Halloween Beauty

It's always great when you can solve a household problem quick as a wink. 

 Hannah wanted to dress up for Halloween for her shift at the tavern bud didn't have anything at hand. I overheard David telling her that we had a bin full of costumes (he thought in our closet, but not) and that I had (at one time) a goddess costume. 

I quietly went to check my closet and found something even better: My purple and black velvet dragon dress. I've had it forever, so it was small enough to fit Hannah with the bodice ties pulled in a bit. She loved it and was a hit at the tavern.

Score one for Auntie Mo!

 

 

Jayne the Skeleton Gets a New Hat

Looking for a new winter knitting project, I hopped onto Esty and look for a pattern for a specific hat. For those of you who are Fire Fly fans, you'll probably remember when Jayne's mom made him a hat. I found a very simple pattern by WoolfsClothing and tried it out using some yarn and needles I had on hand (it's been a while since I've knit anything and wasn't sure I'd be able to pull it off).

 

 As you can see, it turned out a bit small. But I found a use for it.

Ready for Action

Michael is helping William put together his Halloween costume. I'm not entire sure what this is, but he seems to be ready for whatever is coming.

Ready

Spooky Halloween!

Thank you, Mimi, for the wonderful pix of our family!

Can you guess who's who?

Okay, this one's not that tough...

And, here's Nana, aka "Mother Mary of the Perpetual Easy Virtue".

Papa Bear went all out this year, preparing a spooky story and game for the kids to enjoy.

"The Tragedy of Mr. & Mrs. Brown" (written by Papa Bear)

Twas a hundred years or more ago,
When our eerie tale began.

In the sleepy hollow town of Buckhead,
Where fate took a young bride and her man.

On this dark night a vicious storm
Brewed dangerously around.

While Mr. & Mrs. Brown took their buggy
To go for a ride into town.

To a masquerade ball did these newlyweds go
On that All Hallows Eve.

And after a long spell, the hour was too late
When our heroes finally tried to leave.

Having had way too much fun at the ball
With much drinking and long dancing a jig,

Mr. & Mrs. Brown stumbled drunk
As they climbed back into their rig.

Their trusted steed knew the way home,
Upon which the Brown’s had to rely.

But the storm became dangerously worse
And the lightening blinded their eyes.

Past the graveyard they rode on into the night
With the storm swirling ahead.

Mr. Brown and his bride failed to make the right turn
And went the wrong way instead.

With the crack of more thunder, the howl of the wind
And the rain pouring down steep.

It is there and then when our friends lost control
Of their two-wheeled horse-drawn jeep.

The horse became spooked, he reared up in fright
And cart flipped with a sudden crash.

Through the woods they flew, as their screams for help
Were drowned out by a thunderous clash.

Into a tree did the buggy jolt
And split into a thousand slivers.

But sadly the Browns’ were never seen from again
Having drowned in the raging river.

Never laid to rest in a proper grave --
Their broken bodies never were found.

Until perhaps now has this mystery been solved
With all of these things that we pulled from the ground.

Unearthed from a spot along the riverbanks
Downstream from the accident site,

Was a collection of body parts that may finally rest
Our heroes from that dreadful night.

Can you help to identify these personal parts of Mr. & Mrs. Brown?

Instructions to Grown-Ups

Have these items prepared ahead of time (mix any of the items with jello, pudding, clear syrup or egg whites to enhance the texture). Try avoid using items with heavy odors.

Body parts:
1. Steamed and sculpted cauliflower (brains)
2. Softened lasagna noodles – edges only (intestines)
3. Softened lasagna noodles - flat strips (skin)
4. Corn silk and/or dried lichen (hair)
5. Peeled grapes (eyeballs)
6. Large sculpted mushroom (nose)
7. Asparagus sculpted & notched (fingers)
8. Large beef leg bone from pet store (leg)
9. Boiled and sculpted tripe (lungs)
10. Peeled large beefsteak tomatoes (hearts)
11. (5) small plastic cauldrons (or Tupperware bowls)

Tell the above tale in a darkened room with smoke effect from dry-ice (or smoke machine). Dim the lights and use eerie music or background sound effects. Blindfold the children (or adults) and seat them all in a circle on the floor. After telling the story, pass around each of the items above in a cauldron and have the children try to guess the body part. Tell them if they can’t guess and pass around again.