Monthly Musings: Fall and Halloween

 Today, I am linking up with Holly over at Pink Lady for Monthly Musings . It's my first time, so be gentle with me.

Favorite Fall Tradition

When our kids were small, we made a point of creating traditions around every season and every holiday. Fall traditions were some of my very favorites, and, as the kids grew up and on, it turns out that they were some of their favorites, too. When they can, they join us for our annual visit to the local pumpkin patch and corn maze. When they can't, they find something local to them and they re-create the tradition with friends. This is harder for the Man-Cub, who attends college in Hawaii, presently.

Favorite Halloween Tradition

Oh, where to begin? Halloween is my jam! Hugh and I have gone BIG every year since we met, way back in 1992. That has included haunting the porch for the kids and their friends, jack-o-lantern carving, caramel apple dipping, costume parties, yard displays, and a fully decorated house. It's hard to pick a favorite; I love it all.

But. If I did have to pick just one, it would be this:

Every year, from the time the kids were toddlers until they were too old to Trick-or-Treat, Jana and I would dress the five of them up and take them out. If I close my eyes, I can still hear their little voices begging the neighbors for candy. I can smell the smoke from wood burning stoves and fireplaces, carried on the crisp, autumn air. I can feel the crunch of fallen leaves under our feet as we walked the neighborhood, and I can taste the hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps that Jana and I poured into thermoses to keep ourselves warm while the kids darted from porch to porch.  I am sad about not having kids to take Trick-or-Treating anymore, truth be told.

Ghost of Elvis? Favorite kid costume, ever!

What Will Halloween Look Like This Year

Hugh and I fully intend to forge ahead with our annual skeleton yard display. I've been planning the theme since last Halloween and I will not be denied! Besides, the neighborhood kids have come to expect the display, and, God knows, they've had to give up a lot this year, already. We are also tinkering with the idea of hosting a costume party on the porch; that way, we can still hand out candy to any Trick-or-Treaters who thumb their noses at the governor's suggestion that Halloween be cancelled this year (seriously, Gov? They're outside! In masks!).

Share Your Favorite Fall Recipe

This is an easy one! Hands down, it's my butternut squash soup. I make a huge pot of it every fall, then, I freeze it in individual serving containers and we eat it occasionally throughout the winter.

Favorite Fall Fashion Staples

Fall is one of my favorite seasons for fashion. I love boots and cardigans and plaid button down shirts and layers. I love the colors of the fashions this time of year, maroon, gold, sage, navy, mulberry, hunter green, and rust. Graphic t-shirts with flannel button-downs are a favorite look.

Favorite Halloween Costume

The year Hugh and I were married, we worked at a haunted house fundraiser. I went to a thrift store and found everything I needed for a dead prom queen costume that was, to this very day, my favorite costume. And, folks, I've had a lot of costumes.

Favorite Halloween Candy

This is a tough one. I mean, I hate to discriminate against any candy. If I'm forced to choose, I guess I would say miniature candy bars, especially Almond Joy, which, is weird, because Halloween is pretty much the only time of year that I even think about Almond Joys.

Favorite Family Halloween Movie

Duh! Hocus Pocus! I mean, isn't that every family's favorite?

I wasn't kidding when I said I have a LOT of costumes!

Scary Movies, Yes or No?

Yes. A thousand times, yes. But, I draw the line at gory and/or unnecessarily violent.

Favorite Fall Beverage

Perhaps, surprisingly, this is not where I wax poetic about Starbucks pumpkin spice. Bleh. I'm more of a hot cider gal.

Well, this was fun! Fall is my favorite season and Halloween is my favorite holiday, so, this was actually the perfect link-up for me! Thanks, Holly!