Boo!

Busy sewing up a Halloween costume for The Fairy.

One of my favourite autumn celebrations

(northern hemisphere)

It's still very odd for me to go trick or treating

in the light, wearing little more than shorts and t-shirt.

The Fairy has been invited to a friend's for a party

followed by trick or treating.

I won't be joining her this year, as it clashes with Spanish lessons.

I didn't think the 14 year old in the house would be interested.

Got that wrong.

He put in an order for a Zorro costume last night.

Too Late!

He will have to be happy with a nerd pack from the $2 shop.

Zorro was reaching $50 at the fancy dress shop.

Of course if I had had enough notice,

I could have put a spectacular something together for him

without breaking the bank.

Off to sort out a something or other for the Fairy head.

Me thinks this is a  glue gun opportunity - yippee!

Are you heading out this evening?

Happy Halloween!

Carmel

x

Boo!

Welcome to Scardey Cat Alley!

Growing up Halloween was one of my favourite times of year.

It was up there with Christmas and Easter.

Halloween started as an Irish tradition and was taken

to America with the Irish immigrants.

I'm from an Irish family,

although we just skipped across to London.

Halloween was a big deal in our house.

My Nana sent a cake called Barn Brack every year.

It had lucky and not so lucky charms to tell your

fortune for the following year.

We had a special dinner and yummy pudding with Barn Brack.

We played games like apple bobbing.

We didn't go trick or treating, as that just wasn't done

in London back then.

Yesterday we went down to Scardey Cat Alley.

My friend Shelley builds a Halloween extravaganza

down the side of her house for the neighbourhood

children (and adults) each year.

It is fabulous!

We were still sitting around the chiminera

in the street with her neighbours

at 10pm last night.

All a bit tired today.

Happy Monday

Carmel

x

New York - Following Your Dream

Last year I fulfilled a lifetime's ambition to visit

New York City.

It was my fourth attempt, and this time I made it!

I stayed in a cool apartment in the East Village and wore out my boots and feet, pounding the pavements with my camera for four blissful child free days. I was upstate with relatives for Halloween, but these decorations were still up in the Village the following week. 

Yellow cabs; one of the icons of the city.

I never caught one. Walking or catching the subway

was the best way to feel the city.

Everybody was so helpful and friendly, I was blown away.

I wanted to step into this window display

at Moschino in the Meatpacking District.