The great steampunkin

It took awhile, but I finally got my mini Steampunkin!

Isn't it cute?!

Made by Isher Creations, his mini mini steampunkins not only have a color-changing LED pack inside, but also a strong magnet for shoulder riding action! 

Phoenix area residents can get their very own steampunkins this weekend at Keen Halloween. 

See you there!

The sweet taste of death

https://www.facebook.com/MonsterHigh

Just as Halloween is the second most popular holiday (next to Christmas) for a majority of folks in the United States, the Day of the Dead is the favorite holiday for most of those in Hispanic cultures. 

Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and visiting the graves of the departed with gifts of their favorite foods and beverages.

So imagine my pleasure when I saw the new Monster High doll revealed today on Monster High's Facebook page.


Meet Skelita Calaveras.
 
Skelita loves of all things artsy. While Skelita loves to dance, her favorite subject is art (painting rattles her bones)!

Skelita could take down any monster in a sugar skull making contest! They’re her favorite (mine too!) by far.

Ever get that feeling in your bones that something epic is going to happen? Skelita often does, only problem is she has no way of knowing when the event will occur!

Heritage and family are muy importante to our ghoul, Skelita Calaveras. Remembering where you come from is a part of knowing who you are and cultivating your unique personality. 

I couldn't agree more. You go ghoul!

Walk like a pirate

Best Doll Boutique

T' me not-so-gentle readers,

I apologize for me absence lately, but since Momma be feelin' a bit better, I decided t' run away for awhile t' be a pirate. (After all, today be International Talk Like a Pirate Day!)

And while I (of course) cut a dashin' figure on t' high seas, ma chère amie Cécile be even more so in this outfit from Best Doll Boutique!

Steampunk styling incorporates the past and the future - an amazing amalgam of the Victorian era with elements of futuristic science fiction. Experience the best of both worlds in this uniquely styled doll's Steampunk Costume and blow off some steam on Halloween!

• Absolutely gorgeous vintage COLLAR is black super soft faux fur with brown satin ribbon ties. The back is lined in a black cotton. Decorated with checked fabric and two gears.This collar is perfect to add to the costume to glam it up!

• The Steampunk NECKLACE is black satin ribbon with black and red beads and velcro closure on the back.

• Uniquely designed black striped underbust CORSET features a front gold applique with gears, golden trim around and a retro gold rhinestone gun & skull head chain. Velcro closure on the back.

• Gorgeous ivory cotton BLOUSE features long puffed sleeves and trimmed with a vintage ivory lace. Closes with velcro on the back for easy opening.

• The three-layer ruffle SKIRT has an elasticized waist and black lace trim on the hem. The back of the skirt has a draped brown satin train decorated with black lace and gold trim that gives great volume. The train is attached to the skirt with two snaps.

• Burgundy faux leather steampunk BELT features the same material PURSE that opens to hold all your essentials.

• Steampunk CUFF with two gears and eyelets is made of beautifully soft burgundy faux leather. It fastens quickly and easily with velcro.

• The black net stretch TIGHTS are with the elastic waistband.

• Burgundy faux leather steam punk SANDALS are handmade by me and decorated with brown satin bows, gears and eyelets. This is a truly unique designer piece.

• No steampunk outfit is complete without an EYEPATCH! This is the highest-quality eyepatch made from gorgeous burgundy faux leather, gears and matching yeylets. It can be worn on the left or on the right eye.

Arrr! 

Foot bone connected to the leg bone

Argh, I can't get dem bones out of my head!

First my Big Sister got these cute Crazy Bones candies for Halloween (which she kindly shared with me) and then Día de los Muertos.

Dem Bones is a well-known traditional spiritual song. The melody was written by African-American author, politician, diplomat, critic, journalist, poet, anthologist, educator, lawyer, songwriter, and early civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson.

The song is based upon Ezekiel 37:1-14, when the he visits the Valley of Dry Bones and prophesies that they will become alive by God's command. (It could also be used to teach basic anatomy to children.)

Many versions of this song are used, with some being simple enough for small children up to much more detailed (and complicated) versions.

Chorus

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones.
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones.
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones.
Now hear the word of the Lord.

Verses

Toe bone connected to the foot bone
Foot bone connected to the leg bone
Leg bone connected to the knee bone...

There. Now it can be stuck in your mind, too! 

Día de los Muertos

Me with the tiny calacas Momma got for me.

How much do you know about Día de los Muertos? Just as Halloween is the second most popular holiday (next to Christmas) for a majority of folks in the United States, the Day of the Dead is the favorite holiday for most of those in Hispanic cultures.

Nov. 2 is the official date for Day of the Dead, although it is celebrated between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2. These dates correspond with the Roman Catholic celebrations of All Saints Day and All Souls Day. This results from the Roman Catholic Church's efforts to "find similarities between the indigenous and Christian beliefs."

The celebration has a complex history that has been transformed through the years. I particularly like the festively dressed skeletons called calacas.

Why? To me death is the great equalizer. Skin color matters no more. We're all the same in death.

Religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin

There he is! There he is! It's the Great Pumpkin!

I don't expect you young whippersnappers to understand, but Momma says there was nothing like the yearly anticipation of watching annual holiday TV shows.

Nothing.

According to Momma (who is of A Certain Age) television schedules would be scoured, memorized and marked for the yearly events. Meals would be planned around it.

Woe be unto the child who missed the yearly event and had to wait a whole year for another chance to see it since there were no videotapes or DVDs to watch.

And. Then. It. Happened.

At Halloween it was It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, a  Halloween special that first aired on Oct. 27, 1966.

(Not to date herself, but Momma says she's watched it every year since it first started airing.)

We have it on DVD and have been known to watch it at other times of the year, but Momma still claims nothing beats watching it on TV, complete with commercials.

Sometimes I just don't understand nostalgia.

What's my favorite part? Snoopy, of course!

Lucy: What kind of costume is that?
Charlie Brown: He's a World War I flying ace.
Lucy: Oh, brother. Now I've seen everything.

When assuming this personality, Snoopy dons goggles, a flying helmet and a scarf and climbs on top of his doghouse, which he claims is a Sopwith Camel. (The Red Baron's presence is indicated through the bullet holes that riddle the doghouse.)

To make room for modern commercial breaks, ABC cut two scenes which were later restored:

1. Lucy begging Charlie Brown to kick the football, and subsequently pulling it away as he tries to do so.
2. Snoopy (as the World War I flying ace) prompting Schroeder to play World War I era songs.

So what WWI songs does Schroeder play on that amazing toy piano of his?

• It's a Long Way to Tipperary
• Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag
• There's a Long, Long Trail
• Roses of Picardy

Sniff. I think I'll go hoist a root beer in Snoopy's honor.

And watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown with Momma for the 45th time. At least.

Skele-gro your own Skele-mingo

I have already confessed my love of the kitschy pink, plastic lawn flamingo - despite its color.

But in while doing my Potions homework this weekend, I discovered I could create my very own Skele-mingo with judicious application of Skele-gro.

Just in time for Halloween! 

Can't you just hear it? "Don't make me release my flying monkeys skele-mingos!"

Mwahaha!

Which witch?

“Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?” 

Glinda, the Good Witch of the North

Me? I’m going to be a Friendly Witch. With my own personal touches, of course!

Thanks to Momma I'm all set and I can not wait! (As of yesterday my Big Sister plans to be a witch, too!)

For those Rip Van Winkles out there, Halloween is an annual holiday observed on Oct. 31, which includes activities such as trick-or-treating, parties, carving jack-o'-lanterns, bonfires, apple bobbing, haunted houses, playing pranks, telling scary stories, and watching horror films.

Costuming became popular for both adults and children at Halloween parties in the U.S. in the early 20th century. Sheets were used as well as attic contents since Halloween costumes didn’t appear in stores until the 1930s when trick-or-treating was becoming popular in the United States.

The earliest known use in print of the term "trick or treat" appeared in Nov. 4, 1927, in the (Lethbridge, Alberta) Herald:

“Hallowe’en provided an opportunity for real strenuous fun. No real damage was done except to the temper of some who had to hunt for wagon wheels, gates, wagons, barrels, etc., much of which decorated the front street. The youthful tormentors were at back door and front demanding edible plunder by the word “trick or treat” to which the inmates gladly responded and sent the robbers away rejoicing.”

Momma says her grandfather’s favorite trick was to move outhouses back just a few feet, uncovering the hole. Woe to the unsuspecting person who “went out back” to use the facilities and fell in! Eww. (Although anyone who was foolish enough to be unsuspecting on Halloween probably deserved it!)

As for my costume, we'll just have to wait until Oct. 31.

(I hate waiting.)