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.
Normally the last thing I want in autumn (or in winter) is ice cream. But since we are having a heat wave I was thinking why not. Especially after I was doing a quick Target order I noticed they had two new flavors from Favorite Day ice cream (their brand). I want you to know I am a sucker for any limited edition or special release of practically anything.
So into to shopping cart this ice cream yumminess goes. The first flavor is Caramel Apple Pie that is apple ice cream with caramel swirls and pie crust pieces. Can you say yummy! The second flavor is Pumpkin Cheesecake which is pumpkin cheesecake flavor ice cream with graham cracker swirls. I have no idea which is more yummy but will enjoy trying them both out.
I am thinking of making an apple crumble and putting some ice cream on the side. Oh yum.
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 am not a summer girl. I derive no pleasure from the scorching sun, long days, endless heat and bugs. I seem to come alive when the sun sets, the wind blows and leaves on trees turn golden. So here we are in August and stores are starting to put out Halloween goodies. Thank you very much. I started my hunt to find those few precious Halloween items that will become part of my collection. World Market got the memo but most stores are lagging, but it will come.
I did find a few Lenox pieces. I have never really purchased Lenox Halloween as their collection was sparse, but I notice some of their stuff was marked way down in price (I am thinking it will be discontinued) so I snagged some mugs and dessert plates. I was surprised how big and roomy the mugs were. Lots of hot witches brew in those babies.
On the Lenox website there are now showing little Halloween homes. I wonder if they will come out with a village. If so, sign me up.
The house with the graveyard is new according to the Lenox website. The other house is being sold in a variety of places so I assume it was the first to come out. These houses are on the small size of about 6” so it won’t take up a lot of surface space. Very cute indeed.
This is the first post of my autumn babbling, so keep an eye out for future posts.
While looking at Amazon, I found these cute Lenox Christmas Cones with scenes in them. They are about 12” tall and light up. I am such a huge fan of Lenox because their items are very elegant.
They should be delivered this Sunday and looking forward to adding it on my bookshelf.
Every year I purchase the Lenox Holiday pieces to match my china set. I have a bunch of pieces and add a few new pieces each year. Lenox will release complimentary pieces to match the place settings. I usually buy around Black Friday as the new releases are out and with a good sale price.
I got a larger piece which is the Lenox Snowman Cookie Jar.
Then I got this cute peppermint swirl candy dish with two snowmen.
Of course I wanted the cute snowmen salt and pepper shakers. I have a few shakers so there will be plenty on the Christmas table.
Then of course I picked up my third year of the annual snowman.
He looks so cheerful and happy. He makes me happy.
I wanted the Christmas Cupcake but Macys did not sell him. But lo and behold I found him on sale on Amazon from the Lenox shop and it was on sale.
Although I have not used the full set in years. I am hoping once retired that I can host Christmas again and have a table setting like below.
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.
