Monday 12 October 2015

October, Autumn, and a Hallowe'en Tag ~~~

Gentle Reader ~~~ Although I love this time of year and, as ever have much I would love to write about, you may have noticed my small absence, and I regret I must keep this short as I have commitments to which I must attend ~~~ finger's crossed the Editing Gremlins stay away!

First, and it is a real first, for I have never been tagged before {quite thrilled at the thought} I have been tagged by Guillaume at Vraie Fiction, a fellow Autumnophile {wonder what the proper term is? Please share in the comments if you know!}  So here are my responses to the questions, and I will tag some people at the end. However, if you want to take part, I'm sure it won't break some great universal rule if you just go ahead and do so!  Please do!

1.  Favourite Hallowe'en Song ~~~ hmm, there's quite a few I could pick from, such as the theme from Ghostbusters, or the Addams Family, maybe Monster Mash? Am I being too predictable if I say Michael Jackson's Thriller? Classic 1980's and brilliant make up and choreography that sort of set a new standard for it's time ~~~ but if I want a more sophisticated song, then it's 'Put a Spell on You' by Nina Simone ~~~

2. Witch or Vampire ~~~ definitely a good witch because I love the outfit  ~~~

3.  Favourite thing about Hallowe'en ~~~ tricky. We didn't celebrate Hallowe'en when I was growing up, it had slipped of the radar so to speak, so I didn't really come to it until I arrived in America. I just loved watching all the kiddos having so much fun in their costumes as they went door to door Trick or Treating ~~~ and we'd dress up too, to hand out the candy, so I guess that is what I miss most, for it isn't really celebrated in the village still, although it is gathering momentum.  I also loved that adults could dress up and have lots of good fun too ~~~

4.  Hallowe'en Party or Scary Movie Marathon ~~~ although I'm not really a party goer, I love a small gathering of close friends, and there is something about a Hallowe'en gathering that is just so much FUN ~~~ especially as I love baking Hallowe'en treats to share ~~~ 

5.  Skeletons or Zombies ~~~ neither. I love the fun of Hallowe'en but am not a zombie or a skeleton kind of person ~~~ maybe more of a Casper the Friendly Ghost kind of person ~~~

6.  Favourite Hallowe'en Candy ~~~ anything home made, such as truffles or marzipan, or iced cakes in traditional Hallowe'en shapes, like pumpkins, ghosties, bats, hats, and so on ~~~

7.  Favourite Hallowe'en Movie ~~~ got to be Hocus Pocus all the way, or Practical Magic ~~~ also enjoy Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas ~ only if I'm feeling really brave, that is! ~~~

8.  Favourite Hallowe'en Costume ~~~ why, a witch, of course, what else?

9.  Favourite Hallowe'en Store ~~~ well, I never found very much in the shops nearby, I either make my own things or pick things up as and when I come across something ~~~

10.  Jack o' Lanterns ~ yes or no ~~~ Would Hallowe'en be Hallowe'en without a Jack o' Lantern? Whether it be pumpkin or turnip, you got to have a Jack o' Lantern ~~~

11.  Bats or Black Cats ~~~ you mean I have to chose? 

12.  Is Hallowe'en your favourite holiday ~~~ comes a very close second to Christmas only because of Christmas cake and mince pies ~~~

13.  Pumpkin Spice Latte or Hot Chocolate ~~~ Hot Chocolate all the way for me ~~~

So now that it is done, I tag the following ~~~

April at April's Homemaking {you must go watch her video of her Hallowe'en house!}
Peg at The Scattered Journalist

~~~~~

I have not decorated much, the pumpkins and Autumn coloured chrysanthemums are yet to put in an appearance in the shops, so I have done just a little in anticipation of their imminent arrival ~~~





Soon, the green foliage plants will be replaced by 'mums ~ if they ever arrive in the shops! 

Ceramic pumpkins dotted over the book case


A small Avon glass squirrel that I bought my very first Christmas in America, 1978

Dartington crystal vase filled with woodland gathered pine cones, dried hydrangea and stipa gigantica stems from the garden


I do need to make some new buntings, so if time permits they will be made and put up appropriately, as well as the much hoped for arrival of pumpkins {though I somehow doubt the ornamental gourds are going to be stocked in local shops this year} Last year I had to put in a special order for orange and rust coloured 'mums and ended up with white and yellow ones ~~~hmmmm~~~ we will have to wait and see ~~~

Until next time ~~~

Sincerely yours
Deborah xoxo








27 comments:

  1. This is wonderful Deb and I love all of your decorations... it was fun hearing your answers too!... I have that same little Avon squirrel I also bought way back then!... Happy Autumn and Happy Halloween to you!... xoxo... Julie Marie

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    1. Thank you, Julie Marie. I love your decorations too. You stage them very professionally. Happy Autumn and Happy Hallowe'en to you too xoxo

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  2. I love the way you have bought the Autumn theme into your home x

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    1. Great selection of books, how many books do you have?

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    2. Thank you. I'll be adding more bits before Hallowe'en.
      Goodness, I have no idea how many books I have. I am preparing a post about books shortly. I must have at least a thousand but I have never counted them. I have bookshelves all full to overflowing in the living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, and hallway. Many are carefully packed up in the attic too, as I do not have room to put them all out. There are small stacks too, on various coffee and side tables, and on all bedside cabinets too. Maybe I'll try a quick head count before I publish the post?

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    3. Looking forward to reading your next post x

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  3. Thanks for answering it so quickly! I am glad you enjoyed being tagged. Lovely decorations by the way.

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    1. It was great fun to do. Thank you for tagging me!

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  4. Such fun to see your Autumn decorations, Deb! I love reading about all of your Halloween favorites. I am looking forward to the little trick-or-treaters at our door on Halloween evening. In our neighborhood, some homes are already decorated with scary Halloween things. Our home always has a friendlier Autumn look on Halloween! ♡

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    1. Hello Dawn ~ thank you! I'm pleased you enjoyed reading the tag, it was a really fun thing to do. Yes, I find skeletons and ghouls far too scary these days too. ~~~Deb xoxo

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  5. Everything looks so festive and lovely at your home, dear Deb. I love how you put the pinecones in the beautiful vase with hydrangeas. Also I must say that the acorns are the prettiest I've seen. And I do like how you welcome visitors to your home. The cute little pumpkin scarecrow is charming. I like Halloween as well, but only the fun non scary parts. Enjoy the wonderful Autumn days that are upon us! xoxo ♥

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    1. Good Morning Martha Ellen ~ thank you. The hydrangeas are not very well arranged, I'm not good at that at all, but it's the thought, right? Absolutely making the most of these lovely Autumn days now, and delighting in every moment ~~~Deb xoxo

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  6. Loved your comments. And your decorations -- especially dried flowers and cones and nuts. We get things out way too early here! I hope your mums and pumpkins arrive in time. I feel much the same way as you do about Halloween! Haven't thought too much yet about it this year, yet, with our big Open Studio next Saturday (Oct. 17). And a short trip Oct. 26-28. But will get one orange pumpkin to carve with candle inside for "the" day, and will, of course, give out treats to the children. I do think Halloween is great fun. We always made our own costumes, and Dad dressed up to pass our goodies to our neighborhood friends! He also walked around with us when young and carried our glowing pumpkin with candle inside! Jane xo

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    1. Thank you Jane. I think that sounds a lovely idea, to give treats to the children! Hope the pumpkin isn't too difficult to scoop out! ~~~Deb xoxo

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  7. What a fun post. I enjoyed reading it.

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    1. Glad you liked it Darlene, my friend, you know I would have tagged you but you don't have a blog ~bah! humbug :)
      ~~~Deb xoxo

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  8. I do like your decorations.
    This is a lovely time of year.

    All the best Jan

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  9. Lovely post Deborah! Love your sweet squirrel and Autumn decorations. Sire hope you get your colored Mums this year! Have such sweet memories of my own costumes as a child and making those for my kids by hand. Happy Autumn! Love you girlfriend!!

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    1. Thank you Belinda! Still trying to secure some 'mums, tried to order some yesterday, hopefully here next week. There is still time. ~~~Deb xoxo

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  10. I think all your autumn decorations look just lovely. The dried hydrangeas are absolutely spectacular and the glass dish with the acorns is lovely too. This is my favorite time of year - Happy Autumn.

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    1. Thank you Susan. I love drying things from the garden to use inside during Autumn. It somehow seems the right thing to do. ~~~Deb :)

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  11. Love the décor and your "List"! Think I might just do this on my Group Page. Might be fun! Hugs from across the sea ~ Donna E. =)

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    1. Hello Donna ~~~ yes, it would be a fun thing for you to share on your page. Look forward to seeing everyone's responses now ~~~Deb xoxo

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