'Halloween Nation'

I was very excited yesterday when I was browsing amazon (which I often do) for Halloween books and I came across a brand new one! It isn't even out yet (will be released next month on April 15), and I am already anxious to get my claws, er, I mean, hands, on it. ;) I clicked on the "Look Inside" link and read to my heart's content. It isn't another "how-to" instruction book (plenty of those out there already), or another book about the history of Halloween (as much as I enjoy those!). Rather, it seems to be somewhat unique from other Halloween-themed books in that it discusses the question of 'why' Halloween is so popular, not only with kids, but with adults. It includes interviews with some well-known people in the Halloween industry about why they love Halloween like they do, and why they believe the holiday seems to become more and more popular with adults as the years go on. I think it looks like it's going to be a very interesting book, and certainly one I intend to purchase. I might even go ahead and pre-order it. It will provide me with a nice way of passing some time and satisfying my Halloween sweet tooth until October gets here. I am always on the look-out for new books or magazines to add to my collection, and I have a feeling that this one will be a great addition!

Halloween Cravings

March 4th. Halloween is about seven months away now. The halfway point will be upon us before too much longer. I love to think of it like that because it makes it sound like it's not as far off as it really is. I'm always surprised at how quickly the months following Halloween seem to go by. Last year around the six-month mark, the Disney Channel was showing some Halloween shows, like 'Halloweentown I and II', and 'Mostly Ghostly: Who Let the Ghosts Out?'. I remember being so excited to see Halloween on television in May! Even though I own the 'Halloweentown' movies, it was still fun to see Disney showing them that time of year. It was sure proof that Halloween was halfway here.

In order to bide my time waiting impatiently for Halloween to arrive, I started thinking of ways that I could somehow celebrate it during the rest of the year. I loved that Michael's and JoAnn's Fabrics kept holiday stickers and scrapbooking supplies on the shelves year-round, so several months ago I decided to put together a Halloween scrapbook. I had never done scrapbooking before, but I loved the idea of creating spooky scenes with all sorts of stickers, stationary, etc. It would satisfy my "Halloween homesickness", if you will. It was my way of "decorating", I suppose you could say, since I knew how bizarre it would be if I brought out Halloween decorations when it wasn't even close to October! (Although, it wouldn't be unlike me to put them up inside the house, and in particular, in my room. I love the idea of falling asleep to the eerie glow of a jack-o-lantern all year long.) I bought just about every sticker and background I could find and did my best to create the coolest looking Halloween scenes. I was even able to make one of my faves, 'The Great Pumpkin'. Linus sits in his pumpkin patch waiting anxiously, while Lucy, Charlie Brown and Sally go trick-or-treating. I decided at the last minute to add in a few photos of me from Halloweens past.

My scrapbook is already almost full, and I've already decided to start another one after this one is completed. I can't wait until October starts getting closer and the stores start adding new stuff. I had never thought much about scrapbooking before, but I'm finding that I actually quite enjoy it. I might even make one for Christmas!