October 2019

Socks Have Emu Calming Abilities

This week in weird news, an emu was on the loose causing damage in a Massachusetts community when police stepped in to take action... with a sock. The emu was someone's pet, of course, and she said she didn't know how it got out, but it certainly led everyone on a wild... emu chase. Once the bird was out, it was also pretty cranky, which made it even harder to catch! 

To Flu Shot Or Not

As a mom surrounded by moms who are anti-vaccine, I tend to not talk about how pro-vaccine I am. Most of my friends didn't almost lose their babies at birth, or witness the life-saving effects of a shot that can prevent a preemie from getting RSV, which is standard today. I'm so grateful for that, because we had copays for that shot that took a third of my check back then, even though they knew how important it was.

Double, Double, Toil And Trouble

Last weekend my family and I went to a Halloween event called Legends & Lanterns, during which you get to meet a number of villains, both from the real world and the literary world. My kid is all about cosplay and was so excited to meet Ichabod Crane, Vlad the Impaler, Lizzie Borden, Blackbeard and many other favorite characters. The Red Queen didn't attempt to behead any of us, but Lizzie sure did! 

Corgi Fever

Last night, my husband and I were wondering at the big corgi fever that seems to be striking every teenager that we know, including our kiddo. When we asked, we were simply told, "They're CUTE!" As a sloth lover who suddenly saw her favorite creature become popular recently, I think I get it. The people said they wanted cute corgis, so now the dogs are on everything from socks to snow globes.

Purple Cocktails

Purple is one of my favorite Halloween colors, and I think purple cocktails make a dazzling display on a table during a party. I ran across this recipe for "The Witch's Heart" cocktail, which not only sounds delicious with its blackberry and apple flavors, but also looks so cute with its powdered dry ice creating spooky fog in and around the glass! It's the little details like that, that make a drink exceptional. 

Halloween Finger Foods

Between multiple Halloween parties, two family birthdays and lots of festivities in between, October is the busiest month of the year for my family, and we're always on the lookout for easy yet fun finger foods to keep us full while we're always coming and going. Even better if these foods are Halloween themed! I also love to have themed items at our Halloween events for my kiddo's friends, and feeding 20 teenagers can get interesting.

Creepy Halloween Games

Light as a feather, stiff as a board... Did you ever play that game as a teenager? Did you ask questions from the Ouija board, or try to tell your fortune with tarot cards? Some of these things aren't games at all, but are part of some people's faith, but divination is especially powerful around this time of year, particularly on Samhain, or Halloween, when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is considered to be the thinnest. 

Cat Costumes: Yay or Nay?

In my experience, cats do not like to be dressed up. None of the cats I know or have known have enjoyed being wrapped up in a blanket, wearing sweaters or anything similar. Then I saw a cat of a friend wearing a sweater the other day! It turned out that the cat had to be shaved due to a bunch of clumps forming in its fur (I totally understand; I have a long-hair who gets like that!) and it was wearing the sweater to stay warm. 

Spooky Frog Decorations

The other day I saw a frog skeleton decoration and thought about how I've never seen frogs as spooky creatures. I've always loved to catch them and let them back go or just look at them outside, and I've even had frogs as pets, so it's weird to me that they'd be seen as so creepy. That said, it makes sense when you think of them as ingredients in "witches brew" along with eye of newt or whatever. 

Renegades

Last week we discussed Marissa Meyer's Heartless, which I loved, so of course I went and picked up a copy of her latest trilogy, Renegades, at the library! I love the premise of this series. It's a world in which people with super powers were treated like secondary citizens, so they rebelled and created a somewhat post-apocalyptic environment. The book takes place many years later and, so far, sheds light on the issues with both heroes and villains alike. 

Galaxy Pumpkins!

Next week I'm hosting a teen Halloween crafternoon and I'm super tempted to have the kids make these cool galaxy pumpkins. I just don't know if I have the budget for the supplies for 10 kids! I hadn't planned on this craft but wow, is it cool. If you like other galaxy crafts or the look of galaxy clothing, you'll really like these pumpkins.

Best 80s Halloween Songs

Most of the best Halloween songs come from the 80s. There are a lot of great modern ones, too, especially Marilyn Manson's rendition of "This is Halloween," which is my favorite Halloween song, ever, but couldn't you argue that any of his songs could be played for Halloween? The same goes for much of the American Horror Story soundtrack, by the way--if you're looking for a LONG list of songs to fit your fall mood, that's a good one!

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