With about 8 weeks to go, it was time to get out some decorations. If you read this and know how to post pictures in a blog, please let me know so I can do that. :)

First, we had to pack away a lot of the everyday things - pictures, books, knicknacks, etc. that were otherwise collecting dust around the house.

Second, we moved our Lemax Spooky Village to a higher location (on top of the bookshelves) to keep a curious 3 year old boy out of it. This is still a work in progress as not all the pieces are plugged in/working yet.

Third, we took down some of the larger pictures and replaced with Halloween..though we have more in the storage bins that will also go up.

Fourth, we took down the existing drapery and replaced with the valances I made last year - they are simple but effective. Over the largest window we also draped a great thrift store find - 5 yards of sheer black gauze/satin.

Fifth, we brought out some knicknacks for the fireplace mantel and added the mantle cover (the draperies, mantel cover, and table runner all match). I got really ambitious last year as I wanted to use my new sewing machine. This year I am going to make 'blackout curtains' which is just simple hemming yards of black fabric. No sweat.

Last but not least, my plastic pumokin figures went up on the "plant shelf" - our house was built in the late 1980's when these ledge shelves were popular. Not good for plants, but great for displaying Halloween things and keeping collectibles out of reach of little boys.

Next up is the foyer (entryway). I want to improve on what I did last year (it was kind of like Shelob's Lair from Lord of the Rings) but add more blacklight to it.

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