Rue and Hyssop

Giveaway Winner!

2012-01-26T21:23:00.000-08:00

The winner of the Power Thought Cards by Lousise Hay is:

The Black Dutchess!

Please send your mailing address to rueandhyssop (AT) gmail (DOT) com and I'll get those into the mail for you.

Thanks for the great comments on the last post. Now that January is coming to a close, I'm almost feeling human again. Time to plan the garden and get moving!

Organized and Affirmized Giveaway

2012-01-19T19:41:00.000-08:00

Alright. I know "affirmized" is not a word. But I have just created it.

I seem to be waking from my long Winter's nap - just in time for the blizzard of '12 to hit. Although any sensible hibernator would go back to sleep, I decided instead to take a couple snow days and get myself organized.

I finished a few projects, fussed about with the layout of this blog (note the new Page Tabs at the top) and am working on my Materia Medica/Materia Magicka (basically a herbal scrapbook of sorts that lists the herbs I love and their medicinal and magickal uses.)

I'm making an effort to do some yoga every day again and it's amazing how much better I feel with just a half an hour of stretching each morning. I've also gone back to my affirmation practice.

Affirmations (I'm sure you know) are statements that assert or affirm that something is true. We use these to help us break the habits of negative or destructive thoughts. It's very easy for me to slip into the "I should be.." train of thought. I should be thinner, I should be prettier, I should be more successful are all thoughts that stand in the way of my well-being. So my affirmations are things like "I am healthy and full of vitality." And "success and prosperity flow to me to enjoy and share."

There are quite a few I try to say daily. It seems silly at first, but I incorporate them into my yoga practice and say them while I'm holding a pose, or in between poses, and they make a difference in my mental state the rest of the day.

Now that I'm feeling affirmized, I think you might want to try it to! So here's the deal: I'm giving away the queen of affirmation - Louise Hay's - Power Thought Cards!

These cards have some great affirmations on them and will get you started thinking about your own too!

All you have to do to have a chance to win these happy cards, is leave a comment and make sure I have a way to get a hold of you (by your blog or email address) if you win. I'll draw the name of the winner in one week, on Thursday, January 26th.

Good luck - and happy affirming!

Hide and Sweep

2012-01-08T10:34:00.000-08:00

Happy first week of January! Or as I like to call it, "the time of year the Valley gets cold and dark and I struggle to function at a semi-normal level and not just hide for a month."

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you'll know that January is tough month for me. While December brings small joys with the bustle and holiday insanity, January is quiet and cold. The wind whistles against the windows, and although we know that the light is returning, we still wake to darkness and the sun seems to ride too swiftly through the sky.

While I work on my wellness this Winter, it's important for me to remember that my energy has seasons too. January and July will never be my peak months. Giving myself a break, and realizing I don't have to be a perpetually bubbly ray of sunshine who magically gets all things done in perfect time with poise, is my mantra for the month. (Yes. It is a rather long mantra.)

Instead of tackling new projects when my creativity is low, I'm using my little energy in other ways. Organizing, going through my clothes and giving away those that I just don't wear anymore, cleaning the forgotten places (the top of the refrigerator, behind the desk,) are all small ways of making space for new energy to flow. So when inspiration does hit, I'll have whatever I need at my fingertips and be ready to go!

The above photograph of Dexter hiding in the Maiden's Grass was taken two days ago. The weather here in Southern British Columbia has been stunningly mild for this time of year. New grass is coming up, buds are plumping on the trees, and I have a few little lettuce seedlings coming up in the garden (we had a hot spell last Spring after the rains and my lettuce bolted and must have left seeds behind.) Although it snowed last night, the forecast is for more mild weather.

With the weather so forgiving this Winter, I'm hoping my hiding spell will be short. I'll endeavour to pop in as much as possible, but if my blogging falls short this month, you'll know why. Thanks in advance, as always, for your amazing support!

The Year in Review

2011-12-31T22:51:00.000-08:00

Spring:

Summer:

Autumn:

Winter:

May every season of 2012 bring you more happiness, love and prosperity!

Happy New Year!!!

Wellness in The Winter

2011-12-30T11:15:00.000-08:00

Keeping myself healthy during the Winter is always an ongoing project. I'm a hibernator by nature, so when the weather turns cold and grey, I'd rather huddle indoors than venture out. All the more reason to get out for a walk each day - even if that means wearing ten layers to stay warm! The brisk air is a great tool for enlivening my energy, and there is nothing better than a little time outdoors to help me make it through the long, dark season until Spring arrives and I can have my hands in the dirt again.

As cozy as our homes are in the cold months, they can become dry, stale environments in no time when the heat is on, and the windows are closed. Consider opening your windows once each day, even for a few minutes, to circulate some fresh air through the house.

To combat the dry, heated air indoors, get yourself a humidifier. Or even better - save some energy and hang your wet laundry above heating vents and in front of fireplaces (a safe distance, of course!) The radiating heat will dry your clothes and release moisture into the air.

And don't forget to give yourself a bit of extra moisture too. Drink plenty of water, give yourself a steam facial with a few drops of eucalyptus oil to open your sinuses or drop some flowers or essential oils in a foot bath and enjoy the relaxing soak.

This drawing-inward time of year is a great time to get back to your meditation practice. Why not rid yourself of some of that post-holiday stress, and do your heart and mind some good. If you are new to meditation, get yourself a guided cd to help you ease into it, or simply check out YouTube for some easy ten minute meditations to get you started.

This is a great time of year to boost your immune system too. Get vitamins, minerals and antioxidants by eating plenty of root vegetables. Easily found during the Winter, beets, sweet potatoes, carrots, turnip and other root veggies offer a dose of goodness while the gardens are sleeping. Supplement with herbs and spices to keep your system warm and happy. Add some Turmeric to your chicken and rice dishes for it's anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Sprinkle some Cayenne pepper on your omelette and make your circulatory system very happy!

Now is the time to use those herbs you dried this Summer in a healing tea. My current favourite is a simple blend of Nettle (aids kidney & liver function,) Rosehips (high in vitamin C) and Red Clover (aids in women's health & blood circulation.)

Although the light is returning, those of us in Northern or seasonal climates still have the cold to contend with. So give yourself a little extra TLC this Winter and sail through the dark months with ease. Oh - and don't forget to nap! The bears know the benefit of this Winter activity, and it's a soothing treat we rarely give ourselves. Indulge, and enjoy the Winter.

*All photos on this post except the first photo, courtesy of Stock.Xchng - free stock photos.

It's All Over But The Leftovers

2011-12-26T11:09:00.000-08:00

Before and After.

I hope you've all had a wonderful holiday weekend, however you celebrated!

Back to Basics Giveaway Winner

2011-12-23T21:48:00.000-08:00

The winner of the book "Energy Essentials for Witches and Spellcasters" and the Rider-Waite tarot deck is....

Lesadora!

Please email me your address to: rueandhyssop AT gmail DOT com. I'll send your parcel out after the holiday weekend. Congrats!

I had a very busy Yule, both on the 21st and 22nd and as the holiday blends into the more secular celebration of gift-giving and eating far too much food, I will be heading over to my parents' house for more preparations and celebrating. I hope that those who observe had a wonderful Yule! It was also the start of Hanukkah. Blessings, and Shalom to those who celebrate the Jewish season of light!

I also wanted to thank all of you who responded to my last post. I've long had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the holidays. Your replies put a smile on my face. You rock. Really.

Blessings to all, heading into these hectic few days!

Look - A Cat!

2011-12-19T22:35:00.000-08:00

Okay, honestly? I'm ten kinds of done with the holidays and just barely hanging on here. Thank the gods I have comic relief of the furry kind, because otherwise you'd be hearing a report that a girl in Canada went crazy and tied the mall Santa to the hood of her car and drove South to find warmer weather with an entire squad of police cruisers trailing her.

Dexter gets into every possible thing and makes me forget my Santa-napping visions:

Daisy politely sits in any box she can find.

One perfect kitty paw is better than any present wrapped in too much tape.

Ahhh, that's better! Insanity averted. For now.

I hope your holiday preparations are going smoothly and you are finding ways to stop and enjoy the process. I've not figured it out this year, but I still have a few days left. If I can't find "the spirit" - you'll simply find me with a rum & eggnog in hand, hiding under the tree with the cats.

Cheers!

"Back to Basics" Giveaway!

2011-12-16T18:26:00.000-08:00

Part of my commitment to myself in 2012 is "going back to basics." I heard several bloggers and podcasters this year (in the Pagan community) talk about "doing the stuff." Their goal for 2011 was to observe the wheel of the year, the esbats & sabbats and to commit to truly connecting to their practice. Well, I've been doing the stuff!

This month marks the completion (when I get my homework handed in) of my second year of study with The Temple of Witchcraft. I've truly enjoyed the experience, and the in-depth look into my own personal practice, my beliefs and my magick. But I'm exhausted! Esbats, sabbats, planetary associations and hours, potion and incense crafting, spells, rituals, solitary vs coven work, and on and on... It has been endlessly fascinating and a wonderful experience and I highly recommend Christopher Penczak's "Temple" series of books and the courses if you are so inclined.

For me, I'll be taking 2012 off from active study and re-connecting with the basics. I've already had a head start, meeting with a small group every two weeks, and discussing beginner topics and basic energy work. A few of us are going to a basic meditation class (middle Eastern style) and I plan to take some time to practice the Tarot more in-depth and continue to work on my herbal studies. I'm hardly resting, but choosing to be drawn in deeper to those things that form the foundation of my beliefs.

As a treat to encourage your own exploration of the basics, I'm offering a "Back to Basics" giveaway, which includes a wonderful book on basic energy work by Maya Om:

And the classic beginner's Tarot deck, the Rider-Waite Tarot.

As always, all you have to do to win this great duo is leave a comment on this post, and be a friend of the blog in some capacity: be a follower by clicking "follow" in the sidebar, friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, subscribe via RSS feed or email. Whatever works for you!

I'll draw for this set in one week, on Friday, December 23rd! Good luck!

The Woods Are Lovely, Dark and Deep

2011-12-14T11:43:00.000-08:00

I took another trip back to the woods this past weekend (in the Valley - it's a short trip.) We took our semi-yearly excursion to find a tree for my parents' home. While there are plenty of arguments for and against using real trees (why kill a perfectly good tree/the fake trees clog landfills and cannot be recycled,) we feel that our location and local facilities are conducive to harvesting a live tree.

Our area is richly forested, and re-planted with seedlings each year by the local forestry workers. We also have a community program run by the local fire department and community agriculture department. The fire department accepts cut trees, with a donation that goes to procuring new equipment for the department, and the trees get chipped to provide mulch for city gardens and flowerbeds.

Please know, that I do understand that some people do not agree with cutting a live tree for ANY reason, regardless of the re-use of that tree later. This is simply my own practice.

That being said, tree hunting is not an easy task. Live trees do not look like the ones you buy in a store. They look a lot more like Charlie Brown's famous tree. Tree hunting makes you feel a bit like Goldilocks too.

Too small:

Too big:

The most important thing about tree hunting is the food!

My niece shows us how it's done:

Don't forget the marshmallows!

I feel very grateful to live in an area, where the woods are a short drive, the seasons are gorgeous (if not particularly cold this time of year,) and there is always something lovely to discover.

A Dickens of A Yule

2011-12-09T23:35:00.000-08:00

"There were more dances, and there were forfeits, and more dances, and there was cake, and there was negus, and there was a great piece of cold roast, and there was a great piece of cold boiled, and there were mince-pies, and other good cheer."

For my part in The Witches Yuletide Ball blog party, I'm going to read you a story... Well...bits of a story. Because this is a tale you should read yourself. Preferrably snuggled in under a blanket and sipping a hot cocoa.

If you've been following my blog for any length of time and happened by here at Yule, you'll no doubt have heard me sing the praises of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Reading this story is a yearly ritual for me, ever since I happened upon this worn treasure at a flea market about a dozen years ago.

Oh sure, I had seen the movie adaptations. The original is a classic and a must-see, although I'm rather partial to the Muppets version with Michael Cain as Scrooge. But this story truly stole my heart when I read that old English prose with my nose in a tattered old school book.

The book bears a copyright of 1915 inside and has a handwritten note on the first page that says "Norman Latimer Grade 7." I wonder if Norman enjoyed this story as much as I do.

One of my many favourite paragraphs is this one, when the second spirit takes Scrooge out into the town on Christmas day and he witnesses the abundance of the season:

"The poulterers' shops were still half open, and the fruiterers' were radiant in their glory. There were great, round, pot-bellied baskets of chestnuts, shaped like the waistcoats of jolly old gentlemen, lolling at the doors, and tumbling out into the street in their apoplectic opulence. There were ruddy, brown-faced, broad-girthed Spanish onions, shining in the fatness of their growth like Spanish friars, and winking from the shelves in wanton slyness at the girls as they went by, and glanced demurely at the hung-up mistletoe."

"Apoplectic" means "intense enough to threaten or cause apoplexy" (apoplexy is a stroke.) There are pages in this story of such description, especially in respect to the second, rather robust, spirit's visit that are apoplectic themselves. The text is dreamy and delicious and just reading it makes me hungry!

I decided that I should have my own little bit of apoplectic opulence in honour of the blog party. I suppose chestnuts and Spanish onions would have been healthier than wine, jelly beans, caramel corn, chocolate and spiced pecans, but a girl's got to make do!

And here is a recipe, for the "Negus" that you see listed in the foods in the first quote at the top of the post. Although Negus is a name for Egyptian royalty, in this case, it's a hot drink made with port and lemons.

Dickens' Negus

1 bottle of port
1 lemon
2 teaspoons sugar
1 cup boiled water
freshly grated nutmeg

Heat the port on the stove, but do not let it boil. Peel the lemon carefully and add the peel (outer peel only, not the white pith) to the port. Juice the lemon and add the juice. Add the sugar and stir until it dissolves. Remove from heat and remove lemon peel (strain, if necessary.) Add the cup of boiling water and stir well. Serve with freshly grated nutmeg on top!

"He went to church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people hurrying to and fro, and patted the children on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down into the kitchens of houses, and up to the windows, and found that everything could yield him pleasure."

Just as Scrooge found pleasure in all the sights of the season, I hope you too, will find pleasure this Yule, Hanukkah or Christmas, or whatever celebration you participate in!

"His own heart laughed, and that was quite enough for him."

What's Brewing In The Kitchen

2011-12-07T21:11:00.000-08:00

Candles lit and glowing bright,

Herbs are strewn both left and right,

A Witch's work is never done,

Under moon or under sun.

I have to laugh as I look around the kitchen tonight. Everywhere I look, there is something brewing. A bowl of mixed herbs sits on the counter, waiting to be bagged and delivered to two ladies who want a little herbal power when they sweep.

In a make-shift burner of a leaf-shaped bowl held over a tea light, a water-based potion infuses for a house blessing I'm going to tomorrow.

For those that care to know, each herb was chosen for it's association with "purification." Each element was represented:
Earth - Vervain
Air - Lavender
Fire - Tobacco
Water - chamomile
Plus a pinch of sage for cleansing & a pinch of sea salt for protection.
(Of course, correspondences vary - the associations in one book may differ from another, and what says "Air" to me, may not to you.)

The infusion will be strained and bottled and used to annoint doorways and windows.

Over on the stove, a pot holds multiple herbs infusing in oil. This will be strained and beeswax added and bottled for use on Winter-weary skin.

The kitchen smells of rose petals and lavender, beeswax and chamomile. The flickering candles send dancing shapes across the walls and Beau-the-cat is riveted.

I've blended, blessed and bottled, and now I think all these divine scents and lovely energy are directing me...straight to bed!

Blessings, from my kitchen to yours!

Lighting Up December

2011-12-03T11:04:00.000-08:00

Each year, on the last Friday night in November, a village in the Valley has a light up celebration in the center of town. I've missed the light up the last four years, three of which I've been *blush* Black Friday shopping across the border in Washington State, and one year I was in Mexico.

Foregoing the big, commercial aspect of the holidays this year, I'm staying local and participating in the smaller celebrations (and giving smaller, handmade gifts.) This light up was a nice start to the season for me.

I love this little town! All the buildings in the main area of town are required to have an old English 'look' to them. Not surprisingly, there's a very busy Fish & Chip place here! Wandering around town were carolers and a town crier, who were all dressed in Victorian garb. And then there was this guy...

I had seen him walk by a few times, and then finally had to stop him when we happened to be in the same shop. It turns out that his daughter made this sweater for him. She knitted it and added all the decorations. He was a very proud dad!

One of the most important stops at any street fair or festival - the mini donut van! These hot, sugary, cinnamon-y donuts were bliss!

The ATV club was also there and they were pulling a barrel train of happy kids. They went whizzing by a few times, so all I could get was a blurry shot!

Also a bit blurry, but I couldn't resist, is a picture of a statue I saw while walking back to the car. She seems to be a goddess of abundance. I'm going to have to come back there in the daylight to get a better look!

This weekend there is much to do in my town. A Santa Claus parade, a Yule meditation gathering and more. I'm not sure how much I'll get in, but I'll see where the weekend takes me!

A Wander to the Woods

2011-12-01T22:02:00.000-08:00

I walk by the river as often as I can, because it's a beautiful path that I never get tired of. There is always something to see, a new bird to spot (even though I'm not a birder and have no clue what I'm looking at,) or a wildflower or plant to try to identify. But sometimes...I feel the need to get up higher than the Valley floor, so I took off for an hour on the weekend, and headed up into the hills.

We've been fortunate this year, so far. We had a brief snow in early November, but it has mostly melted except at the higher elevations. I didn't get too far up the hill before I was seeing pockets of snow, but there was none on the road to hinder my drive. I can't tell you how lucky I feel to live in a place where I can drive 5 minutes up the road and be on my way into the woods!

While wandering I spotted this very Fey tree. I'm not sure why this Fir decided to throw a curve in it's trunk, but it looks neat! It was also offering up some lovely resin (just a few tears) which I collected and then left my own offering. I think there will be a very small batch of woodsy incense in my future!

Speaking of incense, I wanted to share my Yule incense recipe. I like it so much that I'm going to make a huge batch this weekend so that I have plenty to burn over the Winter.

Yule Incense:

2 parts Fir needles (you could use pine, but I like fir for my Yule tree.)
1 part clove

1 part frankincense

1 part myrrh

5 star anise seeds

½ part amber resin

I find that the frankincense, myrrh and amber help the incense to stick, but you could add a bit of honey as a binding ingredient if you wanted it more chunky - just make sure you give it time to dry completely.

Burn on a charcoal disk on a heat-safe bowl or plate and enjoy!

I hope you find time during this busy season to take a walk in your area, and enjoy what the Winter has to offer!

Another Round of Thanks

2011-11-24T07:51:00.000-08:00

Although we Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving back in October, I have always enjoyed American Thanksgiving as an official start to the holiday season.

I've long been a fan of the Macy's parade, and each year I take the day off to watch the parade, bake and decorate my home. I've been doing it since I was in high school, when my amazing mother would call me in "sick" to the school so I could stay home and enjoy the day.

Out comes the Winter greenery, the twinkle lights, and at my mom's house, her collection of village houses and assorted people and animals. It's a funny set up. Everything is mis-matched and in different sizes. But she loves it. It suits our strange and wonderful family!

At my house, I like to keep the breakables to a minimum or there would be cat-induced carnage for sure. This is the first time my latest addition, Beau, will have experienced a decorated tree - so that will be interesting.

So, while I deck the halls and drink egg nog and watch the giant balloons float by on the television, I wanted to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving! Travel safe and find some time to enjoy the beginning of a rather hectic season!

Blessings!

Mercury And A Wandering Mind

2011-11-22T18:39:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if it's Mercury getting ahead of itself, or just some strangeness in the air, but these last few days have been odd. I've felt off my game, a little down and generally frustrated at everything. Luckily, there are more than enough things going on here on the interwebs to keep me distracted.

Here are a few things that I've enjoyed or been mulling over lately:

~ Always an enjoyable and fascinating read, New World Witchery has a post on the lore surrounding walnuts. I'm allergic to the buggers (walnuts, not Cory or Laine) but can appreciate the symbolism.

~ For years, I have been wanting to head to Caravan Farm to see the outdoor plays the theatre company puts on. This year, the play is "The Gift Horse" which is about a childless couple who is given a child by the Moon. This may be the year I finally get there!

For holiday hayrides or sleighrides in your state or province, check out this website.

~ Incorporating a Nativity scene in a non-Christian household. My friend brought me back Nativity figurines from Mexico this year and at first I was perplexed. Until I read Carolina's most recent newsletter at the House of Eleggua. She did a post on the Nativity, here, but do subscribe to her newsletter where she discusses the symbolism surrounding the figures involved in the Christ story.

~ Speaking of Christ, or technically, his followers, there has been quite a discussion going on over at Twitter today about whether or not you should support a charitable organization (in this case, The Salvation Army) if they openly preach against GLBT rights.

If an organization does great things with the money donated to it, yet does not operate at a level that speaks to your own morals and values, would you donate to them? Does the good they do, outweigh the intolerance they may have? Great points on both sides of this debate!

As we head into the start of the bustling holiday season, I want to wish my American neighbours a blessed Thanksgiving (if you celebrate) and wish you a safe and happy holiday!

And Then There Was This

2011-11-18T19:48:00.000-08:00

So I found this the other day. And while I'm making a concerted effort to eat more real food and stay away from the packaged/processed items, there is something to be said for the taste of rum first thing in the morning.

Don't let the cute cake picture fool you. This tastes like Captain Morgan bumped a good shot of his spiced rum into your latte. Thank you Captain!

Remember November

2011-11-17T16:54:00.000-08:00

"When I no longer thrill to the first snow of the season, I'll know I'm growing old."

~ Lady Bird Johnson

The first real snow has come to the Valley. We had teasing flakes last week, but now it sits upon the land - a mere half inch, but here nonetheless. A snowfall warning has just flashed across the tv screen, and I'm watching the window to see how accurate the weather channel is. No new flakes...so far.

I was able to get out and walk the river today and that is always a boon to my spirit. The sound of snow crunching underfoot was meditative and the scent of woodsmoke in the air was sweet. The horses across the river were playing with each other, and the ducks were paddling around a small circle of pond that was left un-frozen.

I like the first snow. It feels like a fresh start. A clear starting point to the new season (even though Winter doesn't officially begin until December 21st-22nd.) It feels right to put away the Autumn things and start pulling out the boots and mittens. More candles will go up around the house, and the Yule incense I've been making will be burned.

Over at my parents' house, my mother has been making good use of their Halloween pumpkins, and there are fresh pumpkin muffins and pumpkin cake to taste. Several of the neighbours have put up their holiday lights and displays already.

It seems strange to admit that the year is nearly at an end. I have a good memory of pea-planting in March, abundant lettuce in June and farmers markets in August, but time skips from one quick scene to another, and my mind can't wrap itself around the fact that it's mid-November now.

Not wanting to miss a thing about the rest of the year, I've added some additional items to my to-do list:

~ Be here now.
~ Enjoy the season.
~ Take it all in.

I think that's something I can manage.

Iron

2011-11-12T11:31:00.000-08:00

"Iron repels evil of all kind... In addition to providing protection, iron enhances and stimulates the growth of one's personal magic powers, so that you are stronger and better able to protect yourself, requring less outside spiritual protection. Iron also invigorates general vitality and energy."
From Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells, by Judika Illes

Last night I went to a preview party for a local metaphysical shop/venue that will be opening in our area. The lovely lady putting on the party and opening the venue, gifted me with a large helping of iron ore. I'd been scavenging for iron nails lately, but had come up empty-handed, so this was a treat!

Iron ore is not pure iron. It is a rock from which iron can be extracted. The ingredients in these rocks are usually hematite and magnatite, which are iron oxides.

I'm actually quite thrilled with the little iron ore pellets. Someone like me, who is gifted in the art of clumsy, is not generally suited for carrying around a nail of any type. A round iron pellet is a much better idea, and will ensure I don't pierce any body party by accident.

Some uses of iron include:

~ iron in the bed protects from nightmares and spirits.

~ a circle of iron, placed around sore or skin ailments is said to prevent them from spreading.

~ iron can remove the evil eye.

~ water from a blacksmith that has been used to cool iron has healing properties. People who can get their hands on this water would use it for bathing and other applications. If you can't find blacksmith water, you can simply put iron in a cloth bag and hang it from your faucet while running a bath.

~ horseshoes, which are considered very lucky, should be hung above the door, using as many of the original nails as possible.

~ a horseshoe nail can be bent into a ring form and worn for protection.

~ iron is also the main (and usually only) ingredient in War Water, used to hex or protect against hexes.

I can see that I'll be having fun using and sharing these little treasures!

November To-Do's

2011-11-04T13:05:00.000-07:00

November is that liminal time between the last of the harvests and the beginning of the Winter. For me, it's always been a time of floating between jobs, projects and nesting to prepare for the cold months.

Because we Canadians have already had our Thanksgiving, there is not a particularly festive atmosphere around this month (except, perhaps for those people who decorate for Yule/Xmas early.) I was joking with a friend the other day, that November is merely my chocolate detox month between Halloween and Christmas.

Still, I feel a renewed sense of energy and interest in accomplishing things on my to-do list this month. Luckily, I've stocked my to-do list with fun items as well as the usual responsibilities.

Rue's To-Do:

~ Dig out Winter accessories. Donate boring/blah gloves & scarves and wear bright, fun ones instead! I picked up a cat-hat a few weeks back, and am already using my awesome fingerless gloves (made by Sarah) at work.

~ Learn how to make Eggs Benedict. I had a fun breakfast with the girlfriends this morning, and had the most incredible Eggs Benedict. I'm still reeling from the amazing Hollandaise. Martha has a recipe I'm going to try.

~ Spend more time with my personal practice. My meditation time has been sadly brief of late. More connecting to the gods of my understanding is needed as well. I found this post by Star Foster, about "worship" in Witchcraft, of interest today.

~ Detox. All joking aside, I ate entirely too much chocolate in October!

~ Get outside! The winds have come, but the sun is still shining here in the Valley. I'll be spending some time walking by the river this month and enjoying the late Autumn air.

Happy November!

Spirits of October - Giveaway #3 Winner...

2011-11-01T07:53:00.000-07:00

The winner of the book "Spirit of the Witch" by Raven Grimassi is........

Jeanne!

Congrats! Pop me an email with your mailing address and I'll send it out right away.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Samhain/Halloween last night!

Last Minute October Fun

2011-10-30T20:19:00.000-07:00

My niece and I took one last drive out the farm stands yesterday before they closed for the season. The pumpkins and squash were pretty picked over, but we found some lovely specimens that will do nicely for tomorrow night's light-up.

Because I live in a suite with an entrance that faces the backyard, I'm not able to entertain trick-or-treaters, so I make my annual Halloween pilgrimage one town over to my parents home, where little ghouls run rampant through the streets. There, I mass jack-o-lanterns on the porch and sit on the stairs with a good book waiting on the kids...and possibly snacking on a few treats myself.

After hitting the farm stands, I went with friends last night to a haunted corn maze. It was fairly child-friendly, so no big scares for me. Except tripping over corn in the dark. Still, it was fun and will be on our list of things to do next year. My friend wants to visit larger mazes next year, so I've been tracking down a few must-see mazes.

Check out this list of mazes in North America.

*photo found here*

Whatever you do for Halloween/Samhain, I hope your holiday is sweet and scary (if that's your thing!)

PS - don't forget to get your name in the hat for the book "Spirit of the Witch" by Raven Grimassi. I'll be drawing the winner's name tomorrow night.

Spirits of October - Giveaway #3

2011-10-28T22:43:00.000-07:00

The graveyard I visited last week had a substantial amount of statuary and other objects arranged at the gravestones. The stones themselves were not particularly ornamental, but most of them had many decorations placed around them. I found these little vignettes sweet, and sometimes sad - in the manner that children's toys were placed around a child's grave.

I was particulary taken with this statue of the Mother at one of the cemetary gates. I realize that she is stepping on the snake as a nod to the old testament, but I couldn't help but feel a bit of Hekate in her, with the snake and her place at the crossroad/gates. I'm sure Catholics would NOT agree!

Our last book giveaway this month is another book of Spirit. Raven Grimassi's "Spirit of the Witch."

From his website:

"Spirit of the Witch was written to convey the religion of Witchcraft as a spiritual path.

In this book the reader will discover the spirituality of being a Witch (the Witch in Moon light) and how to apply that to daily life (the Witch in Sun light).

Spirit of the Witch is a personalized examination of the core essence of practicing Witchcraft and honoring its beliefs.

It is the first book written solely on the topic of spirituality in Witchcraft."

You know the routine by now...leave a comment and a way I can get ahold of you if you don't have a Blogger profile. I will draw the final name on Monday, October 31st!

Best Witches!

Spirits of October Giveaway #2 - Winner!

2011-10-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

The winner of "Awakening to the Spirit World" in the second Spirits of October Giveaway is....

Willow Silverhorse!

Please email me your mailing address to: rueandhyssop (AT) gmail (DOT) com and I'll get this right out to you.

Stay tuned...the final October giveaway will be posted in a flash!

Thanks so much to all who commented/entered the draw!

The Spirits of October - Giveaway #2

2011-10-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

The graveyard I toured last week was set on a rolling hill. The grouping of graves to the back of this photo above are all much older graves, as are the ones in the photo below. Many date to the 1940's and earlier. A small portion at the very back of the graveyard, up on the highest point, was reserved for the oldest graves. One stone had a date from the late 1880's inscribed on it.

As I walked toward the oldest section of the graveyard, there was a definite feeling of the air becoming thicker. I'm not sure how else to describe it. It was like sharing space in a crowded room. This was one of the few graveyards I've visited where I really felt a palpable energy.

The second book in The Spirits of October Giveaway is "Awakening to the Spirit World - The Shamanic Path of Direct Revelation" by Sandra Ingerman & Hank Wesselman.

From the website:

"Thanks to a modern renaissance of shamanic spirituality, practitioners from all walks of life now use powerful indigenous techniques for healing, insight, and spiritual growth.

With Awakening to the Spirit World, teachers Sandra Ingerman and Hank Wesselman bring together a circle of renowned Western shamanic elders—Tom Cowan, Carol Proudfoot-Edgar, José Stevens, and Alberto Villoldo—to present a comprehensive manual for making these practices accessible and available in our daily lives, including:

-How the original practice of shamanism shaped the world’s spiritual traditions and why it is still relevant today.
-The art of the shamanic journey—a time-tested meditative method for experiencing important spiritual lessons and truths.
-Guidance for avoiding common pitfalls of shamanic practice.
-Instruction for working with your dreams, connecting to your spirit guides, healing yourself and your environment.
-A CD of drumming to facilitate your shamanic journeys."

As always, all you need to do to put your name in the hat for this book is be a follower of the blog or blogger in some capacity (follow the blog, follow on Twitter, find me on FB or subscribe to the RSS feed) and leave a comment. That's it!

The draw for this book will take place in three short days - on Friday, October 28th!

Giveaway #1 Winner!

2011-10-25T15:24:00.000-07:00

The winner of the first Spirits of October Giveaway is....

New World Witchery!

Please email your mailing address to me at: rueandhyssop (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll pop this book in the mail to you.

Thanks to everyone that threw their name in the hat, and keep your eyes here...the next giveaway will be posted within the hour!

PS - if you haven't heard of New World Witchery, you seriously need to check out their podcast. It's a fun and interesting look at everthing from folk magic to root work to old wive's tales and everything in between. Right now there is a great storytelling series going on - perfect for Halloween/Samhain! Head over to the website or download the show at iTunes.

Enjoy!

On Girls and Cupcakes

2011-10-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

My niece and I made some cupcakes yesterday, in honour of the season. I'm not much for cake making, so we cheated by buying an easy cake mix, but I did insist on homemade icing. She was shocked that icing could taste so creamy - she'd only ever had the store-bought kind.

It reminded me that the things I take for granted, like baking with my mom on weekends and holidays when I was little, are things that many kids don't have any concept of. They think all food comes from the store - from boxes and from behind glass cases.

My nieces have been out in the garden with me since they could walk, and have stood on a chair in the kitchen and 'helped' bake whenever I felt the urge to whip something up. I want them to know that food you take the time to grow or create from scratch tastes better than something you buy from the store.

Having said that - I don't do it all. I can't. I don't have the time my grandmother had to spend in the kitchen. So I ocassionally make exceptions by grabbing a box of cake mix, or a frozen pie shell. But I always add something of my own to it. Some part of it has to be created from home and kitchen, and a place of care.

It just tastes better!

Super Easy Buttercream Icing

3cups of icing sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 stick/8tbsp) room temperature
1tsp vanilla
3-5tbsp cream

I'm sure there is some 'expert' way of mixing icing - but I just toss the ingredients into a bowl and go to town with a fork. It's easier to use a hand-mixer of course. But not as fun!

The Spirits of October Giveaway #1

2011-10-22T17:14:00.000-07:00

Over the next week I'm going to be posting three giveaways. Three wonderful books on different aspects of Spirit will be up for grabs, and I'm going to post them along with a few pictures I took while on my graveyard tour last week.

The graveyard I visited was a few towns South, situated on a rolling hill. This stunning climber has been standing guard in a vineyard just below the graveyard for years now. I call him The Ghost, and he looks rather handsome in the Autumn.

This is the view of the valley from the graveyard. A nice place for eternal rest, no?

The first book you can get your hands on is "Spirit Speak" by Ivo Dominguez Jr.

~from the website:

"If you do magic, pray, or venerate your ancestors, you are working with spirits. If you seek information or guidance through channeling, through mediumship, or through the words and visions of mystics, you are also working with the beings of the subtle realms.

Spirit Speak presents a unified system for understanding a broad range of nonphysical beings that we call spirits. Dominguez is able to make complex ideas accessible, through analogy and example, without oversimplifying. This comprehensive book can be understood and appreciated by readers from all different faiths, backgrounds, and levels of experience. It explores concepts such as:

* spiritual lineage
* the assumption of god forms
* divine embodiment
* the limits and potential for many spiritual practices"

This book came highly recommended by my sister-friend T, and I have a copy on my bookshelf just waiting for a few Winter eves to dig into it. You can have your own copy too, simply by being a friend of the blog (or blogger!) Follow the blog, follow on Twitter, friend me at Facebook, or subscribe to the RSS feed and let me know in the comments on this post.

You've got three short days to enter. I'll draw the name of the winner on Tuesday, October 25th! Best of luck!

Ancestor Reverance or Veneration

2011-10-21T07:29:00.000-07:00

Based on the idea that life continues after death in one form or another, most cultures have certain rituals or traditions involved in caring for or communicating with their ancestors.

** The word "ancestor" can be defined as:
1. a person from whom one is descended.
2. a person who serves as an influence or model for another; be it mental, artistic, spiritual, etc.

Therefore, an ancestor need not be a family member of a direct bloodline, but also beloved friends or someone who excelled in your field of practice who has passed on. For example, people who engage in charity work, may feel that Mother Theresa is an ancestor. A musician may look to John Lennon or Johnny Cash as ancestor.

In some groups, such as the Catholic church, saints or "ascended masters" are venerated as messengers or intercessors to God. These saints had their holiday in "All Saint's Day" and some had their own individual holiday, such as Saint Michael's Day. The mass that was said on All Saint's Day was called "Allhallowmas" (the mass of all who are hallowed) and the eve before All Saint's Day became known as "All Hallows Eve."

In most cultures, no intercessor is believed to be required to have a relationship with one's deceased family, friends 0r societal ancestors.

Please note that ancestor reverence (honouring) is not the same as worship. Most cultures do not worship their dead as gods. There are some cultures that believe their ancestors may ascend to attain god-like status, but this is not what "reverence" is referring to here.

The idea behind ancestor reverence is that your ancestors maintain some kind of existence after death and may influence, in some way, the lives of the living. This influence may come in ways as simple as communication to as complex as being able to procure good fortune in many forms.

In some cultures, ancestors are seen as needing to be cared for, but usually an offering is a way of showing respect or acknowledgment to the ancestor. In this way, caring for them is a way of honouring them. To "care for" an ancestor can mean merely leaving an offering of water or wine out for them, going to their grave and cleaning it or leaving flowers, or building an entire altar with photographs, flowers and favourite treats of the deceased as offerings.

Here are some various ancestor practices by different cultures:

-Mexicans celebrate Day of the Dead, where offerings of candles, food, sugar skulls and photographs are set out in cemetaries to honour the dead.

-Egyptians believed that to be forgotten, was the end of the soul. So, building remembrances to the dead was not just a way of honouring them, but essential so that they would not be forgotten as long as their statue/tomb stood. Priests could be hired by the family to continue to speak prayers for the dead and make offerings at the tombs.

-In India, a yearly observation called "Tarpan" is made to the ancestors where the deceased's favourite food is made and offerred to them, as well as to animals considered holy, such as crows and cows.

-The Romans venerated their dead in the month of February during a 9-day festival called Parentalia, when they visited cemetaries and shared cakes and wine with each other and as offerings to deceased family members.

-Some of the oldest Catholic churches house tombs for their dead as well as having altars that often are said to contain the bones of a saint. And, of course, the "blood" and "body" of Christ sits on the altar in the form of wine and wafers.

-In China, many believe that honouring their ancestors is part of the duties of life, in that your parents gave you life and took care of you while they were alive, and could also care for you after they are gone and offer assistance. In Spring and Autumn festivals bring families to the graves of their ancestors to make offerings, and during another festival, called Ghost Festival, it is believed that the ancestors come to visit the living.

-A "dumb supper" is a dinner where a full place setting, with a serving of dinner is set out for an ancestor, and the entire dinner party eats in silence. Often this is to not only honour the dead, but to encourge contact. The living do not speak, that the dead may do so if they choose, and be heard.

An invitation can be given at the supper such as:

"This is the night when the gateway between
our world and the spirit world is thinnest.
Tonight is a night to call out those who came before us.
Tonight we honor our ancestors.
Spirits of our ancestors, we call to you,
and we welcome you to join us for this night.
We know you watch over us always,
protecting us and guiding us,
and tonight we thank you.
We invite you to join us and share our meal."

~from Patti Wigington at About.com

-In old (Celtic) Europe the last harvest festival is celebrated, and offerings of food and lit candles are left out for the dead that wander this time of year. This is the festival of Samhain (pronounced "Sow-en" or "Sow'een") when spirits were believed to freely roam. The practice of leaving out food and lit candles is part of the beginnings of what is commonly celebrated as Halloween now.

Athough the last harvest time is thought to be the time when the space between the two world's was thinnest and most conducive to spirit contact, you can honour or seek to contact your ancestors at any time of the year.

Easing into Autumn

2011-10-16T05:58:00.000-07:00

Until a few days ago, you'd never have known Autumn had come. Aside from a good four days of rain in late September/early October, the temperatures have been warm and balmy. The sun, hanging on in all his glory, has left us with more than a few days when you could comfortably wear your capris and tees.

We generally have a lovely Fall here in Southern British Columbia, but this year seems to have been even more generous with the extended Summer weather and the leaves turning slowly on the trees. It's as if they genuinely are taking their time in hopes that everyone will notice their beauty.

My only regret this time of year, is that I have to work for a living. My spirit cries to be outside during this season, revelling in all that Autumn has to offer. I've been fortunate enough to get out often for walks by the river, and spent some time in our local Provincial park the other day, taking some photos of my friend's family. I've also made plans to visit a corn maze with my nieces and our friends next weekend, where I'm sure we'll find ourself in a pumpkin patch.

I would so rather soak in October, than see it rush by as it has been doing the last two weeks. It truly is my favourite month, not just because of our Canadian turkey holiday and that lovely, magical night at month's end, but because it offers the most wonderful weather and sights here in the Valley.

Still...there is time. And plenty of activities to be enjoyed.

Although the farmers markets are over for the season, I still have another farm stand visit in the works to stock up on more squash for the Winter.

I have a cemetary visit planned, a harvest soup potluck to attend and then there's that little holiday around the 31st...Hallows something...

And, although it's late coming this month, there is the monthly giveaway to be posted soon.

I hope you are easing enjoyably into your Autumn too!

So Much Turkey - So Many Thanks

2011-10-11T23:19:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, we Canadians got thankful. We do like to get our Thanks out of the way early. It's polite, and practical, in that we have two and a half months before the next huge meal. Plenty of time to lose the 5lbs we just gained before it's time to take holiday pictures with the family in front of the Yule tree.

I only managed to snap two pictures during Thanksgiving dinner. Mostly because I was too busy filling my face.

Vegetarians - look away!

Don't say I didn't warn you.

This is only a portion of the carnage that two turkeys, one ham, numerous side dishes and 22 guests wrought this past weekend at my parents' home.

After the feast was suitably dished up, many of us migrated outside to get a bit of fresh air to aid our digestion. We rarely have small holiday meals at my parents' house, and this Thanksgiving was no exception. My friends' kids ran around in the yard and lounged by the fire. People were telling old stories, laughing and pointing out the constellations.

Before the meal, my 98 year old grandfather said grace. Although I don't pray to the same gods, the sentiment was exactly what I would have said.

"Thank you for food and family, blessings and protection. We remember those who have gone before, and are grateful for those who have gathered with us."

Amen.

Blessed Be.

Farmers Market Saturday - October Harvest

2011-10-02T09:56:00.000-07:00

The first day of October came on grey and wet, but that didn't dampen our spirits. My mom, my niece, a friend and her kids and I all piled into a couple vehicles and headed to the farm stands for canning tomatoes, squash and perhaps a few pumpkins...

We had far too much fun and piled the cars far too full with goodies. I found a few squash I haven't tried before, and picked up some veggies to make some soup. A white Lumina pumpkin and a few other Cinderella-type pumpkins ended up in my car too. I don't know how that happened...

Hope your October has arrived with magic and abundance!

Practical Magic Blog Party - Magic in The Garden - An Inspired Tale

2011-09-23T10:07:00.000-07:00

The garden was empty, one September eve, when there came a sight, you'd have to see to believe.

Witches were landing in the dusky gloom,

Three sisters, each on their own broom!

One glided swiftly, one had a wild ride, and one liked to fly with her feet to one side.

A table appeared, set with flickering light, tarot cards, candy and other delights!

Each young witch, reached for a card, to see if the future held lovely rewards...

Oh yes! The cards said life was grand! And so, to celebrate, they each took in hand...

Midnight margaritas! That luscious green brew!

Cheers to us! And Cheers to you!

And off through the garden, with drinks in hand, to spread their magic across the lush land...

The witches wandered, here and there...

Until the spirits of the air, called them back, and off they bound...

Back to their brooms, and lifted off the ground!

And now the garden has returned to it's dusky still...at least until the blender is refilled!

(Special thanks to my friend's three lovely daughters for witching it up for me!)

Autumnal Sun

2011-09-21T18:41:00.000-07:00

I Am The Autumnal Sun ~ by Henry David Thoreau

Sometimes a mortal feels in himself Nature
-- not his Father but his Mother stirs
within him, and he becomes immortal with her
immortality. From time to time she claims
kindredship with us, and some globule
from her veins steals up into our own.

I am the autumnal sun,
With autumn gales my race is run;
When will the hazel put forth its flowers,
Or the grape ripen under my bowers?
When will the harvest or the hunter's moon
Turn my midnight into mid-noon?
I am all sere and yellow,
And to my core mellow.
The mast is dropping within my woods,
The winter is lurking within my moods,
And the rustling of the withered leaf
Is the constant music of my grief....

On Festivals and Fruit

2011-09-17T06:31:00.000-07:00

Autumn is beginning to show her colours here in the Valley. We are having quite the warm September, so there has been plenty of opportunity to get out and enjoy the views. Ripe apples abound in the orchards, geese are gathering for their long journey South, and the Fall wine festivals and tours are in full swing.

I am spending this weekend at the yearly Wise Woman Festival in the neighbouring town - meditating and learning and partaking of the lovely healers available. As a result, I don't have a Farmers Market Saturday post for you this week. As always, I'll just encourage you to get out into your local farm & market community and take advantage of the plentiful harvest available this time of year.

Looking for dinner ideas when you bring home that harvest from the market?

Squash is now in season, and it's one of my favourite veggies! This post sings the praises of squash.

I also make bruschetta weekly this time of year, because of the abundance of tomatoes and peppers.

And for dessert - apple pie of course!

Take a moment this weekend to get outside and see if you can spot signs of Autumn in your area. Or - for our friends in the Southern Hemisphere - signs of Spring!

Giveaway Winners

2011-09-15T23:05:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to everyone who entered my Sweet September giveaway! I had a wonderful birthday today, and giving things away is a great way to end a lovely day!

Here we go....

The winner of the Circle of Life Tarot is: Somcak!

The Winner of the Gypsy Witch Fortune Telling Cards is: Hailey Marie!

The winner of the Tarot of the Sweet Twilight is: Ms. Lilypads!

Congratulations to everyone! Please email your mailing address to: rueandhyssop (at) gmail (dot) com, and I'll get your cards out to you!

I'm already picking some fun things for the October giveaway so stay tuned for next month's goodies!

Farmers Market Saturday - Community Garden Edition

2011-09-10T16:35:00.000-07:00

For those that live the apartment life, having a large garden plot seems like merely a dream. But if you live in a town that boasts a community garden, this dream can be a reality. For a membership fee to the local community garden association , or a seasonal rental fee, you can till, plant and harvest your own plot of land.

In many of the towns in the Valley where I live, community gardens are a happy alternative to container gardening on small apartment balconies. I visited a garden today and took some photos so that you could see what some people do with these prized plots.

Veggies and flowers share space in many of the plots in this community garden.

I talked to a gentleman here, who said his pumpkins were 'volunteers.' Possibly as a result of the lovely compost pile all the gardeners shared!

Some people were inspired to bring in garden art.

Some created little vignettes and 'rooms' in their plots.

I saw a few plots that boasted only cutting flowers. Being that the weekly farmers market was just down the hill, perhaps they felt their garden plots were better served by colour and fragrance than by taste.

This website is one small example of a community garden plot listing (in this case, for the Vancouver, BC area.)

I googled "community garden plots" and thousands of results came up, so if you are looking for a plot in your area, search with your community name and you might be surprised what you find. Community gardens are becoming very common place these days!

Where I've Been This Week - In Body & Mind

2011-09-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

The wheels are starting to turn for our Annual Chicks Wine Tour. The first year (two years ago) we did a haunted winery tour, visiting such vinters as: Blasted Church Winery and Black Widow Winery, not to mention getting a first-hand account of ghostly happenings at another local winery. Last year, we hit a wine festival, where 50 wineries from around the Valley were represented (and who were giving very generous tastes!) Our destinations this year are not yet set in stone, but I'll be sure to give you a run down and post pics when we finish our tour (and sober up.)

Yesterday I got my hands on my very first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season. I don't often go into Starbucks, but you'll find me there often while this limited edition flavour is on the menu!

In Halloween news, Martha has her annual Halloween magazine out on the newstands. It's a bit notorious for recycling articles/pictures from previous years, but I'm a sucker for the pretty pics and cool ideas, so I pick it up each year.

Also, over on Facebook, Judika Illes noted that Target has it's Halloween items out already. Our local big box store has Halloween items in the card section, but hasn't emptied it's seasonal aisles of the back-to-school supplies yet. Here's hoping those pencils disappear soon in favour of pumpkins!

In world news, we are all praying for rain clouds to fill the skies over Texas. Over at his Inciting A Riot blog, Fire Lyte is organizing Project Texas Rain Magic. Wherever you are, this Saturday September 10th, please send prayers, thoughts of rain and direct any rain spells toward Texas and the wildfires devastating that state.

I hope this first week of September is treating you all remarkably well!

Sweet September Giveaway

2011-09-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

September has always been a favourite month of mine. The long, hot Summer days finally mellow into gorgeous, golden afternoons and cool, dusky evenings. It's still sunny and lovely, but the breeze is sharper and there is a 'winding down' feeling with the home and garden. The canning jars are out, the dryer is full of herbs and my neices are heading back to school.

September is also my birth month, and feeling celebratory I wanted to have more than one item to give away. I've chosen a few decks that I feel invoke the seasonal turn toward Autumn.

First is the Circle of Life Tarot. This deck makes me think of the turning of the Wheel of the year, and is unique in that the cards are round rather than a traditional rectangular card.

The second deck is Tarot of the Sweet Twilight. This deck speaks of turning inward and is very introspective in it's sweet and sad imagery.

And lastly, the Gypsy Witch Fortune Telling Cards, a traditional-type playing card deck with instructions on how to use playing cards as divinatory tools.

I think the Autumnal imagery here is self explanitory!

As always, dear readers, all you have to do is leave a comment here and be following me in some capacity (the blog, Twitter or FB) to be entered into the draw. I will draw three names on my birthday - September 15th! Please make sure there is a way for me to reach you if your name is drawn.

Best wishes, and happy September!

Farmers Market Saturday - Pumpkins!

2011-09-03T22:57:00.000-07:00

Today at the farmers market, I saw the first pumpkin for sale!

Never one to pass up an opportunity to score a pumpkin, I went for the handsome squash, only to be foiled by the little boy in front of me, who had convinced his mother to buy it for him. In an effort to console myself I came home and dug through some Autumn decorations and then went through my recipe box and pulled out a few pumpkin recipes to try (I still have frozen pumpkin in my freezer from last Halloween's jacks.)

While I was in the pumpkin mood, I tracked down a few pumpkin festivals that sound too good to miss. If you are in the area, check out these popular pumpkin parties:

Keene Pumpkin Festival in Keene, NH on October 22, 2011.

Halloween in Central Park in Manhattan, NY - October 9 through the 31st.

Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Fest in Half Moon Bay, CA - October 15 & 16, 2011.

South Jersey Pumpkin Show in Egg Harbor, NJ - October 8-9th, 2011

Festival of Pumpkins in Snohomish Valley, WA - throughout September & October at multiple farms.

Circleville Pumpkin Show in Circleville, OH - October 19-22, 2011.

Nanaimo Pumpkin Fest, Nanaimo, BC, Canada - October 16, 2011.

There are so many more too! Check out your local farms and other agricultural organizations to see if they have any Autumn themed festivals planned. There are many farms that turn their corn fields into mazes and open their pumpkin patches for picking.

With a bit of planning, you can stretch Summer's harvest into an abundant Autumn by making your way to your local farms and festivals this September and October. Enjoy!

Florida Water

2011-08-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

Florida Water is a wonderful cleansing spray for your home/space. It’s also used for luck, protection and ancestor work. Florida Water gets it's name from the old belief that the Fountain of Youth was located somewhere in Florida. The 'water' was originally manufactured as a perfume. There isn’t one specific recipe for Florida Water. Depending on where you look, I’ve seen recipes that can include any number of ingredients, including the following:

Bergamot
Rose
Lavender
Clove
Orange
Lemon
Neroli
Cinnamon
Jasmine

Making your own spray is fairly simple. Use equal parts of alcohol (vodka, grain alcohol) and pure water and add the essential oils of your choice from the above list until you find you have a pleasing scent. (Note: if you are using only essential oils and no plant material, you do not necessarily need the alcohol.)

You can also make this with plant material, which is more labour intensive but really gives you a connection to the spray. This is the way I like to make mine.

When I decided to make a home clearing/cleansing spray, I wanted to enlist the help of my local plants. I went out for a walk into the hills around my town with some friends and asked that the plants/trees that matched my purpose would offer up some of their material for me. I was drawn to a massive pine, growing out of huge boulders, and collected some pitch/amber. I also came across a tree that had grown over on itself and looked like a doorway, that I collected some leaves from. A few more plants spoke to me and I brought them home to add to the mixture.

To the ‘inspired’ ingredients, I added:

Rose
Cinnamon
Lavender
Sage
Rue
Dragons Blood
Clove

(It’s a wild mixture, but the spray has this incredible way of making a space feel clear and protected at the same time.)

I put these ingredients in a large jar (charging each ingredient with my purpose as I go) and then filled it with half vodka and half spring water. I let them steep one moon cycle and then put one ounce of the ‘mother’ mixture (without the plant material) into a 4 ounce spray bottle and filled the rest of the bottle with water. The longer you let the plant material sit in the mixture, the better. I ended up letting the mixture sit for almost a year, and finally strained it this Spring. It’s very potent, and will last me a long time!

Whether you make Florida Water simply, using some of the more ‘traditional’ ingredients, or whether you forage for your own materials and create your own inspired mixture, enlisting the help of plants is very rewarding!

Spread The Love

2011-08-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

I always love hearing of great organizations that bring a little joy into the lives of those less fortunate. Simple things that we take for granted - food, toys, school supplies, clothing - are items that so many others in the world are lacking. These charities are endeavouring to bring those things into the lives of children and families. If you have a few extra dollars this payday, consider these worthy causes:

88 Bikes is an organization that will buy a child in a developing country a bicycle. A simple thing - so much joy!

One of my all-time favourite charities is Heifer International. They supply everything from farm animals and school supplies to a well for a community.

Each year, I get together with my co-workers and collect new items to fill shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. These boxes filled with toys, school supplies, socks and whatever else we can squish in there, are sent to children all over the world.

Of course, we've heard alot lately about the devastating starvation occuring in the horn of Africa. There are many organizations working on relief efforts, including CARE and Doctors Without Borders.

Many are going through their own financial crisis these days, but it's amazing how good you feel if you just skip that latte and put the $5.00 towards helping someone else out. And it doesn't have to be across the world. Look next door - do your neighbours need anything? Can you donate extra paper and pens to your local school? Walk a dog at your local shelter? There is so much we can do (whether monetary or not) to spread the love!

I Spy With My Little Mastercard - Art!

2011-08-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

I've been in an Autumn mood this past week. I've been seeing the geese flying overhead to settle in the lake South of our little town. From there, they start their long journey to warmer climates for the Winter. I've noticed some of the underbrush turning colour and the sky is getting that golden, hazy look that it gets when August is coming to a close.

There is still quite a bit of warmth left for us. We usually get a gorgeous Indian Summer in September. It's the perfect weather for me. Warm, but not too warm. I can wear blue jeans, but still wear sandals and t-shirts. Even though the Summer is not done with us yet, my thoughts are as ever, turning to Fall.

I didn't get to the farmers market this weekend, but have been perusing my favourite online market Etsy this past week and found a few fun Autumn items.

From Vanessa at A Fanciful Twist, I bought some pretty postcards. Anyone who reads her blog knows that she has a wonderful eye for photography and decorating. I'm going to have fun sending these cards out this Fall!

I also ordered some Halloween tags from another wonderful blogger, Wendy, at The Halloween Tree. Wendy's Etsy shop is called Artful Gypsy and has some of her cool digital art listed.

And I couldn't pass up a print of this amazing painting of Marie Laveau, by Carolina at House of Eleggua. Amazing work, isn't it? She now sits in a lovely frame on my altar.

I think I did pretty well on the shopping end of things last week. Now to catch up on the gardening!

Please note: each photo used in this post is linked back to the owner's website. These photos are used for promotional use only and are property of the individual artists.

Must Have Magazines!

2011-08-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

Thanks to this post by Kallan at The Secret Life of the American Working Witch, I now have a subscription to Witches & Pagans magazine. Apparently, the magazine was not paid for the magazines ordered by Borders due to Borders' bankruptcy. For a small publishing company, this type of thing can be hard to bounce back from. Kallan's post inspired me to subscribe to the magazine (I've been wanting to for a while.) I can't wait to get my first magazine!

If you are looking for a good magazine and have a few dollars to support a great company (they also publish "Sage Woman" and "Crone" magazines) do stop by the website and subscribe. You can also opt to subscribe to a downloadable magazine - great for those of you who can't remember what paper feels like because you are attached to your laptops. For those who are still in the closet, you should know that the publishing company delivers it's magazines in plain envelopes with the company name "BBI Media" on the return address - no strange looks from the postal clerks!

Also picked up today, was this Fall 2011 issue of Country Gardens. Put out seasonally, this magazine has lovely pictures, articles about gardens, growing, recipes and seasonal decorating. Two Autumn articles in this issue are "Fresh Lanterns," which showcases unique ways to carve & light pumpkins & gourds for Fall decorating and "Autumn Porch," which shows before and after photos of a gorgeous porch decorated for the season. One of the neat items is a pumpkin chandelier made with a vintage pot hanger and jack-be-little pumpkins strung on wire. Super cute!

I know there are many of you that are not ready for Fall yet. For some of us, Summer has just gotten started, but the last few days in the Valley have cooled off into breezy nights where a light sweater is a welcome friend. Yes, the days are still in the 90's. But that Autumn weather is coming, and I for one am always happy to see it arrive. Along with all the great Fall magazines!

(Both magazine photos are from their respective websites and are borrowed only for purposes of promoting said magazines - which I have not been asked or paid to do. Photos are linked to their respective sites.)

Farmers Market Saturday

2011-08-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

Spotted at the local farmers market yesterday:

Clever signage made with kitchen utensils:

Plump red onions:

Gorgeous Delphinium: Mine fell to mold this year with the very wet Spring/early Summer. I chopped it down with sadness, but was thrilled to see last week that it had grown back, bushy and healthy!

Puppy dog tails:

Tiny peppers: (I bought a good handfull of these cuties!)

The piper:

It's definitely pepper season!

When I saw these from the other side of the market, my heart skipped a beat. I thought they were pumpkins! I'm not a fan of spaghetti squash, but I almost bought one of these just for decoration.

Another successful market shop. I came home loaded down with goodies. I had fresh bruschetta last night on organic garlic and herb baguette, all from ingredients brought home from the market - yum!

I notice that my posts this Summer are almost primarily about gardens, farmers markets and fruit stands. I do get rather occupied by Nature's abundance this time of year!

August Giveaway Winner Is...

2011-08-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

I have drawn the name for the Celestial Tarot kit, and the winner is Birgit from Swapping Howdies! (She has a wonderful blog - do go visit her!)

Congratulations! Please email me your mailing address and I'll get this in the mail to you.

Check back in a couple weeks for the September giveaway. It's my birthday month, so I'll be doing a few fun things!

Have a great weekend!

Wherever the Summer Takes Me

2011-08-12T10:15:00.000-07:00

I've been wandering of late (us Wanderers often do.) Meandering here and there, never lingering for too long...always something on the next horizon. It makes for spotty blogging, unfortunately, but it does lend to having little tastes of many things - which is not only how I like to eat, but how I like to live.

I used to be embarrassed that I knew a little about so many things, but never specialized in one area. I've always felt a bit under-educated, even though I spent a few years in college, because I didn't have a degree or a specific field of interest to speak about. I've also mourned in myself, a lack of the "go-getter" gene. I don't attack projects with wild abandon. I don't go after something with all that I am, until I get what I want.

I'm a mosey-er. I linger. I check out other options. I take the less-travelled path, but also the one that's not so steep, if I can help it. I'm like a distracted child - looking at this flower, asking a ton of questions, touching and smelling and tasting, and napping often.

It's frustrating for those people who don't linger, to deal with me. My parents are "get the job done now" people. I'd rather chase the cats around now, and get the job done later. I'm not irresponsible by any means. I go to work, I meet my deadlines, I show up when I say I will. I just tend to leave most "have-to's" until the last possible minute to leave room for the "look at that's!"

It makes for a small life. "Making it big" is not on my agenda. Unless I win the lottery or stumble upon buried treasure while foraging plants in the forest, you likely won't ever see my picture in the newspaper. But it's a sweet life. I can tell you where there are wild strawberries growing in the hills nearby. I can tell you the best place to get a Tandoori chicken panini. I know an area near the ocean where the pumpkin fields go on for miles. I know a winery with a hidden patio, that will sit you at a little bistro table and bring their wines to you to taste while you sit in the shade.

I have projects that need working on. A garden that needs weeding. A pile of sticky notes with book titles, websites and other notes of interest that needs organizing. I have herbs drying that will soon need to be put away in jars, fruit ripening that needs to be jammed, road trips not taken, a stack of books not yet read. But everything will still be there tomorrow.

Today, I'll just see where the Summer takes me.

Ornamental Gardens Sunday

2011-08-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

Having far too many veggies already in the fridge, and more in the garden, I didn't make my weekly trek to the farmers market on Saturday. Instead, on Sunday, my friend EcoDiva and her lovely girls took me to the ornamental gardens a few towns over. Set on acres of land atop a hill, this gorgeous area is carved out of a forest of pine and fir trees and planted with flowers, shrubs and even herbs & veggies!

When we arrived, just after 9am on Sunday, we saw a group doing Tai Chi. A nice way to start the day! (Clicking on the photos will give you a somewhat larger view if you want to see more detail.)

Lush planting beneath old growth trees:

A charming building on the grounds:

A stunning, multi-petal sunflower that I am coveting:

Arbors abound:

It was nice to see so many happy bumblebees on the flowers here. In an area that is so highly agricultural (we were known for our orchards, but now mostly for our grapes) it's so important for us to have healthy, happy bees!

An amazing, feathery shrub filters sunlight through it's pink clouds of foliage:

Here is a close up of that shrub:

This massive pine had it's own stone circle around it, and has a place of honour at the entrance to the gardens. The pictures I took don't do it justice - it was enormous!

It was a wonderful day spent with sweet friends!

Looking Up in August - Celestial Giveaway!

2011-08-04T21:36:00.000-07:00

I am usually hiding indoors and wimpering in defeat by the first week of August. Normal temperatures in the Valley this time of year hover around 40 degrees Celsius (which is just over 100 degrees F.) This year however, with it's lower than normal temperatures see us sitting at about 32 (89F) which is much more bearable and allows for more time outdoors in the garden. Which translates to much less time in front of a computer.

Although my blogging has taken a hit, my spirit has a glow on. Time in the garden, walking by the river, discovering local plants I hadn't noticed before and time under the stars have all proven to be very healing and have allowed me to keep up a fairly good attitude, even during the hottest part of the year when I'm normally wilting.

The part of August I always look forward to though (even during the super-hot years) are the Perseids. The yearly meteor shower that shows off from the beginning of August, peaking around the 13th, is always a high point of my Summer. Althoug the Geminids boast more metors, their December show is much more chilly! This time of year is more conducive to laying in the grass and staring at the sky, and at about 60 meteors an hour you are are almost sure to see one, even if you only step out for a few minutes.

This year, your best bet is to try to see the Perseids earlier in the month. By the time the shower peaks, the full moon will block out much of the show. See if you can spot some shooting stars while the moon is waxing and the sky is dark.

In honour of the Perseids, this month's giveaway is the Celestial Tarot. This deck "explores the mythological archetypes and astrological imagery that have inspired mankind since ancient times." Take a look at this lovely deck:

As always, all you have to do is be a stalker in some form or fashion - follow the blog, find me on Facebook, subscribe to the RSS feed, or track me down on Twitter (links for all in the sidebar.) Then, leave a comment (make sure I can track you down if you win) and that's it!

I will draw for this deck (with booklet & spreadsheet) at the peak of the Perseids show - August 13th! Good luck!

Farmers Market Saturday - Leftovers and Lughnassadh

2011-07-30T20:55:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I bought some mullberries and piled them on ice cream and in smoothies and snacked away whenever I wandered by the bowl of that pretty purple fruit. But by mid-week I was tired of eating them 'as-is' and worried that they wouldn't keep much longer.

The only downside to farmers market buying is that you are often at the mercy of the seller's portions. Things like berries are too delicate to be massed into large boxes and then scooped out and weighed according to the purchaser's desired amount.

So, a girl on her own like me finds that a large basket of berries is sometimes too much to eat quickly, before they spoil. Not one to let anything go to waste, I made a quick jam of these mullberries when I realized I wouldn't be able to keep them whole and fresh much longer.

Refrigerator jams are super-quick and easy (exactly how I like to cook!) You simply place your fruit in a saucepan, add sugar, cook until you get a nice boil and the fruit thickens, then remove from heat, pour into jars and cool. Use on toast or if your jam is a bit thin, you can use it syrup-style on pancakes.

For the mullberries (which aren't a super sweet berry) I used 2 cups of berries and just under 1/2 cup of sugar. It's very simple to put a teaspoon of your mixture on a plate, let it cool a bit and taste - then add more sugar if you need to.

Today, in lieu of the market, I spent the morning in the garden and then made some bread (in the magickal breadmaker) for Lughnanssadh. I hope your First Harvest is abundant and blessed!

(picture linked to provider site)

Farmers Market Saturday - Ingredients for Sunday Dinner!

2011-07-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

The sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do. ~Galileo

Yesterday's finds at the farmers market have inspired tonight's dinner of bruschetta, a fun salad mix and mullberries over ice cream for dessert - yum!

Look at these lovely heirloom tomatoes!

Pretty purple mullberries.

The first apricots - one of my favourite fruits!

I bought this funky salad mix, which includes some nasturtiums, mixed greens, multicoloured carrots, baby beets and some herbs.

And today, on a stroll with a friend and her sweet daughters, I had a little taste of wild raspberries. Nature is just showing off this time of year - and I love it!

Something to think about if you don't have the time or ability to get out to a farmers market near you, is Community Supported Agriculture. These programs pair consumers with local farms that offer boxes of in-season produce. Usually the consumer picks up the box at a designated location every week, or every other week, but home delivery is sometimes available. The boxes are filled with an assortment of fresh produce grown in your area and are reasonably priced.

Local Harvest has a page that helps you find a CSA program near you (if you are in the USA.) You can also search online for programs in your area. We have a program here in the Valley, and there are many across Canada.

See - there's no excuse for not eating local!

Sunshine and School Supplies

2011-07-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

The sun has returned to the Valley just in time to help us over the mid-week hump and carry us through to the weekend! Although I'm a fan of the cooler weather, I couldn't help but be happy to see the sun return to help the local fruit along. Some of the wineries are starting to get worried that their crops won't ripen before the Autumn. I predict an Indian Summer though - temps here always stay fairly high (in the daytime at least) right through September.

Speaking of September, I was grabbing a few things at the store this afternoon and noticed that the school supplies are out! Always a sucker for some pretty pens and fancy notebooks, I drooled over the aisles of bright markers, pencils and Post-Its.

Then, wandering into the magazine aisle, I spotted this:

The first Fall magazine cover! (Click the cover to visit the Country Sampler webite and see what's inside this issue.)

Yes, I hear some of you groaning! Sorry Summer kids, but this kind of thing gets me all excited!

So, while I'm eager for the sunshine to grow the corn that is so late stretching up in the field that I drive by each day, and to plump the peaches I long to eat from the market, there is still a little kid in me that can't wait for Fall to arrive!

On a more serious note, my heart goes out to those farmers in Texas who have endured the worst drought in 40-50 years and have lost entire wheat and corn crops. We tend to forget in the Valley, while some are whining about too much rain, others would give everything for a drop of moisture. Hoping the government will be swift with aid, and the rain gods will be more merciful next season.

Summer Storms & Sunflowers

2011-07-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of the general state of our skies this past weekend...and currently. We seem to be getting some good July rain this year, which is great to keep forest fires down, but not so great for the fruit crops that are running about three weeks late here in the Valley.

I wasn't up to putting on my galoshes for the farmers market on Saturday, so my veggie drawer in my fridge is sadly lacking this week. Luckily the garden is giving baby carrots, beet greens, self-sowed lettuce that just popped up out of the blue and a purple pepper. I'm hardly suffering.

I am however, mourning the loss of my yearly sowing of sunflowers. I didn't put any in this year, and I couldn't seem to sneek any seeds into my mom's garden without her hawk eyes seeing the seedlings and pulling them out. So they take over the whole bed, leave a mess of seeds and giant root balls behind...what's not to love?

In my search for sunflower love online, I came across a couple towns that have festivals named after the pretty yellow plants. So this is your (belated) farmers market/festival advice for this week:

If you are in or around Mayville, MI this weekend, stop and see some of the great events at their Mayville Sunflower Festival!

Picture from Mayville Sunflower Festival website (linked)

Also - planning ahead - if you are in the La Porte, IN area in September, check out their 13th Annual Sunflower Fair on September 17th.

I'm a big fan of any kind of festival that supports your local businesses, charities and agriculture!

And hopefully with a bit of sunshine and some perseverance (with a good dose of invisibility potion) my mother won't notice that one little sunflower seedling I've hid away in the back of her acorn squash bed!

July Giveaway Winner and Happy Full Moon!

2011-07-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

Just a little peek at the full moon rising in my Valley last night. More cloud cover today, so I imagine I won't be seeing much of her at my meditation circle at the lake tonight. Hope you've all been enjoying this full moon energy!

Congratulations go out to Suzie over at Cat in the Moon who's name was pulled for my July giveaway! I left a comment on your last post Suzie, so pop me an email with your address and I'll get your book, teas & goodies out to you!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Don't forget to get out to your local farmers market, farm stand, or u-pick orchard and bring in that luscious harvest!

This Week In The (Wild) Garden

2011-07-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

I took a walk up in the hills last weekend with a couple friends. One of my friends was looking for plants to sketch in order to make her own plant oracle cards. I was on the lookout for plants to use in some of my herbal creations. I used my cellphone, so please forgive the shabby pics - but I wanted to show you some of the wonderful things we spotted. Some of the above yarrow came home with me to be used in a salve I was making.

Yarrow can be applied on wounds, used for treating eczema, used in tea form to alleviate a fever, weak stomach and intestinal distress. Unfortunately, being a cousin of chamomile which is itself a cousin to ragweed, it is common to have an allergy to yarrow if you are allergic to ragweed. If you can drink chamomile tea without incident though, you should be happy with yarrow.

Below is a photo of some Indian paintbrush that was scattered over the hills. These flowers are similar to pointsettias in that their bright red 'blossoms' are actually foliage and not flower petals.

This funny blue flower is self-heal. Also known as heal-all or allheal, this lovely plant is known for having an anti-bacterial effect. Used in wound and skin healing it is also supposed to be very good for digestive issues and high blood pressure. Use these flowers & leaves in teas or in poultices and salves. You can also eat the leaves as you would dandelion leaves - as a slightly bitter additive to salads.

One of my favourite healing plants is red clover. Full of natural estrogens, red clover is a wonderful tea herb for women who are going through menopause. I use it as a tea when I'm on my moontime for balancing my system. It is reported to be a blood purifier, good for skin healing and asthma and bronchitis. Red clover is also being researched as a cancer treatment.

This picture was not taken on our walk, but snapped yesterday when I was out for more girl-time with my friends. We were walking into a restaurant when we spotted this beauty on a bush.

Hope you all have been getting plenty of time outdoors this month. Don't forget to look around in your area - you never know what kind of wonderful healing plants are right under your nose!

Farmers Market Saturday

2011-07-10T21:12:00.000-07:00

While some farmers markets are quaint affairs featuring the farmer down the block, other markets are a full-day destination. Detroit's Eastern Farmer Market spans an impressive 6 blocks and boasts over 250 vendors - take a look!

Fair warning to all vegetarians: there is some serious BBQ in this video:

July Giveaway!

2011-07-05T11:04:00.000-07:00

Since I've started off July by talking about my path, I thought I'd use that theme for the monthly giveaway too. One person's path is very different from another, but from all the comments on the post "Witch Path" - I've noticed that regardless of what we call our faith/beliefs/path most of us follow the seasons of the year and mark those changes and transitions as the wheel turns.

This book by Bronwynn Forrest Torgerson is an illustration of one person's path, following the yearly cycle and the seasons of life. This book gives each month of the year it's own chapter and theme. There are stores, rituals, spells and songs to give you ideas on how you might celebrate the seasons, months and transitions of life.

Also included in the giveaway will be a package of my "Bliss Bath Tea" that I make with organic herbs and rose petals. Using my own garden herbs and plants and wildcrafting locally is part of my path. I'm very thankful to live in an area conducive to growing and that has such wonderful, healing wild plants!

Some other goodies that pertain to my path will definitely make it into the package too! I will announce the winner on the Full Moon - July 15th - so you have 10 days to get your entry in.

As always, simply leave a comment here and let me know how we are aquainted. Do you follow the blog, Facebook, Twitter, or RSS feed? Please ensure that there is a way for me to contact you if you win!

Farmers Market Saturday - Farm Stand Tour

2011-07-02T20:45:00.000-07:00

I know I've spoken of farm stands before, but I'm going to sing their praises again! Today, instead of hitting the farmers market, I took my younger niece to the next valley to check out the farm stands. The great thing about a farm stand trip (besides the obvious goodies) is the drive in the country. This time of year, with everything in bloom, the warm sunshine and the scent of cut hay in the fields, is the perfect time to take a scenic drive out to the farm stands.

The small town I drive out to has about a dozen stands along the roadside. You have to hit at least three of them each time you go, just to see what's in season and what specialties they offer. In season now: cherries!

And tomatoes! Although these are a bit unripe for me.

One must-stop stand for me is the place that sells fresh Samosas. I treat myself to one or two of these amazing Indian delights whenever I'm in the area.

My niece liked them too.

On the way out of town we spotted this funky frog welcoming visitors to an antique store.

A perfect day.

Take a drive this Summer and see if you can spot a farm stand in your area. Support your local farmers and take home some wonderful produce!

Witch Path?

2011-07-01T22:20:00.000-07:00

There has been alot of talk in the past several months about defining Paganism, who is a 'real' witch and what constitutes "faith." I had hoped to get a post out for Pax's Pagan Values Blogging Month in June, but time got away on me and I feel as though most of what I wanted to say had already been said, and so much more elequently.

Still, I felt like I needed to put my little fingerprint on this subject, so this in a nutshell, is what I want to say about being a Pagan, a witch and my path of faith:

This is my path:

It's not flashy or grand. It's not bright and shiny and perfect. I struggle with being true to my beliefs in a family and community that doesn't understand or agree with them. I struggle with my daily practice when I've suddenly become a full time mother to neices who's own mother is too ill to take care of them. I struggle with balance when trying to keep the garden growing, the cats happy and healthy, while working my office job and lending a hand to my parents whenever there is heavy lifting or gardening to be done at their house.

My path is like everyone else's. Full of life and concerns and work and laughter.

I observe the seasons and cycles of the earth. I grow food and medicine and magical ingredients. I care for children and animals and the world around me. And although I don't always take as much time as I should to care for myself, I make an effort to put my spirituality on the top of my to-do list. So I have the drive (if not the energy) to continue the journey tomorrow.

This is my path.

This Week In the Garden

2011-06-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

These are just some pictures of flowers and plants that caught my eye this week. Only the first picture (Larkspur) above is from my own garden. The rest are snaps from my wanderings.

Globeflowers:

Ohm.

I haven't grown roses for years. I get discouraged with the aphids and dust that they are prone to getting. I simply enjoy them elsewhere.

Lambs ears. These distracted me for quite some time. I got a few strange looks from some people walking by as I was standing in a park stroking these plants!

I hope your Summer thus far has been lovely. May it bloom abundantly!

Farmers Market Saturday

2011-06-25T22:00:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling a bit nostalgic today, after spending the day celebrating my grandfather's 98th birthday. I visited with family I hadn't seen in years and saw pictures of cousins' children, now grown. I laughed with an uncle who took me to my first movie at a movie theatre 25 years ago - "Back to the Future."

After my trip down memory lane, I thought this look at a vintage farmers market was apt.

You can also check out information regarding the "Original Farmers Market" of LA here.

Chick Wines

2011-06-24T19:40:00.000-07:00

I ran across the border into Washington this week (for those who are new to the blog, I live in Southern British Columbia - a mere 40 minutes from the border.) Canada Post has been on strike and I needed to get some mail out to the US, so I hit the closest post office and then headed for the grocery store to pick up my favourite chemical-laden creamers.

While at the grocery store, I happened by the wine aisle. Front and center were a large selection of wines that seemed to have one thing in common...girls!

Bright pink toppers, saucy images of women, or clever names that make you smile, these wines are just waiting for your next girls night in.

Here are just a few of the ones that caught my eye:

"Shameless Hussy" by Hard Row To Hoe Vineyards

"Lady In Red" series by Kestrel Vinters

"Working Girl" wines by Olympic Cellars

"Girly Girl" wines by Girly Girl Wines

Although I couldn't bring any of these wines home to share with my girlfriends because I was just running across the border for an hour, I will be stopping to pick up some of these on my next camping trip South this Summer.

If you are out and about and see any particularly fab bottles, let me know. I'm always on the lookout for a groovy wine to try. After all, it's not the pedigree of the grape on the vine, it's the sassy inside the bottle that counts!

Cheers!

**Please note: I was not asked to advertise for or review these wines. This is simply a compliation of wines I thought were visually pleasing. Each photo is linked back to the original website and is copyrighted to each individual wine company.**

Midsummer Blessings

2011-06-20T22:43:00.000-07:00

"Up and down, up and down, I will lead them up and down..." Puck - A Midsummer Night's Dream

My neices and I went to the labyrinth today, for Midsummer's Eve stroll. It was a hot & hazy day - perfect for the eve of Summer.

The plants in the area were blooming and the smell of wild roses was in the air. I noticed that someone had hung Tibetan prayer flags nearby.

And also, on a peach tree, a different kind of prayer/wish flag. We made similar prayer flags in coloured material for a friend to take to the Spirit Dance that she went to last year. I've never seen white flags like this strung on a tree. Peace flags perhaps?

We had a lovely afternoon wandering the area and we made our way to the lakeshore where I had my first dip...with my toes. The lake is still quite cold because of the cool Spring we've had.

Tonight I've put out a plate of fruit & flowers in the garden for the fae folk. There are also some clouds rolling in, so I've put out a bowl in case there is some Midsummer rain. Speaking of moisture, don't forget to wash your face in the morning dew - it is said that Midsummer's morning dew will make you look younger. I'm up for that!

Wishing you all a blessed Midsummer!

Farmers Market Recipe - Rhubarb Muffins!

2011-06-19T13:23:00.000-07:00

My farmers market trip yesterday was very short-lived but I did manage to get my hands on some fresh rhubarb. The rhubarb in the garden is still young, so finding the one booth at the market with bunches of the tart stalks was a bonus.

I am actually not a rhubarb fan. At all. I don't like rhubarb pie (with or without strawberries.) I don't like rhubarb jam. And I'm a bit snappish about the amount of space the plant takes up in the garden. Having said that, these muffins that my mom makes are one of the best things I've ever tasted. It could be the cake-like texture of the muffins, or more likely the brown-sugar topping. Whatever it is - I'm sold on these perfect muffins!

Super Simple Rhubarb Muffins
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes
Makes 12-18 muffins depending on the size of your muffin tin.

1/2 cup butter
(as stated in other recipes, I use salted butter *gasp* so add a pinch of salt if you use unsalted.)
1 egg
1 cup sour cream
2 cups sliced/diced rhubarb
1 and 1/2 cups of brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream butter and sugar; add egg. Mix sour cream and baking soda together in a small bowl and add to butter/sugar/egg mixture. Mix in flour. Stir in vanilla and the rhubarb. Fill muffin tin 3/4 full of batter. Sprinkle with brown sugar topping.

Brown Sugar Topping:
Crumble together with a fork:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

Once you make these incredible muffins, they will be a favourite of yours too!

Midsummer Giveaway Winner!

2011-06-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

I've been a busy little witch this weekend. So busy out in the garden (and getting my *%$#! taxes filed) that I missed doing a Farmers Market Saturday post. I've also been distracted by the increasingly full moon. Many strange dreams the past few nights.

Tonight I'm heading to a drum circle at the lake and have a hundred things on my to-do list before I get there, so I thought I'd better draw the name for the Midsummer giveaway before my day gets too crazy.

Thank you so much for popping by my blog to enter your names in the draw, and thanks to Kris (Mrs. B) for sending so many of you! I've found so many new, wonderful blogs to read now too!

The winner of the Shadowscapes Tarot deck/set is:

Mxtodis123 (Otherwise known as Mary of Moontides)

Congratulations Mary! Please send your mailing address to rueandhyssop (at) gmail (dot) com. I will get it in the mail to you right away. Unfortunately Canada Post is having rolling strikes, so everything is taking a bit longer, but the mail is getting to it's destination regardless.

Thanks again everyone! Pop back again for the next giveaway in July!

The Mundane and the Magical - Gargoyles

2011-06-10T21:46:00.000-07:00

This handsome devil sits outside my home, keeping guard. Most people don't notice him right away. But when they do, they are often taken aback. I usually get a comment about my "interesting ornament" or "odd garden statue." I think he's rather charming.

The gargoyles created today may be relegated to common garden statuary, but the original gargoyles had much more elevated beginnings.

The word "gargoyle" is an offshoot of the word "gargle" (from the old French "gargouille" meaning throat.) Considering gargoyles were orginally built as decorative water spouts at the top of tall buildings sending rainwater shooting out of the mouths of the sculptures, the name seems fitting.

Gargoyles were orginally carved in many forms. Humans, animals, human-animal hybrids and chimeras (animal-animal hybrids) were all employed as suitable spouts, but if the carvings were merely decorative and served no water deflecting purposes, they were called "grotesques."

Churches sported these fantastical stone beings too. Were they simply a means to an end as far as architecture? Surely the church could have employed it's builders to create angelic spouts? Speculation states that the gargoyles were an object lesson. See the devil, how he hangs about waiting on the unfaithful? Better is that within these walls than that which is found without. It's easy to see how the strict looking statues could have become a warning against the evils of the world.

Whatever their beginnings, there are few gargoyles being created now in service to their old duties. Because of their weight and risk of falling (and the invention of modern downspouts) any gargoyle being built now is more likely a grotesque meant as decoration.

Smaller, more portable statuary has found it's way into homes and gardens as a symbol of protection, spirit, mystery or simply a source of entertainment.

Ellen Dugan in her newest book Practical Protection Magick has even included a "Gargoyle Warding Spell" to empower your own gargoyle for protection.

Search for them at garden centers, outdoor home furnishing stores or any shop that carries statuary. I had to ask for mine as the store didn't carry them, but they regularly brought in other garden decorations. I merely mentioned what I wanted and they found him for me.

Whether you bring a gargoyle home for protection or mere enjoyment, these wonderful stone charmers are definitely a great addition to your space!

Midsummer Giveaway!

2011-06-08T22:06:00.000-07:00

The June giveaway is here!

Something light and airy, something lush and new; something fun & fabulous, a Midsummer gift for you!

Although I generally think of the Fey around Midsummer, I did giveaway a Faery Oracle last month This month I wanted something fun, but not Faery. So, to kick off Midsummer and the season of growth and green (even though the light will technically begin to wane after June 21st) I am giving away a gorgeous, lush tarot deck by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, called Shadowscapes Tarot.

This stunning deck comes with a guidebook in a pretty boxed-set and can be yours for a mere comment! Just let me know if you "follow" the blog or read via RSS and I'll draw the name next week on the full moon - Wednesday, June 15th.

Good luck!

Farmers Market Saturday

2011-06-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

The farmers market isn't just about the food. Each week I meet the wonderful people who grow the food that I take home. I always run into someone I know, dozens of dogs and countless kids taking in the market. It's a great place to connect!

This lovely video brings some of the focus to the people at the market, not just the wonderful haul you take home.

Bluffton, SC Farmers Market:

This Week In The Garden

2011-06-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

“It is the month of June,
The month of leaves and roses,
When pleasant sights salute the eyes,
And pleasant scents the noses.”
~ Nathaniel Parker Willis

Dexter spots a bug.

Peas are flowering.

A photo for Jaz at Octoberfarm who also has yellow Irises appearing where she did not plant them. Once these were a gorgeous Autumn colour of brown. After years of blooming, they are a faded yellow.

Yes. I walk the cats. I know it's weird.

My favourite pansies.

We were visited by a queen bee. This photo is misleading. She was about 2 inches long.

The lettuce is getting out of hand. The heads are now the size of soccer balls.

Happily blooming chives.

Farmers Market Saturdays - Salad Blues

2011-05-28T21:07:00.000-07:00

After the farmers market you come home with all kinds of beautiful produce. Now what? If you are like me, you quickly tire of salads and veggies with dip. Surely there's more?

Luckily there are some great sites that can help combat the same-old salad blues.

Vegetarian Times puts out a Farmers Market Cookbook magazine yearly. If you can't find the magazine, be sure to check out their website where they boast "the world's largest collection of vegetarian recipes."

Sunset magazine also has an article about different ways to use your market haul.

And the Crescent City Farmers Market of New Orleans (show below) has it's own website with 14 pages of recipes to choose from.

Something else to think about is variety. Don't just pick up the usual suspects. Find a new vegetable you haven't tried yet. Test mutiple varieties of fruit. We have at least 6 different varieties of cherries that come into the market in June in colours ranging from white to bright pink to almost black. It's great fun to try them all!

Have fun recipe-hunting!

Garden Center Excursion

2011-05-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, I took my mom to our favourite garden center in the next valley. Here are some snaps (via iPhone - apologies if they are not perfect!)

Rows of herbs make my heart soar!

Of course I want more of this:

A Heliotrope that came home with me. It smells amazing!

The garden center also had gorgeous garden stones:

Veggies!

My basket:

And this beauty came home with me too!

May Long Weekend Wrap-Up

2011-05-23T08:56:00.000-07:00

"The important thing is not what they think of me, but what I think of them."
~ Victoria. Queen and cool chick.

This weekend has been May Long Weekend or Victoria Day Weekend in Canada. This is the official kickoff to Summer and the "safe date" for vegetable planting here in Southern British Columbia.

Victoria Day is the Monday on or before May 24th when we honour Queen Victoria's birthday (and also the celebration of the reigning Queen Elizabeth's birthday.) Locally, it's more of a first-party weekend of the Summer, and less of a celebration of the monarchy.

On Saturday I went to our local farmers market and then headed out for some shopping. I didn't get a Farmers Market Saturday post up (my excuse is that I was too busy watching for raptured people floating by) so here is a bit of info I like to post each year about finding a market in your area:

I like to find sites that let people track down a farmers market locally. This site Farmers Market Online, lists open-air markets found in North America. It's not complete by any means, but gives a good idea of markets in your Province/State. You can also search for local markets online by your city, or check with your local tourist bureau.

Yesterday I took my mom to the garden center for her yearly Mother's Day gift of plants. We had so much fun wandering the greenhouses and garden trails. I even came home with some lovely plants for myself. I'll post the pictures tomorrow when I get them downloaded. The picture at the top of this post is just a teaser!

Today is a nice, mellow holiday Monday. I need to finish planting my tomatoes and peppers, and then a friend is going to give my insanely long hair a good Summer trim. I think potato salad is on the menu tonight, with green onions and radishes from the garden, and eggs from my friend's chickens down the road. Then, I'm off to watch the Hangover 2, for a good laugh to end the day.

Hope you all have had a wonderful weekend!

In The Gardens This Week

2011-05-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

This week in the gardens...

My harvest-themed plate can still be seen. Soon the perennials will have it completely covered.

The columbines are about to bloom.

The forget-me-nots, which I thought were overcome by the larkspur, have reappeared. They are hiding beneath the delphinium - probably for fear that the larkspur will return.

The yarrow (a lovely reddy-orange variety) is being shadowed by the lady's mantel. Perhaps it's time to transplant to a location with more room.

Rhubarb that will soon transform into brown-sugar-topped muffins!

A crazy bed-o-peas, trailing on re-purposed garden fencing.

Lettuce for dinner. And lunch, and dinner, and lunch...

Happy chives about to bloom.

I'm having a wonderful time watching everything return to life in the garden. I hope you are finding new treasures and much joy (and taste) in your garden too!

May Fey Givewaway Winner

2011-05-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

The winner of the May giveaway: The Heart of Faerie Oracle is:

Sarah from The Green Foodies Garden!

Thank you all for entering the draw! There will be another giveaway coming in June for Midsummer, so stay tuned!

Farmers Market Saturday - Halloween in May Edition

2011-05-14T15:14:00.000-07:00

Strange things were afoot at the farmers market today.

Sideshow vegetables:

People in costume:

Dogs in costume:

A house up the road had an interesting doorman:
(It's a bit hard to see - but he's a lifesize "Uncle Festor" holding a lightpost.)

And I picked up a broom at a shop on the street where the market was being held. The proprietor had all her seasonal items half off. Beau approved after a close inspection.

In keeping with the theme of the day, I embraced the oddness and headed to a cemetary above the next town that a friend had told me about. A tiny thing, surrounded by houses and orchards, the cemetary had some interesting headstones (not to mention plenty of heaving and cracks - I was a little worried about falling under in places!)

If anyone has any insight into the symbols on the stones, I'd be interested to know more. For example, is Gladys here a Pagan? Mason? Who else uses pentagrams? Underneath her dates, is the word "Mizpah." I found this page where that word is explained.

How about this one? Looks like cash to me, but with an extra line thrown in, it starts to look like a cell/prison. Thoughts of Ebeneezer Scrooge abound.

Three rings. Lord of the Rings fan? Mormon with three wives? Possibly as simple as a trinity.

All in all, not a fruitful farmers market, but a very interesting day nonetheless. I think I may bundle up on my couch, grab some snacks and watch a creepy movie, just to tie it all together.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

You Can Now Find Me On Etsy!

2011-05-10T18:22:00.000-07:00

My Etsy shop, Three Cats And A Broom is now open!

I'm very excited to feature my favorite mister "Lime Daiquiri" as my first product. Additional scents coming this week are: Orange Blossom, London Fog (Early Grey, Lavender & Vanilla) and Vanilla Latte.

Also coming in the next week - my organic all-purpose cleaner. I love this product and use it all the time on my counters, sink, stove, floors and bathroom.

There is so much to do in the way of perfecting my labels (not 100% happy with the ones I have at the moment) and production and photography, but I know it's a process. If anyone else has an Etsy store and has any hints, I would appreciate any tips I can get. And let me know your store name, and I'll "favorite" it!

You can also find the shop on Facebook.

Thanks for taking the time to check it out, and don't forget to get your name in for the May Fey Giveaway draw happening one week from today!

Farmers Market Saturday - The Season Opens!

2011-05-07T18:19:00.000-07:00

Today's market was a small but lovely start to the season. Not too many people around at 8:30am when the opening bell rang and the weather wasn't too cooperative, but all in all a nice market.

There were plenty of garlic, onions and leeks:

As well as lovely lettuce mixes:

And my favourite treat - lavender shortbread cookies:

Yes, I could get green onions at the grocery store for 89 cents. I could buy a head of lettuce for $1. But there is something so incredibly satisfying about talking to the people who were out in their field at 5am this morning, picking lettuce for my salad. I know where my food comes from when I shop the market. I know who grows it and that they don't use pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

I recognize the baker that makes gluten-free treats. I go see the same lady with the little boy that grows bigger every year to buy my spinach. I even shop at the refrigerated truck that sells organic sausages (buffalo too!)

Yes, it's more expensive. But I'd rather cut back on a Starbucks latte and put that $3-$4 toward a trip to the market and know what I'm eating and where it comes from.

If you have a local farmers market, why not support it and the growers this season? It's definitely money well-spent!

The Season Begins - And A New Project!

2011-05-06T17:21:00.000-07:00

Guess what starts tomorrow?

Tomorrow is the season opener of our local farmers market! I'm ridiculously excited. The weather promises to be awful just to spite me, but I won't let that deter me from my great re-launch of the third season of "Farmers Market Saturday" posts.

For those who are new to the blog, each Saturday (or Sunday - let's be honest) I bring you a post featuring a farmers market, pictures of my local market or recipes that I've made with the produce I've purchased at the market. There are so many amazing markets all over the world - it's always fun to see what everyone else has going on in their area!

In other news, after giving away countless bottles of herbal all-purpose cleaner and organic herbal mists to my family and friends who seem to hover everytime I make a batch, I've decided to start selling some of these yummy items. I've started a blog to chronicle the project, which will soon feature a link to my Etsy store once I get myself organized. If you are so inclined, you can check out Three Cats And a Broom.

See you after the market!

May Fey Giveaway

2011-05-04T06:48:00.000-07:00

I just love May. The warming of the earth and the re-awakening of the green. I've been planting optimistically in the raised garden beds and pots (no annuals or perennials yet.) My peas are nearly a foot high, and the lettuce can be eaten as I thin the rows to make room for larger heads. I have onion, raddish, carrots and swiss chard coming up.

I finally finished removing the rampant Larkspur from the flower beds (although I notice it has now populated parts of the lawn.) The flower garden is much happier it can breathe without the choking invaders and although my forget-me-nots didn't survive, the wiggly grass was rescued and moved in the hopes that it will have more room to grow.

A generous offering of milk and honey was left near the foxglove for the Fey. There is no reason for some of the wonderful plants I have, to grow so well in a 3/4 shade garden so it's them I thank for keeping my "full-sun" perennials coming back so beautifully every year in a small, shady, corner garden.

And as a gift to you, I offer my May giveaway. A gorgeous deck from Brian Froud, called "The Heart of Faerie Oracle." This lovely set includes a hardcover book that describes all the cards and their meanings and details how to use them, giving you options for spreads.

As usual, all you have to do is be or become a follower (or indicate that you have subscribed to the RSS feed.) Please also ensure you have a way for me to contact you via your own blog or email on your profile page. Leave a comment on this post, and you are set!

I will draw the winner of this lovely deck on the May full moon - Tuesday, May 17th.

May you be blesssed by the awakening Spring - and by the Fey!

Beltane Blessings

2011-05-01T06:13:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen

I wish you a happy day

I'm come to show my garland

Because it's the first of May.

A bunch of May I have brought you

And at your door it stands

It is but a spray, but it's well spread about

Tis the work of the Fey's hands.

And now I've sung my little short song

No longer can I stay

Faeries bless you all, both great and small

And grant you a very happy May!

~old rhyme

Wishing you a wonderful May, a blessed Beltane and all the fairy favours you might wish!

Witches in Fiction - Witch Hazel

2011-04-27T21:05:00.000-07:00

In honour of Pagan Culture's Witches in Fiction Blogoversary Party, I'd like to take a moment to re-introduce you to Witch Hazel.

Although this Disney short was first released in 1952, I met Witch Hazel as a child in the late 70's during Disney's yearly Halloween special. This holiday edition of "The Wonderful World of Disney" which played weekly on Sunday nights when I was young, was always the most anticipated epsiode of the year.

Hosted by The Magic Mirror of Snow White fame, the Halloween special boasted not only the short "Trick or Treat" featuring Witch Hazel and a trio of web-footed nephews, but also "The Wizard's Apprentice" from the movie "Fastasia" and my all-time favourite telling of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

Witch Hazel herself, is a peppy gal. Zooming along on her fine steed Beelzebub, she is on the lookout for a good time on Halloween night but finds more than she bargains for when she runs into Donald Duck.

Do yourself a favour and settle in with a handfull of leftover Easter chocolate and pretend it's Halloween while you watch this enchanting Disney short:

A very happy blogoversary to Magaly at Pagan Culture!

A Tisket, A Tasket, I Don't Want A Basket

2011-04-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

There is a reason I turn to Martha when my creativity is nowhere to be found.

I've done it all, when it comes to my neices. Easter baskets, pastel paint cans, flower pots, funky cellophane bags and pink take-out boxes. I really wanted to do something different with their treats this year. It never occurred to me to take their chocolate out of the bags and let it be the centerpiece rather than the item the treats would gather in.

I happen to have several clear glass jars on hand, including a load of antique canning jars whisked away from Mom's basement where they sat lingering, never to be used again.

Today is going to be "create vignettes with chocolate" day. The only worry I have, is how much of it I might eat as I'm building these Easter jars for the girls.

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your Easter activities if you celebrate!

Thanks Mom!

2011-04-20T22:05:00.000-07:00

Thank you Mom, for knowing that even though I'm a grown woman, I still want to eat pancakes in the shapes of cows and pigs.

My pancake molds look like this, in case you are coveting a set for yourself.

There is no reason why breakfast shouldn't still be fun - even if we are grown ups (most of the time.)

Success and Superstition

2011-04-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

"According to data from the University of Cologne in Germany...positive superstitions can enhance performance. Participants who were issued a lucky ball, allowed to use a personal amulet, or wished good luck before a game or task, performed better than those who weren't prompted to consider the idea of good fortune." ~ Whole Living Magazine, November 2010.

My family was never particularly superstitious, although my dad usually threw salt over his left shoulder when he spilled it and was known to "knock on wood" from time to time. Being church folks, there was little attention paid to old wive's tales as cautions for day to day life. But my dad was adamant about the traditions and superstitions around holidays. My parents never let on that Santa or the Easter Bunny were not real.

As one of the last kids in the neighbourhood to still believe in the Easter Bunny, I was ridiculed relentlessly. That last year - sticking to my guns - I put out my Easter basket and left a note. It went something like this:

"Dear Easter Bunny, The other kids say you aren't real. I think you are. No one else knows my favourite kind of Easter eggs."

The next morning, I had one of the biggest hauls of Easter candy ever. Favourite eggs and all. My friends were awed.

To this day I throw salt over my left shoulder, say "bless you" when someone sneezes, look for four-leaf clovers in the yard and put out my Easter/Ostara basket. And you know what? I always get my favourite eggs.

Are there any superstitions that have stayed with you?

Spring Clean Giveaway Winners!

2011-04-14T18:21:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Sushiboofay who's name was drawn for Dr. Weil's Mind-Body Toolkit and to Tea Witch who was drawn for the Self Care cards.

Please send me your mailing address to: rueandhyssop AT gmail DOT com, and I'll get them out to you. Congratulations!

Blog Hopping - Get Your Spring On

2011-04-13T18:07:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of Magaly's "Witches in Fiction Blogoversary Party" over at Pagan Culture. This party runs until May 1st and is populated with bloggers posting about their favourite fictional witches. Hop over Magaly's blog and check out the great prizes being offered too! I'll be writing about one of my favourite fictional witches soon...

Also still happening, is Jon's Spring Blogfest over at Me vs. College. Check him out and his wonderful guest bloggers and prizes.

And tomorrow I will be drawing the winners of the two prizes for my Spring Clean Giveaway. Get your name in the draw - quick like a bunny (as my Dad used to say!)

Just a few things going on around the blogosphere this week - enjoy!

I Spy With My Little Mastercard - Stag Horn Pendant!

2011-04-09T09:34:00.000-07:00

The pendant I mentioned in my last post was purchased early this year from Moon Raven Designs on Etsy.

I had been shopping around in Etsy when I typed "deer antler" in the search box on a whim. I had been having some amazing meditations with Cernunnos and in one meditation he gave me a necklace with a silver antler on it. I had hoped one day to find something similar to the one in my meditation and was amazed when the Etsy search revealed this pendant - which was exactly what I was looking for.

The artist carved an antler out of a found deer horn, and then used the carving to create a mould which was then filled with silver. Even better, was that the artist lives in my Province. I was thrilled to receive it - it is just as beautiful as it looks in the photo and I really love wearing it.

Check out Moon Raven Designs - they have so many unique items in their shop!

Welcoming Workspace

2011-04-05T08:54:00.000-07:00

My bookkeeping office is in a small corner of a production building, where lovely chocolates are packaged and sent a few blocks over to a gourmet food and gift shop to sell. I have a good sized desk but it is in a corner facing a wall, and there is minimal outside light that gets in.

There are also two other desks in this space, that are in use whenever the store owner and the other managers are around. The production manager and other store employees float through from time to time as well, so there is sometimes a good deal of energy in an otherwise small space. And it goes without saying that sometimes that energy isn't all sunshine and rainbows.

In order to keep myself happy and focused in a small space and the energy surrounding me conducive to work and sanity, I employ a few easy tricks.

A good start is to make sure that your space has a welcoming scent. You cannot help if you work in a building that pumps in recycled air or your co-worker doesn't use enough deodorant, but you can place a small scented candle on your desk (whether you are allowed to light it or not - they smell lovely) or find a lightly scented spray for your space.

I have a bottle of lavender spray from a local lavender farm beside my computer and give it a few spritzes when I come in. It smells nice, is organic and safe to use on surfaces. It adds a calming scent to the area and gives a little protection from any lower energy that someone might bring into my space.

If you have animals at your workplace, please be sure that you choose safe items that will not be ingested by visiting pets.

Speaking of family - furry or otherwise - having some photos of loved ones always brightens up a space. I have a small wall space above my desk that I've turned into a mural of photos of my neices, pets and friends' kids. Some of my co-workers have brought me pictures of their kids and grandkids to put on the wall too.

Also on my desk are a few crystals on my computer, chosen for clarity, peace of mind and to absorb any lower energies that I don't want in my space. I'm allowed to have a tealight-sized candle burning, so I made sure that my candle is working for me double-time and I put it in a salt rock candle holder. Salt-rock releases negative ions when heated to combat the positive ions that surround electronic equipment like computers.

On days like today, when I'm headed into a meeting and it's bound to be a bit stressful (working with the accountant always gets my back up) I make sure to wear something that makes me feel strong. A great outfit, a comforting crystal in the pocket or a piece of jewelery that makes me feel confident.

This silver stag horn is one of my go-to peices when I need some strength.

And once the day (or the stressful meeting) is over, I try to connect with a good friend or family. Today I've pre-planned a lunch date with four of my closest friends - just in case I really need one of these:

Spring Clean Giveaway

2011-04-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

April is the month we generally start throwing open the windows and doors and doing some good Spring cleaning. And while our houses air out that stale Winter energy, it's always a good idea to check in with our bodies and see how they are feeling.

I know that for me, I've had to put my foot down when it became sadly apparent that I may be the new face of scurvy. I've gone days without fruit, and only include a few sad little veggies in my diet. I can usually be heard saying something like "are garlic-stuffed olives a vegetable?" Or, "I think having Gouda, Havarti and Sharp Cheddar on my plate should count as three food groups."

No. It's time to Spring clean the body, mind and spirit too. Add some Spring greens to your next meal. Get outside and start walking. Take back up the meditation practice you put aside. Remember to breathe deep.

I've picked out a couple items to give you a good start. The first is Dr. Andrew Weil's "Mind Body Tool Kit." The second is Cheryl Richarson's "Self-Care Cards." Each of these items will come with a few goodies to help you shake the cabin fever and get your mind, body and spirit moving this Spring.

As always, all you have to do is be or become a follower (or let me know you subscribe to the RSS feed) and make sure you have a way I can contact you if you win. Leave a comment, and poof! You are entered to win one of these two gifts!

I will draw the winners names on Thursday April 14th.

Good luck, and happy Spring Cleaning!

Spring Projects

2011-03-28T21:33:00.000-07:00

Such a busy weekend and now the week begins again. I'm trying to catch up on many things (visits to blogland, included) but Beau does not make it easy to spend much time on the computer. The above photo is rare - usually she lays across the keyboard instead of posing beside the screen.

This is what it looks like when I try to get my Inner Temple homework done:

Beau's distracting lounging aside, I was able to work on a few projects this weekend. I made a batch of herbal all-purpose cleaner. I use it on my counters, floors and everywhere. Plus, it's cheap to make and I love infusing it with all that herbal goodness! I've posted a 'quickie' recipe on my FB profile (in the comments of the post that mentions the cleaner) but I'll post a proper recipe here the next time I make a batch - which should be soon because my mother, neighbour and a friend each made off with a bottle!

Also I picked red willow on Thursday with my smudge/meditation group and again on the weekend for my own use. It's such a versatile plant, and grows like a weed here along the river. Red willow has Salicylic acid (think Aspirin) and can be effective in the relief of headaches as well as other inflammations like arthritis, fevers, etc.

It is the inner bark of red willow that is traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory and a smoking material, either mixed with tobacco, or by itself in a ceremonial pipe. However, with all the work involved in peeling the outer red bark off a branch and then peeling the inner bark, it seemed a shame to me to toss the outer bark just because it wasn't as favoured.

The outer bark can be smoked, mixed with tobacco, if you are a smoker. I don't smoke, but I do like the sweet, woodsy scent of it, so I've mixed some into my smudge mix and also mixed some into my little bag of tobacco that I use as an offering when I do my wild harvesting.

The leftover willow wood is heading for my garden, where it will be used as stakes for plants this year. One especially nice piece may even have the makings of a wand as it fits so nicely in the hand. Time will tell...

Image found HERE.

I Spy With My Little Mastercard

2011-03-24T21:31:00.000-07:00

Now that my Mastercard is slowly recovering from it's Christmas thrashing, I'm feeling the itch to give it another workout - albeit a much smaller one.

This week I discovered two fab Etsy shops and promptly ordered their sweet treats. These "lip embelishments" are made by a clever shop called: For Strange Women. (Note: no actual poison ivy was used in the making of the above product - which really should go without saying...but you never know when one might take something seriously that is meant to be cheeky. Or in this case, lippy.)

And thanks to a visit and a comment from Jen at Dirty Girl Clean, I found her Etsy shop and her lovely products! Vanilla, Bergamot, Anise & Ylang Ylang all make their way into this "Eros" scrub. Yum.

Here's to smelling delicious and having soft skin & lips!

Spring Sunshine & Seeds. And Rain.

2011-03-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

The sun appeared on Saturday and my parents hauled in some new soil for their raised beds. And I was on hand to handle the dirt. It was too much to resist - all that fresh, new soil!

Ever the optimists, my mother and I planted peas and a few lettuces in her beds and said a few petitions to the gods of good growing.

For those who are interested, I live in Southern British Columbia, Canada. We are a zone 6. Usually, we wait until May long weekend (May 23rd - Victoria Day) before we do any serious planting of perennials or vegetables such as tomatoes & peppers. But if you have raised beds you can usually plant weeks earlier, depending on the crop, because the earth in raised beds warms up earlier in the season.

Raised beds generally have better drainage as well as aeration for the plants, because the dirt in the beds does not get compacted by people walking on it. The only downside, is that they can take up alot of space, and if you use wood to frame your beds, it will eventually have to be replaced as it decomposes.

All this garden excitement is somewhat tempered by the torrential Spring rains we are getting. I'm not complaining though, because the rain is greening up the grass and giving the parched Winter earth a good drink.

Soon the buds will open, and the seeds will sprout. I don't mind waiting a little longer.

Spring Sights Along The River

2011-03-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

Buds - opening soon!

Still waiting for the foals to come.

Busy beavers!

Burrs

Magical moss.

March Giveaway Winner

2011-03-17T06:53:00.000-07:00

The winner of the March giveaway "Ask The Queens" deck, is Sparrow! Please forward your mailing address to me at rueandhyssop (at) gmail (dot) com.

Stay tuned for the April giveaway - coming soon!

In other news, I've been spending alot of time here:

Reading about Roots

2011-03-12T10:21:00.000-08:00

This is my reading at the moment:
(Click on any book to take you to the author's page.)

Does anyone else have a fascination or practice that encorporates Hoodoo/Rootwork?

Strewing Herbs

2011-03-07T08:05:00.000-08:00

Upon entering my home last night, I noticed a spray of organic material of some sort up my wall and on the inside of my door. At first, in the dark, I had a moment of panic thinking that those little spots all over the wall was a bug infestation of some sort. Nope. But what? Potting soil from my plants? No...not quite dirt. Plant material? I took a chance and picked a piece off the wall and took a sniff. It smelled herbal. Herbs?

Walking past a few other scattered pieces of this substance, I entered the kitchen to find my cat Beau looking pleased, and a torn, empty tea bag on the floor. Apparently, leaving the tea bag in the sink is not a good idea. I'm not sure if she was just bored, or this was her way of helping out, as I had planned to mix up some strewing herbs today for my Spring cleaning. Either way, the house had a good preliminary sweep last night!

Strewing herbs are just that. Herbs tossed on the floor. In the days of packed-dirt floors or meagre flooring, fresh herbs were strewn on the floors to keep out insects, mice and other undesirable critters. It was an added bonus that the herbs released their lovely scents when walked upon.

Today, we don't need to keep the herbs on the floor. Instead they perform two duties that help keep my home feeling fresh. I give the floor a cursory sweep, and then toss handfuls of my dried herb mix onto the floor, and leave it sit for a time. The scent of the herbs and their energy infuses the room. Then, when I sweep them up, the sharp edges of the material helps to gather up any dust particles, cat hair, or anything else the broom missed in it's first sweep. The heaviness of the herbs keeps the dust down and ensures I collect it to toss away, rather than it blossoming up into the air, only to settle again later.

My mixture is simple. Rue, hyssop and lavender. I grow all three of these in my garden but you can purchase these herbs from your favourite supplier. Some other great strewing herbs are rose petals, mint, thyme, rosemary, sage, tansy (great for ants) and meadowsweet. You can choose herbs for their scent, availability, or for their magical symbolism.

Also, chamomile is a great strewing herb, so I guess I owe a big thank you Beau for the chamomile tea addition to the floor last night!

Speaking of Giveaways....

2011-03-03T20:28:00.000-08:00

Stop by "Buccaneers and Ballgowns" to enter Alia's giveaway! She's giving away some wonderful treats from the tea room where she works, to one lucky winner!

(Nope - not the latte mug above - that's just a pic I took last summer!)

Women's History Month Giveaway

2011-03-02T21:59:00.000-08:00

According to my "Getting in Touch With Your Inner Bitch" Calendar on March 1st:

Today is the beginning of Women's History Month - because women, apparently, only did stuff in March.

All sassy-ness aside, I have to say that I'm totally up for celebrating some great accomplishments by fierce females.

"Our History is Our Strength" is the theme of this year's National Women's History Month, and I thought that it would be fun to giveway a sassy card deck featuring some historical ladies.

"Ask The Queens" by Kris Waldherr - "40 Queens, 40 cards, 40 nuggets of wisdom - from beyond the grave."

As always, all you have to do to win this fun deck, is be or become a follower, and leave a comment on this post. I will draw the winner's name on March 17th - because I'd rather celebrate women than a certain saint... (Although you know I'll be drinking something green that day!)

PS - I know on a previous post, I said I had picked out a kit for this month's giveaway - but this deck suits Women's History Month, so I'm saving the kit until next month!

February Snow, March Thanksgiving

2011-02-27T19:35:00.000-08:00

February, when the days of winter seem endless and no amount of wistful recollecting can bring back any air of summer. ~ Shirley Jackson

Winter seemed to loosen it's hold earlier this week, only to return again with more snow, ice and biting winds. I know everyone is taking a kicking this year, so I won't moan and groan, except to say that I'm REALLY ready for Spring.

Having said that, I'm also having Autumn thoughts (nothing new - they pop up every month.) I found this Pumpkin Spice pudding on the rack at the grocery store and got some raised eyebrows when I let out a squeal of joy.

Jello also has a few recipies to go with this gem - click on the picture above to take you to their page. (FYI - although this pudding is a remnant from October's glory, the best before date is Sept 2012, which is great if I want to save it until Halloween but not so great when I think about what kind of preservatives keep powdered milk usable for two years.)

Also, while digging through boxes of cast offs from the store I work for, I found some fun pumpkin trays, and a vintage tin washtub that may go into the garden, but will more likely find a home on the deck, packed full of ice and beverages.

Dad is craving turkey again, so my mom is having a March Thanksgiving dinner this weekend. I'm thinking of bringing that pumpkin cheesecake I mentioned last Fall because I've got a freezer full of pumpkin thanks to the multiple jack-o-lanterns I thought I needed to have on Oct. 31st.

So, while I'm waiting for Spring to arrive, I'll just settle in for another spot of Autumn. Whatever gets me through this endless Winter!

I am so thankful that March is only a day away!

What's In A Name?

2011-02-21T10:37:00.000-08:00

There is no reason for this picture - taken in Fairmont, BC, Canada, other than the fact that I appreciate a business with a good name. I appreciate one with a questionable name too.

Take yesterday for example. I decided to chuck all on my to-do list and head to the next town where there is a labrynth, and take a stroll. Upon finishing my medatative walk, I happened by their local cafe, named "Cafe Nevermatters." Hmm.. What does this mean? Leave your matters at the door? Coffee doesn't actually matter? (Which I heartily disagree with!)

I think "Nevermatters" is actually a play on words because the town's name sounds close to this - but does it send the right message when you are essentially advertising that your coffee stop is pointless? Regardless, I'm not one to thumb my nose at caffine - so I'll stop in next time I come for a labrynth visit and get the story while ordering my cinnamon latte.

I'll let you know what I find out.

PS - sorry to Ms. Smirk, who originally won the Garden Dreaming Giveaway, but you didn't contact me and there was no way for me to contact you. I redrew the names, and the new winner is: Jennifer at "From Barren to Bountiful!" Congrats! Please email me at RueAndHyssop (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll get the prize in the mail to you.