A Shakespearean Halloween

A dark Cave. In the middle, a Caldron boiling. Thunder.

                Enter the three Witches.

  1 WITCH.  Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd.
  2 WITCH.  Thrice and once, the hedge-pig whin'd.
  3 WITCH.  Harpier cries:—'tis time! 'tis time!

 

   

 1 WITCH.  Round about the caldron go;

  In the poison'd entrails throw.—

    Toad, that under cold stone,
    Days and nights has thirty-one;
Swelter'd venom sleeping got,
Boil thou first i' the charmed pot!

       ALL.  Double, double toil and trouble; 
    Fire burn, and caldron bubble.

      
2 WITCH.  Fillet of a fenny snake,
    In the caldron boil and bake; 

    Eye of newt,

 

and toe of frog,

 

Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,

 

    Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
    Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing,—

    For a charm of powerful trouble,
    Like a hell-broth boil and bubble. 

       ALL.  Double, double toil and trouble;
    Fire burn, and caldron bubble.

    3 WITCH.  Scale of dragon; tooth of wolf;
    Witches' mummy; maw and gulf 

 

  Of the ravin'd salt-sea shark;
    Root of hemlock digg'd i the dark;



    Liver of blaspheming Jew;
    Gall of goat, and slips of yew
    Sliver'd in the moon's eclipse;

   Nose of Turk, and Tartar's lips;

 
Finger of birth-strangled babe
    Ditch-deliver'd by a drab,—
Make the gruel thick and slab: 

Add thereto a tiger's chaudron,
For the ingrediants of our caldron.      

ALL.  Double, double toil and trouble;
    Fire burn, and caldron bubble.

       2 WITCH.  Cool it with a baboon's blood,

Then the charm is firm and good.

—Act IV, Scene 1, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare

The cast:

Witches Brew Linens and Salad Plates:  Pottery Barn Online
Black dinner plates:  The Dollar Tree
Water and wine glasses:  The Dollar Tree
Short candlesticks:  The Dollar Tree
Tall candlesticks:  Wedding gift from Marshall Field's, 30 years ago
Flatware:  Treble Clef by Gourmet Settings
Dessert glassware, candles:  Bed, Bath and Beyond
Black tablecloths:  Bed, Bath and Beyond
Mercury glass pumpkin and crow:  Pottery Barn
Mini salt and pepper shakers:  Crate and Barrel
Slate servers:  Crate and Barrel

I'm linking to the following parties:

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen
 

John's Fine Arts Senior Exhibit

My son, John, a Fine Arts major at Northern Illinois University, exhibited his work at his Senior Art Show last night.  I couldn't be more proud.

It was absolutely thrilling to see his work displayed so beautifully!

John exhibited thirteen pieces, which, I'm told, is a pretty substantial show . . .

The artist and one of the models hamming it up at the exhibit . . .

John asked me to coordinate the reception for the exhibit, and, well, he didn't have to twist my arm very hard . . .  There was a savory table with veggies, cheeses, and sandwiches . . .

And a sweet table, with some unbelievably delicious treats from new bakeries I had never used before.  Sometimes we take a leap of faith and land on our two feet!

The cupcake “artiste” - because this is no mere baker - made painter's palettes from fondant, including the brush, to top the cupcakes.  They were delicious to boot!  What a hit!

But I must say, the glory of the dessert table went to the cake pops.  They were so moist and flavorful and beautiful!  Here are the chocolate ones . . .

And here are the vanilla ones . . .

I wish I could take credit for the baking but I was too busy to bake, so I recruited Miss Joan's Cupcakes and Sweet Tooth Confections, both local vendors and bakers extraordinaires.

We had a non-alcoholic punch since the show took place in the school campus.  I found the recipe on Pinterest.  Click here for the recipe . . .

We made lemonade ice cubes, to keep the punch flavor vibrant as the ice dissolved, and we floated lemon slices for an extra kick - and because it looked so pretty . . .

Here I am, setting up the sweets table . . .

Here are the loves of my life:  My two sons, David (red shirt) and John, and my husband, Lee.

My brother and wonderful sister-in-law, Kathy, drove all the way from the Wisconsin border to see the exhibit . . .  My friend Patti and her husband drove an hour and a half from the city, to be with us, even though they had to get up early the next day to go to work . . .  We are so lucky in our family and friends, and so grateful that they were able to come!

And here are my three handsome boys . . .

I didn't notice this plaque until almost the end, which is a good thing, for I would have dissolved in a puddle of tears . . .

Did I mention how proud I am of this boy?  My cup runneth over . . .