October is flying by like a witch on a broom!

Are you feeling that way too? It was just October 1st! and I was in Amish Country. These days are speeding by! October has been a good month for us though! We've gotten a lot of things done and there are more fun things coming up...namely our Halloween party on Saturday.My favorite time of the year is Autumn! I just wait for it all year! Strangely our leaves haven't turned yet. I've heard it's cause of all the rain we had and Hurricane Irene. She not only brought so much rain but knocked a ton of leaves off the trees.

I want to welcome my new followers! Thank you so much for taking the time to check out my little blog! I really appreciate that you would take the time to read it. Welcome friends!

Saturday we made our applesauce! Caitlin loves this job, and she was all smiles. The apples were so naturally sweet we didn't even have to add sugar! and that's me saying it --one who likes EVERYTHING sweet--I put three sugars in my coffee...with half & half (now you know in case I come to your house for coffee). The apples were SWEET! Yummy. We are big applesauce lovers. It's a staple at our dinner table most nights. Mom and I peeled the apples, (that's some 'em in the big pot) then I boiled 'em up till they were soft and mushy. Then we passed them on to Caitlin who turned them into applesauce. A great day. Then it was back to more decorating and prepping for the party!

I've been wanting to show you my haunted house and finally got a decent picture of it. My Dad made this for me in 2001. He was an engineer by trade but loved carpentry and had made us all many things. Years ago, he made Santa's workshop for us all (my brother, sister, me & one for himself) and we decorated it all . I always loved mine so much. I love dollhouses and miniatures. I asked if he would make me a haunted house, and he did. He also made alot of the interior out of wood (including the tables, fireplace, chairs) and I added the accessories, the witch and the rest of the stuff. I just love this haunted house and cause it was made by my Dad, who passed away in 2005, I cherish it. I add to my haunted house most years when I find some suitable accessories. It stand proudly in my foyer.  I hope when you look into it you get the feeling of a witch's house with dust and cobwebs, brooms and hats and SPIDERS!!!

When we visited Salem in April, I had an idea and I was glad I remembered it for Halloween. I always write things down cause otherwise my good thoughts and ideas can be fleeting... I have always loved the logo for the Salem Witch Museum and I always save the bags. (I am bag hoarder, ladies). I framed one of the bags in a plain black frame! I think it looks so cool! Don't throw your bags out---some of them can be artwork :) That's one of my new decorations!

You know the old saying..Curiosity killed the cats..but satisfaction brought them back.....that's the nursery rhyme. Well, I have some very curious kitties. And they don't get less curious as they get older. No way! Well, you know how I tell you that when my husband is working on a job for an old house or building and he comes across stuff that's worth saving how he brings it home? Bless that man...Well, he worked all weekend and on Sunday night brought home an old chair ( I didn't photograph it yet, next post) and an electrolux vacuum cleaner that still worked. I'm an Oreck girl myself but I would never turn away a good working vacuum! Especially since my sister is in love with her electrolux so I knew it was a goodie.  Let me tell you, that vacuum wasn't in my kitchen for ten minutes before old lady Dutchess had to sit on it! Then Robin came to investigate, followed by his Momma (Mommy Cat)! I just had to laugh. Hope you get a chuckle looking at Dutchess on the vacuum as well. Silly pussycats!

Sunday, we are planning to head to Deepwell Mansion in St James for the annual haunted house they hold as a fund raiser. I posted on it last year as well. It's a favorite thing of ours to do and it's for a very worthy cause. Deepwell Mansion is one of those beautiful OLD Long Island mansions that have fallen on hard times. Over the years it has been restored to it's glory by volunteers. They hold wonderful events to raise money for its upkeep. The haunted house is one of them. It's not a SCARY house. It's a traditional haunted house. They decorate this beautiful structure tastefully and visiting it  is like:  "encountering an old house on a road when your car broke down and you are looking for a phone, and you find this old house and go in."  You know, like every sitcom that ever had a Halloween episode! THAT kind of haunted house.  But that's the best way to describe it. The doors squeak (for real). I love a house that has genuine squeaky doors!!!!  A favorite place to go for sure and it's for a good cause. They ask that you contribute any amount at the end of the house tour. If I ever win Lotto, Deepwells Mansion will be on my list of receivers.....Then we also visit the St. James General Store, which is on the road behind Deepwells. It's the oldest continually operating general store in the country. Small, adorable and with it's all original counters, beams, floor planks....all the good stuff. Don't worry--I take pictures. or again, check back to last year's post!

Guess that's it for me! I have to run out to get some more stuff for the party and then clean this house up a bit more! Have a great day and make sure you enjoy this beautiful season!