practical magic changes and something new


A few weeks ago I started to see Fall and Halloween stuff popping up in stores. It always takes me by surprise even if I can't wait to see them every year. It's a little jarring to see skeletons and pumpkins when it's 102 outside. But I love it of course.

Early this month I posted about feeling a little anxious about Fall this year. I had some very heavy personal drama last year and the worst of it was in September as I was putting the Practical Magic blog party together to be exact.


 
It took a lot to find the will to get through the blog party when all I wanted to do was not deal with the world. I was numb for a while and felt like I sleep walked my way through Halloween.

 

Maybe my heartache was a little obvious as I look back at some of the things I made then. So this year I wanted something different. The good news is that my relationship, although still fragile at times, is in a much better place now. I'm hoping that avoiding unpleasant reminders will keep it moving forward. Unfortunately I couldn't keep from associating the blog party with the chaos that was going on around it.

 

 
I've had people asking about this year's PM party since around April and honestly I wasn't sure what I wanted to do until recently. I still love Practical Magic. The house, the Aunts and of course Sally and Gillian. The movie has become somewhat of a Halloween classic which is obvious because of the witches. But the only touch of autumn is the final Halloween scene when the ladies jump off the roof. Otherwise the rest of the film is set in Spring. Sally runs off to confess to Gary on March 8 (which happens to be Aidan Quinn's birthday and yes it's my birthday too!).

So I started to entertain the idea of having a PM blog party next Spring. The creamy ivory and apple green shades are perfect for welcoming spring. Remember the trees with white cherry blossoms and the vases of ivory blooms in Sally's shop and on the kitchen table? The Aunts even return from an obviously non winter solstice celebration. It was a deliberate decision by the director and production designer to set the story in spring to go against the stereotypical dark and gloomy witches house.

For me it would be a refreshing change but I wanted to get some thoughts on this and run it by you guys. Would you be interested in a spring PM party or would you rather save it for next Fall? I know in another year I'd be more than ready to have one in fall again. I'd love to know what you think.


 
OK, then what do I have planned for this Fall you ask? Well in that same post I mentioned discovering the book The Night Circus and hinted that it inspired me to create something based on the story. I started planning and collecting black and white circus goodies. Marfi and I plotted and we got very excited about possibly doing a night circus blog party.

Then we found ourselves going down a different road. Something else clicked better and the more we brain stormed the more it felt right. So we decided to do this other thing and now it's all wrapped up and ready to go. I'll share it with you very, very soon!

 

 
Wendy at Bliss Angels is also hosting the Moonlight Party Under the Big Top in September so I'll get to have a bit of circus fun too. Yay!

Now back to Summer again. I watched the opening ceremony for the Olympics last night. It's always my favorite part. I thought it was very cool that JK Rowling was a part of it and the bit with James Bond and the Queen was unexpectedy brilliant in that cheeky English way. I also loved the way they lit the torch. I'm a sucker for production and I'm always the first one to tear up at events like that. Silly me.

I hope you're enjoying the weekend and these last few days of July.

I'll be back soon with something a little wicked.




22 comments:

Wendy said...

Dearest Friend,
I think that the PM party in spring is a Spectacular idea. What fun it will be to explore with Sally and Jilly Bean in the green house and amongst the aunts spectacular gardens. It will be so much fun. I am also looking forward to the Circus party. I cannot wait.
I hope this finds your heart much healed and your hopes and wishes still coming true. I sometimes wonder about you especially when driving to New Orleans. Living so close I have made quite a few road trips to Louisiana in the last year. I hope to spend much more time there in the upcoming year. I am writing a book and much of the story takes place in the Haunted and Whimsical Swamps and plantations of that Enchanted Place.
Please take care,and hope to hear from you soon.
Wishes and Whimsy
Wendy from Wonderland

Laura said...

Having the PM party in spring is perfect! I love it and will look forward to being a part of it. I just finished reading The Night Circus myself. It was so interesting and different! I'm glad that you are doing better. I hope things continue to improve for you.
blessings
~*~

Jane K said...

I think a PM party in spring would be magical. All the plants and greenery around then would be great for the aunts to have a garden party in and the greenhouse would sparkle with all the new shoots and glassware. What a great thing to plan over the winter months.

It's also not so strange as some may think. Witches are normally associated with the Autumn and Halloween but in Northern Europe Walpurgis night is celebrated at the end of April and that's another big witchy celebration. Coming 6 months after Halloween.

Looking forward to seeing what you have got planned for the Autumn now. Have to admit I wasn't too keen on the idea of the Night Circus just because I've got a big phobia about clowns but always love to see what you come up with.

It's good sometimes to have a change and spice things up.

frith
Jane x

Nadine said...

While I have never participated in the PM party for the past two years I have seen many post on it and I would be very excited to join everyone this year in the spring. =) I think that it is a great idea when everything is in bloom.

Very excited to see what you have planned for the Autumn now. Man I keep hearing about the Night Circus and my curiosity is driving me nuts. I need to go find a copy snuggle down and read it. Thanks for telling us about the Moonlight Party. =)

-Nadine

Laura S Reading said...

You have me intrigued and excited about what ideas you have in the works. I look forward to a spring PM party. It would give it a whole new flavor.

Thank you for letting me know about the Big Top party. I will pop over and learn more from Wendy.

And I will be watching to see what you are plotting. err, planning.
I know it will be wonderful.

And right now I can not think of the title but there was always talk about the other book (was it Garden Spells) so much like Practical Magic. Could that be incorporated as well?

Wendy Aspinall said...

dear Anna when ever you do your PM party i will dust off my broom and play .... and thank you for the post about the big top party we hope to see you there and I look forwards to you night circus post ..... hugs wendy

Janet Ghio said...

I love the night Circus!! I was so inspired by it that I have started journal only for my interpretation of the book--all in black and white--I've been putting the pages on my blog--I think I've done a couple of posts so far--it is definitely an ongoing project. if you have a chance come visit my blog and check out my Night Circus pages.

CL Cloud said...

Hello - Change is always good. Do what you feel in your heart, as it's always the right path.

XO Stormy

atwistoflife.blogspot.com
wickedlydeliciousfoods.blogspot.com

Toriz said...

I've never thought of it as a Halloween movie. I only watched it last Halloween because I was dying to watch it again after reading all the posts for the PM blog party, and it took until then to find the box it was in after we moved at the start of last October. And, anyway, it's totally up to you since it's your blog, so you get to decide if you're hosting something or not, and if so when.

AlphaBetsy said...

I love the idea of a spring practical magic blog party. :) I love playing and fall can get so full, but the freshness of spring deserves an amazing party. Plus my birthday is also in March. ;)

Angela Reeves said...

Great idea to have the PM party in spring! I participated in last year's even and loved it!! Visiting your blog is always so inspiring :-) I have a brand new blog so really look forward to being a part of all the great events!

~Angela
http://www.whimsyways.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

What a marvelous idea to have a PM party in Spring. I'm a big PM fan, so you can count on me ; )
Have a great day.

Laura S Reading said...

I know it is only Monday but you have me excited about your plans. I will keep checking back!

Linda said...

I think that Spring time would be a wonderful time of year for a Practial Magic post. It is the time when we have new growth, in our lives, as well as in the earth. It is for a new beginning. Sounds as though you are on a road to discovery and a new beginning.
It has been a while since I've heard from you. I miss your wonderul e-mails.

Thanks so much. You inspire me.

Anonymous said...

Yay!!!! A PM party in the spring would be great! Being too busy for any parties this fall; I'm so happy you've decided to move it. The spring is full of possibilities and a PM party would open the doors to great inspirations for all of us. Looking forward to your Big Top Act - even if I'm just visiting all the participants. Brightest Blessings!

Anonymous said...

Found your irresistible page via Wendy from Wendy's Adventures in Wonderland. I love autumn and could not resist taking a peek at your plans for a Halloween party. Can't wait to see what you've come up with.

As far as the PM party in spring, sounds like the creative festivities will be spread out throughout the year, so we'll all have twice the fun.

BTW, I'm a sucker for production too so I anticipate the details behind such events as the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Loved watching. Have you noticed the amazing colors used in the gymnastics background? Have to cheer for the creative minds behind that. Every gymnastic image across facebook seems like a rare pink stone sparkling across the screen. Okay, I get carried away. ;)

Following and added to my sidebar to not miss a thing. Took the gorgeous "Le Mysterieux Carnival" button with me.
Much love,
Marcia

Celia said...

Hi Anna. I think a PM Spring blog party would be perfect too! I can definitely see all of the greenery and colors....it would be lovely.

Bloomin'Chick Jo said...

Switching things up for the PM Party is a great idea and gives us time to plan for the new theme and stretches festivities from Autumn into Spring and I love that idea! This will also reinvent the PM Party for you and give you renewed excitement & joy from it so you may leave the negative behind.

Anonymous said...

Oh Anna, I have been away too long and missed so much. I am just like you in that I associate certain memories of life with events and activities. Honey, I am so glad you decided to postpone the PM party. It should be a happy gala event for you and if not, well then none of us would want that.

I love the idea you have brewing adn am off to yoru next post for more info. Hugs, Mina

Anonymous said...

Nice to meet you and glad I found you! Plan to pop in lots!!

Barbara said...

First of all, I'm so glad to hear that you're in a better place this year...I know what that kind of pain is like firsthand.

I think a spring PM party would be fabulous, and am very excited for this year's Carnival!

Be well...you're an inspiration to many.

CL Cloud said...

Hi - I know how much you loved Practical Magic and Blog Parties. Well one of those parties sparked a novel. Please check it out on Amazon Kindle - Indian Summer by CL Cloud ASIN: B00AWDB3TW

clcloud.blogspot.com

Hope your doing well..