More gifts

And this is the newest addition to my Dragon family.

A new little baby given to me by Ty and Steph. I haven't named him yet, anyone have some ideas?????

Some Christmas gifts

Here are two witches that Eileen got me, they are from a collection. I got a witch mirmaid from her last year. These are "Ms. Thang", and "Ms. Selma" Plus a collection of cute, and cuddly monsters!!! How sweet! I love them all!!!

GIFTS

No one asked me this year... "What do you want for Christmas?"

And I totally understand that, since I usually don't have a clue what I want.... or if I really want anything!

I had to be the most annoying kid!!!!! I never wrote a letter to Santa, I never told Santa specific types of gifts.... Like a Chatty Kathy doll. Nope, because I'm just not like that. Hummmm, maybe that's why Mom liked me the best.... I didn't have a demanding bone in my body.


I LOVE gifts! Anything, no matter how stupid or gaudy, I just love them! And yes, I do have a preference for GAUDY! Glitter, glitz, rhinestones, crystal... Love it. Just not in clothing.


One year I did tell some people I needed a housecoat, and I got THREE!!! GIGGLE!! But, I was happy with them. And used them all up!


This year I wanted 2 things.... a carpet cleaner, and a new housecoat (NOT blue.... why is it that ratty old housecoats that last forever are BLUE??)


But no one bothered to ask. so I'm pretty sure I'll have to go out and buy them. LOL

I tried hard with some of my friends, asking what they wanted or needed, but no one had a clue, so I winged it this year. I can only hope they all like what I got for them. Because of money, not terrably expencive this year, but nice. I hope. GIGGLE


All except for Matt Litchfield..... His gift will have to wait till summer, because it's a big one, and..... well, I'm NOT going to spoil the surprise! GIGGLE

Ouchy Yule! Giggle

Twas the night before X-mas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse;
The paddles were hung in the cupboard with care,
In hopes that her bottom soon would be bare;

The children were nestled at grandma's in bed,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her nightie, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long discipline chat,

When out of her mouth there arose such a clatter,
I sat on the bed as she sassed "Hey what's the matter?"
I pulled her across my knee in a flash,
Pulled up her nightie to bare her cute ass.

Her bottom was white as the new-fallen snow
But would soon give way to the luster of a healthy red glow,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a large wooden paddle, to redden her rear,

With long hard swings, both lively and quick,
She knew in a moment it won't be a picnic.
In rapid succession the paddling came,
I shouted, and called out her no-nos by name;

"Now, SASSING! Now, LYING! And STAYING UP LATE!"
I paddled her hard and continued her fate.
She begged and she pleaded and I knew she would bawl!
Her bottom, her thighs I covered them all!

As I held her down tight I listened to her cry,
When the paddle met her, there were tears in her eyes,
So I spanked and I spanked and the paddle it flew,
With the lecture of love that came with it too.

The wiggling and kicking of each little foot
The paddle would soon make her little ass cook.
As I drew back the paddle, again it was sound,
Down on her bottom it came with a bound.

She was beautiful and sexy, from her head to her foot,
But her soul was all tarnished like ashes and soot;
A bundle of guilt she had on her back,
I took them away with each paddle wack.

Her eyes -- how they twinkled! With tears that weren't merry!
Her cheeks were red as roses, her thighs like a cherry!
Her beautiful hair was drawn up in a bow,
And her bottom was now not as white as the snow;

I let her get up and put the paddle on the shelf,
I kissed her and I love her more then myself;
A wink of my eye and a twist of my head,
Soon let her know it was now time for bed;

I spoke not a word, but went straight to work,
I tucked her in bed; then turned with a jerk,
And laying my finger aside of my nose,
And thinking inside, "She's as red as a rose";

Now discipline is not as easy as a whistle,
And it won't go away like the down of a thistle.
Now to all of you who love spankings so dear,
"MERRY X-MAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A RED REAR!"

MERRY YULE

Merlin says to have a "layed back, belly busting, happy Yule time!!!!!!!

Tell me I'm wrong?

This is the latest in the "Sister" saga. Tell me if I'm wrong........



My Aunt Harriet is down for a visit. (the one remaining aunt on my mother's side, actually the last I should say)



Now Eileen told me when she was coming up to NJ in December for a long visit with friends, but NOT when she was actually visiting US..... since she has a ton of friends here in NJ.



So, I talked to Eileen on Thursday, and told her to stop by this weekend and pick up her gifts, since I'm not going to her house for Christmas............ and she said she would............



On Sunday, I finally called her to find out when she was coming, and she was all flustered, and busy, cooking.


Now because she was flustered, and of course since she just HAS to complain ALL THE TIME!!!!.......... she let slip that aunt Harriet was coming for dinner on Monday.......... NOT THAT SHE ASKED ME TO COME.... and if she was planning to ask me to come....WHY DIDN'T SHE CALL ME EARLIER..... SHE DIDN'T EVEN CALL ME.... I CALLED HER.... LATE ON SUNDAY!!!



So, we can tell I wasn't going to be invited..... and if I was, as just a second opinion..... why didn't she call me for Matt's schedule.... so she would know what DAY to invite Harriet over????


She KNOWS Matt has full day schedules this semester!!!! She knows that most days I have to pick him up late at night............ so If I was really going to be invited..... why didn't she bother to check with me???????????????????


On top of that, it all started with her complaining about all the work she was doing to make Gwupies or stuffed cabbage.......


Not to be a bitch, but I had just spent 2 days making a HUGE VAT of them, and told her all about them...... But she was complaining that Aunt Harriet wanted them for dinner......................................................................................................


soooooooo, if I was actually in the consideration for this dinner party........ why did SHE make the cabbage, when she knew I had already made a HUGE amount??????????? why didn't she call me days earlier, and ask me to bring the cabbage????


The only thing I can think of is that I wasn't wanted.

I didn't go of course, I couldn't..... and you know what...... I'm TIRED OF BEING NICE!!!!!



That's it!!!! I'm so done with the BITCH! DONE!!!!!!!

So Dissapointed in people

I'm so disappointed in people this year. Where are the Christmas cards?!?!?!?!?

Have people gotten so cheap that they can't spend the money to buy them. That can't be, because cards in packs are pretty cheap. My cards this year, with Tinkerbell on them, were only a Dollar!

Is it the stamps. Yes, they have gone up in price. I know that, you know that.... but isn't it worth it?

Maybe it's the computer? I send E-Mail cards for different things. Birthdays, and other holidays.... but I don't even get them!!!!

There is something magical about going to your mail box, and find a pretty card there! One you can display, and look at. SIGH

This year I have 3 of them! ONLY 3! And 2 are from the same person!!!!!!! Maybe more will come?????.... I've had one or two that managed to make it to me AFTER Christmas.

Tradition is a strong piece of our past. Decorating the tree, and house, making or buying cookies, and sending Christmas Cards. To drop one whole piece of the tradition is just plain wrong!

It's funny, but my Aunt actually mentioned to me that she MISSED getting my cards one year when I was too sick to send them. Maybe that's why she sent me 2 of them. GIGGLE. But I think it was more of forgetting in her old age.... but I was wonderful getting them!

Sometimes it's nice getting something besides bills and flyer's in the mail. It grounds you, reminds you of those you don't see that often, and damn it! They are just plain PRETTY!!!!!

For all you little kids

For all you little kids, and adults who still are young at heart, you have to cut and paste this, and watch this movie!!! It's soooooooo funny!


New inoculation for Cooties


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6ylxWcwkUM

Christmas

How I try to keep good cheer,
but nothing but "bah Humbug" here!

snowy roads, and chilling cold,
Icy sleet, and slippery roads.

slush in my shoes, and long winter colds,
games that I need have long been sold!

feet sore from shopping miles of malls
back sore from wrapping tying those bows,

One more merry carol on the radio,
and I'm going to blow....

what's that? What a present for me?
Yipe, Merry Christmas, bah humbug's not me!!

The holiday wheel

How having a DVR has changed me

I admit, I like to watch TV.

Evening programs that is..... in the morning I don't watch anything..... game shows are boring, talk shows? No way!!!! And don't even think soap opera's!!!! Not my thing at all!!!!!


I do like evening shows though, but I have a hard time.


Lots of shows air on the same day, same time..... like Bones and NCIS.


I LOVE both shows!!!! Before I had to choose witch one to watch. And click during commercials on the other show, hoping to catch a minute or two.


And don't even talk about Sci-fi Chanel!!!! Love some of the shows, and also lifetime and TNT. All those channels have some really good shows on also.... and of course, at the same time the good prime time shows are on.


Now, with the DVR, I go thru the daily programing.... decide on what I'm going to watch, and all the others I record!!!


This is great also when I have stuff to do on the computer..... Like tonight.... I just hit "record" on all my shows and went into my room to work on the computer.


In the mornings.... when I normally don't watch anything, I go to the DVR and hit play list, and play all the shows I recorded....... and of course, fast forwarding thu the commercials.


What fun!!!!


Now I'm even watching shows that I passed, because others were better and on the same time. I watched the Sci-Fi short mini-series "tin man" and didn't miss anything on the other channels. Plus I found out "women's murder club" is a pretty good show.


All thanks to getting the direct TV DVR!!!!!!!

Lip Freak

And this is my Dad's lips!!!! Do you see a similarity running thru it all?????




The first Dr. Who's lips!!! The second Dr. Who has Thin lips, no wonder I don't like him!!!!




Hero's star's lips.... Oh Goddess YUMMMMMMMY





Tin Man's lips




Seems I've solved the age old mystery.... why I'm attracted to some men, and not to others.

I took a look at all the actors that I'm totally vamping and panting after..... and they all have the same type of lips!!!!!!! Checking out a picture of my dad's lips..... and that was a total accident that I saw the pic, since he died when I was 14 yrs. old...... I can't help but notice I go after the same type of lips!!

Am I wacked or what???? GIGGLE

Something to warm you up

Burn Baby, Burn

My girlfriend Barb called me this afternoon, and insisted that I go outside and BURN my copy of the Old Farmers Almanac!!!!


I'm sorry, it said snow before Thanksgiving, and it was right..... but don't blame the poor book........ well, maybe you should, since it says that this winter is going to be BIG with snow! GIGGLE


Believe me, I hate it too, but don't yell at the messenger. Giggle


Besides, we are pretty due for a white winter. We've had some really mild ones the last few years.

And what pissed her off even more was that it's not doing it much here at the shore. Up in North Brunswick, where she lives they are getting major snow. And it's been snowing on and off here all day..... but the roads aren't even covered!!!! Just a tiny bit clinging to the cars and grass...... but it's pretty!!!

Of course that's mainly because I'm not out driving around trying to buy Christmas gifts.... since I'm ALL DONE WITH THAT! nah nah nah nah nah

Day Off

I gave myself the day off today. No driving back and forth to the collage, so I veged.


I got up my usual early time, played with Neo Pets for a while, then still in my PJ's I watched Transformers. Pretty cool movie.


Then I got dressed, and went on the computer and payed my monthly bills.... takes about 10 minutes, and then sat in front of the TV and watched Transformers again.


Along with piddling around on the computer, and making some home made Split Pea Soup, I didn't do a hell of a lot.


Then I decided that I needed a hot bath, and a facial while in the bath.... and of course that meant getting back in my PJ's again. Giggle


I feel so decedent when I do nothing all day long!!!!! BUT I LOVE IT!!!!

I remember

I remember when Christmas died. I do, really. Christmas at my house when I was younger was a wondrous thing! It was magical, and warm, and wonderful. All those presents, well, not that many, but lots of things my parents made by hand.... in my opinion better then store bought. But it was great!

From decorating the tree, too Christmas morning. Sigh


Then I married Charlie, and Christmas died.

He didn't believe in Christmas, mothers day, birthdays, or anything that meant he had to spend money for gifts..... or take the time to buy the gifts.


So I plugged on alone. With no extra money to buy gifts, I had to scrimp and scrape just to make sure the kids got some nice things. Don't get me wrong, we had the money, Charlie was a postmaster with the post office, and even before he became one.... mail men made lots of money..... but he wouldn't give us any.


I had a budget of $800 dollars a month towards the end (picture 800 dollars after 21 years of marriage, and try to figure how much a month I had to begin with.... let me tell you not fucking much!!!!!). But he always had a good car, lots of money for toys and guns and hunting trips.



But for me That money had to go for food, and clothing, doctors, the morgage on the house, (plus the property taxes) and dentists, School stuff, and everything else......... with 3 kids and 2 adults to feed and dress........ $800 dollars a month didn't go far..... and Christmas presents always seemed just out of reach.


It became even worse when all three kids had braces. I had to pay $250 dollars EACH a month to the dentist. that's $750 out of 800..... needless to say some times the dentist didn't get paid..... or we had peanut butter and jelly for days on end.... and I can't even count how many times we ate spaghetti in a week!!!!!!


Don't get me wrong.....He had ways of getting more money, there was the credit union, or he could have cashed in his vacation days...... witch he did do every year, or just stopped buying guns and hunting stuff and give me the money instead..... but that money went to his hunting trips..... not to me or the kids.


Why did I stay with him???? A misguided idea that when you marry, it's for life... and I still believe in that to this day.


But Christmas died for me. All the work, the decorating, the trying to find gifts, and the cooking..... for what? Most of the time the kids didn't even appreciate it, and the fat slob I married enjoyed the food and stuff, and got to sit back on his ass and do fucking NOTHING. What more could a man ask for?


I still decorate. Put up my tree, and love to look at it. I still get stuff for the kids and grand kids. But each Christmas morning, I look at the tree, empty underneath, no gifts for me, no treats from Santa.... and I die a little along with Christmas.


Mark me well..... any single woman out there.... if your man doesn't have that magic, that love of giving..... he will kill you.. slowly. Over the years your spirit and love will wither away.


NO man is worth that! I found out the hard way. And remember it's not the amount of gifts..... Greed isn't pretty in any woman, it's the fact that he remembered, took the time to pick something out, and wrap it, and tried to make you happy.

I tried for years to make Charlie and the kids Happy... and I think I succeeded most of the time.... but never once did they try to make me happy. And that's the sad part.

So this Christmas morning, I'll wake up to an empty tree again. Maybe cry a little, then move on.


I do get gifts, from friends, and family, and I love it all..... but most of the time it's not till way after, or before Christmas.... never ON Christmas.


But there is still a little girl in me who believes in Santa, white Christmas's, happy birthdays, warm mothers day...... maybe in my next life.... one can always hope.

Some pretty Yule pics for you all to enjoy

Yule is comming up

And I'm ready. Got my tree up (thanks to miss Mary who gave it to me a few years ago!) I was afraid that it wouldn't light.



It's one of those pre-lighted ones, and I'm always afraid something will blow out, and I won't have a tree. But it set up perfectly and looks pretty.


I keep thinking something was missing from it. The ornaments are gem tone, and some shells and mermaids hanging on it.... but it just didn't seem finished..... and then it hit me.... TENSEL!


I forgot to put that on it, now it has gold tinsel all over it, and looks great.


My out door decorations are up too......... but I won't light them till December 1st. I only turned them on to check that they were still working. I have lighted candy cane's hanging from the arbor. Looks pretty cool.


Right now the only thing under the tree is the cat! He always takes over the tree once it's up. It becomes his little home. But he likes it best when it lighted! LOL He's a hoot!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

I'm alllllllll done!!

Yesterday I had some time, so I figured I should check out my chrismas closet. Yes, I have a christmas closet.... You see, being on a very limited budget, I do my christmas shopping all year round.


When I see something, on sale, or for a fantastic price, I buy it, and stash it in my christmas closet.


This way I don't spend tons of money, I don't have, close to Christmas!



And after going thru the closet....... I'M DONE!


I got stuff for everyone..... and even 2 left over ones (I like them so much I'm keeping them! giggle)


And while I was sitting on the floor surrounded with bags from the store.... I figured I would put the gifts in their chrismas gift bags. Didn't decorate them, but they are in the bags, labled as to what goes to who.


I was worried that I might have forgotten someone, but nope, all there and accounted for. NICE!


NO NEED TO GO TO THE MALL WITH ALL THE HOLIDAY CROWDS, NO NEED TO BUY OVER PRICED SALE ITEM'S


(YOU ALL KNOW THEY RAISE THE PRICES, THEN LOWER THEM JUST FOR THE HOLIDAY, DON'T YOU?)


Believe me, I worked retail almost all my working life, and they do just that. So you think your getting a sale, but you paying the regular prices and maybe a little more.


So shopping right at the holidays is realy stupid!

But, I'm all done, now all I have to do is get the gifts to everyone, and since they are so wide spread around NJ and PA.... THAT'S GONNA BE THE PITS!!! But, I'll manage!

ARRRRRHHHHH

The DVR has ruined TV for me!!!!!!!


It's so nice to tape a show, and watch it whenever I want..... and to fast forward thru commercials! I'm finding now, that I have a hard time watching anything live, because of those stupid commercials!!!!

Like tonight, there's like 6 shows I want to watch, so I'm taping them all...... and in the morning, I'll watch them.....


but in the meantime I'm sitting on the computer instead of watching them.


It's just too much trouble watching all those fucking commercials, and spending an hour watching a show.... when the DVR is soooooo much better! And without the commercials the shows are like a half hour long!

Best thing I ever did!!!

Ohhhhhhhhhh

I CAN'T WAIT!!!! Thanksgiving doesn't thrill me...... I'm going to Eileens, so at least the food will be good, but the holiday without turkey, mashed potatoes..... is just not the same!!!


But the good news is that I DECORATE FOR YULE!!! Yippppiiiiieeeeee!!!!!


The night of thanksgiving I aways start decorating. Put my tree up, and spread the pretty decorations and lights all over the place!!!!


I know, like a little kid...... but it makes me happy!!!

Yule Goodies

APPLE DUMPLINGS


2 cups Flour
4 teaspoons Baking powder
1 teaspoon Salt
4 Tablespoons Shortening
1 cup Milk
6 each Apple
Sugar
1 teaspoon Cinnamon


Pare and core apples. Sift flour, baking powder and salt; cut in shortening, add milk and mix to smooth dough. Turn onto floured board and divide into six portions. Roll each portion large enough to cover one apple. Place an apple on each piece of dough; fill with cinnamon and sugar; wet edges of dough and fold over apple. Place on greased baking sheet, and bake at 350-F until apples are tender (about 40 minutes).









BUTTERNUT SQUASH


2 Butternut Squash, halved with seeds remove
Margarine or Butter
Salt
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar, firmly packed
1/2 Cup Honey
1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger
1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
4 Tablespoons Butter or Margarine, melted


Preheat oven to 400 degrees 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 degrees. Scrape out the 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.








ORANGE-CRANBERRY CHICKEN WITH SWEET POTATOES


1 Orange
1 4lb.Roasting Chicken
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
1 pound Sweet Potatoes
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 cup Chicken Broth
1 cup Whole berry Cranberry Sauce
2 Tablespoons White Wine Vinegar


Preheat oven to 375%.Grate rind from orange(don't include the bitter white part).Rinse chicken & pat dry.Sprinkle with salt,pepper & 1/2 the grated orange rind.Place,breast side up,on a rack in large roasting pan.Roast for 30 minutes.Meanwhile pare & cut the sweet potatoes into 1 inch slices,then toss with Olive oil.Place in single layer in the bottom of roasting pan.Continue roasting 1 hour & 45 minutes,turning potatoes occasionally & basting chicken & potatoes frequently,until the chicken juices run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced with fork & leg moves freely. During the last 1/2 hour of roasting,combine Chicken broth,cranberry sauce & vinegar in a small saucepan.Bring to boiling over med.heat;boil 20 min. or until reduced to 1 1/2 cups.Peel white pith from orange,seed flesh & chop.Stir remaining rind & chopped orange into saucepan;simmer 5 min. Let Chicken rest for 20 minutes before carving.Cut chicken in half lengthwise down the middle.Spoon Cranberry Sauce mixture over chicken & serve with Sweet Potatoes.









SOFT GINGER BREAD


1 cup Sugar
1 cup Molasses
1/2 cup Butter or other shortening
3 cups Flour
1 cup Milk, sour
2 teaspoons Ginger
2 teaspoons Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Cloves
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
2 Eggs, well beaten
1 teaspoon Soda - dissolved in
1/4 cup boiling Water


Cream the shortening and sugar, add the eggs and molasses, and mix well. Sift the flour and spices, and add alternately with the milk to the first mixture.
Stir in the dissolved soda. Pour into well-greased cake pan and bake at 350-F 30 minutes.









GINGER CAKES


1 cup Shortening
1 cup Brown sugar
2 each Egg, well beaten
1 cup Molasses
4 cups Flour
1 teaspoon Soda
1 Tablespoon boiling Water
1 teaspoon Ginger>BR> 1 pinch Salt


Use a mixture of butter and lard for the shortening.
Cream the shortening and sugar together. Add eggs and beat thoroughly. Add the molasses and baking soda which has been dissolved in the boiling water. Sift the flour and ginger together and combine with other ingredients. Mix well. Pour into well-greased muffin pans and bake at 350-F about 20 minutes.









MORAVIAN CHRISTMAS COOKIES


2 cups Shortening
2 1/4 cups Brown sugar
1 quart Molasses
8 cups Flour
1 Tablespoon Cloves
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Ginger
1/2 teaspoon Baking soda *dissolved in 1 teaspoon Vinegar


Use a mixture of butter and lard for the shortening. Sift the flour and spices together. Add sugar and mix well. Work in the shortening with the finger tips or with a pastry blender. Add baking soda and molasses and mix thoroughly. Chill. Roll very thin on floured board and cut with fancy cookie cutters. Bake at 350-F about 10 minutes.









MORAVIAN SCOTCH CAKES


1 1/2 cups Butter
1/2 cup Sugar
4 cups Flour
2 teaspoons Caraway seeds


Mix the flour, caraway seeds and sugar together. Work in the butter with the finger tips until well blended.
Roll out about 1/3 inch thick on floured board. Cut in small squares. Bake on a greased cookie sheet at 325-F about 15 minutes. When cold, cover with boiled icing and sprinkle with colored sugar.









ACORN SQUASH AND SWEET POTATO SOUP


1 large Onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 Tablespoon Vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cubed (5 cups)
1 small Acorn Squash, seeded and cubed
13 3/4 ounces Chicken Broth
4 Tablespoons Milk
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon White Pepper
1/4 cup Sour Cream
2 Tablespoons Sliced Almonds; toasted
Ground Nutmeg


Sauté onion in oil in large saucepan over med. heat until onion is golden, about 8 minutes. Add potatoes, squash and broth. Simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, about 25 min. 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 the 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.









STOLLEN


1 1/2 c Milk; scald/cool to lukewarm
3 1/2 Yeast; dry/envelopes
3/4 cup Water; lukewarm
3 cups Flour; sifted
1/2 cup Eggs; yolks/lightly beaten
3/4 cup Sugar
2 teaspoons Salt
1 cup Flour
1/2 cup Butter; softened
Flour; 10-11 cups, as needed
5 cups currants
1 1/2 c Almonds; chopped or slivered
1 cup Citron; chopped
1/2 Lemon; rind only/grated
2 teaspoons Rum


Milk should be cooled to about 100 degrees. Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water and add 1/4 cup of the cooled milk and 3 cups sifted flour. Cover the sponge with a cloth and let it ripen until bubbles appear on the surface and it is about to drop in the center. Pour the remaining milk over the sponge. Add the egg yolks, sugar and salt and beat until the ingredients are well blended. Add 1 cup flour and beat well. Blend in the butter. Add more flour gradually to make a smooth dough, or until 10 to 11 cups have been added. Some flours absorb more liquid than others. Knead in the currants, almonds, and citron, along with the lemon rind which should be mixed with the rum. Knead the dough until the fruits and nuts are dispersed well through it and it is smooth. Dust the top lightly with flour and let it rise in a warm place about 45 minutes.
Punch it down and let stand for 20 minutes. Divide the dough in half and knead the pieces until smooth. Let them stand for 10 minutes longer. Place one ball of dough on a lightly floured board, and with a rolling pin, press down the center of the ball, and roll the pin to and fro 4 to 5 times, pressing all the time to make an elliptical shape 6 inches long and 3 1/2" wide. The center rolled part should be 1/8" thick and 4 inches long. Both ends should remain untouched, resembling rather thick lips. Place this rolled out piece of dough on a buttered baking sheet and brush the center part with melted butter. Fold one lip toward the other and on the top of it. Press the fingertips down near and below the lips, pulling somewhat apart. Give a pull away from each end, pointing them toward the lips. The shape should resemble a waning moon. Repeat the process with the second piece of dough.
Let the Stollen rise, covered in a warm place until they double in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours. Bake them in a moderately hot oven (375 degrees) for 35 to 40 minutes. Do not overbake them. Cool them on racks. Brush them with butter and cover with vanilla sugar.









SWEET POTATOES AND CRANBERRIES


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


Boil sweet potatoes in their skins until barely tender. Peel, slice thickly, and arrange in a buttered baking dish. In saucepan mix remaining ingredients. Simmer, uncovered, for five minutes. Pour over sweet potatoes and bake uncovered at 350 degrees 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 pounds boneless loin of venison, at room temperature
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
3/4 teaspoon finely chopped juniper berries
2 cups dry red wine
2 cups beef or venison stock
2 Tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
Fresh thyme sprigs, for garnish


In a medium nonreactive saucepan, combine the lemon, orange, ginger, sugar and bay leaf with 1 cup of 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 the cranberries, then remove from heat and cool. Transfer the mixture to a glass container, coer and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days, stirring once or twice during that time.
Preheat the oven to 400F. Rub the venison with the olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt, 1 teaspoon of the pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of the chopped juniper berries, pressing the seasonings into the meat. Set the loin on a rack in a roasting pan and roast, basting frequently with the pan juices, until medium-rare (about 135 degrees F on a meat thermometer), 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 or blender, puree half the cranberries and half the liquid until smooth.
In a medium nonreactive saucepan, boil the wine over high heat until reduced to 1/2 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 teaspoon each of salt, pepper and chopped juniper berries. Swirl in the cold butter.
Slice the venison thinly (stir any juices into the sauce) and serve with the sauce, reheated if necessary.









WASSAIL PUNCH


1 Dozen apples; baked
1 cup Water
4 cups Sugar
1 Tablespoon Freshly grated nutmeg
2 teaspoons Ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon Ground mace
6 Whole cloves
6 Allspice berries
1 Stick cinnamon
1 Dozen eggs, separated
4 Bottles sherry or Madeira wine
2 cups Brandy


Ancient England gave us the custom of "wassailing". It is based on the tradition of friends gathering in a circle, whereupon the host drinks to the health of all present. He sips from a glass of hot punch or spiced ale, then passes the glass. A special bowl was used as the vessel. As each friend raises the vessel, before sipping he or she proclaims the Saxon toast "Wass hael!" meaning "be whole" or "be well." Although many versions exist, this one contains the symbolic ingredients: apples, representing fertility and health; spices, signifying riches and variety; eggs, a symbol of life and rebirth; as well as wine and brandy.
The beverage is served hot, so plan on a heatproof punchbowl. This makes enough for a crowd. Just how large a crowd depends on your group's taste for rich, spicy wine drinks. Figure on at least 16-18 servings.
Cook's notes: This also can be made with a combination of beer and wine, preferably sherry, with roughly 4 parts beer to one part sherry. The resulting flavor is authentic to the Colonial period, but far less familiar to contemporary palates.

Prepare the punch: Combine water, sugar, and spices in a large stainless steel, enamel or glass saucepan.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and boil for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry. In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks until light in color. In separate pans, bring the wine (and beer, if used) and the brandy almost to the boiling point.
Fold the whites into the yolks, using a large heatproof bowl. Strain the sugar and spice mixture into the eggs, combining quickly. Incorporate the hot wine with the spice and egg mixture, beginning slowly and stirring briskly with each addition. Toward the end of this process, add the brandy. Now, just before serving and while the mixture is still foaming, add the baked apples.

Presentation: Serve in heatproof cups or punch glasses. Guests are welcome to take part or all of an apple.









WASSAIL


2 Quarts apple juice
2 1/4 cups Pineapple juice
2 cups Orange juice
1 cup Lemon juice
1/2 cup Sugar
1 (3-inch) stick cinnamon
1 teaspoon Whole cloves


Combine all ingredients in a Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes. Uncover and simmer an additional 20 minutes. Strain and discard cinnamon and cloves. Serve hot.
Yield: 3 quarts.









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 cups grated almonds (blanched)
1 tsp. vanilla

Icing:
2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 T. 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 dough is well chilled; or next day, roll out dough to 1/8" thickness and cut with moon/crescent cookie cutter. Place 1/2" apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
Icing:
While cookies bake, combine confectioner's sugar, vanilla and water. Spread over 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.









YULE LOG COOKIES


1/2 cup Brown sugar, firmly packed
3 Tablespoons Butter or margarine, softened
1 Egg
1 cup All-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
1/2 teaspoon Ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon Baking soda
1/4 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon Ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
Red and green decorator icing


Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a medium bowl, beat the brown sugar and margarine until blended. Add the egg; beat until well blended. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and spices; mix well. Divide the dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll each half of dough with your hands to make two 10 1/2-inch logs; flatten slightly to 1 1/4 inches in diameter. With a spatula, place the logs 2 to 3 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Dip a non-serrated knife in water; score each log diagonally at 3/4-inch intervals. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until set and no longer moist. Cool for 1 minute. Remove from the cookie sheet; place on a wire rack. Cool for 5 minutes. With a serrated knife, cut the logs at the scored lines.
Cool completely. Decorate each cookie with decorator icing to resemble a holly leaf and berries.

YULE

Our Christian friends are often quite surprised at how enthusiastically we Pagans celebrate the "Christmas season". Even though we prefer to use the word "Yule", and our celebrations may peak a few days BEFORE the 25th, we nonetheless follow many of the traditional customs of the season: decorated trees, carolling, presents, Yule logs, and mistletoe. We might even go so far as putting up a "Nativity set", though for us the three central characters are likely to be interpreted as Mother Nature, Father Time, and the Baby Sun-God. None of this will come as a surprise to anyone who knows the true history of the holiday, of course.

In fact, if truth be known, the holiday of Christmas has always been more Pagan than Christian, with it's associations of Nordic divination, Celtic fertility rites, and Roman Mithraism. That is why both Martin Luther and John Calvin abhorred it, why the Puritans refused to acknowledge it, much less celebrate it (to them, no day of the year could be more holy than the Sabbath), and why it was even made ILLEGAL in Boston! The holiday was already too closely associated with the birth of older Pagan gods and heroes. And many of them (like Oedipus, Theseus, Hercules, Perseus, Jason, Dionysus, Apollo, Mithra, Horus and even Arthur) possessed a narrative of birth, death, and resurrection that was uncomfortably close to that of Jesus. And to make matters worse, many of them pre-dated the Christian Savior.

Ultimately, of course, the holiday is rooted deeply in the cycle of the year. It is the Winter Solstice that is being celebrated, seed-time of the year, the longest night and shortest day. It is the birthday of the new Sun King, the Son of God -- by whatever name you choose to call him. On this darkest of nights, the Goddess becomes the Great Mother and once again gives birth. And it makes perfect poetic sense that on the longest night of the winter, "the dark night of our souls", there springs the new spark of hope, the Sacred Fire, the Light of the World, the Coel Coeth.

That is why Pagans have as much right to claim this holiday as Christians. Perhaps even more so, as the Christians were rather late in laying claim to it, and tried more than once to reject it. There had been a tradition in the West that Mary bore the child Jesus on the twenty-fifth day, but no one could seem to decide on the month. Finally, in 320 C.E., the Catholic Fathers in Rome decided to make it December, in an effort to co-opt the Mithraic celebration of the Romans and the Yule celebrations of the Celts and Saxons.

There was never much pretense that the date they finally chose was historically accurate. Shepherds just don't "tend their flocks by night" in the high pastures in the dead of winter! But if one wishes to use the New Testament as historical evidence, this reference may point to sometime in the spring as the time of Jesus's birth. This is because the lambing season occurs in the spring and that is the only time when shepherds are likely to "watch their flocks by night" -- to make sure the lambing goes well. Knowing this, the Eastern half of the Church continued to reject December 25, preferring a "movable date" fixed by their astrologers according to the moon.

Thus, despite its shaky start (for over three centuries, no one knew when Jesus was supposed to have been born!), December 25 finally began to catch on. By 529, it was a civic holiday, and all work or public business (except that of cooks, bakers, or any that contributed to the delight of the holiday) was prohibited by the Emperor Justinian. In 563, the Council of Braga forbade fasting on Christmas Day, and four years later the Council of Tours proclaimed the twelve days from December 25 to Epiphany as a sacred, festive season. This last point is perhaps the hardest to impress upon the modern reader, who is lucky to get a single day off work. Christmas, in the Middle Ages, was not a SINGLE day, but rather a period of TWELVE days, from December 25 to January 6. The Twelve Days of Christmas, in fact. It is certainly lamentable that the modern world has abandoned this approach, along with the popular Twelfth Night celebrations.

Of course, the Christian version of the holiday spread to manycountries no faster than Christianity itself, which means that "Christmas" wasn't celebrated in Ireland until the late fifth century; in England, Switzerland, and Austria until the seventh; in Germany until the eighth; and in the Slavic lands until the ninth and tenth. Not that these countries lacked their own mid-winter celebrations of Yuletide. Long before the world had heard of Jesus, Pagans had been observing the season by bringing in the Yule log, wishing on it, and lighting it from the remains of last year's log. Riddles were posed and answered, magic and rituals were practiced, wild boars were sacrificed and consumed along with large quantities of liquor, corn dollies were carried from house to house while carolling, fertility rites were practiced (girls standing under a sprig of mistletoe were subject to a bit more than a kiss), and divinations were cast for the coming Spring. Many of these Pagan customs, in an appropriately watered-down form, have entered the mainstream of Christian celebration, though most celebrants do not realize (or do not mention it, if they do) their origins.

For modern Witches, Yule (from the Anglo-Saxon "Yula", meaning "wheel" of the year) is usually celebrated on the actual Winter Solstice, which may vary by a few days, though it usually occurs on or around December 21st. It is a Lesser Sabbat or Lower Holiday in the modern Pagan calendar, one of the four quarter-days of the year, but a very important one. This year (1988) it occurs on December 21st at 9:28 am CST. Pagan customs are still enthusiastically followed. Once, the Yule log had been the center of the celebration. It was lighted on the eve of the solstice (it should light on the first try) and must be kept burning for twelve hours, for good luck. It should be made of ash. Later, the Yule log was replaced by the Yule tree but, instead of burning it, burning candles were placed on it. In Christianity, Protestants might claim that Martin Luther invented the custom, and Catholics might grant St. Boniface the honor, but the custom can demonstrably be traced back through the Roman Saturnalia all the way to ancient Egypt. Needless to say, such a tree should be cut down rather than purchased, and should be disposed of by burning, the proper way to dispatch any sacred object.

Along with the evergreen, the holly and the ivy and the mistletoe were important plants of the season, all symbolizing fertility and everlasting life. Mistletoe was especially venerated by the Celtic Druids, who cut it with a golden sickle on the sixth night of the moon, and believed it to be an aphrodisiac. (Magically -- not medicinally! It's highly toxic!) But aphrodisiacs must have been the smallest part of the Yuletide menu in ancient times, as contemporary reports indicate that the tables fairly creaked under the strain of every type of good food. And drink! The most popular of which was the "wassail cup" deriving its name from the Anglo-Saxon term "waes hael" (be whole or hale).

Medieval Christmas folklore seems endless: that animals will all kneel down as the Holy Night arrives, that bees hum the "100th psalm" on Christmas Eve, that a windy Christmas will bring good luck, that a person born on Christmas Day can see the Little People, that a cricket on the hearth brings good luck, that if one opens all the doors of the house at midnight all the evil spirits will depart, that you will have one lucky month for each Christmas pudding you sample, that the tree must be taken down by Twelfth Night or bad luck is sure to follow, that "if Christmas on a Sunday be, a windy winter we shall see", that "hours of sun on Christmas Day, so many frosts in the month of May", that one can use the Twelve Days of Christmas to predict the weather for each of the twelve months of the coming year, and so on.

Remembering that most Christmas customs are ultimately based upon older Pagan customs, it only remains for modern Pagans to reclaim their lost traditions. In doing so, we can share many common customs with our Christian friends, albeit with a slightly different interpretation. And thus we all share in the beauty of this most magical of seasons, when the Mother Goddess once again gives birth to the baby Sun-God and sets the wheel in motion again. To conclude with a long-overdue paraphrase, "Goddess bless us, every one!"

good pic

Going thru my stuff and found this realy good picture of me!!! Don't know where it came from since I don't take good pics, but this one is nice. Besides the fact that my hair is now past my shoulders! It does grow fast!

Ouch, yuck, yick

I'm tired of pain!!!!! I'm so tired of it.

Those of you who know me, know I have fibromyalgia....


What is Fibromyalgia?

"The variety and severity of symptoms caused by fibromyalgia vary from person to person. Widespread, chronic pain —often described as deep or burning—is the most common symptom.


This pain is more common in the body, hips, and shoulders, and it is rare in the hands and feet. It usually develops gradually and can interfere with even simple daily activities.

Other symptoms that commonly occur in addition to pain include:

Fatigue that interferes with work and daily activities.
Sleep problems (difficulty falling or staying asleep, waking up feeling tired).


Less commonly, people with fibromyalgia may have:

Morning stiffness lasting more than an hour.
Headaches.
Constipation or diarrhea related to irritable bowel syndrome.
Memory problems and difficulty concentrating.
Anxiety or depression.



Fibromyalgia can sometimes feel like the flu. You may experience body aches, tiredness, and intestinal problems. The pain in your joints and muscles may be especially bothersome at night, waking you from sleep, or in the morning, when you may feel very stiff and sore. You may have trouble concentrating because of fatigue.


People with fibromyalgia have periods when their symptoms become worse and periods when they have milder or no symptoms. Flare-ups of fatigue and muscle and joint aches are common, especially following physical or emotional stress. Many people with fibromyalgia report that cold or damp weather, poor sleep, fatigue, stress, or overexertion makes their pain worse."


That little blurb from the doctor doesn't even begin to tell you what it's like! When they say chronic pain, they mean day in day out, FOREVER!!!! You can't exscape the pain, it doesn't go away, sometimes it's better, but it always THERE!!!


what you all don't know is that I'm in pain, like 24/7!!!! Sometimes it not too bad, sometimes it brutal.

I remember when it started. I had just had my son Matthew, so it was 26 years ago! After his birth, I couldn't sleep, my nice foam mattress seemed lumpy and hard. I started waking up every few hours...... my hip would hurt, my arm would hurt, and so on and so on. I'd wake up, change positions, and try to sleep again. Thought it was the mattress, got a new one, but nothing seemed to help me.


I'm one of the weird people who refused treatment. I didn't want to spend my life on pain pills.......... and that's about the only treatment they offer you.



So I spend my days in pain. I try to smile, but sometimes it's just too fucking hard!


Like now, I'm in a BIG FLAIR UP! My ribs hurt when I breath, my shoulders, upper back, and lower back ache constantly. If you think it's funny, put a nail thru your thigh, and keep hitting it all day long.... that's the pain...... but instead of one spot, it's all over the fucking place.


I know I can take the pain pills, but I refuse. I will on rare occasions take some Tylenol, but even that is rare and far between.


And I WOULD KILL for a night without pain!!!!!!!!



ONE FULL NIGHT OF SLEEP!!!! Sometimes I wake up 6 or 7 times a night!!!!! You think I would be used to it, but even after all this time................ when I have a bad flair up like now........ I want to run outside, and step in front of a big fast truck!!!!!! Why not, it already feels like I've been hit by a truck, maybe not surviving is the way to go.


But the flair up will go down, and for a while I'll still be hurting, and not sleeping.... but the pain will me much more manageable, and at times.... I'll not even think of it. Until I try to move, or clean, or work in the garden, or do any type of physical labor at all!!!!


But I keep moving, refusing to allow myself to wallow in the pain. I'll go to Englishtown and walk for hours, even though I know that for a week after..... even walking will be agony. Maybe that's how I handle pain. I aggravate it, and ignore it. Hay, works for me.


But tonight I'm gonna take a Tylenol. Because I would love to breath without pain!!!!! During a flair up I get so depressed! Even sitting reading a book hurts!!!!!

Fall stuff

Well, I did that last of the yard stuff this week. Emptied the hose, and stored it in the great box I bought, along with the cushions from the swing, and all kinds of pots and garden tools. Everything fit great!!! I did put the swing canape in the shed. Don't want to leave it out all winter, they get holes in them, so it's better that it's away in the shed.


My house is decorated for fall, and I went in the shed and brought the Christmas decorations up front, so on Thanksgiving weekend I can decorate the house.



I put the winter freeze guard on my outside spicket, and dug up the horseradish, and in that pot, I planted garlic. Garlic is always planted in the fall, for mid summer harvest.



I still have a few pots with mum's in them that I'll probably empty out this week, and put the pots away for spring...... but that's about it for now.


Everything is mulched, warm, and waiting for winter.


I gave up on the idea of painting!!!!


New people moved in next door, and they decided to paint........ well, lets just say the results were NOT good, and they even primed over the wall paper first..... so I'm not even going to attempt it. Must have been nuts in the first place to even think of it.


Though the ceilings will still get done...... but because of the trouble with the car....... new battery, and tires..... it will probably wait till spring to get done.



I'm not even thinking about Thanksgiving. I have no idea what I'm doing for it.


Seems kind of a lost cause if you can't eat Turkey :( It's just not the same. But I did buy a nice big ham just in case. Though I'm not a big fan of ham, maybe if it glaze it and put pineapple and Cherry's on it...... well, we'll see.

Past Lives

As some of you know, not all of you, but a select few.... know that I'm a wizz at past life fortelling. I just sit with a person, think about them, and I can come up with at least one past life, if not more that they have experianced. And it's cool in a way, because it do sometimes answer questions about how they are in the present, but other times not so cool, because it gives glimpses into their phycie that I really don't want to know about!!!

And for thoes who were on the know, you know I gave up using most of my phycic ability. In public, that is.

First of all it scared people! I never like scaring people, and secondy, my hubby asked me to stop. So I did. Sometimes I can't help it though, and even though I keep my mouth shut, most of my friends past lives are no mystery to me at all.

What is a mystery to me is MY past life. OK, I know I was a nun. I see mountain rainges, big ones, with lots of snow. A stone tower, with me in it, and my nun out fit is gray.... and I think pink (but that could be the refection of the sunset thru the castle windows, so figure gray and white. With a large head dress. No, not like the flying nun, but close.

But one is a mystery to me. I see a town, built on hills and winding roads, (small house's... some of stone others wood, dark house's no colors.... and a road that ends at the sea. I see a beach, not sand or stones, but tiny gravel like, and a huge stone wall that holds the land back from the beach. I'm on the beach, and I see a HUGE WAVE heading for me. I close my eyes and hold my breath, but I know that the wave is too big, and it will kill me.... but I'm not scared. OK. Where is it?????? Any one have any ideas???????

Some new spells

SPELL TO CLEAR UP BAD LUCK AND ACCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE .

You will need:
Lots of....!
dried spearmint
rosemary
thyme
sea salt
epsom salts

In a big bucket, mix equal quantities of all of the above during the waxing moon. As you do you this chant:

"Herbs of luck sublime
cleanse this home of mine
Good fortune bless this place
so we dwell with happy face"

In the morning before you go to work sprinkle the mixture all over the floors of the house. When you get home sweep it all up (or if you vacuum use a brand new bag).

The herbs will have absorbed the negative energy so take the mixture outside and burn it and then turn earth over it. Burning is important, don't just bury or throw in the bin.


SIMPLE THINGS TO DO TO PURIFY A HOUSE

- Wind chimes by the front and back door will invoke the Guardians of Air to help breeze away bad energies

- Hang a mirror in the kitchen to cast light and reflect away darkness (saucepans and woks hanging can do the same thing)

- A little bowl of rose water with a rose quartz crystal in it by you as you sleep will ward off bad energies and dreams.

Some people have too much time on their hands!

I like my pumpkins round, firm, and uncut..... but some people have too much time on their hands!!!!!!!

Any one for a spanking?

Updates

OK, I did a few things this week. I gathered pine cone's for my ceremonies, made some mulled cider and fridged it. So I'm ready, the house is decorated, and I now feel fallie! Giggle


I also took the top off my swing, and the cushions and stored them for the winter. I took the plants that were off the ground, and put them on the ground.



Besides the fact, winters at the shore are very windy, so everything is more secure on the ground, and won't blow over.



See, it's better if they have full contact with the ground, keeps the roots warm. If you leave them up on a table or something, the cold can reach the roots and kill it.



Oh, and I got a room for Shore Leave. Yes, I know they said they were sold out, and they are.... but I have ways of handling that, and a few phone calls, and I got a room. GIGGLE. Even the Shore Leave discount, even though the reservations weren't for the con, since it's sold out.


Sometimes I'm just Damn good! Or pretty damn evil if you think about it.


Oh I got a DVR. That's like Teebow. Now I can record up to 2 shows at the same time while I'm up picking up Matt at school, and if I'm home, and watching one, I can record another to see it later on. Pretty cool!


But that's about it, still haven't bought the paint or painted. Just can't seem to get the energy up for that. I'll probably hold off till spring.

Baking for the Soul!

Soul cakes were traditionally baked as a gift for the spirits of the dead.


In many European countries, the idea of "Souling" became an acceptable alternative for Christians. The cakes took many different names and shapes -- in some areas, they were simple shortbread, and in others they were baked as fruit-filled tarts. Still other regions made them of rice flour. Generally, a soul cake was made with whatever grain the community had available. You can make your own with one of these four simple recipes.

Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 1 hour
Here's How:



Pie Crust Soul Cakes


You'll need:

A refrigerated roll-out pie crust
2 Tbs. melted butter
1 C mixed dried fruit
2 Tbs honey
Roll out the pie crust and cut it into circles. Use the circles to line a tin of muffin cups. Mix the butter, fruit and honey together. Scoop the fruit mixture into the pastry shells, and then bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees. Allow to cool for about ten minutes before eating.



Quickie Shortbread Soul Cakes

You'll need:

1 stick of butter, softened
4 Tbs sugar
1 1/2 C flour
Cream together the butter and sugar. Use a flour sifter to add the flour to the bowl, and mix until it's smooth. Divide the dough into two parts, and shape each half into a flat circle about half an inch thick. Put them on an ungreased baking sheet (baking stones are really nice for this) and poke lines with the tines of a fork, making eight separate wedges in each cake. Bake for 25 minutes or until light brown at 350 degrees.





Buttery Soul Cakes

You'll need:

Two sticks butter, softened
3 1/2 C flour, sifted
1 C sugar
1/2 tsp. nutmeg & saffron
1 tsp each cinnamon & allspice
2 eggs
2 tsp malt vinegar
Powdered sugar
Cut the butter into the flour with a large fork. Mix in the sugar, nutmeg, saffron, cinammon and allspice. Lightly beat eggs, and add to flour mixture. Add malt vinegar. Mix until you have a stiff dough. Knead for a while, then roll out until 1/4" thick. Use a floured glass to cut out 3" circles. Place on greased baking sheet and bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Sprinkle with powdered sugar while the cakes are still warm.



Mulled wines are a traditional favorite, no matter what the occasion, but Halloween presents a terrific opportunity to introduce others to its appeal. The Banshee Mulled Wine recipe is a warm wine punch sure to clutch the palate of all Halloween gouls.



INGREDIENTS:

One bottle of red wine (suggestions: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot or a Spanish red)
One peeled and sliced orange (keep peel to add zest to taste into cooking pot)
One peeled and sliced lemon (keep peel to add zest to taste in cooking pot)
1 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tsp ground ginger
5 whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup sugar (or honey can be substituted)
2/3 cup brandy or cognac
1/2 cup water


PREPARATION:
Combine all ingredients in either a large pot or a slow cooker. Gently warm the ingredients on low to medium heat (avoid boiling), for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to make sure that the honey or sugar has completely dissolved.
When the wine is steaming and the ingredients have blended well it is ready to serve. Ladle into mugs (leaving seasonings behind), garnish with a blood orange segment and enjoy!



This butternut squash casserole includes apples and is topped with a buttery spiced crumb topping with brown sugar.

INGREDIENTS:

1 small butternut squash (about 2 lbs)
2 apples, cored, peeled, sliced
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
4 tablespoons butter, cold
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

PREPARATION:
Peel, seed, and cut squash into small slices. Place squash and apple slices in a baking dish, about 11- x 7-inches

Combine brown sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg; cut in butter with fork or pastry cutter until crumbly. Sprinkle crumbs evenly over sliced squash and apples.

Bake at 375 till brown and bubbly

Ritural

Begin by casting a circle, if your tradition requires it.

Prior to starting the ceremony, place three sheaves of corn or wheat around the ritual space. You'll also need a statue or other image of the God and of the Goddess at the center of your altar. Around the statues, place five candles -- red and black to represent the dark aspect of the Goddess, green and brown to symbolize the wild God, and white for the hearth and home.


Place a plate of dark bread, enough for each person present, near the center of the altar, along with a cup of wine or cider. Circle the altar. The youngest person present will act as the Handmaiden, and the oldest as the High Priest (HP) or High Priestess (HPs). If you're performing this rite as a solitary, simply take on both parts. The HPs lights the red and black candles, and says:


A pair of candles is lit
in honor of the Goddess.
She is Maiden and Mother throughout the year
and tonight we honor her as Crone.

Next, the HPs lights the brown and green candles, saying:

A pair of candles is lit
in honor of the God.
He is wild and fertile and animal
and tonight we honor him as the Horned God.


The Handmaiden takes the bread and walks the circle with the plate, allowing each person to tear off a chunk. As they do so, she says:


May the blessings of the Goddess be upon you.


The cup of wine or cider is passed around, and each person takes a sip. As they do, the Handmaiden should say:

May the blessings of the God be upon you.



The Handmaiden then lights the fifth candle, for the hearth, saying:

This candle is lit
in honor of hearth and home.
The mother and father, the Goddess and God,
watch over us tonight as we honor them.


The HPs then takes over, saying:

We light these five candles
for the powerful Goddess
and her mighty horned consort, the God,
and for the safety of home and hearth.
On this, the night of Samhain,
when the Goddess is a wise Crone,
and the God is a wild stag,
we honor them both.



The Handmaiden says:

This is a time between the worlds,
a time of life and a time of death.
This is a night unlike any other night.
Ancient ones, we ask your blessing.
Goddess, great Crone, mother of all life,
we thank you for your wisdom.
Horned God, master of the wild hunt, keeper of the forest,
we thank you for all that you provide.

At this time, the rest of the group may also say thanks. If you wish to make an offering to the God and Goddess, now is the time to place it upon the altar.


Once all offerings have been made, and thanks given, take a moment to meditate on the new beginnings of Samhain. Consider the gifts that the gods have given you over the past year, and think about how you might show them your gratitude in the coming twelve months.


As the old year dies, make room in the new year for new things in your life. You may not know yet what's coming, but you can certainly imagine, dream and hope. Tonight, this night between the worlds, is the perfect time to imagine what things may come.

End the ritual in the way called for by your tradition.



Tips:


Decorate your altar with symbols of the God -- antlers, acorns, pine cones, phallic symbols -- and representations of the Goddess, such as red flowers, cups, pomegranates, etc.



If your tradition honors a specific pair of male and female deities, feel free to substitute their names in this ritual wherever it says God or Goddess.



What You Need:
Five candles, in red, black, brown, green and white.
A loaf of dark bread
A cup of cider or wine

Pretty Picture

Driving in Toms River!!!

This is me on a normal day, driving the mean.... retirement villa..... roads of Toms River. OLD PEOPLE GO HOME!!!!

Goddess bless the U.S. Army!!!

Oh Goddess!!!! I surender!!!!!

HOLIDAY COOKING

APPLE FRITTERS

5 ounces Flour
5 fluid ounces Water
1/4 teaspoon Salt
2 each Eggs (separated)
1 tablespoon Melted butter
2 each Large cooking apples
4 ounces Sugar
Lemon juice
Oil for deep frying

Make batter at least an hour before required, using following method.Sift together flour and salt. Make a well in the center. Add the cooled melted butter and some of the water and egg yolks. Work in the flour and beat until smooth. Add remaining water. Leave to stand. Just before using, beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold into batter mix.Peel, core and slice apples (slices about 1/4-1/2 inch thick). Dip into batter and deep fry in very hot oil (175-180C) until golden. Drain and serve dredged with sugar and sprinkled with lemon juice.




STUFFED CABBAGE

1 Large head of cabbage
1 Tablespoon Margarine
2 Medium onions, sliced
1 Pound Lean ground meatloaf mix (thats pork, beef, and veal)
4 Tablespoons Grated onions
3 Tablespoons Uncooked rice (optional if you use meal loaf mix, don't add rice, if you use all beef, add rice)
1 teaspoon Salt
1/8 Teaspoon Pepper
8 Ounces Can tomato sauce
1 Cup Water
1/4 Cup Seedless raisins (all of these are optional)
3 Tablespoons Honey (or brown sugar)
1 Tablespoon Lemon juice

Trim off thick parts of 18 cabbage leaves. Blanch in boiling Water. Melt margarine in deep heavy saucepan, Add onions and lightly brown, mix together beef, grated onions, uncooked rice, 3 Tablespoons water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and pepper. Place some meat on each cabbage leaf, tuck in sides and roll cabbage. Add tomato sauce, 1 cup water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to sliced onions. Place cabbage rolls in saucepan, cover and cook slowly for 1 1/2 hours. Add raisins, honey or brown sugar and lemon juice. Cook uncovered 30 minutes. Serve in soup bowl.




HALLOWMASS CAKES

1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, melted
2 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups cake flour, sifted
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup confectioner's sugar


In a mixing bowl, combine vegetable oil, chocolate, and granulated sugar. Blend in eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt into oil mixture. Chill for several hours or overnight. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F Roll about a Tablespoon of dough into a ball. Drop balls into confectioners' sugar, and roll until coated. Place balls about 2 inches apart on a greased baking sheet.Bake for 10-12 min. The cakes should be a soft and the edges should be firm. Do not overbake; they burn easily. Makes about 3 doz




HOT APPLE CIDER

1 1/2 gallons Apple Cider
2 whole cinnamon sticks
5 cloves
1 large orange, sliced thin with peel left on
1/2 lemon, sliced thin with peel left on
1/2 cup sugar

Directions: In large pot, combine cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange and lemon slices, and sugar to taste. Serve hot.




COLCANNON

4 medium Potatoes, peeled and boiled
3 Tablespoons Butter
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/4 cup Milk
2 Tablespoons Sour Cream
8 ounces Kale, steamed and chopped (great with cabbage also)
1 Tablespoon Onion, grated

Mash potatoes with butter, salt, pepper, milk and sour cream until light and fluffy. Stir in kale and grated onion. Serve at once.




HOLIDAY POTATOES

12 medium potatoes, peeled, cooked & mashed
2 ounces Cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon Salt
1/4 cup Butter
Pepper
1/2 cup Sour cream
1/4 slice Green onions
1/2 cup Milk

Mix potatoes with remaining ingredients. Mix well, but lightly; do not whip! Place in a greased 9~ round casserole and bake in a preheated oven for 45 minutes.




PUMPKIN BREAD

2/3 cup Shortening
1 teaspoon Nutmeg
2 2/3 cups Sugar
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
4 large Eggs
2 teaspoons Baking soda
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
3 1/3 cups Flour
2/3 cup Water
1 can Pumpkin1
1/2 teaspoons Salt

Mix all the above ingredients together, pour into 2 loaf pans. Bake at 350~F for 50 - 60 minutes. You can add dates and nuts if you like.




PUMPKIN PIE ICE CREAM WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Crust:

1 1/2 cups crushed Gingersnaps (approximately 30 cookies))
1/4 cup butter,

meltedFilling:
1/2 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
1 pint Vanilla ice cream, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground Ginger
1/2 tsp. ground Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground Cloves
1 cup fresh or canned pumpkin
1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream --

whippedSAUCE
1 cup Caramel ice cream topping
1/2 cup chopped Pecans


In small bowl, combine crushed gingersnaps and butter; blend well. Press firmly in bottom and up sides of 9" pie plate. Refrigerate 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, in large bowl, stir 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon into ice cream. Spoon into crust. Freeze.In medium bowl, combine brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and pumpkin; blend well. Fold in whipped cream. Spoon over ice cream in crust. Freeze 3 hours until firm. Let stand at room temperature 15-20 minutes before serving. In small saucepan, combine caramel topping and nuts. Stir constantly until heated through. Serve warm over pie.




HOT SPICED PUNCH

1 large can of unsweetened pineapple juice
1 quart of cranberry juice cocktail
1 cup brown sugar
3 - 2" sticks of cinnamon
1 Tablespoon of whole cloves

Put the cloves in a cloth bag. Boil in 2 cups of water. Let cool. Pour clove water and juices into large container. Mix well. Pour into large kettle and bring to a boil. Serve hot in cups or mugs.




ROAST LOIN OF PORK (This is nothing at all like MY roast pork!!!!! I'll print that recipe later)

1 Pork Loin
1 small Onion, chopped
1 cloves Garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon Fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 Bay leaf, crushed
1/2 teaspoon Celery seeds
1/2 teaspoon Dry thyme
4 Whole cloves
1 teaspoon Beef bouillon
salt & pepper to taste



Fold 2 large sheets of aluminum foil together with a double fold. There should be enough to enclose the roast. Place roast on foil. Stick cloves into loin and sprinkle other ingredients over top. Enclose roast tightly in foil and cook in 300 degree oven for approximately 45 minutes PER pound.




PICE BACH (Welsh Cakes)

1 LB Plain flour
1 teaspoon Baking powder
1 teaspoon Mixed spice
4 oz Margarine
4 oz Shortening
6 oz Caster sugar
4 oz Currants
2 Eggs
Milk

Sift the flour, baking powder, and mixed spice; rub in the margarine and shortening; add the sugar, currants and beaten egg. Mix in milk to make a stiff dough and roll out 1/4" thick. Cut into 2" rounds and bake on a hot griddle until golden brown, after about 4 minutes on each side.

SAMHAIN

Samhain Lore (October 31st) Samhain, (pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne) means "End of Summer", and is the third and final Harvest. Don't worry about pronouncing it, lots of us just call it Halloween, having grown up with that lable.

The dark winter half of the year commences on this Sabbat. It is generally celebrated on October 31st, but some traditions prefer November 1st.

Remember, you can celebrated that day at home, alone, but with friends and family it can be on the weekend before of after the day.

It is one of the two "spirit-nights" each year, the other being Beltane. It is a magical interval when the mundane laws of time and space are temporarily suspended, and the Thin Veil between the worlds is lifted. Spirits can cross over that vail.

Hence the use of costumes. By costuming yourself it's said that the spirits think your one of them, and won't do any evil twards you.

Communicating with ancestors and departed loved ones is easy at this time, for they journey through this world on their way to the Summerlands. It is a time to study the Dark Mysteries and honor the Dark Mother and the Dark Father, symbolized by the Crone and her aged Consort.

Originally the "Feast of the Dead" was celebrated in Celtic countries by leaving food offerings on altars and doorsteps for the "wandering dead".

Today a lot of practitioners still carry out that tradition.

Single candles were lit and left in a window to help guide the spirits of ancestors and loved ones home.

The table is set with a centerpiece of fruit and gords, and hot cider is made for their enjoyment!

Also, traditionaly, cakes made of oatmeal and honey are eaten. The more honey the better, said to sweeten the holiday, and make the spirits nicer.

Extra chairs were set to the table and around the hearth for the unseen guest.

Apples were buried along roadsides and paths for spirits who were lost or had no descendants to provide for them.

Turnips were hollowed out and carved, and candles placed within them, to look like protective spirits, for this was a night of magic and chaos.

The Wee Folke became very active, pulling pranks on unsuspecting humans. Traveling after dark was was not advised.

People dressed in white (like ghosts), wore disguises made of straw, or dressed as the opposite gender in order to fool the Nature spirits.

This was the time that the cattle and other livestock were slaughtered for eating in the ensuing winter months. Any crops still in the field on Samhain were considered taboo, and left as offerings to the Nature spirits.

Bonfires were built, (originally called bone-fires, for after feasting, the bones were thrown in the fire as offerings for healthy and plentiful livestock in the New Year)

Also stones were marked with peoples names. Then they were thrown into the fire, to be retrieved in the morning.

The condition of the retrieved stone foretold of that person's fortune in the coming year. Hearth fires were also lit from the village bonfire to ensure unity, and the ashes were spread over the harvested fields to protect and bless the land.

Various other names for this Greater Sabbat are Third Harvest, Samana, Day of the Dead, Old Hallowmas (Scottish/Celtic), Vigil of Saman, Shadowfest (Strega), and Samhuinn. Also known as All Hallow's Eve, (that day actually falls on November 7th), and Martinmas (that is celebrated November 11th), Samhain is now generally considered the Witch's New Year.

Symbolism of Samhain: Third Harvest, the Dark Mysteries, Rebirth through Death.

Symbols of Samhain: Gourds, Apples, Black Cats, Jack-O-Lanterns, Besoms.

Herbs of Samhain: Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Oak leaves, Sage and Straw.

Foods of Samhain: Turnips, Apples, Gourds, Nuts, Mulled Wines, Mulled Cider, Beef, Pork, Poultry.

Incense of Samhain: Heliotrope, Mint, Nutmeg. Colors of Samhain:Black, Orange, White, Silver, Gold.

Stones of Samhain: All Black Stones, preferably jet or obsidian.

One of the best things to do on this holiday, is pary. Set the table, cook a big meal of meats and fall foods, like pumpkin, and other squashes. Set a candle in the window, and wear a costume to fool the spirits.

They also say, that shopping for meats during the day, ensures that you have food all winter long.