Category Archives: #family

This week I love: Halloween!

Posted in #family, Holidays, Life in General, This Week I Love ..., Uncategorized by

Halloween has always been one of my favorite time of the year. I have to admit that my dad was the one who made it extra special.  His love for Halloween and all things spooky meant he put A LOT into Halloween Festivities.

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My dad and I dressing up for Halloween in September

Every year – my parents would throw us a big Halloween party – complete with pumpkin painting, bobbing for apples, and pizza and cake.  But of course – for it to be a real Halloween party it had to have a “walk” through. My father would take the whole month of September to transform the woods behind my childhood home into a spooky forest! My mom would then tell us a ghost story and lead us into the woods for a tour.

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The year I went as a Southern Belle (oi, what a costume 🙄)

Because we attended Catholic School – the day after Halloween – meant no school! All Saints Day !!  So naturally after the walk, we cozy up in our pajamas and watch a horror film.  It didn’t get much better than that!

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Last year Harley went as a Cowardly Lion! He was not amused.

Halloween has always been a special day in my life.  Now – I celebrate it with spooky movies and costumes on my dogs.  But the thrill has never left.  It’s once a year that everyone gets to pretend they’re something else for a day.  It even lets you escape the monotonous  hum of the work day.  Everyone knows work is a tad better on Halloween! And …. who doesn’t like that?!

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Here is a pic of me in college – when Halloween was every day! (My dad was NOT a fan lol)

What are your favorite Holidays? Do you like Halloween the most of all?

 

Relishing those Reenactments

Posted in #family, Life in General by

Reenactments, Going to Events, Living History – whatever you may call it,  I miss it A LOT. A few weekends ago, I had the chance to go a Revolutionary War – Event near my home.  If you’re friends with me on Facebook you might have seen my “Flat Stanley” pictures!

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Flat Stanley takes on the Red Coats

Going to a Reenactment brought back a flood of emotions.  I remember going to my first one as a kid and just being so floored by History being brought to life right in front of my eyes.  It didn’t take me long to realize that I wanted to participate in the hobby.  When I was 13 – I bought some books, talked to some people, did some research and was all ready – until I realized I didn’t have a soul to do it with.  Imagine the woman’s (who I spoke to when I was 13) shock when I called her at 21 asking her if she still participated in Living Histories particularly the Civil War.  My best friend at the time was beyond excited and willing to participate with me! So, we invested hundreds of dollars in clothing, a tent, cooking ware and travel expensive. But truth be told, as expensive as it was,  I spent some of my best moments all done up in 9 layers in the hot Virginia sun.

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Me – outside a Cape May Bed and Breakfast circa 2005

But alas, time went on – my dad passed away, my job took up my time, I got married and basically fell out of touch with reenacting connections. Over time, there was talk about going back to the hobby, but it cost money that I did have. Plus, to be honest – I most certainly don’t fit in the dresses I bought at 21 years old. Again, the ideas went by the wayside.

It wasn’t until the recent reenactment – that I did begin to consider going back into the hobby all together.  The thought of parking my pup tent under a shady tree and spending my day knitting on a blanket in the shade just seems like heaven.

What may have even been more special though – is watching the boys and their 1st event!