Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone has a truly magical Christmas.

May your day be peaceful and fun, and relaxing.

Cheers and Merry Christmas!

Christmas Yet To Come

The Spirit stood among the graves, and pointed down to One. He advanced towards it trembling. The Phantom was exactly as it had been, but he dreaded that he saw new meaning in its solemn shape.

“Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point,” said Scrooge, “answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be, only?”

Still the Ghost pointed downward to the grave by which it stood.

“Men’s courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead,” said Scrooge. “But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with what you show me!”

Now Playing: Two Eyes Made Out Of Coal

The annual Christmas track from the always-incredible 400 Lonely Things.  This one is SOOO delightfully strange and slightly unnerving, but absolutely soothing (I swear).

Click below...

And click here to check out the rest.

Merry Christmas!

Hoping everyone is having a wonderful Christmas and a terrific holiday season.  

We were fortunate enough to have some light snow fall on Christmas Eve, so I set up a little festive Christmas scene in the backyard.  

On Earth Peace, Good Will Toward Men.

Now Playing: I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

A really great remix of an old classic.

Click below...

And click here for the song on youtube.

Snow Update

Yulish.  Very Yulish...

Now Playing: Some Winter Ambient

Eishalle by Paysage D'Hiver.  As some snow rolls our way (not much of it), I think back on those days when the white stuff was exciting and brought with it an early dismissal from the torments of school.  Or, even better, a snow day.  The most glorious of nature's gifts.  No school, and an entire day of building snow forts, having snowball fights, and sledding at a local golf course (owners probably hated it [and us]).  

Seems it doesn't snow much in these parts these days, and I'm a little sad to admit that I don't miss it.  As I get older (and older), I finally get why my grandparents seemed to live in fear of snow.  And the cold for that matter.  As I imagine a draft on my neck and scrunch up like Ebeneezer Scrooge.

But I AM really looking forward to this light snow.  Perfectly timed for the weekend before Christmas.  We'll have the appropriate music playing... and cookies baking.  And I will finally wrap some presents.

Click below...

A Little Christmas

The Steam Whistle Of York

You may recall this post from a year ago regarding a factory in York, Pennsylvania.  Every Christmas since 1955, at 12:15 AM, the eerie notes of Christmas carols played through a steam whistle blast into the night sky.  As each song ends, parked cars all around this old factory and in the surrounding blocks honk and beep in approval and excitement.  These unholy-sounding songs can be heard for miles around.  It was pretty exceptional, and the absolute best way to start a Christmas.  We had an amazing time being a part of this magic.

Hoping you all had a wonderful holiday.  

Here's a video of the tail end of White Christmas (I swear that’s what it was).

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a truly wonderful Christmas, like in one of those rare Christmas specials that are loaded with warmth, huge amounts of heart, and a really nice dose of Magic.

Now Playing: Wind-Bitten

Remembering fondly when it actually used to snow around here.

Click below for a really nice winter track from Aindulmedir.

Night Of The Meek

Click below...

Now Playing: First Frost And The Approaching Winter

By Parhelion.

Click below...

Hot Chocolate And Gingerbread

Nibble, nibble, little mouse,

Who is nibbling at my house?

Sure, it's a Halloween blog, but Christmas has historically been known as a time for some side-creepy...

We visited Peddler's Village last night and enjoyed the lights as we sipped some incredible hot chocolate (with peppermint vodka) from the Hewn Distillery.  Highly recommend their cocktails if you're ever up there.

They have an annual Gingerbread House contest too, so I tried to take some creepier shots (but kinda failed miserably).  

Bell, Book And Candle

We watched this terrific film last night and I wanted to recommend it to anyone looking to add something a little different to their Christmas season lineup.  It's ahead of its time in the portrayal of witchcraft and the supernatural and loaded with great performances.  Click below to get a brief intro by Sam Hamm on Trailers from Hell.

Now Playing: Winter And Slumber

By Aindulmedir.

A rainy Sunday here as we listen to a Winter Ambient mix created by Spotify.  

Click below...

KRAMPUS Christmas Stocking

Really neat design by Ulla Milbrath.

Now available at her Etsy shop (click below):

Holiday Crossover

Perfect together.

Calling this one The Nightmare Before Christmas...  Pumpkin spice English muffins and some Christmas Jam (strawberries and cranberries).

Hallmark Haunted Mansion Ornaments

Click here for more.

Merry Christmas, All!

Hope everyone has a beautiful and truly peaceful Christmas.