A Thought To Ponder - Remembering Those Who Have Passed

As All Hallows Eve nears, let us not forget to remember those who have passed before us.

Death is more universal than life.

Everyone dies, yet not everyone lives

A. Sachs

For death is no more

than a turning of us over from time to eternity

William Penn

Oh heart, if one should say to you that the soul perishes

like the body

Answers that the flower withers, but the seed remains

Kahil Gibran

When someone you love becomes a memory

the memory becomes a treasure

Author Unknown

Photos of Bonaventure Cemetary in Savannah Georgia

For an extra entry in the current giveaway leave a comment with the word Bonaventure in it. 

Every Woman Should Own An Apron Like This

Isn't this just the cutest thing you've ever seen.. It is purple, my favorite color.  That writing you see on the front says "Domestic Goddess".  Don't we all like to think of ourselves in that way...

It is currently the prize in a giveaway over at Witchy Gumbo.  So if you like what you see go on over to Gypsy's site and sign up to get a chance. 

Don't you just love all these wonderful giveaways this time of year.

The Legend of the Jack - O - Lantern

The custom of the jack-o-lantern came from Ireland and was first made out of holloed out turnips and beets. It was the immigrants to eventually ventured to America that later used the pumpkin and squash. According to the legend, the Jack-O-Lantern derived its name from a man named Jack. He was a mischievous lad who escaped the devil’s attempts to steal his soul on many an occasion. When Jack died, it was said that he could not get into heaven because of his naughty ways. He then went to the gates of hell, and the devil also refused him entrance.

The devil then tossed a piece of coal out to Jack as a jokingly way of offering him a means to find his way in the dark. Yet Jack was not that dumb. He placed the piece of coal into a carved out turnip creating a makeshift lantern which provided him light enough as he wandered about purgatory.

The placing of a light in the hollowed out pumpkins and squash today is a means to ward off the dark or any unwanted spirits. The pumpkin is to be placed at the front door or in any passageway in need of protection or light.

If you would like an extra entry for my Samhain giveaway. Go to the link and post a comment with the word Jack-o-lantern. 

Celtic Tree Lore - Reed and/or Broom

eginning October 28th and continuing through November 24th we celebrate the Celtic Tree Month of Reed. Reed actually is more of a shrub like plant and in some places (such as England) is better known by its folk name “Scotch Broom”. Entwined in this period is the Celtic New Year or Samhain (October 31). What better representation than the broom. The Reed symbolizes purification, protection, and fertility. Wands made of reed were often symbols of authority.

Reed or broom is a densely growing shrub plant and is indigenous to England and the temperate regions of Europe and northern Asia. It is often found in abundance on sandy heaths and pastures where it grows wild. Once established, Reed can grow to a height of over 8 feet. The stems are mostly leafless yet some leaves can grow around the base.

The flowers of the Reed are very fragrant and about ¾ inch long. Their color can range from light yellow to orange with crimson wings. They bloom from April to July and occur on plants as young as 2 years old. However they are far more abundant on plants of 4 years or more. Bees are usually attracted to the Reed’s flowers yet not because of their sweet taste. They enjoy the abundance of pollen found there.

The broom seldom grows large enough to furnish useful wood, but when its stems acquire a sufficient size it is beautifully veined and being hard provides valuable material for veneering. It is most commonly used for making brooms, brushes, and basketwork.

Reed was best known for its use as roofing for homes. Thatch roofs used to be cheap and plentiful. It was a perfect insulator to keep homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Look What I Won

I love this time of year with all the giveaways and there have been some wonderful ones.  I have been lucky to win a few.  My latest one was from The Halloween Queens and their wonderful 31 day giveaway of handmade crafts.  I will admit that I have had my eye on this one and was wishing I would be lucky enough to be one of the winners. 

Lo and behold, Friday I did just that.  I won this adorable Halloween Orny from Pearl Avenue Studios.  

Needless to say I was overjoyed.  If you were lucky enough to get your name in the hopper there are still a few days left to be chosen.  Best of all, on the 31st they are picking a grand prize winner... whopee.

Halloween Greetings to You All

First off let me start off with welcoming you to my little corner of blogland.  I hope you enjoy yourself as you take a look around.  As you probably already know I  decided to participate in Mrs. B's Haunted Blog Tour this year.  Her continuing efforts to bring goulish fun and excitement to our Octobers each year is something we all look forward to. 

This time of year has always been a favorite time of mine for so many reasons.  From the carving of Jack-O-Lanterns to eating carmel apples to the wonderful vibrant colors that Mother Nature gives it is a wonderful time indeed. 

It is also a time when we prepare for the final harvest and the coming of the new year.  The year is winding down and we reflect on what has past and what is to come.  As All Hallows Eve nears, we all have our own form of celebration.  Mine is usually a quiet night at home with a meal representive of the fruits of the harvest at this time of year.  I usually take any last herbs and/or flowers that I may want before the end of the day and always pay homage to those who have passed, remembering them and the gifts they gave and still give to us.

This is a time when the veil is quite thin between worlds and is a perfect time to communicate with those who have gone before.  I am always sure to leave an offering beneath my Elm for the fae as well as a couple colorful trinkets.  

I wish you and yours a blessed Samhain and hope that your time together will be joyful and warm.

I thought I would point you to a few posts of mine with Autumn and Samhain in mind.  A little of everything.  Enjoy...  Don't forget to check out my giveaway to celebrate this time of year.

Pumpkin Pie and Parlor Games
Fairy Honey Cakes
The Beauty of Death
Carmel & Cream

Delicious Autumn
Onion ShortCake and Thanks

Samhain Giveaway

This is my first year to participate in the Haunted Blog Tour on Mrs. B's 31 Days of Halloween.  I thought it would also be a good time to have a giveaway to celebrate Samhain.

Tucked inside this festive Autumn basket a little of everything can be found to celebrate the season .

A bottle of my Full Moon morsels sure to tempt your tummy. 

A beautiful Fairy Star to hang where the wee folk can see that you are a friendly soul and come and visit.

A Bag of assorted Blood Sucker Candy direct from the Vampire Candy Company.

An adorable little black cat dish to serve all your goulish treats with others.  That is if you are in a sharing mood.

A Bell Charm to hang from  your door or other place (I have one hanging from my Ceiling fan as well) to help ward off any evil spirits that may attempt to haunt you.

And of course as always a few other treats that I choose to keep secret until the winner receives their goodies. 

Rules to enter are as follows:

1.  Leave a comment on this post - be sure to leave your email address if there is no way to reach you per your profile.

2.  Follow Mother Moon

For extra entries:

1.  Post the button - on your blog with a link back to this site for 2 extra entries.  Please post 2 comments to insure you receive proper credit.

2.  Blog about this giveaway with a link back to this site for 2 extra entries. Please post a link in each comment.

The winner will be chosen on none other than October 31st.  Good luck to all.

Pumpkins, Gourds and A Few Other Things

Now mind you when I went to Tennessee it was not all fun and games with the grandkids.  I love traveling out to this area as there is such beautiful scenery as well as wonderful buys.

I wanted to do a little antiquing when I went and we were able to get a bit in.  Vincent and I had full intentions of going back to one venue on our own yet since we were called home early we missed out.  I did manage to pick up a couple items while I was out.  I love candle stick holders especially silver ones.  I found this one downtown in a little shop and had to have it. 

The other item I found was this adorable spoon necklace.  A little demitasse spoon with a delicate flower at its end sculpted into a necklace.  I would have loved to have found earings to match yet I was out of luck on that one. 

When we went to the Pumpkin Patch I had to pick up my annual Tennesse Pumpkin.  I choose a variety of smaller ones and also a few gourds to dry and use later.  Little ears of popping corn were also purchased as I thought they would make a cute addition to my array. 

I also picked this thing up.  I will be honest and say that at the first I thought it was a huge gourd yet the more I look at it I am not sure.  It would be wonderful if it is as can you imagine the orny I could make out of this one.  It is about 14 inches wide and about 20 inches high.  My grandkids want me to make a snowman out of it.  Little do they know I do not have the talent to paint such things.  We will see what comes of it.  I will keep you posted.

I also went to a pumpkin patch near me when I returned home in hopes of finding my big pumpkin.  Once again I was disappointed and wished I had purchased in Tennessee.  Their prices are so much better and their variety is much wider.  I am learning...

I am beginning to think that even after my daughter and her family are stationed elsewhere, I still may have to venture out to Tennessee once a year or so.  A wonderful state with so much beauty. 

Octobers Full Moon -

You all know how much I love the moon in all her glory.  I know that she is in her fullest today, yet I also knew that the clouds and rain would hide her from my site this evening so I snapped a few photos of her last night.  She was gorgeous as usual and the ring that encircled her foretold of the rain that was about to come.  If your skys are clear tonight I suggest you take a gaze at her... As the air gets cooler the moons become even more brillant.  Simply a beautiful site. 

A Thought To Ponder - The Joy of Being GG

I know I have probably bored the lot of you to tears with my week of posts involving my grand kids. Yet what can I say they are the joy of my life. To finish this week off I would like to share a few other photos of us at the park as well as a few quotes to go with my Thursday theme. For those of you who are already grandmas, nanas, gg's whatever you know the joy I speak of. For those of you who are yet to become a grandmother, know you are in for a wonderful adventure. blessings.

Few things are more delightful

then grandchildren fighting over your lap.

-Doug Larson-

A grand child fills a place in your heart

you never knew was empty.

-unknown-

 From a little girl so small,

how and when did you get so tall.

-Karen Mortensen-

 One of the most powerful handclasps

is that of a new grandbaby

around the finger of their grandparent

-Joy Hargrove-

Grandchildren are loving reminders

of what we are really here for.

-Unknown-

  

When GG enters the door,

disciplines flies out the window.

(paraphrased by my daughter)

Grandchildren

are Gods reward for not killing your kids.

-unknown-

My Little MVP and His Sister the Cheerleader

Although my grandkids were on Fall break during our visit last week, we still had to go to soccer and cheerleading practice.  I did not mind this much as we also were able to take in their last game of the season.

The last time I had visited I had the pleasure of attending one of my grandson's soccer games and it was at this time that I  was introduced to what would become his nemisis. 

A ball cap covered the long hair of his nemisis.  From a distance we were sure that it was a girl.  Although they appeared to be quite a player with a natural ability or at least someone who coached them often.  Yet as the game progressed and the hat soon came off due to the heat, we realized that what we thought to be a girl was really just a little boy with long hair. 

Even after that first game we told my grandson that his rival was a boy yet he refused to believe us, that is until he took a closer look.  He had been polite and purposely avoided being too rough with this player as he did not want to hurt "her".

Therefore when I was able to see his last game of the season and I realized that once more he would be playing the same team I was glad and wondered how he would approach it this time.

Needless to say his manners were a bit more laxed than previously and he was not as cordial as he had been before.  It was good to see him play so hard.  He has a natural talent himself and it is definately coming out.

His sister cheered him on as best she could or should I say as much as she wanted too.  The rest of the time she relaxed in her chair or played with her baby brother.  It was only 4 and 5 year olds playing soccer. 

Between plays my grandson could not even keep the little women off him.  Although from what I hear he sort of likes the women.  This was the baby boy who hid a pair of silk panties in his stroller from Victoria Secrets before he was a year old. 

That afternoon my grandson's team celebrated the end of their season with a picnic and awards.  My grandson grabbed the overall MVP for the season.  Not too bad for someone who was only 3 when the season started which made him the youngest on the team. 

I look forward to the years to come where there are sure to be many more games and much more trophies.  Can you tell I am a bit proud.... didn't think so.