The leaves are starting to change where I am, and the nights grow longer and colder across the plains. The deer are retreating deeper into the woods with furtive glances across the now harvested fields that they recently dined on. The joy of returning to school and seeing friends has quickly sublimated to the normal malaise that children feel about school. Soon, the day will come that makes the coming of winter bearable.  Soon, my friends, it will be Hallowe'een!

I know, I know, you've got more than a month! Been to Wal-Mart lately? You'd think the day of the dead was tomorrow.

So let's crawl into our creature factories, into our lairs of laughter and mayhem and get to work on the great work of scaring kids and adults alike! In good fun of course. Here are some of my favourite sites of great free Halloween projects for plans and inspiration!

Monsterlist of Halloween Projects

Not only does this site have the biggest logo, it has to be the most comprehensive list of fiendish files to get your creative juices flowing, or oozing. Currently, they have over 850 active links to peoples' free Halloween projects for you to peruse.

You'll love the fact that they have a key for these projects as well. Beside the link and description, you'll find one or more of the following icons. They'll help you to determine if this project is what you are looking for, or if it may be too complex or *gasp* dangerous!

• 

  denotes a new project link on the list

• 

  shows that the prop is static or doesn't move

• 

  means that the prop DOES move - cool

• 

  represents an advanced project - it may be dangerous to build

• 

  tells you that there are detailed instructions, maybe a schematic and a parts list

• 

  lets you know there are pictures of the project in progress

• 

  shows that there is video of the prop in action, maybe scaring the snickers out of someone

If you can't find an inspiring project here, there's a few more sites I'd like to show you.

ScaryGuys

With a pleasantly designed website and equally pleasant presentations, ScaryGuys bring you some professional haunted house techniques. A few of the tutorials also have high quality video included.

You may be surprised how simple some of these props are. Yet they can be devastatingly effective! I really like the Dropping Portrait effect. So simple. So excellent! If you really like the results of the free Halloween projects you do from this site, they also offer a few instructional DVD's for sale.

Costume Idea Zone

You've got the front lawn covered in ghouls and gravestones now, but what about you? Are you just going to stand out there in your sansabelt slacks, hush puppies and polo shirt? Kind of kills the mood there, party pooper. You got to get decked out! Costume Idea Zone is a, well, zone with, um, costume ideas. Really, do I have to explain it?

Beyond just costume ideas, there are some thoughts on costume design for couples, teens, groups and other situations. While you're checking this out, check out their sub-site Candid Costume. This hot-or-not style site gives people the opportunity to show off their creations and have you rate them.

There's one small thing missing, isn't there? Hmm, maybe it's the...

ExtremePumpkins

As the site says, "Pumpkin carving has been reborn. This time it's a little bit deformed."

You'll find everything you need to know, or maybe didn't need to know, on the nouveau art of the pumpkin, such as using power tools, pyrotechnics (yep, fire and explosions) free patterns and design strategies. My greatest strategy was remembering two eyes, a nose and mouth and not cutting myself.

Even if you're no Rodin, go check out the galleries at the very least. I don't know Art, but I know I likes me some cool pumpkins!

Halloween Recipes 101

What is Halloween really about? Is about the day of the dead? Is it about a pagan festival or celebrating our ancestors? Is it even about being scary and spooky? Heck no! It's the food! Snacks, treats, candy, om nom nom.....

Which is why I present you with Halloween Recipes 101. Most of these recipes appear pretty easy to do, quick to make and they all honour Halloween traditions. You'll find a section devoted to apples and even a home-made candy corn recipe! Seriously retro, thus cool. Of course, you can't give out homemade Halloween candy to kids, but feel free to dish it out at your party.

Now is the time to prepare, my fiends. Halloween doesn't happen overnight! Okay, maybe it does. But getting ready for it doesn't.

Do you have a special recipe or devious plan for your Halloween? Had a particularily spooky experience? Want to show us photos from your scary set-up? Let us know in the comments below. Or maybe we'll be knocking at your door...nothing scary than geek writers at the door. Mwa hahaha ha!