Twas All Hallow's Eve

‘Twas All Hallow’s Eve and all through the Castle,
Nary a Monster was stirring, nor a bone did rattle.
The stockings were hung by the hearth with care,
In hopes that the Great Pumpkin soon would be here.

The Ghoulies were nestled all snug in their crypts,

With Ghosts of years past lurking in their midst.
And the Count in his Tux and I in my Shroud,
Had just settled our bones but The Count he did snore loud!

When out in the graveyard there arose such a ruckus,
I sprang from my coffin to see what the fuss was.
Away to the window I flew quick like a bat,
Tore open the drapes and told the cat to scat!

The moon on the tombstones in the cemetery below,
Gave the brightness of midday to the relics sitting in a row.
And when what did my bleary eyes did espy,
But a dark shadow suddenly going by.

And then within a heartbeat I heard on the ramparts,
The thumping and bumping of a cheerful heart.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
Down the chimney The Great Pumpkin did come with a bound.

He was chubby and plump, a right ghastly old Gourd,
With a black pointy hat and eyes that glowered.
But with a wink of his eye and a twist of his noggin,
I soon knew I need not be frightened.

He spoke not a sound, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his vine aside his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his broom holding his bag ever so snug.
And away he did fly, like the down of a bug!
But I heard him exclaim as he rose out of sight,
Happy Halloween to all, and to all a Frightful Night!

Halloween isn't Halloween.....

until we get a visit from Elvira!

Pioneer Cemetery

{{ this is a re-post from earlier this year. but I thought it was very fitting for October. }}

If you are a reader of my blog, you know that I have a fondness for tombstones and cemeteries.

There are numerous small cemeteries to be found in this area should one look. Many are family owned and just as many have been forgotten and reclaimed by Mother Nature. But a few can still be seen. One of these is Pioneer Cemetery, located not far off the highway on Rich Mountain.

Back in November Hubby & I went to visit Pioneer Cemetery. There isn't much to see, most of the tombstones have long ago been claimed by the elements. The graves are now marked only by large stones. But the story behind this little spot is what took us there for a visit.....

This part of Arkansas is mountainous (by eastern standards - nothing at all like the Rockies). In fact we live in the heart of the Ouachita Mountains, a mountain range which extends from central Arkansas to southeastern Oklahoma and the ONLY mountain range in the United States which runs east to west instead of north to south.

This area was settled in the early 1800's by hardy pioneer families. Life was hard. The nearest town was 80+ miles away.

As the story goes, a small group of pioneers settled in the Rich Mountain area, finding the climate mild and the soil rich with nutrients. Pioneer Cemetery was utilized by this group of settlers.

One winter, the mother of one of these families fell ill. Her three daughters nursed her as best they could. (The father is not mentioned in the legend - perhaps he was off fighting in the Civil War or maybe he was away getting supplies.) Late on a windy, snowy night, one of the daughters left the safety of their house to go to a local spring to get her mother some water. The daughter never returned. She was found the next day, high up in a tree, frozen to death. It was believed that she had been chased by wolves and had climbed the tree for safety. This poor young girl was buried in Pioneer Cemetery.

It wasn't long after her burial that people began to see a floating light in the woods near the cemetery. The sightings of the floating light soon gave way to an apparition of a young girl.

And to this day, it is said that on certain starless nights, a young girl can be seen seeking water to take home to her ill mother.

Hubby and I went to the cemetery in the afternoon and we saw nothing unearthly. Though the area did have a sense of disquiet about it. And a faint mist can be seen in the photo above.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

If you would like to read more about the Strange and Unusual of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and even some points beyond, then you might like these two sights ~

Strange State - Paranormal, Mysteries and More

On The Fringe

The Graveyard Rabbit

The Graveyard Rabbit 

by

Frank Lebby Stanton

In the white moonlight, where the willow waves,  

He halfway gallops among the graves—  

A tiny ghost in the gloom and gleam,  

Content to dwell where the dead men dream,  

But wary still!         

For they plot him ill;  

For the graveyard rabbit hath a charm  

(May God defend us!) to shield from harm.  

Over the shimmering slabs he goes—  

Every grave in the dark he knows;         

But his nest is hidden from human eye  

Where headstones broken on old graves lie.  

Wary still!  

For they plot him ill;  

For the graveyard rabbit, though sceptics scoff,          

Charmeth the witch and the wizard off!  

The black man creeps, when the night is dim,  

Fearful, still, on the track of him;  

Or fleetly follows the way he runs,  

For he heals the hurts of the conjured ones.          

Wary still!  

For they plot him ill;  

The soul’s bewitched that would find release,—  

To the graveyard rabbit go for peace!  

He holds their secret—he brings a boon          

Where winds moan wild in the dark o’ the moon;  

And gold shall glitter and love smile sweet  

To whoever shall sever his furry feet!  

Wary still!  

For they plot him ill;         

For the graveyard rabbit hath a charm  

(May God defend us!) to shield from harm.

To visit The Graveyard Rabbit blog,

click here!

October Trivia....

~  An interesting fact about October 2010  ~

This October has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays.

 It won't happen again until October 2021. 

Any month with 5 Fridays is considered a money bags month because of the extra paycheck.

Needful Item: Enbalming Fluid Flask

What better place to keep your 'tonic'?

Click here!

How to: Antique Silver Finish

Do you love the look of vintage metallic pieces?

Mandi at Vintage Revivals Blog has given us an easy tutorial for just that! Using aluminum foil, mod podge, and paint.

I am SO anxious to give this a try!

Phunky Pumpkins!

 Cucurbita maxima ‘Brodé Galeux D’Eysines’

 

 Cucurbita Maxima 'Rouge Vif D'Etampes'

 Cucurbita maxima‘Triamble’

Pumpkin Carving

Not your ordinary Pumpkin carving!
These Pumpkins are carved by Scott Cummins and more of his fantastic work can be seen at Pumpkingutter

Eerily Awesome Blogs.....

Here are a few more must see Creepily Cool Blogs.....

The Haunted Gallery

Cabinet of Curiosities

Doctor InSectus' Cabinet of Curiosities

UFOs & Cryptids

Eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas has long been the home to reports of UFOs, Bigfoot, and various other mysterious anomalies. 

Many people have reported seeing mysterious drones flying around the sky that suddenly vanish. 

Or they will see strange light formations that perform erratic flying maneuvers.

Strange encounters with large Cryptids that walk upright are quite numerous. In fact Hubby even got his picture taken with a couple. (OOPS! That was at the Bigfoot festival in Honobia, Oklahoma! My mistake.)

And then there was the case of the strange skeleton thought by some to be the skeletal remains of a Chupacabra. 

A strange skeleton was discovered in NW Arkansas in the early 90s. The skeleton, while incomplete, did still have some tissue clinging to it. The skeleton was examined by many scientists and veterinarians with no conclusive decision being made as to its species. Though several thought it to be possibly a Llama or Alpaca. 

What are your thoughts?

And the Winner is.....

Before we get to the good part, I would like to say

Thank You

to everyone who commented and shared the news about this Giveaway! 
I was totally blown away by the response!
There were over 100 entries!  ♥

And I'll continue sharing what I know about the Fae Folk beginning in November. So stay tuned!

Now.....

The winner is.........

WENDY THE (VERY) GOOD WITCH 
of  The Halloween Tree

Please email me with your snail mail addy. jeanne.wildwoodsart@gmail.com
I know  The Halloween Faery  is anxious to fly away to her new home. 

Needful Item: Angry JOL

Everyone needs one of these on their patio to keep them warm on chilly October evenings!

Click here!

And today is the last day to enter in my giveaway!

Click here!

How to - Create an Antique Mirror

A trademark in Halloween decorating is the use of the OLD and the VINTAGE. And what gives a better sense of unrest than a vintage mirror?

Here is an easy tutorial on making your own vintage-esque mirror from  Apartment Therapy .

LOL Spiders

Most of you out there in Blogland have heard of LOL Cats. 

Well there is also a SPIDER version - called ROFLSpiders.

Not for the faint of heart!

Tombstone Art

There is a cemetery in Vermont that is a veritable gallery of granite sculptures. Located in Barre, Vermont, Hope Cemetery is a tribute to skilled Italian monument carvers.

Don't forget to stop by and enter your name in my giveaway! 

Click here!

Devil's Tramping Ground

This is a MUST SEE!!!!

Click here to visit the Devil's Tramping Ground!

Witches and Faery Folk

Greetings to all the Haunted Blog Tour Travelers! 

I hope you are enjoying all of Mrs. B's Festivities. She is quite the Hostess with the Mostess!

Before we get started, I'd like to point you towards a  Giveaway  I am having for a Halloween Faery!
Click here!

Now, On with the Tour......

I'd like to WELCOME you to the WildWoods ~ Where Magick and Enchantment Abound!

My name is Jeanne and I am a Folk Artist, an Eclectic Wanderer, and a Purveyor of the Unusual.

Pull up a toadstool and rest for a spell. Have a cup of tea or maybe a muffin while I tell you of the Fae Folk....

The Fae Folk - faeries, elves, dwarves, pixies, sprites {Oh, how I could go one with the list} - live here in the WildWoods.
They are quite numerous and come quite often to pay me a visit at the Manor House. We have a close and peaceful relationship. I try very hard to mind myself whilst wandering the WildWoods {their home} and they do likewise while visiting my humble abode. And of course, the frequent little trinket or treat left for them can certainly help with keeping in their good graces. But there is still the occasional prank played, for it is in their nature.

But the Little People are always there to assist me with a spell or energy work. And this is the way it once was for all Witches and Fae Folk. When called upon the Fae would lend a hand. Faeries are quite adept at raising energy and some of them may even be in the service of various deities, thus being able to put in a special request on the Witch's behalf.  Faeries are especially helpful when it comes to spells of healing or protection. But keep in mind that different types of faeries are good at different spells - Brownies are helpful in protection spells and Gnomes can assist with healing magick.

But there are those in the Fae Realm that are not so friendly. It would be wise for Witches to do the research and learn the type of Fae that inhabit their area or pays them visits, lest they call upon the help of a malevolent Faery. (If anyone is interested in learning more, leave me a comment and I shall write more on this topic in the coming months.)

I shall leave you with a SPELL to help you see the Fae......

1. Gather the flowers of roses and marigolds while looking toward the east. Take the petals and soak them separately in spring water for one week. Strain off the petals.

2. Pour a small quantity of each liquid into a crystal glass bowl.

3. Add some virgin olive oil, and beat the mixture until the oil turns white. Then pour it into a glass bottle. 

4. Add hollyhock buds, marigold flowers, young hazel buds and the flowers of wild thyme to the mixture. The thyme should be gathered from the side of a hill ‘where fairies used to go often’.

5. Add grass from a fairy throne and leave the bottle in the sun for three days for the ingredients to dissolve.

6. Rub a very little of the mixture on each eyelid and you will be able to see any fairies who are around.

** Special Note: If Spring Water is not to be had, then use water that has been imbued with the powers of he Full Moon.

A Halloween Giveaway!

Once again, it is time for a GiVeAwAy!!

This time it is for your very own Halloween Faery!

She is ready to FLY into your home with a Jack-O-Lantern FULL of candy!

Here's how you can get your name entered into the cauldron !

1.  Leave a comment on THIS post. The comment has to be on my blogspot blog!

And for additional chances to get your name in the cauldron ~

1.  Post about my giveaway on your blog or on your Facebook Wall. (please leave me a comment that you have done so)

2. Become a Follower of my Blog (But you can't just become a Follower - You still have to leave me a comment!)

So there you have it. Three chances to win. The winner's name will be announced (after being drawn out of the cauldron by my sweet Hubby) next Thursday, October 21st.

**SPECIAL NOTE ~ This Giveaway open to US Residents Only! **

Needful Item: Vampire Wine

Vampire Wine with casket.

$250 plus shipping

Click here!

How to....Very Cool Candelabra

Every Haunted House needs a Creepily Cool Candelabra!

And this one is super easy to make!

Sandra of Sawdust and Paper Scraps is the creative genius behind this one! 

Visit here for complete directions!

Gothic Martha

Ever wonder what Martha Stewart would do if she was into Gothic style and decorating?

Here's a website just to answer that question!  And to help you with yours!

Click here!

The Casket

Why settle for an ordinary pine box?

Casket made from Banana Sheaves

Glass Casket with a 3 person casket in the background

Why not Pimp Your casket?

Or enjoy your casket now in the form of a couch?

For more info check out these sites -
National Museum of Funeral History
Coffin Couches