'A Fanciful Twist' Halloween Blog Party

I'm so glad you stopped by today! Before we start the party I'd like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Vanessa at 'A Fanciful Twist' for hosting this party! Be sure to stop by 'A Fanciful Twist' and partake of Vanessa's yummy post as well as links to all the other party participants!

I'm taking a bit of a different route this Halloween/Samhain. I've been intrigued with the colors of Black and Cream ever since I saw a layout in the fall Better Homes and Gardens magazine (I really need to purchase that copy!). It was gorgeous and it inspired me to create outside-of-the-box . . .

This time of year always makes me turn introspective and especially so since I turned 50 last year. I'm beginning to shrug off the old stereotypes of women being past their prime and over-the-hill. I certainly don't feel that way. In fact I feel better than ever and wiser too.

Season of the Crone

Crone of Winter's spellbound cold,
in Her cauldron of black are told
secrets ancient, truths and tales:
mystery Her light unveils.

She is wisdom, She is changes:
time and space She rearranges.
In Her hands, the card of Death,
for transformation is Her breath.

Crone of Winter, Grandmother wise,
look into Her gargoyle eyes.
Let Her lessons teach you well:
life is but a magick spell.

by
Gerina Dunwich

And as this time of year always does, it conjures up images of Witch's with warts on their noses, wearing pointy hats and flying on broomsticks . . . I think it's about time to leave those out-dated images behind . . .

. . . and relish a new image of the Crone . . .

"[The Crone] holds an unspeakable wisdom in the very cells of her body. The beauty and the horror of all life are held together in love. Being with her . . . we begin to see everything from two sides - the side that is totally in life, and the side that is already dwelling in disembodied soul. The Crone helps us hold the paradox."
~ Marion Woodman ~

I hope you enjoyed visiting today and have fun popping around to all the other delights waiting for you!

Samhain ~ 2011

Do you ever feel like a chicken with it's head cut off? I'm feeling that way lately. I don't know if it's because I feel the need to do some fall cleaning or if it's the myriad of projects I have on the go, or the Samhain/Halloween parties I've committed to. Probably all of the above.

One party that I'm looking forward to is one that my friend Carl and I are hosting on October 29th. My friends have graciously accepted the invitation to partake in Samhain Celebrations with me! We're having a traditional Samhain Feast complete with a roast turkey, Butternut Squash and Apple Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, corn bread . . . okay, I'll stop - I'm making myself hungry.

After dinner we'll revel, share and tell stories and then at midnight we'll be conducting a Samhain Ritual. It's the first time I've shared in ritual with my friends and I'm elated to be sharing it with friends who trust, understand and accept my beliefs. They're a great bunch! I love you guys!

In the Spirit of Samhain, I've posted two rituals to my 'Sabbats and Esbats' page. One is simpler than the other, but both are meaningful and catch the Spirit of this beautiful time of year when the veil is thin and we can connect with our Ancestors and loved ones.

Wishing you all a Blessed Samhain and a Happy New Year!!

WhirlWind WeekEnd

My friend Sharon arrived from Pennsylvania on Friday morning and we had the most wonderful weekend together. Friday was spent over a long lunch and then some shopping, followed by a leisurely dinner and an evening of conversation.

Saturday morning we went for breakfast and then down to State Street where all the quaint little shops were waiting for us to browse through their fascinating and wonderous offerings. I don't have to tell you that Sharon and I picked up some pretty fantastic pieces. Which brings me to these . . .

Thank you, Sharon!

Have you seen these? They're called 'Laini's Ladies' and they're fabulous, inspirational and whimsical . . . I love them!

The weather was so fine on Saturday and with it being Halloween, all kinds of people were out enjoying the day. A lot of people were dressed in their costumes which made people watching that much more, ah, interesting.

After State Street we came home for a much needed rest and then it was time to get ready for our evening of Halloween fun! I dressed as a witch, Brian as Robin Hood and Sharon as a washed up beauty queen. I have to tell you though that she's much too pretty to be 'washed up' and try as she might, she was still pretty! We had a wonderful evening of dancing and frivolity and there were some fantastic costumes. Needless to say, I stayed up way past my bedtime, but fell into bed happy, albeit with sore feet.

Most of the pictures taken during the weekend were on Sharon's camera, and she promised me she'd send them along . . . after she recovers! LOL!

It took Bijou until Sunday to warm up to Sharon and they were both nervous and thrilled to make a new friend . . .

Aren't they cute?

Sharon brought me some wonderful gifts which I opened on Sunday. The first was a beautiful and heavenly scented soap ~ which was in a book style case ~ you think she knows I love books?

Look at this pretty wrapping ~ a gift all on its own . . .

The other was my birthday present which she made especially for me. It's absolutely gorgeous and she incorporated charms which are meaningful to me like the bird and skeleton key. Sharon's jewelry is as incredible as the graphic design work she does and if you ever have the chance, treat yourself! (Sharon's blog is 'Plumrose Lane').

Sunday was spent relaxing and I took Sharon for a surprise treat ~ a massage! I think she really enjoyed it by the relaxed look on her face when she was done.

Monday morning came much too quickly and time for Sharon to return home. It was so hard to say goodbye as we had such a wonderful time and have so much in common . . . not to mention that we could talk and talk for hours and hours. We departed each other's company, but are left with happy memories and the knowledge that we've become the best of friends. We're eagerly anticipating our next meeting ~ which for my part can't come soon enough!

I also want to acknowledge my darling husband in all this ~ he's the one who arranged the whole weekend ~ from emailing Sharon secretly, to patiently escorting us around State Street, and being our body guard and designated driver on Saturday night. And did I mention those heavenly fresh baked chocolate chip cookies? Oh yeah, baby! There is no one else in the world like him and I love him dearly . . . Brian life is so much sweeter with you in it . . . I love you!

Breast Cancer Awareness, Samhain & Halloween

My friend, Sharon, over at 'Plumrose Lane' has designed a couple of beautiful blog backgrounds to honor her mother and bring awareness to 'Breast Cancer Awareness Month'. The designs, banners and buttons are free!

In order to help her spread the word, I decided to change my blog background to reflect the 'pink' for the month of October. It wasn't a hard decision, Sharon's designs are gorgeous!

It's also the month of 'Samhain' (pronounced sow-een) and I'm already planning my celebration and rituals. Samhain is a three day festival starting with the end of the harvest, progressing to the honoring of one's animals or pets and finishing with honoring one's ancestors.

End of the Harvest
In my neck of the woods, the garden has died off. Where once there were lush green plants, there is nothing left but dry and dead stalks. The perennials have shut down for the season too, going dormant so that they may return in the spring. For some it is a time to bring in livestock from the fields for the winter -- and if a spider comes wandering into your living room one chilly October night, you know that even the insects are trying to find a place to stay warm.

Honoring of Animals
Man's relationship with animals goes back thousands and thousands of years. They have been a source of food and clothing. They have protected us from the things that lurk in the darkness. They have provided comfort and warmth. In some cases, they have even raised and nurtured our discarded children, as in the case of Romulus and Remus. If you have animals in your home, pets or livestock, this is their night. Feed them before you feed the humans in your family. Put some food out for any wild animals that may happen by as well.

Honoring of Ancestors
As it's a time to honor ancestors, I'll be putting up pictures of my departed grandmothers on my altar along with other items that represent the end of the harvest and the beginning of the dark half of the year. I'll also be placing candles on the altar, which traditionally should be kept burning all night having been placed in a window to guide their spirits here. Instead, I'll put an electric candle in the window . . . safety first!

Samhain is also a good time for divination so I'll be scrying with the black mirror I made recently and perhaps give my new pendulum a go. There are many ways of divination, so be sure to do ones that are right for you.

This year we decided that we're going to dress up and go out dancing for Halloween . . . what am I going as you ask? A Witch of course! In all my years, I've never dressed as a witch and I must say . . . I'm pretty excited about it!

Well, October is off to a good start and with so much to look forward to, I'm sure it will whiz by quicker than a speeding train . . .