The Burning of Guy Fawkes

In England, the 5th of November is commemorated each year with fireworks and bonfires culminating with the burning of effigies of Guy Fawkes.  Guy Fawkes was a Catholic terrorist who plotted to blow up the British Houses of Parliament and King James I, the Protestant King of England (on Nov. 5, 1605).  On the very night the Gunpowder Plot was foiled, bonfires were set alight to celebrate the safety of the King.  Hence, it has become known as Bonfire Night.

Remember, remember the 5th of November
the Gunpowder Treason and plot,
I see no reason why Gunpowder Treason
should ever be forgot.

We remembered.  (Although we wished we would have remembered back in July when fireworks were on sale...) Still, we managed to pull together the other traditions - a bonfire, good food, friends and even a 'guy.'
Traditionally, the 'guys' are made by children by filling old clothes with crumpled newspapers to look like a man. Then they display their 'guys' to passers-by and ask for "A penny for the guy."  We modified a little bit - I sewed the Guy from an old bed sheet, then let the kids decorate him with fabric markers and stuff him with newspaper.

It was all in good fun, though once the flames really got going we couldn't help but discuss the absolutely evil torture of death by fire...  Oh well, who wants a hot dog?

Halloween 2011

We celebrated Halloween with friends from England who were here buying a house (also employed with Caterpillar).  One of our neighbors put together a hay ride and pulled the kids through the neighborhood for trick-or-treating.  With all the homes being on acre + size lots, this saved a lot of walking and was good fun for the kiddies to all be together.  We have great neighbors! 

Emily = Hermione Grainger (Harry Potter's wizarding friend)

Amy = ladybug