Showing posts with label #Sosannas Closet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Sosannas Closet. Show all posts
You know you've asked the question... why, if the killer is in the basement, would you go down there?

Let's be stupid daring today! It's our last Wednesday and we're only three days from Samhain! Let's get to the party!









And the winner of the Visions by Volante Giveaway is...


Jonquil Alexia!


Today's Blogger: Danette Wilson


Witch's Night-Samhain

Black crow, turn back, hollow root,
Bare branches shiver like a reedy flute.
Foxes bark as their  night blood hums,
Wild is the darkness that we become.

I lovingly invite them to my house every year. They stay about a month and a half. I start getting their invites back in late June and July, right when the heat and noise of summer are a little too much and I need to just step back. I look forward to their arrival, Bats dancing in the air, Witches cackling at the door. Spiders about with bigger than life webs. The food is always out for them too….candied apples in the kitchen, candy corn in glass.  Devil's Food cake, Deviled Eggs. The Vampire blood lets me know they're happy. The ghosts energetically communicate with breezes and the skeletons hang alongside. I am in my element at last.

The night sky seems to twinkle more now or is it just me? The trees whisper on my walks. Most people say the year will be ending soon, but for me it's just the beginning. It's bigger than life. New Year's Eve for us nonmortals. Death warmed over takes on a whole new meaning when you adore this many candles about the house.

Witches rule at Halloween. The veil is thin and spririts are at play. Cool winds blow as orange and red leaves whirl from trees, crunching under feet. The scent of the Wild Ones about. A time of mystery and resonant with Wild Magic.  Blackbirds fly, companions of Witches.

It's now that a magical person can take the deepest, freest breaths and remember their own magic, and how much joy that brings, how wonderful it feels and how it connects us to that awesome web of life that holds us all.

In the European traditions, Samhain is the night when the old God dies, and the Crone Goddess mourns him deeply for the next six weeks.  The popular image of her as the old Halloween hag menacingly stirring her cauldron comes from the Celtic belief that all dead souls return to her cauldron of  life, death, and rebirth to await reincarnation.

Here is some October Magic.

Grab a scarecrow and put him in the yard or porch with the intent of protection for family as well as house.

Write what you wish to see recede from your life on paper, and hide it in the earth near a tree you like or in it's hollow, to rot down and be swallowed up by the energy of the dying year.

Hillsides are ablaze with flame colored trees, and darkened streets lit by glowing Jack O Lanterns. Carve your pumpkin for whatever you wish now, enchanting it to attract or protect as it's inner candle burns.

Orange candles now available can be lit for what you want to attract, energy, ambition, sales, goals.

Black candles readily available now can be lit for protection, binding, banishing. Hold one and let it take all the stress you have. See it all going away into the candle. Light it and as it burns your troubles are melting. Feel the peace.

Be unafraid of Shadows dark
And to their whispers
Do Not Hark
Unfriendly words
You do Not hear
No worry, trouble
Loss or Fear

The perfect Tarot for this season is The Halloween Tarot by Karin Lee and Kipling West.  The cards are filled with moons, cats, devils, bats and magic. Just the spirit for this season. Kipling West said it best “I wanna live in Halloweentown, too”!  Yes I wish this season could last all year too. It does, in my heart.


Danette Wilson is a 2nd Degree Witch, who loves to study religions from Santeria to Hoodoo to Voodoo and beyond. She attends Festivals, and Workshops when not writing and adores photography. Born on a Wednesday during the witching hour, Celtic Irish and Scottish on her Dad's side, with Mom's side blending a Grandpa Gypsy tarot reader from Budapest, Hungary and a Grandma from Bratislava, Slovakia. A love of exploring, and travel from living with the Masai in Africa, to climbing Tulum in Mexico, to tracing the path of Dracula through the Romanian countryside. Life is a journey.




The Siren's Song with Jennifer Rasmussen


This one goes out to Sam Dambach, our favorite horror Siren




Today's Recipe with Autumn Earthsong


Samhain is upon us.  Are you feeling it?  I sure am.  I especially feel so attuned to my ancestors and the thinning of the veil this time of year.  I think of my grandmother a lot.  She is the reason for so many things in my life….from gardening to cooking and more.  I remember well her pecan pies. They were always perfect and so good!  This pecan pie bars and a simpler way of enjoying that great taste on a smaller scale   I hope you have a lovely visit with YOUR ancestors for Samhain!

Pecan Pie Bars
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 1/3 cup plus 1 Tb butter, divided
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup honey
3 Tbs whipping cream
3 1/2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 350*
Sift together flour and powdered sugar. Cut in 3/4 cup softened butter using a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Pat mixture on bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of lightly greased 13” x 9” baking pan.
Bake crust at 350* for 20 minutes or until edges are lightly golden brown.  Cool
Bring brown sugar, honey, 2/3 cup butter and whipping cream to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring so it doesn’t burn.



Stir in pecans and pour into prepared crust.  Return to oven and bake at 350* for 25-30 mins, until golden and bubbly.
Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into squares

These are so good with caramel sauce poured on them, or blend a little maple syrup into some whipped cream and top with that. Yummy!

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!


Stones and Crystals with Jennifer Hodgson


Ruby

Ruby is an excellent stone for energy and balance, however some people who is delicate this stone may over stimulate them. A great motivation stone and for setting goals that is realistic.

Ruby not only balances the heart but is great for to stimulate the heart chakra. If you are experiencing psychic attack this is the stone that you want as a shielding stone.  Ruby will help you with positive dreams and help with abundance, wealth and passion.



Today's Giveaway from Sosanna's Closet


Sosanna's Closet original Samhain Altar Candle
The glass measures a hefty 5 inches x 4 inches and is elegantly etched with the following message:
"Honoring the wisdom of the ancestors" with a stunning Pentacle emblazoned on the back.  Includes our choice of decorative gravel and 3 tealights.




This lovely piece retails for 55.00 plus 12.65 for priority shipping and insurance.

Here's how to enter: (Canadians, skip this part and go to your section)

Like/Get Notifications on the Sosanna's Closet Facebook page . Come back, comment on this blog post and tell us that you did.

Remember to add your email address to the page (if you don't want to post it publicly, simply send it via the contact form at the top of the page).

Want extra entries??

1. Visit Sosanna's Closet. Come back and tell us what you like best in the comments.

2. Tweet about this giveaway. Comment with the link to your tweet.

3. Blog about this giveaway. Comment with the link to your blog post.

4. Follow Samhain's Sirens on Facebook. Comment, and let us know you did (if you're already following, just comment and say so!)

5. Follow this blog so you'll be in on all of the fabulous fun throughout October! Comment here that you did.

That gives you 6 chances to win this fabulous prize!

CANADIANS: 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:

 Canada's most northerly point is this cape in Nunavut.


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!
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Shiver Me Timbers!

It's a Trembling Tuesday here at the lair. It's also a Two-for-Tuesday with giveaways from Sosanna's Closet and from Hemlock and Garnet!!






Come see what we have to offer!







The winner of the author Sam Curtin  Book Giveaway is....

 

Sharon Rawson!




Today's Blogger: Author Sam Curtin


Spirit Meetups: Stanley Hotel

Every year I recount to you all my tales of spirits that I’ve come in contact with over the year. This year though is a little different; I’m going to focus on one place that I visited and the interactions and experiences I had there.  I am talking of course about my visit to the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the hotel, it is one of the most haunted hotels in the country and was the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining. Naturally, it has always been on my supernatural bucket list to check out.

This past May my husband and I went out to Colorado to visit friends and attend Denver Comic Con (which is a whole other story). Our first day in Colorado was a whirlwind of touring Northern Colorado sites, including the Stanley Hotel. We drove up the winding mountain road up to Estes Park that was reminiscent of the road in The Shining. Surprisingly, once we got to the top, it was pretty commercialized; there was a McDonald’s not more than a quarter mile from the entrance. Regardless, the place exuded energy.

As we walked up to the hotel, you could almost feel the vibrations of energy coming from the mountains, echoing off the hotel itself. After a long flight and countless tours of other sites I was pretty tired; however, the energy from the Stanley seemed to wake me up. It was invigorating and I was geeking out in every sense of the phrase.

We gathered in the basement of the hotel, where the tours started. We were informed there was a private party going on and unfortunately we wouldn’t be able to tour the main hotel area. At first I was bummed because I was dying to see Room 237 and experience all it had to offer. I was not disappointed though as we started the tour. The amount of spirits I saw, felt, or sensed was astronomical and I barely am able to skim the surface with this blog post; however, I will highlight the most important ones that stood out to me.

First place we started was in the tunnels beneath the hotel. Now it’s saying a lot about how much I wanted to go on this tour by the shear point of me going into a tunnel in the first place. Boy was I glad I did. We were all given a “Dum Dum” lollipop to hold in our hands. We were told that there were spirits of children that roamed the downstairs, including the tunnels, and they loved to steal candy out of people’s hands.

Many people in our tour group tried it, most to no avail. One guy ended up having his lollipop stick moving a little bit. That’s what I saw her. Next to the wooden door I was leaning on, a small girl with sandy blonde hair appeared. She looked up at me and then disappeared. The lollipop in my hand was promptly lifted up and dropped on the ground. I smiled and I heard a few gasps around me.

Even though I didn’t see the little girl I felt her presence in front of me; she was also in head whispering to me. I turned to the tour guide and asked her if one of the children was a blonde named Emily. She confirmed that was true and immediately asked me if I was sensitive. I nodded as I heard a few scoffs from the group but the rest were dead silent staring at the lollipop on the floor.

We moved out of the tunnels (thank the gods) and went to a different building where the banquet hall was. The tour guides encouraged us to explore and take pictures. She even asked if anyone knew how to play piano. Grant remarked he did and she told him to go up on the stage and play. As soon as he sat down I saw a man sit down next to him. Now Grant is a skeptic (science first with him) so when I pointed it out to him he rolled his eyes and started playing. The man next to him sat there quietly, looking at the keys in front of him.

From there we went into the basement of the banquet hall. That’s where I felt an oppressive weight on me as I stepped down the stairs. Suddenly my body felt like it was falling through the floor. It took quite a bit of coaxing from the tour guide to get me down there. But I clutched my triquetra necklace with my essential calming amethyst and walked past the vortex in the floor and down the hallway.

Then we went to the room that I still think about every day, as it was one of the best spirit experiences of my life. The story went that there was a transient woman named Lucy who once was known to inhabit this room. The guide had us all sit in the room, in the dark, and she had me sit in the arm chair right by the door.

As soon as I sat down, I felt a presence next to me by the open door. The tour guide shut the door and I turned to see a figure standing in the corner. Without explanation a smile curled my lips and I suddenly felt very calm, a complete change to how I felt stepping down those stairs into the lower level.

The figure moved closer to me and put a hand on my shoulder. During most of the time in this room, Lucy stayed by my side. The tour guide tried to get different people to call out to Lucy and even had us sing “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” Still, Lucy stood next to me, not leaving that space between the arm chair and the door. To no avail, the tour guide switched gears and tried to get the children to come to the room. A couple people in the group said they heard and/or felt something scurry past them.

The tour guide tried with Lucy again, this time asking anyone if they had a picture in their mind of what she looked like. At first I kept my mouth shut, wanting to see if anyone else would speak up. Then I sighed and told her I knew what she looked like. For some reason I had a picture in my head of a thin woman with long, wavy, strawberry-blond hair and blue eyes. I saw her wearing a long, ethereal teal dress and walking barefoot around this room. The tour guide had whispered the description to one of the other group members who then parroted back almost exactly what I had said (apparently the dress was more blue than teal).

Still Lucy remained next to me until we turned on the lights and started to exit the room. Upon exiting everyone noticed that those lollipops they had in their hands, in their pockets, next to them, etc. were now gone. Instead, they were piled up in the corner by the door, right next to where Lucy was standing. This made me smile as we left to go back to the main hotel.


The experiences I had and the feelings I felt while in the Stanley were unlike anything I had felt before, and if you have been reading these blog posts the past few years, you know I have experienced a lot in my almost 26 years of being alive. One day I hope to go back and explore more of the hotel.




Song of the Day with Jennifer Rasmussen


This piece is just so fitting for the season! I was going to go with the 1980s cartoon version but why do that when you can find a Tim Burton mashup to go along?



Today's Recipe with Autumn Earthsong
This is the last soup recipe I’m going to share with you this year.  It’s a good one!  If you like it less spicy, cut back on the jalapeno. 
Chicken Tortilla Soup

 2 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium jalapeno pepper, chopped
1⁄2 medium green pepper
3-4 cups shredded or diced cooked chicken
2 cups frozen corn
1⁄2 cup dry white wine or 1⁄2 cup water
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce

 Topping
1 cup tortilla chips 

 Sauté onion, garlic, jalapeño and green pepper with olive oil in a large pot until soft.
Add all the rest of the ingredients to the large pot and bring to a boil.  Then turn down the heat and simmer for 30 minutes or even more!
*Place this in a crock pot after it’s boiled as well and keep on low if you’d like.
Serve, topped with crushed tortilla chips 

 It’s so Good!  Enjoy!

 Blessing 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!

Stones and Crystals with Jennifer Hodgson



Fuchsite



Fuchsite is green in color and is available from specialist stores. This crystal is great for channeling information regarding herbal treatment. 

This stone deals with issues from past and present lives. It is great for those who fall into savior or rescuer mode. 



Fuchsite is a great crystal to amplify the energy of other crystals. Helps to release blockages and shift energy into positive channels. 





Today's Giveaway#1 from Sosanna's Closet

Two inches tall including bail - 1/2 inch wide - Wrapped in 20 gauge copper wire tarnished with tarnishing liquid.  One of a kind piece.  Includes satin cord. Retail value: $65.00






Here's how to enter: (Canadians, skip this part and go to your section)



Visit Sosanna's Closet . Come back and comment on this blog post about your favorite item. 



Remember to add your email address to the page (if you don't want to post it publicly, simply send it via the contact form at the top of the page).



Want extra entries??


1. Follow Sosanna's Closet on Twitter. Come back and comment that you did.

2. Tweet about this giveaway. Comment with the link to your tweet.

3. Blog about this giveaway. Comment with the link to your blog post.

4. Follow Samhain's Sirens on Facebook. Comment, and let us know you did (if you're already following, just comment and say so!)

5. Follow this blog so you'll be in on all of the fabulous fun throughout October! Comment here that you did.

That gives you 6 chances to win this fabulous prize!

CANADIANS: 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: 

What was the name of Canada's flag before the Maple Leaf?

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!




Giveaway #2 from Hemlock and Garnet

Grunge Pumpkin just wants a home to stay in. He says that he doesn't light up but that he does bring the spirit of Samhain with him and that he is quite handsome with his wrinkles and black accents.

Grunge is on a 6 1/2" x 9" wood plaque, mixed media. He features a swirl of autumns colors with a polka dot background, and dirty leaves rest under him. A braid of twine edges the plaque and the smell of cinnamon encases Grunge, for a hint of the season every time you walk by.

Value: $30.00

 Here's how to enter: (Canadians, skip this part and go to your section)



Like/Get Notifications on the Hemlock and Garnet Facebook Page. Come back and comment on this blog post about your favorite item. 



Remember to add your email address to the page (if you don't want to post it publicly, simply send it via the contact form at the top of the page).

Want extra entries??

1. Follow Hemlock and Garnett on Twitter. Come back and comment that you did.

2. Tweet about this giveaway. Comment with the link to your tweet.

3. Blog about this giveaway. Comment with the link to your blog post.

4. Follow Samhain's Sirens on Facebook. Comment, and let us know you did (if you're already following, just comment and say so!)

5. Follow this blog so you'll be in on all of the fabulous fun throughout October! Comment here that you did.

That gives you 6 chances to win this fabulous prize!

CANADIANS: 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: 

What is 7x7?



This giveaway is open until 9pm PDT tonight. Winners 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!
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Just about the time you think it's safe.. that thrill turns into chills.. *shudder*.. see what our Sirens have stormed up today!

We are half-way through our celebration. Why does October always go by so quickly?

Must be because we're having fun with you! Come on in!








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

Jennifer Hodgson!




Today's Blogger: Author Sally Dubats


Samhain Loneliness

Samhain, for me, is a time of opposites; it is darkness and light, reaching out to community and turning inward, a time of sharing and a time of solitude, the turn towards Winter, staying in the present, and letting go of Autumn or even Summer. But these are when choice is at its best. Sometimes we find ourselves alone or without a Pagan community during Samhain, and we have no choice regarding how we wish to worship and celebrate – or we think we don’t have a choice which can be even worse. At these times, we cast circles alone and sometimes celebrate amongst the larger tribe with mundane candy-filled games and costumes. The feelings and emotions around this issue can be strong.

I’ve been there.

I am grounded now, living in Portland amongst a beautiful community that I love; however, I’ve traveled and moved a lot, a Gypsy moving at the whims of the Goddess. Because of this, I had not grounded into a sacred community and have preferred the solitary path, occasionally celebrating full moons and sabbats with others who are on a similar journey.

One Samhain several years ago I felt particularly lonely while completely surrounded by friends. I had told some non-Wiccan, close friends who were spiritually inclined that I wanted to celebrate Samhain with them and have a feast afterward. They happily accepted my invitation and were looking forward to learning about ritual and Samhain. I had planned a lovely event with eight of us, followed by an intimate feast with special wines.

My partner at the time was not particularly spiritual, but occasionally celebrated with me and agreed to the event I was planning. He then began to invite more and more people without asking, and I was increasingly feeling less “Samhain” and more “Eat, Drink and Be Merry”. At the last minute, literally an hour before guests were to arrive, four more guests were added, and I had to open more of the very special wines I had selected that were originally intended for cakes and ale and to share afterward.
These last four were friends, but more interested in wine tasting than Samhain and had heard about the wines I was opening. They were road-weary from traveling, and had no clue what Samhain was. I enjoyed them as friends, but had no desire to do circle with them. The focus became the meal and the wine.

I felt bamboozled. My sacred event had been usurped.

The table was set beautifully with an array of crystals, stones, ornamental gourds, and it was a gorgeous Samhain feasting table. The meal was in four courses.

There was no ritual.

It was the most pointless, hollow, and lonely Samhain I have ever experienced. If you have ever experienced a death, and life goes on, people you love chatter, but in the background of your heart and mind you feel the loss and are not present to the living -- that is how I felt. It was a fun night, but I kept thinking, “It’s Samhain. It’s Samhain.” I could feel it in the air, but no one else did. It was a night of feasting with friends, and it was a night of nothing.

Late that night, after the guests had gone and my then “partner” was asleep, I wrapped my naked body in a heavy blanket and went outside into the cold autumnal air, sat in the silence of Nature, and stared up at the moon as clouds danced around Her. It was an intimate and beautiful moment with the Goddess. She knew that my heart was full. I spoke to her with my thoughts of the gratitude for having time here with friends and with the people who have passed, I enjoyed Her silence and presence. I had to let go of my longing for a Pagan community at the time. And I did celebrate several days later, alone. I call it “second Samhain” at 15 degrees Scorpio, the actual midpoint between the Autumnal equinox and Winter Solstice.

It took this present time, moving a couple more times, bringing me to this present place, to remember that long ago conversation with the Goddess who brought me to the perfect place now. I know that my boundaries were severely violated, and wouldn’t hesitate to speak up and un-invite people today. Of course, I wouldn’t be with a “partner” like that today! My personal tradition now is to seek out or create Samhain events on October 31st that speak to my need for sacred community, and Second Samhain is for my personal reflection, my solo spiritual questing. It is the solo questing that has brought me to the deepest spiritual understandings and wisdom of the Goddess, and to the deep and sacred connection with my Self.

So, if you are lonely, or feel alone, wishing you had a Pagan community, know that we are here, the Goddess is in your heart, and She has reasons we cannot begin to understand for the path of our lives. Go speak with Her. She will guide you. Blessed be.


The Siren's Song with Jennifer Rasmussen


“Those fingers in my hair. That slight ‘come hither’ stare…” Excuse me while I swoon over Old Blue Eyes.






Today's Recipe with Autumn Earthsong

Many of us kitchen witches love our slow cookers this time of year.  There is nothing better than popping something in the pot in the morning, and coming home to the house smelling delicious and supper ready.  This recipe to me is a spin on a pot roast many of you probably love.  Using pork and squash rather than potatoes and beef.  Try it and see what you think!

Slow Cooked Autumn Pork Chops
*Makes 4 servings

4 pork chops
1 acorn squash, cut into 4 to 6 slices, seeds removed
5 carrots, peeled and chopped
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 Tbs butter, melted
3/4 tsp browning and seasoning sauce
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp orange zest
1 tsp orange juice

Arrange 2 pork chops in a slow cooker.  Place squash and carrots on top.  Add the other two pork chops on top of that.
In a small bowl, stir together remaining ingredients; spoon over chops.  Cover and cook on low setting for 4-6 hours, until chops are no longer pink in the center.

Here’s another Pork recipe in the slow cooker….this one for cheese and potato lovers!

Slow Cooked Cheesy Pork and Potatoes
*Makes 4-6 servings
4-6 thick-cut pork chops
2 tsp dried thyme, divided
4 Yukon gold potatoes, sliced
1 onion, sliced
12 mushrooms, halved
Salt and pepper to taste
6 slices American cheese
1 (10 ¾ oz) can cream of mushroom soup
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk

Season pork chops with one tsp of thyme.  Season vegetables with remaining thyme, salt and pepper; set aside.
In a dry skillet over medium-high heat, brown chops on both sides.  In the slow cooker, layer chops, potatoes, onion and mushrooms.  Arrange cheese slices on top.
Mix together soup and milk in a bowl and spoon over cheese.  Cover and cook on high setting for 4 hours or on low setting for 6 hours.

I know not everybody eats meat of course, but I was compelled to share these yummy recipes for those who do.   Enjoy!

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!




Stones and Crystals with Jennifer Hodgson


Celestite

Celestite is great for jump starting your spiritual development. Helpful to stimulate clairvoyant communication, dream recall and astral travel. This stone will also help heal the aura, bring balance and reveal the truth.

Placed on the 3rd eye this stone can open a connection to the energies of the universe. Helps in promoting mental health.

Celestite can also be used for scrying and for meditation.

This stone will fade if in direct sunlight.

Celestite comes in 4 colors, Blue, yellow, red and white



Today's Giveaway from Sosanna's Closet!



Sosanna's Closet original Samhain Altar Candle
The glass measures a hefty 5 inches x 4 inches and is elegantly etched with the following message:
"Lighting the way for Samhain Blessings" with a stunning Pentacle emblazoned on the back.  

Includes our choice of decorative gravel and 3 tealights.  
This lovely piece retails for 55.00 plus 12.65 for priority shipping and insurance. 

www.sosannascloset.com
www.facebook.com/sosannascloset
https://twitter.com/SosannasCloset




Here's how to enter: (Canadians, skip this part and go to your section)

Like/Get Notifications on the Sosanna's Closet Facebook page. Come back, comment on this blog post and tell us that you did.

Remember to add your email address to the page (if you don't want to post it publicly, simply send it via the contact form at the top of the page).

Want extra entries??

1. Follow Sosanna's Closet on Twitter. Come back and comment that you did.

2. Tweet about this giveaway. Comment with the link to your tweet.

3. Blog about this giveaway. Comment with the link to your blog post.

4. Follow Samhain's Sirens on Facebook. Comment, and let us know you did (if you're already following, just comment and say so!)

5. Follow this blog so you'll be in on all of the fabulous fun throughout October! Comment here that you did.

That gives you 6 chances to win this fabulous prize!


CANADIANS 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:


How many jails does Canada have?


This giveaway is open until 9pm PDT tonight (midnight east coast time). 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!
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