Backyard Fire Pit Fun

Sure it could have ended Hindenburg-style, but thankfully no rogue flying embers ruined the vibe.  Made those tin lanterns back in 2017 for my "1921" throwback Haunt (used LED tea lights for the photo shoot).

And The Award For Best Halloween Decoration Goes To...

We spotted this gorgeous decoration last night on a drive through the local neighborhoods.  We were hunting for home haunts and cool decor, turning up dark, unfamiliar streets when we spotted any kind of orange or green or purple glow.  

As we were working our way home, we came down a street that didn't have very much going on by way of Halloween.  Then, on our right, was this simple and elegant movement, bathed in flickering orange light.  Not sure if this is sold in stores, but I found some tutorials online calling it Hovering, Dancing Ghosts.  

It was perfection.  We stood watching these dancing spirits for so long... they floated above their faux fire, swaying and shifting in the wind.  It was bliss.

The photos don't do it justice, so click HERE to see them in action.

Cauldron Fire Pit

Love this idea.  

Image source.

Fire Goooood

Broke in our new Halloween fire pit last night after work.  

The maiden voyage was a blissful success... and seeing glowing bats and a jacko face smiling fire wasn't too shabby either.

Garden Torch

The fuel for such a thing is a toilet paper roll dipped in wax.  Supposedly will burn for 90 minutes.  The Halloween implications are overwhelming.

Click here for more info.

Cider And Fire Pits

We took a trip to the Ironbound Farm and Ciderhouse this weekend and enjoyed some amazing cider in the most perfect and rustic setting.  Ordered a flight and food at the bar and then moved outside to a nice fire and enjoyed some drinks.  Will definitely be heading back soon.

Some of their neater offerings:

DEVIL’S HARVEST 

TART. JUICY. SUBLIME.

Infused with dry-harvested Pine Barrens cranberries and tart cherries, with a hint of white pepper in the finish.

JUNIPER HARD CIDER 

Juniper berries impart aromas of rosemary, lime peel, lemon, and subtle green apple in this rich, dry, intensely aromatic cider.

CAPE MAY ROSÉ 

A sweet-yet-dry summer infusion of Cape May beach plums and Ironbound farm-harvested aronia berries.

Their menu here.

And here's their IG.

Now Playing: Ardmore

By Dylan Henner.  

We took a short post-Halloween vacation across the state and into West Virginia.  Stayed in a sweet cabin in the woods that had a small stream flowing behind it.  Next to the stream was a fire pit.  Next to the fire pit were some fine drinks.  

While driving around the beautiful mountain roads, the below song came on.  Ardmore was the perfect soundtrack for the landscape out there, which had already lost most of its leaves.  

Click below...

Dead End Cemetery: Halloween 2009

Some wonderful (and nostalgic) photos from Mr. Macabre's 2009 display.  So strange to think of non-digital photographs as a thing from the past.  So grateful so many photograph scans are on this blog.  Halloween looks really neat on real film.  

Love these shots.  Feels dark and spooky and edgy.  Especially with the use of real flame. 

Haunted Attraction: Halloween Nights At Eastern State Penitentiary

Last night we went to the massive and very gloomy Eastern State Penitentiary for their Halloween Nights.  The Philadelphia location is really impressive and the perfect setting for a Haunted Attraction.  The size of the prison allows for multiple haunted houses and various places for food and beverages.  But that same size, I think, makes the Attraction feel a little too spread out inside.  A little sparse in parts.  

I also think Lancaster's Field of Screams is a tough act to follow.  

We had a great time though, enjoying some terrific drinks and food, and making S'mores over a fire while listening to a Ghoul read poetry on stage (that actually happened).

Below are some photos from Friday night...