Showing posts with label #LoreenaMcKennitt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #LoreenaMcKennitt. Show all posts
As we close out our Samhain celebration season, we want to turn our thoughts to a more serious note.


Today, we honor our ancestors, friends, family and heroes who have passed through the veil.


May they always be remembered.






The winner of the giveaway is...
Engie Willow!




Final Forget-Me-Nots

From Melissa Cassick:



Doris Flading gave me the best advice I ever received in my life.

Once upon a time, on a beautiful summer day, she wanted to take her daughter - my best friend - Catherine and me somewhere. Maybe to a musical, maybe to a flea market, maybe to a relative’s house for a visit. It didn’t matter to us -- we had no intention of going. We objected to this outing: we would rather play dress-up, or Fisher-Price, or read Peanuts comic books in the attic room. No, no, NO … we did not wish to go.

Doris leaned in close to my face. “Melissa, have you ever seen an old lady who looks mean, and her eyes are small, and her mouth turns down at the sides? That’s because she spent her life saying, ‘No. I don’t want to. No. No.’ But have you ever seen a lovely old lady who always looks happy, and her eyes sparkle, and her wrinkles are all pulled up into smile lines? It’s because she spent her life saying, ‘Why, yes! I’d love to! That would be delightful!’ Now … you need to ask yourself: which face do *you* want?”

Thus Doris became the first person to ever show me that happiness is a choice.

She was equally in her element digging in a garden, singing a cantata, and painting at the top of a ladder, her hair pulled back with a crocheted band. She related funny stories she heard on NPR, bellowed up the stairs to get down here and bring in some firewood, and sang the tenor line of “Messiah” (while Catherine took alto and I faked my way through the soprano line.) She was a warm, night-gowned presence in the darkness, leading us down to the bathroom, and then guiding us carefully back up the stairs to bed. She could speak a few words and leave you wondering for the rest of the afternoon whether you had just been praised or rebuked, until you realized it was both -- and it was apt and deserved. She looked elegant in hat and gloves and red lipstick, and she could make a housecoat look like a royal robe. She could tell you which page of the book contained what you were looking for, recall what movie that actress had been in, name any piece of music if you could warble a bar or two. She could wield a power saw and drill, she could knock down a wall and build a new one, she could strip decades of paint off an antique to bring it back to life. Her hands scrubbed floors, wrote letters, did crosswords, held a cigarette, turned a page of music, and flipped a piece of china over for inspection. She collected costume jewelry, she collected dishes and cookie jars, and she collected friends.

She was intelligent, blunt, canny, determined, gracious, well-read, hilarious, classy.

She is unforgettable.

Doris June (Frey) Flading was born in Akron, N.Y., on June 22, 1931. She passed away on Dec. 9, 2014, at the Niagara County hospice.
------

From Renee "Sosanna" Olson


Julia Eva Loftin Smith 1915-2013

Honoring the memory of my grandmother, Julia Eva Loftin Smith.  She passed away July 1, 2013.  I have started baking more over the last few years.  I make biscuits and cakes sometimes weekly now.  While mixing my flour I can hear her say, “don’t over work the dough” “add a little more milk” As long as I listen everything I make turns out amazing.  She lived a long 98 years.  I miss her terribly.



Robert Lee Smith 1960-2015
Honoring the memory of my cousin who passed away suddenly while I was at an event.  He had a very tough life but in the end found someone who made him happy.  He was diagnosed with liver cancer and passed away shortly thereafter.  

----

From Sandi Crawford



Captain Jack Bigglesworth was 9 years old when he passed earlier this year. He was our biggest baby and my familiar. Jack loved having his chin scratched, laser pointers, flies, and never met a tarot spread he could resist laying on. He loved having people around. We laid him to rest in a spot he would have loved in life in the woods near a creek and we will miss him forever.


----

From Kallan Kennedy


John and Millie Kennedy were my grandparents, but for all intents and purposes, they were my parents. They were a strong presence in my life and shaped so much of the loving memories of my childhood. They passed many decades ago, but I still miss them every day. May they never be forgotten, and may their genetic memory be passed throughout the generations.







The Siren Song with Jennifer Rasmussen


For today’s Forget-Me-Not-Friday, we have another one from Loreena McKennitt. This one is a bit of a tear-jerker, so have tissues ready. 




Today's Recipe with Autumn Earthsong


Harvest Apple Cheesecake

Happy Samhain to you all!  I decided to end my recipes today with a delicious one.  I hope that you all have enjoyed my recipes and give them a try.  Many are good for all winter long and I’m sure if you’re like me, you can eat anything apple or pumpkin any time of the year too!  I’ve enjoyed sharing with you.  Thank you for being a Siren’s reader!

Harvest Apple Cheesecake
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup butter, melted and divided
1 Tb ground cinnamon
3 apples, cored, peeled and sliced into 12 rings
4 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup sugar
1 (8 oz) container ricotta cheese
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
2 tsps vanilla extract
1 (8 oz) container whipping cream

Combine cracker crumbs, brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter and cinnamon.  Press into bottom and partway up sides of an ungreased 9” springform pan.  Saute’ apple slices on both sides in remaining butter in skillet.  Arrange 6 apple slices on prepared crust. Beat eggs, sugar, ricotta cheese, cream cheese and vanilla in a bowl until smooth.

Add whipping cream and blend well. Pour cheese mixture into pan.  Arrange remaining apple slices on top and press apples slightly under the mixture.


Sprinkle top with cinnamon.  Bake at 450* for 10 minutes; reduce heat to 300* and bake for 50 to 55 minutes.  Cool and refrigerate overnight.
Enjoy!!  Blessed Samhain!

Blessings and Love,
Autumn

Autumn Earthsong is back for the 3rd year as our resident Kitchen Witch. You may have seen her recipes in Imramma Magazine and The Sunday Stew as well.  Autumn has been a practicing Witch for 17 years and hails from Ohio. She is a wife, mother of two, and Nana to three busy little grandchildren.  Samhain is a favorite time of year for her….with her name indicating what Season she loves!  Cooking for family and friends this time of year is also a joy…..Especially this time of year!   Hearth, Fire, love of family and good food is how she brings Magick to her home.   You can also find her blogging at www.autumnearthsong.com.   She looks forward to sharing her recipes with you all and hopes that you have a very Blessed Samhain Season!



Cocktails with CL

Vampire's Kiss

1/2 Red Wine (or Port wine if you prefer it sweeter)
1/2 Passoa (Passion fruit liqueur)

Directions: Stir the ingredients together and pour into a small wine glass.
That was the original recipe. But, once again, I didn’t feel that Passionfruit Liquor was appropriate to the Autumn/Samhain theme and went on the hunt for an alternative. What I ended up with was Red Wine (I chose Red Moscato but it is a matter of preference depending on how sweet or dry you like it), Pama Pomegranate Liquor, and a drink I call Persephone’s Descent!

This is the simplest of the cocktails I made this season and is, actually, my favorite of them all. The flavor is amazing, I’ve made it several times for myself now because it is just tasty, but the Pomegranate Liquor gives it that….certain something. This drink tastes like All Hallows, to me, and is why I saved it for last. I have even used it as offerings for my Gods and Ancestors.

Do not let its simplicity fool you. This drink is potent and after a couple of glasses you will strength of this blood red brew right down to your bones. It’s fabulous.



If preparing for a party you can always amp up the dramatic aesthetic by tying a black ribbon around the stem or rimming the glass with black sugar (black food coloring, sugar, zip lock baggie, bam!) though I personally found the ruby red color to be sufficiently dramatic on its own.



Paula's Paleo Recipes with Paula Lupi


My husband is a big fan of sweet potatoes and when I make it for him he savors each bite (he doesn’t get them too often).  This recipe comes from a cookbook called Well Fed Paleo Recipes.  

Sweet Potato Soup with Bacon

6 slices sugar-free, nitrate-free bacon
1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
1 tsp Ras el Hanout (recipe included)
½ TBS salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper
Dash cayenne pepper
5 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup water

Garnish: chopped chives

Cut the bacon crosswise into ¼ inch pieces. Place the chopped bacon in a large, cold soup pot, turn the heat to medium-high, and fry the bacon until it’s crisp, about 3-4 minutes.  Remove from the pot and drain on a paper towel. Keep 1 TBS of the fat in the pot and discard the rest.
Reheat the fat over medium-high heat, then add the onions, Ras el Hanout, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, about 5-7 minutes. Toss in the garlic and stir, cooking until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add the sweet potatoes, broth, and water to the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
Working in batches and being careful, puree the soup in a food processor or blender until it’s smooth. Fill the canister only halfway, holding a towel over the lid while you puree. Hot soup expands in the canister and can spurt out if you’re not vigilant. Return to the pot, taste, and adjust seasonings. Ladle into bowls, then sprinkle with a little bacon and chives. Both the bacon and soup hold up well in the fridge for a few days.



Grand Prize Giveaway from LaPulia Studio!



Book: Triquetra Book of Shadows with blank parchment pages
Cover Size: 9”X12” (fits paper of 8.5”x11” – A4)
Binding: post-bound (pages can be rearranged, add or removed)
Color: Green
Price: $389

If you've been entering our giveaways all season, each one of your entries is counted toward this prize. However, this is your last chance to get one more entry in.. so, go to the LaPulia Studio Facebook page, like the page, comment on the page and say hi to Rita from the Sirens!

Come back here, and comment to let us know you did. We'll draw the winner tonight at 9pm, and will announce tomorrow morning at 9am EDT!

Canadians: Here is your final question-

What is the answer to life, the universe, and everything?

See you tomorrow morning for our final farewell!
19 comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Welcome back to the 4th Annual Samhain's Sirens Celebration!
It's a Maniacal Monday here, which means we've taken over the asylum!

Come see who won Friday's giveaway, and we'll give you some food for thought, as well as recipes, music and more.

What are you waiting for? The party's just down that dark hall and through the big creaky door to the basement....








The winner of the Touch of the Goddess giveaway is....


Paula Lupi!!



Today's Blogger: Amy Blackthorn


Using the terminal powers of Samhain to process trauma.

Samhain.  How many times have we seen it?  Local papers do a special interest story on the witches at Samhain. “Samhain (pronounced Sow-in) means summer’s end.”  It’ll then go on to make endearing noises about how witchcraft  has seen a resurgence in x number of years and how we’re ‘totally not devil worshippers”.  They’ll be sure to include a photo of a non-threatening woman in black (bonus points if they can talk her into a pointy hat!) with a big smile and usually at least five candles.  It’s beyond formulaic at this point.  I’ll admit it’s better than the late 80’s and early 90’s formula of making a genuine effort to communicate on the part of the practitioner, into a spookily lit punch line about ‘the weirdoes’.

The part these outlets miss is the END in ‘summer’s end’.  I’m sure it’s easier to rest on the finely carved narrative that sensationalizes our beloved dead.  Other cultures and religions have festivals surrounding loved ones who have died, but this is so much juicer because you can include the word, “witch”.

  Instead of spending our Octobers waiting for stories to validate what we already know, that we’re just human, and trying to make a difference in this world, let us focus on our own endings.  We end things all the time.  Many folks make new year’s resolutions in January for the Julian calendar date.  We avoid the talk of ending things with language surrounding the new.  We fawn over the idea of birthing a new year, forgetting that birth is the other side of death.

We understand the year as the Wheel of the Year, admitting that time passes.  However circles have no beginning, and no end.  It makes it easier to gloss over the ending portion because we know that there will always be another.  The only flaw with this thinking is that we fail to acknowledge the passing of the current, and the understanding that we aren’t guaranteed another anything, day, week, month or year.

This time of year is important for releasing the things in our lives who have had their time in the sun, and are ready to die.  Samhain is the perfect time to process our trauma and leave it in the past, before moving on to that shiny and new we look forward to.  Trauma is our brain and body reacting to the painful events in our lives.  Our lives and our years have trauma, insidious events that color our world.

Using this time of year as a catalyst toward beneficial change is a great blessing.  It needn’t be something as traumatic as a death, a car accident or a physical altercation to cause lasting change in our lives that weighs us down.  Dealing with an abusive boss, ending of a friendship, relationship or dealing with financial worries are all stressful and traumatic.  Any event that leaves you overwhelmed and feeling alone counts.  Just because you may not have experience a death or sudden loss doesn’t mean that you aren’t dealing with things that are difficult.  Life isn’t a contest.  It can feel selfless to worry about the suffering of others close to us because they’re dealing with intense emotions, but don’t let that worry keep you from processing your own emotions.

It’s time to take time to look at your trauma.  Anyone who promises a “quick and easy ritual to release trauma” is at the very least, pulling your leg.  It’s not easy, but you are worth it.  This is all about your comfort level and ability to deal with the past.  It may be as simple as lighting candles and incense and looking at yourself in the mirror to talk about the things you need to let go of, before moving into the new year.  I will be taking a ritual bath with herbs and oils and examining my scars to acknowledge all of the things I’ve overcome this year.  Some will decide to attend counseling, good for you!  The stigma of getting help is decades past its time to go.  Acknowledging that the events of your life are best dealt with, with someone in your corner is a great step.

The important part of this process is using the terminal powers of Samhain to process that trauma.  Too often we see carrying the baggage of our traumatic past as a badge of honor.  “See?  I survived!”  Remember, the baggage is weighing you down, now allowing you to celebrate your victory.  The baggage come after the trauma, it’s not proof that the trauma happened.  It feels amazing to say we’ve survived the horrible things that happened to us.  It can be difficult to look that pain in the eyes.  Being able to put down the bags and still honor the survivor in you is the message of this Samhain.

You have dealt with a lot this year, and over a lifetime of years.  You are Brave.  You are Loved.  You are worth protecting, defending, and loving.  I hope the end of this year finds you feeling stronger than you’ve ever felt before.  You deserve it.  You are magic.

For more information on dealing with emotional trauma please visit http://ptsd.about.com/od/selfhelp/a/CopingTriggers.htm
and resources for finding help when you can’t afford a therapist
http://greatist.com/grow/resources-when-you-can-not-afford-therapy 

---------------------------
Rev. Amy Blackthorn does double duty in life as both a witch and ‘personal tea shaman’ but also as a personal defense coach.  She got her black belt in April 2002, and has worked as a certified firearms instructor, and has helped people reclaim their sense of self and safety since January of 2010.  She has been described as an "arcane horticulturalist" for her understanding of Green Witchcraft, her work as a Plant Spirit Oracle and her history of teaching hoodoo and the creation of herbal remedies.  Amy has 24 years in Paganism and various magical traditions. Amy started her formal schooling in horticulture, herbalism, and agriculture more than sixteen years ago, and somehow all of that higher education didn’t stamp out her love for the arcane, occult and mysterious. She has taught classes from Maryland to Toronto, Canada and out to Arizona. She has been called on to act as a Media liaison for ABC television, and the Sci-Fi Channel.  Her interviews have appeared in the Associated Press, Baltimore Sun,BankRate.com, the Boston Globe, the Huffington Post,  Stamford Advocate and the Connecticut Post in matters of alternative religions.  Amy has been an active member of her local religious communities for more than sixteen years.  Amy uses her plant knowledge to create tea recipes from old hoodoo oil recipes. You can view Amy's tea collection at her website http://blackthornhoodooblends.com and like her page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BlackthornHoodooBlends


The Sirens' Song with Jennifer Rasmussen

No Samhain Celebration is complete without this song!

 All Soul's Night by Loreena McKennit






Today's Recipe by Autumn Earthsong


Now autumn is also all about apples, not just pumpkins J  I particularly love caramel apples and always have to have at least one this time of year.  But something even better?  A caramel apple in a pie!  This recipe is amazing!  And delicious!! 

Crunchy Caramel Apple Pie
1 unbaked pie crust (homemade or store bought is fine)
7-8 cups granny smith apples, peeled and sliced thin
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Topping
3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup quick oats
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1/2 cup caramel topping

Preheat oven to 375* Have your pie crust ready in your baking pan.  In a large bowl, toss in the apples.  Add the sugar, flour, salt and lemon juice and stir to combine.  Let them sit in bowl while you make the topping. 
In a separate bowl, combine the butter, flour, brown sugar and salt with a pastry blender until the mixture is crumbly and lumpy.  Add the oats and the pecans and stir until combined completely.
Mound your apples into the pie crust. Then sprinkle on all the topping.
Lightly cover the crust edges with foil and bake pie for 25 minutes.  Then remove foil and continue baking for another 25-30 minutes until top is golden brown.  If the top starts burning, cover loosely with foil.
Remove from oven and drizzle with the caramel sauce all over the top of the pie..let cool a little and serve warm! 
*Try serving this with cinnamon or vanilla ice cream! 

It just doesn’t get any better than this..and so easy, too! 

Blessings and Love,
Autumn



Autumn Earthsong is back for the 3rd year as our resident Kitchen Witch. You may have seen her recipes in Imramma Magazine and The SundayStew as well.  Autumn has been a practicing Witch for 17 years and hails from Ohio. She is a wife, mother of two, and Nana to three busy little grandchildren.  Samhain is a favorite time of year for her….with her name indicating what Season she loves!   Hearth, Fire, love of family and good food is how she brings Magick to her home.   You can also find her blogging at www.autumnearthsong.com.   She looks forward to sharing her recipes with you all and hopes that you have a very Blessed Samhain Season!


Stones and Crystals with Jennifer Hodgson


Hematite


Hematite is not only effective at grounding but also protecting. 
An amazing stone to use when astral traveling, it protects the soul. Hematite also prevents negative energy from entering your aura and helps to restore harmony to the body.
This is also a good legal stone.
Will help with self-esteem and will help remove self-limitations.

A very useful study stone especially with math. 








Giveaway from Amy of Blackthorn Hoodoo Blends


What is Blackthorn Hoodoo Blends?  One of a kind, hand blended, artisan teas with an energetic theme, clearing out old emotional junk, settling your mind, inspiring love, and increasing protection.

I started blending my own teas and sharing them with the people I love, six years ago.  After each new person experienced the flavors and emotions I put into each and every blend, I kept hearing, “You should go into business!”  but I kept my day jobs. In February, after much soul searching and long conversations I decided to take a leap of faith and leave a stable but miserable and emotionally toxic job. It was the best thing I could have done.

I was working in my kitchen one day on a Road Opener candle.  I wanted to clear the old debris of the last job’s misery and open the way to the next stage of my professional journey.  I had anointed my candle with Van Van Oil, and lit it  when the door bell rang.  When I came back to my altar to make sure the candle was secure, the smell of the Van Van hit me.  All I could think was, “I wish I had some tea that smelled like this, I could continue the working and enjoy some lemongrass.”

It was like a bolt from the Gods. I have been teaching classes relating to the Pagan sphere for fifteen years, and my hoodoo classes are always full of raucous fun and the formulary classes the most full.  So I had all of the recipes I’d been teaching.  Lots of these recipes are herbs that are used in food and teas anyway, why not make these same potent and magical oil recipes into tea form.  Thus Blackthorn Hoodoo Blends was born.

What you’ll win:


First Prize- A 6 Flavor set of Deluxe Samples, your choice! (Value $25 + Shipping)

Second Prize - A Full Sized tea of your choice! (Value $9 + Shipping)

So, here's how to enter:
1. Go to http://blackthornhoodooblends.com and choose your favorite blend, then come back and tell us all about it.

Extra entries:

2. Go to http://www.facebook.com/BlackthornHoodooBlends. Like it. Let us know you did in the comments.

3. If you have any helpful suggestions as to what you’d like to see on the website, tell us about it.  If your suggestion is chosen you could win a $25 gift card!

4. Don't despair!  If you don't win the tea of your heart's desire, we'll have a special Discount Code on the shop all through the Samhain Sirens season for you at home.  Just enter "Siren" (no quotes) in the discount box and everyone (Including Sirens!) will get 20% off of your order over $25. Valid NOW until November 30th.

5. Like the Samhain's Sirens Facebook page. Come here and comment to let us know you did. If you already liked us earlier, simply comment on that as well.

6. Use some form of social media to share this blog today. You can blog, tweet, or share on Facebook. Just remember to put the link to your share in the comments!


Canadian residents Look HERE:
Canadians, your country requires that you answer questions instead of participating the American way ;) So, we're bringing you some good old-fashioned trivia about your country this year. Answer the question correctly in comments (don't forget to put your email address in the comment!) and you'll be given 6 entries in the giveaway!

Here's your question:
Where does the word Canada come from?
a) Jacques Cartier
b) Samuel de Champlain
c) Jean Nicollet
d) A foreign language


This giveaway is open until 9pm EDT tonight. Winner will be announced tomorrow at 9am EDT. Remember, we have to notify the winner in email first, so those email addresses are critical for you to qualify for the giveaway!

Good luck everyone!


See you tomorrow.. same time, same bat channel!!
80 comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,