'Tis The Season

National Coffee Day Freebies!

2015-09-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

It's National Coffee Day and that means all kinds of coffee freebies, coupons and deals! Check out this list, thanks to Surviving The Stores.

Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. – $1 Hot 12 oz Coffee During the Month of September

Dunkin’ Donuts – FREE medium Hot or Iced Dark Roast coffee on 9/29

Flying J Coupon – Free 16 oz Coffee or Cappuccino on 9/29

Lamar’s Donuts – FREE 12 oz Cup of Coffee & Coffee Mug on 9/29

Pilot Travel Centers Coupon – Free 16 oz Coffee or Cappuccino on 9/29

Previous Years’ Deals:

7-Eleven – Buy 1 Medium Coffee, Get a Pillsbury Cinnamon Roll Free Mobile Coupon (exp. 9/29)

A Plus at Sunoco Coupon – Free 16 oz Coffee Through 9/30

Biggby Coffee Coupon – Buy 1 Get 1 Free or $1 Off any Grande/Super Specialty Beverge thru 9/30

Caribou Coffee – Free Coffee Samples All Day on 9/29

Cross Country Cafe – $30 Off All Keurig K145 Brewers + free shipping + 12 bonus K-cups + enter to win free K-cups for a year thru 9/30 with coupon code (be sure to check out their K-cup closeout sale too!)

Einstein Bros Bagels Coupon – Buy 1 Coffee Drink Get 1 Free Through 9/29

Holiday StationStores Coupon – 69¢ Hot Coffee or Cappuccino thru 10/12

Kwik Star Coupon – FREE 12 oz. Karuba Coffee on 9/29 Only

Kwik Trip Coupon – FREE 12 oz. Karuba Coffee on 9/29 Only

Kangaroo Express – 1¢ Bean Street Coffee on 9/29

Kum & Go – 55¢ Coffee Every Tuesday in September (their Coffee Day deal lands on Tuesday, 9/30)

Krispy Kreme – FREE Cup of Regular or Decaf Coffee or $1 Mocha, Latte, or Iced Coffee on 9/29

McDonald’s – FREE Small Coffee During Breakfast Hours thru 9/29

Noah’s Bagels Coupons – Buy 1 Coffee Drink Get 1 Free 9/27 – 9/29

Peet’s Coffee & Tea – Buy 1 Coffee Get 1 Free on 9/29

QuikTrip – Any Size Self Serve Coffee Free on 9/29

Starbucks Stores – Free Shipping on Orders of $30+ for online orders thru 9/29. Get 20% off any packaged coffee or merchandise in-store for My Starbucks Rewards Members. (you can also get $25 off $100 online purchases with code RMN25SEPT)

Tedeschi Food Shops Coupon – Free Coffee on Friday, 9/26 only (hoping they’ll put out another offer after that)

The Egg & I – Reintroducing Pumpkin Spice Coffe for National Coffee Day (no discount though)

Tim Horton’s – $1 Medium Dark Roast Coffee all week thru 9/29

Wawa Coupon – Free Cup of Coffee on 9/29

IKEA – Free Coffee every day when you join loyalty program (this is not specific to National Coffee Day, but it’s still free coffee

30 Not-So-Scary Halloween Movies

2015-09-26T12:00:00.000-04:00

With the Halloween season fast approaching, like many people, you may be planning to celebrate with some snack-filled movie nights. Only thing is, you're looking for something a little more fun than frightening. You have children to consider when making your selection, or perhaps you just aren't big on scares and prefer something a bit more safe. Well, look no further! This list of not-so-scary Halloween movies are sure to fit the bill! While it still may be wise to research language or level of intensity for small children, for the most part you can trust that these movies won't have you up all night wondering what's lurking in the shadows.

01. It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
02. Mad Monster Party
03. Garfield's Halloween Adventure
04. The Addams Family
05. Halloweentown
06. Hotel Transylvania
07. Hocus Pocus
08. Scary Godmother: Halloween Spectacular
09. Ghostbusters
10. Beetlejuice
11. Casper
12. The Corpse Bride
13. Young Frankenstein
14. Scooby-Doo
15. Igor
16. Monster House
17. The Nightmare Before Christmas
18. ParaNorman
19. The Monster Squad
20. The Worst Witch
21. The Haunted Mansion
22. Frankenweenie
23. Coraline
24. The Witches
25. Bugs Bunny's Howl-Oween Special
26. The Halloween Tree
27. The Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad
28. Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein
29. Alvin & The Chipmunks Meet The Wolfman
30. When Good Ghouls Go Bad

Are there any good ones that we missed? Feel free to comment with your own suggestions!

Fall & Halloween Decor at the Dollar Tree

2015-07-13T21:00:00.000-04:00

If you haven't noticed, we're smack dab in the middle of the summer season, but while some are taking note of all the back to school supplies making its way onto the shelf, some of us holiday fruit cakes are all about Christmas in July. In fact, every year one of the things I look forward to most is watching Christmas In July on QVC (airing July 17-19) and the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament launch (which took place this past weekend). At the same time, we are also starting to see a bit of Fall and Halloween merchandise making its way to the shelves of select stores.

One such store that is getting a jump start is the Dollar Tree. Now anyone who knows me understands that I am all about a bargain and the Dollar Tree is one of the best places to pick up holiday decor on a budget. Every season I look forward to seeing what new goodies they'll put out, and so far, so good this season! I saw quite a few of these items in my local stores this weekend and was especially impressed with their selection of fall floral. Some very nice, high quality pieces for making arrangements on the cheap.

While I'm not quite ready to do any serious Fall decorating quite yet, I couldn't help but pick up this little white ceramic pumpkin for my desk. I really love a variety of pumpkin colors, so I thought the whole set was pretty nice and I plan to get a couple more next time I stop in. The little country burlap style pumpkins are very cute as well!

I am also looking forward to checking out the new Tombstone Corners village pieces, which they previewed in their latest catalog. It's a great way to stock up on village accessories for a fraction of the cost of other village sets. Not to mention, they are great for other craft projects.

Here are a few other items available, which are all cute. I especially like the hangers with the burlap and the pinwheels for the yard. You can find more information on these items here.

Happy LEON Day!

2015-06-25T06:30:00.000-04:00

Strawberry Poke Cake Recipe

2014-04-23T04:23:00.000-04:00

As promised, here is the easy peasy recipe for the Strawberry Poke Cake I made on Easter. Also known as Refrigerator Cake, this type of baking method is perfect for those Spring and Summer get-togethers. It tastes cool, fresh and moist, but this version also tastes very similar to strawberry shortcake, but with less fuss. Some people make it with white cake, but I prefer using strawberry to bring out the flavor all the more. Give this version a try to use any cake/gelatin combo that suits your taste!

STRAWBERRY POKE CAKE

INGREDIENTS

1 Box Strawberry Cake Mix
1 cup Boiling Water
1 pkg. (3 oz) Strawberry Jello
1/2 cup Cold Water
1 tub (8 oz) Whipped Topping, thawed
1 pint Fresh or Frozen Strawberries

DIRECTIONS

Bake cake as directed on package in 13x9 inch pan. Cool cake in pan 15 min. Pierce cake with large fork at 1/2-inch intervals.

Add boiling water to gelatin mix in small bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water; pour over cake. Refrigerate 3 hours.

Frost cake with whipped topping and top with fresh strawberries.

Our Easter

2014-04-22T06:00:00.002-04:00

Hope you all had a blessed Easter! We had a wonderful day. First we enjoyed a few goodies from our Easter basket before getting ready for church. Instead of chocolate bunnies, we each got a Russell Stover chocolate Jesus Fish, which I thought was so neat! I also picked up these vintage Minnie & Mickey stickers at a little shop with vintage postcards, stickers, print etc. My husband was sure to choose the purple Peeps for me, and I was sure to get him some Whoppers Robin's Eggs (which he gets every year all to himself as I hate those things)! We also each got a mini milk carton of Reeses Pieces, some mini caramel eggs and an egg carton of chocolate marshmallow eggs to share. The rest was just misc. fun sized candy, which were all layered at the bottom of the basket. ANd speaking of this basket, I picked it up a couple weeks ago and a thrift store and absolutely fell in love with it!

Church service was lovely and the message was inspiring. The pastor spoke out our hope as Christians in the afterlife, which was appropriate since our pastor lost his wife to cancer exactly one year ago. Afterward we headed over to my sister's for Easter dinner with the family. I made some deviled eggs and a strawberry cake (which I will post the recipe to tomorrow). We also played a fun new game called Likewise. You write answers on dry eraser paddles and try to match answers with other players for points. It's one of those great party games that is quick to learn, like Apples To Apples. I highly recommend it if you are looking for something new to play with family and friends!

We also made some time to watch a few Easter specials and decorate. Here is a photo of our media stand with these little bunny houses I picked up at Goodwill. Some of these items I even picked up at the dollar store, but I liked how they had a bit of vintage style to them. I don't have much Easter decor, but it's amazing how much you can do even on a budget. I also got some adorable pastel colored egg lights (not pictured) from Target for only $3 each!!

I'd also be remissed if I didn't mention pulling out one of my favorite Easter records, Here Come Peter Cottontail by The Mr. Pickwick Players And Singers. It is hard to find on vinyl, but you can purchase it on mp3 from Amazon. It's a collection of fun little songs, including the title track, The Bunny Hop, Easter Parade and some other little songs not directly related to Easter, but still fitting. It also features a short reading of a story about Peter Rabbit. Definitely worth having for kids and novelty record enthusiasts.

Well, that's about all for us this year. It was a special time, reflecting on both the fun and spiritual aspect of the holiday. Enjoy the rest of this beautiful Spring as we turn to thoughts of Mother's Day and Memorial Day in May!

Happy Easter!

2014-04-20T13:11:00.001-04:00

Happy Easter, or as I like to call it, Resurrection Sunday! My prayer for today is that you would all be blessed as we are reminded of the weight of the accomplishment of the cross. Because He lives, so also may we live, forever, amen!

Vintage Easter Greeting Cards

2014-04-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a round up of some favorite Mid-Century Easter greeting cards. I love the artwork, as it's so whimsical and reminds me of childhood. Card sending is a dying art form, but I am one of those few who still enjoy keeping up the tradition. If only they still made cards like this! Thankfully you can still find some manufactures that print these type of cards as a novelty, not to mention you can find them at swap meets, yard sales and of course eBay. Hope you enjoy these for now!

For more vintage Easter graphics, check out our Pinterest board:

Easter Movies

2014-04-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

If you're looking for something to watch this Easter, this list is sure to inspire you! Here is a wonderful selection of religious movies, animated specials and documentaries for the whole family. Learn about the life of Jesus or hop along the bunny trail with Peter Cottontail! This has it all. And if that's not enough, be sure to check the Pinterest board below for even more selections!

DOCUMENTARIES

FOR THE KIDS

For more Easter movies, check out our Pinterest board:

Easter Sugar Cookies

2014-04-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

Easter is almost here, so of course I had to continue the trend of making a batch of sugar cookies. This time I made two small sets, one with traditional Easter figures and another in the style of Peeps.

Here are the Wilton cookie cutters I used for the Peeps set. I just couldn't resist them! I saw them at Michael's and Walmart earlier this season, so I'm sure they would be easy to find!

That's about all the baking I've done for Easter so far, but planning to make a strawberry poke cake to bring to Easter dinner on Sunday!

Happy Passover + Lunar Eclipse!

2014-04-14T09:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Passover to all my Jewish readers and Christian observers! I hope you are blessed this season as you recall the miracle of how God passed over the Israelites when His judgement came upon the Egyptians as they were holding them as slaves. Most people are familiar with the Exodus story, featuring Moses as God's chosen one to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promise Land. If not, be sure to check out one of these movies or documentaries detailing the epic historic event!

FOR THE KIDS

While I have mixed feelings about this documentary, it was an interesting, in-depth look at Moses the man, his potential emotional state through the course of his life, as well as additional speculation of events based on Jewish tradition.

Also, don't forget to check out the full lunar eclipse tonight. Also known as a "blood moon", due to the light of the sun reflecting off the earth which gives it a copper or red tone (depending on where you are viewing it from). It will be most visible at 3am EST / 12am PST. But if you happen to miss this one, another will soon follow on October 8th 2014, the night of another Jewish holiday, The Feast of Tabernacles (or Sukkot).

Yankee Candle Easter Scents for 2014

2014-03-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

Yankee Candle has released their line of Easter and Spring scented candles for 2014. The Marshmallow Chicks and Bunny Cake look particularly amazing! Stop in your local retailer to check them out for yourself, or order online from their website.

St. Patrick's Day Sugar Cookies

2014-03-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

I don't go to the pub or eat corned beef and cabbage, so for St. Patrick's Day I decided to decorate a small batch of sugar cookies, with mint flavored frosting.

I also did a bit of decorating around the house, but it was also to coincide with my husband's birthday, which was on the 15th. Not a holiday I usually go out of the way for, aside from wearing green, so it was fun to do a little more than usual. Have to celebrate my Irish heritage somehow!

St. Patrick's Day Movies

2014-03-10T09:00:00.000-04:00

Looking for a movie to watch this St. Patrick's Day? Well, you'd be surprised by what a large selection there really is and they are sure to add delight to this celebration of the Emerald Isle and their patron Saint!

Patrick

St. Patrick The Irish Legend

Darby O'Gill & The Little People

The Secret of Kells

The Gnome Mobile

The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns

The Last Leprechaun

The Very Unlucky Leprechaun

Finian's Rainbow

hasing Leprechauns

Leapin' Leprechauns!

Leprechaun

The Luck of the Irish

The Quiet Man

The Matchmaker

The Boys & Girl From County Clare

Honorable Mention:
Though technically a Christmas movie, the story is very appropriate for St. Patrick's Day viewing. Besides, a holiday isn't complete without a classic Rankin & Bass holiday special to accompany it!

Rankin & Bass' Leprechaun's Christmas Gold

For more St. Patrick's Day movies, check out our Pinterest board:

Ten Months 'Til Christmas!

2014-02-25T21:45:00.000-05:00

It's exactly 10 months until Christmas Day! So, what did I do to mark this dubious occasion? Today I stopped into our San Diego mega Christmas store, City Lights, to see what was cooking. Having never truly gotten over Christmas passing, I was more than a little excited to surround myself in a plethora of yuletide trappings. We practically had the place to ourselves too. It's a fairly large store, though not quite as big as Bronner's in Michigan (near where we used to live). I am just grateful we have a place like this in San Diego at all...I think it may be the only one in all of California that is this big.

The owners really focus on certain brands and collectibles, so some of it's very pricey, but just beautiful to look at. I couldn't help but notice that the Christmas trees were decorated especially beautiful right now...I was very inspired! They also have an amazing Dept. 56 display, only part of which did I take a photo of. I could just look at that thing for hours! I love the Halloween room too, but it was especially nice to see some of the Easter decor, as I've never been in the store this time of year. Here are some photos I took while there...

This was the display located at the entrance just as you walk into the store. Such Olde World charm!

I fell head over heels for these pink, white and mint green flocked trees.

I really thought this tropical tree with parrots was unique!

Ahhh Dept. 56 display...I love imagining what it would be like to live in one of these villages.

I adore this scene with Santa and Mrs. Claus dancing on the ice. How romantic! :)

They also had some beautiful Easter merchandise out! I love especially loved the stuffed Easter carousel figures and Santa as the Easter Bunny.

Can't forget about a little Halloween either...such a fun room to explore, full of all kinds of strange and wonderful things! I especially loved the vintage style glitter houses, similar to the Putz kind you see for Christmas.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2014-02-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day to all the romantics out there! I hope each one of you had something special planned, even if it was just to let a friend or family member know how much they mean to you!

Valentine's Day Sugar Cookies

2014-02-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

For Valentine's Day I decided to make my honey a batch of Valentine sugar cookies. I decided I would really like to make them with cherry frosting, because when we were dating in high school (many years ago) I made him a delicious batch of cookies with cherry frosting that I was never able to make again. For some reason, I was never able to find cherry frosting again, even though Betty Crocker still makes it, according to their website. I thought about making it myself, but all the recipes online had complaints about the frosting tasting like cough medicine. Not the tart taste I was going for!

I had decided I might have to settle on something else, so I picked up a can of Pink Lemonade to give it a whirl. When I opened the can to take a taste, the first thought was how much it tasted like real pink lemonade, almost as if they had just used a packet of pink lemonade Kool-Aid to make it. Lightning suddenly struck my brain and I suddenly had an idea! Why not buy a packet of cherry Kool-Aid and mix it into some vanilla frosting?! But would it work?? YES, it absolutely did! It was the perfect solution, so I was able to make my cherry frosted cookies after all. Here is the final result...

By the way, as it turns out, any flavor of Kool-Aid will work with frosting. I suggest using only half a packet for every 16 oz of frosting. Also keep in mind that it will tint your frosting the color of the flavor, so account for that when using this method. Experiment with adding it to white cake mixes as well!

Happy New Year!

2014-01-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!!! I can't believe it's 2014. Another year come and gone, but as it is every January 1st, there is much to look forward to in the year to come. Always hope for new and exciting adventures, for change or progress, and new goals to be met. I love the promise of a new year, despite the fact that it means I am one year older. I am also one year wiser! That's the great reward of age. Hopefully we learn from our mistakes and can use those lessons to help others. To contribute to problem solving and help those younger and more foolish to know better than we did. Well, at least we can say "we told you so!" :)

So what did I do this New Year's Eve? Well, went over my brother and his wife's house for a night with the family of playing games and eating junk food. Oh I know, I am a real party animal, but I did bring this creation along...a set of sugar cookies I made especially for the big night. My skills are still wanting, but I am new at this whole cookie thang and pretty pleased to be able to do this much so early in my self-taught journey of sugar cookie decorating. I hope to improve with each batch, but for now, I will bask in the glow of my current accomplishment. Hey, whaddyaknow? I already have a resolution for 2014! Hope you new year is greatly blessed!

New Year Movies

2013-12-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

Now that Christmas is over you may be wondering if there are any movies or specials you can watch to ring in the New Year. Well here is a list of some of the best films with either a New Year's theme or set at New Year's!

When Harry Met Sally

New Year's Eve

Trading Places

The Apartment

Holiday Inn

Poseidon Adventure

Ocean's 11

FOR KIDS:

Rudolph's Shiny New Year

Happy New Year, Charlie Brown

A Very Merry Pooh Year

For more movies with a New Year's theme, check out our Pinterest board:

New Holiday CD Releases 11/19/13

2013-11-19T03:00:00.000-05:00

New Holiday DVD & Blu-Ray Releases 11/12/13

2013-11-12T03:01:00.000-05:00

New Holiday DVD & Blu-Ray Releases 11/05/13

2013-11-05T03:01:00.000-05:00

Huge volume of holiday movies released this week! Includes special editions of Mickey's Christmas Carol, A Very Merry Pooh Year, a special for the popular TV show, Duck Dynasty: I Am Dreaming of a Redneck Christmas, Rise Of The Guardians Holiday Edition DVD and Blu-Ray sets. Blu-Ray releases of other classics too, including A Christmas Story, Bishop's Wife, Scrooged, Elf and lots of other classic movies and TV. Plenty of new original movies to add to your collection as well!

New Holiday CD Releases 11/05/13

2013-11-05T03:00:00.000-05:00

Paul Baloche - Christmas Worship

For King & Country - Into The Silent Night EP

Erasure - Snow Globe

John Carpenter's Halloween

2013-10-31T03:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween!!! This is our final post for the month of October, and we are going out with a BANG as we review the most notorious Halloween film of all-time - John Carpenter's Halloween! When it comes to horror movies there are some that are memorable, some that are forgettable and some that reach the level known as timeless. When looking at the John Carpenter's 1978 classic known as "Halloween", there are few that can say this isn't a classic and a must-watch on Halloween night.

On Halloween night in 1963, in a small town called Haddonfield, IL, a small six year old boy named Michael Myers murders his older sister Judith, in an unprovoked attack. Michael puts on a clown mask (and through Michael's perspective) we get to see him go up the stairs and stab his sister with a butcher knife. Michael then heads outside at the exact moment his parents come home. Michael's father takes off Michael's mask and both parents stare in shock as they see their son standing there holding a bloody butcher knife. At this point we have no knowledge what triggered Michael to commit such a horrific act. We are left to wonder, what was the reason???

We move forward fifteen years to October 30th, 1978 where we see Dr. Sam Loomis (who would become the ultimate protagonist in the Halloween franchise) and a nurse driving to a mental hospital in the middle of the night. We are informed that Dr. Loomis is in the process of having Michael Myers brought to court to be committed for life and feels that Michael is pure evil. As they approach Smith's Grove mental hospital they see several patients wandering around the premise unwatched. Dr. Loomis tells the nurse to pull up to the front gate so he can find out what's going on. As he goes to the gate Michael jumps on the car and forces the nurse out. Michael then takes the opportunity to steal the car and escape the hospital.

The next day is Halloween and we are introduced to Laurie Strobe ( Jamie Lee Curtis) who is a high school girl making her way to school. She is approached by a young boy named Tommy Doyle, who we learn she is suppose to babysit that night. As Laurie talks to Tommy and makes her way to school she appears to be watched by Michael Myers from a voyeuristic perspective. This is the first clip of several that provide us with a unique perspective where we are seeing things through Michael Myers eyes. This gives the viewer a unique and rather suspicious feeling as we try to learn why Michael is watching Laurie.

From this point forward a chilling and suspenseful plot begins with Michael Myers watching and almost analyzing Laurie and her friends (Annie and Lynda) on Halloween night. No gore or blood, just simply a build up, but enough to keep you glued to the screen wondering what is going to happen. Dr. Loomis and the local Sheriff head to Michael Myers childhood house to watch for him while we learn more about Michael Myers. Dr Loomis informs the Sheriff that he feels Michael is pure evil and has no logic or feeling a normal person would, almost like a monster. The Sheriff is doubtful of Michael's arrival but also angry that Dr. Loomis let someone of Michael's mental status escape knowing what could happen.

Michael Myers slowly begins to attack Laurie's friends as the opportunity arises. Unlike standard horror movies, the rash of killings doesn't begin till a good 45 minutes into the movie. Annie is the first fatality and Lynda and her boyfriend are next to feel Michael's wrath.

In my opinion, one of the best scenes in Halloween is Halloween night when Laurie goes to check on her friends and sees the fate that has resulted due to Michael Myers. In her state of fear, Michael appears out of the darkness and attacks her. She is able to get away and run back to the house she is babysitting at but Michael starts to follow her. Laurie tries to survive the best she can, but Michael will not stop or stay down. Laurie tells the kids she is babysitting for to run to the neighbors and call the police. When the kids head out screaming Dr. Loomis hears them and heads to that house.

Michael begins to strangle Laurie, but Dr. Loomis fires several shots at Michael causing him to fall off the balcony. Dr. Loomis goes to look at Michael's body, but it's gone. The movie closes out with shots of all the key locations of the movie and hearing Michael's deep breathing, making us wonder where Michael could be as the movie fades out.

Halloween is a unique approach to horror movies. There is no bloodbath or forced back to back killing sprees, but rather the opportunity to learn who the characters are and seeing things from Michael Myers perspective. The movie is simple and does not have a lot of high budget value, but it provides an edge-of-your-seat horror flick that has become a staple every Halloween night on television. The series has had seven sequels, most of which have had mixed reviews, but the original Halloween has ranked as one of the top five best horror movies of all-time with reviews written by Fangoria, Wicked Magazine and other horror publications. Watch the trailer for this classic, influential horror film that no Halloween would be complete without!

Buy on Blu-Ray & DVD!

Find more Halloween movies to watch on our Pinterest board!

Raggedy Ann & Andy in the Pumpkin Who Couldn't Smile

2013-10-30T03:00:00.000-04:00

One of my very favorite Halloween specials that I looked forward to watching every year as a child has pretty much fallen into obscurity. It's such a shame, because it is one of the sweetest, most charming little animated specials ever made and I still love it immensely. I am referring to Raggedy Ann & Andy In The Pumpkin Who Couldn't Smile, written, produced and directed by none other than Chuck Jones and released in 1979.

The special starts out on the evening of Halloween. We are immediately introduced to a glum pumpkin that no one has bought and time is quickly running out as the sun begins to set. He begins sobbing uncontrollably at the thought of missing out on the opportunity to make some child happy and fulfill his ultimate purpose.

Next we find Raggedy Ann (June Foray) and Andy (Daws Butler) looking out a window and talking about a sad boy next door named Ralph who lives with his stern Aunt Agatha (June Foray), that forbids him from partaking in any of the Halloween festivities. Raggedy Ann decides to give the aunt the benefit of the doubt, but begins to devise a plan to find a pumpkin to bring the boy a bit joy on the spooky holiday. It doesn't take long to figure out where this is going, but the journey of uniting these two misfits is the focus.

Enter Raggedy Arthur, a skateboard riding rag doll dog! He joins Raggedy Ann and Andy as they begin their journey into the unknown in search for the prized gourd! Time is running out and just as they begin to get hopeless they stumble upon the glum pumpkin, who is still having a pity party and doesn't see that his saviors have arrived.

It all seems to good to be true, as the dolls explain their predicament and how needed he is. He begins to cry tears of joy at the news - tears in the form of pumpkin seeds (awww)! They quickly grab a wooden beam to scoot him off the platform and onto the skateboard. Here begins a difficult trek back to town, wrought with a zany chain of events that stun a homeowner, jogger and police officer. It's quite a funny, clever classic Chuck Jones scene that still gets a laugh out of me!

They finally make it to Ralph's house and decide to use a rope and pulley to haul the pumpkin up to the boy's room on the 2nd floor. Ralph is in bed sleeping when we wakes up to see a beautifully glum looking jack-o-lantern facing him in the window. It's a very touching moment as he is overcome with joy at seeing the pumpkin! He brings him to the bed and wraps his arms around his new friend and all seems to be well, until they remember Aunt Agatha.

Raggedy Ann and Andy know that there is no chance Ralph will be able to keep the pumpkin unless something is done to soften Aunt Agatha's heart and help her remember what it is like to be child again. The two sneak into her bedroom, where she is fast asleep, and Ann begins whispering in her ear to conjure up her own fun Halloween memories from the past.

* * * SPOILER ALERT * * *
Just like Scrooge, Aunt Agatha suddenly wakes from her stupor and realizes the error of her ways. She instantly seeks to make things right with Ralph and whisks him off to enjoy the last bit of Halloween with some trick-or-treating. He dresses up like a pirate and she joins the fun by dressing up as a witch (just as she did as a little girl). Best of all, even the glum pumpkin comes along for the fun and it's a very happy ending for all!

This special is quite difficult to find, especially in any decent quality. Most copies were released by companies looking for a quick cash-in who did nothing to restore to the sound or picture. In fact, the sound is so bad on some copies that it makes it virtually impossible to watch. To my knowledge it has never been released on DVD at all. While I still have my VHS copy, which also includes the hard-to-find Christmas special, 'Raggedy Ann & Andy in the Great Santa Claus Caper', I was fortunate to get my hands on a decent digital transfer, but it's still a far cry from the restoration it deserves. In the meantime, you can watch the special in its entirety on YouTube. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do and make it part of your own yearly traditional Halloween viewing!

Buy on VHS & Cassette Tape!

Find more Halloween movies to watch on our Pinterest board!