All my pictures today–including this one– were taken out and about that Central Florida town: Sanford.
WELCOME GO OCTOBER
With its promises of cooler days and winding down into a time between times, a place between places. The Celtic Halloween–All Hallows to their Christian Ancestor ..when their Otherworld–not Hell like the Christian concept, neither Heaven either…nothing was ever that simple with my ancestors-and that’s why I blame them for how I turned out today–but off topic. Halloween is a period when the boundaries between the worlds—the one we stand in now and the one we have and will inhabit again (Celts believed in re-incarnation)—boundaries are thin and all manner of things and spirits pass through.
Today we’ll look at my first Halloween experience and some of the fun to be found in just one Central Florida town.
But First Jamie & Company being scary
If human beings had genuine courage, they’d wear their costumes every day of the year, not just on Halloween. Douglas Copland
Ok you can always wear Outlander Costume for any party you’re going to—mine has a morgue/zombie theme so if you were going to that you could do a zombie Frank or a zombie Clair bride…or so on
Sanford, Florida has been mentioned more than once on my blog–it was founded by a former Embassador (For President Lincoln) and was considered by the locals on the basis of his place of birth (the North) unfavorably by the locals. But Sanford was persistent and brought Sweds over as settlers to help him build his town.
The town lived on and eventually became county seat (check previous entries on how and WHY that came about) for the newly formed (all part of that previous plot I just mentioned) Seminole Co.
Today it sets on Lake Monroe, which is a lovely, very wide place in the flow of the St. John’s River. It is a quiet little town with lovely water views, and boats to take you out on same and the down town is full of shops and restaurant and they have regular events to make it even more fun. http://sanford365.com/
So while deciding what to do on this particular weekend I saw that Jeanine Taylor http://www.jtfolkart.com/ was having a Halloween Event and that was my incentive for a return trip to Sanford.
So we arrive some time before noon but first we stopped at the old post office that’s now a Welcome Center where I always stop to find out what’s new and to get brochures etc. on future events and they even have menus from the majority of restaurants in town to help you decide as there’s been several new ones popping up lately. They also often have displays of local artists and crafsmen’s items on exhibit as well as a gift shop which features a lot of local made or themed items. http://sanfordwelcomecenter.com/
Next stop was a new Local Store: Magpies A Modern General Store (see picture below) http://magpiesmoderngeneral.com which was fun as it had just open and it was great to see the numbers of people who were stopping by.
While there we ran into Jeanine —from the Art Gallery is next door enjoying her new neighbor’s openings.
Jeanine’s Gallery is laid out with a big room in the center front which has her sales counter in the back and big windows on Sanford’s main street in the front and today the room was full of tables full of all manner of Halloween items, plus the people who made them and the people who were considering buying them….
On either side of this area are individual rooms leased by individual artists to display their work available for sale…everything from the beautiful to the Bizarre, but all wonderfully drafted by talented craftsmen and women. Often on visits to the gallery you’ll meet some of the artist working on a new peice, teaching a class or just mingling with those who enjoy their work. One of my favorites is the Sargarent Pepper’s Coffee Table.
Behind the open area at the entrance (also between individual artist areas) is an enclosed room and this second room like the first this day held Halloween Items from Irish WItches
and many more—I have info but can’t match them all to pictures but if you’re looking for Halloween Arts and crafts for your home decor look no further I did get these cards at least
Witches we have dealt with her before and how the wise women of the village and other women (and an occasional man or two) were made scapegoats from problems in the village to the entire town…but this is Halloween time and so we live with the legends of the wonderful, strong women who could fly above the dreary world below along with her sisters. I think it say a lot for women that you never pictured a man (or very few if so) doing anything quite so marvelous.
Pumpkins I have also previously pointed out are a more recent addition to the holiday—in many previous blogs of mine–replacing turnips and some how I think the holiday is better for it–the idea of a table full of artisticaly designed turnip creatures just isn’t quite the same–at least not for me. Whomever was in charge of that Halloween PR change over took a good step on that one.
And of course Jeanine’s part of the establishment was decorated for the big day and she assured me it will remain in Halloween Décor after the weekend fun even though these artist presenters have returned home. So if you’re in the mood for Halloween, be like me and, get started in Sanford…
OH AND BEFORE I FORGET A DOGGIE THAT WAS VISITING HALLOWEEN…HE’S ALL WHITE…BUT Notice the nose–he’s an albino.
and least I forget this darling dog–another white one–belonged to a lovely lady who makes and sells jewelry and I met and bought three pairs of earring from her on Sat…at the Sanford’s Farmer’s Market http://www.sanfordfl.gov/index.aspx?page=1021
TALBOTS FALL COLORED 16P BLOUSE $14.50
IVY COLE AND THE MOON A NOVEL OF UNNATURAL HUNGERS/GINA FARAGO $4.12
