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  • Silvertree

    Mod post: No wishlist posts in blogs

    By Silvertree

    Please be aware that we do not permit swap-related content on profiles or in blogs. Please post this content only in the For Sale, Swaps, and Wanted forums, or in the Wishlists topic. ~from Swapping 101  Thanks!
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Halloween 2020, Day 30

(Photos above by Yours Truly. Plaster castings by Pumpkintown Primitives. The above are “1730s Lamson Death Head Plaster Casting” on top and “Plaster Casting Poole Stone 1754″ on bottom.)
Look no more for some perfect streaming music for this Halloween season!
Celebrating its 22nd year, “Out ov the Coffin” is hosted by the fabulous DJ Ichabod. What was born as a means of spreading dark and esoteric music to the Nashville area via WRVU, broadcasting from my graduate alma mater, Vanderbilt University (Go ‘Dores!), is now an spine-tingling and atmospheric podcast. Check it out for some perfect seasonal music! You won’t be sorry.
Here is the official description of the show: “’Out ov the Coffin’ is a specialty dark-music radio program, hosted by DJ Ichabod, designed to celebrate dark and interesting styles of music, from the goth perspective. Brand new entries are featured each episode, alongside older favorites and cult classics. Oft-featured sub-genres include: Goth, Gothic rock, deathrock, post-punk, darkwave, ebm, industrial, damnbient / dark ambient, dark metal, neoclassical, ethereal works, film scores, and theatrical experimentation.”
The time has come: The 2020 “Out ov the Coffin” Halloween Special is now available!  Here is the official description of the episode:  Listen to or download the special here! Pssst! Scroll through earlier shows to find past Halloween specials. Last year’s was brilliant! If you really want to party on (or like it’s) Halloween, you can play several Halloween specials back to back! DJ Ichabod’s regular shows also make for perfectly splendid spooky listening.  
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Halloween 2020, Day 29

This year I took part in the Ladies of Horror Fiction anniversary mini-readathon, and one of the titles I read may be the best book I’ve read in… well, ages and ages: the Shirley Jackson Award-winning novella Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand (2015). A key word there is novella; if you’re looking for a wonderfully chilling read for the season that won’t take days to digest, there’s still time to devour this atmospheric, Gothic, folk-horror beauty. (My 2021 plans now include reading lots and lots of books by Elizabeth Hand!)  Here is the official description: “When the young members of a British acid-folk band are compelled by their manager to record their unique music, they hole up at Wylding Hall, an ancient country house with dark secrets. There they create the album that will make their reputation, but at a terrifying cost: Julian Blake, the group’s lead singer, disappears within the mansion and is never seen or heard from again. Now, years later, the surviving musicians, along with their friends and lovers—including a psychic, a photographer, and the band’s manager—meet with a young documentary filmmaker to tell their own versions of what happened that summer. But whose story is true? And what really happened to Julian Blake? ”
And here is a brief excerpt, to give you a sense of the atmosphere.  - from Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand (2015) 
I discuss this novella in my recent Halloween-themed “Looking Back on Genre History” segment on the StarShipSofa podcast, October 2020′s Episode 645, which you can listen to here.
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Halloween 2020, Day 28

(Art is “ Monstrosity #16 / 2019” by boris-markevich.)
Here are some folk horror viewing recommendations for your day. From Kieran Fisher for Film School Rejects: “10 Great Folk Horror Movies to Watch By Yourself in a Candle-Lit Woodland Cabin.” From William Wright for Alternative Press: “Here Are the Folk Horror Movies Every New Initiate Needs to Watch.” From Adam Scovell for the British Film Institute: “10 Great Lesser-Known Folk Horror Films.”  From Shane Scott-Travis for Taste of Cinema: “The 10 Best Folk Horror Movies of All Time.”  Today’s reading recommendation list is from Jo Furniss for Crime Reads: “10 Novels Based on Folk Horror.” This quote from the article above seems fitting for the spooky season: 

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Halloween 2020, Day 27

- from We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (1962)  We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a novel that’s been following and haunting me ever since I first read it. It is included among these other great Halloween-relevant reading suggestions from James Pate at Sublime Horror: “Mid-century horror, a reading list.” 
And here are a few more atmospheric quotes for the day. There’s this: “I can’t help it when people are frightened,“ says Merricat. "I always want to frighten them more.” And this: “I was pretending that I did not speak their language; on the moon we spoke a soft, liquid tongue, and sang in the starlight, looking down on the dead dried world.”
And this: I thought that we had somehow not found our way back correctly through the night, that we had somehow lost ourselves and come back through the wrong gap in time, or the wrong door, or the wrong fairy tale. - from We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (1962)
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Halloween 2020, Day 26

I am so delighted and grateful that @OGOMProject put a vintage 1978 book on my radar this year: The Dracula Cookbook: Authentic Recipes from the Homeland of Count Dracula by Marina Polvay. I was able to find a copy in good shape, and it’s a treasure. If you’d like some festive and spooky mood reading, here is the introduction to the section on “Wines & Special Drinks”: And here are a couple of recipes, in case you like the warm, red stuff (but not in a vampiric kind of way):  The Count and the Bride seem to enjoy it. 
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Halloween 2020, Day 25

(Photo source is “Witch Girl 2″ by HauntingVisionsStock.)
Horror during a horrible pandemic? These links suggest that the one may help us cope with the other. I know my heart has been broken to pieces during this tragic time, and I’ve instinctively been seeking out horror to read.  Ellie Marney at CrimeReads explains “Why We Read Scary Stories During Covid.”  From Kayleigh Dray for Stylist: “Coronavirus: the psychological benefit of watching a traumatic horror film.” From Michael Marshall for New Scientist: “Horror Fans Are Better at Coping with the Coronavirus Pandemic.” From Corinne Sullivan for PopSugar “12 Sci-Fi Books About Pandemics That You Won’t Be Able to Put Down.” Earlier this year, I devoted one of my “Looking Back on Genre History” segments on the StarShipSofa podcast (Episode 613) to “Four Science Fiction Novels to Help Us Think about the Pandemic,” and you can listen to that here.  Here’s a favorite quote from a favorite novel, one I reference in the podcast segment above: The entirety of Jack London’s The Scarlet Plague (1912) is available online at Project Gutenberg. Here is an excerpt: - Jack London, The Scarlet Plague (1912)
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Halloween 2020, Day 24

In the past I’ve suggested some terrific podcasts that are perfect for this spooky season, and I stand by those recommendations. Read my past list here! In addition, just a few days ago Emily Stein contributed this list to CrimeReads: “8 Great Horror Podcasts and Their Spookiest Episodes!” Happy listening! Now here are several podcasts that are either new or new to me in 2020, and I highly recommend them!
1. Monster, She Wrote: Scholars Lisa Kröger  and Melanie R. Anderson are the authors of a book I thoroughly enjoyed, Monster, She Wrote, and now they are co-hosts of this wonderfully insightful and informative podcast about women in the horror genre. Don’t miss it! 
2. The Goth Librarian: Goths and librarians are two of my favorite kinds of people, and here’s a host who’s both. What’s not to love? “The Goth Librarian Podcast is a weekly podcast covering true crime, oddities, urban legends, haunted places, and other dark peculiarities.” Episode 37 on the “Spanish Flu” is a timely and topical place to start.  3. Bone & Sickle: This podcast “is a celebration of the intersection of horror, folklore, and history.  Every episode offers a bounty of frightful tales, fantastic legends, and macabre historical anecdotes harvested by eccentric artist, collector, and rogue folklorist Al Ridenour, author of The Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas.  Co-host to the show is Sarah Chavez of The Cabinet of Curiosities and Death in the Afternoon. With acerbic wit and a scholarly penchant for the grotesque, Ridenour delves into a wide but carefully curated range of topics that have included: Faust’s deal with the Devil, classical necromancy, murder ballads, ghosts ships, the Victorian obsession with Pan (and mummies), Basque witchcraft, the evolution of gothic vampire literature, and tales of saints carrying their heads after decapitation…” Thanks to Aaron for this excellent recommendation! 4. The Strange and Unusual Podcast: I’ve just started listening to this one, and I’m hooked: “The unknown, it lies at the root of all fear, and has inspired legends, folklore, superstition, mythology, and even murder throughout history. Still today we feel the shadowy presence of our ancestors’ struggles to explain the mysterious in our lives, as we continue to keep fighting to keep our monsters in the dark. Welcome to The Strange and Unusual Podcast, a podcast with a focus on dark history.” 5. The Tomb with a View: This is another recent discovery for me. The official description goes like this: “A podcast about the history, preservation, and culture of American cemeteries hosted by Liz Clappin.” If you’re looking for a good starting place, I recommend the recent, insightful, and timely Episode 54: “Constantly Looking Back: The Gallows Hill Project, the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, and Giving A Voice to Innocent Victims”: “Looking at how memorials can give a voice to innocent victims and how good historical research can help us to look back and understand what was previously unknown important facts about the past. The Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692 are still being learned about and interpreted today as we continue to come to terms with our difficult past.” And here are some of my favorite Halloween-appropriate podcasts that were new in 2019 and remain very much worth exploring! 1. Odd Things I’ve Seen: For years, I have recommended J.W. Ocker’s brilliant Odd Things I’ve Seen website, and now he has a podcast. As he explains, “I visit odd things, I tell their stories, and I tell you how to find them. It’s Odd Things I’ve Seen, but out loud.” Gothic, macabre, and spooky! 2. Ladies of Horror Fiction Podcast: “Ladies of Horror Fiction was created to bring about a multi-dimensional way to support women who either write in the horror genre or review in it.” Check out Episode 2 for “The History of Halloween, Vanishing Hitchhikers and Weeping Widows”!
3. The Full Price Podcast: “The Full Price is a podcast that takes a cultural journey, walking in the shoes of the legend of stage, screen and sound, Vincent Price.” Price is perfect for Halloween, and this podcast is perfect for Price fans! *** Parting thought for the day: “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables (1908)

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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Halloween 2020, Day 23

This year I took part in the Ladies of Horror Fiction anniversary mini-readathon, and one of the titles I read is going straight into my next class syllabus: Darkly: Black History and America’s Gothic Soul by Leila Taylor (2019). What a powerful, insightful, and beautifully written work this is! Highly recommended. Here is the official description: “Leila Taylor takes us into the dark heart of the American gothic, analysing the ways it relates to race in America in the twenty-first century. Haunted houses, bitter revenants and muffled heartbeats under floorboards — the American gothic is a macabre tale based on a true story. Part memoir and part cultural critique, Darkly: Blackness and America’s Gothic Soul explores American culture’s inevitable gothicity in the traces left from chattel slavery. The persistence of white supremacy and the ubiquity of Black death feeds a national culture of terror and a perpetual undercurrent of mourning. If the gothic narrative is metabolized fear, if the goth aesthetic is romanticized melancholy, what does that look and sound like in Black America?” And here is a sample of Taylor’s haunting prose: - from  Darkly: Black History and America’s Gothic Soul by Leila Taylor (2019)
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Halloween 2020, Day 22

If you’re looking for a contemporary vampire read, Vampires Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite is brand new, edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker with stories by an all-star lineup of authors including Samira Ahmed, Dhonielle Clayton, Zoraida Córdova, Natalie C. Parker, Tessa Gratton, Heidi Heilig, Julie Murphy, Mark Oshiro, Rebecca Roanhorse, Laura Ruby, Victoria “V. E.” Schwab, and Kayla Whaley.   
If you’d like to sample a taste from the collection, Tor.com has a spooky excerpt from Rebecca Roanhorse’s story “The Boys From Blood River” here.
Enjoy a couple of eerie snippets. Now let’s go old school… From “The Giaour” by Lord Byron (1813). (Art is “Vampire” by akelataka.)

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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Halloween 2020, Day 21

(Photo by Elizabeth. See the original source here.)  - from “Since I Died” by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, originally in Scribner’s Monthly (February 1873), as published in Avenging Angels: Ghost Stories by Victorian Women Writers edited by Melissa Edmundson (2018)   
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Halloween 2020, Day 20

This year I took part in the Ladies of Horror Fiction anniversary mini-readathon, and one of the titles I’m very glad I selected was Harrow Lake by Kat Ellis (2020). This young-adult Gothic tale is a chilling and effective love letter to cult horror films and those who obsess over them, wrapped inside of a toxic family mystery, and topped with a clever framing narrative that pays off immensely in the end. Ellis allows her heroine self-discovery and hard-won empowerment and a realness I found to be very compelling. I would’ve devoured this with relish as a teen; as an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed every single line. Highly recommended! Here is the official description: “Lola Nox is the daughter of a celebrated horror filmmaker–she thinks nothing can scare her. But when her father is brutally attacked in their New York apartment, she’s quickly packed off to live with a grandmother she’s never met in Harrow Lake, the eerie town where her father’s most iconic horror movie was shot. The locals are weirdly obsessed with the film that put their town on the map–and there are strange disappearances, which the police seem determined to explain away. And there’s someone–or something–stalking her every move. The more Lola discovers about the town, the more terrifying it becomes. Because Lola’s got secrets of her own. And if she can’t find a way out of Harrow Lake, they might just be the death of her.”
Ellis definitely has a wonderful way with words. Here’s an example.
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Halloween 2020, Day 19

(Art is “Halloween 2019″ by jackthetab.)
Sadie Hartmann has a fantastic suggested Halloween reading list here at LitReactor: “Halloween 2020 Reading List.”  Two other books to that deserve to be on any list include the new Weird anthologies from Handheld Press, British Weird: Selected Short Fiction, 1893-1937 edited by James Machin and Women’s Weird 2: More Strange Stories by Women, 1891-1937 edited by Melissa Edmundson. And guess what? Next week, you can take part in the book launch for these two volumes online for free! Weird book launch: Tuesday, 27th October 2020
At 19.30 UK time / 13.30 EST on Tuesday, 27th October, Handheld Press be hosting a Zoom book launch for our two new Weird anthologies, British Weird, edited by James Machin, and Women’s Weird  2, edited by Melissa Edmundson. Kate Macdonald of Handheld Press will be moderating. To sign up to attend this online book launch, go here for details! (Photo by Yours Truly.)
- from “‘Ghosties and Ghoulies’: Uses of the Supernatural in English Fiction” by Mary Butts (1913) in British Weird: Selected Short Fiction, 1893-1937, edited by James Machin
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Halloween 2020, Day 18

(Art is “Zbrush Doodle: Day 1750 - Festive Pumpkin” by UnexpectedToy.)
For today, here is the atmospheric opening of the short story “Haunted!” by Jack Edwards, originally published in The Weekly Tale Teller #83 (December 3, 1910), as found in Glimpses of the Unknown: Lost Ghost Stories edited by Mike Ashley (2018):  

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Halloween 2020, Day 17

If you’re looking for a truly beautiful and meaningful work to read this October, then try this first novel from one of my favorite authors, Lipan Apache wordsmith Darcie Little Badger. This is not a work about Halloween, but with magic and monsters, murder and ghosts, it’s perfect for the season.  In fact, it’s perfect, full stop. By page four, Elatsoe had me: “She could handle mundane dangers, like violent men with guns or knives, but every tunnel, bridge, and abandoned building in the city was allegedly home to monsters. She’d heard whispers about clans of teenage-bodied vampires, carnivorous mothmen, immortal serial killers, devil cults, cannibal families, and slenderpeople.” What genius is this? And don’t get me started on the scarecrows with real human eyes. Or Kirby the ghost dog, the best boy ever. Or the locals who stare at strangers. Or Teddy Roosevelt. Here is the official description of Elatsoe: “Imagine an America very similar to our own. It’s got homework, best friends, and pistachio ice cream. There are some differences. This America been shaped dramatically by the magic, monsters, knowledge, and legends of its peoples, those Indigenous and those not. Some of these forces are charmingly everyday, like the ability to make an orb of light appear or travel across the world through rings of fungi. But other forces are less charming and should never see the light of day. Elatsoe lives in this slightly stranger America. She can raise the ghosts of dead animals, a skill passed down through generations of her Lipan Apache family. Her beloved cousin has just been murdered, in a town that wants no prying eyes. But she is going to do more than pry. The picture-perfect facade of Willowbee masks gruesome secrets, and she will rely on her wits, skills, and friends to tear off the mask and protect her family.” 
I can’t recommend this young-adult novel highly enough (for YA and adult readers alike). I laughed and I cried; I also punched the air in triumph three separate times. I want to foist this book on everyone I know.  Here is a taste: - from Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger (2020)  You can read a longer excerpt from Elatsoe here and access a Q&A with Darcie Little Badger and see related videos here. You can also find links to some of Darcie Little Badger’s spooky online short stories on her website here. The book is gorgeously illustrated by artist Rovina Cai. 

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bookworm's Blog
 

Switch Witch 2020 questions and answers

8/29/20   Does anything from Paintbox Soapworks catch your eye (http://paintboxsoapworks.com/)? Journey in Satchidananda sounds very pretty.  An emulsifying sugar scrub would be my first product choice; The White Rose of York also sounds quite pretty and it even comes in a sample size.   Does anything from the Trading Post's etsy page catch your eye (https://www.etsy.com/shop/bptradingpost)? There’s nothing that really catches my eye up right now, except the artwork for the Oktobernacht hair gloss! Too bad the dry leaves, musk, and vetiver make the hair gloss itself extremely unappealing to me.   8/30/20   Is there anything you want from Japan? Current kit kat flavors are... Salty Lemon, Salty Lychee, Sweet Potato, Chestnut and possibly still some Cookies and Cream Ice Cream or Strawberry Ice Cream from summer. Other than that, anime goods, cute stationery, other Japanese snacks, lay it on me! I’ve already been lucky enough to have coltostallion gifting me in a past 13 Nights of Halloween swap, so I’m sure she won’t be my Witch and thus need me to answer this question, but I’ll go ahead and answer it anyway.    I wouldn’t mind trying a couple of Sweet Potato or Chestnut kit kats.  Anime goods – yes please!  My current obsession is Bungo Stray Dogs, and my favourite characters are Akutagawa and Kunikida.  Favourite pairings are Akutagawa/Atsushi, Kunikida/Dazai, and Ranpo/Poe.  I love the Ani-Art designs; I’m still kicking myself for not buying the mini illustration board box from CDJapan before it sold out, and I’m stalking eBay for the Kunikida mug (and would most likely snap up most other characters if I see them as well).  I have the Akutagawa mug and adore it.  I’ve detailed all my other anime interests in previous years of SW and other swaps, so that info should be available in my blogs from previous years.  Cute stationery is always nice; and I’ve found that Japan makes some fantastic pens.  In that previous swap, coltostallion sent me a cute pin of her city’s mascot, Funnasyi, because I had said that I’d love something that was specifically from where my scarecrow lived or was specific/special to that area.  So yeah, something that is specific or special to where my Witch lives would be lovely.  (She also got me acquainted with the Meito fish-shaped cookies with fillings and Riska Sittori Chocolate chocolate flavored corn snacks that I now look for every time I go to the Japanese market (or did, back when just popping out to the store for fun was a thing) and am sometimes lucky enough to find.)  ETA: Just thought of something else after finding it out of stock yet again at my local Japanese market – ume shisho paste!   What are your favorite self-care items or activities? I'm especially curious about things that you hesitate to do/get because they feel like frivolous luxuries. I don’t know if it counts as self-care, exactly, but I like having flowers in the house.  Trader Joe’s usually has beautiful rose bouquets and other fresh flowers that aren’t too expensive, so I don’t feel so bad about indulging in a bouquet of roses or carnations or even a mixed bouquet of various flowers if I like the colors. Right now I have a mixed bouquet of roses in red, peach, yellow, and white with pink edges.  Before that I had light purple roses and gladioli in red and dark purple.  I’ve been going through incense like crazy every evening, too.  The Satya incense sticks are inexpensive, but I like them – tonight is Dragon’s Blood, and I’ve been enjoying the Golden Sandalwood and Nag Champa too.  Actually, I’m so much better at self-indulgence than self-care!  On the self-care side, I could really use some nice facial products since Bella Lucce has gone out of business, and that’s where I used to get most of my skin care products like face wash and moisturizer.  Something that would motivate me to get out of the house and exercise would be perfect, but I can’t imagine what such a thing would actually be.  I am quite terrible at actually taking care of myself, and unfortunately I’m at a point in my life where my lack of physical self-care has become an issue, but that’s well aside from the scope of this question.       9/1/20   are you familiar with https://www.a-natural-alternative.com/ ?  Take a peak & let me know if you might like to try something.  I’ve never heard of them, but I can always use more soap!  The Frankincense and Myrrh from the January-June 2020 section sounds really good, as does the Mint Julep.     9/2/20   Would you like a face mask from one of my favorite artists? https://akumuink.com/collections/facemasks Oh, I like the art!  Some of the designs I think are cute I probably wouldn’t wear on a face mask, but I think the Plague Seeker one would be kind of perfect for a face mask, and I would definitely wear that one.   one of our fellow BPAL friends makes custom masks, Hakutaku Custom Masks on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/HakutakuMasks/ ). Would anyone be interested in one of her masks?  I’ve never had an ear-loop mask that fits right without adjustment.  They’re always too loose, so I always need to pull the loops past my ear and use a modified “ear saver” (which in my case is just basically a thick twist tie type thing).  I would love to try one with ties, and if I ever get around to making my own face masks I will definitely make them with ties rather than loops. Some of the Hakutaku masks are so pretty!  I love the fox one (#14?), geisha blue (#20?), silver cranes (#21?), and the blue and white fish pond one with the gold fish (#17?).  Wish she sold on Etsy, since I don’t have a Facebook account.     9/3/20   Would you like anything from here? https://www.etsy.com/shop/TaterRoundsBeauty I kind of love the look of the Crazy Jack Halloween soap bar. The Vampire Tonic facial toner sounds intriguing, the Radioactive Waste bath bomb dust looks fun, and the El Cucuy candle sounds delightful.  I wish I could smell the Holy Water body wash; from the description it sounds like it might smell wonderful.  And it’s a good thing that the Sebastian lipstick is a liquid lipstick rather than regular lipstick, or else I would totally want it, even though I know that I’d not have much if any occasion to wear black lipstick, nor would it suit me, unfortunately.     9/5/20   what are your feelings on home made/ home canned jams & pickles or syrups?  I even make things with berries I grow in my garden.  I make both brandied & bourbon cherries. Syrups good for cocktails, in lemonade or tea, flavors include Lavender, Lavender + Lemon, & Lavender + Vanilla.  Interested? Although it all sounds very cool, I really don’t use jams often enough to justify getting more (I have some from farmers markets from 2 years ago that I still haven’t gotten around to opening).  As far as pickles go, I only eat dill pickles, and I generally stick with the very basic Vlasic dill pickles – nothing fancy.  Sadly, I don’t enjoy the taste of lavender, so the syrups would be wasted on me as well.   Is there something that you're especially hoping to receive for this round?  For example, a brand you've heard of that you're especially wanting to try, or a certain "thing" that you really want but just cant bring yourself to buy for yourself?? Not really; I’m going into this with no expectations.  That being said, I think it would be really nice to get something that reflects where you live or where you’re from (even a postcard would be cool!), and it would be lovely to get something that you made yourself if you’re feeling crafty.   Would you rather receive supplies/tools for your own craft/hobby or receive something you can't make yourself?  Something I can’t make myself!  If you want to share your crafty skills, I’d be delighted to receive something you made!  For most of my own hobbies, I have more than enough supplies (the only thing I’m lacking is time), but I do have some cross-stitch patterns in my Etsy favorites, so I guess I’m not ruling supplies out entirely.   Is there anything you'd like from Penzeys (https://www.penzeys.com/)?  I like Penzey’s politics and I’m on their mailing list, but I’ve never ordered anything for myself, only for gifts.  I don’t really cook and only rarely bake, but I’d love to get some good cinnamon.  Most of the things I do bake call for cinnamon, and I usually put in more than is called for in the recipe.  I also occasionally mix cinnamon into soft ice cream to make my own cinnamon ice cream, since it’s not an especially easy flavor to find in stores.  I would say vanilla extract as well, but it’s just too expensive.     9/8/20   Art and artists - anyone dig any of this?  https://www.studiodesade.com/  (They also do masks, see here.)   It’s nice enough, but not really my thing.   If you knit/crochet/weave, would you like custom dyed yarn?  And if so do you have preference on weight, fiber, colors? I can’t do any of those things, unfortunately.  I’ve tried repeatedly to learn to crochet, to no avail.  I just can’t get the hang of it.    what is one fun/frivolous thing for $20 or less that you’d enjoy? Hmmm, I'll have to think on this.  Right off the top of my head I'd say that pretty much everything on my Etsy wishlist is frivolous, and some of them are under $20.  If I think of anything specific I'll update this.   If I sent you to a dollar store with $20, what would you walk out with? This is kind of easy, since I was just in a dollar store this past weekend.  I walked out with Halloween cards, a green glass vase, sparkly gold gift wrap, and fun birthday tissue paper.  Next time I go to the dollar store, I can see myself possibly walking out with Halloween stickers if I can find any, a small glittery notebook or two, maybe a bag of Pixie Sticks or Smarties, and maybe some small Halloween trinket or other.  I live in hope that I will find Brach’s caramel apple candy corn again someday, but no luck this weekend or so far this year.     9/9/20   would anybody like a small cross stitch thing, like a patch or pin? or cross stitching notions like handmade needle minders? A Witch-made pin would be great, as would a needle minder. I’ve never used a needle minder, but I’ve seen so many cute ones in cross-stitch magazines and on Etsy, and I’ve been meaning to look into getting one for myself.   9/11/20   Is there anything you'd like from the UK?  I love Aero bars and Cadbury Dairy Milk bars.  Also, my absolute favourite singer is Marc Almond, so any magazines or newspaper articles or whatever about him would be fantastic.   Do you have a particular fandom you'd like stuff from? My current fandom obsession is Bungo Stray Dogs, as I detailed earlier.  That’s kind of my main focus at the moment, but I’m open to stuff from any of the other fandoms I mentioned at any point previously (answers to prior SW rounds, etc.) – I may not be paying as much attention to them, but I really never completely let go of old fandoms.     How do you feel about tea?  Preferences?  Would you want anything from David's Tea (https://www.davidstea.com/us_en/home/), Steepologie (https://www.steepologie.com/), Bird & Blend (https://birdandblendtea.com/us_en/), or do you have a favorite tea maker to suggest?  What about tea tools or cups?   I am very well stocked (honestly, overstocked) on tea at the moment, and lately I’ve been sticking mainly to Harney and Sons’ Hot Cinnamon Spice tea (alternating between regular and decaf) and ginger tea.  But if you have a favorite tea you’d like to share that sounds like something I would like, I would definitely be open to that. I don’t think I need any tea tools, and I’ve already got more tea cups than I have room to put them, but if you find an especially pretty tea cup that you can’t resist sending me, or a mug that ties in with one of my fandom interests, then I’d be open to that too.   How do you feel about fragrant things for the home like incense, candles, atmosphere spray? I’ve been going through a lot of stick incense lately.  I like the Satya dragon’s blood, golden sandalwood, and nag champa, and Shoyeido Eternal Treasure Hoyei-Koh.  I would be definitely be open to other brands and scents, though, and a sampler would be a great way to discover other loves.   I’ve accumulated so many candles and I really don’t use candles on a regular basis, so it would probably be best that I don’t acquire any more.  I’m overstocked on atmo spray as well, but some BPTP Burning the Blue Dark Round Their Moons atmo spray would be welcomed with open arms and grabby hands.   Do you share your home with any loved ones (human, feline, canine, etc.) who might enjoy a tiny treat too?   No, it’s just me.  Unless you want to send tiny treats to the neighborhood ducks, squirrels, groundhogs, raccoons, etc. who show up in my yard everyday expecting to be fed, and I really don’t think you want to do that!    My dad has three new bunnies that I like to spoil, but they live with him, not me, so no need to send tiny treats for them.   9/12/20   Does anyone like the prints or items from www.ElissaMarieCreative.com ? I have a few of her prints and the notebooks and they are quality!   She has some cute stuff, but I really don’t see anything that’s calling to me.   What about www.drawingsbynicole.com? Anything specific?   The “Wear a mask, asshole” mask definitely strikes a chord, but I’m not brave/confrontational enough to actually wear it in front of the assholes who should be reading it.  But assholes refusing to wear masks or doing the half-assed mask pulled down below the nose is totally a pet peeve of mine (to put it politely).       Does anything from www.vapidlacquer.com stick out to you?   Happy Freakin’ New Year 2020 nail polish.  I’m always up for bar soap, but they seem to be pretty much sold out right now.    I do pour painting/acrylic fluid art (with varying degrees of success, haha). Would you like a custom piece in colors of your choice (takes 3-4 weeks with curing, longer if you want it sealed, so it would arrive post-round if custom) or a piece already finished in my collection? I have mostly 12 x 12 and 10 x 10s  right now. Pics available upon request!  Right now I have a stack of about a dozen prints from various artists that I haven’t gotten framed and up on the walls yet (not to mention that I have no idea where I’ll actually put them once they are framed), so it’s probably best that I not add to that pile.       After enjoying looking at the links several others have put in the questions, I decided to add some of my own favorite independent artists who I enjoy supporting - so, what do you think of the goodies from these people? And specific items you love? Enjoy! 1) https://www.catcoven.com/  Nothing really catches my eye.
2) https://www.mineralgypsy.com  The rainbow fluorite is beautiful.  I like spheres best.  Too bad they’re sold out, or I might have been tempted to grab one.  (So maybe it’s a good thing that they’re sold out, I suppose.) The Mexican Deep Purple “Morado” opal pyramids are very tempting, but too expensive.
3) https://www.redbubble.com/people/thelatestkate/shop  The critters are really cute and I like the colorful designs, but inspirational quotes aren’t really my thing.
4) https://www.marikapaz.com/shop/  Shop is closed so I couldn’t check it out.
5) https://www.faunwood.com  I don’t see anything I can’t live without, but Lil’ Stabby is cute.
6) https://www.shannatrumbly.com/  I like The Unforgettable Kiss, Covid Love, and The Pomegranate Prince best, but honestly I really don’t need any more prints right now.
7) https://fiddlersgreenzine.com  These look neat!
8 )  No, thank you.   One of the things I do is make nifty things from sweaters that I cut up & upcycle into things like super warm mittens, arm warmers, striped arm warmers, cowls, teapot cozies, & French press cozies.  I don't have a slipper I love yet, but I'm working on it.   So, which of these things might you like?  Give me some thoughts on colors you like & if for a teapot or press, I need to know a size. That sounds very cool!  Winter is coming, so super warm mittens would definitely not go unappreciated.   I enjoy historical reproductions and am a fan of LBCC Historical Apothecary. Is there something in her store you might be interested in?   This shop was very cool to browse through, and I saw a lot of things that looked neat.  The things I was most interested in for myself were the 1889 Superior Bay Rum, the Vegan Solid Perfume 1893 Victorian Recipe Lady Guinevere, and the Travel Vintage Inspired Traveling Oil Blotter.  Either of the body powders would also be fun to try.     9/13/20   Do you have a favorite art style/movement/artist?  I have a vague idea that I like art deco, but I really don’t know anything about it.  For artists, I like Pierre et Gilles.        Who is your fashion icon(s)?  If you knew me or even just saw me it would be pretty obvious that I don’t have any fashion icons.  I’m hopeless when it comes to fashion.  I suppose the closet I ever came to having a fashion icon was when I saw Patricia Morrison in a Sisters of Mercy video and decided that I wanted to dress and have hair and makeup like hers when I was an adult.  And now I’m an adult and never once managed to do anything like that.   What is your favorite mythological creature?  Do sea monsters count as mythological?  Because I love sea monsters and lake monsters.  The Loch Ness Monster is my favorite cryptid.  (I know Nessie doesn’t count as mythological because Nessie is real, just very very good at hiding.  )
is there anything you want from Lush?   Not really.   Do you need any astrological work done, since thats one of my professions? Any particular areas you could utilize a consultation? I don’t have any particular areas of concern.  I don’t exactly know if it’s possible to do just a general information sort of basic chart that isn’t built around any particular areas of concern, but I’d be very interested in that.  I'll try to come back and update with my birth time and all that jazz - got to go find my baby book first.  Ok, found it!  Born on 7:06 p.m. on January 5, 1972 in Livonia, Michigan.     How do you feel about the homemade fudge I sell in my etsy shop?  https://www.etsy.com/shop/HollysRainbow -particular preferences, flavors (consider I take special flavor requests all the time!)? I LOVE fudge.  I don’t get it very often because it’s such an indulgence, but I love it. I’m boring and prefer just basic chocolate fudge with no nuts, but I’m also kind of curious about the penuche, which sounds rather tempting.     How do you feel about keto or sugar-free, low carb baked goods or treats??   I don’t follow any particular diet that requires such accommodations.  I could probably (ok, definitely) stand to lower my sugar intake, but I don’t see myself ever going completely sugar-free.   9/14/20   Anything you'd like from Future Primitive: https://futureprimitivesoap.co.uk   Their bar soaps look gorgeous!  It’s hard to pick soaps without being able to smell them, but West Indian Bay Rum, Indian Sandalwood, Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush, Smoke & Mirrors, Ghost Smoke, Festival, Gingerbread, and Bird of Paradise all sound promising.  I don’t need full bottles of any of the perfumes, but I’d love to try a decant of Arabian Nights or Opium Den or maybe even Dark Carnival.  The Rook & Raven conditioning hair rinse also sounds very nice.
Do you have an Etsy wishlist?   Yes, it’s at http://www.etsy.com/people/chiroptera/favorites.  It's also in my sig with my Amazon & BPAL wishlists.   I  wanted to share this link to a soapmaker I love and ask if y'all see anything you would like from them! https://www.herbneden.com/ Maybe the Jasmine & Geranium facial serum? (The 0.5 oz size would be fine.)      Nui Cobalt Designs perfumes...(just got her latest email): How about the scents being discontinued? The Critters? https://nuicobaltdesigns.com/collections/critters-2020?page=1 or other ones? I could probably put the mini Health candle to good use.     9/15/20   I have a friend who does pet caricatures. He's done ones for all of my pets. Is this something you would be interested of for your pet(s)?   I don’t have any pets.   Do you decorate seasonally/for holidays?  Is there anything in particular you would like to that end? Not as much as I should.  I have sooooo many decorations for Halloween, and only the tiniest fraction of them ever get put up.  But if you see something especially cool (especially with bats) that you think should be mine….   
  Would you like anything from House of Gloi, especially from their Autumn Update? (https://www.hausofgloi.com/collections/fall-1)  A previous Witch gifted me with a Moon Dog bubbling scrub, and it was quite nice.  The Depravity and Cozy Sweater scents also sound appealing.  A 2 oz container would be better than a 6 oz for me.  (This is generally true of any bath product – I’d rather have a small container to try out than a large one, in part because I have so much that it’s hard for me to make it through a full size container of any one thing.)  Too bad the mint marshmallow powder from the Summer collection is sold out; I would have loved to try that.   I know the tea question has been asked, but what, specifically, about Adagio teas?  I don’t really know much about Adagio teas and I have no favorites from them, and I just don’t have the patience right now to scroll through all their offerings.  Feel free to surprise me if you’d like.  Sample sizes are perfect, especially as I already have so much tea.  A previous Witch gifted me with a cute little tin of Bat Brew, and that was fun.  I just checked and I see that they have a bunch of Halloween blends on their site.  Not a Halloween blend, but a sample size of the dragon fruit dream does sound appealing.   What about anything tempting from Dandelion Chocolate? (https://store.dandelionchocolate.com/pages/home) Unfortunately, all the chocolate bars seem too dark for my tastes. The hot chocolate mix or maybe the black sesame toffee brittle look the most tempting.   9/16/20   Would you, my dear Witchee, like anything from April Gloom? https://www.etsy.com/shop/AprilGloom  (this is our @spookygrrrly - switch witch code coming soon to a spreadsheet near you.)  No, thank you.   How about from https://twinklentwilight.etsy.com ?  (This shop belongs to @twilighteyes - we can maybe crochet some of the unicorns that are sold out...)   I don’t knit or crochet, so no need for a bag designed for that.   Would you enjoy anything from my friend Brian's Etsy shop? https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrianSerwayArt?   This is a good example of art that I can admire without wanting to own.  I prefer my critter art to be cute rather than creepy.
Are you a sock person?  If so what are your favourite kinds to wear?  Do you have a sockdreams wishlist? No Sockdreams wishlist, but I am totally a sock person!  Crew or ankle height are best, as knee length are generally uncomfortably tight.  I really love bamboo socks, but I also really love socks with cute designs, which unfortunately generally aren't bamboo, so as long as they're cute, I don't worry about the material.  Design-wise, I can't resist Hello Kitty or Halloween designs (especially with bats!), and I'm always on the lookout for just the right Loch Ness monster/sea monster or octopus or squid or kraken socks.  Some basic black or other colors of bamboo socks would also be fantastic, though.     If you’re not near one, is there anything from Trader Joe’s you’d like?  I’m near one.     How do you feel about local items from my city, like spicy (think chili) things or local coffee? The coffee is not spicy lol.  The coffee is not spicy lol. Pinion things, like incense perhaps? Prickly pear jelly? I’m not really a fan of spicy, and definitely not of chili (sorry), and I don’t drink coffee. But I do love the idea of local items from my Witch’s city, like a postcard or a magnet or something emblematic of where you live.  ETA: Oops, missed the end part of the question the first time around – yes, I’d be interested in trying pinion incense, and maybe a tiny jar of prickly pear jelly (I don’t really use jelly all that much, but I think it would be fun to try some prickly pear jelly!).     Do you have good feelings about Funko Pop?  Let’s say that I don’t have bad feelings about Funko Pop. Some of them have caught my eye, but when it came down to it, I always found other places that I’d rather spend my money.     Candles! Anything from these places catch your fancy? https://cantripcandles.com/collections (restocks Friday 9/18 at 9:00 PST)  Maybe Sanctuary?  (6 oz. tin.)  Actually, with all the incense I’ve been going through, I can always use more matches. I especially like the Necromancy Spells matchbook, with the Divination Spells matchbook coming in second. https://miruscandles.com/collections  Not my fandoms, so probably wasted on me. https://briarwickcandles.com/collections  Ghost Stories 4 oz tin.  Witches Brew could be good too (and I like the color!), and it’s difficult to resist Jareth, because Jareth.     9/17/20   Is there something from your fandom that popped up in another country you'd be particularly interested in?  What, and what store? Judging from eBay, many many things from my current fandom have popped up in Japan.  I’ve seen lots of advertising tie-ins, etc. for Bungo Stray Dogs.  I can’t really point to any one thing in particular, though.  I'd probably like anything you could find, especially if it featured one of my favorite characters.   Would you be interested in some boozy chocolates (or anything else) from https://www.chocolatemoonshine.com/ ?  I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again – I LOVE fudge! The Belgian chocolate fudge sounds yummy, and I’m very curious about the French vanilla fudge.  As far as the truffle bars go, top choices are hazelnut, milk chocolate, mint, and orange.   9/18/20   Witchee, assuming you like home made/home canned condiment goodies, what is your spice level preference?   Pretty low, actually.  And I like sweet rather than savory spices, if that makes sense.  I mean, if you want to bake me something with a ton of cinnamon or studded with red hots candies, then I’d most likely be fine with that, but if we’re talking hot peppers or chilis, then not so much.   While I'm here WFH I'm multi tasking & doing lots of preserving while I manage my office & those I support.  Currently I have a small batch of Smoky Tomato Jam simmering down.  I'm about 10 feet from the stove & it smells amazing.  This batch has a little more of a spicy kick than my prior batch.  Which batch would you rather have a jar of?  Spicy & Smokey, or the less.... heated version.  This stuff is amazing in a grilled cheese sammie. I’m not a fan of tomatoes (yes, my family thinks I’m totally weird).  I can do ketchup on burgers/fries and a little tomato sauce on pizzas, but nothing much more than that.     9/19/20   Lilith are up! Is there anything from the release that you want? Decant or full bottles? Perfectly Normal Childhood looks promising; also possible are Baby’s First Ballista; 2020 Aesthetic; Aoede, Melete, Mneme; and Sentence First, Verdict Afterwards.  Decants would be best; the only one I would even think of possibly blind bottling would be Perfectly Normal Childhood.     How would you feel about recipes?   I don’t cook and I bake only very rarely, so unfortunately recipes would be wasted on me.   Would anyone be interested in anything from Bucees?! It’s a magical giant beaver gas station/shop! It has spices, fudge,  Knick knacks, all things Texas, candy, beef jerky, roasted nuts, and of course beavers! Most things like the fudge and nuts are made in house.  I’ve never heard of Bucees, but I would never say no to fudge.     9/20/20   How do you guys store your decants so they are not a confused mess?  If you've got a system, please share it.  I’m no help on this, because mine are basically a confused mess.  I did at one point separate them by first letter into 26 separate baggies (+ 1 for numbers, I think), but I haven’t even been keeping up with that “system.”  I do have a bunch of the ammo trays, but have only filled one, and haven't yet figured out a way to make them really work for me.   9/21/20   I'm a knitter.  I have some knitted washcloths done, and can knit up more.  Would you like some?  Also, if answered soon enough, I can maybe get a scarf done.  Would you like one?  What colors would you like?  Thin or thick?  With or without fringe?  Are you allergic to any fibers - wool, cashmere, angora, alpaca?  Sure, knitted washcloths would be nice.  Not allergic to any fibers (well, I’m somewhat allergic to cats and bunnies, but I think I could do angora, assuming that it’s harvested without harming the bunnies).  No need to rush to make a scarf for me, though; my BFF used to knit so I’m already well supplied with scarves.     Witchee, darling, there's a *slight* chance I might be going on a trip next week and *might*, in the course of this trip, have access to Disneyworld goodies from Epcot and Magic Kingdom - any stuff you might desire?  I guess some small Haunted Mansion thing, maybe? Or a small Eeyore something; I like Eeyore.     9/22/20   Would you like any of Snag Tights’ Halloween offerings and if so, what size? No thank you; I never wear tights.   Do you prefer getting one or two really nice/more expensive things or several smaller/less expensive little things? Or do you have no preferance? No real preference; do what works best for your time and budget.  (But if you’re going to go the 1-2 more expensive things route, maybe you could send a postcard or two also, or something like that?)   Witchee, do you like tea? If so, what kind? I like tea, but I really like hot chocolate better.  I drink Harney & Sons’ decaf hot cinnamon spice tea in the mornings at work; I used to drink it all through the day, but I’ve switched over to dandelion tea in the afternoons lately.  It’s really not my favorite, but my doctor is worried about my kidneys recently and keeps making me take blood tests, so I’ve been doing the dandelion tea the last couple of weeks to try to get the numbers on my blood tests to where she wants them so that I don’t have to keep getting tested.    Witchee, do you want anything?  Shirts, mugs, postcards from Anarchist Seattle, Portland, or New York.... https://www.redbubble.com/people/litlnemo/shop?artistUserName=litlnemo Not unless my Witch wants to send me one of the postcards, which would be great. I do love getting postcards.   Would you be interested in a gently-used tarot deck (or other oracle)? If so, toss out some styles you gravitate towards, cause I have SO MANY DECKS and I'd love to send one or more along! I have a couple Jasmine Becket-Griffith ones on my Amazon wishlist.  Other than that, I’d hesitate to toss out styles, because I do already have a lot of decks, including some other Becket-Griffith ones, some anime ones, and a Halloween one.
Are you interested in receiving a burned CD of music? If so, name of genres, artists, styles that you are into or would like more of to explore. Sure!  My musical preferences are detailed in my original questionnaire, but I’d be up to explore more goth (past or present) and German or Japanese language musicians (primarily pop/rock probably).   Do you have an Amazon wishlist?  If you do and you're ok with getting stuff from it, please share the link! I have two, one predominantly books and the other mostly other stuff.  Both are in my sig.   Pumpkin/pumpkin spice – yay or nay?  Yay in food/drinks but nay in other products (soaps, perfumes, etc.) or vice versa?  What are your thoughts? I’m don’t really enjoy pumpkin or pumpkin spice as either a flavor or a scent, but I do make an exception for pumpkin muffins – those are yummy.   Candy corn – love it or loathe it?  Or just don’t care much one way or another? I like it in small quantities, but I don’t love it.  I did love the Brach’s caramel apple candy corn they had a few years back, but they seem to have dropped it from their candy corn lineup, sadly. Candy corn as a decorative element can be cute.   9/23/20   https://www.poesieperfume.com/loose-leaf-tea  <---- would you be interested in receiving tea and / or scents from Poesie?   The loose leaf tea discovery set looks perfect for me, as I would almost always rather try samples of a lot of different things than stick with one full-size item.  S’more Tea?; Albert + Victoria; Tudor Rose; Fancy A Cuppa; and Twice To Tea would be my top 5 picks.     I have been remiss--witchee (or anyone needing a minion), I am notorious for homemade caramels, shortbreads both savory and sweet, and catnip/catnip laced toys.  I've also started playing with homemade marshmallows and fruit candies.  Any interest? I am always interested in homemade marshmallows!  My cousin went through a phase of experimenting with perfecting homemade marshmallows and I loved it when she sent me the fruits of her labors.  Alas, she has since moved on to other culinary challenges, and I have been without homemade marshmallows for much too long.  I’d especially love cinnamon or clove marshmallows, but regular vanilla or mint or something else would be great also.  Homemade caramels also sound lovely.   9/25/20   I I happen to live near this amazing place.  Do you have any interest is anything that I could pick up there?  They have hand made pottery, cookie molds, cookbooks with historical recipes all sorts of good stuff.  https://www.gcv.org/shop/ The lady’s hand fan with the fanology instructions looks very cool!  And I know I’ve said that I don’t cook at all, but I’m intrigued by the Super Simple Sweet Pioneer Recipes book.  Treats that were mentioned in the Little House books?  Since I grew up reading those, I'm totally excited at the thought!  (I remember my friends and I reading the Little House cookbook, and spending recesses playing at living out on the prairie back then.  And yes, I had a Little House on the Prairie lunch box, too. )  I also like the redware candleholder.   10/3/20   Witchee, darlin', anything appeal from this goth-metal-Satanic Tea company, Pitch Black North? https://www.pitchblacknorth.com/category/all-tea The Leviathan tea ball looks cool, but just too pricy, especially since I already have a perfectly functional tea ball.  Of the teas, the vanilla earl grey looks best, but it also seems like it would taste much the same as the Moonlight Earl Grey that I'm already well stocked up on from a local place.     WITCHEE, WOULD YOU LIKE ANY OF THESE?  Don't just say "yes" -- please be specific about which ones you want the most!   Brown Sugar Plum Butter Pflaumenmus (also Plum Butter) Cardamom Plum Jam Star Anise Plum Jam Ginger Peach Butter Vanilla Peach Jam Sweet Green Tomato Relish Dill Green Tomato Relish Huckleberry Jam Apple Butter Candied Jalapenos (delicious with cream cheese on burgers or crackers) Lavender Vanilla Bean liqueur Rose Petal liqueur Well, I've gotten to try the rose petal liqueur from an earlier SW, so I know that's yummy!  I'm awfully curious about the huckleberry jam, too.  I'd be very happy to try a bit of that!   10/4/20   the other day I found the pattern I made for a small crocheted skull. I have made some before and included some herbs and oils and such, things that both smell good and are said to carry protective virtues, in the stuffing, and hooked them up to hang in a vehicle or such. Would any of y'all like one of those? Sounds very cute!  I would totally like one of those!   10/5/20   is anyone a Daredevil fan??  I'm going to be working with Christopher Brewster who is Daredevil in the suit (i.e. the stunt performer but not the FACE of the actor... but when the suit is on... its Brewster).  I worked with him on something else... and he was super cool... excited to get to work with him again... but if that's anyone's fandom... I wanna know LOL Sorry, I've never watched Daredevil.  (I assume it's a tv show, or was there a movie?  I only know the character from Punisher comics.  )   10/12/20   Darling witchee, would you like a candle or other goodies from Last Craft? https://lastcraftdesigns.com/ I like the black & white cat face mask (with the bats and skulls)!        
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Eldritchhobbit's Blog
 

Halloween 2020, Day 16

It’s film time! Every year about this time I think about good Halloween films (not necessarily horror movies, and definitely not lame slasher pictures, but suspenseful, atmospheric films that put a chill up the spine) that are “off the beaten path” – that is, films that are independent, foreign, direct to DVD or VOD, or somehow under promoted, and thus might easily slip under the proverbial radar. Not the classics. Not the usual suspects.
I’ve already made a separate post in the past with recommendations of Anton Yelchin’s Halloween-friendly films, so I won’t repeat those here.
Now I have a few new recommendations to add to my list, based on this past year’s viewing. (We accessed nearly all of these via Netflix or Amazon streaming.) Here they are in reverse chronological order: Here are my 2019 recommendations: You Should Have Left (2020): This is a very effective troubled-family-on-vacation film, packed with layered characterization and psychological unease. The incredible chemistry between Kevin Bacon and Avery Essex makes a genuinely moving father-daughter relationship the heart of this film. It really works. 
American Hangman (2019): This is a powerful thriller with a lot of meaning. Even though Donald Sutherland’s genius is undisputed, it’s still stunning to watch him here. I’ll use the official description so I don’t give more away than I should: “Two men are chained up in a basement. The captor has cameras aimed at them and is streaming it on the internet – turning it into a ‘trial’ on the held, retired judge’s last court case. The viewers become the jurors.” The Color Out of Space (2019): This is an adaptation of one of my very favorite Lovecraft works, so I was braced for disappointment. Instead, this turned out to be one of our favorite films of the year. Sensitive, poignant, and genuinely scary, this film genuinely delivers on every level, including the pathos inherent to the story. I’m agnostic about Nic Cage – he doesn’t make or break a film for me – but his performance really worked here, as did that of the ever-capable Joely Richardson. It was delightful to see Q'orianka Kilcher and Tommy Chong in solid supporting roles, as well. Watch this one!    Doctor Sleep (2019): This is an adaptation of Stephen King’s sequel to The Shining. It’s not a perfect film, but it’s interesting and visually stunning and packed with able actors. (Five words: Zahn McClarnon as Crow Daddy. I can’t stress this enough.) I’m sure many would find this crazy, but if given the choice right now, I would rather watch Doctor Sleep again than watch The Shining again. So there.   In the Tall Grass (2019): Is this the best Stephen King (more accurately, Stephen King and Joe Hill) adaptation ever? No. Did I enjoy every minute spent lost in the grass maze with over-the-top Patrick Wilson? Yes. Yes I did. Your mileage may vary based on your level of Patrick Wilson appreciation. Mine is high.    Midsommar (2019): Yes, I know this isn’t an “under the radar” film, but we really loved it, so I wanted to take this opportunity to say so.   Ready or Not (2019): Dark comedies are often hit or miss for me, but this newlywed-hunted-by-her-evil-in-laws-in-Satanic-ritual romp is a definite hit, both clever and funny. Vivarium (2019): This science-fiction mind-game of a horror film messed me up and continues to haunt me, and I mean that in the best possible way. I knew nothing about it going into the film, and I think that was for the best. Highly recommended.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle (2019): This is a very well crafted adaptation of a novel by Shirley Jackson that I love. I was prepared to be critical, but the film thoroughly won me over with brilliant visuals and performances – Taissa Farmiga and Alexandra Daddario are phenomenal – and a screenplay that emphasizes how relevant this story remains. Read the book first, but then treat yourself to this movie.    Delirium (2018): This isn’t a great film, but it keeps the twists and turns coming, and it uses the unreliability of the protagonist’s hallucination-laden point of view to good effect. You really need to suspend your disbelief to swallow the “young man released from twenty years in a mental asylum into house arrest at his dead father’s mansion” premise, but once you’re there, the oppressive isolation and sense of unreality are worth your time.    The Wind: Demon of the Prairies (2018): This slow-burn Western plays on the horror and desperation of solitude – especially for settler women – on the frontier. Women’s points of view are highlighted here in a refreshing and chillingly effective way.
Lost Child (a.k.a. Tatterdemalion) (2018): We were really enchanted and moved by this work of “hillbilly Gothic” or Ozark folk horror. When a combat veteran returns home with the scars of war on her psyche, she encounters a boy in the woods. Is he a lost child in need of her help, or is he the tatterdemalion of local lore, a demon who wants to feed on her very life? This is a quiet, haunting, compelling story of pain, superstition, and the people who fall through the cracks. 
Voice from the Stone (2017): This is a classic old-school Gothic film of the “new governess for troubled child after mother’s death” mold, and it delivers all of the lush atmosphere, claustrophobia, and passion needed. This is a beautifully disturbing movie. Kudos to Emilia Clarke for her compelling performance.   Bone Tomahawk (2015): Why on Earth did I wait so long to watch this Western horror film? More Patrick Wilson, more Zahn McClarnon, both tremendous pluses. Outstanding Kurt Russell content. Genuinely scary and less gratuitously gory than I’d feared.  Lake Mungo (2008): I’m so glad Mike Davis of The Lovecraft eZine recommended this film, which is a “mockumentary” about a family trying to come to turns with the drowning death of the daughter/sister. Are we witnessing how grief yields false hope and makes us vulnerable to charlatans, or is something supernatural taking place? This is a subtle work of slowly-mounting terror. Really delicious. Mike now tells me that if I loved this film, I need to read Disappearance at Devil’s Rock by Paul Tremblay, so I’m going to do that too!    Click below for my recommendations from previous years.  Read more …
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Halloween 2020, Day 15

(Artwork is “Coven” by  Sadist-Ka.)
― Helen Oyeyemi, White is for Witching (2009)
 ― Beth Underdown, The Witchfinder’s Sister (2017)
Relevant to both titles above, here is a reading recommendation list from Sublime Horror that’s perfect for the season: “Witches in fiction, a reading list chosen by Professor Marion Gibson.” This is another seasonal reading list from Margaret Kingsbury at BuzzFeed News: “13 Witchy Books That Will Keep You Spellbound.” Last, Erika W. Smith offers these suggestions for Cosmopolitan: “24 Witch Books That Belong on Your Bookshelf.” And here’s one more quote for your day:
 ― Katherine Howe, The Penguin Book of Witches (2014)  
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Switch Witch 2020 Master Q's List

8/29/20   Does anything from Paintbox Soapworks catch your eye (http://paintboxsoapworks.com/)?   Does anything from the Trading Post's etsy page catch your eye (https://www.etsy.com/shop/bptradingpost)?
8/30/20   Is there anything you want from Japan? Current kit kat flavors are... Salty Lemon, Salty Lychee, Sweet Potato, Chestnut and possibly still some Cookies and Cream Ice Cream or Strawberry Ice Cream from summer. Other than that, anime goods, cute stationery, other Japanese snacks, lay it on me!   What are your favorite self-care items or activities? I'm especially curious about things that you hesitate to do/get because they feel like frivolous luxuries.
9/1/20   are you familiar with https://www.a-natural-alternative.com/ ?  Take a peak & let me know if you might like to try something. 
9/2/20   Would you like a face mask from one of my favorite artists? https://akumuink.com/collections/facemasks   one of our fellow BPAL friends makes custom masks, Hakutaku Custom Masks on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/HakutakuMasks/ ). Would anyone be interested in one of her masks?      9/3/20   Would you like anything from here? https://www.etsy.com/shop/TaterRoundsBeauty
9/5/20   what are your feelings on home made/ home canned jams & pickles or syrups?  I even make things with berries I grow in my garden.  I make both brandied & bourbon cherries. Syrups good for cocktails, in lemonade or tea, flavors include Lavender, Lavender + Lemon, & Lavender + Vanilla. Interested?   Is there something that you're especially hoping to receive for this round?  For example, a brand you've heard of that you're especially wanting to try, or a certain "thing" that you really want but just cant bring yourself to buy for yourself??    Would you rather receive supplies/tools for your own craft/hobby or receive something you can't make yourself?    Is there anything you'd like from Penzeys (https://www.penzeys.com/)?    9/8/20   Art and artists - anyone dig any of this? https://www.studiodesade.com/  (They also do masks, see here.)     If you knit/crochet/weave, would you like custom dyed yarn?  And if so do you have preference on weight, fiber, colors?   what is one fun/frivolous thing for $20 or less that you’d enjoy?   If I sent you to a dollar store with $20, what would you walk out with?   9/9/20   would anybody like a small cross stitch thing, like a patch or pin? or cross stitching notions like handmade needle minders?   9/11/20   Is there anything you'd like from the UK?    Do you have a particular fandom you'd like stuff from?   How do you feel about tea?  Preferences?  Would you want anything from David's Tea (https://www.davidstea.com/us_en/home/), Steepologie (https://www.steepologie.com/), Bird & Blend (https://birdandblendtea.com/us_en/), or do you have a favorite tea maker to suggest?  What about tea tools or cups?     How do you feel about fragrant things for the home like incense, candles, atmosphere spray?     Do you share your home with any loved ones (human, feline, canine, etc.) who might enjoy a tiny treat too?  
9/12/20   Does anyone like the prints or items from www.ElissaMarieCreative.com ? I have a few of her prints and the notebooks and they are quality!   What about www.drawingsbynicole.com? Anything specific?   Does anything from www.vapidlacquer.com stick out to you?   I do pour painting/acrylic fluid art (with varying degrees of success, haha). Would you like a custom piece in colors of your choice (takes 3-4 weeks with curing, longer if you want it sealed, so it would arrive post-round if custom) or a piece already finished in my collection? I have mostly 12 x 12 and 10 x 10s  right now. Pics available upon request!    After enjoying looking at the links several others have put in the questions, I decided to add some of my own favorite independent artists who I enjoy supporting - so, what do you think of the goodies from these people? And specific items you love? Enjoy! 1) https://www.catcoven.com/ 2) https://www.mineralgypsy.com 3) https://www.redbubble.com/people/thelatestkate/shop 4) https://www.marikapaz.com/shop/ 5) https://www.faunwood.com 6) https://www.shannatrumbly.com/ 7) https://fiddlersgreenzine.com 8 ) https://www.hedgespokenpress.com   One of the things I do is make nifty things from sweaters that I cut up & upcycle into things like super warm mittens, arm warmers, striped arm warmers, cowls, teapot cozies, & French press cozies.  I don't have a slipper I love yet, but I'm working on it.   So, which of these things might you like?  Give me some thoughts on colors you like & if for a teapot or press, I need to know a size.   I enjoy historical reproductions and am a fan of LBCC Historical Apothecary. Is there something in her store you might be interested in?   9/13/20   Do you have a favorite art style/movement/artist?    Who is your fashion icon(s)?    What is your favorite mythological creature? 
is there anything you want from Lush?   Do you need any astrological work done, since thats one of my professions? Any particular areas you could utilize a consultation?   How do you feel about the homemade fudge I sell in my etsy shop?  https://www.etsy.com/shop/HollysRainbow -particular preferences, flavors (consider I take special flavor requests all the time!)?   How do you feel about keto or sugar-free, low carb baked goods or treats??   9/14/20   Anything you'd like from Future Primitive: https://futureprimitivesoap.co.uk
Do you have an Etsy wishlist?   I wanted to share this link to a soapmaker I love and ask if y'all see anything you would like from them! https://www.herbneden.com/   Nui Cobalt Designs perfumes...(just got her latest email): How about the scents being discontinued? The Critters? https://nuicobaltdesigns.com/collections/critters-2020?page=1 or other ones?   9/15/20   I have a friend who does pet caricatures. He's done ones for all of my pets. Is this something you would be interested of for your pet(s)?   Do you decorate seasonally/for holidays?  Is there anything in particular you would like to that end?
  Would you like anything from House of Gloi, especially from their Autumn Update? (https://www.hausofgloi.com/collections/fall-1)    I know the tea question has been asked, but what, specifically, about Adagio teas?    What about anything tempting from Dandelion Chocolate? (https://store.dandelionchocolate.com/pages/home)   9/16/20   Would you, my dear Witchee, like anything from April Gloom? https://www.etsy.com/shop/AprilGloom  (this is our @spookygrrrly - switch witch code coming soon to a spreadsheet near you.)   How about from https://twinklentwilight.etsy.com ?  (This shop belongs to @twilighteyes - we can maybe crochet some of the unicorns that are sold out...)   Would you enjoy anything from my friend Brian's Etsy shop? https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrianSerwayArt?
Are you a sock person?  If so what are your favourite kinds to wear?  Do you have a sockdreams wishlist?   If you're not near one, is there anything from Trader Joe's you'd like?   How do you feel about local items from my city, like spicy (think chili) things or local coffee? The coffee is not spicy lol.   do you have good feelings about Funko Pop?    Candles! Anything from these places catch your fancy? https://cantripcandles.com/collections (restocks Friday 9/18 at 9:00 PST) https://miruscandles.com/collections https://briarwickcandles.com/collections   9/17/20   Is there something from your fandom that popped up in another country you'd be particularly interested in?  What, and what store?   Would you be interested in some boozy chocolates (or anything else) from https://www.chocolatemoonshine.com/ ?   9/18/20   Witchee, assuming you like home made/home canned condiment goodies, what is your spice level preference?  
  Would you be interested in anything from Cellar Door Bath Supply Co.?    9/19/20   Lilith are up! Is there anything from the release that you want? Decant or full bottles?   How would you feel about recipes?     Would anyone be interested in anything from Bucees?! It’s a magical giant beaver gas station/shop! It has spices, fudge,  Knick knacks, all things Texas, candy, beef jerky, roasted nuts, and of course beavers! Most things like the fudge and nuts are made in house.    9/20/20   How do you guys store your decants so they are not a confused mess?  If you've got a system, please share it.    9/21/20   I'm a knitter.  I have some knitted washcloths done, and can knit up more.  Would you like some?  Also, if answered soon enough, I can maybe get a scarf done.  Would you like one?  What colors would you like?  Thin or thick?  With or without fringe?  Are you allergic to any fibers - wool, cashmere, angora, alpaca?    Witchee, darling, there's a *slight* chance I might be going on a trip next week and *might*, in the course of this trip, have access to Disneyworld goodies from Epcot and Magic Kingdom - any stuff you might desire?    9/22/20   Would you like any of Snag Tights’ Halloween offerings and if so, what size?   Do you prefer getting one or two really nice/more expensive things or several smaller/less expensive little things? Or do you have no preferance?   Witchee, do you like tea? If so, what kind?   Witchee, do you want anything?  Shirts, mugs, postcards from Anarchist Seattle, Portland, or New York.... https://www.redbubble.com/people/litlnemo/shop?artistUserName=litlnemo   Would you be interested in a gently-used tarot deck (or other oracle)? If so, toss out some styles you gravitate towards, cause I have SO MANY DECKS and I'd love to send one or more along!
Are you interested in receiving a burned CD of music? If so, name of genres, artists, styles that you are into or would like more of to explore.   Do you have an Amazon wishlist?  If you do and you're ok with getting stuff from it, please share the link!   Pumpkin/pumpkin spice – yay or nay?  Yay in food/drinks but nay in other products (soaps, perfumes, etc.) or vice versa?  What are your thoughts?   Candy corn – love it or loathe it?  Or just don’t care much one way or another?   9/23/20   https://www.poesieperfume.com/loose-leaf-tea  <---- would you be interested in receiving tea and / or scents from Poesie?   I have been remiss--witchee (or anyone needing a minion), I am notorious for homemade caramels, shortbreads both savory and sweet, and catnip/catnip laced toys.  I've also started playing with homemade marshmallows and fruit candies.  Any interest?   9/25/20   I happen to live near this amazing place.  Do you have any interest is anything that I could pick up there?  The have hand made pottery, cookie molds, cookbooks with historical recipes all sorts of good stuff.  https://www.gcv.org/shop/   10/1/20   Would you be interested in anything from KBShimmer's new Fall nail polish collection or their Falloween collection?   10/3/20   Witchee, darlin', anything appeal from this goth-metal-Satanic Tea company, Pitch Black North? https://www.pitchblacknorth.com/category/all-tea   WITCHEE, WOULD YOU LIKE ANY OF THESE?  Don't just say "yes" -- please be specific about which ones you want the most!   Brown Sugar Plum Butter Pflaumenmus (also Plum Butter) Cardamom Plum Jam Star Anise Plum Jam Ginger Peach Butter Vanilla Peach Jam Sweet Green Tomato Relish Dill Green Tomato Relish Huckleberry Jam Apple Butter Candied Jalapenos (delicious with cream cheese on burgers or crackers) Lavender Vanilla Bean liqueur Rose Petal liqueur   10/4/20   the other day I found the pattern I made for a small crocheted skull. I have made some before and included some herbs and oils and such, things that both smell good and are said to carry protective virtues, in the stuffing, and hooked them up to hang in a vehicle or such. Would any of y'all like one of those?   10/5/20   is anyone a Daredevil fan??  I'm going to be working with Christopher Brewster who is Daredevil in the suit (i.e. the stunt performer but not the FACE of the actor... but when the suit is on... its Brewster).  I worked with him on something else... and he was super cool... excited to get to work with him again... but if that's anyone's fandom... I wanna know LOL   10/12/20   Darling witchee, would you like a candle or other goodies from Last Craft? https://lastcraftdesigns.com/
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Halloween 2020, Day 14

For today I have some great lists of Halloween-appropriate reading for younger readers as well as scary-story lovers of all ages. First, from Angie Manfredi: “Shivers & Shudders: Scary Middle Grade Books.”
Second, from the Spooky KidLit site (“Celebrating the kids’ books that go bump in the night.”), two lists: “Celebrating Black Authors, Part 1″ and “Celebrating Black Authors, Part 2.” One of the stellar books recommended in two of the lists above is The Forgotten Girl by India Hill Brown (2019), and here’s a haunting little taste: You can read a longer excerpt from The Forgotten Girl here.  And here’s some great news! The Forgotten Girl is one of four books being adapted for television: “Scholastic Entertainment to Develop ‘JumpScare’ Kids Animated Horror Series With ‘Ben 10’ Team.”
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Halloween 2020, Day 13

(Photo is “Shiver My Bones002″ by bjfrenchphoto.)   Today I want to highlight two excellent reading recommendation lists from Sublime Horror that are perfect for this spooky season, both written by a scholar whose work I follow with great enthusiasm, literary historian Melissa Edmundson. Here they are: 1) “Ghost stories by Victorian women, a reading list chosen by Melissa Edmundson” and 2) “Supernatural novellas by Victorian women, a reading list chosen by Melissa Edmundson.” This is an excerpt from one of the supernatural novellas mentioned in the second list, the ghost story Cecilia de Noël, by Lanoe Falconer (1910): The entire novella is available online here from Project Gutenberg.
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Halloween 2020, Day 12

(Photo is “Spooky Woods” by GypsyMist.) Do you consider crime thrillers and murder mysteries good reading fare for the Halloween season?  I do. And I’m glad that we’re in a time when crime fiction by Indigenous American writers is increasingly recognized and celebrated. Here’s a terrific article by Lakota author David Heska Wanbli Weiden for CrimeReads: “Why Indigenous Crime Fiction Matters.” He also contributed this useful reading list for The Strand: “Seven Essential Native American Crime Novels.” Speaking of David Heska Wanbli Weiden, I read, thoroughly enjoyed, and highly recommend his gripping 2020 novel Winter Counts, which is a (to borrow the official description) “groundbreaking thriller about a vigilante on a Native American reservation who embarks on a dangerous mission to track down the source of a heroin influx.” A tense and engrossing read.  And speaking of his essay on “Why Indigenous Crime Fiction Matters,” I was very glad to see Cherokee novelist John Rollin Ridge mentioned front and center. Earlier this year in my monthly “Looking Back on Genre History” segment on the StarShipSofa podcast, on Episode 628, I discussed how we can trace parts of Batman’s origin back to John Rollin Ridge and his fiction. 
(Photo by Yours Truly.) Perhaps my favorite discovery this year is the wonderful Cash Blackbear mystery/crime series, including Murder on the Red River (2017) and Girl Gone Missing (2019), by White Earth Nation author Marcie R. Rendon. Set during the Vietnam Conflict, these books follow 19-year-old Cash Blackbear – “aged-out foster child, girl pool shark, truck driver from Minnesota’s White Earth reservation” – who asks questions, has dreams, and regularly helps out her friend Wheaton, the cop who is her family by choice rather than blood, as he solves crimes. These books deliver on mood and atmosphere while also telling difficult, important, meaningful stories. Here is one of Cash Blackbear’s vivid and haunting dreams:
- from Marcie R. Rendon, Girl Gone Missing (2019)
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Halloween 2020, Day 11

(Photo by Yours Truly. Skulls from Toscano.) Today I bring you several recent articles that are perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit.  1. From Danielle Trussoni for The New York Times: “Grisly Slabs of Gothic Horror.”  2. From Marc E. Fitch for CrimeReads: “Literature Is Built on a Foundation of Horror.”   3. From Dr. Sam Hirst for Tor.com: “More Thrilling than Fiction: The Real Life Heroines of the Early Gothic.” One of the heroines mentioned in the article above is Mary Darby Robinson (1758-1800). Here is an excerpt from her poem “The Haunted Beach” from Lyrical Tales (1800): Read the complete poem here.
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Halloween 2020, Day 10

(Artwork is “Autumn” by lunarhare.)
Today’s reading recommendation list is “Joke’s on you: Five parodies of the ghost story” by Lewis Hurst for Sublime Horror. In Hurst’s words, “I used to avoid ‘funny’ ghost stories. Humour seemed at odds with the effect I sought from reading about the supernatural. It dispelled the atmosphere, leaving the stories, and the reader, disenchanted. Later on, I learned that horror could be funny, and that funny things can be horrific.”
And here is an excerpt from one of the stories Hurst mentions, “The Open Window” by Saki (1914):   The short story is online (in Saki’s collection Beasts and Super-Beasts) here at Project Gutenberg.  
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