One Last NDK 2014 Post

We got out pictures back from our photo shoot! I wanted to share some because this is the first time that we have hired a photographer and because it was silly and fun.

First of all, the photos were taken by Leanne of Shutter Crazy Photos. The link is to their Facebook page. Please let me know if you want more information in order to hire her. She was very fun and silly and (luckily for us) full of photo ideas.

These are just a few of our group pictures. I hope you like them! It was a pretty fabulous group!

We are pretty cute.

Butt shot! But you can see our beautiful bows.

We took several spinning shots. This was one of the few good ones were you can see all of our faces.

Walking like models!

There are more in small groups, individuals, and some derp-y ones. But I wanted to show us all off in all of our silly glory. I hope you enjoyed!

Six Days Into October

Yes, we are only six days into the wonderful month of Halloween.

Yet, I have already finished In the Stone Circle (which I haven't read for years, but it still scared me at parts and I still cried at the end). I have already made a sizable dent in The Graveyard Book. I perused my bookshelf for more potential October reads. Here is what I found:

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, by Josephine Leslie aka R.A. Dick, which is not spooky, but it is still a ghost story.
Practical Magic, by Alice Hoffman, which I started about three years ago and never finished because it scared me. If the book is good enough, I will return to it, even after a few years. I'm odd that way.
Plum Spooky, by Janet Evanovich. It is a Stephanie Plum In Between the Numbers book. It should be silly. I haven't read it before.

If you are interested in following my reading journeys, you can find me on GoodReads. I love that website.

I put all of my Halloween music on my iPod and iPhone and have listened to everything at least once.

Today I babysat my niece and we watched The Addams Family and The Haunted Mansion. These are the first Halloween movies I have watched this season. And my sister lent me The Munsters movies which I haven't actually seen before (or if I have, I don't remember).

And here is an awesome picture of my niece that her mama took:

 Aww! I love this picture. She totally belongs in our family.

I also had to take this:

Aww! Halloween rattie picture! You know I can't resist.

In non-Halloween related news, my sister and I got to go see Cavalia Odesseyo on Saturday (thanks for the tickets, Mom!). Here is their website: Cavalia. It was awesome! I saw it last time it was here, which was four or so years ago, I think. And I remember some of it, but I wasn't in a good place (emotionally and mentally), I think, and I don't remember as much as I should...

Some of my favorite routines didn't involve horses at all. There was one with a carousel that gymnasts danced and performed on. They are so strong! And the carousel went around and some of the poles went around in circles or moved up and down. It was very neat. Another favorite was the gymnasts who swing on and do tricks with the big rings up in the air. They looked like fairies!

One of the gymnasts on the ring. Picture from www.calgaryherald.com

More ring gymnasts. Picture from www.edmontonsun.com

The carousel dancers! Picture from www.rockinmama.net

Kema and I really enjoyed it when the people led the horses (without any tack or halters on). Then they joined up to form larger groups until one person was leading 3 to 4 horses. Despite having many groups out there, the horses stayed with their person. That takes serious training and dedication, I think. And Kema and I decided that we want to have horse shadows, so we each need a couple of horses... but that's beside the point.

One guy leading his four horses. Picture from www.tomonair.com

The point is, that the show was awesome, and we really enjoyed it! Also, their music was all live and absolutely amazing! I kind of want the soundtrack. If you have the chance to see it, I hope you take it!

So far, October has been pretty awesome. And Blood of Olympus comes out tomorrow! Not that I'm excited...

More Halloween and October posts to come!

October is Here!

And we know what that means, right? Halloween time!

I try to put up my Halloween decorations on the fall equinox, but I was a few days late. I got most of them up on September 27th.

This also means that it is time to set aside all of the books I am currently reading in favor of more Halloween-themed books!

Here is what is on my list for this month:
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. I always read this one, but I can't have October without it.

My personal copy with my bookmark sticking out the side...

In the Stone Circle by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel. This is an old favorite, but it has been many years since I last read it.

It is a little loved around the edges and corners.

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters. This is a new one, also a young adult book, but it sounds good. It is on order and should be here soon.
And I may throw in some Sabriel by Garth Nix because I have it on audiobook. I should have time and it is definitely creepy enough to be a Halloween book.

My only deviation will be Blood of Olympus when that comes out (October 7th). I already have the audiobook on my list to purchase and I absolutely cannot wait for it! It is not Halloween, but it is the last book in the series and I have been eagerly awaiting it since I finished House of Hades last year.

Anyone else have favorite Halloween books?