My Wine Is Talking To Me...

What is it that the crazy people say? Oh yeah...."I'm not crazy."

After the past few weeks, I'm really starting to wonder though. I've been running non-stop, although the wine tour last Saturday did help in the de-stress department. I enjoyed a nice glass of "Pink Freud" rose wine last night. It was a nice Autumny orange colour, instead of pink, but who's counting? Plus, as an added bonus, when you buy one of the other bottles of wine from Therapy Vineyards, you get one of these cool ink-blot labels, and subsequently get to diagnose your own level of craziness!

Some of the other things swirling through this mad mind of mine are as follows:

1. How I must get my Halloween post done for Mrs. B, pronto, because October is ....in TWO days!

2. That I'd like to be talented enough to take photos like these kitchy, witchy pics that Autumn took!

3. How I'd really like to finish the last Twilight book before my neice gives away every damn piece of the story...oh wait...she's just spilled the beans again....I may not have to read this book at all now.

4. That I love my new Halloween travel mug I snagged at Starbuck today, with a pumpkin spiced latte, of course!

5. How I'm going to make this super easy Pumpkin soup this weekend!

Hoping you are all enjoying the segue into October, and are ready for all the wonderful blog parties and events going on in the blogosphere!

Wishing you a clear mind - or at the very least, lots of wine!

Wine, Women and Song!

I'm back from my haunted winery tour, and have a well-stocked wine rack to show for it! Boy, can I spend money, when the right opportunity presents itself! It's funny, because I was never much of a wine drinker until my brother and sister in law started running a winery two years ago. Now, I enjoy a glass now and then - but the hunt for a great wine, or bottle is where the fun is really at!

Yesterday we started at a winery called "Blasted Church" where an old church was removed from a site high above a lake, and brought down into town. There are noises that come from this church when the wind blows just right, and the sound is rather creepy!

We moved on to another winery that has an older man haunting it. All the staff use the buddy system at night, because no one wants to run into him when they are alone. He doesn't cause too much trouble - just some cold spots when he wanders by, and he likes to whistle alot - but it's enough to creep out the staff!

We then went to Black Widow winery, where I bought a gorgeous wine called "Mirage" which I'll be opening tonight after dinner...

Onward to a Lavender farm called "Green Man Lavender" (I liked the Pagan symbolism) and then to "Elephant Island" which is not haunted at all, but makes the best fruit wine on the planet! It's new release (from '07, as it takes 2 years to make) is "Pink Elephant" - a pink apple champagne. Had to have a bottle of this!

All in all, it was a fabulous day - warm weather, good friends, a wonderful lunch, and even a shot of some hauntingly good Bailey's Irish Cream in a black widow shot glass! Hopefully the pictures will turn out, and once my friend emails them to me I'll post some here (yes, I forgot my own camera - ugh!)

Also, a big thank you to Morgaine at The Forgotten Muse for the blog award!

Farmers Market Saturdays

This week, I'm sending you to a fellow blogger - Jaz at Octoberfarm. This link will take you to her post about the market she visited. Check out her blog while you are there - she is the queen of the thrift store shoppers!

Happy marketing!

Still Haunting Around...

Just wanted to pop in and say that I'll be out on the haunt this weekend, so if you don't hear from me - you know why!

I'm taking 5 of my friends on a haunted winery tour! There is one confirmed 'haunting' in a winery close to here, and then we are just going to hit all the wineries with spooky names - like "Black Widow Winery" and "Howling Bluff" and a few others.

I'm hoping to take some pics and get them posted after the weekend - at any rate, I'll let you know how it all went!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and you are getting some of this spectacular Fall weather!

Blessings!

An Award from Boo!

Bridgett, over at Doug & Boo + 2, gave me this award! She is really the sweetest, and if you haven't become one of her followers, rush over there and get on it - she has a wonderful blog!

There are some strings attached to this award though:

1.) Thank the person who gave this to you.
2.) Copy the logo and place it in your blog.
3.) Link the person who nominated you.
4.) Name 7 things about yourself that no one would really know.
5.) Nominate seven 'Kreativ Bloggers.'
6.) Post links to the seven blogs you nominate.
7.) Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know you nominated them.

Okay.....1 through 3 are easy....but 7 things? Hmmm....

1. I have been known to scream really loud when I'm alone in my car. It's very liberating and gets rid of alot of stress! (Although it does scare passers by.)

2. I have a thing for purses...and tote bags...and luggage...and pretty much anything with handles. My friends know I like these things. I just don't think they have any idea to what bizarre extent I collect them. I could move the White House in the amount of bags I have.

3. I've never completely recovered from the passing of my dog (Allie, a rotweiller,) 3 years ago.

4. I read smutty, smutty books while camping in the Summer. (Hey - it's hard to get into "War and Peace" during a 3 day camping trip!)

5. I try to do things that scare me - like going on rides at amusement parks, traveling to unknown places, talking to strangers - otherwise I'd never leave the house. Safe is nice - but it doesn't get me anywhere.

6. I've read "A Christmas Carol" every December for the past 6 years -and often read parts out loud with a crappy English accent.

7. I worry every single day about my neices and would trade everything I have for some assurance that they will be okay, and graduate mostly unscathed, and preferrably not pregnant.


Hmm...these may be a bit of an overshare - but Boo asked for it!

Not So Much "Wiser"....Just Less Weary.

I've been away for two days at a Wise Women's Weekend, two towns over. It was a wonderful time and a much needed break. I spent my weekend taking classes like: The Celtic Wheel of the Year (I know about the Sabbats - but the teacher is a friend of mine from Ireland, so it was great to hear how her ancestors celebrated,) Using Your Intuition, Shamanic Journeying, Healing Crystal Meditation, and Goddess Art. I also managed to get a healing session and a tarot reading in! I feel wonderful, and have gained a bit of wisdom in regards to what parts of my life I need to work on.

This evening I worked on my Mabon altar and made some incense for the Sabbat. I tried something different this time, as I picked up some copals and herbs at the Festival store. Here is my simple recipe:

3 parts Mandrake (root needs to be ground as much as possible - it's tough stuff!)
**Mandrake is for protection, money & health.

2 parts Rue (of course!)
**Rue is for healing, getting rid of negativity, and moving in a positive direction.

2 parts Sandlewood
**Sandlewood is for good luck, protection, and success.

Since my Mabon ritual is about health and abundance, this incense will work beautifully - plus, it smells amazing!

I hope you are all feeling the blessings of Autumn and these few days of balance, as we sit on the verge of the Equinox. It really is a wonderful time to reflect, enjoy the bounty of our gardens, and look ahead to the darker season yet to come.

This is one of the Celtic blessings my friend shared with me this weekend:

"May the nourishment of the earth be yours, may the clarity of light be yours, may the fluency of the ocean be yours, may the protection of the ancestors be yours."

Blessed Be!

Picture found here.

Farmers Market Saturdays

Just one more reason to visit Hawaii - they have Farmers Markets too!

Transformation

I've been thinking about transformation. Especially as summer gives up it's sweltering ways for Autumn's cooler touch. I'm pondering my own transformation (the results of growing another year older) and how I've become the woman I am today - and speculating about who I'll be tomorrow.

More importantly, I'm wondering about the transformation that is about to occur in 42 days. For example - the above picture is of a reasonably handsome man named Danny Houston. Here he is again - with the addition of some Halloween magic (okay, it's movie magic - but lets not be picky!)



The problem I'm having is this - I don't know what I want to be transformed into, in 42 days! For the first time in 36 years, I don't know what I want to be for Halloween! Some Pagans have an issue with celebrating the more secular holidays, and stick to Sabbats - but I have no problem celebrating Halloween and then doing my own Samhain ritual after all the little trick-or-treaters are gone. But I do like to dress up. I've always got plenty of ideas - from cutesy to gorey - and it's never difficult to come up with something. But this year....nothing!

So - any brilliant ideas out there in blog-land? Please let me know if you find something great. I'm a bit worried here - time is slipping away! Transformation is not as easy as I thought!

Givin' It Away!

No - sorry - Dexter is not in the giveaway. He's just looking for treats. Or a toy. Or attention.

But, he did help me draw 3 names from the hat this morning! Actually, he tried to run off with a few pieces of paper, but in the end everyone's name got in there (some of you several times - thanks for blogging about my giveaway!) and we made the big draw!

First of all, thank you so much for all the birthday wishes - you've all been so incredibly nice! It's been like having a birthday for two weeks. Also, I LOVE your blogs! The best part of having followers is being able to 'meet' you and follow your blog too. I love reading about everyone's journey!

And now....drumroll...here are the names Dexter tried to eat....I mean...I pulled from the hat:

Vintage Sage

Mrs. B

Aelwyn

Congratulations!

Please send me an email at: rueandhyssop (at) gmail (dot) com, with your mailing address so I can pop these boxes in the mail to you!

Thanks again to all of you who took part!

Got Head?

My brilliant girlfriends threw me a dinner party last night for my birthday - and two of them chipped in to buy me this Crystal Head Vodka, made by Dan Aykroyd! If you check out the website, there's a neat 5min video of Dan talking about the vodka and the mystery of the crystal heads. Plus - did you know this vodka is filterd through crystals known as Herkimer Diamonds?

My hostess last night is from Bangladesh, and so we had a beautiful meal, with a beef curry, a shrimp dish, a gorgeous rice (palau) and a bahjee (veggie dish.) With all the fuss we were making over her food, she even offerred to give us a cooking class one afternoon!

Also, in the pile of presents from my friends, was a necklace with an opal leaf on it, pumpkin dishes, a book, and season 3 of Dexter on DVD! I am a spoiled-rotten Virgo!

Just a reminder too, that today is the last day for you to enter my birthday giveaway - so if you haven't yet, post a comment with your name or blog so I can enter you in tomorrow's draw! I can't wait to draw 3 of your names!

Farmers Market Saturdays

This one is celebrating it's 75th anniversary this year! It's located at 3rd and Fairfax in Los Angeles. Looks like fun!

I Spy With My Little Mastercard...

First of all - I did not purchase this pendant. Although I wanted to. I also wanted the Owl. And the gourd with the pumpkin on it. But what I did buy, was the pendant with three grinning Jack-O-Lanterns on it!


I was over at The Mare's Tales when I spotted Jennifer's wonderful art...which lead me to her Etsy shop Gypsy Mare Studios, which lead me to her Halloween necklaces!


This is my first official purchase from Etsy and a fellow blogger - and I'm hooked! So, I'm thinking that "I Spy..." will be a regular feature here. I'll snap a photo of my purchase when it arrives and post it for you. She's wonderfully talented, and does lovely paintings of horses too (The Mare's Tales - of course!)

Stay tuned to see what else my Mastercard and I spy!

Mercury is Wonky, But the Hedgewitch is Wonderful!

Run, don't walk over to Hedgewitch Hollow, where Aelwyn is having a giveaway to celebrate her 100 followers! Congratulations!

While there, check out her latest post on Mercury Retrograde. I experienced it's effects first hand today when trying to buy gas. One station had it's debit machine down, so my bank card was useless. After finding a station that was working and took one of my cards that I collect points on - the computer said it couldn't read my points card! Grrrr! And my cell phone has been wonky for two days now. Maybe I should just go on vacation for two weeks. Although, the computer would probably just lose my reservation!

This Bears Some Thought...

I am having to re-think my river walking route, since talking to some locals who have spotted two bears in the area. One large black bear and one smaller brown bear. Bears don't usually bother with humans and I've never had a problem with them while walking the river. Cougars are another story. (Not older women dating younger men. I have no problem with that. I'm talking mountain lions here. Big, big cats that will maul you. Then eat you.)

The issue at hand is this: if I happen to spook one, or it still has this year's cub with it, one of these bears will leave you alone if you are very still (play dead) and one will just start to eat you. The problem is, I can't remember which is which. I think it's the brown bear that will eat you....I think. You don't really want to be wrong on this though.

So....I am starting a new walking route tomorrow.

Some other things I've been thinking about are as follows:

1. How much I love Carnation's Chai Spice coffee creamer, and how I can't wait until their Pumpkin Spice creamer comes out. (Yes, I know this stuff is 99.9% chemicals - but a girl has to have her vices.)

2. How I wish I had the time or the inclination to bead - because this is really pretty and I'd like to do this to my lampshades!

3. Does Mrs. B have any limbs not injured yet? (Giggle)

4. How much I love these cheap little "Sasquatch" Composition Books I bought in the back-to-school bins. They are 100% recycled, they fill my need to surround myself with blank notebooks, and you get to search for a Sasquatch hidden somewhere on the cover! Seriously great buy! I bought mine at Walmart - but you can check them out here.



Picture of bear found here.

A-Mazed!

My friend and I were driving South for a little shopping trip across the border this weekend, when we noticed the cornfields looking rather 'done.' I moaned about how we were so unlucky because we didn't have any mazes in the immediate area. So she suggested a day trip with friends and kids to find a maze. After a quick search, I found four. They are a good drive - but we are now talking about making a weekend out of it, and hitting all four farms!

If you have never checked out a corn maze, this is the season to finally do it!

To find a maze in your area, check out the Corn Maze Directory and search by your State or Province. There are so many farms that put on festivals this time of year as well - so do be sure to take in some Autumn fun while you can!

Picture found here.

Farmers Market Saturdays

This week we are in Glen Falls, New York. I really like the raised roof under which the market takes place. It looks like an old covered bridge. Enjoy! I'm heading out to get some corn now!

Full Moons and Moving Vehicles

"....so shall it be." Oh - don't miss my road....dim the brights...and...shift. Well - this was a first. I've just returned from a hockey game in the next town - an early exhibition game - but definitely another indication that Fall is here. Coming home and looking at the sky, I realized that the moon would only be shining for another 5 to 10 minutes before the dark clouds approaching would overtake it. And since the weather man said we would have rain - I knew those few minutes of moonlight would be the last clear view I would have tonight.

So I went to work. While driving. I began with a greeting, much gratitute for the blessings of the last month, and an entreaty. I added a Goddess song, and some toning and ended with a "blessed be!" I am home now, and a candle is lit, but I feel as though my observance of this esbat is done. And not shabbily.

Without discussing the practicality of doing a spell in a moving vehicle (I was watching the road the entire time - when not taking quick glances up at the moon...) I have to wonder how often this happens. How often do we find that the 'right moment' seems to come while in a strange place?

How many of us, when we are surrounded by those bowing their head as a Thanksgiving prayer is said around the table, offer thanks to the Goddess and God? How many, when not being able to get out of the staff Christmas party that happens to fall on Yule, raise a glass throughout the evening in celebration of the Sabbat?

I'm sure that with the busy lives I am reading about in blogs, there are many who don't have time to do a full ritual for every Sabbat and Esbat. Do you ever find yourself observing these moments in the Pagan calendar in unique and interesting ways?

Have you ever muttered a spell under your breath at a school play? Have you held an impromptu sabbat ritual while in a hotel room on vacation? (Those take-out salt packets come in handy!) I'd love to know some of the interesting places and situations where you found a moment to connect with the Divine!

I hope this Full Moon found you in the right place, at the right time!

Blessed Be.

(Picture found here.)

Birthday Giveaway and a Thank You!

As September rolls in, it's only fitting that this Virgo chick is spreading the love (and the goodies!) Since my birthday is two short weeks away, and I am turning the ripe old age of 36...I am giving away 3 gift baskets to 3 lucky people! Okay...boxes. Baskets are far too hard to ship! I decided on 3 because...well...I can't afford to send 36; one just didn't seem to be enough to celebrate properly; and 3 just fits my age, and this month numerically. (Really, who needs a reason to send treats anyway!)

I am giving away some great goodies and gifts from the store I bookkeep for. It's a gourmet food and gift shop, and it has lots of wonderful and yummy things to buy (as evidenced by my home which is almost entirely furnished by the store!) These pictures are a few of the many things the store sells - please excuse my sub-par photography.

The giveaway starts today, September 1st and runs until September 14th. On my birthday, September 15th, I will draw 3 names and post the winners. The winners, of course will need to supply a mailing address, and presto - boxes are sent out via the wonderful people at Canada Post!

To get your name in on the goods here's what you need to do:

1. Be or become a follower of this blog and post a comment in this thread. I know a few people prefer to follow anonymously - and that's okay, you can still leave a comment - but you will need to leave me a way to contact you if you win (email, blog address, etc.)

2. For 3 extra entries, mention this giveaway in your blog! (Don't forget to come back and comment here, so I know to put you in the hat 3 more times!)

That's it - very simple!

Also, I'd like to take a moment to thank a wonderful blogger - Michel at Pumpkins and Toadstools, who took the time to make me a button for my blog. It's situated at the left with an html code if you'd like to snag it. Thanks so much Michel! Check out her blog - it's wonderful!

Let There Be Light!

Leave it to Martha to make power tools a girl's best friend! I've been drilling holes in my pumpkins for years now, but it never occurred to me to use that same drill to do my apple and gourd candle holders. I've always struggled with a paring knife to carve a hole big enough for a taper (I prefer small tapers to votives - you just need to be sure they won't tip over!)

I'm heading to a dinner party next weekend so I think I might bring a handful of these for some fun atmosphere. And using a drill will cut my prep time in half!

Photo found here.