Thanksgiving with Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott’s “An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving” is a charming holiday tale of family, food, and unexpected mishaps, inspired by the spirit of nineteenth-century New England.
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Days of Spooks, Saints, and Souls
Today I’m writing about the history and traditions of Halloween, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day, and how these three days honor the harvest, the saints, and the dead.
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The Signal-Man: A Halloween Tale
Step into the eerie world of Charles Dickens’s *The Signal-Man*, a classic Victorian ghost story filled with mysterious warnings, supernatural encounters, and chilling suspense. A haunting Halloween read from the Fairytale Archives.
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Why are Bats Associated with Dracula?
From ancient superstitions to Bram Stoker’s famous vampire, how did an ordinary nocturnal animal become one of Halloween’s most recognizable creatures?
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Oweynagat: Ireland’s Haunted Cave of Cats
Discover the legend of Oweynagat, Ireland’s mysterious Cave of Cats, where ancient Samhain stories tell of ghosts, supernatural creatures, and the Otherworld.
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St. Luke’s Little Summer
St. Luke’s Little Summer is an old October tradition, steeped in folklore, that inspired the Sunflower Festival in my Kingsmill Courtships series.
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Who Were the Sleepy Hollow Boys?
Who were the Sleepy Hollow Boys? Discover the young men behind Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, including Brom Bones, and how one forgotten phrase reveals a different side of this classic American ghost story.
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The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Thank goodness for the public domain, especially when it comes to my favorite fall stories. So grab a cup of tea and reread The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a perfect way to welcome October.
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Michaelmas & Blackberry Tarts
September 29th is Michaelmas. So today I’m collecting the last of the blackberries and baking tarts!
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Fall for Ember Days
The Fall Ember days have arrived so it’s time to reread The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, make a list of fall field trips, and make a September Pie.
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Team Movie vs. Team Book
Is the book always better than the movie? Usually, but not always. With Practical Magic 2 arriving in theaters, I’m looking at why some movie adaptations become even more beloved than the books that inspired them.
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A Tea for St. George and His Dragon
Today is St. George’s Day. A day to celebrate the slayer of dragons and defender of chivalry. That means it’s time for a proper English tea party!
