The Owl, Halloween's Often-overlooked Icon.

When I began the Ozark Halloween collection 

I never thought, 'Oh Gosh, I absolutely need an owl.'

They unexpectedly flew into my collection.

It all started in November 2011 when I spotted an

orange owl cookie jar with big 

yellow eyes at Anthropologie.

Source: The Harris Sisters Blog 2013
 With a $128 price tag, it was way out of 

my budget to buy at the store, so 

I tried my luck on eBay.  

The prices were high there too.

However, I did come across a few other 

charming owl pieces. I came close to

buying this Carbone, Inc. owl cookie jar.

He looked pretty scary

Everything changed when eBay suggested

the mid 50's Kron Owl TV Lamp

eBay image

It was fascinating, unusual, and a little scary.

I'd never thought of buying a lamp before, yet 

I knew exactly where it would fit.

I procured it a short time later for $29.99. 

He makes an ideal sentinel for Halloween,

not a ghost, or monster, but a subtle tribute 

from nature itself.

In my search for other Dept 56 

Google Eye Halloween pieces, 

This quirky owl popped up.  

Its unusual appearance and 

wild colors caught me off guard. 

'I don't want that,' I thought, and moved on.

As time went on, Halloween collectables 

became more scarce and 

Dept 56 discontinued its serving pieces

I was still on the hunt. 

I frequently came across the owl on a site 

called "Tomorrows Treasures" in Trenton NJ

I let it sit there for years until common sense

finally took over and pressed the 

buy it button for $27.50 + $12.00 shipping.

I must say, I've never regretted it.

His Elizabethan collar and crazy colors 

really grew on me.

I have smaller owls too

They just kind of came with the cookie jars

Sort of a "Where's Waldo" for owls

Still very adorable 

I have an owl on a dessert plate too

The set was a Kohl's purchase a few years ago

An abstract owl is also perched on 

our pot shelf overlooking the living room.

We discovered this large chartreuse 

vase at HomeGoods, and we love how 

its color mirrors the colors on the

"Happy Halloween" sign beside it.

This year, Sam gave me the most amazing birthday 

surprise: The holy Grail of owl cookie jars!

She found it on eBay this year 

for a reasonable price and remembered

 I'd been looking for one some time ago.

What a woman!

 I'm also the proud owner of the 

Carbone, Inc. Owl cookie jar

In 2021 Sam and I traveled to North Carolina

to visit her son and his family.

While they were busy with work 

and school during the day, 

we decided to pass the time by exploring

an antique shop.  And WHOOO should be 

gazing at me from the end of an aisle?  

It felt like pure kismet. 

Just goes to show you, 

Good things come to those who wait,

or those who marry Samantha!

It all began with the thought that 

one owl would be a nice Halloween accent. 

Now, I find myself surrounded 

by a whole parliament!

And I love it.

from 1909

Just don't go throwing ink bottles at their heads

Now for a moment of gratitude:

in August 2023, I received a delightful email

from Richard T. in Bedford England. 

Richard has been collecting for 20 years, 

he shared how much he appreciates my blog

and the information I offer,

Which has been a great resource for him - 

just what I intended when I started it.

He attached a photo of his collection, and

I knew immediately we were kindred spirits.

Richard also has a unique owl 

in his collection-a piece he painted 

himself 18 years ago in a pottery class, 

which he named Oswaldo.

I think it's perfect,  

A real Halloween Icon.

Thanks Richard for sharing, and

thank you for stopping by

Happy Haunting.

Orange Chandelier Shades

One reason I wanted a new light over the table

was to give me something new to decorate

Starting with seasonal lamp shades

get them here

I ordered these from Amazon 

for $52.99 in a pack of 9,

even though I just needed 6.

The color is beautiful! 

I was aiming for something with 

a bit more of a Halloween vibe.

Sam pointed out that they will work 

well with our Thanksgiving display.

So there's that.

I saw this beaded table runner at 

Cost Plus World Market for $39.99

get one here

While I find it beautiful in this picture, 

the orange color seemed somewhat faded 

when I saw it in person, compared to most of the 

Ozark richly colored orange collectables.

get one here

I love how it evokes the images of honeycomb 

tissue paper fans from Hallowe'en parties 

of yesteryear.

source

I decided not to buy it, knowing our 

Halloween centerpiece vignette 

would end up covering it almost completely .

Plus, Samantha said "no", so there's that.

Thanks for stopping by

and Happy Haunting!

An Ominous Presence On The Halloween Hutch

As Halloween 2024 draws near, I was

preparing my hutch to celebrate the 

festive spirit of the season! 

Suddenly, out of nowhere, an eerie mist 

creeps into the dining room, 

swirling itself around the hutch.

The air is filled with the 

fluttering sound of bat wings 

and the clinking of collectables.

As the mist quickly dissipates, 

I begin to see something unfamiliar 

now resting on the hutch.

Drawing closer, I notice a dark aristocratic 

figure, radiating both a menacing allure 

and refined elegance, 

seated atop one of the shelves.

With a grin, his sharp fangs emerge, 

unmistakably marking him as  

Count Dracula, the Prince of Darkness.

Now, I know there's no such thing as Dracula, 

and you know there's no such thing as Dracula. 

But does Dracula know that?!?

Actually he's my Royal Doulton Character Jug, 

"Count Dracula" circa 1997.  

He was a hefty $179.99 eBay inclusion 

in my Easter basket.  

Read about him in my post here.

I'm really impressed by his incredible detail.

I find it peculiar that he doesn't 

cast a reflection 

in the mirror across the room.

He's most definitely a fitting addition 

to the Ozark Halloween menagerie.

As I stand there mesmerized 

by the count's gaze,

a chilling sensation climbs my spine,

an unsettling presence seems to linger

on the dining table

I quickly turn to inspect the display.

At first glance, everything seems in place,

suddenly with a playful "BOO",

 a small specter reveals itself 

among the creepy collectables.

It's a ghost pitcher!

He's from last year's Target 

Threshold line listed at $15.

source Target.com

source Ebay

I discovered him this year on Ebay 

at twice the price!

Even so, I'm happy I found him!

He adds a dash of  whimsical fright to my 

table arrangement.  

However, I doubt he will scare anyone,

he's just too adorable.

Thanks for stopping by

and happy haunting!