Happy Halloween (and au revoir)

It always sneaks up on me. I mean - it does and it doesn't. I am prepped for weeks - decorations, candy, mugs and seasonal clothing - mulled cider, butternut squash soup, outdoor "campfires", autumn dinner parties.... I dig Halloween, and I looooove autumn, in general. I am sad when it's over. I think THAT'S what sneaks up on me. It becomes gray and November-ish outside - the rush is on for Christmas gifts - school gets chaotic ... oh - I don't need to tell you - we'll all experience it tomorrow (sorry for the drag-down ;-).

So - last night was sleepless - late night texts from the dance attendee - boys who wanted to stay up late and watch Halloween specials then spent the night waking and calling for us - and.... one over-tired "just turned three year old" who would NOT go to sleep - insisted on being in "prince-ness" costume for hours. I accidentally napped mid-evening watching a bit of a boring movie, then..... in typical insomniac form, was up all night.

Strange night - Devil's Night, so.... as it should be, I suppose. Sirens in the wee hours, clear audible voices just outside the door very, very late - I even checked my phone for one last text from Olivia who was sleeping over at a friend's, and... literally, seconds later, she texted me (my fellow late night girl - I love serendipity, as you know - just odd to feel so in sync with the surroundings on such an odd, mystical night ;-).

So - today we'll trick or treat (oh - and hubby has decided to paint the bedroom today - wonder how THAT will go - I'm predicting another sleepless night for me) - we'll make s'mores in our firepit again - we'll light jack - o - lanterns and start the fog machine. It will be cold, but it will be fun.

I've decided that I'm going to take a few weeks to rethink, re-evaluate, redesign and re-conceptualize my blog. I am going to focus on kids, holidays and my grand but ordinary day to day. I will also immerse myself in my old photos - take my classes at the Apple store - make my films, slide shows and explore other projects. I will also get my messy, messy, half-painted, half-decorated, semi-comfortable / semi-chaotic house in order. This is a lot. I'll miss you all :-).

Photo: I knew this was coming, having been forewarned by a mother who knew her sons were heading out with toilet paper and silly string last night - friends of my "teen" (said with some snark but quite a bit of levity in my voice ;-). I like it, having done some TP'ing in my day :-). Anyway.... it's just a wee bit.... All good.

Listening to Bloodbuzz, Ohio by the National right now (which makes me proud of my "home state"), drinking for the last day out of my witch mug (and with that, also wearing my black pumpkin socks for the last time this year - NOT as big a deal as the mug ;-) and... reading this little tidbit on the new show "The Walking Dead", which airs tonight (and, for all you zombie purists, we should be proud this guy, the special effects person on this project, is from Pittsburgh - he KNOWS those suckers shouldn't be running - zombies are dead and rotting - they move slooooow ;-). And.... think it is super cool the Steelers are in New Orleans on Halloween (when I return someday, I may tell you all about my voodoo doll - the passion goddess, who I will NEVER throw away - cuz.... well.... I think she's real :-0). So ... I leave you in a good spooky "space" right now. Take care.

Halloween anyone?

Are you ready? I am. Costumes? Check. Pumpkins carved? Check. Candy purchased? Well... almost ready.

Today? "The smiley cookie place" (yes, Eat n Park - don't knock it - good milkshakes, breakfasts and diner - ish entrees - local organic produce at salad bar - very reasonably priced and "just fine" kids menu - besides.... my kids looooooove it - aside from picky Olivia but poor freshman had school today - albeit in my super cool, aforementioned "Dance Caravan '83" t-shirt) - Home Depot for bedroom paint (get ready for more chaos) and.... pumpkin carving (Olivia getting her pre-homecoming - yes, another one - nails done, so.... we saved her one for old time's sake :-).

Happy weekend. I am still, basically, on break ;-).

Guess what we're going to be for Halloween?

Well... the boys anyway....

Mario and Luigi!

Guess it is OFFICIALLY Halloween.

Sun, shadows, leaves and pumpkins ... and food and football....

Embracing the true autumn spirit this weekend. We checked a campfire / scary folklore book out of the library (I swear it is the same one I read as a kid) and have been reading it endlessly - telling and retelling these creepy stories. We FINALLY watched Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (love it), and we have pumpkins all over the house - we've been playing in the leaf piles in the front yard - talking walks - mulling cider (and immediately drinking it - wait all year for that luxury) - soaking up the sunshine and cool air at field hockey, soccer and while talking to the neighbors outside (and one neighbor brought us some "grown up" cookies last night - nothing R rated - just big and gooey - good to live near an angry baker ;-) - the teen hit Fright Night at Kennywood with her Shadyside Academy and Oakland Catholic friends last night (and actually scared themselves ;-). Truly a great time of year.

Today, me and the girls went shopping in Shadyside (hair clips for Olivia's homecoming, new corduroys from J. Crew, scarves on sale and what not) - while the boys played football in the backyard (and watched the big game, of course - go Steelers). Tonight, we're making grilled asparagus and chicken under a brick (marinated in lemon, olive oil, oregano, parsley, rosemary and sage) cuz we love to be out on the deck (soaking up all that cliched, but beautiful dappled autumn light) - I'm throwing together my cheesey, sour cream potatoes and a nice, light autumn bread and herb dressing (with marjoram and other fresh herbs - really nice taste - celery, onion, free range chicken stock - I keep it simple :-). The kids helped break up the bread and squeeze the lemons (in hindsight - as it's all bubbling and baking now, I'm wondering if the boys washed their hands before doing all this.....). Sunday supper is ON. All good. Lovely day. How was yours?

Open House

Went to Open House last night. Enjoyed a misty fall evening under a full moon - the school brightly lit - kids swinging and running around the playground, lit only by the bright classroom windows that face the courtyard - parents chatting and walking about the school - the familiar teachers and well-worn but cheerful halls reminding me, yet again, of years ago when I was a new parent there, my high schooler only a kindergartner at the time. We went that night - excited for the year and hoping to make new friends.

Last night, we went with the same hope, really. We are getting to know a whole new group of parents, we are experiencing a turnover of teachers, and we are looking forward the adventure that awaits us over the next few years as we add more kids to the school's roster. So .... we looked at artwork and photos and snuck at look at Enzo's journal - remarked on how Milo was so happy to be "line leader" earlier in the day - talked to Olivia's beloved former art teacher.... and we stole a bit of time to grab a drink, some chat time and a quick walk in Regent Square - all while ordering some take out cheesey fries for our poor little ones (well for the teen, actually - who happily babysat for us) - waiting at home with no power. See ... as usual in our neck of the woods, a storm blew in yesterday around 4 pm, and, at the first gust of wind, our power went out - for 7 hours! Olivia had to do homework by campfire lantern - the little ones watched a movie on the laptop - they snacked on chips and juice - we all made it work. And... believe me, it was tempting to stay on the little restaurant strip in our 'hood with neighbors for a bit, but... we opted to head home and soothe the little ones whose bedtime was soooo thrown off (and feed our Olivia, the aforementioned babysitter, some much-deserved decadent pub food :-).

Photos: Can you tell I took my iPhone (I still heart it so much) to Open House?

Quick fyi for you local readers. Info. on some robberies in Sq. Hill and Greenfield here.

And.... yeah - still on my Halloween kick - check out these costumes!

Countdown to Halloween....

...can't wait. Some fun ideas here.

And ... a cool idea for those of you dealing with demanding teens with expensive taste (specifically in clothes :-).

Anyone surprised by the outcome of Top Chef last night? I was a little... creative guy... but made some mistakes in the past - and even last night (despite help from Michael V!) that I'm not sure were "Top Chef-worthy". Anyway.... no spoilers here - though weigh in if you want (and I know you will - text or email me, "cookie" ;-). I also started watching the new Top Chef: Just Desserts as well - immediately following (will take the former's timeslot at 10 pm next week) - wowee.... some divas on that show, eh?

Finally - quick question: Do you ever have someone NOT return an email or a call despite the subject matter / situation being VERY important? And, further, it appears that this person MAY be trying to gain an advantage by doing so? Appalling. Impolite. My two cents..... What do you think, though? I'm truly interested (and provide stories - you know I like to listen).

Photo: Last year - Halloween. I love my fall photos - especially Halloween - may revisit some from the past in the next few weeks ... post now and then. My zen.