Substance of Living

There is something about Halloween that brings out the ghoulishness in all of us.  Can you imagine these candles around the room and your guests enjoying these appetizers , and drinks specially designed for adults (alcoholic) and children (non-alcoholic)? Bloody Candles Items needed to make Bloody Candles : White Candles Red Candles Candle Holders Matches or Lighter Light the red candle and hold it over the white candle.  Allow the red wax to drip down the white candles. Spooky Candles Items needed to make Spooky Candles: Candles Letters - wood, foam, felt, paper If you're using wood letters you'll need some jewelry making items to dangle the letters If you're using foam, felt, or paper then you'll need some glue Paint Glue Scissors For the witch, you'll need to print out a witch and glue it onto the candle Victorian Mourning Candles Items needed to make Victorian Mourning Candles: Glass Candle Holders Candles Red Can...

100 Hits: Halloween It seems that over the years I've run around like a crazy woman looking for a CD (cassette - can you remember those?) of songs to play at my Halloween party.  Unfortunately by the time I start to think about the music portion of the party, the selection is completely picked over.  So this year music is my first priority and here is a sampling of songs that will be played. Halloween Party Songs: Devil With A Blue Dress - Mitch Ryder That Old Black Magic - Ella Fitzgerald Witchcraft - Nelson Riddle (Don't Fear) The Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult Every Day Is Halloween - Ministry I Put A Spell On You - Screamin' Jay Hawkins Sympathy for The Devil - The Rolling Stones Nemesis - Shriekback Season Of The Witch - Donovan Ghost Town - The Specials Spooky - Classics IV The Adams Family Theme - The Horror Theme Ghostbusters  Ray Parker Thriller - Michael Jackson Monster Mash - Bobby "Boris" Pickett Werewolves In London - Warren Z...

Group themed costumes are always fun.  Think of things that are found in groups and the options are endless. Group Themed Costumes Scrubbing Bubbles Bubble Bath Classic Rock Band (Each person is a rock with a band across) Jelly Beans Fruit Salad (Banana, Apple, Grapes) Fork, Spoon, Knife Stop Light, Street Name Signs on the Road (Stop, Rail Road Crossing, Yield) Laundry (Laundry Basket, Washing Machine, Dryer) Ketchup, Mustard, Mayonnaise Packets Taco Bell Sauces Packets Car Race (Cars, Flag, Lights) Spaghetti and Meatballs Or you might like to take one of these suggestions this year. Paper, Rock, Scissors Group Halloween Costumes Fruit of the Loom Group Halloween Costumes Crayola Crayon Group Halloween Costume One remaining deviled egg remaining...  Make this into a group thing since no one can eat just one. Deviled Egg Halloween Costume Fast Food Gang Halloween Costumes Bacon, Lettuce Tomato Sandwich Group Halloween Costu...

There's still plenty of time to make your own scary costume.  Choose from one in the list or expand on one of the pictures below. Scary Halloween Costume Ideas: Mummy Hanged Man or Woman Doll Political (Ethical) Statements Clown Frankenstein Vampire Grim Reaper Walking Dead Electrified Halloween Costume Headless Body Halloween Costume Cereal Killer Halloween Costume Girl from "The Ring" Halloween Costume Are you scared yet? After seeing these ideas and allowing my imagination to run wild, I'm not sure if I'll be going anywhere or opening my door on Halloween night.  BWAAAAHHHH! Think of things that used to scare you as a child.  What scares you today? Tweet this Post Please share me with your friends! If you enjoyed this post, please do a friend and me a BIG favor and forward this email. If you received this email from a friend and you'd like to see more, please sign up today . Don't miss out o...

Here you go men!  Costumes just for you and easy enough to move around and have fun throughout the night. Other than maybe the Lego Man, you should be able to start and finish in one day or in some cases in an hour or two. Lego Man Halloween Costume This is the ultimate procrastinator's costume! What do you get when you take a black sweatshirt, black pants, black socks and shoes, black gloves, pink poster board, iPod and ear phones, and some black makeup?  Ipod Shadow Dancer! iPod Halloween Costume Whole Milk, Low Fat Milk, Soy Milk, Lactose Free Milk, Almond Milk, Coconut Milk, Rice Milk are just some of your choices.  Oh, can't forget Chocolate Milk! Milk Carton Halloween Costume This dice costume couldn't be any easier to make.  Take a square box, remove the flaps, paint it white and add black dots.  Oh yeah, and cut out holes for your arms and head! I think this one should be called "Three Blind Dice". Dice Halloween Costume I...

Fall in the Carolinas Have you ever looked at October as an ending?  I mean, October is when the leaves start falling off the trees, it starts getting cold and the days get much shorter. I used to think of October as sort of a beginning and ending in the same breath.  Yes, those things I've mentioned do happen but it's also a time for gathering.  We harvest our gardens, clean up in preparation for next year, and get ready for all the holiday festivities. October is also a time for reflection, walks through leaf fallen paths, pumpkin carving, re-connecting with oneself, entering into a world of make believe if only for one night. School has been in session for about a month; here are a couple quizes to get you into the spirit of the month: History Lesson 1. October was considered the eighth month in what calendar?      a. Ancient Roman      b. Ancient Greek      c. Catholic  ...

Are you scratching your head, searching the stores and online for Do-It-Yourself costume ideas that won't break the bank for you and your significant other? Here are a few to get your creative juices flowing. Ken and Barbie Halloween Costume Items needed for Ken and Barbie: Cardboard boxes (2) Scissors or Knife Paint Permanent Marker Be sure to add handles to the inside of the boxes so you can keep them in place Have fun with this one; Prince and Princess, Expecting Parents, Fantasy, Military Personnel, Farmer, or anything else. Dominoes Halloween Costume Items needed for Dominoes: Long Sleeve Black Shirt Black Pants Black Shoes White Belt White Felt Scissors Something to fasten the white dots to your clothes such as fabric glue, hook and loop tape, safety pins This is a perfect outfit for a single, couple, or the whole family / group.  It's also a costume that can be created with less than an hour once you have all the supplies. Soap an...

Wh at is your first impression of a home when you see a wreath hanging on the front door?  Do you get a warm and fuzzy feeling of welcome?  Does it feel as i f i t beckons you to celebr ate ? I have this thing about homes with wreaths.  This is part of the voyeuristic side of me coming out.  When I'm out driving around or walking, I will often stop and take a picture of the door.  Do you do that?  Please tell me I'm not the only one who takes pictures of other people's doors or lawns.  Okay, that sentence sounded a little creepy. Enough about me. . . On with the Wreaths! 10 DIY Wreaths Trisha of The Sweet Survival starts us off with a whimsical Easter wreath.  Imagine this colorful wreath on your front door, in pastels such as this one or in colors that match your decor. Easter Egg Yarn Wreath Have you seen the fantastic scenes Designer Eddie Ross creates?  I'm not talking tantrums but beautiful tablescapes and wreaths...