Post-Mortem

I haven't even posted pictures of Scare Fair yet, but here are images from today's Post-Mortem gathering for the volunteers who made the Twilight Zoo and Scare Fair a reality.

What can you say about volunteers other than that they are AWESOME and crucial to the success of any big undertaking that exists solely because of the love and devotion of its creators and the volunteers. So it was my pleasure to open up my Hallowe'en collection of recipes and create a sweet feast for all to enjoy!   (Mom had the tricky task of packing everything so it could be transported by car with the least amount of damage!  Thank you, MOM!!)

 

Tim and Julie's home was warm and welcoming and this huge long table with its rustic surface was perfect for displaying the treats, along with some Day of the Dead creations.

In addition to the 6 different sweets to choose from we were treated to cheeses and crackers, fruit and a nice selection of beverages.  The apple cider smelled wonderful.

The apricot cake with peach Schnapps and cream cheese icing turned out better than planned, with chocolate Monarchs, white chocolate skulls and sugar rosettes. 

 

We "buried" a chocolate coffin into this pumpkin cake and frosted it with a pecan/coconut icing which looked like very rocky dirt!

And the chocolate skulls, some filled with raspberry sauce, disappeared faster than you can say "BOO!"

 

Mom and I are not people-people so it means a lot to us that we never felt out-of-place or on the side-lines.  Everyone was welcoming and full of the Hallowe'en spirit and just thrilled that the Twilight Zoo and Scare Fair exists for them to take part in and enjoy!

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N in Hallowe'en time!

 

I took two vacation days this week and guess how I spent Vacation Day #1? Setting up the cemetery in Elora for Scare Fair! Yes, I'm fully aware that this is not what most people do with their vacations but it was the perfect Autumn day, the colors are glorious and Mom and I got a lot of work done in 6 1/2 hours! Plus we had Willow along so we didn't have to watch the clock. Plus it was far, far away from the computer!!!
  It's certainly not finished but we got the path and 23 graves mapped out and set up some stones and the area is cleaned up and ready for the extra goodies still to come.  Vacation Day #2 will be spent... decorating tombstones!  I love it!

Look at those trees in the last sunlight of the day and all the Zoo critters in waiting!  It's going to fun, hope you can join us Oct. 19-21 for the Scare Fair! 

In print and in process!

So the tombstones are coming along... slowly.  Where does the time go!?

 

I'm using markers to color in the lettering and designs, it's the simpliest and the ink is supposed to be waterproof.  Hopefully we won't be finding out!

 

And imagine how thrilled we were to read this article in the Gorge Film and Art September issue.  Wow, thank you Julie! 

Never too early for Hallowe'en!

I'm sure you don't want to hear this but: there's only 86 days or so before Hallowe'en!  Last weekend Mom and I got our regular stuff done and then took a day to work on our cemetery props.  We're both very excited to have been invited to put our graveyard up in Elora, Ontario, for the Scare Fair weekend, October 19-21.  Thank you Julie and Tim for including us in your spooky fun, we're so looking forward to Monster Month!   

Here I am painting tombstones.  The rat (and other images) were "burned" into the styrofoam using black spray paint.  And I was THRILLED later on when Mom pulled down the welding torch and we discovered that it does indeed melt the foam so I can do all the lettering with this tool!  Awesome!!!   

And here's Mom resurrecting our Corpse Bride.  This Bride was on our lawn a few years ago but vandals forced us to take her in and we didn't use her again... until now!  Mom created a very sturdy neck and shoulders while still having access to the on/off switch at the base of the skull (which lights up).  The gown is indeed a real one, her spine is a stem from a Christmas tree, the base is an umbrella stand.  She still needs a veil and flowers, and white gloves, but we're well on our way!