Victorian Murder Mystery

Ive never been a fan of watching scary movies to celebrate

halloween (mainly cause I scare really easy) but I also love

all the fun decor and treats that this holiday can offer. Halloween

strangely enough, is one of my favorite holidays. So to celebrate

this year I hosted a Victorian murder mystery.

I ordered the mystery details offline but I added my own

creative touches to them. This is what the invites I designed

looked like. They included everybody's characters and the

story background.

On the receiving table I made eatable magnifying glasses,

name tags, and cameo chokers for the ladies.

I found victorian halloween photographs online that

I printed and displayed along with a few of those photos

that change from a normal portrait to a creepy face as

you move past them. I carved the pumpkins with silhouettes

and put fake candles in them.

I was giddy happy as all the characters started to arrive in full

costume, everyone looked fabulous.

I created specimen jars out of apothecary jars, colored water,

and veggies.

The food was spooky and delectable.

I loved the new recipes that we tried which were

the fungus cheese tart and the devils on horseback

(prunes wrapped in maple glazed bacon)

I carved stamps out of wax of a man, a woman,

and a crow. I used back food coloring to stamp

the silhouettes on circles of fondant to top off my

red velvet cupcakes.

we had a black light virgin cocktail bar. Tonic water

glows under black lights so we made it an ingredient

in all the drinks. Black licorice straws and black sugared

rims added a spooky flare.

Within the first few minutes George Sweet dies.

Nick played his character and performed an awesome

death scene. Here is everyones reaction to the death.

Kate "Jardine" seems a little too thrilled at the sight.

Haha.

I moved the story along as every half hour I released new

evidence and instructions. The guests were given varying

amounts of money to use to bribe each other into giving

information. There was also a prize for the holder of the most

money. One of the challenges to make more money was to perform

a spontaneous music number in front of the group. Kate played the

piano, Angie sang "I like big butts" opera style, and Josh made up a

rap about a couple of the guests at the party.

There was a reading of a will, autopsy reports, medical records,

and news paper articles to take notes on.

During tea (crio bru and spiced concord grape juice) the

guests gave their hypothesis'.

Josh won the prize for solving the mystery,

Kelly got a prize for being the murderer (Gasp!),

and Kate won the prize for making the most money.

There were multiple love triangles among the characters

(which proved hard when issuing everybodys' characters

because I didn't want any awkward moments as the people

got into character) and there was a prize for the first

public profession of love and marriage proposal.

Angie and Bear won that prize.

There were two mug prizes, one was a silhouette of a

man that turned into a werewolf when hot water was poured

into it, and the other was a woman that turned into a

skeleton when hot.

the scandalous maids.

love how Josh and Crystal posed themselves.

The deceased George Sweet's three wives,

I was the lawyer and Reece was the inspector.

Look who done it!

Pumpkin Man Tri

Team "Madison Weight" has been training for the pumpkinman

tri all summer long, waking up at 5 every morning to go running

and then lift weights right after.

We all drove down to Vegas for the event. We were a little surprised

and a little unprepared to find out that the course had two transition

areas. We were able to locate the second one and set up our running

gear but we were going to have to find the first one in the morning

before the race. We loaded up on carbs with dinner at the Cheesecake

factory that night. In the morning we were scrambling to try to find

the starting line. We showed up late and a few of our divisions waves

had already gone. We rushed to get all our stuff out of the car and

get ready. I whipped out my gear, ran to set up my bike, then ran

(while pulling on my wet suit) to the water where the 40 and older

womens division had just set off. I caught up to them and had a

great swim. I got out of the water and to my bike to find out

I had made a big mistake... I had left my helmet in the car, and

Reece had the keys. I knew the race wouldnt let me ride without a

helmet so I had to wait till Reece got out of the water after his swim.

I must have missed him cause I waited till almost everyone had

left the area. I had no decision than to get disqualified. I had to

chase after the last car leaving (which happened to be part of the

airforce team) and hitch a ride to the second transition area.

I got to the area and changed into my running shoes just in

time to see the Weights ride in after biking. Turns out

they had missed their swimming times and just started with

the biking. So we set out to run the last leg all together.

It was a very fun run. All we could do about the mishaps

earlier was laugh. Reece was the only one that did the

olympic distance so we waited to cheer him on at the finish

line. Reece did awesome! He did ALL the legs and did such a

great job. All in all it was a fun race and we learned a lot.

We hope to do this tri again and finish it right.

We then drove to the strip where we checked into THEhotel,

took naps, then got all dressed up for a night in the town.

We started the night out with shopping.

Then had dinner at a restaurant that I have wanted to eat

at for years. MIX at the Mandalay bay. The decor is amazing

and so chic.

The food was wonderful. Modern American.

The to the stratosphere to ride all the rides on top. Its my first time.

Then to freemont street to see all the lights.

Races are so fun, Im so happy when doing them.

And that high makes everything after fun too.

Cant wait till we do another one.