Happy Samhain - And The Winner is........

First off I would like to wish all of you a wonderful All Hallows Eve... It is an absolutely beautiful day here... I have been busy with all sorts of things.... I had to go outside and enjoy the sunshine as well as the warm temperatures.. It is Halloween and I saw wasps, butterflys and ladybugs... wonderful...... My back porch was covered in willow leaves from the days before when the wind blew like winter... of course I had to sweep them off....

I prepared my apples for the cemetary.  I am some distance from any of my relatives to visit them so I decided to go out and give the Wright babies (Jackie Moon story) each a little something this Hallow Eve.  A nice little apple with a marigold tied with a red ribbon.  I don't get many (if any) trick or treaters so I figured I would do this instead. 

I am also busy preparing the food and such for this evening... Roasted corn, acorn squash, Halloween Pie (sheep herders pie with charmed potatoes), and fairy cakes with homemade whip cream... It just all sounds so yummy... I can't wait to eat it....

Also finally got around to carving 2 of my pumpkins... The 2 tall ones from Tennessee.  Also planning on making some roasted pumpkin seeds .  I still don't think I will be able to bring myself to cut the others.... they are just too nice looking... Although eventually I know that the rot will get them... I plan to harvest the seed though and plant them for next season...

Lastly I am sure you are wanting to know who won the giveaway.... I tried to get one of my cats to help with the drawing yet they could not be more interested in such things, so I decided to have my handsome husband help me out.  He was nice enough to lend a hand and pull out a name for me from the all the entries.  I am pleased to say that the winner of my very first giveaway "A Little Tonic Before Bedtime" is  D Suplicki from Whimsical Cottage  .   Shoot me your mailing info and  I will get the package in the mail to you first thing Monday morning... I added lots of extra little goodies so enjoy.  Be sure and also watch for my November giveaway.  I will post all the details on Monday November 2nd.  This one is dear to my heart I am quite excited about it. 

Lastly I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend fill with magic and good times.  Thank you for helping make this a very special October for me.... Blessings

October 30th - So Much to Do

Still I have not brought myself to carving into my wonderful pumpkin I found earlier this month.. However it is my plans tomorrow to do just that... To create a wonderful jack o lantern and to roast the seeds.  Yet before tomorrow comes I still have so much else to do....  Shopping for the goodies for our feast tomorrow.  I have decided to make Witches Pie, Roasted Acorn Squash with cinnamon, Roasted Corn and Fairy Cakes for desert.  I also will have roasted pumpkin seeds and hazelnuts to snack on before time as well as a nice warm kettle of apple cider on the stove through out the day. 

It is going to be a small gathering.  I do not know many whom I could invite to come and feast with us on charmed potatoes and fairy cakes; Then sit around the bon fire outside as I burn my wormwood into the night... Although I think that this year that is best... I truly feel like it is not only the beginning of a new year for me yet also the beginning of a new me.  Much has been happening within me this last month and once I learned to allow it and let it go, I could not enjoy it more.  I am eager to start November 1st with a quiet bang.  I know that the coming year will bring much to me in many areas.. Many I am more than likely not even aware of yet.  I love surprises!!!

Today is also Vince & my 3rd anniversary... We will have an afternoon movie then our meal at home.  Something we started shortly  after we started to see each other.  It is just so much more relaxing staying at home laying out the blanket on the floor and laying out all our favorite goodies to nibble on with a bottle or 2 of wine... Such goodies as sauteed mushrooms, asparagus in lemon butter, crab and shrimp, strawberries, and on and on.  We can have a feast and then some for half the cost of a swanky meal out... Plus if the mood arises.... we can act upon it immediately instead of waiting...

Don't forget, tomorrow is also when I announce the winner of my October Giveaway - A Little Tonic Before Bedtime.  If you haven't entered just click on the link and it will take you straight there.  Yea I know I said the entries would stop today but I see no problem taking it up til when I draw tomorrow.  Have a wonderful Friday...

The Beauty of Death

As I did my morning routine and ran through the many blogs that I follow, I came across one that truly touched my soul.  Not so much because of how it was written yet because of the treasure it gave to me.  You may wonder what treasure this could be.  The moment I began reading and gazing upon the beautiful photos I knew that in my future a trip was in the works.  No I do not know when or even exactly how yet I know that there will be a day in my life when I will venture across to Savannah Georgia and spend some special moments at Bonaventure Cemetary. 

I do not know why cemetaries effect me so.  I can remember the feeling way back in my childhood.  There was a small lonely cemetary out in field that I admired often as a child.  Each time I would pass it I would gaze at it and wonder who was it that lay under the beautiful monuments that stood so straight and majestic.  One evening while passing again I saw it in the distance.  Lit my a small light, an angel stood with her arms opened to the heavens.  At that moment I told my mother that I wished to be buried there whenever I died.  She quickly spoke and informed me I was unable to because it was a Catholic cemetary....something at that time in my life I did not understand....

As time  passes for me, still I find myself drawn to the places where people lay thier loved ones to rest.  I will be honest and say that I am not one who beleives in spending time at a graveside to visit those who have moved on.  I feel that their pressence can be felt around us regardless of where we may be.  Although I truly mean no disrespect to those who do.  My sister passed 5 years ago and on occasion I do go and sit with her.  I however am drawn more to cemetaries for the ones who are there that I do not know yet and may somehow get to know.  The lives passed and the stories to be told.

In looking at the photos of Bonaventure I am in awe at the beauty I see.  Such care taken in the statues placed.  Such detail.  The stories there must be to tell.  I have a feeling that as time passes I will  find myself walking the trails of many more gardens.  Gardens both small and large, both here and there.  Each one lending me something precious, something rare.  A glimpse into the stories told, some remembered and some long forgotten.  A beauty that can only be found in death. 

Thank you Peach Tree Blog for bringing such a lovely blessing today.  For a more detailed story of Bonaventure Cemetary click the link.

The End of October is Fast Approaching

This morning as I look towards the east at the red/orange hue of the morning sky, I can tell it is going to be a grand day full of sunshine and other great things. There are still a spattering of colors throughout the yard left by flowers that are still hanging on til the frost nips it into its final sleep. The trees are full into their change of color before they too are lulled off for the winter. Their coats of yellow, brown and orange cover the still green grass in preperation for this act. The birds that frequent my bird feeders are active already fattening up for the months ahead as well as the local squirrels that horde all they can to line themselves with that extra layer of fat.... The cats have already begun to thicken not only from their extra food consumption but also from the increase of fur growth. The days are definately moving towards winter and colder times. It is hard to believe that in a few short days October will gracefully bow out and November will be upon us... The new year will start and the quiet time of winter will begin.  I enjoy this time of year, except for the nasty weather that can sometime come with it.  Although it is a time of quietness and reflection it is scattered with festive times of gathering of freinds and familys that help to warm the colder times.  It is a time when the kitchen is always warm due to the constant use of the hearth (or stove).  Kettles of stews are always found simmering or lucious cakes and cookies are baking.  The smell of recently harvested apples can be sensed via the nose cooking slowly in a number of dishes such as fresh apple cake, Candy/Carmel Apples, Apple strusel pie, and even fresh apple cider.  No wonder it is always the time of year when we manage to put on a few extra pounds.  (But its all SOOOO good

 

Another sign of the end of October is the ending of Mrs. B's giveaways... Which today is a good one.. no really a great one.

Such things as A subscription to Witches & Pagans , A wonderful set of Recipe cards every girl should have, An adorable handmade doll with my name so of course I simply love it , and a beautiful pendant with a small feather.  Being the bird lover I am I adore this as I am a collector of feathers myself.. Head on over to try your hand at winning some of the last treasures she will be giving away.  I can promise you you will not be disappointed.