My husband called me today and mentioned that his offices in Ireland will be closed on Monday. I smiled while I explained to him that I was not surprised at all because modern day Halloween as we know it has its origins in Ireland. Samhain, which loosely translated means summers end was celebrated in Ireland and the carving of pumpkins into Jack o lanterns came from their tradition of carving turnips into lanterns. I am thinking that the turnips they carved were more like the rutabagas than the little purple and white turnips.
Halloween has always been one of those fun and infectious holidays that children and adults look forward to. Our towns have costume parades, the schools have a traditional Halloween party, and then there is the trick or treaters.
This year, I wasn't going to decorate the house...had no plan to haul out any of the black cats, ghosts or other spooky decor.
From the scenes in these pictures, it is looking like I changed my mind.
The fact is, our children are grown and the tradition of taking out the container full of Halloween collectibles and art work would begin around the last week of September. That is when you could see fake grave stones and zombies start to appear on the neighbors lawns.
It occurred to me that although our children are grown our neighbors children are small and it would just be wrong to take away the excitement of the holiday from them...so I found the giant light up ghost...the one that my son's friend gave me a thumbs up for and said " nice to see you going old school". Okay, I call it vintage, but what ever it is, this holiday comes and goes in the blink of an eye and I didn't want to miss it!
So it is time to rouse the little furry faced familiar in our house....I really think she thinks she is a people.
and put out the goodies for the little ghouls, goblins, superheros and princesses who will be knocking at the door with chilling anticipation.
Ah, there she is...now if only I could get her to take her place in the window next to the "old school" ghost.
Seems Mother Nature decided to do a little tricking of her own this weekend...
like the season hasn't been weird enough! The Japanese Maple trees have not only stayed green, but they haven't lost any leaves either! The only thing that turned golden is the witchhazel...yup there's trickery afoot!! Happy Halloween everyone!
This post is being linked to Little Red House for Mosaic Monday and Smiling Sally for Blue Monday.
♥, Susan
And before we know it it will be Christmas! My, how time flies.
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | October 29, 2011 at 11:54 AM
What a lovely post! I enjoyed all your decorations. Even though we don't have children I decorate for all the holidays! I love them! I think it makes you recall fond memories!
I just put all my pumpkins and mums in the garage - we're expecting 12 inches of snow!!!!! Way to early!!!!!!
Happy Halloween!
Mary
Posted by: oceanbreezesandcountrysneezes.blogspot.com | October 29, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Nice to see you changed your mind. Keep the kitty safe this Halloween. Perk
Posted by: Priscilla Bahr | October 29, 2011 at 05:06 PM
I'm glad you are celebrating Halloween. I wish we could. I miss it so. We live far out in the county down a county lane so no little trick or treaters for us. I did, however, set my witch's broom out (just in case I needed it) :)
Posted by: Lynn @thevintagenest | October 29, 2011 at 06:06 PM
Love your light up Ghost! I'm sure the trick or treaters will be glad you pulled out all your decorations! I was just watching the news with aghast at all the snow that fell in the NE! Mother Nature is a trickster :)
Posted by: Mary | October 30, 2011 at 04:50 AM
Love your Halloween pics, glad you decided to go with it, it's fun to see the decor out! Same here, leaves on trees and nit much color, then snow to totally mix the season up even more.
Posted by: Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook | October 30, 2011 at 06:47 AM
Happy Halloween! I am sure your neighborhood children all love your house all decorated for Halloween. It does add to the fun of the holiday. Great photos and mosiac.
Posted by: Eileen | October 30, 2011 at 05:14 PM
Wonderful, fun post. I do love Halloween and think we should be like the Irish and have the day off! I think we all should have some serious talking with the weather gods ... things seem all mixed up! Happy Halloween!
Posted by: Snap | October 31, 2011 at 05:15 AM
We got snow and cold weather over the weekend. I did not decorate for Halloween however did for the fall season.
Posted by: Auntie E | October 31, 2011 at 05:59 AM
Happy Blue Monday to you, Susan!
Posted by: Sally | October 31, 2011 at 07:26 AM
What happened in the north east is a huge trick from mother nature. Awesome photos!
My Blue
Posted by: Kim, USA | October 31, 2011 at 09:52 AM
The weather has definitely been up to tricks, Susan! I love your "vintage" ghost more then the blow up fabric things people sue these days as decorations.
I dragged my feet about decorating this year as I was away, and all I have is a few pumpkins on my porch and a light up Jack O'Lantern in the window but once school is out I will get hundreds of children visiting me for the next three hours or so..no exaggeration.
Your black cat is so beauitful! I miss our black cat :(
Posted by: Pat | October 31, 2011 at 10:20 AM
LOL we have a black cat too. I said if he would only wear a little black hat today he could be a decoration ;)
Have a Happy Halloween!
Posted by: Joy | October 31, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Love that black cat. How nice for the kids in your neighborhood that you're still putting out those decorations. I feel like an old meanie.
Posted by: Ciaochowlinda | October 31, 2011 at 01:53 PM
Hi Susan! What a cute post! And I love your old school/vintage ghost! He's gorgeous~
Thank you for the kind words about the wedding. It was a great time.
I have a number of pages to show from my Sketchbook Project, but every time I go to my photo files, I can't find them! Meanwhile, Allison pulls them up quite easily, but always when I don't have the time to sit and write. It figures, right? One of these days...
xoxoxo
Posted by: jenny | October 31, 2011 at 02:36 PM
Your vintage ghost is wonderful--the older plastic ones are the best. Glad you decorated.
Posted by: ann | October 31, 2011 at 06:07 PM