Tag Archives: Family

November 21, 2012 · 4:31 pm

Blessed Thanksgiving 2012……

Merry Meet my friends.  Hope you all are enjoying your Autumn…late Autumn now. I know for so many it’s your favorite time of year..mine too!  Here in Ohio, all the glorious color is gone now…just stark trees.  But the skies have been blue, the weather mild and it’s been a wonderful Season!

I have been a very busy woman!  Packing up a large houseful of stuff…preparing to move to a smaller home has been challenging….but gratifying!  I LOVE letting go of the overabundance of stuff that a larger home can hold..and that accumulates over time.  It feels good to unburden myself of china rarely used, too many sets of wine glasses, books never to be read again, clothes outgrown or unliked and not worn, home decorations that no longer cause a smile etc.   It’s freeing!!  I recommend it to everyone!  I am going to have one huge garage sale this Spring at my new home! 🙂

Packing has become a bit more of a problem however because I took a bad tumble down our stairs and messed up my knee and tailbone pretty badly.  I’ve been in discomfort and crutches and very little mobility for 10 days now and I’m frustrated that there is no improvement.  The injury couldn’t have been at a worse time too!  I am finally having an MRI on monday and ortho doc will be able to tell me what’s wrong on tuesday..so we will go from there.  I’m doing my best to not get panicky about all there is still to do and me not being able to do it like I would have been.

I’m coping however the best I can with my faith in my Goddess and the calming influence of my family and friends who are helping me when they can and assuring me all will be well.  My hubby has been a trooper too!  This all brings me to the purpose of my post today.   Thanksgiving….not the day but the attitude of it.

Those who know me on facebook, in my everyday life, and read my blog know I’ve had a rough year this year.  Between my brain surgery in March and that recovery, the problems my daughter Sara has had, and now this..well it’s been challenging to say the least.  To stay positive and upbeat and not sink into a depressive state has been hard..but not impossible..as I’ve done it fairly well.  Most days!  Something I learned a long time ago…when a car accident changed our lives forever…is that we get out of Life what we put into it.  We can pull up our bootstraps…make the most of it..and move on.  Or we can wallow in self-pity and live a dismal, sad Life.  As a family we have always chosen a good Life..a joyful Life..a glass is half-full, find the silver lining Life.   We can’t fathom any other way of living.

I see it over and over too from others who I admire and love.  I see so many of my facebook friends who live with daily pain, have injuries or losses or financial troubles,  and yet, they keep on posting positive things, aid others when they need it, offer prayers for others, leave a hug or a heart on someone’s page…I find it heartwarming and gratifying and I try to do the same thing too.  I see the opposite too..on facebook and in my everyday Life..those who never can see the good thru the bad, can’t find empathy for others thru their own pain, or think the world just sucks and Life has treated them unkind and unfair.  It’s knowing people like that in my Life that made me want to be sure that I don’t ever go there!!

I have kept a journal for about 15 years now..pretty faithfully.  I first learned of the importance of having gratitude from a book I read..many of you probably read it too.  Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach.   It changed my Life.  Even though I always had a positive attitude in Life, I started journaling things I was grateful for each day. I don’t care how bad of a day I was having, I found something..or a few somethings..to be grateful for.  I wrote them down in my journal.  Sometimes I had to REALLY think about what had happened that day I could have thankfulness for..and soon…I realized that there was always something..no matter how small..that I could write in my journal.  It taught me not to just be a positive person, but to have an Attitude of Gratitude always.  To be Thankful to what Life and the Goddess gave me every day.  The small, simple things.

So on this Thanksgiving, while you are enjoying time with family and friends, take some time between bites 🙂  to be grateful for the good things in your Life.  This will be a very different Thanksgiving for me this year.  I am the oldest daughter of 4 children and I have held all the holidays at my home for many years now.  This year, half the family is on a cruise together, and half are visiting with relatives on the other side of the family this year.  So, it is just Sara, hubby Jim and I this year.  My thankfulness?  With being laid up and my house a mess from moving, I can throw a turkey breast in the oven, rest my leg, read, crochet, watch the Macy’s day parade and take a day off by the fire, from packing and even thinking about packing, for one day 🙂   Now that is a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

While I’m on the subject, I want to thank my readers..well, for reading my blog 🙂  I appreciate it so much and love getting to know many of you thru facebook etc..who have become my friends.  Thank YOU!!   I wish all of you a Blessed Thanksgiving..to you and yours!  Make it Merry…and filled with gratefulness!

Blessings and Love, Autumn

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July 4, 2012 · 3:55 pm

Happy 4th of July 2012……….

Merry Meet friends!  Thought I’d write a quick blog post before I head off for an evening celebration of our Independence Day with my family.   The Heat….well…we are something like 8 days straight of near or at 100* temps with at least another 4-5 days expected of it.  We had a huge windstorm come thru here and many other nearby states on friday evening, that caused lots of damage and lots of power outages….including a short power outage here at our house….others were not so lucky 😦  Some have been out for 5 days now.  In this heat, that has to be just miserable and my heart goes out to all of you who have that situation.

We got a small amount of rain that night but otherwise we are dry, dry, dry!!  Our grass is brown and dead..trees have leaves turning brown and dying off, and it’s all I can do to keep up on the watering, trying to keep my herbs and flowers alive!  We could have a week straight of rain and it wouldn’t be enough! I’ve been seen performing a rain dance under the Full Moon recently LOL.  I’m pretty sure a lot of my witchy friends are doing the same thing.  🙂

So today is the 4th of July…I will say this..the Summer is flying by fast..and I say ..Bring on Autumn weather!!   I’m more then ready!  But back to the 4th….I was thinking about today…about the meaning of it.  I know that it is about America’s freedom, our Independence, pride in country  etc.   A good friend of mine pointed out this morning on her facebook page (Thanks Deb 🙂  that not ALL  Americans have freedom.  I agree with her…there are still those who can’t marry who they love because they happen to be the same sex,  those who suffer contempt due to their choice of religion, those living in poverty, animal abuse, racism, elitism, etc etc…. and none of that is good…and needs to be fixed!  Remember…it just takes one person, then another, and another and so on to help fix these things.  Having said that..I am still very grateful that I was born here in America and have a good life here.

Now, for me though…the 4th of July is also about family traditions.  The day is a day to celebrate family as well…a day for cook-outs, water fun, feasting and gathering, watching fireworks together…that feeling of togetherness and pride in family in country.  The family…no matter who it consists of…is what holidays are all about. Being together, enjoying a day off work, a day off from the daily grind…..and just enjoying a simple meal, talking, playing..and of course the OOHHss and AAHHs…of watching the fireworks!  Don’t forget the kids catching fireflies, popsicles and running thru the sprinkler…that is a must!  Make it a fun day…make it a tradition…I have great memories of the 4th growing up with my family..then of raising my daughters and our traditons..and now watching my daughter and her hubby carrying that tradition on to their kids.  It’s magickal!

So today..I hope that you are all with your families..having fun…and making a memory.

Happy 4th to all my friends and family!  Have a wonderful day!

Autumn

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June 11, 2012 · 10:17 pm

Summer Solstice Recipes 2012…..

Hello everyone!  Hope this posting finds you all either enjoying heading towards Summer or heading towards Winter!  🙂  Here in Ohio we are obviously heading for Summer but it is always so much fun to see my “southern hemisphere” friends talking about cold, blustery winter days by the fire.  It is a reminder to me always about the turning of the Wheel and Mother Earth.

We have had both a very HOT June and a very cool June so far.  I have enjoyed the cooler days as those who know me or read my blog know I’m not big on hot weather.  But I do love Summer.  Though I’m still recovering from my illness, I have done some planting of herbs and flowers, watering, a bit of weeding and taking as much time with my feet on Mother Earth as possible.  The nights have been amazing!  We had a long spell of no rain..so the skies have been full of stars and a beautiful waxing, Full and now waning Moon.  She has been low in the sky, orange, then bright and huge!  I have basked in her healing energy, sent out healing and protection to others, and tried to come to terms with things that have happened in my life in recent weeks.  With the Goddess’s help..I have done just that.  I am grateful for all the good things in my life, the people who I love and who love me back, and to follow a Path that helps me to ground and keep myself positive and joyful.

We had a good, long rain today..much needed!  Our grass, flowers, herbs and critters that share our spaces with us enjoyed it very much.  I watched robins bathing in our koi ponds, the frogs are croaking happily, birds singing, and chipmunks scurrying this evening.  As I type this, the Sun has set into twilight and I’m waiting for the lightning bugs to put on their magickal show.  It is a bit sticky and humid tonight but I’ll be on the porch anyway in a bit to watch them 🙂

Sooo…for me and my family, Summer is about family get togethers, good food, being outside, and relaxing and playing!   Cooking is all about cold sides with hot grilled goodies.  I’ve been perusing cookbooks, cooking magazines and my own recipe box, looking for a few more recipes to celebrate the Solstice. I even pulled out my grandma’s recipe box this week.  I love seeing her old, yellowed, handwritten recipe cards.  It makes me feel close to her again as I learned so much at her side about cooking and gardening.  So I’ve put together a few recipes that speak Summer to me that I thought you would enjoy too.  Remember to take advantage of farmer’s markets, produce stands,  your local grocer, and your own garden for fresh veggies, fruits and herbs to make everything just a little bit better 🙂

 

 

Watermelon Fruit Salad

1/4 cup Agave nectar

1/4 cup water

4 cups cubed, seedless watermelon

1 cup sliced strawberries

1 cup cubed pineapple

1 cup diced kiwi

1 cup mango

1 cup fresh raspberries

1 lime, juiced

Garnish:  fresh mint

In a large bowl, combine agave nectar and 1/4 cup water. Blend well.  Add all the rest of the ingredients.  Toss gently.  Refrigerate.

 

 

Pineapple-Honey Chicken Kabobs

*this is a favorite recipe of mine I made up years ago after having them at Fridays restaurant..who doesn’t serve them anymore..so light and good!  Now I have no measurements..sorry..I just throw these together.

Kabob sticks  …2-3 for each person if adults

chicken breast cut into 2 inch pieces

pineapple cut into 2 inch pieces

green and/or red peppers cut into pieces

skewer the chicken, pineapple and peppers onto the sticks.

Marinate in a mixture of pineapple juice, honey and soy sauce.  Sorry, no measurements and it doesn’t matter. It will turn out great!  You want enough juice to cover the kabobs…put in about 1/2 cup honey and 1/2 cup soy ..that might do it 🙂  Place the kabobs in a dish big enough to hold the kabobs covered in the marinade.  Let marinade about 4 hours or more.

Grill the kabobs on med. heat until chicken is well cooked.  Serve with honey as a dip or peanut sauce which is my favorite dip for these yummy kabobs!  Really good with a cole slaw and oven fried potatoes! Or with this salad recipe below….

 

 

Bok Choy Salad 

1 large head Romaine lettuce, chopped

1 large Bok Choy, ends cut off, chopped

2 pkgs crumbled ramen noodles

Mix together in a large salad bowl.

In a pan, brown…. 1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup sliced almonds

2 TB butter

Add to salad greens and noodles.

Top with 2 cans of drained mandarin oranges

Dressing:

1/2 cup oil

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 TB soy sauce

Toss dressing in salad just before serving!

*This would also be good with fresh sliced strawberries!

 

 

 

Red Potato Salad

3 pounds red new potatoes

4 large hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

2 Tb minced red onion

1/3 cup white vinegar

3 Tb sweet pickle relish

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1/2 cup canola oil

In a large saucepan, place potatoes.  Cover with water 2 inches above potatoes.  Bring to a boil; cook until tender, 15-20 mins.  Drain and let potatoescool.  (peel if you’d like).  Coarsely chop.

In a large bowl, combine potatoes, eggs, celery, parsley, and onion.  In a small bowl, combine vinegar, pickle relish, salt and pepper; slowly whisk in oil.  Drizzle over potato mixture; toss well.  Cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

 

 

Chocolate Chess Pie

*I happen to think chocolate is good all year round :))

1/2 (14.1 oz) pkg refrigerated piecrust

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 (5oz) can evaporated milk

1/4 cup butter, melted and slightly cooled

3 Tb unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup whipped cream

Preheat oven to 375*.  Unroll piecrust, and fit into a shallow 9-inch pie plate; flute edges as desired.

In a medium bowl, combine sugar and eggs; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended.  Add milk, butter, cocoa, and vanilla, beating until smooth.  Pour into prepared pie pan.

Bake until a knife inserted near the edge comes out clean, 30-35 minutes.  Let cool on a wire rack for 1 hour.  Top with whipped cream.

 

 

Slush

*This recipe comes from my hubby’s Aunt Betty.  It is a delicious cold grown up slushy :)) I make this up in a big bowl and keep it in the freezer all summer long.  So good on the porch on hot nights!

2 6-oz cans frozen orange juice, thawed

2 6-oz cans frozen lemonade, thawed

9 cups water

3 cups rum, gin or vodka ..not all 3..just 3 cups of one of them LOL

1 Tb instant tea

1 3/4 cups sugar

Mix all ingredients and freeze.

To serve, fill glass half full with slush.  Add a clear soda like 7-up, Sprite or Sierra Mist.

 

Summer is a time for fresh corn on the cob with herbed butter, sliced tomatoes with mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and italian dressing, grilled peaches and pineapple on vanilla ice cream, juicy burgers and sticky baked beans.  Potato and pasta salads, strawberry shortcakes, homemade ice creams, fresh watermelon or canteloupes and lots of water, lemonade and iced tea!  Oh and did I mention my favorite?  BLT sandwiches with fresh, home grown lettuce and ripe, juicy tomatoes and crusty bread..yummy!!!

Make Summer fun..try new recipes…use your herbs to brighten up the taste of your old stand-by recipes. Make fresh juice popsicles for the kids or make ice cream with the old fashioned crank ice cream makers.  I have so many wonderful memories of my family doing that.  Have a picnic, a cook-out or a romantic, under-the-Moon dinner outdoors.  Put candles in mason jars,  cut flowers from your garden and place them in a vase on the table, play some Jimmy Buffet or ocean sounds music and just enjoy the view of a Summer night sky.   Summer is just 3 short months..enjoy every moment of it!  My favorite thing to do to honor the Sun God, is to be up as the Sun rises and have a glass of fresh juice or a cup of coffee and just be grateful for the turning of the wheel, the God and Goddess, and all the blessings in my Life.   Blessed Summer Solstice to you all.

Then followed that beautiful season… Summer…. Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light;

 and the landscape Lay as if new; created in all the freshness of childhood.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 

Blessings and Love, Autumn

*To look for more recipes from the last 2 years of blog posts or any other info for the Solstice, just do a word search on the gadget to the right.  Type in Litha, or Summer Solstice or MidSummer and see what shows up 🙂

*Sources..all pics are from the internet…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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….

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April 27, 2012 · 10:22 pm

Beltane 2012 Recipes……

Merry Meet friends.  As I told you all in my last post…my writing is a bit more sporadic,  due to the fact I’m still trying to recover from the brain surgery I had on March 21.  I was looking thru a new cookbook though and decided to put a few recipes here that I have either made or want to try…and soon 🙂  

A lot of you are sending me wonderful comments, messages, cards and are asking how I’m doing.  I thank you all so so much for it!   Let me just say that this recovery is slow..but sure.  I saw my neuro docs today..had a recent catscan and everything looks ok.  The headaches are still with me, will be for awhile, some cognitive issues, balance and shakiness…but the headaches are more tolerable and that is great!  I’ll stay on the meds for a while, restrictions have not been lifted, but maybe by mid June I’ll at least be able to drive again 🙂  

The weather here in Ohio has really been beautiful…whether a cold day or warm day.  Spring is here in all her glory. Our grass is green and lush and has been cut a few times already.  The herbs that come back each year…are back and growing great….like lavender, lemon balm, catnip, thyme, chamomile, and mints.  Knock out roses are big and budding. Lilies are growing, dianthus, ajuga, honeysuckle, all bloomed.  Frogs, birds, squirrels, chipmunks and even raccoons are scurrying all over the place too.  I’ve been hearing an owl hooting several nights now but haven’t see him yet.  I’ve had some porch time, and nights with a fire going LOL! That is Spring in Ohio!  I Love it and Mother Earth coming to life makes me happy I’m still here to see it and I feel like I’m coming back to life too! 

Beltane is coming up fast.  Because of my illness I’ve decided to celebrate Beltane in a quiet way rather then the dancing, festive, party way it usually is celebrated.  I will have a fire for sure with my family here.  We will have some good food, some wine, and spend time together by the fire.   My ritual will be simple…taking in the Moon Goddess energies and just being still…listening…quiet…resting.  Asking for healing and energy to continue for myself and those I love who need it too.  It will be lovely.

Now for the recipes….foods for Beltane can consist of these things….Dairy, honey, oats, red fruits, herbal salads, red/pink wine, punch, large round oatmeal cakes, and sweets.

I found a few recipes to post here I thought you might like.  Don’t forget to do a search for Beltane recipes I posted last year too 🙂 

Raspberry Lemonade

2 –  12 oz cans frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

2 – 10 oz pkgs frozen sweetened raspberries, partially thawed

2-4 Tbs sugar ..to taste

2 liters club soda, chilled

Ice

In a blender, combine lemonade, raspberries and sugar.  Cover and process until well blended.  Strain to remove seeds.  In a 4 1/2 quart pitcher or drink dispenser, combine the mixture, club soda and ice.  Mix well.  Serve!   Add mint leaves to poured glasses for some extra taste!

 

 

Peach Oatmeal Pancakes

1 2/3 cups pancake mix

1 cup quick cooking oats, uncooked

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1 Tb cinnamon

2 egg whites, beaten

1 Tb vanilla extract

1 peach, pitted, peeled and diced

1/2 cup chopped nuts

In a large bowl, combine pancake mix, oats, brown sugar and cinnamon; mix well.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a hot buttered griddle.  Turn pancakes when bubbles form and start to pop; cook other side until golden.  Makes about one dozen pancakes. 

 

Tree Hugger Granola

4 cups long cooking oats, uncooked

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup shredded coconut (optional)

1/4 cup canola or sunflower oil

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

2 Tb rum or pineapple juice

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

In a large bowl, combine oats, pecans, almonds and coconut, if using; toss to mix.  In a separate bowl, stir together remaining ingredients.  Pour oil mixture over oat mixture; stir until everything is evenly coated.  Spread out on a lightly greased 15″ x 10″ jelly roll pan.  Bake at 325* for about 25 mins, stirring every 5-10 mins, until golden.  Allow to cool on baking sheet. Store in an airtight container.  Makes about 7-8 cups.

*Great for a Beltane day walk 🙂

 

 

Spinach Strawberry Salad

1 1/2 lbs spinach, torn

3 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced

1 sweet onion, thinly sliced

1 cup chopped walnuts

Arrange spinach, strawberries, onions and nuts in a salad bowl.  Cover and refrigerate.  At serving time, drizzle the following Poppy Seed Salad dressing over the salad.  Toss and serve immediately.  Makes 6 servings.

Poppy Seed Dressing

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp dry mustard

1 tsp salt

1/3 cup cider vinegar

2 tsps green onion, chopped

3/4 to 1 cup olive oil

1 1/2 Tb poppy seeds

In a blender, mix sugar, mustard, salt and vinegar until smooth.  Add onion and blend until smooth.  With blender running, add oil slowly.  Blend until thick.   Stir in poppy seed. 

 

 

Tomato-Basil Pasta

8 oz pkg linguine pasta, uncooked

3 tomatoes, chopped

1/3 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 Tb olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

3/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Cook pasta as directed on package; drain.  Meanwhile, mix tomatoes, basil, garlic, oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl.  Add pasta and parmesan cheese; toss lightly.  Serve immediately.  Serves 4.

 

 

Lacy Oatmeal Cookies

1 stick butter, softened

6 Tb light brown sugar

6 Tb sugar

3/4 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 cup quick oatmeal

Cream butter and sugars.  Add in all the rest of the ingredients except oatmeal.  Blend well.  Now add oatmeal and blend well.

Drop by teaspoonful on cookie sheet.  Tope with raisins if you’d like (I like them without as they are very thin, sweet and buttery!). 

Bake at 350* for approx. 10 mins or until soft and golden brown.  Cool

This recipe was given to me by my husband’s Aunt Nikki when we got married.  To this day it is a favorite 🙂  Oh…I would at least double this recipe..they will go fast!!

Well, there you are…some new recipes to try.  Some of these came from my own recipe file, some from Gooseberry patch cookbooks 🙂  Let me know if you try them..I plan on trying those I haven’t made yet…especially that tomato-basil pasta! 

I wish all of you a very Blessed Beltane…frolic with the faeries and have a wonderful day!

Love and Blessings, Autumn

Sources-  pics are from the internet

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April 12, 2012 · 4:21 pm

The Wheel turns to Beltane 2012…….

It is Beltane! The Earth softens under the caress of the sun and all the world is new. We emerge from the darkness of a long, difficult winter; our eyes drink in rolling green hills budding branches and tender shoots. We breathe deeply the fresh fragrance of radiant blossoms. Merriment calls!”

– Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary

 

Merry Meet my friends.  Hope that you are having Spring weather, that your world is blooming and greening and warming like mine is.  However the last 2 days it has felt more like Winter then Spring..sunny days but frosty cold mornings!  The frost did a bit of damage to some of my herbs and budding trees and bushes..but they will recover just fine I’m sure.  I love seeing the birds, chipmunks, squirrels enjoying the weather as well as the frogs and fish in our pond.  My sister got some great pics of the frogs sunning themselves on rocks next to our pond.  I love frogs!

 

 

 

As you who read my last post know, I had brain surgery and was quite ill and in the hospital for like 11 days.  I am taking baby steps towards healing.  My last catscan showed some improvement and no new bleeds.  However, I have pretty severe headaches still, shakiness and dizziness, and alot of fatigue to deal with.  I’m told to expect that for awhile.  Another side effect, a bit of trouble focusing…which is causing me trouble with my writing, reading, even watching tv and playing words with friends LOL.   Because of that..I have had a hard time writing here on my blog and posts may be a little more sporadic for a little while.  Please bear with me while I heal….and my muse comes back 🙂 

 

We are coming up fast on Beltane…one of my favorite Sabbats because of the sheer Joy of it.   It is a fire festival, a welcome to the return of the Sun…..we celebrate longer days, warmer days…the greening of Mother Earth.  Witches are out in their gardens…tenderly planting, watering, weeding, designing and enjoying the feel of the warm earth, the Sun on our backs, the scent of the flowers and herbs and our bare feet in the green grass and rich brown dirt.   Meals are taken outdoors on patios and balconies.   We want to eat lighter and healthier, take walks, be more active.  Personally, one of my favorite things about the warm weather..is having my morning coffee on my front porch while I watch the Sunrise…and in the evening, again on the porch with a glass of wine and watch the Moonrise.  Even if you live in the city, in an apartment or condo…you can have pots of herbs and flowers to tend, to touch, to care for.  We dress lighter and in brighter colors, don our garden hats or gypsy scarves (especially for me this year with my shorn head LOL).  We want to be around water too..a pond, a pool, a lake, an ocean…even a kiddie pool is fun if thats all thats available!  I know I will have a blast with my grandbabies with their kiddie pool this Summer 🙂  

 

 

 Beltane!……  It’s about joy, love and lust, yes that kind of lust but also Lust for Life!  After making it thru the long, cold, dark Winter…we are again free to be outdoors, to enjoy nature, warmth, Sun and longer days.  Dance around a fire, feast, frolic with the faeries as they are very much part of Beltane.  Erect a maypole and invite your family and friends over to wind the ribbons and dance around it.  Set up a fairy garden and don’t forget to leave them an offering of a shiny crystal or stone or some honey and bread….. ask them to aid you in your garden.Rejoice with the God and Goddess in their Great Rite….laugh, be happy!! 

 

 

Another thing I really want to do this year…is to make up some May Day baskets for my friends and family…I love this idea of using a canning jar or even just a tin can…fill it with beautiful flowers and leave it as a surprise on the door….what a lovely gift! 

For me…this year especially…Beltane will be a most  joyous occasion..simply for the fact that I am still here…with my family and loved ones. I am so grateful for that.    I must say..Summer is not my favorite time of year….I love it until it gets too hot.  I don’t like being hot LOL!  However,  early Summer is just a beautiful time of year with it’s warm days and cool, comfortable nights.  I intend to enjoy every minute of it…and Beltane is a great way to start off a beautiful Summer Season!  

 

Be like a flower and turn your face to the sun.”
– Kahlil Gibran

 

I’d like to thank you all again so much for all the love, concern, comments, cards and gifts,  healing, lit candles and friendship sent my way while I’ve been sick.  I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for it….from my heart to yours..thank you so so much!  

Blessings and Love, Autumn   

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March 30, 2012 · 10:36 pm

To Tell You Where I’ve Been………

Merry Meet my dear readers.  It has been a bit of time now since I’ve written here on my blog….and well….there is a good reason.  I debated with myself for a few days on whether to even write about this….but decided that as I learned a few lessons in this process…..that I would share my experience.

On Irish Day, March 17, after having a terrible headache for over 2 weeks, and with the insistence of my sister and a good friend, I had that friend take me to a local hospital to get checked out..something was not right with me and I could feel it.  Very quickly, I had a catscan and discovered that I was indeed a very sick lady.   I had two brain bleeds…one older and a brand new one.  It became a dire situation very fast.  I was ambulanced immediately to another hospital more equipped to handle my situation.  My family rushed in to be with me and we were all very scared..not knowing why this had happened or what the outcome was going to be.   After more catscans, MRI’s, IV meds, being in the ICU for a couple of days..the bleeding had not stopped.  I was really sick with nausea and such a severe headache that pain medicine didn’t stop it.    Then….I had brain surgery on wed the 21st.  Multiple burr holes were dug into my skull to relieve the pressure and allow the blood to drain out. My head was shaved down, drains applied and 30 some staples applied to close everything back up.  The next few days were a bit of a blur..still so sick, sleeping alot, and hoping for relief to kick in soon.  Eventually the drains were removed…catscans started showing improvement….I was moved out of ICU to a regular room and I started working towards going home.   I finally got home late tuesday night the 26th. 

My ordeal is not over.  I have some cognitive deficits, my eyesight seems to be affected a bit, still have a headache though much more tolerable.  There will be appts with docs who are trying to figure out what caused the bleeds in the first place..to prevent them from happening again.  The neuro docs will be involved in my life for some time.  I have alot of restrictions…. no driving, no bending over, no lifting, over exertion, no housecleaning,  must get more sleep, meds I have to take and others I can no longer take.  Whew…..it’s alot to take in and alot to deal with…….

But…….  it’s NOT more then I can handle.  I am so so grateful to be alive, to be with my family and friends, to see that Spring has sprung while I was gone, to hug my grandkids, see my daughter’s smiles, my husband’s worry,  pet my cats, sit in my favorite chair in my own jammies, to watch the Sunrise and the Moonrise.   I had not seen the Moon for 12 days….the night I got home…my husband helped me to take a long soaking bath.  Right over our tub we have a skylight.  As I laid back to just soak my achy, bruised body….the Crescent moon was shining right thru that skylight onto me…filling me with a deep sense of healing, peace, love and strength.  It was amazing and I was mesmerized by how my Goddess reminded me She was still with me…always. 

Another lesson I learned…..was how strong, caring and wonderful my facebook friends are.  The outpouring of love, healing energy and concern was incredible.  I was too sick to really “be” on facebook much….but I read what I could…so often crying at the pure magick of it…and the feeling of love I was receiving…it was humbling and so so touching.  I believe it was that incredible love that has kept me here as well.  Thank you so so much my friends.

I also learned…again….that my husband, daughters, son-in-law, sisters, brother, and some close friends….always are there for each other as well.  No matter what the crisis…someone steps in to help….not all my family has these qualities….but enough of them do 🙂  Thank you ..I love you all.

I think the last lesson I need to learn….is that I need to learn to care for myself as much as I care for others.  I ignored alot of signs from my body that something was wrong.  It’s not normal to have a terrible headache for 2 weeks or more….but I just was too busy to take the time to pay attention.  I don’t sleep enough, don’t take the time to pamper myself, don’t eat right always, put off health checks and doc appts,  and put others first always.  Well….I found out the hard way….I could be gone….and then I’d be no help to anyone..and those I love the most would not have me anymore either.  So that is probably the hardest lesson to learn..but the one that is going to have to take priority.  I have to take baby steps to getting better. It is going to be a bit of a process.  But I’m going to learn to care for myself too..I have too.  I have so much to live for….and I want to live a wonderful, healthy, full of life….Life!  The Goddess has Blessed me with another chance…I intend to take it…with great Gusto!!

 

This is me….buzzed hair, staples, still weak….watch me now as I grow strong again…..I am a Warrior!  A Goddess…..A Witch!    Blessings to you all…..take care of yourself…..and live each moment to the Fullest! 

 

In love and light and healing…..Autumn

 

 

 

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February 19, 2012 · 11:14 pm

The Wheel turns to Ostara 2012……..

Merry Meet dear friends.  I hope you’ve all had a wonderful weekend.  I know I did.  We have enjoyed a few days of seeing the Sun shining!  It’s been wonderful after several gloomy ones.   Though it’s cold out, the Sun makes me feel all warm inside.   I’m sitting by a warm fire, stocking feet up on an ottoman, laptop on lap and glass of Baileys by my side.  I’m listening to my Ipod, hubby is snoozing in his chair next to me, and my daughter went on to her room for the night.  It’s peaceful and quiet and my mind turned to the next Sabbat…Ostara…so I decided to write a post. 

First, feel free to do a search here on my blog for Ostara…that will bring up all the previous posts I’ve written over the last 2 years.  That way you can find the correspondences, recipes, pics of altars, rituals etc again.  I don’t want to keep repeating myself every time I write on the same subject 🙂  As we all know, Ostara is the first day of Spring!  The days are longer and starting to get warmer.  Depending on where you live, you may see grass starting to green, spring flowers starting to shoot up from the ground, critters and birds getting more active, and people getting out a bit more, shedding their heavy winter coats.  Garden Centers are filling up with seed packets, spring bulbs and flowers, patio pots, and all the goodies us garden Witches love. The stores are filling up with Easter candy, stuffed rabbits, and Spring clothing.  Everybody’s mood gets just a bit lighter and a bit more energetic..a Spring in their step so to speak LOL. 

 

 

It’s spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you’ve got it, you want –

 oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want,

but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! 

 ~Mark Twain

 

Now here in Ohio…March can often have us with snow on the ground still.  But sometimes, we see balmy weather and an early Spring too.  Either way, I can still feel Spring coming in my soul….and it feels great!  As much as I love Winter, Spring is a wonderful time of year too.  My mind turns to cooking lighter, planning out my gardens and herb pots, finishing up any Spring cleaning that didn’t get done (I always save carpet cleaning and window cleaning for this time of year) and planning some outdoor fun.  Taking nature walks this time of year is so wonderful!  While on a walk, pay attention to what you see around you.  The trees may be budding, spring ground cover blooming, mushrooms may be growing and you might see some baby critters too.  Take a big old sniff of the air and the dirt….you can smell Mother Earth waking up, stretching, blooming…..ahhhhhh!  If it’s really warm, take off your shoes and walk in the grass and dirt…or sit up against a tree, Sun shining on your face and feel the Earth’s vibrations..you can literally feel Her humming….vibrating….coming alive!  Let the energy surge thru you….feel the quickening in your heart and soul.  It’s magick!!

 

Right around Ostara is when I start picking up the things I need to start my herb seedlings.  I buy the organic pots, organic soil and good seeds.  I like to get them planted and growing right around the first day of Spring.  I bless them with a magickal spell (you’ll find it in last years post here) and keep a close eye on them for the next 6 weeks.  I love doing that..watching them sprout and grow.  Some seeds do better then others…but I try every year to see how they do.  Then right around Mother’s day…into the ground and/or pots they go!  I love the whole process..it makes me happy! 

My family celebrates Easter as well with members of our extended family who are Christian.  So we do the family ham dinner, dye eggs and hide them for the grandkids, dress up in pastels etc. There are bunnies and tulips and colored eggs on my pastel- colored altars too.  Yes, Easter is a nod to our Ostara, though Pagans don’t celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ….a Christian belief.   Ostara…… is more about recognizing the lengthening days, the awakening of our Mother Earth, the work to come in our gardens, and the long dark spell of Winter being over! It is the turning of the Wheel…then end of one season and the start of the next.  I still like to have beautiful meal of good food with my family for Ostara too.  Being outdoors is a must and I like to do a ritual to welcome Persephone back from the Underworld..bringing Spring with her!   As a Mother, I can imagine the joy Demeter must feel everytime her beloved daughter comes back.  Think of that joy and find it yourself in your celebration of this beautiful Sabbat. 

In the next week or two..I’ll be posting a few recipes, pics of my altar, and I’ll post pics of Mother Earth coming to life around me.  Don’t forget if you want to…to look for my posts from last year and the year before for MORE recipes and more information.  We have about a month until Ostara…I’m sure we will have more Winter weather in the meantime.  But now….you can start thinking about what you’ll be doing when this next month or so is over and Spring has arrived.  A wonderful way to while away the cold Winter days that are left 🙂  It won’t be long til you’ll see this……:) 

  

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.
~Percy Bysshe Shelley, “The Sensitive Plant

Blessings and Love, Autumn

*Sources..my own writing, all pics from the internet.

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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

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February 13, 2012 · 4:14 pm

Happy Valentines Day…….

Merry Meet friends!  Hope that you had a wonderful weekend.  I spent it resting and relaxing.  Winter has shown up again here in Ohio.  We had a bit of snow and much colder weather.  Except for dinner out Saturday night with hubby and a grocery trip..I stayed in by the fire, working on my Book of Shadows, reading, journaling and watching movies with my daughter Sara.  It was lovely 🙂  Tonight we’re expecting more snow which I love…as you know if you’ve been here before 🙂  

As you know, Valentine’s Day is tomorrow.  I knew I wanted to do a post about it, but not sure What about it.  I could talk about it’s pagan roots and the history of the holiday.  I could talk about how it’s just a way for card companies to make money.  But what I decided to talk about was LOVE.  After all, our Valentines….are our loved ones.   Those we love the most in this world.  Our significant other, our children or grandchildren, maybe some extended family or best friends for some.  But many of us want to somehow acknowledge our loved ones on this day.

There are so many ways to do it to celebrate the day.   A special dinner, flowers, candy, small gifts, cards in the mail.  There probably isn’t too many of us who have forgotten the thrill of getting those little paper surprises in our homemade, heart covered shoeboxes when we were in school. LOL.  I remember how important it was to pick out the very best valentines to give to my classmates.  The excitement of opening each envelope, while having some heart-shaped confection and super sweet punch during the class party.  Then keeping that shoebox and those cards for months after..pulling them out and looking at them again and again.  🙂

Then, when I got older, it was that card or gift from that special someone….a boyfriend.  It was all romance and goosebumps.  The thrill of a kiss to go with the gift.  I can remember my boyfriend filling my locker with pink and red balloons and cherry heart-shaped suckers.  Then he met me after each class with a red rose. *Swoon*   So romantic and I felt blissful in my teenage Romance. 

 

Then I got married, and Valentine’s Day was a sexy red nightie and a bottle of wine in the early days.  Still romance…steady and strong and fun.  Then came children….and Valentine’s Day turned into pink frosted sugar cookies or cupcakes with sprinkles.  Back to making the heart covered shoeboxes and helping my children pick out the perfect Valentine’s cards for their classmates.  Hubby and I started having Valentine’s dinners out for some time to ourselves.  Marveling at how time had passed and remembering more romantic Valentine rendezvous 😉

 

Then I watched as my daughter was wooed by a boy and her heart swooned as mine did with the little things her current boyfriend did for her.  Now I watch her with her own children…again with the kids party valentines, shoeboxes, cupcakes. As Nana, I enjoy shopping for small gifts to show my love for them too.  I keep watching the years go by and the cycle continue.  The Love continues always…..

 

“Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear,

too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice,

 but for those who Love, time is Eternity”.

~Henry Van Dyke

Ultimately, Valentine’s Day, for me, reminds me of constant Love.  We all  have Love in our lives.  It should be celebrated everyday….but let’s admit it…Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to be SURE that we celebrate it.  So today…with MUCH LOVE….I wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day my friends!

Blessings and Hearts, Autumn

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