The Finishing Touch

Many of you I know were following the 31 days of Yule.  A brief break was given for the holidays so the remaining treats will be given away through the beginning of January.  The first of these great possibilities is Ogham staves from Green Woman Crafts.  I am not sure if many of you are familiar with these items yet I can assure you that you would love to have a set.  They are a form of Celtic divination based on tree lore.  Each stave is from the tree which it represents. These staves hail from England.  This is key as there are some of the trees that are not native to the states, such as the Rowan.  Click the link above to add your name into the hopper for a chance. 

Almost Over - 31 days of Yule Giveaway

Well, December is quickly closing to an end which means that the opportunity to win any of the great prizes over at 31 Days of Yule is also coming to an end.  Today I spoted this cute cup and saucer from Light Laughter & Love so cute... I can just imagine a nice cup of tea in it...

Another of the giveaways today is this Angel Art Album from Midnight Cauldron.  You have to check out the Esty shop as well, (Midnight Cauldron Esty Shop) as there are so many wonderful nostalgic items.... Check out the witch tags... too cute...

Lastly a place I know many of you are very familiar with, Laughing Vixen Lounge.  She has tons of her pendants to choose from and the lucky winner will have their choice of all of them.... Not many days left to try your hand at winning yet with 3 trys today your odds are better.... good luck to all of you...

Heads Up: Another Rune Giveaway

Just wanted to let you know that I have donated another set of Runes to the 31 Days of Yule Giveaway and they will be up for grabs tomorrow.  So if any of you are interested, hop on over after 9 pm this evening and sign up for a chance to win. 

Look What Steve Made

It is day 15 of the 31 days of Yule and still there are loads of great giveaways.  As most of you know I don't post anything about giveaways unless there is something I really like.  And I think I found something that many of you will like.... This handmade goddess cup from Look What Steve Made.    I think it is just gorgeous.  There is also a giveaway today for A Thermal Herbal therapy.  I tell you, you just can't beat the great things that are being given away each day on this.  So I urge you to stop by The Soccer Mom's Guide to Wicca and check it out.  Fae and Juniper have done a fantastic job of putting this all together... It  flows so easily and both are a couple of wonderful women..... Oh good luck... but if the fates are with me... which I hope they are... I will win that mug... or at least I hope I will... :-)  take care

Christmas Goodies - A Great and Easy Gift

As most of you know I truly love to cook.  It is something that has been with me for as long as I can remember.  I remember as a little girl mixing together ingredients and baking small spice cakes  before I could even read a cookbook.  I knew the basic ingredients and I would make up my own recipes.  They really didn't taste that bad, and still I have a fondness for spice cakes to this day.  I am participating in Home Crafted Holidays over at Domestic Witch and today is my day to share some of the things I do at Christmas time.  Although this year I am hand crafting many of my gifts, each year there is one thing that I do without fail and that is make goodies for my friends & family.  Each year I try and make a new recipe just to try something different yet I always have my familiars that everyone wants for sure.  One of these regulars are Toffee Almond Sandies.  A cookie recipe I found some time back that just sounded good and after I tried it I have made it every year since.  I would like to share it with you.

The recipe is as follows:
1 cup butter
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1 cup confectioners sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
4 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tarter
1 teaspoon salt
1 cups sliced almonds
1 package English Toffee bits OR Almond butter brickle chips

I prefer the toffee, yet of course it is one of my favorites.  In a mixing bowl, cream the butter, oil and sugars.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat in the extract.  Combine flour, baking soda, cream of tarter, and salt;  gradually add to the creamed mixture.  Stir in almonds and toffee bits gently. 

Drop by teaspoons about 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove and let cool then enjoy.  This recipes makes aproximately 9 dozen.  I know thats alot of cookies yet seeing that I give these away I like the larger recipes so I don't have to skimp.  If you are a lover of sandies, I can tell you these are wonderful.  The recipe is easy enough to adjust to other nuts if you would like besides almonds, such as pecans, cashews etc.  If you do this though remember to exclude the almond extract.  Kept in an air tight container these cookies last a long time.  They have a wonderful texture that allows them to be moist and delicious even after packing and sending abroad.  Plus it always puts such a wonderful smell in the kitchen and house when you cook. 

Enjoy...

Stained glass Dragon Fly giveaway - check it out

I had promised myself that I would not post in excess about so many giveaways, yet when somethings are so good, I just can't help myself.  Plus I love helping out others to publicize their sites on the crafts that they create as a means of income.  In this time and age I know how every penny can count.  When I saw this stained glass dragon fly I simply fell in love.  I have always loved suncatchers and this is just too cute... I truly can imagine it hanging in my kitchen window.  31 Days of Yule is giving this away for its 4th day today.  Click the link above to sign up to win.  Also check out Stephanie Burciaga Art and Glass on Etsy.  There are some truly beautiful pieces here.

Goddess Pocket Journal &

Just an update on the 31 Days of Yule Giveaway.  Today on day three there are two great giveaways.  First is the Goddess Pocket Journals from Paper Fetish.  I just love the name as I have somewhat of a paper fetish... You may want to visit her store if  you are likewise.  She has some truly beautiful handmade journals... And if you are like me, well you can never have too many journals.  So head on over to Paper Fetish Designs and check her out. 

Next is this adorable Toddler Shirt.  I love elephants. They are good luck you know.  However you always want an elephant with his trunk upwards as if it is pointing downward the luck will all run out... It is created by Lemon drop Bay on Esty.  All babies... something I am interested in with a new grandbaby on the way... 

And The Winner Is........

Well the day has finally arrived and I have drawn the two winners of the handmade willow runes with the help of my hubby Vincent.  He graciously agreed to be then non-partial individual to rummage among the ove 70 entries and choose 2 random followers. 

I have to be honest and say I truly wish I could give each and everyone of you a set.  So many wonderful comments were made concerning the runes and the reasons behind why you would like to receive them.  I had a wonderful time working with them in the process of their creation and I am very excited about the 2 lucky winners. 

The first winner is Heather from Girlchef.  I know many of you know this site well.  If you love to cook or just love to look at simply yummy food I urge you to stop by this site.  There is always something wonderful being cooked up.  Congrats Heather, drop me an email and let me know if there is any specific personalization you would like on your box. 

And the second winner is Bridgett at Doug & Boo +2.  Congrats Bridgett.  A mother, a wife, and a friend to many; her site is proof of that.  Drop me an email  also and let me know if there is any specific personalization you would like on your box. 

As I said I would love to give a set to everyone... and there is one more chance to win again... I am participating in the 31 Days of Yule over at wiccamoms.com.  Much similar to Mrs Bs Halloween Giveaway for the month of October, yet in December and for the Yule time.  I will be giving away another set there.  I am not sure of the exact day yet when I find out I will give all of you a heads up... I would advise you to go over there and check things out as the giveaways start tomorrow and the first 2 items are posted today. 

As for my December giveaway, I have not decided yet what it will be.  I am hoping to have it posted before the end of the week, so keep your eyes out.  Have a happy Monday eve...