Rain and bird Rain and bird are two elements of nature that have a significant impact on our lives. The rain is a natural phenomenon that occurs when water vapor condenses in the atmosphere and falls to the ground. It plays a vital role in the water cycle and is essential for the survival of all living things. Rain provides numerous benefits to the environment and mankind. It helps in the growth of crops and plants by providing them with the necessary moisture and nutrients. It replenishes water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers, which are vital sources of freshwater for drinking and irrigation purposes.
Practical Magic Halloween
“There’s a Little Witch in All of Us”…one of the well known quotes from Alice Hoffman’s 1995 book, “Practical Magic”. It’s a tale of two sisters navigating the trials of love in the “real”world with just a touch of magic. The book was turned into a very successful movie in 1998 and has become a favorite to watch during the Halloween season.
Before entering into Practical Magic a big thank you to Rita of Panoply for hosting this wonderfully fun and creative Halloween Tablescape Blog Hop. If you’ve just come from Home Is Where the Boat Is, welcome. What a super Halloween tablescape she put together. It’s great to gather with all these talented Bloggers for a little “Spooky” creativity. You’ll find the links to their Blog Sites listed at the end. Have fun exploring all their wonderfully creative ideas for some haunting Halloween tables.
For me, one of the best reasons to watch the movie, Practical Magic, is to see the house in which the sisters grew up. It’s a picturesque Victorian situated at the edge of the sea complete with beautiful gardens and a conservatory for drying herbs and mixing herbal products and… a few magic potions.
Welcome to the Blog today for a slightly Victorian table setting reminiscent of the movie, “Practical Magic”.
The theme “Practical Magic” allowed me to incorporate some lovely elements that include elegant and fun bits from the movie to create a Victorian tablescape with a bit of “witchy” fun. A black table cloth with a white lace overlay was my starting point. Each place setting has its “witch’s” hat in a Victorian paisley pattern with a black brim embellished with potpourri. Rose petals appear in the movie so it seemed appropriate to include them in the place setting. A quote from the movie was placed at each setting…something the guests can keep. Mounted on a chalkboard and completed with a ribbon the favor can be hung in a favorite spot when the guest returns home.
Here’s a closer look at the quote in its Victorian frame.
The hats were a fun project to make. I used two different embellishments…the bow and the flower in jet black beads.
The witch hats looked very much at home with the black and white motif. You can see the plate stack in the above picture. A silver charger with a beautiful scrolled edge holds a black and white paisley plate that blends with the paisley fabric in the witch hats. A beautiful black china plate edged in gold with an inner rim of gold comes next. Finally a white plate edged in black and gold gives a nice background for the hat.
A closer look at the plates can be seen above. Royal Stafford and Lenox china paired together well in this setting.
An etched cut crystal goblet was paired with a silver wine goblet to reinforce the Victorian theme. The silver was left unpolished as a nod to Hallowe’en.
Silver-plated flatware in a lovely floral pattern fit in well with all the flowers and herbs seen in the movie. A black napkin was held in place with a twisted black wire napkin ring. A broom, with the brush pointing up for good luck, was inserted in the napkin ring. Every self-respecting witch needs her broom.
In the center of the table a ring of Fall flowers surrounds the stem of the candelabra. A bit of color in the black and white setting brings the garden to the table.
Here you can see the candelabra rising out of the ring of flowers. The candelabra is quite intricate in twisted wrought iron and holds six white candles. White because only white magic is practiced here.
The windows behind the table look out into the garden. They are decorated with grasses and cats, a spooky light up sign , brass candles, and a potpourri crescent moon filling the lower middle window. A pumpkin in the same paisley fabric as the Witch hats fills the right hand window. Two black cats, one on either side of the center window, are poised to watch the fun.
Looking into the room you can see the gallery wall decorated for a “Practical Magic” Halloween. The chandelier is turned into a witch’s hat made from the same paisley fabric as the witch hats on the table and the pumpkin in the window. Herbals both modern and antique are displayed on the shelves. Potion mixing begins with an understanding of herbal plants.
The “There’s a Little Witch In All of Us” sign was made especially for Hallowe’en and is a quote from the movie. Black cats abound in “Practical Magic”. Cats have been a witch’s familiar in much of the lore surrounding witches. Pages from an herbal from the early 18th Century sit next to a wood block of a Medieval maker of pewter items. Knowledge of herbs and their properties and the alchemy involved in making metals were tools used by wise women and alchemists who were some of our first chemists and doctors.
The full moon is an amazingly beautiful part of Hallowe’en lighting the sky with silver light. The Penny Magazine excerpt about the Moon is from the 1820’s. The facets of the moon and the placement of the stars have been studied for centuries. A simple depiction of three favorite herbs is set in a white frame. The wonderful cat pen and ink drawing framed in black and gold is by a Georgian (Russian) artist who is quite well known. His name is Irakli Gabashvili and he made this original drawing in 1994. We found it at a local Thrift Store a few years ago and just love the image. The artist did a series of cats from T.S. Elliot’s work that was later made into the stage show, “Cats”. This is “Gus the Theater Cat” whose full name is Asparagus. He loves to come out during the Hallowe’en season and perform on his Pen and Ink stage.
More cats stand or sit around the room and the one above has just eaten a fish. Another Thrift Shop find, he really is quite fun at night with a votive candle lighting his skeletal fish.
A witch’s hat sets the room aglow at dusk. The light is dimming and night is drawing closer. Soon it will be the witching hour and magic will be in the air.
Candlelight casts a soft glow in the room and all things seem possible.
The candelabra looks mysterious but not scary. Spells will be cast but only for happy endings. No black magic is welcome at this table.
Everything looks softer by candlelight. Reflections in the window magnify the light and the crescent moon shows beautifully with its lovely rose color.
The place settings are ready for guests to sit down and enjoy a wonderful Hallowe’en dinner.
“Always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder. Keep rosemary by your garden gate. Plant lavender for luck and fall in love whenever you can.”…Practical Magic
Hallowe’en words to live by in this “Practical Magic” Halloween.
Be sure and visit all the Bloggers listed below for their fun and imaginative Halloween tablescapes. We hope you find some ideas to inspire your own Halloween celebration. Have fun!
Home Is Where the Boat Is – Black Cat Trading Company
The Little Yellow Corner Store – The Debonair Vampire, Leonard
Corner of Plaid and Paisley – Table of Vexing Vermin
Carry on Beautiful!
I watched Practical Magic a few nights ago for the first time this year, it’s been one of my favourite films since I was a kid and it’s just the perfect time of year to bring it out. Watching it again made me remember how terrified I was as a kid when *spoiler?* Jimmy’s boot tips start showing through the mud. Of course if something scares the shit out of me my first though is ‘wow, imagine that as Halloween decor’, so here it is! The best part is that all you need is an old pair of shoes and a saw.
I used an old pair of my brothers steel toed shoes that couldn’t be donated, I’m definitely not advising anyone to go out and buy shoes or use shoes that are still wearable! I can’t stop you from doing that but it’s totally unnecessary and with all the issues surrounding fast fashion it’s really just not what I think people should be doing. Especially not for something like this!
So grab your old shoes, decide how far you want it to stick out and saw off the toe, then use a lighter to carefully burn any threads or material that’s sticking out and you’re done! It’s really that easy. It was especially easy with these since the steel toe cap kept my saw straight and the sole was worn enough that it didn’t offer to much resistance, all the more reason to only use otherwise unusable shoes to do this!
The final result is honestly kinda creepy. It’s so subtle and not something you expect that they’ve made me jump a couple of times even though I know they’re there! Mostly I think it’s just pretty fun and weird.
Practical Magic: Thrift Store Edition
Listen. I get that not everyone feels the same way I do about Halloween. Case in point: Winston the skull-snowglobe. I purchased him last year for Halloween and instead of packing him away in November, he became a year-round member of my office support staff. My other main office support member is this shelf. Her name is Rhonda. You can read about her makeover on my instagram.
With all that said, I am a Halloween nut. There is no such thing as too much or too tacky and just yesterday Jane picked up a fake skeleton hand in Target and yelled, “I’m coming for your soul.” Apparently my genes are strong.
But some people are classier and don’t necessarily want to cover their homes in fake cobwebs and plastic coffins that yell “enter if you dare” every time a person or squirrel motion-activates it. And retail stores shouldn’t dominate our seasonal decor anymore than they should dominate our home decorating. Case in point, this spider plate.
This is the Miss Muffet plate. She was a steal at Goodwill. She’s hand painted and I have zero ideas about where she came from or how old she is (I figured it wasn’t polite to ask). I’m thinking she belongs in a place of honor, like a shadow box.
Vintage plates might be the best way to decorate for October and November. They look great on the wall, or better yet, collect some mismatched plates for a tablescape. Pine cones and wheat are great dinner party decor (like this wheat-harvest themed vintage platter on my etsy page).
Yes. That was a shameless plug for my etsy shop. There may be more.
Who are we kidding. There will be more.
Art is another great way to incorporate some vintage fall and Halloween decor into your house. Case in point: I found this beauty at Goodwill. It’s called “Autumn Grasses” and was originally a famous Japanese folding screen from the 1800’s by artist Shibata Zeshin.
You guys. It has a giant moon, bugs, and the colors are spot on for some subtle Halloween decor. Given my affinity for Winston the skull-snow-globe, this piece of art will be year round in my house. BUT, at these costs you could definitely afford to collect some fall-seasonal specific art and store it in your attic when Christmas rolls around.
I don’t have any fall specific art in my shop at the moment (I’m so not parting with that giant-moon-bug print), but I do have a vintage black and white print of the Archbishop of Canterbury who was assassinated way back in 1170. And that’s basically a kissing-cousin story to all those witch-trial tales. A stretch? Maybe. But I just think the print is SO cool and wanted to share it.
Planters and ceramics are another great option for some changeable fall decor when the air gets cooler and evening walks require sweaters. This ebony planter with ruffled edging is begging to display some tiny pumpkins. And this Heager bowl and matching candlesticks looks like the fall decor that might have perched atop Grandma’s solid wood record console during happy hour circa 1960.
Of course, when all else fails, you can keep your fingers crossed that a real-life mama spider takes up residence on your porch, and your neighbor’s fireplace fills the air with wood smoke, and the evening sky turns that perfect shade of deep purple.
When it comes to real life practical magic, this combo wins every time.
It replenishes water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers, which are vital sources of freshwater for drinking and irrigation purposes. Rain also helps in maintaining the temperature balance on Earth by cooling down the atmosphere. Moreover, rain has a soothing and calming effect on our minds and bodies.
The sound of raindrops falling on the roof or leaves can be relaxing and help relieve stress. It also creates a cozy environment for activities such as reading, sleeping, or enjoying a warm cup of tea or coffee. On the other hand, birds are fascinating creatures that add beauty and grace to our surroundings. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors and have unique patterns of flight and behavior. Birds have adapted to different habitats, from forests and deserts to urban areas, and have become an integral part of our ecosystem. Birds play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance. They help in pollination by carrying pollen from one plant to another, aiding in the reproduction of various plant species. Additionally, birds control insect populations by feeding on pests, which reduces the need for pesticides in agriculture. Furthermore, birds bring joy and delight to our lives with their melodious songs and vibrant plumage. Their presence in nature is often associated with a sense of freedom and serenity. Many people enjoy birdwatching as a hobby and find solace in observing their fascinating behaviors and interactions. In conclusion, rain and birds are natural elements that bring numerous benefits to our lives and the environment. While rain nourishes the earth and supports the growth of plants and crops, birds contribute to the ecosystem by pollinating plants and controlling pests. Both rain and birds create a calming and beautiful environment that adds harmony to our surroundings..
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