A Halloween Divination Party

It's time to party!

Thank you Vanessa for hosting this wonderful event!

Many of our favorite Halloween activities rely on factors beyond our control, so we decided a Divination Party was in order. Knowing what is going to happen before it actually happens can be extremely useful. Our gathering to peer into the future included two witches, a Mad Hatter and a flashy but sage Samurai. Here's Spenser demonstrating his usual air of utter and complete disdain for the proceedings while Stewart declined the invitation preferring to hide in the basement.

We got right down to business and began looking for answers by examining the tea leaves.

Since I made the tea the responsibility of reading meaning into the dregs fell on my shoulders.

 I did not have a clue about how to "read" tea leaves.

 Ok, so what was this supposed to be? A bird, maybe?  So what do birds mean? Can't be too bad, there are lots of teacups decorated with birds. Maybe it was a dragon? That's not good, or is it? In some cultures they are protective or lucky but then there's Smaug! It was time for another approach.

Burt's Auntie Ruby came along to lend a professional element to our soiree.

Her specialty is Tarot Readings. His Madness was a bit skeptical.

When in doubt, have more wine. It always helps.

 The cards appeared to offer no clear insight either. Nope, none. Zip. Although Burt liked the cheese.

Next we were on to Burt's specialty, the Ouija Board! 

Yikes! Seriously, no one was touching it?

Terrifying stuff!

The chocolate interval!

Finally, the crystal ball, His Madness excelled at gazing into it's glowing depths.

Failing with the crystal ball it was time to bring out the secret weapon.

A true bowling ball divination trance.  Time for beer!

Well, we eventually came to the conclusion that if we really wanted to know the atmospheric conditions on Halloween we could just look it up on WeatherBug. They're not always correct but they have a better track record than the bowling ball. Besides, having extra candy is never a bad thing. 

Burt & The Fall Clean Up - Haunted Humpday IX

Looks like Burt has found a pumpkin patch. The squirrels destroyed all my poor seedlings

last spring so the hunt is on to fill up the front porch with potential jack o'lanterns.

Once again, Burt was nice enough to help out with some garden chores.

It's always fun to have company when raking up the leaves . . .

  

. . . and rolling in the piles!

Lots of crabapples around too, (in both green and um... brown?) thanks to our strange tree. 

Talk about the apple of your eye!

Filling the recyclable yard waste bags can be a challenge.

There is apparently some confusion about just what goes into the bags.

Later Burt picked the last of the peppers.

Wait, Burt! Are you sure you want to try that one?

Thank goodness for the garden hose!

So many leaves, so little time.

Don't worry Burt, your hat and scarf will be dry soon.

I'm joining Marfi and friends at Incipient Wings for Haunted Humpday IX!

Happy Haunted Humpday everyone!

Poe, Burt & a bit of Boston - Haunted Humpday VIII

Nick and I went to see our son, Andy in Boston this past weekend. It seems that the trees in the east are refusing to give up their summer green too. The Public Garden did have a couple colorful ones.

Of course since it's close to Halloween we had to visit the new statue of Edgar Allan Poe.

Though I have to admit that I find "The Raven" both brilliant and a little cheesy in parts.

That's our son and his girlfriend behind the raven, patiently humoring me.

Hey, what are parents for if not to embarrass their kids now and then?

Another sign of fall on our walk.

Meanwhile back at home Burt was making himself useful with the Raven related decorations.

It took me three years of after Halloween sales to assemble this wreath. The black silk roses and metal Happy Halloween part came from Target and I found the ravens at Tuesday Morning.

  

Burt decided he looked cool with a raven on this head.

Time to fill up the raven candy bowl.

Ravens for the mantle. It's been cold and rainy all week, leaving poor Burt . . .

. . . chilled to the bone!

Finally, a good use for the velvet pumpkins!

Moving on to the dining room always in need of a few lights and garland.

Another find from an after Halloween sale at Target a few years ago. It says "Stop in for a Spell" but the "S's" look like "G's" so we put it up high and just tell anyone who asks what it says.

Here's the Halloween Village.

I'm joining Marfi at Incipient Wings for Haunted Humpday VIII

Happy Haunted Humpday to all!

Haunted Humpday VII - Burt and the Lunar Eclipse

Burt showed up really, really early to watch tonight's eclipse.

To pass the time he offered to help out with a few chores.

Seems like the lawn always needs to be mowed.

Then the flamingos had to be put back in place.

I think he enjoys cleaning out the filter in the pond!  Burrrr!!! 

Then it was on to planting the daffodil bulbs.

Sometimes turning over the ground brings up a surprise. 

Wait! Burt! It's a Halloween decoration!

See, it's just plastic. 

After the shock wore off and all the work was done it was time for a snack.

Nick made a special pie for the event and Burt had recovered enough to dish it up.

Then we needed LOTS of coffee to stay awake half the night.

Luckily the sky wasn't cloudy and we had a great view of the entire event until it set still in eclipse.

Did you see the eclipse or the full moon tonight? Was it red? It just looked dark here.

Oh, and one more thing...

Best wishes to Ms. Misantropia on her birthday from Burt and his crew!

I'm joining Marfi at Incipient Wings for Haunted Humpday VII.

Happy Haunted Humpday to all!

Haunted Humpday VI - Seeing Stars

Burt came over to check out the night sky and it looks like he came prepared.

Now that the days are shorter and the nights are longer it's a perfect time for star gazing.

Nick and Burt have a lot in common and share a deep passion for astronomy and beer.

It didn't take them too long to get the telescope set up for the evening's viewing.

 

Before dinner there was an in-depth discussion of recent astronomical events.

Burt was kind enough to help with the cleanup afterwards.

Then he checked out the 3-D photos of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko online.

Looking good in those 3-D glasses.

Nice hat, too!

Eventually the moon set and it became dark enough to see the stars. A perfect fall night.

This morning I was surprised to see we had a guest sleeping on the living room sofa.

It appears someone had a good time last night, glad he decided not to drive!

I'm joining Marfi at Incipient Wings for Haunted Humpday VI.

Happy October everyone!