Cathouse Halloween

Note for the DAY

2011-10-28T08:35:00.002-04:00

Some stuff to know concerning parking in our neighborhood; We live in a beautiful historic neighborhood. Because the streets are old they aren’t always a standard size. So on most roads you can only park on one side of the street. Parking in front of our house is possible (across the street) but increasingly hard to find after about 9 pm. There are good spots on Cross street and Lafayette street, and these are right around the corner. Hinton St. is also a good spot. Last year Audrey got a ticket for parking within 20 feet of the corner. We are still baffled by the purpose of that particular ordinance, but just to be on the safe side don’t park to close to any corner, especially if you think you'll be staying the night.

Costume Inspiration; Powerful Women are Hot!

2011-10-28T08:05:00.000-04:00

http://takebackhalloween.org/

Project Decorate 2011

2011-10-23T15:23:00.003-04:00

Project Decorate has begun and is proceeding apace. Boy am I tired--time for a break. And we have NOT forgotten the parking details. They shall be coming forthwith.

Halloween 2011

2011-10-11T07:05:00.006-04:00

YAY! It's our favorite time of the year! Things to know:

-Bring whomever you like. Your guests are our guests.
-Kids are welcome. While we are no longer toddler-proof, we still do our best to make our party fun for kids as well as adults.
-Bring your favorite snacks and drinks...or not.
-Costumes are great, but not required.
-We have a SteamPunk theme this year. Again participation is not required. This is our 1st year trying a theme and we don't want it to get in the way of your fun or your creativity. Wear what you want.
-We live in an historic neighborhood and parking can sometimes be a mystery. In the next couple of weeks we will publish a map of good spots to find parking.
-A number of our guests bring bedding and spend the night. You are welcome to sleep over as well. If slumber parties aren't your thing there are many cheap hotels in the area. We also have some nice Bed &Breakfasts on our block too. More expensive but really cool.

Those are the basics. If we think of anything else we will publish it here.

Check back often! See you soon!

Invitations have Left the Building!

2011-10-04T17:43:00.002-04:00

Whew! The invitations are going out. If you've already received one and that's why you're here, we want you to know that you can bring anyone you want to the party. If you want to bring 10 friends, bring them along. We can accommodate them. If you have a friend that you would like to receive a paper invitation, let us know!

It's coming

2011-10-02T16:55:00.003-04:00

2010-10-27T18:55:00.000-04:00

Somebody Buy This House!

2010-10-07T08:22:00.001-04:00

18 Perry Street, Petersburg VA.
Over 3000 sq. feet. 5 bedrooms, Built in 1810. Ghosts free w/ purchase. It's been on the market forever. It breaks my heart.

Invitations

2010-10-07T08:14:00.000-04:00

The invitations are going out today! This might be the earliest we have ever got them in the mail. It would have been earlier still but we ordered some stamps from Zazzle that took their own sweet time getting here. Above is another picture that didn't make the cut. I considered an anatomical drawings theme this year to go with my impending graduation from Mortuary School. Maybe I'll use it next year when I'm an actual funeral director.

Dead People

2010-10-02T18:51:00.000-04:00

These are the pictures that didn't make the cut for the invitiations. I love them but I was afraid that many people would not know they were dead. They are posed to look alive. My favorite is the one of the daughter sitting between her parents. Their images are slightly blurred because no one can sit perfectly still...except the dead. The daughter's visage is clear as can be.

Halloween ideas

2010-09-28T09:23:00.002-04:00

Y'all know the economy has put a crimp in our style. We LIKE providing beverages to all and sundry but this year....kinda tight...so we're asking for your help to get our collective buzz & gnosh on. Here's my idea....you volunteer to bring all the fixings for ONE cool drink of your choice. You can bring it by yourself or as a group. Let me know what it is so we don't have too much duplication. Same goes for food. Think up a Halloween theme dish or pick up a bag of random chips....whatever you feel like. Doesn't have to be a lot of anything either. Just try to let me know what you're hoping to bring. Remember....the only thing we really need at the party is YOU! Email me with an RSVP or food/drink plans at vivianvaz@lairhaven.com. If you decide something at the last second....don't worry. We also like surprises.

HALLOWEEN 2010 is ON

2010-09-19T09:58:00.006-04:00

EIGHTH ANNUAL CATHOUSE HALLOWEEN PARTY
The date is Saturday, October 30, 2010.

The Place is the Cathouse.

More details to follow.

Post Halloween update, part 1...

2009-11-02T08:44:00.001-05:00

Post Halloween update. After recovering from 3 hours sleep and Beth's wine...I found a Lenscap in the gravel. Nikon 52mm. Anyone know who it belongs to?

Cats! Helfpul?

2009-10-30T13:06:00.001-04:00

We're busy decorating and they're busy.....looking decorative?

Google Image

2009-10-30T09:30:00.005-04:00

Here's our house (circled) on GoogleMaps Satellite. If you notice in the upper right hand corner, you will see an "A." Apparently, Google thinks our house is a block away from its actual location. DO NOT BE FOOLED! Our house is hard to miss. You've seen the pictures. See you soon!

This is OUR HOUSE

2009-10-28T10:38:00.006-04:00

This is an excerpt from "Ghosts of Virginia: Volume 3" by L. B. Taylor, Jr., available in your local bookstore. We picked it up at Barnes & Noble.

Hmmmmm......

2009-10-25T22:28:00.001-04:00

What do you suppose we're going to do with this?

Halloween Approaches!!!

2009-10-24T21:26:00.003-04:00

We've been frantically busy moving my parents into the house so we've had no time to tell you what we've been doing for the party. We promise that will change this week. We will post something each and every day. And to begin with, a helpful public service announcement.

Here is a picture of our beautiful house at night. This is the view you will see when you arrive. It is more helpful than the original picture we posted as it no longer has the shutters or the red roof. There is also our gargoyle, "Amelia Junior" or "A.J." as she calls it, much the worse for wear. We have more than a bit of repair work to do on him.

And let's talk a bit about parking. It's a little tricky but workable if you pay attention. You can't park on our side of the street. You can park on the other side of the street and any of the parallel blocks and walk over. And it's a great neighborhood, no worries.

Madame Talbot

2009-09-23T15:39:00.004-04:00

We found this website and, as we are using one of her pictures (not this one) in our invites, we want to give her full credit. She has lots of fun artwork and more for sale on her website. Visit Madame Talbot's Victorian Lowbrow at http://www.madametalbot.com/!

HALLOWEEN 2009 IS ON!

2009-09-22T12:48:00.002-04:00

For those who've been waiting, the party is on for October 31's. We'll be in our new house pictured above. It is a historic house in Petersburg, VA and has an entry in Haunted Houses of Virginia, Volume 3. It's a fabulous house for a fabulous party. GET YOUR HALLOWEEN ON!

AT LAST

2009-01-03T16:44:00.005-05:00

Subtitle: Mike, this one's for YOU!

O.K. It took me 2 months to post this. So sue me! Welll, don't. Blood from a stone and all that. Anyway, I apologize for the time it took to post this. It's been a loooong holiday season. Anyway, to see the rest of the pictures, click on this link: http://tinyurl.com/98p6ma

I'll try to add descriptions to the pics as they occur to me.

Inspirational!

2008-10-31T09:30:00.002-04:00

So, we're having an office dress up day (beer and burgers at noon). Above are Sarah and Michael. Last year they came to our party as Cher and the Cat in the Hat. There are pictures of that in this blog. They haven't even shown up at the party and I'm pretty sure they have the most fabulous costume of the year. Thanks again for coming up with truly inspirational costumes!

Where did they go?!?!?

2008-10-24T19:53:00.014-04:00

You may be wondering, and some have asked, why the posts are so "thin on the ground" as it were. Well, I'm here to 'splain. Niely, the driving force behind the party AND the decorations, has embarked on a new adventure. She has started school to become.......

wait for it......

A Funeral Director!

Needless to say, she's been distracted and we've all been busier than usual and everything is getting done at the infamous Last Minute. We are decorating this weekend and are really looking forward to all our friends, old and new, joining us at the Cathouse.

By the way, fabulous Christmas shopping can be found at www.pushingdaisies.com.

spiders, Spiders, SPIDERS!

2008-10-04T20:32:00.004-04:00

This year, our personal theme is spiders. Big, furry ones, crawling up the side of our house. We hope you'll join us. Come in costume or not, as you wish. Come alone, bring a friend, bring a stranger, as you wish, as long as you join us. Kids are welcome but the house is not toddler-proof. This weekend is all about getting the invitations out.
The party's Saturday, November 1st, starting aroung 8pm at our home in Richmond. Email for directions...

Stay tuned for more...

PICTURES

2007-11-12T12:03:00.001-05:00

I really couldn't choose between all the pictures so I've put the majority of them on Flickr. Here's the link:

http://tinyurl.com/ypk4zl

Enjoy!

Costume Contest Winners!

2007-11-12T11:56:00.001-05:00

Well, if we HAD a costume contest, Cher and the Cat would've won hands (or paws) down.

Live Action Decoration!

2007-10-25T11:25:00.000-04:00

Grace the cat is approx. 412 years old and alwayslooks like she hates you well beyond your pathetic ability to comprehend.

Outdoor scariness

2007-10-25T10:53:00.000-04:00

The outdoor scariness seems to be holding up well despite the picturesqueweather. Although, come to think of it, the weather and the desiccated lawn seem to add a certain...atmosphere.

Drinks & Things & Voting

2007-10-21T19:10:00.000-04:00

O.K. In years past, we have provided mostly beer and munchies, with a few extras. This year, we are adding several mixed drinks. We don't know how many, but we are listing our favorites here. Just to see if you are paying attention, you get to VOTE for the drink you'd like to try. You only get the names, that's the tricky part. In addition, if you have any drink or food you'd like, bring it. We'll also list some of the food we're serving. Some of it will be weird looking so put on your big girl panties and TRY IT!

Anyway, here are some drink names. Which one would YOU like. Vote in comments or by emailing me at vivianvaz@lairhaven.com.

Soul Taker
Black Cat
Wet Witch
Dracula's Kiss
Black Dahlia
Spider Bite

What are YOU brave enough to drink.

Adams Family Art

2007-10-20T09:04:00.000-04:00

We got some giant, gorgeous frames from the thrift store, painted them black, and filled them with macabre artwork. This is the result of one of our efforts. To see the others, you have to come to our party.

Last Year's Party

2007-10-14T16:14:00.001-04:00

Here's a sample of last year's party, inluding our gargoyle in all his former glory. Hopefully, our restoration will make him as impressive as ever. Frankly, we expected more pictures, but somehow they ner materialized. Perhaps something ate the photographer???

The Sad Result of Humidity

2007-10-13T20:01:00.000-04:00

This is what happens when your gargoyle lives alone in the shed for a year. Humidity? Or Despair? Not to worry. We saved him. Photos are on their way.

HALLOWEEN 2007 APPROACHES

2007-09-17T13:10:00.000-04:00

Yes, I KNOW we haven't updated lately. I'll come up with an excuse later. For now, be aware that the next halloween party is October 27th, 2007.

Be there! You'll be happy you did!

Today's the day!

2006-10-28T08:22:00.000-04:00

The Party day is here, good people. And for today's picture, we have Amelia gazing upon her body double. Eerie likeness, ey?

Bwahahaha!!!!

We are busy decorating so, if you want to see the finished gargoyle, you must come to the party. Drop us a line if you need directions.

To get into that Holiday Spirit:

2006-10-17T14:38:00.000-04:00

This painting was put on auction at Ebay after it proved to creepy for the family that owned it. The kids in whose room it was kept claimed that the children were coming out of the painting at night and fighting. You can find the full story at the link below. It even has its own Wikipedia entry. Currently I'm looking for the sequel painting called "Resistance at the Trheshold.
http://www.surfingtheapocalypse.com/haunted_painting.html

Fun!

And for those of you just happen stumble across this blog and may be interested in coming to, or learning more about, the party, drop us an email and tell us a bit about yourselves.

Having trouble choosing a costume?

2006-10-13T16:19:00.000-04:00

My best source for all things Halloween is....(don't laugh. I will kill you if you do).......Martha Stewart. Queen of self-abusive housewives everywhere. That woman has a very dark streak running through her, once you peak behind that tastefully decorated facade. Go to her web page. I'm not kidding. That thing she does with a few plastic cockroaches and some spiritgum is still freaking me out. She has some great ideas for costumes.....and party food if you are still stumped for what to bring for the contest.
http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml?type=learn-cat&id=cat20519

2006-10-09T13:47:00.000-04:00

Holidays are all about those homey crafts you can do with your family, encouraging togetherness and promoting the spirit of the season. For instance, why not try to build a life size gargoyle using your 7 year-old as the duct tape dummy? Wait till we figure out how to attach the wings and the skull...It will give it that perfect folksy demonic touch.

Whatever shall we do with these?

2006-10-07T21:50:00.000-04:00

Paper mache, tinfoil, and a cheap plastic skull...

What on God's Green Earth are we going to do with these?

Wait....and....see!

Bwahahaha!

It's Our Favorite Time of Year....

2006-09-30T22:03:00.000-04:00

We love getting ready for this party! This year we thought in addition to sending out the invitations we would start a blog to share all of our preparations. We always use this party as an excuse to exercise our creativity...and our sick sense of humor.
All the previous rules apply to this year's party.
-Costumes are encouraged but not required.
-Children are welcome, but kids under 6 must remain with their parents. We are not toddler proof.
-Crash space is available, but bring bedding. If you are here in the morning we will serve you breakfast.
- You can bring anyone you want. This party is open to everyone.
-Bring whatever you like. We usually have hors d'oeuvres , soda and beer. All contributions are appreciated.

New for this year we are having a contest for the most creative hors d'oevres. The winner will receive a prize that will make all that slaving in the kitchen worthwhile.

Stay tuned. Our next installment will be "How to make a gargoyle with duct tape, wet newspaper, and a 7 year old girl."