Halloween in July: Summer Adventures & Antics for The Skeleton Crew

Join Rod and Rowena and their pups for some summer adventures and antics. They’re back in the garden deadheading, enjoying a weekend getaway, sharing their mutual love of dissectology and an easy recipe for their favorite summer cocktail.

Halloween in July: Summer Adventures & Antics for The Skeleton Crew #mountains #garden #hydrangeas #puzzles #halloween ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Instead of Christmas in July, I’m having some rib-tickling Halloween in July fun

with the skeleton crew! 🦴 💀 🦴

I *heart* Halloween skeleton t shirt and skeletons on the porch #halloween #skelliefun #humerus #skeletondog ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Long time readers know I love Halloween but if Halloween

isn’t your cup of tea, I apologize in advance. <|;>)

Black Hat Society Spooktacular Halloween Table with witch tea cup filled with candy treats #halloween #tablescape ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

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The Skeleton Crew help deadhead Endless Summer Hydrangeas in the garden #summer #flowers #hydrangeas #garden #skelliefun #halloween ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Rod and Rowena came out of the closet to help with deadheading

the Endless Summer Hydrangeas.

Rowena wearing apiary apron with bees to help deadhead hydrangeas #skeleton #garden #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Rowena says it was a job, but she’s just happy to be out of that stuffy closet!

She doesn’t have the stamina she used to have but

she’s blaming it on the summer heat . . .

The skeleton crew helping deadhead hydrangeas #skeleton #garden #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

The humidity has pushed the heat index into the triple digits,

and after just 20 minutes of deadheading in the garden,

she found herself soaked to the bone!

The skeleton crew helping with summer garden chores and deadheading hydrangeas #skeleton #garden #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Rod says there’s nothing like a little fresh air and sunshine to cure what ails ya!

Bee shovel and skeleton crew helping with summer garden chores #skeleton #garden #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

As a former beekeeper, Rod’s motto is ‘Bee Kind’ 🐝

Bee Kind shirt and bee on skeleton helping with summer garden chores #skeleton #garden #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Rod and Rowena decided to head for

North Carolina’s High Country

to escape the heat.

Blue Ridge Mountains North Carolina ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Just a two hour drive for a 15 degree drop in temperature

and lower humidity,

where they can drink in the scenery and cool off!

Cool off and drink in the scenery in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Rosé is Rowena’s summer tipple of choice!

She found some frozen peaches buried in the freezer that she’d forgotten about

and decided she and Rod should enjoy a Peach Frosé.

Easy Summer Peach Frosé Ingredients ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

If you’re not familiar with Frosé, it’s frozen rosé, with fruit added.

Rowena says it’s an adult slushie that’s very refreshing when it’s hot outside!

Skeleton Crew enjoying Peach Frosé in mountains #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun #puzzles ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

All you need is a blender, frozen peaches, a bottle of rosé and sweetener of choice!

Adjust the sweetness to suit your taste (and fruit) by adding agave nectar, honey or simple syrup.

Skeleton Crew enjoying summer cocktail, Peach Frosé #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun #puzzles ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Using frozen peaches will give you a daiquiri-like consistency

without diluting the flavor of your Frosé, unlike using ice and fresh fruit.

Rowena also loves a Summer Strawberry Frosé!

Rod and Rowena enjoying Peach Frosé in mountains #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun #puzzles ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Rescue pups, Bona Lisa and Bone-ita are good riders and

go everywhere with Rod and Rowena. . .

"Bona Lisa" skeleton dog #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Bona Lisa visited to the mountains with Rod and Rowena for some

Fall Leaf Peeping Fun

a few years ago, but this is the first trip for Bone-ita.

"Bone-ita" skeleton dog #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Rod and Rowena are puzzle enthsiasts, aka, dissectologists!

Skeleton Crew working Halloween jigsaw puzzle #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

They spent most of the pandemic working puzzles to pass the time

while they were stuck at home and still enjoy having a puzzle around to work!

Skeleton Crew working Halloween jigsaw puzzle #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Rowena’s convinced working jigsaw puzzles has helped slow

their cognitive decline and improve their short-term memory!

Skeleton crew working jigsaw puzzles #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Working puzzles is Rod’s super power!

He won’t stop until the puzzle is complete.

Skeleton crew working jigsaw puzzle and I love North Carolina White Mountain Puzzle #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

He favors White Mountain Collage Puzzles

like this I Love North Carolina Puzzle

Rod wearing NC fishing hat #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

And of course Halloween puzzles!

🎃👻🍬🦇💀🧡

Skeleton Crew working Halloween jigsaw puzzle #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

White Mountain Puzzle Jack O Lanterns #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Rowena enjoys working puzzles but her eyesight isn’t what it used to be. . .

The skeleton crew working jigsaw puzzles #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

She gets a headache from eye strain if she doesn’t wear her glasses.

Rowena wearing glasses to prevent eye strain from working jigsaw puzzles #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

She’s more inclined to work longer on a puzzle if the subject matter has some appeal!

She loved working this Buffalo Games – Aimee Stewart Garden Books Puzzle

Buffalo Games Aimee Stewart Garden Books Puzzle #puzzles ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

As well as this garden seeds puzzle.

White Mountain Garden Seeds Puzzle #puzzles ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

And enjoys puzzles with fall scenes as in this

White Mountain – Cider Mountain General Store Puzzle.

White Mountain Cider Mountain General Store Puzzle #puzzles ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Vermont Christmas Company Camping for Christmas

was more challenging than she anticipated!

Vermont Christmas Company Camping for Christmas Puzzle #puzzles ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

She and Rod both enjoy working

Charles Wysocki Cat Puzzles

 with all the cute details!

Charles Wysocki Cat Puzzle #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Charles Wysocki Cat Puzzle #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

The skeleton crew visits the mountains to escape the summer heat and work puzzles #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun #puzzles ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

In the summer Rod and Rowena both say:

“The mountains are calling, and I must go!”

Rod and Rowena visit the mountains to escape the summer heat and work puzzles #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun #puzzles ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

 I hope Rod and Rowena tickled your funny bone today!

🦴 💀  🦴 💀

White Mountain Puzzle Jack O Lanterns #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

More Halloween in July fun for Rod and Rowena:

The Skeleton Crew Goes for a Pontoon Ride

Rowena is a self-declared ‘Pontoon Queen’ and is all about enjoying lake life! #skeleton #halloweeninjuly #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

More mountain adventures with Rod and Rowena:

The Skeleton Crew Visits the Mountains for Some Fall Leaf Peeping Fun

Rod and Rowena go leaf peeping in Blue Ridge Mountains #skeletons #fall #halloween #skelliefun ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

And cool off here:

Weekend Mountains Views + Escaping the Heat

Weekend Mountain Views Blue Ridge Mountains North Carolina #rhododendron #barn #sunset #mountains ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Hope you’re finding a way to beat the heat. ♥

Sunrise Blue Ridge Mountains North Carolina ©homeiswheretheboatis.net

Thank you for your visit, sharing with:

 Between Naps on the Porch


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  28 comments for “Halloween in July: Summer Adventures & Antics for The Skeleton Crew

  1. Cindi
    July 19, 2024 at 7:09 am

    Oh Mary..I so love Halloween and Rod and Rowena and their pups brought a smile to my heart! Going to run out later this am and get some Rose as I too found a bag of frozen peaches when sorting through the freezer yesterday . It has temporarily cooled down here in Virginia….high is only 84 today! Peace.

  2. Jen H
    July 19, 2024 at 7:37 am

    Anytime is a good time for Halloween inspiration! The frozen peach rose sounds and looks yummy!Thanks for sharing.

  3. Joyce
    July 19, 2024 at 7:43 am

    Thanks for such a “cool” post!
    Always happy to see Rod and Rowena with their tipples…
    And I also found some frozen peaches…now to pick up some rose’
    And tipple the afternoon away….

  4. Kari
    July 19, 2024 at 8:18 am

    Mary, You are so creative and have so much energy that I am tired just thinking of ANY moving around and setting up during this heat spell. What fun to take off for the mountains and to have such delightful friends to keep you company like Rod and Rowena and their boney pups. I was glad to see your Halloween friends managed to show up to help you in the garden (out of season) as they really need to earn their keep and hiding in the closet so much of the time will only make them even more pale. I’m sure they think they are working/wasting away to nothing as they toil in this heat.
    I love working puzzles and have several White Mountain boxes stacked up and ready to go whenever I find a lull in my routine. 🥴 Have a cooler July as we have received weather reports saying it will be a bit cooler here in Florida, and if today is any indication that might be true.

  5. Margaret M Amis
    July 19, 2024 at 8:25 am

    Thank made my morning – I too love Halloween – Thank You!

  6. Susan
    July 19, 2024 at 8:58 am

    Love, love, love reading about Rowena and Rod’s antics! (And Halloween 👻) Thanks for the smiles today!

  7. July 19, 2024 at 9:06 am

    So much fun Mary! Rod and Rowena deserve a vacation break after all their gardening in the heat! So nice you could get away from the heat and go to the mountains and enjoy your favorite summer cocktail and puzzles. I’m afraid Halloween will be here before we know it the way the days seem to be flying by~ Our temps have dropped a little and we’ve had some rain, but it’s so humid the insides of my windows are fogged up!
    Jenna

  8. Marcia
    July 19, 2024 at 9:26 am

    Love Rod and Rowena and all things Halloween!

  9. Donna
    July 19, 2024 at 9:49 am

    So very funny and creative……like the dress-up to the 9s.

  10. July 19, 2024 at 9:50 am

    A wonderful post Mary. I love Halloween so this fits my fancy. Rod and Rowena certainly deserved a nice vacation away from this heat. Working puzzles does keep the brain active and functioning. I can relate to Rowen’s loss of eye sight. I recently found out I have a cataract. The bony pups are part of the family so they definitely needed to be part of the getaway. I admire your dedication to providing your readers with lots of fun. A child at heart.❤️

  11. Clara
    July 19, 2024 at 9:56 am

    Oh, Mary I love seeing Rod, Rowena, and the pups anytime! Halloween is always fun. Puzzles are relaxing to do and the brands you chose have beautiful options. The mountains are always a nice respite along with a boat ride on the lake. Hope you have a Happy Weekend! Clara❤️

  12. Dorinda Selke
    July 19, 2024 at 10:14 am

    Mary ~ you made my morning ! When I saw Rod and Rowena I said to myself “Yippee”! I always just love them but this one just takes the cake! So colorful, festive and creative ! Loving the puzzles too. Hugs, Dorinda

  13. Beverly E.
    July 19, 2024 at 10:16 am

    So cute! I love Rod & Rowena and Halloween. The high here in coastal GA is 93 with high humidity. That Frose’ looks so good… I think a trip to the market will be on my “to do” list today!

  14. Pam
    July 19, 2024 at 10:23 am

    Would you please send Rod and Rowena to deadhead my garden and pull weeds? Mary this post is fun, entertaining, and creative. Even though Halloween is not my favorite, I can’t help but enjoy your love for October 31…it is contagious! The puzzles are all amazing and the adult slushie looks delicious and perfect for these hot summer days. I know the couple and their pooches were thankful to have summer fun and to escape a stuffy closet! Wishing you a Happy Friday, stay cool!

  15. Karen
    July 19, 2024 at 10:26 am

    Wow, Rod and Rowena are so dehydrated from the summer heat they look bone dry!

  16. Darlene Gardner
    July 19, 2024 at 12:01 pm

    Mary, this is adorable! I love it when Rod and Rowena get out of the closet. I too love Halloween so this is such a cute idea. Thankful for the cooler mountain air. Are you at the Blowing Rock end or Asheville end if our mountains?

  17. Ricki Treleaven
    July 19, 2024 at 12:18 pm

    I am such a scaredy cat. Halloween is my least favorite for that reason, unless we’re only talking about PSL and candy corn. That’s it. That’s the extent of Halloween for me! *giggles*

    • Rita C.
      July 19, 2024 at 5:49 pm

      Hilarious! Pass me a peach slushie, please. We definitely need to keep our minds sharp, so it’s good to see Rod & Rowena working all those great puzzles. It sure beats deadheading in this heat. It literally made me nauseous today, and it wasn’t even in triple digits like it’s been. Halloween’s looking like a great prospect right now! Enjoy the mountains.

  18. July 19, 2024 at 9:07 pm

    I recently completed a puzzle, a small one, but a difficult one. I agree with Rowena, working on these puzzles is good for the brain. I also agree with staying inside where it’s cool. I spend early morning out in the garden dead heading and weeding. It’s exhausting after a short time. I agree escaping to the mountains is wise, and I hope to do just that myself sometime this summer. As for Rowena and Rod, I’m all for following along with their adventures. I’m a Halloween fan as well!

  19. Terri E
    July 20, 2024 at 11:11 am

    Mary, so happy that Rod and Rowena and pups were able to head for the hills for some relaxation before the busy Halloween season!
    I think about Halloween year round. I love it!
    Finally cooler here in northwest Georgia with some much needed rain.
    It’s peach season and we freeze bushels to enjoy year round. We freeze them in brown paper bags. Then just pull out, run under cold water and the skin slips off and tastes so fresh. Your recipe looks delicious!

  20. July 20, 2024 at 6:07 pm

    I always love seeing and reading about the antics of Rod and Rowena and their pups. You bring such joy, Mary. The frozen drinks do look so refreshing and the puzzles are beautiful. It’s good to know that putting their minds and fingers to good use. Here’s hoping that you and your skeleton crew had a cool, relaxing mountain vacation. ♥️

  21. Kim
    July 22, 2024 at 2:42 pm

    Thanks for some rib-tickling fun Mary! Rod and Rowena’s antics and adventures are always such fun and I adore the boney pups. I’m glad you were able to escape to the mountains for some cooler weather – seems it’s been hot everywhere. I was in HomeSense on Saturday and they already had one aisle of Halloween stuff out so it really is Halloween in July! Stay cool down there!

  22. Debbie
    July 22, 2024 at 4:37 pm

    Adorable post. Halloween is my favorite holiday as well. Very uncomfortable in Missouri as well. An escape in either direction is a two day drive to and from. Bring on all the fall fun.

  23. Victoria
    July 28, 2024 at 7:40 pm

    Mary. Would love to see your storage area for all your wonderful decor. Every post is amazing. Tfs cheers

  24. Cyndi Raines
    August 1, 2024 at 12:49 pm

    Such a cute post! That’s a lot of work changing their wardrobe and setting up such great scenes. You are so creative. Enjoyed seeing all the unique puzzles. Thanks Mary. I hope to make it next year to Blowing Rock, didn’t get to see that when I visited your lovely state in 2018. Want to visit south Carolina next spring.

  25. Rosemary
    August 2, 2024 at 8:59 pm

    Mary, thank you for your personable and instructional posts! I happily anticipate each one, especially ones dedicated to our change of seasons and the creative ideas and yummy recipes you share. As I’ve never used Agave in the past, would you please give me an idea how much to begin with in your Strawberry or Peach Frosé recipe? Thank you!

    • August 3, 2024 at 7:28 am

      Hi Rosemary, It depends on how sweet your peaches/strawberries are and also on how dry your rosé is. I probably used 1/4 – 1/3 cup of agave nectar for a blender of Frosé. Start with a small amount and taste to see if you need to sweeten more. Thank you for your visits and sweet comment. ♥

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