Happy December!

Happy December! The theme this month is Merry and Fright. One of the many things I love about December is the chance for a second Halloween! Work was a little crazy last month and November got away from me. I knew it was going to be an off month and so I used the time to reset because I love posting about haunted holidays. Who doesn’t love a good dark and scary Creepmas?!

Merry and Fright is for the people who love both Halloween and Christmas. These two holidays are close cousins, completely opposite, yet so similar in nature, they can be celebrated in the same way. Merry and Fright is traditional Christmas, but a little dark, little creepy, little kitschy, and little scary.

Yes, Christmas, like Halloween, tends to be overcommercialized but if we continue to spread love, kindness, understanding, and goodwill, along with education of the traditions and history of the holiday, we’re gonna be okay.

Which reminds me…here, Christmas is not Jesus’ birthday, but it IS the chosen date to represent ALL religious and pagan holidays and traditions. It’s a hodge podge and that means it’s okay to say Merry Christmas, it’s okay to say Happy Holidays, and celebrate all traditions, including putting up the pagan Christmas tree, lighting the Hanukkah menorah, lighting the Kwanzaa Kinara, waiting around for Sinterklaus, ringing a bell for Krampus, and throwing a birthday party for little Jesús. I don’t have time for hate, end of story….nor racism, prejudice, bigotry, nationalism, extremism, or sexism, so please don’t bring it.

The world is full of bad guys, war and strife enough as it is, so I’m trying to create a safe space for everyone who loves Christmas and Halloween. My holiday gift to you will be fun, frivolity, holiday haiku, holiday horror, holiday spirits, games, contests, free prizes, and gift-giving guides for those looking for the dark and spooky items for those special loved ones. So keep tuning in all month long.

Merry Creepmas and Happy Hellidays to all!

Monthly Haiku Corner – November

Happy November! Halloweentime was a busy, loud, and spooky whirlwind of sight and sound. We waited all year for October, and then, it was gone…the ‘Ber months are always a blur. That’s why I choose to regroup in November. Thanksgiving is two days of madness I don’t mess around with. Nope, I slow down, stay home, eat pie, drink spiced cider, and do some reading.

The theme this month is Fall Reading. All haiku in November will connect to tell the story of a visit to a haunted library, where a little ghost likes to read over people’s shoulders.

November rain falls
gently on gothic windows,
haunted library

Winners of the 5th Annual Halloween Haiku Challenge 2023

I will directly contact winners to get mailing details or get prizes out. Please do not post personal information here or on social media.

Thank you so very much to everyone who participated in Halloween Haiku Challenge 2023.

Once again, it was a tough contest to judge! Truly wonderous haiku, some brought the feels and some were seriously scary. I love it!

Happy Holidays to all!

Happy Halloween!

1 Day to Submit Entries in the 5th Annual Halloween Haiku Challenge

You must be a WordPress or Instagram follower to particpate. Two ways to enter a submission this year 1) post your haiku in comments section below, or 2) Tag me on Instagram and use the following #halloweenhaikuchallenge

First Place wins a witchy prize pack!

Second Place wins Enchanted Bruja Print, a choice of a Disney Pin Set, and some Halloween stickers!

Third Place wins a prize out of the grab bag!

Halloween Haiku

There’s just one day til Halloween and I’m breaking the traditional format of the year to post a special Halloween Haiku.

black cat sleeping
on a giant pumpkin
Halloween dreams

There’s still time to submit a haiku poem for the 5th Annual Halloween Haiku Challenge. Contest ends tomorrow at midnight. There’s all kinds of spooky prizes available.

Friday Fright Nightcaps – Revenge of Frankenstein Cocktail

Happy Frankenstein Friday! Time for another Friday Fright Nightcap! Tonight, we celebrate Universal monster Dr. Frankstein with a classy cocktail stitched together with a bunch of different ingredients, just like his creations!

Ingredients:
2 oz. Midori
1 oz. vodka
1 oz. white rum
1 1/2 oz. Sprite
.5 oz. St-Germain elderflower liqueur

Mix ingredients well. Garnish with Maraschino cherries or fresh fruit. Serve chilled.

You can stream Universal’s Frankenstein, 1931, on Peacock, with a paid subscription.

Trick or Treat Tuesdays – Scenes from the Oogie Boogie Bash

What a treat! Today, I’m sharing photos from my recent trip to Disneyland Resort for their annual Oogie Boogie Bash, held at Disney’s California Adventure.

First, a quick dip into Disneyland for a look at Main Street decorations. Always the best!

Time to head to Disney’s California Adventure for the Oogie Bash. I was so excited to go that I forgot to take a pic of outside the main gate! Eh, there’s a big pic on the Disneyland.com home page.😄

One of the first things you notice is The Tower of Carthay Circle Lounge surrounded by bats!

There are lots of bats around and some beautiful looking trees.

Right across from Carthay Circle Lounge is a statue of my favorite Disney’s Headless Horseman.

Besides Mickey, Minnie, and all the usual Disney pals, you can see the best villains and most beloved characters at Oogie Boogie Bash.

We need more Prince John from one of my personal faves, Robin Hood!

Coco’s Ernesto is crowd favorite.

Scenes from Mickey’s Frightfully Halloween parade.

Mores random pics. Honestly, I was having so much fun that I kept forgetting to take pics.

This was the little trick or treat bag each attendee receives. Obviously Mars, Inc., is a big sponser, but graham crackers, Rice Krispies treats, carrots, and grapes were also given out. By the end of the night, the bag was overflowing with candy, enough to fill my Halloween Grogu Bowl!

First person to comment wins a chance at the grab bag, which now contains a limited edition Disney pin from this year’s Oogie Boogie Bash.

Remember to check out the newly amended Contest Rules and Eligibility page for more details.

Haiku of the Week

Part IV and the conclusion of a Haunted Halloween series.

hand on my shoulder
buried bones in the garden
ghosts walk among us

Friday Fright Nightcaps – Terror-misu Martini

Happy Friday! Time for another Friday Fright Nightcap! Tonight, we celebrate Universal monster The Wolfman with my kooky version of a tiramisu martini.

Ingredients:
.5 oz. crema de caco or chocolate liqueur
.5 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream
.5 oz. ameretto
1 oz. shot of espresso or coffee
1 oz. Kahlua
1.5 oz. vodka