In our new modernist home, a few splashes of orange around the house and a skeleton on the front bench suffice for demonic decor.

I’ve been experimenting with deer-resistant plants in the front pots and though several perennials have given up the ghost already the nasturtiums are thriving.  Right now a strand is crawling into Mr. Bones’s mouth and should pop out of his eye socket just in time for our first batch of trick-or-treaters.  Boo-ray!

Here are some other spooky things spied this week:

Halloween Candy Exchange Rate.

5 Historical Haunted Houses to visit.

Eerie interiors.

Eau d’ Halloween.

A spooktacular alphabet.

No surprise, Elsa rules.

Squash Toast with Ricotta and Cider Vinegar.

An oldie but a goodie – teaching kids about the Day of the Dead.

And finally, for those of you who quake and tremble when facing a trip to IKEA – an IKEA Halloween.

Happy Halloween!

My Boston kids are on lockdown and I’m locked on to news sites again.  What a crazy, distressing week this has been.

I’ve been so grateful for peaceable things this week, including several walks through Mountain View cemetery where I saw how the quality of light can change everything.  Like the way this stone angel’s face shone as the sun came up and how its wings were bathed in a rainbow of color as the sun set. In a week where dark things held sway, I relished other light-shedding offerings like:

1. Dove’s continuing campaign to help us recognize our own beauty.

2. Tributes from their grown kids to great moms.

3. David Sedaris on buying a stuffed owl.

4. Camping images that made me breathe a little easier.

5. And, just for fun, Patton Oswalt’ s unedited Starwars filibuster from Parks and Recreation.

Peace