Suburban Halloween

Since moving into our beautiful house in a secluded neighborhood, Shelby and I have been wondering if we would hear any trick or treaters knocking on our door. It's something I've missed since moving to the North Country over seven years ago, and although I've lived in three different towns up here, I've never landed myself in a "Halloween neighborhood."

My earliest memories of the holiday are in Newton. Mom would bring my big brother and I to Fancy Nancy's, a friend of Nanny's who always sewed our Halloween costumes. Anything we could think of, Fancy Nancy brought it to life.

The first costume I remember is Ariel from the Little Mermaid. I loved how my green tail sparkled, and how warm and cozy I was all night! I don't remember any trick or treating, but I do remember how much I loved this costume. (And I don't think I've ever had as good a hair day as when I was pictured here at four...)

We moved to East Derry soon after and I absolutely remember how good that trick or treating was. There were so many houses to visit and costumes to see. My go to was dressing as a witch! I loved their hats and ability to practice magic.

After the fun was had, my brother and I would go through our riches, which typically involved me counting how many of each kind of candy I had, and trading my Reese's peanut butter cups for his Kit Kats.

There were a few times I'd venture beyond our neighborhood and give my Reese's to someone else. One year, I borrowed DD's lion costume and went with Lexi in her neighborhood across town. That was so much fun! One house gave FULL SIZED candy bars. Wow! 

A few times I also went with my dad where he lived, because he really gets into Halloween. There's this vulture he always perched on top of the railing going to the upper floor of his split level who stood watch. Then there was the fake cob webs, bones, and viking hats scattered throughout. Dad also taught us how to carve pumpkins like a pro.

As I entered middle school, I didn't trick or treat as much. My seventh grade year, however, I went out one last time as Lucy Ricardo from "I Love Lucy." (We had a fun 50s room in our basement, which was the perfect backdrop for this photo.)

When we moved to Sugar Hill, I didn't do much for Halloween either. It wasn't until I started working at the bank that I got my spirit on. I pulled out my prom dress Nanny and I found at a consignment store and dressed as a flapper! (BEFORE it was cool. ;)

Back to the present, Shelby and I poured bags of candy into an orange bowl and left our light on by the door. We waited. Nothing. At least we had the foresight to purchase our favorite kind of candy.

There aren't many things I'm grateful for about having lived in the suburbs, but living in a Halloween neighborhood was certainly one of them.