Halloween Dream Vacation

Romania in the Fall, Carpathian Mountain vistas, carriage ride to Bran Castle... How the heck did I catch this contest so late?! Winning a stay at "Dracula's Castle" on Halloween, I'd think I was dreaming!

Maybe my blogging friends that have some writing skills and money for a last minute flight can still make the deadline? There are rules though... "No garlic or garlic scented items" etc.

Ghosting 2016

I put together this year's "Boo" baskets for the annual "Ghosting" of my grandson and son this past week. 

"Ghosting"(aka "You've Been Ghosted" or "You've Been Boo'ed") is our annual tradition that I learned of in my neighborhood when we first moved in. Now the ghost has moved on to my son's neighborhood. I have seen the tell-tale paper ghost taped to peoples windows in my neighborhood indicating they have already been ghosted though, so maybe it's still alive here as well.

My Ghosting Procedures are as follows: ( Procedures may vary according to your "Ghosting" ability)

1.) Ghost creates basket with instruction sheet on how to pay it forward;

2.) Ghost has a couple mixed drinks while waiting for darkness;

3.) Ghost walks the basket(s) of creepiness and goodies to the door of the person to be ghosted while trying not to trip over bicycles and other objects in the yard, because the ghost's son didn't turn on the outside light;

4.) Ghost rings the doorbell realizing he's just walked into a spider web on the porch prompting rapid flailing of arms and hands after baskets are set at the door;

5.) Ghost runs for parked vehicle, while passing neighbors look on in bewildered amusement at old guy pretending to run while flailing arms.

6.) Ghost trips over yard object anyways, smashing shin, and screaming string of expletives;

7.) Ghost goes home to tend wounds;

8.) Grandson opens door and is delighted.

This year Grandpa paid a visit during the annual night time pumpkin carving at my son and daughter in law's home. My Grandson was fully immersed in pulling the seeds from the pumpkin for some sort of family pumpkin seed recipe. Six "almost seven" is such a cool age for Halloween. Everything is still magic. 

Wouldn't you know it, ten minutes after Grandpa left, they got ghosted!

Zombie Cake

I didn't attend the Zombie Fest in Lakeland Florida again this year. It's not far from home but seems like I always have something else going on each year they have the event.

This year I missed the cake they unveiled at the festival. It was done by my friend Scott Fensterer co-owner of "D'edible Delights" with Amber Santos, and their friend Lea Williams of "Got Candy". I thought it was so amazing I had to share their photos.

Scott states everything was edible including the hair?

I don't care if it's edible or not, I'm not eating that!

Some  people may recognize Scott's name from Season 9 of "Face Off". If this is any indication of what this group can do, I'd say they may want to be looking into Halloween Wars on the Food Network...

Cancelled

Due to personal difficulties this year, and honestly a complete lack of motivation to create anything, reluctantly, the Shingle Creek Manor Halloween display is cancelled this year. 

While it's a relief to avoid that last minute stress to finish projects and get everything set up that so many of my friends are going through, I am also a little sad that I have nothing to entertain our friends, neighbors and most importantly, trick-or-treaters. 

I'm trying my best to keep up with the Halloween social networking including various blogs I follow, but ask for a pass that I haven't been my chatty and witty self (though some of you probably never did notice much wittiness!).

That being said, I am trying to find my Halloween spirit and get a few more posts written on our blog of some Halloween related things that are happening. Meantime, I  wish my fellow haunters a great season and wish everyone the creepiest of Halloweens...