Date: 8 October 2013. Tricks and Treats.

© janice142
 

As the seasons progress we are coming into my favorite time of the year: autumn. At night the cool breezes make sleeping nice although I confess to loving my warm bunk courtesy of a fabulous 12v electric blanket.  This is an indulgence, and one I am pleased to have discovered. Plus this particular brand draws just 35 watts versus many that use 7 amps (70 watts!)... I want to be warm but also need to have a battery in the morning. Decorating Seaweed this time of the year makes me smile. Believe me, Seaweed has her Tricks and Treats...
 

Just last week my new electric blanket arrived at General Delivery. This time I had chosen plaid though three years ago I'd opted for navy blue. Unfortunately Skipper's fur is white and the solid navy was liberally decorated by my four pound Deck Swabbie. How a dog that small can leave so much fur everywhere is beyond me. As a solution and to make washing easier I decided to make a duvet cover from a queen size sheet I chose because of its softness at a local thrift store.
 

Paying retail for sheets gets you stiff awful ones, at least in my price range. Thrift stores and charity shops often have lovely sheets that are soft, with a high thread count. Best of all the sheets are inexpensive. That meets my budgetary requirements.
 

Basically I cut off a 2' wide strip the entire length and then rolled the torn edge stitching it closed. The top and bottom are just basted. That is plenty good enough for the purpose which is to cover the electric blanket. To launder all I have to do is remove the blanket and toss the sheet in the washing machine. At anchor far from "civilization" I will be washing by hand so having items that dry quickly is critical.

Decorating is what I love to do, especially this time of the year. Making my Seaweed look pretty is important to me for my happiness quotient to remain on high. Even though I am the only one who gets to enjoy the decor, that is okay. I am worth the effort it takes.
 

In the top of my Christmas box I have tucked away a few items for Halloween.

And what's fun is semi-hiding the goodies. I enjoy watching folks as they discover the decorations I have placed in spots that catch the eye without being too overwhelming. In a boat the size of Seaweed I have to be careful I do not cross the line into too much visual clutter. It is hard to describe however I am certain you would recognize when a place is overwhelming.
 

Another thing I do for each holiday, season or event is buy a dish towel. Sure, a dollar dish towel may not seem extravagant yet it adds a festive touch to my small home and allows me to enjoy (really!) drying the dishes or wiping up a counter. It is these little things, inexpensive ones, that for me make each season something to be anticipated with joy. The old towels become work rags -- I do not keep stuff unless it is special or I love it.
 

Yet my most favorite holiday decoration is Spooky. She is tucked up high next to my Hella fan and is almost hidden, unless you look for her. I found the wooden blank at a Hobby Lobby, stained her with Minwax Red Oak and, well, I like Spooky. She makes me smile.

The valance rod is a 36" oak dowel, held up by two cup holders.
I carved out a notch where the brass hooks support the dowel rod.
 

Happy Halloween from Seaweed to you.
 

Do you decorate for Halloween?
What's your favorite candy?
 

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