giveaway winner

Hi again everyone!

It's time to choose the winner of the

Halloween crown!

I've said before that I have a love hate relationship

with giveaways.

Love giving goodies away

but hate that not everyone gets something.

Anyhow, I used random number generator

and the winner is

comment #10.

Tilda from Tea with the Squirrels

Congratulations!

Don't forget to visit Haunted Humpday

 there's a giveaway every week.

and sometimes, 

everybody wins!

I quickly also wanted to

announce that

I've been published in 

The wondrous, magical, sparkly

publication from the 

incredible 

Lisa Kettell!

It's available for purchase

at Lulu.com

alright...

I'm off to my gypsy wagon to stir up some glitter & spookiness!

I'll see you soon:)

Silly fun stuff..

I hope your weekend has been happy.

It's been amazing here lately...

warm days, nights in the high 50's

it's getting there!!

my daughter and my niece

 bought me some gifts the other night.

totally unexpected! very welcome

& perfect for bundling up under the covers with.

that little pumpkin is a flashlight too, 

just in case the lights were to go out!!!

We celebrated the first cool night

with cocoa, warm doughnuts

and ghost stories,

of course.

We gather in the living room...

light some yummy scented candles

set out the carved pumpkin 

get our 

warmest throw blankets

 and turn out the light...

 I started with a short story..

do you want to hear it?

Many years ago, at least 60, 

everything was pretty much rural

around here.

My mom was a little girl

living in an area where you could

 go outside and see every star

on a pure dark night.

On some nights

bright lights could be seen far off in the distance

where no one lived.

There was never any evidence of fire.

A group of four men decided to investigate this strangeness..

they saddled up their horses one stormy evening

and as soon as they spotted the lights

they headed out.

Now, the legend behind the lights

is, of course, buried gold...

They were prepared though

bringing shovels and cloth sacks

to carry home their treasure.

Sure enough, they found a glowing light emanating 

from a crevice in the ground.
It took many hours for their shovels
to hit something hollow.
Imagine their delight
when they pulled a very heavy trunk
out of the ground
 and it made the unmistakable
sound of coins
clinking against each other?!

after breaking the lock
they threw the lid open.
Gold..
gold coins, more gold coins than they
ever imagined.

But also....a head
a devil head,
whose jaw jiggled and teeth chattered.
whose extra long tongue whipped around.
whose lips curled back in a wicked sneer.

three of the men dropped dead instantly.
the fourth man mounted his horse
and rode back home frantically .
He lived long enough to tell the tale
then he too, passed away
an expression of horror on his face.

when some of the townsfolk went out
to the area where the unfortunate men met their fate..
they found loose dirt that had been thrown back
over a hole in the ground.
but no one ever attempted
to dig it out again.
mwah ha ha ha!!!

needless to say..
I scared the heck out of my girls, lol
it really helps when the lights are off!

oh, I also wanted to show you this
mixed media painting in my little shop:)
It's called
Witching Time.

ok
time to get dinner started
I got carried away here!
See you soon.

Haunted Humpday #5

You know it's time for our

FIFTH Haunted Humpday?

This is the last one of 

September!

How fast has the time flown?

& oh my gosh! it's Autumn!

which means....it's going to cool down eventually

AND Halloween is getting closer!

I hope you will come have fun at the

Broomsticks on the Bayou party!

It's going to be spooky and so creepy!

Don't forget...

There will be 

food

prizes 

stories

spells 

& 

enchantments:)

So who wants a sweet?

I do I do!!

How about caramel apples?

you need this:

plus this

plus this

and any assorted toppings you might like.
I like coconut on mine. 

Apple wraps are an easy way to make

caramel apples.

You use the microwave or the oven so 

you don't have super

scary molten sugar on the stove.
there's simple instructions
on the package.

don't get me wrong, I love the

 traditional way of making them,

but this way is fun for children...

without having to say

"oh my gosh...don't get so close to the flame!

 Don't burn off your tongue!

 Don't stick your fingers in there!"

well, maybe that's just what I say, lol

Okay...

I have a story that's considerably milder than

the last few...

 For years

my mom used to tell me the 

story of the man

that would come to the front door.

He was nicely dressed

in a dark jacket and trousers.

He would walk up the driveway

 step quickly

onto the porch

and walk up to our front door 

as if to knock.

since my mom kept light, gauzy curtains

 on our large front windows

all this could be seen pretty clearly.

He'd never knock on the door though

as soon as you got up to go to the front door,

he'd disappear.

she saw him

my dad saw him
aunts, uncles and friends too.

my parents figured he was most likely

buried under the porch somewhere...

(remember the graveyard)

my aunts and uncles

thought there might be

money or treasure

under there and he was trying to let us know.

there were many discussions

about why and how...

They all agreed on one thing though....

he was headless!

See, super mild!
 

Okay

I have a winner for last week's Dia De Los Muertos magnet...

comment  #14

Congratulation's Diane

I need your details!!

alright, I just want to clarify

that in order to win 

one of my Haunted Humpday giveaways

you need to comment on a

Haunted Humpday post.

I'll post it Wednesday

you have until Saturday to leave a comment :)
I think I may have been
causing some confusion.

Sooooo..
Today was a pretty nice day..
wasn't too hot
there was a nice little breeze...
I went outside
to soak up the fresher weather
and I heard giggles
coming from the corner..
tiny giggles
and the clinking of china
I walked very softly over
and saw this!

 Introducing:
Jett
Marigold
Celesta
and
Tilda!
The cutest little witches ever!
they offered me some sweet pumpkin tea
and told me they were looking for
a place to stay
and celebrate
the coming holidays!
 They are waiting patiently in my new
Etsy shop!

They were so incredibly kind, they even offered
a giveaway of some yummy tea
in an awesome little tea box.

Leave me a comment
for a chance to win this
adorable tea house!
And please take a look at these
witchlings...
I don't know if I can keep them entertained for very long!

Have a wonderful magical week!!!

There's magic in the air!

The nights are getting longer,

& the skies are getting darker....

when that happens

I begin to yearn for something different...

a change... 

I took a walk.

The path was a bit familiar..

I got to a sign

that had arrows pointing in 

all directions...

one pointed South, 

it said:

Le Mysterieux Carnival

I took a few steps in that direction, 

the smell of candy floss and caramel apples 

 floated in the air.

I came back to the sign

and took another look.

Another arrow pointed East,

it was covered over with drying lavender

so I brushed it away gently...

Practical Magic...

I could smell fresh damp soil, pancakes and the sea.

I made my decision!

Practical Magic!

It had been years since I'd jumped off a roof!

Just as I started out 

another arrow

caught my attention...

it was partially hidden behind Spanish moss 

just then,  I heard music!

High in the air..

Beautiful silvery notes with a touch of mournful soul...

 bringing with it the scent of spices

hot coffee and ....sweet delicacies.

What could this be, where could this be?!

Moving the moss aside,

I read..

Broomsticks on the Bayou.

with the  glittery promise of 

magic, good food and the chance to 

explore a gorgeous mystery

I set off in the direction of the arrow...

As luck would have it

I met up with a witchy friend along the way.

over marshy ground

and under hanging vines.

we  arrived.

Won't you join us?

You can share your 

party

story

tablescapes

artwork

spells

As long as it's

New Orleans style!

I'll set up a list of participants

here on my blog

or you can stop by 

Frosted Petunias

and sign up there

it's up to you.

and you know me...

there's going to be prizes!

you can use the button on my sidebar!

hope to see you there!!

 

 

Haunted Humpday

Guess what day it is???

Welcome back!

I almost forgot!

The winner of the crystal from last week's giveaway

is Kim!

I need your snail mail my dear...

but wait.....

I have little crystals for the

20 other people that commented!

I need everyone's address please...

also include your email and your blog name please:)

Okay, so last  week I made 

microwave cake..

But have you tried microwave s'mores?

let's make some!

I bought some amazing marshmallows to use!

and some candy chips, they're orange colored and regular chocolate!

Just put your s'mores together 

on a microwave safe plate...like a little sandwich,

#1.graham cracker

 #2.yummy delicious pumpkin shaped marshmallow (or a regular one hehe)

#3.Hershey's chocolate bar square

#4. graham cracker

put it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds

(keep an eye on it, they get ginormous!)

Now, if you want to, you can (carefully)

use a lighter to toast the sides of the marshmallow.

I like the microwave method cause it

doesn't  need an open flame

and it's fun for the kiddies:)

just be careful, it's messy!

 

you can melt the candy chips when you 'cook' it

and dip your s'more in it....:)

so while you're bouncing off the walls after this little snack,

you might want to check out

 Wendy's Dia De Los Muertos

Challenge. 

She was inspired by

Kim's  post last week.

Dia De Los Muertos

It's absolutely one of my favorite holidays!

It's so colorful and fun...

There's a parade held here every year.

My daughter loves to go,

this is from two years ago....

There's lot's of goodies to find now that it's close...

I found this skull at Spirit Halloween store..

He changes color..

And this Magnet

(which you can win if you leave a comment)

alright...enough of the bright, pretty skellys....

are you ready for a poem?

The Cry Of The Banshee

As the moon at midnight moves through the starry sky
Out there in the bog land the Banshee's shrill cry
The one seldom heard and that human eyes cannot see
Some say the ghost of one who died in agony.

'Tis said the cry of the banshee is a brief loud shrill screech
That into the depths of the soul seem to reach
And those who have heard it will never forget
That loud ear piercing scream 'til the day of their death.

To those who have heard it fear of the night it does bring
The cry of the banshee is a terrifying thing
The most terrifying scream that they ever did hear
A cry that instil in those who hear it fear.

The cry of the banshee is a blood curdling cry
It pierces the silence of the midnight sky
And those who have heard it never leave us in doubt
That at midnight from their homes they never more venture out.

 

Francis Duggan

 

 

 

 

Now, how about that story 

I promised you 

about the house next door?

It's not very long....

 

 

When I was sixteen, 

we got some new neighbors,

next door.

 (Carlos & Estella)

A young couple with a baby.

they were very young...just out of their teens

newly married

and very happy.

They got to be good friends

with my mom, 

They would talk with her all the time

&

she would bring them

dishes of food

and freshly made tortillas.

One night, after they'd been there

a few months,

they heard someone crying outside their back door,

just sobbing!

They peeked out the very corner of the window

and thought my mom 

was out there..

The moon was bright that night and the woman

they saw out there had gray hair

(like my mom)

and a long dress...

but her features weren't visible because 

her hands were covering her face.

her shoulders were shaking with her cries. 

They were so so scared!

why would she come to their yard

after midnight and cry without knocking? 

After mustering up his courage Carlos

flung open the door, 

but there was no one 

there.

They retold this story to my mom,

the next morning

she didn't like the sound of it..

(told me it made her very uneasy) 

 She told them to be careful...

and don't go opening the door

 to crying old ladies in the dark! 

My mom said

it sounded like the banshee

had paid them a visit.

But she wouldn't elaborate.

A few nights later

I woke up to the sound of screaming..

Estella had come over with 

terrible news!

Carlos had been in a car accident

on his way home from work,

he'd been riding in the back of a truck

with other co-workers, 

 when a car ran a red light

 and hit them.

he was thrown from the vehicle

and died instantly. 

 I'll never forget the chills

that ran through me

when I heard her cries of grief.

 

Estella left soon after to go live 

with her parents

and I never saw her again.

 

creepy huh?

 

 On that note, I bid you goodnight, 

sleep well

and for goodness sake

do not open the door or peek out

the window if you hear

someone crying!!!

See you!

 

 

Blog Hop Giveaway!!

I'm having a Giveaway!

A Halloween giveaway!

I'm joining the Crafty Paper's Blog Hop

Leave a comment on this post from now until September 29th

and you have a chance to win

A crown....

But not just any crown

A super creepy spooky crown!

                                                                          

You don't have to be a follower:)
unless you really want to!!!

& You don't have to stalk me on Facebook, lol

Just leave a comment &

A winner will be chosen on the 30th.

Good Luck!

Haunted Humpday

Wow!

It's already

There's a new event

I'd like to share

with you all!

 

A Haunted Halloween doll challenge

at Tabitha Lenox!

It sounds like a lot of fun!

Have you ever made cake in the microwave?

It's super easy.

Not 

scary

 at all!

all you need is:

1 box angel food cake mix

1 box of any flavor regular cake mix

(I like chocolate)

Mix the two cake mixes

 together in a gallon zip-lock bag.

 To make Hot Cocoa microwave cakes

you need a large coffee mug or jar

3 tablespoons of the above cake mixture

& two tablespoons of of water

mix together

and microwave for

60 seconds.

Let this cool down for about

ten minutes

then top with

whipped cream

sprinkles

and marshmallows.

you can try all sorts of different flavors and toppings!

It's nice when you need a piece of cake

in an emergency, lol

It's been very nice here lately,

 raining and thundering!

perfectly spooky weather!

love when the lights flicker and I have to

set out candles, just in case...

 

I've been working on creepy

crafts lately,

& I'll have a few to share with you very soon, 

for now I'd like to show you some Halloween finds.

A mysterious witch mask

 an itty bitty spell book!

and a strange boot wearing cat on a shelf!!

 

So are you ready for another tale?

 lets settle in and get comfortable

 This one is about the house next door...

We were always warned about the power

of vices...whether they be alcohol, gambling or eating..

if you enjoyed something too much

it was probably a bad thing.

Along with this warning inevitably came

the story 

about the

Llorona 

and how she would exact punishment

if you didn't take heed of these warnings.

Well the couple next door had a few vices.

every night after dinner

they would quickly clean

the kitchen and set up

the table to play cards.

a few friends would drop by to

gamble, drink and tell a few

stories.

there weren't many rules

other than

you had to use cash

and the story had to be

scary.

This went on for many months

and according to 'legend' they even missed

church services several times.

One night

when the hour grew especially late

they heard something...

far away 

there was a long low wail

it grew louder and closer

and louder

until it rattled the windows.

It grew louder still and seemed to cross

over the roof of the house.

As it passed it grew fainter and fainter...

then it was gone.

They couldn't explain the sound

but they were all convinced

it was La Llorona,

warning them to stop their

wicked ways.

they never gathered

with such abandon

again.

It also seemed to invite

an unpleasant aura to their home, a certain

creepiness that cannot be described or explained away.

many people have lived in that house throughout the

years and they have all sworn

they've been

witness to something

strange.

I'll have another story next week

about the house next door....but for now,

I have another little giveaway.

It's a clear quartz.

you can use it in your

magic spells

or wrap wire around it and use a necklace.

just leave a comment my spookies:)

 

 

See you very soon!!!