Monday, October 31, 2016

City Views, Country Dreams

Happy Halloween from New York!

Yes, it is that time again, when I would like to share some of the neighborhood decorations with you all.


I took a stroll yesterday afternoon well before sunset (which was when a strangely strong rain storm arrived.)


It was warm enough to leave coats at home, and for some children to be wearing their Halloween costumes as they giggled their way past the scary sights.


Some of the buildings went for a harvest theme.


Others brought out lots of cobwebby effects...


And ghosts...


furry black spiders...


and skeletons.  Some skeletons had dressed up for the occasion.


Some kept it simple.


The entrance ways to many buildings provide great decorating possibilities.


Lamp posts get a touch of orange, and a swinging someone.



Some characters just chill out on the front steps, watching the world go by.


What a welcome at this building.



At some addresses, the decorating was still underway.


Jack o'Lanterns were to be found here and there.


Yellow police tape warned of the danger of sugar.


Some cobwebs had a minty green tinge...or was it moldy?


Hello there!


Some pirates had landed in the neighborhood.


More cobwebs.


An unobtrusive doorway took on a different look.


Oh, look up there ... just outside that window!


These Jack o'Lanterns had been on duty overnight.


I am glad that I took these photographs before the early evening rain passed through the area.  I'm not sure what might have happened to those cobwebs.


Another spooky neighbor keeping an eye on the passersby.


This decoration went for a rustic, rather than scary effect.


As did this building's entrance.


Ahhh, but don't get too relaxed, because this chap is just a few feet away.


Jolly witches getting ready for a night flight, hoping to some day join the Rocketts chorus line at Radio City Music Hall.


Here's a dapper fellow, enjoying the afternoon.


I would take that warning very seriously!


I thought the above cob webbing was quite odd, because it truly served as a barricade to the stairs leading up to the doorway.


A little bit of everything got hung up outside this building.


Sometimes, less is more.  Do note the skull wreath on the window.


 I am hoping that you all have enjoyed seeing these Halloween city views.  I thought I would finish up with some jolly photographs of some children who'd dressed up for their afternoon walk.


A sweet young lady was lifting the really little ones up so that they could actually touch the furry spiders nestled in the tree.  Not sure that I would have been brave enough at their age!

Thank you so much for your visits and comments both here and over at my Instagram page.  It's great to stay connected.

44 comments:

  1. Amazing decorations.
    Halloween tends to be a little bit tamer here in my little corner of the world but nevertheless two or three of the houses have done a pretty good job of it.
    We haven't decorated as my husband is recovering after surgery and the rule round here is if you don't decorate you don't get callers so we are misery gutses this year I'm afraid.
    Keep having fun with your new Smart phone.
    Hugs from The UK-x-

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    1. Its unusual to get any trick or treaters here in my apartment building...I am guessing that maybe the parents of the young children who live here might get together and trade apartment numbers for their little goblins to visit.
      Yes, I am having fun with the phone, but there is much yet to learn. xo

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  2. It's so nice to see!
    So much fun!
    love from Holland

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    1. Thank you so much...it's my pleasure to share these views! xo

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  3. I always enjoy your neighborhood Halloween excursion. I have to say that I prefer the rustic decorations, even though I appreciate the creativity of the creepy ones. Thanks for sharing the NY Halloween with us! Halloween decorations always seem a little out of place here in Alaska, where in past years there has been snow on the ground.

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    1. It amuses me that there is such a mixture of approaches to the decorating. One of the blocks that usually features lots of decorations seems rather subdued this year...I have a feeling that some of the folks who used to do lots of over-the-top decorating might have sold up and moved on. Shame...
      xo

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  4. All very cute. I'd like to be at the Boston Commons at midnight. One of my friends went to Salem for Halloween - she was sick the whole time. This will be my first Halloween in the city and I am going for more candy as I think there will be many trick or treaters.

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    1. Donna, please do report on your trick or treaters who show up this evening. I do need to go out to the shop very soon to get at least one bag of chocolate something or other...just in case. xo

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  5. New York certainly knows how to celebrate Hallowe'en, Frances! You must have enjoyed your trip around the neighbourhood, taking these wonderful photos. Did you take them on your new iphone, I wonder?

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    1. Of course, there will also be the big Halloween Parade downtown in the Village tonight...anyone can join in. It's gotten too crowded and commercial for me, but I have fond memories of when it first started back in the 70s.
      Yes, Marianne, all photos taken with the iPhone. We are getting used to each other!

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  6. You really do go for Hallowe'en in a big way over there don't you. Apart from pumpkins there is little here.

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    1. When I was growing up in Virginia, it was all carving pumpkins, dressing up in costumes and going trick or treating around the neighborhood with the aim of collecting enough candy for our tins to last us until Christmas. Lots of fun, and mainly for children.
      Up here in NY, it seems as if Halloween is celebrated by all ages!

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  7. Wonderful decorations and great photos! I thought at first the fuzzy spider on the stair rail was my favorite, but then more and more really creative things kept showing up and I couldn't decide on a favorite. Last Halloween, I was visiting my brother in Asheville, NC and we saw some quite elaborate decorations that filled entire yards. Here in Belize, the decorations tend to be just small ready made cardboard posters. I don't think kids go trick-or-treating, but I know of lots of adult parties.

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    1. The tradition of Halloween decorating on two blocks of this neighborhood crosstown (West to East) street began decades ago. It culminates on Halloween night when the blocks are officially closed to vehicular traffic, so that there can be a great Halloween block party...fun for so many children, while downtown on 6th Avenue the more adult-oriented Village Halloween Parade sets out into the night.

      Although I've never been to Asheville, it is a place that interests me. (I grew up in Virginia.) One of my favorite blog friends, Vicki Lane, lives in Asheville and has posted one of her fabulous ghost stories today. Check it out at Vicki Lane Mysteries, via Mr G.

      xo

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  8. It has been such fun seeing these decorations for myself this year. We just got caught by that storm but made it into the subway in the nick of time (along with a great many other breathless people). Tonight we went trick or treating in Brooklyn nice and early and saw how much fun everyone was having, not least grand daughter who quickly picked up the phrase Happy Halloween and filled her tiny orange bucket many times over.

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    1. Ah, Lucille, sorry about that sudden downpour. It really was pretty dramatic!
      What fun to join your adorable little granddaughter trick or treating...will she share any of her candy? Safe journey home for you all later this week. xo

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  9. I love where I live but at times like this I miss a neighborhood. I used to decorate the front for the holidays. I live out in the foothills and with a long driveway no trick or treaters.
    I am surprised to see so few pumpkins. But lots of scary ghosts.
    Thank you for the wonderful walk through your area.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Parsnip, I bought some chocolate candy yesterday...just in case some trick or treaters rang the doorbell. However, it was quiet as usual in the apartment building, so I will be turning my chocolate over to the building staff later today.
      Actually, there were lots and lots of pumpkins around the neighborhood, but I decided not to post too many pumpkin pix...just a sampling. xo

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  10. Thank you for the beautiful pictures Frances; I love the scarecrow!
    It is not such a big thing here in Italy although it is slowly picking up.
    The first time I experienced Halloween was in 1990. I was in Mountain View, California. The sceneries were beautiful, even shop assistants were dressed up. I was also told that who put a Jack 'o lantern on window sills were to let children know that there were treats for them. Is that true?
    Greetings Maria x

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    1. Dear Maria, I'm glad that you've been able to actually witness Halloween time over here. (My uncle once lived in Mountain View...beautiful place, I believe.)
      Every neighborhood seems to have its own signals to summon costumed trick or treaters to ring the doorbells. A pumpkin on the front porch, or steps, or in the window is always a good sign that candy might just be available! xo

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  11. So much to see....thank you for sharing these amazing Halloween sights with us! Hope you had a Happy Halloween, Frances......and wishing you a very happy November.
    Helen xox

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    1. Helen, it's my pleasure to let you all have a chance to see some of the Halloween celebrations over here. Hard to believe it's now officially November...wasn't it just daffodil season? xo

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  12. Dear Frances, There are some first prize, prize winners in your collection. So nice of you to bring them all to us.

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    1. Thank you, Gina. Every year, I just try to show a sampling of what folks have done around the neighborhood to celebrate Halloween. Lots of smiles are produced...not just on carved pumpkins! xo

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  13. What fun to see all the spooky decorations ... something that doesn't get seen here in rural Suffolk. The occasional pumpkin lantern on a doorstep is as far as we go. This Saturday is Bonfire Night, still a huge event in Lewes - a town you've visited, I think. And there will be local firework displays, which nowadays merge with Hallowe'en and Diwali rather than burning Guy Fawkes!

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    1. Ooops, Celia, I clicked comment instead of reply to reply to your kind comment. xo

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  14. Celia, glad you liked the annual spooky looks. I actually also like pumpkin lanterns!
    I was once over in London on Bonfire Night and got to see some sparklers and minor fireworks in a Chelsea churchyard.

    I can imagine that lots will be going on in Lewes! Lots of history there. xo

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  15. It's always interesting for me to see how one's imagination works using just several symbols each and every year. And there's always something different that grabs the attention. Yesterday in the mall we run a pumpkin-lantern workshop. 73 lanterns were ready for an hour! LOTS of people, mainly children, came dressed "properly" for the occasion.Halloween is still new to us in Bulgaria, we have a similar special day when we give tribute to the dead ones and their spirits...
    Hope there're not many damages after the rain!xx

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    1. Rossichka, I really appreciate your comment, about traditions and symbols, and how generations revisit these concepts. I would love to have been there with you all at the workshops. What fun! And a good opportunity to also think a bit about the spirits of the dead.

      I just saw a New Yorker magazine article about a dance event that will be part of Lincoln Center's White Light Festival. I will try to email the article to you...puppets are involved as well as a favorite artist of mine, William Kentridge. xo

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  16. I'm always so impressed by the trouble folk go to in decorating their homes etc. thanks for sharing Frances it is lovely to see.

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    1. Thanks, Gina. I'm impressed, too, and am so glad to be able to share the views right here! xo

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  17. Lots of fun trick or treating for the kids! Bet they all had fun!

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    1. Oh yes, I'm sure that massive trick or treating took place over there on October 31 after sundown. Lots of interesting lighting would have been switched on then to add to the drama....

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    1. Every year, these two blocks's decorating is just a bit different. So many ways to get all spooky! xo

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  19. Hello my friend, lovely blog as always; and I am off for a major catch up. Now have the wood burning stove in the study, realigned the desk for - hopefully - better access to the internet, and all going well, will be on more often. The rustic gets my vote!

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    1. Dear Irish Eyes, how grand to see this comment from you here on the same day that I've sent you a Kerry homage email. Keep that wood burning stove aglow with your fine writing. xo

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  20. I love these decorations but I bet folks get really competitive and I suspect some hire it done. Still, great fun to see them -- thank you for sharing!

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    1. Oh, good news, Vicki. The reply function has been returned by the Halloween spirits. By now, I think you've seen my other messages. There is always more than one way to connect! xo

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  21. So much hard work has gone into the decorations Frances!...Thank you for taking us with you on your trip..I. hope the rain didn't spoil things ;-) ...I must try and find you on Instagram x
    Happy Weekend ♥
    Susan x

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    1. Thank you very much, Susan. I don't think the rain interfered with the Halloween fun.

      (I've sent you an email.) xo

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  22. All photoes are lovely..halloween celebration are so important from you!But in the last years we use also here in Italia!!Nice to follow you in Istagram too!!Have happy week end

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    1. Happy Weekend to you, too, Gabri, and thank you for those kind words.
      It's fun to see blogging friends also stopping by for visits over at Instagram. xo

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  23. Looks fantastic! Nothing over here (Norway) compared to this.

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