Mr and Mrs Pumpkinhead's Halloween tablescape

First and foremost, I've been praying for all those on the east coast. For your safety, that needs are being met and that you feel God's comfort in the wake of the disaster that has befallen you.

Halloween has certainly been sneaky this year. Crept upon us without a warning. Boom, she made her entrance loudly and bewildered us with her unexpected arrival. This is how Mr & Mrs Pumpkinhead will be celebrating the evening. I do hope you'll join us, in between sneaking the candy that was meant to go to the little kiddies. Ms. Halloween told on you!

After Ms Halloween arrived with full force, I sneaked out of the house and quickly purchased some napkins, aka bandanas from Hobby Lobby. I think for the holidays, you can't beat their prices nor their darling accessories. A simple orange tablecloth, black felt placemats, my workhorse white dishes, some orange salad plates, a white soup and the fun, almost Gothic looking flatware from Horchow's.
Tip: If you can't find a suitable napkin, check out the bandanas!

I used the cool bead spiders used previously HERE to squish the napkin edges together, so I could sit them on the edge of the plates. Sometimes, Mrs. Pumpkinhead has a thought not muddled by the sheer mass of "stuff" that daily floats through her head.

And while I was out, I picked up some glasses from World Market at 2 for 1! Much was already picked over. But I snagged enough for us.

These amber Whitehall goblets are certainly getting a workout this fall. So glad I picked them up at an estate sale, last day, so half price. Life is good.

Also from World Market, these darling "Eat at your own risk" liners. I can't take any credit for this set up.. no sirree Bob. Mrs Pumpkin head saw these in a flyer or email ad from WM. And she had the wire holders, just needed the liners to honor Ms. Halloween. Cute eh?

Mrs. Pumpkinhead (and everyone else, including Regan, who was caught in flagrante delicto with one in his mouth. Shame! shame!) love Yvonne's Parmesan Puff Pastry Bread Sticks. Oh wow. you will certainly love these. As a matter of fact Mr & Mrs. Pumpkinhead love all of Yvonne's recipes. You can always find a batch of her Ceasar dressing in their freezer!

Hard to see with all the glaring sun, so look carefully. Mrs. Pumpkinhead put the lovely  Fleur de Lis votive holder on the table so that there will be light to ward off the creepiness of a full moon!

Mr. Pumpkinhead wanted to order take-out when he saw this menu!! It's just a disguise to keep the intruders at bay. Even a spirit wouldn't eat this swill! Don't tell, but butternut soup (we don't mention the s word.. keep them thinking there are butter nuts or the rest of the Pumpkin clan won't take a bite!), a Ceasar salad (don't you know he's groaning in his grave, a good remembrance!), and some pork chops with applesauce. Yummy!

Hoping it won't be too cool to enjoy yet one more evening outside.  Well, we will just pull out the heater and the wraps!

 Thanks for dropping in! The Pumpkinheads treasure your visit...

Cast:
Tablecloths - white matelasse coverlet covered with an orange topper
White dinner plates - Wedgewood Windsor
Orange Plates - BIA from Tuesday Morning several years ago
Soups - Williams Sonoma, probably a decade ago
Placemats - TJMaxx a few years ago
Flatware - Horchow's
Amber goblets - Whitehall, antique
Double- Old Fashioneds - World Market
Napkins and Pumpkin place card holders (in bowls) - Hobby Lobby, different vintages
Spiders - United Market Street, a local grocery store
Conical holders - World Market
Votive holder - Mineral Wells, Texas
Sign - Dollar Tree

I hope you'll follow me to
Cuisine Kathleen's Let's Dish,
Yvonne's, Tutorials, tips and tidbits and
Susan's Tablescape Thursday! See you there..

Fall has certainly blown in!

We had a bit of a cold front come through. I think it froze Saturday morning. Think, because I didn't really pay attention. Although we did go out for breakfast.. and I didn't think it was that cold.

Today I brought in some oak branches. Some had begun to change color. Here in Lubbock, it's leaves one day, yellow the next and on the third day they are on the ground. It certainly does seem that fast. Seriously. Coffee table accessories - Pottery Barn.

I especially love hos this turned out. The coloring in the leaves is wonderful. I also love how sparse this is. You can really see the shape of the branches. Confession, I did have to give the cooler a quick cleaning!

I leave you today with this quick tribute to a favorite holiday.. Halloween.. Boo y'all!

My copy-cat chalkboard

I am NOT this clever. But boy when I see a good idea, I can surely make it my own. Michael over at Inspired by Charm created a masterpiece on his large wall. You need to go check it out HERE. Mine is no where near as elaborate. But then I have a small chalkboard and he has a big, ol' wall!

This hangs over our stove. I had something else there, but it lacked enough weight. And until I get the stove of my dreams (here) and a new vent hood, this will just have to do. And I'm no artist.. please be kind!

The fun aspect of the chalk drawing still comes across. One thing I did learn.. don't clean the chalkboard with water and then NOT prime it again! See how wimpy the brooms on the right are? Lesson learned.

You too can create your own chalk masterpiece.. in not so much time either.. Have fun and

Red, Green, or Christmas

Red, Green or Christmas? Do you know to what this refers? Red chile, green chile or both! Yes that is how much of the food in the City Different is served. Once again... yes, again, we made a brief trip to Santa Fe, NM. Chips served on the Coyote Rooftop Cantina.. a perfect meal.

I love the architecture!. Predominately anything in a territorial or adobe. With plenty of crosses and religious artifacts. Swoon.

It was barely warm enough to sit in the open air for breakfast at the Cafe Paris... They do have the most delectable croissants. Especially when fresh out of the oven.

The plaza was all decked out getting ready for Fiesta this upcoming weekend. The Burning of Zozobro.. I wrote about that HERE. 

We looked at art....

And discussed the "need" desire for more dishes.... you can guess how well that went over!

 

We bought some clothes.. not necessarily these. Gosh I loved the vest out of the old serape and the embroidered boots.

 More art, I really loved that necklace.

And loved the halloween decor, (Can you believe it's almost here?) from Things Finer.

 At Cafe Sena, the flower boxes were trimmed out with the lids from old wine crates... LOVE!

And we love to watch the sunsets from the bell tower at the La Fonda Hotel.

And I fell in love.

Hard.

With all my soul.

Agreeing to work at least another year.

An orignal santos.

Very, very old.

Oh my, so precious.

No, she didn't come home this trip.

Soon.

Thank you for dropping in today. I am so glad to be back and have much to share with you!

A Raven's Tale Halloween Tablescape

The Raven

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
" 'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door;
Only this, and nothing more."

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me---filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
" 'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door,
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door.
This it is, and nothing more."

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is, I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you." Here I opened wide the door;---
Darkness there, and nothing more.

  .....Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven, of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door.
Perched upon a bust of Pallas, just above my chamber door,
Perched, and sat, and nothing more......

Edgar Allan Poe 1845

 Blood red napkin rings.. creepily ensnaring the white napkin below the neck

Gothic black flatware with which to dine

 Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven thou," I said, "art sure no craven,
Ghastly, grim, and ancient raven, wandering from the nightly shore.
Tell me what the lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore."
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

 I see a spider has taken a liking to Lucrezia's crystal goblet

Even a spot for the poet should he choose to grace us with his presence

A bit of blood red drink to wet your whistle

The blood red drinks flash their glow onto the mirrored placemats

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming.
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted---nevermore!

Cast:

 Tablecloth and napkins - hotel linens

Napkin rings - World Market

Dinner plate - Midnight Trellis by Home Essentials

Salad - Matceramica, Portugal

Flatware - Horchow

Crystal - Mikasa Parklane

Mirrored Placemats - gifts from MIL approx 33 years ago

Bottle candleholders - Napa Style

Bottles - McPherson Cellars, Lubbock, Texas

Crows, Spanish moss, spiders - Dollar Tree

Small pumpkins place card holders - Michaels

Poetry - Edgar Allan Poe

Thanks so much for dropping in. I am honored by your comments and time spent here. I'll be linking up to Tablescape Thursday's at the Porch. CYA there!!!