Of Be Still my Happy Heart!!!~~~~!

Dear Darklings,

I am convinced that October is the month to watch every Horror Movie and every T.V. episode that deals with monsters, ghosts, vampires etc. etc. 

Now it's going up to the next level and I am so excited.

On the antenna we receive as an alternate T.V. station Decades TV which each day will show programs and talk about those events that happened on the current date but during a particular decade.   It's sort of T.V. retro viewing with a bit of history thrown in for good measure.

Where I live we get it on Ch 5.2  (no cable, no satellite)  one the weekends they will do what they call "Binge T.V." that is for 48 hours Saturday/Sunday they will show episdoes of one T.V. program, like "Love Boat" for 48 hours or "Route 66" for 48 hours.   This last weekend it was "The Rogues" with Charles Boyer, Gig Young and David Niven that ran from 1964 to 1965.

I happened to catch an espisode of it and during a commercial break they announced that this coming Saturday and Sunday on Decades T.V. the weekend Binge is ----(drum roll please)-----

                                              DARK SHADOWS!!!!

I can hardly wait!!!!   To kick off Halloween week with Dark Shadows to be followed with seeing Dracula on the Big Screen at the Alameda Theater to be followed with Seeing Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein!!!

It is enough to give this Elder Goth heart palpitations!!    I am in HEAVEN!!!   

And if that isn't enough, Doyle has laid in 3 cases of Poizin wine from Armida winery, a wonderfully rich deep dark zinfandel that reminds me of blood, but he didn't forget the white wine which is called Antidote.   Antidote is more for an aperitif or with appetizers which will work with some of my finger food.  But Poizin is far more serious but fun, and not to be wasted it is a lush, delicious and "serious" wine but in a fun package! The nose is fruit driven with fresh plum, bing cherry, spicy peppercorn and zinberry. The mouthfeel is soft with a hint of milk chocolate, sweet oak, and a long vanilla finish. The deep color and firm structure are enhanced by the addition of the Petite Sirah and the firm tannins softened by moderate oak. It has to enjoyed with caution for it is The Wine to Die for!

And my Doyle knows how to please me!

I just hope after all this excitement I can enjoy "The Day of the Dead!" 

Later Darklings!

  

Of Gardening ideas~~~~~

Hello Darklings!

Just a few Gardening ideas that you can do during the winter months,  The top picture is from the poison Garden in England, it is so dangerous that they have to keep it locked, and only a limited number of tours of it.

I'll try to find out more about it.  I'm not sure how they did the cement skulls, possibly a reusable mold like latex or something but it would make a wonderful border, don't you think Darklings?

Later!

Of a Barfing pumpkins and brains (it's a reciepe)~~~~

Hello Darklings,

Well I have another Halloween food idea, I ran it by my niece and nephews and they all like it, especially the younger ones.   So here it is----A Barfing pumpkin---

Barfing pumpkin dip with brains

 Barf  ---  Guacamole:

3 avocados, halved and pitted

Juice of 1 lime

2 Roma tomatoes, diced

1/4 cup red onion, chopped

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp chili powder

Mash avocados with the lime juice. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Brains--- Queso:

1 Tbsp. butter

1 scallion clove, chopped

2 cups cheddar cheese

2 cups Monterey Jack cheese

1/2 cup milk

1 Tbsp. corn starch

4 oz canned mild green chilies, with juice

In a pot over medium heat, melt 1 Tbsp. butter and sauté scallions. Add cheese, milk and cornstarch, and mix until melted and smooth. Add green chiles and mix until combined.

Draw eyes like this > < with eyebrows and carve a sad round mouth on a small (but not too small) pumpkin. Hollow out the inside and insert a bowl to fit in evenly. Pour queso in the bowl and top with chopped tomatoes. Put Pumpkin with Queso on one end of a large foil lined serving platter Spoon guacamole coming out of the pumpkin’s mouth. Serve with chips along side the barf and the brains !

Frankly I think both dips sound good for any occasion , you can go easy on the chili powder as well as the mild green chilies, some people don't like it too spicy.  

You can find all kinds of Halloween food and beverage ideas on the internet, the children help me a lot on ideas, but it's always wise to rotate food ideas each year, unless there is one that is an outstanding favorite that everyone loves.

My freezer and refrigerators (I have two) are going to be stuffed!!

Later Darklings 

Of a meaning of a word~~~~

 Dear Darklings,

Even with all the heat I managed to find something that describes my inner Gothic  feelings.   It's not so strange to walk among the tombstones, to read the epitaths of lives long and short lived, to view the various carvings and markings to understand how the death of one is expressed in the grief of those who remain.   So to find a word that describes what one desires, is so helpful.

And now I wish for the heat to go, the Fog to return to drip its heaviness off of leaves and outline spider webs like diamonds from nature, to muffle one's tread and remind us of the coolness of the grave.  

No I'm not ready to drop dead, but I am so tired of this Barbie Bikini Heat!

Later Darklings

Of Halloween Planning and a return of the heat and other gloulish things~~~~

Hello Darklings,

I have not be posting much of late, well I have to admit I've been working on the menu for the halloween party and sending out invitations.   I do not expect any RSVP, I just said "show up when you can it will go till 1 a.m.  1 a.m."  because at 2 a.m. we set the clocks back one hour  so one more hour to party.

I've also invited everyone on my block to attend, it does help, that way we keep our neighbors happy, especially when they are invited.

I've been able to get more Vampire Wine and Aplotic Dark,  now for the children I have a Halloween punch that will be just right for them, but I know that some of them will prefer cola or 7-up, so that will be available as well.   Coffee and tea for those driving.

It's a combination of Pot Luck as well as what I'll be serving as "finger food" and a few main meals.  But there is so much wonderful recipes being offered.

The decoration on the inside of the house is done and Doyle and Brian have been working on the outside, we have skeletons all over the place in different poses, doing different things, Brian was able to get a really great deal on pose-able  skeletons and Thank Goodness I have the space in the basement and Garage to store them.

But for the last few days we've been having a heat wave up to the 90's inland,  a few days ago though I woke up to Fog, wonderful glorious Fog!  And then Bam!!! The Heat!   Oh well as long as the weather is mild for Halloween is all I ask.

We've just recently had a ghoulish thing happen a day or two ago a human skull with some bones attached were found on Bailey Road by some hikers, it appears it had been in the ground for some time, I.D. will take some time.   In the last few years skulls have turned up in a waste disposal plant, under a freeway, up on Skyline Blvd with Mardi grah beads, all  in the last 2 to 3 years.  Is is possible with the lack of rain that these skulls are finally coming to the surface?   Who knows.

Now before I forget I have here the type of Black Halloween punch that I will serve to the children the receipe is very easy, and if you want you can add a kick to it for you adult trick or treaters.

• 1 (.13 ounce) envelope unsweetened grape soft drink mix
• 1 (.13 ounce) envelope unsweetened orange soft drink mix
• 2 cups white sugar

• 3 quarts cold water
• 1 liter ginger ale

Directions  

• Prep  10 minutes Ready In 1 hour

1. To make a frozen hand, wash a disposable glove, fill with water, seal with a rubber band and freeze until hard.
2. Stir together grape soft drink mix, orange soft drink mix, sugar and water until solids are dissolved. Combine with chilled ginger ale just before serving. Dip the frozen hand briefly in warm water, then peel off the glove. Float the prepared hand in the punch bowl for a ghastly effect.
3. In making the frozen hand you can add a bit of red food coloring to make it look ghastly. Do not add any dry ice as that will take the fizz out of the ginger ale,   For an adult version add Vodka, but make sure it's properly labled.    Enjoy

Of More Spooky Movie Viewing~~~~

Dear Darklings,

I had to run errands out to Berkely well up into the hills, this is where a long time friend now lives and I have to admit although beautiful (and her house is georgeous built in the 1930's)   I think I'm happy being a "flatlander".

The streets are very narrow so narrow that the cars have to partly park on the sidewalks to be sure Fire Trucks can get by.   And twisty, and steep.   I'm glad my modern car is an automatic if I drove my vintage car I would have burned out the clutch!

But looking at all of that I was reminded of the horrifying and tragic Oakland Hills Fire that killed 29 people and I don't even want to get into the the loss of homes.  

I asked her about her choice and she said "It's perfect!"  all I could do was inwardly shudder.

But the reason why I was visiting her is I found among things my sister and I were going through in the old attic were news clippings of things my friend had done, as well as some trophies and photographs.   I called her and she said bring them by.

We chatted and had coffee and mini-cakes (got the recipe for them) and generally got caught up.  

Driving home I decided to take the "land routes" home no freeway for me, as I was going past the Paramount Theater my eyes got as round as saucers and I said "Yipppieeeeee!!!!"   The last week of October is going to be fabulous for me, first Dracula at the Alameda Theater and then "Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstine"  at the Paramount!!!   On Oct. 30th!!!!

I talked to my sister and we agreed if we can get everything ready in advance by 5 p.m Friday with only doing food touch ups on Saturday Oct 31 we are going to the Paramount!!!!

Oh Yes Darklings it is a comedy, but SUCH FUN!!! 

And I have never seen this one on the Big Screen, I'm certainly NOT going to pass that Up!   Would You???   Of Course Not!!!

I mean who says Elder Goths can't have fun?!  Not me!

And I have a cartoon clipping to share with you, and at this time of the year Yes it is perfect!

Later Darklings

Update and Rain and a bit tired~~~~

Hello Darklings,

We had rain yesterday!!!  Oh granted not much but it felt so good that I even danced out in it.  Well as well as someone my age can dance.  Doyle is worried I'll come down with a cold, I understand his concern.

But the rain yesterday was not even predicted, it was as much a surprise to the weatherman as to everyone.  But it felt good.   And it was cool nice and cool, so much so that yesterday Sis and I went up into the storage attic, its a nice finished space to go through boxes of records albums, yes old fashioned L.P's.

But I'll tell you about that another time.

The rain did wonders for the garden, even the plants were perked up,  I had planted Autumn Sage and it has attracted the hummingbirds and butterflies (what's left of them) and other insecta but the spicy scent is just wonderful.   We are hoping that the rain is a serious promise of more to come.  But Not on halloween please.

I have been busy, being called in to fill in empty slots at my old work place, late vacations, an accident, getting children settled in school various reasons like Mother-in-Law visiting.  That one was a hoot!  

But I am tired Darklings, things do catch up with me, I'm not as spry as I use to be, thank goodness for aspirin or Tynoldo which ever works best.  But I muster on,  

I'm having fun finding smaller hard resin decorations for display, and Spirit on line has not disappointed me.  I also found at one of the Grocery Stores a pumpkin style lemonade decanter for punch with a spigot,  as well as one's where it has paper chake boards so I can write on it what type of "poison" is in it.  Yes it's time for my Normal Shopping!

I'm holding off on buying candy I'm going to wait until about 2 weeks before Halloween that is when the best buys show up.   But this weekend I'll be decorating the inside of the house, while the Blue Angels fly over head----Yes it's Fleet Week, my brother and Doyle are taking the children to see the ships and the Blue Angels while Sis and I decorate with our cousin helping us.   She said she hardly gets any children where she's at and wants to be at my place for the festivities, she'll have a reliable house sitting at her place to hand out candy for just in case.

But I just wish I didn't feel so tired, Doyle wants me to have a check up just to make sure everything is fine.  Well I'll do it to please him. 

We've been having fun watching "Scream Queens"  with Jamie Lee Curtis, it is hokey, tacky over the top satire,  with every cliche from every bad teen horror film you've ever seen including "Texas Chain Saw Massacre".  Our problem of course is trying to  figure out who is doing the killing??  "Scream" with Chain Saws???   My kind of mixture if you like it bloody, dark and funny.

But whether it survives as a series is another thing, but tonight, Oh tonight!!!!  Another quandary!!!

Sleepy Hallow and Blacklist come on at the same time!!!!!!!!!!!!    Well Thank Goodness for DVR's!

And next week "iZombe"  "Supernatural"   So Much More!!!!  My cup overfloweth!!!   And "How to get away with Murder!"  Yes Darklings even though Big Bang Theory is funny, T..V. is definitely gone to the "Dark Side" in my House and I am LOVING IT!!!  

Now who says we're too old to enjoy a bit of creepy darkness, NOT ME!!!!

Later Darklings

 Which means after Halloween we'll have to wait 365 days to Halloween 2016, oh can I stand the long wait!!!???