Anyone who knows me, knows that Halloween is my jam. I like the pumpkins, the ghosts, the trick or treaters, the decorations. To me it is all fun. Part of the fun is wearing Halloween attire. What is a shirt without some bats, or a ghost or two.
I have bought a few items from Bloomchic to wear during the season. OK, the pants are for wearing at home, but the tops and sweaters are great to wear out. I usually get a few compliments on the tops and sweaters, especially from fellow Halloweenions.
The funny thing is that I noticed that the bat shirt below has all the bats upside down. I think there is one or two that are right side up. If anyone else notices I will just tell them that “Don’t you know, bats fly upside down.”
Sadly it does not get cold enough in October to wear the heavier sweaters but there is no rule that says I can’t wear them in November or December.
I also wear hair clips of spiders or other Halloween items. Of course there is always a scrunchie in my hair with a Halloween design. Let’s just say I like Halloween. The brand Piper K and Nicole Miller always have cute stuff. I definitely bought the spiders.
To complete the overall Halloween look, I also picked up my annual slippers for my tootsies. These are cute cats that will glow in the dark.
The one thing I looked at but did not buy is the Betsey Johnson Trick or Treat necklace. I talked myself out of it thinking I had more than enough Halloween jewelry. But I have thought about it a few time since, I doubt it is still there.
I am a huge fan of the fun jewelry that Betsey Johnson releases each year and I have several of her pieces.
At TJ Maxx it costs $29.99 but I see it on sale at Macy’s for $103.60. But heck they have free shipping. LOL.
I might go back and check but the store is probably filled with Christmas items by now. Halloween is a blip on the calendar. Move over ghouls, the big guy is coming. Why shop for Christmas in a month, heck let’s make it a three month event. Poor Halloween gets squeezed out every year.
Every year I like to read some of the Amazon Original Stories that has a spooky theme. In case you did not know, Amazon has a collection of these themed short stories written by well known authors that are free for Prime Members. One of the many perks of being a Prime member. If you have an Audible account, it also loads the audio book into your account. So if you like to listen instead of reading, this is a great service. Although free, you are only borrowing the book and it will be returned when you select another free read. I believe the cap is 5 books you can have in your borrowing account.
This year’s collection is called THE SHIVERS.
Synopsis: Ruined by scandal, Dennis Lange is hoping for a comeback. Selling the story of a cursed tree could make his future—if it doesn’t kill him—in this monstrous short story from New York Times bestselling author Joe Hill.
Dennis awakens something evil when he removes a decades-old jackknife from the trunk of a gnarled old sycamore. Once pinned in place—now thoughtlessly freed—the tree returns to its roots. An act of vigilante justice took place under its boughs long ago. But its taste for blood has only grown stronger…
My Opinion: I enjoyed this book, the way this man destroyed his life and was consumed by the tree was intriguing. I wasn’t sure if the tree was really moving or if the man was losing it. You will have to read it to get the answer.
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Synopsis: A helping hand, a fateful cost. In this ominous short story from New York Times bestselling author Owen King, the cost of living keeps rising—and it collects payment from the soul.
Sensing his mother’s failing health, a struggling teenager pours out his worries in a letter and drops it through the mail slot of an abandoned show house. He’s surprised when a response arrives, promising good fortune for the price of just one name: someone he hates. He’d give anything for his mother. But the true cost may be more than he’s willing to pay.
My Opinion: The Slot was not exactly I thought it would be. Oh that Slot. It has a dark side.
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Synopsis: Don’t lose your head over office politics…The horrors of the modern workplace meet actual horror in a fiendishly entertaining short story from New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones.
When the lights go out and the slideshow begins, middle manager Jennifer has a disturbing vision: a headless colleague right across the boardroom table. Is it a trick of the light, or a vision of the future? She tries to brush it off and salvage the afternoon—but when her ex unexpectedly drops off her son at the office after school, suddenly her whole world takes an alarming turn.
My Opinion: I have to admit I was a bit lost in this book. Not sure what really happened but it was a bit intense and a bit grotesque.
My Rating: 2 out of 5
Synopsis: Residents have an unspoken pact with the island’s unnatural inhabitants: ignore them, live happily. But in New York Times bestselling author Grady Hendrix’s thrilling short story, one boy can’t look away—and pays the price.
Jeckle Island offers Rachel’s children the chance to spend summers roaming wild and free, as long as they follow the rules. But when her son comes face to face with a terror they dare not speak of, she must prepare for their perfect world to change. Forever.
My Opinion: I am a fan of Grady Hendrix and enjoy his writing. This had a bit of suspense and a bit of shock. Everyone was so traumatized in this book and so was I.
My Rating: 4 out of 5
Synopsis: In the gloom of her hotel, a mother readies to rejoin her past. Feverish nightmares meet the chilling light of day in this haunting short story from USA Today bestselling author Catriona Ward.
Room 17 was the last stop on her husband and son’s journey. Eight years after their deaths, Stella books the same room, hoping to commune with their memories. But as she tries to sleep, disturbing and urgent visions blur the lines between reality and the supernatural, and the other side sends a terrifying message.
My Opinion: To be honest I cannot remember what happens at the end of this book. Maybe the ghosts wiped it from my memory. LOL
My Rating: 2 out of 5
I also read another short story that was a freebie from the Amazon First Reads selection. First Reads is a free book each month for Amazon Prime members. Sometimes you can get 2 books or a free short story.
Synopsis: Erin tends bar at the last dive left in gentrified Red Hook, Brooklyn, where old-timers spin tales of the bar’s legacy and the waterfront’s crime-ridden past. Her boss, Jimmy, a real estate magnate responsible for much of the neighborhood’s shiny transformation, also has a story to share. Back when he was a struggling beat cop, two neglected boys introduced him to an ancient creature that made Jimmy’s dreams come true. Nightmares too. Erin doesn’t believe a word. The bar is her life. But this bar at the end of the world is also home to a deadly stowaway. And it’s looking for a new host.
My Opinion: This was a good read and I was not sure what was causing the events until almost the end of the book. It was suspenseful and the story kept me reading.
My Rating: 4 out of 5
I highly recommend that everyone check out these stories. There are many collections to choose with different genres. Something for everyone.
Every year I compile a list of movies that I will watch to get into the Halloween mood. Some movies I watch every year like Practical Magic, others I watch every few years like The Shining. I always try to introduce new films into the list. I love the old black and white 1950 films and search for oldies I might enjoy. Normally in making my list, I am choosing either cheesy monster movies from my youth, or suspenseful films of intrigue. But this year I am doing something slightly new. I decided to add more movies I have never seen. They either have been on my watchlist for a few years and never got around to watching or films I never heard of. Of course some old favorites are on the list, but most are new to me.
But I am not restricting myself to this list, if I find something worth while to watch I will go ahead and watch it. I did not add any Korean shows on the list, there may be a great one to watch, so who knows what I will end up watching. Because I will be retired I can watch more shows during the season.
So grab your popcorn and your milk duds and settle in for an exciting season of great films.
Every year I kick off the Autumn Bucket List by posting a poem that inspires me. I was having issues finding a poem that just felt right. Instead I found inspiration from wonderful quotes from famous writers. I felt that each quote captured my thoughts about autumn, from leaves to pumpkins, to the chill in the air. May pumpkin season begin.
Here I am kicking off my bucket list for Autumn during a hot summer day. I have noticed a lot of social media influencers are starting their Autumn posts because they are so over this hot summer. I am too! I am not a summer person, keep your hot sweaty days, your bugs, your expensive electricity bills. I prefer the cool breezes of Autumn, the leaves turning golden colors, the pumpkins lined up on the porch, being dressed in cuddly warm sweaters holding a cup of hot tea and having a bowl of homemade soup for dinner.
I am actually retiring this year at the end of September. I can hardly wait as I have worked a long time to get here. I will now have more time to do my crafts and try new things. As a result, my autumn bucket list has more crafts and cooking than previous years. I have the list broken out between cooking, crafts and other fun stuff. Some stuff is new, others are my tried and true annual “to do’s”. I reserve the right to add more as I come up with cool ideas.
I think I forgot to mention the other Halloween tea I bought for the season. I realize this will last until next Halloween. But I could not control myself.
I got tea from Snarky Tea and Plum Deluxe Tea. Both are specialty tea companies who make their tea to order.
Plum Deluxe came out with the Trick or Treat Box.
The Licorice Spice Herbal was very tasty. What made this box so much fun was the Trick or Treat feature, Some teas did not taste that great, hence the trick and others were treats. they give you a score card which I rated the teas. It was fun to play along.
Snarky Tea did a Witching Hour tea mix. They gave quite a mix but the samplers are smaller which would be perfect for the 32 ounce mason jar.
I really like Snarky Tea and have a subscription to make cold brew tea Their tea is so flavorful. Below is the November cold brew delivery.
Today I should be receiving December cold brew package.
Sparky Tea always does a blending guide in case you want to mix it up. So far I have not done a blend but will one day.
Here is January 2025 release
Looks like I will have some good choices in my future.
So I will have plenty of tea in my future. Pinky up!
I really wish I could read faster. I tend to read a chapter a day, so it takes me forever to finish. But I did have two books read plus the Amazon short stories.
This cute little young adult book was filled with autumn and pumpkin spice. I had to suffer thru teenage angst but otherwise a cute little book.
MY BEST FRIEND’S EXORCISM
I have never read anything from this author before. I picked it up after seeing someone mentioning it on their Vlog. This book did remind me of my youth and they were spot on with the feeling about teenage girls. But unlike the other book, this one was well written from an adult perspective in a teenagers body. If that makes sense. It was deeper and discussed darker topics and family dynamics very well. Where the other book was just fluff.
This year I did not see as many scary movies as I did in the past. Sometimes I just cannot make the time for a two hour stint to see a film. I do better kinda watching oldies but goodies and doing other chores at the same time.
SIGNS
A classic film by M Night Shyamalan. What I like about this film is how they figure out the different signs from the past to the present that prepare them for the event of today. Signs are everywhere. Sometimes comedic scenes, some intense scenes, Both the adult and children actors are good.
THE SIXTH SENSE
This is another film from M. Night Shyamalan. The first time I saw it I did not realize he was dead. Bruce Willis does a great job acting in this film. Some scary scenes and I feel bad for the boy.
ROSEMARYS BABY
I love the older movies. Mia Farrow does a great job acting like the meek woman who turns for help to only be betrayed over and over again by those around her. The older neighbors who are a coven of witches/devil worshippers who trap her into becoming the mother of the antichrist give older people a bad name. Lol. A classic film.
APARTMENT/ A7
This is basically a remake of Rosemarys Baby. But instead of her husband betraying her in the classic movie, it is life and the missed opportunities that drive her to the apartment where she will fall victim to the devil.
PRACTICAL MAGIC
A classic to watch every Halloween. I love this film. I really want to live at that house and eat pancakes (the non poisonous kind) outside with the ocean in the background.
HELLBOUND
Imagine if the face of God came to you to tell you the exact second you are going to die and then to be dragged to hell by 3 monsters but not before they throw you around and burn you to a crisp. I would be terrified. And the world goes crazy and fanatical groups try to persuade your thinking. Scary as heck. And now I am watching season two.
THE JUDGE FROM HELL
Even Demons make mistakes. For accidentally sending the wrong person to hell, this demon is sent to earth to kill off murderers. Imagine you are sent back as a judge who lets horrible people off without a punishment then finds them later and kills them by making them relive the horror of their victims death. Then for fun, branding their forehead with the word Hell on it. All in a days work until you fall in love.
ITS THE GREAT PUMPKIN CHARLIE BROWN
A childhood classic. Every time I watch this little cartoon I am transported back to my youth excitingly waiting to see this show. Back in those days you looked at the TV guide to find out the time and day it was playing and planted your butt in front of the television set. No streaming services, no DVR, no VHS or DVD. Pretty much you snooze you lose. I still love the part where Charlie Brown goes trick or treating and always gets rocks.
I think I mentioned it before but I am incredibly slow with my cross stitches. I usually only stitch on Saturday and Sunday morning because after work it is too dark and I am too tired to stitch.
This pattern is from Primrose Cottage Stitches and this is one of five new Halloween releases. I like their patterns but definitely cannot keep up with their releases. I actually stitch in a QSnap so it is a slower approach. I don’t really like the stitches when I do stitch in hand. That approach is faster but my stitches look wonky. If I am going to frame something I need it to look neat.
Now I just need to frame this beauty and it will be ready for next year.
Part of any holiday is smelling the scents that bring back memories. Of course my house cannot smell of cinnamon and candy corn all the time so I decided to get some fragrance oils that match the holidays. A little bit here and there will help.
With scents like Candy Corn, Marshmallow, Autumn Wreath, Caramel Corn, Night Air and Pumpkin Pie it will smell like Halloween.
I also have the Autumn scents from the same company.
These scents are definitely Autumnal. Apple, Brown Sugar, Forest Pine, Snickerdoodle, Harvest Spice, and Vanilla.
I bought a small portable aromatherapy fan to keep at my desk.
It is very small and you can use it anywhere including your car. It comes with a USB cord so you just charge and go.
I also got a larger one that was more functional with a timer.
It changes color and is quite soothing.
I know people use fragrance oils for other purposes, but I am at a loss. These are not essence oils but more fragrance oil so I would not use them on my body.
I read you can place a few drops on the toilet paper roll, the cardboard part. Also put some drops on cotton balls and place in drawers. If you have other suggestions please let me know.
I did order the Christmas scents but they have not arrived yet.
