Faerie Sage Kitchen

An apology

2011-09-22T19:40:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone I just wanted to apologize for not having a practical magic post up. I have been sent away to camp and my stay was extended, I don't have much Internet time left so I will keep it short and I will try to get to everyones posts when I get home and sorry again for no post!
Faerie Sage

Today I am

2011-08-02T17:05:00.000-07:00

Viewing: Midsomer Murder, good old BBC :).
Thinking: That it cannot possible be August already! Where is summer?
Creating: pictures in my head
Planning: Summer adventures (and art journals)
Reading: The Picture of Dorian Grey
Realizing: That I keep misplacing my time
Listening: to the creek out back
Trying: to relax and get everything done
Feeling: Tired and happy

Today I am tired but happy, I am striving to find time for my loved ones, my work, and my own harmony. I am reaching for sacred spaces and finding open places to start, I am searching for stability and finding a place I can call home. I am reading my favourite bloggers and finding joy, love and sources of inspiration.

Currently I am trying to re-sort out my sacred space, since I moved I have not had a great deal of time to re-create a sacred space in my new apartment and I have been spending a good deal of time thinking about my beliefs and opinions on sacred space and usable space in the home. When it comes to sacred space, I am torn, should it be hidden away in the second bedroom we reserve for drying clothes and occasional visitors? Or should it be out in the open in my kitchen or living area where we are everyday? Should it be only used for sacred times? Or should it be activated often even if it is in a mundane way? These questions keep at me asking where my sacred space should be, but I have not yet decided, what do you think? You all have so many wonderful creative thoughts on the subject maybe your ideas and suggestions will trigger my own.

I have a medium sized two bedroom apartment which I share with Mr H. (who has no problem with me putting my witchy things all over the house). We have our bedroom, which being honest has no room for anything else in it at the moment. We have the second bedroom, which is private and the door can be closed, but it is where people stay who come to visit and somehow it does not feel right. We have our bathroom, our kitchen a small dining room and our living room, so what do you think folks? Maybe your creative genius can help me in my dilemma.

Blessings
Faerie Sage

Returning to Something I Love

2011-07-11T19:05:00.000-07:00

It has, I admit, been a long time since my last post and it would be fair to say that I have been thoroughly caught up in my own very different, very new life. Few things have remained the same for me, new job, new home, new town, new car, new responsibilities, but really I guess the same old me. I am so happy to be back and posting, while my new life is very busy and demands much more time, I have taken my time in coming back to my blog simply because I wanted to be ready, not ready to write or ready to share my life with my friends here but ready to start sorting out my life at this level of spiritual and emotional depth again. It gives me great joy to be back and great joy to be able to share the changes in my life with all of you.

It feels as if eons have passed, millennia have raced along and yet it has only been a few short months. I have been given a gift, sent a joy filled present; in short I have been blessed. Few people faced with the same things I have been given would feel so elated, but for me it’s what I’ve been waiting for, it seems like all my life. I have moved to northern Canada, beyond the hubbub of city life, where winter is an eight month season and Dawson Creek is the nearest town. I work twelve hour days, tromping through the bush and digging holes. I love my life. I am finally an archaeologist.

Time management is a something that I have to admit I am still working out, I work twelve hour days, up at 5:30am and often not home until 7pm just to be tired and falling asleep by 9pm. Now don’t get me wrong I love what I do but let’s be honest this gives me two hours a night to clean up, eat dinner, get lunch for the next day and cram in anything else I want to do. Trust me if it’s not urgent it takes a back seat to sleep! On my days off there is the cleaning, running into Dawson to get supplies and just trying to spend some quality time with Mr. H or talk on the phone with my family. Trying to balance out faith, family, work, dance, art, exercise, eating right and life is still quite a challenge for me! I admit I am way behind on the weekly art journal that Aradia’s Cauldron is putting on and I haven’t done any dance practice since I got here! I think things will get easier in time but I hope some good old fashioned time management will help too!

So I have been trying to keep up with all of you (though I haven’t been posting any comments) and I am going to try to put in a weekly update and comments on the goings on around this little piece of my world. I would love to know how all of you are getting on, so share your adventure with me, and lets make this life our adventures together!

Spring Celebration and Changing Fortunes

2011-03-20T19:29:00.000-07:00

For whenever and where-ever you celebrate Ostara and the beginnings of spring, blessings to you and have a wonderful time!

Spring has certainly showed its face here at the coast, here are just a few glimpses of spring in the gardens here.

Now spring is blowing in and with it, good fortune. I have been offered, and subsequently accepted, a position in my chosen field in the north of British Columbia. With this position I officially start a position in my chosen career, I am so excited to finally be doing what I love, and even getting paid!

So I must apologize in advance to all of my followers, I have a very large move to make and a very short amount of time to complete it in, so my current Feng Shui series will be on hold for a bit and I expect that posting will be sporadic. I will try to keep everyone up to date and to post our progress as we go on.

Blessings to all of you and know that even if you are not hearing from me I am still around!

PS Pop over to The Deepest Well and give Aine a little boost with her current situation! Cheers!

Feng Shui: Eight Mansions, the Luck of your Home

2011-03-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

Just like you have your own personal luck, dictated by your Kua number, your house has its own luck as well. Eight Mansions formula allows you to find out the luck of your home. Eight Mansions formula and your personal Kua number are very connected; the same eight types of personal luck are also the same eight types of luck used to read the luck of your home. Your personal kua number can be compared directly to your home and will show you how at ease you are in your home and how your luck and the luck of your house fit together. Just as there are east group people and west group people, there are east and west group homes and while this may be stating the obvious, west group people are most comfortable in west group homes and east group people in east group homes.

In order to find out the luck of your home you first need to do a couple of things. Do you remember in the Pa Kua Method you separated your house into nine quadrants using a grid? You can re-use that grid now or try it out for the first time, this will allow you to see where each direction of your house is. Next figure out which direction your house faces. Generally this is the direction of the front door of the house, but sometimes front of the house is not where the main door is. As a rule the front of the house, has a main door or faces the street or seems to be the front of the house. Once you know what the front of the house is figure out which direction it faces (if you have a front door or window here stand facing the door or window and take a reading from a compass) This does not have to be exact but you should be relatively clear as to which of the eight directions the front of the house faces. Now that you know this direction you have the Facing direction of your home.

Now are you still following me? Because here is where it gets a little confusing :) Now that you have the Facing direction of your home, you need to find out which direction your house SITS in. The Sitting direction of your home is the opposite of the Facing direction. So if your house Faces north it Sits south if it Faces southwest it Sits northeast etc.

The facing and sitting directions of your home and its own luck are show below

East Group Homes    Sits    Faces     West Group Homes    Sits    Faces
    Kua 1                      NW     SE               Kua 2               SW    NE
    Kua 3                       N        S                   Kua 5/8            NE      SW
    Kua 4                       S         N                  Kua 6                  W        W
    Kua 9                   W        E             Kua 7                 SE      NW

Eight Mansion Charts
Kua Number - Wealth - Health - Love - Growth
1                  SE         E          S          N
        2                  NE        W        NW     SW
        3                  S           N         SE        E
        4                  N          S           E        SE
        5/8               SW      NE        W       NE
        6                  W        NE       SW      NW
        7                  NW     SW       NE       W
        9                  E          SE         N        S

Kua Number - Bad Luck - Five Ghosts - Six Killings - Total Loss
        1                W                NE               NW              SW
        2                   E                SE                  S                  N
        3                  SW             NW               NE                W
        4                  NW            SW                 W    NE
        5/8               S                  N                   E SE
        6                  SE               E                    N                S
        7                  N                 S                   SE                 E
        9                  NE              W                  SW              NW

Now we can compare your personal luck to the luck of your home. It is said that your most compatible and best luck home has the same number as your personal kua number. This means that your personal luck and the luck of your home are exactly the same. As a general rule any west group person can live in any west group house and have good luck, this is because all the good luck directions are the same, even if they are not identical. On the other hand you are considered incompatible with your home if you are an east group person living in a west group home, this is because all of your good luck areas are in bad luck areas of the house you are living in. Now if you are part of a family then (despite being very patriarchal) it is the Kua number of the male head of the household which should be considered. The male head of the households kua number should be at least in the same group as the home for the family to be compatible, if the other members numbers disagree this is ok, just try to make sure anyone else staying in the home sleeps in a room which is one of their positive directions and all will be well. Now if you are not compatible with your home don’t worry! I have lived in an incompatible home the majority of my life, I simply pay a little more attention to my Feng Shui and enhance good luck as often as I can.

Now here are the eight types of luck reviewed again in the context of the home

Wealth: This one is obvious; it is a place of wealth, luck and prosperity. Keep well activated, clutter free, light and bright, (this always occupies the front or Facing direction, of the house)

Health: Best health luck, place anyone prone to illness should stay in this room
Love: Romantic and marriage Luck, a wonderful place for the master bedroom

Growth: Personal development, children or people involved in upgrading or schooling should use this as a bedroom or office

Bad Luck: Mild bad luck, staying here will cause small irritations, frustrations and delays.

Five Ghosts: Relationship problems, troublemakers, and gossip, avoid staying in this room.

Six Killings: The six types of misfortune, many types of misfortunes occur, avoid staying in this room.

Total Loss: Means what it says, complete and total loss, bad luck. Never stay in a room afflicted with total loss, move anyone staying there out, in eastern though those who chance staying in a total loss room could bring on the occupants death.

Now for the good news! Remember how I told you that bathrooms, kitchens, storage spaces and locked up areas press down on good luck? Well they have the fortune of pressing down on bad luck as well, so when you figure out what the luck of your house is, have a good look at where you kitchen and bathroom are, because if they are in any of your bad luck positions then they are pressing down and reducing or eliminating your bad luck for you! A house designed for Feng Shui will have the kitchen and bathroom in the Six Killings and Total loss areas of the home in order to eliminate the worst bad luck positions for a lucky home. Again if your kitchen and bathroom press down on your good luck areas simply try to enhance them with other tricks already listed and keep posted for other advise. Bad Feng Shui is not the end of the world, and the joy of Feng Shui is that for every instance of bad luck their is a way to reduce it and for every instance of good luck there is a way to enhance it so never sweat it!

In the next segment I will discuss basic ways to go through your house create positive energy cleanse space, de-clutter and make positive changes for a more Feng Shui friendly environment.

Blessings!
Ref: Feng Shui Life Planner Lillian Too Image:http://media.photobucket.com/image/feng%20shui/kehegah/Feng%20Shui/fengshui.jpg?o=26

Feng Shui: Your Kua Number

2011-03-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

In Feng Shui, your Kua number, represents your own personal luck, it tells you which directions are lucky for you and which are not, by knowing these directions you can enhance your good luck and suppress your bad luck. The Feng Shui of your Kua number can also be easily combined with the Pa Kua and other Feng Shui methods and is essential for the personalization of Feng Shui.

How to calculate your Kua number
Convert, your birthday to the lunar year. In other words if you were born in January or February deduct one year, and if you were born in the other months make no change.

Next take the last two numbers of your birth year and add them together until a single digit is achieved. (ex. 1999, 9 + 9 = 18, 1 + 8 = 9)

Next if you are male deduct your number from ten (10 – 9 = 1) [If you are calculating for a child born in 2000 or after deduct from 9]
If you are Female then you add five (5 + 9 = 14, 1 + 4 = 5) [If you are calculating for a child born in 2000 or after add 6]

Now you have your Kua number!

Check out the chart below to find out your lucky directions, and directions to avoid. The meanings of each direction are also included below.
* Kua five becomes 2 for men and eight for women

The Four Auspicious Directions
Kua - Wealth - Health - Love - Growth - Group - Self Element
1    SE           E           S         N         EAST    WATER
2     NE          W        NW      SW       WEST    EARTH
3        S             N         SE         E         EAST     WOOD
4     N             S           E         SE        EAST     WOOD
5        *             *            *          *         WEST    EARTH
6     W           NE        SW      NW      WEST    METAL
7        NW         SW       NE        W        WEST    METAL
8        SW         NW       W        NE        WEST    EARTH
9      E           SE         N          S          EAST     FIRE

The Four Unlucky Directions
Kua - Bad Luck - Five Ghosts - Six Killings - Total Loss
1          W               NE              NW               SW
2            E                SE                 S N
3           SW NW             NE                  W
4          NW             SW               W                  NE
5            *                  *                  *                    *
6           SE                 E N    S
7            N                 S    SE E
8            S                 N                  E                  SE
9             NE             W                SW                NW

A Note about East and West group people.
Everyone falls into the category of either east or west group people. Put simply this defines which directions are positive or negative for you. If you are a West Group person then the West directions of southwest, west, northwest and northeast are positive for you. If you are an east group person then east, southeast south and north are good directions for you. It is recommended that you sit facing one of your good directions whenever possible. Of course this requires knowing which direction is which at work and home, and being conscious of where you are facing/sitting. As a general when I am at home I try to face west and northwest as they work and are good directions for me. Remember that this is just something to try, if you can’t re-arrange your home or work space don’t worry, just be conscious of where you face when you can. In Feng Shui a good host will have a round table that allows people to sit facing a prosperous direction for them, or a very discerning host, who knows their gusts well, will arrange for them to sit in positive directions.

Wealth: This one is obvious; it is a place of wealth, luck and prosperity. Keep well activated, clutter free, light and bright.

Health: Best health luck.

Love: Romantic and marriage Luck.

Growth: Personal development.

Bad Luck: Mild bad luck, small irritations, frustrations and delays

Five Ghosts: Relationship problems, troublemakers, and gossip.

Six Killings: The six types of misfortune, many types of misfortunes occur

Total Loss: Means what it says, complete and total loss, bad luck.

Now not only do you have your own personal Kua number with its own unique set of good and bad luck, so does your house! The good and bad luck of your house, based on its facing direction is called Eight Mansions (referring to the eight types of luck) and uses the same types of luck as your personal kua number. Eight Mansions, allows you to activate the eight types of luck in your home and either enhance or suppress as necessary. In the next section I will go over the Eight Mansions formula and you can see how your personal luck matches with the luck of your house.

Blessings
Ref: Feng Shui: life planner, By Lillian Too, Image: http://media.photobucket.com/image/feng%20shui/kehegah/Feng%20Shui/fengshui2.jpg?o=30

Pisces

2011-03-09T10:16:00.000-08:00

`Pisces, born a little fish. Loves water, nature and life in general.
Soft-hearted, giving, able to bend and adapt.
But make no mistake firm opinions and beliefs are evident.`

These are my mothers words, written about me before I was a teen.
Not much has changed :)
So today I wish all Pisces a Happy Birthday as I celebrate my own!
Blessings

Feng Shui: The Pa Kua Method

2011-03-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the second instalment in the Feng Shui Series.
I would like to start with a note, simple but important. Feng Shui is about making your space flow well and feel good, to create prosperity, positivity and happiness, if at any time something does not work for you, be it because you can’t afford to remodel the kitchen, you have kids or pets that place certain restraints or simply because something does not feel good to you, don’t do it! Feng Shui is personal and what works for one person will not work for others, be aware that many Feng Shui books are based on Eastern Practices which have specific meanings in that culture, but may have no meaning whatsoever to you. As a rule I tend to try to use things that have meaning or importance to me rather than following to the letter what a book or Feng Shui rule may state. Most of all always respect your inner voice and only do what works for you.

Pa Kua is a method of Feng Shui. In this method, the space of your home is divided into sections according to the compass directions. Each direction, and the corrisponding area of your home represents an aspect of life, and enhancing that area with appropriate items or colours can enhance the luck/prosperity in that area of your life.
Dividing up your Space
To work with Pa Kua, it is necessary to divide your house into sections according to the compass directions. This can be done one of two ways, as seen below, either way works fine it is simply personal preference and what works best in your space.

Some may find it easiest to draw up an approximate floor plan and then superimpose the grid of their choice over the floor plan, thus seeing an accurate measure of the space; others will find that a simple walk round the house with a compass will suffice.
Once you have determined the sections of your house which correspond to each direction, then you can begin to make changes where necessary. It is advisable to first use the Pa Kua method on the house as a whole, (known as the big tai chi), then use the method on a smaller scale on the rooms most in use (small tai chi), especially the living room, dining room and family room.
NOTE: It is not advisable to use any strong symbols in the master bedroom as it can disrupt the flow for sleep, stick to simple flow rather than symbols or bold colours for the master bedroom. Also keep in mind that there are different interpretations for each direction, the ones provided below are to the more traditional side.

South: Recognition
To enhance your recognition, have a light burning here all the time, or use red, this area is associated with fire and the phoenix image. Plants bring good luck as they feed the fire element associated with this area.
North: Career Luck
The element of water rules here so any association with water, including blue and of course actually ponds or fishbowls are excellent. It is also advised to activate both your whole house, and the north sector of each room in the house to enhance your career luck.

East: Good Health
Good health is an essential part of any happy home, east is the place of the celestial creature the Green Dragon, who brings good fortune. Here plants, wealth trees (of real precious stones not plastic) or an image of the Green Dragon are said to enhance health. Activate this area with anything that is healthy and growing.

West: Family Luck
West is said to be the place where happiness springs and as such is the place that makes a happy family. Gold coins and fans are traditional symbols, the west is metal and thus metal objects and the colour white is appropriate. I use a beautiful white fan and metal ingots.

Southwest: Marriage

Here marriage does not mean your current relationship, but instead it indicates the prospects of marriage for the unwed. The Southwest helps eligible ladies in finding a good husband and young men get luck in finding a good woman. Having your southwest afflicted by a toilet kitchen or storeroom can mean a total drought when it comes to marriage. If you are attempting to increase your luck in finding that eligible interested partner, or in the marriage prospects of your children living at home, enhance the southwest corner with light, reflections rainbows or traditional lovebirds (mandarin ducks are good) the double happiness symbol or red peonies.
Northwest: Mentors
Here Mentors is actually the patriarch of the household, so the prosperity of the Father or male head of the house hold is held here. Activate with bells and singing bowls, as metal is the ruling element, gold or anything made with multiple metals is appropriate. Positive energy is drawn and created by positive sounds such as bells and singing bowls, so it is advisable to have them in the home, and the Northwest is the most appropriate place to keep them.

Southeast: Prosperity

This direction is associated with money, not family fortune but instead income, the money being brought into the household, so if you wish to bring in more money this is the area to activate. Here the element of wood is ruler, and enhancing this are with plants and even a small waterfall (flowing into not away from the home) is excellent. Keep in mind that plants with pointed leaves are not recommended, and cactus is extremely bad indoors. Keep cacti outside to protect the home instead of inside spearing the occupants. Try to choose plants with broad round leaves. I find that African Violets are wonderful, they have round leaves and flower often.
Northeast: Education Luck
To enhance your own or a child’s luck and results in scholastic endeavours, activate the Northeast. Here smooth crystals and crystal balls are highly recommended. Even using a crystal as a personal talisman and study tool, which can be taken into examinations later, is recommended.

Keep in mind that Feng Shui is about yin and yang positive and negative, fast and slow, where there is luck there are also drains of negativity. Toilets, Kitchens, closed up cupboards and other locked areas all press down and decrease the luck in the area they are located in. In these locations pay special attention to increasing and enhancing the Feng Shui, to balance out the negativity already present.

Little tai chi, or enhancing the directions of a single room, is a great way for children and teens to enhance their own luck and to use Feng Shui specifically for themselves. As a teenager I discovered Feng Shui and used the Pa Kua method on my bedroom, with great results and a sense of individuality.

The pa Kua method is a simple and easy way to practice Feng Shui and to enhance your luck/prosperity through the outer representation of yourself, your living space.
If you are interested in personalizing your Feng Shui stick around because the next instalment of the Feng Shui series is your personal Kua number.

Blessings
Ref: Feng Shui: Life Planner Lillian Too
http://media.photobucket.com/image/feng%20shui/joaonelson/feng-shui-istock-NewAge.gif?o=118, http://media.photobucket.com/image/phoenix%20bird/KoRnFreak87/Phoenix.jpg?o=15,http://media.photobucket.com/image/chinese%20green%20dragon/brandonmademedoit/176875A-Chinese-Dragon-Posters.jpg?o=15, http://media.photobucket.com/image/double%20happiness/alexandracarter/double_happiness.jpg?o=2, http://media.photobucket.com/image/waterfall/RockChickX/Arts/Waterfall.jpg?o=1, http://media.photobucket.com/image/feng%20shui/GJohnson0313/Yin-Yang_Classic_Feng-Shui.jpg?o=114

Week 3 and 4 Art Journaling

2011-03-04T13:59:00.000-08:00

Well this week jumped up and got rather busy, but the art still got done and here it is!
Week three, 'I believe'

And week four 'Nature'.

Week four is a compilation of goddesses which create the nature we live in,

including Nut the Egyptian sky goddess, Meilikiki the Finnish forest goddess, Ganga the Hindu river goddess and Pele the Hawaiian goddess of Volcanos.

Hope you enjoy!
If you are interested in joining up with the 52 weeks of Art Journaling pop over to Aradia's Cauldron and check it out.
Blessings

PS Due to an overwhelming positive response I am compiling a series on Feng Shui which will start next week!

Feng Shui Basics

2011-02-27T16:36:00.000-08:00

Feng Shui is based on the principles of a flowing moving energy called Chi, which keeps all things in balance and flow throughout the home creating luck and prosperity. Feng Shui has multiple different methods, some simple some very complex. Here I am going to share some of the basic fundamentals of Feng Shui, a list of dos and don’ts if you like to get one started on the path to harmonious living through Feng Shui.

In the Bedroom...
*Avoid Flowers/Plants in the bedroom, here they sap energy.
*Avoid sleeping with the foot of the bed pointed towards a doorway.
*Avoid sleeping under exposed beams, this can be harmful to the health.
*Avoid sleeping with the head of your bed below a window, this causes sleepless nights.
*Have a bed of an appropriate size, to small cramps a relationship, to big causes rifts.
*Avoid having mirrors which reflect the bed, or where you can see yourself in bed, this is like having other people invading the relationship (your reflection).
*Keep goldfish out of the bedroom & kitchen, but they bring luck in other rooms of the house.
*Keep electronics out of the bedroom, if this is not possible at least close them away so they are unseen.
*Avoid the head of the bed sharing a wall with a toilet.

In the Bathroom...
*Keep the door closed, the toilet lid down and the show curtain closed, leaving any of these uncovered is inviting luck and wealth to be drained or flushed away.
*Leaking faucets are energy and wealth leaking away, fix them!

In General...
*Clear clutter, hoarding creates negative stale energy.
*Pets create movement and encourage good energy flow.
*Place plants near your computer and other electronics they help to oxygenate the area and reduce stress from electromagnetic fields.
For those of you who are tea lovers here is a tip, when pouring a cup of tea for a guest never point the spout towards your guest, it pours hostile energy.

For those into a little extra match your bedroom furniture to your Zodiac.

Snake & Horse are Fire element and do well in wooden beds. Avoid low beds, concrete and waterbeds.

Dog, Dragon, Ox & Sheep are Earth element and are benefited by red beds, they should avoid wooden and brass beds

Pig & Rat are Water element and are do well in brass beds and should avoid having to much wooden furniture in the bedroom

Tiger & Rabbit are Wood element and are benefited by blue sheets and should avoid fire colors such as red and orange. The wood element does not do well on unstable ground so waterbeds should also be avoided.

Monkey & Rooster are Metal element and should have white sheets. Avoid waterbeds.

These are some of the very basic principles to go by when using Feng Shui in the home. There are many more tips and both basic and complex formulas for Feng Shui in the home and business. If there is interest I can share two basic formulas to Feng Shui your whole home, the Pa Kua method and finding your personal Feng Shui with your Kua Number. Let me know if you’re interested!
Blessings
Ref: Feng Shui Lillian Too & Feng Shui the Art of Living

Adding a little Zen

2011-02-24T13:10:00.000-08:00

Ever since taking Chinese Philosophy, the ideas and customs of the east have fascinated me, well I guess I should be honest, all different cultures and customs fascinate me! Either way I am going to explore some of the more interesting, features from other cultures which I have incorporated into my own home and practices and I am starting with some eastern lore, adding a little Zen to our lives never hurt!
The eastern philosophies actually have five basic elements to the western four. While we have Earth Air Fire and Water, they use Earth, Metal, Water, Wood & Fire. The five elements can interact in three different cycles. The productive cycle, the exhausting cycle and the destructive cycle, and you guessed it; they are named for what they do. In essence fire produces earth while earth exhausts fire, and so on; the destructive cycle on the other hand is not quite so linear, as you see below.

These cycles allow the ability to produce an effect, through the productive cycle, to exhaust a negative or persistent problem or in serious cases to use the destructive cycle to eliminate a major issue. The key here is to first identify what element is in play and then to feed, exhaust or destroy that element with its appropriate counterpart.
As an example: if you have a wonderful garden which you love and you wish to feed the energy created there, put in a water feature, or add in an element in your garden which represents water to you, this in essence feeds the wood element of the garden.
The principle is used widely in the art of Feng Shui, where the elements can be used to increase your good luck, exhaust poor luck and destroy bad luck.
I personally incorporate the elements of Feng Shui into my home and the practice of using the eastern elements into my spell craft as another way to influence the elements I am working with.
Following are the associations for the Eastern Elements

Wood: Spring, East/Southeast, Green, Rectangle, Outwards, 3, 4

Fire: Summer, South, Red, Triangle, Upwards, 9

Earth: Between, Southwest/Northeast, Ochre, Square, Sideways, 2, 5, 8

Metal: Autumn, West/Northwest, White, Circle, Inwards, 6,7

Water: Winter, North, Black Wavy Descending, 1

Check out this feature next week for some interesting tips on Feng Shui

Image: http://media.photobucket.com/image/chinese%20elements/Setiankh/five-elements.png?o=1
Eastern Specifics, Feng Shui by Lillian Too.

Art Journal Entry Week 2

2011-02-16T12:02:00.000-08:00

Well another week has passed and another art Journal has been created, so here it is!

My entry for Heart/Love. If you are keeping track you may notice that both Danni (over at the Whimsical Cottage) and I both incorporated a heart & acorn into our art journals this week, co-incidence? You tell Me!

The words in this are; Friend Lover Wife Mother /Family Faith Familiars

Across the top reads a HEART bursting with LOVE

Living with Love

2011-02-15T15:12:00.000-08:00

I have to admit that I have been loving the last little while. I have finally been doing art regularly, thanks in large part to the 52 Weeks of pagan art Journaling held by Aradia’s Cauldron, and the little extras I have been working on for February Fairies over at the Whimsical Cottage. I always find that I am much happier when I am creative and creating, I also took the time to really clean the house, all the negative stale energy out and positive moving alive energy in! It is hard form me not to feel love at the middle of February with Valentines day everywhere and the prompt of the week being heart/love, especially since I am surrounded by people who love me :). Along with my art journal posts and my guest blogging activity later in the month I have a few creative topics up my sleeve for February which I am very excited about! I will share just a little preview with you, I will be talking, hopefully at some length over a number of posts about a warm sunny island state, and I will be dabbling into the realm of zen and some flow and magic from the orient! I am so excited to share with you about these things! So if you are interested in journaling check out the 52 weeks of Pagan Art Journaling, and if you haven’t yet flown over, you must swing by Danni’s at the Whimsical Cottage and check out the February Fairy Fun!
Blessings

Week 1 Art Journal Entry

2011-02-10T11:52:00.000-08:00

Not only have I finished week one, the idea for my week two Art Journal came to me last night in a dream!
Well without further ado here is my week one Art Journal.

Top left is the Aurora Borealis, and the bottom left is a snow-shoer in the snow.

The bottom right is the Midnight Sun, and the top right is my thoughts on my intention to go to the arctic.

I love art and art Journaling but I still do find it hard to convey my myriad of feelings about a prompt into a single art journal spread, so sometimes I do multiple images as above, sometimes I choose one and sometimes I mash it all together into one unwitting page.
Hope you enjoy!

Pagan Profile

2011-02-04T21:35:00.000-08:00

I have been spending a great deal of time going through my pictures in the last few weeks. One of my goals for this year is to try to and get all my pictures which are digital, organized, tagged, labelled, burned to discs, saved in multiple locations and saved in private folders on the web. Needless to say this has meant a lot of browsing through my photos. I am finding that sometimes photos say a thousand words and sometimes they need to be narrated thus the idea of a Photo & Pagan Profile Combination was born.

So I thought that for your viewing pleasure I would share with you some thoughts and photos from the life of Faerie Sage in combination with my Pagan Profile.

Name: Faerie Sage

Location: Canada, soon up to the Arctic!

Profession: Archaeologist by training, Artist by talent, Calligrapher by Choice

Hobbies/Interests: Anything artistic crafty/creative, reading, calligraphy, Outdoor Activities, (swimming, hiking, picnics, Frisbee, badminton etc), I am a total foodie, interested in cooking, baking, and creating in the kitchen and I am totally nuts about herbs and spices (at the last count we are getting low at 33), I also love gardening and growing herbs.

Blog/Website name: Faerie Sage Kitchen

URL: faeriesagekitchen.blogspot.com

If your identity was hidden somehow, (i.e. if you were behind a dark curtain or a sound-proof booth) and someone else was asked to describe you to the person behind the curtain, how would you like to be described OR what would you like this blog circle to know about you?
It is my hope that a friend would describe me as a kind caring person who is eccentric and a little strange but who would do anything to see the people she loves happy. As a warm loving woman who feels deeply and shares her fortune with all around her. Also the girl with the crazy hair and the tiny feet.

Your spiritual path: Uncategorized. I am highly spiritual, yet not greatly religious, I believe in beings different and more powerful than ourselves, I believe in Gaia and I believe in a soul beneath the universe. So technically I am not wiccan as I am not wholly religious, nor am I technically a witch because I believe that there is more going on than just me creating magic, I guess I fall in between the two, but still I believe somewhere on the no so well worn path.

(This is a Photograph not a picture of a painting!)

How did you find your current path? I discovered my spirituality when I was a teenager. I lived in small town Canada and felt like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole, but I took solace in being surrounded by nature which I always felt was somehow the most honest true thing in the world. I began to read, I believe that The Seat of the Soul was first, and my spirituality and passion for Wicca, witchcraft, spell-work, magic and nature based guidance grew from there.

Previous spiritual path(s) (if any): I have always been spiritual, and that is ever changing.

What drew you to and continues to keep you on this path? It is what I feel is honest and true to who I am, that drew me to where I am now and will keep me true and honest to myself as I grow and change.

What, if anything, disappoints you about your path - what would you change if you could? Since my path has been ever-changing to fit me I would not change it. What I would change would be my ability to share my path with others, (without consequence or fear) something I have only recently been able to do with this group online and it has been a wonderful experience.

Do you have any spiritual practices that you created yourself - that are not the kind normally found in books or practiced in groups? In a way yes, yet I believe that everything has been done before so also no *smile* I manifest through art, I have a silent ritual of thought and my longest running one, I have a night-time mantra requiring input from two people, for love and safety.

What subjects are you interested in reading about - in books, in blogs, etc.? I love to connect personally with people of similar interests, people who feel free to share some of themselves with others on their blog, I also love fantasy and sci-fi fiction, cooking, spirituality, gardening, history, oh heck I’ll read almost anything!

What in your life do you consider “sacred?” Life is sacred. The earth, Gaia is sacred, the animals, the trees, nature is all sacred, we as people are sacred. I also feel my relationships with my family and my partner are all sacred because of how special they are to me. Finally I have a little sacred space in my own tiny living space.

What about you or your life are you working towards changing - short term/long term? My pessimism and a few lingering bad habits from my youth *smile*

What energies do you want to rid yourself of - what energies do you want to bring in? I want to rid myself of the negative thoughts and energies that have been around me recently all the hellish energy should be gone I want to be rid of the sickly energy that has been around me for far too long. I want to surround myself with healthy, positive, happy, energy that brings me all I want and follows me like a bubble of happy, bright, loving, energy.

(In New Zealand "Hell" is a Pizza Company, and this little coffin is what they provide for the 'remains' of your large pizza.)
What are your current goals/aspirations? How are you working to bring these to fruition? (practically and/or magically)
Currently I am confident that I have been chosen for a position in the Arctic to work up north in a job which is related to my ultimate career. I am using everything I have at my disposal to make myself feel that this has already happened, positive thinking, visualization, good references, a great application package, knowing that I am totally qualified, believing that this job (being tailor fit for me) is meant for me, and even reading Robert Service and facts about the arctic to get into the mood.

I am also embarking on the 52 weeks of pagan art journaling and I am putting in both practical and magical intention into each prompted journal I create.

Finally I am attempting to get myself back to being healthy. Since I am intolerant to wheat and cannot consume it, this is very involved in my diet and what I can and cannot eat. I am also trying to lose the weight which I gained from consuming wheat which my body could not properly process, so it also involves exercise along with my different healthy eating diet and weaning myself off of sugar. I have been doing very well at staying away from wheat and making my own food as alternatives, and I have been exercising regularly, though I still make a weekly sweet when we make our weekly dinner for Mr H’s Nana.

My dream is to be stable enough to purchase my own home on a significant amount of property and to be able to sustain a life in the country while still being happy. To this my first goal would be an awesome start a true beginning to seeing this come to reality.

What has made and/or continues to make you truly happy? My Family, My Partner, our Cat Art and Archaeology

What is your favorite word? Evanescent

What/who inspires you? My close family, my partner, my high school history teacher, my bachelor degree’s Palaeolithic art teacher and my Master’s advisor who holds one of the highest honours of New Zealand. Each in their own way inspires me.

If at the end of your life, you were given a new name, which in one word described your contribution to the web of life (the connections you made, people you touched, etc., ) what would your name be? Compassion

Issues of Creation

2011-01-29T10:44:00.000-08:00

Somehow I am at a loss. I don’t feel like I have lost my muse or really any lack of creative inspiration. The opposite actually, the inspiration, the ideas and the creativity are all flowing out of me like lava bursting from a volcano. The issue seems to be my inability to transfer those artistic ideas, visions and inspirations onto paper in any recognizable form. Now not to puff myself up, but usually I am a fairly decent artist, with the ability to convey what is in my head onto paper, but alas not recently. I can feel that the goddess in my life right now is Pele, which I guess explains the metaphor, and the fact that despite all my ideas they harden into shapeless forms, sooner than their time. So I guess I am simply venting on my inability to create what I want, to see my vision truly take shape.
What do you dear readers do when things get garbled in translation?

The Changes are all in my Head

2011-01-21T17:05:00.000-08:00

Things have been strange since I got back from the technological dead zone. Not strange in a weird spooky way, just different. I am full of so many ideas and so much is going on, yet nothing much is happening and things seem to have taken on a slow hybrinatory kind of pace. I have been clearing out clutter and reorganizing our tiny-tiny living space, in order to take full advantage of the beauty and wonder of the space we do have, so cleaning, de-cluttering and re-organizing have been the majority of my work since my return. We have finally gotten most of our stuff out from storage, so now the things I am living with and using are actually my own, instead of borrowed from others. The slow pace and the de-cluttering, (mainly reorganizing the house so that I like it and it works in the space) has been a good start to this year. I have been clearing out the cobwebs and making my house, my outward representation of self, match how I want to be and to feel. On the other hand I have a list long enough to re-clutter my whole house, full of creative ideas, projects, business ideas, blog stuff, cooking, recipes and any creative endeavour you can think of! Yet this year the changes I want to make, the ideas and the projects, are all still in my head. So my blog will have to bear with me, de-cluttering my life is coming first then, as the clutter clears and my space becomes usable, I can allow my projects and ideas to flow. I hope to add to the blog and make some small upgrades and little changes to suit my new mood. So never fear I am around and I am so glad to be back, even if the pace may be slower for a time!

Gypsy over at Witchy Gumbo posted this wonderful Simple Woman’s Date Book, so I will share my version. Be sure to pop by and check out her wonderful blog!

Outside my window... the day is grey and darkling.

I am thinking... that I will be so happy when the clutter is gone and I can work on creative projects that will bring me joy. And chocolate, wait a second I’ll be right back...

I am thankful for... Chocolate, need I say more? Well yes we got our brand new Queen size bed yesterday (yay!) Since Mr H is over 6 ft and a double is only 6ft long his feet stick over the end, so we have been on a blow up mattress for a few months now, the new Queen is heavenly!

From the learning rooms... I have officially passed my Master’s Degree and once they courier me my Degree I will have Proof that I have achieved a Master’s Degree!

From the kitchen... Mr H and I will be attempting to make our own homemade tortellini, with beef and cheese stuffing and possibly a delicious sauce to go with. I have been itching to make it ever since we got our new pasta maker : )

I am wearing... My comfy jeans, a little purple tank top under my favourite warm comfy sweater (tan) and my grey scarf. My hair is in my ever famous Pippi Longstocking twin braids.

I am creating... a never ending list of things to create, blog entries, paintings, projects, organizational changes and fun creative things, now if only I could find space to create them!

I am going... to have a fun weekend? Nowhere in particular really, just around home in the hopes of finishing the de-clutter project.

I am reading... Black Powder War, a book about dragons from my science fiction hoards.

I am hoping... To find archaeology work or to be able to start my calligraphy business in the next month.

I am hearing... The beautiful sounds of a simple quiet place, mingled with computer sounds.

Around the house... clutter and piles... need I say more?

One of my favorite things... Since we already discussed chocolate... belly-dance, I so enjoy it even just around the house... I should look into classes again...

A few plans for the rest of the week... relax for the weekend, putter, do things I like.

Here is a picture for though I am sharing

Lost in a Time Gone By

2011-01-16T10:53:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that for nearly a month I have been lost in a time gone by, no cell phones no internet, just holidays, and family. I have to admit that in its own way it’s amazing, but I missed you all so much! This little blog community has so become my home and I could not stand to wait any longer to see you all again! So if you will grace me with some time, I will get back to your comments and say hello again, I can’t wait to see what everyone has been up to.
Blessings, hope to see you very soon!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T03:00:00.000-08:00

To all of you who celebrate Christmas either as a major holiday or as just extra time with family, all my warmest wishes to you and your families!
Have a wonderful day enjoy, food, fun and family.
Merry Christmas!

Image: http://media.photobucket.com/image/holly/kelticwench/Yule/holly.jpg?o=22

Masquerade Ball

2010-12-21T12:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Longest Night Masquerade Ball! Please come in from the cold and join us for an enchanting evening of masks, ball gowns, food and revelry.
I am Faerie Sage, one of your hosts for this evening, I am so delighted to receive you on this amazing night.

If you do not yet have a masque, and wish to use one, please feel free to use one of mine.

Come in and I’ll acquaint you with the amenities of the evening...
Here we have the food, snacks, roast beast, turkey, winter vegetables, fresh fish and delicious sauces...

The Desserts, Cheese Cake, Pies, Cakes, Truffles Fruit and more...

Over here you will find the drinks, hot chocolate eggnog, mulled wine, blackberry wine, and mead, please enjoy...

The gift area is over here, it is an exchange, feel free to add a link or the code for your button for others to grab (in the comments section) and grab any buttons which are already here...
Next to the gift area is the Yule fire, please warm yourself here, or simply enjoy its magical spirit...

Please wander, enjoy, converse, dream any dream you will, you are safe here among friends and allies.

The Toast

Revellers Gather Round!
Welcome one and all to the Masquerade Ball!
Tonight is the longest night of the year, we await the rise of the sun to signify the return of light to the world. This year we are blessed, as while it is the longest night, we have the light of the December Full Moon! But our blessings do not end here! Tonight of all nights there is a full lunar eclipse! (To see what times and if it is visible in your area check here.) During our night of darkness, we see encapsulated the year, a long dark night paired with a full moon casting down silvery light. But alas that light which in its beginnings is so bright must be eclipsed into total darkness, but wait the light will return and the silvery beams of moonlight will be revealed again! The circle of our year can be found tonight, on this special night, re-enacted in the sky. As the moon comes, is cast into shadow and appears again, feel free to come and go through this ball as you please. You are welcome to stay till sunrise and celebrate with us the return of the sun, or wander among the many halls of the Masquerade Ball, taking it in, in all its spectacle.
Blessings to you and hope that you too will have the pleasure of stepping outside and witnessing this beautiful gift of nature.

It has been so Wonderful to see you, the Ballroom will be open all night so please carry on to the other halls of the Ball, and don’t forget to stop by our Hosts own ballroom for a giveaway and to convey thanks to her for this wonderful Masquerade Ball!

Images: Links from Photobucket please ask for specific links

Happy Yule! ~21 Days of Yule

2010-12-21T03:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Yule! Merry Winter Solstice and Joyous Longest Night of the Year!
Since tonight is a special night and many of you will be out in the weather I thought I would share one last Hot Chocolate with you.

Creamy Hot Chocolate
In a small sauce pan or pot on the stove mix 4 tbsp of cocoa, 8 tbsp of sugar 4 cups of milk. Slowly heat the mixture, stirring constantly. Do not let the mixture boil because this can result in the milk curdling. This recipe makes aprox. 4 regular mugs of Creamy Hot Chocolate. For this recipe the higher percentage of milk you use the creamier the cocoa will come out. I have a friend who on special occasions uses heavy cream (Whipping cream un-whipped) to make this recipe! Divine to drink but killer on the waistline!

As an alternative, if you are afraid you may burn the milk on the stove or would like just a single cup with less work, Follow the Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe, but instead of boiling water heat milk in the microwave on low power 5 seconds at a time until it is the desired heat. Then Whisk into the chocolate mixture.

Keep posted because latter today is the Longest Night of the Year blog party hosted by Jennifer over at Confessions of a Kitchen Witch, so you will want to stop by again and check out the Masquerade!
Bright Blessings on this long night!
Image: http://media.photobucket.com/image/milk%20bottle/DynV/Renaissance%20kingdoms/milk-bottle.jpg?o=15

A Simple Relax, 20th Day ~ 21 Days of Yule

2010-12-19T03:00:00.001-08:00

Well we are almost there, the days are short, the nights are long, and by now the holiday stress is getting to even the most calm minded of us. So for your drinking pleasure tonight I am keeping it really simple, I mean really simple.

1 Make Classic Hot Chocolate

2 Leave extra room in cup. (If you didn’t do this make two cups :)

3. Add Baileys to cup. (Or Carolans or Frangelico or Amarretto or well, just see The LIST :)

4. Enjoy

I hope four steps isn’t too much!
Relax Yule/Winter solstice/longest night of the year and the full moon are almost here!
Sit back and enjoy, you’ve made it this far, relax and bask in the decorations, loved ones and joy and spirit of the season.
Blessings
PS If you don't drink try, either ignore this recipe or use heavy cream in your cocoa to make it really rich :)

Image: http://media.photobucket.com/image/baileys/theasace/baileys_over_ice.jpg?o=9

Cranberries 19th Day ~ 21 Days of Yule

2010-12-19T03:00:00.000-08:00

For a festive treat and for the good of women everywhere I thought I would share with you a couple of ways to add some cranberry into your lives. Now most women have heard that cranberry is good for you in one form or another. Well the medical opinion at this time is that Cranberry is indeed good for preventing Urinary Tract Infections but not for treating them! So if you have one, see your doctor instead of adding extra cranberry juice to the list! Cranberries also contain a main ingredient in aspirin and as such help to reduce swelling and prevent blood clots. Cranberry has also been known in herbal circles for years as beneficial in general to women’s health. Now science seems to be backing this up, proving that cranberries have a quality which prevents bacteria and some viruses from attaching themselves to cells, and they help to prevent cavities in the same way, the downside? It only seems to work with women. So ladies lets introduce a festive medically beneficial food to our holiday diets!

Cranberry Hot Chocolate
~Variation I
Mix the cocoa, sugar and milk as outlined in the Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe. In a separate mug, steep approximately 2 tbsp of loose Cranberry tea (or a cranberry tea bag) in hot (but not quite boiling) water, in a regular sized mug for five minutes. Add this water to the chocolate mixture. Whisk well.

~Variation II
Mix cocoa and sweetener in a regular sized mug, instead of water or milk add 1 tbsp of pure unsweetened cranberry juice, mix well then add 1 to 2 more tbsp of cranberry juice before filling the cup with boiling water and mixing well.
Both of these recipes will give a cranberry flavour, but the second variation will provide better pure cranberry (if you are looking to receive some of the health benefits)
Blessings to you all and good health!
Health Info: Web MD
Image: http://media.photobucket.com/image/cranberry/wholsealemonavie/Cranberry.jpg?o=50

A time for Romance: 18th Day ~ 21 Days of Yule

2010-12-18T03:00:00.000-08:00

Before the last weekend prior to the holidays rolls by, why not take a little time for romance? While there are literally thousands of aphrodisiacs from oysters to cayenne peppers, why not combine two things which mesh perfectly with thoughts of Victorian Romance, Cocoa and Vanilla. The taste of chocolate and the smell of vanilla wafting through the air is enough to bring romantic thoughts to any woman, but what about the men? If your relationship could use a little romance but the man is caught up in his own little holiday world? No sweat, vanilla is not only an aphrodisiac but it is also magically linked to love and seduction, set aside some quiet time when you won’t be disrupted, (not possible without the kids out of the house I know!) make the Vanilla hot Chocolate (recipe and extra boost spell below), set the mood, serve the vanilla hot chocolate and let the magic work!

Vanilla Hot Chocolate
Variation I
Follow the Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe, before adding the hot water, add one or two drops of vanilla extract (do not add more!) Add the hot water and whisk well. For your first try add a single drop then add the hot water and taste, add an additional drop to taste
I recommend using larger than regular sized mugs for this recipe due to the strong flavours given when using extracts.
Variation II
Again follow the Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe, before adding the hot water add the scrapings of the inside of a vanilla bean, (beans removed!) This should not be a lot just some of the fines from the inside of the pod. Stir these in with the chocolate paste/mix. Add the Hot water and whisk well. Finally add the bean pod to the drink stirring well with the pod as the swizzle stick. This can be a very strong or very subtle flavor; it all depends on the bean! Often freshly used beans will create a very strong but not astringent taste (as would adding to much extract to the recipe above). This is a recipe to taste, so adjust to your own preferences.

If you want an extra magical boost above and beyond the powers of the cocoa and vanilla on their own, begin with your end in mind. Again this is all about intent, as you pull out the cocoa think about its effects, as you work with the vanilla bean or extract concentrate on its attributes of love and seduction, and as you whisk the hot chocolate in a clockwise direction intend for the drink to bring love, romance and seduction. When you finish, KNOW that you will have a wonderful romantic night.
If you are single, enjoy this one just as much by concentrating on bringing a loving romantic relationship to yourself or in contrast if you like, sit and watch a romantic movie with the smells and flavors of cocoa and vanilla!
Blessings and romance to you.
Image:http://media.photobucket.com/image/vanilla%20bean/openexit/Gifts/vanilmad.jpg?o=10

Last weekend Fortitude, 17th Day ~ 21 Days of Yule

2010-12-17T03:00:00.000-08:00

So here it is. It has come. That final weekend before the holidays. Whether you celebrate Yule or Christmas or both, this is the last day before the last weekend before the holidays! (Now say that three times fast!) So in honor of the stress, financial pressures and family expectations that this weekend, and the following week, will bring, I am sharing with you a drink for Prosperity Strength and Fortitude. I share it in hopes that it will not be needed, but give it freely for those who do (probably most of you!).

Spice Hot Chocolate
Mix cocoa, sugar and milk according to the Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe. In a separate regular sized mug steep 1 tbsp of spice tea in hot (but not quite boiling) water. Add this water to the chocolate mixture. Whisk well.

The key ingredient in this is black tea, which lends its magical properties of Prosperity strength and fortitude. So make sure your spice blend includes black tea, or use any black tea which you like.
When you make this mug full, make it in a strong large sturdy mug and concentrate on its strength how solid it is and then intend that your life will be like this mug, strong, prosperous and solid.
Good luck with all the last weekend arrangements
Blessings
Image: http://media.photobucket.com/image/black%20tea/earlyrisercoffee/blacktea.gif?o=71

Raspberry, 16th Day ~ 21 Days of Yule

2010-12-16T03:00:00.000-08:00

My favorite fruit from the time I was a child, are raspberries, so no collection of Hot Chocolate would be complete without a Raspberry Hot Chocolate. Raspberries are associated with water, protection and love, raspberry is also a feminine fruit.

Raspberry Hot Chocolate
Mix the cocoa, sugar and milk as outlined in the Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe. In a separate mug, steep approximately 1 tbsp of food high quality Raspberry tea in hot but not yet boiling water in a regular sized mug for five to ten minutes. Add this water to the chocolate mixture. Whisk well.

When making this recipe, I usually test the tea first, often fruit teas can be very strong in scent but rather weak on taste. Ensure that the tea you use is flavorful as well as aromatic or you will not experience the full joy of this variation of hot chocolate. Also, make sure that you use raspberry tea not raspberry leaf tea. Raspberry leaf tea can be bitter when over steeped and will not give the beautiful raspberry taste required to blend well with cocoa.
So if you feel like adding a little feminine boost to your day or love and protection, add some extra intent when trying out this Raspberry Hot Chocolate recipe.
Blessings
Image: http://media.photobucket.com/image/raspberry/alexwiciel/raspberry.png?o=88

Chocolate & Orange, 15th Day ~ 21 Days of Yule

2010-12-15T17:17:00.000-08:00

Well I am running a little bit behind but I figure it is still the 15th! So here is a little recipe for you that is just plain yummy! You know Terrys Chocolate Oranges, you just wack and unwrap? Well this is Faerie Sage’s Orange Hot Chocolate, just steep and drink!

Orange Hot Chocolate
Mix the cocoa, sugar and milk as outlined in the Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe. In a separate mug, steep approximately 1 tbsp of food high quality Orange tea in hot but not yet boiling water in a regular sized mug for five to ten minutes. Add this water to the chocolate mixture. Whisk well.
When making this recipe, I usually test the tea first, often orange teas can be very strong in scent but rather weak on taste. Ensure that the tea you use is flavourful as well as aromatic or you will not experience the full joy of this variation of hot chocolate.

As a different variation, if you find the tea to weak, you can use 1 tsp of orange zest, steep it in a tea ball or tea sock the same way you would any tea or infusion. This again is one to be careful with over steeping or using zest with too much white orange lining, instead of skin, can result in a bitter brew instead of a sweet orange chocolate flavour.
Orange is primarily used for purification in magic so if you feel like you need a little cleansing or just a tasty drink give orange Hot Chocolate a try!
Blessings

Image: http://media.photobucket.com/image/orange/rainbowella42/Christmas/holly/11324357027vB7QO.jpg?o=16

A variation on Chai 14th Day ~ 21 Days of Yule

2010-12-14T03:00:00.000-08:00

After speaking with one of my friends, we realized that many people have an intolerance or allergy to one of the many ingredients added to commercial Chai tea. So I thought why not share the next best thing to chai? So if you have a problem with what is added to commercial chai blends or don’t find that they suit you, give Cardamom a try. Cardamom is one of the main ingredients in most chai recipes, so if you like chai there is a good chance you will like cardamom, but if you don’t like chai you may still find cardamom pleasing. So for those of you who want to give it a whirl here is my recipe.

Cardamom Hot Chocolate
Make a batch of the Classic Hot Chocolate. Take 1 cardamom pod and gently crush it. Drop the pod into the hot chocolate and steep. The longer you steep it the stronger it will be. You can then strain the pod (and possibly seeds if you really crushed the pod) out or you can do as I do and leave them in, drinking around the little floating pod. If you only have cardamom seeds I recommend only using a pinch and then straining them out as they are very small. I only gently crush the pod then reuse it until the flavour is gone, but be careful of this as a cardamom pod which has gotten wet can go off very easily, so if you keep it check it carefully before reuse!

I generally use green cardamom, and it is the most common type called for in chai but feel free to try the other varieties as well, especially if you enjoy the green cardamom
This is a very simple way to add huge flavour to any drink, tea hot chocolate and coffee.
Cardamom is known magically for love and lust, so if you are in need of either consider adding cardamom to your cupboard of magic ingredients! Cardamom also goes amazingly in herbed rice or with quinoa or couscous.
Let me know, will you be adding Cardamom to your cupboard or do you have it already?
Blessings
PS If you have gallstones, avoid Cardamom because it stimulates the gallbladder and can cause a painful attack. Other wise unless you have gallstones please enjoy!
Image: http://media.photobucket.com/image/cardamom%20pods/KitchenBarbarian/BarbariansAtTheGate/Spices/cardamompods.jpg?o=1

Just Because, Day 13 ~ 21 Days of Yule

2010-12-13T03:00:00.000-08:00

This recipe brightens my day, so I thought who doesn’t need some cheeriness on a Monday?
I know most of you will be aghast, but I don’t drink Coffee, never have and I don’t intend to start. I’ll be honest, I love the smell, I love what good quality coffee aroma does to a house, and I grew up with that smell. I just never got a taste for drinking it! My partner does so, I have the best of both worlds, coffee smell with no waste :) but on to the point! I don’t drink coffee but I do drink Chai. I like all kinds, the chai syrup they use in coffee shops, loose leaf chai & black tea, chai infusions and homemade mixed from spices chai. If I drink a hot drink out at a coffee shop 10 to 1 it will be a Chai Latte. So I figured since it brings me such joy I would sprinkle my joy through blogland, with Chai Hot Chocolate!

Chai Hot Chocolate
Mix the cocoa, sugar and milk as outlined in the Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe. In a separate mug, steep approximately 1 tbsp of chai tea (or pure chai infusion) in hot (but not quite boiling) water, in a regular sized mug for five minutes. Add this water to the chocolate mixture. Whisk well.
Additions: Whipped Cream, Marshmallows, Cinnamon Stick, sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg ginger etc.

Hope you enjoy my own little sprinkle of joy!
Joyous Blessings!
Image:http://media.photobucket.com/image/loose%20chai/freerangetea/loosechai-1.jpg?o=1

A Recipe for the Evening or Getting Some Shut Eye 12th Day ~ 21 Days of Yule

2010-12-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Well, with Christmas parties in full swing and times being more hectic than ever, what happens to our sleep? The days are shorter but the time for sleep does not seem longer! We could all use some good sleep in time to come, so I figured that I would share with you one of my little ways to get some much needed extra rest.
Lavender. That’s right lavender, while it promotes luck, love and happiness; it is also an amazing tonic for a restful night’s sleep. To be honest if we knew we were lucky and loved and felt happy, I bet we would all sleep pretty well! So here it is...

~ Lavender Hot Chocolate II
Mix the cocoa, sugar and milk as outlined in the Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe. In a separate mug, steep approximately 1 tsp of food quality dried English lavender flowers in hot but not yet boiling water in a regular sized mug for five to ten minutes. Add this water to the chocolate mixture. Whisk well.
The lavender flowers in this recipe create a strong flavour, making it a more dynamic drink than regular hot chocolate or hot chocolate made with lavender sugar. How long you steep the flowers for will determine the strength of your brew. Also this can be done just as tea without the hot chocolate if it suits you better.

When I make this brew, it is all about bedtime and sleep, I put myself into the experience in every way, because my intention is to create a restful sleep. I put on my pj’s I get on my slippers and my snugly robe, I do my night time routine (except for my teeth), I get in the mood for sleep. Sometimes I put on quiet music, sometimes silence, whatever works for me at the time. Then when I am stirring the drink I focus on a wonderful restful night’s sleep and imagine my eyes are drooping shut at that very moment. I savour the drink, really relaxing and enjoying. The whole of this ritual is a part of a good sleep, a night time routine, quite peaceful atmosphere, the pj’s etc to tell your mind and body it is time for rest. Then the relaxation with a hot drink just to finish yourself off and send yourself to bed. The magic in this again is the lavender, the intention and the effort you put into YOU. So give it a try see what works for you and good night, sleep well.
Blessings
Image:http://media.photobucket.com/image/slippers/keslac/slippers.jpg?o=74

Adding a Little Spice to the Weekend 11th Day~21 Days of Yule

2010-12-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Weekend!
Since those of us who can are hanging out at home avoiding doing much out in the world (due to the backward movement of our favourite planet), I thought it would be appropriate to add a recipe to spice up your weekend.
Aztec Hot Chocolate
Make the Classic Hot Chocolate recipe, but add a pinch of Cayenne pepper.
Obviously this hot chocolate is hot! So only give it a try if you like heat.
For those of you who like sweet a little less, add only 1 ½ tbsp of sugar along with the cayenne, and you can always adjust the cayenne to your own preferences.
Cayenne is a masculine spice which adds power to any spell, it also adds spark and power to love. So if you are up for a little spice to your love life, try a little Aztec Hot Chocolate!
This recipe tends to be called Aztec Hot Chocolate because originally the Aztecs who first used cocoa mixed it with cayenne pepper. Back then cocoa was enjoyed it hot and bitter not sweet as we do now, as the Aztecs did not add any sweetener. So if you dare you can try this recipe with no sweetener, as the Aztecs did, but be prepared, it is a very different taste experience!
Image: http://media.photobucket.com/image/cayenne%20pepper/viryacarvalho/Gambar%20Buat%20Blog/05.jpg?o=22

Day 10 Sit back and watch the Crazyness! 21 Days of Yule

2010-12-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today Mercury officially begins the final retrograde of the calendar year. Lets sit back relax and watch the madness ensue! My hard drive has already revolted, refusing to even turn on and I am sure it will not be the only thing to act up in the next few weeks.
So lets sit back and relax and try to ease our way through this hectic retrograde, holiday time, with what else but Hot Chocolate!
Earlier in the month I promised you a second recipe for peppermint hot chocolate so without further ado here it is.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Mix the cocoa, sugar and milk as outlined in the Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe. In a separate mug, steep approximately 1 tbsp of peppermint tea in hot (but not quite boiling) water, in a regular sized mug for five minutes. Add this water to the chocolate mixture. Whisk well.
Additions: Whipped Cream, Marshmallows, Candy Cane.

While peppermint is good for healing it is also good for purification, in these days when everything is hectic, mixed up and just downright crazy, we have a couple of advantages, first we know what just hit us, and second rather than those who are clueless about `what`s going on` we can do something to calm ourselves! Peppermint will do just that, peppermint is healing and purifying, if your mom ever told you peppermint is good for digestion or for an upset tummy she was right. Peppermint soothes and purifies both inside and out, drink the tea or with hot chocolate this season to help keep yourself feeling clear of negative energies and to soothe that tummy ache too!
Blessings and luck, the next few weeks will be a whirl wind!

PS Check out the Handmade/Homemade For the holidays page and let me know if you have anything that I could add!
Image:http://media.photobucket.com/image/hot%20chocolate%20candy%20cane/prestonjjrtr/Christmas/hot-chocolate.jpg?o=1

Homemade for the Holidays Page

2010-12-09T17:56:00.000-08:00

Hello All!
The Homemade for the Holidays Page is finally up!
Please check it out and if you haven't pledged and wish to now, (even if you have already bought stuff) for the remainder of the season, please do so!
I am hoping to continue compiling more resources on this page for homemade and handmade things, so please email me or comment below to add any resource, blog post, etsy shop etc. That I may have missed.
I know that I have not gotten everyone's shops and posts up so if you have an etsy shop or an old post about how to handmake something please comment below and include the URL so that I can add it to the page. Hope you are all ready for the holidays and that you have lots of resources to add to the few I have gathered so far. So apologies in advance to whomever I have forgotten!
On With Homemade/Handmade for the Holidays
Blessings love and light!

Powering through the holidays Day 9~21 Days of Yule

2010-12-09T16:02:00.000-08:00

Well the week continues, and I continue to procrastinate over making gifts or updating my page or much of anything really! As those of you who follow regularly know, I have been down in the dumps lately so it seems time to add a little extra to my life and since I have not been very festive yet, let me introduce you to the first Yuletide drink which is really festive. Gingerbread Hot Chocolate! Now this hot chocolate can taste just like gingerbread, but it has a wide variation of flavours due to the ingredient mix.
Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
Combine 1 tbsp cocoa with a pinch of nutmeg, a pinch of cinnamon, and 1 tsp of ginger in a mortar, grind/mix them well. Transfer cocoa mixture to a regular sized mug then add 2 tbsp of brown sugar and 1 tbsp milk or 1 tbsp of Agave syrup/nectar and mix well. Cover with boiling water and stir. This recipe can work with regular sugar, but brown sugar or agave give a more realistic gingerbread taste. Vary the spice quantities to match your tastes.
Good additions to this are whipping cream, marshmallows, and cookies for dunking.
Now this recipe works amazingly well for adding a little power burst to your holiday.
~Cinnamon is used for success, love healing and protection
~Ginger is used for love money success and power
~Nutmeg for love protection and divination
When combining the three I usually focus on what they have in common, but you can focus on any combination, which suits you. For adding a little extra umph to your day I usually focus on what I need (extra power to healing or success etc) and then I stand back recognize that these spices have their own power. My intention here is allow the power of the spices to work with me, and enhance my day through their consumption. It might be simple but I have found it works for me.
So add a little festive touch, a boost to your day or just have a yummy drink for the whole family!
Blessings!
Image:http://media.photobucket.com/image/gingerbread%20man/SakariLUana/Christmas/gbreadman02.gif?o=8

A little Honey to Sweeten the Deal? Days 6, 7 & 8~ 21 Days of Yule

2010-12-08T20:12:00.000-08:00

All of you who read my blog know that something extra nice and sweet is on the menu for me right now so I figured that I would catch up with the 21 days of Yule with my three favourite honey hot chocolate recipes!
Day 6
Honeyed Hot Chocolate
In a regular sized mug mix 2 tsp of cocoa with 1 tbsp of honey, stir well with spoon used to add the honey, do not use a whisk or you will end up with a honeyed cocoa ball! Add boiling water pouring over the spoon then whisk well.
Day 7
Honeyed Dark Chocolate Hot Chocolate
This hot chocolate is not sweet, it tastes like you’re drinking 75% or 80% dark chocolate. So for dark chocolate lovers or those who like a less sweet drink, give this a try. In a regular sized mug mix 1 tbsp of cocoa with 1 tbsp of honey, stir well with spoon used to add the honey, do not use a whisk at this point unless you want a ball of honeyed cocoa! Add boiling water pouring over the spoon and then whisk well.
Day 8
Mint Dark Chocolate, Hot Chocolate
Mix the cocoa and honey as outlined in the Honeyed Dark Chocolate, Hot Chocolate. Separately steep 1 Tbsp mint leaves in hot (but not quite boiling) water, in a regular sized mug for five minutes. Add this water to the chocolate mixture. Whisk well.

Now since I have gone over a number of things about honey, I thought that you might like a little extra info.
~ In ancient times honey was of such a value that it was used to pay taxes.
~Armor the god of love dipped his arrows in honey.
~Honey has been used as a food source and as a way to create amazing intoxicating beverages since ancient Egypt.
~While cane and beet sugar have only carbs and calories honey has some of every major nutrient except vitamin A
~Due to the fact that honey is digested quicker than beet or cane sugar it prevents fermentation in the digestive tract.
~Honey also helps one sleep as honey is a mild sedative!
~There are over 100 recipes for beauty (face, hair, nails) in which Honey is a main ingredient.
Apparently I need to eat more honey!
To all of my followers thank you so much for your support, it has meant the world to me, I am admittedly burning myself out this holiday season, so I promise to take a break, get some down time and take care of me, Thank you all.
Blessings Love and Light to each of You!
Ref: Parkhill, Joe. The Wonderful World of Honey a sugarless cookbook. Cookbook publishers Inc. Kansas 1977
Image:http://media.photobucket.com/image/honey%20comb/whispers_on_the_wind/warrior_pics/organic_honey_comb.jpg?o=7

The Line

2010-12-07T16:35:00.000-08:00

Let me ask you, my readers, where do you draw the line? Where in your life do you say enough is enough, this is too much or has gone too far? Where do you say Stop! this is not ok with me. At what point have you woken up and thought this was not what I signed up for.
Currently in my I am having a hard time getting things to go right. To be honest I am even having a hard time phrasing this because I am trying so hard to stay positive and keep the dialog positive that I am struggling to conceive of this situation as a good one. I will state up front that I am fully aware that later on I will see why this is so good or what I learned, how I grew or how it needed to happen. Right now though I need to get out of the blues. You can call it whatever you want, being in a bad place, depression, the blues, mercury in retrograde, having s**t luck, whatever, all I know is I am starting to ask myself where do I draw the line?
Let me fill you in on my life as of now, I live with my partner Mr. H, we live in a small beautiful studio, it not only owned by but also on the same plot of land as Mr H’s mothers home. So if Mr H and I were married, I could say I live with my mother in law. We live here due to the fact that neither of us have been able to find gainful employment since returning to Canada from New Zealand, where I completed my masters degree. Now I was clear here we were not able to find gainful employment, I was working for a time before I was seriously injured, but I made so little at the job we could not survive on it alone. While we had great dreams and wonderful plans they seemed to float into a foggy background when being able to pay our rent and feed ourselves at the same time became an impossibility. So we packed up our things, and made the move away from my family and down to the coast where we could live in the empty studio which Mr. H’s mother owns, in order to keep a roof over our heads and food in our mouths. Mr H’s mom is generous to a fault, she keeps us warm, housed, and fed all out of her own pocket, now she isn’t a poor woman, but she isn’t rich either. Whatever way you look at it I am still living with my partners family, which for anything more that about 2 weeks starts to become challenging for anyone. To be sure we get along, that does not mean that life, living with your mother in law is easy, for whatever reason it is hard on me.
So to sum up, I have a masters degree and all the dept that comes along with it, I have no income, Mr H has no income, I am still recovering from a serious injury for which I was hospitalized, I live with my mother in law (technically she’s not as Mr H and I are not married, story of my life) I have no vehicle and no savings, I am a twenty six year old who has a Masters degree and is ready to take on life, at the same time I feel like I have nothing.
So when the bad days come they can be really bad, it’s just things are bad, they are really really bad. I know that I have a roof over my head and food and access to amenities which many do not, so really while I appreciate comments I don’t need to be told all the things I can be thankful for, for the last 9 months I have been being thankful for all the things I do have, my reward? Those things are then taken away from me. I am tired, I don’t want to do this any more, I want things to finally turn around, I want that break, that luck, that moment of truth to come along and for things to finally get better, So here is my question Universe or Goddess or the Gods, I have been thankful, still am, I have been strong and brave, and weak and bedridden, I have sacrificed, I have pushed through, so when does my luck come? where is my break? When do I see the wonderful sacred power of awesomeness that is out there for me?
So I woke up this morning and wanted to crawl back into dreamland, because all I want is for the positivity I put out into the world to finally come back to me, and I feel too tired to wait.
So here it goes, I am thankful for my family and my wonderful partner, the generosity of Mr H’s family, the roof over my head, the fact that I have clothes and shoes and food in my tummy, I have a snugly robe, I have access to internet and to the telephone, I have a mini fridge and a little space to call my own, I have a bathroom and a shower, I have a cat who loves me, I have books and movies and some of my own things, I am smart and pretty and funny, I am talented, I have a degree and I can do art and calligraphy, I am brave and strong, I know when to admit weakness and when to ask for help, I try to be graceful and I am kind.
So readers where do you draw the line with the universe or whatever/whichever gods you believe in? and if anyone tells me the universe only sends you what you can handle, bite me, I am so tired of hearing that, I am really beginning to believe that I did something nasty in a past life that I am being punished for it now, or else the universe/gods really are cruel.
I am at the point of wondering, where do you draw the line of what is living? When do you cease to live your life and instead are simply alive? I am alive no question, but am I living? I cannot go anywhere, I cannot do anything, the only things I can do are things I am allowed to do by the generosity of others, I am allowed to borrow a vehicle occasionally for a good reason, I am allowed to use the phone and the internet, sometimes I am allowed a coffee, I am allowed to eat the food in the house. So if I am not able to do anything on my own, am I living my life or am I simply alive? This is the line I have been considering.
So where do you draw the line in your life?
Readers I do want to assure you that while I am feeling down I am not out nor am I giving up on life! I just need an outlet at times to share all the difficult and overwhelming feelings which tumble around inside me, so thank you for listening
Blessings love and light to your lives!
PS Recipes etc for the 21 days of Yule will return shortly!

Bringing the Happy Back to the Happiest time of the Year: 5th~21 Days of Yule

2010-12-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

While Christmas/Yule is often touted as the Merriest or Happiest time of the year how often do we discover just the opposite? We are running around like mad, we have no time, there is extra pressure, from ourselves, our communities, and our families, we feel the money crunch, and let’s face it this is the darkest time of year. If you head out into any shopping mall or busy street, and just feel the vibes, happiness is not what you pick up! Most often people are irritable, snippy or just plain angry and unhappy due to the pressures of the season. So in this time of joy, which so quickly turns into un-joy, why not spread some luck and love and happiness?

Today’s recipe is Lavender Hot Chocolate.
Since lavender promotes luck, love and happiness, add some to hot chocolate to bring love and happiness into your home, or if you’re a community type, whip up a batch and serve it at the next community festive get-together.
This particular recipe does not have a strong lavender taste; instead it is simply a hint of something different in regular cocoa. As such this recipe is the perfect one to serve for a covert Kitchen Witch! Because it lacks a strong flavour but still has the essence of lavender, it can be served to the whole family to promote love and happiness or to a community for the same effect, with no one knowing that it has the singular purpose of creating happiness.
My one caveat here is that when doing this spell for a community one must concentrate on community spirit and love and happiness for all. Do not add in extra wishes for particular people or go overboard and ask for the community to all win the lotto! In this instance the point of serving a cocoa to the community is to bring the community together for a happy fun event, to avoid squabbles and hard feelings and to be together in peace.
So on to the recipe!

Lavender Hot Chocolate
The most important thing in making this recipe, apart from having the proper ingredients and *mixing well* is the intention one has when creating it. For this recipe focus all of your intent on stirring love and happiness into the drink. Since with cocoa mixing is key, you will have plenty of opportunities to mix love and happiness into the drink. If the drink is intended for self or family, try to visualize the love and happiness flowing into the drink along with seeing yourself and your family loving and happy, at peace with no stress. If this drink is being made for a community see my notes above. This extra visualization along with the intent used when making the drink and mixing in a clockwise direction all enhance the spell. As an extra I almost always mumble a blessing appropriate to the spell I am creating (usually made up on the spot and forgotten just as quickly!) By mumbling words, this again enhances the spell and reaffirms your intentions for the drink/s.

So, follow the Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe, but substitute Lavender Icing sugar for regular sugar. This recipe has a subtle lavender taste, as the lavender has permeated the sugar but no whole lavender is used in the recipe itself. Allowing it to be used for large groups of people and enjoyed by many people with different tastes and preferences.
Additions: whipping cream, marshmallows, candy cane cinnamon stick.
For a stronger Lavender taste try I will be sharing a recipe, Lavender Hot Chocolate II, which has more personal uses later in the 21 Days of Yule

Concerning Lavender Sugar
Lavender sugar can be purchased in most high end stores, but you can also make your own with food grade lavender, sugar and time.
Place 2 tbsp of food grade lavender inside muslin fabric and secure well. Put one cup of sugar into a glass jar with a tight fitting lid, place the packet of lavender into the sugar secure the lid and shake well. Let this sit for a few weeks, shaking occasionally. The sugar is done when one tbsp of sugar removed from the jar smells of lavender (Usually about 2 weeks). Once the lavender sugar is done, it will need to be dried and unless you live in a very dry climate where this can be done on the counter, you will need to dry the sugar at the lowest setting in your oven. Simply spread the sugar on a baking tray (lined can help) and bake until it is no longer sticky. Do NOT use a higher setting to dry it faster! You will end up with runny caramelized lavender sugar.

To Make Lavender Sugar into Lavender Icing Sugar, all you require is lavender sugar a blender and any type of starch. For this recipe the less flavourful the starch the better, I normally use arrowroot, but cornstarch or tapioca starch can be used as well.
Take 1 cup of Lavender Sugar and put it into the blender. Secure the blender; blend the lavender sugar, alternating between pulsing and steady blending. Once the lavender sugar begins to loosen and look like icing sugar stop the blender. At this point when you take the lid off of the blender, be careful! The sugar will be fine and becoming very powdery and dry, it will puff into the air easily and can be inhaled, causing coughing and sneezing, so take care. Now add 1 tbsp of starch. Re-secure the blender and continue blending using pulsing and steady blending until the sugar reaches the desired consistency, this final stage usually takes less than five minutes. Remove your Lavender Icing Sugar from the blender carefully and enjoy.
So why not go back to old times, sit with your family on a dark evening with some cocoa and bring love and happiness back into the holiday season.
Bright Blessings for Love and Happiness.
Images: http://media.photobucket.com/image/hot%20cocoa/redox79/hot_cocoa.jpg?o=6, http://media.photobucket.com/image/lavender%20flowers/rotterdam62/FLOWERS%20-%20LAVENDER/5184lavender.jpg?o=16

Cocoa for Kids Day 4 of the 21 Days of Yule

2010-12-04T12:44:00.000-08:00

As that person who is always at least ten minutes early for everything, I seem to be perpetually behind this December (I blame you Mercury retrograde!).
So today I have oodles I want to share with you!

First off is our 21 days of Yule Hot Chocolate!
Actually today is not a new recipe but some tips and tricks for combining cocoa and kids.
As cocoa is bitter and most kids don’t like that kind of taste, I have seen more than my fair share of kids who would not drink cocoa, opting for the filler and sugar filled pre-mixed alternatives. So here are some tips for making sure that kids enjoy their cocoa and are not put off of this wonderful drink.

1. Always mix well! Making sure that the cocoa is mixed fully into the drink with no lumps will ensure that the kids don’t get a mouthful of dry bitter cocoa.

2. Always mix well! I know this is the last tip but it cannot be overstated!

3. Once in the mug mix together the cocoa and the sweetener of your choice, since cocoa has a tendency to lump, especially in damp climates, this will break up any pre-existing lumps in your cocoa, prior to any liquid being added.

4. Always premix with a small (1 tbsp usually works) amount of liquid first. Mixing your dry cocoa and sweetener with a small amount of milk or water will help reduce the lumps that form when you pour in the hot water. By mixing your dry with a small amount of liquid you can create a smooth consistency and can ensure that all the lumps are mixed in before you add the hot liquid, thus reducing the chances of those fatal bitter lumps!

5. Invest in a mini whisk and use it! I have two mini whisks that fit perfectly into a regular sized mug. Using a whisk instead of a spoon, (for most recipes) breaks up the lumps quickly and far more effectively than does a spoon etc. Whisking at each step is highly recommended.

6. Once you pour in the water mix again! Are you surprised? Of course not ;) Once the hot liquid is poured into the mug, mix the contents again, this will ensure that you catch any lumps not previously vanquished and it allows you to ensure that the cocoa in the bottom is fully mixed through the drink, avoiding the dreaded sludge at the bottom of the cup!

7. If you do encounter lumps once the cup has been filled, (they are usually obvious, floating to the top to taunt you) you can either attempt to mix them in, (use a whisk) or you can scoop them off with a spoon.

8. Stir the drink regularly, if it is a child’s drink and they are old enough to handle it on their own, allow them to have a cinnamon stick, candy cane, spoon etc to stir the drink with, and encourage them to stir it not only to keep the contents from settling but also to help cool the drink. I do not recommend ever using straws in hot chocolate; they are a burned tongue and usually a mess, waiting to happen.

These tips and tricks will allow you to serve hot chocolate (cocoa really) to kids and adults alike without the lumpy bitter experience that can ruin a good hot drink.

To entice kids back into hot chocolate who ‘don’t like it’ cause of a bad/bitter experience

1. Let them taste yours

2. Let them help you make it and show them why it was bitter before (the cocoa) and why it will be sweet this time, two spoonfuls of sugar to quell the bitter 1 spoon of cocoa

3. Add an extra prize, marshmallows, whipping cream, candy cane to sir. All may entice the child to ‘try again’

A warning here, make sure that you taste the child’s drink BEFORE you give it to them and ensure that it is truly sweet and something they will enjoy, if something is wrong, explain (the cocoa monster is to bitter) and remix another drink. Also remind them to stir the drink often as it cools, or if there is sludge in the bottom, allow them to leave it instead of making them drink it.
With these tips and tricks all the kids (big and small) in your family/community can enjoy a nice hot cocoa!

Next Up Homemade/Handmade for the Holidays!
Gypsy over at Gypsy Gumbo has a wonderful story of handmade joy in her area, and Teresa at Embracing My Goddess-Self has a few beautiful recipes for homemade seasonal potpourri. I will be updating the Homemade for the holidays post, and creating its own page with ideas for homemade gifts links to wonderful etsy shops and links to other great crafters ideas. I will also be posting some of my own pictures and ideas but I have to be thoughtful on this since my family does read my blog!
Feel free to check out the other 21 Days of Yule participants, through Aisha’s Blog By the Broomstick and especially check out Aine at The Deepest Well, she is giving away a bell wand! A most generous and amazing gift for whoever receives it!

Finally
A heads up for the holiday season, I will be away visiting family for the holidays, the dates are not yet finalized but it will be a couple of weeks. Now this would not be a problem if I was visiting a normal town, Im not. The place I am going has dial-up at the library. Period. So with no cell phones and no internet, I will not be commenting, responding or posting during this time, cause I just don’t have access! I will however have pre-prepared posts that I will schedule during this time, and I may have the chance to check in briefly while visiting with my sister who is in the 21 century technology wise. So just so everyone knows I will not be around, my posts are scheduled and I will comment, return comments and post up new stuff after I arrive home in the new year. As soon as I know I will let you know when I am off to the quiet relaxing land where neither a cell phone nor computer works!
Blessings!

Alternate Hot Chocolates Day 3: 21 Days of Yule

2010-12-03T20:34:00.000-08:00

Running behind again, well its late but still the third! For today I wanted to share with you substitutions or variations on the Classic Hot Chocolate recipe. These variations are aimed at those who do not want to use, or in some cases must strictly limit their use of sugar. These recipes can be used in place of the Classic hot Chocolate recipe for almost all of the variations I will be posting I am including below recipes for hot chocolate using Honey, Agave syrup and Stevia.
Honeyed Hot Chocolate
In a regular sized mug mix 2 tsp of cocoa with 1 tbsp of honey, stir well with spoon used to add the honey, do not use a whisk or you will end up with a honeyed cocoa ball! Add boiling water pouring over the spoon then whisk well. Make sure to mix your drink often as honey will settle as the drink cools.
~For honey hot chocolates I recommend using unpasteurized honey, the clear golden runny kind rather than the buttery hard kind (pasteurized). The kind and type of honey which you chose will ultimately influence the taste of your drink. If you like honey and have a favourite kind, use that. If you are newer to honey try a standard honey or a flower honey, from your area. For these recipes I use a blackberry honey, which simply means the majority of the nectar collected by the bees which made the honey was from blackberry flowers. Always keep in mind that the taste of the honey will be the main taste behind the chocolate and that each honey has its own unique taste.

Agave Syrup Hot Chocolate
Follow the recipe for Honeyed Hot Chocolate, but use 1 tbsp + ¼ tsp of Agave syrup.

Substituting Stevia for Sugar
In these hot chocolate recipes, substitute approximately 1/16 tsp of powdered Stevia for every 2 tbsp of sugar.
While I am aware of the controversy surrounding Stevia, I am also aware of what stevia is made from, I myself would like to grow a stevia plant. If you do not feel comfortable using this type of sweetener please don’t, if you do however wish to try an alternate sweetener to sugar, but would like to avoid chemicals etc, stevia is a plant based sweetener which is much stronger than sugar and far fewer calories. I myself used Splenda for years until I discovered that Splenda was actually being manufactured as a pesticide until it was discovered that it was extraordinarily sweet. Pure Splenda is far sweeter than sugar and does not measure cup for cup with sugar, instead Splenda is mixed with high amounts of filler so that it will measure cup for cup with sugar. Splenda has no calories because the body does not digest it, instead it passes right through us with completely unknown side effects. I personally don’t use Splenda because of these reasons.

Now on to the magical bits!
Honey is known for love & happiness, hence honeymoon and for weight loss. As honey is not habit forming like sugar it can replace sugar, without the corresponding craving for sweets produced by consumption of processed sugars, thus aiding in weight loss.
Agave, (Maguey or American Aloe) is used for lust potions, enjoy :)
So if you are fond of love and happiness and what comes with these, whip up some alternate hot chocolates today!
Blessings
The majority of my herb lore comes for one of Cunningham's various books on the subject

21 Days of Yule, Day 1 & 2

2010-12-02T15:45:00.000-08:00

21 Days of Yule
Well as Aine from The Deepest Well said, better late than never! Check out Aisha’s blog By the Broomstick, for the details of the 21 Days of Yule and for the other participants.
Since I missed day one, and have had a chance to see the other participant’s contributions thus far, I will be doing a slightly different twist one the 21 days. So many people are sharing traditions and customs and histories, I thought I would stick with what I know, kitchen Witchery. So I will tell you about my customs and my traditions but the main bulk of my 21 days will be specialty recipes and magics for the kitchen.
So without further ado I will be sharing my 21 days of Yule hot chocolate!

21 Days of Yule: Day 1 Classic Hot Chocolate
To start out I will share with you the basic recipe I use to make hot chocolate, now I don’t use mix, I use real cocoa, so if you don’t have any go out and get some, cause you will want to try at least one of the recipes over the coming days!
Classic Hot Chocolate
In a regular sized mug combine 1 tbsp of cocoa with 2 tbsp of sugar or icing sugar, depending on your preference. Add approximately 1 tbsp of milk/cream (again depending on preference), and whisk until smooth with no lumps, if any lumps remain they will result in a mouthful of dry cocoa or sugar & cocoa. Fill the cup with boiling water, whisk thoroughly. Enjoy, carefully it is hot!
Additions: Whipped Cream, Marshmallows, Cinnamon Stick, Candy Cane, cookies to dip.
For a larger mug: For the chocolate lover with a larger mug simply double the recipe. For the less chocolate inclined with a larger than normal mug, one and one half the recipe.
Note: For this recipe the icing sugar makes the mixture smoother and creamier while reducing the effort required in blending the wet and dry ingredients. The cream with give a more full bodied taste but skim milk will make just as good a drink.
Cocoa is most regularly associated with the Aztecs and as ‘The Food of the Gods’. It has its own natural caffeine and is considered a very mild stimulant and an aphrodisiac. What could be better for the darkest time of the year than a mild stimulant which is also an aphrodisiac? Food of the Gods is right!

21 Days of Yule: Day 2 Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Follow the Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe using a large mug, but in addition to the milk add 1 to 2 drops of Peppermint extract. Do not add more! The first time you try this recipe mix a batch of Classic hot chocolate and add a single drop of peppermint extract to the full cup and taste, if a more pepper-minty flavour is desired add another drop.
If you want to try peppermint hot chocolate but dislike the strong flavour of the peppermint extract, wait a bit and try Peppermint Hot Chocolate II (Coming Soon!) for a different take on a peppermint hot chocolate.
Additions: Whipped Cream, Marshmallows, Candy Cane.
Peppermint is commonly used for its healing powers, when you add the peppermint, concentrate on healing or mumble words of healing over the drink while stirring clockwise, to create a warm soothing and healing delight.

Truth 30

2010-11-30T03:00:00.000-08:00

A letter to yourself, tell yourself everything you love about yourself.
Dear Faerie Sage,
I am writing you a letter to tell you everything I love about you (me really :)). So here it goes, I love; that my Hawaiian name is Lulu, that I have huge curly hair that on bad days will eat animals and small children and on good days makes me feel like a real in the flesh goddess, that I was brave enough to move to another country half way around the world and that I was brave enough to complete the 30 posts of truth on a public forum. I love; that I sing along with my favourite songs even though I have no tune :), that I am artistic (painting, drawing, calligraphy, sketching, sculpting, photography), that I fit into kids shoes (little faerie feet), that I sew stuffed animals and garden. I love; the fact that I like to learn, that I won’t iron but still do the laundry and that I am smart, scientist smart. I love; that I like what I like and don’t apologize for it, that I am kooky weird odd and totally unique, that I belly-dance, that I’m still stuck in the 80’s doing step aerobics and that I am honest. I love; that fair play justice and integrity mean something to me and I try to stand for these principles, that I have a book of 5000 spells and still write my own and that I have not strayed from my dream, I am still pursuing a career in archaeology. I love; that I am a chocoholic, that I write a blog, that I read the classics (Shakespeare, Dickens, Dante, Machiavelli) and that I read trashy sci-fi books too. I love; that I wear striped or mismatched socks, that I really care about other people and that I put the time in to keep great relationships with my close family. I love; that there are over 30 spices/herbs in my house and I still have not collected half of what I want, that I can cook and bake and invent new recipes that sometimes even work, I love that I have cast iron pots, that I can handle a ton of snow or -30C (-22 F) and that I know what to do in a power outage. I love; that I am learning to use an antique singer sewing machine, that I love sharpies, (all sizes all colours), that I am Canadian, that it does not matter to me where you come from, that I don’t drink fizzy drinks, coffee or energy drinks, that I do eat sugar, meat and cheese. I love; that I seal Christmas/Yule cards with a wax seal, that I can play multiple instruments (euphonium, bass guitar, zills, clarinet and ukulele) that I believe in magic, that I love the sun and the moon and that I am very organized (OCD style, which should be CDO alphabetically). I love; that I love shiny, sparkly, dazzly things, that I take my health and welfare seriously and care for myself, that I have never and will never need to wear mascara and that I use bells in my daily life. I love that I love myself, that I am a wonderful person and that I am a goddess.
Sincerely Faerie Sage
While this has been one of the hardest posts of truth it has also been one of the most rewarding. I am going to keep this post as a reminder to myself to be read in tough times, and am reserving for myself the right to add to it any time I want.
I hope you will try to answer this question for yourself, everyone could use a letter like this, tucked away for tougher times.
I want to say thank you again to all of my followers who have read along with my 30 posts of truth, your comments, words of kindness and support have been wonderful. Whether you commented or silently journeyed with me Thank You. All of the questions for the 30 posts of truth along with my own blog entries can be found (text only) on my page 30 posts of truth.
So I now say goodbye to November and the 30 posts of Truth. Blessings, love and light to each of you, may your journey be as blessed as mine has been.
Image: http://media.photobucket.com/image/wax%20seal/deviltau/silver-wax-seal_heart.jpg?o=26

Sleep - Joyful Monday

2010-11-29T22:22:00.000-08:00

Well I will admit that sleep brings me great joy, as does snuggling in bed before sleep and prior to getting up. Snuggling in general along with the divine feeling of having a wonderful sleep tends to make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Today since Joane over at the Ivory Pumpkin is bring up joyful things, I wanted to add a few extras of my own. First tomorrow is the last day of the 30 posts of truth for me. I am both joyful to have finished and a little sad to be ending this healing journey. These posts have not only allowed me to heal they have also allowed me to share a little bit of myself with my readers. The response I have received from these posts has been overwhelming and wonderful, so I would like to thank everyone who read along on my 30 posts journey and to thank those who commented for their kind words and support. The thirtieth post of truth I fear will be the hardest, but it will be done, and the 30 posts of truth and November will end together.
Next I wish to add some joy to mine or another crafty kitchen witches life, fly on over to The Year of the Cats where Wendy and her kitties are giving away a wonderful marvelous amazing kitchen witch giveaway!
Finally I want to encourage all of you to check out Jennifer’s new site Silver Lining Studios. She is extremely talented and a wonderful, caring, kind person and writes the amazing blog Confessions of a Kitchen Witch. She can create the most wonderful memories, I encourage anyone who wants to have their memories turned into something special to visit, Jennifer does an amazing job and will not disappoint so spread the word, cause this is the real deal!
So today, sleep, snuggling, The Year of the Cats Kitchen Witch Giveaway and Silver Lining Studios, make this an amazingly Joyful Monday!
Image: Is sole property of Silver Lining Studios found at http://silverliningmemories.blogspot.com/

Truth 29

2010-11-29T03:00:00.000-08:00

Something you hope to change about yourself.
Well this can be taken so many ways. On the physical side of things I would love to be the perfect weight and to not suffer from allergies, but I think this post might warrant a deeper interpretation. When considering this post on a level of one’s personality I have to admit, I don’t want to change myself. I am more than happy to grow and to improve myself, but I don’t want to, nor do I think I should have to, change myself. We all grow and ultimately change with time, but I want to evolve and grow and experience my life as a journey from one wonderful self to a new wonderful self. I am sure there are characteristics about myself which could be changed and there are many that I would like to work on and improve, but really life is about the journey and I want to experience it. I am including a number of things which during my journey I would like to work on or improve. I would like to love myself more, to fill up my own cup before I give to others and to properly recharge my own battery. I would like to take better care of myself, including good exercise, good food, more time with friends and always including things I LOVE in my day. I would like to be clearer with myself and with my goals. I would like to take criticism better and to not take everything so personally. Ultimately I hope to continue to be the nice, empathetic, compassionate, loving, honest person I believe myself to be.
So would you change you? Or would you want to improve on who you already are?
Image:http://media.photobucket.com/image/footprints/raven6212/footprints.jpg?o=17

Truth 28

2010-11-28T13:45:00.001-08:00

What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant what would you do?
Well I have considered this before. Just the, ‘what if?’ I don’t truly know. I am pro choice, personally I believe every woman has the right to choose. At the same time I also believe that if the father is involved, active in the relationship etc, then he should also be involved in any decision, I myself want children and I expect that this would affect my choice. For myself all I can say is that I would do what I felt was right at the time and for the circumstances. I apologize if anyone thinks that this is a cop-out, but I have thought about this in detail and to great depth and I do not have an answer. To answer this question I would actually have to be in the situation, what if just doesn’t work, simply because, well I’M NOT in that situation :). This is one of those odd questions where I just simply cannot project myself into the scenario, without being there, understanding the circumstances, and actually being pregnant, I just cannot answer this question honestly. I could say yes, or no, but the answer would ultimately be a lie or at least without conviction, it could be what I might do, but that’s not the question, what might you do if you were pregnant... so I simply cannot say because I don’t know.
Blessings

Truth 27

2010-11-27T03:00:00.000-08:00

What’s the best thing going for you right now?
The best thing going for me right now is that I have wonderful supportive people around me. I have my partner Mr H who is kind loving and supportive in every way. I have my family (my parents & sister) who are the same they love me unconditionally and support me however they can. I have a blogging community that is supportive and inclusive of my views, people who support me without having ever met me and allow me to be exactly who I am. I have friends who love me and cherish me. So really the best thing going for me right now are the people I surround myself with, me included!
So Blessings to all you wonderful people who support me in person and through blog-land, you are bright rays of sunshine in my life!

Truth 26

2010-11-26T13:58:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought about giving up on life? When and Why?
Yes. I have thought about giving up, I have thought that the world, my partner and my family would all be better off if I was gone. This feeling did not start overnight and there are times when it still creeps into my thoughts. It started over two years ago when I began the long journey to achieve my Masters degree. I applied and was accepted to complete the program at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. While this was amazing for me, it also had some downsides, the program was only one year, so I had no time to pre-prep or get used to a new country, as would have been possible in a two year masters. The other downside was that the medications in New Zealand are different than here in Canada.
This is very important since, right from the beginning I have had troubles with my menstruation. My cycle is erratic, coming three times in one month then leaving for untold amounts of time. More often than not my cycle comes too often and for much too long, 10 to 14+ days threatening to place me in hospital due to blood loss. So since I left high school, I have used the birth control pill in order to help regulate my hormones. This too has not always been successful, the dosage kept having to be upped in order to control my cycle as it easily overrode lower dosages, making the pill useless.
So in New Zealand my birth control was changed to a NZ brand which required a very high dosage, this, along with other factors, including homesickness, lack of social outlet and extreme stress, caused me to slide deeper and deeper into an unseen and untreated depression. By the time I returned to Canada, I was severely depressed, I contemplated life being better without me. I was lucky as I spoke about these feelings with my family and with my doctor. I was able to have my medication changed, to reflect a more appropriate level and to talk with someone about how I felt. It always sounds stupid, but I dislike pain to an extreme extent, this is a godsend because I am aware that EVERY form of suicide hurts, so I won’t do it, cause I know it will hurt. Recovery has been long and difficult and there are days when the depression seems like it is back, the last few days have been such, just very hard and like I have to struggle not to sit on the floor and cry. Other days are better, I do well, have fun and am happy. I am glad to announce that I have officially received the news that I have passed my masters degree, (thought it has not made finding a job any easier!)
I feel today as I did yesterday, that something is just off, there is something lurking something not right, it isn’t wrong, just not right. I am hoping to take some steps today to help alleviate this feeling and to re-adjust the space around me to a more positive happy space, so that my positive happy feelings can return. I also wish to say thank you to all of my followers and to all those ladies who comment, and send me joy and blessings. This little blogging community I have found has become one of the most important healing things I have done. Prior to this I have never had a community around me who knows what I believe, has similar (but not necessarily the same) beliefs I do and who supports and stands with me. So to all of you out there in blog land thank you. I have stood facing the road of giving up and was able to choose a different path, with the help of family and my partner and the healing of this little community in blog-land.
Blessings to all of you.

Truth 25

2010-11-25T12:18:00.000-08:00

I'm running a little late today which is odd because here in Canada it is just a random Thursday! It must be all the busy mojo from all my friends south of the border! Better late than never I guess!
The reason you believe you are still alive today.
The reason I am still alive today is simple, my family. My wonderful sister, my loving mother, my supportive dad, my partner Mr H. I have been in some trying times recently and it is my family who are there for me and who help me out when I really need it. If it were not for my family the negativity would have won by now and through the universes design or my own I would be beyond the veil by now.
To be honest today has been a tough day already, between the bad dreams (I don`t normally get due to wards and a protected house) the internet & phone crashing out and my oven going skitzo and burning things before they should even be half cooked, there is something afoot. I have been having flashes of my totem all last night and today, but I dont know what she is trying to tell me, I have also been having flashes of Goddesses, me thinks it is time to do some research and re-protect, ward & smudge the whole house.
I am feeling down and upset and so today I am asking, as you enjoy your turkey or your Thursday, would you send some positivity my way, it seems I need it.
Blessings

Truth 24

2010-11-24T03:00:00.000-08:00

To my readers, this posting will mean very little to you, it is a post of truth and it represents exactly that. It is a truth that I want to share both out of honesty and because it helps me to heal. I hope you can read it and in your own way remember someone you cared for who is no longer in your daily life. This posts puts little intrinsic value out to the reader, but is valuable in that it allows me to heal and I hope it will find value in inspiring you the reader to think of someone who is far from you with love and joy.

Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Title artist & Letter)
When You Dream ~ Barenaked Ladies
Red Flag ~ Billy Talent
Don’t Worry Be Happy ~ Bob Marly
All My Life ~ K-Ci & JoJo
The Real Slim Shady ~ Eminem
Boyz In The Hood ~ Dynamite Hack
All Good Things Come To An End ~ Nelly Furtado
Together Again ~ Janet Jackson
My Immortal ~ Evanescence
Angel ~ Shaggy

Dear S.L.E.
I know you will enjoy these songs, wherever you are right now. When you dream represents the mystery that was you, while Red Flag honours the losses you suffered when you were so young. Don’t Worry Be Happy, well this song was you! All My Life, because you loved this song and knew it would be true. The Real Slim Shady and Boyz in the Hood, because even though you weren’t, you were ‘gangster’. All Good things do come to an end and the song commemorates that. Together Again, because even though you are not around I can look up at the stars and know you are still there. My Immortal reminds me of you, every time I hear it, it is you. Finally Angel, because this was our song.
Hugs, enjoy & I love you.
Image:http://photobucket.com/images/vinyl%20records/#!cpZZ2QQtppZZ20

Truth 23

2010-11-23T03:00:00.000-08:00

Something you wish you had done in your life.
At 26 I don’t wish about things I ‘could have done’ for me there have been no opportunities which I could have taken in my younger days but turned down. Instead what I have are dreams, I have dreams and hopes and plans. There are so many things I want to do, but I refuse to think of them as things I could have done and instead I think of them as things I am going to do. I will not take my life for granted putting off what I want to do, but neither will I look back at my life and mourn what could have been. I have had a blessed, amazing life so far and I will put all the effort in to make sure my life continues to be amazing and blessed.
I hope you do the same, Blessings.
Image:http://media.photobucket.com/image/could%20have%20been/Cliche-to-the-End/allwaysmiss.jpg?o=57

Me Time, Joyful Mondays

2010-11-22T21:33:00.000-08:00

Me Time...
How coincidental, I had a whole day to myself as well. I love me time that is truly yours, where the demands of family and household can be set aside and you can enjoy your day. I had some of that today. I made applesauce, from beautiful frozen apples off of the tree in our front garden, I also made brownies with chocolate icing and I completed a batch of lavender sugar. I took time out for me, with extra pampering for my face and hair, I also took this time to chat with my mom and my sister. I got a little crafting done, though not as much as I need to with Christmas/Yule approaching and my Homemade for the Holidays Pledge! I tried today to take some time out and only spent minimal time on the computer, though the chat with my sister was on Skype. I sit hear smelling brownies, snuggled by a cat, tasting a late supper and heave a sigh of peace. All I can hope is that tomorrow is like today, that I stay warm in the winter that has engulfed our little piece of the country and that I can stay as happy as I am right now.
Blessings and sleep well.

Truth 22

2010-11-22T03:00:00.000-08:00

Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.
Well I guess we all have regrets, but the older I get the more I look back and see reasons for why things happen. It doesn’t necessarily mean I am happy with what has happened or how things turned out, but really there are not many of my own choices which I regret. Often I wish things that I had no control over could have been different, and other times what seemed like such a bad thing at the time turned out sooo much better, or allowed me to grow and move forward in my life. So there is nothing profound I wish I had not done, I look back and am glad for my experience, though there are times when I wish things were different. I could have saved myself a lot of trouble by leaving a past partner, instead I stayed because I just wasn’t sure how to proceed alone, it happened anyway and I did just fine. So I guess the truth today is simply that when something goes wrong or you make a bad choice, just remember not everything in the works is seen by us in each moment, it’s a good witch who sees the final outcome and says a quite ah-ha, as things slip into place.
Blessings, and wishes for ah-ha moments to each of you.
Image:http://media.photobucket.com/image/puzzle%20pieces/SuperSunnyM14/Puzzle.jpg?o=33

Truth 21

2010-11-21T03:00:00.000-08:00

(Scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
*Sigh* Ok I am reminding myself that this is healing.
If you have been following along with my posts of truth, you will know that I lost my best friend when I was 18 (and if you haven’t well now you know). I lost my best friend in a train accident, I spent time with him the day he was killed and was there at the hospital when he passed. To clarify we did NOT have a fight before he left that day, but I feel that this situation is close enough; really it is the realization of the worst fear of this scenario. Well what did I do? I got the call, from my mom, I wailed, I got someone else to drive and we went to the hospital. Things are vague in my brain after that point, though remembering those moments still brings intense pain. The nurse walked into the waiting room with a box of tissues and I knew, the memories beyond that are few and far between. I do remember that I could not untie my own shoes when we finally arrived back home, and for all my exhaustion I could not sleep. My best friend the person outside my own family who I had know the longest, was gone. My best friend had it tough from the start, he had fetal alcohol syndrome, mild downs and a number of other functional and mental disabilities. When he was born his surrogate parents were told he would never be strong enough to feed on his own. When he crawled the doctors said he would never walk, he ran. We graduated high school together and he even received a scholarship for the local collage to go into a specialized program. We met in kindergarten and he passed the veil before we reached 19. We were best friends and right from the start it was my job to protect him, but what he gave me in return was greater than anything one could ever hope to receive, he loved and cherished me unconditionally. When he died I lost the one thing I had been able to protect my whole life and to this day I am not sure how I survived it.
So people I care about don’t leave my presence if we are fighting, and the last thing I always say is I LOVE YOU.
November will be the 8 year anniversary of his death. So please for me and respect for my friend, be kind and gentle in your comments, but also be thoughtful and mindful, I am not broken and I don’t need to be analyzed, I simply wish to be honest and heal and I know my followers will understand the care required.
Blessings and I Love You

Truth 20

2010-11-20T03:00:00.000-08:00

Your views on Drugs and Alcohol.
While most things get me going or have some healing properties for me, this truth falls flat. It is not that I don’t have views on drugs and alcohol or that I think the world is fine as it is in concern with these things, its just they are not big truths for me. I barely drink, partially because of allergies and partially because I really don’t need to, I’m fun & crazy without it. Since I don’t drink much I’m a lightweight which also ensures I won’t drink much, as I dislike not having at least mild control of my faculties. So I enjoy a nice glass of wine, or a spiked drink at occasions or just for fun, but it rarely goes beyond that for me. Its my choice and I like how I have chosen so far.
As far as drugs go, I’ll admit it, I’m nerdy and lame, other than legal drugs I have never partaken. Again due to my allergies I can’t stand smoke, so you don’t usually smoke or toke up when any smoke means you can’t breathe. So generally there is no great truth hiding in the drug realm either.
To put my opinions out there, I am totally against street drugs which are chemical in nature, this would include but is not limited to ecstasy, cocaine, crack and LSD. These things kill off more brain cells than you can imagine and are ultimately completely toxic to the body. On the same token alcohol is nearly as bad for us. I have done a great deal of research into the harmful effects of alcohol and weed, and really weed, when ingested instead of smoked, does less damage to the human body than alcohol does. That also does not take into account the fact that weed has significant and real medical uses. My personal opinion is that weed should be as legal as alcohol, as they are both bad for us, then again so are butter and sugar, but we get to decide on all but one of these. Here in Canada Medical marijuana is legal and I believe it should be. As for the rest they are chemicals from the cleaning isle and should be treated like the absolute killers they are.
That’s it really, no great truths, just the average opinion of a BC girl.
Image: http://media.photobucket.com/image/wine%20glass/kahuna822/glass.gif?o=60

Truth 19

2010-11-19T03:00:00.000-08:00

What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?
I’ll take Politics for $1000
Let’s face it everyone wants to hear about the hot topic issues, to be plain I try to avoid them, too much drama and pain, too much hurt and injustice, it just pulls me down. So when I think of politics I actually think of a joke. I know usually politics is meant to be taken seriously, but trust me this joke is perfect. Have you ever wanted to describe something but just didn’t have the words? Well here they are, for politics anyhow.
‘Politics’ more accurately defines the participants rather than the act they are participating in.
‘Poly’ meaning many and
‘tics’ being bloodsucking creatures.
That is my thoughts on politics, take it as you like.

Truth 18

2010-11-18T03:00:00.000-08:00

Your views on Gay Marriage.
First off if you didn’t already know, I’m Canadian, and in Canada, Gay Marriage is legal. So to be up front, I believe there is absolutely nothing wrong with being allowed to marry who you love, whether they are the same sex, the opposite sex, transgendered, etc, etc. So I guess, I am what you would call Pro Gay Marriage. As a general rule, my basic belief system is one of tolerance. I would like to be afforded the right to believe whatever I want, to love and marry whomever I want and to do and act how I want (the repercussions of my actions being mine to shoulder as well.) Given this I feel it is only fair to allow others to believe what they want, love and marry whomever they want etc, etc. The caveat which I place on this is twofold, first that these beliefs, loves and actions are not harming other people, second is that those beliefs, loves, actions are not pushed onto me or other people. In other words you are free to believe what you believe as long as you allow me the same courtesy and vice versa. I do not believe that anyone has the right to dictate what I should, believe, who I should love or marry etc. I do not push my beliefs on others nor will I allow others to push their beliefs on me. So please marry who you love, believe what makes you happy and fits with your soul and your life, live your life with actions which are authentic for you. Just don’t expect everyone else to believe in the same things you do. Tolerance is the world of the day, maybe of our times
Image from http://media.photobucket.com/image/holding%20hands/chlsaalov13/Holding_Hands.jpg?o=37

Truth 17

2010-11-17T03:00:00.000-08:00

A book you read that changed your views on something.
When I was young, after I was a child but before I was a teen, I came across a wonderful book which introduced me to an entirely different way of viewing the world, The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav. This book essentially introduced me for the first time to a non Christian view of life after death, while I was not raised Christian, the pervading influences in media at the time certainly were. The Seat of the Soul was a whole new world to me, the soul could evolve; ideas of Karma and multiple lives jumped up at me off of the pages. It was a hard read for me at the time and grasping concepts I had never considered fed my mind. This book essentially changed my entire views on reality, but not simply because I began to believe what the book promoted. More importantly it opened my eyes to possibilities, it pushed me to think on my own, research and decide for myself what I believed, rather than simply believing by default. This book set me up to find my own way, it challenged what I had taken to be truth, knowing no other way, then it stepped beyond and in some amazing way inspired me to find my own truth whatever it was. I have reread the book since then and I see and believe in different things now than I did then, yet I still see truth for myself in this book, though I view it differently.
*Image from Photobucket

Truth 16

2010-11-16T03:00:00.000-08:00

Something you definitely could live without.
Being in the field of archaeology, there have been a great deal of things that I have gone without. During this time I have learned that I could easily live a very happy very fulfilling life without the aid of either electricity or running water. While there are many things in life I could do without, these two things require significant alterations to ones daily life. While I do not currently live without either of these things, I would say that most people consider them fundamental necessities of daily life, even proper living conditions. The fact is, for me if it came down to it I would have no difficulty adapting to life without electricity or running water. It is also something that Mr. H and I have considered at the point when we are ready to purchase property, buying property instead of a house and building our own little heaven which has a well and no electricity. While in this day and age I doubt that we would end up with such an opportunity. I am glad to say that not only could I do it, I have done it.
Now if we are to live in the now, something I really could live without, I really could live without all the extra junk food I seem to be consuming. This does very little for me except adding to my waist line. I am aware that I am an emotional eater, but I also eat when I am board and when I’m hungry and feel like cooking will take to long to satisfy my hunger. So I am going to work whole heartedly on removing the excess junk food from my diet. Just to clarify Chocolate has a category of its own and in not included in junk food :)

Joyful Monday

2010-11-15T14:00:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone out there in blog-land. Joane over at the Ivory Pumpkin in doing a weekly post, which I think is just a wonderful pick me up for the beginning of the week, Joyful Mondays. Except that this week Joane is feeling pretty down and worried, so I figured it is our turn to do Joyful Mondays, lets all get together and send messages, posts etc to Joane, of love and happiness, blessings and hope. To find out more about Joane's worries jump to her blog here. Otherwise jump to her blog here to leave her happy feelings.
Happy Joyful Monday everybody!
But especially Joane!
Blessings
Image from http://s758.photobucket.com/home/notesbylaura

Truth 15

2010-11-15T03:00:00.000-08:00

Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it/them.
Since I strive to only post honestly on my blog, especially when the posts are the 30 posts of TRUTH, I have to say that I have a problem with this truth. Whether we like it or not at some point in our lives we have to live without each and every person we encounter. It is a harsh reality to some but either they die and leave us alone or we die and leave them. So no matter what happens we do not have the choice as to whether or not we live without someone. Some could argue that committing suicide upon a loved one’s death would fit this category, but it does not fit the question as one has to have tried this before. Either way I do not wish to get into a complicated answer for why this doesn’t work for me, I simply want to express that by in large we have to live without people when the time comes, I know this and as such feel that the ‘someone’ does not work for this question.

Now that I have cleared up my feelings on the question with some doom and gloom. The SOMETHING that I can’t live without is kinda sad, its chocolate. You can take almost anything else away from me, even what some people consider human necessities and I’ll be fine. But take away my chocolate and all hell breaks loose! And yes I’ve tried it and Mr. H encouraged me to go back to having it, yep that bad. So take away my tv take away my computer take away my shower and as long as you give me my chocolate I’ll be just fine.
*Image from Photobucket

Truth 14

2010-11-14T03:00:00.000-08:00

A hero that has let you down.
Well to be honest, this has never happened to me. Those people who I idolized in my youth, were either well chosen or flukes. I have yet to have someone who I truly admire and respect due to their quality and nature, which is enough to cause me to idolize them, let me down. I will admit that my views of what people are like has changed over the years, I realize that the idols we have as kids are real people who live in the real world and make mistakes etc just like we do, but I have still never been let down. I believe that this is a blessing I never had to experience that crushing impact of a hero failing to live up to my expectations, or doing something unthinkable. To be truthful I could not even think of someone who I respect in my everyday life who has let me down in this way. The only thing I could think of was a joke which maybe only Canadians or Hockey fans would get. Come on Canucks don’t let me down again this year!
So I am truly blessed.

Truth 13

2010-11-13T03:00:00.000-08:00

A Band or artist who got you through some tough ass days. (Write a letter)
To those contributors of the Soundtrack of Due South.
Thank you for the music that told it all, the music which touched my heart, made me cry, made me love and taught me the meaning of ‘honour’. The songs which make up the patchwork of music from this wonderful show are the songs of my heart. This music connected me to my past, my country and the honour we can bestow on ourselves and others. At each turn, every obstacle in my path and all the hard times these songs were there. They reminded me of who I am and that no matter what stands in my way I can stand up and be who I want to be. These songs taught me of the joy and pain of love, gave me strength for battles old and new and showed me the history of my country. To this day, these songs humble me and remind me that the obstacles of today are small compared to those of my ancestors. Pride, joy, humility, courage and courtesy have been the legacy which these songs continue to provide for me, no matter how rough things get.

So thank you, I am who I am because this show and these songs have given me the courage to reach towards that unachievable hero we all have inside.
Note: For those of you who have never heard of the show Due South, or have never listened to any of the music I have added some links to YouTube videos of a number of the songs which really touch me.
Ride Forever
32 Down
Due South Theme Song
Northwest Passage
Fumbling towards Ecstasy, Sarah McLachlan
Possession Sarah McLachlan
Hope you enjoy
Blessings

Due South is the property of Alliance Communications. Pictured top left David Marciano and Paul Gross with Lincon; Bottom Right Callum Keith Rennie and Paul Gross

Homemade for the Holidays

2010-11-12T18:08:00.000-08:00

I am so behind on all my art projects and now Yule/Christmas is fast approaching! So to everyone in blog-land I am making a pledge for this year I PLEDGE TO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSUMERISM THAT HAS BECOME CHRISTMAS/YULE, SO I PLEDGE TO GIVE ONLY HOMEMADE GIFTS OR GO GIFT FREE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
I will still do cards and season’s greetings (homemade), I will still do ornaments, decorations (but nothing bought new this year!) and all the family I can cram into a single month! I am also encouraging everyone around me to do the same. If they are not crafty or do not have the time to make gifts, I am encouraging everyone to buy gifts that are handmade by artisans. Such as some of the great shops on etsy, by many of the wonderful blogger in this community. The one cheat I am allowing myself is if I am invited to a party last minute & do not have time to make anything appropriate for a host/hostess gift, then I am allowing myself to purchase something that I couldn’t make myself. I am going to see how this particular endeavour goes, I love the thought behind this but I am torn, as I love to be generous and give people wonderful gifts that I know they will love and cherish. At the same time I know that most people do have their own money and if they want something (I can't make), often buy it for themselves after the holiday rush. With this in mind I am going forward with my pledge and remembering that next year I can always adjust the pledge to include handcrafted artisan shops. On another note I do not have children and as such do not have the same requirements gift wise as a family with kids, I understand that this pledge would need to be altered to fit a family with children. I have been inspired by my mother who simply is tired of the holidays being all about the gifts and the bankruptcy that seems to inevitably follow the holiday season. So will you take the pledge with me? Will you pledge to go homemade/handmade, making your own gifts or purchase from artisans who sell handmade goods or going consumerism free this holiday season? Tell me what you will do this year!
If your up for the challenge join me, Grab a button from the sidebar! If you wish to alter the pledge, just post how you will alter it and grab a button anyhow!

For something similar check out Buy Handmade, a site where you can pledge to buy homemade for yourself and others.

Getting Up to Date & Truth 12

2010-11-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

While I am technically not behind, I feel like I need to get up to date! I have been away for the past couple of days having a nice visit with some of Mr. H’s family. Remembrance Day was good, I always like to take time out of my day and remember those who fought for us in the war to end all wars. I also like to remember my grandfather who fought in WWII and was fortunate enough to make it though, to my great fortune as he was a wonderful grandfather. It is now a memory as my grandfather has passed; I love him still and take an extra moment to remember him on the 11th of the 11th.

Next I must share about a giveaway happening at the Year of the Cats. Wendy and her two adorable cats are having a fabulous giveaway that I am loathed to share with you because I want to win soooo bad! Pop over to her gorgeous blog and have a look.

I also want to let you all know that Mr. H’s father will be visiting from overseas for the next two weeks as such there will be much visiting and much time spent out and away. I will try to keep up with everyone and with my own posts but if I seem absent this is why. Just allow me some extra time and I will catch up with your comments, blogs etc. I am excited to have a good visit as we have not seen them for a year, but I know it will be very busy so to all my friends in blog-land I still love you even it my absence!

Truth 12
Something you never get compliments on.
Strangely enough, considering the usual romancing women get from men, I never get compliments on my eyes. This is not to say that Mr. H has never noticed that my eyes are beautiful, he does. I simply don’t get complimented on my eyes. I have brown eyes, but in certain lights or if I tear up due to anything even allergies I have forest green eyes. I love my eyes and I love the fact that my eyes actually change colour, a fact which my mom discovered when I was a teen. So while I never get compliments on my eyes, I love them and those who know me best and love me dearly know that my eyes change and they enjoy their beauty as much as I enjoy their use.

Truth 11

2010-11-11T03:00:00.000-08:00

Something people seem to compliment you on the most.
Since my profile picture is a tad ethereal, some may not have noticed that I have an overabundance of hair. Since I was born I have had a mass of hair, my dad used to say that I had enough hair to cover 4 bald men, or more. So when I say that one of my pigtails has more hair than most people have on their whole head, I’m not joking. This said, every year in the heat of the summer I take my hair and I braid it into multiple tiny braids, similar to dreadlocks, but easier to remove. My hair in this state gets more compliments than anything else about me ever has. I love my hair in every style I choose, but when my hair is in braids it is the one time I get to experience what having straight hair would be like (mine is usually a mass of unruly curls), so the braids also have a special place in my heart. So thank you to the world and to those wonderful people who are brave enough to compliment others, especially strangers, there is a special place somewhere for those who sincerely compliment others.

Truth 10

2010-11-10T03:00:00.000-08:00

Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know. Unfortunately another easy one, Mr. H and I have an old landlord that is still making trouble for us two years later. I can truly say with no remorse that I wish I had never met this woman, I wish I didn’t know her and now I wish to be rid of her. The problem here is that this woman through the tenancy board is still causing trouble for us two years and another country later! So I believe it is time to rid Mr. H and myself of this unwanted, unnecessary and uncalled for influence in our lives. It is time for some protection to come into effect to make sure that no more of her influences ever bother us again. I am ready to move on, to forget this woman and to let go all of the pain and anguish she has put us through out of greed and spite (yes the picture was chosen for its accuracy, apologies to hyenas everywhere). So tell me, what would you do? What measures would you take to make sure a spiteful person stopped having influence in your life, after you have removed them from your life physically?

Image from http://www.ewa.bicom.pl/karaokekids/kk10.htm

The Alphabet of Me

2010-11-09T15:52:00.000-08:00

Age: 26 years
Bed Size: Queen, a necessity since Mr H is over 6 foot.
Chore you hate: Cleaning the Toilet.
Dogs Name: Don’t have a dog, allergic
Essential start to your day items: Toothbrush & Water
Favourite Colour: Blue/Green
Gold or Silver: Both
Height: 5’6 1/2
Instruments you play: Euphonium, Clarinet, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Zills
Job: Currently: House-warmer. Dream Job: Field Director for an archy firm.
Kids: None, someday I hope : )
Living Arrangements: Tiny studio cottage we rent.
Music You Love: Oldies mostly.
Nicknames: Lala
Overnight hospital stay other than birth: Once.
Pet Peeve: People who push their ideas down your throat, the kind that won’t live and let live. Just because it’s right for them somehow means everyone else must be that way to. You know the kind.
Quote from a movie: ““Inconceivable!” You keep saying that word. I do not think it means what you think it means” The Princess Bride
Right or Left handed: Right for writing & Ambidextrous for art.
Siblings: One awesome sister.
Time you wake up: Anywhere between 7 and 11, sounds funny but it’s the truth!
Underwear: Bikini & Thong
Vegetable you dislike: Okra
Workout Style: Fun activities I like (Belly-dance, dance, soccer, playing with little ones) combined with walking and when I am healthy I add good cardio (step or swimming)
X-rays you’ve had: That would be what haven’t I had! Listing; both arms, both ankles, both feet, both legs, shoulder, chest, abdomen, Tail bone etc, teeth, thumb, both wrists, I may have forgotten one or two...
Yummy food you make: Desserts and Baked goods are my specialty.
Zoo, best place to visit: Calvin & Hobbes; Hobbes view of the Zoo. I like animal rescues though.

Truth 9

2010-11-09T03:00:00.000-08:00

Someone you didn’t want to let go but just drifted.
One of my girlfriends from college, we had great times, she is a wonderful person, we shared interests and got along great. Then the inevitable happened, we graduated and I really haven’t talked to her since we got our pictures in our caps and gowns. I have managed to keep track of most of my old friends and we still keep in touch or at least have facebook as a standby. But this one friend, I wish I had put more effort into keeping in touch. I have tried to find her through facebook, but no such luck. Things happen, people change, but in this case it was simply that I moved to another country and our means of communication simply disappeared, we drifted and I do wish we hadn’t. It is my hope that if I put a plea out to the universe, somehow, someway we will find each other again.

Joyful Mondays

2010-11-08T18:21:00.000-08:00

Ok so I am running a little behind, but its still Monday! Today’s joyful Monday is about the music that makes you get up and dance. What a great thought! What makes me get off the computer, dance in the car and jump for joy. Well to be honest the song that always gets me up on my feet is ‘Old Time Rock & Roll’ the version by Bob Seger. No matter what this one gets me going, to be honest any rock song by the Eagles or CCR will do it too. What can I say I am a classic rock kinda girl; my radio channel is always the oldies. The other music that will make me dance is good belly-dance music, I particularly like Intergalactic Belly Dance and Le Serpent Rouge. So everybody what makes you happy what music do you play? What make you get up and dance?
Stop by the Ivory Pumpkin and check out Joyful Mondays!

Truth 8

2010-11-08T03:00:00.000-08:00

Someone who has made your life hell or treated you badly*
This one is easy; someone who both treated me badly and made the last two years of my life hell, comes easily to mind. The head of my department where I completed my Masters degree. This person tore apart everything I had worked for, telling me that I had NO thesis and I should rethink my whole plan, a third of the way into my degree. This person systematically wreaked every presentation, every comment, every question and every scientific proof I had. This person not only stomped on of my ideas, they also took away my confidence, slowly making me believe I was not good enough, that I was stupid, and that I would fail at my degree. By the time I submitted my thesis, I had gone from a person who truly believed in myself to a person who believed that I might not even pass my masters qualifications. It was a heart-wrenching painful process watching my own self-esteem being eroded by someone who was supposed to be a mentor, teacher and helper. Nearly two years later, after painful public humiliations, having my thesis torn apart, being told I should just ‘go home’ and then eight months of tense waiting to get the results of my masters degree, I can now move on. To the head of my department, You were wrong, I am talented, I am intelligent, my thesis does have bearing in current research and I can do this, I just did. I have a Masters degree. While I would love to say this fixes all the hurt, that is not the case, this kind of emotional and mental torment will take more time to heal, but I know it will and I know that now I can rebuild my self esteem and remember the girl who CAN.

Truth 7

2010-11-07T03:00:00.000-08:00

Someone who has made your life worth living for.

Well here I have a bit of a list, there are a number of people who make my life worth living, and each makes my life worth living in their own way. In no particular order they are, my Mom, my Dad, my Sister and my partner Mr. H. My sister is like a great friend and a mentor all rolled into one, she’s 4 years older than me. She listens, she gives great advice and she is a real rock when things get tough. With my big sister I share my hopes and dreams, cause she will always be my big sis. My Mom is like my best friend, we are perfectly matched, we can live together in total harmony even now as two adults. Like the ‘perfect mom’, mom can make anything OK; she is my lifeline in hard times and shares my joy in those glorious moments in life. Mr. H is my partner my love and my friend. He shares with me each joy and each sorrow and he stands by me both when I succeed and when I crumble in tears and failure. My Dad, he is my rock, it seems he knows everything. He pushes me to be the best I can be, to think beyond the box, and by doing so he fuels my passions, he builds damn nice cars too. Each of these people loves me unconditionally, they care about me whether I succeed or fail, they stand by me and love me for me. There are many others in my life who have made it worth living, my extended family, my friends, old and new, my pets, my teachers and my mentors. Each person who has made me smile, made me think, taught me and listened to me has made my life worth living. Even I standing alone conceiving a new thought have made my own life worth the living. So to those four people who are at the top of my list thank you, and to the hundreds of others who have touched my life through a friendship, an ear, a lecture or even a song, thank you. Each and every one of you make life worth the living.
A 30 Posts of truth note, there is a whole other community over at Live Beautiful who are also completing the 30 truths, check them all out as well as the links in the sidebar, if you’re interested in starting the 30 truths or already have let me know and I’ll add you to the sidebar, so can you handle the truth?

Truth 6

2010-11-06T03:00:00.000-07:00

Something you hope you never have to do.
This is also a very simple one for me. I hope to never have to suffer the loss of a child. To an extent according to those I have spoken to, I have experienced this already, when I lost my best friend I took it like the loss of a child. I do not limit this to my own possible biological or adopted children; I do extend it to anyone who is connected to me like a child would be. Loss is an inevitable part of life and a part I truly do accept, we are born we grow and then we die. This is a cycle like the earth’s own cycle of growth death and rebirth and it is natural, as is grief at loss. What I do not wish to have to do is outlive my own children; it is a kind of loss and grief that I never want to have to go through. While I know that each person’s journey on this earth ends when it is meant to, I still cannot help but feel that it is a terrible thing for any parent to have to suffer the loss of a child.
Note: I have added a 30 posts of Truth Participants blog roll to my sidebar, so if you are completing the 30 Posts or would like to start drop me a line and I'll add you to the list. Wendy at The Year of the Cats and Pamela at Sweet Soliloquies are both doing the same, thanks for the great idea ladies!

A Whole New Level of Comfort Food

2010-11-05T21:43:00.000-07:00

So having been sick and generally feeling tired and un-comfy, I decided that tonight would be the perfect night for some comfort food. I’m not talking the ‘eat out’ type, I’m taking the homemade, just perfect, makes you smile and go ahhh-yum, type. Unfortunately I just couldn’t decide what to make, nothing really sounded Comfort foody enough. Then it dawned on me, take a ‘comfort food’ and add a little extra magical umph to it, in essence make it more comfort foody than it already is. So my comfort food baked Mac’n’Cheese was born. To add that extra comfort, I specially added fresh Sage, for comfort, to aid with my cold and to protect my general health, and fresh Rosemary, to help me heal and to work on my ever aching head. It was amazing! As it was totally from scratch, next time I’ll have to refine the proportions to get it just perfect, but wow did it work! I am feeling comfy and warm and wonderful, all thanks to little extras placed with purpose in an old favourite.

On a different level, Mr. H (the partner) has started sculpting and is making the most beautiful little 3-D art around our house, I just had to share with all of you!

Also I had to add the Kitty pictures, these were taken in Auckland, New Zealand near the top of a volcano. They are for Wendy over a The Year of the Cats, because today she is my Hero.

Blessed Be.

Truth 5

2010-11-04T03:00:00.001-07:00

Something you hope to do in your life.
This one was actually easy for me, as a twenty some woman, with a postgraduate education, I am unmarried and without children. What I really want to do in my life is be a mom, sure I want a career and a nice house and to travel, etc, etc, but I would feel really incomplete if I were to never have a family. So simply, the thing I most hope to do in my life is to be a mom.
Todays truth might be short but its vastly important to me and as a kitchen witch sometimes I feel like I have a kitchen an not much reason to cook, someday I hope I will have so much more... but for now I am so greatful to have what I have.

Truth 4

2010-11-04T03:00:00.000-07:00

Something you have to forgive someone for.
To be truthful, I tend to forgive someone right away, I am not a person who purposefully withholds forgiveness, this is because I believe, that when you do not forgive, you are only hurting yourself by holding in resentment, hate, fear, etc, etc. Now don’t get me wrong, to me forgiveness does NOT mean that everything is now ok, nor does it mean that what the person did was right, or warranted, or even tolerable. Usually it means that the person being forgiven did a nasty thing from name calling right through to the down right illegal, I forgive them to release the negative emotions from me. This in no way condones what they have done and I still require appropriate apologies and or amends to be made. In the worst situations friendships, relationships and acquaintances end because no amount of amends can make up for the wrongdoing, still I try to forgive regardless, selfishly for me so that I don’t fester.
Well I will admit it I have been festering, I have held it in and not forgiven someone, he hurt me and I never understood why. Worse he lied about it and tried to deceive me, when I found out the truth he tottered up saying it’s all ok because I have found God, “I’ve been reborn!” What really chafes me is that he could have left six months earlier but stayed in order to suck money from me and my family, an easy way to save up some money before kicking me to the curb. Is it obvious yet that its an ex-boyfriend? Yep got kicked to the curb by an ex-boyfriend I haven’t forgiven, original hun? Well I guess everything about it still stings, so here is the list of what I need to get off my chest.
~He knew he didn’t want to be with me 6 months even a year before he left.
~He stayed and sucked money out of me and my family while I was away doing schooling.
~His glasses got broken accidentally and he blamed me and held it against me too, using it as the breaking point for why he left, 5 months later.
~He cheated on me when I was away from home doing schooling.
~He lied about cheating.
~Before I knew he was cheating he made me waste a day home visiting from school walking over to his friends (read other girlfriends) house to fix her window, I had a sprained ankle and broken toes.
~He told me he was leaving me because, “due to my chosen profession ... I could never be a good mother to his children”.
~He told me that my being successful pushed him to the sidelines and made sure he couldn’t succeed.
~He kicked me out with 12 days to find my own place alone, right before a new semester of school started.
~When I called him on bulls**t reasons for leaving he left and spent the night with at one of my best female friends places.
~He never gave me a non bull reason for leaving.
~Less than a month after leaving he started calling to ask what jewellery to buy his “new” girlfriend.
~He still holds it against me that I took all the batteries in the house when I moved out.
~Two months after leaving he called and called because he had to apologize to me in person, turned out he had found Christ and wanted to purge himself of sins, it wasn’t about apologizing to me but just to make himself feel better.
~At Christmas (4 months later) he called to try to get my family recipe from me cause his girlfriend couldn’t make it right.
~He facebooked me a wedding announcement when he got engaged.
Well I think that covers it, really I don’t mind holding him responsible for his crimes but its hurting me now, not him. So its time for me to let it go, so to you ex-boyfriend you were horrible and awful and wrong. I am no longer going to hold this in, I forgive and now I am going to let go and move on.

Truth 3

2010-11-03T03:00:00.000-07:00

Something you have to Forgive Yourself For.
When I first looked over these questions, this one was pushed aside, not because I didn’t know what to write or because I had to search my soul for an answer, but because an answer came directly to mind. Feeling guilty and not forgiving ones self is a difficult and tumultuous thing. Mine is simple but heartbreaking, probably why I have struggled to forgive myself, the pain was just to near. When I was 18 years old my best friend, since kindergarten, was killed in an accident. I saw him that night well before it happened, and I cannot remember what the last thing I said to him was. Actually I do not remember the majority of the month that followed, only horrifying strange snippets of that month, between the end of November and Christmas, remain. To be truthful I don’t want them back, I feel enough pain now without having to remember a time when the pain was so much more raw and unfettered by time. But I do still feel pain and guilt over something I just can’t recall, usually I said Goodbye, love you! Along with some words about being safe or careful, but I cannot count on the fact that I said any of those things. I clearly remember saying something, I remember like it was yesterday him smiling and waving and walking out the door, just not what I said, there were other people saying goodbye and I was distracted by all the goings on, now I wished I had paid more attention then maybe I would remember. I know this is not the reason I don’t remember, that simple its called trauma and I may never get that memory back, but since I have decided I don’t want it back, it is now time to forgive myself for what I simply cannot remember. I do this because I know that he knew I loved him and that he was my best friend in the whole world, he knew and that’s enough.
So I forgive me.

Zombie Awards

2010-11-02T22:25:00.000-07:00

Well the awards are just flying around the blogosphere! I must thank Wendy at Year of the Cats, Gypsy at Witchy Gumbo and Sophia Dawn over at Wandering a Wise Woman Path, together they have gifted me with three cool and kooky animal inspired blog awards, A Clucking Great Blog, the Zombie Rabbit Award and the Zombie Kitty! The only downside about blog awards is you have to choose only a certian number of all the wonderful blogs out there to pass the award on to, this time it is 10. Well at least the Zombie Rabbit Award and the Zombie Kitty are up for grabs for everyone, so if you visit this blog pick up your zobmies! They are great pets, really they only bite a little! So Wendy & Gypsy come pick up the extra Zombies your missing, and to all three of you thanks so much for the gifties thier lovely and will forever remind me of October 2010!
Now on to the hard part! I am adding 10 blogs which I have found recently and I think everyone can understand why I love them, so in no particular order here they are:
Lynda at Butterfly Dreams
Aisha at By the Broomstick
Eeyore at Eeyore Witch
Melissa at Fancilicious Fairylands
J. Moehring at Following the Pagan Heart
Sara at Mama Craft
Moonbeam Dancer at Moonbeams & Heartstrings
Sara at Seaside Diaries of a Kimberline
Dragonfly at Witchery Grove
Lisa/Seshat Moon Willow at Seshat Moon Willow

Pass them on give them away and just plain enjoy!
As an extra note please check out Joane at the Ivory Pumpkin (who has already recieve these awards) for her newest endeavour, Joyful Mondays, an experience we could all use on Mondays!

Truth 2

2010-11-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

Something You Love about Yourself.
This was a tough go for me, harder than it should have been really. Why is it that women seem to have a tough time tooting their own horns? There is a plethora of splendid wonderful things all about me (at least my partner tells me so), yet did this post come easily? NO. So, on the off chance that I will be considered self-centred and conceited, here is a list of the things I love about myself:
~My Quirky, Kooky, Weird, Strange Personality ~ I am just me and there is no other like me.
~Compassionate ~ I am compassionate and empathetic, I find it very easy to be in someone else’s shoes and if I can help I will.
~I’m Smart, book smart and experience smart ~ I have an MA, and have been round the block before.
~My Artistic Side ~I paint, draw, create in multimedia, do henna and calligraphy sew and interior decorate, so far.
~Kind ~ I care about people, plants, animals, our earth. I care and I act on this care in any way I can, kindness to animals and to plants, to other people and their beliefs and to our world.
~Loyal ~ I don’t have a lot of close friends, but my good friends and my family mean everything to me. My loyalty is fierce and not to be crossed.
~I am a wonderful baker and Dessert Guru ~ Anything sweet and fluffy I can make it or I’ll learn how.
Now this is no faking, I stopped at seven not because it was an arbitrary number that I picked, but because I couldn’t think of anything else I truly LOVED about myself. I am OK with a lot of things about me, but this post just goes to show how much time I could spend learning how to love me. So since this post was so difficult for me, I ask you ladies, if you had to give a speech to a crowd, to a single stranger, or even just to your friends and it was all about how great and wonderful YOU are, would it be tough to write? Tough to read to yourself? Tough to read to others? How easy do you find openly declaring how wonderful magical and amazing you really are?

The 30 Posts of Truth

2010-11-01T03:00:00.000-07:00

As October closes and November opens I feel compelled to do some inner searching. Here in Canada the one holiday in November is Remembrance Day. We remember those who gave their lives in the War to end all Wars, so we could live with the freedoms we now enjoy. For me this is the mood that pervades November, it is a thankful, solemn month for reflection, deep thought and honest contemplation. It is in this spirit that I am undertaking the 30 posts of Truth, while I do not expect to post one truth per day, I will attempt to complete the 30 Truths by the end November. I must bless Pamela Sweet over at Sweet Soliloquies for introducing me to the 30 truths, if you would like to see the whole list check out her post here, or check out The Karma Project for posts on the 30 Truths already in progress.

Truth 1
Something you hate about yourself.
I hate my own pessimistic nature, I worry, I dwell and I fuss. I see the negative and focus more attention on that than on the positive. I worry, not just about things “worth” worrying over, but about events that haven’t yet come to pass. I can twist myself into knots worrying about a problem that may never arise, simply because it might. Now don’t get me wrong I don’t worry about the end of the world or people “getting me”, I don’t even worry about what would happen if I had no income or I was in an accident. I do worry about what might happen if a current situation in my life goes badly. So even when nothing negative has actually happened, I’m worried about it!
I see the negative, I never used to see myself as the glass half empty sort of person and yet when it comes down to meeting nine pleasant people and one nasty one it is the nasty one I dwell on and remember. I ruminate over everything, which in and of itself is not a bad thing, the bad is that all that thinking leads me to negative scenarios. I see one thing as bad which seems to multiply the negative thoughts and suddenly my whole life seems one bleak situation indeed. This is a pattern of thinking for me, some days it bad some days I do very well. I am trying to change this, currently I am reading a book about optimism and about changing your own self talk and about how to address the little voice in your head when it starts spewing negative thoughts, I will let you know how it goes, (lets all be positive together).

Happy Samhain!

2010-10-31T13:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Samhain, Halloween or Beltane!

At this spooky magical time of year

when giveaways abound and the air is chill

lets stop awhile and ponder

whats beyond the veil yonder?

carve your pumpkins peruse the streets

play your ticks or give out treats

but as the veil thins

be sure to be home before witching hour begins!

To all my friends out there on in blogland have a safe and happy holiday, celebrate with your children with your family, bless the new year and ponder your lives but remember there are always those out there who love you and this blessing is meant for each and every one of you!

P.S.While I do not usually blog about giveaways, this one is to good to miss, the last day of Mrs Bs 31 days of halloween giveaways. The first giveaway is from Octoberfarm and is an amazing basket of witchy good from Salem itself! The second from Weiser books is a complete set of field guides! Wow such amazing giveaways I just had to share, and you can enter Oct 29, 30 and 31s giveaways until November 1! Check it out its worth a look!

Blessings to you on these chilly magical days of the year, may the passing of the old year sweep aside all your fears and worries and the coming of the new bring you joy, happiness & honour.

Ancient Beginnings

2010-10-30T18:50:00.000-07:00

I must beg everyone’s pardon for being late to this wondrous and enchanting blog party, I have been extremely sick and am rather behind in everything! So grab your pumpkins girls & guys we’re off to the Ancestors Ball!
Welcome to ancestors and travelling friends, here and beyond the veil.
I am Faerie Sage, daughter of Wolf, daughter of Leni-lenape.
I am also Faerie Sage daughter of the Picts, daughter of the Celtic Gods.
I must apologize now as I have invited two entire clans to our little ball! Well let me explain, two lines of my family tree have been traced back to the middle ages. My ancestry is something I have always wished to know, yet I am a traveller, rather nomadic and while the information is there, I don’t have it, not all the little nitty gritty details anyhow.

What I do have is knowledge of long ago, my family can trace their ancestry directly back to the ancient Scottish tribe the Picts. This tribe of Scotts predates the Romans in Briton, actually the Pictish hoards dislodged the Romans from Briton. The Picts practiced, what has now been dubbed ‘Celtic polytheism’, also known as Celtic Paganism. They also had their own language which can be seen on the many standing stones still scattered across the Scottish countryside.

Another branch of my family traces back to the Delaware Tribe. While I was not brought up in Native American culture I was however blessed to have a best friend whose community allowed me to be a part of their culture. Medicine men and women were realties not stories and vision quests and totems became a part of my life.

Ultimately I spring from a Scottish clan who fought the onslaught of Roman invaders, hair streaming wildly and wearing little more than blue war paint. They had their own beautiful language and art, they believed in the gods, the sacredness of trees and possibly in reincarnation. On the other hand I come from a native tribe, re-taught through the kindness of others. They embraced herbalism and traditional medicine, had totems and read the signs of the animals. Actually they sound just like me. The practices of my ancestors are my practices, their legacies are my loves, they're temperament is seen in me. I have inherited from long ago a love of the forest, the trees and nature, a love for writing and art and a fiery temperament not to be tested. While I claim my own path, what my ancestors have given me is irreplaceable and is a part of my being. How else does one account for the wild hair and Celtic persuasion, the clearness in which animals communicate to me and my natural fondness of herbs? So my clan, the Picts and my Tribed the Leni-lenape have come along to help me in my journey and to meet the other ancestors at the ball.
Blessings to you on these chilly magical days of the year, may the passing of the old year sweep aside all your fears and worries and the coming of the new bring you joy, happiness & honour.
Images from Wikipedia & Wordpress Jamie Lea's Thoughts.

My New Home

2010-10-28T17:56:00.000-07:00

Well now that things are finally settling down, I can share a little bit about my new home. Technically we are not in an apartment but a little studio on private property. The studio is surrounded by a beautiful little garden; it is nicely fenced in and sits off to the side of the main house.

The studio is just that, a studio, a small two room building which still seems to accommodate everything we need (with a few minor adjustments for my personal necessities). We have our own little kitchen, our own, quite large, bathroom, our main space, plus a patio, courtyardish area with amazing paving stones and a lovely garden.

The studio boasts a built in single bed, which I have turned into beautiful seating area, storage for my books and a space for my alter. There are so many windows and a skylight over our bed! At night you don’t need lights the moon shines in through the upper windows and makes the place truly magical.

As this place is out in the countryside the stars are amazing, and landscape changes with the seasons, making it wonderful for autumn. It seems that faerie has taken over my life as everything here is neat and small and fit for any faerie!

To add to the fun here are a few little Halloweeny things as my recent posts have not featured this holiday as much as I would have liked!

Counting down the days to Samhain, Blessed spooky Be!

My Body is Sacred

2010-10-28T00:55:00.000-07:00

To me being a Goddess completely transcends physical appearance. As an archaeologist when I think of the form of a goddess, the Venus of Willendorf immediately comes to mind, she is neither skinny nor over emphasized & she is not the only one. Venus figurines (of which the Venus of Willendorf is an example) are common throughout the Stone Age & are the imagery I attach to goddess. But I digress, being a goddess is, for me, not about appearance, it is about being completely & totally true to yourself, it is about being honest, being true, being who you are & rejoicing in it. I would like to add that if you are not happy with how you look now then don’t try to rejoice in something you are unhappy with, make the changes you want & in the mean time rejoice in the person inside and the person you know you will become. A goddess is a woman who glows from the inside out, be it due to a happy or cared for child, a garden or corporate job. A goddess is a woman who finds peace and happiness & tries to share it with others, she has good days & bad but is true to herself & therefore she is true to others & the world around her, that is a goddess to me.
Being sexy is a tricky thing for me, but I believe that most of all it boils down to feeling comfortable in your own skin, liking yourself & being happy with yourself. When I was a teen I was a healthy weight, young and pretty, but I did not feel sexy, this is not to say that I wasn’t aware I was pretty, really exotic was the word generally used, but sexy was something other people were & I did not think of myself that way. This wasn’t a bad thing for me it was simply a label that took me more time than most to grow into. Once I was older I put on weight & because I was uncomfortable with myself, rarely labelled myself as sexy. There have been moments rare times when I was it, I was sexy beautiful exotic & just it that je ne sais quoi. At those moments I was confident, happy, comfortable in my own skin, & I loved myself, so more than my weight or how I looked to others, my own confidence & self love were the reasons I could feel sexy. So a sexy woman is a woman who loves herself, she is confident & comfortable in her own skin & because of this she radiates, she glows, others see this & they too perceive her as sexy. In turn, not surprisingly most goddesses are sexy.
Finally my body is sacred, so too is every woman’s, we are sacred. By sacred I do not mean that we should try to keep our bodies pristine until death, I am all for sliding in chocolate in one hand & wine in the other! I do not object to sex or tattoos, eating & drinking or piercings, to me, my body is sacred because I treat it as such, & no one else can tell me what is right for my body. If each and every woman treated her body as sacred, treated it with the love & respect we each know deep down it deserves, treated it the right way for her individually, if we loved our bodies, treated them with respect & thought of them kindly we may all find that we have become sexy goddesses. So please wonderful beautiful women of the world, my friends & those I will never meet, treat your body as sacred, your personal sacred, & we can all become goddesses together.
Check out Bex's Hex's for the home of the "I am a Sexy Goddess!" Campaign.

Tea Party Under a Halloween Moon!

2010-10-23T01:10:00.000-07:00

Please follow my little garden path down to my little home and share a cup of tea. When Anna over at Frosted Petunias set up this tea party I knew just the thing or just the tea. While English Breakfast is nice and Earl Grey speaks volumes, Green tea is fine and herbal teas work wonders, I have never had anything quite like Russian Caravan. So come in and have a seat and enjoy this little Halloween treat!
While tea may not seem like a Halloween treat, and trust me as a confirmed chocoholic I had my doubts, Russian Caravan simply has the taste of autumn, its warm with a beautiful smoky flavour that reflects the cool weather and the first smoke of log fires.

These beautiful little glasses are part of a Russian tea set.

Now from Faerie Sage’s Kitchen;
Russian Caravan Tea
1 part loose-leaf black tea (I use Qimen a type of Chinese black tea, but any black tea except Earl Grey can be used).
2 parts loose-leaf Oolong tea (any variety except Ti Guan Yin as it is very different from other varieties)
1 part loose-leaf Lapsang Souchong tea, this is the ingredient which gives the smoky flavour.

Combine the loose–leaf teas in appropriate proportions in a tea sock or tea ball, and place in teapot, the proportions here work well for a four cup pot. Bring water to a boil on the stove or in a kettle, let the water sit until it has stopped boiling vigorously. Pour hot water over the tea. Steep 3-5 min.

If you find the tea bitter, steep it for less time rather than adding a sweetener, it can be taken black but I like adding a little milk.

PS this is not an original recipe produced by me just the one I use, and you can buy Russian Caravan from most tea shops with this or similar proportions of Black, Oolong and Lapsang teas.

While we are in the kitchen, it is good to know a little more about what we are making. Most people know of the beneficial properties of herbs and herbal teas and almost every witch employs them. While Russian Caravan is not herbal, each of the teas within the blend do have beneficial properties that are good to file in a safe place for times of sickness or witchery. Black tea sharpens the mind, sooths the tummy and fights infections. Oolong is antiseptic, sooths digestion and has a small amount of caffeine. Lapsang is a black tea that has been smoked, it promotes tooth health and strong bones. As smart witches we also know that what a product is promoted to do and what it does can be different things, though I for one believe in the healing power of tea and Love!

On my personal path I have used Russian Caravan as part of a travel spell, the travel connection is fairly obvious as Russian Caravan produces a vibrant image of a colourful fanciful caravan travelling the wild pathways of Eurasia. I have also used Russian Caravan as part of a cleansing, the smoky nature of the drink allows me to purify the inside of my body the same way sage smoke purifies the inside of my home. I hope you have enjoyed my little Halloween treat and rested in a quiet place of comfort, tonight when the dark overtakes the light, look out your window find the moon and delight that others just like you are smiling up at the same moon, mulling over a tea-party.

So sit down have a cup of tea and fly to the other party blogs with me!
Blessed Be!

Triple Blog Award!

2010-10-20T23:05:00.000-07:00

I am very honoured at just over a month of blogging to have received three blog awards from Willow Silverhorse, over at Confessions of a Country Witch Thank You so much! The awards come in package form and include the Stylish Blogger Award, The Versatile Blogger Award and One Lovely Blog Award. All three together come with a neat simple set of rules;

1 Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
2 Share 7 things about yourself.
3 Pass this on to 15 other great bloggers you recently discovered.
4 Contact the selected bloggers and tell them about their awards.
Thanks again Willow and you can find her blog at Confessions of a Country Witch.

Seven Things About Me.
1 My feet have earned the nickname ‘Faerie Feet’ at 5’7 I wear double narrow in size six.
2 I can’t actually buy my favourite Ice Cream (bar or tub) in my own country. I would have to fly for over 17 hours to acquire it.
3 I am a Pisces, not just that it’s my sun sign, I truly embody Pisces.
4 I am a trained archaeologist, associated with this I often find it easier to deal with skeletons and the dead than living people.
5 There is a skylight over my bed so that at night I can look up and see the stars.
6 I do Henna body art.
7 I love corsets, old time photos, chocolate, tea, and desserts, oh did I mention chocolate?

Now for the 15 bloggers!
1 Dancing with a Spatula Wand
2 Wandering in the Woods with the Little Green Witch
3 Mistic~Majik
4Witch Blog
5 Evelyn’s Wonderland
6 Heart of a Wizardess
7 Charm Bracelet Diva
8 Embracing My Goddess Self
9 Emerald Window
10 By the Broomstick
11 Fancilicious Fairyland
12 Following the Pagan Heart
13 Groggy Froggy
14 Woodwings
15 The Whimsical Cottage

I would also like to add a few extra names, these blogs have already been recognized with this award but I wanted to put them up because I believe they doubly deserve it! Year of the Cats, 1313 Witchwood Drive, Charmed I’m Sure, Confessions of a Kitchen Witch, and Pixies Musings. I will be contacting everyone on the list as shortly!
Thank You again Willow Silverhorse!

Up Down & All Around (also known as moving)

2010-10-20T00:18:00.000-07:00

Well, as always moving has been an adventure! For the most part I am back now (with only minor internet disturbances). It has come to my attention that I have moved by almost every method available. I have moved; using my own vehicle, a rented truck, by plane, by boat and now by bus. I guess next I will have to try moving via train! I do move a great deal, mostly for school, but now for work. At the current count I have moved six times since 2006, while most have been little moves, one was overseas to New Zealand and then back to Canada. So I have literally been up down and all around in the past few years, I doubt this will be the last move I make but it has all been worth the trip.
Us our boxes and our suitcases all arrived on time and in one piece so moving is going very well. We are settling nicely into our newly rented space, and I must say that I LOVE this place, it’s a little piece of paradise! Well at least it’s a paradise for a faerie, though it’s small enough for a faerie too! I will add pictures of the beautiful little place and the garden soon, or at least when I get things straightened out.

Inspiring Witches, Halloween Blog

2010-10-12T21:44:00.001-07:00

Welcome to my kitchen, and happy 13th of October! So the question of the day, which Witch inspired you? To be honest I had to think long and hard about this one, I was a nerd with only three channels and one was ‘educational’, so TV witches were out. Movies were a possibility, but really my first inspiration didn’t come from the screen but instead the pages of a book. When I think back my first inspiration really came from a shaman and a medicine woman. Inspiration stuck from the pages of Jean M. Auel’s series Earths Children, the characters of Creb the great shaman and of Iza & Ayla the clan’s medicine women, were truly my first witchy inspiration. While I realize that in the books none of these characters are witches, each embodies a major part of what being a witch is for me. Creb, the great shaman was in touch with nature, he worked with ceremonial magic and scryed into the past. Iza the great medicine woman could do anything with herbs, from healing to cooking to birth control. Ayla, the main character, embraced both sides of her nature, the feminine and the masculine, she worked with her totem and became one with the animals of nature. These characters and their practices inspired me to take up the path, they pushed me to explore the duality of my own nature, to work with herbs and to commune with nature. The ability to work with herbs, be a wonderful cook and housekeeper while still being firm strong and independent and to be at one with nature are all concepts that were introduced to me through these characters. So while none of these characters are witches in the strictest sense, they are the epitome of witches in their actual practices and these characters were my first and truest witchy inspiration.

So thank you to the characters of Creb, Iza & Ayla along with my partner Nick who reminded me of these inspirational characters, and who is an inspiration in my daily life.

Desserts Galore

2010-10-10T19:11:00.000-07:00

So if you are in Canada/ the States, and you celebrate it, this is Thanksgiving weekend. Since my family is generally non-religious, we celebrate Thanksgiving as a day off and time to be with family :). This year I got to host, we had baked apples for a starter, and while we did not roast the turkey on the day, we did have turkey and mashed potatoes, peas and carrots. We also had mini individual apple pie/crisps for dessert. I had acorn squash pie too, but we were all to full to eat it! We had it for after our squash soup for lunch, the next day.

Mini Apple Pie/Crisps, crusts

Filled up with apples,

all ready for the oven

Fresh from the oven!

Acorn Squash Pie, fresh from the oven

The last baked apple.

So happy Thanksgiving, whether you celebrate it or not, any time is a great time to be with family and to be thankful for the things in your life. So I am thankful for my wonderful loving family, my hansome giving partner, for the wonderful food cooked up in my kitchen, for my healing and for the wonderful bloggers which have been so supportive of me and post such great content.

The Best month of the year just got Better! The Month of Blog Parties

2010-10-07T16:32:00.000-07:00

October is flying by fast, and all around the blogosphere blog parties are being announced. Just around the corner is the Inspirational Witches, blog party hosted by the College Witch’s Experience’s on the 13th of Oct. Then on the 16th is the Halloween Party, hosted by A Fanciful Twist. While I will not be posting for the Halloween Party (I’ll be moving), I will fly around and check out everyone’s posts. Next up is Frosted Petunias Tea Party under a Halloween Moon, on the 23rd of October. So come and join us, celebrate the best month of the year, fly to other posts and add your own inspiration. Tell us which Witch inspired you, post about your Halloween, and join in for a cup of tea. While I have not had a lot of time, (moving in just over a week!!) I have been cooking up a storm,

A batch of Soft Mead

Butternut & Acorn Squashes for roasting

Roasted Squash Seeds!

Tomorrow I will be whipping up mini apple pie/crisps, squash pies and baked apples. I love baking with apples they are little treasures in a magical sense. Apples are symbols of love and magic, they posses little stars hidden inside, they are nutritious, they come in so many colours and they are so yummy!

Ringing in October

2010-10-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

Welcome October! This is the time of year I love, ghostly mists, orange pumpkins, dark nights, harrowing moon. October brings out the fun and the ghoul in everyone, it also reminds us how close the veil of the worlds really is and of those who have passed beyond it. Now is not only the best and busiest time of year, we’re also moving! Between the packing and the Dr. appointments, my partners Birthday and of course Halloween, this is going to be my busiest October yet! On top of this just after we move I will be starting a free online art course, the heart of art, check out the button in the sidebar, and will be participating in the Tea Party Oct. 23. With all of this going on I am still trying to add little touches of magic to our lives, as I pack I add to each box a little mix of Basil, Bay Leaves and Carob to protect the contents. I have found adding a little extra protection to boxes being shipped makes a big difference to moving in, when you open your boxes and nothing is broken everything works more smoothly! I have also been adding cinnamon to our hot drinks, (Cocoa & Coffee) not only does it taste good it also promotes protection and health. To do this I use a cinnamon stick, while focusing on healing and protection and I stir the drink clockwise with the cinnamon stick. I have a special cinnamon stick for this, which I don’t use for anything else.

I have yet to decide if my Samhain will include dressing up for a secular Halloween, a single day ritual or a full three day extravaganza. I am partial to the three day, with dressing up included but we shall see, we will have only been in our new digs for two weeks so that may impact what I can possibly do. So tell me what will you do this year for your Samhain/Halloween? What traditions do you continue which format do you favour? So if you feel comfy pull up a keyboard and share your favourite Samhain observances, join me in sharing and making this October really memorable.

Thanks to the Old in with the New!

2010-09-27T15:34:00.000-07:00

I want to say a huge Thank You to Anna & Justina over at Frosted Petunias and Bohemian Magic for an amazingly wonderful and successful Blog Party. Congratulations should go out to each and every one of you out there who posted, the blogs were so thoughtful wonderful and creative! I would also like to extend a thank you to everyone who visited and posted, all the comments were wonderful. As a beginner it is very touching to hear all of the kind words and receive all the great feedback and ideas. Then just when we thought the fun was coming to an end, Anna is hosting a Tea Party! So after the fun of the Practical Magic Blog Party now we get to have a tea party under the October moon! Check out the details at Frosted Petunias or click on the button in the sidebar. So welcome to friends new & old, stop by my hearth anytime!

Practical Magic Blog Party!

2010-09-24T22:12:00.000-07:00

Practical Magic the Movie
Well, I picked up on this at the very last minute so I will not be including wonderful pictures, art or a movie, but I do have some food for thought. In the Movie one of the important themes is believing in symbols, Sally believes so much in the symbolism of the beetle that she ‘knows’ it to be a sign of the death of her husband. The beetle is not what causes her husband’s death nor does it bring it about, instead it is simply a symbol of that event. Further on in the movie the issue of Officer Hallet’s badge comes up, that it is simple a star a piece of metal, but because it is a symbol that he believes in, then and only then does it take on power. So in the spirit of practical magic, what symbols do you believe in? What power do they have over you or what power do they grant to you? Take some time and really thing about the symbols you KNOW to be true, not just the symbols we use in everyday life. Do you have a symbol that is special to you or one that has the power and conviction of the beetle or the Star in Practical Magic?

What is a Girl to Do?

2010-09-21T22:33:00.000-07:00

As a trained archaeologist, a scientist and a general sceptic, thoughts that the universe, my animal totem or the Goddess and the God were sending trials my way was NOT the first thought I had when things began to go wrong. Actually I just figured it was the way things were supposed to go, you know the old philosophy one door closes another door opens, except another door hasn’t opened. Let me fill you in on my life in the previous year, I went to New Zealand to complete my Masters degree in Archaeology, I returned this past March a full three months more than we had originally intended to stay in a foreign country. So we returned home, poorer than expected with almost no worldly possessions and a giant student loan. No worries I figured, the universe will provide, I work hard and a combination of the two usually results in a positive experience.
So while meagre living was high on the menu I discovered that I am completely intolerant to wheat and had to go onto a specialized no wheat diet. The next time you are in the grocery store check out any packaged product, it has wheat in it! So I tried to take it in stride and remind myself that cooking from scratch and homemade were good for you, and that the cramps and pain from the ingestion of wheat would eventually pass. Next came the medical issues, blacking out and a debilitating headache. All I have to say is that I salute anyone who lives with chronic pain. Next our bathroom flooded with no fix or end in sight. So after the lack of a decent job, the sudden wheat intolerance, the blackouts the headache and now the flooded bathroom, all I can say is what is a girl to do? At this point no science and no scepticism can keep me from considering that I blacked out on the 12th of Aug. then the bathroom started flooding on the 12th of Sept. and that my Masters degree which was finished seven months ago is still stuck in red tape, I now believe there is more going on here. Unfortunately I never seem to understand why something is happening until I look back on it later, so how do I stop these nasty little treats from continuing?
At this point I have been asking every night before bed for my animal totem or the Goddess and the God to give me a sign, what I should do, what I am doing wrong or just what I should be learning. Unfortunately at this point my animal totem is refusing to show itself to me in its animal form, so any clues from my totem don’t seem to be forthcoming. I am hoping I can get something from a dream, as my headache will not allow for any decent meditation on the problem. So for the first time I am experiencing a real trial in my life and change is coming one way or the other, I guess we will see, what else is a girl to do?

Kitchen Witchery Questionaire

2010-09-21T21:18:00.000-07:00

For a little bit about me, Witchin' in the Kitchen posted a questionnaire about kitchen witchery which I found on Wandering in the Woods with the Little Green Witch. So here it is.

1. Does your magical name have anything to do with the kitchen, foods or herbs?
Yep it’s got herbs in it

2. What do you think are the three most important tools for a kitchen witch?
Cast Iron, Mortar & Pestle, and Love.

3. What do you do to make the kitchen the centre of the home?
It holds my herbs the majority of my magical and casting supplies and we spend so much time there cooking it has always been and will always remain the centre of our home.

4. Which kitchen deity/deities, if any, do you feel closest to? How do you honour him/her/them?
Baast, not only one of my favourite Egyptian Goddesses also the Goddess of flame and fire and a true goddess of my heart and hearth. I try to use old style cooking methods like baking stones and Tagines for cooking to honour a true fire Goddess.

5. What is your signature dish? Does it have a magical purpose? You can share the recipe unless it’s a secret.
Desserts, stroganoff, and baking are my realms of expertise and my signature dish would probably be chocolate covered grapes. It is a magical dish even when no extra intent is added making it something only used for special occasions.

6. What are your favourite cookbooks? They can be magical or non-magical.
A recipe box full of my mom’s from scratch recipes, and an old five roses cookbook.

7. What is your favourite food?
Chocolate, I’m addicted it is just how things are.

8. What is your least favourite?
Stewed tomatoes, I inherited that from my mom, and Okra, just yucky

9. Do you like to listen to the television or listen to music while you are in the kitchen? If so, what?
I like to have music in the Kitchen. What type depends on what I am cooking and the purpose of the recipe magically and consumption wise. It is usually soothing or upbeat oldies.

Standing Alone in a Room Full of People

2010-09-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been there? You know the place, your standing in a room full of nice friendly people, yet you are totally alone? I have been in that room most of my life, be it a classroom, a room full of my friends and peers at work at times even in my own home. Sometimes you just know that you are different, you are not like most other people and it seems like, as soon as you can feel it, everyone else in the room picks up on it too and suddenly everyone knows your different and you know they know. Its not like I have been treated like a lepor all my life, please dont get me wrong! I am a well enough functioning member of society, but it has always been clear to me that I am a odd shaped peg that just does not fit in the neat little holes society has laid out for its population.

As a teenager during my ultimate 'search for truth' I came across wicca, and it seemed to fit, not like ooooh I fit this perfectly, but instead as if my odd shaped peg was small enough to slide into the space which wicca offered. As I grew older my obervances and rituals deminished until they were no longer a part of my life, college, guys, family, work and life overwelmed me until I thought that all traces of spirituality had been sucked from my life. Not long ago I rediscovered my wiccan roots, and I have also discovered that my magical practices and spirituality had not been wiped out, but instead had hidden in an unforseen place of safe haven, the kitchen.

I imbue love into cupcakes and stir serentiy into moring smoothies. I find baking and cooking a joy, this is the time when I find myself speaking to the goddess voice inside my head. I had spirituality all along, it simply took haven it the kitchen the one place where science and work did not invade. The short and long of it is that I am a kitchen witch, I love my hearth, I tend my garden and I use simple magic every day. I was inspired by a number of other blogers who write about their magic and witchery, they have reminded me that even though I may be alone in this room full of people somewhere else, someone else is alone too. So thank you to those who have put themselves out there and welcome to my blog. It is my own with all my opinions, biases and quirks, but if you follow the path of the Kitchen witch, or are simply interested in this form of wicca follow me on my path as I redisover what it is to be whole in a crowded room alone.