Have You Seen--

This tiny little puppy?

Because someone stole him and replaced him with this monster!

Can you believe he's seven months old already?

Wine + Buellton = Elvira???

Turns out our very favorite Mistress of the Macabre is catwalking onto the wine maker's runway come December 3rd.


Elvira, Mistress of the Dark is working with Sort This Out Cellars in developing some new wines, and is having a wine signing party on December 3rd from 12-3 to launch the first wine: Elvira's Macabrenet. (It's a 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon and will retail for $25.00.)


The event is being held at Avant Tapas and Wine, 35 Industrial Way, in Buellton, CA (home of Andersen's Pea Soup!). Their number is (805) 686-9400. I really wish I were closer than 6 1/2 hours away, because I would be there, for sure!


Check out Elvira's official website for other details and to catch up with all her doings.


A big thank you to big (by that I mean freakin' tall!) brother, Johnny Thunder, for the heads-up!

Dark Music

I love the soundtrack to Bram Stoker's Dracula. It's dramatic, symphonic, and the bass notes just seem to resonate in your chest and grab your mood. I use it in the graveyard on Hallowe'en night to spook the kids. 


If you don't have the soundtrack, I'd suggest you go here to listen to some samples and perhaps pick up a copy for yourself.


You can click on the pic to pick up a copy of the collector's edition of the movie.


And if you're something of a movie geek, like I am, you can see the making of Bram Stoker's Dracula on YouTube. I made a playlist, so just hit "play all." It's a fun watch, even though the sound isn't synced right...

Small Business Saturday: A Shameless Plug for My Business

It seems like yesterday, it was Hallowe'en, but here it is, two days after Thanksgiving! (I just can't believe it!) That means the "other holiday" is just around the corner.
In celebration thereof, I'd like to thank the guy who came up with the concept of Small Business Saturday, whomever he (or she, come to think of it) is. What a great idea! Take a minute out of your Christmas buying frenzy and buy something from a small business. Like ShellHawk's Creations, for instance. Just throwin' it out there...


Seriously, though, although the big corporations employ a lot of people and are helping to keep the economy afloat by manufacturing bunches of stuff for us to buy, I think it's important to support small businesses who are run by people like you and me. Why? Because for the most part, we still make great products and don't want to use the consumer as quality control. Because when you buy from us, you're supporting people who still buy their own groceries rather than send "their people" out to do it for them, and are coaching their kids' soccer teams. You're supporting people just like you. And that's pretty darn cool.

Cars for the Apocalypse

In the event you are one of those folks who, like me, are looking for a new vehicle, you may be overwhelmed by all the considerations and options of said new vehicle.


Four wheel drive or all wheel drive? Automatic or standard? Hybrid? Truck?


Since you're upgrading, anyway, why not just be prepared for anything? Use this as your opportunity to prep for the upcoming Zombie Apocalypse!


AOL has a handy article to aid you in choosing your post-apocalyptic ride.
From the article:

To find the five best cars for surviving the zombie apocalypse, we looked at cars with good performance (for outrunning zombie hordes), maximum ground clearance (for plowing through zombie mobs without getting stuck), decent gas mileage (fuel will be scarce when society collapses), strong reliability ratings (try getting your car serviced when your mechanic is feasting on your brains), nice interiors (outrunning zombies is stressful and you’ll want good lumbar support) and maximum defensive capabilities (zombies will rip through a ragtop and devour you in no time). We’ve also pointed out cars that may seem like good options, but could end up turning you into the main course at a zombie buffet faster than you can scream, “Rick! Behind you!”

I've kind of had my heart set on a GPS, but I'm pretty sure the satellite connections would be screwed up, too. Oh, well, I'll enjoy it while it lasts!

And Now For Something Completely Different...

I was just on Facebook, scanning the home page while sipping my first morning cup of coffee, when I came across a link to this post: I'm Christian Unless You're Gay. I read it, and the powerful responses post that came afterwards, and I'm just blown away by the guts of this guy.


I've never read his blog before, but I'm particularly glad I took the time to do so this time. Yes, I know I'm from California, so of course, I'd love this blog post, right? (People who live in California are sort of a joke to folks who don't live here, because of our notoriously screwy politics and overly liberal ideas. Heck, I feel that way sometimes!) But the fact is, I think most people who read it will be affected by it, either positively or negatively, and it's not just one of those "California things." 


It's not about gay rights; it's about loving people who are different from us. It's a great observation of the human condition, and our nearly psychotic need to isolate "our people" from "those people." I've done it myself, and so have you. For instance, how many haunters have gotten bent with a local church group who has tried to shut them down, and painted the entire Christian faith with the same brush?


I have. I know some of you have, too. We're not perfect, right? (Next lifetime, I keep telling myself. This one, I'm still working on it...)


In any case, read the post if you like. My rambling here will make more sense afterwards. Please feel free to comment, here, either positively or negatively. If you're moved to do so, please post on his blog, as well.


I hope his post creates a lasting change for the better in all of our lives.


Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Catch you next week.

Witch of Rose Hill 2011

It's not perfect, but it'll do for now. Click on the pic to watch...

Vintage Creepy

Via All Hallows Design blog.

A Haunted Halloween at Blackstone Cemetery

 More images here. Be careful of Cthulu, though. He seems to be lurking...

The Haunting Grounds

More pics of this lovely haunt here.