Halloween Readiness Checklist

Do you have a Halloween checklist? No? Make it. It's easy.

This is what you need:

1. Pumpkin(s).

Check your own garden.

To find a good big pumpkin, use a dog:

If don't have your own dog, borrow one from neighbors, relatives, co-workers, etc.

Kids also can be very helpful in finding pumpkins.

Place pumpkins on the front porch:

Carve pumpkins:

Decorate pumpkins:

2. Costumes.

You can get ideas for costumes anywhere:

on the walls

on the streets:

Using masks is always a good idea:

as well as using accessories (the spookier the better ):

You can find accessories even at the flower and garden shows (like those above shown at the NW Flower and Garden Show).
Try to keep costumes decent. This is an example of bad taste:

I know that health care reform is a very hot subject, but anyway, there could be children around.
The costumes below are more tasteful:

3. Decorations.
Decorating your house is very important, especially if you have guests.

Decorate inside and outside the house:

Don't forget bathrooms. Go for bold, nature-related pieces:

Spiders are very important:

Again, use a lot of pumpkins!

4. Food.

Try to use your own produce:

Black organic fingerling potatoes are very appropriate:

If you can, use your own catch:

Blood is not real. Added for Halloween effect

Don't forget berries and fruit:

It's October, but look around your garden. Maybe some fruit are still hanging around:

Spooky dessert is a must:

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5. Halloween animals

Animals add a soft warm touch to a spooky holiday.

This picture is not mine. Thanks to the unknown author

No, not bunnies. They are for Easter. What are you saying?

I know he is cute, but leave him alone, he needs to grow muscles. It's not easy to carry all those easter eggs for the kids!
Cats are good for Halloween, especially black. Don't have black?

Orange are OK, too:

If you were saving on cat food, then try to go for quantity.

Two skinny ones will do.

This picture is not mine. Thank you unknown author

Dogs are even better for Halloween. They can be dressed or at least accessorized:

No, don't give him your designer glasses, he can chew on them.

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So, let's check our list. We have pumpkins, costumes, decorations, food, animals.
The listed components are basic together with treats for kids. You can then add your own special touch.

Oh, don't forget to save some money for the dentist. The kids will need to visit him after eating all those candies.

As for me, I am ready!

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

HA - HA - HA!!!!!
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Copyright 2009 TatyanaS

Neighborhood Walk

Since our house is surrounded by huge conifers, I took a walk to see all the beautiful autumn colors.

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This is the brightest yard I've ever seen!
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Japanese Plum trees
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View of the Olympic mountains.

Looking at this picture tells us what trees are most prevalent in the Pacific Northwest. Right, evergreen trees.*

Golf course is always evergreen, too.

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Three sisters. They get their leaves, change their colors and drop them synchronically, at the same time.

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Hydrangea. Do you see it?

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This is another one

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Something does not fit in this picture.

It's a white light, don't you think so?

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Peeking into a For Sale garden. There are quite a bit of them around.

Nobody enjoys this fall garden beauty. It is sad.
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Tennis court
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Birch trees are still green.

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Back home. And back to work.

Rob's post So Much To Do
reminded me about zillions of garden chores. While he has to deal with walnuts, I have to pick up pine cones. Where are the squirrels when I need them?

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Actually, the name of this post is not correct. Did you notice how I did my "walk"?

There are two pictures which answer the question. But it's not important, I just wanted you to enjoy October in one of our northwestern neighborhoods.

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Have a great day!

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I participate in Dave's The Fall Color Project 2009 (www.growingthehomegarden.com)
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Copyright 2009 TatyanaS

Kiss Me! Blooming Friday

I love this picture. Buds and half-open flowers are floating toward me from nowhere, asking for attention and saying: Kiss me!

I love this plant. It's leggy, it's pretty thin, not bushy at all. It leans heavily and almost lies down on the ground. It grows under a big fir tree whose roots create a thick mat and steal water from other plants. You need to come close and look straight at the plant's face to see its beauty. It stretches toward me as if it wants to be noticed. It's not easy to be noticed when your neighbor is this showy hydrangea with huge blooms. But, I do notice it and love it for its simple flowers and know that it is doing its best.

This is a daisy chrysantemum.

A simple looking bloom is not so simple in this case. It is actually hundreds of flowers called florets, disk florets and ray florets. The center or eye is comprised of disk florets. The outer part is comprised of ray florets.

This particular plant grows pretty tall even if I do have to pinch it. There are other mums in my garden that grow compact, and I don't mind to have this plant swaying above the green grass, airy and disheveled, thereby distinguishing it from others.

I like its free spirit.

*** For more Blooming Friday pictures please go to Katarina at roses and stuff .

*** P.S. Searching for a name for this post, I showed my husband the first picture and asked - what is your first thought when you see this image? The answer was: Reminds me of Sooners* colors, and the plant is falling down like the team's record this year. I don't think I'll ask him again. * Sooners is a college football team of the University of Oklahoma.

Copyright 2009 TatyanaS