Monday, November 2, 2009

Halloween & The Day of the Dead

We had a wonderful Halloween Party, lots of fun and got to reconnect with friends and family. So here are all the pictures....


I won my work costume contest with this picture...I put on lots of make up so maybe I didn't frighten them! I have a Raven on my at and the wall plaque is a miniature reproduction of the Leaky Cauldron sign from Harry Potter. My prize was a copy of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas!

This was one of several lanterns I had out in the yard. I think the words kind of set the theme for the event...which lent itself to the short ritual we had.

This is a close up of Snabby's costume, as a "Ditch Witch" (a kind of digger tool company we have around here). I wanted him to go as a "Witch Gynacologist", but he decided to go with a less provocative outfit!



All three of these pumpkins we grew in our backyard, so the didn't cost us anything. Beaniac made the spiral-eyed one, her boyfriend made Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Snabby made a girl from the Fruity Oaty Bar commercial (in the film Serenity). They were a hit!


Here's our friends Becca (The Big Cheese) and Bob (Le Chef). He's reading my Day of the Dead pamphlet to get an idea of how to decorate his sugar skull. Isn't he studious? You can see a glimpse of the festive "papel" with Danse Macabre themes at the top of the picture.





This is a cute picture of the Beanic (as a mouse) and her boyfriend (as...surprise! a high school Marching Band member!). They had to go to a competition that day, but were able to get off early, enjoy the party and even go trick-or-treating!


Finally, here is a picture of our Day of the Dead altar. This is after our guests brought out the lighted votive candles and placed them beside the picture of their choice. Little colored corn, the aroma of Ginger Pumpkin wax melts and burning herbs (Calendula for Healing, Rosemary for Remembrance, Wheat for the Harvest time, and Rose Petals for End of Summer/Remembrance)were offerings for our Sacred Dead.

11 comments:

Me said...

My dearest Hyp,

You cannot possibly know how much it means to me to see the picture of my Sondi there. Oh, I love you.

Now about the rest of the pics...

You are a BEAUTIFUL witch, Snabby is hilarious in his costume, and The Beaniac is cute as can be. Her boyfriend is adorable, too.

Looks like you guys had a blast!

:)

Capt. Bat Guano said...

Hyp, what a lovely post and how sweet of you to have Sondi's pic included in the display. I really like that cool lantern, did you make it yourself, it's very well done. See ya.

keithinsouthwestfrance said...

What a fun looking party. We did the day of the dead parties when we were in San Francisco, here they have All Saints Day, and not much as far as Halloween.

Hypatia said...

Thank you Hill! It was my honor to do it.

Capt Bat-I got those lanterns at the Oregon Country Fair from a vendor called "Touch the Earth". Their website is here http://www.earthsteps.com/
They have some really pretty pictures and other types of lanterns as well.

Keith-Thanks so much! I kind of roll All Saint's/All Soul's/and Day of the Dead together with Halloween. I leave the altar items up until Nov. 2nd (not outside as they get dewy and it could rain anytime here). I bring them inside and have candles on all the time.

Kelly said...

I love all your photos! I could see my David's smiling face...made my day. Love you, K

Me said...

Just stopping by to say Hi, my friend.

Hope all is going well for you and your lovely family.

:)

Me said...

Just read in the comments that you and the lovely Beaniac are flu-ish.

((((((((HYP & BEANIAC)))))))))

Me said...

Sweet Hyp,

Thinking of you and sending great big hugs your way.

I'll be calling you here in a bit.

(((((((((((HYP))))))))))))))

You are loved.

Pandabonium said...

Great costumes and decorations. I like the lantern - maybe you'll start a new Halloween trend with that.

Pandabonium said...

Hill - I miss your blogging.

Me said...

Hi, sweetie.

Just stopping by to give you a hug.

((((((((((HYP))))))))))))

:)