Auntie Pippa 💖👻👑
I have to be honest, Christmas-Ween was not a familiar term for me until this past week, LOL. As I googled it to find out more, I also learned that there is a Hallowmas. However, for those of you who might prefer this moniker to describe this holiday consolidated time of year, it is reserved for the day after Halloween, November 1st, also know as All Saint's Day, Feast of All Saints...let's just say, a not so spooky day.
I'm good with Christmas-Ween, especially for this week's blog post which is 11 days away from the big spooky night. I'll begin with Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas movies which start on the 22nd. I can't wait to binge watch them, with the occasional sneaking of a sweet from the trick-or-treat bowl🎃! The plots? Tried and true holiday pablum: a damsel in distress; usually engaged to an inattentive/self-centered guy; typically gets fired from her job in the city; returns to her small hometown to save the family Christmas tree farm/bakery/candy store; secures the last second screen kiss with the boy now man she left behind...Seen one, well...#MyBad, I love them anyway.😁🎀🎄 BTW, this will be the fourth book in my cozy series where I write the tale with C2C films playing in the background! 🍇💀🍷
🎃A Trip to Roger's Gardens🎄
So, back to Christmas-Ween...This past week I saw an ad placed by a fabulous nursery/store here in SoCal, Roger's Gardens. It's located near the Fashion Island mall in Newport, and has been a must visit, place-to-go-see their fabulous Christmas displays for years (typically starting in mid-November). Imagine my surprise when I saw they now were featuring a Cabinet of Curiosities Halloween boutique! Here's a #spooktacular YouTube video that shows all the boutique's nooks and crannies: 👇
So, off we went on a journey to see the Halloween scare wares...But first, a peek at the stunning fall foliage in their garden center!
And now to the Curiosity Cabinet for the 'Ween'...
Creatures from the lagoon; Ouija skulls; and a dinner guest that sucks...
No bones about it...I 🖤 the skulldelier!
From glam, more Vlad, to my favorite Bride...delightful wares sure to scare...#Boo!
🎃And now for something really scary...continue reading, if you dare...🎄
And just like that, be still my heart (not too still)...
A sign was seen, I kid you not!
No boos about it, trick nor treat,
What was open early you ask?
The Christmas Boutique!
So off we skipped, hubby and I (Okay, more like shuffled)...
To stand in line and wait our turn.
An anxious queue, "Please, Sir, let us in!"
Chittered customers armed with their money to burn.
The sparkle, the bling, so much to be seen! Roger's Garden succumbed, to Christmas-Ween.
Sweet gingerbreads stood sparkling, waiting to be picked...
A boozy tree, martinis and all, the perfect fir for Cherrywood Hall! 💖🍸👑
Fear not! Santas and Snowmen in bright, holiday colors; yours to be had, for just a 'few' dollars!
For those of you, fearful of supply chains lean; All is well, Virginia, it's Christmas-Ween! 🎃🎄 #HoHoHo #Boo It's Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:
Thank You, Word Refiner, Mark Schultz for a #Spooktacular #Authors Interview!
Bibiana and I had a #spooktacular time chatting with Mark this past week. I love doing these author interviews--Mark really does a fine job of lining up the questions that make you think! Loads of great info and commentary--if you missed it, give it a gander here:
Speaking of #Hallowmas...
November 1st just happens to be the release day for Christmas Bizarre! I'm so excited to share my Christmas cozy tales with you this year and let you meet Rikkhe and her friends and family. The countdown is on....Christmas Bizarre is coming....❄🎀📚👠
The Thursday Murder Club takes on a new case this week from the writers of Twitter...
Author Richard Osman, The Man Who Died Twice (A Thursday Murder Club Mystery Book 2), 5⭐
The Thursday Murder Club is back in session as Elizabeth, Joyce, Ron and Ibrahim are drawn into a complex case involving Mafia diamonds, dens of thieves, nefarious drug deals and a prisoner placed in protective custody. Life at Coopers Chase is about to become a bit more interesting.
A surprise connection to Elizabeth's past puts a strange twist to the club's investigation, placing everyone into danger's path. Secrets emerge as the bodies start to drop, will the club be able to decipher the clues and leads in time? Or fall victim as the evil doers close in?
Author Osman has written an engaging whodunnit that will keep you guessing 'til the end. Personal struggles, bittersweet memories, romance, surprising twists, and mysterious connections combine for a page turning tale. I can't wait for the club's next adventure!
Next up in the #reading queue:
Lunch at Chef Rick Bayless's Eatery, Red O!
I've been a huge fan of Rick's PBS programs throughout the years. He highlights the traditions and background of Mexican food with heartfelt zeal and his recipes always left my mouth watering. We were delighted to find out that he has a restaurant in the Fashion Island complex. After our Christmas-Ween boutique shopping, we headed over to sample his fine eats and drinks. Street tacos, goat cheese tamales, grilled corn/poblano pepper soft tacos, and a spicy watermelon margarita---can you say #Yummito! A terrific way to end a spooky-jolly day!
Crowns and Kisses,
Veronica
P.S. Have a fabulous time this Christmas--Ween season🎃🎄! There are plenty of fabulous books to read this #SpookyMonth and for those of you in a DIY frame of mind, why not build an archway with the books when you're finished reading? I love this one, Gemma and Rikkhe approve💖👑
Wow!!! I have never heard of the mixing Christmas with Halloween, but after looking at these incredible holiday displays... I am all in!
It looks like so much fun. I was spending oodles of money in my mind. It would be like the casino, decide how much and jump in. Although I have no idea what a Ouija skull would be for, I wouldn't mind one. Lol.
Congrats to the authors mentioned and whoo hoo for Halloween! Loved me some Tangled Webs and "free candy" from the jack-o-lantern. If we dress up all week would anyone care? Dracula squeezing the tomatoes or a ghost looking at non-gluten bread and wailing like a banshee. Hey this could be fun!
What a post! It would have taken me a week to go through the Halloween and Christmas displays, I'm sure. I love to linger over all that good stuff. And the restaurant—sign me up! Sounds like you had a great time.
I'm looking forward to the release of Christmas Bizarre!
Have a great week. 😘
My goodness! I opened your post and an avalanche of pumpkins, ghost, vampires, Santas and snowman wooshed throughout my family room with cries of “Boo!” And “Merry Merry!” Plenty of other wonderful tidbits in your glorious post, including the poems! And I’ve actually been to the Fashion Mall!! Happy everything, book releases included.