#AtoZChallenge - Halloween!

Welcome to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge for 2026!

My theme this year is simply things that I’m grateful for.

It’s a broad and varied theme but was surprisingly easy to fill in each letter!

I was going to use "health" as my H letter, but seeing as how I currently weigh more than I did when I started Weight Watchers many moons ago - I chose not to use it. 

I can't believe I didn't choose "Halloween" to begin with anyway!

I've mentioned before - Halloween is my favorite holiday / time of the year.  

The Cemetery I put in my yard is called the Maple Grove Cemetery

There are also videos on YouTube - @maplegrovecemetery48317

Let's look at the evolution thru the years. 

I started it in 2008.

How quaint. 

I got a couple 4'x8' sheets of plywood and cut out the headstones.

Which, by the way - are still being used!

Daytime photos because other than the ghost blowmold, no lights!

2009 I made a coffin that the Spawn still fits in.

I didn't get painted until the next summer, tho.   

My dad passed away in late October, so this was put on hold. 

2010 brought my first inhabitants

and also the first lights in the form of 2 green floodlights out in the yard. 

2011

The Cemetery has a name!

2012 was the beginning of my skeleton addiction.

2013 brought the fence - too many kids were cutting across the neighbor's yard and right thru the cemetery.

Granted there weren't a LOT of lights out there yet, but there were a few extension cords out there that were mostly buried in leaves by the time trick or treat came around. 

2014 - a new sign (formerly known as a twin sized headboard)

The blowmolds were growing in numbers and were officially delegated to this side of the driveway so they didn't drown out the cemetery. 

2015

2016 was the first "theme" - a Masquerade Ball

the skeletons were dressed up and I made the first playlist. 

2017 I got the horse (and the pony, but not until the night before Halloween - so he just sort of stood out there.  This little section was the fox hunt. 

2018 began the vehicle section of the cemetery

The Spawn wrecked a Ford and then a Pontiac almost exactly a year later. 

The theme was "trick or treating"

We also built the shack.  The Spouse (my idea man) usually stays out of my way, but when I ask for specific help, he jumps right in.  I saw that window on the side of the road on trash day and went back to grab it.  The shack is designed for the window to be removed, then the sides fold in for storage.  

2019 - the first of the farm yard critters!

Which meant a hillbilly type theme.

The beagle silhouette is in memory of our beagle who had crossed the rainbow bridge the previous winter.  He had been out there "helping" me set up every year.  It was tough without him!

2020 I had a new helper!

So the grandkids will always expect to help out!

The theme this year was "family reunion"

2021 put the "Fun in funeral" 

The inspiration was from the orange funeral car flag that I saw on the side of the road one morning - and of course turned around to pick up - shown here on the horse's bridle. 

2022 - I'm really liking how the lights look now. 

LEDs for the win!

Official themes sort of fizzled out.

Helper #2 was only 2 weeks old for H'ween 2021

She's learning!

2023 - the 15th anniversary!

There's a whole lot more critters now - goats, pigs, geese, chickens & ducks!

2024 - I rather like that the trees don't drop their leaves until mid-November so the lights reflect up off of them. 

2025 - I've liked the light situation better the last couple years.  

Clearly something I need to work on for 2026

This was also the first year I stood out there and noted that it was rater "busy" with all the 

I also fell victim to Tractor Supply this year - spent an embarrassing amount of money there, but they had a great bunch of new critters, including the horse on the right side!

I added a possum with 5 babies, a handful of racoon babies (since I already had 3 big ones) a giant pig, a giant goose, a snake, a longhorn steer and a wheelbarrow. 

I have a notebook where I keep track of purchases, as well as where I jot down thoughts & ideas for the coming year.  It's useful to look back and see what I've done and need to do.