The Great Pumpkin Project: Oct 14th 2026

My first entry into this year's Great Pumpkin Project.  I carved this jack about a week ago, but have been delayed in placing it because it's been raining almost every evening!  He's a bit droopy from age, now.  His slumped appearance has garnered the nickname "Ol' Gums" from the ghoulfriend.

We placed Ol' Gums near a busy road and multi-use path, right outside of a cemetery.

I've procrastinated on setting up our printer post-move-in, so the ghoulfriend drew a beautiful custom tag:

I also posted a short clip of this spot on my Instagram

You can learn more about this ever-growing Halloween tradition at TheGreatPumpkinProject.com, and on Instagram @GreatPumpkinProject.

Now Watching: Mr Jones (2013)

I haven't worked on a Halloween prop for myself in months years.  Between building haunted houses professionally, pursuing other artistic avenues, and the shortcomings of apartment living (namely, having no yard to haunt) I haven't felt that Halloween urge to make stuff for a couple of years now.

But this week... I don't know, something just shifted.  I'll probably investigate this further in a post down the road, but in short, I finally resolved myself to just make something, damnit!  I challenged myself to make even one (1) prop, just for myself.  After I made it, I could hang it on my wall, or give it to a friend for their yard, or leave it in the woods--the point is I will have made something, finally, after so long.  

I decided to make a scarecrow.  I'm still working on it.  I'll share once I'm done, I'm sure.

As I worked, I decided to switch on a film very dear to me: Mr. Jones.  In brief, it's a found footage horror movie shot from the perspective of a young couple attempting to film a documentary about a mysterious, infamous, and reclusive artist known only as Mr. Jones.  He creates these "scarecrows"--unsettling sculptures that serve an unknown purpose.

Wicked poster, right?!

By any objective metric, the movie is.... fine.  I think the acting is good.  The exposition is a bit clunky and heavy-handed at times.  The pacing is weird.  I really dig the concept and ultimately enjoy the story.  But my favorite part of this movie is the scarecrows. Check out the clip (1:30) below to see what I mean:

The scarecrows were created by Pumpkinrot. Karl Mueller (the director) says Rot made about 18 scarecrows for the production.

When I saw this movie, I was just beginning my yard haunter/Halloween prop journey.  This film inspired me to pursue my craft; to make creepy things and tell a spooky story by doing so.  It seemed like the obvious choice for me to put Mr. Jones on the TV as I busted out the branches and paper mache again after all this time.

I highly recommend giving this movie a shot. CriterionCast's James McCormick described it as "something like David Lynch directing a Lovecraftian film," and I think that's a pretty good description.  Plus, it's free on YouTube (with ads, but ad-free with YouTube Premium [or an ad-blocker])

Listening to: Shine on Harvest Moon

In celebration of last night's beautiful harvest moon.

Composed by Nora Bayes and written by Jack Norworth, this is the 1931 recording sung by Ruth Etting; a favorite version of mine and the ghoulfriend's. 

click below to listen on YouTube

"First" Day of Fall

Central Florida experienced its "first" day of fall today. Even though the equinox was a few days ago, a cold front came through this morning and cooled the air here to a pleasant 65°F (and perhaps more critically, removed much of the tropical humidity). It's shaping up to be a weekend of beautiful fall* weather here--a tantalizing prelude to the season to come.  There's a whisper on the wind, and it's saying "soon."

*What passes for fall in Florida at least

Happy Winter Solstice!

We interrupt this AUPHH* to bring you another wonderful piece by Katherine Blower. I hope everyone is having a nice winter so far.

Katherine Blower's links:

Website

Etsy Shop

Redbubble Shop

Zazzle (for EU Customers)

Instagram

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*(pronounced "awf," it stands for Annual, Unplanned, Post-Halloween Hiatus)

Listening to: A Unicorn Masquerade

"There is a cacophony of birds overhead, and the crisp wind they surf on bites through you as October dies and November rises in its place..."

Self-titled debut experimental electronic EP from A Unicorn Masquerade. 

Of the three songs, track 1, "It lingers," is my favorite.

Click below to listen on Bandcamp.

Click here to watch/listen on YouTube (total length: 11:08)

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Toad Bread: Attempt 2

Click here for some context and to see Attempt 1

The GF and I decided to re-attempt Nikk Alcaraz's toad bread recipe -- this time following the ingredients and instructions from his newly-posted YouTube video.

We made only slight ingredient adjustments based on what we had on hand.  Here is what we used:

Ingredients

Dough:

100 g  whole milk

100 g water 

14 g granulated sugar 

9 g active dry yeast 

400 g bread flour 

9 g salt 

28 g unsalted butter (softened)

10 g apple cider vinegar 

1 large egg

Egg Wash:

1 egg yolk 

1 tsp water 

~1/2 tsp garlic salt

After proofing the yeast in the warm water & milk, we mixed all the dough ingredients into a ball, then kneaded it for 10 minutes.  Then we let it rise for about an hour and a half, punched it down, and pressed out the air bubbles.  

Then we got to shaping! Starting with a tight egg shape.

(Woah, hand reveal!)

Then, we covered him in plastic wrap for one more 30-minute rise, and he plumped right up:

Then came the egg wash...

And finally, we baked him at 350° for 28 minutes.

Just look at our beautiful boy!

Some excellent photography from my Ghoulfriend

He's quite a bit handsomer than our first loaf, and he tastes SOOOOO much better.  This loaf is fluffier, chewier, and more flavorful.  The garlic salt in the egg wash added a nice subtle hint of umami.  

This recipe was really very easy, too.  Definitely give it a shot if you've thought about making your own.  

Follow-along with Practical Peculiarities' YouTube video or purchase the cookbook: Peculiar Baking.

Happy baking!

A little collage by the gf :)

New Original Song: “The Deer Know What You Did To Me”

The deer know what you did to me. 

I told them everything.

I'd stay out of the woods if I were you.

Click above to stream free on Bandcamp

I'm releasing a new song to mark the beginning of November!  "The Deer Know What You Did To Me" is a drone-y ambient piece intercut with some resampled Native American Flute (played by me).  

This piece is meant to instill different emotions depending on the listener, and is intended to be considered within the context of past wrongdoings.  The song can either be a comfort or a warning:

• If a listener equates themselves with the titular "Me," (i.e. a victim of mistreatment in the particular relationship they have in mind) they may feel encouraged (if with some trepidation) knowing they can always find sanctuary in the woods, where the deer sympathize with their plight.
• But, if the listener finds themselves as the titular "You," (i.e. the perpetrator of abuse against the previous listener) the listener may feel uneasy.  In this case, the song evokes an unsettling feeling, as though walking through the woods at night -- knowing the deer are watching, and that they do not want you here...

I hope you enjoy this track.  Right now, it's free to stream and download on Bandcamp.  If you like it, let me know what you think!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone!  I hope you all are having a great day!

We spent the first half of the day watching two of our favorite Halloween specials: It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and Disney's The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.  Both were staples of my childhood, and I'm not one to ignore tradition.  We also baked a couple loaves of pumpkin bread, one of which we are bringing to a friend's party this evening.

For those handing out candy, I wish you all an abundance of Trick-or-Treaters!  I can't wait to see everyone's yard haunts.  No decorations from me this year.  Even so, I've enjoyed my October very much.  We've stayed busy attending Halloween events, Horror Nights, and various parties.  

Today is an uncharacteristically cool day in Central Florida thanks to a cold front that just came through.  The low temp tonight is predicted to be 51°!  I can't remember the last time we got weather this cool and perfect on Halloween... not since I was a kid I think.  I'm choosing to believe it's an omen that a Halloween Renaissance will soon sweep the nation.

I've got higher hopes for next year that I'll return to yard-haunting (hopefully, I'll have someone's yard to haunt!)

~Tjalgahorn 🎃

Fecund with Little Pumpkins

Taken on yesterday's bike ride:

Didn't realize how terrible the quality was until I got home (thanks, phone!) so maybe I'll swing back by before the big night and snap some better pics. 

Could someone tell me if there a way to admire Halloween decorations and take pictures without looking like you're casing someone's house?