All Hallows Eve~

Happy Halloween, or All Hallows Eve! We have been preparing for a festive evening by putting up decorations, roasting pumpkin seeds and carving a jack-o-lantern.  I read a fascinating article about the Christian origins of some of the day's customs~

In an article called Concerning Halloween there is an explanation about how Christians began observing a day to celebrate Saints and mock Satan by wearing costumes.

"...the defeat of evil and of demonic powers is associated with Halloween. For this reason, Martin Luther posted his 95 challenges to the wicked practices of the Church to the bulletin board on the door of the Wittenberg chapel on Halloween. He picked his day with care, and ever since Halloween has also been Reformation Day. Similarly, on All Hallows’ Eve (Hallow-Even= Halloween), the custom arose of mocking the demonic realm by dressing children in costumes. Because the power of Satan has been broken once and for all, our children can mock him by dressing up like ghosts, goblins, and witches. The fact that we can dress our children this way shows our supreme confidence in the utter defeat of Satan by Jesus Christ – we have NO FEAR!

I'm not sure yet what I will wear to answer the door for Trick or Treaters. Should I wear my home made teabag costume?! Yes, I have one! I made it from interfacing...which forms the teabag, and filled it with fallen leaves from the park which is the 'tea'. And for authenticity, I did put some tea leaves inside too.~ lol

We are excited to place the jack-o-lantern on the porch. My daughter printed a pattern from a Doctor Who fan website...of course!

You might remember we love the 10th Doctor. Check out the amazing Dalek she carved.

And here it is all aglow!

                              
                              "Exterminate!!"

Have fun tonight with your families. I am looking forward making some memories, then doing a scrapbook page. Oh! I think I hear the Monster Mash music starting...gotta go dance with my hubby, oops, I mean the wolfman. haha! 

Happy Haunting Halloween Tea~

It's Halloween! It's Halloween! The moon is full and bright~

Time for best ghoulfriends to gather for an Autumn teatime lunch. The Princess, the Gypsy & the Devil arrived together~

                    and here now is the Witch~

               She leaves her broom at the door~

And we shall see what can't be seen on any other night.

           What's this? She brought her familiar! Oh, the house looks so festive for the party~

Skeletons, Ghost and ghouls, grinning goblins fighting duels, werewolves rising from their tombs, witches on their magic brooms~

The mice are scampering about..watch out for the Witch's cat! It's time for tea~

In masks and gowns we haunt the street~

The table looks splendid~

We are starting off with Rotten Squash Soup with a sprig of Rosemary~

Cassandra tucks in!

         And knock on doors for Trick or Treat~

Would you like an Ostrich Egg sandwich? The Princess likes hers without crusts! What do you think of the table?

Shall we turn the lights off?

Cups stacked and waiting~

Candles aglow~

Tonight we are the King and Queen~

Purple webs? Oh, how spooky!

I wonder what is inside these tins? Luna Moth Eggs? Beetle Parts?

Cassandra asks, "shall I be Mother?" Which can only mean she is ready for tea and dessert. (it is an old British custom to be called 'Mother' when you have the honor of pouring the tea!)

And what a cute teapot! A candy corn witch's boot! Cassandra is pouring Tarantula Tea~

Mmmm...I can smell the Pumpkin Muffins. Even though they have 'BOO' flags don't be alarmed. Calories don't count today!

For Oh Tonight It's Halloween!

Or perhaps you'd like a Ginger Chew? The Mummy said she'd never met Ginger, but heard she was a spicy girl! lol~ Have a sweet tooth?

There is chocolate, Indian Corn, peanut butter and even Dead Men's Thumbs for the Troll...he so loves them.

More tea? There is a whole cauldron of it in the kitchen!

Or perhaps some Love Potion?

Why don't we carve a jack-o-lantern or two? A spider or bat would be nice~

Take out all the 'goop' inside and roast the seeds later.

We cannot wait to see our pumpkin glow!

   Oooh, ahhh...the carved spider gleams bright!

This one wears a silly grin! Let's set them outside next to the scarecrow.

Well, I've had a lovely time. Hope you did too! Thank you for attending. I think we should do this every year. Perhaps we'll have a dance next time. Wouldn't it be fun to wear dresses like this?

~ Don't forget your cape when you leave!

I am off to find my candle snuffer...sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite!

I am sharing this post with ~

A FANCIFUL TWIST

Trisha at Sweetology

Frosted Petunias

Cameo Rose~

Some People Are Always Grumbling That Roses Have Thorns,

I Am Thankful That Thorns Have Roses~

A.Kerr

~A is for Alice~

My father-in-law gave us some teacups that belonged to his mother Alice; they were in a old box and wrapped in newsprint. I unwrapped 10 cups, one saucer, two oval bowls and one small platter. I wonder what happened to the other saucers? Are they in another box somewhere? 

I did a bit of internet searching and found some interesting information on the dishes. They were made by the Hall China Company for Jewel Tea Company, which made door-to-door sales. This company also sold an 'Autumn Leaf' Pattern that was quite popular.

In 1911, Robert Taggert Hall was successful in developing the first leadless glaze. The resulting products that came out of the kiln were strong, non-porous and craze-proof. This new process fused together the white clay body, color and glaze when it was fired at a temperature of 2400 Fahrenheit. This resulting product was very dense, did not absorb moisture, and held heat well.

Here is a peek at the bottom of the cup~This pattern is called Cameo Rose. It has white roses and deep green leaves on it as well as gold leaf. Did you know white roses symbolize purity & innocence? 

Cameo Rose was produced between 1951-1970.

I can picture Alice using these cups! I was so fortunate to spend time with her while dating my husband...she had a big heart, a fun loving spirit, a generous nature and beautiful singing voice. The first time I met her she had me sit next to her and within minutes I felt as if I had gained a grandmother!

Look at this elegant circular handle~

Alice was independent, adventurous and a good cook.

Here is a matching serving piece~for warm scones, perhaps?

Notice the large bloom in the center? There are raised dots along the rim with gold leaf on them. I'm also sharing another item owned by Alice. At the end of her life she lived in the mountains and enjoyed seeing the local wildlife, except for the snake that somehow found his way inside!  She kept this Blue Jay figurine on a table in the living room.

I think about Alice frequently. Our daughter's middle name is in tribute to this warm, caring woman~
Miss you, Grandma! You were a rose!


I am sharing this post with~

Brambleberry Cottage with Time Travel Thursday
Artful Affirmations
Martha's Favorites