Showing posts with label Toni Sliger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toni Sliger. Show all posts
Creating An Ancestor Doll

This simple craft is perfect for Samhain, when we commune with our Ancestors and the veil is thinnest, but it’s something you can do any time of the year. I have my Ancestor altar up year round – in my kitchen, because that’s where my grandmother and I spent most of our time together – and I have several of these dolls that come and go, as the need arises (my grandmother stays always, of course). These can be used as vessels for visiting spirits, as blessed acknowledgements of loved ones, or as an ancestoral presence on an altar.

* Ancestor dolls are vessels – or physical points of contact, if you will – to aid our loved ones when they come across. This is an old tradition in many cultures to aid in calling the spirits. Not voodoo, not dark magic. I must stress, these are not toys. However, they are a fun and easy tool to create with your children, and a great conversation about loved ones can be had when working on these together. Enjoy!

Supplies Needed (enough for 2 dolls)
- 2- 9” x 12” pieces of felt, any color (most common is black or white, but it’s completely your choice). Another idea would be to use a piece of cloth from something that belonged to a particular loved one.
- a Person Stencil printed on to cardstock (mine are genderless, but feel free to adjust yours as you’d like. Some people like to use one for male energy and one for female energy).



- Cardstock to print your Person Stencil
- an Embroidery Needle with a wide eye and a sharp tip (round tips are hard to work through)

- Embroidery Floss – color(s) of your choosing. I love to use color magic here, especially if I’m going to apply some knot magic, too. Use one, use several (I’ve included a sample color chart for you).



- a piece of chalk, or something to trace your person stencil (on dark colors, flour works in a pinch) - Stuffing Items: again, this is a personal choice. Choose herbs and items that assist in communication, remembrance, and calling spirits. 

We all have our favorites. I generally use:
Rosemary (for good memories)
Wormwood (for calling the spirits)
Dandelion Root (communing with those who have passed)
Soil from a cemetery or from a garden you’ve tended (even just the tiny plant you’ve managed to keep alive for the past year will work) is a nice addition, and even a stone that speaks to you of your loved one. A pinch or two of every item is all you need, the dolls don’t have to be stuffed full! Place together in a small bowl.

- Small strips of paper (not necessary, but a nice idea). Write your loved ones’ names on the strips, memories you have, any thoughts you’d like to keep with the doll. Roll them individually in to tight coils and put them in a bowl with the rest of your stuffing. 

Have everything you need? Let’s begin!

You’ll want to create your dolls in a peaceful area, a ritual setting or sacred space. Light candles, put music on, etc. Focus on the task at hand, and the loved ones you are crafting for.

Cut your Person out of the cardstock – now you have a stencil! Woo! The hard part is done!

Fold one piece of felt in half and trace your Person on to the felt. Cut out your shape, through both pieces. And you have a doll! If you’re making two, repeat with your other piece of felt.



Thread your needle with one strand of each color you’d like to sew with. Embroidery floss has 6 strands twisted in to one, so if you’re using more than one color, you’ll want to separate it and put single strands together, or it will be difficult to thread your needle! Knot your thread at the end. Starting at the bottom outer edge of the left leg, start sewing a simple in and out pattern – nothing fancy is needed (but get fancy if you want). Follow your person outline with your stiches, Deosil, until you get to the bottom outer edge of the right leg. The inner legs should be open for ease of inserting herb mix.



Place your stuffing bowl in front of you, and focus clearly on your intention for the doll(s). Place both hands above the bowl and bless the contents for your highest good, and ask that your purpose be pleasing to the Goddess.

Now, fill your doll with the items you’ve energized, while still keeping your intent focused (photo is over-filled, so you can see it. Not necessary to have this much inside!).





Sew up the rest of your doll, and knot the end of your thread. Trim as desired. Now is the time to do knotwork additionally, but again, not required.




Bless your doll(s). Remember to thank the Goddess and God, speak with the Ancestors, whatever you feel called to do. Place your new doll(s), and enjoy.

That’s it! You’ve done it!
Many Blessings
Rowan
www.lapisdragon.com

Toni (Rowan) is a mom, a mimi, a friend, lover and free spirit. A native of San Francisco, she currently practices her Craft on the east coast and hits the beach whenever clarity and focus are needed. A Celtic hedgewitch, she is most at home in the kitchen, the garden, or in her workshop creating teas and remedies and assorted pretty things for the shop. When not working or creating, Rowan can be found with her houseful of minions (1 girl-child, 4 boys, 1 grandboy and 1 lovely man who adores her), looking for new and exciting adventures or reading a great book. She continues the search for the perfect spot of land in Oregon to call her own, and looks forward to the day when she can Witch for a living.

Stop in and say hello online at http://www.thelapisdragon.com orhttps://www.facebook.com/TheLapisDragon/


There's still time to get in on Friday's Giveaway!! Be sure you leave a comment on the Friday entry page!

 See you on Monday!






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Don't let the title fool you. With the Sirens, there are no wrong turns ;) You're exactly where we want you to be- here with us!


Before we go further, the Sirens would like to send our deepest love and healing thoughts to our own Autumn Earthsong, whose daughter is in the hospital. 
Let's discover who won the fabulous giveaway from Hauntiture Creations! And the winner is...

Michelle Dauberman!


 Congratulations! Be sure to send your mailing address to Kallan so Tara can ship off your prize!

 Now, on to today's celebration!

Today's Music: Laboratorium Pieśni - Sztoj pa moru

Laboratorium Pieśni is a group of female singers from Poland. Using traditional, polyphonic singing they perform songs from all over the world, mainly: Ukraine, Balkans, Poland, Belarus, Georgia, Scandinavia and many other places. Their music is a haunting charm that touches the soul.



Translation:
At the sea, blue sea 
There was a floating flock of white swans
And where did the gray-white eagle come from? 
It dispersed the flock around the blue sea
White down rose to heaven, 
Gray feathers fell on a green meadow
And who will collect these feathers?
- A beautiful girl




Call of the AncestorsToni (Rowan) Sliger


 Time was, elementary students created Family Trees as part of a school project. It was fascinating! Learning where we were from, and who we came from. Inevitably, there would be interesting stories – my grandfather fought in the German army in WWII, and because he refused to speak of it, I wouldn’t have known without that project. And ultimately, this project opened up a line of communication between the student and older family members, because we all wanted to know more. Do you remember stories around the kitchen table with your grandmother? Aunties laughing over silly antics when they were little girls, and great uncles reminiscing about the Old Country? And we listened, awestruck, trying to picture them as children, just like us, these generations ahead, these beloved people with whom we share a vital connection.

 Over the past decades, we’ve become a people apart, and family isn’t what it once was. We no longer have generations growing up in the same neighborhoods, sharing every holiday and celebration. We’re distanced, disconnected from our roots. The recent surge in popularity of DNA and genetics testing shows this lack of connection is affecting humanity - everyone wants to find that missing piece. We understand this need, and recognize it for what it is. The Ancestors are calling.

 We are of those who have come before us, both physically and spiritually. Linda Hogan writes of this in Dwellings: A Spiritual History of the Living World. She tells of a walk in the forest, listening to the Earth speak, and then “suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.” To truly know one ’s self, we must not merely be aware of our ancestors, we must acknowledge them and be grateful for their presence in our lives. We  understand the endurance of Spirit, of the connection that continues even after death, and by communing with our Ancestors we lengthen the thread of that connection, and their knowledge becomes ours, too. During Samhain, when the Wheel begins the year once more, the veil is thinnest between realms and communication with spirits is easiest. If you’ve never reached out, this is the perfect time to try.

 Create sacred space. You may already have a place of ritual; if not, set up in a quiet place where you can spend some uninterrupted time. Set up an ancestor altar – white candles for Fire,  a bowl of Water, perhaps feathers for Air and shells or stones for Earth. Deity representations and ritual tools can be included if you use them. Add memorabilia – use a bowl from your grandmother to hold Water, a favorite book or food that reminds you of those who have crossed. Photos are a perfect addition, and a drum or rattle to raise energy is always a lovely idea. Meditative music or chanting would be appropriate, as well.

 Burn incense that reminds you of your loved one. Palo Santo is my favorite for communication, but use what you like. Raise the energy, gain permissions, invite the Guardians and make offerings as you usually would. Once you are prepared, sit quietly. Focus on the Spirit and ancestors. Speak aloud your desire for communication, your willingness to receive any message they may want to share. A chant, a drum beat, a rhythm to charge the connection is perfect here. But always, keep your focus. And then … wait. Remember, messages may come right away– an instant knowledge, an immediate peace – or they may come later, in a dream, or as a sign. Be patient, and be grateful for the opportunity to share time with them.

 Close as you would your other rituals, and then take a little time for reflection. Make offerings of thanks and remembrance, and perhaps journal the experience for later reflection. This can be done any time of the year, in a ritual setting or as a passing conversation. I leave my ancestor altar set all year round, and speak with my grandmother every day. I greet her when I pass the altar, and we often cook together. I miss having her physically in my life, but she’s absolutely still with me now.

 Knowing where we come from – both the positive and the negative – helps guide us to where Spirit wants us to be. Be patient in your Journey, but open to whatever comes your way. May you be Blessed in all you do.

 Rowan
Toni (Rowan) is a mom, a mimi, a friend, lover and free spirit. A native of San Francisco, she currently practices her Craft on the east coast and hits the beach whenever clarity and focus are needed. A Celtic hedgewitch, she is most at home in the kitchen, the garden, or in her workshop creating teas and remedies and assorted pretty things for the shop. When not working or creating, Rowan can be found with her houseful of minions (1 girl-child, 4 boys, 1 grandboy and 1 lovely man who adores her), looking for new and exciting adventures or reading a great book. She continues the search for the perfect spot of land in Oregon to call her own, and looks forward to the day when she can Witch for a living.

Stop in and say hello online at http://www.thelapisdragon.com orhttps://www.facebook.com/TheLapisDragon/


Today's Recipe: Spicy October Morning Pumpkin Bread


In the Fall, we see pumpkins everywhere!  Decorating porches, hearths, garden centers and grocery stores.  This of course leads to lot of pumpkin recipes!  This nut bread recipe is one of my very favorite.  It’s dense and rich and spicy and perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack with coffee or to give as gifts to your neighbors and friends.  You’ll love it!

Spicy October Morning Pumpkin Bread
(Makes 2) 
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1-1/3 cups packed brown sugar
3/4 cup  milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin  (Use fresh pumpkin if you’d rather of course) 
Cooking spray
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350º.
 Combine flour and the next 7 ingredients (flour through cloves) in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Combine sugar and the next 5 ingredients (sugar through pumpkin) in a bowl, and stir well with a whisk until smooth. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist.
Spoon batter into 2 (8 x 4-inch) loaf pans coated with cooking spray, and sprinkle with walnuts. Bake at 350º for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool loaves in pans 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pans. sprinkle a little natural sugar on the top. Cool loaves. 

Enjoy, Autumn Earthsong
Autumn Earthsong is a wife, mother, grandmother and a Witch! She’s been the Kitchen and Herb Witch for Samhain’s Sirens, The Sunday Stew and Imramma magazine for a few years now. Her Craft revolves around the kitchen, garden, hearth, altar, Mother Earth and Grandmother Moon. She feels Goddess blessed every day.   Autumn is also a healer as a Master Reiki practitioner and she’s knowledgeable in herbalism and crystals for healing as well. Autumn is the founder of her Coven and you can find her blogging at autumnearthsong.com.  Autumn is her favorite time of year as you may guess by her name,  and she especially loves sharing her favorite seasonal recipes!  She hopes you add them to your own  recipe files and enjoy them!  Blessed Samhain to all!



Today's Giveaway: Tarot Reading from Touch of the Goddess
Celtic Dragon Tarot Reading!

Readings are for 1 hour by phone (USA only), Skype, or FaceTime. $75 value. 


Here's how to enter:

US Residents
First entry:  Go to  the Touch of the Goddess etsy shop, peruse the amazing creations, come back here and tell us which is your favorite in the comments.

Second entry: Share this giveaway on your Facebook page (note: Facebook in no way endorses our giveaways). Come back, tell us you did in the comments (share the link, please).

Third entry: Share this giveaway on Twitter or Instagram (your choice). Come back, post the link to your share in the comments.

Fourth entry: Like the Touch of the Goddess Facebook page. Leave a comment on her Facebook page telling her you're visiting from Samhain's Sirens. Come back here, and let us know you did.

Fifth entry: Like the Samhain's Sirens Facebook page. Leave us a comment below letting us know you're a follower (hint: this is going to be a gimme if you do it now or if you've done it in the past. It'll be one of the entries for all of our giveaways).


Canadian Residents
For 5 entries, please correctly answer the following question in the comments section:

  What animal is on the Canadian quarter?



You have until 11:59pm EDT to enter this giveaway. Winner will be announced in tomorrow's post.

Entries submitted without email addresses or past the deadlines will be considered invalid. Canadian residents: you must answer the question correctly to be entered.

Good luck!


That's it for today. See you tomorrow for more Sireny fun!

Happy Samhaining!
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It's Terrific Tuesday here at the  Samhain's Sirens Lair! We have even more goodies in store!

Before we move into new business, we need to announce the winner of yesterday's giveaway from Baublesmith. Without further adieu, here is our winner:


Kourtney Leaf!

Congratulations! Please be sure to send your mailing address to kallan.kennedy@gmail.com within the next 48 hours, so Renee and Eli can get it to you.


Now, onto today's celebratory fun!

Today's Music: The Morrigan by Omnia


We couldn't pass up the opportunity to honor a favorite goddess of Samhain! Many of our Sirens are Morrigan children, and Omnia has just the song!

Working With Ancestors

by Jennifer Hodgson

Do you connect with your ancestors? Are they just the ancestors that you knew growing up? Have you ever thought of connecting with or working with those you have never met? How do you connect with ancestors you have never met? 

 Although I have been connecting with my ancestors that I knew growing up for some time I decided this year I wanted to connect with the ancestors that I don’t know. The ones who came from Scotland, Ireland and other parts of the world. Just like some of the questions above I began asking those same questions to others and began pondering this in my own thoughts after a trip to Scotland and Ireland this past April. 

 If you are lucky enough to have pictures of ancestors you have never met that’s great, but just know you don’t always need a picture. One of the ways that I began working with my ancestors is to set up an altar for them. Just like with any altar space you create, go with what feels right. If you know some of your family history you might look for certain items. Some of my family members were business owners and they were also into politics. On my dad’s side of the family he said that his grandfather was Cherokee, which right away makes me think of my guide Chief. Find something that represents them, it can be something from the area, if they lived by the sea, seashells might be something to add to your altar for a representation of your ancestors. If your family has a crest then print that out and use it on your altar. I also included herbs, crystals, and candles. There are many ways to go about setting this up.

 The next thing I did was connect with them in a meditation. It might be a quick process and it might take some time. I think sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves that we create obstacles. In my case I could connect the first time. I connected with my great grandmother, I have never met her and to be quite honest I was surprised it was her, I wasn’t at all disappointed since I had no expectations really of whom I would connect with. I think the key is to be open to the possibility but also be cautious to make sure you are really connecting to whom they say they are.

 Here is a little meditation that you might try:
First go to your sacred space and if you aren’t at home visualize your sacred space in your mind. Light some candles, incense, dim the lights, do whatever you normally do to get your space ready for a journey. Once this is complete find a nice comfy spot to relax. Set your intention to connect to your ancestors but be open to who might come forward. You can either close your eyes or keep them open, its entirely up to you. Take a deep breath in through the nose and release through the mouth, as you do this feel all the stress and worry of the day leave your body. Repeat this breathing process as many times as you need to feel relaxed. 

 When you are ready visualize yourself walking through a door that leads to the outside, take note of what you see, what you hear, what you smell, are you close to the water? Are you in the woods? Do you hear animals? Do you see animals?

 Keep walking just a little more, soon you will see a nice place to sit. If you are in a forest can you hear the trees whispering in the wind? If you are on the beach can you hear the waves as they hit the rocks around you? As you look to your left in the distance you see someone walking towards you, this doesn’t frighten you, in fact your heart and soul already knows who this person is. As this person gets closer you stand up and smile at the person you see, who is this person? Is this person male or female? What do they look like? What do they say to you? Spend some time with this person, ask them questions if you wish. 

 When you are ready and have your answers, thank the person for reaching out and connecting to you. You may hug each other if you like. As this person turns to leave you stand and watch for a few moments until you also turn to leave and walk the path in which you came. Standing at the door you first entered to go outside you take one last look around, remembering it all. You open the door and walk back inside. Thank your team for assisting you on your journey. 

 As you slowly open your eyes if you had them closed, take the time needed to feel back in your body. You may want to eat something or drink something to ground you. If your journal is close by you may wish to journal all that took place. Know that at any time you can take the journey again and again to meet more of your loved ones.

 I am enclosing a picture of 1 of my altars that I use for my ancestors:

Jenn has been interested in the craft for many years, even before she knew what to even call herself or what she believed. She is the daughter of the Morrigan and also works with Bridget and Danu.
Currently Jenn is studying astrology, herbs and I ching. Jenn is a past life practitioner, reiki master, author, paranormal investigator, intuitive, oracle card reader and business owner.

In her spare time you will find her reading, spending time outside, with friends or traveling around the world. The most current locations are Scotland and Ireland.
Jenn currently lives in Indiana with her husband and furbabies. She is also the mother of two girls and four grandchildren.

For more information about Jenn you can connect with her at the following:
www.hodgsonbooks.com
www.professionalparanormalinvestigations.com
www.travelingwitchblog.wordpress.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAQKEXe-qMQQm2C5cZmV59w
https://www.facebook.com/thetravelingwitch/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO8V2V4QdFvYkVX6t6bYotQ

Today's Recipe: Hot Apple Cider

submitted by Autumn Earthsong

 While I’m a huge coffee and tea drinker, and love warm drinks.  This time of year screams for a great hot Apple Cider.  This recipe is super spicy, sweet and yummy.  Give it a try on those cold, crisp nights while basking under the Moon or hanging by the fire with a good book. 

 Hot Spiced Cider

 *I love the citrus and maple flavors of this cider!

 1 gallon apple cider or apple juice
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
4 cinnamon sticks
2 teaspoons whole cloves
1 teaspoon whole allspice

 Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker or dutch oven on the stove.  Brew on low for a couple hours before serving.  You can keep cider warm all day! If you wish, you can place the spices in a cheesecloth pouch and remove it when you’re serving.  You can also just remove them with a slotted spoon if you skip the cheesecloth.  You can refrigerate this and warm again as well.  Yield: 4-1/2 quarts

 Enjoy, Autumn Earthsong 

Autumn Earthsong is a wife, mother, grandmother and a Witch! She’s been the Kitchen and Herb Witch for Samhain’s Sirens, The Sunday Stew and Imramma magazine for a few years now. Her Craft revolves around the kitchen, garden, hearth, altar, Mother Earth and Grandmother Moon. She feels Goddess blessed every day.   Autumn is also a healer as a Master Reiki practitioner and she’s knowledgeable in herbalism and crystals for healing as well. Autumn is the founder of her Coven and you can find her blogging at autumnearthsong.com.  Autumn is her favorite time of year as you may guess by her name,  and she especially loves sharing her favorite seasonal recipes!  She hopes you add them to your own  recipe files and enjoy them!  Blessed Samhain to all!


Today's Giveaway
The Lapis Dragon's Body Pampering Set – Full set of body care essentials in the winners choice of scents.  Set includes  a Lotion, Linen spray, Body spray, Oil roll-on, Salt or sugar scrub, and Lip balm.  All products are organic, and made from natural oils and extracts.  No chemicals EVER.

 Total Retail Value: $45.00


Here's how to enter: (Full details listed on the "Official Rules and Prizes" page on this site)

US Residents
First entry:  Go to The Lapis Dragon site, peruse the amazing creations, come back here and tell us which is your favorite in the comments.

Second entry: Share this giveaway on your Facebook page (note: Facebook in no way endorses our giveaways). Come back, tell us you did in the comments (share the link, please).

Third entry: Share this giveaway on Twitter or Instagram (your choice). Come back, post the link to your share in the comments.

Fourth entry: Like The Lapis Dragon Facebook page. Leave a comment on her Facebook page telling her you're visiting from Samhain's Sirens. Come back here, and let us know you did.

Fifth entry: Like the Samhain's Sirens Facebook page. Leave us a comment below letting us know you're a follower (hint: this is going to be a gimme if you do it now or if you've done it in the past. It'll be one of the entries for all of our giveaways).


Canadian Residents

For 5 entries, please correctly answer the following question in the comments section:

 Which is the longest river in Canada?
 St. Lawrence
MacKenzie
Nelson
Fraser



You have until 11:59pm EDT to enter this giveaway. Winner will be announced in tomorrow's post.

Entries submitted without email addresses or past the deadlines will be considered invalid. Canadian residents: you must answer the question correctly to be entered.

Good luck!


That's it for today. See you tomorrow for more Sireny fun!

Happy Samhaining!
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Thriller Thursday has arrived! 

We have such delightful treasures to share. But, first!
Samhain Celebration by Pinktutu
We must get yesterday's business out of the way, and announce the winner of the Ganesha Candle giveaway from the Hollywood Witch, Marie Bargas. Without further adieu, the winner is:

Angie C!!

 Congratulations! Don't forget to email your mailing address to kallan.kennedy@gmail.com so Marie can send you your prize!


Treasures Under the Sea by Tara Mals

Warm Greetings to those lured into this page.  As we’ve approached this enchanting season, I am mystified and honored as a siren new to this year’s group of Samhain Sirens. I hope to captivate your interest along with your friendship.  To me, a siren takes on many forms and isn’t always perceived as all she is.  I have always been drawn to the world of wonderment, leaving our mind to imagine and believe in things we cannot see.  We all have hidden gifts inside that may not always be visible.  But use your magical forces to explore, indulge, and pull these out.  Your transformation can be enlightening.

   Through history, the iconography of the witch has swung between hideous crone and beguiling  seductress.  The siren and the mermaid belong to the latter breed.  Too beautiful to be of the mortal world, a mermaid uses all the senses to entice: irresistible music, beguiling eyes,, undulating curves and wet, tousled hair. Her sensuality turns a man senseless, drawing him deeper towards a silent marine underworld where mortals cannot thrive.

    Sirens are sometimes confused with mermaids, but they are not the same.  A siren may look like a beautiful woman, or she may be part bird, part woman. Where sirens and mermaids are alike is that they both have spell-binding singing voices. Sirens sing in a hypnotic way, which makes people follow the song, even if it leads to destruction.

    Sirens appear in ancient Greek Mythology, where they live on rocky island and sing until sailors, trying to get close to them, steer their ships onto the rocks.  Only the deaf or the very intelligent will escape.
 Odysseus and the Sirens

   Odysseus wanted both to sail safely past the island of sirens and to hear what they sounded like.  He made all his crew block their ears with wax, while he kept his ears open, but made the sailors tie him tightly to the ship’s mast.  As they reached the island, he heard the siren’s beautiful song and was unable to resist.  He begged his sailors to untie him so that he could jump off the ship and try to reach the singers.  Luckily, the men couldn’t hear what he was saying.

                                  
  Like the sirens, the furies, and the Gorgons, the harpies were female monsters of Greek legend.  They were depicted in art and literature as winged women, or as birds with women’s faces and long hooked claws, and their peculiar activity was to swoop upon human beings, or at least upon their food; their victims were carried off to unknown places.  The origin and nature of the Harpies are in dispute, but they seem to have a definite connection with the underworld, having some ghost characteristics.  Wind and spirit were closely allied in ancient thought, as was breath, and the Harpies are linked in literature with storms, whirlwinds, or sudden squalls such as are particularly dangerous at sea and damaging on land.

   People still have their conception of these Mythological creatures.  Several years ago, I was painting the windows of my Art/Antiques, Shop of Allurements, called the “Hidden Siren”.  That day, the shop owner next door to me, greeted me with “Love seeing those gorgeous mermaids you paint!”, as he passed me while I was painting.  The next day he came into my shop saying, “What’s up with the turkey legs on the sexy mermaid?” He noticed I had painted a siren with bird legs on my shop door.  As I explained Sirens and Harpies to him, I realized he wanted to be lured in by beauty.  I think if we can discover hidden beauty or virtuals  in the darker depths of reality, we have found a treasure.



In the tropics by the ocean is where you'll find this siren, Tara Mals.  She can be spotted in many forms, for her interests run wild, no taming this Taurean!  For many moons, this crone has been enriched, from her wide range of experiences.  Actively involved with her family, animals, business, and community organizations, keep her young at heart.  She is the creator of Hauntiture Creations, hand painted Folk Art on furniture and functional items. Along with her "Spirit Doll Collection" and  "Travel Tales of the Canal Hag" storybooks,all are created from her passion for Halloween, Mythology, the Nautical World, and the Exotic.  Her broomstick is tiny, it's a brush...magically it travels and takes her to all worlds, in time and terror, because she's Tara.             

Facebook Page:  Hauntiture Creations
Website:  www.hauntiture.com
Email:  hauntiture.art@gmail.com

Today's Music: Superstition by Stevie Wonder

It's okay.. no one is looking. You can dance all you want ;)


Today's Recipe: Samhain Banana Bread by Rowan


 This bread is a favorite in our house, especially as the weather turns colder. I learned to bake from my grandmother, so I thought it appropriate to offer you my Samhain Harvest Bread as a recipe for the holiday. 

 Samhain Banana Bread
(recipe makes one loaf)

 1 1/2 C white flour
1 Tsp baking soda
1/2 Tsp baking powder
1 1/4 Tsp cream of tartar
1/2 Tsp salt
1/3 C canola oil
2/3 C sugar
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1 C banana, mashed (not pureed), about 2 regular bananas
  (caution – measure your banana! Too much banana makes for an overly-moist bread)
1 C zucchini, finely grated
½ C carrot, finely grated
1 1/2 C chocolate chips (standard size works best, but mini is fine, too)
1 C walnuts, chopped (if desired)

 Preheat an oven to 350 degrees and grease a standard bread pan (if using a dark or silicone pan, reduce the heat to 325).
In one bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt. Set aside.
In the mixer bowl (or main mixing bowl), mix canola oil and sugar. Add the egg and mix again. Spoon in the zucchini and carrot and mix on medium speed until everything is evenly combined.
Starting and ending with the flour, add a little flour while the mixer is running on low. Next add a little mashed banana and continue to alternate until the last of the flour is added. Mix in JUST until everything is blended. Avoid over-mixing – batter should be slightly lumpy.
Fold in the chocolate chips and pour into a greased bread pan.
Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes, tenting with foil the last 15 minutes to avoid too much browning. Allow to cool before slicing (or it will fall apart). Delicious warmed with butter or chocolate frosting. *laughing hysterically*
For Muffins: Increase oven heat to 400, bake for 22-27 minutes.

 Enjoy, and many Samhain Blessings!
Rowan
www.lapisdragon.com

Toni (Rowan) is a mom, a mimi, a friend, lover and free spirit. A native of San Francisco, she currently practices her Craft on the east coast and hits the beach whenever clarity and focus are needed. A Celtic hedgewitch, she is most at home in the kitchen, the garden, or in her workshop creating teas and remedies and assorted pretty things for the shop. When not working or creating, Rowan can be found with her houseful of minions (1 girl-child, 4 boys, 1 grandboy and 1 lovely man who adores her), looking for new and exciting adventures or reading a great book. She continues the search for the perfect spot of land in Oregon to call her own, and looks forward to the day when she can Witch for a living.


Today's Giveaway:   from Hauntiture Creations
 "Treasure under the Sea"  Giveaway 3 piece set: 

 (1)  A hand painted piece of Hauntiture, 15 inches tall wooden cutting board.  A mermaid on one side of the board and a merman  on the other.  (2)  One framed print of a Siren  (3)  One mermaid wall plaque with a hook, with 2 changeable quotes to insert. Total value: $60.
How to enter:

 US Residents
First entry:  Go to The Hauntiture Creations shop, peruse the amazing creations, come back here and tell us which is your favorite in the comments.

 Second entry: Share this giveaway on your Facebook page (note: Facebook in no way endorses our giveaways). Come back, tell us you did in the comments (share the link, please).

 Third entry: Share this giveaway on Twitter or Instagram (your choice). Come back, post the link to your share in the comments.

 Fourth entry: Like the Hauntiture Creations Facebook page. Leave a comment on her Facebook page telling her you're visiting from Samhain's Sirens. Come back here, and let us know you did.

 Fifth entry: Like the Samhain's Sirens Facebook page. Leave us a comment below letting us know you're a follower (hint: this is going to be a gimme if you do it now or if you've done it in the past. It'll be one of the entries for all of our giveaways).
Canadian Residents
For 5 entries, please correctly answer the following question in the comments section:

 Which of the following is NOT a province of Canada?

 Alberta, British Columbia,  Rhode Island, Quebec

You have until 11:59p EDT to enter this giveaway. Winner will be announced in tomorrow's post. Good luck!
That's it for today. See you tomorrow for more Sireny fun!

 Happy Samhaining!
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