Background is back!!!

Yea!!!!!!! I love this background. I was so excited when I found it and was so sad when I logged on and it had disappeared a few days ago. The blog looked so flat with the stark whie background. Thank you, thank you for working again!!!!

Here it is almost Halloween and my blog looked so bleak. Saturday is Boo Bash day at Haven Haunt and I can't wait. We have not had RSVPs from quite a few and I really don't know what to do about food. I am afraid to not prepare for them, but hate to make so much. But, since we are having Freshly Flayed Flesh in Ghouls Blood (brisket with barbecue) it will be great as leftovers for several days, so I guess we will just prepare for everyone.

I am so ready to do the final decorating and cooking and let the fun begin.

Background Disappeared

##$&%Q, grrrr.....

I don't know what happened to my background and I LOVED it. It was there one minute tonight and then gone. I was not even signed in when it disappeared. I now have the disgusting box floating in the middle of the page telling me that I have exceeded my bandwidth and need to upgrade to Photobucket Pro!!!

I don't even have most of my photos on that site. I didn't think that this site had a space limit for blogs and what does Photobucket have to do with Blogger. Does anyone know???

Stretching Spider Webs

Stretching spider webs for decoration is hard work!

Our Boo Bash is next Saturday and I still have a lot to do. It has rained for so long here that I am really behind in the outdoor decorating and today was one of the first nice days in awhile when I have had time to work on this. I did get the backyard graveyard mostly finished and tonight decided to work on putting up my spider webs in the house.

I had forgotten how much you have to stretch the webs! This is major work and I really don't have the patience for this. There are people during the Christmas holidays who advertise they will hang your lights and do the decorating, why not spider web people for Halloween. I actually think that I would pay someone to do this.

Here is a photo of the fireplace area so far. You can see that I just sort of gave in and left the knots in some areas. I just have tons of this to stretch and string out.

Halloween witches and a little witchcraft history

I have always been fascinated by witches. When I was little, I remember being scared to death of The Wizard of Oz. I'm not kidding, I can remember hiding my face and leaving the room when the Wicked Witch of the East appeared in the movie. She and the flying monkeys horrified me.

The photo above is my witch wreath that adorns the door from the foyer into the kitchen. She is a kind of funky looking witch that is decorated with various kitchen items, making it perfect for a kitchen area.

Through the years, I have loved various shows featuring witches: Witches of Eastwick, Hocus Pocus, Bewitched, Charmed, etc. I can also remember frequently being a witch on Halloween. I get a good laugh out of my memories of those brittle plastic masks.

I read on a Halloween Forum message board tonight that someone was having trouble locating witch masks this year. There are countless full witches out there if you are looking for props, but it seems that the masks or the heads of witches are hard to come by this year. I did buy one at Dollar Tree that is sort of interesting. (Hey, what can you expect for a buck?) I have that one hanging on the cabinet that flanks my sink. The kitchen theme this year is a Witch's Kitchen, so I have a few scattered around. Some of my witches are sinister looking, some are funny. One of them is a rock n roll witch that sort of dances and has loud sound effects.
Another looks like a sinister witch Barbie doll and is actually made with an orange crocheted body. It is really unusual.
Yet another sits atop a cone shaped piece of plastic that looks like a tree topper.
These three are just a few that I picked up at thrift stores this year. They show the vast range of witch types.
I also read another post on the same forum about a fellow poster who hosted a Witches Wing Ding for the past two years. It is a party of all females dressed as witches. She posted photos and they were wonderful. I am going to have to steal that idea for next year. I just wish I would have known about it earlier, because I so want to host one, but it is too late this year. I am in the final days of planning and decorating for our first Boo Bash Costume Party.

It would even be fun to organize a Witches Wing Ding event on Halloween where the group went out to dinner or out for drinks. I think it would be great. Now, I just have to wait over a year to do this! :(

Did you know that the Halloween witch is still one of the most popular costumes chosen by young girls and adults each year? It's amazing. And one needs to ask... what is so fascinating about witches and witchcraft?

Well, here's a little bit of history behind real witches, not the Hollywood variety that we so like to copy. First, something that needs to be made clear is that the word 'witch' is derived from the old English word 'Wicce' (meaning wise one) - and 'Wicca (meaning healer). The witch was considered a wise-woman who lived in harmony with nature and the seasons. They were skilled in the use of herbs and were often called upon to cure the ill.

Essentially, the "Halloween witch" of centuries ago was a homeopathic healer. Being a wise woman and a healer, the witch had an assortment of special items that she utilized. Ancient Mysteries - Witches (DVD) One of these specialized items was the Athame. This was the witch's personal steel knife and was used in most rituals as it was believed to have been imbued with magical properties. The knife itself was double-edged and often had a black handle.

The broomstick was symbolic of magical powers. Its real purpose? To cleanse the area where magical rituals were performed. So how did the belief arise that the Halloween witch rode a broomstick and flew through the sky? On All Hallows Eve, witches would often anoint themselves with a "magical" ointment. The ointment made the skin tingle and gave the illusion of being very light, perpetuating the belief that they could fly. A witch walking through the woods on her way to the festival would often use the broom as a means to help jump over a brook or stream. Hence, they were believed to be flying.

It's amazing what the imagination can dream up, isn't it? Of course, we've all seen witches standing over bubbling cauldrons and drinking from large chalices in the movies. The cauldron was a pot used for concocting magical potions and for scrying (looking into the future on the water's surface). The chalice was believed to be a receptacle of spiritual forces.

Remember, we're talking ancient witchcraft history here... most beliefs were rooted in supernatural and spiritual powers. The wands that many witches carried were made of hazel wood, crystal, carved ivory or ebony, silver, or gold. It was believed that these wands were extensions of the life force of the witch herself. By themselves, each one of these symbols alone wouldn't create much of a stir, but when combined, all these ritualistic items and beliefs in mystical, magical powers would soon convince the general populace that witches had abilities beyond what the normal person should have.

Add in the ability to create "magical healing potions" to cure the sick, then superstitions would quickly grow and soon you have tales of witches being able to turn themselves into cats and doing all sorts of strange things. In conclusion, Halloween is one of the four highest holidays of the pagan celebrations and is often considered the greatest of the four, sometimes called the Great Sabbath. This is when the "Halloween witch" takes the time to observe the supernatural powers of this world and otherworlds, and ponder the mysteries that lie in both. It is a night for honoring ancestors, celebrating the harvest, and ringing in the New Year (which begins on November 1).

(Source for history: che11eness at http://www.budget101.com/)

Halloween Related Phobias

There are a lot of fears or phobias, out there. Halloween certainly has it's share. Here is a list of those we are aware of:

Name: Fear of:

Achluophobia Garlic

Arachnophobia Spiders

Bogyphobia the Bogeyman

Catoptropobia Mirrors

Ceraunophobia Thunder

Claustrophobia Confined spaces, like coffins

Cleisiophobia being locked in

Coimetrophobia Cemetaries

Cucurbitophobia pumpkins....heaven forbid!!!

Dementophobia Insanity

Demonophobia Demons

Eisoptrophobia mirrors, or seeing oneself in a mirror

Hagiophobia saints or holy things

Heliophobia the sun

Hemophobia blood

Noctiphobia night

Phasmophobia ghosts

Placophobia tombstones

Samhainophobia Halloween, what's to be afraid of!?!

Satanophobia Satan

Staurophobia the crucifix

Taphephobia being buried alive

Triskaidekaphobia The number 13

Wiccaphobia witches



This was again found on a message board and posted by che11eness at http://www.budget101.com/.



I thought it was fascinating and wanted to share it, but since it was a list, it was hard to rewrite, so I want to be clear that this is from another source than me. Interesting stuff. I remember doing similiar lists for my junior high school newspaper!

Halloween Traditions and Symbols

Rich in tradition, Halloween has no shortage of symbols and terms. Halloween parties are not complete without lots of spooky decorations to set the mood. Here is a listing of Halloween traditions and terms, for your enjoyment and use.

All Hallow's Eve - Another word for Halloween night.

Bats - Bats are part of the dark, sinister side of Halloween. Bats are purported to suck the blood of victims. Bats can turn into vampires, and vice versa.

Black Cat - a symbol of bad luck. Don't let a black cat cross your path, or you will certainly come upon a string of bad luck. Black cats are associated with witches. Some witches are known to be able to transform to a black cat and back.

Dracula, Count Dracula - The evil lord of the castle in Transylvania. When the moon is full, Dracula turns into a Vampire.

Frankenstein - A monster created in the laboratory of scientist Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein has a gentle and intelligent personality. But, you wouldn't know that. His scary, monstrous appearance causes everyone to run before getting a chance to know him.

Full Moon - Vampires arise out their coffins only at night and only during a full moon.

Garlic and Garlic Necklaces - ward off evil spirits. A vampire will not venture near the neck of a woman who wears a garlic necklace, no matter how beautiful she may be. The only problem is, normal, good lucking guys will avoid her, too!

Ghosts - There can be good ghosts or bad ghosts. They can be friendly, or terrifying. Ghosts are poor souls who have died and are trapped between this life and the next. The "in between" place is called the netherworld.

Ghoul - a ghoul is a scary creature, similar to a ghost. But a ghoul is simply scary and has little character. It wasn't previously a human being as a ghost was. And, unlike some ghosts, a ghoul is never friendly.

Goblins - similar to ghosts and ghouls.

Grim Reaper - is the fictional personification of death. He is dressed in a long, black robe with a hood. Sometimes you can see a skeletal face. The Grim Reaper carries a long handled scythe(or sickle). The Grim Reaper comes at death to take bad people to hell.

Halloween Costumes - If you are going to a Halloween party or out to Trick or Treat, you need to dress up in a costume. No costume, no treats. Halloween costumes can be friendly or scary, simple or elaborate. If you don't' have money for a costume, be creative and make your own from things around your house. Learn to think outside the box and you can come up with great costumes without having to spend a lot of money.

Haunted Hayrides - Wildly popular with pre-teens and teens. They will wait hours for their turn on a hayride to get a dose of scares and frights. They will go on the hayrides in rain (snow) or (moon)shine. Haunted Hayrides - begin in early October, and continue daily through the month. It's not a hayride if its not haunted. This hugely popular attraction is a boon to farms that host them. People will wait hours for their rides. They will venture out a haunted hayride despite cold, rain, and even snow!

Haunted Houses - Ghosts inhabit the house. There're bats in the belfry. Evils spirits abound. People avoid haunted houses for good reason except at Halloween. This time of year, people will shell out big bucks for the big scare.

Jack O'Lantern - also spelled Jack O Lantern - A pumpkin for carving. It's believed the Irish brought the tradition of pumpkin carving to America.

Lighted Pumpkins - Also lighted turnips and rutabagas. Scary faces are carved into pumpkins or other vegetables and a candle is lit inside. It is said that they help keep the evil spirits away.

Mummy - In some old and ancient cultures, a person who dies is embalmed and wrapped in strips of white cloth. During Halloween mummies come alive and walk around the earth, scaring people. Chances are they won't catch you. And, if they do, what could they do with you when they are all wrapped up from head to foot!?

Netherworld - A place, or passageway, between heaven and earth.

Paranormal - a strange or unexplained occurrence or incident. This includes ghosts, witches, crop circles, UFO and other unexplained events.

Pumpkins - We are proud to say that pumpkins are a huge symbol of both Fall and Halloween. They come in many shapes, sizes and colors. They look great carved, or uncarved.

Samhain - Is this a season, the Lord of Darkness, or the Lord of Death. Depending upon who you talk to, Samhain can be any, or all of these.

Scarecrows - Not everything about Halloween is scary. Scarecrows successfully cross over between fall decorations and Halloween. They are popular in decorating for both events, and are much friendlier for young children.

Spooks - A ghoul or a ghost. They take pleasure in scaring people.

Trick or Treat - Children go out dressed up in their Halloween costumes. They knock on doors, and say "Trick or Treat". If they do not get a treat, look out!

Warlock - A male witch of Halloween. Note, a warlock is not related to witches of the Wiccan religion.

Werewolf or Wolfman- a man that transforms to a wolf. More on werewolves

Wiccans - A religious group that call themselves wiccans or witches. They will argue vehemently that evil witches of Halloween do not exist.

Witches - Did you know witches can be good, and witches can be bad. We definitely distinguish a difference between witches of Halloween and witches of the Wiccan religion.

from che11eness at http://www.budget101.com/

1,725 pound pumpkin

With the price of pumpkin skyrocketing in the states this season, I would love to have this baby.
They say everything is bigger in Texas, but this potential king of all jack-o-lanterns wasn't even grown in the states. Click here for story

In addition to all that pumpkin and an enormous amount of seeds, the owner may soon hold the world's record for this pumpkin. She and her husband both compete annually and this year, her pumpkin outweighed the hubby's by around 400 pounds.

I remember one year my dear late MIL entered a contest at Walmart for a huge pumpkin. You had to guess the weight and she won. It was something like 58 pounds. Well, dear Ida didn't want the pumpkin so she had them load it into her car and brought it to our kids. Let me tell you that was a serious sized pumpkin. I can't imagine one the size of this one!!!! LOL My kids thought they had won the lottery with that huge JOL.