Happy September!

I think we can all agree that Covid-19 pandemic has really upended our lives and changed how we socially interact with one another. I think that’s what makes the BER months so special is that it gives people the opportunity to celebrate the meaningful things in life. September has always been about the return to traditions and renewed hope in putting aside differences, coming together, and celebrating the community.

That feeling of camaraderie and goodwill only increases as the BER months continue. So, while it may be easy to get lost in despair over the current state of affairs of the nation, the easiest way to make the world a better place is to concentrate on bringing peace and love into our own lives and neighborhoods.

The Halloween 2020 season was always meant to be an auspicious event. Coronavirus threatens our community, dampens our spirits, and aims to spoil our fun, so it’s more important than ever to honor our dead and celebrate our holiday traditions. While it’s true that there will be scaled back public activities, Halloween is still very much on! That’s why this year, Halloween Haiku will be promoting Halloween at Home, a spooky night of fun and revelry from your very own couch.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, I encourage everyone to wear masks while out in public and practice a safe and social-distanced Halloween. All throughout the month of September, I’ll be sharing tips and suggestions on how to have a fun and safe Halloween, in lieu of trick-or-treating and big parties.

Later this month, I’m going to reveal details on the 2^nd Annual Halloween Haiku Challenge, and the schedule for 31 Days of Halloween, the yearly celebration of the haunting season, which happens every October.

Have a safe and happy Halloween season!

No One Can Hear Ghosts Scream

Recipe of Month – August

Last Monday was National S’mores Day, which I missed because I was wallowing over some bad news. S’mores are the perfect camping treat, summer dessert, or comfort food. They say if you ask, the universe will provide, so, imagine how happy I was when I came across Tidymom’s recipe for Chocolate Covered Halloween S’mores on a Stick. Yes, universe, I agree, chocolate dipped Halloween s’mores is a fast, easy and cheap way to soothe our inner child’s tears.
S’mores are a pandemic requirement.

smores_Halloween

Ingredients:

Marshmallows (Jet Puffed Stacker Mallows work best)
Chocolate Bars
Graham Crackers
Dipping Chocolate
popsicle sticks
sprinkles

For the full recipe instructions, please visit here:
https://tidymom.net/halloween-smores-on-a-stick/

smores-5

While I’m waiting for these to set, I’m going to search out what other tips Tidy Mom has to clean up my messy life.

Weekly Haiku Returns

Back in January, I made the decision to post my haiku monthly instead of weekly. I was hoping to trigger more creativity and force my hand at posting more short stories.

Then, Corona-virus happened.

The lockdown stifled my creativity. Anxiety and fear moved in like unexpected house guests and stayed far too long. I haven’t written a lick since the beginning of summer, choosing to hide out instead. My own blog, unrecognizable.

Like clockwork, however, the Halloween season is calling!

In anticipation of the upcomi ng holiday

season, I’ve been working on my own game plan to celebrate Halloween 2020 in a big way! First, I need a little course correction. That means, starting August 3rd, Haiku of the Week will return. I’ll still post Monthly Haiku Corner and those posts will continue to feature some striking imagery, but the weekly haiku will, hopefully, stand alone on their own merits.

Have a wonderful and safe Halloween season!

Bring on Halloween 2020!

Covid be damned!

No, you’re not imagining anything. America is definitely ushering in Halloween earlier than we ever have before. We’re not waiting for the ‘Ber months. The unofficial pre-season starts now!

Between trying to keep our families and ourselves safe from Covid-19, the stresses of working from home, health worries, money woes, and fear and loathing of societal ills, including a looming election to determine the fate of America’s soul, honestly, we need the distraction. happiest pumpkin

Autumn and Halloween merch have already hit the craft stores, retailers have released their catalogs, and candy has hit the shelves. Halloween Haunters, artists, bloggers, content creators, and writers are buzzing with ideas and upcoming projects. The Samhain Society has new members, and I encourage everyone to hit up links to some of the best Halloween bloggers and content creators on the planet. Here at Halloween Haiku, I have cool celebrations planned this October, so keep checking back regularly.

I’ve also been reading responses from Halloween fans on social media forums and have determined that despite the pandemic, there will be so many cool things happening to ensure Halloween 2020 will be the auspicious event we all know it will be.

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Of course, Halloween 2020 won’t be without its controversies. Some of us will be all dressed up, with nowhere to go. There are rumblings that trick-or-treating, parties, parades, haunted attractions, and other mass gatherings will get nixed. I can see why this is alarming, and it’s gonna be tough when autumn leaves peak and temperatures cool. We’re going to be tempted to throw caution to the wind and traipse around in the world, looking for inspiration and celebrations with our fellow Halloween fans. I got three words for you:

Halloween at home.

Carve your pumpkins. Decorate your homes. Pick out your costumes. Bake ghost cookies. Eat candy. Watch scary movies. Drink your spirits.

But please, please, for the sake of American lives, Halloween at home this year. Wear masks. Social distance. Let’s make America safe again.

Yeah, I really just did that. 😉

Honestly, I think Halloween at home is exactly what America needs, a reminder that Halloween lives inside of us. It’s not a place we go or a thing we do. It’s something in our hearts. It’s about honoring and remembering our loved ones and those who have passed on. Traditions mean nothing if there’s no one to share them with. As long as we keep that in mind, and we try the best we can to keep each other safe, we’re all going to have an amazing Halloween season. So, relax. Be smart. Be safe. Stop worrying. Halloween is what we make of it, and as long as you’re celebrating, nothing is canceled.

Have a Happy Halloween season!

Happy Caturday

thomas-vallentin-halloweencats

Artist: Thomas Vallentin

https://www.artstation.com/daexs

Friday Fright Nightcaps

It’s the return of Friday Fright Nightcaps!

Today, in honor of National Pizza Party Day, which no one is celebrating due to the pandemic, my sources tell me that the daiquiri is the perfect companion for heavy pizzas, such as pepperoni, or sausage, or pepperoni and sausage…something about all that cheese and red sauce pairing well with the rum and tart.
So, fire up that old stone oven because I found a fangalicious recipe for a Halloween Daiquiri from the good folks over at Vinepair that won’t wait til Fall.

halloween daquiri vinepair — Halloween Daiquiri by Vine Pair

Ingredients:

5 ounces of rum
1 lime, juiced
6-8 mandarins, juiced
1 teaspoon of agave nectar
½ cup of ice

Garnish: sliced mandarin

halloween daquiri2 — Halloween Daiquiri by Vine Pair

To view the full recipe, please visit here:
https://vinepair.com/wine-blog/halloween-daiquiri-recipe/

So, whether you’re logging into Door Dash during the pandemic or learning how to use your oven for the first time since you rented the place, it’s pizza time!

Happy National Limerick Day!

IMG_20200512_084526_997

Please don’t let me catch Covid-19.

I don’t want to miss Halloween,

but if I do,

bury me inside of a shoe,

instead of under a tree.

Spooky Spring Photo Challenge

Celebrating May Day with a 25-day photo challenge. Head on over to Instagram and post your favorite photos representing Spooky Spring. Join in any day!

Don’t forget to tag your pics using #spookyspringphotochallenge

HH Spooky Spring Photo Challenge Redux

Wicked Art Wednesdays – Nikury

Today, we celebrate pastel Halloween with illustrator and artist Nikury, who hails from Finland. Nikury enjoys drawing nature, animals, and witchy stuff. Her kitten magick line features cutesy kitten familiar merch, perfect for witches and anyone looking for cute or unconventional Halloween products.