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The coven Bristle Crios presents the Blood Moon Celebration Tuesday, October 11th 2011 in the Southern Glen 3pm - 9pm (PST), 6pm - 12am (EST), 11pm - 5am (UK)

The Blood Moon is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox. Also known as the Hunter's Moon, it is so named because the moonlight is perfect for hunters shooting migrating birds. The name is also said to have been used by Native Americans as they tracked and killed their prey by autumn moonlight, stockpiling food for the winter ahead.

Details about the event may be found below. Feel free to post your stories in preparation for the event here, as well as your stories about the event. Post what you'll be wearing to the event here and don't forget to vote for our best dressed lady of the event!

Photo Credit: MrEclipse.com

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Blood Moon Appetizer and Dessert Tent

Near the tree line a white tent glows in the evening. Draped from the ceiling are plumes of luxurious fabrics setting the backdrop for the rod iron chandeliers. Each one dripping with flowers of orange, white, red and green. Ivy, lilies, roses and hydrangea trickle down to mingle with the tempting scents of treats. Large wooden tables litter the tent and groan under the weight of days of cooking. Bowls of popcorn balls, candy corn, chips, dips, candy and caramel apples, brightly wrapped hard candies, popcorn, and various other goodies. In the center of the tent sits a three chocolate fountains. In the center bubbles a white chocolate dyed orange. On either side sits milk chocolate and spiced dark chocolate.

A smattering of antique cream tents dot the landscape. Tables and chairs in mismatched woods all decorated in fall colors for people to sit and chat or unload their bounty from the food tent. On the back of each chair is a large satin bow simmering in the light of the fire. Their decadent jewel tones of spiced pumpkin, rosy cream, antique gold with a few splashes of aged sage. Candles flicker from their center pieces of leaves as the conversations bubble like the champagne being offered along with hearty ales and spiced ciders.

Picture Credits with Recipes: Pumpkin Fondue, Pumpkin Streusel Muffins, Cheesy Zucchini Bites, Caramel Apple Dip

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With the guard relaxed around the coven grounds, sweet Angel scampered about freely. Bunny dangling from her left hand as she headed for her father's garden. All of the strange fall flowers captivated her, plus it was fun to make stories up about how the came to be. Round the corner on a thorny black berry bush her foot caught on the edge of something orange and bumpy.

"Ouch! Ack!" Scrambling away from whatever had taken her down, the dirty stuffed rabbit clutched to her chest like a shield. Before those every changing eyes sat a pumpkin. It's bottom wiggling and flattening out under the weight of itself.

One tiny hand reached out for the rough vine. Eyes wide with wonder as she followed the rough curves to another and another pumpkin. All different sizes and shapes littered the ground nearly forming a sea on the garden's well manicured grass.

"Bunny! These are the like the pumpikeens from my book! We can make them into jack o'lanterns for the party! Remember" Their scary faces keep evil away." Bouncing and giggling in her black patten leather shoes the poor rabbit flopped along at her side with shiny button eyes and fraided stitched nose.

The little girl was beside herself with joy. Running off to the tool shed in a giggle fit, she knew her father kept tools on the work bench. There had to be at least a small shovel and saw. Once inside the small tin roof shed, Angel held up the front of her dress creating a basket. Dropping bunny first, she found a spade, screw driver and small utility knife. Angel's eyes had turned a rich spiced orange against the pale skin of her face. Nearly skipping back to the sea of pumpkins, she made up a little tune.

"Oh, pumpikeens! Pumpikeens! I'm going to make you pretty! Give you a face that is silly! Pumpikeens for Mommy, Daddy and me! Bunny too!"

It didn't take to long for this little girl to be covered in pumpkin bits and seeds. Catching in those bright blonde curls and sticking between her fingers as bunny as propped up against her first jack o'lantern. Giggling as she flung a glob of pumpkin guts with the spade, Morgan rounded the corner catching them in the face. Standing still for a moment of shock and curiosity, he followed the sound of his daughter's voice singing about pumpkins.

Watching her try to pull out another mess of pumpkin guts, Morgan managed to dodge this time. "And just what do you think you are doing, my little Angel?"

Blinking up with eyes changing from orange to earthy green. "Daddy! I am making jack o'lanterns for the party! I want to help too!" Spade in hand as the strings of guts plopped down on her wrist.

Morgan couldn't help the chuckle. "You are very sweet for helping Angel, but I don't think you can carve all of these pumpkins by yourself. How about we ask all the members to carve a pumpkin" That way everyone can have some fun like you." Tapping the end of her sticky nose and watching her face wrinkle up to keep eyes on it.

"Like you and mommy and Fi and Jack and all of them?" Squealing and bouncing on the ground. "Oh please! Tell them daddy! Tell them! I want everyone to have fun to and the pumpikeens with faces will keep us all safe!" Angel had the biggest smile on her face, bunny on the other hand leaned dangerously close to the open mouth of a jack o'lantern covered in seeds and slimy orange guts.

"I will ask the members of the coven to join in the fun. Promise. In the mean time we should get you cleaned up for dinner." Scooping Angel and bunny up, Morgan carried his pumpkin princess to the cottage for a much needed bath. Later on that evening a message went out to all the houses.

Dear Members, Please join in the fun of the fall, by coming to the main gardens for a pumpkin to carve. The jack o'lanterns will be on display at the Blood Moon party and if you can't until the night of there will be pumpkins set aside for you. I look forward to what creative thing come out of this time honored tradition.

Morgan and Miranda.

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Got your attention, right' That's just what Yasmin had in mind. Proudly on display in the front lawn of Metamorphosis House, Yasmin's pumpkin bumpkin couple welcome all the visitors.

Photo: hockeyguy91cdtvideos.webs.com

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"See, children?" Lydia said softly as she spoke to the group her young students, helping them design their pumpkins for the Blood Moon, "You don't have to carve your pumpkin to have a pretty festive design. If you would like to have your pumpkin carved, we should be mindful of safety and let an adult use the carving tools." She proceeded to explain how to safely carve a pumpkin and to be careful of the candle inside. Read more of Lydia's tips here.

Photo Credit: www.bhg.com

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Jack wandered back to the tents as they sat scattered across the ground like mushrooms. Grumbling as she carried her now pumpkin jack o'lantern. Her first one was perfect. All metal and filled with led lights that changed color. It would never rust or fall apart because why.....she built it! That's why! Angel on the other hand had a very different opinion.

As soon as the little girl saw the metal jack o'lantern light up she screamed and hid behind her father. Asking silly little girl questions like what is that' It's scary! That's not a pumpkin!

Of course it's not a pumpkin! It is better than a pumpkin! It's metal! After much fuss and learning how to talk to a little girl quickly, she conceded to do another jack o'lantern only this one would be made from a pumpkin. Slapping and stabbing in a few gears and custom pieces, Jack made what looked like a steam powered pumpkin carriage. Angel was sure to love this one! It was like that whimpy princess' carriage. The one with the glass slipper. Only now steam powered!

Picture Credit:ohdeedoh.com and techrepublic.com

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"Watch what you are doing you lumacous! This is a huge order and I don't want one bottle damaged! Got me!" Chris stood in the middle of chaos as her warehouse was turned upside down with shipments. Case after case wheeled in on a dolly, by some brute. Fedora slightly askew and her dark purple tank top and jeans covered in dust. Every bottle had to be accounted for, signed over, stored, sorted and the delivered in time for this blood moon party. She would be playing bartender and sommelier, which in her mind meant no room for mistakes.

"Your other left with that case!" Storming across the cement floor to catch the strung out delivery guy, Chris could feel her temples pulse. Half the damn warehouse was souly set aside to supply this party. Signing the form shoved under her nose by the grouch, her name scribbled in a doctor's handwriting.

"One more time through the list and then you can walk away for migraine meds." Pen in hand while rubbing her forehead.

"Alright, alright. Beers and ales! Three different types of pumpkin ales, plus the standards and a couple of stouts of the hearty drinkers. Wines......A ha! Vampire cab sav, blended Phantom by Bogle, standard assortment of reds and whites with fun labels and some bubbly. " Walking over to the other half of the space there were even more boxes all with bright logos and little extras nestled next to the glassware. "Okay now for the hard core stuff. Spirits we have.....Solerno blood orange liqueur, B and B, aw man....now I want a glass." With a huff Chris continued to pour over the selection of vodka, schnapps, rums, brandy, whiskey and anything else you could think of to make an endless supply of drinks.

Wearily she slumped on a near by pillar. 10 pages of orders all accounted for with it's tiny print self. "Coffee.....gonna need some coffee." Tossing the clipboard and pen on her desk, Chris dragged her feet to the small side room that once would have been a janitor's office. Flopping into the hammock, going home could wait. A nap was in order.

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Since the day Yasmin had come bounding into the office about a party on the coven grounds, Miranda had been swamped with work. Of course the event would need some elegant lighting and that was her job. At the forge she mounted the last bit of iron in place. Black smudges on her face and hands, she stepped back to take a look. The scrolling metal seemed to fit the theme of the blood moon. So far 12 chandeliers and a multitude of small hanging lanterns had been taken back to the coven by cart. Smiling brightly, normal work could continue, but not before going home to a hot bath and a hearty meal. Mint green eyes glazed with the wondrous thought of kissing her daughter good night and curling up by Morgan's side near the hearth.

Lighting Fixtures Image Provided by: lampsplus.com The day of the party she would take the time to lace the stems of rich and vibrant flowers from the green house amongst the rod iron and candles. Hydrangea, lilies, snapdragons, roses, ivy and just a few bright sunflowers. A light mist to keep the flowers fresh all throughout the party and the dew would glisten adding a romantic touch. It would be an amazing sight if she could pull it off.

Tossing her gloves on the warm stone, a soft knock at the door came. "Must be the cart driver." She mused. Turning the latch a small bouncing ball of blonde curls tackled her legs.

"Hi mommy!" Angel tried to spin her about full of giggles and just a hint of sticky ice cream on her chin. Miranda's arms reaching down to hug her daughter as her laughter added to the giggles in surprise.

Miranda looked back in the door way to find Morgan chuckling. "We thought we would help out and take you home early tonight." Morgan cleared the distance between them in a few strides. Brushing stray curls from her cheeks and tenderly kissing them. Angel looked up blushing at her father being so affectionate to Miranda.

"You both have good timing. Just finished and I am more than ready to go home." Letting her head rest against Morgan's shoulder.

"Angel, why don't you take mommy to the cart and I will load up the chandelier." Morgan gave them each a kiss while rolling up the sleeves of his shirt.

Nodding her head, Angel took hold of Miranda's hands. "Come on mommy!" Her little mind racing with dinner and a story from both her parents and maybe daddy wouldn't tell about the ice cream they had so she could have another bowl for dessert!

Graveyard Dare

Molly was so excited to be attending her first sleepover. She was invited with several other girls to Amy's house Saturday night. The girls had pizza and cake and played games. They had a wonderful evening and, all too soon, it was time for bed. Amy's parents went to bed while all the girls lay in their sleeping bags in the living room and quietly told ghost stories in the dark.

Amy was finishing her story, "and when the girl was running away from the ghost in the graveyard, a skeleton reached up, grabbed her foot, and pulled her into his grave with him!" All the girls shrieked quietly. Amy looked at Molly, who looked the most scared, and said, "I double dare you to go to the graveyard down the street." Molly looked at her in shock. The others girls squealed in delight and encouragement.

Molly said hesitantly, "But I'm in my nightgown." Amy stared at her blankly and said, "But it's only a few houses down." The other girls kept pressuring her and finally Molly conceded. Amy smiled and said, "Wait. You have to have proof that you were there." She jumped up and ran to the kitchen. She returned with a plastic jeweled metal letter opener. "Take this," Amy continued, "and stick it in the ground right over a grave. In the morning, we will all walk over and see if you really did it." Molly reluctantly took the letter opener, put on her jacket and shoes, and left for the cemetery down the street.

Even though the cemetery was at the end of the street, the walk seemed twice as long. Each call from night birds made her jump. The rustle of the wind made her stop in her tracks. Armed with the letter opener, she continued on, knowing that the sooner she finished her task, the sooner she would be safe in her sleeping bag.

By the time she arrived at the cemetery, her courage had faded. There was a silence there ? a dead silence. She could clearly hear her soft shoes hit the ground with each step. In the quiet, she remembered Amy's story. She cautiously went up to a nearby grave. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, plunged the letter opener into the grass of the grave next to her, turned, and quickly started to leave but something had her. She couldn't flee. She tried to run but something had a hold of her nightgown. It was the skeleton! He was pulling her down with him into his grave!

The girls had fallen asleep waiting for Molly's return. In the morning, they alerted Amy's parents to the missing Molly and the dare. Amy's father immediately went to the cemetery. He found Molly's lifeless body over one of the graves. The girl had died of shock; it wasn't the skeleton after all. He picked up the poor girl's body to carry her back, only after removing the letter opener, which had pinned her nightgown to the ground.