DIY

When You Hear Ghost Music, It’s Time to Create

The spirits have sparked DIY Creativity in this week’s roundup

’Tis the season to be spooky, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, boo, boo, boo, boo.

As a musician, I would be remiss not to include the Robert Graves poem “Ghost Music” in my weekend roundup of favorite pieces from The DIY Diaries.

Ghost Music By Robert Graves (1895–1985)

Gloomy and bare the organ-loft, Bent-backed and blind the organist. From rafters looming shadowy, From the pipes’ tuneful company, Drifted together drowsily, Innumerable, formless, dim, The ghosts of long-dead melodies, Of anthems, stately, thunderous, Of Kyries shrill and tremulous: In melancholy drowsy-sweet They huddled there in harmony. Like bats at noontide rafter-hung.

You may have noticed that I’m filling in this weekend for our fearless leader, Amanda Laughtland, who seems to have been whisked away by goblins. Where she’s gone is anyone’s guess, but we hope the sprites, pixies, or imps that abducted her will return her to our realm very soon!

So far, we have had a tremendous response to our fall season and Halloween call for submissions, and we look forward to even more DIY creativity from our loyal following.

So, roll up your sleeves, and keep sending us your best ideas in food, fashion, decorations, home hacks, and potions! We look forward to more amazing, delightful, and entertaining articles as the weather chills, the coffee gets pumpkin-spiced, and the ghosts of long dead melodies gather.

First up, we have a copycat!! That’s right, our very own apparition. Rachel K. Gause brings us a food doppelganger. A tasty, quick, and affordable DIY version of the Starbucks Egg Bite. Happy breakfast!

Our resident “all things Halloween” expert, Daniella Montage is extremely busy decorating! Halloween is absolutely her favorite holiday, and we get the joy of sharing in her DIY decoration tips and overall enthusiasm. Here are tips for her homemade garland — go for the pumpkin lanterns! Also, Daniella made some “fairy skeletons” this week, and shows us how!

Stefan shares his recommendation for rechargeable batteries. Lots of our devices can make use of them and they can be very economical in these days of trying to save money. Maybe some of your electronic Halloween decorations take rechargeables?

The very talented Duvy McGirr begs the question, “why would one throw away a skirt they no longer wear, when they can make a gorgeous tote bag from it?” These totes, utility, and tablet pouches are as functional as they are absolutely gorgeous!

Before Amanda Laughtland mysteriously disappeared, she was sparked by a little advice from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and some thoughtful reminiscences. She left us with some food for thought about asking for help when needed. While DIY is amazing; it keeps us creative, sharp, and busy, sometimes we all need to step back and ask for a Little Help From Our Friends.

Lindsay Olin shares her knowledge about herbs and gives us advice on what’s best to plant for the upcoming cooler weather. Chives for my fall baked potatoes, lemon balm, and roman chamomile which I dry for my winter tea blend is wonderful, so I can attest to her “sage advice” — see what I did there?

As for me, I have included my fourth addition of DIY Dinners, the plant-based food series loaded with tips, kitchen hacks, but mostly quick, delicious, and healthy plant-based recipes. These cauliflower steak sandwiches are not only yummy and beautiful but — if you go for the orange cauliflower — very festive for Halloween!

For the other recipes in DIY Dinners series:

Just in time for the season, or anytime you need it, Raven Witch takes us all to witch camp to put a little magic into our lives. In her piece, she includes a Spellbreaking Potion, Shielding Potion, and Attracting Potion recipe, and reminds us that “the world is primarily a benevolent place.” I think that’s a very good reminder!

I hope you enjoyed this week’s round-up of interesting, fun ideas, and do keep these great articles coming!!

Hopefully next week we return to our regularly scheduled host, our cool ghoul in residence, Amanda.

Until next time,

Mona

For more of my weird, funny musings, poetry, DIY projects, recipes, and writing tips, please give me a follow and/or subscribe to my email list. Thanks!