Ghost Upon the Floor

One of my favorite things about Christmas is Charles Dickens' novella "A Christmas Carol" and the countless artistic expressions it has produced. Not only does it give me an excuse to leave the window gels of ghosts up around the bathroom mirror-- "They're the ghosts of Christmas past," I tell my family and guests-- but the story masterfully blends the meaning of this season with a superb ghost story.

Last night in Borders, I came across this picture book version of "A Christmas Carol." Brett Helquist is the illustrator, who is famous for his illustrations of the "Lemony Snickett" books. I did not buy a copy, but sorely want to, if only for the image of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: the classic, faceless grim reaper, with old Christmas lights and dead wreaths robed about him. The illustration of the Ghost which most affected me, in the graveyard with Scrooge, is not on Helquist's blog, but a later piece of art with the ghost is.

I find this piece depicting the ghost of Christmas Past to be particularly striking. The fading ghost of memory leaving; bright and fading, never able to be touched again.


All images from Brett Helquist's blog.

I thought I would write today a bit about what I've done with this blog and where I'm going with this. This season has been my first attempt at a blog for this purpose, and, quite honestly, I became overwhelmed. There were too many projects to do, too much to do for my display, too many pictures to take, reviews to write...

So. I plan on updating more frequently beginning this month, continuing to post things relative and relevant to the season. And next Halloween I do plan on updating at least once a day. I've learned a lot, but knowing know how it is and where I've been.... I am so ready for next Halloween. I have a list of projects I'll be tackling soon, and the details and progression will appear here.

But for now, perhaps I should finish off packing all of this year's decorations away. I have been putting things in a spare bedroom, quickly becoming known as the "Halloween room," which may or may not truly be haunted. I just have to pack them all safely, and in a well-organized, away. Which I will do. Shortly. At least the front of the house and windows are all taken down, and now my partner's Christmas things are going up all around...

This is my attempt at an Edgar Allan Poe Jack O'Lantern. I slipped twice on his nose and made it far too small. But I nevertheless trudged ahead and finished him, and here he is. Carved on Halloween 2009.

Just saw this over at The Halloween Tree, one of Google's Banner decorations for the past 2009 season, and it tickled what I like to refer to as my "Halloween bone." A lovely, charming little snapshot of what the holiday means to me.

It's a shame I didn't get to see this when it was up and being used. Check out more banner designs over at The Halloween Tree here.
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Pumpkin Rot is one of my Halloween inspirations on the web. I know I never would be able to create something even close to the simply beautiful and breathtaking work that the artist has created here... if you have not yet seen the 2009 pictures yet, get thee to Pumpkin Rot right now and behold them.

It's finally here! All the jack o' lanterns are carved, the decorations up, John Carpenter's "Halloween" playing... And outside it's dreary, rainy, windy and wonderful. I am, however, trying to figure out how to put Spirit Halloween Vampire teeth on that come with no instructions. Perhaps that will be a future blog post... but no negativity today!

Wishing you and yours a wonderfully wicked and spooky All Hallow's Eve!

At Margaret Hamilton.