13 Days to Go!

 

It's creeping up quickly, isn't it?

 

I got to thinking the other day, wondering how long the Countdown has been going on. I know Shawn Robare and John Rozum had the reins when I first joined back in 2014 and it's passed through a few hands since then.

 

Then I remembered "Duh, the post history is right on the front page." So I went back and browsed through some of the very firsts posts from 2009 that started this whole thing off. It was fun delving into the previous Countdown posts and seeing where this all began.

 

I found this neat video posted by Jon Knutson and thought it was worth re-posting here for those (like me) that didn't see it in 2009.

  

2025 Badges are Here!

 

The 2025 Countdown to Halloween Badges are here and you can find them in the left sidebar. Please join me in giving a huge thanks to Chelsea of Cheers with Chelsea and Leigh of Leigh SBDesigns for creating them.

Chelsea did the black and orange ones and Leigh created the more colorful ones. 

 

So far we've had around 45 people sign up to put pumpkins on their virtual porches this year and it's good to see a lot of familiar faces still around. The 2025 list is also live over on the right and will be updated when more folks sign up. I copied the site names and URLs from the sign up sheet so please check your links and let me know if they don't work by sending a messenger bat to dex1138 (at) gmail.com.

Summoning the Spirits

The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA has a fantastic exhibit called "Conjuring the Spirit World: Art, Magic, and Mediums". Next to the museum is a little pop-up shop with gifts related to the exhibit. I didn't take this home but thought it would be fun to share.

Halloween is Hoppin'!

It's finally here, let the Countdown begin!

The sign up form is closed for this year but you can still join the party by emailing Cryptkeeper Dex at Dex1138(at)gmail.com.

 

To kick off your October, head over to Bandcamp and check out Halloween Hop by LVCRFT, David Dastmalchian, and Thunderwolf. It's an incredibly fun song that deserves a spot in your playlist. Don't say I didn't warn you, but it's probably going to get stuck in your head.

 

Click on the cover to get hoppin'!

2024 Countdown

Hey everyone! It's time to add more spooky decorations to your year-round home decor!

 

 

It's my first year running this pumpkin patch by myself so things are a little delayed. In the next few days I'll be sending out the link to sign yourself up for this year's Countdown to Halloween!

There's also a link in the right sidebar to fill out the form. Feel free to pass it on to any sympathetic spirits you know that want to join our happy haunt.

If you're using a non-blog social platform, please include a link back to the Countdown site (countdowntohalloween.net) on your posts.

You can also use #countdowntohalloween & #countdowntohalloween2024 as those are followed by our Instagram to look for things to share with our followers.

While you're all out stalking the stores for the latest decor, toss By Pumpkin's Light podcast in your ears. In each episode, Mike (All Hallows Geek) and Miranda (Spooky Little Halloween) introduce you to content creators, small business owners, and industry professionals dedicated to creating Halloween magic all year long.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! #CountdowntoHalloween2023

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Did you catch the Google post for today? If not, here it is for your viewing.

https://g.co/doodle/syyg6uq

By now, you have opened your crypts to all those spooks. I am giving out no tricks here but only treats.  I am only in the background this year. You could just say, I am the skeleton crew. HA HA

My roll is on the right this year!

The Captain of this ship has got this handled and I have snuck out to say hey! I might have secured a small treat for me as well. *snickers*

Have a grand time ya all!

Master Crypt Keeper,

Michelle

PS: If you purchased a shirt this year, which of course I hope you did, show us a pic! Remember all purchases do go to charity. We do not get a single dime.

JUST A FEW DAYS & NEW STUFF TO NOTE

Hi Cryptsters,

FINALLY, it is almost time for our favorite time of year, OCTOBER AND HALLOWEEN! Whooo....

If you have not already signed up or your friends haven't, NOW is the time. I am closing sign up on the 1st this year as too much has gone on for me to do anything more other than the Countdown itself.

Dex and I will be around to your blogs but please be patient. Go visit others too and leave boo notes. We all love those. Remember to post every couple of days something Halloween-ish.

NOTE: You will notice a couple of changes this year. If you look above, you will see some tabs. They are: Crypt Keepers 2023, Countdown Instagram, and Home. Please explore those but in a nut shell, if you click on the Crypt Keepers one, you will be taken to a list of all the Crypt Keepers and their blogs. I had to do this for time sake this year and frankly, was a bit easier. PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING BUT DO CHECK YOUR LINKS THAT THEY WORK. I did not check any of the links so, if there is something wrong or you have been left off, just comment below and I will fix it. If you don't tell me, I don't know.

---->If you have not purchased this years t-shirt, the link is on the side bar. Remember that all proceeds go to charity. 

Finally, I got word that you are having issues with the badges. You will have to download them to your device and upload to your blog. Please add the link to this blog so everyone comes here.

Have a great October and check back here for updates and newer cobwebs.

Sharing: Mid-Summer Screams With Chelsea #HalloweenAllYearLong #Halloween2023 #CountdowntoHalloween

 Hello Crypsters! I am just sharing an annual event from our fellow Crypt Keeper, Chelsea. She says this is her 5th year! If you want to know details, check out her Instagram page.

Sign ups coming soon!

45 Days...ugh #CountdowntoHalloween2022

 

This is not a sponsor.
Just wondering if you all eat this cereal or a different kind? 

Hey, Creepers,

It is still 45 days until Halloween...ugh...come on already.

But then, it is ONLY 16 days when we know it REALLY starts. Yep, October 1st is right around the corner and I for one, cannot wait. I am so bored...seriously!

I don't know about you but I am ready for Halloween. I must note here, that I live with my Mother and she is not a Halloween aficionado. *gasp*  I KNOW! So, having said that, I have to slowly creep things into the crypt until BAM, it's there, deal with it. LOL

I have been watching the stores and boy, is it just me or are they slow on getting with it this year? Does it seem like everything has slowed down in general or is it just me? Maybe it is just in the area I live in. *screams* 

Come on already. I need some stuff!

So, drop some photos in the comments. Let's see what you have picked up or seen new this year.

Hang on, it's almost here!

Master Crypt Keeper,

Michelle

The Crypt Is Open for 2022! #CountdowntoHalloween2022 #information #CryptKeeperDex #CryptKeeperMichelle #Chad

 

Something is afoot here! 

Welcome back my very ghoulish friends.  I am your Master Crypt Keeper, Michelle. I am along here with my good pal and Master Crypt Keeper, Dex, to keep everything here...well...spooky!

The official Countdown to Halloween crypt is now open. I know, I know, usually we open August 1st but we had to clear out a few cobwebs and allow for some redecorating. 

A new boil in town, but not new to the Halloween scene, has graced us with some new looks. This year we welcome, Chad Savage who has created the new banner and badges for this year's theme.  Our theme this year is "Old School Halloween" and we let him run with it. What do you think? Make sure to click on his name and go look around his blog. Just an FYI, he is the one that Dex mentioned last year for the cool calendar.

So let's get on to the stuff.

Badges: As always, you are welcome to pick up a web-covered badge to decorate your own crypt with. We know you love them, but make sure it links back to the Countdown. If you for some reason don't know how to do that, just ask.

Official begin: Well of course, October 1st for the Countdown but we all know that some of you go all year long. PLEASE link back to our blog when you post. It is a nice thing to do and newbies may want to join.

Commenting: What makes the Countdown fun is visiting others and commenting. It is the spirit of the thing. You want those treats just as others do. Go and visit others crypts.

Links: They will be posted starting today (see right side bar). You can sign up through October 3rd and after that the link list will be shut off. However, I am nice and if you have a good enough treat, I might reconsider if you still want in. *chuckles* PLEASE be patient though, if you don't see your link by October 1st, email me at nailamoon1968 at gmail dot com and I will see what is up. I do add links on my own time and this year, I am in college again...talk about clearing out cobwebs...sheesh....

Following: You can subscribe or just come back periodically to the Countdown from now until we close again. We often have fun posts and/or new information you need to know.  Links for that is also on the right sidebar. ALSO, if you want to organize just to 2022, our hashtag is #CountdowntoHalloween2022

You can also find us on our Instagram Link all year long. Go and check that out because sometimes, you might see your own stuff there. Dex does a great job of keeping that alternate crypt going. THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO DUDE!

New stuff: Last year we kicked around having the Official Countdown to Halloween t-shirts. Well, guess what...we are working on making that happening! Whoo... Stayed tuned for more information on that. We might have some other merch too to purchase.

Questions for me or Dex: If you have a questions or comments to make about any particular post, put it in the comment section for the post. DON'T EMAIL IT WILL GET LOST. I do monitor and will answer each post that is made. Note: you will not see it right away but I do get them. For integrity of our crypt here, I do approve/disprove each comment as often we get simply spam and who wants that?

Ok, so, I think that is it for now. WELCOME! October is right around the corner!

Your Master Crypt Keeper,

Michelle

The Crypt Creaks Open!

In case you're not on the mailing list from last year, sign ups are now open!

The full moon shines down on a forgotten cemetery. The pale light creates an ethereal silver glow as it reflects over an ever present ground fog. The fog breaks slightly as a black cat bounds between the headstones and stops at the door to an ancient stone crypt. The door creaks open slowly with the weight of centuries. Stale air and a warm, flickering orange glow begin to spill out. "Ah, it's good to be alive," you think. "Again."

On behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome back to the annual blogger Countdown to Halloween!

If you'll be joining us this year, head over to the link in the top right column.

Feel free to pass it on to any like minded spirits!

We're still hopping on all social platforms so please include a link back to the Countdown site (countdowntohalloween.blogspot.com) on your posts.

You can also use #countdowntohalloween & #countdowntohalloween2022 as those are followed on Instagram to look for things to repost from our account (instagram.com/countdowntohalloweenblog)

Our theme this year is old school Trick or Treat. Classic plastic mask/smock costumes, pillowcases full of candy, you get the idea.

We've got a groovy ghoul cooking up blog badges and we'll post those in the coming weeks.

*Creepy Wave* HEY! Countdown To Midsummer Scream #CountdowntoHalloween2022 #CountdowntoHalloween

Hello my Creeptastic friends! 

It is only Summer still here...sigh...*chuckles* I know so many of you are waiting patiently for the Boo-months to get here and cooler weather. It will be here sooner than you know. Until then, I thought I would share an event going on in July.

Countdown to Midsummer Scream was sent to me via email and looks fang-tastic! Cheers with Chelsea puts on this event and I wanted to share if you want to participate. It looks like it is a photo challenge. FUN!

If you have a Summer event...email me (nailamoon1968 at gmail dot com) and let me know about it and I will post it here.  Also, be watching soon for Halloween Challenge 2022 information. We all know that is a scream! *wink*

Your Master Crypt Keeper,

Michelle

2021 Survey

 

Hope everyone is doing well out there and getting over what I call the Halloween Hangover. You know, that feeling you get on November 1st that the season is "officially" over? I just finished putting away my decorations this weekend. If Christmas can stay up until mid-January, we can give Halloween an extra week right?

 

Anyway, we've cooked up a little survey for you all to see if there's anything we can do to make your Countdown experience better.

I promise it's very short and we'd love to hear from you!

2021 Countdown Survey

HAPPY HALLOWEEN/HAPPY SAMHEIN!

 

It's Here!!!! Halloween Countdown has begun!!!! 2021

 Who let the spooks out? You, YOU!  

The Halloween Countdown has begun!

Don't forget to check those links and leave us treats!

Hey, hey! For the love of the badges!

Hey, hey our fellow creepers, many things are afoot.  Look what has arrived! You have your choice of three again this year and we think they are wonderful. Thank you to Senor Scary Jerry who reached out to make them this year. You have done a great job!  @senorscaryjerry

All you need to do to link them to your blog or whatnot is to download the image and upload it to your blogs. Please make sure you add a link when people click them on...https://countdowntohalloween.blogspot.com/  

If you are using Instagram/TikTok/YouTube, you have permission to upload the image but again, link it to our blog. I am sure Senor Scary would not mind a shout out either.

Oh, but wait, before you go! He is also making a new banner for us and that will be coming soon. Whoot!

Keep it scary and stay tuned,

Michelle & Dex

The main crypt is open! #countdowntohalloween

Hello Creepy Friends,

Have you noticed changes afoot in the crypt? Yes, we have begun sprucing up with some new spider webs, wicks for the pumpkins, and all sorts of creepiness.

Please note the right side bar has new information. 

Things will be update throughout August and September and ready for October. Be watching for the 2021 badges soon. They are fabulously wicked!

Check out how many crypt keepers have already signed up! 

Frequently come back for something new.

Michelle & Dex

HEY SPOOKS-NEWS FOR 2021 #CountdowntoHalloween2021

Hello fellow Spooks!

Just a quick blog for you.

We have a change this year in hosts. Mike Meyer is not going to be able to do Master Crypt-keeping duties and may not even be able to post this year. I certainly hope he will. Thanks, Mike for all your help! 

In any case, Ed Dexter, otherwise known as Dex, has agreed to fill the role. As August is right around the corner, (unbelievable) Dex will be emailing all of those who participated last year. (um, he may not know that yet...oops) Anyway, you will get emailed.

We will be asking if anyone wants to make new badges and banner. We will choose by end of August. We will also be asking a couple other questions to get a feel for things.  Stay tuned!

If you know of anyone that wants to sign up, we will be sending a link out soon.

Master Crypt Keeper,

Michelle

Happy 1/2 Before the day!!!

AND SO IT BEGINS...HAPPY HALLOWS #CountdowntoHalloween2020 #CountdowntoHalloween

 

The time is here! The time we have been waiting and preparing for! The time is now!!

We cannot wait to see what you all have for us. Remember even though Michael and I will be visiting, do not forget to visit and comment to others too. We all like those little treats in our comment boxes.

Remember to be kind too. We are all here to have a good time.

NOTE: If you are posting on Instagram too, please put the hashtags above on your post (the 2020 one first). This way we can find it all in one space.

Check back her often as we will have postings too or if you are having issues leave me a comment.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN ALL MONTH LONG!

Master Crypt Keepers,

Michelle and Michael