Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Day of the Dead

Welcome November. It's a new month, and I am excited for a quiet month ahead. Or hopefully quiet-but no exams at school, no birthdays I need to take care of, no open houses at night. And 2 holidays with days off from work...I'm ready. It's getting chilly here though, and there's still a lot of people in my neck of the woods without power from the wind storm we had Sunday night.  I am thankful mine is back on.
So one more page from my Halloween journal. 
I'm NOT in Mexico nor even in certain US cities where this holiday is celebrated, but if I was people would be celebrating  the Day of the Dead, also known as Día de los Muertos, a holiday that honors those who have passed away. It is a 3 day celebration that starts on Halloween and goes until November 2, the Mexican version of Allhallowtide, which was a surprise to me when I looked it up. I always thought it was celebrated for just one day. Shows you how much I know about this holiday.
(And if you are like me and hadn't heard of the term Allhallowtide, it is Halloween eve, All Saints Day and All Souls Day.)
So today I want to share this page from my Halloween journal that has this Mexican sugar skull.  I think this whole holiday is fascinating because it is so different from what I know. 
But I also think this holiday is a little bit spooky. Lots of skulls and color is very different not only from my world but from my background. 
But sometimes spooky and fascinating has its allures.
I actually painted the green background and the skull last year, as well as the blocky edges. But I finished it up this year by adding the details to the quilt blocks.
So on the more local side, let me share some more photos from my rail trail walk last weekend. After the big storm we had Sunday night, I bet this trail is  full of leaves, twigs and pine cones.  I think this weekend I need to do some clean up in my yard after the storm, it's a mess but at least no trees came down. Once I unload the photos I will show you them.
So back to  my rail trail walk. You can see the first set of photos here if you are interested: A Bonus Day.
 An old mill on the river. The water level is quite high from all the rain.

 And if you get tired, there's lots of benches to rest. This one had a great poem on it.
 The calm waters created such pretty reflections too.






Happy new month everyone!


12 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Your Dia de los muertos page is fantastic, you have had a lot of fun making your pages and it shows. The photos from your walk are wonderful, that bench is just great, I'd like one of those for my balcony. Enjoy November. Today is a holiday here - All Saints, and yesterday was a holiday for Reformation Day - 500 years after Martin Luther nailed his theses on he Church door. I've been having a lazy time at home. Hugs, Valerie

Valerie-Jael said...

Love the new header, too!

CJ Kennedy said...

Two holidays and both over a long weekend. The Day of the Dead celebration is fascinating. Goes along with the Celtic tradition of the veil thinning between the worlds. Also honoring those who have passed over.

Enjoyed the virtual walk. Wow, the river is running fast after all the rain. Love the reflections of the water. So very pretty. Hopefully, all will stay as calm as your last photo.

froebelsternchen said...

An amazing skull page - just unique! A beautiful new header Erika!
Fantastic photos! What a beautiful landscape!
All Hallows Day is a Holiday here and
All Souls Day - 2nd November is free of school.
This year they have free from today until next Monday since the schools are allowed to
set some "school autonomous" free days as well.

Good for you to have a bit more me time in November!!!

Happy November Erika!
oxo Susi

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

It’s always nice to share a walk, Erika, even if just through images. Thanks for the background info on the Mexican celebration for the dead. I didn’t know much about it, but do now. And, I agree, it does seem a but scary.

Words and Pictures said...

Wow - fabulously dramatic page and gorgeous photos!
Alison x

Divers and Sundry said...

I'm glad you'll have a less busy month. Time to do things -or not do things ;) that you pick :) You do have beautiful scenery along that trail!

I've never heard it called Allhallowtide, but I'm familiar with the three separate days and what they mean.

Meggymay said...

Its a great colourful page for your journal. The skull doesn't look so scary with the bright colours you have used.
The photos are beautiful, it looks a lovely area to walk with such awesome scenery.
Happy start to November Erika
Yvonne xx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Love the Dia De Los Muertos spread you created. You did a far better job than I did. LOVE this.

We finally got funding for Rails to Trails here, but so far we haven't seen anything come of it. Yours is a beautiful place to walk. You even have a bench to rest on. Really great. Hope November for you is very relaxing.

Mrs.B said...

A fabulous page Erika, and beautiful photos from your walk.
Avril xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Love your Dia de Los Meurtos page! Lucky you to have Holidays from work in Autumn! The trail walk looks fabulous - love the reflections in the lake!Chrisx

Jeanie said...

I love your rail trail walk. It's so beautiful. I'm so very grateful for the Rails to Trails conservancy -- they do such good.

I never got into Dia de Los Meurtos. But your page really captures what I know of it.