A Tribute To The Monsters ~ Dracula

I love scary movies. Not slashers ~ none of that Freddie Kruger/Michael Myers stuff. I'm talking scary. Surreal, mysterious, and supernatural. Curses and hexes. My favorite scary movies don't really "scare" me any more, but they epitomize, for me, what scary should be ~ the black-and-white movies from the golden age of Hollywood. The monsters.

This week on the blog I'm paying tribute to the monsters of Halloween. I dare you to take some time during this Halloween season to watch some of the classic horrors. They go great with popcorn.

The strength of the vampire is that people will not believe in him.

 See the previously honored monsters here and here and here and here.

A Tribute To The Monsters ~ The Wolfman

I love scary movies. Not slashers ~ none of that Freddie Kruger/Michael Myers stuff. I'm talking scary. Surreal, mysterious, and supernatural. Curses and hexes. My favorite scary movies don't really "scare" me any more, but they epitomize, for me, what scary should be ~ the black-and-white movies from the golden age of Hollywood. The monsters.

This week on the blog I'm paying tribute to the monsters of Halloween. I dare you to take some time during this Halloween season to watch some of the classic horrors. They go great with popcorn.

Even the man who is pure in heart

and says his prayers by night

Can become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms

 and the moon is full and bright.

 See the previously honored monsters here and here and here.

A Tribute To The Monsters ~ Frankenstein

I love scary movies. Not slashers ~ none of that Freddie Kruger/Michael Myers stuff. I'm talking scary. Surreal, mysterious, and supernatural. Curses and hexes. My favorite scary movies don't really "scare" me any more, but they epitomize, for me, what scary should be ~ the black-and-white movies from the golden age of Hollywood. The monsters.

This week on the blog I'm paying tribute to the monsters of Halloween. I dare you to take some time during this Halloween season to watch some of the classic horrors. They go great with popcorn.

Think of it. The brain of a dead man waiting to live again in a body I made with my own hands! 

See the previously honored monsters here and here.

A Tribute To The Monsters ~ The Mummy

I love scary movies. Not slashers ~ none of that Freddie Kruger/Michael Myers stuff. I'm talking scary. Surreal, mysterious, and supernatural. Curses and hexes. My favorite scary movies don't really "scare" me any more, but they epitomize, for me, what scary should be ~ the black-and-white movies from the golden age of Hollywood. The monsters.

This week on the blog I'm paying tribute to the monsters of Halloween. I dare you to take some time during this Halloween season to watch some of the classic horrors. They go great with popcorn.

Death... eternal punishment... for... anyone... who... opens... this... casket.

See the previously honored monster here.

A Tribute To The Monsters ~ The Phantom of the Opera

I love scary movies. Not slashers ~ none of that Freddie Kruger/Michael Myers stuff. I'm talking scary. Surreal, mysterious, and supernatural. Curses and hexes. My favorite scary movies don't really "scare" me any more, but they epitomize, for me, what scary should be ~ the black-and-white movies from the golden age of Hollywood. The monsters.

This week on the blog I'm paying tribute to the monsters of Halloween. I dare you to take some time during this Halloween season to watch some of the classic horrors. They go great with popcorn.

If I am the Phantom, it is because man's hatred has made me so... If I shall be saved, it will be because your love redeems me.

Making Do

This time of year people are making yummy, spicy goodies.  I had a hankering for some pumpkin-raisin muffins and the recipe I used called for pumpkin pie spice, of course.  Thing is, the pumpkin pie spice I had in the cupboard was really old and smelled more like dirt than savory spices.

I didn't have time to run to the store for a measly little container of pumpkin pie spice.  Besides, how many times in a year does one use that particular spice?  So my little head went to work and it figured out that pumpkin pie spice is a mixture of many spices, and hey, couldn't I find out how to make my own?

Yes! 

If you want to whip up a little pumpkin pie spice once a year for that Thanksgiving pie it is possible, assuming you have some basic spices in your cupboard.  Here's how it goes...

2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp ground ginger
1 Tbsp nutmeg
1 tsp ground allspice

Another variation is...

2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp ground clove

These recipes can be increased or decreased easily, according to your needs. 

Now I don't have to spend that extra money on a "spice" that I may or may not only use once or twice a year.  I'm always looking for ways to save a buck or two, aren't you?

By the way, the muffins were delish!

Photograph compliments of delawareonline.com.

Halloween Treats

Halloween is right around the corner.  There's this cute little shop on Etsy that carries the most adorable Halloween magnets you've ever seen.  Yes, I made them myself.  As you know I love autumn and Halloween embraces all the colors and chills of this time of year.  Give yourself a little treat, or pass some out to your ghoulfriends!

Boo

Richard Scary

Peek-A-Boo Kitty

Haunted House

Fraidy Cat

Horror Story

Man In The Moon

Halloween Trio

And what is Halloween without screaming girls?

Scared Girls

Wordless Wednesday

No One Told Me There Would Be Math Involved

Many years ago when I began pouring candles I was a little discouraged to find out how much math was involved.  Pounds and ounces, ratios, fractions...yes, fractions.  For example, if I want to pour two six-inch candles and three three-inch candles how many pounds of wax should I melt?  And if I want to scent those candles I have to figure out how much oil to use with a formula.  It's kind of hard and makes my head hurt sometimes.

If you're thinking about going into the candle-making business, know upfront that there will indeed be lots of math involved.  It helps a lot to have a math whiz living in the house with you for those times when you need to figure something out but don't want to take the time of energy to remember, figure, or even look it up on the internets.  Husby is my math whiz.

Quite a while ago I asked him, "how do I translate a decimal number into ounces?"  He knows there really is such a thing as a dumb question because I ask them all the time.  It's actually an issue of articulation.  He told me to ask the question again in a way he could understand. 

"I need sixty-seven ounces of wax to make my candles.  That translates into 4.1875 pounds of wax. 

67 (oz) ÷ 16 (oz/lb) = 4.1875 pounds

How do I figure out how many ounces .1875 pounds is?"  And just like that, Husby spat out the forumula as though he had just learned it yesterday.

.1875 (lb) X 16 (oz/lb) = 3 oz

So there you have it.  I need four pounds and 3 ounces of wax.  Now try to figure out how much fragrance oil to add.  I use 1/2 ounce (by weight) per pound of wax. 

4.1875 (lbs wax) X 1/2 (oz fragrance) = 2.09 oz

Son of a...!  I have to do that icky decimal to fraction thing!  Well, I won't bore you with any more of this, but believe me when I say it takes 2 1/8 ounces of fragrance oil.  That's rounding up because my scale doesn't measure 16ths and plus that little bit of extra added fragrance will probably be appreciated.

I'm not really sure why I decided to write this post.  Partly because I want people to know pouring candles isn't as easy as Martha Stewart would lead you to believe* and partly because I need to validate my knowledge of numbers, even though I need Husby's help from time to time.

Buttermint Candies candles are available in my shop

*Note: Martha scents beeswax, which I think is a cardinal sin of chandlers.  Martha also doesn't specify the size and type of wick to use and says to add fragrance oil, essential oil no less, in accord with your preference.  This sort of whimiscal candle making will make for a big fail and could not only be a smokey mess but could also be a fire hazard.  I get kind of mad when I see Martha's careless instructions.  

Loose Muscles Are Much Better Than Hard Bodies

Last week Husby and I took a little getaway to the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan in Door County, Wisconsin.  I was reminded what it feels like to walk around without tight, knotted muscles in my shoulders and back.  Could it be one can actually sleep for ten hours straight?  Why yes it is possible, and I did it.  To what can I attribute this relaxed state?  Was it just being away from the demands of work, business, and household duties?  Or being in a place that offers me things like this...

...and this?

The keeper of our inn apologized for the lack of beautiful sunrises during our stay.  I ask you, does this look like a not-beautiful sunrise?

"Let's have a glass of wine then stroll through the town," I would say to Husby.  He would agree.  And the towns were right out scenes from a movie.

"Let's put on our hiking boots and go to the forest," Husby would say.  I would agree.  And the forest was quiet and lovely.

We also just sat on the rocky shore and watched the great water rolling toward us while we thought about nothing.

I highly recommend getaways.  Just three or four days at a time.  Every couple of weeks or so would be optimal.  In my opinion, a two-day work week is more than enough.  Loose muscles and lots of sleep are much more important...and fun.

A New Venture

A lot of people think of January 1st to be the beginning of the new year.  I always start anew in October.  October is the beginning of my favorite time of year.  I began a new life as a married person in October.  The busy business season starts in October.  And today I'm very proud to announce a new relationship with a new shop in Superior, Wisconsin ~ Lu.** 

Why should I be the only one with new beginnings in October?  Lu is named after a little girl named Izzy Lu and is managed by her mom, Aimee, and it opens today.  The shop sits inside another wonderful shop, The Rocking Horse, owned by Aimee's mom.  There are three generations of involvement here, so I think they're on to something serious.

When Aimee asked if I could supply her shop with some of my wares I jumped at the chance, blindly but with much faith.  I live many miles away and I've never met Aimee nor have I seen the shop.  In fact, the shop wasn't even built when she contacted me.  But as they say, when you step off the cliff you will either land on solid ground or you will learn to fly ~ what have we got to lose?!

So here I go, spreading myself out to a new market, in a new town, and will hopefully find new fans of my work.  My best wishes go to Aimee during these exciting times, as well as to all the people who are involved in providing Lu with terrifically fun items for the shop's customers. 

If you're in the neighborhood of Superior, Wisconsin, be sure to stop by and check out this fun new shop.

Here's to new beginnings in October!

**The photos in this post are compliments of Lu::Handmade Goodness, Aimee's new blog featuring her shop.  I know I'll be a regular reader.

Did You Miss Me?

I just got back from a little jaunt to Door County, Wisconsin.  Husby and I had a little getaway for our anniversary and it was just what we both needed.  There was rest and relaxation, food and wine, inspiration and rejuvenation, and of course more wine. 

Facebook and Twitter and Yahoo Mail were ignored for four whole days.  I didn't even experience withdrawal!  While I missed you all it's true what they say ~ absence makes the heart grow fonder.  Today I begin once again, fresh and revitalized, inspired and energetic.  I have some focus and some new goals.  I have also let some things go ~ you know, those things that just bog you down and don't amount to anything ~ just tossed them into Lake Michigan for fish food.

So onward we go, slowly to start.  I want to hang on to that feeling I get when I look out on an endless body of water ~ the melancholy, the joy, the sturm and drang, the peace.  Onward to create, to nourish, to participate, and to nest.  Amazing what a little bit of nature can do to refresh the soul.

Wordless Wednesday

I *Heart* Autumn

I love autumn more than any other season.  I love it so much I want to marry it.  Except I can't because I married Husby ~ fourteen years ago this very day.  In autumn.  Coincidence?  Not.

Husby's The Chef

For a long time I was the primary cook in the house. Husby would offer to cook when he had a drive to flex his culinary muscles. Pasta and sauce. His specialty.  I was grateful for the break from cooking, but it seemed it was so frequently pasta and sauce.

He made his own sauce from scratch without a recipe so it was different every time.  But still, pasta and sauce.  Sometimes spaghetti, sometimes rigatoni.  But still, pasta and sauce.

As I grew more interested in making candles and other crafty things Husby offered to cook more often.  The more often he cooked, the more diverse his menus became.  Eventually he became the primary cook in the house simply to allow me more time to do other things.  What a dreamboat!

The down side to this arrangement are the times when he calls during the day and says, "I have to have lunch with some clients and won't be eating dinner.  You're on your own."  This wouldn't be a problem for most people, but I've become so spoiled that I don't even want to set foot in the kitchen, much less fix myself a proper meal.

It is on those days I hear in my head the swarthy voice of Sam Elliot telling me...Brownies.  It's what's for dinner. 

There's nothing wrong with that.  I just thought I'd tell you in case you didn't already know.

Let's Be Nice

How far that little candle throws his beams!

So shines a good deed in a naughty world.

~William Shakespeare

The best portion of a good man's life - his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.
~William Wordsworth

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

~Plato

Wordless Wednesday

The Invisible Girl

You can't see me and I can't figure out why. 

Am I not making enough noise? 

Am I not flamboyant enough? 

Perhaps you do see me, but avert your eyes the minute you think I may be looking your way.  

Or do you see me and turn away in antipathy?

I know you saw me once because I could feel your attention.

  But it was for such a short amount of time. 

Familiarity breeds contempt?  

Or did I not try hard enough to keep your attention?

You are the one who keeps me going, makes me want to

become better. 

Without you I don't have much reason to try.

I saw you looking. 

Stay and look a while longer, if you please.

Something I Did This Weekend

There's a quaint little farm in Nowthen, Minnesota.  There are chickens galore, donkeys, cows, horses, sheep, bunnies, bees, llamas, dogs, and the best part...wine.  This year they added an artisan market and flea market which is held every Saturday (artisans) and Sunday (fleas...?) from May until October. 

I showed my wares at the Goose Lake Farm & Winery a couple of Saturdays this year.  It was certainly a new experience, for which I am always ready.  This is a sustainable and organic farm, so I was proud to be able to show my all-natural candles made of beeswax and palm wax.  

My schedule doesn't allow my return to the farm for any future showings, but the markets are open until October 23 if you are so inclined to visit.  Kids love it as the animals are so friendly and petable.  Adults love it because they can shop for some handcrafted gifts or personal indulgences, including some delicious, organically-produced wine. 

For more information visit the Goose Lake Farm & Winery website here.

Don't You Love It?

Don't you love it when...

*  despite having to get up and leave for work before the sun rises the brisk, clear, dark morning sky shows a skillion bright, twinkling stars?

*  after weeks of feeling you've lost your edge with your craft someone comes through and thinks your work is great?

*  you know you can do it all by yourself?

*  you can't go on living without a bite of chocolate the person you least expect offers you a candy bar?

*  the days get shorter and the nights are filled with the savory aromas of soups and breads?

*  days of preparation leave you completely prepared?

*  the outdoor air feels light and clean?

*  gold, red, and orange become the colors of nature?

*  the weekend arrives and you've got two whole days to be completely yourself?

Happy Friday everyone.  Recognize the things you love.