Things Wild and Extreme - Wouldn't Change a Thing.

The store front of what used to be the
Five and Dime in the 70's



Greetings fellow readers and new readers just joining us today. Looks like I have some explaining to do. As everyone knows my passion is to write, but with my extra busy creative mind, things happen and before I know it - I find myself behind a paint brush bringing ideas to life on glass. That's what happened over the month of October and derailed my intentions for spooky stories and crazy legends. So today I wanted to share with you what transpired that took the words that usually build into stories, and turned into painted creations. I don't think many of you know that I own my own business. It's very small, but for me - it keeps me out of trouble.  It all started when my mother took me, as a small child, to a 5 and dime store. For years I had always thought it was my Nana that took me, but writing this story today, one key piece of this story has clarified that it was not my Nana - it was my mother. She had a paper sack from a local grocery store and she told me that we could only get enough Christmas decorations that would fit in this bag. I remember the day like it was yesterday. Their was a huge stow banking from a plow truck that was trying to keep up with the endless amounts of snow that continued to fall to the ground that day. My mothers favorite thing to do, was to go out in weather like this, snow covered roads were nothing to be afraid of, she looked forward to the challenge and so did me and my mother. I remember the windows of the store being decorated with think strands of gold garland, a hug plastic Santa that was illuminated by one single 20 watt blub and plastic trees and toys finished off the look. I remember the chain link rubber floor mat that held that chunks of snow that fell from out boots, and the water stains on the old wooded floor, that creaked as we walked around. The glorious tones of Burl Ives singing "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3s1qLkNU38. I always had loved "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" so this music that had been on my favorite Christmas special - was the icing on the cake. The store was located in Lakeport, NH. I tried to find a picture on the internet of what the store looked like when it was a Five and Dime store, but to no avail. I found a bit more current from Google Earth and took a picture of with my camera to post.

 

Ok, so back to my story. I remember my mother and I being awe struck by the twinkling lights from was used to be screw in light bulb strands with colors of blue, red and green and could be swapped with lights of white and yellow. I still remember the smell of the lights as they got hot and the smell of the lead tinsel if it touched a hot bulb. She bought ornaments that looks like Germany old world designs, she got tinsel, lights, loads of gold garland, and the most important piece and what brought my memory back - the angel for the top of the tree. It was beautiful and was finished with real spun glass angel hair like looked like rays from heaven when the tree was illuminated each year.

 

Mom's entire paper sack was filled and flowing over, yet her entire purchase never exceeded five dollars, and back then spending five dollars on decorations was unheard of as money was tight. We were so proud of our finds and even more excited to take them home to decorate a tree. I loved that feeling of joy and glee. That with each year, I would be more and more excited for the holidays to arrive - hoping for the feeling of Christmas and family that had filled my heart at such a age. Many years later, I would find myself with my own family and having money problems and unable to find that feeling that I had once had so many years ago, until Christmas night in 1994, I was reminded in a dream - how to change things in my life.

 

Go to www.etsy.com, type in this store name: Ukanducrafts. It is here you read about how things became Wild and Extreme - and looking back on it - I wouldn't change a thing, but is the reason why I was unable find my words for the Halloween season. Enjoy.

 

 

Here is a sneak peak at some of my art work.

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/211655856/extreme-snow-snowmoblie-extravaganza

 

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/169500411/its-wild-snow-handpainted-snowman-on-a-3?

ref=shop_home_active_11

 

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/210651022/seabee-handpainted-on-3-bubble-glass?ref=shop_home_active_10

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading my story today and I hope you enjoy browsing and/or shopping my online store. I ship all over the world and can personalize just about everything I sell. Blog ya later alligators. 

"Black Bird" Part Two

 

17 Days Until Halloween

 

“Black Bird”

Part Two

Original Story By: Stacey L. Bolin

Music to set the mood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E3zNHd936c

 

As she looked at the Black Bird, she watched as his eyes turned from black to hell fire red, then flapped its wings and crashed itself over and over into the picture window. Kim threw herself from the couch back onto the floor, the wind screamed in unison with the thunder as the rain beat heavy on the roof. The Black Bird squelched and hissed as he flew hard against the window several times until the raindrops that found their way onto the window began to turn a bloody red color.

"GO AWAY!" Kim screamed, "GO AWAY!" The Black Bird continued to slam the window over and over as the storm outside grew, with each hit the blood smeared the window until a small crack began appear...it was only a matter of time.

Slam, Slam, blood spattered with each forceful hit as the sounds of the glass cracking intensified. She grabbed the blanket and pillow she had on the couch, and did her best to cover her entire body to protect herself. Just as the blanket and pillow gave her a feeling of temporary refuge, the Black Bird crashed through the picture window. She felt the Glass, wind, and rain, fall upon her. The Black Bird Screeched and flew through the room in a full devil induced rage. It flew without caution as it slammed and smeared blood on the walls. She felt it hit her several times as it made it way aimlessly around the room and could hear it knocking over things and tearing apart the fabrics on the couch and chairs. Then in an instant the sound of breaking glass and a heavy thud to the floor was all she heard over the howling wind and rain.

She waited a moment, and then slowly peered out from under the pillow she had placed over her head. "The Black Bird, must have found its way out." she sighed a breath of relief. She was careful as to where she stood, as she got up, knowing that the room was filled with broken glass. As she slowly tried to make her way out of the living room towards the kitchen to call for help, she heard the cawing sound of a bird. She cautiously turned to see the Black Bird next to their entertainment center lying on a framed picture that had fallen and its broken glass all around it.

The thought of what her grandmother had said, about birds crashing through windows and dying, meant someone in the home was going to die, never crossed her mind as she stood waiting for it to gasp for its last breath. She was filled with anger at the mess it had caused. The once beautiful walls covered in blood stains, the lamps and decorations destroyed, the couch  tour by the birds sharp talons, and the rug ruined by the wind and the rain. One Black Bird had done all this damage. She remain standing as she watched the Black Bird twitch and then the hell fire red in its eyes turned to a glazed gray black. It was dead.

She went into the kitchen to call her mother at work to let her know what had just happened. You could hear the concern in her mother’s voice as Kim told her what had taken place. The call didn't last long, as her mother had instructed her to stay out of the living room and that she was on her way home to take pictures of the damage - maybe their insurance would cover it. But the one thing most important of all was when her mother said in a worried voice, "Do not touch that animal leave it lie. I want proof it was all because of a dang bird."

Kim, sat in the kitchen eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, when she heard her mother pull into the driveway. The car doors shut as her brother and sister exclaimed in unison as they quickly rushed up to the house to get out of the storm,  "Wow who broke the window!?"

"A bird broke through the window,' said their mother,  "so when you go into the house, please stay out of the living room. I think your sister is in the kitchen. Please ask her to get you both a snack."

Kim's mother just stood in the living room doorway, completely shocked at the sight that met her eyes with each glance around the room.  It resembled more of a horror scene from a movie like "Nightmare on Elem Street," or better yet, "The Texas Chainsaw Murders." She had called the insurance company to report the damage, to which they replied, they would need proof that it was a bird that caused the damage. She was glad to know that Kim had left the Black Bird alone so that she could take a photograph for the claim and the extensive damage that had been done; otherwise it was going to be a hard sell to explain this.

She took one picture after another, until she finally came to where the Black Bird had taken its last breath, upon a broken picture frame. A strange feeling began to well up in the pit of her stomach as a cold chill raced up her spine. Something was wrong. When she took all the pictures of their unwanted guest, she pushed the bird to one side to flip the picture frame over. Panic and sorrow cocooned her as she stared at the torn, bloody picture that had been of her husband that had been on the entertainment center where the rest of the family pictures had always been displayed.

"Strange" she thought to herself, "The rest of the pictures don't have a mark on them, and had not been moved according to the dust that was gathering on and around them. “Again, her stomach felt strange, nervous, ill, something, but she just couldn't put a finger on it.

She made the necessary calls to the insurance agent, and they immediately came out to the home so that they could make arrangements to get a carpenter over to cover the broken window, until it could be replaced. The cleaning of the home and the replacement of the damage or destroyed items, that would take a day or so to schedule a cleanup crew and get the necessary monies dispersed. Even the deductible of $1,000.00 was easier to deal with, than the thousands of dollars it would have cost without insurance, for all the repairs that one good sized Black Bird had caused.

Her agent took all the pictures of the damage, but felt a shroud of sorrow and death looming as he stepped through the room, I did his best to hide his concerns and went out his way to show compassion as Kim's mother walked with him in disbelief. When they were finally done, they both walked out into the kitchen to where all three kids where sitting around the table. It had been a long day for Kim, but somehow she managed to stay calm in front of everyone. The insurance again remarked to Kim, how happy he was that she had not been hurt in all of this.  But had she? As the storm continued to rage on,  the carpenters had hammered the last nail to secure a large sheet of plywood over the broken window. 

"If you need anything Ma'am, please contact me. This is my direct number." said the insurance agent. 

"I will, and thank you for coming out so quickly. It's not easy trying to get things done when my husband is out of town, especially when unexpected events take place."

"I understand Ma'am. Again, if there is anything you need, please contact us."

"Thank you," replied Kim's mom, as she walked him to the door. 

They managed to refrain from going back into the damaged room. They ate their dinner and then went upstairs to their rooms to get ready for bed.  Kim and her family realized that it was getting late, and no matter what had happened, it was over and it was time to get some rest. Nothing more could be done until morning and the worst was behind them…or so it seemed at that moment.

Join me tomorrow for the conclusion of "Black Bird" and delve into the hallows of the evil that awaits. Until then - I'll blog ya later.

 

 

Update on "Black Bird" and a glorious Bloomin' Bakes Apple Receipe - A Must Try

(I'm just seeing that this was posted Today - Tuesday - and not yesterday - Monday. As much as I hate to say it - I do believe it's time for a computer upgrade).

Being that it is a Holiday today, I remember as a little girl going to the Sandwich Fair, on the last day of a three day event, that always ended on a Monday - enjoying the baked apples, and all kinds of glorious fall desserts. So in honor of Columbus Day, I stepped to one side, holding off on the "Black Bird" Part 2, until Tomorrow. This was sent to me on my Facebook page. Can't find where the link went, but if I do, I'll put it on here so the author/chef gets the credit they deserve. Until tomorrow - Happy Holiday.

http://www.thegunnysack.com/2014/09/bloomin-baked-apples-recipe.html

 

 

Bloomin’ Baked Apples Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 Honeycrisp apples (or other crisp apples)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp brown sugar, packed
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 4 caramels, unwrapped
• Optional toppings: vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. To get the blooming apple look, you need to cut the apples. Slice off the top 1/4 to 1/3 of the apples. Scoop out the core. I don’t have an apple corer so I used my metal 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon. Then, use a thin knife to make two, deep circular cuts around the center of the apple. Next, turn the apple over and make narrow cuts all the way around the apple. Flip it back over and you can see all of the cuts.
3. Place the apples in an oven safe dish and put two unwrapped caramels into the center of each apple.
4. Heat butter and brown sugar in the microwave for 30 second, stir and continue heating for an additional 30 seconds. Remove from the microwave and stir in flour and cinnamon. Divide the mixture over the top of the two sliced apples.
5. Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and use a large spoon to move the apples into bowls.
6. Top with a scoop of ice cream, drizzle with caramel and sprinkle with cinnamon. The ice cream will cause the caramel in the center to harden so eat quickly or put the ice cream scoop on the side.

"Black Bird"

 

 

21 days until Halloween

 

"Black Bird"

Original Story

By: Stacey L. Bolin

Copyright: 10/10/14

 Music to set the mood.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E3zNHd936c

 

Kim Logan, a women in her mid thirties sat upon her back deck, enjoying the morning sun and the refreshing taste of a cup of freshly brewed coffee. The morning was quiet and peaceful, when she was suddenly startled by a bird as black as night, that flew down and perched itself on the deck railing right in front of her. "I hate you! Shoo, get out of here...scram!" she yelled out trying to get the bird to flea. At that very moment she suddenly remembered why she hated black birds and what happened on that day many years ago.  

***

            It was a cold wet rainy school day in late fall for younger brother Matthew who was 8 and sister alley, who was 6, but for Kim who was the oldest of the three and had just turned 15, had been complaining of a sore throat and her cheeks looked flushed. To her mother it appeared she was showing symptoms of a pending cold, but she didn't have a fever. None-the-less her mother decided it was best that she stay home so that whatever it was, would resolve sooner than later.   Kim was never one to miss school as she truly enjoyed it and hanging with friends, but she was feeling achy and knew that rest, quiet, and chicken noodle soup was always what Doctor Mom ordered, and she didn't mind taking the day to rest. Her favorite thing to do, when she stayed home from school was to lie on the couch that was in front of the picture window. She loved the feeling of the sun rays upon her face as she watched television, but today she would have to accept the feeling of warmth generated by the woodstove across the living room.

She got her pillow and her favorite blanket from her bed and wished her brother and sister a good day at school as they rushed out of the house to the waiting school bus parked in front of their driveway. Her mother waved good-bye to them at the door. It was her everyday routine before she too was out the door to work. Her father was a traveling business man, that spent more time on the road than at home, but with the new-fangled technology, he'd do his best to send his love through Skype at least twice a week. She sat up on the couch to see her mother wave to her before getting into her car. As she waited to see her mother pull out of the driveway, she was distracted by a black bird perch upon the wrought iron fence that framed their yard. How strange it was to her, to see any animal out in the pouring rain, but the old oak tree with a few remaining leaves on it was probably just enough to shelter it. She tried to imagine what it could be thinking about, never realizing that as she pondered her numerous thoughts, he mother had left without her noticing.

The sky was a cold dark gray and the sounds of thunder rolled in from a distant place as it worked on its arrival near her home. She stared at the Black Bird, "Why don't you fly out of the rain?" she thought. She could see the rain drops falling from its black beak. How strange it was, that it just sat there, almost like it was watching her watching it, from the window. The heavy rain make its feathers look glossy black that made it hard to determine where exactly its eyes were on its head. The wind began to pick up and tree leaves and debris tumbled across the lawn, some getting stuck against the fence, while other small pieces found its way through and out onto the road. The thunder grew louder with each flash of lighting that brightened the sky. Still the Black Bird stayed firmly perched on the fence in the heavy wind and rain.

It wasn't like Kim to allow her to be so caught up in something, unless it was a school project or while reading a book. Something about this soaking wet Black Bird was causing her to feel unsettled and almost fearful. "This is crazy...It's just a bird! You've seen birds a thousand times." she muttered to herself still peering out the window afraid to look away. Some how she felt that she wasn't watching it...it was watching her, but how? But why? She decided to turn and look at the clock on the wall, wanting to know what time it was and was hoping that when she'd turn around the creepy Black Bird will have flown away. She was in disbelief when she saw that this "Staring Contest", had lasted more than two hours and knew that it would be gone when she looked back out of the window.

She was relieved when her feeling was right, it was gone - then bam, she jumped back onto the floor. A bird had flown and hit the picture window with great force, but the glass remained intact. Her heart beat a mile a minute as she tried to catch her breath. She sat there for a moment. "Was it dead?" she wondered. Slowly she crept back onto the couch and then ever so cautiously peered over the top of the couch to see out the window. The Black Bird was now perched on the railing of the porch. It was at this moment, that she remembered an old tale that her late grandmother had once told her. That birds are drawn to energy and sometimes a home is filled with such an abundance of loving energy, they fly right into the glass, never seeing it there, causing them to fall to the ground, shake their head for a moment and then fly off to do something new.  But if a bird breaks through a window and dies, it would mean that someone in the home would die soon. She had asked her mother about this story that was told to her and it was met with a simple smile and a comment that grandmas mean well.

As she looked at the Black Bird, she watched has his eyes turned from black to hell fire red, then he flapped its wings and crashed itself over and over into the picture window. Kim threw herself from the couch back onto the floor, the wind screamed in unison with the thunder as the rain beat heavy on the roof. The Black Bird squelched and hissed as he flew hard against the window several time until the raindrops that found their way onto the window began to turn a bloody red color.

"GO AWAY!" Kim screamed, "GO AWAY!" The Black Bird continued to slam the window over and over as the storm outside grew, with each hit the blood smeared the window until a small crack began appear...it was only a matter of time.

To be continued....  

 

Spiders - Both Scary & Delicious

22 Days Until Halloween

 

 

today just happen to be one of those off days for me, but it was the quarter sized spider residing in my laundry room that did me in. No, he never got a bite out of me, but he just had that look of being something in the wrong location, heck maybe in the wrong state. I did my best to locate that quick fella, to no avail. So now I am equipped when I enter the laundry room - bug spray in hand. Now here is something to get your stomach rolling, my son told me a statistic the other night, as he knew it would creep me out big time, that a person - while sleeping - will eat 8 to 10 spiders in their life time. Well to quote Jimmy Fallon - ewe!.  So with all this spider talk, I decided that today would be spider day. I wanted to show you the ones that could take a bite out of you, and below that - the ones we can safely take a bite out of - Bon Appetit.  

It's hard to believe that we are cresting upon another weekend in October, before we know it, it will be Halloween. So it's time to kick this Halloween blog up a notch, starting next week it's time to get your skin crawling, you mind racing and your heart pumping. I'll give you the weekend to prepare yourselves for the newest in my fictional spooky stories that I hope will be a fear-tastic good time. But until then, enjoy some of my eight legged friends. If you have a creepy spider tale, please share it - I'd love to add it to the nest.

Blog you later - ha ha ha (Evil Witch Cackle).

 

 

Disgustingly Delicious: 14 Gross-Looking Halloween Recipes

http://www.delish.com/entertaining-ideas/holidays/halloween/scary-halloween-recipes#slide-1

 

Spiders

Photo credit: Martha Stewart Living

 

Prepare batter for vanilla or chocolate cupcakes, pouring batter into 2 1/2 mini muffin tins with paper liners. Once they are baked and cooled, ice mini cupcakes with meringue buttercream and coat icing with black sanding sugar. Use cinnamon candy for eyes. For legs, attach 8 pieces of black licorice. For fangs, cut out tiny cone shapes from a marshmallow and attach.

 

If I have to choose - I'll take spider category number two - I'd rather enjoy them as delicious cake baked creatures.

"The Deadly Surprise" Reveal

21 Days Until Halloween

 

Helloooooowwww - Everyone. First off, let me say that I am sorry for not posting a blog yesterday, but the picture and video below are the reason why - and yes -  it is so Halloween Related. :)

 

Before I get to the big reveal about yesterday - what did you think about Monday's little tale? Did you think it was a legend? Fiction? or a True Story?  If you guess Legend....you were wrong - it was fiction. I was asked to come up with something in reference to the unseasonably cold weather they are having in the North West and so, "The Deadly Surprise", was created.:)  Thanks Luke, I truly enjoyed trying to come up with something. At first all I could think of was - A Creepy Snowman. LOL, but I love snowmen, so that was a no go. I have gotten a few great suggestions and I am presently working on them at this very moment, but for now, lets get back to my discussion about missing my blog posting yesterday. 

 

For the last 11 years, my family and I have volunteered building and working with a local Halloween tour and hay-ride, but as the years ticked on, my boys were growing up and now my oldest is already west, living his life, and my youngest graduates in 2015 and doesn't find it cool to have mom and dad around like years before. (I think it is because he has his own truck and likes to just hang with friends) As for my health as well as my husbands, old age keeps trying to trip us up. (It was bound to happen sooner or later). So this year, after realizing that we will be making our big move to the west next year - there was a lot I wanted to see this October, as this could be our last Halloween and holiday season on the east coast. 

 

Ok, so your probably thinking - she's lost her Halloween Drive - on the contrary - nothing could be further from the truth. My need for all things Halloween has tripled in the last week, as I feel like this time - I get to decorate my home with the extra free time on my hands. So here was how my day went yesterday and what transpired when I decided to decorate and make our house spooky. I've started with our dining room, Friday will be outside decorations - yes I will post pictures of my spooky creation.  My hopes is then when we open the door for the trick-or-treaters, they will be surprised and will enjoy the tricks we will play on them - followed by lots of great candy treats. I hope you like my decorations. FYI - I still have to finish making the purple table cloth that goes under the black lace one. :)  Until tomorrow - Blog ya later.

 

The beginning of my spooky design.

 

 

Can't forget the bats

 

Can't forget the spider webbing too.

 

 

"The Deadly Surprise" - Ficton, an Urban Legend or True? - You Decided

 

 

25 Days Until Halloween

Here I am again, with another goodie, sent to me by Luke in Idaho. It's up to you the reader to decided if this story is  Fiction, an Urban Legend or True? Now this story is not so much spooky as a Halloween story of nightmares, but It reminded me of what I wrote the other day, about the way people say things, like the houses that were haunted because they looked scary. Perception and the way people say things can take your way of thinking in two different extremes. Be sure to come back tomorrow to see if you guessed the correct answer to:

 

 

 

"Deadly Surprise"

 

The towns people always remarked about a home that was haunted all because of a deadly surprise. They claim to this very day, that a wife, who had passed away, walks the halls of their home waiting for her husband to celebrate their Anniversary. Here is how the story went.

 

 

It was their anniversary and she had planned a glorious dinner that had been created with his most favorite foods. She also wanted to look just as good as the day they had met, and so she had pulled her blonde hair back into a sleek bun, put on a silky short sleeveless black dress and hose that together accented her beautiful slender sun kissed skin. Her shoes were a stunning blue-gray 3" heel, her make-up, not a lot and not to little, just sheer perfection followed by the right spritz of perfume. To adorn her outfit she wore the diamond tennis bracelet that he had given her for their twenty-fifty wedding anniversary.

On this night in late November, they had been married for 32 years - years that had been good to them. They were blessed with three beautiful children, that were now grown and gone to create new life memories with their families, a beautiful home to raise them in, and a great financial foundation to see them into their retirement years - that they had planned to enjoy until death did them part.

He had been secretive, like years before when their anniversary appeared over the horizon. He would conjure different way to surprise her with a gift of gold and diamonds and a romantic evening together. This time he had not told her to hold off on any plans, which had taken her by surprise, but believed his demanding work scheduled had played interference and so, she decided it would be her turn to surprise him with dinner and a romantic evening in front of the fireplace. Everything was perfect, the table, the music, the fire - her night to surprise him was already.

Her heart jumped into her chest when she heard his truck coming up the driveay as a cool blue dusky sky blanketed them. This was indeed going to be a huge surprise. She waiting by the front door that he had always entered since the day they had moved there. She stood by the door as the clock on the wall ticked the minutes away filling the otherwise silent anticipation of the room, but the door never opened. "What's taken him so long?" she said out loud to herself. Not wanting to give her surprise away, and thinking that maybe it was her daughter coming to get some things she had left in the garage, maybe it was her husband who was coming in through the garage door because his shoes may have been muddy - but it had not rained in three days.

The suspense and endless questions began to fill her with worry and concern, and so she opened the front door and stepped out onto the covered porch. She watched for several minutes in disbelief as her husband, three unknown men, and one woman carried boxes from the garage to a U-Haul trailer attached her husbands pick-up truck, then closed the garage door. The remaining sounds were the doors of the truck opening and then closing as if they had all gotten back in. She was startled when a figure appeared in the illumination of the porch light. Their before her stood her husband with an envelope and tears in his eyes. The cold air was aggravating his contact lenses, but he never told her this, as he was not one to complain. He then stepped towards her and held her tight and simply said - "I've got to go and I'm sorry that I waited until now to tell you, but always know -  I'll love you forever." Then turned, got back into his truck with the others and drove away.

Her mind began to fill with numerous thoughts, "I'll die without you! Please come back!" She yelled out to him as she stood on the porch filling with emotion of the thought that her man of thirty-five years had chosen this day to leave her. He had been her best friend, her confidante, her lover and she always believed it would be the vow they made on the day of their wedding - till death that did them part - that would one day take them from each other.  Her heart beat began to pound forcefully in her check, her breathing felt vacant and the light that illuminated the area around her slowly grew darker. Her legs felt weak and warm as they gave way to her body falling to the floor. 

Shortly after 8:00pm, headlights coming down the driveway appeared over the horizon and the sounds of a horn honking in a random patterns announced the arrival of a guest and/or family. When the truck stopped, two men had quickly exited, one was her husband and the other a friend of his carrying a beautiful small box wrapped in elegant paper and a huge velvet bow a top and a huge flower arrangement with two-dozen red roses. As he made his way to the front door, they found the icy cold body of his wife lying on the porch, were he had last seen her standing. Her hand gripping the still unopened envelope.

Their friend could not believe what he was witnessing - she was fine when they had come to the house earlier to pick up the boxes they had packed with the materials they needed to make this Anniversary night special, but to his wife, to see her husband packing a U-Haul, and then saying to her, "I've got to go and I'm sorry that I waiting until now, but always know -  I'll love you forever", - she believed he was leaving and being overwhelmed with great sorrow, never realized the air had become dangerously cold.

"If only she had opened my letter she would have understood." said her husband now feeling the same loss that she had as she watched the truck and trailer pull away from their home and her thoughts telling her - he was leaving her.  

"What did the letter say?" questioned the friend.

"My dear wife - you probably think I have forgotten our Anniversary, but that is so far from the truth. I have planned a surprise for our Anniversary this year - but dress warm, as we'll be spending the night in a cozy cottage just on the outskirts of town. I love you always." He replied as he dropped his head and wept.

 

 

Edible Halloween - Would you eat it????

28 Days Until Halloween

 

Well it was quite the shocker this morning to wake up and see that yesterday's blog had not posted until early this morning. But that won't stop me from posting my next Juicy Halloween item today. You're going to love this. I got the idea to go out and surf the Internet for Halloween Party ideas when I stumble onto some crazy things - Edible Halloween - though personally, some of the items I'd have to close my eyes before eating as the look is just a tad bit to convincing and my tasted buds would turn to the dark side and say, "Ah HELL NO!" Check it our for yourselves - below are some pictures I gathered together of food items made to look extra sinister and adds that twist of creepy to any Halloween celebration. I guess my question is now - Could you eat these things or most of them, or is it a bit to close to the squeamish side of life for you? Bon Appétit. (smile) For now - have a great Friday everyone or what ever day it is in your neck of the woods. Until next time - Blog ya later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"What's a Halloween without a Creepy House in the Neighborhood"

29 Day until Halloween
 

 

 I love the idea of what lingers in the dark on a cool foggy night that is kissed by the light of a full moon that is filtered by the autumn clouds moving across the sky.  Like this picture below. It was taken by a friend at the Halloween Happening in Crownsville, Maryland last year.  Do you see the skull in the sky?

 

 

Below are some pictures I found as I surfed the internet. Two things that I love at Halloween, old looking houses and creepy looking trees. (We'll save the tree pictures for another blog day). I was immediately taken back to a time in my school days when I recalled kids telling each other about homes that were either haunted or someone had died in them, just to put a freight into them. For me this always happened just before Halloween and put my trick-or-treating fun to the extreme test when I had to walk by one of these houses that was the topic of scary conversations, and there was always one of these kinds of homes in my neighborhood,  that just having the lawn too high, or the paint was peeling, would be the next target for others to being with another ghostly story. Maybe the older kids did this, to keep the young ones from getting all the good candy or maybe it was just to scare them - because they could. Personally, I think it was both, but could be the reason that today I am a Halloween Junkie and love telling ghost stories.

 

I realized that back then - many of us that let these stories get to us, merely due to perception, if something looked old or abandoned, that would somehow evolve and allow our minds to take us to those dark scary places that we'd rather not go. I do believe in Ghost's, but not in every house etc, just because a place looks old. Now the pictures below are not places where I grew up, they just brought back that nostalgic feeling of my youthful years and the fun we had at Halloween. The last picture is a photograph I took of the old abandoned Crownsville Hospital in Maryland near where I live now, while on my way to the Halloween Happening just up the street. The old hospital is also where they filmed the movie: Crazy Eights. I dare you to watch it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by: Stacey L. Bolin 10/2013

Crownsville Mental Hospital

 

 

It's Almost Haunting time - R U READY - GET SET ...

32 Days until Halloween

 

 

Well here we are again folks - one day away to mark the 31 days of Halloween. This 2014 Halloween Blog is going to be AWESOME! I can't tell you how excited I am. I have got all kinds of spooky goodies for you. My ever favorite - Is the true or False Legends and crazy pumpkin carvings of 2014, as well as new fictional stories that will have you reaching for that flash light - just to cross your hallways to use the bathroom. It is that time of year for me, when I can reach into my mind and pull out the thoughts that scare me and what I think would scare people.  Sometimes I think it would be better to say that I am related to Steven King, so that people wouldn't look at me and say - "Dang Girl are you ok? Where does that Sh*t you think up come from?" 

I have always loved Halloween since I was a little girl, especially the excitement of finding that perfect costume to going trick-or-treating in. I still remember many of my costumes over my school years - Witchy Poo, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Barbie, Farrah Fawcett, A French Maid, A Lumber Jack, Baby Jane, Dolly Parton and my list goes on and on. But I think I would have to say of all my costumes - three come to mind that I really have enjoyed wearing – Dressing up as a man and going to a military Halloween party at a night club – The men really believed I was a new arrival on Adak Island working in same department as my husband as an EO. (Wish I had a picture of that one – what a night to remember) the other two are My Ghost Costume that I created the illusion that I could fly and my Katarina Witch Doctor Costume, that I am finding really freaks people out when they see me. From behind I'm a long silky red headed beauty, but when I turn around – let the screams begin. (See pictures below).

I wish to thank those of you who sent in your stories for my blog this Halloween.  Many of which were perfect for my Legends category. Can’t wait to get this Halloween Party started – so until tomorrow – I’ll blog ya later.

 

 

 

 

GUESS WHAT???? TIME TO GET YOUR SCARE ON!

Hello, hello, hello. How are all of you this first day of Fall?  I have had one heck of a busy summer, but so thrilled to be back on line, and doing what I love to do best - write and created my large array of handcrafted unique gifts. But the biggest thrill of them all is that in just a few more days it will be time for my blogs - 2014 Thrill Fest - ghost stories - old and new. Legends - Fact or Fiction and new caving ideas for your Halloween pumpkins of all shapes.

As you can see this is when I let myself step back from an every day wife and mother, and transform in "Katarina" Yes, this is a costume that I designed last year after writing a story called - "Hex of the Voodoo Witch - The Grey Hair Curse" - is the first story in my newly released book titled: "Twisted - Creepy Tales From A Mother's Mind" now available on Amazon.com.

But enough about me - I am calling on as many people who would like to share their stories of what scares them. (I will not put your names in the stories that I create).  Think about it... is it a dark rain on a moonless cold blustery fall night? Could it be the sounds of foot steps after everyone is tucked in bed for the night?  I'd like you to tell me, what gives you the creeps, scares you, or sends a chill up your spine when that Halloween season comes round?

 

I am so excited to get things going for what I'd like to call my blog for the Month of October - "Thrill Fest 2014" - LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED. All you have to do is tell me what scares you - If you dare - and let my imagination and love for Halloween develop fictional story that will have you hiding under the covers till dawns early light. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

 

Send your spooky stories,things that have happened to you, or someone you know to, - ukanducrafts@yahoo.com subject line: Katarina's Thrill Fest Blog 2014.