsy listing for the item.


Vintage Kitty Cat  Hanging Key Holder, Black, White




Cute vintage Halloween napkins set of 6 


 Black Cat Pepper Shaker







Antique cast iron cat,iron door stop,black cat,home decor,farmhouse decor,iron animal,


 Black Cat Illustration, Black and Green wall art








Vintage Slinky Black Cat Figurine with Yellow Eyes (E5529)








Vintage Mid Century Black Cat Bookends + Pen Holders Made In Japan






 Black Cat Letter Holder , Vintage Letter Holder , Cat Decor , Retro Desk Accessory




 Avon Perfume Black Cat Bottle Sweet Honesty milk glass 1972 molded plastic head 3.5 inches tall




 Beistle Halloween Honeycomb Witch Cauldron Cat Moon 1970s



 Cat Brooch Pin Black and White Enamel with Rhinestones




 Pouf et Noiraud - Pierre Probst - French language book - Kittens - Winter
 Custom Vintage Victorian Altered Halloween Greeting Card, Custom Order, Pumpkins Black Cats







 Guy relaxing in my office.

Thank you for visiting! 
Remember to hug your black cat today.... and every day! And Guy wants to also remind you to buy plenty of treats and toy mice for your kitties too! 

Have a great week! See you soon!
~~ Diane and Guy ~~


Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Spooky


Hello! I'd like you to meet my favorite Scarecrow, Miss Gertrude the Garden Goddess!  She is my favorite creation that I found at our Arboretum.  The place was all decked out with all sorts of spooky things and pumpkins every where!








The pumpkin house was really cute and the kids (big and little) loved it!










These Wizard of Oz scarecrows were just downright weird and alien looking!







The day couldn't have been more perfect!  Gorgeous blue skies, with no clouds in sight. It was really a gift!







I loved this scarecrow too! A Crow Scarecrow!! Amazing!















This had to be the spookiest scarecrow of all!  Wouldn't want to meet him in the dark!






There were Gardener scarecrows........






And there were scarecrows that were just unusual!























Goofy scarecrows......






Ethereal scarecrows......






Even the sculptures got into the act with some pumpkins... sorry I can't remember the name of these gals... Now I'm going to shut up and let you enjoy the photos and the spooky music.  If you don't like a particular selection, just go up to the Soundcloud widget and click on down the selections for something else.


















































































Hope you enjoyed your virtual visit almost as much as I enjoyed my real one!

Happy Halloween to be!!

~~~ Diane ~~~