This was the first time we went to Past Tense since the pandemic, and had a pretty good time. First thing we noticed in the door was 20% off all garden items so Mom took advantage of this to purchase some spinning items for the yard. Past Tense also has year round Christmas and Halloween decorations so we bought a little of both. Some skulls with peeling skins for Dad, and some Christmas ornaments marked 95% off for James. Mom bought some garden items and after it was over and we were on our way home we made our traditional ice cream stop. Continue reading “Past Tense 2022” →

The long standing haunted house on Mackinaw Island was not open till 11pm for some reason, but we did finally make it there and went through the house. The haunted house is sort of a wax museum with some animatronics and is very traditional and fun.

Dads facebook profile photo for years has been Dad and James at the top of the steps of the haunted house so we decided to take that picture again, about 12 years later.

Our favorite at the haunted house was probably the coffin that opens and a corpse sits up and turns around and looks at you. Nice effect! Continue reading “Haunted House – Mackinaw Island 2022” →

After our traditional smelt basket dinner at Audi’s, we went shopping at the tourist traps in Mackinaw city. We saw that the haunted house there was open so we decided to give it a whirl. All three of us went into the house and we all had a great time. The haunted house had some great animatronics and even a talking statue (projection) that gave us an introduction to the house.

Lots of scares in this haunted house and I believe this was the first time any of us had gone through this house (the one on Mackinaw Island is much older and we have done that one several times.

For the record, our favorite scene was the last one with the crazy kid animatronic running around. Continue reading “Haunted House – Mackinaw City 2022” →

Today we took a break from winter and did a little Halloween fun in February!

Believe it or not, this was our second Halloween break since we rang in the New Year, the other happened quite by accident in January. While Dad was getting his car window repaired he walked across the street to Michaels where low and behold, they were unloading a truck load of Halloween props at 80% off. The manager explained they were on the boat for months and just came in so Dad immediately called Mom who went to other Michaels and picked up some great deals of Halloween .. in January. And best of all, since no one knew about it, there was not a Halloween crowd at all and we had our pick of the litter.

James had college today till 11:30, then we picked him up and took him to the Grand Opening of Crypt Keepers on 14 and Van Dyke. The shop was great and we got several cool items including a Cotton Candy Candice Halloween machine and Mom got several t-shirts. We then went 15 minutes down the road to Gratiot and visited Screamers where we got a coffin shaped wine rack for the 2022 Halloween party.

January and February have traditionally been a time for working on repairs and putting together new items that were purchased after Halloween just to make sure they work. After Halloween we are too busy taking down Halloween and putting up Christmas but January and February, with the cold days and sun setting before 6pm, is an ideal time to do the “grunt” work for our Halloween display.

Below are videos of some of the items that we put together after the first of the year including the Cotton Candy Candice prop we just got at Crypt Keepers.

Continue reading “Halloween Store Grand Opening 2022” →

After Halloween is a holiday in our family. This year we kept saying we really did not need anything, but we went out anyway and could not resist the 50-80 percent of sales that were going on. We hit Halloween City first, then Spirit Halloween, and finally Jo Annes, Michaels, and Walmart.

This year was certainly different as there was many empty shelves in many of the stores as they were having a hard time getting inventory in. Because of this we did not expect much to be left after Halloween but we got lucky because we shopped in a city outside of the suburbs where the population was a little light.

Continue reading “After Halloween Sale 2021” →

Great weather for this years trick or treat, it was overcast all day but it never really rained until about 8pm which is the official trick or treat end time. This year we put out a couple animated figures since it was not windy either. The skeleton prop Grim went over very well with some kids staying on the porch to listen to its clever sayings.

James, Dad, and Mom rotated duties handing out candy and we had a ton of kids show up. Everyone had fun, lots of great costumes were worn, and we are looking forward to next years trick or treat as we figure nature owes us a couple good weather days in a row.
Continue reading “Trick or Treat 2021” →

Since we had the pandemic last year, it had been two years since we had any guests at our house (outside of plumbers and roofers) but that came to an end October 9th as our 11th Halloween party took place.

James had college classes this day so he did not show up till 4:30 from Wayne County Community College, but once their he became the “balloon guy” filling up helium balloons for all the kids.
Once again, the most popular item was the magic mirror (this was our third time using it) and guests got to take home a souvenir picture of themselves.

Since many of the guests were St. Albert Alumni, we also had St. Albert pics and the new book available in the garage for pickup.

A great time was had by all and it appears we will be having at least one more Halloween party next year.
Continue reading “2021 Halloween Party” →

The Haunted Garage Sale was held at the Dearborn civic center next to the library on Michigan Avenue. James could not attend because he was in Saturday classes at Wayne County Community College but Dad went and picked up a few things.

Perhaps the neatest display was the apothecary display of various witches potions and spells all in bottles that looked like they were hundreds of years old when in fact they were probably only a few days old.

The event was well attended but still seemed not as busy as it used to be, perhaps its the pandemic or perhaps its just that the new venue is so much bigger than the other auditoriums.

Continue reading “Haunted Garage Sale 2021” →

Driving around we found that a Halloween store was open so we took a quick visit to see what was new. Their display this year featured an assembly line that was maintained by the skeletons. It was pretty cool. We bought a couple small items but the store assured us that there would be much more in stock in the near future. We think this might be the earliest one of the Halloween stores opened as it is not even September yet.

Anyhow it was a fun way to spend a hot summer day. Continue reading “First Halloween Store Opens 2021” →