Re: Trick or Treat.
 

I like to attend house or organised halloween parties and think dressing the kids up for things like this is fun but I do disagree with taking the kids trick or treating we spend all year drumming it in to kids don't go with strangers don't talk to strangers don't take sweets off strangers then we take them out to strangers houses looking for sweets and money it is so stupid and so wrong

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

I agree.

If it's people you know, it's probably great fun for everyone to dress up, and have fun.

It's obviously popular. In a little over twenty years it's overtaken Guy Fawkes Night, judging by all the commercial products that are available to celebrate it, that are in the shops.

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

i dont mind them, i get sweets in and it means grace can take part without having to go out into the cold (ty goes to a party) but one lot hammered on the door and rattled the letterbox until i answered the door, by the time i got there i had 2 crying,scared babies and wasnt impressed so they got told off and sent away with nothing!

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

My friend took her daughter trick or treating in her neighbourhood but followed the simple rule of only knocking on doors where they had some Halloween decorations on display - others were left in peace -seems quite a simple idea and is quite nice for young children (if accompanied by patents). The problem are the grouops of young teens who use it as an excuse for anti-social behaviour!

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

If you have children, and it's your neighbours' children calling on you, it's not really a problem, and like you say, it'll be fun for the young ones.

None of my neighbours have children, and we had five lots of trick or treaters, who no one knew, ranging in age from a toddler, to a gang in their mid teens.

I've got elderly neighbours, who live alone, some of whom have mobility problems. I did feel sorry for them, and am glad none of them fell, trying to answer the door...this year.

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

I took my wife to Pendle Hill on Hallowe'en a few years ago as we both thought it would be a good atmosphere and full of the local occultists. Instead we found a fairground on a hillside and left for a pint in a charming pub in Pendleton.

If that tacky effort on Pendle Hill is a celebration of the occult you can stick it for me.

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The 'Annual Festival of Licensed Begging' as I once heard it called is actually quite an event up at Rishton Towers and in a world where children are restrained from having any sort of 'dangerous' fun I now welcome it. My pumpkin candle and skull were on display in the window and a sign directed the kids round to the back gate where we were sat out round the chinmea with plates of homecooked pie waiting to scare the little blighters in the back alley. It's all good fun and every one of them seemed to enjoy a genuine little fright to go with whatever they took from the tray of treats.

Let them have a bit of fun, they've got precious little left that they're allowed to do.

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

It used to be fun years ago Ken, but like everything else these days, things change for the worse and take away the real meaning of the event, I'll bet there are lots of kids have no idea who Guy Fawkes actually was although a lot of them will be burning his effigy on Saturday

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

Good idea.

Perhaps the God botherers might do the same, if we haven't got their particular holy book hanging from our knockers.

:rolleyes::D

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they learn about him in school, ty knows who he was :)

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Just keep the bucket of cold water by the door, they'll soon get the message!;)

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Er....we, the children born more than twenty years ago, before this custom was imported from America, had great fun at Halloween.

Though that fun didn't involve knocking on the doors of strangers, and begging for goods, or money, with threats of menace if they didn't comply.

:rolleyes:

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You mean they are actually teaching kids about British history, I though that they had tried to airbrush our history out of the archives

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I'm more of a traditionalist, at heart.

gardyloo - definition of gardyloo by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

;):D

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The Gunpowder Plot was led by Robert Catesby aided by his two Catholic friends Guido Fawkes and John Wright who wanted to get rid of the protestant King (religion rears it's head again!)

Guy Fawkes night has a nice ring to it - Catesby night is a bit of a damp squib...;)

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

You must have much rougher kids by your duckpond.

I'm well aware of the American origins but for me it is well worth it to see infant school kids getting all dressed up and actually doing something fun with their parents instead of being told to play on their X-Box.

I'm no great lover of children which is why I've never had them but if the sight of a three year old boy dressed as a pumpkin doesn't melt your heart then you must be an even harsher man than I.

You may even see Uncle Kenny dressed as an elf this year at Father Christmas's grotto in the Market Hall...

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

I remember wondering what that must have been like years ago when we visited a french mediaeval town called Villefranche-en-Conflent down near the Pyrenees - narrow streets and old buildings with open drains down the side. The stench must have been nauseating!
Bet they didn't get many Jehovah's Witnesses knocking them up on a Sunday morning:D

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

I recall the last time I had a door knock from god botherers.
I said -'So you're selling religion? I don't want any'.
She said- 'we aren't selling'
I said - 'You can't give it away here'
...and closed the door

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

Well actually I do remember that, because I was taught it at school, although kids today may know who Guy the fall Guy was, bet not too many can name Robert Catesby or John Wright as his co-conspirators;)

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We probably both had this drummed into us as good catholics John:rolleyes:

I will never forget our first year school trip at Paddock House - we went to see the Holy Hand of Edmund Arrowsmith....:D

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Doubtful Uncle Kenny.

I tend to shop in towns who afford more of a welcome for me nowadays.

;):D

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:rofl38::rofl38::rofl38:

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I've now got this sussed Margaret, I have an intercom lock release system on my door now, so I don't even have to trek to the door, I can tell where to go from the comfort of my chair:D

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Pixie Albert/Kenny :D

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i had about 20 kids knocking on the door on monday night .. wont open the door after 7.30pm as far as im concerned they should be at home by then .. seeing as i wont give any sweets to teenagers .. just primary school kids.

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

I sat up at my Grandma's as I didnt want her on her own as she would have answered the door.

She cant remember what day it is never mind what time of year it is.

Sat up there until the carers came and not one knock on the door! Mind you her next door neighbour was out in the front garden and prob scared them off from knocking on her door!!! :)

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Or perhaps you were sat to near the window.:eek::D:D

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How is it we think on the same lines Beni, ya beat me to it again:D

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

The Americans are welcome to Halloween, trick or treat, pumpkins and all. Who'd ever seen many pumpkins over here till this all kicked off? At least in Guy Fawkes we are remembering a piece of our own history but Halloween has overtaken it commercially as there's so much tat to sell - a different costume every year, plastic pumpkins for colecting loot, etc etc. Personally I won't go near the front door on Oct 31 whoever's there.

Surely by now we should be abandoning religion and the superstitions thatgo with it but no they grow stronger all the time. Children out for trick or treat have little idea what is really behind it and though it may be harmless fun it sows the seeds for later beliefs. Garinda, Mobertol, Jaysay I agree entirely with your thoughts on religion which is why my atheism grows stronger all the time. And I'll soon have the nightmare of Christmas to look forward to!

Margaret you are right in that Halloween was originally a pagan festival with no mention of witches etc. I do find the pagan festivals interesting from a purely historical/ sociological/anthropological perspective. Sorry that may sound a little pompous but I hope you know what I mean. Perhaps we should be teaching children about the real background to the festival than all this knee jerk pseudo American cr*p.

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I once cooked a pumpkin - what tasteless crap!

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

In the context of Discworld I would be more likely to be Albert's master.

Not too cheery seeing him dishing out presents in the festive season, as was demonstrated in Hogfather....

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Second day running, that you've prompted me to have a good old, hearty laugh.

Thank you.

:D

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You should try butternut squash - or other varieties, they are delicious and i have some great recipies for them. In Italy it's known as zuccca -I make great risotto, home-made ravioli and soup. It's also good just roasted in the oven with or without other root veg.

As a side note -while in the UK this last week I went out for 2 Italian meals (I have very original friends...) and they were disappointing (was going to say awful which is truer but I am a diplomat at heart!) - won't mention the name of the restaurants as one is very local to you..up in Ossy..need any more clues? I'm afraid to say it is not authentic Italian food -very much Anglicised...:rolleyes::D

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

We took my Italian friend Milly to one not far from me.

Absolute rubbish, as far as being anything like Italian food.

Monte Cristo's is much better. Though it's nothing like you get in restaurants in Italy.

Butternut squash soup is lovely. My Ma makes it for me at least once a week.

:)

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

Can atheism grow? Thought it was just an absolute rejection of any deities..

I would define myself as more of a skeptic or possibly a free thinker.:rolleyes:

I love visiting churches and cathedrals, the sound of bells on a Sunday morning and ....Christmas, but not for the religious side of it, more from a human aspect as i love giving presents, and of course you can't beat proper carol singing.:D

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

The one she makes is just butternut squash, red peppers, and chicken stock.

Very simple.

Very tasty.

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

I'm pretty sure it is the same one where I was on Tuesday evening...can't name names but it's not far from you. Never been to Monte Cristo's

Am thinking of coming over to set the record straight and start up my own place, Italian food is light and healthy, full of flavour, not swathed in heavy sauces and you should never combine cream and tomato it's sacrilege! The only good thing i had was Olives and they were from a jar..:rolleyes:

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

Sounds good -mine is just bn squash, carrots, onion, potato and stock.

Will give your Ma's recipe a try..:)

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

Yes, know what you mean, that was a bad choice of words. I mean more convinced in my atheism, not doubting that I am an atheist and not an agnostic.

Religion has given us some wonderful buildings and art especially in your adopted part of the world, plus some great music. I've been a choral singer for years and you can't beat a good go at Messiah.

Shame about some of the other things that religion has brought us though.

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

Best Italian food I ever had wasn't in Milan, Rome, or Florence, it was in London.

Eating all the food Milly's Nonna Lotti used to make for me, and have sent over.

Better stop licking my lips before someone decides I need exorcising...bringing us neatly back on topic.

:D

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

i grated our pumpkin 'brains' into a meatloaf, bulks it up, gets veg in the kids and doesnt waste any food :)

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

Me too.

I was raised a Methodist, but am a sucker for incense, a bit of overblown Baroque bling, and some Gregorian chant.

Still a happy a non-believer though.

:D

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Mobertol - I know which 'restaurant':rolleyes: you refer to.
Last time I went there the food was inedible ('off' salmon)- I left after paying only for the spring water.

It is now a year since I ate out, I enjoyed Quattros - reasonably good eating then.

There used to be a very small Italian restaurant on Blackburn Rd Antley.
The food was so good it was fully booked up every weekend and you had to book a weekend visit 6/8 weeks in advance. It wasn't a pizzeria (pie shop), nor a trattoria (cafe) - it was a true ristorante. The chef/owner was from the alpine region so that would have been ideal regional food for you. He made a mint here - enough to buy a restaurant back home.

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Upon learning this I'm not surprised she was rather unmoved by your gift of tea-towels, G. The last thing Cinders wants is a new broom:rolleyes::D

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I quite liked the look of Zen Bhuddism, but it was a bit like living as though you are dead already - purity of thought, no ego, and a mind empty of useless surmising/worry.

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You've always given this a good rating.

Will definitely go and try it.

:)

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That place was fantastic!

The name's on the tip of my tongue.

We were talking about it the other week, as one of the best eating places we've ever had round here.

Was he Swiss, or have I dreamt that bit?

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It was named after the village he came from in the Italian alps - and I don't remember the name either.

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Thanks.

I won't wrack my few remaining brain cells then.

:D

I was getting something begining with 'C'.

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Was it not called Valentino's, or something similar?

Not a village, I know, but it's ringing my bell now.

:confused:

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I have been googling info ref italian alps and 'no bells have rung'.
Letter C and Valentinos dont register with me - I am thinking 'M....'
When he went back to Italy the restaurant was renamed using a horse racing theme. Maybe that will stir someonelses memory.

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I think you mean "Valtellina's" , which was named after a valley here in the Alps -my mum and dad used to rave about it.

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

That's the one in Antley that I remember as being really good.

Thanks.

Valtellina - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

They put so much liqueur in their coffees it could knock you out for a week.

:D

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I know you wouldn't take the pledge:rolleyes::D

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Oh I don't know, you don't strike me as "Death" as to him giving out prezzies to the kids in the grotto, made me chuckle. And what about his Grand-daughter Susan Sto Helit, a governess giving monsters a good hiding with a poker. Discipline & standards sadly missing today. :D

Re: Trick or Treat.
 

Rings true -they were and still are partial to Irish cofees and the likes!:D