Peter Pan and Tinkerbell are always up to no good..

While being held for a candy ransom by Hook and Mr. Smee this afternoon, I spied Peter Pan and Tink mischievously investigating the innards of this abandoned building by way of the mail slot.

They were also discussing how kind their "mom" Wendy was who slaved away in her sewing room all week for them to have some new handmade duds for today....wow, she must be a REALLY nice mom! Mr. Smee's outfit also seemed freshly stitched and although a portly pirate ripe in age, he drew a striking resemblance to my eldest son.   Mmmm, very odd day indeed!  

Hope you all had a fabulous All Hallows' Eve!

creepshi [kree-pee soo-shee]

This Halloween we are rolling out our new favorite holiday Peeps treat, Creepshi!  Indeed this delectable combination of gummi treats, fruit by the foot, rice krispy treats and Peeps, of course, is surprisingly delicious and has become a fan favorite around our house.  First seen on SeriousEats.com, Mr. Rogers and I patiently waited until Peeps season and excitedly created our own Peepshi.  Originally we thought we were creating an Easter tradition but I have a sneaking suspicion that it is becoming a year round Peeps tradition.  So putting a Halloween spin on Peepshi, Mr. Rogers came up with Creepshi...the creepy Peeps sushi!

We raided the candy aisle and came up with these good eats!

Very disappointed that the straws and gummi worms didn't look like cucumber and carrot slivers like we were hoping...but we still put our gummi body parts to good use!

Jack and I made all of these and he came up with the whole brain oozing out of the pumpkin head...clever!

Jack even put together some creepshi for his teacher...he picked the best ones he made for her and his cousins.  Safe to say his teacher was properly creeped out!

Frankenstein, so misunderstood!

Frankenstein hasn't always been my Halloween BFF, but the past five years have come with a growing affection towards the misunderstood monster.  Poor guy, his name wasn't even Frankenstein, that was the name of his creator, he was simply referred to as "The Monster." So what is it about this monster that I love so much?  Is it that leathery stitched skin, the tattered clothing, or perhaps his jerky, arthritic movement that bewitches me?  Nope, it is mostly just pity, like an abused puppy dog who lashes out at people because he is hurt and misunderstood.  Did I really just compare Frankenstein's monster to a puppy dog?!?!?  Upon creation, The Monster didn't start off a tyrant, he just wanted love - primarily by his creator and then in the creation of a female companion like him.  Of course, neither panned out too well and it all ends with tragedy in true Shakespearean form.  Then again, he wouldn't be a token Halloween character if he found true love and lived happily ever after, right?

A handmade ode to my favorite 8 foot monster, if you will...

Frankenstein doll made from Upcycled sweaters Eco-Friendly by Ollie and Rose

LEGO Frankenstein Minifig Cufflinks by KorpseCrafts

Frankenstein Altered Book Purse by bibliobags

Frankenstein on a Stick by MaroDesigns (this image is copyrighted - do not reproduce without permission of MaroDesigns)

Frankenstein Portrait Plate - Altered Vintage Plate by BeatUpCreations

This Halloween season finds me once again enthralled in the pages of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.  If you promote equality of all monsters than Bram Stoker's Dracula is also a good read.  However, it doesn't carry the same philosophical undertones for me as the story of Victor Frankenstein and his monster.  

Three things that I LOVE about October

ONE

 TWO

THREE

City to the Sea Half Marathon

Yesterday I ran a half marathon!  Nearly thirty-six hours later my legs remain crippled in pain and I am most certainly walking in true gimp fashion.  This morning during class I dropped something on the ground and I thought, "Crap!  How am I going to pick that up when I can't even bend my legs!"  Part of this is my fault because stretching became a secondary issue when we barely made it on time to the race and afterwards it was hard to find a place to stretch because it was so crowded.  Although well prepared for the 13.1 miles on FLAT land, being well prepared for HILLS was not quite the same and I am now paying for my running ignorance.  Oh well, my amazing running partner and I powered through those dang California coastal hills to the crest of the Pacific Ocean regardless, and were able to finish our first half marathon in 02:04:03, with a 9:28 pace.  We weren't really going for time as much as just not finishing last or falling into the Pacific Ocean at the end of the race!

By no means is this an actual placement medal but more of a "thank you for self-inflicting torture on yourself at our half marathon.  Here is a small participation token to make you feel good about yourself" kind of medal!

For more info go here: City to the Sea - awesome experience!

Notes for my next half marathon: remember ipod (seriously, can you believe I forgot this!), wear sunscreen (both our faces got sunburned), show up extra early for stretching and using restroom, and wear a visor.  As an early morning runner I forgot about the unpleasantness of running in full sun!

Things remembered and quite useful: GU Energy gel (best flavors Espresso Love and Vanilla Bean) - they were giving out GU but it was grape and any of those citrus flavors make me want to dry heave, and SPIbelt for storing GU and car keys.

Something that I am considering next time:  The water stops really held us up and we fell behind the 2 hour pacer guy dressed in the sweet Professor Dumbledore outfit.   Seriously, contemplating a belt with water on it to get the GU down and stay hydrated with for next race.  

Coco libre...honestly, I bought it because of the name!

I'm a sucker for things with clever names, those mad men get me every time!  Not to mention I was super parched while we were picking up some groceries at Whole Foods last night! Two bucks, I bought!

Enjoy chilled!  Don't mind if I do!

Hmmm, very subtle coconut flavor, heavier than water but not as thick as coconut milk, definitely better chilled then room temperature, and refreshing!

A little West Coast East Coast LOVE for you!

California LOVE ... I know, I know always promoting California (and New Mexico when I can)!

However, Lincoln is a fan of Niagara Falls, Subways, and Coney Island, hence some  New York LOVE

The kids loved incorporating the places they know into their own little shirts.  I loved using American made shirts for them, felt that is recycled from plastic bottles AND made in the USA, and creating something that allows them to develop their little geography skills!

 Get some Coast-to-Coast lovin'

California LOVE + New York LOVE = IMarriedMrRogers on Etsy