HALLOWE'EN

 

When the clock strikes, and the world is asleep, Into the night the spirit's creep. Through the veil between worlds, thin and frail, Comes the enchantment of the Halloween tale.

Witches on broomsticks, soaring high, Underneath the star-kissed sky. Ghost whispering secrets in the breeze, And skeletons rattling their keys.

The witching hour, a time of power, Unleashed in this spectral bower. A celebration of the strange and unseen, a tribute to all things Halloween.

A Happy Hallows to you all. 

We at the Casa du Borghese has it's carved pumpkins ready, and candy for tonight. I'm getting home early for the night. Stop by if you dare, I'd be curious if you take the trick or the treat?

👻🎃💀

SEA WITCH WEEKEND

 
Is it the weekend yet? I have to admit, I'm not one to usually celebrate my birthday, but this year it's turned into a two-week celebration. At the beginning of October two clan members and the Capital Street Duo informed that I was going to be kidnapped and taken somewhere, and it turned out to be the Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth Beach. All the years I've been going to Rehoboth, I'd never seen the parade. So the four of them whisked me off room and dinner and drinks all paid, and the Dame even treated me to a mani and pedi...which was heavenly. We enjoy three very good dinners out, the parade itself, two drag shows and had two nice walks on the beach. We stayed at the Rehoboth Guest House, which makes for an amazing stay, every amenity and more is treated to guest and such details. The owners are two guys I know who have a lovely permeant site at the Woods Campground, so I like to give them the business. And Garret really got into decorating for Halloween, which made the visit even more fun as I love Hallowe'en. And Garrett has a killer smile and flirtatious personality...one of these times I suspect we may get into trouble!! 

I don't know why, but I felt someone was watching me the whole time.

 

My private balcony.

Love when my accessories arrive before I do, and one can never have too many witches hats.

The butler had seen better days.

But he huge drawer was the parade itself, the Sea Witch which refers to the mascot of the annual Sea Witch Festival. She is most often represented by one to two parade balloons, Sally and later Hilda. Modern writers have tied her story to the concept of the "weather witch", which was allegedly encountered by treasure hunters seeking the "treasure of the MHS Braakk a Royal Navy ship that sank on May 23, 1798 in the Delaware Bay off the coast of Cape Henlopen. The ship capsized, drowning captain Andrew Drew and 35 of his crew. Rumors swirling the ship had been carrying a large treasure of gold and silver. Over the passing years many tried to do expeditions, but kept running into bad weather, where finally, one day, The Colstadt group tried to change the weather by "rasing a witch". Many years later an ode was born, and the Sea Witch became tradition for the town. The parade is a heavily costumed event by parade attendees and the one in the parade and attended by the thousands. I was pleasantly surprised to see one division of the Philly Mummers there too.

And even in Rehoboth at the Guesthouse, the squirrels love me. I guess maybe I am a squirrel whisper.

Call me Mistress Doolittle

SEA WITCH.....

.....or Sea Hag? 

MOOD BOARD

 
Well, it was quite the birthday weekend!!!! And happy to say I survived. Till I collect myself, might I present my current mood board for some eye treats. I'll return with more fun and antics later sweet cheeks.

AROUND THE SUN

 Another trip around the Sun! The 34th for the 20th time!!!! When people ask how old I am, I used to say somewhere between 40 and death...or 34 for the 20th time. But I have no problem admitting I'm now 54! Some still guest late 30 or early 40's and I can't complain. I've been asked my secret. I use a secret potion from Lisle Von Rhuman!  Jokes aside...I take care of myself, get sleep, good skincare, eat and drink fairly good, good sex life, and gin! I can't complain about how good I look. Hell, the way I partied in the 90's and early 2000's with club life, I should be a hag.

This waited for me this morning. The Mother left it on the table. My favorite: Choclate cupcakes with white icing. 

By time this post, I should be on the way to Rehoboth for my birthday weekend, being kidnapped and taken to see the Halloween festivities of the Seawitch Festival.

See next week, tootles till then!

PORTRAITS

Scylla

CHUCKLES

Work release programs provide felons with valuable job experience. 

He's getting a head start.

WARMING CIDER

 The nights are getting cooler, and the autumn air is crisp. Autumn is in full swing and there is no better time to sip mulled apple cider next to a fireplace, or bonfire. I made my first batch of mulled cider this weekend when I had some of the clan and the Capital Street duo over. It is sooo good. It's richly spiced like all apple cider recipes, with all the different spices and fruit. It truly tastes like fall in a cup. I have made it in the pass with rum, brandy or a bourbon whiskey, and mostly use the bourbon whiskey to make it. It can also be made on the stove top, or in a slow cooker. The recipe is simple.

*One gallon of farm stand apple cider

*A quarter of jar of Mulling Spices. I use Williams -Sonoma Mulling spices as they have all the spices in one jar ready to go. Allspice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, orange and cranberry bits. Otherwise, I use about two tablespoons of these spices from the spice rack.

* Four to five whole Star Anise

*Two to three Cinnamon sticks.

*4 cups of Bourbon, brandy, or rum

* 1 cup ginger liqueur. I use the incredible, Domaine de Canton

*In a large pot bring to a boil the apple cider.

*Once boiling, I add in the quarter jar of the mulling spices, and the star anise and cinnamon sticks.

*I boil them for about 8-9 minutes.

* Let simmer on low for about an hour or two. The longer you let simmer, the more the spices will flavor the cider.

*Once simmered, pour the cider through a strainer into another pot to remove the mulling spices, or the mulling spices can also be wrapped up in cheesecloth, floated in the cider and then removed.

* I then simmer longer and add in the bourbon and ginger liqueur, on low.

* Pour into glasses, and I generally garnish with a cinnamon stick and 1-2 star anise in each cup.

* Sit and enjoy! 

The remaining, like that ever happens arounds here, can be stored in an airtight jar. Simply reheat in the microwave. I severed it the other night, with spiced nuts, a section of smoked cheeses, and a selection of smoked meats and prosciutto.

I love apple cider in the fall and winter in general, but when mulled, it is ever better!!!! But I still need a man to keep me warm at night!