Cheeky Actress

Oh that would be great Haunting Lily. PM me and I will catch up with you regarding that stuff.

Block party sounds like a good idea Black Syren. Everyone can share in the creative process and the kids will have a ball. I know friends down in Walworth, WI would have kids come in by the mini-van load to visit their 'Halloween display' and every year it was different. The last year they were there, they did a great 'Ghouls Formal Dinner Party'. They moved their dining room table outside, dressed it with black and silver accents, cobwebs everywhere. The menu had a little bit of everything; dead lady’s arm, brains, eyeballs floating in blue or green jell-o, Rat on a stick, the list goes on. The kids got the biggest kick out of the ‘head on the platter.’ The whole yard was lit with black light with red light accent. Very cool and extremely successful as Halloween events go. The neighborhood has asked that they move back to Walworth just for Halloween!

What a great site, Haunting Lily! I will have to bookmark this one! Thank you!

What a great idea, Matusalem! I would love to see how that looks. As for the smoke machine, most of the home improvement and Party City stores now have them for sale…pennies for what you could rent one for. I know how you feel, though. Since moving here to the Midwest, I do miss the good old days of Halloween when you would start trick or treating at dusk and not get home until 9 pm! In the town I live in now, Halloween is down played. Back in the early 1970s a horrible murder of a little girl happened on Halloween night. Since then, the holiday hasn’t been the same here. Trick or Treating happens in the early afternoon during daylight hours and always on the weekend before Halloween (if Halloween lands on a week night). I miss the elaborate decorations of black and orange (purple too), black light, pumpkins, skeletons hanging from the front yard tree, and gravestones lining the path to the front door. Being an military brat, I remember the base always having a full week of Halloween events for the kids. We’d go to the youth center for a big party after trick or treating, houses would enter a competition for the best decorated, and hayrides, pumpkin picking and hot cider always was something to look forward too. This year, I plan to flock my trees with the figures from ‘the Blair Witch’ movie. I have a very large Chestnut tree that hangs over the front entrance of my drive. It’s the perfect spot for the ‘moss covered stick figure’. They are cheep to make, and can be burned in the bonfire that following weekend!

^ I don't really have a summer vacation, but there are moments I like to remember....like this past weekend. Spent the second half of the weekend on our boat in Lake MI, enjoying perfect weather, perfect fishing! Walked away with 16 Kings in tow! < Now we get to smoke them! V Pass the question on "This year, on my summer holiday...."

Captain Sterling, I was contact by Croaker by email the other night. Information has been forwarded to him for both events, though he mentioned he would be showing up as a spectator. Good to hear we have another angle of civilian life to show the public! Ladies…hide your jewels! Men…beware the dark road from Kent to London!

Ghost towns, eh? Well, back in 2002 I had the pleasure of going to Bodie, CA. It’s about 2-1/2 hours west of Lake Tahoe, NV. When you finally get to the ‘entrance’ of the California State Park, you go through a small narrow path, which was cut through the mountain range to get to the valley on the other side. This place is in the middle of nowhere and truly gives off an eerie feeling. The buildings which stand are left as they were...time and nature hasn't be kind though. In 1859 a man named William Bodey discovered gold near what is now called Bodie Bluff - which is just up the hill from Bodie. By the 1880s, the town of Bodie bustled with families, robbers, miners, store owners, gunfighters and prostitutes of all kinds. At one time there was reported to be 65 saloons in town. Amongst the saloons were numerous brothels and 'houses of ill repute', gambling halls and opium dens. Needless to say that there was entertainment for every taste. After a long day working the claims, the miners would head for the bars and the red light district to spend their earnings and with the mixture of all this money, gold and alcohol the town earned it reputation for being an “Hell Town”. It is said that there was a man killed every day in Bodie. Gee, if you were an undertaker – you were making a killing! The famous quote, “Goodbye God, I'm going to Bodie!" only showed how bad things really were there. The park rangers that protect and run the Bodie ghost town have a ton of stories. They've heard talking, footsteps, people whispering to them as they sleep (and yes…they sleep there!) One night, a ranger was on his rounds when he heard 'dance hall music' coming from one of the last standing saloons in town. As he made his way to the boardwalk and was about to open the side door - everything stopped. It was said that he quit his job and left the following morning. Like many of these place, it is not wise to 'take' any piece of the structures with you...not even a nail! The rangers say bad luck will follow you if you do. As for proof of this, the local souvenir shop displays letters of tourist who had taken ‘items’ from the park and returned them to them only to realize that their lives were horribly ruined by a string of ‘unfortunate circumstances’. Additional evidence shows that once they did…their run of bad luck had stopped.

Just PMed you Rats. More to come if you needs anything. Please let me know. Cheeky

^There are somethings I will not try, but you have to start somewhere. I can do painting and work in the garden, but if you handed me a drill or pointed me towards a miter saw…I may have to ask for help. <My loving hubby built our house on his own. There was no contractor involved, so it took a little over a year to move in. Well worth the wait! Now, just have to get some paint on the walls! V Pass the question.

CostumeCon~!

I'm with Black Syran regarding Halloween! Love the idea of dressing up and going out - wait?! That's half the reason I do living history Anyway, I just love visiting New England for Halloween. Not the same out here in the midwest. Anyway...Shoes! Lots of them, too! I can remember when I was young and single that I had about 45 pairs of various shoes/boots/pump/wedges and whatever esle you could think of in my closet. Times have changed...I'm lucky I have 20 now. Cheeky

Sin Nombre is Latin for No Name Captain....

Here is a site that I saw over on the FOP chat. This explains the use of 'white' face make-up application and 'patches' Please keep in mind that some of these applications are cosmetics in the Rococo and Empire Eras. Keep to make-up (18th century) for recipes. 1700s How to's And if you are up to reading German...here is one for period correct hair-dos. I am working on a pro-type myself, but it looks like I'm gonna need hair pieces! The Fontange Hairdo

Let see...Not a Pyrate, but hangs with 'em. (what am I doing?!) My persona is an actress/courtesan; therefore, I chose the Ancient Greek Comedy and Tragedy symbol for my avatar.

Holy C@*&! Really...crack that whip Captain! Great, now all I can hear is Master March and William doing the 'pricketty stitch' show!

Ah, there were a time that what you saw before your eyes was his REAL HAIR. Gosh I miss those days. No need for a wig! You and Master March would look so grand with your flowing locks!

You know I love ya, M.A.d'Dogge! I wish I had a better source for lace! But all you men looked dapper, that's for Damn sure. But the Captain is right. The neck scarf is for fancy dress....and you did wear it for the party at Port Washington..as you aped your betters there. There were many a fair lass who was looking at you that night... perhaps they were frightened or just shy.

You're Most welcome, Captain You make us all look good…

Who has been backstitching?!

Oh, and Very Nice Coat there M.A.d'Dogge! Red is your colour! (your work is magnificent, Captain Sterling

Wonderful find, Dorian. Suites you well!

All this talk about food...so, how does one like their bacon? I perfer it in the English Style - prefer my bacon limp and fried in a frying pan.

Sorry...Voted Labour!

Just lovely, Patrick. Amen about the stitch work...is it done in contrasting thread?

Lilly’s eyes gazed up at the woman for a moment. “What would I like?” Lilly says scoffing at the question. “Happier days! I curse the day I set foot in this God forsaken place.” Lilly again looked at the woman’s expression. “Very well then.” Lilly quickly dove her hand into her linen pocket. There she found several coins floating loosely there. She remembered that Hamish, the Scottish Captain was kind enough to give her some money before he parted ways with her. A soft smile came to her lips. “I’ll have the stew and a pint of cider.”