Welcome back to Finish The Sentence Friday Blog Hop (FTSF). We give you a sentence and you finish it (however long or short you’d like). Please feel free to link up and follow any or all of our hostesses, which are below. And by the way, please note that there is NO linkup next Friday, we are skipping for Halloween.
And now for this week’s sentence to finish: “One Halloween, I…“
One Halloween, I…
I have tried to recall Halloween’s past and will admit I remember a lot from when I was a kid, but still so much of this time is foggy just slightly.
I recall my mom was big on making my Halloween costumes. While so many kids were the proud owners of store bought plastic costumes with masks, not me.
See my mom was a pro on the sewing machine having been taught by my great-grandmother and home ec as in school.
She loved this and was so proud to make me creations, such as a witch made from an old black dress she wore to a party or a pink checkered Little House on the Prairie dress.
While this made her so happy to do, I hated it so. Not to mention, the year she did the Little House on the Prairie creation, I was so not a fan of the show. Most little girls my age loved this show and wanted to be Laura Ingall’s. Well, not me! I wanted to be Strawberry Shortcake or some other plastic nightmare costume.
I truly didn’t appreciate that my mom loved me that much and went to all the trouble to make me something herself. When I think back I feel terrible for those thoughts, but back then I just wanted to be like every other little girl and didn’t see it the way as I do now as an adult.
But I did grow up and am now a parent myself. So totally see this in a whole new light. To learn more about where I grew up, click here. (Hint: October Daily Challenge today -Tell us a bit about the place where you grew up. Don’t forget to include a couple of photos!)
However, I honestly wish I had more pictures to share, but I couldn’t get my fingers on all, but one of these old photos, because my mom’s albums are buried in the downstairs closet, but thought I would share it above (can you find me?) and a picture from the first Halloween I shared with Kevin, as well as the third, too below.
I know I am changing the subject a bit and skipping ahead some years, but thought you might at least enjoy seeing these photos.
Both years, we were going to Halloween parties thrown by Kevin’s brother and his friends.
In 2003, I dressed up as a Can Can Girl, while Kevin and his friend had dressed up as Lloyd and Harry from Dumb and Dumber.
Halloween 2003And 2005, we dressed up in as Harry Potter and Hermione Granger Hogwarts’ Style!
Halloween 2005Total fun adult Halloween party nights and the pictures still put such a smile on my face.
Enjoy and Happy Halloween!! Definitely know I am excited to celebrate it with my girls this year!
Now that I have told you mine, tell me about your Halloweens from the past!!
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Karen says
OMG…I am actually awake…LOL I love how you did this…I should have posted old Halloween photos of me and Tony, but think I would have laughed too hard and not posted anything. I remember Strawberry Shortcake, wish I still had my doll…sighs.
My recent post 38 Years and Halloween Memories
Janine Huldie says
I love that you are awake and Happy 38th Birthday again, Karen! I would have loved to have seen a photo of you and Tony, but those pictures of Dino were perfect and priceless. By the way, my girls love Strawberry Shortcake now and have the dolls π
Lisa @ Golden Spoons says
I used to love Strawberry Shortcake!! I was the opposite. My mom didn't sew, so I always had the store-bought costumes, but wanted the cool homemade ones. I guess, as they say, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, huh? π
My recent post Great Lengths
Janine Huldie says
Too funny Lisa and we could have totally switched on this for sure!! π
Dana says
I totally remember that Strawberry Shortcake costume! I hated those dumb plastic masks – my face got all sweaty and it would slip down over my eyes. Oh, and I can totally pick you out in that photo – you are the one with the pom poms!
My recent post More treat than trick
Janine Huldie says
Yay you found me (wasn't that hard though, lol!!). But seriously, can't believe I actually wanted one of those hideous costumes back in the day, but I so did!
christyb says
Awww! My mom made my Halloween pics too – so cute. I love the pics and the Harry Potter costumes especially π
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Christy and love knowing that your mom did that, too!! π
Kristi Campbell says
OMG I have such a different view of my mom's talent now, than I used to! She used to actually MAKE our clothes! And costumes. And a little play house. I buy everything. And when I don't? Well you saw. Ghetto DIY. Love this, Janine!
My recent post It’s Halloween and I don’t want to be a Wonder Woman Skank
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Kristi and I know I totally have such a different take on this nowadays and still can't believe my mom did this for us. Can't even imagine, because god I am so not that talented!
Kenya G. Johnson says
I have to admit, I scrolled fast past the Strawberry Shortcake mask. Not fast enough to see you reference "nightmare". Which I hope she disappears from my memory. I'm guessing you were the one with the pom poms? Love the pictures of you and Kevin. Believe it or not I've never seen any Harry Potter stuff to know whose who but I would have guessed correctly the "what movie" on that one.
My recent post The Halloween I went as "Supermom"…
Janine Huldie says
She had me giggling about the nightmare! But seriously you totally guessed right on the cheerleader photo and also Harry Potter!! π
Jamie@southmainmuse says
How cute that you used to trick or treat together as children. How fun. My mom made a lot o ours too. No we never got the straight out of the box costumes. Loved seeing the photos.
My recent post The Candy Haul. At least I could count on that.
Janine Huldie says
Thank Jamie. I grew up in Queens, NY, so trick or treating was huge back then. We would go all over and still have such great memories from it. π
Sarah says
I love the Harry Potter costume! Great pictures ~ Happy early Halloween!
My recent post Trick or Treat: My Motherhood Journey in Nine Halloweens
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Sarah and Happy Early Halloween to you, too again!! π
Sara says
We had the exact same experience when it comes to Halloween. My mom and grandmother made my costumes which included a hula girl and an angel but I always wanted a store bought costume. The year I was a hula girl I am sulking in pictures because both of my friends were Strawberry Shortcake with the plastic mask. This post brought back such memories of Halloween as a kid.
My recent post Halloween Flashback- Wordless Wednesday
Janine Huldie says
Srar, I swear if I didn't know better, I would say we were related. First the gravy and know the Halloween costumes. I love it though and so happy to share these memories with you. Definitely in good company with you my friend!! π
Billybuc says
About the only things I remember about Halloweens as a kid is being cold and wet, and filling pillowcases full of candy. It was a huge event back then, and our Catholic school had the next day off so we could eat all we wanted with the next day off. Sweet!
Janine Huldie says
I went to Catholic School for a bit, too and always loved having off for All Saint's Day the day after. Totally something that made Halloween that much sweeter for me, too!! π
Rich Rumple says
Boy, you and Kevin really take Halloween dress up serious. (Btw, you had to be the one holding the pom poms in the early picture). My wife and I only dressed up once, and I honestly can't remember what she was. Fact is, I'm still trying to figure that out. Good post!
Janine Huldie says
Rich, you were totally right and the girl with the pom-poms was definitely me. And would love to know what your wife dressed up as that year. You should totally ask her and see what she says!! π
massholemommy says
You have had some cool costumes over the years! I don't remember it because I was too young, but my mom has pictures of me trick or treating as Wonder Woman when I was 3 years old with one of those plastic masks.
My recent post Lego Mania!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Robin and I do remember when Wonder Woman (the plastic version) was popular, too!! π
Kerith Stull says
Oh yes, the plastic mask nightmares. I had a couple. But, my mother made a few of mine, too. One was a mouse costume made from a black garbage bag stuffed with newspaper. I kept "pooping" out paper from the ever expanding leg holes all along the way! Great pictures here! (Visiting from FTSF and sharing comment love back at ya!)
My recent post I’m Going on Hiatus….
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much Kerith and your mouse costume sounded adorable and could totally have pictured my mom making something like that if she could have. I guess it was more common then I thought with moms making costumes back then, but I totally remember being envious of all that had those dumb plastic costumes. My pleasure again visiting you, too and thank you also for linking up with us again. Happy to have you join in!! π
The Dose of Reality says
FUN!!! Oh, I love the photo of you two as Harry Potter and Hermione!! It's perfect!!
Like you, I never EVER realized the blood, sweat, and tears my mom put into all of those homemade costumes back in the day. I was actually irritated sometimes that I didn't get to have one bought from Woolworth's a few times. What an ingrate I was. GAH!!! –Lisa
Janine Huldie says
Total ingrate here, too Lisa and I loved Woolworth's. We used to go there all the time. We went so much the ladies that worked there knew me as the pink girl, because I loved and only wore pink!! π
themomcafe says
Those photos are TOO CUTE of you dressed up and the costumes ROCK Janine! Yeah… I am finally stopping by. It's been WAY too long- ugh.
I can't imagine sewing even a button on let alone making a costume. π
Janine Huldie says
Thank you so much Chris and I seriously am sorry that I too have been lacking in commenting on your end. I just followed you on BlogLovin (which is truly the way I never lose track of my favorite bloggers now). I thought I was, but now I totally am. Seriously, I seem to miss new posts every other way, but this way. So, now I am truly not going to miss a post from you my friend π
Sandy Ramsey says
It's amazing how differently we look at things now that we are mothers. I know I have called my Mom on more than one occasion begging forgiveness for being such a twit when I was a kid/teenager. This post made me remember the crazy plastic mask costumes from "those days"…I actually got to be a witch one year, mask and all! Other years, we threw together something from what we had, too. Great pics of you and your hubby!
Janine Huldie says
Sandy, I know I have been also known to say to my mom that she was right on more occasions now that I too am a mom and have kids. And those plastic masks and costumes were seriously all a rage back then, but now I truly am not sure what I ever saw in them!! Thank you as always my friend π
shitastrophy says
I was Laura Ingalls one year – loved that show. Every person over the age of 30 thought I was Hobby Lobby. I had the other problem – my mother refused to buy the store bought, but she also didn't help us make our costumes. Obviously based upon my story.
My recent post Worst Halloween Costume Ever
Janine Huldie says
No my mom made it, but I seriously still not sure why she picked Laura Ingalls knowing I wasn't a fan. I totally remember Hobby Lobby and really loved your story. Thank you for linking up here today. Just so happy to have you join us!! π
lovingmarshall says
I was a witch every year, except for one year when I decided to be a veterinarian. WHAT? I was a weird kid. π
Linking up some funny stories about Trick or Treating from our little guy with some "guest" submissions from family and friends. Happy Halloween everyone!
My recent post The one where I post all of your funny Trick-or-Treat stories.
Janine Huldie says
Love that you went as a veterinarian and would love to have seen pictures of that. Thank you so much for linking up and joining us today, too!! π
Chris @HyeThymeCafe says
My Mom used to make most of our costumes too, but that never bothered me because made a lot of clothes for us anyhow. The funniest was a pink Easter dress she made for me one year. You can't really see it well because of the way I'm standing hunched up on crutches, but it was in a pic from one of my earlier #FTSF posts – http://hyethymecafe.blogspot.com/2013/05/finish-s…. Anyhow, I came home from school one day and walked into my bedroom to see a matching coin purse and fancy quilted fabric hanger and was totally impressed! I thought Mom had made those as well, but it was a huge coincidence that she saw them while out shopping LOL. I guess that fabric was big that year.
My recent post Overnight Tropical French Toast Casserole
Janine Huldie says
That is such an awesome coincidence and love that they all matched. Sounds like your mom was very talented and think we were both pretty lucky in that department π
Alana Terry says
Love doing theme costumes! We're doing our first family theme this year. I'm Dorothy and the boys are the scarecrow, tin woodman, and cowardly lion. Fun stuff!
Janine Huldie says
I know themed costumes are fun and yours sound so wonderful. Would love to see pictures, too!! π
stephsprenger says
OMG, those photos! I loved the one when you were a kid. My mom sucked at sewing, so I was totally the plastic costume kid. We should've swapped mamas for Halloween! π
My recent post Why I Always Wear Cat Ears on Halloween
Janine Huldie says
Stephanie, sounds like we should have totally swapped moms!! π
tamaralikecamera says
You're totally a Gryffindor! Always and forever.
We always do things as a family but this year is scattered more. We did Star Wars and LOST, of course and Doctor Who but I sat that year out due to pregnancy nausea.
So Scarlet will be Sofia. Des will be Clover. (adorable, right?) I will be a renaissance Snow White. And Cassidy will be the Doctor because sometimes time lords hang out with princesses and talking bunnies. I swear!
My recent post Anything Can Happen On Halloween.
Janine Huldie says
I think I may be through and through!! And I totally remember pregnancy nausea and don't miss that one bit! Emma is also going to be Sofia and swear those two would be best of friends if they met. And Lily is going to be Belle. Kevin and I aren't dressing up and just no fun I suppose!! π
kellylmckenzie says
Ok – I am so impressed you were able to come up with any photos of your childhood trick-or-treating days. Mine- if any were taken at all- are long gone.
Am loving that Harry Potter pic. I, too, went as Hermione in 2005. I knit up two scarves – one for me and one for Harry – that were maroon and gold; they are still in use today. I, too, have photos but they won't be made public. You see, I was also sporting a Hermione wig that somehow managed to make me look as if I'd instantly gained 10 pounds. Just delightful.
My recent post A Firecracker of A Hallowe’en
Janine Huldie says
Kelly, that was the only one I could find and was bummed I couldn't get my hands on more for this. I didn't do the wig I you could tell, but would have loved to have seen you with the wig and sure you didn't look like you gained 10lbs from it!! π
Dani Ryan says
My mum either made, or hired a seamstress to make, me a nurses costume every year. I'm not kidding. I hated it. But now that I'm a mom myself, I can see how much work went into the costumes.
Let's you and I agree we won't do that to our children. HA! π
Loved the pics!
My recent post 10 reasons mom-and-me classes suck
Janine Huldie says
Dani, I can totally make you that promise, because I don't know how to sew at all!! π
clark says
*love* the first photo (the Halloween Childhood Memories)! (If I may?)
clark, clark, roger, scott, scott, roger (l to r, of course)
lol…
My recent post Friday or Monday! Friday or Monday! the Wakefield Doctrine ( is it still a costume, if no one thinks you did anything different for the party?)
Janine Huldie says
I love how you have me as a Clark in this picture! Thanks Clark as always!! π
stephanie2006 says
I wish I could saw.. I really appreciate the invention of liquid thread π I think a chain saw or a bloody cleaver would go well with the Strawberry Shortcake mask… I make the Halloween costumes for the girls myself as well; so far, they haven't complained π
My recent post Halloween Memories
Janine Huldie says
Kind of glad I can't sew, because Kevin can and if I did it would be another thing that he would stop doing and I would have to do, lol! But seriously, you need to share the costume pictures that you make for the girls, because I am sue they are awesome!! π
Growing Up Madison says
OMgoodness I love the Halloween costumes. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan so I really love that. I've never played this before so here goes. One Halloween I decided to let the kids go trick or treating with relatives while I turned the lights off and pretended no one was home so I wouldn't be bothered by the doorbell. I left the candy on the steps so I guess I wasn't too bad. π
My recent post Review: Begin Again Toys
Janine Huldie says
I love that you did that and seriously wish I could do that sometimes, but then again I would miss seeing my girls reactions at this point to trick or treating. So glad you played along though and thanks so much!!! π
lizzy allan says
Great photos! You and Kevin are a very photogenic couple and I love your costumes! My guess is that you're the one with the pom poms in the photo from your childhood? I love looking through old photos π I never appreciated anything my mum every sewed for me either … we never really appreciate our mums until we become one ourselves do we? Lol. have a fantastic Halloween!
My recent post Once, on Halloween …
Janine Huldie says
Lizzy, thank you so much and you totally guessed right. I also love looking through old photos and did that a bit this week for this post and another I have going up next week. By the way, you are so right I didn't totally appreciate my mom until I did become one. Wishing you a fantastic Halloween, too!! π
lrconsiderer says
The Harry Potter costumes are awesome. And the Strawberry Shortcake mask is HIDEOUS! Thank goodness your mom was smart and kept you away!
My recent post Ten Things of Thankful #21
Janine Huldie says
Lizzi, I know my mom was truly so smart about that, but as a kid I couldn't see the forest for the trees on this!
Lisa says
The grass is always greener, right? If it's any consolation, I don't think I would have been into wearing a costume made by my mom either. That being said, if she needed something to keep her busy this year I would jump at the chance for some crafty costumes!:) Great pictures!
My recent post One Halloween I….
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much Lisa. Nice to know it wasn’t just me who wouldn’t have done this back in the day, but I know now I totally would, too! π
MelChi says
I love seeing all the halloween costumes, since we don't celebrate it here. I actually can't wait to see what sweet treats and things you do this year. As you know, last year was the first year we decided to have our own mini Halloween celebration. It was fun. Sweets, scary movies… all at home. We're doing it again this year, except we've invited some friends over. We'll start with American Horror Story and then watch one of the latest horror movies. I can't wait! That costume from Dumb and Dumber is awesome!!!
My recent post Week 1: Healthy Eating Experiment
Janine Huldie says
I love that you are celebrating Halloween Melanie and seriously sounds like such a fun night that you and Geoff have planned. Thanks as always and wishing you a great weekend ahead now!! π
Mary Belle says
Looking wonderful on all those photos Janine! You are one beautiful Can Can girl and you definitely pass for Hermione! π I wish we had trick or treat here in our place too.
Janine Huldie says
Awe, thanks so much Mary and it is really fun to go trick-or-treating, especially now with my kids that they are old enough!! π
ginnymarie says
My husband won't dress up for Halloween, so we have missed out on the cute Halloween costume pictures! My mom made all my costumes when I was little, too. My favorite one was my bat costume!
My recent post Halloween-y Crafts, Spin Cycle AND Ladies Only Blog Share
Janine Huldie says
We don't dress up now (probably should with the kids), but this was from before we had the kids. My husband had a blast doing it and one year we even went as the famous picture form Times Square of the nurse and soldier kissing at the start of WWII. Couldn't find that picture though and would love to have shared. And also love hearing that others moms made their costumes, too π
Katia says
I'm SO jealous of your adult Harry Potter 2005 party. That must have been SO much fun!!! My mom is an awesome cook and has lots of other traditionally "mom qualities" but she was not a seamstress, which made the Purim (our version of Halloween) when she made a costume for me very special. It was a cool costume too, a card, but I can't remember which one. Something of hearts π Fun post, as usual!
Janine Huldie says
Was it the Queen of Hearts? Sounded awesome though and really would have loved to have seen your costume. Thanks as always Katia and love that your mom made you that costume!! π
gigigirl says
Picked you out immediately in the group photo! This was fun to see Halloweens Past. Looking forward to seeing the girls in this year's costumes. Have a fun time. xxoo
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Aunt Gloria and glad you were indeed able to find me. Promise to take plenty of pictures of the girls on Thursday, too!! π xoxo!!
lsdavidson says
Love these photos ! Isn't it funny how nowadays everyone wants the "homemade" costume – at least my kids! No way would they wear a plastic mask!!
My recent post “Can Do” Guy
Janine Huldie says
I know it is truly ironic and funny that this is so the case nowadays and I so was the opposite back then. Thanks Leah!! π
Nellie says
I am loving the Harry Potter outfit the most!! But the ones of you back in the day are so awesome too. I think my favorite costume as a kid was being a cheerleader. I always had super girly outfits never anything scary!
My recent post Where The Party At?
Janine Huldie says
Nellie, I was always a girlie girl through and through, too. My older daughter is so me with that one!! π
cgacad says
you just made me laugh, janine. i was so tantrum-mad at my mom because she bought me a cheap costume from the drugstore with a PLASTIC mask while everyone else in my class had real home-made costumes. then to hear that you wanted a plastic mask. i'm cracking up, literally.
My recent post Why the San Francisco Bay Area is the Best Place to Live and Work
Janine Huldie says
That seriously is too funny and now I am laughing, too. Seriously, we could have switched!! π