It’s the Great Pumpkin!

Ok, not the Charlie Brown one, but the one that will decorate our Thanksgiving table. I had seen the Great Pumpkin Challenge at the Ranger™ blog, and decided that this year, I would have something less conventional at our table.

Well, having seen the stuff I make, this should come as no surprise to anyone who reads my blog…

Anyway, this shall be my canvas:

And these shall be my tools:

Maybe….I may change my mind halfway through and make something else entirely different. I might take metal sheets and emboss them, or just paint the thing in purple and be done with it.

You’ll just have to stay tuned…. 😉

Happy Veterans Day!

To all who served, and those still serving, a heartfelt thank you.

In honor of my father, and father-in-law, my brothers-in-law, my uncles, my friends, and of course, my Hubby.

Thank you, not just for your service, but for the sacrifices you made to serve.

From the Halls of Monteczuma

To the shores of Tripoli!!!

You look wonderful for being 236 years old. HOOAH!!!

Thankful Changes

Oy…finally!! We are moving into Autumn quite nicely! Today brought a cold (cool? Cooling, maybe?) front through South Texas, encouraging the leaves outside to start changing somewhat. We don’t get the glorious colors of Autumn in New England here, but neither do we get the blizzards and power outages and ice-covered roads. Soon enough, the squirrels that run on my rooftop will go hibernate somewhere, and my dogs will no longer perk up and go insane at the sound of pitter patter.

Another wonderful thing about Autumn is my favorite holiday: Thanksgiving. I’m not sure why it is, but I love it. Cooking vast amounts of food, trying to be overheard above the din of football and kids, visiting with family, taking the time to give to others less fortunate and being thankful for everything in your life, is what makes this day so special.

Of course, there will be a lot of preparations, and tears for what we have lost, and have gained, and prayers for those who cannot be with us, and for those who are lost and afraid. But also smiles for our loved ones, and teasing and laughing and lots and lots of unbuttoning of jeans.

I pray y’all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and know that I am very grateful for each and every one of you 🙂

The Olden Days

Last night we had a block party for the neighborhood. I was the ONLY adult that dressed up for Halloween. Thank goodness I passed on the fairy costume. I think I a bit long in the tooth for that. I went as a be bopper.  You know: rolled jeans, boyfriend shirt with rolled sleeves, bobby socks…like this:

I had my hair up in a pony tail, and bright red lipstick, blue eyeshadow and cat eyeliner, and even a scarf in a bow! I was cool!!!

Until a teenage kid asked me what I was supposed to be.

Understanding that some kids really don’t know there was a century before this one, I explained as best as I could. Still, he wasn’t getting it. Until another kid piped up to explain:

Kid #2: She’s dressed like The Outsiders, remember?

Kid #1: Oh yeah, like in the old days.

Me: (Hears the grave calling. Gives them yucky candy)

Next year I’m going to dress up like the Crypt Keeper.  He’s closer to my age.

The True Horror

This time of year, there is no need to fear the Reaper. No, I give you The True Horror.

They suck the life out of you.

They will destroy everything in their path.

And they are pod people!!!

May God have mercy on our souls…..

Hope y’all have a great Friday 😉

Playing Dress Up

Yay!!! Less than a week, and it will be Halloween!! The candy, the lights, the candy, the haunted houses, the candy, the decorated trees, the candy, the little kids dressed up, the candy…. WHAT??

I admit, I like to make my own costumes. I prefer to make my own using stuff I already have. One year I managed to wrap some leftover silver lamé around me, and wore a shiny metal trashcan lid on the back of my head: I went as a spoon. Then there was the time when I took two brown towels, sewed them together, cut out felt letters and ironed then on with no-sew stuff, and went as a bag of M&Ms. And who can forget the time I took a brown sweatshirt, brown sweatpants, and made “wings” and sewed them under the sleeves so I could be a bat??

Good times, good times….

This year, Little One decided she wanted a more blingy, high-maintenance costume. Eldest decided to take a pair of scissors to an old evening dress of mine and do her own thing. Son decided to not dress up. I believe he is the lone sane one among us. I had toyed briefly with the idea of purchasing a costume, but decided to save a bundle few bucks and go with what I have on hand. As I looked in my closet, I came to the realization that either a) I need to divest myself of unnecessary stuff, or b) I’m a throwback to another age. I think it’s “b”. At least, I hope it’s “b”, because I don’t want to get rid of anything. Sigh…

Anyone else dressing up for Halloween?? 😉

Everything Old is New Again

Yesterday, I spent my day at Aquarena Springs. For once the weather co-operated and behaved itself as we toured the Texas State University ecological facility.

For those who aren’t familiar with it, Aquarena Springs is the site of Texas’ first amusement park. It is probably the most important archaeological, anthropological and ecological site in the state of Texas. Evidence of human settling has been found dating back thousands of years. In the 19th century, people came from all over the world to enjoy the springs for its therapeutic properties. Becoming popular in the early 20th century, the owner opened a hotel at the springs in 1928, which hosted many famous people, including Jay Gould, and most famously, Johnny Weismuller.

The Aquarena Hotel

It even hosted Robert E. Lee at the resort while he was stationed at Fort Mason. The hotel is now the Texas Rivers Center.

Arrrgh!!!

Aye, it’s Talk Like a Pirate Day, me mateys!! Time for a bit of the grog, and shiver your timbers with a song!!

As it is a Monday, try not to get yerself in trouble and avoid walking the gangplank!!

Ahoy, me harties, yo ho!!!

Halloweenin’

I know, it’s early yet. But my kids love Halloween, and every year they try to out-do the costumes from the previous holiday. Last year, Eldest went as some vampirical creature, Little One was a dark fairy, and Son stuck to the classics: he went as a ghost. The fun part is making the costumes from what you already have around the house. Togas are very easy and look good. Add some gaudy jewelry courtesy of my armoire, and you are a Greek or Roman goddess. Or paint a scruffy beard, and you go Animal House!!

This year I am at a quandary for a costume. Yes, Momma dresses up, too. And so does Daddy, but not this year, unfortunately. I thought it would be fun to go as Romans this year, but the kids nixed that idea. The thought of all of us dressing to match was repulsive in the extreme, I suppose. So, I was ready to go back to the drawing board when Teresa from Koch’s Tour sent me a link to The Pyramid Collection:

Steampunk all the way!! I have made plenty of Steampunk jewelry, and have several vintage items that with some tweaking can be made to look very Victorian. Eldest will no doubt want to borrow this for her wardrobe. And she can.

But not the corset that goes with it 😉