We're Movin on up...

....to the east side...

Ok well not really but I am moving. Not physically. NOOOOOOOOOOO don't that enough in the past year I'm staying put here for quite some time. I have like Blogger a lot in the time I've been here. But there are some features that aren't here that a Wordpress blog does have. I want to be able to keep certain eyes from peering at what I'm writing (My ex is a PITA!!!) There are things I have wanted to blog about that I haven't been able to do so because of that reason. Some posts will be password protected... I don't anticipate a lot of them...but they could be there.

So without further adieu my new home is....

http://dracosrose.poisonousroses.us/

Please update your bookmarks if I'm lucky enough to be there as well as any blogrolls :)

Manic Monday

Well today is really a Manic Monday. The kids are home from school. Tomorrow is Hubby's birthday and we are celebrating it today at my MIL's house with friends and family. We are getting things together to head over their shortly. Hopefully the weather will hold out so that all the kids can run around in MIL's huge backyard.

I will be answering the two sets of questions that were left for me this week along with anymore that might be posted before I answer them.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day and please remember the real reason for this holiday

RIP Sgt Howard Paul Allen and many others that have gone before us.

Blessed Be

Ask me anything

Well since joinging things like BlogHerAds, and all the lovely ladies at AllMediocre I'm getting more people here that are reading that aren't necessarily pagan. So I thought I would open this up. Ask me anything! Yes Anything. Now I reserve the right to refuse to answer any question. But I doubt there will be anything that outrageous that I need to refuse it :) I know a lot of things about being a witch can leave people with a resounding feeling of huh?

Just thought I would open this up to possibly dispell some of the rumors :) You can post them here or email me. Whichever you prefer.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Funny religious signs or cartoons

Let me preface this by saying it's all a JOKE. I'm not serious with any of the comments sometimes you just need to be sarcastic and today is that day.

1.


OH NO!! There will be no giving up bacon...not on my watch.

2.


Something tells me he got the short end of the...err...stick there.

3.


How to tell if a Catholic is driving too fast..

4.


Hmmm didn't realize free thinking caused your brains to fall out.

5.


No Committee huh? (sorry can't come up with a wise ass crack for this one)

6.


But but but...it can be SO much fun

7.


Free Coffee AND Everlasting life? Wow...do we get a toaster too?

8.


Hmmm does he believe in the fat in my ass? If not then can we get rid of it please since it obviously doesn't exist.

9.


See I much prefer the be really nice to them just so you can sit back and watch them go WTF?

10.


The bible? Just open the morning paper and that's enough to scare the shit out of anyone lately.

11.


Hmmm too many comments could go with this one...

12.


Google doesn't know everything? hmmm...what about Wikipedia?

13.


Hmmm Some people prefer Target does that help any?

Wordless Wednesday

Comfort

What in the world is Reiki?

Ok so I've gotten a few questions about what the heck Reiki is. The best way I've described it to my parents and a few others at least is as a Reiki Practitioner you are essentially an energy Chiropractor...lol

Here is the Wikipedia explanation of it for you:

Reiki (霊気 or レイキ, Reiki? IPA: /ˈreɪkiː/) is a spiritual practice[1] used as a complementary therapy[2] developed in 1922 by Mikao Usui. After three weeks of fasting and meditating on Mount Kurama, in Japan, Usui claimed to receive the ability of 'healing without energy depletion'.[3] Practitioners use a technique similar to the laying on of hands, which they say will channel "healing energy" (called "ki") through their palms.[4] [5] Neither the existence of ki nor any mechanism for its manipulation are scientifically accepted, and the evidence base does not support the efficacy of reiki, or its recommendation for use in treatment.[6

Last night I received my Usui III Master level attunement. No this doesn't mean I'm some spiritual guide or anything. Just that I have reached the master level in the training. I am also a Master of Isis Blue Moon Reiki (there are hundreds of kinds of reiki but Usui is the basis.) What it does mean is after I am done "processing the attunement" (it takes you a little while to get used to the new energy) That I will be able to pass on and teach Reiki to others, something I very much look forward to.

There are a lot of people that will say it's a bunch of bologna but being someone who has received attunements and treatments and know others that I have I believe in it strongly.

Manic Monday

yes Today was just another Manic Monday. Well okay not really. Tonight I got my Usui Master Reiki Attunement. That in and of itself was intense and led to me getting a better glimpse of a spirit guide of mine. She is beautiful, powerful and I feel extremely safe with her as one of my guides. I know I have a few others but they have not completely revealed themselves to me as of yet. They will when they are ready.

After that I did a protection spell on my house...with another witch...in another state. Amazing what technology can do...lol Between the two of us we came up with a great spell (ok she pretty much wrote the whole thing...I gave the first two lines...lol) Similar ingredients...a kick ass spell...some moon water...and OMG what a rush.

While I have been a solitary witch for the majority of my journey it was wonderful to have another witch to share it with. To know that the power that came out of the two of us to protect our families near and far came from our love for them and each other. I'm definitely looking forward to more rituals together...even if we are a few states away from each other

Blessed Be.

No winners

Again no winner, just did not have my camera out this past week. I did however clean my kitchen to within an inch of it's life...lol It needed it badly. Not saying it was filthy...just cluttered. The tupperware cabinet had exploded...kids papers and projects were on the counters and table. All of it was cleaned up and I am a much happier witch :)

Full Moon is tomorrow and I am getting my Usui Master Reiki attunement tomorrow night. I can't wait!!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Some people don't think when they design something

I was debating on posting this or not and decided to do it. My hubby calls me over to his computer to show me something and after I picked my jaw up I couldn't stop laughing. If this offends anyone...well all I can say is oh well. It's funny...get over it.

Now what were they thinking when they made this?

My first official Rant

Amazingly enough I haven't really ranted on my blog about religious things. Being as I know there are people from various backgrounds and religions that read here, I don't want to ofend anyone...even if it is my blog. I know I haven't done a Tools of the Trade post lately and honestly I was running out of tools...lol Once I get the blog moved I will start them again but probably on a once a month basis.

Anyway, witches have a TON of tools that are available to them. But that's the thing. They are TOOLS not TOYS!! Now any other time or any other item I would probably be bouncing up and down that this was done. But not this one. As some of you know I am a HUGE fan of anything done by Joss Wheadon. If it was done by Joss most likely we have it in this house. Particuarly if it is related to Buffy or Angel. (Takes a moment to bow to the master Joss) This I'm not so happy about. They have created a Buffy the Vampire Slayer “Conversations with Dead People” Board It's a Ouija board. Ok yeah I admit they were clever with the whole "conversations with dead people" part but to sell this as a toy?? It always boggled my mind that they sold these blasted things in the toy section of a store.

Ok now I know I just felt some of you roll your eyes but keep in mind this is my religion and my beliefs. But I have been that kids that messed around with one of those and did not like the results AT ALL! This is no toy. It REALLY DOES WORK! And if you contact the wrong people you and a lot of people you love and care about could be in for a world of hurt. I know some of you believe in ghosts despite your other beliefs this is along the same lines. You really don't want to mess with these things if you don't know what you are doing. Heck I have a slight clue what I'm doing and I still don't even want to think about messing with it.

Bottom line you have to be responsible with the tools you are using and what these people are doing is totally irrisponsible in my opinion.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things I'm thinking about other then blogging right now

1. My garden, wish we had the money to do what I want with it. It will have to wait a little while longer

2. Family trip/honeymoon the first week of July. A week away from everything at the beach

3. My meeting yesterday went amazing. I feel so good about what's coming there (sorry really can't elaborate because of prying exes and their spies and all that)

4. I really need finish the blankets I'm knitting.

5. The cards can't always be right and no matter how hard it is you have to accept it

6. Tomorrow I get to feel like a teenager all over again.

7. I want to belly dance!!

8. This weather really needs to make up it's mind. 80 one day 50 the next. Whoever pissed off Mother Nature could you please apologize so it will stop.

9. My creative muse needs to come back and be consistent....the here today gone tomorrow is frustrating

10. Looking forward to my Reiki Master Attunement

11. I seriously need to clean my desk it's slowly disappearing again

12. Have an INSANE need to go to the Indy area

13. Letting go of the cards being wrong is hard.

Wordless Wednesday

Inspiration

New Layout and New Link

Soon there will be a new layout and a new Link for my little home on the web. Sadie talked me into going to Wordpress. Trust me I was fighting her hard on that one since it entailed learning a new way of coding if I was going to get the layout I wanted and getting it to look the way I wanted it. And I REALLY like how easy Blogger is. Slowly but surely it came together with much help from my Sadiekins After that I will work on my other blog that I hinted at a few weeks ago. For personal reasons I have been putting that one off, but it will happen as another Wordpress blog.

Happy Mother's Day

Again no weekly winners here. I didn't take any pictures this week. But Happy Mother's Day to all the Mother's out there. I hope you all had a wonderful day!

Oh yes because THIS is the publicity we need

Code Pink Protesters Try Witchcraft at Anti-Marine Rallies

*mutters

My Wooden Spoon Giveaway

Yup I'm back again to plug another My Wooden spoon giveaway :) This time the lovely Lori has a few items in her giveaway.

Prize Details: 1 Kitchenaid Professional Cheese & Food Mill. 2 blades are included–Course Grating Blade for nuts, coconut, and eggs. Fine Grating Blade for cheese, garlic, spices, breadcrumbs, dry herbs, etc. You basically put your stuff in it and do a little twisting action! Viola, your stuff is grated:) The cookbook is called Cooking USA- 50 Favorite Recipes from Across America. This has great recipes with some fun facts about each state. You also get 3 dish towels. 2 darker red, striped ones and 1 tan striped one and of course, you get a wooden spoon;)

You definitely need to check out Lori's site for all the yummy and delicious recipies she has and not just her giveaways :)

Thursday Thirteen

Yeah I'm a tad brain fried at the moment so I'm following along with Sadie and Rhoni. Doean't matter how far south I go in my heart NYC is home.

Thirteen things I miss about home:

1. The pizza. I'm sorry there is nothing like a REAL NY pie. We have a few places here and there scattered throughout VA that come close. I guess it helps that most of them are owned and run by guys who used to live in NYC so at least I get something close to it.

2. Carvel. I don't mean the stuf you get in the freezer section of the grocery store. Again I mean a REAL Carvel store. Where you could get a flying saucer made fresh. We had one right around the corener from my grandparent's house.


3. The Subway. Yeah never thought I would say that. I miss mass transportation. We could get anywhere we wanted to in the city that way and if the train didn't get there. There was usually a connecting bus.

4. Nathan's HotDogs and Fries. Yes again I know I can get Nathan's in a store now and they are pretty good. But again....wasn't home.

5. Coney Island. I'm sure this one really speaks for itself...lol

6. Broadway. I miss going to shows. I would spend my summers between Long Island and Manhattan and my Aunt and Grandmother would take me to shows.

7. More specifically. The Winter Garden Theater. The first show I ever saw was Cats in that theater.

8. Rockerfeller Center - Especially at Christmas time. Seeing the tree all lit up. One day I want to take the kids back up there to see it.

9. White Castle. Are they good for me? No. But oh did I love them as a kid. I can't wait for our trip up North for my Grandfather's 90th Birthday party. There is one right around the corner from my cousin's house where we are going to be. Not supposed to eat them...but I honestly don't care....lol

10. The Parades: St, Patrick's Day, The Macy's Parade, The Thanksgiving Parade. Yeah I know I can watch them on TV...but not the same as freezing your ass off watching it.

11. HOCKEY! You haven't seen a hockey game until you've seen it in Madison Square Garden. Here...we have the Caps...Nothing can replace the NY teams for me though.

12. My Grandparents. The remaining pair that I have still live in the same place after all these years. Even though we beg them to move they just won't do it. I talk to them once a week but it's not the same as seeing them all the time like I used to.

13. The hardest one of all. I took this picture my Freshman year of High School with one of those crappy disposable cameras while we were on a class trip. It's from the deck of the Circle Line Cruise ship. If I had known then...I would have taken a lot more and a lot better pictures.

Wordless Wednesday

Silent Prayer

My Wooden Spoon Giveaways

I know I know...you are thinking 'Didn't she blog about this LAST week?' But hey it's a new week so there is a new giveaway. I HIGHLY suggest you check it out. This week she's giving away a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer She is doing weekly giveaways over there and then throwing a few in here and there as she goes I mean come on. Who can't use a Kitchen Aid??

Also check out the other yummy recipies and the like over at her site. She has become one of my favorite reads each day.

Kids Say the darndest things...

You they aren't kidding when they say kids just say whatever is on their mind and it's usually the most honest response they have. Well I'm stealing Rhoni's plan with using children as filler :)

As I mentioned yesterday we had a family funeral last week. My Brother in Law's mother passed away. Well I arrived at the funeral home while hubby and R went to MILs to set up for the reception afterwards. I walk in and say hi to SIL and the the kids. (SIL has 2 6 year old twin girls and a 4 year old boy.)

Anyway I walk up to my BIL and KR(one of the twins) and gave him a hug and looked down at KR holding a large note card. It went something like this:

me: "What'cha got there babygirl?"
KR: "I'm writing a song for my Grandma" (she hands me card to read as she glances at the casket we are standing next to)
me: (I start reading the card)
KR leans in close to me and acts like she's going to whisper but it kinda loud as she points to the casket "She's the one in the case"

At this point BIL and I are staring at each other trying our hardest not to burst out laughing. I mean come on...how brutally honest is that. To a 6 year old that's exactly what it was.

Fast forward to the reception. A few of us are sitting around talking and one one of the girls there asks how I've been feeling. Well R the dear son of mine that he is comes walking through the room, "Eh Mommy doesn't get out much" *rolls eyes* Yeah gotta love kids

Manic Monday

Well first of all. WOW I managed to post the entire week and not miss a day. For me lately that's amazing. Wasn't feeling very motivated to post despite Sadie prodding me nightly to do so. Was just the general feeling of blah and I guess I didn't want to pass that on.

Anyway last week seems like a whirlwind with Beltane and a Funeral (BILs Mom passed) and Free Comic book day. Hoping this week is sorta chilled out. Other then that all is calm at the moment. And I like calm :)

My Wooden Spoon Giveaway

I stumbled upon this great little site called My Wooden spoon. Well they are starting 3 months of giveaway, once a week. This weeks is a CUISINART FOOD PREP PLUS PROCESSOR with a Wooden Spoon. Think about all the herbs you could chop up in that both witchy or otherwise. Anyway I highly siggest you check the site out not just for the giveaways but for everything there in genreal :)

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!!!

One of my favorite days of the year...Not quite sure why they decided Beltane weekend was a good weekend to do this. But I digress. Yeah I'm a geeky witch....what can I tell ya. Free Comics...a look at some upcoming titles. And comics are not necessarily what you might think anymore. There are a lot more comics geared towards adults then kids. Trust me...I would not let my son read the "current" Superhero comics. They have a section of those that are just for their ages. Today's superhero comics deal with more adult things. Then again...some of them also teach. What they are calling a "graphic novel" is really a comic in a bigger book. We just ordered the history of Nat Turner for my oldest for Christmas because he just LOVES history and that's what they are studying now. They have also transformed a lot of old classics into graphic novels to try and get kids to read them. Anyway...if you have a local comic shop I would check it out and see if they are holding free comic book day there :)

Beltane - Lemon Bread

Lemon Bread
Bring the tart and juicy flavor of lemon to your Beltane table.

Ingredients: 6 tablespoons unsalted butter or stick margarine, softened
1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup sour cream or organic yogurt
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Glaze
1/3 cup superfine granulated sugar
Juice of 1 lemon


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8 1/2-inch loaf pan. Cream together the butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. Beat in eggs and mix well. Add the sour cream and lemon zest, and beat until smooth.

In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and sea salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet, and mix well. Fold in chopped nuts, if desired. Spoon the batter into the greased loaf pan, and bake for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.

Remove the bread from the oven, and make tiny holes in the top with a toothpick.

In a glass measuring cup whisk together the granulated sugar and lemon juice, until the sugar is dissolved. Slowly pour the lemon glaze on top of the loaf while it is still warm, allowing the glaze to seep into the bread. Set the loaf on a rack to cool for about 15 minutes. Turn it out of the pan and cool completely.

Makes 1 loaf.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen facts about Beltane

1. April 30th also known as Roodmas or May Day. Beltane has long been celebrated with feasts and rituals. Beltane means fire of Bel; Belinos being one name for the Sun God, whose coronation feast we now celebrate. As summer begins, weather becomes warmer, and the plant world blossoms, an exuberant mood prevails.

2. In old Celtic traditions it was a time of unabashed sexuality and promiscuity where marriages of a year and a day could be undertaken but it is rarely observed in that manner in today’s times.

3. In the old Celtic times, young people would spend the entire night in the woods “A-Maying,” and then dance around the phallic Maypole the next morning. Older married couples were allowed to remove their wedding rings (and the restrictions they imply) for this one night. May morning is a magickal time for wild water (dew, flowing streams, and springs) which is collected and used to bathe in for beauty, or to drink for health.

4. The Christian religion had only a poor substitute for the life-affirming Maypole –namely the death-affirming cross. Hence, in the Christian calendar, this was celebrated as ‘Roodmas’ .

5. In Germany, it was the feast of Saint Walpurga, or Walpurgisnacht’. An alternative date around May 5 (Old Beltane), when the sun reaches 15 degrees Taurus, is sometimes employed by Covens. (Both ‘Lady Day’ and ‘Ostara’ are names incorrectly assigned to this holiday by some modern traditions of Wicca.)

6. Ancient Pagan traditions say that Beltane marks the emergence of the young God into manhood. Stirred by the energies at work in nature, he desires the Goddess. They fall in love, lie among the grasses and blossoms, and unite. The Goddess becomes pregnant of the God. To celebrate, a wedding feast, for the God and Goddess must be prepared.

7. Beltane, like Samhain, is a time of "no time" when the veils between the two worlds are at their thinnest. No time is when the two worlds intermingle and unite and the magic abounds! It is the time when the Faeries return from their winter respite, carefree and full of faery mischief and faery delight. On the night before Beltane, in times past, folks would place rowan branches at their windows and doors for protection, many otherworldly occurrences could transpire during this time of "no time". Traditionally on the Isle of Man, the youngest member of the family gathers primroses on the eve before Beltane and throws the flowers at the door of the home for protection. In Ireland it is believed that food left over from May Eve must not be eaten, but rather buried or left as an offering to the faery instead. Much like the tradition of leaving of whatever is not harvested from the fields on Samhain, food on the time of no time is treated with great care.

8. Celebration includes frolicking throughout the countryside, maypole dancing, leaping over fires to ensure fertility, circling the fire three times (sun-wise) for good luck in the coming year, athletic tournaments feasting, music, drinking, children collecting the May: gathering flowers. children gathering flowers, hobby horses, May birching and folks go a maying". Flowers, flower wreaths and garlands are typical decorations for this holiday, as well as ribbons and streamers. Flowers are a crucial symbol of Beltane, they signal the victory of Summer over Winter and the blossoming of sensuality in all of nature and the bounty it will bring.

9. The central color of Beltane is green. Green is the color of growth, abundance, plentiful harvest, abundant crops, fertility, and luck. White is another color that is customary, white brings the energies of cleansing, peace, spirituality, and the power to dispel negativity. Another color is red who brings along the qualities of energy, strength, sex, vibrancy, quickening, health, consummation and retention. Sun energy, life force and happiness are brought to Beltane by the color yellow. Blues and purples (Sagittarius energies: expansion, Good Fortune, magic, spiritual power, Success), and pinks (Venus energies). Beltane is rich in vibrant color, lighting the eyes and cheering the Spirit as we leave the dreariness of winter behind.

10. It is customary to bake a colorful fruit and spiced filled bread for festivals in the Celtic lands, traditionally this festival bread is sweet dough made with sweetmeat and spices. In Scotland they are the bannock - Bonnach Bealtain - for Beltane, in Wales - Bara Brith, Ireland it is Barm Brack and in Brittany Morlaix Brioche. For Beltane this bread was made the eve before Beltane day, is it said that the bread should not allow it to come into contact with steel during preparation (steel is harmful, deadly to the faery folk).

11. It is customary that trial unions, for a year and a day, occur at this time. More or less these were statements of intent between couples, which were not legally binding. The trial marriages (engagements) typically occurred between a couple before deciding to take a further step into a legally binding union. It seems ancient wisdom understood that one does not really know another until they have lived with them, and when you live together things change and we change, as well. With this understanding unions were entered upon, first as a test period, and then if desired, a further commitment could be taken. It through always knowing that it is only through the choice of both to remain, that the relationship exists favorably.



12. Water is another important association of Beltane, water is refreshing and rejuvenating, it is also imperative to life. It is said that if you bathe in the dew gathered before dawn on Beltane morn, your beauty will flourish throughout the year. Those who are sprinkled with May dew are insured of health and happiness. There are other folk customs such as drinking from the well before sunrise on Beltane Morn to insure good health and fortune.

13. May is the month of sensuality and sexuality revitalized, the reawakening of the earth and Her Children. It is the time when we reawaken to the vivid colors, vibrant scents, tingling summer breezes, and the rapture of summer after a long dormant winter. It is a time of extraordinary expression of earth, animal, and person a time of great enchantment and celebration. (In other words if you want to celebrate Beltane...HAVE SEX!!!)May, however, according to old folklore is not a favorable time for marriages in the legal and permanent sense. There is reference after reference in the old books of this belief, and according to my Irish grandmother, May is not the month to marry, woe is to had by those who do. I can understand the premise of this folklore, May is the Goddess and God's handfasting month, all honor would be Hers and His.

Worldless Wednesday

Young Love


So you are probably wondering what this has to do with Beltane right? Well this shell was given to my Youngest son P from a girl at the daycare where he currently goes. She's a little bit older but is completely infatuated with him. When I dropped him off this morning she was blushing when he came in. And that has a lot to do with Beltane...young love...

Beltane Craft

Fairy Furniture

May is a month that fairies love. Show them your appreciation and give the kids a great project by making them some furniture!
Items needed:
twigs, vines, dried flowers
needle and thread
scrap material
scissors
hot glue gun-be sure little fingers are safe!
pruners to cut the twigs-again watch those little fingers

Directions:

Decide what you're going to make. We'll make a chair, to give you an example. Cut the twigs in this manner - one long, bendable piece that will form the back legs and back of the chair, and four equal lengthen twigs which will form the two front legs and the seat. The chair should stand no more than four inches tall (including the back)

Bend the long twig and hot glue one of the smaller pieces in between the two ends where you want the seat to be. This will be the back of the seat. Hot glue on each side of the bent twig facing towards you a smaller twig; these will be the sides of the seat. Glue the front piece of the seat to these side twigs. Glue the two front legs to the seat so that the chair legs are even. If you wish, wrap the vines around the chair back and legs. Cut the scrap material to form a "back" and a "seat" - these are NOT to be as wide as the chair, but will fit inside of the twigs. Using your needle and thread, attach the material to the chair using a whip stitch. Hot glue small dried flowers at the top of the chair. This technique can be used to make all kinds of fairy furniture, from tables to beds, to sofas - all of which are sure to delight your fairies as much as your children!

Beltane Recipe

Beltane is this week and it is one of my FAVORITE sabbats (Hubby's too...hehe) So this week I want to try and get as much info up about Beltane as possible :)

Oat Cakes

Here is a tasty way to enjoy traditional Beltane oats.

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups oat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 egg
1 cup mashed banana
1 3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp each nutmeg and cinnamon
PREPARATION:
Preheat your oven to 350F. Stir the flour, baking powder, and brown sugar together until well blended. Cut in butter, and then add egg and fruit. Drop filled tablespoons of dough onto a greased cookie sheet, leaving 2 inches between each.

Bake 15 min.

Weekly Winners 04/20 - 04/26/08

For the week of 04/20-04/26/08
Weekly Winners is the brainchild of the wonderfully Sarcastic Mom, Lotus

Herbs



Candles



Gems

Herb show and horoscope

The herb show today was WONDERFUL!! SIL and I walked around and looked at all the different booths and herbs, vegetables and flowers. We picked up some Basil, Chives, Parsley, Peppermint and rosemary. After that we went to Elwood Thompson, the Aquarian Bookstore and Avenue. All in all it was a great day.

I am one happy witch

And talk about fitting for today...

Today's Pisces Horoscope: Apr 26, 2008
This is a terrific day for you, dear Pisces, and you will find that there is a great deal of power at your disposal. This is a day of new beginnings. You have the opportunity now to start over and create a solid emotional base from which to work. Rid yourself of negative feelings and self-doubt. Use this day as an opportunity to strike out on new ground and achieve whatever you set your heart on

Happy Witch

I am one happy witch right now. Tomorrow my SIL is going with me to the Herbs Galore show!! This means I get fresh herbs tomorrow. I is a happy witch. Happy happy happy :) I get to get some kitcen herbs and some witchy herbs. Yes Definitely a happy witch.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Random facts about me (ie can't come up with anything else)

1. I was Raised Roman Catholic. Yes this witch started out with the teachings of Cathol (sorry I think i live with Eddie izzard stuck in my head)

2. I am Irish, Italian, German and Polish. Talk about your combination. Growing up the Italian and Irish was heavily stressed...the polish more then I was clumsy.

3. I was the perfect little Catholic kid. As a child I LOVED going to church. I looked forward to it. I couldn't wait for Sundays to come so we could go to church.

4. When I was put on Birth Control for an out of control monthly cycle at age 14 I cried for a week because I was sure I was going to hell. (now I'm pretty sure if there is such thing as hell I'm driving the bus)

5. The entire family went to church together. When I say entire I mean. Me, Parents, my brother. Both sets of Grandparents, my Great Aunt (my Nanny's sister) and various cousins if they were in the area.

6. The entire family then went from Church to my Nanny and Poppy's house for Sunday dinner.

7. I knew how to make a Screwdriver, Gin and Tonic, and Vodka, Diet Pepsi and who drank what beer in the family by the time I was 5. (No I'm not joking.) You didn't even think of trying it because well...it was a grown up drink. I guess since it wasn't a taboo thing I never really thought about it.

8. I learned at an early age never to say the following words at a family gathering, "Anybody want anything while I'm up?" That usually was followed up with a long list of drinks that was wanted and you would spend the next 30 minutes getting them all.

9. Trying to dip bread in the spaghetti sauce as you snuck into the kitchen usually resulted in a swat on the ass with a wooden spoon.

10. As a kid is my brother and I were about to get in trouble. My Poppy (Dad's dad) would take us out of the house and we would walk across the street to get an Italian Ice or down a few block and go to the Carvel shop (The real original Carvel shops not the crap they sell in supermarkets now. I had Flying Saucers made to order)

11. My Nanny and Poppy's house was not only on a 6 lane very busy street in Queens, NY. But Next door was a Funeral Parlour. I grew up constantly smelling Eucalyptus and Gladiolas.

12. Growing up we walked everywhere. We only had the one car and Dad took that to work. My Mom walked us to school every day (you couldn't take the bus after 2nd grade)

13. Right now I would do anything for one of those walks with my Poppy for ice cream...

Wordless Wednesday

Helicopter

No tools

No tools post today I'm not feeling all that great. My body hates me at the moment. hopefully better updates coming...

Happy Birthday lil Miss K

Happy Birthday lil Miss K. The little girl that surprised us all with her presence. I can't believe you are 2 already. Have a wonderful day. We love you.

Happy Birthday Princess M

Happy Birthday Princess M. I can't believe you are already 3. Time goes by WAY too fast

Up and down and all around

Well the internet here isn't exactly behaving very well at all. It's been up and down...mostly down today. Not much to report. Have a chicken in the crock pot making some broth. Made some yummy shrimp sauted in oil and garlic over pasta tonight for dinner. Tomorrow is another day. Hopefully the Comcast guy will fix it and we won't have this issue anymore.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things I did this week instead of blog

1. I made bagels - Yes that's right I made my own fresh bagels (I have pics for weekly winners)

2. Snuggled on the couch with my hubby while we had no internet Monday night and watched The Riches

3. Snuggled with the kids on the couch and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks (again...save me please)

4. Attempted to "find my desk" - I swear its under all this crap somewhere

5. Laundry - Yeah not exactly spectacular

6. Tried a recipe for a low salt "mexican lasagna" - surprisingly not bad and the kids want it again.

7. Actually sat at the kitcen table all together and ate dinner while we talked about what the boys did in school.

8. More laundry

9. Worried about Sadie, E and K....a lot

10. Looked for more things to make on this modified diet I have to keep

11. Searched another store for more sodium free stuff

12. Prayed to the Goddess for Guidance

13. Tried to come up with something more exciting for today's Thursday Thirteen but as you see...it didn't work...lol

Weekly Winners 04/06 - 04/12/08

For the week of 04/06-04/12/08
Weekly Winners is the brainchild of the wonderfully Sarcastic Mom, Lotus

Again slow week for pictures. I've been busy doing a lot of research for stuff for my other blog which I will post the link for soon.

Thursday Thirteen

13 things that are good right now

I've had a lot of time to dwell on negative things lately so I think it's time to point out some of the positive.

1. My Children - Although I may not have P here at home with me as much as I want he is still here some of the time. Those boys push me harder to be a better person so that Mommy can be someone they can look up to.

2. My Hubby - My greenman. OMG does he put up with a lot of shit from me...lol But he does and he loves me and even if we argue there is no question about that fact. No matter what he's there to pick me up when I fall.

3. Sadie, My BFF Like you said distance doesn't define a relationship. I'm positive we were sisters in another life. We click we mesh, I know no matter what you will be honest with me even if I don't want to hear it at the moment. You smack me when i need it the most.

4. My Home - My boys and I have a roof over our heads. We have a place to sleep, we have a home. For the first time since I moved out of my parent's place...I have a home...not just a house...but a real home. One filled with love and not fear and regret.

5. My Friends - The honest and true ones that are there no matter what and tell you you are being an idiot when you are.

6. My Family - I don't think I would have survived those few years during the divorce without them.

7. My In-laws - Same as above they have helped keep me sane here while my family tried to help from a distance.

8. Tara - I've mentioned her before. She one of the strongest witches I have ever met. She is a mentor, a teacher and a friend. She makes me want to learn more and be a better witch.

9. What hearing I have left - Yes I know it sounds odd, but right now I still can hear so I need to be thankful for what I can hear as opposed to wallowing in what I can't. (Some days are harder then others)

10. The Goddess and The God and the gifts they give us every day. You can feel them on the breeze or see them in the trees. You may not see them at all....but they are there.

11. My Life - Yes it's had ups and downs....but life is always going to be a roller coaster...but right now I still get to ride that roller coaster...

12. The wonderful ladies I read on my Bloglist. You guys give me something to look forward to every day to read. You let us in on your lives and I'm greatful for that.

13. A shower - Yes I know it seems like a silly thing to be thankful for. but tonight I got to take an actualy shower. Not the "in and out" because you have to be somewhere. The kids were in bed and I got to take my time and relax. (hey sometimes it's the lil things)

Wordless Wednesday

Protection

Tools of the Trade - Your Surroundings

Yes I know it' sounds weird but where you are can effect your ritual, spell or gathering just like anything else. If it's loud and you can't concentrate then it could be very hard to meditate. Try and make sure that where you are fits in with what it is you are trying to accomplish. Trying to do a past life regression while the kids are running around just won't work. You probably won't ever get to that meditative state that you need. So think about where you are before you start your work :)

Manic Monday

Not a whole lot to report today. I spent a good portion of my day on the phone with various people and agencies for various things. And I was working on the layout for a new blog I am going to be writing on. I will link it here when it is up an ready to go, right now it's still in the designing stage. But will shed some more light on this post Once I post the link if you wish to read great...if not I need it to keep myself sane.

Weekly Winners 03/30 - 04/05/08

For the week of 03/30-04/05/08
Weekly Winners is the brainchild of the wonderfully Sarcastic Mom, Lotus

Not a lot of picture taking this week. All three (obviously the same cake :) )Are from a cake I made yesterday for my MILs Red Hat Meeting. It was their Queen's Birthday and another woman was going from a pink hat to a Red hat.

(And yes my house is 30 years old. MIL was the original owner and now hubby and I live here. That is an original Harvest gold stove...we have the diswasher to match)

An Open Letter from a Witch:

This was posted on a group I belong to. It is a little long but I think it's worth the read :)

An Open Letter from a Witch:

I am a witch. I do not worship Satan; I am not interested in Satan. Satan was invented by the Christians. Satanism is a form of Christianity. I am not a Christian. I don't go to church on Sunday. Jesus is NOT my savior. He was simply a holy man who lived 2,000 years ago. I am not afraid of going to Hell because I don't believe in Hell any more than I believe in Satan. I believe in reincarnation; that I will come back to this world or another and live out another life. I am not evil. Telling people I am a "good witch" or asking me if I am a good witch implies that there are evil witches. There are evil people in the world and there are people who chose to work with the forces of nature in a way that harms others; those people are NOT witches. The central law of being a witch is: "if it harms none, do as you will." Please don't ask me about sacrificing cats or desecrating churches. I love my cats! And I don't go into churches or synagogues unless a friend from that religion invites me to some special occasion. And if I DO enter a church, I am not struck by lightning. If a Christian or a Jew or a Buddhist came to a pagan ritual, our gods would not strike them dead either. Isn't that something to think about? Wearing a pentacle is no different than wearing a cross, crucifix, or Star of David. If you want me to take off the symbol of MY religion (and Wicca is a religion, protected by the same First Amendment rights as other religions) because it's offensive, you need to make everyone of every religion do that. The five points of the star signify the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire &; Water, and the fifth point is Spirit; encircled by the World. How that can offend anyone boggles my little pagan mind. An image of a tortured, dying man is more offensive, yet thousands of people openly wear crucifixes every day. Please don't ask me if I'm in a "coven" in that half-horrified, half-fascinated tone of voice. If I want to talk about my coven, I will bring it up. If I am a solitary practitioner, I have no coven to discuss. In any case, our rituals have candles, food, drink, poetry, dancing...yes, there is a knife but it only cuts the air, not anyone's flesh. I don't drink blood. I am not some kind of vampire. I wear black because it keeps negativity away and to tell the truth...it looks better on me than pink, orange and purple polka dots! If you want to ask me something related to MY religion, ask me when the next full moon is. Or the next blue moon Or what a blue moon IS! Ask me about herbs. Crystals, Healing, Even ask me to make you a love potion. I don't cast spells on other people and I won't cast a spell on you to make you prettier, thinner, more desirable. I won't cast a spell on your quarry to make him/her love you. Trust me, you don't want that, you don't want the Karma that involves and neither do I! That's a form of manipulation, taking away someone's power, infringing on their free will. Not nice at all. I also won't cast a binding spell to make someone STOP doing something to you. Spell work is about co-creation. A witch works with universal energy, with the Gods, to tilt the engine of probability somewhat. Need money? Don't try to ensorcel your boss to give you a raise. Simply ask the universe to increase the flow of abundance in your direction. That infringes on NO ONE's free will. Giving me a book about the Burning Times is like giving a book on The Holocaust to a Jewish person. It's not funny and is rude! Yes, I do go to Salem, but not because any of those poor executed people were witches(the jury is still out on some of them), but because there's cool pagan shops there. If there were cool pagan shops in a town called East Cowflop, I'd go there as well! Don't try to make me ashamed of who I worship and what I am. Please don't try to convert me or "save" me. Don't throw holy water on me. Don't leave little pamphlets on my desk or windshield. I don't need to be saved. Witches are proud of the fact that we don't recruit people to become witches. We simply ARE and those around us see how we think, how we act and our inner peace and only when someone says "how do I become a witch?" do we take them into the fold with us. I will NEVER leave a religious tract with anyone. I don't have one, unless you count this letter. I am not asking you to convert. I am only asking you to please understand.

If you don't want to understand, well then just leave me alone

~Author unknown~

Thursday Thirteen

Well I've been pondering and decided to put up a list of my favorite Witches in TV or movies. Now these are in no particular order. And yes there are Disney Witchs on this list. I have 2 kids and Disney is a staple in this house. I'm watching these shows with them and they are pretty cute. It was hard to get it down to 13 but here they are:

1. The Craft


2. Practical Magic


3. The Harry Potter Series


4. Bewitched


6. The Witches of Eastwick


7. The Wizards of Waverly Place


8. Hocus Pocus


9. The Wizard of Oz


10. Sabrina the Teenage Witch



11. Giles, Tara and Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer




12. The Twitches Series



13. The Halloweentown Series