Halloween is almost here!

I'd like you to meet some of my Halloween friends.

Here are the bride and groom. They sing "I've Got You Babe" by Sonny & Cher and sway their bony heads.

 Here is our little ghoul riding her tricycle

 Mr. Count, one of our greeters

Here's our other 2 greeters

A couple of witches hangin' out in the flowers

Rat and pumpkin head keeping company in the flower pot

I made this from a small birdhouse gourd

I made these 2 cuties from light bulbs

I hope everyone has a fun and ghoulish Halloween!

Goblin's Delight Cupcakes

This is a fun Halloween party treat. It's also good any time of the year,  just change the cake flavor and filling color. Frosting can also be added.

FILLING 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese 1/3 c. sugar 1 egg 1/8 tsp. salt 2 drops each red and yellow food color 1 c. chocolate chips      CUPCAKES 1 1/2 c. unsifted all purpose flour 1 c. sugar 1/3 c. cocoa 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1/3 c. vegetable oil 1 c. water 1 TBS. vinegar 1 tsp. vanilla Filling: Combine cream cheese, sugar, eggs, salt, food color in small bowl. Beat until smooth. Add chocolate chips. Set aside. Cupcakes: Combine ingredients in order listed in large mixing bowl. Blend well on low speed. Fill 24 paper muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Spoon about 1 tablespoon cheese filling onto each cupcake. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in cake portion comes out clean. VARIATION This year, instead of making chocolate cupcakes, I used a spice cake  mix.  Then I frosted them with buttercream frosting flavored with cinnamon.  They were delicious!

Good Morning, Glory

Good Morning, Glories. What a treat to wake up in the morning with these flowers, all of us turning our faces to the sun. These photos were taken a couple weeks ago. Some of my morning glories are still flowering while others have succumbed to the cold.  I find it strange that when you plant morning glories from a seed packet, you are instructed to nick the seeds or soak them so as to help them germinate better through their very hard outer layer.  My morning glories have  no trouble re-seeding themselves year after year with no help from me.  I let most of them grow where they land, only pulling out the ones that will take over other plants.  In this first photo are my well-behaved morning glories, growing where they're supposed to.

Meandering through the alyssum

Climbing a small shepherd's hook and trailing off into the boxwood

Climbing the lilac bush

Wrapped around another shepherd's hook and vining through the Russian Sage

Twisting through the snowball bush

In and around the turtleheads

Up yet another shepherd's hook and over to check out the birdhouse

October Sunrise

I was eating breakfast one morning last week before work and happened to look out my back window. The sunrise was amazing, so of course I had to stop eating to grab my camera and go outside. Didn't even bother to put shoes on, just wandered around the dewy back yard in my slippers snapping pictures.

Letchworth State Park

I took a trip to Letchworth State Park, one of New York's wonderful state parks. It's 2 hours away from home.  Spent a wonderful day there with my daughter. The colors aren't at peak yet, but it was still beautiful. I hope you enjoy my pictures and this little break from gardening. A fellow blogger, The Violet Fern,  posted pictures from her hike through Letchworth last week. Jump on over to her blog for more photos. http://thevioletfern.blogspot.com/2010/10/take-hike-at-letchworth.html

Artist spolight on Crafty Life and Style blog

Jump on over to Crafty Life and Style blog to read about their artist spotlight. (just click on the title of this post) Each week they spotlight a different artist and offer a giveaway created by that artist.

Clip Clocks - a unique gift for that hard to buy for person

Do you have a hard to buy for person in your family? My cousin has created the most unique item. It's a watch that is hidden inside of a beautiful pin. Many designs to choose from. Please visit her site by clicking on my post title and check out these unusual watches for yourself.

A ClipClock .is an original invention of Deanna A. Hubbard of Deanna's Nest Egg. After years of performing in various ways at the Sterling Renaissance Festival in Sterling, NY she became tired of hiding her watch while trying to check the time and stay anachronistically correct. These clocks are a great addition to any reenactor costume or just an accessory to your favorite outfit.
I create all the clocks from Jewelry and/or Vintage Jewelry Parts. I combine different pieces of jewelry to create the perfect accessory for you.
Orders are shipped within 2 days.

Old Road Primitives patterns

Good news - I was the winner of a giveaway on Old Road Primitives. It's pattern to make an adorable fall harvest mouse decoration. Can't wait to get it and start creating.  If you love crafting, check out their blog and their website.