Category Archives: My Favorite Things

February 18, 2014 · 6:44 pm

How wonderful….blog awards!

Merry Meet my friends!  I sure hope that all of you are surviving this Winter we are having! Seems like no matter where you live, you are having colder, wetter, snowier, windier and icier weather this year!  (not sure those are all real words but you know what I mean LOL)   I love Winter as you all know and I still do. I think this amazing weather we’re having is Mother Earth making an adjustment for some of the mild Winters we’ve had in the past several years.  At least where I live that is the case.  It’s a good thing 🙂  Spring will come….really…it will!!

I’m posting today because I was honored to receive two blog awards…both awards awarded to me by two different friends and fellow bloggers!  I was thrilled!!  The first friend, Vickie Lesperance over at this blog http://www.aoibhealslair.com/not-just-one-but-two-awards/

and then my friend Johanna Lawson over at this blog http://johanna-villagewisewoman.blogspot.com/2014/02/its-major-award-or-two.html both honored me with the awards.  Thank you so much to both of you!!! Hugs!!!  Oh and to my readers, if you aren’t familiar with these blogs, you might want to be 🙂 They are wonderful!!

Now, my job is to do what the awards ask me to do….and then pass them on to other bloggers I feel are deserving of them.  So here goes.

abc-award

For the Awesome Blog Award….I am supposed to use the entire alphabet to tell you things that are important to me..things I love etc.  So here goes:

A –       Autumn…my very favorite time of the year!

B-        Books Books Books!

C-        Cats! Especially mine!

D-       Daughters…I have two of them and they are my Life!

E-        Earth….as in Mother Earth…also my element

F-        Friends…..they make my world go round

G-        Grandkids!  I have three of them and they bring me so much Joy!

H-        Herbs!  All things herbs!

I-          Illumination

J-         Jim….my husband of 34 years

K-         Kindness

L-         Lilacs and Lavender!

M-        our Moon!!

N-         Night!

O-         October!

P-          Pizza!

Q-         Quiet

R-         Rocks and Crystals!!

S-         Sunrises and Sunsets

T-         Truth and Honesty

U-         Uplifted

V-         Violet Purple!

W-        Witches!!

X-         XOXOXO    hugs and kisses

Y-         Yarn!!

Z-         Zinnias!

Wow..that was easier then I thought and I could have done a lot more things under some of those letters 🙂

sunshine-award

Ok….the next award is the Sunshine Blogger Award.  For this award I am to tell you 11 facts about myself. Oh boy….

1.  I have an Etsy shop where I sell bath, body and healing products I make from herbs…which as I said above..I adore!  Here’s the link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/verbenalaneshoppe

2.  Speaking of herbs…I am studying to get my herbalist certificate thru Rosemary Gladstar’s home study course.

3.  I adore the Smoky Mountains….my soul just soars when I’m there.

4.  I have been a Witch all my life but didn’t know it until about 15 years ago. I continue to learn and grow and LOVE my Path everyday!

5.  My greatest regret is only having 2 children.

6.  I am a registered nurse but retired early when I was 42.

7.  I am nuts about the Outlander series books!

8.  I would love to open a book store/coffee shop

9.  I was a dancer and baton twirler up til I was about 18.

10. My friends and family mean the world to me.

11.  I need to work on spending more Me time!

Ok….now you ALL know me better.  Now, I’m to pass on these awards.  I have chosen these blogs!

Gaia Speaks……http://angeliqueautumnspeaks.blogspot.com/

Southern Fried Witch ….. http://southernkitchenwitch.com/

Mid Stride Moxie…… http://midstridemoxie.blogspot.com/

Old Ways……..   http://oldways.com/

Pagan Culture……http://pagan-culture.blogspot.com/

For my nominees….I very much enjoy your blogs!! Thank you!!  If you want to participate and pass it on…just copy the award pictures to your blog…do what I did for the rules…and pass it on 🙂

While I’m at it…I want to thank my readers from the bottom of my heart!  I have nearly 470 followers and over 122,000 hits and today was my 4th year anniversary of blogging!!   Thank you so much!! You all inspire me to write.  Please continue to comment, say hello, tell me what’s going on with you..I really enjoy it!

Hope you all have a great rest of the week!!

Blessings and Love, Autumn

 

12 Comments

Filed under Award, My Favorite Things, Thank You!, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , ,

September 20, 2013 · 5:21 pm

The Harvest Moon and Mabon 2013…..

The Harvest Moon hangs round and high
It dodges clouds high in the sky,
The stars wink down their love and mirth
The Autumn season is giving birth.
 ~Pearl N. Sorrels

Merry Meet!  I hope this post finds all of you well and looking forward to the start of my favorite season…Autumn!!  I am so happy that it’s upon us.  In the last week or so, except for today and yesterday, we have had a taste of Autumn weather. And after a couple of Summer-like days, it is going to rain and bring in the cool weather again this evening.  I love it!!  There is something about the end of a long, wonderful Summer..when the weather starts subtly changing, the nights get longer, the gardens are about finished up, and you can open the windows and air out the house again. 🙂 My energy level increases, my soul lifts and my mind turns to Fall activities!

Last week I was in Florida, a vacation for just my hubby and I, and my Sea Witch self had a wonderful time.  I had the pleasure of meeting up with a Witchy Sister and we hung out on the beach, feet in the sand and talked and talked. It was exactly as I knew it would be! True sisters in heart and Spirit (love you Dory!)  Hubby and I did the same thing, every day and night, watching as the Harvest Moon waxed to Full over the beach.  It was just perfect!  I was home for Full Moon and Her pull was the same.  No matter where I am, She is beautiful and magickal. 🙂

Now we move on to Mabon..on Sun day.  My Circle will be meeting here at my house for some feasting, fire, and making corn dollies.  I’m making veggie soup and chili, bread and we’ll have wine and grapes and apples  to celebrate the end of Summer’s bounty and the Harvest of it.  The magick and love will flow between my Sisters and the Goddess who is always with us!

My gardens are pretty much finished for the year. I have a few peppers still growing and my garlic is coming up but otherwise they are finished.  Rosemary and lavender is still doing well in the garden beds but all the rest of my herbs are harvested and hung to dry.  The flower beds are still in bloom and looking great, we have some time with them yet 🙂 I plan on planting Spring bulbs soon as there are none in our new yard and there are lots of places to put them! How are your gardens doing?

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

So now my thoughts turn to Autumn….of sweaters and jackets, crisp, clear nights and breezy, blue sky days. Brilliant color on the trees and harvested, fallow fields.  Chipmunks and squirrels gathering, birds migrating.  Of woodsmoke and gold/red flames, cider and apples, pumpkins and mums, walks with leaves crunching underfoot, and the Sun rising late and setting early, casting longer shadows and of the Moon, oh our lovely Moon, shining bright on an ink black, starry sky. *sigh*…there is nothing like this Season in my mind.

“Autumn:  bright flame before winter’s deadness; harvest; orange, gold, amber; cool nights and the smell of fire. Our tree-lined streets are set ablaze, our kitchens filled with the smells of nostalgia: apples bubbling into sauce, roasting squash, cinnamon, nutmeg, cider, warmth itself. The leaves, as they spark into wild color just before they die, are the world’s oldest performance art. Everything we see is celebrating one last violently hued hurrah before the black and white and silence of winter. Fall is begging for us to dance and sing and write with just the same drama and blaze.” ~Shauna Niequist

Pretty much sums it up for me 🙂  How about you?  For past postings on Mabon, including recipes etc…just type in Mabon on the search box on the right side of my blog. There are lots of great things in my past postings, including about what Mabon is all about etc.  I’ll be back soon to tell you about something fun I’ve the pleasure of being a part of.  In the meantime, make the most of the First day of Autumn.  It’s after all, about Balance…day equals night.  Stop and think about your life..is it in balance?  Does something need fixed?  Mabon is a great time to focus on that and make some changes if it isn’t!  Many Blessings to you all! Have a great Harvest festival!

Blessings and Love,

Autumn

8 Comments

Filed under Autumn, Flowers, Full Moons, Gardens, Goddess, Holiday, Mabon, My Favorite Things, Nature, Ocean or beach, Quote, Seasons

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , ,

January 19, 2013 · 5:15 pm

Simmering Magick…….

imagesCASSB72UHello again my friends!  Yep…it’s me…back again..2 days in a row.  Hope your Saturn Day is going great!  Mine is!  It’s gorgeous out…Sunny, blue blue sky, and in the mid 40’s.  I have spent the day Kitchin Witchin and thought I’d share with you one of the things I love to do to bring magick into my home.

I have several cauldrons for stove top cooking… potje pots!  I just love them.  One was a gift from my daughter Sara and recently I got  a smaller one….Size 1 I believe if you look up the pots.  Perfect for making simmering herbs and spices on the stovetop.  I have done this for years…like 20 years!  Some of you may have done it too.  Mostly at Yule I would imagine.  You know….you put water in a pot on the stove..set on low.  Add apple cider, orange and lemon slices, cinnamon and clove etc…smells like Wassail or a clove-studded orange all over the house….Love it!!  I had a simmering pot going when perspective home buyers came thru my home I was selling recently as well.  I got a LOT of feedback on how great the house smelled!

In recent years I have taken it a step further….adding herbs and other spices..using their magickal properties to make a simmering pot of magick. Whether to calm the house, banish negativity, energize, protect. For abundance or prosperity or health.  This morning I put together a pot just for calm, relaxation, peace and threw in some protection as well.

003

 

I started with water….and if you keep the pot going all day, you’ll have to add more along the way.  In the bottom I place a couple of small crystals..a clear quartz and an amethyst.  Now be careful with this…The heat can ruin crystals..I put in small pieces that it won’t bother me if they are no good anymore.  Next..just for scent..I added slices of citrus fruits..orange, lemon, grapefruit lime..whatever you like.  I had a lemon and a pink grapefruit in the house so thats what I used.  Apples are great too..especially if you cut them sideways to show the pentacle in the center!  Then I just added in spices and herbs that did what I wanted the simmer pot to do.  I added in cinnamon sticks, cloves, lavender, chamomile and rosemary this morning.  The combination smells divine and in the process it banishes negativity, calms and soothes, protects and brings a sense of Peace to the whole house.  Say a few words over the pot, to manifest what you want it to do for you.  Stir in a pentacle and you’re good to go!!

Try it sometime.  If you want a reference….Mrs. B’s Guide to Household Witchery by Kris Bradley…. has a lot of recipes for this very thing.  I was thrilled when I got her book to see them.  It’s such an easy way to bring magick into your home.  As I said yesterday..my Craft is most magickal when it’s simple and easy.

Oh..here is the link for the potje pots!  You can get them thru Amazon and other sites too.

http://potjiepotusa.com/potjie-pots-plat-flat-bottom-best-duty.html

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!  Make it magickal!!

Blessings and Love, Autumn

 

5 Comments

Filed under Bits of Magick, Herbs, My Favorite Things, Photography, Protection, Recipe from my Kitchen, Spells, Spice

Tagged as , , , , , ,

October 1, 2012 · 9:35 pm

October 2012……..

Radiant joy is everywhere.
Spirits in tune to the spicy air,
Thrill in the glory of each day.
Life’s worth living when we say, October!”
– Joseph Pullman Porter

Merry Meet my friends!   Happy October!!!   October..what a beautiful Month..my favorite..as those of you who know me..know 🙂    October..the Season of the Witch!!

It was a wonderful Mabon at my house and the Harvest Moon has been Full, and bright  and big and filled with energy and magick!  Tonight is the first night I haven’t been able to see Her…it has been raining gently for a few hours now. A lovely Autumn rain!

I’m sitting in my favorite chair..a glass of Witch’s Brew spiced wine in my hand, a fire in the fireplace, listening to music and relaxing.  I am in Bliss with the fact that my favorite time of year is here…Autumn…in all her splendor.

October…immediately brings to mind woodsmoke and fires, crisp air nights and blue sky days, mums, pumpkins and the last of our garden’s bounty, sweaters, colorful leaves falling in brisk, cool air.  Birds flocking and critters gathering, apple pickin and eatin and bakin, warm spiced cider, raking and burning leaves, black cats and ghostie spirits and trick or treats.  Halloween parties, Ancestor altars, and Dumb Suppers.  I could go on and on with the things that bring me great Joy this time of year!

My Witchy friends are all happy right along with me.…planning for the Witch’s greatest night of the Year….Samhain!  Our New Year!!  A Most glorious, wondrous, magickal, mysterious Night!  I can’t wait!!!

I look forward to sharing this wonderful Season with you all!

“Listen! the wind is rising,
and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings,
now for October eves!”
– Humbert Wolfe

Blessings for a beautiful Fall!!!

Love and Light, Autumn

5 Comments

Filed under Autumn, Full Moons, My Favorite Things, Quote, Samhain, Seasons

Tagged as , , , , , ,

May 24, 2012 · 8:00 pm

The Wheel turns to Summer Solstice 2012….

Merry Meet friends.  I hope that your Spring has been as beautiful as mine and that all is well with all of you.  I haven’t written for a while…my health issues have caused a bit of a problem with coming up with what to write and even the desire to write..but I was in the mood so here I am 🙂   Spring came quite early here in Ohio, probably for you too.  It was such a mild Winter most everywhere and it warmed up fast.  It’s been just beautiful here…though we are now having quite hot temperatures, hitting 90’s the next several days already.  Because of the warm Winter and even warmer Spring, gardening and outdoor activities got under way much earlier then usual and it’s been wonderful! 

My herbs from last year happily sprang back up and are huge and ready to be harvested already!  Many of my flowers are already in  full bloom and everything is green and lush.  Lawns needed to be cut early, mulching done, garden centers hopping busy, and Mother Earth is in full bloom in May!  I have noticed that birds are singing louder and happier..(I know..it could be my imagination but I don’t think so!) , critters are scurrying and playing.   We have a koi pond and the frogs are so abundant and so noisy it’s amazing!  There are a lot of new baby fish this year too. 

Porch time started early…and the bugs…well…the bad thing about a mild Winter is the bugs are multiplied.  June bugs, lady bugs, crickets, spiders, wasps, bees, mosquitos…yep…they are everywhere!  I haven’t seen any lightning bugs yet but I’m sure they’ll be along any day 🙂  LOL maybe thats why the birds are so happy? 🙂   I can’t wait for the farmers markets and produce stands to open around us…it won’t be long now.  I have the biggest craving for grilled corn on the cob, big, ripe and red tomatoes and some ice cold watermelon!

The Summer Solstice…I can’t believe how fast it’s coming up.  Just those words bring back so many memories of carefree Summer days not only when I was a child but when my girls were little too.  Now I get to watch my grandchildren play in the dirt, collect bugs, swim, run in the sprinkler, get sticky with watermelon and need baths more then once a day LOL.   The cycle continues and the lazy, hazy days of Summer always bring back some nostalgia for me.  Though I’m not a fan of really hot days these days..crone that I am…I still love the whole idea that Summer is a time for families, outdoor activities, cookouts and 4th of July parades.   Riding bikes, picnics, swimming in lakes, oceans and pools, being tan and active and soooo tired at the end of the day.  It’s reading in hammocks and lawn chairs or blankets under a tree in the shade.  It’s fishing, and hiking and gardening.  Ice tea on the porch and lemonade stands….have you seen a lemonade stand lately?  I think they are making a come back!  I often think that Summer is for the young…but as I get older, I find my own appreciation of it as well, in a different way.  It’s time to feel young again..to join the kids running thru sprinklers, cranking the ice cream maker, playing frisbee or floating on a raft.  Ah..Summer..it’s such a great time of year. 

 

Some fond memories I have as a child was drive-in movies…remember those?   There are just a couple left near where I live and I think it’s sad that they’ve gone away.  When I was quite young…my dad worked a 2nd job at a drive-in movie theatre on the weekends…well..apparantly, that allowed our family of 4 kids and my mom to get to come see movies most weekends.  I can remember mom and dad loading us up..in our jammies of all things LOL  but we all were under the age of 8-10 with me being the oldest.  We would make up a big bag of popcorn..cheaper to bring our own…a jug of Kool-aid, toys and books etc.  We would get here early so my dad could report to work and we’d get a good spot to park.  Right by the play-yard and the concession stand.  We’d get out a play til the movie started.  The rules were…we were allowed to watch the first movie..had to lay down for the 2nd movie. LOL  Apparantly the first movie was kid friendly, the 2nd one was not.  That’s why I would take a book and a flashlight 🙂  We often thru blankets out in front of the car and laid on them to watch the movie.  I remember seeing Disney movies mostly.  My dad would come sit with us between movies a bit…bring us some candy sometimes.   It’s a good memory I have from a childhood that wasn’t always so great.  I took my girls to a few drive-in movies when they were little as they were still around then.   I wonder if my grandkids will even know what they are?  

As a Witch, the Summer Solstice..or Litha..is the time of year I put out new protection bottles, place new protection around my home, give offerings to the Fae and Goddess,  harvest my herbs as they grow, and keep myself grounded to Mother Earth..my feet in her dirt and grass and sand, my face to the Sun, my back leaning against a tree, my hands weeding or planting or watering, and my heart connects to the starry skies, the Moon, the warm Summer winds or the warm refreshing rain.  It’s a beautiful time of year. 

As I am still recovering..I think I appreciate even more the Seasons of the year then I always have.  I have always done my best to make the most of every day, to find magick everyday, to be sure my loved ones know they are loved by me everyday.  Now…I find it even more important to be sure I enjoy the moments..not let my mind be spinning constantly with what is coming next or what needs to be done tomorrow.  Summer is a slow-down and stop and smell the roses season…that is what I intend to do this Summer!  and oh yes..I intend to play….like a child….everyday!  I know many of you do that too! 

“There shall be eternal Summer in the grateful heart.”

 ~Celia Thaxter

I am perusing recipes for Litha for my next post.  Be sure to check out the last two years of posts for the Summer Solstice too..recipes, altars, pics etc.  Just type it in the Search gadget.  I want to thank so many of you again for all the healing, prayers and well wishes sent my way.  I will always remember and be grateful for it.  Thank you.

Blessings and Love, Autumn

Sources…some pics are internet, some are mine….

7 Comments

Filed under Faeries, Family, Flowers, Gardens, Goddess, Grandchildren, Herbs, Litha/Summer Solstice, Mother Earth, Movies, My Favorite Things, Nature, Photography, Quote, Seasons, Summer

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

February 16, 2012 · 4:41 pm

Thankful Thursday 2/16/2012…….

Merry Afternoon my friends.  I’ve ended up having a quiet stay- at- home day today due to my daughter Sara not feeling well.  It’s a rainy, gloomy day and fairly warm..in the 40’s.  I spent the morning putting on a big crockpot of vegetable soup and set out some yeast rolls to thaw.  I spent a little time on doing and filing my taxes (done!) and a bit of paperwork.  Now I’m just listening to pretty music on my Pandora radio, relaxing ….and decided to write a blog Post. 

I changed the theme of my blog…the picture of the gorgeous cardinal is my own photography.  Captured him one  day when we had a bit of snow to show him off to his brightest red!  I adore cardinals..have always been drawn to them. I make sure we put out black oil sunflower seeds for them..it really draws them to the feeder. I’m always astounded at their beauty and happy to see them.  How appropriate that our little schoolhouse feeder is red as well.  Made for a beautiful picture 🙂 

Today..I’m doing a Thankful Thursday…I haven’t done one in a while..and I’m feeling quite full of gratitude on this quiet, rainy afternoon.

 

–I’m so thankful for you all….my readers.  I now have over 214 followers and over 41,000 hits on my blog.  I also had my biggest week of hits ever..the week of Imbolc.  Thank you so so much for having an interest in what I write.  It gives me some motivation to keep doing it. I appreciate it much!

–I’m grateful that all of my family who were sick the last couple weeks with the stomach virus…are all much better and on the mend, including myself.  Unfortunately, I think my daughter Sara may have a touch of it now. We are waiting and watching and taking good care of her.

–I’m grateful for a rainy day.  There is something about a rainy day that brings quiet to my house…slows things down a bit…and of course it will help bring Spring soon to Mother Earth!

–I’m grateful for the smell of delicious veggie soup brewing away and knowing my hubby and brother will enjoy it when they get home from work.

–I’m grateful for the kitties on my lap while I’m trying to type this LOL!  They make it a bit difficult to type 🙂    I love them so much…they help me feel loved and contented.

 

–I’m grateful for beautiful celtic music ….music soothes my soul…or winds me up..whichever I need 🙂

–For Words with Friends…..LOL  Just sayin 🙂 

–For the fun of a new recipe book to peruse on a rainy day.  Can’t wait to try out the recipes. Oh…it’s a Gooseberry Patch cookbook, called Fresh from the Farmstand.  It’s all recipes for using fruits and vegetables!  Will be wonderful for the summer!

–For a hot cup of coffee on a sleepy, rainy afternoon!

–The smell of patchouli incense burning beside me.

–Peppermint foot lotion

–My hubby’s gift of an eco watch to me for Valentine’s Day..and that he thought of his daughters and grandkids too.  He is a sweet guy 🙂

–That my brother who has lived with us for 6 months due to moving here from PA and looking for a job..found at least a part time job til something better for him comes along.  He is happier working.

–For my family…always…who bring me joy every day.  My daughters, grandchildren, son-in-law, husband..they are my world.

–For my magickal family…who everyday show me what the love of true friendship is….they are ALWAYS there for me and I’m always there for them.  You all know who you are!!!  I love you!

–For the time to work on my Book of Shadows this month.  I decided to use binders..which was the perfect thing for me and it’s coming along fabulously!  I’ve loved working on it!

–For Masterpiece Theatre…Downton Abbey…I have thoroughly enjoyed this mini series.  If you haven’t watched it..check it out.  I’m sure PBS runs it often.  Sometimes I wonder if I lived during that time..it feels so familiar to me. 

 

–I am also most grateful for my path…My Moonlit, Goddess loving, Witchy path.  I am so content in every way with my spiritual life.  I’m so Blessed the Goddess lead me to Her.  I have Joy in abundance!!

I’m a very lucky person.  My life isn’t easy always….but it’s a good one.  Full of love, beauty, joy, friendship, &  family.  Anything that comes along that’s not those things…we just work to make them so.  Life is too short not to appreciate the little things…they are, after all, what makes Life so precious.  I’m most Blessed. 

What are you thankful for today?  I hope you have more things then you can count!  Blessings my friends!

 Love, Autumn

16 Comments

Filed under Family, Goddess, Music, My cats, My Favorite Things, My Writing, Thankful Thursdays

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

January 22, 2012 · 8:59 pm

My favorite Comfort Food recipe…..

Merry Meet everyone!  Hope that all of you are safe and sound….there is some bad weather hitting some of the states tonight.  I’m in a watch area myself.  But so far..it’s just pea-soup foggy out there.  I have been a very busy Witch!  My Imbolc cleaning is going on strong!  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I cleaned like a crazy person for 3 days…did some cupboard organizing today but I took it easier and relaxed more today.  I’d say about 2 more partial days of cleaning and I’ll be all done.  The house feels and looks great!  The great thing is that our weather is warming up a bit too..so I’ll be able to open windows and air out things before I give the house a good smudging!  Then I can relax the rest of Winter and just snuggle in and enjoy it!

So as I was so busy working all week, we ate quick meals and picked up carry out a bit too many times this week.  I was in the mood for a good hot meal for me and my family.  So I turned to my very favorite comfort food…my meatloaf.  Which not to toot my own horn….is the best meatloaf and really the only meatloaf I like 🙂  I grew up on this meatloaf..though I have tweaked the recipe a bit from what my mom used to make.  There is no catsup in this recipe..at all!  That’s why I think it’s the best.  It makes it’s own gravy while cooking..a tomato gravy..that is made very simply with a can of tomato soup.  🙂  Now don’t wrinkle up your nose..give it a try.  I promise you will love it!  My hubby and I have a joke..about if you were going to have your last meal..what would you choose.  Well for me..this would be it..hands down!

Autumn’s Best Meatloaf with Tomato Gravy

2 lbs ground chuck

1 package of meat loaf seasoning..doesn’t matter which one..I use Krogers

1 cup quick cooking oatmeal

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1 Large can tomato soup

 

Preheat oven to 350*  Mix all ingredients except tomato soup together well.  (I use my hands!)  Form into a loaf and place in a casserole dish.  You can use an oval deep casserole dish or a 9″ x 13″ dish.  Pour the can of tomato soup over the loaf.  Bake in oven at 350* for 2 hours.  The last 30 mins or so I cover it loosely with foil to keep the soup from burning.  When you take it out of the oven, you may have to skim a bit of the soup that will have hardened during cooking.  Underneath there will be a delicious gravy that is made from the soup and the meat juices. 

 

I always make this with mashed potatoes (the gravy is delish on the potatoes too!), corn or green beans and whole wheat bread or rolls.  Obviously this is not a healthy dish..it is fattening, full of carbs and so so good!  Comfort food all the way.  Also, the meatloaf, if you have any left over, warms up wonderfully or makes great meatloaf sandwiches!

Comfort food…such lovely words.  It brings to mind cozy Sun days at home, by the fire, with a good movie or music or football game on.  It reminds me of my grandma’s house at dinner time and the love she spread at her table.  It makes me think all is right with the world.  It soothes..it comforts 🙂  I have many other comfort food recipes too..I’ll post them her and there over the Winter 🙂  Try this recipe and let me know if you like it!  Oh and for you health nuts..you might be able to do 1/2 ground turkey and 1/2 ground chuck.  I’ve not tried it that way but I’m sure it’d be great! 🙂 

 

“A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe.”

~Thomas Keller

 

I’ll be back in a day or two with pics of my altar and a bit more about Imbolc.  I must say too..I’ve heard from many that they just don’t have the energy or the gumption or the will to do their Imbolc cleaning.  You know what….don’t worry one bit about that at all.  I have had that happen to me too..just couldn’t get into the cleaning until Spring actually got here.  That is perfectly ok..perfectly fine.  Celebrate Imbolc however you see fit.  Maybe all you want to do is smudge the house, light some candles and incense, or go out and eat. Maybe you just spend some time meditating, some altar work, or go outside and breathe in the fresh, cold air.   That is just fine!   Do what is right for you!  Always listen to what is in your heart and your mind.  You’ll never be wrong!  Have a good night..be safe..stay warm…and have comfort food!

Blessings and Love, Autumn

10 Comments

Filed under Cleaning & Organizing, Family, Imbolc, My Favorite Things, My Writing, Photography, Quote, Recipe from my Kitchen, Winter

Tagged as , , , , ,

January 4, 2012 · 12:59 am

Happy 2012!…….

Merry Meet and a Very Happy New Year!  I am so late posting this but I have a very good reason.  I woke up on Dec. 27..with a whole day to relax in front of me.  I got my coffee, sat down, put my laptop on my lap, logged on…and OH NO!!!  I had a virus!!  A “security shield” antivirus (fake) popped up and that was that…I couldn’t do anything at all.  I shut down my computer, got dressed and ran it to the Geek Squad at my local Best Buy.  Sooo….I just got it back tonight, virus gone, and the miracle of not having lost one thing from my computer…everything intact!   I really missed my computer…amazing how hard it is to function without it..at least for me it was.  Keeping up with my blog, my facebook friends, my banking, emails, online shopping etc…much harder to do from phone or my Nook tablet then it is on my laptop.  I’m very happy to have it back 🙂   

 I wanted to do a quick post to start the New Year.   I changed out my theme from Yule/Christmas to a Winter theme (I love it!).  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, I know I did.  I was incredibly busy and quite tired, but it was worth it.  It was a great time with my family and Santa was very good to all of us.  Our New Year’s Eve was quiet.  I fixed some appetizers and my daughter Kate, her husband Matt and my grandkids came over for the evening.  We had a nice time playing with the babies, enjoying good food and each others company. After they left..no staying til midnight with babies :)…..the rest of us watched the Rockin New Year’s eve show and counted down to 2012 watching the ball drop in Times Square.  Then we went to bed.  🙂

I spent New Years Day taking down the Christmas decorations and getting the house back in order.  Then I spent the rest of the day relaxing by the fire, reading, and playing Words with Friends (my new obsession!).  So all in all a wonderful holiday.  Now, I move on to the deepest part of Winter.  Now those who know me or read my blog…know I love Winter.  I love it for the beauty of the snow, the restfulness of the long dark nights, the warmth of the fireplace and the slower pace and more days at home.  I read and crochet to my heart’s content, projects around the house get done and caught up, and I have time to spend on myself a bit too.  I call it “nesting”….and I find it necessary every year after all the busy work of the holidays!

I also love to use the Wintertime to work on my Book of Shadows, organize and clean my witchy cabinet and replace any supplies I’m getting low on, like candles, oils, incenses, and herbs etc.  I work on making up my witchy potions, loose incenses,  and oil blends.  I even collect snow for “snow water”.  I find snow to have an amazing energy and I use it for my altar work.  Basically, because Winter forces us to slow down and take it easy a bit,  I have more time to do the things I LOVE to do ..that I don’t have time to do during the other seasons.  This is why I love Winter!

Now for New Year’s, I don’t have resolutions (I never stick to them) but I do set some GOALS for the next year.  I seem to always have the need to have something I’m striving for…something to look forward to..something I want to change in my life to make it better.  This year is no different.  I want to start an etsy business and I’ll be working on that early this year.  I’m always striving to live a healthier life..more exercise, to eat better etc.  I am setting a goal also to take more time for myself and to do the things that make me feel good about myself..that give me joy..that keep me grounded and connected.  Journaling, time for my craft, reading, finding time to be with friends, taking more walks, yoga, and planning my summer gardens are all on my list of things I want to do better 🙂  What are your goals for the New Year?  Do you have any?  If goal setting is not a priority for you that is fine of course.   But  maybe you are overwhelmed with all you’d like to do or to change in your life and don’t know where to start?  In that case, I recommend you start with One thing.  I read a book years ago..about how making one small change in your life..can set off a chain of change..like a snowball rolling downhill.  Change one small thing and see what happens! Make it simple and easy.  You’ll be surprised how satisfying it’ll be!

My wish for all of you is that 2012 brings much joy, good health, prosperity, and beautiful days for you and yours.  Happy New Year to you all!! 

Oh..Imbolc is coming up fast and furious!  One of my favorite Sabbats.  So I’ll be back soon 🙂 

Blessings in 2012…..Autumn

8 Comments

Filed under Discussion, Holiday, Imbolc, My Favorite Things, My Writing, New Year, Seasons, Winter

Tagged as , , , ,

December 9, 2011 · 10:20 pm

Winter Solstice/Yule/Christmas books I love…….

Greetings!  I can’t believe how fast this month is flying by!  I have been so busy preparing for Yule and Christmas that I haven’t had time to write her as quickly as I would have liked to after my last post.  However, I’m about done shopping, most of my Holiday cards are mailed, and I’m ready to start wrapping soon.  It has been softly flurrying here today, quite cold and the Full Moon is peeking thru clouds..looks like it might clear up yet tonight.  Blessed Full Moon to you all by the way!!   I have lit a fire, my healing candles are going, incense burning..my feet are up and I just drank a very delicious eggnog milkshake my hubby brought home for me from Steak and Shake…so so good!  A wonderful way to spend a Full Moon evening.  Later, I’ll go out and spend some time with the Goddess, cleanse a few things, and I’m hoping to catch some Full Moon snow water in a jar.  The Yule Full Moon is to me, a very powerful Full Moon, and I intend to take in that energy to help me get thru this busy and sometimes stressful time of year! 

So, I have several books about Yule, Winter Solstice, pagan customs etc that I just love and I refer to them often.  So let’s get started doing a bit of show and tell……

 

The Winter Solstice….The Sacred Traditions of Christmas  by John Matthews. 

Despite the word Christmas in the title, this book is about the Winter Solstice, how Christmas came about, and the history and lore surrounding the whole Season. Each chapter provides cross-cultural connections to the ideas, customs, and icons of Christmas.  The book starts out discussing Solstice celebrations and lore across the world where the celebration of the Return of the Sun takes place from Egypt, to Rome, to Europe and America.  Saturnalia, the Mummers, the Morris Dancers are all talked about.  At the end of each chapter, there are suggestions for faith-free activities you can do to celebrate the Season..or you can incorporate your faith as you wish.

  The Child of Wonder chapter talks about the different gods across the ages..such as Apollo, Mabon, Osiris, Mithras and yes, Jesus. It talks about the Wise Men and the Star and the Nativity.   The Green Bough chapter discusses the symbolism of the tree, the evergreens, holly, ivy, mistletoe and of course the Yule Log. In Old Sir Christmas we are introduced the the “Santa’s from around the world.  The Solstice Animals …tough chapter for an animal lover…it’s about the slaughter of animals and the rituals about it…for food for the long Winter. I love the activity at the end of this chapter though..how to make soul cakes.   Lastly, the 12 Days of Christmas ….I especially love this chapter. This is not about the carol we all know, but about the true 12 days..from Dec 24 night to January 6th.  There is Snow day, Boxing day, The Feast of Fools day, Bringing in the Boar day and others.  Each day has an activity or ritual you can do to honor the day.  I have incorporated some of them into my own celebration. 

Thruout this book, there is beautiful artwork, drawings, photos….poetry, quotes, recipes and rituals.  I just love this beautiful book.  I suggest you will love it too!!

Pagan Christmas…The Plants, Spirits, and Rituals at the Origins of Yuletide….by Christian Ratsch and Claudia Muller-Ebeling. 

 This book is a beautiful book..about the Ethnobotany (the study of plants) of the Season. It’s about the traditional uses and symbolism of the Yule Season plants…like the fir tree, mistletoe, holly, ivy, evergreens, laurel, yew…even tobacco and mushrooms!   There is info galore on the plants themselves, photos, how and why they are used in ritual, for decorating..ways to use them such as making incense, decorating your home etc.  There are stories from Befana to the Wise Men, From St. Nicholas to Woten.  I especially love all the incense recipes as I love making my own.  Another great book you will learn so much from!

Yule…A Celebration of Light & Warmth…by Dorothy Morrison. 

I love this book and Dorothy Morrison 🙂  This book is chock full of everything about the Solstice.  It has holiday lore from around the world, history, crafts, and  recipes. She explains the traditions behind the symbols of the Season, such as the tree, bells, evergreens, reindeer, gingerbread and lights amongst others.

She talks about the superstitions, and omens that surround the holiday in different countries.  She has some rituals and simple charms you can do as you get ready to celebrate.  A chapter on decking the halls, with craft projects to do.  My favorite..a tree blessing right before you decorate the tree.  There is ideas for parties and gift giving…how to’s included. 

There is a chapter on her personal celebration and a great chapter on things you can do to celebrate every day of the month of December. The final chapter is about is tips on cleaning up AFTER the holidays…what to do with your popcorn strings, how to store your decorations etc.   Also, I love her poetry and there is poetry she has written and  poetry others have written thruout the book. This book is a real keeper!!

The Wheel of the Year..Living the Magical Life…by Pauline Campanelli

This book takes you on a month-by-month journey of the Wheel of the Year and how it is celebrated by Pagans and the Campinellis’ themselves.  Every chapter starts out with a beautiful description of the month and what is going on in nature etc during that month.   December..the Yule month of course…has in it … The Magic of Mistletoe; The Ritual Burning of the Yule Log; Magical Uses of Ashes from the Yule Fire; A Ritual for Cutting Sacred Fir; The Pagan Symbolism of Santa Claus. It talks about wreaths, birds, ornaments and the Oak Moon.  There is a Bayberry Candle Charm, a Yule log ritual, and a cutting the tree ritual.  It ends with some info on New Years Eve and Father Time! 

This book has something for every month and it is one of my all time favorite books..If you don’t have it..it’s a must for your witchy library!!

Sabbats..A Witch’s Approach to Living the Old Ways….Edain McCoy

Edain’s book is awesome as well.  Again, each chapter is about a Sabbat..starting with Samhain and going thru Mabon.  For Yule, she discusses the history and customs and how some of the customs have been preserved in various cultures.  The discusses the fight between the Oak King and the Holly King, the Celts and Druids use of evergreens, the symbolism of the wreath and tree, and again, of course, the burning of the Yule log.  There are recipes for sugar and gingerbread cookies, rituals, some craft ideas and how to make an edible Yule log ..yummy!  There is a nice pathworking meditation that I really love!  There are some correspondences, foods for Yule and a bit about how old christmas carols often have pagan symbology in them.

I love this book …again, a must have! 

Ok…those are my main books….some honorable mentions…..

Wicca in the Kitchen by Scott Cunningham.  ….for recipes for Yule

Witch in the Kitchen by Cait Johnson…again for recipes, a meditation, and a ritual or two…very nice! 

Moon Magick by DJ Conway….Lovely book..a chapter on the Cold Moon, recipes, crafts and a Winter Solstice ritual. 

So these are some of my favorites.  My wishlist would be for more children’s book about Yule and more for us grown- ups too 🙂  Whether you celebrate the Solstice or Christmas..there is something in these books to help you to celebrate it in a beautiful, meaningful way.  The Season is rich in tradition, lore and history..a most beautiful time of year.

If you have a favorite book not listed here..I’d sure like to know about it!  Please write me here and let me know!

My next blog post ..soon..will be recipes.  I’m gonna start gathering them this weekend!  and I’m actually going to be baking this weekend with my daughters and granddaughter.  ah….another beautiful memory in the making!

Blessings and Love, Autumn

10 Comments

Filed under Books, Books I'm reading, History, Holiday, My Favorite Things, My Writing, Seasons, Winter, Yule/Winter Solstice/Chrismas

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

November 12, 2011 · 10:35 pm

My Smoky Mountains…….

Merry Meet everyone.  Hope all is well in your world and that you are still enjoying a beautiful Autumn weather.  I have just returned from a short 4 day trip to the Smoky Mountains.  It was a girl trip..went with my daugher Sara, my sister Sunny and a friend Shawna.  We have gone to the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area for years..a couple times a year at least.  I LOVE going there and know it pretty well.  Now I’m a girl and I love shopping as much as the next one, and places to shop are abundant there….but for me, it is all about seeing those mountains and spending time in them, enjoying what they have to offer…which is pure beauty in nature!

 

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”

 ~John Burroughs

 

This quote  puts into words exactly how I feel when I first see those mountains, as I’m going south on I-75 from Kentucky into Tennessee.  The minute they come into view my heart just soars and my soul lets out a huge *sigh* of contentment…and recognition.  There is something ingrained in me that makes me feel at home there.  I often think it may be that my maternal grandfather was half Cherokee..my great grandfather coming from those mountains.  Maybe it is just that my soul knows how connected I am to nature and the beauty that is found here.  The trees, flowers, animals, and streams that thrive and survive there, are all connected to the Divine..as am I. 

 

“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.”

~Eleonora Duse

 

I love seeing the mountains in the different seasons.  All of them are beautiful there.  I have seen snow clinging on the top of the mountains with the black shadows of the leafless trees pointing to the sky majestically and the frozen streams.  I have seen the greening of those trees in the Spring, with purple and white wildflowers covering the ground, and the streams flowing with cold, icy water as the snow melts.  I’ve seen full, leafy, green trees with the dappled sunlight hitting the forest floor, animals scurrying about and the streams filled with people cooling off.  My favorite season, Autumn..trees Glorious with reds, yellows, rusts and browns, the ground covered with the fallen leaves and still, the water ever flowing in the streams.  And always, always, the smoky mists that envelop the mountains, during all the seasons, that give them their name…that make them so magickal at any time of day! 

 

“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter; to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring – these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”

 ~John Burrough

 

As a Witch, I find the elements in abundance in the mountains.  I can call them to me easily and they respond immediately. Earth, Air, Fire and Water..yes, I find Fire there as well, in the flame red of the leaves and berries, the heat from the Sun during the Summer, the glare off the snow, and in the warmth of the wind as Winter gives way to Spring.  I find magick in my mountains..always!  The Divine is there is well.  Nature is my church…always. The Full Moon over the mountains….A sight that everyone should see at least once!  Magnificent!!

“A wise man can do no better than to turn from the churches and look up through the airy majesty of the wayside trees with exultation, with resignation, at the unconquerable unimplicated sun.”

 ~Llewelyn Powys, The Pathetic Fallacy

While I was there, I visited one of my favorite stores..The Rock Shop.  As I was buying up crystals & stones, I came across a display of Tennesse Mountain Jasper.  Both polished stones and in large natural untouched chunks.  They look exactly like the rocky walls found in the mountains..quite recognizable.  I bought a nice piece both for myself and my two daughters.  This piece of stone will help me to keep those beautiful mountains, and that sense of peace and contentment I feel there…with me at all times.  *sigh* 🙂

“There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough to pay attention to the story.”

~Linda Hogan

Those Smoky Mountains have stories to tell, and I do my best to listen to them. Wherever you go in Nature, to feel the Divine, to commune with Mother Earth, to calm yourself, to let out a big sigh of contentment…go there!  Often!!  It’ll do your heart, body and soul good.  Another thing that will do you some good?  If and whenever you get the chance, get a hug from a facebook friend, Do It!  I was blessed enough to get to do that on this trip..with TWO friends….. and I am so happy that I did!  Hugs Cynthia and Angelique!!  It reinforces that our facebook friends are real indeed and that hearts DO touch across the miles and thru the internet 🙂 

Blessings and Love, Autumn

8 Comments

Filed under Full Moons, Mother Earth, My Favorite Things, My Writing, Nature, Photography, Quote, Seasons, Smoky Mountains, Woods

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,