“Tis the night—the night
Of the grave’s delight,
And the warlocks are at their play;
Ye think that without,
The wild winds shout,
But no, it is they—it is they!”
― Arthur Cleveland Coxe, Halloween: A Romaunt
Are you ready for Halloween? Chances are, you have plans this evening. You may have a party to go to or maybe you’ve already been to one? Maybe you’ve carved a pumpkin and roasted the seeds? 🙂
This past Thursday, we did what we have done for years. We made our way to my mother’s house for our traditional Halloween dinner. There were seven of us this year for her famous pastichio and salad. Jim and I, Michelene and her boyfriend John, Aunt Joy and Gavin- all at grandma’s house.
This has been a tradition of ours for at least thirty years. Since we live at the end of a short lane, I took my own children, and then my grandson to my mom’s. She still lives in the neighborhood I grew up in with lots of houses and even some of the same neighbors. I felt very safe taking my kids trick or treating there for years. When Gavin was born, we did the same thing with him.
Mom makes us dinner (she’s 86 now) and afterwards we hand out candy. I thought about taking some pictures of the kids for this story but I worry about their privacy. So you will have to be happy with this one picture I found from the past. It’s Michelene and her cousins. She loved to dress up as a black cat.
One tradition Michelene had with her son Gavin was the yearly carving of a pumpkin. Every year it was a different carving and over time she came up with some pretty good ones. Gavin is now fourteen years old. It’s hard to believe time has gone by so fast.
For years we also went to Hozak’s Farm at least one Saturday in October. We would pick out a pumpkin, enjoy hot apple cider, and look at all the Halloween decorations. It’s a great farm with hay rides and beautiful scenery.
I’d love to know what you do for Halloween. If you have a yearly tradition be sure and leave a comment below. If you follow this blog via Facebook, attach a picture of your carved pumpkin or your favorite trick or treater onto the post. Happy Halloween!
Hi Joanne, Happy Halloween to you and your family! What a great picture of your cute grandson with his “little” hand in that big pumpkin (priceless)!! What a precious memory, wonderful tradition for him, and special holiday celebrarion. How awesome your mom still gets to celebrate with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren! Wonderful for all of you! We have 2 grandchildren(brother and sister) born on Oct 29 so we just make it a happy Halloween happy birthday celebration!
Hi Cindy! I know someone who has a birthday today. How awesome for your grandchildren to be born so close to Halloween! You know how I love themes and this is a great holiday for food and decor!
You know how great it is to pass on traditions and I felt moved to write about our Halloween tradition this year. It has been a wonderful thing for us to do this each and every year. Blessings to you for a happy Halloween!
Joanne
I used to take my kids to my dad’s when we lived in PA. Now we take the grand kids to the ‘Trunk or Treat’ at a local church and then we pile in the truck and head to a neighborhood close by, but they give out better candy than my neighborhood, lol! Full size candy bars, cans of Coke…etc. This year, however, I think I will be the one staying home to give out candy. I am still not feeling great. The kids only had this for a day…I am on day 2 of it!
Good idea to take care of yourself! It is so important. Sounds like you have some great traditions and you are such a blessing in their lives. Take it easy! Joanne
Ever since my pumpkin was 5 we have a quick Halloween dinner of mummy dogs, deviled eyeball eggs , blood soup (tomato) and witches brew! Followed by rice krispies pumpkins! Of course we always went to grandpa’s neighborhood to trick or treat!
I love this! This is a tradition. Thank you Michele for sharing your Halloween memories. xo Joanne
While I loved all the pictures, Joanne, the first one brought back so many memories and stole my heart. When Molly was five (her children are now more than twice that age), I was grading a set of essays, concentrating deeply, and thinking she was napping in her room. Then I heard sounds in the kitchen. She and her kitten Abbra were making a Jack’o’lantern out of the pumpkin I had on the porch. Luckily, Molly was using a butter knife to carve, and Abbra was happily batting pumpkin seeds and pulp all over the kitchen.
One of those priceless images we appreciate most as a memory!
Oh what a beautiful story! I love how Abbra was participating in the pumpkin carving. We had many kittys over the years and both my children just loved them.
Thank you for sharing such a precious memory Marylin!