A Halloween Party And Pumpkin Carving

My Halloween Party has finally arrived!

The reason I couldn't post until today is that I had an actual party last night that I wanted to use the photos from. It was sort of a pre-Halloween pumpkin carving party. The photos aren't great because I was so busy I kind of forgot to start taking them until half-way through, but I had a really great time and I think everyone else did too. We had dinner, watched Hocus Pocus, and carved some awesome pumpkins!

I did some decorating for the party.

This is what I made for dinner (I didn't get any before pictures) the first photo is of a steak and Guinness pie from my Jamie at Home cook book, and the second is pumpkin and ricotta stuffed giant shell pasta from the October issue of Country Living.

More decor.

Pumpkin carving!

Hot spiced cider on the stove.

The finished product.

And this one is mine!

Thanks for stopping by I hope you had some fun carving pumpkins! To visit more parties head over to A Fanciful Twist.

ps. You may have noticed that my pumpkin here looks the same as the pumpkin in the title photo of my blog. That is because I carve the same face every year on my first pumpkin. Mister B makes fun of me, but it is a pumpkin from the movie Sleepy Hollow and I love it!

Spooky Wednesday?

Whoops, I guess I am a little late for Spooky Monday, but it seems many of the other posters are this week too, so I think it is okay. I have been super busy with school lately and spent most of the weekend writing a paper. I haven't even had a chance to visit half the Halloween blog parties yet, yikes! But I really want to, so hopefully I will get to them all eventually.

For Spooky Monday (Wednesday) this week, I wanted to share my list of awesome movies to watch for Halloween.

My must watch movies at Halloween time (in no particular order):

1. Sleepy Hollow (of course!) - Love this movie and it is perfect for Halloween because it is a take on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I know some people think it is gory, and I suppose it is, but it is that slightly cheesy gory that Tim does so well! Maybe I have just seen it so many times I don't notice anymore.

2. The Nightmare Before Christmas - A classic! This movie is good for Halloween and Christmas, what could be better?

3. Hocus Pocus - This was always one of my favorite Halloween movies as a kid, and I guess I just never grew out of it since I still watch it every year!

4. Trick R Treat - This is may latest addition to my must watch movies for Halloween since I saw it for the first time earlier this year. This movie is seriously awesome and PERFECT for Halloween. It is funny, dark, spooky, and the plot lines are twists on real Halloween traditions and lore. If you haven't seen it I highly recommend watching it this year for Halloween! Note: It is rated R for various reasons, so you might want to check out the rating reasons first in case there is something you wouldn't like.

There are also some movies that I don't necessarily watch every year, but I still think are good for the season:

Casper - I used to watch this one a lot when I was younger, super cute.

Drag Me To Hell - I like this one because it is creepy, but not TOO scary because it is just a little cheesy. I don't do really scary movies too well.

The Wolfman - The new one. This isn't my favorite movie or anything, but it has a great creepy Gothic feel to it that is great for this time of year. (And it has gypsies!)

The Raven and Fall of the House of Usher - Two classic Poe stories and both pretty awesome old movies. I watched these quite a few times when I was younger since I could get them for free at the library.

Obviously there are far more (like all the original monster movies), but these are just a few that I like for Halloween! Be sure to head over to Wendy's Adventures in Wonderland for more Monday Spookiness!

A Walk In The Woods

(A Fanciful Halloween Party)

Shall we take a walk in the woods?

Is it just me or is it getting a bit spooky...

Follow me over this wall...

and across the river...careful don't fall in...

whew, shall we take a rest? No, you are right, it looks as though no one has been here in a while. Best to keep moving.

What is up this path?

Oh my, I have heard stories about this place....

Do we dare look inside? Just a peek wouldn't hurt....right?

I have heard a gypsy witch lives here. It looks as though she isn't home, but we musn't stay too long, the candles are still burning and she could be back any minute.

Her apothecary! It is a bit eerie, shall we see if we can whip up a spell to liven up the place?

Ah that is better, a touch of color was all we needed.

Wait what is that!

Oh phew, I though it was her.

We are safe, but best to stop tinkering with these bottles. Let's see what else we can find.

Her table has quite a few treats. I am not sure if we should sample though....you never know what could be in them.

I have to say when it comes to potions I like her style...

Ugh, but her taste in garnish is questionable.

I am feeling a bit woozy from that delicious potion, are you? But I don't want to leave yet, we have not seen all there is to see. Ooh look, her fortune telling table...

Halloween is the night when our ancestors can speak to us...

and we can communicate with the beyond....

Don't worry, the Evil Eye will protect us.

Shhh....did you hear something? No? Ah well, shall I tell your fortune?

Wait, who are those creepy characters?

This witch does fraternize with an odd sort. Although her fellow is awfully handsome....

Did you see that?

I think I am starting to see things....

The magic is getting stronger...she must be coming back!

Yikes, time to leave!

Thank you for going on this magical adventure with me! I hope you have a happy Halloween.

And remember if you ever want to return to the Gypsy Witch's cottage, just follow the lights of the Fae...

And for more Halloween loveliness, head on over to the party at A Fanciful Twist, hosted by the amazing Miss Vanessa!