Going Somewhere?

Shelly Morrison, aka me. 

To Permanent Sleep

"A gentle hand will help the dead

to find the way to their last bed.

Who engineers the mortal's end

will tell you he is man's best friend."

-"The Enchanted World: Ghosts" by Time-Life Books

Jake Howlett

New Year Plans

This coming year I have decided to try something new. Er, slightly new. Starting January 1st, I am going to start what I call "365 Days of Shelly." Or something like that. I'm not to keen on the name, but I can't think of anything better. Anyhow, I will try to post something every day of the year, no matter what is going on or how busy I am. I don't know how well this will go over, but we'll see how it goes. I decided the best route to go about this is to plan it all out, so I've already got January all set. However, I'm bound to run into snags along the way and would love to have some help from my followers and occasional readers. What would you like to see on my blog? Anymore of something? Any less of something? Something new? Some of the new things I'm going to try out include projects (if I can manage it), movie challenges, photo challenges, as well as more of my own photography in general. Even though I mostly post things I like, I still want you guys' input.

I've also been working on the new year logo. All I need to do is put on a few finishing touches. It should be ready in time to make a debut on the 30th, a few days from now. Which leads me to another question, how are you liking the new logos (even though I've only done one)? I'm wanting to start making new ones for major holidays, and if I get good enough, a few minor holidays as well. I know I'm not the best artist in the world, but if you like them, then I will continue. If not, I am flexible to something else.

I'm also curious to know what you guys think of the Spotify play buttons I've been using. I like using them, but then again I have use Spotify. I'm worried about those who don't have Spotify. What do you guys think?

Who Woulda Thunk

I'm spending the remainder of my winter vacation in the mountains in New Mexico. While making a stop in Santa Fe, we decided to get some rugs at The Rugman of Santa Fe (which turned out the be an excellent place to buy rugs). And he had a dog. Who ever thought you would see a dog in a rug shop?

And To All A Good Night

Merry Christmas, meine Freunde! Hope you all have a jolly one.

5 am. Old Christmas habits of waking early are hard to break.

Harley looks to see what is going on.

The aftermath. 

Now working on a new logo for the New Year. But, for today, that will have to wait. Dinner awaits!

On This Eve of Christmas

And All Through The House

Saturday's ornament exchange party was a success.

The array of finger foods. 

Apple cider! One of my favorite Christmas treats. 

The ornament I ended up with. 

Pool time afterwards. Fun times!

Anybody host or go to any Christmas parties this weekend? If so, how was it?

Ring All The Bells!

Seeing as it's the 22nd and we're all still here, I'm treating everyone to another Christmas classic: It's a Wonderful Life.

I would like to know, what are some of your favorite holidays movies?

Aahhh! Burning! Explosions! Aliens! Zombies!

Everyone's survived the "Apocalypse" so far, right?

"It's the End of the World" by R.E.M. I know you've seen this everywhere already, but I feel obligated. 

Now that this one is out of the way, when is the next end of the world? Surely we're not done with this yet. 

More Decorations to Be Had

Home for the holidays! Decorations galore!

Nutcrackers!

Fireplace tidings!

Presents underneath the tree!

Ah. The house is a mess. Boxes and wrapping paper everywhere. Thankfully I have all of my Christmas shopping done, although I I need a new ornament for Saturday's party, due to my attachment to the Cthulhu one I got. 

Anyone else enjoying their decorations?

Movie Night With The Family

Clip from Miracle on 34th Street

Plans, They Are A-changin'

Christmas time always seems so hectic to me. Perhaps it's the weather that can't make up it's mind. Maybe it's the pack and unpacking, the wrapping and unwrapping. Whatever the reason, my plans have changed, and I have to take off earlier than usual. So, the next time you hear from me, I could be in a heap of snow in the Texas Panhandle. God, I would love to have a white Christmas!

Digital Blasphemy

"White Christmas" by Bing Crosby. Classic!

Happiness and Cheer

Right. Because I usually spend my winter vacation up north, I don't decorate my apartment that much for the holidays. But I do have a few things out this year...

Charlie Brown Christmas Tree!

There is a battle currently taking place in my kitchen between wine and Coca Cola decorations. During Christmas, Coca Cola wins. 

Even Batman is getting into spirit. 

Pray tell, how are meine Freunde decorating for the holidays??

Christmas in Asgard

This makes me giggle. I love Robot Chicken.

As one of the comments put it, "I would pay the budget of Avengers 2 if a scene of Loki riding a Victorian bicycle, firing a revolver around the room was in it."

The Mandatory Way in Which To End Creepmas

Ah, the last day for Creepmas time. I have been saving a special movie for it.

The Nightmare Before Christmas! The perfect blend of Halloween and Christmas. 

It's been a blast, meine Freunde, watching Christmas themed horror, listening to terrifying Christmas carols, avoiding Krampus, and enjoying my meager decorations. But now the time has come to bring it to a close and start planning for next year. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. 

We Shall Heed The Call

Every year, my family on my mom's side has a get together on Christmas Eve, and one of the activities we partake in is an ornament exchange. For the past few years, I have been the one to try and get a humorous, unique, or unusual ornament, particularly for our family. One year I got a Batman one, and all the guys were fighting over it (I come from a family of quasi-geeks). So, the next year, I got something quite opposite of Batman: a Barbie ornament. Hilarity ensued. But this year, I have had the pleasure of finding one of the most awesome ornaments I have ever seen, so much that I am tempted to keep it for myself.

Cthulhu! In a Santa hat! If that's not Creepmas worthy, I don't know what is. Oh, and how fitting he is on my tree! Alas, he will not be mine for much longer, but maybe next year I can acquire another as my own. 

Tell me, meine Freunde, what holiday traditions do you have, or, perhaps, would like to have?

Taking the "Saint" Out of Saint Nicholas

Rare Exports:A Christmas Tale

Netflix, here I come!

Better Now Than Never

Over halfway through Creepmas, and it's high time I watched a Christmas themed horror movie. Gremlins!

For All The Boils and Ghouls

A horrifying Christmas calls for an episode of one of my favorite shows. Tales from the Crypt!!

"And All Through the House". There's some debate over whether this was the first episode, but, regardless, it satisfies the need for some old school Santa horror. 

Krampusnacht

A Krampus Carol

Ah, one of the ways to horrify your children into behaving. On my part, noted for future reference. 

Who's That At the Door?

Artist Unknown

"Deck the Halls with Parts of Charlie" by, who else?, the Cryptkeeper

Worlds Collide

A small budget calls for little changes. But changes, they are.

Spider Snowflakes from last year. I also had them up around Halloween.

Sam is getting in the mood. 

The Creepmas Tree! Also made an appearance for Halloween.

Ahh, nothing like a little skully cheer. 

Who else has Creepmas decorations going up?

Blasphemy!

I almost forgot about Creepmas.

Jesus, strike me down.

But I have got my logo up, so there's that. Not really horror/Halloween-y, unless you count the plague doctor being included, and who doesn't love plague doctors? Maybe should have added a few bats for good measure. Ah, well there's always next year, right?

I haven't got my decorations up yet, but tomorrow they're coming out. I'm looking forward to it.

Happens Quite Frequently

A funny little meme I happened to run across this weekend:

This happens to me more often than it should. I've decided Wikipedia is a black hole of information. When it's accurate, anyway. 

Another Sneak Peak

Here's another tiny sneak peak of my new title background:

It's turning out quite nicely. Better than I expected actually. I'm excited to unveil it. 

Soon, droogs. Soon. 

Classic Movie Time

I'm in a good mood today. I'm all caught up with my studying and have a whole day of whatever I want ahead of me. The best way to start the day? Some Like It Hot.

Ah, a wonderful classic. Definitely in my top 10 favorite films. Later I might get around to working on the new title logo. 

Anyone have any more interesting weekend plans than mine?

Lying in Wait

The droogs over at Creepmas have debuted this year's badges, and I must say my immediate favorite is "Rudolthulhu":

I've got at least half of Creepmas planned, including a small project, which isn't my new logo I'm working on. 

Sneak preview time!

This will be my first time coloring one of my drawing on the computer (using GIMP: free = awesome), so it might not be the absolutely ERMAHGERD amazing, but I am happy with what I've got so far. I've run into a slight layer snag at the moment, but I think it will all be resolved by the end of the week.

Huzzah!

Happy Birthday, Bram Stoker

165, today. Author of one the most influential pieces of literature in the past two hundred years. Hip hip, hoorah!

May we celebrate in his honor with many blood themed sweets and cocktails. 

Spookfish

Sidenote: I'm working on a new picture for my title background in light of Creepmas coming soon. I've decided to go with a Christmas themed plague doctor route. I just started today. This is what I've got done so far: 

Hopefully it will be done by the end of this month. 

I Got Plague Doctors on My Mind

Just a little something I whipped up during class. I'm thinking about changing the title picture of the blog, and I'm thinking plague doctor. Not this particular one, but still a drawing of my own. What do you guys think? Keep Punch and Judy up there or try out a doctor?

All The Souls Come Out to Play

Unfortunately, no pictures from Halloween. My camera got left at home, and my phone was left in the car. But I did have a wonderful time, scaring people out of their wits and giving them a reason to fear the woods. I did not get to bed until three in the morning, some details did not go as planned, but they were minor incidents, and I have no regrets.

"Holy Matrimony", Artist Unknown

How was everyone else's Halloween? Did you scare? Get scared? Hand out a lot of candy? Watch horror movies?

All Hail Our Great Lord Samhain

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, MEINE FREUNDE!

The day has barely begun, and already I've made tremendous progress towards tonight's festivities. The fridge is stocked with alcohol, the bowls have been filled with candy, the house is nice and clean, I finally got my costume makeup perfected, and apple cider cupcakes have been made.

Mmmm.

The Recipe:

No, mine look nothing like the picture, and I forgot the icing. No matter, they are DELICIOUS.

There will be more pictures to come, but probably not until tomorrow. There are still some things left to do. Until then, enjoy your Halloween fun! It has been a wonderful month of preparation. Perhaps I shall see you for Creepmas?

Howl, Baby, Howl

Last night was a wonderfully beautiful moon, so I privileged myself and stayed up to watch it move across the sky.

I think I purposely planned today to be be Werewolf day? That was a month ago, and I don't know if I was paying attention to the moon phases. Anyhow, it's fitting. 

Erich Schoenholtz

Right. So. I'm planning the Halloween meal today. Anyone have any suggestions as to what to serve? Recipes and links to recipes would be greatly appreciated. 

Sunday Night Movies

Tonight I'm indulging myself with one of my favorite Halloween themed movies: Hocus Pocus.

How someone who had been dead for 300 years would know a song from the 1950's, I have no idea. I don't question Disney logic. Besides, Bette Midler. 

And maybe later, if I'm in a particularly good mood: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Not Halloween themed, but who can resist that which is Bette Davis and Joan Crawford?

Fire Bad

It's Frankenstein Friday! The last Friday before Halloween!

And I got nothing for you.

Except a Rob Zombie song.

"Jesus Frankenstein" by Rob Zombie

Don't Stay Out Too Late

TONIGHT.

IS THE NIGHT.

That I have homework.

Bleh.

Less than a week away from Halloween! I have my costume all ready to go, still gotta get my makeup decided, hopefully lose a few pounds (only to gain it back from eating candy), pray the weather holds out for fun scary bridge time (no, no, no, an actual bridge, not the game), and maybe even catch a Mavericks game (probably not).

Until, I got the Haunted Gallery to keep me in the mood.

Anyone have any last minute plans for this weekend?

Oh, So True

One for you, five for me! 

iPad Horror

Watch The Skies

Charles Wysocki

Fun Times with Skeletons

For some reason, this reminds of two other pieces. 

1. Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, Movement V, "Dream of a Witches' Sabbath"

One of my favorite classical pieces. 

2. "Remains of the Day" from Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

Recognition of a Great

Bela Lugosi Day. This calls for a showing for his most famous movie:

Listen to them... Children of the night... What music they make...

One and a half more weeks, meine Freunde. There is excitement in the air. I am debating whether to drive around taking autumn pictures or experimenting with Halloween makeup. Perhaps a little of both?

Unrelated vampire song. 

And for those of you who don't have Spotify:

Buck Up

Well, pooh. My haunted house plans fell through, but, not to worry, I now have haunted bridge plans in the works, and my Halloween contacts finally came in!

Exciting times! Halloween is coming!

via The Haunted Gallery

Pumpkin Carving Tips

Source Unknown

Things That Make You Go "Awwwww"

A bit from FearNet from last year, but it still holds up this year. Featuring Sam, one of my favorite characters from my favorite movie about Halloween.

Good thing to know that us loners are never really alone, eh?

Sidenote: I need to find a pumpkin. Halloween is drawing closer, and I have yet to decorate a pumpkin. Blasphemous!

Old School Nights

Tonight holds a gem. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, to be exact. Probably my most favorite silent film ever.

Another wonderful movie that inspired wonderful, Halloweenish music. 

Wandering Through The Night

From Sleepy Hollow

"On mounting a rising ground, which brought the figure of his fellow-traveller in relief against the sky, gigantic in height, and muffled in a cloak, Ichabod was horror-struck on perceiving that he was headless!"

--"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving

Fabjous Day!

Calloo! Callay! 'Tis my birthday, and I am on my way (once again) heading towards the Texas Panhandle for joyous celebrations. Maybe. I'm actually not sure what's planned for me, possibly a corn maze, as I request it every year, and hopefully a cake. Perhaps even some Halloween themed presents.

And, as it is my only day of the year, tonight's horror movies shall be two of my favorites: Session 9 and Outpost.


I wish I could find a better quality trailer. Alas, I cannot.



Hoorah!

With the Mostest

"I do not care enough about life to be afraid of death." 

-- d'Artagan, The Three Musketeers

Via diru.ru

Trying the Spotify Play button again. Don't know how it's going, but there it is.

It's official. I am now helping with a haunted attraction. A rather small scale one, but it's a start. These next few weeks, I believe, will decide on my direction in life. Meine Freunde, I think I may have found my true calling.

Coming Out To Socialize...

Via FrightCatalog.com Click for a larger, more interesting picture!

Toil and Trouble

Time for some soundscaping, via The Haunted Gallery! This one is from last year, but who doesn't love a good mood setter??

Good for preparing for all your witchy deeds. 

Putting Me In the Mood for Some Halloween Hauntings

Fantasia - Night on Bald Mountain

Gah, one of my favorite pieces ever done by Disney. So beautiful and creepy. 

Exciting news! It is highly, highly possible I may be involved with a haunted house this year. My sister's high school class is putting one on, and I feel obligated to share ideas and thoughts with them. After all, if they must do it, they must do it with the utmost Halloween style! Some more doors need to be opened before it's a sure thing, but those doors are not difficult to get through. And yes, if it happens, there most certainly will be pictures!

They Tend to Be Creepy

I have had puppets on my mind lately. Fitting that this should be my Saturday night horror movie:

Puppet Master (1988)

Ah! I think I've said it before. I'll say it again. I want a Blade of my own. Adorable stuff.

I also think it's fair to say Puppet Master has had somewhat of an influence on music. Or at least I believe so:

Also, more Halloween shopping. Because it's Halloween. 

Time for Some Swedish Pumpkin Pie

I've seen this floating around in several places, but this is just too adorable to pass up.

We're In a Horror Show

Source Unknown. Anyone got any good Black Eyed Children stories?

Walls stained red; it's Undead...

"Horror Show" by SPF 1000

Now This Is My Kind of Haunted House

A haunted house based on one of my most favorite slasher movies? I would LOVE to have a chance to walk through it. Alas, at the moment, I can only dream. 

Decorations

Ah, yes. Halloween is almost here, meine Freunde. Time for ghosts, goblins, monsters, and witches. Frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!

I finished decorating my meager, messy dwelling yesterday, and I am quite happy with the finished product.

Happily, my Jack Skellington snowflakes survived the year in storage.

Oh, what fun! I have planned out every day until Halloween, so hopefully(!) I will be on top of things this year. 

How is everyone else's decorating coming along? What's your favorite item you have acquired so far? 

Mine is the Jack o' Lantern with the top hat sitting on top of the refrigerator. It used to be my mother's until she stopped decorating for Halloween. Fortunately, I don't think I will ever have that problem.