It’s no secret. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE Halloween. Not just because I enjoy scary things or buckets full of candy. (Um…we’ll talk about that later) The thing that truly gets me, right in my pumpkin-spiced-loving heart, is the excitement and mystery of the weeks leading up to the 31st. It’s that unsettled feeling, those goosebumps and shivers, which hint that something unexpected—even magical—is about to happen.
This year at Camp Hills, we dug out our decorations and even added some new ones. Darling Daughter put up a Halloween Tree for the first time. It’s black with purple lights and fabulous Halloween ornaments. FANTASTIC! (You can find many great options on Etsy) DD’s are Tim Burton-themed…Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride. We grew our own pumpkins and supported a favorite local farm by buying the BIGGEST ones we could find there. 30 lbs.+ each - no kidding! We needed wagons to get them to the car. You know they'll be outstanding Jack-o'-Lanterns providing yummy seeds aplenty!
My advice? Eat the candy, bake the goodies, light candles, read hauntingly romantic novels, and watch your favorite shows. That's what I'll be doing!
I’d love to hear what you’re up to this year, so please share.
Happy Halloween, ALL!
~ Kathryn
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We are kindred spirits. Halloween is also a favorite for me. My memories of trick or treating are a lot like yours, maybe even more carefree since I'm a whole generation ahead of you. We used to trick or treat in bars which was cool b/c those who'd had a few used to give us money!
ReplyDeleteWOW! That IS something! We got pennies from some folks who couldn't be bothered with candy, and one man who gave out quarters. His house was pretty popular. LOL The craziest things were those mini-cigarette candies back then. Of course, we all stood around pretending we were smoking like many of our parents. Boy, have times changed!
DeleteWe spend Halloween with some very dear friends. I've been friends with several of them since I was five. And now our kids are friends! It's great! I enjoy Halloween because I get to be with people I love, but I could do without the late nights of getting candy. I'm really glad that it's on a Saturday this year!
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic! How special that you've kept those friendships for so long and now have the kids with you. Halloween on a Saturday is a special treat. PLUS, there's a full moon! Perfect for werewolves. 🐺😂
DeleteLove the black tree. Two years ago I remember them being popular for Christmas. I met a woman picking one up at the Walmart curbside and looked at hers. Made me want one. Hers didn't have pretty purple lights like yours.
ReplyDeleteI did see them in Walmart too one year! I'm not certain where DD ordered hers, but I know she bought it online. WITH all her great trimmings! It really is beautiful and sets the room aglow with the purple lights. Hard to take a good pic though. LOL
DeleteA good friend has a tree she keeps up all year and decorates according to the holiday and season. It's such fun. After Christmas the tree transitions to Valentine's Day, then Easter and Summer (flamingos and flipflops abound)then of course Halloween. Where I live, Halloween is a big deal or used to be. My friend and her hubby have an annual Halloween party, if you don't dress up, they dress you. It's downsized this year for obvious reasons and outdoors. They live on the water so that's a plus. You brought back such fond memories.
ReplyDeleteHow fun!!! I LOVE the idea of dressing the party poopers! That must be hilarious. Enjoy your spooky night by the sea, Marcia. I want pictures!
DeleteHalloween was very fun growing up. Loved going door to door getting great treats. Then when my littles came along, I loved making them costumes and taking them through the neighborhood. Or sometimes hub got to do it and I'd man the door, opening it to all our ghostly visitors, holding our big black cauldron filled with candy. Often I'd get a student whose eyes would open wide, realizing this is where his/her teacher lived. Those children always got a few extra pieces! That had them coming back year after year to visit.
ReplyDeleteAawww...What great Halloween memories! I bet it was fun when your students came to your door and were surprised. 😁
DeleteI loved Halloween when I was little...the costumes ... the candy apples...and those molasses kisses that were only around for the big night. These days we help with trick or treat and take our grands around their neighbourhood...still fun but no more candy apples! This year people are planning innovative ways to deliver the candy...long tubes...hanging bagS from lines...or those extended grabbers. It’ll be fun!
ReplyDeleteMolasses Kisses? YUM! So fun now you go with your grandkids! I've seen some of the ways folks are planning to be safe with Trick Or Treat this year. We'll be making bags ahead of time and setting them on a table off the porch. BUT I still will sit out to see all their great costumes! I won't miss that fun. 😁
ReplyDeleteEven when they were older, my kids were really into Halloween. Haunted houses scare me, but I love them. It's truly magic for the littles. We don't get trick and treaters where we live now, and I miss seeing them. We do have a yearly ringside seat with a friend of over 30 years to watch an amazing fireworks display though, so that really makes the night.
ReplyDeleteI remember you saying that, Kathleen! How cool to have fireworks for Halloween. I love hearing about all the different ways folks celebrate!
DeleteYou know I adore Halloween too, and just like you, that love started when I was little. I LOVE your Halloween tree, and your plan for the eve itself sounds perfect. Unfortunately, I'll be working at The Witch House that day and hoping that the tourists (who should be home) won't get too crazy or ugly. But once I'm safe at home that night with my family, things will be A LOT better!
ReplyDeleteUgh...My heart goes out to you, Judy, and all who live and work in Salem during this extremely troubling time. I've seen the notices from the city, trying to cut down on the typical chaos. Here's hoping their efforts work. As for later that night...enjoy your spooky time with you fine men. Happy Halloween!
DeleteYour memories of Halloween as a child are so similar to mine! Makes me miss those innocent times. I've never seen a Halloween tree. What a surprising idea.
ReplyDeleteIt's SOoooo pretty, Joan, and the decorations are quite unique! I wish I could capture a better picture, but it literally GLOWS purple! LOL
DeleteAlthough I'm not that much of a Halloween fan, I love reading about how other people feel about it. I loved your post!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liz! I'm always happy to share our fun-loving antics. Happy Halloween!
DeleteAs a child I loved Halloween but always dressed as a gypsy because that was possible with things we had. It's never been a big holiday at our place, although we enjoy seeing the small children in costumes who are so excited. I'm already excited about the approach of Christmas, which is our BIG holiday.
ReplyDeleteI think we truly LOVE a good reason to celebrate here at Camp Hills. Year-round, the more the merrier. The day after Halloween, we'll flip a magic switch and start prepping for Christmas. Which we all absolutely enjoy! I'm already in the mood because of our upcoming Dickens anthology. Bring on the Ho Ho Ho!
DeleteGrowing up in a small town I loved that there were no Halloween rules, except the one you mention. Seemed it was the only time I was allowed to roam the streets with my girlfriends (when I was a bit older) and we walked every single one of them with our pillowcases loaded down with candy! (I do live in a one stop-light town.) Thanks for triggering that memory. :)
ReplyDeleteWe were the same way, Maddie...loving the chance to be out as a pack of girlfriends, roaming the streets, hunting for candy. LOL It was a pretty fun and exciting time for us. I love taking a walk down that memory lane! Thanks for reading, and Happy Halloween!
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