Saturday, October 31, 2009

Morticia

Today I celebrated the holiday by watching a Addams Family Marathon! I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed that show..... and had no idea how much it influenced me!!!!

When Morticia smokes, she does so by stroking her dragon!!! And all of a sudden I realized I HAD THE EXACT SAME DRAGON IN MY HOUSE!!!!




Boy, that show must have influenced, me a lot more then I knew!

I also have stuffed turtles in the house... actual real turtles that were made into things! Like a candle holder.... and I like to bead and fancy up my curtains, and I wear black all the time (but don't look half as good as Morticia!) and I named my doll Morticia, and the dolls dog's name is Gomaz!

Freaky huh!

Remembering the dead




Remembering the dead on this day.

Tomorrow I would have been married 33 years, but my hubby passed away 14 years ago.

There were good memory's and some really bad ones (he was a bit of a jerk!).... but all in all I still miss the goof ball!

Add to that my Mom, my dad, both grandmoms, and grandfathers, uncle Mike, uncle Eddie my aunt vergi, aunt Helen, my old girlfriend Joyce, and my old boyfriend Ricky... I miss you all and remember you all at times!

Hope your next life is a good one!

HAPPY Samhain!!!!!!

Don'ts

Don't come home at 6am in the morning from a Halloween party! Strange things happen to those that are bad! GIGGLE

(Actually I was good...uh,yep that's right, I was a perfect angel! swear it! And by the way, I got this bridge I'd like to sell you.....)



PURPLE PUNCH ROCKS!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Even in Death



My favorite song by Evenessence... Even in Death. Try to find it and hear it, spooky and you know she's going to stay there with him!!! Evenessence is a cool Goth band, their songs seem to call to me.



Give me a reason to believe that you're gone
I see your shadow, so I know they're all wrong
Moonlight on the soft brown earth
It leads me to where you lay
They took you away from me but now I'm taking you home

I will stay forever here with you, my love
The softly spoken words you gave me
Even in death, our love goes on

Some say I'm crazy for my love, oh, my love
But no bonds can hold me from your side, oh, my love
They don't know you can't leave me
They don't hear you singing to me

I will stay forever here with you, my love
The softly spoken words you gave me
Even in death our love goes on
And I can't love you anymore than I do

I will stay forever here with you, my love
The softly spoken words you gave me
Even in death our love goes on
And I can't love you anymore than I do
(People die but real love is forever)

Ohhhh, I'm a bad girl!

Skipping right to Yule, and forgetting Thanksgiving! How dare I? GIGGLE

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Well done!!!!!


I risked my LIFE, for a two second picture with merlin in his hat..... these people went well above and beyound the call of duty!!!! And, I'm sure they all payed for it!!!! GIGGLE







Perfect

I sometimes see beauty in the oddest things! But this has to be the most perfect mushroom ever!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

HOW WONDERFUL!!!

Blue Moon Treasures is FANTASTIC!!!! I received my trade item from her this morning, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!!!!!!




The large one has 3 sides of my precious Merlin's pictures on it! He looks so cute!!! And the smaller one is chock full of pumpkins for my Holiday alter!!!!

You are very talented, and I promise to treasure them! Thank You!!!!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Yule Recipes

Since everyone has pretty much covered the coming holiday with decorations and food, and lots of cool stuff......... I figured I would get a head start on my favorite holiday... YULE!

Yes, you know it's coming... I know you don't want to think about it, but you have to! GIGGLE

These are some of my best recipes, only trouble is that this year the Venison is out.... I don't know anyone who can get me some! (don't worry, I'll pout about it, but I'll substitute fresh pork... but I really rather have venison!!!)




Yule Moon Cookies

1 cup butter
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. grated lemon peel
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/3 cup flour
1 1/2 cup grated almonds (blanched)
1 tsp. vanilla

Icing:
2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 Tbsp. water

Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy and light. Add grated lemon peel, salt, flour, grated almonds, and 1 tsp. vanilla; mix thoroughly. Place dough in bowl. Cover and chill thoroughly. When the dough is well chilled; or the next day, roll out dough to 1/8" thickness and cut with moon/crescent cookie cutter. Place 1/2" apart on un-greased baking sheet. Bake in preheated 375° oven for 8-10 minutes.

Icing: While cookies bake, combine confectioner's sugar, vanilla and water. Spread over the tops of cookies while still warm, but not too hot, as icing will melt. Thin with additional drops of water if glaze is too thick. Allow cookies to cool.

Yield: 10 dozen cookies



Sweet Potatoes and Cranberries

6 sweet potatoes
1 cup cranberry sauce
3/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 tsp. orange rind
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 Tbsp. butter
1 cup cranberries
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Boil sweet potatoes in their skins until barely tender. Peel, slice thickly, and arrange in a buttered baking dish. In a saucepan, mix remaining ingredients. Simmer, uncovered, for five minutes. Pour over sweet potatoes and bake uncovered at 350° for 20 minutes or until glazed and hot.




Roast Loin of Venison with Cranberries

2 thick slices of lemon
2 thick slices of orange
2 slices of peeled fresh ginger
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 small bay leaf
2 cups fresh cranberries
4 lbs. boneless loin of venison, at room temperature
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1 1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
3/4 tsp. finely chopped juniper berries (I usually leave them out, not my flavor type)
2 cups dry red wine
2 cups beef or venison stock
2 Tbsp. cold butter, cut into pieces
Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish

In a medium non-reactive saucepan, combine the lemon, orange, ginger, sugar and bay leaf with 1 cup cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to moderate and boil, uncovered until syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in cranberries, then remove from heat and cool. Transfer the mixture to a glass container, cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days, stirring once or twice during that time.

Preheat the oven to 400°. Rub the venison with the olive oil, 3/4 tsp. of salt, 1 tsp. of the pepper, and 1/2 tsp. of the chopped juniper berries, pressing the seasonings into the meat. Set the loin on a rack in roasting pan and roast, basting frequently with the pan juices, until medium rare (135° on a meat thermometers), 25 to 30 minutes. Cover the venison loosely with foil and set aside for 10 to 15 minutes before carving.

Meanwhile, remove and discard the bay leaf and the lemon, orange and ginger slices from the cranberries. In a food processor, puree half the cranberries and half the liquid until smooth. In a medium non-reactive saucepan, boil the wine over high heat until reduced to half a cup, about 5 minutes. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Add the cranberry puree, reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Strain the remaining whole cranberries and add them to the sauce with the remaining 1/4 tsp. each of salt, pepper and chopped juniper berries. Swirl in the cold butter. Slice the venison thinly (stir in any juices into the sauce) and serve with the sauce, reheated if necessary.


Acorn Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 1/2 lbs. sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (5 cups)
1 small acorn squash, seeded and cubed
13 3/4 oz. chicken broth (OR vegetable broth)
4 Tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. white pepper
1/4 cup sour cream
2 Tbsp. sliced almonds; toasted
ground nutmeg

Saute onion in oil in large saucepan over medium heat until onion is golden, about 8 minutes. Add potatoes, squash and broth. Simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes. Cool slightly. Working in small batches, place the vegetables with the liquid in a blender or food processor. Whirl until pureed. Return the puree to the saucepan. Stir in milk to desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Heat over low heat. Remove to heated bowls. Top each serving with dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of almonds and nutmeg.


Butternut Squash

2 Butternut Squash, halved with seeds removed
Margarine or Butter
Salt
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup honey
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
4 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

Preheat oven to 400° F. Place squash cut side down on greased shallow baking pan. Bake uncovered about 45 minutes or until fork tender. Wipe cut surface with a little butter and sprinkle with salt. Return to bake cut side up about 10 minutes longer or until browned and soft. Reduce oven temperature to 325°. Scrape out he squash into a mixing bowl. Add sugar, honey, ginger, pumpkin pie spice and butter. Beat with electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Put in buttered casserole. Return to oven, covered, for 30 minutes.

OK, sooooo NOT FUNNY!



Seems EVERYONE is getting in the Halloween spirit!!!

This was so not funny, I swear I peed a little I was so scared!!!!

Went out a few nights ago to put the garbage out.... no lights, late at night..... hay, I know where my garbage cans are.... who needs lights??

At the bottom of the stairs I bumped into, I mean really BUMPED INTO... a freaking deer!!! BIG HUGE ANTLERED MASSIVE DEER!!!!

OK, it was actually a tiny doe, but still........... heart stopped, pee started, screaming commenced!!!!

And it looked at me, and "Humphed" at me, and calmly walked away!!!!


NO FAIR!!!! IF IT SCARED THE SHIT OUT OF ME, SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SCARED TOO!!! Right? I'm right aren't I?

Stupid deer! Now I have deer cooties! I know I got the cooties! Someone give me a cure for deer cooties!!!!!!!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Cat owners.... you know this is true!!!!!!

Counting Crows




One for sadness,

two for mirth;

Three for marriage,

four for birth;

Five for laughing,

six for crying:

Seven for sickness,

eight for dying;

Nine for silver,

ten for gold;

Eleven a secret that will never be told.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

The tale of the Jersey Devil



And yes, I do live in the Pine Barrens, and no, I haven't seen it..... yet!


The Jersey Devil, sometimes called the Leeds Devil, is a legendary creature or cryptid said to inhabit the Pine Barrens in southern New Jersey. The creature is often described as a flying biped with hooves, but there are many variations.


There are many possible origins of the Jersey Devil legend. The earliest legends date back to Native American folklore. The Lenni Lenape tribes called the area around Pine Barrens "Popuessing", meaning "place of the dragon". Swedish explorers later named it "Drake Kill", "drake" being a Swedish word for dragon, and "kill" meaning channel or arm of the sea (river, stream, etc.)

The most accepted origin of the story as far as New Jerseyans are concerned started with Mother Leeds and is as follows:

"It was said that Mother Leeds had 12 children and, after giving birth to her 12th child, stated that if she had another, it would be the Devil. In 1735, Mother Leeds was in labor on a stormy night. Gathered around her were her friends. Mother Leeds was supposedly a witch and the child's father was the Devil himself. The child was born normal, but then changed form. It changed from a normal baby to a creature with hooves, a horse's head, bat wings and a forked tail. It growled and screamed, then killed the midwife before flying up the chimney. It circled the villages and headed toward the pines. In 1740 a clergy exorcised the demon for 100 years and it wasn't seen again until 1890."

"Mother Leeds" has been identified by some as Deborah Leeds. This identification may have gained credence from the fact that Deborah Leeds' husband, Japhet Leeds, named twelve children in the will he wrote in 1736, which is compatible with the legend of the Jersey Devil being the thirteenth child born by Mother Leeds. Deborah and Japhet Leeds also lived in the Leeds Point section of what is now Atlantic County, New Jersey, which is the area commonly said to be the location of the Jersey Devil story.


Some skeptics believe the Jersey Devil to be nothing more than a creative manifestation of the English settlers. The aptly named Pine Barrens were shunned by most early settlers as a desolate, threatening place.


Being relatively isolated, the barrens were a natural refuge for those wanting to remain hidden, including religious dissenters, loyalists, fugitives and military deserters in colonial times. Such individuals formed solitary groups and were pejoratively called "pineys", some of whom became notorious bandits known as "pine robbers". Pineys were further demonized after two early twentieth century eugenics studies depicted them as congenital idiots and criminals. It is easy to imagine early tales of terrible monsters arising from a combination of sightings of genuine animals such as bears, the activities of pineys, and fear of the barrens.The Jersey Devil has killed cattle, dogs, and other creatures.

Outdoorsman and author Tom Brown, Jr. spent several seasons living in the wilderness of the Pine Barrens. He recounts occasions when terrified hikers mistook him for the Jersey Devil, after he covered his whole body with mud to repel mosquitoes.

Not surprisingly, the Jersey Devil legend is fueled by the various testimonials from alleged eyewitnesses who have reported to have encountered the creature, from precolonial times to the present day, as there are still reported sightings within the New Jersey area.

Many contemporary theorists believe that the Jersey Devil could possibly be a very rare, unclassified species which instinctually fears and attempts to avoid humans. Such elements that support this theory include the overall similarities of the creature's appearance (horselike head, long neck and tail, leathery wings, cloven hooves, blood-curdling scream), with the only variables being the height and color.

Another factor that supports the cryptozoological theory is the fact that it is more likely that a species could endure over a span of several hundred years, rather than the existence of a single creature living for over 500 years.

Modern popular belief is that the Jersey Devil is nothing more than an old time Bogeyman, stories created and told by bored Pine Barren residents as a form of entertainment and told to children who stayed up past their bedtime.

Some people think the Sandhill Crane (which has a 7 feet wingspan) is the basis of the Jersey Devil stories.

The physical descriptions of the Jersey Devil appear to be mostly consistent with a species of pterosaur such as a dimorphodon.


Reportedly in 1778,Commodore Stephen Decatur visited the Hanover Iron Works in the Barrens to test cannonballs at a firing range, where he allegedly witnessed a strange, pale white creature winging overhead. Using cannon fire, Decatur purportedly punctured the wing membrane of the creature, which continued flying – apparently unfazed – to the amazement of onlookers

Additional legend puts this encounter at 1819 and at the behest of President James Monroe. Work on Decatur's House in DC from 2007 -2008 has led to speculation that his Jersey Devil sighting was more than mere chance. Decatur was definitely in New Jersey testing the quality of cannonballs produced by Batsto and Hanover. Included in his entourage was Dr. James Killian, famed abnormalist and cryptid hunter from the 19th century. Legends throughout New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania have these two men in scientific pursuit of the animal.

Joseph Bonaparte (eldest brother of Emperor Napoleon) is said to have witnessed the Jersey Devil while hunting on his Bordentown, New Jersey estate around 1820

In 1840, the devil was blamed for several livestock killings. Similar attacks were reported in 1841, accompanied by strange tracks and unearthly screams. The devil made an 1859 appearance in Haddonfield. Bridgeton witnessed a flurry of sightings during the winter of 1873. About 1887, the Jersey Devil was sighted near a house, and terrified one of the children, who called the Devil "it"; the Devil was also sighted in the woods soon after that, and just as in Stephen Decatur's encounter, the Devil was shot in the right wing, but still kept flying.

January 1909, however, saw the most frenetic period of Devil sightings ever recorded. Thousands of people claimed to witness the Jersey Devil during the week of January 16–23. Newspapers nationwide followed the story and published eyewitness reports.

16th (Saturday) – The creature was sighted flying over Woodbury.
17th (Sunday) – In Bristol, Pennsylvania, several people saw the creature and tracks were found in the snow the following day.
18th (Monday) – Burlington was covered in strange tracks that seemed to defy logic; some were found in several other towns.
19th (Tuesday) – Nelson Evans and his wife, of Gloucester, allegedly saw the creature outside their window at 2:30 AM .

Evans gave a descriptive account as follows: "It was about three feet and a half high, with a head like a collie dog and a face like a horse. It had a long neck, wings about two feet long, and its back legs were like those of a crane, and it had horse's hooves. It walked on its back legs and held up two short front legs with paws on them. It didn't use the front legs at all while we were watching. My wife and I were scared, I tell you, but I managed to open the window and say, 'Shoo!' and it turned around, barked at me, and flew away."


Two Gloucester hunters tracked the creature's perplexing trail for twenty miles. The trail appeared to "jump" fences and squeeze under eight-inch gaps. Similar trails were reported in several other towns.

20th (Wednesday) – In Haddonfield and Collingswood, posses were formed to find the devil. They supposedly watched the creature fly toward Moorestown, where it was later seen by at least two more people.
21st (Thursday) – The creature attacked a trolley car in Haddon Heights, but was chased off. Trolley cars in several other towns began to maintain armed guards, and several poultry farmers found their chickens dead. The devil was reported to collide with an electric rail in Clayton, but was not killed. A telegraph worker near Atlantic City claimed to have shot the devil, only to watch it limp into the woods. The creature apparently was not fazed as it continued the rampage through Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and West Collingswood, New Jersey (where it was supposedly hosed by the local fire department). The devil seemed poised to attack nearby people, who defensively threw any available objects at it. The creature suddenly flew away—and reemerged in Camden to injure a dog, ripping a chunk of flesh from its cheek before the dog's owner drove it away. This was the first reported devil attack on a living creature.
22nd (Friday) – Last day of sightings. Many towns were panic stricken, with many businesses and schools closed in fear.
During this period, it is rumored that the Philadelphia Zoo posted a reward for the creature's capture. The offer prompted a variety of hoaxes, including a kangaroo with artificial wings

In addition to these encounters, the creature was seen flying over several other towns. Since the week of terror in 1909, sightings have been much less frequent.

In 1951 there was another panic in Gibbstown, New Jersey, after local boys claimed to have seen a screaming humanoid monster.

A bizarre rotting corpse vaguely matching the Jersey Devil description was discovered in 1957, leaving some to believe the creature was dead. However, there have been many sightings since that time

In 1960, the merchants around Camden offered a 10,000 dollar reward for the capture of the Jersey Devil, even offering to build a private zoo to house the creature if captured. To date, the reward has been unclaimed

In 1991, a pizza delivery driver in Edison, New Jersey described a night encounter with a white, horselike creature.

In 2002, an episode of Scariest Places on Earth aired, where a group of Jersey Devil hunters searched for the creature. It ended with the lead investigator Laura Leuter running in horror from what is supposedly the Jersey Devil but actually was a fellow Devil Hunter returning from his investigation.

In Freehold, New Jersey, in 2007, a woman supposedly saw a huge creature with bat-like wings near her home. In August of the same year, a young man driving home near the border of Mount Laurel and Moorestown, New Jersey reported a similar sighting. He claimed that he spotted a "a creature resembling a gargoyle with enormous bat-like wings" perched in some trees near the road.

On January 23, 2008 the Jersey Devil was spotted again this time in Litchfield, Pennsylvania by a local resident that claims to have seen the creature come barreling out of the roof of his barn.

Starlings Murmuration

We had our yearly fall visitations of Starlings today.... almost a MONTH early. So I don't have much hope that this is going to be a mild winter!

A group of starlings is called a "Murmuration" why? Haven't a clue.. but it does sound good.

These are pictures of just a few, there were THOUSANDS of them, all over the place, but they kept moving so I couldn't get much shots!


They played in the puddles



Ignored the scary scarecrows



And Merlin kept a vigilant watch on them... just to make sure they didn't try to get inside!


Color me Blue!



I'm soooo tired of shopping!!!!!

I hate that I didn't get my shopping done like I usually do! I'm usually all done shopping for Yule by July!!!

And this year, do to all the freaking expenses sending my son off to school.... I JUST STARTED!!!

I'm almost done though. Except for one thing for Barb, and one thing for Brian.... I'm finished. But I'm SICK OF STORES!!! and let me tell you that's unusual for me!!!

On top of that (and this is the usual thing for me) the doll that I collect came out with a new version of her!!! She has glass eyes, and 3 wigs, and lash's!!! Ohhhhhh she's so pretty, but it's not going to happen!!!




I have only one month to go for shopping, and I need to save that money for others, instead of me.....but ME really wants something for ME! GIGGLE

I really wish the "Money Fairy" would swoop down to my house, and unload all that dirty money she has!!!!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Samhain Spells





The veil between the worlds is thinnest at Hallowe'en. Take advantage of this to cast extra-powerful spells, read the future and communicate with spirits who have passed on.

Need-Fire Spell
The Anglo-Saxon tribes that invaded Britain called Hallowe'en 'need-fire.' They lit bonfires to magically endow the sun with the strength to survive the winter. Such bonfire customs survive in Great Britain, but have been moved to the 5th of November and associated with the burning in effigy of Guy Fawkes. Revive the old magic by lighting your own 'need-fire' out of doors and add a colourful touch of the modern with fireworks.

Protection against Evil Spirits
The fierce faced lanterns carved out of pumpkins and, in colder climates where pumpkins are rare, turnips, are apotropaic charms intended to ward off evil spirits and protect traveller and household from harm. Make a Jack O'Lantern to keep the ghosties and ghoulies at bay. It is said that when you see the flame flickering, a spirit is near...

Hazelnut Love Spell
A girl might divine who her future husband was going to be by lining up hazelnuts in front of the fire, each of which represented one of the boys that was wooing her. She would then chant, "If you love me, pop and fly. If you hate me, burn and die."

Water Love Spell
Another tradition from America instructs the curious girl to take a lamp and go out on the night of Hallowe'en to a spring of water and peering in she should see the reflection of her future husband.

Apple Love Spell
To find out who your future partner in life is going to be try this simple divination spell. Take an apple and peel its skin off in one long piece, saying,

I pare this apple round and again
My sweetheart's name to flourish plain
I fling the pairing o'er my head
My sweetheart's letter on the ground be read
The peel should then have landed in the shape of your true-love's initial.

The Seining Ritual
It has been suggested that the game of Dooking, or Bobbing for Apples, in which a person must catch apples floating in a basin with his teeth is a forgotten survival of the Pagan 'baptism' ritual of seining.

The Samhain Spell
The following 'spell' is a modern Wiccan composition.

Be unafraid of Shadows dark
And to their whispers
Do Not Hark
Unfriendly words
You do Not hear
No worry, trouble
Loss or Fear
No Shadow falls
Upon your Heart
We Stand Together
Though Apart.
We Stand Together
Ever Winning
All our spells
Together Spinning
For Every End
A New Beginning
Wealthy, Healthy,
Happy, Free
If this your Will
So Mote It Be!

Your driving me bonkers.... giggle



This morning hopping around the Blogger world, I was being driven crazy by all the wonderful recipes for pumpkin! The breads, oh my, the cup cakes, oh dear!!!! It was just too much for me to stand! GIGGLE

And since I can't eat cakes or breads, I did one better.... to make myself feel better, I added just a touch of pumpkin pie spice to my sugar.... and then used heavy cream instead of milk.... and enjoyed the aroma of it all in a nice cup of coffee! It really was YUMMMMMMMY!

Now, how about y'all start talking about ANYTHING, but good food I can't eat!!!!

Just some funny's to brighten this gloomy day



People think of the cutest things!!!!

And the SICKEST things! giggle But, you have to applaud their imagination!!!





Wednesday, October 21, 2009

I'm so tired of this shit!!!!




I am so tired of this STUPID MENOPAUSE!!!!!!! I passed through it like 8 years ago.... but I still get freaking HOT FLASH'S!!!!!

Not all the time, but a couple times every few months or so. And it sucks the big one. Sometimes at night (the absolute worst!) sometimes during the day (not so bad since I wasn't fast asleep when it hit!)

I get hot, soooooo very hot.... but I don't sweat (have a condition that means I have like now sweat glands, so I never sweat) But I get the rapid heart beat, then the heat, then chills!!!!


GGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!

I'm way over having my monthly, been like 8 years, but I think it's the goddess's way of reminding us that we are still women... WELL STOP IT!!!!

I went through it with no help, no doctor, doing the happy dance that I won't get my monthly any more.... but these occasional spells drive me nuts!!!!!

I did find that taking a benadrylle sometimes helps, but what helps the most is getting cool, and staying that way. I always sleep with my window open, even in the winter, and never more then one light blanket on me.... but still I get them. sigh

Being a crone is good, but these spells aren't!!!

Wonder if that's why old time witch's danced nude in the moonlight??? trying to get cool????

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Another one!



Another great give away at http://alltogetherdead.blogspot.com/ she's got some cool things, glad I found the blog...even without the contest!

Run don't walk......




.....Over to my friends blog http://octoberfarm.blogspot.com/ She's doing a give away for some fantastic stuff.... plus her blog ROCKS!

Now this IS actually Merlin!

Now this actually is my Merlin.... notice that he refused to sit up just for a picture... too much work for him! GIGGLE

I found this skull for $2.50 at big lots! I love how it looks old and rotten, like it's been buried for a long time!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Favorite Old Movie

I sat down to watch my favorite old Science Fiction movie....THE THING FROM OUTER SPACE! You know it was still great! Much better then the later remake of the movie.




In the movie you really didn't get to see the "thing" he was always in the dark, or from a distance, but this is the picture of him close up. He actually was a vegetable!!!! Cool, monster carrot!!!! Of course a carrot that fed on blood, but a carrot never the less. giggle






James Arnes, who used to play the sheriff on "Gunsmoke" was the monster. I love all those old Sci-fi movies!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Favorate food!



This is the fixings for my favorite food! I can eat this everyday, all day, for weeks even months, and be completely satisfied and happy.

Lox, cream cheese, lemon juice, and crackers!

It used to be bagels, salt bagels.... but because of my flour allergy I had to give them up.... and after tons of trying, and looking I found these crackers.

100% Rye flour!!! And I'm not allergic to rye, so it's works fine! The crackers are light, and slightly salty, and while nothing can come close to a fresh hot bagel, It will do in my situation!






All together a tasty meal, snack, or whatever you want to call it.

Sometimes I add olives, or capers, or raw onion... to mix it up a bit. But if there was a ton of stuff to eat, even lobster.... I would chose lox for my meal.

See, Barb has poisoned my mind, and now all I can think about is food! Darn her!!! GIGGLE

So, forgive me if my next few posting is all about eating and food.... she infected me with the virus, and I can't seem to get it out of my head! GIGGLE

Doing the happy but guilty dance!!!!!!!

I got my quarterly water bill today!!! And for the first time in 8 years.... it was 40 dollars LESS then it had been!!!!

Doing the happy dance cause this is the first proof that my SON was a major cause of my high utility bills!!!! Feeling guilty also, cause I shouldn't be so happy he's gone....GIGGLE.... but just a tiny bit!

Yesterday, now that my phone is BACK ON, I spent like 2 hours talking to Barb.


Now the weather is getting colder, so most of Barb's conversation turns to food! Warm, comfy food! Drove me nuts!!!!


She talked about making beef stew, and I had to have some!!!


I'm a vegetarian, have been for 2 years now.... but sometimes you have to have some meat, and I figured this was the time!!!!..... but I didn't go nuts, just added enough beef to the crock pot to give it flavor, and filled the rest with veggies!




This is "Betsy", my crock pot. There was a whole drama last year when Betsy the 1st passed away... and the saga continued while I shopped and shopped.... trying to find her twin sister. (cause she was the perfect size!!!)


I finally found her twin, and here she is in her glory...... filled to the brim with celery, carrots, onions, chives, mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, and of course some small amount of beef!!!


When it's almost finished cooking I will add Yucca.... you can't cook that too long or it turns to mush!!! But I have to have that potato taste it gives since I can't eat real potato's!

Ahhhhhh, warm, rich, thick comfy food.... perfect for all this rain and wind!!!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Alarming much?

I read the newspaper every day, on line and off. And I've noticed an alarming trend in papers.... reporting deaths from the swine flu.

Like today, yahoo reports "43 children die from swine flu this year!"

But read the article.... they are no longer reporting WHERE these children are from, or the young adults are FROM!!!


No more statistics recounting who sick in the US!!!!! WHAT STATES! Or should I say WHAT COUNTRIES?

Why aren't they saying where these children are from???

Simple, the government payed a lot of money to get these flu shots.... and the US is not responding by running out and getting the whole family vaccinated!

Too weary of the reports and the fact that the vaccine is made in CHINA!!!

People are having a hard think about getting something for their kids that is, UNTESTED, and the SIDE EFFECTS are not being mentioned, AND THE VACCINE IS FROM CHINA.

Tell me how many toys, foods, and other stuff has been recalled from CHINA in the last year alone??? I'll tell you TONS!

Now, I can't get the flu shot.... I'm allergic to eggs, so no shots for me.... but it worries me the amount of attention, and forcing they are doing to convince us to get our kids shots!

And I had no problem with others getting the shots if they need them, or want them.... but then all of a sudden all these reports, with out the facts, or the backup other reports have had.... it is just alarming to me!

Why are they pushing this so hard? Why are they on a vendetta to scare everyone? Why are the reports of deaths so vague now?

Don't call me crazy.......

A few days ago I was cleaning my son's bathroom....AGAIN! Yes, I know I cleaned it the day he left for Rutgers, and Yes, I know no one has used it since then, but I was cleaning it again.... cause I'm NUTS!!!

Just a clean freak, I know, can't help it.... sigh.... but as I was saying I was sitting on the bathroom floor scrubbing the toilet, when I realized I was freaking HOT!

See, my son's bathroom has a sun roof in his bathroom... and the sun was shinning down on me while I worked, and it got really hot!

All of a sudden, a light bulb went off!!!! HIS BATHROOM IS ALWAYS SUNNY!!!

Maybe I can move some of my outdoor plants in there for the winter?? Maybe the geraniums and sweet potato vines don't have to die!!!!!

And so it was, that I spent the next half hour moving plants into his bathroom.



Now, I know he'll be home for the holidays, and he will probably be pretty pissed that I moved all the plants in there.... but I don't care!!!! giggle

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Please tell me




OK, this girl rocks! After finding the witch's hats and mice, I went back again to her blog http://blendednotstirred-melissa.blogspot.com/ And found this cute little Fairy house!!!!!

Please, PLEASE, tell me where you got this!!!! I do all container planting and I would love to have one among my plants!!!! And how did you do the pond????




Oh Goddess, I find this so funny, quite a few things fit me! giggle Except for the kids, kids love me! Sound like it was written by someone who actualy wish's they could join us! giggle

Your Neighbor Is A Witch If...
By: Andie Gilmour


Fifty sure-fire ways to detect paganism without having to resort to a dunking stool or wart-inspection.

1) Never puts any rubbish out on refuse-collection day. I mean, re-cycling and composting is fine, but you can take it too far.

2) You casually ask what phase the moon is in, and she tells you down to the exact number of days, hour and minute of rising, position on horizon, and current angle of declination.

3) All the stray cats in the neighbourhood tend to congregate in her garden (and use your own as their litter).

4) A screech owl has chosen the lamp-post outside her house as its favorite calling-post. That's just when it's getting warm at night and you like to sleep with the window open.

5) Doesn't cut down the weeds in her garden; in fact it looks more like she's cultivating them. Needless to say, you get the seeds wafting over onto your pristine lawn.

6) Most of her clothes on the washing line are black.

7) The local kids talk in whispers as they go past her house, then start running at the last moment.

8) Nobody trick-or-treats her house; not after the incident when the kids' costumes were less scary than hers when she opened the door to them. (She was embracing the Crone that year no doubt!)

9) Footprints on the roof. And the trees in her flight-path have been pruned down. I swear it's true!

10) She can't even make a simple sandwich without adding fresh herbs to it. And don't ask her for a cup of tea unless you want something yellow coloured and smelling of flowers.

11) She hardly ever gets junk mail. You ask her what her secret is and she confides that she returns it to sender after writing something on in strange curly writing.

12) When you pop next door for a chat, the kettle is always already on.

13) The Jehovah's Witnesses never call (not anymore; not after the last time :-).

14) Keeps the local scented-candle shop solvent.

15) Has a pond full of frogs (and you haven't seen that bothersome double-glazing salesman around for a while).

16) She's always smiling, darn her!

17) She goes dressed as normal to a Hallowe'en fancy dress party; and wins first prize.

18) Her house always smells of incense.

19) Has named her four cats Hecate, Kali, Diana, and Moonbeam. (Or her rats Devon and Cornwall)

20) Her bumper sticker reads "I brake for toads".

21) Frequently gets raided by the drug squad who confiscate large amounts of dried green leaves; they always return them with apologies after analysis.

22) At Christmas, it seems like half the garden has been moved into the house.

23) You sometimes hear the sound of singing and dancing through the wall. If you look out of the window, it is usually a full moon.

24) She was given a bodhram drum for her birthday. And she plays it at midnight in the fields. And she's got a blasted tamborine.

25) You discover that her realistic resin skull ornament in her living room, actually is real.

26) You catch her washing a crystal ball along with the dishes.

27) She wears a lot of silver jewelry, even when doing the gardening. And bat ear-rings for goodness-sake.

28) You knock on her door and she answers it naked except for a toweling robe. You apologize for disturbing her in the bath, but notice that her hair isn't wet.

29) Irritating tendency to hum a lot. What's she got to be so happy about, huh?

30) She has a tame robin that will eat from her hand in the garden. That can't be natural.

31) Never catches a cold, even though she walks barefoot most of the time. In the snow as well.

32) Doesn't kill spiders. Not even big hairy long-legged ones that suddenly appear from the waste-pipe whilst you're having a bath.

33) She listens to what you are saying like she really cares.

34) She has lots of female friends who come round every few months. When you ask what they get up to, she tells you that they just have cakes and ale and a good natter.

35) You catch her hugging a tree.

36) Her dinner-set is decorated with Celtic patterns.

37) She has a mail-order account with a semi-precious gem wholesaler.

38) You notice that the parish priest crosses himself whenever he walks past her house.

39) She never watches television. And she has shelves full of books with black spines and silver-lettered titles.

40) To your certain knowledge she has never set foot in the local church. In fact, you have heard rumours that she has been barred from it.

41) She makes jars of quince and mandrake relish for the Women's Institute coffee morning jumble sale.

42) You ask to borrow a pack of cards for an impromptu bridge evening, and there are 78 in the pack.

43) You have never known her to visit her GP.

44) When you talk with her, she maintains eye contact all the time.

45) Expectant mothers are forever visiting her. Also women who become expectant mothers a month after visiting her.

46) You ask her for suggestions for nice walks in the area, and they all go by way of stone circles and strange earth mounds.

47) She only buys organic. And you just bet that she's a vegetarian as well. (Well, maybe not stricly vegetarian....)

48) When you ask her about her vacation plans, she tells you she will be camping in a tee-pee in the Brecon Beacons.

49) There aren't any mirrors in her house. Or clocks.

50) She tells you that she is coming out of the broom closet, joins Witches' Voice, and erects a stained-glass pentacle window in her front door . Ooo what a give-away!

UGH!

So, I woke up this morning, and looked at the weather forecast for the first time in a few weeks... and got the good (being sarcastic here!) News!!!

Not only are we in for a nor'easter, but 2 nor'easter in a row!!! And that means rain, rain, wind, rain, wind, rain, wind.... and so on forever!!!




First thing I did was run outside and rescue my pumpkin! No way am I letting that blow away!

Everything else is cool though, I'm used to this, so nothing outside can fly away, the hatches have been battened down! giggle

And you may think I'm upset about this, but I'm not. It just means that I cuddle under a warm blanket, eat Cheetos's and read a good book.

See, in my last 5 house's I had basements, basements that flooded! So I spent any time in the rain running up and down the stairs with mops and buckets, and turning on sump pumps and all that flood stuff.

Here, NO BASEMENT!!!! HIGH AND DRY!!!! The only problem I have is with people's garbage cans rolling down the road, and into my property... and that's no biggie.... all I do is, after the rain and wind, put them back at the road and let the people come claim them.

without the flooding basements, I find I actually love the rain!!!!!