Cute as a Button, Part Two. ♥

I'm having such fun with these button paintings! Here are two I finished today, which will be up for grabs tomorrow in the Etsy shop, unless they're snapped up first (larger than the previous ones, at 8" x 8", and $75 + $10 shipping)

You can't really see it in the pics, but there's a white rick-rack hanger at the top. Sooooo cute.

UPDATE - Both now sold. :)

I'll be working madly on commissions and a piece for the PFATT Marketplace this week, as well as catching up on a few things around the house, and applying for a new passport. Hard to believe the big road trip is just about 3 months away now!

Must run now, but I'll be back very soon...

♥ Carolee
PS - if you'd like one of the button paintings, just shoot me an email at carolee@kingofmice.com

Living in Season, but Painting Ahead...

I find there's something very close to sacred when we live "in season", making a mindful effort to remain in sync with Mother Nature, tuning not only our minds, but our bodies to the wheel of the year...

Once upon a time (before the age of the thermostat and the supermarket) our food and our activities reflected the changing seasons. Gardening in the summer, harvesting and preserving in autumn, resting in winter, and planting again in spring.

Summers were spent cooking outdoors, sipping lemonade on the front porch, running through lawn sprinklers, or swimming at the beach, or a nearby lake or creek. Winters were spent sledding, building snowmen, cooking hearty meals, telling stories, reading good books and snuggling in front of the wood stove or fireplace.

I count myself fortunate to live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where the seasons are still very much a part of the culture, and try very hard to embrace each season for the blessings it has to offer. Today, for instance, will find me roasting batch of butternut squash (for soup later in the week) and planting yet another pot of mums in the front yard....

But it will also find me painting (gasp!) a Christmas piece, along with a couple of autumn commissions. ;)

Since people decorate their homes well before the actual arrival of the holiday or season, it means holiday artists must stay a step ahead. Winter pieces in autumn, spring pieces in winter, and so on. I suppose it would be easy to be thrown off-kilter by this, but I try to see it as a preview - a little inspiration and anticipation of what's to come.

To that end, I've just listed the first holiday box of the year on Etsy - Peppermint Polly, a little angel mouse...

A little early perhaps, but I'm hoping others will be anticipating the season right along with me, and she'll find a good home.

In the meantime, I'm off to work on the last of the Halloween commissions, as I wish you a happy and mindful autumn! May you enjoy all her blessings. :)

♥ Carolee

Park your Broom and Sit for a Spell....

Oh, I just adore Halloween parties, don't you!?

Even Halloween parties for one, which is of course what is happening in the studio this beautiful October morning, as I join the annual Fanciful Twist Halloween Blog Party festivities....

Would you like to join me and make it tea for two?

I would have baked, but we Halloween artsy types are in such a tizzy with our work this time of year, there are times we need to improvise - thus the biscotti. ;)

Sooooooooo good though. Do try a bite...

Chocolate for breakfast. Wicked, hehe. ;)

I must share, the wonderful little teacup and saucer were a gift from a collector - so sweet of her! And the Halloween tea cozie was a find from a local shop. Love my tea cozies, and they really do keep the witch's brew nice and warm.

Not to eat and run, but as soon as this yummy little repast is finished, I'm off to make the party rounds in bloglandia...But before I do, I'll offer up this 8" x 10" print from my Etsy shop for a giveaway...

Some people say it makes them feel dizzy, but in a magical sort of way. ;)

If you'd like a chance to win a copy, just leave your name (and contact info if you don't have a blog where I can reach you!) and I'll throw it in the magic cauldron on All Hallows Eve, when I'll draw a name.

Wishing you a magical day, a Happy Halloween, and a Blessed Samhain!

¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee

Winding Down, Anticipation, and the Wheel of the Year

One of the most meaningful things about being a "holiday" artist is the opportunity to focus deeply on each season as it approaches. In creating work for Halloween and Samhain, Christmas and Yule, Easter and Beltane, and so on, a connection is made to the natural cycle of the earth. There's harmony to be found in living and painting for each season, in letting Mother Nature take the lead, and celebrating each festival or holiday as it comes around.

For the last several months, Halloween has been the primary focus, and anticipation has been building. Now that it's almost here (just two weeks!) I'm anticipating a bit of a gear change. The days are already growing shorter, a reminder that soon the harvest season will be over, and winter will be upon us. A few Halloween pieces remain up for grabs as of this writing, and I do hope they find good homes before the season is out. To this end, I've added a little note to the higher priced piece allowing two payments (a little easier to manage in this economy).

The apothecary/spells and potions chest is available on Etsy, and there's also a trio of mending box pinkeeps on the PFATT Marketplace. This is the larger of the three...

Soon Yuletide work will be in full swing (but always with a magical twist). I'm very excited about a new Santa cutout, and am considering combining the best of both seasons by creating a "Harvest Santa". Stay tuned. ;)

Angels have been spinning around in my brain as well, but not the human variety. I'm thinking angel cats, angel mice, angel rabbits, and so on. I do believe our furry friends are angels in disguise, so I suppose it's a natural progression. :)

Commissions are winding down too, as I play catch-up over the next few weeks, and a new project focusing on the wheel of the year will begin in January. VERY excited about this one, and just know it will be a blessing to paint.

How about you? Are you anticipating the change of seasons, or doing anything special to mark the holidays or festivals? I just love hearing about other people's celebrations and observances.

That's about it for today. I have a very full week ahead, with a friend visiting, painting and errands to be done, and a few hospital tests for John (who facebook readers may remember was stuck at a Pittsburgh area hospital for a few days earlier this month).

But I'll be back soon to share the first few pieces of the new season! Until then, I wish you all the blessings of Autumn...

♥ Carolee

Of Halloween, Home and Hearth

As you can imagine, it's absolute madness in the studio these days (September being high season for a Halloween artist and all)...

During the waking hours cider scented candles burn, and inspiring music fills the air - accompanied this particular week by near steady rainfall on the skylight, and punctuated by the occasional sound of the teakettle whistling. I've been listening to the soundtrack of Practical Magic for the last couple of days (a gift from a very special collector!) and am finding it truly puts me in a *witchy* frame of mind; all the better to paint by, hehe...

One of my favorite themes is the magic of hearth and home, the everyday "sorcery" found in all things domestic. This charming little mending box is a perfect example...

The top is a pinkeep, and the interior is perfect for needle and thread, extra buttons, a pair of small embroidery scissors, etc. I think it makes mending seem much less of a chore. ;)

Kitchen witchery has also been on my mind lately, as I work on a recipe box to be displayed at the Ghoultide Gathering. There's been a good bit of kitchen witchery going on in my own kitchen as well - as the weather cools, we've been enjoying the first butternut and acorn squash of the season. Sooooooo yummy, and truly tastes like autumn! If anyone is interested, I'll be happy to share the recipe in the comments section, but I warn you, it's super sweet. John calls it "candy squash". ;)

Looking forward to Halloween, I've also been painting a few pieces inspired by childhood. This one is reminiscent of trick or treating at the scariest house in the neighborhood, the one where we were SURE a witch resided...

I think it would be a super fun way to welcome trick-or-treaters, or welcome adults to a Halloween party. :)

The two pieces shown above will list on Etsy tonight, and I know they'll find loving homes. ♥

I'm frequently asked "How do you part with your work?" - which genuinely puzzles me, because there's truly nothing more heartwarming than to know something I've created is being sent off into the world to bring smiles to someone else's home. It just gives me the warm fuzzies. Truly, it's the best.

Well, that's about it for now. It's back to the work table for me, where I'll most likely be burning the midnight oil painting new signs and treat boxes. I'll be back soon with another update, and in the meantime, wish you all a happy and *creative* rest of the week!

♥ Carolee

New Prints Available!

After receiving many requests, I've had a few prints made of three recent paintings, and they're now available in my Etsy shop. The first two, "Spellcasting" and "Midnight Margaritas" were inspired by one of my all time favorite books and movies, "Practical Magic"...


The third, "Hubba's Halloween", was inspired by a beautiful ginger boy who used to live at our vet's office (but has since been adopted and gone to his forever home). :)

Isn't he a handsome fellow?

There are just eight of each print available at the moment, but I may order more before Halloween, not sure...

Back very soon with pics of a wicked cool tea chest in progress. Until then, happy Monday!

♥ Carolee

"Spellcasting" on PFATT Marketplace

OK, first, TWO blog posts in one day?!? Hehe...

Sorry, but I just have to share this little homage to one of my all time favorite books and movies, "Practical Magic". I'm offering this piece on tomorrow's PFATT Marketplace (update at 10AM pacific time)...

The edges are adorned with rosebuds and vines, so there's no need for a frame (additional photo on tomorrow's listing)...

Back very soon with new work, and further ramblings...

♥ Carolee

♪ ♫ It's the MOST Wonderful Time of the Year...♪ ♫

Nooooo, not back to school (although there WAS a time when that was so, hehe)...

I'm talking about Autumn (yes, I capitalize it, because I feel it deserves special reverence) - and especially about *HaLLOwEeN*!!

It may still be summer outside, but here in the studio, it's full-on fall; pumpkin scented candles burn, the blog playlist provides a magical soundtrack, and witches and black cats adorn just about every surface, as preparation for the upcoming Ghoultide Gathering kicks into full swing.

Etsy has been keeping me busy as well - the prints have been a huge success (just a few are left!) and originals are going quickly. This pair are up for grabs at the moment...

The first Halloween cats of 2011, they're sold individually, but if anyone wants to purchase both, I'll refund shipping. There are a few prints left in the Etsy shop as well. ;)

Look for a Practical Magic inspired painting on the PFATT Marketplace tomorrow too! (Nothing listed there at the moment, but it updates at 10AM Pacific time on Wednesday the 10th). :)

Plans and preparations also continue for next year's Road Dust and Wanderlust Tour (scroll down for details)...Getting VERY excited!!

And as if all this isn't enough, we're driving into the city tomorrow for brunch with Courtney and a visit to the Philadelphia Magic Gardens. Can't wait!!

That's about it for now - back to painting!!

Have a happy and *creative* rest of the week!

♥ Carolee

"Celebrate!"

It's that time again - the EHAG Emporium update!!

I've created a very special piece this month, an original, one of a kind lazy susan - perfect for a Halloween party centerpiece...

Acrylics on wood composite, with a clear, acrylic varnish. I love how it features different scenes as it turns...

This one is quite large, measuring a full 18" in diameter...

It's up for grabs on a first-come basis for $295 plus shipping, which will vary by location. To purchase, please email me at carolee@kingofmice.com UPDATE: ~SOLD~

Thanks for looking, and look for more Halloween goodies on Etsy!!

♥ Carolee

♥ A Trio of Teacup Mice ♥

Just popping in to share the latest Halloween paintings. Three witchy little Halloween mice...

Each is painted on 5" chunky gallery canvas, so there's no need for a frame.

I just listed the first two on Etsy, and the third....

Will list on eBay at 9PM Thursday. :)

In the meantime, the Mad Tea Party tray is still up for grabs...

I'll be back very soon with super exciting news!!

♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ ♥ Carolee

A Little Halloween Nostlagia and the Semi-Annual Rant ;)

Remember childhood Halloweens? Back in the days when it was safe to roam the streets, and before cities and townships changed the date of holidays for convenience sake? We'd come home from school (or outside play if it was the weekend) in the late afternoon, and begin preparing our costumes...

Small children often wore those dime store costumes (sweaty Mickey Mouse masks with elastic string stapled in just the wrong place over the ears)...But once we hit about 7 or 8 we'd make our costumes; ghosts from old white sheets, spacemen from painted cardboard boxes and kitchen gadgets, gypsies and princesses adorned with Mother's scarves and jewelry...

We'd dress just so. And we'd sit. And wait. Because we weren't allowed out until it was at least Twilight. I remember the wait seeming like an eternity.

Finally, darkness would descend, and we'd set out with treat buckets or pillowcases in hand, and begin knocking on doors, yelling "trick or treat!", dreading the grown ups who would ask us to do a trick, and always saying "thank you" as we left with our loot (which in those days was often the big candy bars - that's how old I am, hehe).

When we returned home, pilowcases would be emptied into individual piles on the floor and the trading - and subsequent gobbling - would begin.

Such good times, and such fond memories. I'm going to stop here (before moving on to promised rant, lol) to show you a piece I completed yesterday, inspired by these childhood Halloweens...


It's listed on eBay now, where you'll find more pics. :)

Where was I? Oh, yes. The rant...

When did the childhood fun, the "Boo!", "Scared you!" sort of Halloweens become eclipsed by Horror movies, gruesome animatronics, and trick or treating at the mall? I soooooo love the magic and whimsy of Halloween, the childlike excitement, the fanstasy aspect of the whole thing, and it truly saddens me to see it co-opted by violence and gore - and to see parents taking their kids to the mall because it's "safer"(which I know is a whole other debate, and may even be true to varying degrees depending on the neighborhood, but I find it sad nonetheless).

I've seen the trend in Halloween art too, mostly on eBay - the scary-fun giving way to the sick and gruesome. The baby doll heads made into corpses...soooooo sad.

But there are still plenty of us hanging on fiercely to the magic and wonder of childhood Halloweens, trying our best to keep that anticipation and excitement alive...If you have a few minutes, check out the right hand sidebar of my blog, and visit sites like Allen Cunningham, Johanna Parker Design, Laurie Hardin, Rucus Studio, Retro Rudolphs, Soft in the Head, and of course all the Ghoultide Gathering artists.

This is what Halloween at it's best, what Halloween should be.

Do you have a favorite childhood memory or costume? A favorite candy maybe? Do jump in and share a comment - it helps keep the magic alive. ;)

Until next time,

♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ ♥ Carolee

Good News and Inspiration Overload

I'll begin with the good news. Yesterday (yep, Friday the 13th) was John's last day of radiation treatment at Temple University Hospital!

It's been a very long 11 weeks, with more than a few bumps along the way, but he came through it, and the doctors are optimistic. He's still home for another week, resting and getting his strength back before returning to work. And we won't know for another six weeks if he's in remission. But we feel like we're on the downside of the mountain at this point, coasting instead of climbing, at least for another few weeks.

Sooooooo, a HUGE thank you for the prayers, positive energy and healing vibes, and for all the encouraging comments here, and on facebook. I can't begin tell you how much they've meant. Whatever the outcome, we feel truly blessed. ♥

Studio news this week takes the form of a creative explosion of sorts, hehe...

It began with a rather stressed out dream, wherein I was painting the White Rabbit on a clock - with the White Rabbit himself serving as a model - and a highly annoyed model at that. Seems I wasn't painting fast enough. (Yeah, I know - no trouble interpreting that one, right?!) ;) At any rate, I always listen to creative dreams, so I wrote it all down and set to work the next morning while it was fresh in my mind. Here's the result, which is on it's way to live with a wonderful collector and dear friend...

Wonderland is still calling though, and very soon I hope to share a pair of canvas paintings; The Mock Turtle and Gryphon, and the Walrus and the Carpenter (remember them?!) I can't wait to get started, and although already spoken for, I hope to offer prints, and will share pics as soon as they're finished.

Further inspiration came in the form of an artistic challenge in the EHAG Art group - our latest creative springboard, titled "Familiar Friends", was suggested by the very talented Sweet B. Soooooo many possibilities there, but in the end I decided to paint a mystical cat, using my friend Lunaea's gorgeous boy Morpheus as a model. Here's the result...

Click here to visit the auction.

Of course, in the midst of all this, Halloween is still VERY much on the brain, as work begins for the fifth annual Ghoultide Gathering. At the risk of sounding like broken record, if you're within striking or traveling distance, and you love Halloween (the mystical, magical, "boo!" Halloween we remember from childhood!) this show is a must see. I guarantee you'll walk around absolutely drop-jawed. This is my fifth year exhibiting, and walking the show before opening, I still feel as though I were transported to some magical Halloween realm. Oh, and this year, it's a TWO day event!

It's also a super reasonable getaway, with discounted rooms for attendees at the Hampton Inn, which sort of becomes *Halloween Central* for a couple of days, and where you're likely to meet up with other collectors, some of the artists, etc...

I'll post more details soon, but if you think you can make it, book early - "Ghoulies" as my friend Joycee likes to call us, pretty much filled the hotel last year, hehe!

That's about it for now, except to add that a few Middle Earth pieces are also on the not too distant horizon; the Shire, Lothlorien and Rivendell providing most of the inspiration.

Until next time, thanks for visiting, thanks for your comments, and do check back soon (a giveaway is in the works!)

♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ ♥ Carolee

"The Magical Pantry" !

It's that time again - the EHAG Emporium update! My offering this month is a *magical* witch's pantry...


If you click on the photos, they should enlarge a bit. Lots of detail in this one, right down to tiny labels on the herb jars (cat's claw, belladonna, valerian and witch's broom) - and all the books have titles. :)

I had a lot of fun painting the copper cauldron and marble mortar and pestle...

Purple exterior with a witch reading her Book of Spells on one side and a black cat on the other. And if you peek inside, you'll find a tiny surpise, hehe...

Measures 10 3/4" x 7" x 4 3/4". Up for grabs on a first-to-email basis. $185 plus shipping, which varies by location. Signed and dated, with a certificate of authenticity included. UPDATE - SOLD.

Thanks for taking a peek, and don't forget to check out my current eBay auction (a magical mending box and pinkeep). :)

♥ Carolee

So Much to Share...

This is going to be one of those posts which is all over the place, I'm afraid - much to tell, and most of it unrelated - so if I sound unfocused, I'm trusting you'll forgive me, hehe...

Easter was lovely, if quiet, and I took the first day off in many months! Such fun to enjoy brunch out with John (no cooking - yay!) and a quiet drive through the country on the way home. The predicted rain never appeared. On the contrary, we had bright sunshine as we took in some of the most beautiful scenery in Chester and Lancaster counties; centuries old stone farmhouses, fields of "shippies" (Amish-speak for "sheep") and newborn lambs...dogwoods, cherry trees and flowering crabapples in bloom...just gorgeous, and a welcome break! Unfortunately, I left the camera at home, so no photos of the drive.

But I will share a pic of our very own flowering crabapple, at the edge of the little backyard koi pond. This is the view from my worktable, and if you look closely, you'll see one of the koi. I seriously must have the best job in the world - a commute down one flight of stairs, and this outside my window!

The blooms are sooooo beautiful, aren't they?


Daffodils are up too - one of my favorite flowers!


OK, enough of the garden, hehe...On to new work!

I've been having great fun lately playing with sculptural accents (see previous post for the first piece). Here's a second - just plain FUN, yes?

It's listed on eBay now. A couple of people on facebook have told me it reminds them of Beetlejuice - the black and white stripes, maybe? Haven't seen it since it first came out, but now I'm anxious to put it in the netflix queue and see what the similarity is, hehe. :)

I'm still working on mending boxes and pinkeeps, so stay tuned, and I also hope to have something to offer for the April 30th EHAG Emporium update. (What was I THINKING taking a day off?!?)

Moving on to an update on John, I'm happy to report he's doing well with the second round of radiation. He's still experiencing some burns, but so far not as bad as the first round, and we're hoping this improvement continues. The doctor tells us it will be at least a couple of weeks after treatment stops before they can determine if remission has been achieved. So please keep those prayers and positive thoughts coming!

That's about it for now, except to thank all of you who've been so supportive of my work! We absolutely could not get through these challenges without you, and feel incredibly blessed that I'm able to keep this "job" going as John forges ahead with treatment. I'm looking forward to the day when we'll look back at this time wondering how we did it - and always realizing that it wasn't alone. ♥

That's about it for now. I'm off to catch a few hours sleep, assuming I can find a place on the bed (last I checked, there was one human, two dogs and three cats crashed out there, hehe)....

Back very soon with a sneak peek at the Emporium piece, and more rambling...

Until then,
♥ Carolee

Old Work, New Work, and a Giveaway!

I suppose I should begin with the "old" work...well, last week's anyway, hehe...

It's very seldom I set a reserve on a piece I place up for auction, but this little milking stool/footstool, rescued from the basement corner of an architectural salvage shop, was pretty labor intensive - it took literally DAYS to complete. I know reserves often scare off eBay buyers, but I just couldn't bear to see this go for a song. Alas, it didn't make the reserve, so here it sits...

I did however break down and drop the reserve price (from $250 to $195) in re-listing....soooooo, we'll see what happens. It's truly one of my favorites, and I wish I could have taken this as a sign and KEPT it, hehe - but with John out on disability (regular readers may remember he's in the middle of his first round of radiation) I must sell every piece I paint.

I've also removed this sweet, primitive, not-so-little (almost 2 ft long) garden sign from PFATT Marketplace and placed it up for auction as well...

Another one I would dearly love to keep, to set amongst all the bee-friendly blooms this summer, but again...must sell. ;)

Moving on to new work, here's one in progress (and quite possibly spoken for) but I just have to share it...

A child's chair, hand made by an Amish toymaker, which when finished, will be adorned with mice, rabbits and a hedgehog. Those leaves climbing the legs are the beginnings of blackberry brambles. I'm sooooo pleased with this one, and very much wishing I had several more of these chairs, but alas, said toymaker has discontinued this pattern, so I have just one more left.

I'll share a photo here when it's finished. :)

And last but certainly not least - a giveaway!!

I breezed right by my 500th blog post recently, so in honor of that, and by way of saying a heartfelt thank you to my wonderful collectors, friends and blog readers, here's a little trinket box...

Just leave a comment here, and you'll be entered to win it. Re-post on your blog, tweet, or share on facebook and you'll be entered again! I'll draw a name via random generator next Friday, the 25th.

Oh, and there's another giveaway happening over the EHAG Emporium blog! Check it out here. :)

That's about it for today...I'm off to finish that chair now. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, filled with magic and joy...

Give a big hug to those you love. :)

♥ Carolee

PFATT Pfeature and Other Pfun...

Yes, the "P" in "PFATT" is silent, making it even more appropriate for some of us, *ahem*. ;)

Anywho, knowing I was to be the featured artist on the PFATT Marketplace this month, I decided to offer more than just a piece or two this time around, and can't remember when I've had more fun with Valentines Day...

These are all up for grabs at 9PM pacific/midnight eastern time tonight to the first person to shoot me an email about the desired piece (although since I turn into a pumpkin right about that time, I'll likely answer first thing in the morning). ;)

No orders will be taken on any of these, as many of them took waaaay longer than the price reflects, and I'm getting dangerously low on boxes (note to self - call woodworker!)

But I do have one more cat and mouse piece to share, a tea tray originally planned to be part of tonight's PFATT goodies, but alas, not completed in time. So it's destined for eBay tomorrow at 9PM eastern, and will be up for grabs there. You can see a bit of the pencil sketch here....

I'm having great fun with the concept of cats and mice as buddies rather than enemies, and expect I'll be running with it for Halloween too. Speaking of which...

Can you believe it's LESS than nine months until the FIFTH annual Ghoultide Gathering??! I'm giddy with excitement, and already looking forward to the BEST weekend of the entire year.... Yep, I said best - better even than actual Halloween, and THAT's saying something! Jaw-dropping Halloween art in a magical setting (still pinching myself to be included), nonstop fun with friends, giggling in the lobby of the Hampton until the wee hours - it just doesn't get any better. So if you're within striking distance (or heck, even within traveling distance) start planning now! This isn't just an art show, it's an experience. ;)

Okay, calming down now, deep breath...

In other news, I won a giveaway on The Hive. I'm very excited to say I'll have an ad appearing there all month (created by the talented Sandy of Sam I Am). How cool is THAT? Very generous of Ms. Melissa too (the Hive's Queen Bee) and by the way, if you're not already a member, please click here to join. It's basically an online community of artists, crafters and consumers, all coming together in one place, blogging, chatting, sharing and posting info on work, methods, materials, shows and just LIFE in general. I pop in as time allows, and have to say I've met some wonderful people there. :)

On the home front, things are a bit crazy as we try to schedule John's upcoming radiation treatment, and also scramble to take care of a few household things. I'm working some pretty crazy hours, so if I owe you an email or commission, I promise, it's coming, and I thank you for your patience. ;)

That's about it for now - I'll pop in again to share a photo of the finished tea tray, and next weekend, I hope to have some photos to share of what promises to be a wicked cool post-holiday Steampunk/Victorian formal party actross the river in NJ...stay tuned!

In the meantime, thanks for visiting, thanks for your thoughts and comments, and thanks as always for suporrting my work. I'm truly blessed. :)

♥ Carolee

Happy Hallowe'en!!!

...And a Blessed Samhain to all those who observe it!

Around here, Halloween is more of a season than a day, and this particular Halloween has been just FILLED with wicked cool goings on...

The celebration began with the fourth annual Ghoultide Gathering and will end tomorrow as the last day of summer (Samhain) passes into the Celtic New Year.

In between of course, was LOTS of painting, the Willy Wonka party, and last night my friend Jen's Day of the Dead Halloween party. Jen's parties are always fun - she decorates the house to the hilt, has an interesting mix of guests, and makes great food and drinks...My own contribution was a pan of enchiladas verdes, and these wicked cool Halloween cookies from Kim Short of Kim's Artistic Confections...

I think my favorite was Poe. Of course, Jack Nicholson was pretty amazing too. :)

The kids had a great time, and really, that's what Halloween is all about...

Munchies galore...

And our hostess, dressed in her Day of the Dead finery...

I also spent part of the weekend with the Cabin Ladies, sort of a girls weekend we do several times a year at one of Pennsylvania's beautiful state parks. Very relaxing, and it gave me a chance to drive some of the backroads I hadn't seen in a while. Lancaster County has some great sights, one of the more unusual being these old graveyards set in the middle of farmland, many not even accessible by road...
A one room Amish schoolhouse...

The little town of Terre Hill, where John and I lived when we first moved to Pennsylvania...

And I snapped this one not so much to show the sheep, but the trees...

As you can see, summer is indeed over, and the glorious colors of autumn are fading from the trees. Frost will appear soon, and we'll catch the scent of woodsmoke as we pass these farms. The roadside markets (now selling only pumpkins, cabbage and winter root vegetables) will close for the season, and we'll wait for the snow to fly.

But tonight is All Hallow's Eve, and since the trick or treaters have already been here (see previous posts) I'll get into the *spirit* of things by checking my friends' wicked cool Halloween work on the EHAG Emporium update. :)

In the meantime, on the eve of the Celtic New Year, I'll leave you with a little Van Morrison...



Until next time,

¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee

Munchies for Monsters....

...And for princesses, and for frogs, and for the Mad Hatter too!

Last night was "Trick or Treat Night" here in Lancaster County (don't even get me started on changing the day Halloween is celebrated around here), and the kids were out in full force - we went through 14 bags of candy!!

At this rate, and at the price of candy we may have to take a second out on the house next year, lol...But aren't these guys adorable??? Some of this year's best costumes included a bumblebee and her sister the fairy (tinkerbell maybe, not sure)....

A dog...

A Frog...

Fairies, skeletons and ninjas (this guy is a ninja, right?)

I thought this Dad dressed as an Amish guy was pretty funny, hehe...

And is this a great costume or what? I'd bet Mom and Dad are Renn Faire people...

The two goth vampires and the Mad Hatter proudly told me they made their own costumes from bits of this and that they'd found at thrift stores or in Mom's closet - made me feel like some of that old fashioned Halloween spirit still lives...

Amazingly, we had NO older kids this year - not one! OK, there was one guy in costume, who looked about 16 or 17, walking by the house with a pillowcase, but he was SMOKING, and I guess he thought the better of saying "trick or treat" with a cigarette in mouth, so he just grinned and passed by. ;)

We did have one mom who made her kid put back the candy they'd chosen, pointing to another saying "No - get THAT one for Mommy!" I gave the kid both. Nervy, eh?

But all in all everyone was so polite, saying "please" and "thank you" and "Happy Halloween!" Oh, and I should add that the photos shown here are with the parents' permission. :)

Next up - a Halloween/Day of the Dead party at my friend Jen's house (photos soon on that!)....In the meantime, I'm off to hang out with the girls at the cabin weekend for a bit (scroll back two posts)...

Happy Halloween!!!

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(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee