SingsInFrench

More often than I should. I'm having my first dinner party on Saturday. Maybe it will inspire me to cook more often at home.

No new car for me. My 2005 Malibu Maxx is running just fine.

I have lots of fond memories too. I remember waiting impatiently for evening to come. We would have to eat supper first, and I was always too excited to eat. My dad would take the window out of the screen door, so my parents could hand out candy through the door. My brother and I picked our costumes (always homemade) carefully. My mom would help us with our make-up. My brother, 4 1/2 years older than me, was allowed to venture out much farther into the neighborhood, so he always got much more candy than I did. I carried a pumpkin bucket, but he carried a pillowcase. To start out, my brother had to accompany me, along with lots of other kids from the neighborhood, but then he would go off with a friend to trick-or-treat on their own. I have a feeling they pulled lots of tricks. Our parents stayed home to hand out candy. We were allowed to go out into the dark night with the other kids without adults following along. There were certain houses that none of us would go to. It may have been rumored they gave out apples with razor blades in them, or the people who lived there were considered odd. When we got home with our candy, we had to throw out unwrapped, or homemade treats, unless we knew where they came from. Sometimes, the homemade ones were the best treats. Such a shame, to throw them in the garbage. I remember one year in particular. I had a very elaborate witch costume, and my mom fashioned a nose of putty over my own. I was very proud of my costume. Toward the end of the evening, some bullies came along and pulled off my putty nose. I was heartbroken. I went home to cry and tell my mom, hoping she would fix it. Instead she made me stay home, so my trick-or-treating got cut short. My brother shared some of his abundant haul with me, though. I just love this season, because of the great times I had on Halloween growing up. I hope the kids today have as much fun. But with set times, sometimes not even on the right date, often in daylight, and parental supervision, I wonder if they do. Safety trumps everything else, as it must these days.

I've learned that we don't get any trick-or-treaters visiting our apartment building. I'm disappointed. Next year, at least I'll get Miles. He's not going out this year.

Do you have fond or scary memories of trick-or-treating on Halloween?

Do you get trick-or-treaters visiting your house on Halloween?

Sunday I had a frozen dinner. Last night I had a huge Granny Smith apple dunked in Caramel and then Belgian Milk Chocolate from Amy's Candy Kitchen. They're located in downtown Cedarburg, and I just can't resist picking up one of their gourmet apples every few weeks. They also do mail-order: http://www.amysgourmetapples.com/gourmet-apples

I'd say good. Maybe if I cooked more, I would be better. I don't like cooking for just myself.

^ Thanks Benny! I'm excited to see Jeff and Brian Wilson in a couple weeks!

Thank you for sharing Victoria! It's nice to see your pretty face! I also love the houses with grass roofs!

Awww, they're so cute, Barb! Give them some hugs for me!

Summerfest would work great for me!

Done, Ryan. Have fun at the rally, and thank you for raising money for epilepsy!

Awww, thanks Benny! One of, if not the best concert I every saw, was Paul's this summer. He is an amazing man and performer!

Glad to hear you two had a wonderful time together! I'm excited to hear of your plans for Mudcrutch Farm, and all the wonderful Farmers here!

Thanks Rick! These albums sound wonderful!

I went out for "breakfast" with a friend at 1PM, then a matinee of "Prisoners." Boy, was that good!

How was your meal with Ryan, Benny? The restaurant looks very good. Are you two going to the 10/26 gig?

He wrote back! Very nice man!

^ It would be great to see you and Ryan there, Benny! I looked up your hotel, and it said they only have 2 rooms left for that weekend. So don't delay, if you're going to go and want to stay there. It looks like a beautiful hotel!

Yes, you're so right, Amber. They do grow up so fast. I used to love helping my kids dress up and do their make-up. Miles is not trick-or-treating yet this year. The kids are staying home in their new house to hand out candy. They have lots of kids in their neighborhood. Next year, I want to take Miles trick-or-treating with my kids!

I'm thinking of going to this show. Would anyone (or 2 or 3) want to share a room with me near The Joint? I'm thinking of staying at the BEST WESTERN PLUS Carlyle Inn right by The Joint. I would fly in Friday and leave on Sunday, so I would be staying 2 nights. PM me if you are interested.

I wrote a letter back to Bret.

Absolutely nothing.

I'm thinking about it this year. The last time I dressed up in costume was 1979! We were in college and we went to a Halloween party. Residents in my apartment building may have a Halloween party. They did last year, and usually do. I think I may dress up as a girl from the 60s with go-go boots, psychedelic-print dress, and long, blond hair. Otherwise, I'm thinking of dressing as a flapper.