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Tag: 100 Days of Halloween

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Food Lifestyle

Monster Cereals 2026

Monster Cereals 2026

For the past 55 years, Monster Cereals have been a staple of horror-lovers’ breakfasts each Halloween season. Everyone knows these iconic cereals with the horror-shaped marshmallows: the chocolatey “Count Chocula”, the strawberry “Frankenberry”, and the blueberry “Boo Berry”, and some other fun friends over the years. 

In 2025 Monster Cereals partnered with The Jim Henson Company to reimagine these beloved characters as puppets. 2026 brings an encore partnership. “Fans loved Count Chocula, Boo Berry and Franken Berry reimagined through The Jim Henson Company’s creativity last year, so we were excited to team up again to create fresh new packaging designs that celebrate the characters and bring even more Halloween fun to store shelves,” said Megan Brooks, Business Unit Director for Family Favorites Cereal at General Mills.

“Last year, our team from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop had so much fun bringing these beloved Monsters to life as puppets, and we know our fans will enjoy seeing them again this season for more memorable magic,” said Nicole Goldman, Executive Vice President of Branding for The Jim Henson Company. “And new this Halloween, we’re giving cereal and Jim Henson Company fans alike the chance to put their creativity to the test by transforming each cereal box into its own Monster puppet.”

Where to Buy

These limited edition Jim Henson Company designs will be available in retailers nationwide by August. 

Additionally, super fans can score a limited-edition fuzzy Count Chocula cereal box, designed to replicate the fleece-like texture of the puppets, available exclusively on Walmart.com for $7.76 starting October 1st.

Whether this is your first time celebrating the season with the trio or your 55th, Monsters Cereals ensures your Halloween is full of enchanting moments with every spoonful. For more information, follow @generalmills and @hensoncompany on Instagram and Facebook.

Halloween Cards

September 8, 2026 No Comments

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

September 7, 2026 No Comments

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

September 6, 2026 No Comments

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Entertainment Literature

Dangerous Games to Play in The Dark

Dangerous Games to Play in The Dark

Dangerous Games to Play in The Dark by Lucia Peters details some of the scariest games of urban legend. Whether you are playing with friends at a sleepover or testing your bravery alone, there are plenty of options to choose from. Want to play?

The Games

The book covers 24 urban legend games from around the world. They are divided into five categories:

  • Party Games
  • Summoning Spirits
  • High-Stakes Hide-and-Seek
  • Long, Strange Trips
  • Games of Knowledge.

Each entry treats the game as real, giving step-by-step instructions, what to expect if performed correctly, and warnings about the dangers players may face. Its non-fiction style format is unique and makes the book very unsettling. As someone who reads books late at night before bed, I could only get through a few entries at a time before getting too creeped out to continue. 

Here are a few of my favorite games you can learn from this book:

The Author

According to her website, Lucia Peters is a writer and editor based in Washington D.C. Her work has appeared at Bustle, BuzzFeed, MindBounce, The Toast, Crushable, The Gloss, and others. She covers a diverse array of topics, including but not limited to food and wine, web culture, urban legends, true crime, weird history, travel, and Disney — often with a feminist bent. Originally a director and stage manager, Lucia holds degrees from Barnard College and the New School for Drama. 

Published by Chronicle Books in 2019, Dangerous Games to Play in the Dark was her first book.  

She continues her interest in the strange and unusual on her website, The Ghost in My Machine. It is a treasure-trove of spooky legends and history. 

Get Your Copy

You can request this book at your local library or find it at a variety of bookstores and online sellers. It is also available directly from the publisher for $15.

Wants some games with a little less risk? Try some fortune-telling games.

Halloween Cards

September 8, 2026 No Comments

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

September 7, 2026 No Comments

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

September 6, 2026 No Comments

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Apparel Lifestyle

Wear a Haunt Shirt

Wear a Haunt Shirt

I love to share my passion for Halloween with the world year-round by sporting a haunt shirt as I go about my day. From classic unisex t-shirts to women’s fitted designs, haunts around the country sell some awesome keepsakes to remember all the scares and fun. Support your local haunts & attractions by picking up some new looks each time you visit. 

Showing Off My Haunt Shirt Collection

Cheesy but fun, I created that short for my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge. Day 14: Wear a Haunt Shirt. Of course, it is hard to choose just one! These are four of my favorite tees. I show my hometown pride with shirts from FrightWorld (Buffalo, NY) and House of Horrors & Haunted Catacombs (Buffalo, NY). Knott’s Scary Farm (Buena Park, CA) is my favorite SoCal theme park haunt – and the shirt glows in the dark. Lastly, Netherworld (Stone Mountain, GA) offers shirts that stand out from the rest. With a variety of colors and fitted styles, these shirts are both spooky and fashionable. 

Haunt Shirts Online

Can’t wait for the haunt season to pick up haunted attraction merch? Some haunts sell their shirts and more year-round on their websites. Here are just a few places to get some spooky haunt apparel today:

More 100 Days of Halloween

I am counting down to Halloween with a bucket list of my favorite things to do. Follow along on my blog, Facebook, and Instagram. To join in on the fun, use the hashtag #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween.

Halloween Cards

September 8, 2026 No Comments

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

September 7, 2026 No Comments

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

September 6, 2026 No Comments

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Home Decor Lifestyle

Halloween Tablescapes at the Orange County Fair

Halloween Tablescapes at the Orange County Fair

Adding spooky touches to foods helps to set the mood, but the best way to create an eerie atmosphere is with a Halloween tablescape. One of my favorite places to get inspiration for amazing spooky themes is the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa, California. Their table decorating competition has a special “Halloween” category filled with creative entries. Here are a few of my favorite displays from the 2026 event.

Division Winner: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

There is quite a lot to learn from the Halloween Division winner. Decorated by Shei Ledbetter, this table was themed to Washington Irving’s classic The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. 

The table instantly evokes the feeling of autumn with decorative fall leaves and faux carved pumpkins. Mixing the pumpkin patterns on the plate and the horse napkins remind dinner guests of the headless horseman’s pumpkin head and ghostly stead. A vintage steel beer stein harkens back to the early days of the U.S., where the story was set. 

LED candles set the mood and offer spooky lighting (while also being pet – or clumsy roommate – proof). Using custom labels on bottles is another cute touch that reinforces the theme.

The mood is further enhanced by a beautifully eerie backdrop of the horseman himself, galloping towards diners. The open book contains Lady Van Tassel’s dark curse from the Tim Burton film adaptation. 

I would love to eat at this dinner party!

Statement Centerpieces

Sometimes the focal point of your Halloween tablescape is a statement centerpiece for guests to behold. These should be bold, eye-catching, and creative. 

This year’s table decorating competition had plenty of creative centerpieces, sure to wow guests.

In entrant Jessica Davidson’s table, “Among the Arcana – A Witch’s Feast” playful skeletons sit atop books of spells, playing with potions and tarot cards. It adds a liveliness and element of whimsy to the table. The unicorn skull is another bold addition that draws the eye. I also love the extra tarot cards spread across the table, tying in every inch of the space to the center. The sheer golden star drape over a light teal tablecloth also help the bold colors of the centerpiece’s florals to pop.

Lisa Gaintan-Branson’s entry is entitled “Till Death”. The focal point (that frankly overwhelmed the table just a little) was a macabre floral piece, reminiscent of a heart-shaped funeral wreath. The more you stare, the more you discover. I love the detail of two wine glasses spilling out wine-like red florals. 

Pairing bright red flowers at the top with the more muted dark purples, oranges, and browns of the bottom of the piece mirrors the transition of foliage in autumn. I could see this working well for a harvest feast or autumn gathering.

Creative Uses of Color

Color is very important when creating an engaging Halloween tablescape. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and use color to enhance your spread. Many tables in the contest used color to the fullest.

  • In “Midnight at the Vampire Salon”, entrant Summer Calderon used golden chargers to make the blood red glass plates pop on top of them. It perfectly encapsulated a vampiric feel. 
  • Kathryn Turner’s “A Spooky & Sweet Tea Party” uses pastels and cute teacups for a more fanciful take on a Halloween theme. 
  • Linda Lynes channeled Disney’s The Haunted Mansion for her “Haunted Mansion” tablescape. Purples, black, and gold accents are reminiscent of the dark ride’s haunted halls.
  • Regan Beegle’s “Spooky Setting” played with bright pops of orange and green against a background of silver spider webs. 

Napkins Add That Extra Magic Touch

One of the most overlooked arts of modern table setting is how to creatively fold or display cloth napkins. Perhaps it is because so few households use them anymore. That is why I love to see new and interesting ways to set up napkins for your guests. 

For those of us who cannot fold a napkin, try Baylee Lipsey’s approach with her entry, “Vampire Literature”. She used plastic vampire fangs painted gold as napkin rings. These stay on-theme and keep the napkins orderly while guests arrive.

I also love the seating cards on small ornate books!

In “A Proper Haunting” entrant Janice McCoy placed the napkins below decorative flowers and skeleton hands. I love the concept, but be sure to have a clear place for guests to deposit their decorative items before the meal begins.
  • Both Camile Boden’s “Cast a Spell” and Laura Rogers’ “Hex Mex at the Apothecary” utilized a folding technique that looks like a witch’s hat. (Here is a tutorial link, if you’d like to learn).
  • In “Houdini’s Halloween Seance”, Madison Rhoades not only folded her napkin to resemble a straight jacket, but she used a small belt as a napkin ring to complete the look. (Here is the closest tutorial I could find).
  • Audrey Goodman earned her well-deserved first place ribbon for “A Magical Halloween”. This tablescape featured adorable “rabbit in a hat” napkins. (Here is a tutorial for similar folds). These were perfect details for the overall theme. 

Now Try Your Own Halloween Tablescapes

Now that you have seen many inspiring Halloween tablescapes from the 2026 Orange County Fair, it is time to create your own! Try using the Halloween items you already own in different ways to create unique scenes. Show me your creations on Instagram @EmilyIsHorror

Want to add to your spook party? Check out 5 Ways to Make Spooky Meals.

Halloween Cards

September 8, 2026 No Comments

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

September 7, 2026 No Comments

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

September 6, 2026 No Comments

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Entertainment Music

Horror Workout Playlist

Horror Workout Playlist

Whether you lift weights, cycle, or run for your life, this Horror Workout Playlist will help you scare those extra pounds away. These songs will make you want to get moving and push yourself a little further. You’ll be able to fit into that sexy Halloween costume in no time!

The Song List

Many horror workout playlists just include regular Halloween music. With this playlist I sought to compile a few more out-of-the-box additions. Each song has a pumpkin – I mean – pumping beat and keeps me motivated throughout my workout. The songs include some classics, remixes, and new jams.

Listen to the Playlist on YouTube.

Playlist Song Explanations

1. "Sunglasses at Night" - Corey Hart

What better way to start a workout than to imagine yourself in the wonderful world of the 80’s. With all its bright colors and iconic workout sportswear, I think of those cheesy 80’s workout videos each time I start my routine. 

While “I Wear My Sunglasses at Night” isn’t explicitly tied to horror, I can’t help but think about the 80’s vampire flicks which featured vampires in sunglasses. Think that iconic poster of The Lost Boys, Robert Sean Leonard in My Best Friend is a Vampire, and Lauren Hutton in Once Bitten. For some reason I associate this song so much with vampires, I was shocked when I found that it hadn’t been used in mainstream horror media until much more recently (Nope, Scream Queens, Stranger things). 

2. "Calling All the Monsters" - China Anne McClain

I first heard this song via a streaming service Halloween mix and loved its high-energy electropop sound. It was surprising to learn that it was sung by a young girl and from a Disney Channel tv series, A.N.T. Farm. The series stars China Anne McClain as an 11-year-old musical prodigy who is a member in the Advanced Natural Talent (A.N.T.) program, a program that allows gifted middle school students to go immediately to high school. The song is from the series’ Halloween episode, taking place in an alternate reality filled with monsters.

3. "You Make Me Feel Like It's Halloween" - Muse

This dance rock/synth pop song will get your blood pumping on this horror workout playlist. While the song is actually about an abusive relationship, the lyrics directly reference Halloween:

“When you turn out the lights
You make me feel like it’s Halloween (Halloween)
It’s Halloween (Halloween)
When you skulk ’round the house
You make me feel like it’s Halloween (Halloween)
It’s Halloween (Halloween)”

The music video features masked figures trapped in a haunted house. It references popular horror films like The Shining and It. 

4. "Keepin' Halloween Alive" - Alice Cooper

With a career spanning over 60 years, Alice Cooper has drawn from horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock to create a macabre and theatrical brand of rock. His “Welcome to My Nightmare” is a Halloween classic and his song list contains many other horror/Halloween-inspired fare. He has also appeared in a number of horror movies: Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, Spooks & Creeps, and Dark Shadows – among others.

Released in 2009, “Keepin’ Halloween Alive” is Coopers love letter to Halloween. 

“I’m keepin’ Halloween alive, baby 3-6-5
I keep it goin’, I keep it goin’
I’ve kept Halloween alive since 1965
I keep it goin’, I keep it goin’
I’ll keep my Jack-O-Lantern light on for everyone tonight”

5. "Got My Scream On" - China Anne McClain

Apparently, I need to renew my subscription to Disney+, because this A.N.T Farm series has some phenomenal music. This song comes from the second Halloween-themed episode of the series, “mutANT Farm 2”. I want to get up and dance each time I hear it!

6. "Scream MV" - Dreamcatcher

If you only listen to English music, you are missing out at a treasure-trove of horror-themed media. “Scream” is the second track of Dreamcatcher’s first studio album, “Dystopia: The Tree Of Language”. The music video is packed full of witchy and magical imagery and the lyrics tell a story based on the witch hunts of the Middle Ages.

I love the epic chorus about screaming. The strong female vocals are quite empowering.

7. "Twilight Zone" - 2 Unlimited

Let’s take this playlist “back to back to another dimension” with this 1992 jam from Belgian/Dutch Eurodance act 2 Unlimited. The Twilight Zone tv series (and 1983 film) is one of the best horror/sci-fi anthologies out there. Although the song is not officially tied to it, as a fan there is no way I can ignore the implicit connection.

8. "Skeleton Sam" - LVCRFT

Now that the previous song got us to “shake our bones”, let’s continue with this Halloween anthem by LVCFT. Celebrating the ultimate Halloween mascot, Skeleton Sam, this song blends hip-hop, pop, and dance to create quite the catchy tune. 

I would also be remiss not to congratulate ScareLA alum, Lucas Acosta (DP/Director/Editor) and Philip Hernandez (Producer), on the stylish music video. 

9. "The Phantom of the Opera" - Harajuku

While looking for tracks to add for my Peloton cycling playlist, a friend recommended this remix of the classic horror musical song. While I am not usually much of a fan of techno, it is hard to deny that this song very much lends itself to this type of beat. This certainly feels like a traditional workout mix and works well when you need a steady cycling song.

10. "Grim Grinning Ghosts" - Glenn Gatsby & Ashley Slater

Electro swing always gets me dancing. I love the blend of old-school swing with modern beats. This song covers one of the greatest Disney theme park songs of all time, Grim Grinning Ghosts. The Haunted Mansion is the quintessential dark ride for Halloween & horror fans. This song takes me back to where I can find the happiest haunts on Earth – and distracts me from my sore muscles during a run!  

11. "Resurrection" - LVCRFT

When I need a power song to lift me up and empower me to take control of my workout, this song is it. Strong female vocals and a message of rising up from the ashes push me to do my best.

“I’ll rise up from the wreckage
I am resurrected
Try me, I’m electric
You can’t kill this vibe”

12. "Ghosts & Monsters" - Saint Chaos

Thank goodness I heard this song before seeing the cheesy music video. Otherwise, I may not have cared to add it to this playlist. While the music video is… well, terrible – the song is quite catchy and fun to work out to. I love the lyrics about a haunted house and feeling creeped out while being along. Quite relatable! 

13. "What's New Scooby Doo" - Simple Plan

We are at the end of our 13 track horror workout playlist. To finish, here is one of the greatest animated tv show theme songs of all time. I was fortunate enough to hear Simple Plan perform this live at the “When We Were Young” music festival in 2024. The band even had a slew of backup dancers dressed as Scooby Doo take over the stage. The entire audience was jumping and dancing along. This song will give you the final boost to finish your workout strong.

And That's the Horror Workout Playlist!

I hope you enjoyed the playlist and got a productive workout in. What songs are on your horror workout playlist? Let me know on Instagram @EmilyIsHorror

Check out more music and playlists here.

Halloween Cards

September 8, 2026 No Comments

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

September 7, 2026 No Comments

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

September 6, 2026 No Comments

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Attractions Destinations Events Uncategorized

The Queen Mary: Coven of the Full Moon

The Queen Mary: Coven of the Full Moon

The Queen Mary (Long Beach, CA) has long been known for its rumored haunted halls. Even on my first trip in the 90’s a tour guide was happy to recount sightings of a little girl in the pool area and odd occurrences in room B340. The Queen Mary has since leaned heavily into paranormal tourism with their Haunted Encounters, Paranormal Ship Walk, and Graveyard Tours. Additionally, their yearly Halloween haunt, Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, uses the legends as inspiration for their walkthroughs. 

Coven of the Full Moon

Each month The Queen Mary celebrates the night of the full moon with a special event. Coven of the Full Moon Aboard the Queen Mary with Stormie Gayle is an hour-and-a-half immersive experience where guests are guided through the supernatural history of the Queen Mary and its most well-known spirits. A blend of lunar mysticism and paranormal tour, attendees learn about the power of the full moon and how collective energy can be used to connect beyond the physical realm.

Together, the group will prepare to cross the veil and make contact with the spirits. During the evening tour guide Stormie Gayle uses specialized equipment – including spirit rods, EMF meters, and pendulums – and her mediumship abilities to communicate with the ship’s many ghosts.

Tickets are on sale now for $47.70. Ship admission and validated wharf parking are included. Drinks and cocktails will also be available during the evening for purchase. 

Past cocktails have included the “Shimmering Moon” (vodka, creme de Violette, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice) and “Midnight Harvest Moon” (Reposado tequila, Chambord, cinnamon simple syrup, lime juice, and a dash of angostura bitters).

Upcoming event dates are: 

  • Thursday, August 27th
  • Saturday, September 26th

I previously participated in a ghostly event aboard the Queen Mary with the Haunted Attraction Network. Read about the full adventure here: 57 Ghosts. 

Learn more about the ship and all their tour & event offerings on their official website.

Want to see more of my adventures with The Haunted Attraction Network? Check them out below:

Springtopia 2023

Scream Break 2023

Halloween Cards

September 8, 2026 No Comments

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

September 7, 2026 No Comments

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

September 6, 2026 No Comments

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Entertainment Lifestyle Movies Uncategorized

Host a Horror Movie Night

Host a Horror Movie Night

Invite your bravest friends for a horror movie night! Scary movies are best when surrounded by other people. Horror connects all of us – no matter where you are from, we have all been afraid of what may lurk in the dark. Watching movies with friends allows you all to cower, laugh, and scream together. 

Ever since I was a freshman in college, I used to host movie night parties with my friends. I love to plan the perfect double-feature, meal, and activities to keep the fun going all night long. Here are a few of my tips for hosting an awesome horror movie night.

Pick Your Movie(s)

Single screening or double-feature? When you screen just one movie, anything can really work in the slot. For double-features, try to find films that share a theme or tonally work well together. I often will schedule the darker or more serious film first and save the funnier or more lively film second. That way they will be fresh and ready to experience the heavier film. Having the lighter film second will cleanse your pallet after the terror or darkness of the first film. Additionally, it helps to energize your crowd later in the evening, when they may be a little sleepy. 

My favorite movie nights feature campy horror – allowing us to riff on the film and laugh along. Other times it has been wonderful to share my favorite lesser-known horror films with my friends. It all depends on your taste. I love to introduce people to new movies they otherwise may not encounter.

Here are some pairings my friends rated among their favorites:

Invite Your Guests

Crafting the attendee list is a bit of an art. Here are a few of my guidelines for when I look for the right group of people for a party:

  • Send out invites early. Unlike me, my friends have active social lives, so they need to schedule it in their calendars.
  • If I intend to mix friends from different friend groups, I try to always make sure that each person knows at least one other person besides me at the party. This allows them to have someone they can talk to instantly while they are warming up to the rest of the group.
  • Think about who will actually enjoy the movies you are showing. Especially with horror, sometimes certain people will not do well with the movies you show. An animal lover might have a hard time watching Pet Sematary. A religious friend may not appreciate a movie with demonic possession.

Plan the Menu

Whether it just be popcorn and snacks or a full meal, plan your menu in advance. 

  • Have classic movie theater staples available: Popcorn, M&Ms, Skittles, and Soda
  • Match your meal to the movies. Do the films you show have certain featured foods? Try to incorporate them into the night’s menu.
    • Try some Chinese takeout-inspired dishes with The Lost Boys
    • Spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce, bruschetta, and other tomato-based dishes compliment an Attack of the Killer Tomatoes double-feature. 
    • Check out The Horror Movie Night Cookbook by Richard S Sargent for some other pairing ideas.
  • Make sure to have enough food for all. General guidelines advise to make about 4-6 oz of your main protein, 4-6 oz of your sides, 2 oz of bread or starch, and 1-2 servings of dessert per person. You should also add about a 10% buffer in case you have a particularly ravenous friend (or the unexpected guest arrives). 
  • Be sure to ask ahead if any guests have allergies or dietary needs. If so, be sure to mark allergens and/or safe-to-eat foods so guests can choose their items with care. 
  • Remember food safety! Non-shelf stable foods should not be sitting out all evening. Keep warmers on hand or refrigerate leftovers to prevent food-borne illnesses. 

Plan Fun Activities

Yes, they all came for the movies, but a few fun activities are what will help your group bond and decompress after a scary movie. I love to have a few party games on hand to help people mix and mingle before, after, an/or in-between the films. Here are some of my friends’ favorites:

  • Horror Movie Trivia – Try the Horror Movie edition of Trivial Pursuit, or the horror-themed “Murder Party” Jackbox games
  • Drinking Games – Let guests take shots (or mocktail shots for teetotalers like me) based on criteria matched to your films.
    • Sip for each jump scare
    • Sip when a ghost or monster appears
    • Sip when a horror trope occurs
  • Arts & Crafts
    • During our Attack of the Killer Tomatoes double-feature, my guests decorated their own pet tomato to take home. 
    • Guests can make their own killer masks for screenings of The Purge films, The Strangers films, or other slashers.
    • When in season, carve pumpkins to accompany Halloween-themed films.
  • Board & Card Games – There are a bunch of horror themed games to set the mood.
    • Last Night on Earth (Zombies)
    • Horrified (Universal Monsters)
    • Final Girl (Various Horror Tropes)
    • Official Film Adaptations: Halloween, Scream: The Game, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Board Game, Chucky, The Thing, and many more
    • Werewolf (Various Versions)
    • Campy Creatures (B-horror monsters)

Enjoy Your Horror Movie Night

You’ve done the planning, cleaned your house, made the food, set up the games, and now the guests are arriving. It is time to enjoy all your efforts and have a wonderful movie night.

Want some suggestions for a mini movie marathon? Check out some of my favorite horror shorts in my Film Friday blog post series:

Halloween Cards

September 8, 2026 No Comments

Since the late nineteenth century, Halloween cards have been exchanged to share spooky greetings each autumn. From funny sayings to eerie poems, there are endless creative ways to send Halloween

Read More »

Autumn Dreams Playlist

September 7, 2026 No Comments

Deram of changing leaves, crisp mornings, and the distant smell of fireplaces with this Autumn Dreams playlist. The Song List This Autumn Dreams playlist combines jazzy classics with relaxing modern

Read More »

My Familiars

September 6, 2026 No Comments

Day #46 of my #Emilys100DaysOfHalloween challenge is: Appreciate My Familiars. I have been lucky enough to serve some of the most loving and supportive cats that have ever walked the

Read More »
Categories
Food Lifestyle

Apple Pie Recipe

Apple Pie Recipe

Apple pies are my favorite autumn-inspired desserts. They bring memories of harvests and autumn farm visits, and are a very easy pie to make for beginner bakers.

Below is my personal recipe that I have been perfecting since I was thirteen years old. My great-grandmother used to make all sorts of pies and I grew up hearing how much everyone missed the desserts at family gatherings. So, I decided to experiment with making my own signature sweet crust pies, starting as a 4th of July tradition and then expanding out to Thanksgivings and other friend and family gatherings. Of course, I also learned how to add my own fun Halloween season twists to keep everything in line with my spooky interests.  

Grab a pie pan, rolling pin, cookie cutters, and ingredients – let’s start baking!

Step-By-Step Apple Pie Recipe

  1. Add two cups flour to a medium bowl. Cut in 1 ⅓ cups butter and ¼ cup brown sugar with a pastry cutter or fork until particles are the size of small peas. Salted butter works best here, but if you use unsalted, be sure to add a pinch of salt to the flour). 
  2. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork (or mixing with a dough hook – if using a stand mixer) until all the flour is moistened and the pastry leaves the sides of the bowl. You may use up to ⅔ cup water here.
  3. Cut the dough in half and gather into two balls. Shape each into a flattened round on a lightly floured surface. Wrap the pastry round in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 45 minutes or until the dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. If you refrigerate too long and the dough becomes rock hard, let it soften before rolling.
  4. Roll one pastry round on a lightly floured surface, using a floured rolling pin. I sometimes use floured wax paper to keep the dough from sticking to my rolling pin. The dough circle should be 2-3 inches longer than your pie plate. Fold the dough in half and slide it over your plate. Unfold and ease it into the plate, pressing firmly against the bottom and side.
  5. Roll the second pastry round on a lightly floured surface and roll out again to about a ¼ inch thickness. Take a cookie cutter and cut out a variety of dough shapes. Set them aside. Combine any scraps, re-shape into a ball, and repeat the roll & cut process until you have used up all the dough.
  6. Heat your oven to 425°F. 
  7. Peel 8-9 Granny Smith apples and slice them thinly.
  8. In a large bowl, mix ¾ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons nutmeg, 3 tablespoons cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons flour. Stir in the apples until they are fully coated with the sugar & spice mixture. Spoon the apples into a pastry-lined pie plate. 
  9. Cover the top of the pie with the cut-out dough pieces to form a pattern as desired. Be sure that there are some holes or slits for the pie to vent while cooking.
  10. Crack and lightly beat one egg (or mix 1 tablespoon maple syrup with 1 tablespoon water for a vegan version). Brush the mixture onto the top of the crust. This will help the crust to brown while backing. 
  11. Cover the pie crust edges with foil to prevent burning. 
  12. Bake 40-50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and juice begins to bubble through the slits in the crust. 
  13. Cool on a wire rack at for least 2 hours. 

Recipe

Emily Louise Rua

Emily's Apple Pie

Sweet Crust Apple Pie
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 Slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 570
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

Crust
  • 2 cups Flour
  • 1 ⅓ cups Butter (or Vegan Butter) Softened
  • ⅔ cup Water
  • ¼ cup Brown Sugar
Filling
  • 8-9 Granny Smith Apples Peeled & Thinly Sliced
  • ¾ cup Brown Sugar
  • 2 tbsps Nutmeg
  • 3 tbsps Cinnamon
  • 2 tbsps Flour
Egg Wash
  • 1 Egg Lightly Beaten (Optional)
Vegan Alternative Wash
  • 1 tbsp Maple Syrup
  • 1 tbsp Water

Equipment

  • Pie Plate
  • Stand Mixer with Dough Hook (optional)
  • Pastry Cutter (optional) A fork can work too
  • Pastry Brush
  • Rolling Pin
  • Cookie Cutter (optional)

Method
 

  1. Add flour to a medium bowl. Cut in butter and brown sugar with a pastry cutter or fork until particles are the size of small peas.
  2. Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tbsp at a time and toss until all the flour is moistened and the pastry leaves the sides of the bowl. (You may not use the entire ⅔ cup water).
  3. Cut the dough in half and gather into two balls. Shape each into a flattened round on a lightly floured surface. Wrap the pastry in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 45 minutes or until the dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften before rolling.
  4. Roll one pastry round on a lightly floured surface, using a floured rolling pin. The dough circle should be 2-3 inches longer than your pie plate. Fold the dough in half and slid it over your plate. Unfold and ease it into the plate, pressing firmly against the bottom and side.
  5. Roll the second pastry round on a lightly floured surface and roll out again to about a ¼ inch thickness. Take a cookie cutter and cut out a variety of dough shapes. Set them aside. Combine any scraps, re-shape into a ball, and repeat the roll & cut process until you have used up all the dough.
  6. Heat oven to 425°F. 
  7. Peel 8-9 Granny Smith apples and slice them thinly.
  8. In a large bowl, mix brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and flour. Stir in the apples until they are fully coated with the sugar & spice mixture. Spoon the apples into a pastry-lined pie plate. 
  9. Cover the top of the pie with the cut-out dough pieces to form a pattern as desired. Be sure that there are some holes or slits for the pie to vent while cooking.
  10. Crack and lightly beat one egg (or mix maple syrup with water for a vegan version). Brush the mixture onto the top of the crust.
  11. Cover the edges of the pie crust with foil to prevent burning.
  12. Bake 40-50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and juice begins to bubble through the slits in the crust. 
  13. Cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours.

More Treats (and Possibly Tricks) from Emily

I hope you enjoy my apple pie recipe! Use it as a starting point and add your own spooky tricks to make it your own. If you enjoy this recipe, take a look at some of my other treats:

Vampire-Repelling Shrimp Scampi

Chocolate Coffee Halloween Cupcakes

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Have fun!

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Categories
Legends & Lore Other Games

Halloween Divination Games

Halloween Divination Games

According to legends of yore, Halloween night is the time when the veil between the living and spirit worlds is the thinnest. This not only means that you may see a spook or two cavorting about, but also that you may be able to use some of the otherworldly energies to peer into the future. Halloween divination games have been popular activities at Halloween gatherings throughout history.

Typically centered around finding love and foretelling one’s fate in the coming year, a variety of fortune-telling games were developed using items that were widely available long ago. Apples, garden vegetables, candles, and mirrors could all be used to glean insight into the future for those who dared to sneak a peek on Halloween night.

So gather your friends and give some of the below Halloween divination games a try this coming Halloween!

Halloween Divination Games Using Apples

Apples were used in many dishes during the harvest season – apple pies, apple cidar, apple sauce, plain ol’ apples themselves, etc. Being so common, it is no surprise that unwed young ladies used apples in their fortune-telling games. 

The Apple Peel

One game involved the peel of an apple. An unbetrothed girl would peel an apple in one long unbroken strand. If the peel broke, then she would have to start again with a new apple until she could peel the entire apple without breaking the peel. Then with her right hand she would throw the peel over her left shoulder. The shape the peel landed in on the floor would indicate the initial of the young lady’s true love. Whether it was the first initial, last initial, or middle initial was often left up to interpretation as the girls often already had a young man in mind.

This is one of my favorite dividation games and I still do it each time I bake an apple pie just to make sure it still lands in the initial of my Honey-Bunny’s name – which it always does (even if I have to squint very hard to see it).

Apple Seeds

So what happens if you have the attentions of two equally nice suitors and are unsure of which one to choose? If you have two apple seeds, you can try a quick dividation game to determine which one is the better match. Wet two apple seeds and stick one to each eyelid. The first one to fall off indicates the person who is not right for you. 

Of course, sometimes you may find yourself twitching one lid just a little more than the other to guide fate to a particular conclusion!

Apples and Mirrors

Many Halloween divination games have slightly different variations. Here are two of my favorites that use both apples and mirrors to catch a glimpse of your true love’s face:

Just before midnight on Halloween, place a candle by a mirror in a darkened room and light the wick. Face the mirror and cut an apple into nine slices. Eat eight apple slices while gazing into the mirror. Save the final piece and at the first stroke of midnight offer it to the mirror. If the spirits accept your offering, the face of your true love will appear over your shoulder in the mirror.

Another version of this game is slightly less complex. Sit in front of a mirror at midnight. Eat and apple while combing your hair. Your true love is said to appear in the mirror behind you. I prefer the version with a little more ritual, but this is a great quick game for the casual fortune-teller.

In either version, however, beware. If you see a skull in the mirror, it foretells that you will die before marrying.

It never hurts to give fate a little nudge in the right direction.

Kaling

Fruits do not have all the fun when it comes to being a part of Halloween games. Kale vegetable gardens were also plundered for fortune-telling means. 

Young men and women would take turns walking backwards and blindfolded out into a vegetable garden. They would then pick out a stalk of kale and bring it back into the party. Once all the players had picked their kale, they would examine each person’s stalk. The kale’s characteristics were said to mirror the picker’s future lover: rich & sweet, or shriveled and bitter. 

The game could also continue by hanging the kale in a row above a doorway. The first person to walk through the doorway would share a name with the person who will marry the player to have picked the first stalk. The second person to walk through would share a name with the person to marry the player who picked the second stalk, and so on.

Nuts & A Fire

A Scottish Halloween divination game used nuts and a toasty fire to foretell one’s future: Name two nuts after a specific couple then place them into the fire. If the nuts burn together, it foretells that the couple will have a happy life. If the two nuts crackle and spring apart, then the couple is doomed to quarrel.

Irish Barmbrack Cake

A delishously fun and easy Halloween party game was baking Irish Barmbrack Cake and adding large charms for guests to find (make sure all guests know there are charms in the cake, or you may have a choking hazard).

You can find a recipe for this traditional Irish dish at Allrecipes.com.

When the cake is served, each guest checks to see if they have received any charms in their slice. The charms received indicate what awaits them in the coming year. Common charms include:

  • A Key for Travel
  • A Ring for Marriage
  • A Coin for Wealth
  • A Thimble for Spinsterhood
Brooke Elizabeth

Irish Barmbrack

Barmbrack is a traditional Irish cake eaten on holidays. After pouring into the prepared pan, it is tradition to add objects to the barmbrack which symbolize certain things for the person who receives each in their slice. Thoroughly clean objects before adding them to the barmbrack. These objects can be pressed into the bottom of the loaf after baking instead: coin-wealth or good fortune; ring-will marry within the year; bean-poverty; pea-will not marry within the year; matchstick-unhappy marriage; thimble-single for life.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling 2 hours
Servings: 12
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Irish
Calories: 294
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ Cups Chopped Dried Mixed Nutes
  • 1 ½ Cups Hot Brewed Tea
  • 2 ½ Cups Flour
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • ½ tsp Ground Nutmeg
  • ½ tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 ½ Cups Sugar
  • ¼ Cup Lemon Marmalade
  • 1 tsp Grated Orange Zest

Equipment

  • 9-inch Bundt Pan

Method
 

  1. Soak the dried fruit in the hot tea for 2 hours, then drain and gently squeeze out excess tea.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch Bundt pan. Stir together the flour cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda; set aside.
  3. Beat the egg, sugar, marmalade, orange zest, and tea-soaked fruit until well combined. Gently fold in the flour until just combined, then pour into the prepared Bundt pan.
  4. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until the top of the cake springs back when lightly pressed. Allow to cool in the pan for 2 hours before removing. Continue to cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Press the objects of choice into the cake through the bottom before serving.

Notes

Recipe from AllRecipes.com

There are a mirad of other fortune-telling games you can play on Halloween to predict your fate for the coming year. Which are your favorite? Have you ever played any? Did they accurately predict your fate? Let me know on Instagram & Twitter @EmilyIsHorror !

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Categories
Apparel Lifestyle

Summerween Fashion

Summerween Fashion

Summerween fashion blends bright summer colors with classic Halloween-chic. It is all about having fun and playing with color, pattern, and classic Halloween iconography. As someone who loves to add spooky touches to everything year-round, the recent popularity of Summerween has made it even easier to find new and interesting pieces for my wardrobe. 

Here are a couple tips for creating your perfect Summerween look. 

Add Pops of Color

What sets Summerween fashion apart from standard Halloween goth is bold & bright colors. Try adding pops of green, orange, red, or other bright colors. Pair a black bathing suit with an orange coverall and green towel for a subtle pumpkin look. Look for dresses and shirts with bold patterns. Some shops even have dedicated Summerween patterns with carved pineapples and other beach horror vibes.

Accessorize

You don’t have to buy a specialty Summerween wardrobe for the season. If you have to blend in with “normal” co-workers, or you just don’t like overtly holiday-themed clothing – it is easy add spooky, subtle touches to pieces you already own. 

  • Wear Halloween earrings
  • Add a belt with a bat or pumpkin buckle
  • Choose a Halloween or horror handbag
  • Try an orange bandana
  • Skeleton heels never go out of spooky fashion’

Be creative and think outside the box to add Summerween flair to any outfit.

Summerween Fashion is All About Spooky Fun

There is no wrong way to display your love of Halloween in the summer season. If the above pictures have shown you anything, it is that I am not the pinnacle of style. However, I love what I wear and each outfit makes me happy. Don’t worry about dressing for others. Stay true to yourself, wear what brings joy to your day, and have fun.

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