Days of the Dead Horror Convention in Atlanta, Georgia

So this morning I wake up, do my daily routine which in part consists of a cigarette and a cup of coffee (always in a halloween inspired mug). I take my nifty iphone out on my porch and review all my emails, texts and whatever social networking notifications I receive. Low and behold on Facebook the first post I see is from Days of The Dead and it reads “Peachtree City, Georgia”. I do a double take, click on the link and realize that this is literally right next door to my home.

Now mind you, I knew this event was coming here to Atlanta since last year, but assumed it was in the city. Nothing this cool EVER happens in the burbs. With pure joy I immediately sent a text to The Undertaker and one to my ghoul friend who is coming into town for this event. Spooky enough they both write back about wearing costumes for the ball on Friday night and the contest on Saturday night. Which got me thinking Vampira again??? I think so! So off goes an email to my makeup artist to set the date.

Anyway, I’m totally stoked about this event, it's just a little over a month away and only down the street from my home. Also first to hit Atlanta, Georgia. Usually haunt cons tend to be in the northern states. By the way if you check out the site (linked above), it appears as though this convention will be going to Indianapolis as well as Chicago, too. So if your out in those areas check it out. I’ll write about my experience after the event, as I do with the DragonCon each year.

Hope everyone is hauntingly well!
Stay spooky,

Madame Jen

Blog Awards!!!

I feel as though I should be walking down some dark red velvet carpet in a beautiful dress designed by Heavy Red. Getting prepared for some awesome speech. Blog awards? Very cool and so very thoughtful! I actually feel quite sad that I haven't been following up on my favorite bloggers in our most favorite time of the year. I have even neglected my own. :::insert frown:::

So on to the awards... Monday, I received notification from October Boy of The Deadwood Cemetery and he presented me with the Liebster Blog Award! Tuesday, I received notification from Lisa Maple Grove Cemetery wherein she gave me the Zombie Rabbit Award. October Boy and Lisa, you guys are awesome and thanks so much for thinking of me! I enjoy your blogs as much as you do mine. Forever grateful.

Now, I have to pay my respects and return the favor. Below are some of my faves who fall under the Liebster Blog Award Rules. So here we go.... Drum Roll....

Haunted Hot Sauce: Moans from Moonlit Hill Mortuary - I almost feel like this is my BFF in the blog world or a brother from another mother. His blog was one of the first blogs I started to follow. The Undertaker and I have great conversations, share creative tips and secrets, and he never ceases to amaze me with what he's got brewing up next.

2nd Street Cemetery - A home haunt I admire.

Creep Factory - What this guy creates is nothing, but CREEPY and I like it!

Justine's Halloween - I recently started following her this year. What I like about Justine is she talks halloween all the time! Down to fashion, art, home decor... she keeps the dark and the spooky alive throughout the year.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Another home haunt that I admire.

Now on to the Zombie Rabbit Awards!

The first two blogs posted on my list are from my "next blog" slider. The following 8 are just a few I really enjoy, right down to halloween props, spooky gardens, yummy halloween treats, home haunters, and great vintage finds.

 Howling Moons Blog

Pumpkin Hollow

Addicted to Halloween

Beautiful Halloween

Creepy Cupcakes

Grim Hollow Haunt

Scary Sounds of Halloween

The Haunted Gardens

Vintage Halloween Collector

The Devils Workshop

Again, thank you so much Lisa and The October Boy. Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween season, I will be posting some pictures from my season soon. Until then, stay spooky!

Love,

The Madame

F words - Food, Fence, Fall Festivals and Fun!

Things have been very, very good and quite busy around here. Past two Friday's on my days off, I had to run some errands and leisured into the local retail stores as they just began to put out their halloween goodies. Think about a child who still believes in santa and wakes up christmas morning to all the presents she asked for. That's my face and internal feeling as I see all the halloween displays starting to be set up.  Also, several weekends ago I finally remembered to write down some ingredients for some halloween inspired recipes. I made this "Witch's Cauldron Pasta with Breadstick Broomsticks". I am going to attempt to make a mummy calzone this week as well! Rewind back to last Sunday I started building more of my cemetery fence. I am just about finished painting them, and should be done by this evening.  Most exciting thing of all is, tomorrow's the big day I start my set up! Pulling out all the storage bins from the garage and creating my halloween wonderland, brings me all the joy in the world. Last, but not least, this month is going to be very busy for me due to my favorite time of year, as well as 2 fall festivals I'm attending as a vendor for my candle business this month. I will keep everyone updated as much as I can. Until then stay spooky and happy hauntings!

Love,

Madame Jen

Burning Tears Halloween Special!

So yeah, I have this little shop on Etsy called Burning Tears. Check it out...

Love,

The Madame

DragonCon 2011

So I hit up DragonCon twice this weekend. Seriously most amazing convention to come through Atlanta. As I arrive on Friday afternoon, I get to the Sheridan Hotel and blasting on the speakers is "This is Halloween" and as I consume everything around me and all the people in the most amazing costumes. I smiled and thought to myself... I am at the best place on earth right now!

I look forward to DragonCon every year. This is my 2nd year in attendance. Besides waiting on line for 2 hours for my ticket(s), and only catching the tail end of the parade, you learn something new every year. Note to self, pre-purchase my tickets online ahead of time.

The one thing I was looking forward to was possibly meeting Elvira. Unfortunately, Elvira was scheduled to come out at 8 p.m. on Saturday, at which time I was at the Erasure show. Hopefully she makes an appearance next year.

Other highlights included... Seeing my favorite fellow local haunter The Undertaker. Always a pleasure!

At the Netherworld booth I got some great photo ops with the guys. Even scored some coupons for this year. Netherworld is considered #1 haunt attraction in the US and it's right next door. How lucky am I?

This zombie was hard to resist. Quite the charmer.

Below are just some random shots. I only posted the monsters and left out the superheros. After all this blog is about halloween...

Final thoughts, if I plan correctly next year I would really like to get a 3 or 4 day pass, rent a room for a night or two, and go dressed as Vampira.

Love,

Madame Jen