Colleen Houck's Blog, page 22
November 20, 2015
November Pinterest Contest Winner Announced!
For the first half of November, we hosted a FASHION Contest with Lily in mind from Houck’s newest book REAWAKENED!
For those of you who have read the book already, you’d know Lily is the 17 year old heroine from New York who comes from money but doesn’t let it get to her head. She’s a talented artist, smart, brave and a bit sassy.
She finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time when a mummy rises from the dead and binds himself to her. He is an Egyptian to die for in every sense of the word!
I love the idea of this picture as a representation of embarking on a new adventure.
So this contest was a fun way to dream the day away about the characters and make your own virtual collage of the REAWAKENED world of your very own.
Everyone sees the world differently and this was FUN to see how YOU see the REAWAKENED world!
The LUCKY WINNER for this contest is . . .
Brooklyn Abercrombie
Congrats Brooklyn! Make sure to email your mailing address to me (Linda Louise) at colleenhouckcontests@gmail.com or another winner will be selected!
The Grand Prize Winner will receive a Dream Lily Package including (I love New York shirt, perfume, jewelry, and more!)
But wait, there’s more! We will be having ANOTHER CONTEST running mid November to early December and it’s all about BEST FRIENDS with a chance to win a beautiful gift for you AND your best friend! Keep on the look out for that contest reveal tomorrow!
Linda Louise
Reawakened Tour Stop, Brazil!
Colleen travelled to Brazil by invitation this past August to see and meet some of her hugest fans. I was lucky to be her plus one on this trip!
A little about me: I’m Colleen’s husband, Brad. I’m the youngest of four kids. I’ve been Deaf since I was five so I watch every movie with caption glasses. I love sports and reading (I’ll admit I’ve read Twilight but prefer thrillers like Jack Reacher). My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip. I’ll never turn down a taco. I write poetry. My man credentials include: a high school career in wrestling, watching sports every time my wife is too busy to notice, a receding hairline, two repaired ACL’s, and a stockpile of Axe body wash.
My Trip to Brazil!
Brazil was an awesome experience!! But not in the ways you might think. You’re probably thinking visits to the Amazon, exotic beaches at Rio, or scouring through trendy downtown Sao Paulo. We did none of those things. Instead, we were taken on a whirlwind trip, courtesy of Colleen’s publisher Editora Arqueiro, to 5 major cities in 7 days. We had little time for sightseeing or enjoying Brazil’s tourist attractions but still managed to come away feeling as if we had a much richer experience than the typical tourist would.
RIO DE JANEIRO
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We were able to fly first class and that meant we got to try out the new sleeper seats that turned into beds. It was fun playing with all the buttons and figuring out how everything worked. It was the most comfortable flight I’ve ever been on.
As soon as we exited the plane in Rio de Janeiro, I immediately noticed that the smell wafting through the airport was different. The best I can describe it is a combination of humidity and an industrial smell, which in fact permeated throughout Rio. There was a lot of construction going on in preparation for the Olympics!
On the road, we quickly noticed the insanity of our taxi driver, who was a nice enough guy, mind you, but we must have had ten near-accidents as other cars sped by us literally within millimeters of our taxi. The dotted white lines on the road were merely suggestions; they went unheeded as though they didn’t exist at all and drivers competed for gaps to pull ahead of each other. The driver, of course, seemed to anticipate all of this as a normal occupational hazard. The insanity of the drivers was surpassed by the frequent motorcyclists’ daring maneuvers between lines of cars.
Our hotel was next to the Bienal—Brazil’s largest book festival—which was about an hour away from downtown, pretty much on the outskirts of Rio. Rain fell during the entire festival, so we contented ourselves with hanging out at the hotel for a few days, and tasting the local cuisine.
We went to a mall, the largest one we’d ever seen. It had not one but multiple food courts, at least three bookstores, and countless shops. We experimented with ordering things to eat that we didn’t know the names of and ended up with a hearts of palm crepe and a cheese melt burger with a sweet onion jam. Each shop had multiple employees standing around waiting to serve customers.
Colleen’s scheduled event at the festival was on Saturday evening. That night, we were driven in a golf cart from the hotel to the side entrance of the auditorium which was packed with 500 screaming fans awaiting Colleen’s entrance. The excitement was palpable and the crowd buzzed with energy from the moment of her entry until the last fan’s book was signed nearly five hours later. Each fan that approached Colleen gave her a hug and chatted passionately about her books, either through a Portuguese interpreter or in their best English, while I embossed each fan’s Reawakened novel. I looked on with great interest at the intense reactions of fans as they greeted her. Fans generously gave notes and gifts and chocolates. I was surprised to note that approximately 15% of the crowd were males.
Colleen mentioned her love of the cheese bread the hotel served in the mornings as well as the passionfruit cake. When we returned to our room, we found a lovely note from the hotel with the recipe printed out in English along with a glazed passion-fruit cake big enough for us to share.
CURITIBA
On Sunday afternoon we took to the skies and flew south-bound to Curitiba, Brazil’s 9th largest city with over a million occupants. We stayed in a lush hotel there and marveled that people were wearing jackets, jeans, and boots in 15 degrees Celsius weather (or 60 degrees Fahrenheit). The Curitiba book event took place on Monday in a book store jam-packed with hundreds of fans enthusiastically greeting Colleen. Again, she was bombarded with generous gifts, goodies, and notes. The bookstore staff was great and they organized the event really well. Colleen was able to share a little bit about Tiger’s Dream and the fans went wild over just hearing Kishan’s name.
SAO PAULO
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The next morning we flew to Sao Paulo, the New York City of Brazil, which, like NYC, is littered with skyscrapers, subways, and buses. We stayed in a downtown hotel adjacent to the book event location. Once again, a long line of fans, numbering in the hundreds, eagerly waited outside the bookstore for a chance to meet Colleen. The book signing lasted well over three hours. As we came to expect, Colleen was showered with gifts and items that we hauled back to our hotel room. Some fans asked me if I was the husband that inspired the character Ren, and then took selfies with me. I must have posed with fans for about fifty pictures.
SALVADOR
The next morning we flew to our fourth city, Salvador, the 3rd largest in Brazil. We stayed at a nice resort overlooking the ocean and took a day to relax.
The book event was located at a book store the following day and here we had our smallest book signing, but the energy and excitement were no less enthusiastic than the previous events.
RECIFE
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Friday morning, we flew north to Recife, which means reef, a large tropical city right on the coast. We were warned going in that sharks swam in the water. Another crazy taxi driver transported us to our hotel by the beach. As I took a leisurely beach stroll, Colleen prepped herself for the final event of her tour. We entered from the back of the bookstore where a line formed all along the side of the bookstore and out into the mall. They waved and screamed when Colleen went up the stairs to her signing table. Three hours later, she did a Q/A session with fans who lingered behind, eager to hear her speak and provide answers through her interpreter Thais, a foreign deals representative at Editora Arqueiro Publishing.
Thais and Natalia were our guides/chaperones through the week. They did a fantastic job and made our trip very comfortable. They took us out for authentic Brazilian food and we got to try their version of pizza which was topped with beef jerky and whole green olives pits included and were introduced to various pastries and meat pies. We came to love Guaraná zero and aqua con gas.
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We bid them a sad farewell, with promises to return to the Bienal and promote future novels Colleen has yet to write. And now I’m craving a coxinhas!
Thank you so much Thais and Nacha. Hope we see you again soon! We miss you, Brazil!
November 12, 2015
Book Reviews for Kids by Kids- The Westing Game
For those of you who are looking for new books appropriate for middle grade that both boys and girls might enjoy, this is the place to look!
Every month, at least one new book will be added for review right here and they will be reviewed by the best critics, KIDS! That’s right, the one’s who read them will be the judge!
This blog is written by my sugar and spice and everything nice of a niece, Madison. She’s the best little helper around and a pure joy to be with. She has a sharp mind and has an infectious smile. She wants to be a teacher and likes helping others!
Introducing the adorable Madison,
“Hi I am a sixth grader and I like to read. I have read a lot of book series including, The Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer, and The Whatever After Series by Sarah Mlynowski. Here are a few other things about me. I love to write fantasy stories and mystery stories. I am the youngest of three in my family. My older sister is named Madelyn who is 13 and my brother Michael who is 19. I love my family and my friends. I’m currently reading the Harry Potter series”.
And now, introducing our next middle grade book review for kids, by kids!
Book review on The Westing Game
by Ellen Raskin
The Book Setting
The Westing Game takes place at a wonderful apartment building made mostly out of glass. It is occasionally outside the area with the beautiful roses and other flowers. Another main area of the setting is in the Westing house where Westing lives. It is pretty dark and gloomy, and there was no lights.
Main Character Descriptions
There are about thirteen different characters that are heir to the westing fortune.
Judge j. Ford– she is a judge who reads the will of westing to all of the heirs, and she is a pretty sassy character to anyone she talks to. She is also an heir.
The Wexler Family– there are four heirs in the Wexler family. 1}Jake Wexler- he is a doctor and a bookie. He is very shy and an heir to the fortune. 2] Tabitha –Ruth “Alice” ‘turtle’ Wexler- she is a daughter to Jake and she has a pretty sassy attitude to everyone. She is also a bit of a bully. She is important because she figures out the westing mystery. 3} Grace Wexler – she is Jakes wife. She is a waitress at a restaurant at the apartment building. She is very bossy and she is important because she is an heir. 4} Angela Wexler- she is considered as a perfect daughter to Grace. She is very pretty and blonde as she is described and very shy. She is an heir who looks like Violet Westing.
Flora Bambauch– she is a dressmaker and she is like a role model to some people. She is shy and she likes Tabitha Wexler. She is an heir.
Dr. Denton Deere– he is a doctor who is engaged to Angela Wexler. He works for Jake Wexler and he is a hard worker. He is an heir too.
James Shin Hoo– he is an owner of a restaurant and he is moody to everyone. He does not like westing and is glad he is dead. Berthe Erica Crow- she is a cleaning lady to the apartment and she plays a role in the plot. She is very religious.
Otis Amber– he is a delivery boy and he is many other characters in the book.
Alexander “sandy” Mcsouthers-he is the doorman and he was fired by sam westing himself with a hidden past.
Sydelle Pulaski– no one really knows what she is like because she never speaks.
Theo Theodorkis– he is disabled and is a high school student.
Personal Review
I liked most of the mystery from the murder. My favorite part was when they found his body as it was a dare from Turtle to Sandy. It had a lot of twists and turns you may not expect. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery.
Here’s a list and link to the other books we’ve reviewed:
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery by Deborah and James Howe
A to Z Mysteries: White House White Out by Ron Roy
The Sisters Grimm: The Problem Child by Michael Buckley
Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets (In full color) by Dav Pilkey
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Invasion of the Overworld by Mark Cheverton
Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke
The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis
Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony Di’Terlizzi and Holly Black
Artemis Fowl, book 1 by Eoin Colfer
The BFG (The Big Friendly Giant) by Roald Dahl
How to Train Your Dragon: How to Break a Dragon’s Heart, Book # 8 by Cressida Cowell
~ Till next time,
Linda Louise Lotti
November 7, 2015
Upcoming Tour Stops in California and Arizona in November
Shout out to all Houck fans who are in the area, Colleen will be touring in Pleasanton, California TONIGHT and then off to Phoenix, Arizona next Wednesday! Come see her there!
Pleasanton, California
When: Saturday, November 7 @ 4pm
What: Book Signing Event!
Where: Towne Center Books
555 Main Street
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Phone: 925-846-8826
Phoenix, Arizona
When: Wednesday, November 11 @ 7:00 PM
What: Book Signing Event!
Where: Barnes & Noble
21001 N. Tatum Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85050
Phone: 480-538-8520
November 4, 2015
November is here, and it’s Contest Time!
Ah, to walk out your door and feel the chill upon your cheek as you gaze upon the street and see pops of yellow, orange, pink, green and gold!
The smell of chimneys and fresh pine fill the air while sounds of wind rush through the trees and leaves crunch beneath your boots.
The sun’s warmth lingers as the new wind carries an excitement that touches your soul.
“Fall is here! Fall is here!”, our hearts shout with a twinkle in our eye and a lightness to our step. “Fall is here! Fall is here!
I just can’t help it, the beauty of Fall overwhelms and excites me! I love everything that Fall brings. Typically, our fall contest is tied in with the theme of Thanksgiving but this year we wanted to push that out a little and do a fun FASHION contest with Lily in mind from Houck’s newest book REAWAKENED!
For those of you who have read the book already, you’d know Lily is the 17 year old heroine from New York who comes from money but doesn’t let it get to her head. She’s a talented artist, smart, brave and a bit sassy.
She finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time when a mummy rises from the dead and binds himself to her. He is an Egyptian to die for in every sense of the word!
I love the idea of this picture as a representation of embarking on a new adventure.
So without giving away too much if you haven’t read the story yet, this is your chance to day dream a little about the characters and make your own virtual collage of the REAWAKENED characters and world of your very own.
Everyone sees the world differently and this could be a fun way to see how YOU see the REAWAKENED world!
Here’s how the contest will work,
Create a REAWAKENED WORLD Board on Pinterest (check my Pinterest Board out that I just started for some ideas)
Pin anything and everything that you think belongs in your Reawakened World (i.e. what the characters might look like, what they might wear, places they travelled, scenes, emotions, foods, etc.)
Share your Pinterest Board by providing the link in the comments below for other’s to check out
That’s it! If you haven’t read the book, hurry and pick one up and join the contest! You won’t be disappointed.
One Grand Prize Winner will receive a Dream Lily Package including (I love New York shirt, perfume, jewelry, and more!)
This contest will run for the month of November and because Colleen loves her fans soooo much, we will be having ANOTHER CONTEST running mid November to early December and it’s all about BEST FRIENDS with a chance to win a beautiful gift for you AND your best friend! Keep on the look out for that contest coming up!
Good luck and happy pinning!
Linda Louise
November 2, 2015
Colleen Houck Book Club- November
Last month’s pick was Sisters of Blood and Spirit by Kady Cross. For those of you who participated in the live chat on Goodreads thanks! For the next reading selection Colleen is excited to feature …
Prisoner of Cell 25
by Richard Paul Evans
Here’s a little teaser
“To everyone at Meridian High School, Michael Vey seems like an ordinary 14-year-old–he likes waffles and video games, hates homework and gets bullied at school. But Michael is anything but ordinary. He was born with special electrical powers.
When Michael’s best friends, Ostin Liss and cheerleader Taylor Ridley, make an accidental discovery, the trio learns that there are other children with electric powers–and that someone, or some thing, is hunting them.
After Michael’s mother is kidnapped, Michael will have to rely on his wits, powers and friends to combat the powerful Elgen and free his mother.”
“Michael Vey, The Prisoner of Cell 25 is the first book in a seven-book series by #1 bestselling author Richard Paul Evans. At a time when the YA (Young Adult) genre is flooded with increasingly darker and hostile themes, Michael Vey is an adventure story about hope, loyalty, courage and a son’s love for his mother. With strong, likeable characters, genuinely realistic and frightening villains and “high energy” tension, Michael Vey is a series that will resonate with youths and adults alike.”
Learn more at www.michaelvey.com.
Introducing Richard Paul Evans
“When Richard was a 29-years-old advertising copywriter he wrote a Christmas book for his two young daughters. That book, The Christmas Box, became an international bestseller with more than 8 million copies in print and the #1 television movie of the year. After its success, Evans became a full time writer. Since then Richard has sold more than seventeen million books, written 26 novels and four of his books have been made into television movies. In 2011 he began writing his first Young Adult series called Michael Vey¬ about a teenager with electric powers, which went on to be a #1 New York Times bestseller. When he isn’t writing, Richard loves to spend time at his ranch in southern Utah where he paintballs, drives four wheelers, and makes the world’s best crepes.”
You can find out more about him and his books on his website, at www.richardpaulevans.com.
I’m very excited to check out his novel and I look forward to discussing it at the end of the month with all of you on Goodreads for the live chat on November 30th at 6pm (PST).
So everybody who wants to join us, go get your hands on this book. You can start leaving your questions right away (but don’t share spoilers just yet).
Also, remember that you don’t need to read the book to participate in the live chat. It’s a GREAT opportunity to get to know the authors and ask any questions you’d like!
For fun there will be a GIVEAWAY during the live chat!
Happy reading everyone!
~Till next time,
Linda Louise Lotti
October 29, 2015
*Contest of the Month * Tiger’s Destiny in Paperback -***WINNER ANNOUNCED***
Tiger’s Destiny is now in paperback and is flying off the bookshelves and out of the warehouses. If you haven’t read the conclusion to this romantic adventure series now is your chance to win a copy. I don’t want to give too much away, but I’ll add some pictures to tease you and share some some hints. Enter the contest at the bottom to win your own copy. Four books will be given away.
To win a copy of Tiger’s Destiny enter the contest below and answer the questions. Test your knowledge of the Tiger’s series and share the contest with your friends daily to increase your chances to win one of four books.
The winner is . . .
Cynthia Kreisel.
October 28, 2015
Upcoming Tour Stops in California and Arizona in November
Pleasanton, California
When: Saturday, November 7 @ 4pm
What: Book Signing Event!
Where: Towne Center Books
555 Main Street
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Phone: 925-846-8826
Phoenix, Arizona
When: Wednesday, November 11 @ 7:00 PM
What: Book Signing Event!
Where: Barnes & Noble
21001 N. Tatum Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85050
Phone: 480-538-8520
October 27, 2015
Modern Ink Society- October
FEATURING GUEST
Kady Cross
My Favorite Ghost Movies
Welcome to the twenty-third session of
THE MODERN INK SOCIETY!
“There’s a light on in the attic,
though the house is dark and shattered,
I can see a flickering flutter,
and I know what it’s about.”
— A Light in the Attic
Featured Author is
Colleen first met Kady at Romantic Times Book Convention. She always has the greatest hair and makeup and fashion sense! One of these days I’m going to get her to teach me how to make my own boots!
Introducing the talented Kady Cross,
My Favorite Ghost Movies
Before I jump in, I just want to thank Colleen for hosting me, and all of you who are participating. I hope you enjoy(ed) SISTERS OF BLOOD AND SPIRIT!
Since Halloween season is upon us (and now people won’t ask why I have spider decals all over my windows), I thought I’d talk about some of my favorite horror/ghost TV shows, movies and stories. I grew up in a house where ghosts were recognized as real, and not necessarily spooky. My mother loved a bit of creepy herself, and we used to watch shows about haunted places and famous ghosts together when I was younger. I think she’d approve of most of the items on this list, with the exception of Nightmare on Elm Street. I’m probably going to date myself with a few of these, but that’s okay. Let’s get started.
THE MONKEY’S PAW – We read this story in middle-grade, and it made an impression! Basically it’s a ‘be careful what you wish for’ plot. Mr. and Mrs. White find themselves in possession of a monkey’s paw that grants three wishes — but at a price. Mr. White’s wish for money results in his son’s death — and a pay-out of exactly the amount of funds he needs. The second wish, made reluctantly and out of love for his grieving wife, is for the return of his son. What happens when there’s a knock at the door? Read the story — it will creep you out!
NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS – The late 70s through to the late 80s produced a plethora of ‘slasher’ flicks. They’re called slashers because there’s no real plot except for a highly-creative, deranged murderer slashing his/her way through the cast. I have enjoyed and despised many of these movies, but my favorite has to be the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, most notably, Dream Warriors. If you’re not familiar with Freddy Kruger, he was a child-killer who met his end when a vigilante mob burned him alive. He vowed revenge on their children, and he gets to them in their dreams. Patricia Arquette’s character in DW is attacked by Freddy (he slashes her wrists) and sent to a psych hospital because it’s called a suicide attempt. As if Freddy wasn’t scary enough, now he’s in an asylum?!?! My teenaged heart exploded at the idea. My favorite scene is the puppet dream (death of Philip). I’ve attached a jpg — purposely chosen so you don’t see a lot. I’m not here to gross you out or scar you for life.
JAWS – I hate this fish, but I love this fish. Watched this way too young and was forever leery of water afterward. Everyone told me the Bay of Fundy (where I grew up) was too cold for sharks. Guess what? Someone caught a Great White in my home town. Yeah, never swimming again.
SUPERNATURAL – I’ve watched this show since the first episode, and I’m still a fan of the Winchester brothers. Fun fact – when I pitched Sisters of Blood and Spirit to my editor, I called it “Supernatural meets Sweet Valley High.” There have been melodramatic episodes, funny episodes, and some that were pretty tense and creepy. One most notable episode, ‘The Benders’ from season 1. The villains aren’t supernatural, and they’re all the more terrifying for it. Maybe I find this all the more horrific because I grew up in a rural area. Or, maybe I’m just fascinated by monsters that look/are human. Regardless, it’s fricking creepy.
THE OTHERS – I love a good historical movie. Throw in some creepiness and I’m all over it. In this movie, Nicole Kidman plays a mother trying to protect her children while it seems sinister forces plot against her. It has a great plot twist that I loved, and a couple of moments that made me jump. It’s rich with atmosphere, and a very quiet horror that becomes more apparent by the end of the movie. Awesome.
DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK – Guillermo del Toro scares me, but in a fabulous way. I’ve been a fan of his for a long time — like, before I knew who he was. His movies are beautiful to look at, so saturated in color, and dark. My dream movie would be something involving Tim Burton and del Toro, starring Johnny Depp and scored by Trent Reznor and Danny Elfman. I digress, though. DBAotD is another one of those gorgeous, somewhat quiet movies that really send a shiver down my spine. It’s all about a creepy, but beautiful old house, and tooth fairies. If you think fairies can’t be scary, you need to watch this movie. Fun fact — this movie was all the scarier for me because the little girl in it looks *so* much like my niece did at the same age. I was on the edge of my seat, filled with anxiety for the kid the entire movie because of the resemblance.
I could probably keep going, but I think that’s enough for now! I love a good scare. It’s a primal thing. Fear keeps us on our toes, drives us to act. It’s a protection mechanism from way back before we developed language. I think it’s best when shared with friends, which is why my husband and I are figuring out what haunts we want to visit this month, and gathering a crew to come with us.
So, what are YOUR favorite scary movies/TV/books? I’ve got a Sisters of Blood and Spirit prize pack for one random poster — and signed copies of Sisters of Blood and Spirit for four others.
A huge thanks to Kady for sharing some of her favorite scary stories/movies! I’ve never heard of The Monkey’s Paw and I think I’m going to have to check that out. If you’d like to learn more about Kady Cross you can check her out at www.alterkate.com/kady-cross/.
Also, don’t forget to join Kady and Colleen for a LIVE CHAT on GOODREADS on October 29th!
So everybody who wants to join us, go get your hands on this book. You can start leaving your questions right away (but don’t share spoilers just yet).
Also, remember that you don’t need to read the book to participate in the live chat. It’s a GREAT opportunity to get to know the authors and ask any questions you’d like!
For fun there will be a GIVEAWAY during the live chat!
~Till next time,
Linda Louise Lotti
October 19, 2015
The Magic of Disneyland at Halloween
Villains boldly claim Disneyland every year during Halloween. This year I took my family to enjoy the fog filled lagoon, tasty scary treats, and to trick or treat all around Disneyland dressed up in their Halloween costumes. In between the spooky rides we saw villains not normally seen during the day at Disneyland. 
Special event tickets only allow those who planned (paid) for this Halloween event into Disneyland and you have the whole park to run and hide from these evil characters, but beware of those devilish souls waiting to claim your dalmatian puppies, curse you into a never ending sleep, or wait for you in disguise with a perfectly poisoned red apple.
Halloween Treats
Speaking of apples, one of my favorite treats during the fall season in a caramel apple. There is no such thing as a plain caramel apple in October at Disneyland. I love watching as these special apples are created right in front of my eyes. The Maleficent apples were creative and the horns are made out of rice crispy treats. We bought chocolate covered marshmallows on a stick (sooo good!), the Mickey Mouse Bat cookie with little orange fangs, and the Minnie Mouse witch since the Maleficent apple departed with other souls wandering the park in need of refreshment. Look at all these Halloween treats!
Disneyland Decorations
As you wait in the lines you can feast on all the Fall decorations that Disney excels at. Check our the Death Star balloons, and how the castle turns into a creepy haunted castle.
Halloween Ride Make-Overs
Two rides in Disneyland get a make over for Halloween. Space Mountain and the Haunted Mansion. My favorite was the Haunted Mansion.
Jack Skellington makes an annual appearance to take over the Haunted Mansion and change it like he tried to do with Christmas in his movie. 
I swear that during the ride when you get to the dining room scene it suddenly smelled of pumpkin spice. Yum!
One of my favorite parts of going to Disneyland which has been true since I was a little girl, wearing those wonderful matching family black and white striped t-shirts, is being able to live in the dreamworld of a beloved movie. Disney still makes this happen for me. I love feeling like a princess as I tour Sleeping Beauty’s castle, join the rebellion in Star Wars, and sail the ocean with the Pirates of the Caribbean as I pick out a favorite piece of treasure from the dead pirate captain’s loot. He looks long dead after all, and he won’t need that emerald adorned crown.
Costumes
Now we get to the real reason I’m writing this blog. The costumes were fantastic! You can probably tell that our family likes to dress up. We get that from our sweet mom who dreamed of being an actress.
Out of all the costumes I saw my favorite by far was a family dressed up like the family in the Brave movie. They had three little brothers with red died hair, the dad totally owned the fur shall he was wearing. The costumes of the mother and little Merida were so precious. 
I felt creepy wanting to take a picture, so I didn’t, but the little girls hair was long red and curly just like Merida’s. This picture doesn’t do justice to the little family I saw but you get the idea as you look at the little kilt adorned triplets. So freaking cute!!!
This is an annual event. I didn’t know this but with our Mickey’s Halloween Party tickets came a little reminder that those guests over the age of 9 may wear costumes. “Otherwise, costumes are not permitted at either theme park for Guests ages nine and older.” I’m guessing that’s because they don’t want those with really awesome costumes being mistaken for the actual characters Disney hires to meet little guests.
It was a Disney quality event and walking home to our room at Disney’s Grand Californian made the trips back and forth to the park so easy. Look at this wicked confection Halloween tree that was in the lobby. It made the lobby smell sweet.
We had the best room ever! Room #6001 on the concierge level. It was right by the food room where the kids walked over to get breakfast and every other meal every day, it was around the corner from the elevators, 15 steps away from the concierge staff where we rented movies every day (I introduced my kids to Goofy and they love him), and we watched the fireworks from our balcony every night.
I writing this blog while I nosh on the candy from the trick or treat part of the vacation…ooh a dark chocolate Kit Kat, score!
Now I’m off to adorn my old minivan with the sweet Cinderella antenna ball that I spoiled myself with. 
Don’t forget to dress up in costumes, take pictures and add them to this blog so we can all enjoy the magic of this season.
Have you seen the Disney Villian make-up? Wet n Wild creates these little beauties.
