Musings From A Southern Belle/Witch

Yummy Monday

2012-02-06T17:44:00.000-06:00

Hello lovely people, YES! I am in a great mood today, you can tell the full moon is almost among us.

OK so on with my post. I'm not only trying to eat healthier foods, but low carb foods to keep my glucose (blood sugar) levels where they belong, so I have been searching the internet, cookbooks and magazines for tasty low carb foods. In doing so I cam across this recipe and had to share it with all of you, I hope you like it as much as my family and I do.

Twice-Baked Cauliflower

(Makes 6-8 servings; recipe adapted slightly from The Low Carb Gourmet.)

Ingredients:
1 large head cauliflower

1/2 cup low fat cream cheese

1/2 cup low fat sour cream
1/4 cup minced green onions (I leave these out, I'm allergic)
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (If you only have finely grated Parmesan, use a bit less)
6 slices bacon, cooked until very crisp, then crumbled
1 cup reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Cut out stem and core from cauliflower, and cut into small pieces. Cook in large pot of boiling salted water until cauliflower is tender, but not overly soft. Drain well and mash with potato masher, leaving some chunks. Mix in cream cheese, sour cream, green onion, Parmesan, and 3/4 of the crumbled bacon.

Spread evenly in a medium-sized glass casserole dish. Sprinkle with low-fat cheddar cheese and reserved bacon. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

This is so yummy I hope you love it.

Many Blessing

Chaos

Imbolc Blessings

2012-02-02T07:00:00.000-06:00

Blessed Imbolc to all!

Time to start saying goodby to winter, and prepare for the coming spring. May Brigid bring you healing blessings and a warm and loving hearth and home.

Many Blessings
Chaos

Weekly Ramblings!!!!

2012-01-27T23:29:00.000-06:00

This has been a great week on so many levels, I went to the doctor last Tues. for my 3 month check on my diabetes and he did a bunch of test and said he would mail me the results in a few days. well I got them on Wed., and they were great so no insulin, I've also lost 2 more pounds Yay!!!

In honor of my weight loss over the past year and to help me find my sexy side I am getting my hair cut in about a week I'll be sure to post pics. Right now my hair hangs almost to my behind and it will be just above my shoulders when it's done.

And on a purely housewife note, I got to pick out my new washer this week and for the first time ever I am excited to do laundry LOL.

On the Witchy side of life, I have set up my altar for Imbolc(which is Thursday) and I wanted to share a pic of it with you, so here it is.

I hope all of you have a blessed and magical weekend.

Blessings
Chaos

Lost But, Finding Parts Of Me

2012-01-14T00:03:00.000-06:00

Well I have been working on finding/connecting with the cooky, cool, spiritual chick that loves all things witchy this week. I have been doing this through study, divination and spending time in nature meditating. I can say this about my progress I have definitely felt the goddess with me this week.

The second part of this journey is to find that sexy, bold women my husband fell in love with. The only problem is I lost her literally; over the past year I have gone from a size 26 to a size 16, but I am still wearing most of the same clothes (and they're huge) that I did at size 26, so in a few weeks I'm going shopping for some new clothes. I have to say I'm excited and scared at the same time.

I'm not there yet and still have a lot to work on but I think I have made a good start. Unfortunately the next step in my journey is back on the diabetes train, Tuesday is my 3 month check up so the doctor can check my A1C level and see if I am doing a good job managing my diabetes with the medications he has me on or if he needs to put me on insulin.

So what I do next on this journey to find myself will be decided for me on Tuesday, I'll let you know how it turns out.

Blessings
Chaos.

Divination Craftiness

2012-01-07T21:15:00.000-06:00

I have been working on my divination through several different ways, including Runes, Tarot, Oracle cards, and Pendulum work. When doing divination I like to put as much as myself into it as I can so I have crafted my own runes and though not necessary I made a pendulum board. I thought I would share them with you.

First is my Runes, I molded/shaped them out of clay, putting my energy into them, then they were painted a beautiful gold and then the Runes when drawn on them. I keep them in a lovely red bag my cousin gave me.

Next up in my Pendulum and Pendulum board. First is my pendulum it was an anniversary gift from my husband several years ago it is a sapphire heart that appointed itself to be my pendulum (and also my favorite piece of jewelery)

Then there is its board, it's wooden, and has been painted black and deco-podged with an awesome picture that I honestly want to be my first and most likely only tattoo.

Thank you for letting me share my witchy crafts with you, I enjoy sharing them with you so much.

Blessings
Chaos

Lost - One cooky, Cool, Spiritual, Sexy, Bold Witch That Loves To Cook.

2012-01-02T21:09:00.000-06:00

2011 was a year of changes for me and my family, some good, some bad, and some were just heartbreaking. I guess the 3 biggest changes can be summed up in one word, LOSS. The first loss is of loved ones, we had 3 great people leave us this year. The second loss is the loss of pets, we lost 2 of our cats within a month of each other. The third and for me personally the biggest loss; is the loss of self, and that is what I want to discuss now.

As most of you know I was diagnosed with diabetes in early October, and I have had to make so many changes to my life, in order to maintain good health and keep my diabetes under control, that I have somehow lost myself in the process. My whole life has turned into diabetes, and I must find a balance between the diabetic me and the me who I know I am.

So how do I do this? How do I find me again? Well thanks to a good friend and I good book I have become inspired. The book is "Eat, Pray, Love" and the inspiration from the book is the part where Liz divides a year into three, four month parts to get in touch with with certain aspects of her life, and that's what I plan to do, sort of.

I will start with what parts of me do I want to find, well for sure the 65lbs I lost can stay where ever it went to, I don't miss it at all. However I do miss the me who loves to cook and try new foods, so I want to find her, I also want to find that cooky, cool, spiritual chick that loves all things witchy, and for mine and my hubby's sake I need to find that sexy, bold women he fell in love with. So I know what or who I am looking for I need to decide how I should find this "cooky, cool, spiritual, sexy, bold witch that loves to cook"

She's all one person who is lost inside me so I will be dedicating the next year to find her, but I won't be doing it four months at a time, instead I'll be working on finding her everyday and I hope to share my journey with you on at least a weekly basis. So bare with me it could be long journey, but well worth it in the end.

Blessings
Chaos

Blessed Yule

2011-12-21T20:25:00.000-06:00

In just a few short hours it will be Yule/The Winter Solstice, the time of year that we celebrate the Goddess in all her glory giving birth to the God, it's time for the days to grow longer and the nights shorter and in my practice it is a time to gather with family and friends.

This year do to illness, work, and differing beliefs, my ladies group(might as well call it a coven LOL) will get together on Sunday to exchange yule gifts. The 4 of us always make homemade gifts for each other, this year I have made them 2 gifts first I made them spell stars, they are a great tool for spell work you can find out more about them here. The second thing I made for them are these cute little snowmen

They are made special for each person's personality my favorite one is the Goth snowman, he's just to cute.

As today turns into tomorrow I will be doing a small solitary ritual, and will spend my day tomorrow honoring the Goddess and the new born God. I hope all of you have a wonderful and blessed Yule.

Many Blessings

Chaos

Got Balls?

2011-12-12T22:35:00.000-06:00

I do and they are super yummy!!!

I am participating in the Domestic Witch's 3rd annual Christmas Balls blog party! and I have decided to share my favorite balls with you.

My Granny Whites Rum Balls

1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup brandy
1 (16 ounce) package vanilla wafers, crushed very fine
2 cups finely chopped walnuts
1 cup confectioners' sugar for rolling

Directions

In a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, melt evaporated milk and chocolate chips, stirring frequently until smooth.
Remove from heat and stir in the crushed vanilla wafers and brandy until well blended.
Roll the dough into small balls and roll the balls in chopped walnuts, then in confectioners' sugar.
Store covered in the refrigerator.

Now take a ball put it in your mouth and enjoy!!!!

Fealing Crafty!!!

2011-11-04T00:15:00.000-05:00

With the start of a new Witchy year, I have set a few goals for myself. These goals include my health and my Witchy practice. So far the health thing is going better than I expected, my blood sugar is not where it should be but it has gone down considerably and is staying down. I'm still getting used to the new diet that I have been put on but I'm following it and so far I have not slipped.

As for my Witchy practice my goals are simple, I need to reconnect and find balance, as I have said before one of the things I do to connect is to paint so that is what I have been doing and decided to share my newest creation with you.

It's not much, just a simple altar tile but I like it and I hope you do too.

It's a piece of slate I found in a box of my grandmothers stuff, I drew the triquetra on it then painted it red with a green border.

Many Blessings

Chaos

Blessed Samhain!!!

2011-10-31T01:47:00.000-05:00

Happy 31st day of Samhain/Halloween, I hope all of you have a wonderful day.

Today's post is simply this, remember the ones that have come before us, be it this year or in years past. Honor them and keep them close at heart.

This is the Witches New Year, so dedicate your self to something new for the coming year. most of all enjoy the day feel the energies all around you, use some and release some of your own( we must always keep the universe in balance).

I hope all of you have a blessed and magical Samhain.

Many Blessings
Chaos

31 Days Of Samhain - Days 30

2011-10-30T18:21:00.000-05:00

Happy 30th day of Samhain/Halloween. I hope your weekend went wonderfully and I hope you are ready for tomorrow, I know I am.

For today's post I have decided to call on Shakespeare to help me, I just love this and I think it's fitting.

Many Blessings
Chaos

Double, double, toil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron bubble
Double, double, toil and trouble
Something wicked this way comes.

Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg and howlet's wing.

Double, double, toil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron bubble
Double, double, toil and trouble
Something wicked this way comes.

In the cauldron boil and bake,
Fillet of a finny snake,
Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf,
Witches' mummy, maw and gulf.

Double, double, toil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron bubble

Double, double, toil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron bubble
Double, double, toil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron bubble

Something wicked this way comes.

31 Days Of Samhain - Days 29

2011-10-29T20:40:00.000-05:00

Happy 29th day of Samhain/Halloween, I hope your weekend has been a great one.

Today's post has nothing to do with the Samhain, but it does have everything today with why today is my favorite day of October. On this day 15 years ago I gave birth to my eldest witchlett, she was all of 5'13oz and 18 inches long of beautiful.

Today we had a Johnny Depp themed birthday party for her, it was a small family party but she still had fun. here are a few pics of her cake.

I hope all of you have a blessed day and Happy Birthday My Baby Girl

Chaos

31 Days Of Samhain - Days 28

2011-10-28T20:12:00.000-05:00

Happy 28th day of Samhain/Halloween, I hope you have had a great week, today I will be sharing a clip from my families favorite Halloween movie we never miss it.

Many Blessings
Chaos

It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!!

31 Days Of Samhain - Days 27

2011-10-27T15:52:00.000-05:00

Happy 27th day of Samhain/Halloween, I hope you week has been grand and is winding down nicely.

As I was trying to figure out what I would post about today I stumbled across this poem about Samhain and knew I should share it, I hope you enjoy it.

Blessings
Chaos

Samhain

(poem by: Yvonne Aburrow)

As night draws its veil over the land,

And autumn draws on her cloak of leaves,

The other world draws nearer to our own,

And the dead gather in the place of shadows.

The dark mother stands revealed

In her terrible naked glory.

The heart stopping beauty of Autumn

Is like a spear roaring for blood.

Even as the Sun recedes from us

To journey over the dark dreaming river

Into the country of death -

So we seek within ourselves the seed of life.

The seed of life: Demeter's mystery,

Kernel within the dark husk,

The Child of Light turning within the womb,

Reflected in the burnished gold of autumn leaves.

31 Days Of Samhain - Days 25 -26

2011-10-26T06:57:00.000-05:00

Happy 26th day of Samhain/Halloween, sorry I missed yesterday I had an all day diabetes education class. I hope all of you are doing well on this mid week day. Today I will be sharing the recipe I use for making Soul Cakes, enjoy

Blessings
Chaos

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, two sticks American
3 3/4 cups sifted flour
1 cup fine sugar
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon allspice
2 eggs
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
4 -6 tablespoons milk
powdered sugar, to sprinkle on top

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cut the butter into the flour with a pastry blender or a large fork.
Blend in the sugar, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and allspice; beat eggs, vinegar, and milk together.
Mix with the flour mixture until a stiff dough is formed.
Knead thoroughly and roll out 1/4-inch thick.
Cut into 3-inch rounds and place on greased baking sheets. Prick several times with a fork and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar while still warm.

31 Days Of Samhain - Days 18 - 24

2011-10-24T20:19:00.000-05:00

Happy 24th day of Samhain/Halloween, I hope you had a great start to your week.

Samhain is the time of year that we honor our ancestors (lost loved ones), many cultures have celebrations to honor the dead, Mexico for one has "Dia de los Muertos" or "Day Of The Dead" in which they have a huge day long celebration to honor the ancestors.

Here are some ideas that you can use to honor your ancestors.

1. Make an ancestors altar, you can add photos or other symbols of your loved ones, if you had a loved one die in the past year add a candle for them.

2. Hold a Dumb Supper - no, not dumb as in stupid, but dumb as in silent. You do not speak during the Dumb Supper to honest those how passed on. You cook the dishes your ancestors might like, and eat in silence.

3. Make Soul Cakes (I'll post the recipe tomorrow)

These are just a few suggestions I'm sure if your do some research you can customize you own way to honor you ancestors.

Many Blessings
Chaos

On Hold Till Monday

2011-10-20T15:16:00.000-05:00

Hey guys I'm sorry i have not been doing my Samhain/Halloween post over the last few days. We had a death in our family (my ex-father in law), and needless to say it has taken a real tole on my two oldest witchletts as he was there grandfather. The services are this weekend, so I hope to be back to my regular posting on Monday.

Thank You and Blessings
Chaos

I Have Diabetes, It Does Not Have Me!!

2011-10-17T21:37:00.000-05:00

So I went to the doctor today to get my test results about my diabetes, and needless to say the news was not so good. I was told that my levels were way to high and he increased the amount of medicine I'm taking, and has given me a timeline of three months on this medicine to bring my blood sugar under control or I will have to go on insulin. He also told me that my cholesterol and triglycerides were elevated and started me on meds for that too.

Needless to say I have had an emotional day, I have laughed and cried and I have wanted to scream, but after talking to a good friend and reading something on another friends blog I have decided this will not beat me, I won't let it. I have diabetes it does not have me.

Thanks for listening to me babble on.

Blessings
Chaos

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 17

2011-10-17T19:18:00.000-05:00

Happy 17th day of Samhain/Halloween I hope your week has started off nicely. Today I will be sharing a favorite movie of my oldest Witchlett, and that movie would be Hocus Pocus, and when say favorite I mean she knows every line by heart and sings the songs constantly during the Halloween season. This is the clip she wants me to share with you, Enjoy!!!

Blessings
Chaos

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 16

2011-10-16T17:14:00.000-05:00

Happy 16th day of Samhain/Halloween, I hope you all had a great weekend and that your week ahead is a wonderful one.

Today I want to share with you my favorite thing about this time of year, and that is being with my family. This time of year my daughters and I spend a lot of time together watching our favorite movies, decorating the house, and getting Halloween costumes ready. This year I have a fairy, a witch and a ghoul.

I am also getting geared up for my Samhain festivities, which include honoring my ancestors and giving thanks for the gifts I have had in my life this past year. The one thing I won't be doing is eating any of the candy the girls get from trick or treating.

Well that's all I have for today sorry if I rambled a bit.

Blessings
Chaos

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 15

2011-10-15T14:17:00.000-05:00

Happy 15 day of Samhain/Halloween, I hope your weekend is going great mine is going pretty good so far.Today I'm sharing a yummy and healthy recipe for Pumpkin Soup that I got from the Mayo clinics web site.

I have made it a few times now and it's very yummy So here it is, Enjoy!!

Blessings
Chaos

Ingredients

3/4 cup water

1 small onion, chopped (I omit the onions due to an allergy)

1 can (8 ounces) pumpkin puree

1 cup unsalted vegetable broth

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup fat-free milk

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 green onion, green top only, chopped (I omit the onions due to an allergy)

Directions

In a large saucepan, heat 1/4 cup of the water over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Don't let the onion dry out.(If your like me just heat the water)
Add the remaining water, pumpkin, broth, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the milk and cook until hot. Don't boil.

Ladle into warmed individual bowls and garnish with black pepper and green onion tops. Serve immediately.

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 14

2011-10-14T12:02:00.000-05:00

Happy 14th day of Samhain/Halloween, and Happy Friday!!!

Today I am sharing a memory and a video and something fun you can do for a Halloween party, all rolled into one thing and that one thing is.....

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

I had seen Rocky a few times and loved it but, about 16 years ago I went to my first Rocky party and it was a blast. We had all the props, sang along and laughed so hard we cried. I strongly suggest if you've never been to a Rocky party either go to one or throw one, no matter your age you'll love it. Here is a link to a great site that gives you all the info you will need to throw your own Rocky Party http://www.rockyhorror.com/participation/

And now.... one of my favorite scenes from the movie

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 13

2011-10-13T12:29:00.000-05:00

Happy 13th day of Samhain/Halloween!! Ah lucky 13!?! I decided that today I would share another great blog with you.

From the first post I read on Elle's Bits and Bobs, It became a must read blog for me. From the day to day stuff in her life, her writing and the wonderful person she is you'll love reading everything that Elle from Elle's Bits and Bobs has to say and you'll enjoy the cute pics she post from her life.

So lets hop on our brooms and fly on over and see what Elle's up to today.

Blessing
Chaos

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 12

2011-10-12T16:11:00.000-05:00

Happy 12th day of Samhain/Halloween today I have a special treat a Halloween MeMe that I got from, Leeanna over at Can We Have A New Witch Ours Melted. She got it from Southern Fried Doublewide. I hope you enjoy it and keep it going, I would love to read y'alls answers.

Blessings
Chaos

1. Which urban legend scared the jeebus out of you when you were a kid.
    Bloody Mary always scared the crap out of me.

2. Which horror movie has the best premise?
    The Hellraiser movies

3. What is the most disappointing "treat" to receive in your bag on Halloween night?
    Rocks, yes I'm serious we got rocks in our bags one year

4. What's the best non-candy item to receive?
    My Grannies neighbor used to give us 5$ bills every year.

5. Did a monster live in your closet as a child?
    Nope, under my bed

6. Which supernatural creature sent chills up your spine as a kid and still does?
    Pin Head

7. Which supernatural creature makes you yawn?
    Vampires, unless he sparkles and wrestles with grizzly bears :) Go Team Emmet!!

8. What's your favorite Halloween decoration?
    Pumpkins, carved, painted or plain I love them

9. If you could be anywhere on Halloween night, where would you be?
    Salem, Mass or New Orleans, LA

10. What's the scariest book you've read so far this year?
      A diabetes cook book :P

11. Haunted houses or hayrides?
      I love both of them

12. Which Stephen King novel/movie would you least like to find yourself trapped in?
      IT!!!!

13.Which is creepiest: evil dolls, evil pets, or evil children?
     All of the Above

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 11

2011-10-12T00:22:00.000-05:00

Happy 11th day of Samhain/Halloween, I hope you've all had a good start to your week, Today I am sharing another video from another favorite movie... Enjoy

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 10

2011-10-10T20:35:00.000-05:00

Happy 10th day of Samhain/Halloween today I am sharing my favorite scene from my favorite witchy movie. Enjoy!!!!!

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 8 & 9

2011-10-09T12:23:00.000-05:00

Happy 9th day of Samhain/Halloween, I hope your weekend has been a great one. I must apologize for missing yesterdays post, my new meds for my diabetes is taking a toll on me and yesterday was not a good day. Ok enough of that, let's get to today's post.

Today I am going to tell you about my favorite witchy place, it's a brick & mortar store a few hours from me, but it's much more than that it's also an online community of course I'm talking about Witchy Living and the Witchy Living Discussion & Chat Forum.

Witchy Living the B&M store is located in New Orleans and is a great place to pick up all your witchy supplies. When you walk in the door you'll be greeted by it's owner Cairelle Perilloux and her super cute puppy Bitty Bob The Witchy Witchihuahua. For more information, store hours and directions click Here

Witchy Living Discussion & Chat Forum is a great online community for everyday Witches to get together and discuss how they use the craft in everyday life. So that's the description on the main page, but it's so much more than that, in fact I don't know if I can even put it into words how great it is so please click Here and check it out for yourself and you'll see why it has such an awesome following.

Many Blessings
Chaos

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 7

2011-10-07T18:32:00.000-05:00

Happy 7th day of Samhain/Halloween, I hope you have all had a wonderful week. Today I am going share a link to one of my favorite blogs, and that blog would be Octoberfarm. It's an awesome blog that is owned by the wonderful Jaz, she shares her wonderful recipes and her witchy for all to enjoy and of course she shares the wonderful like of her beautiful dog Teddy. I know once you start reading her blog you will love it as much as I do.

Many Blessings
Chaos

Finding Out's The First Step...

2011-10-06T21:14:00.000-05:00

After a long while of being sick and run down and being told it may be this or that and my mom saying it could be high blood sugar, the hubs took me to the urgent care center and in a matter of 30 min my whole life changed with this one sentence.... "You Have Diabetes"

I never wanted to hear those words, but I always knew there was a possibility I'd end up diabetic; it runs in my family.

So now I have to change a lot of stuff in my life, some of which I was already doing. I have a new doctor that I get to meet next Wednesday, a new medicine that has horrible side effects, and two most prominent are extreme drowsiness and awful stomach upset. I don't know how long this will last but I hope not that long.

This is all new to me and to help me deal with everything I'm gonna try and blog about my fears, my ups and downs, my progresses, and the icky medical stuff. I know I have a long journey ahead of me, and I hope you don't mind taking it with me.

Chaos

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 6

2011-10-06T06:15:00.002-05:00

Samhain a Brief History

Most people know of October 31st as Halloween but long before there were children dressing up as goblins and witches, Halloween was known as Samhain (pronounced "Sow-ween"). Contrary to popular belief Samhain is not the name of a Celtic god of death, however it is a Celtic celebration of the end of summer and a time to honor the dead.

Honoring Our Ancestors

Samhain is the time of the year when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest. and it's the perfect time to honor our ancestors who came before us. You can do this in many ways, you can make an ancestor alter and decorate it with pictures or mementos of loved ones who have past, you can set and extra place at the table so that they might know there is always a place for them, or you can simply light a candle and meditate and remember them.

The Witches New Year

Samhain is the third and final harvest festival in the Wheel of the Year, and is celebrated as the Witches New Year. It's a good time to reflect on the past year and if you find you have left something unresolved this is the time to resolve it.

Pumpkins and Jack-O-Lanterns

Pumpkin carving is a popular part of modern America's Halloween celebration, but did you know the practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack."

Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.
Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."
In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack's lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o'lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack o'lanterns.

Costumes and Candy

Dressing up in costumes and going "guising" was prevalent in Scotland and Ireland at Halloween by the 19th century. In the mid-1800s, American began to steer Halloween away from "scary" things and moved toward parties, By the early 1900s Halloween parties focused primarily on festive costumes, games and foods. By the 1950s, Halloween had evolved to a holiday that catered mainly to children. The practice of trick-or-treating was revived during this time. The first mass-produced Halloween costumes appeared in stores in the 1930s when trick-or-treating was becoming popular in the United States. Today whether you make or buy your costume you can be anything you want to be, I think this year I'll be a Witch :)

Chaos

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 5

2011-10-05T15:57:00.000-05:00

Happy 5th day of Samhain/Halloween, today I will be sharing a yummy recipe with you.

Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 ½ cups sugar
1 ½ brown sugar
3 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 (16 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin

Directions

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs; mix well. Combine dry ingredients; stir into creamed mixture just until moistened. Stir in pumpkin. Pour into two greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until bread tests done.

I like to have a little honey butter on top of mine, enjoy.

Many Blessings
Chaos

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 4

2011-10-04T15:13:00.000-05:00

Happy 4th day of Samhain/Halloween today I am going to share one of my favorite things to do on and for Samhain/Halloween.

Starting October 31, 1996 when my first child was only 3 days old and dressed as the cutest pumpkin you have ever seen, my favorite thing to do is to dress my 3 daughters up and take them to my moms for a family party and then going house to house trick or treating.

I just love seeing to look on their faces when they get lots of candy or when we stop at the snack cake ladies house and she hands them their favorite snack cake.

We end up back at my moms and gather up all their things and head home, were I as the good mommy get them bathed and in bed and then spend the next hour sorting candy and tossing the hubs a few of his favorite pieces and maybe eating a few pieces myself.

In the last 6 years I do a small ritual to end my night and my last thought before my head hits the pillow is WOW I can't wait till next year.

Bright Blessings
Chaos

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 3

2011-10-03T07:29:00.002-05:00

Today I am sharing something fun to do for Samhain/Halloween.

The New Orleans Witches Ball

October 29, 2011

9pm -1am

For more info and Ticket information please visit their site at NOWB

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 2

2011-10-02T12:31:00.000-05:00

Happy 2nd day of Samhain/Halloween.

Today I am gonna show you how to make your own Pumpkin Spice, I know your thinking oh I can buy that, but store bought pumpkin spice can be pricey and is not always available, so on to this easy recipe.

Pumpkin Spice

Ingredients:

4 Tsp	Ground Cinnamon
2 Tsp	Ground Ginger
1 Tsp	Allspice
1 Tsp	Nutmeg

Mix together and store in an airtight conatiner.

You can now use your pumpkin spice in many ways, so get creative and start making some yummy pumpkin dishes.

Many Blessings

Chaos

31 Days Of Samhain - Day 1

2011-10-01T14:03:00.001-05:00

I'm so excited!!!! it's that time of year again, it's time for Samhain or Halloween which ever you prefer. I decided to celebrate Samhain while having some fun here on my blog.

What you can expect to see

I'll be sharing some of my favorite recipes, blogs, Samhain/Halloween memories and some history and information about Samhain/Halloween. I also have a few other surprises up my Witchy sleeve,

Grab your brooms and hold on tight, here we gooooo...

I think I will start this off with one of my favorite blogs. Please hop on your brooms and head on over to My good friend Jens blog A Broom And The Moon it's a great blog and I highly recommend it to everyone.

Many Blessings
Chaos

Mabon 2011 - What We'll Be Doing

2011-09-22T09:18:00.001-05:00

Well once again the wheel is turning, tomorrow is Mabon/The Autumn Equinox. I have a few things planned to honor the day.

I plan on spending time out side gathering items for my alter such as acorns, leaves and maybe a pine cone if I can find one. Of course I will be hanging my Autumn wreath and other fall decorations.

I don't normally do a big fancy rituals, but I will be honoring Persephone as she descends into the darkness of the underworld. I will also be placing new protections around my home, as this is the perfect time to do such things.

As for what we will be feasting on, I'll be making a pot of red beans and rice, cornbread and for desert I will be making This Yummy Apple Cake.

I hope all of you have a blessed Mabon/Autumn Equinox.

Many(Mabon) Blessings
Chaos

Mabon 2011

2011-09-21T12:02:00.002-05:00

I found this quote and fell in love with it and had to share it with you, I hope it touches you the way it did me.

"Equal dark, equal light
Flow in Circle, deep insight
Blessed Be, Blessed Be
The transformation of energy!
So it flows, out it goes
Three-fold back it shall be
Blessed Be, Blessed Be
The transformation of energy!"
- Night An'Fey, Transformation of Energy

Never Forget

2011-09-11T10:25:00.001-05:00

Cleaning Out The Negative - Part 2

2011-08-24T21:23:00.000-05:00

Ok now that I have gotten rid of those pesky energy vampires it's time to get rid of the negative energies that are in my house.

This was easier than ridding myself of the energy vampires.

I simply cleaned my house from top to bottom, starting at the back of the house all the way to the front door. After I was satisfied with my cleaning job, I burned sage in every room of the house to rid it of the bad energies, then I proceeded to burn sweet-grass in each room to invite and welcome the good energies (I try and do this monthly). I noticed a difference in my pets and in the general mood of everyone in the house.

My next step is to make a Witches Jar to bury at my front step to help keep the negative away, hopefully I will have this done very soon.

Many Blessings
Chaos

Cleaning Out The Negative - Part 1

2011-08-17T19:32:00.001-05:00

For the next few weeks I will be a witch on a mission to clean out most if not all of the negativity in both my online & off-line life.

I am starting with the negative people that affect my life. These people are like energy vampires, I try to stay positive and remain strong but their negativity just drains me. So I have decided to drive the proverbial steak through their negativity. How am I going to do this you ask? well here's my plan.

For the negative people online - I have decided to delete them, I know that sounds harsh but when I come online it's to chat with a few close friends, blog, read my fave blogs and to study, but not hear constant negativity and I do mean constant, the few people that I deleted never, ever posted anything positive at all, so I'm done.

For The Negative People Offline - I can't just click a button and delete them so I have to deal with them differently, so I have decided to deal with them like this, the next time i run into or have contact with one of these people I will...

1. tell then that I can no longer deal with the drama and negativity that they seem to thrive on, and explain how their negativity makes me feel.

2. After that if it continues I will limit the time I spend with said persons and if they ask why, I'll repeat step one.

3. if after doing steps 1 & 2 it still continues then I will tell the person/s that I have I can no longer be around them, I'll remind them of our previous conversations on the subject and then I'll walk away.

Again yes I know this sound harsh but, I want rid my life of negativity and for the most part it comes from outside my home and I with all the extra stuff I have going on in my life I don't need to deal with those icky energy vampires, instead I need to concentrate on my family, my health, my craft and on the people in my life who yes have bad days from time to time but look past those days to see the positive things in life.

Next time I'll talk about cleaning the negative energies out of my home.

Many(Positive)Blessings

Chaos

Hello, Remember Me? I've Been Lost.....

2011-08-12T12:55:00.000-05:00

Well ok not lost but extremely busy.... Let me explain...

For those who don't know(or follow me on twitter) about 3 weeks ago, my hubby hurt his back at work and I have been taking him back and forth between doctors appointments and physical therapy sessions(3 days a week). On top of that the witchletts go back to school starting on Monday the 15th, so I have been busy with getting them registered (3 different schools) shopping for school supplies and uniforms, along with all that the middle witchlett had to have shots.

With my girls going back to school and hopefully the hubby going back to work by Wednesday, I will have some free time and can work on a few things for MFASBW, I know I'll be posting some new pics soon of some stuff I've been painting.

I am excited about Mabon next month it's one of my favorite sabbats, I'll be sharing some recipes and craft ideas.

I'm sorry I have not been super active on here lately but hopefully(fingers crossed) I be fixing that soon in the next few weeks.

Many Blessings
Chaos

Blessed Lammas

2011-08-01T14:58:00.000-05:00

Blessed Lammas, everyone!! I hope all of you have a magical day.

I found this poem/quote and thought I would share it with you...

Feel Me now as Bountiful Mother
I am fertility and creativity.
I am the abundance of the harvest.
I am the abundance of life.
I create and nurture all being.
                                    My golden cloak is the ripening grain.
                      Pause a moment whenever you eat
                      Feel My presence I am your nurturing Mother.

Wendy Andrews

Many(Lammas)Blessings

Chaos

Happy Esbat - New Moon!!!!!!!

2011-07-30T19:44:00.000-05:00

I hope all of you have a blessed New Moon, Start something new today.

Happy Esbat - Full Moon!!!

2011-07-15T16:17:00.001-05:00

Happy Esbat Everyone, I hope all of you have a Blessed and Memorable Esbat. I myself have a few things planned like dancing under the full moon, a ritual and making moon water. What are your plans?

Full Moon Info

The Name:

The Full Buck Moon – July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon, for the reason that thunderstorms are most frequent during this time. Another name for this month’s Moon was the Full Hay Moon.

Magical Works For The Full Moon:

The full moon is a good time to for Healing magic, developing your magical skills, Spell work that needs extra energy, and divination and protection works. This is also the time to preform the ritual of Drawing Down The Moon.

The next full moon will be in 29 days.

Many(Full Moon)Blessings
Chaos

Dear Universe

2011-07-13T14:34:00.000-05:00

In reading the poem below again for the billionth time (it is one of my favorites), I have decided to take the road less traveled by and do things my way and not what everyone thinks I should do. Today is a new day and as of today I will no longer be stepped on, talked down to, or made to feel like I am less than anyone else. I will hold my head up high, speak my mind, and be the me I want to be.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-Robert Frost

This poem has always been one of my favorites, ever since Ms. Smith my 5 grade teacher introduced me to Robert Frost. I've understood the meaning of the poem for some years, but never how it applied to my life till now so I would like to say, Thank you Mr. Frost for such a wonderful poem and thank you Ms. Smith for introducing me to the works of Mr. Frost and thank you Universe for opening my eyes to it's meaning in my life.

Blessings
Chaos

More Magical Art

2011-07-03T01:35:00.001-05:00

As I said in my last post I feel very connected to the Goddess when I paint. Now I don't claim to be some great artiest but I enjoy doing it. I wanted to share my latest creation with you, It's a plaque I made for my kitchen.

This is the plaque all drawn out and waiting for me to paint it.

and this is the plaque after I painted it. I know it's not the best but it's my first one and I'm proud of it.

Many Blessings
Chaos

Getting intouch with The Goddess and Myself

2011-06-26T15:51:00.000-05:00

When I am in need of centering and grounding myself as well as reconnecting with the goddess I do so by painting, and recently I have been painting bottles that I will/am using on both my main and kitchen alters.

I would like to show you a few of them that I finished over the last few days as well as my kitchen alter (above).

These three were finished last week, The first one (gold) was a spice bottle that I fell in love with and new I had to paint cork and use. The second is a dehydrated meat jar that I painted and is now is use holding my kitchen wands and other tools, and the last is a shot (vodka) bottle that is now in use holding moon water on my kitchen alter.

This beauty I finished today, I have not decided what she'll be used for but as you can tell it will have something to do with the goddess. I not sure why I feel so grounded and so close to the goddess when I paint but I hope it continues. I hope you have enjoyed my artwork.

Blessing
Chaos

So That's How You Really Feel.........

2011-06-25T16:39:00.000-05:00

Well this is how I feel.......

The past month has been really emotional for me and I would like to address this. I have a very close friend who is also a family member, who for no apparent reason has been mentally and verbally attacking me the past month, at first I just shook it off to her having a bad day, week, or what ever. then this week she dealt the final blow.

At a party at another friends house she decided to fling verbal insults at me in front of others, we where having a discussion about the law(both our husbands are cops) and she said and I quote "in jurisprudence, I know that's a big word for you" well that was it, I turned around and walked outside, to gather my thoughts, what I wanted to do was punch her in the mouth and tell her just what I thought of her recent treatment of me, but since we were at someone's home I just said nothing and went home.

I have been thinking on this for a few days, and looking back on my relationship with her, and I have lived with being put down and talked down to by not just her but her mother as well for most of my life and I am done. I will no longer let anyone treat me or my family like we are the mud on their shoes.

The only regrets I have in all of this is the stress it will cause my mom and the fact that I did not do this years ago.

Thank you for listening to me rant.

Stand Up For Yourselves and Never Let Anyone Put You Down.
Chaos

Schools Out For Summer.....

2011-06-06T11:17:00.000-05:00

and mommy is very busy.

The last day of school for my beautiful witchletts was on May 26th, and since then I have been a busy momma. My summer will be filled with getting one ready for her freshman year in high school, getting one ready for middle school/Jr high and making sure the baby(she's 9) does not feel left out.

This summer I am also embarking on a journey of both the body and soul, I am going to work on not only my physical health (losing weight and keeping my blood sugar in check) but also my mental and emotional health, I have a lot of emotional baggage(mostly in dealing with my mom) I need to deal with, so that I can have a healthier outlook on life.

I hope to share as much of my summer journey with you as I can. I am going to start with my weight loss goals.

My current weight is 197lbs(witch is pretty good 18months ago I was 57lbs heavier)
My Goal Weight is 145lbs
Actions I will take to lose weight are - Walking, Yoga, and various other exercises, eating healthy well balanced meals, and keeping my blood sugar on track.

I hope all of you have a blessed summer.

Chaos

♥●•٠·˙First Love, True Love

2011-05-20T20:15:00.004-05:00

My oldest daughter has started down the path of all of us go through, crushes, first love(not in the sexual way) and broken hearts. This got me thinking about the long road between my first love(he knows who he is) and my true love(my wonderful husband Gary) so I decided to write about them in hopes that when my daughter/s read this they will take a bit from it and know that the first boy they love may or may not be the last boy they love. but the memory of their love will help shape their hearts and show them what true love is

My first Love

I was 13 almost 14 when I fell for a boy that was younger than me (1year & 13 days younger) and for most of the year he was about 250 miles away. I did not care about the distance or the fact I only saw him a few months a year I did not even care that no one and I mean no one wanted us together (ok maybe his mom did) all I cared about was for a few months a year he was mine and I would do anything for him, clean his room, cheer him on at football games. Of course because we weren't supposed to be together we had to sneak a look. a touch, even secretly hold hands. Sadly like all good things it came to an end but not suddenly the distance just made us drift apart until sadly he was just a memory. They say a girl never forgets her first love and I guess they are right, because I have let go of the memories of my teenage crushes but, I still hold the memory of my first love close.

My True Love

Gary is not just my true love, he is my soul mate and my forever love. Our love was fated to be long before we even knew it. You see Gary and I grew up in the same circles our families knew each other though we did not, he was even good friends with one of my cousins and yet we never met as teens or young adults. We both had lessons we had to learn so that when we finally found each other we would know how special the other was. What makes our love so special is we were best friends long before we were anything else to each other, we know each other inside and out, we know each others secrets and despite our faults we love each other. We have been to hell and back through the last 10 years and our love stays strong and he is still my best friend and suffice it to say I have never loved anyone the way I love Gary he is the one great love of my life. With Gary I have a friend, lover, and an equal, with him I have everything.

The Difference?

I would say the main difference for me between my first love and my true love is simple my first love was just that a first and though special was not meant to last, But my True love however is meant to last not only in this life but also into the next. We are 2 parts of a whole, we are one, we are forever.

Many(love lesson) Blessings

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥●•٠·˙Chaos

Happy Mothers Day!!!

2011-05-08T12:22:00.000-05:00

Happy Mothers Day to all you mommies out in the blogasphere, I hope your day is a wonderful one and is filled with many blessings.

Bright(Mothers Day)Blessings
Chaos

Witchy Giveaway!!

2011-04-27T17:55:00.002-05:00

My good friend Jenn over at A Broom and The Moon is celebrating having 100 followers, by having a give-a-way. For More information about this give-a-way click on the link below.

A Broom and The Moon - Witchy Give-A-Way

Congratulations Jenn

Many Blessings
Chaos

Vegan/Pagan - 30 days Meat Free

2011-04-25T20:30:00.000-05:00

I am sad to say I have had to put this on hold for the time being, not because I don't want to do this I really do and feel bad that I have had to put it on hold, but family stress as well as my health(my blood sugar) has put a kink in my plans. After I see my doctor and get things under control, and get his advice on this I will plan on trying this again.

Many Blessings
Chaos.

A Quick Word On My Blogs New Look

2011-04-21T00:17:00.000-05:00

I have been looking for a fun spring layout for the blog and found this one and was like wow!!! it's perfect, I hope you like it too, it's gonna be around a while.

Many Blessings
Chaos

Vegan/Pagan ??? We'll See....

2011-04-18T11:10:00.000-05:00

My good friend Jenn from A Broom and The Moon, has inspired me to make a change in my health and eating. After tweeting about eating to much meat lately, she has decided to go vegetarian for 30 days. After reading her tweet, I was like you know what I have been eating to much meat lately myself and maybe I should try this too.

So for the next 30 days starting today I am eating no meat. Now I say 30 days but I am going to take this challenge on one week at a time. I will post every Monday about my progress and if I am going to stick with it.

I am hoping to get a few things out of this

1. To be healthier
2. I want to gain better self control.

So this is day one and so far so good, wish me luck.

Many(Meatless)Blessings
Chaos

Life After Death

2011-04-06T15:10:00.001-05:00

The month of March has never been good for me, I have lost my father, a brother, and a cousin all in the month of March and this year was no different, I attended 3 funerals and almost lost my mother, all in the month of March.

Since I spend the month of march surrounded by death, it got me wondering about life after death, what happens to us? Where do we go?

This is my answer.

I believe when we die we go to a limbo of sorts, we are not alone there we are with other souls waiting on the same thing we are to be reincarnated. I do not believe we are automatically reincarnated, we have to wait until our high beings(whom or what ever they may be) are ready for us to be reborn to earthly bodies.

I believe our new lives start at conception or first heartbeat, and that in some cases we have some memories of our past life so that we may finish anything left undone, and if nothing was left undone then we start from scratch on a new adventure. I believe life is a continuing, never ending cycle.

What are your beliefs of our lives after death?

Many Blessings
Chaos

Homemade Carpet fresh

2011-03-22T10:28:00.000-05:00

Nothing smells better then the fresh aroma of a clean house. Freshen up your carpets with this simple recipe. The baking soda will help to remove old odors and the herbal mixes will refresh the carpet fibers. Your carpet should hold the scent for 3 days before fading out.

To Make

Using your mortar and pestle, crush your herbs/flowers/resins to release the fragrance. The amount of herbs you use is really up to you.
Add your herbs to 1 cup of baking soda. If the baking soda has masked the aroma, you need more herbs. Your mixture should be very fragrant.
Secure the lid on your container and SHAKE WELL to mix the herbs and the baking soda. The mixture is most effective when fully blended.

To Use

Sprinkle onto carpets, by poring your mixture into an old sock and shaking gently
Make sure to thoroughly covers the carpet area, but refrain from sprinkling it in excess.
Allow the mixture to set for 15 to 30 minutes before vacuuming up.

NOTE: You can use various herbal combinations to suit your needs.

Spring is Back

2011-03-20T13:00:00.000-05:00

Saw this on FB and had to share.

Persephone, Persephone, maiden of the Springtime
Now’s the day, you know the way to come back
toward the sunshine.
Demeter, Demeter, waiting all the Winter
Cloaks the Earth all in green, her daughter’s come to greet her

A Good Cleaning

2011-02-17T00:01:00.000-06:00

Well as you may know from my last post, this witch was sick for a few weeks and not only did my house and family need attention once I was better so did my altar, So this witch has spent the past week cleaning her house, doing laundry, and spending time with her hubby & witchletts. Today I decided it was time to clean, rearrange, cleanse(magically), and add a few things to my altar, and this is how it looks now.

I don't like my altar crowded with to much stuff, so I take stuff off and add stuff as the seasons or my mood changes. What was added today are some element bottles that I made. They are simple but I think they are pretty and they do their job. Here are some pics.

Earth
This jar is filled with dirt from a special place to my husband & myself.

Air
This jar has a naturally shed feather from one of the many birds that play in my yard.

Water
This jar is filled with rain water that sat under the beautiful full, eclipsed moon on yule.

Fire
This jar has a cinnamon stick in it because I believe it is a great representation of fire.

I am very happy with the way it all turned out and besides adding things for the Sabbats I think I will keep it this way for a while. I hope all of you have a very blessed week.

Many Blessings
Chaos

Down, But Not Out

2011-02-10T19:40:00.000-06:00

Sorry I have not posted a lot in the past few week, but I got hit by a very serious case of bronchitis that tried to turn into pneumonia. I am happy to say despite a very annoying cough that is still with me I am feeling so much better and will be back to posting on a regular basis next week. So stay Tuned and have a blessed weekend.

Chaos

Happy Imbolc!

2011-02-02T18:15:00.001-06:00

Happy Imbolc, I hope you have a Blessed & magick filled day! Join me in honoring the great Goddess Brigid and in welcoming the returning Spring.

Many Bright(Imbolc)Blessings
Chaos

The Tools Of A Kitchen Witch

2011-01-29T10:19:00.000-06:00

There are many tools that can be used by the Kitchen Witch - the list below are essential to me in my Kitchen,

Kitchen Alter - Mine is set up to honor Hestia my chosen kitchen deity, you can set up your kitchen alter anywhere in your kitchen, mine is in my windowsill.

A Kettle - for brewing teas.

Mortar and Pestle - for bruising and crushing herbs and spices.

A Besom - use in cleansing and protection rituals.

Wooden Spoons - In my personal Kitchen craft, my wooden spoon is my wand and is used in all my magical preparations.

A good/sharp pair of scissors - can be use to cut just about anything.

Tools may differ from witch to witch. Some may scorn the use of modern day gadgets such as blenders and electric grinders, others may embrace blenders, and grinders into their craft as easily as they do thyme and basil. It's up to you what you use in your Kitchen Craft.

Bright(Kitchen)Blessings
Chaos

Who is the Goddess?

2011-01-27T23:05:00.002-06:00

Who is the Goddess?

The Child asked the Maiden: Who is the Goddess?

The Maiden turned and replied: the Goddess is Pure. She is the first burst of Life. She is untouched by Man. She is One who finds Joy in everything. She is a Sister. She is a Child. She is One who is Servant to None for She has no Consort and no Child. She is the Huntress. She is Innocence. She is Growth.

But the Child was unsatisfied.

And the Child asked the Mother: Who is the Goddess?

The Mother turned and replied: The Goddess is She who nurtures us. She keeps us safe. She guides us. She is the One to whom we can turn. She is the mother with the child at the breast. She is the pregnant woman. She is the One who has the earth as her body, the full moon as her symbol. She is the One on whom we depend for life. She sustains us.She is Life.

Still the child was unsatisfied.

And the Child asked the Crone: Who is the Goddess?

The Crone turned and replied: She is Death and Rebirth. She is the Wisdom Collected over many Lives. She is All that has Happened. She is All that will Happen. She is One who has come to the end of the Cycle. She is Feared by the Young. She is the welcome Aid to those in Pain, to those who suffer. She is the One to whom All turn when They no longer wish for the Life She has given Them. She is Destruction in preparation for the New.

Still the Child was unsatisfied. The Child looked around but there was no one else to ask.

Finally the Child shouted: GODDESS! GODDESS, WHO ARE YOU?

The Goddess replied: I am the maiden. I am the mother. I am the Crone. I am Diana. I am Isis. I am Kali. I am Birth. I am Life. I am Death. I am Creation. I Sustain. I am the Destroyer. I am one Goddess. I am Thousands of Separate Goddesses. I am in Everything. I am Everywhere. I am Eternal. I am in Everyone. I am whoever You want me to be. I am in You.

And the Child was satisfied.

~Author Unknown~

What a Nice Surprise

2011-01-24T11:27:00.000-06:00

Happy Monday everyone, I hope all of you have a wonderful and blessed week. Mine has started out with a surprise, an Award YAY!!!

The Wonderful Jenn over at A Broom And The Moon (this is a must read blog so go give it a read you'll love it) has give me the Stylish Blogger Award! Thank you so much Jenn, this was the best way to start a Monday.

So according to the rules I must pass this award onto a few blogs that are stylish and tell you a few things about me.(Jenn did 4 so I will bump mine to 5) so here Goes...

1. My favorite food is ranch dressing, I eat it on everything.
2. I'm addicted to the TV show House, I never miss an episode
3. I do not drive.
4. I have not seen my natural hair color in 20 years LOL
5. I started this blog to help me heal, and I think I am.

The blogs I'm passing this to are....

1. Domestic Witch
2. Hedgewitch Inn
3. One Witches Way
4. Confessions Of A Kitchen Witch
5. October Farm

Have a blessed Monday
Chaos

Creamed Chipped Beef - S. O. S. (For Biscuits or Toast)

2011-01-22T15:20:00.001-06:00

My family loves this recipe, it is one of our favorite comfort foods, it's quick easy and yummy.
(I'm making this tonight so I'll update this with a pic later tonight.)

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups warm milk
1 (8 ounce) jar dried beef

Directions:

In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour all at once to form a roux. Whisk in milk, a little at a time, increase heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring, until thickened. Bring to a boil, stir in beef, heat through and serve over toast or biscuits.

Many(Yummy)Blessings

Best Friends and Soul Mates

2011-01-22T12:32:00.001-06:00

I want to tell you about my best friend, he is so much more than a friend, he literally saved my life.

I have been married to Gary for almost 10 years, and we have known each other for about 12 years. We became friends in the most unusual way, about 12 years ago we found out that his wife and my husband were having an affair. I know you just went “DO WHAT!” but yep that’s what happened. We helped each other through very nasty(and I mean nasty) divorces and became best friends.

So that you understand what made me fall for Gary, you should know that my ex-husband was a very mean man who liked to use me as a punching bag. Gary gave me the strength and support I needed to walk away from that life and never look back. He made me see that all men are not like that, he opened my eyes to a world I had never imagined existed.

He is funny, sweet and treats me like a queen and excepts me for who I am (pointy hat and all). Between us we have 3 daughters(2 from my ex and 1 that's ours), he treats my girls like they’re his and not like step children to him they are his daughters.

In Gary I have found my soul mate the person I was born to love for all time. My only hope is that each of my daughters finds the love that I have found in Gary.

So now you know my love story (at least the cliff notes version0, May the Goddess bless you with the kind of love I have been blessed with.

Chaos

Imbolc - Brigid

2011-01-17T18:59:00.000-06:00

Brigid (Brighid, Brigit, Bride,) is a Celtic triple goddess ruling - healing, poetry, and smithcraft. As a healing goddess, she governs childbirth and the birthing time. As a goddess of poetry, she governs not only the inspiration and writing of poetry, but also divination and prophecy. As a goddess of smithcraft, she governs the forge's fire. It is for these reasons that she is considered the "Bright Goddess" and is associated with the element of fire. She also became the goddess of the hearth-fire, since she contains the mother and fire aspects. As a goddess of the hearth, she is equated to Greco-Roman Hestia-Vesta.

The festival of Imbolc celebrated at the first of February is dedicated to Brigid.

Ways to celebrate Imbolc & Brigid

This is traditionally a time of purification — clean your house!

Make your own Brighid’s crosses and hang them up, especially in the kitchen where her influence can bless your food.

Put out food — cake, buttered bread and milk are common as Brighid and her cow will be most appreciative of your offering.

Leave a silk ribbon on your doorstep for Brighid to bless: You can then use it for healing purposes.

Meditate upon what you would like to see grow this year: for yourself, your family, your community, the Earth.

Resolving To Make Goals.... And Keep Them!

2011-01-01T21:00:00.000-06:00

Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.

Ashley Smith

I see all around me friends both on and off line making there New Years resolutions. I myself do not make resolution instead I make goals and plans to accomplish those goals. This year my goals are different than my normal goals because I have more freedom with who I am(a pagan/Witch) so my goals for my family and myself for the next year revolve around this new found freedom.

My Goals for 2011

1. Get my girls outside into nature more and off the electronics.
2. Plant and harvest more of my own fruits, veggies, and herbs.
3. Depend less on the microwave and more on my cooking skills.
4. Have a handfastning ceremony to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.
5. Continue learning...... everything Witchy/Pagan.
6. Pass what I have learned onto my daughters.

OK that's my list I know it may sound simple but I'm a simple girl so it works for me, Oh! and if I was going to make a resolution it would be to lose weight LOL.

Many(New Years)Blessings
Chaos

New Look for the New Year!!!!

2010-12-30T11:57:00.000-06:00

Well I am Happy to say that Musings of a Southern Belle/Witch is a year old today, thank you to everyone who made this first year so special and magical. In honor of our first year and in hopes of many more years to come I decided to fix the place up a bit. It's mostly done, I do have a few more things I would like to do/add.

I hope 2010 was great for all of you and I hope 2011 is simply magical

Many Blessings
Chaos

Happy Yule, Winter Solstice, Full Moon, & Eclipse

2010-12-20T23:33:00.000-06:00

Wanted to wish of of you a very Happy Yule, Winter Solstice, Full Moon, & Eclipse. May your day be triply blessed and magical.

Many(Yule)Blessings
Chaos

Kitchen Witch Wednesday - Stuffed Bell Peppers

2010-12-15T23:16:00.003-06:00

Decided for my KWW post I would share one of my favorite recipes.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

What You'll Need:

6 large bell peppers
2 teaspoons salt
1 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons chopped onion(I don't use the onions because I'm allergic)
1 (15oz) can tomato sauce
1 cup cooked rice
1/8 teaspoon garlic salt(I prefer fresh minced garlic)

To Prepare:

Remove stems and seeds from bell peppers; rinse. Place enough water to cover the bell peppers in a large saucepan. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook for 5 minutes; drain well.

Cook ground beef and onion in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until ground beef is browned and crumbly; drain well.

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Stir tomato sauce, rice, remaining salt and garlic salt into ground beef mixture. Cook until heated through. Lightly stuff each bell pepper with 1/2 cup of the ground beef mixture.

Place the bell peppers upright in an 8 × 8-inch baking dish. Pour remaining tomato sauce over the bell peppers. Bake, covered, for 15 minutes. Bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes longer.

Happy Eating

Chaos

Mercury In Retrograde......

2010-12-11T16:25:00.000-06:00

For those who may not know Mercury is in retrograde.

What does this mean it means for the next few weeks while Mercury in in retrograde or going in a backwards motion, there will be much confusion. Delays and frustrations, basically it's Murphy's Law in full affect - Meaning, if it can go wrong it will.

Mercury in retrograde occurs 3 times a year and last for about 3 weeks.

What Not To Do During Mercury Retrograde:

Start anything new, Make important decisions, Buy computers, appliances, TVs, radios, etc., Travel without back-up plans, Sign contracts, Buy a car, Negotiate a contract, File a lawsuit, Start a new job, Begin a new class, Go on a “first” date, Expect things to move quickly, Take anything for granted.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Angrier people, Crazy drivers, More accidents, Miscommunication, Quarrels, Computer problems, Delays, More mistakes, Slow mail, Games of phone tag, Wrong directions, Missed appointments, Dead cell phone batteries.

I personally have already started feeling the effect of MIR, I have had very cranky kids and my internet connection is playing mind games with me, wonder whats next? Can't wait for Mercury to go direct.

Many Blessings
Chaos

Very Powerful Day Is On Its Way!!!

2010-12-10T10:34:00.000-06:00

December 21, 2010 will hold more power than usual, its Yule/Winter Solstice, the Full Moon and a total lunar eclipse!

I love things that come in three, and the line up for this Yule is no exception, I have not decided on all the details for that day but I intend to make it special and yet unique. What if any plans do you have planned or this most wonderful and powerful of days?

Many(Yule)Blessings

Chaos

The Kitchen Witches Creed

2010-12-08T16:53:00.001-06:00

I did not right this but I love it and wanted to share.

The Kitchen Witches Creed

In this pot, I stir to the sun
An' follow the rule of harming none.

Banishment of bane when goin' winddershins;
An' with water and salte negativity is cleansed.

Household duties are more than chores,
Magic abounds when mopping floors.

With this broom, I do sweep
To clean my house and safely keep.

Marigold, Basil, Thyme and Yarrow
My spell is cast for a better tomorrow.

Lemons for joy and apples for health,
The power within brings great wealth.

And, in this kitchen I do pray
To truly walk the Witches Way.

Copyright 1998, 1999 E. Zeigler

Wiccan or Witch, Who I Am and Why.

2010-11-28T17:21:00.001-06:00

Witch or Wiccan?

I have been ask many times, Are you a Witch or are you Wiccan? It has taken a long time for me to answer that question not only for others but for myself. The journey to find out who and what I am started when I was just a girl in Sunday school, and the Sunday school teacher read Gen 1:26 "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness" I knew then that there was more than just a God, I knew there had to be a Goddess too.

In the years since I have studied many different books and religions and never found one where I fit, until a stumbled upon a book Called "Wicca for the solitary practitioner" by Scott Cunningham and I was amazed that I could relate to so much of what he wrote however there was a lot I did not relate to, so I continued to seek out more information in not only books but from Witches and Wiccans alike and in doing so discovered the path that I wanted and still follow.

Not Wiccan!

As a religion Wicca is very structured. So there are many limitations. I have been told "your not a Wiccan if you don't do this, this and that" that's actually what kept me away from Wicca. People trying to tell me I am wrong or doing things the wrong way.

The reason I am not considered Wiccan by most Wiccans is because I do not follow many thing that are considered The Wiccan Way. I am not part of a coven, I do not cast circles or call quarters, I do not follow the Wiccan Rede. Now I am not saying that any of that is wrong I'm just saying it is not for me.

Witch! and Proud!

Being a Witch has so much freedom to it, because it's very individual. I don't necessarily follow the 3 fold law, but I do firmly believe in Karma ie: what you send out be it good or bad comes back to you. I prefer to focus on herbs, the elements and nature in general. I have a Goddess and God that I pray to, and I follow the Sabbats. I like having the freedom to follow my path the way I choose, without having to follow any rules or complicated ritual.

Ever Evolving!

I still study everything to do with or concerning the path I have chosen, I have also looked into other paths that are similar to my path such as hoodoo, Voodoo, and folk magic. However my core beliefs remain the same. There is both a Goddess and God, nature is sacred, and magic is all around us and in everything we touch.

Whatever you consider your path please remember to respect the paths and religions of other just as you would like yours respected.

Many Blessings
Chaos

15 Days Of Thanksgiving - Day 14 & 15

2010-11-24T23:04:00.001-06:00

Day 14 - Today and everyday I am thankful for the Goddess and how she inspires me, when I found my Mother Goddess Diana I found myself and for that I am truly thankful.

Day 15 - Today I am so thankful that all my thanksgiving prep cooking is finished and that tomorrow will be filled with food, family, friends and fun.

Many(Thanksgiving)Blessings
Chaos

Kitchen Witch ABC's

2010-11-24T10:54:00.001-06:00

KITCHEN WITCH ABC`s

Always stir in a clockwise motion

Before you chop veggies, offer thanks

Cut mindfully, gratefully

Do all preparations in a loving spirit

Energize food with good thoughts

Feast gratefully

Give & share what you can spare

Home & hearth are sacred

Invoke blessings of Goddess on all food

Join hands with friends often

Kindness shows in serving food

Love goes into every dish

Mindfully gather ingredients

No wasting - recycle, compost, feed animals

Open your senses, enjoy your surroundings

Play as well as work

Quench thirst, thinking of clear clean rivers

Resolve to be grateful & waste not

Salivate as you smell fragrance & anticipate flavors

Thank the Universe & Goddess for health

Use utensils carefully, then clean up

Value time spent with loved ones

When possible grow & harvest your food

Xtra food is for creative recombining

Yearly rituals & feasts build traditions

Zestful living in every area is our goal.

15 Days Of Thanksgiving - Day 12 & 13

2010-11-22T18:25:00.000-06:00

First I am sorry for doubling up again, but it has been a busy couple of days with the Full Moon and getting things ready for Thanksgiving.

Day 12 - I am thankful today for the power I have felt from the universe today, all I can say is it has been magical and I hope it keep flowing threw the week.

Day 13 - Today I am thankful that I am the most wonderful husband in the world. I have been cleaning and scrubbing the house the last few day and in doing so have aggravated my back, so being the sweet man he is he shampooed the carpets today as to spare my back. Isn't he just wonderful? I love him so much.

Many Blessings
Chaos.

15 Days Of Thanksgiving - Day 11

2010-11-20T23:15:00.000-06:00

Today I am thankful for chamomile tea, if I did not have it the last few nights I would not have gotten to sleep.

Many(sleepy)Blessings
Chaos

15 Days Of Thanksgiving - Day 10

2010-11-19T23:27:00.000-06:00

Today I am thankful for Chocolate it is the perfect food, I mean what other food is like chocolate you can eat it, drink it, you can even use it as a beauty product and if you ask our friend Mr. Harry Potter it is also the perfect pick me up after a dementor attack.

My personal favorite type of chocolate is dark chocolate, it is simply the best I try and always have some in the house encase I need a chocolate fix. What type of Chocolate do you eat when you need a chocolate fix.

Bright(Chocolate)Blessings
Chaos

15 Days Of Thanksgiving - Day 9

2010-11-18T21:05:00.000-06:00

What am I thankful for today? Music!!!! I love turning the music up and dancing around my house singing at the top of my lungs(scaring my dog LOL). Musiift you out of a depressed mood, can take you back to a special time in your life, or remind you of that somebody special. Music is a wonderful amazing thing.

So Turn the music up and sing!!!!

Many Blessings
Chaos

15 Days Of Thanksgiving - Days 7 & 8

2010-11-17T18:14:00.001-06:00

OK I know I missed yesterday so I am going to do it today......

The first thing I am thankful for is Scott Cunningham, I don't think this needs an explanation other than this man was awesome, and if you have not read his books what are you waiting on.

The second thing I am thankful for is Judika Illes to be she is not only a wonderful writer but a true inspiration.

Many Blessings
Chaos

15 Days Of Thanksgiving - Day 6

2010-11-15T21:43:00.000-06:00

Wow what am I thankful for today, after the day I have had I am happy for my sanity. and for my daughters health. I spent most of last night up and down with my oldest witchlet, she was having breathing issues because of her asthma, but after a trip to the doc she is doing a bit better. now mommy is needing a nap.

Many Blessing
Chaos

15 Days Of Thanksgiving - Day 5

2010-11-14T21:24:00.000-06:00

Today I am thankful for piece and quite, a bubble bath, a good book and nice glass of wine because sometimes a girl just needs to unwind and have some alone time.

Many Blessings

Chaos

15 Days Of Thanksgiving - Day 4

2010-11-13T23:14:00.001-06:00

Today I am thankful for my fur-babies I have 5 of them 1 dog and 4 cats, let me introduce them to you.

First There is Dusty she is the oldest of our babies she is nearly 14 years old, she loves the camera but other than that she is very shy and sometimes it seems like days go by between sightings(she lives in the house). she is our old lady and we love her very much.

Then there is Shithead(pronounced Sha-theed) he is Dusty's son and also very special because he and our youngest witchlet where born about 3 days apart. He is 8 yrs old and is a very sweet kitty who if he feels he's not getting enough attention he will headbutt you until you pet him and give him what he needs.

Then we have Vader he is our fat and I do mean fat cat, we got him when someone dumped him on our street. we have had him for 4 years he is a sweet kitty who thinks he is a puppy, and the reason for this we took him in the same week we got our dog, they grew up together and are best friends even to the point when we got them fixed the vet had to put them in the same cage so they would stop whining.

This is Rebel our dog and Vaders best friend, he is also my snuggle buddy at night when my hubby is out on patrol and I love him he is 4 years old and was a gift from my Aunt. He's sweet, loving and the goofiest dog I know.

And this is Tater our baby he is just 7 months old so he is at that fun silly goofy kitty stage, he is also very loving and is 100% my cat, he only wants me, normally he can be found curled up next to me where ever I might be at.

Everybody love your fur-babies and they will love you back.

Many Blessing
Chaos

15 Days Of Thanksgiving - Day 2

2010-11-11T10:56:00.001-06:00

Today I am thankful for all the veterans in my life for all they have given and sacrificed to keep us free. Your are the bravest bunch of men and women I have ever met and I am honored to know each and everyone of you. So I would just like to say Thank you to the following Vets in my life

Bill, James, Charles, Shelly, Delmas(RIP), Greg, Jim, Shane, and Flora!!!

To all the Vets I don't know, thank you for fighting for the rights and freedoms of the millions of people you have never met, whether you know it or not you are loved and appreciated.

If you know a veteran thank him or her for all they have done to keep you free.

Brightest Of Blessings
Chaos

15 Days Of Thanksgiving

2010-11-10T21:48:00.004-06:00

With Thanksgiving just 15 days away I have decided that everyday between now and the 25th I will post one thing everyday for I am thankful, and I Challenge all of you to find 15 things you are thankful for too.

Day 1 - I am thankful to have love in my life, from the mommy love I get from my witchlets, the daughter love I get from my mother, the best friend love I get from my bf and of course the soul mate, love of a lifetime I get from my wonderful husband.

Everyone should have love in their life that you get from others but you also have to remember to love yourself.

Many Blessings
Chaos

So Excited!!!!!

2010-11-04T22:51:00.002-05:00

I have just found out that three of my favorite things are coming together... My favorite old TV show Dark Shadows is being made into a modern movie by one of my favorite directors Tim Burton and will star my favorite actor Johnny Depp, he'll portray Barnabas Collins, a vampire living in a Maine manor who is searching for his lost love. I can not wait for this movie.

What's Next?

2010-11-04T20:06:00.000-05:00

With Samhain behind us, I have been thinking of what is coming up next for not only my blog, but in my life and continued pagan/wiccan.witch studies.

First up is Thanksgiving which is my families big yearly get together, there will be lots of food, fun and if I know my family Drama. Then we are onto Yule and Christmas, yes we celebrate both because the only thing out of my broom closet is my big tow. Both celebrations will be wonderful and I can't wait to get into full holiday mode, making ornaments, baking and gift exchanges with my ladies group and much more fun. last up on the list is on the 29th of December my blog will be turning 1 and I am very excited about this and I hoping to do something special but I am not sure what just yet.

As far as my studies I am planing to continue along the path I am currently on, but I also want to get a bit more in depth on a few things including divination focusing mainly on tarot and runes.

I am looking forward to this year being fun and exciting and I hope all of you are too!!!!

Bright Blessings
Chaos

13 Days Till Halloween!!!!

2010-10-18T08:17:00.002-05:00

Halloween/Samhain is drawing near and with only 13 day left, I have decided to share thirteen things you can do to make your celebrations both pagan and non-pagan(for those of us in the broom closet) unforgetable.

Set Up an Ancestor Shrine - Ancestor Altar - whether Pagan or not this is the perfect time of year to honor our ancestors. it does not have to be anything elaborate just put out some pictures and/or mementos of your loved ones who have passed - On Halloween/Samhain light a candle and meditate on your ancestors.
Decorate your lawn - Get your yard ready for all the trick-or-treaters. make it sweet or spooky what ever you do have fun with it.
Host an all-night horror fest - Rent some movies, invite your friends over, order some takeout, and prepare for a long night of frights.
Have a dumb supper - This explains it better than I ever could
Go on a haunted House/ghost tour - most area's have something like this just google haunted tours in your area.
Have a Halloween/Samhain party - Whether it's for children or adults have fun with it get in costume bob for apples and dance under the moon.
Build a bonfire - If there are no fire bans in you city, state, or town have a bonfire, throw on some of you favorite Samhain Incense and enjoy.
Take a child trick-or-treating - there is nothing more fun than taking a child trick-or-treating, have fun with it and maybe let your inner child out to play.
Carve a Jack-O-Lantern - Let your creativity come alive and have fun with your design, and if your doing this with the kiddo's tell the story of Stingy Jack(history of the jack-o-lantern)
Reflect on the past year - As this is the Witches New Year do what you would do on the(secular, Jan.1st) New Year, reflect of the past year and set goals for the new one.
Have or attend a séance - If your going to do this yourself please read this first.
Tour a corn maze - This has always been a big hit with my family, they are always fun, just don't get lost.
Start your own Halloween/Samhain traditions - just like any other holiday have fun with it and start your own traditions with your family.

Have a wickedly fun Halloween/Samhain

Bright Blessings
Chaos

PUMPKIN TREATS

2010-10-07T12:40:00.001-05:00

I got this recipe a while back(can't remember who from but if was you let me know), and I thought I would share it with all of you because as you can see it's perfect or Samhain!!!

PUMPKIN TREATS

Ingredients:

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 cup sugar

1 1/4 cup. flaked coconut, lightly packed

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

walnuts or pecans(or your favorite nut), finely chopped

Directions:

Mix the first five ingredients well in a large saucepan.

Cook over medium high, stirring constantly for 15-20 minutes.

It is done when it is very thick and leaves side of pan, forming a ball in the center as you stir.

Turn onto a greased baking sheet. Cover loosely with foil or plastic wrap. Let cool completely.

Lightly grease your hands and shape candy into balls. Roll the balls in nuts.

Cover, store in refrigerator till ready to serve.

This recipe will make about 2 1/2 dozen treats.

Samhain, A Brief History

2010-10-01T23:23:00.000-05:00

Most people know of October 31st as Halloween, but long before there were children dressing up as goblins and witches, Halloween was known as Samhain (pronounced "Sow-ween"). Contrary to popular belief Samhain is not the name of a Celtic god of death, however it is a Celtic celebration of the end of summer and a time to honor the dead.

Honoring Our Ancestors

Samhain is the time of the year when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest. and it's the perfect time to honor our ancestors who came before us. You can do this in many ways, you can make an ancestor alter and decorate it with pictures or mementos of loved ones who have past, you can set and extra place at the table so that they might know there is always a place for them, or you can simply light a candle and meditate and remember them.

The Witches New Year

Samhain is the third and final harvest festival in the Wheel of the Year, and is celebrated as the Witches New Year. It's a good time to reflect on the past year and if you find you have left something unresolved this is the time to resolve it.

Pumpkins and Jack-O-Lanterns

Pumpkin carving is a popular part of modern America's Halloween celebration, but did you know the practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack."

Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.
Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."
In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack's lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o'lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack o'lanterns.

Costumes and Candy

Dressing up in costumes and going "guising" was prevalent in Scotland and Ireland at Halloween by the 19th century. In the mid-1800s, American began to steer Halloween away from "scary" things and moved toward parties, By the early 1900s Halloween parties focused primarily on festive costumes, games and foods. By the 1950s, Halloween had evolved to a holiday that catered mainly to children. The practice of trick-or-treating was revived during this time. The first mass-produced Halloween costumes appeared in stores in the 1930s when trick-or-treating was becoming popular in the United States. Today whether you make or buy your costume you can be anything you want to be, I think this year I'll be a Witch :)

Chaos

Happy October!!!!

2010-10-01T07:23:00.000-05:00

Happy October!!!

This is by far my favorite time of year the weather has cooled down, and it is just a few short weeks till Samhain/Halloween. So far October is looking to be a busy month, I am organizing my oldest daughters birthday party putting up fall/Samhain decorations, finalizing the details for a Samhain dinner party as well as gearing up for "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" 5 mile walk. Thankfully my little witchlets have pick out and organized the costumes for this year, my husband has ask for the night off from work so a few things have been accomplished.

I will be doing weekly or twice weekly post leading up to Samhain/Halloween, they will include the history of Samhain, recipes and fun Halloween activities. I hope you all a Happy & Blessed October.

Chaos

2010-09-23T09:31:00.001-05:00

Today we celebrate the Full Moon or Harvest Moon. It's a time of hearth and home. Today's Harvest Moon falls so very close to Mabon so there will be extra power all around us. Use this time to clear out clutter -- both physical and emotional -- before you have to spend the long winter days inside.

Gave a very Blessed Esbat

Chaos

Never Forget!!!

2010-09-11T09:47:00.000-05:00

I hear people saying we don't need this war
But, I say there's some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down
They say we don't realize the mess we're getting in
Before you start your preaching let me ask you this my friend

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbing for you and me
It'll just breed anger that's what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it everyday
Some say this country's just out looking for a fight
Well, after 9/11 man I'd have to say that's right

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And we vowed to get the one’s behind bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember
Just what they're fighting for

Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Yeah, some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry about bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?

(Have you forgotten by Darryl Worley)

Mabon and The Full Moon

2010-09-06T12:18:00.000-05:00

This years Mabon/The Autumn Equinox will be a very powerful time this year as it also coincides with the full moon, Mabon/The Autumn Equinox has not has not coincided with the full moon since 1991.and won't again till 2029.

So what are your plans for this extra magical day/night? will you be doing both Mabon and full moon rituals or just one or the other?

Bright Blessings
Chaos

VR - Offering Stones

2010-09-04T16:36:00.000-05:00

Gearing Up For Mabon and Autumn!

2010-09-01T18:45:00.002-05:00

Here are a chant and quote to get us started towards Autumn and Mabon

“Corn and grain, Corn and grain,

all that fall shall rise again.”

A Wiccan Harvest Chant

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. - Elizabeth Lawrence

Food Magic

2010-08-31T14:05:00.001-05:00

"Food Magic" a great new blog brought to you by two very talented women Flora Peterson(CharmingPixieFlora) and Bobbie Grennier(Master-Herbalist).

What is Food Magic you ask.....

"Food Magic is a woman honoring series of social cooking projects which can be done by women and men alike, but harkens back to a time when women came together socially to prepare meals and enjoy a spiritual connection to the divine while creating nourishment and healing concoctions. Since this is woman honoring, we focus on the divine Goddess as existed in Matriarchal times as influencing the magical intent behind what we cook and why. It's the creation and enjoyment of food with a higher purpose!"

To find out more click Here and for their blog click Here

This a truly exciting blog so hurry over today.

Bright Blessings
Chaos

Tater Update

2010-08-19T19:48:00.002-05:00

I thought I would share some new pics of Tater and show how big he is getting.

This is Tater when we first got him

Notice how he is smaller than my laptop....

This is Tater today.

he's not so small now, but he is still a sweetheart.

Bright Blessings
Chaos