31 Days of Halloween: Day 21

It's Pumpkin Day! And given it's the second year in a row we've observed Pumpkin Day, that must mean it's a genuine tradition! Woohoo! It's also our monthly day off together, so we've got lots of (admittedly heavily pumpkin-based) things planned.

Trick or Treat Sweets

I completely forgot I ordered this bag of Halloween sweets from Candy Stack Creations! It's like a Halloween present from past me!

Crumpsall Breakfast

Since we had the day off together, we went out for a lovely breakfast at the Secret Sandwich and randomly met up with friends, before heading out for the afternoon.

Pumpkin Picking

It's Pumpkin Day! We went to Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm to get a big pumpkin to carve, plus some mini pumpkins (because they're so cute).

Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream

It wouldn't be Pumpkin Day without some pumpkin spice ice cream, would it?

Pumpkin Patch Cake

It's Pumpkin Day!

31 Halloween Films: You’re Next

An afternoon film from our list... what's next? You're Next!

Special Earrings

I changed my earrings before we went out for the evening... bet you can't guess why.

Saw X

We went to see Saw X tonight. I was a bit nervous about what it would be like, after the disappointment of Jigsaw (and I didn't even bother with Spiral). But it was an absolute joy (and I know that's a weird thing to say about a Saw film). There's so much affection for the franchise, the characters and the fans in this film!

31 Halloween Films: Friday the 13th

Back from the pictures and back to our Halloween list... it was Friday the 13th next!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 20

Another busy day with work and radio show stuff, but still time for a bit of festive fun in the evening!

Uncle Joe’s Caramelised Toffee Apples

What mad alchemy is this? (Also, can you get non-caramelised toffee apples??)

Roasted Patty Pan Squash

Our October Squash Odyssey (with our Groobarbs Autumn Squash Box) continues... tonight's tea was Roasted Patty Pan Squash with Carrots and Shallots served with stuffed mushrooms.

31 Halloween Films: Sleepy Hollow

The random number generator has spoken again... He's got a horse, but he hasn't got a head!

31 Halloween Films: Halloween

I mean, it was obviously going to happen at some point.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 19

Just a quiet day at work today, doing usual non-Halloween things (although there was a bit of planning for a big event next week).

Dried Mummy’s Brains

Tea break at work today. (It's Dried Mummy's Brains - actually Egyptian Camomile - from Monster Mash Teas!)

31 Days of Halloween: Day 18

Busy but nice day today, with some proper seasonal fun. It was autumnal, but lightly spooky, so all-in-all a good October day!

Bailey’s Wood Ghost Stories Walk and Talk

I led a Walk and Talk session for Friends of Bailey's Wood today, with a ghost stories theme. I loved our ghostly walk in the woods, and sharing a few little tales: 'The Grey Lady of Booth Hall', 'The Boggart of Boggart Hole Clough', 'The Lost Knight', and 'The Devil Came to Dam Head'! They're all 100% true as well (maybe). And what better way to finish off a spooky walk and talk in the woods than with a hot Vimto and a Halloween cupcake?

Halloween Fondant Fancies

Exceedingly good (part 2).

Veg Box

It's here! The first pumpkin of the year! And it's teamed up with a kohlrabi! (We also got leeks, carrots, peppers and potatoes, apples, pears and raspberries in our Groobarbs box this time!)

31 Halloween Films: One Cut of the Dead

Tonight we watched One Cut of the Dead. Pom!

Crown Prince Risotto

More fun from our Autumn Squash Box tonight... an excellent Crown Prince Squash Risotto (veg and recipe from Groobarbs, cooking by Rob)!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 17

I had a big event on at work today (not a Halloween one), so only had time for some little bits of festive fun.

How to Sell a Haunted House

Today's tram reading... How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix.

31 Halloween Film: Barbarian

The random number generator has spoken again, so tonight we're watching Barbarian.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 16

Quiet day today, after all the hard work of the weekend. And Rob was on a night shift, so there were no big festivities today.

Abominable Books

I've been saving a couple of things as a treat for when I finished the draft of my book, not least my AUGUST Abominable Book Club box. Still, the draft is done now, so I can finally open it! And I've got Everything the Darkness Eats by Eric LaRocca, plus a copy of Black Static. And... Serious Pig cheese snacks, bookmarks, Franken-stan pin and other goodies.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 15

I submitted my manuscript this morning! Woohoo! Can't believe I got the draft done! So the rest of the day was spent doing other things...

Spooky Season Virtual Writing Retreat

In quite odd timing, I spent today running an online writing retreat. But I'd literally just sent 90,000 words to my publisher and had absolutely no words left.

Halloween Pyjamas

My mum has outdone herself with today's Halloween present. She came round and dropped off matching glow-in-the-dark Halloween pyjamas for me and Rob.

31 Halloween Films: Beetlejuice

The random number generator has spoken... tonight we watched Beetlejuice!

31 Halloween Films: Night of the Living Dead

They're coming to get you, Barbra...

31 Days of Halloween: Day 14

Still working on my manuscript today, but I did get out to run a writing workshop (with a special seasonal flavour). And we did have a nice autumnal tea as well, so I guess we did do a bit of celebrating after all!

ParkWrite Spooky Season

Really enjoyed running this seasonal writing workshop for Friends of Crumpsall Park. This was the final workshop in a series I ran in the park throughout summer and autumn this year. This one focused on the changing seasons, but with a bit of a spooky twist. Parks are such great places for inspiring creativity.

Uchiki Kuri Curry

We started on our Groobarbs Autumn Squash Box tonight... Uchiki Kuri Curry, made by Rob and absolutely delicious!

3 Minute Scares is back for its eighth ectoplasmic year!

North Manchester FM’s Halloween creative writing competition is open for submissions for 2023.

North Manchester FM's Hannah Kate wants your scary stories for Halloween! Once again, she’s asking people throughout Greater Manchester to submit their 3-minute stories for her annual creative writing competition. Writers keen to be crowned Greater Manchester’s Spookiest Wordsmith can submit a recording of their mini-tale via Hannah’s website, with the best entries being broadcast on the Halloween edition of Hannah’s Bookshelf on Saturday 28th October.

We’re delighted to announce that the prize for this year’s best entry is a fabulous Halloween book bundle (with a few little surprises). Entries need to be 3 minutes long, meaning a word count of around 350-400 words. The judges will be looking for style and originality, as well as how scary the story is. The deadline for entries is Tuesday 24th October, at midnight.

Last year’s competition was won by Catrìona McLean. North Manchester FM presenter Hannah Kate says: ‘Catrìona was a worthy winner last, with a story that blew me and guest judge Daisy Black away with its creativity and expert use of the short form. I’m really looking forward to seeing what this year brings!’

All writers need to enter the competition is a computer with a microphone… and a good story. Entries can be recorded via Hannah’s website. More information and rules of the competition, including information for people unable to submit a recording, can also be found on the website.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 13

My very busy week continues. Tonight was the final push on getting my draft manuscript finished and sent off to the publisher, so not much time for anything else apart work and writing. Nearly done though.

Halloween Decorations

One of my neighbours has gone all-out with their Halloween decorations. At least I hope... oh Jesus... I hope that's what's going on.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 12

I knew it was going to be a busy week, but phew! I think I underestimated it. Today was a full day at work, followed by a full evening of working on the book. No time for big celebrations, but I did manage a teeny tiny bit of Halloween...

Halloween Biscuit

Not the biggest festivity ever, but at least it's something!

31 Days of Halloween: Day 11

Today I went on a road trip! What better way to celebrate Halloween than to go to the seaside!

A Trip to Blackpool

I went on a day trip to Blackpool today with the residents of Castlerea House care home, with a tram ride out to Fleetwood for chips. It was a bit bracing.

Halloween Headband

Got myself a new headband in Blackpool!

Blackcurrant and Liquorice Ice Cream

You can't go to the seaside without having an ice cream, can you? Blackcurrant and liquorice ice cream to be precise (it was the most Halloween-y flavour I could find).

Autumn Squash Box

We've decided to treat ourselves to the most autumnal thing we could find... an Autumn Squash Box from Groobarbs! It's got Crown Prince, Uchiki Kuri, Patty Pan, Harlequin, Little Gem and the most ENORMOUS Spaghetti Squash!

31 Halloween Films: The Wolf-Man

We watched another one from our list tonight... The Wolf Man.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 10

Today was a very, very busy day at work with absolutely no chance for festivities. So here's a picture of some Halloween ducks for you instead.

31 Days of Halloween: Day 9

Today was just work, work, work, work, work. No Halloween time at all, sadly. I think it's going to be one of those weeks, to be honest.

Reading Rocks

I did spot a little bit of Halloween at a school governors meeting I was at this evening. Our meeting was in the library, and I was quite taken with the Reading Rocks!