Samhain's Sirens, Day 20, October 23

It's a Wonderful Wednesday here!

Kallan's baby, Nichole

We have TWO giveaways for you today, great music, more from our amazing recipe Siren, Autumn, and music from the lovely Kestril.

I'm going to shamelessly wish my baby girl, Nichole a very Happy Birthday today!!
I love you, sweetie!!


Now, to today's History trivia:

1910 - Blanche S. Scott became the first woman to make a public solo airplane flight in the United States. 

1915 - Approximately 25,000 women demanded the right to vote with a march in New York City, NY. 

1989 - Hungary became an independent republic, after 33 years of Soviet rule. 

1998 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat reach a breakthrough in a land-for-peace West Bank accord. 

1998 - Japan nationalized its first bank since World War II. 

As always, if you need any help here, please don't hesitate to reach out to Serena. She's here to help. Email here HERE or use the contact form at the top of the page.

Now, on to today's celebration!

Today, we honor Freddie Mercury of Queen

Samhain- A Learning Experience
by Kathleen Lane

I didn't grow up celebrating Halloween. First of all, we lived out in the country and there weren't other kids around to do things with. And secondly, depending on which grandparents I was staying with, it "just wasn't done". My Quaker grandmother considered it a Pagan Holiday and even though the Catholics called it All Hallows Eve, it must be evil since the Pope was the "Anti-Christ".

The other side of the family didn't celebrate it either. That time of year was the Third Moon Harvest Festival and was more like Thanksgiving. I didn't really learn about Samhain until I was a teenager.  So I was a late learner about wicca but a very early learner about The Mother. Learning about and assimilating Celtic beliefs into the beliefs I already had seemed like a natural progression and the celebration of Samhain was similar to the late harvest celebration that I had always done. It was the end of the year and preparing for the new one and a time of communication with the ones who had gone before.

I remember making apple head dolls and giving them clothes made of cornhusks and hair of grass or moss and using them in the celebration and making necklaces of hazel nuts. It was a happy but thoughtful event full of good food and thankfulness for bounty of the earth and the awareness of the end of a year and death of the seasons.

The first time I went to a Samhain celebration I was suprised by the similarities between the beliefs and the way they were celebrated. There were more similarities than differences. I think that was when I realized that cultures who were aware of and celebrated the link between the earth and the life on it were in many ways alike. The Gods may have different names and faces but the act of celebrating that link seems to be a common link the world over.

Pineapple Zucchini Bread
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsps baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsps ground cinnamon
2 cups white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups shredded zucchini
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, well drained
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat an oven to 325*  Line the bottom of two 9×5-inch loaf pans with parchment paper.
Mix flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon in a bowl. Beat sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract together in a large mixing bowl, and stir in zucchini and pineapple. Gradually pour in the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Fold in raisins and walnuts, mixing to evenly combine. Divide batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Working with one loaf at a time, hold the pan on its side and gently tap the sides of the pan against the counter to loosen it. Cover the pan with a cooling rack, and invert it to tip the cake out of the pan and onto the rack. Peel off the parchment paper, and allow bread to cool completely.

Blessings,
Autumn Earthsong

You can visit Autumn's blog at My Moonlit Path and her shop at Verbena Lane Botanicals!

Today, we have 2 Giveaways!!!

Giveaway #1: is from Sandi's Enchanted Gardens

A little about Sandi:

I am a mother, soul mate, friend, advocate, activist, and spiritualist. I started the Enchanted Garden originally to make money while overseas as an army wife. We have evolved together over the years and love providing the spiritual community with quality work and powerful magick! Over the last 20 years I have traveled the world studying religions, spirituality, philosophy, aromatherapy, herbalism, and energy work to improve my ability to help!

Here's what one of you lucky people is going to receive:

 Samhain Sabbat Candle

This candle is scented with the powerful scents of Samhain including Dragon's Blood, Clove, Juniper, Frankincense,Rosemary, Cedar wood, and Orange. Each Samhain Sabbat candle is made with some combination of these scents, but are mixed by intuition for the individual client when ordered. Retail value: $14.95. 

Can't you just smell the goodness from here? 

Here's how to enter:

You have until 6 am EDT tomorrow to enter.
Drawing is held by random number generation and winner will be notified in email (that's why you have to have an email address listed). Announcement will be made on the October 24th blog post at 9am EDT.

Note: These giveaways are open to the U.S., Canada and where allowable. Void where prohibited.

Canadian residents, please pay close attention as by law, you have to use a different set of rules. Not to worry, we have you covered :)

You MUST provide a valid email address to enter the contest.

1. Go to Sandi's Enchanted Gardens. Find your favorite item, come back here, and tell us about it in the comment section. (1 entry)

2. Like the Facebook page for Sandi's Enchanted Gardens. Let us know you did in the comments section here. (1 entry)

3. Blog about this giveaway (make sure you link back here), come back and leave us a link to your blog. (1 entry)

4. Tweet about this giveaway (link to us, please), come back, and leave us a link to your tweet (1 entry)

5. Be a follower of this blog, Samhain's Sirens (1 entry)

6. Like Samhains Sirens on Facebook (1 entry)

Note: If you want your entries to count as separate entries, you must post them separately. If you post 1 comment with all of these on it, it will only count as 1 entry.

Canadian residents, by law, instead of the above, you must answer the following question to be eligible:

What is 200+1?

What's cool about being a Canadian? You automatically get 6 entries per giveaway for just answering 1 question!  You still have to give us an email address :)

Giveaway #2 is from Tiffanie Dovich at Paws Out Pet Boutique and Bakery

Paws Out offers gourmet boutique artisan style treats and homeopathic products for everyone’s favorite furry companions. 

Paws Out Pet Boutique and Bakery takes pride in using only the finest quality of human grade ingredients in all of our handmade products. Each product we offer is not only preservative free, but also corn, wheat, and soy free as well. Every ingredient is extensively tested and researched before being included in our handcrafted items. Each gourmet artisan styled treat is handcrafted in small batches and inspected before packaging. We apply the same high standards to our bath line as well.

One lucky winner this receive this pawtastic gift basket like this one from Paws Out Pet Boutique and Bakery for you and your furry pal!

A value of over $60.00! 

You’ll receive our specially formatted Organic Flea & Tick Powder, Clean Dog Herbal bath powder, Anti-itch fizzing bath powder, Fizzing White Aura Cleansing bath powder, Random treat assortment, paw balm, 3 collar charms, Happy Kitty Catnip Spray, and a couple more surprises! 

Here’s how to enter: You have until 6am EDT tomorrow to enter. (6:01 am is too late)

Drawing is held by random number generation and winner will be notified in email (that's why you have to have an email address listed).

Announcement will be made on the October 24th blog post at 9am EDT.

Note: These giveaways are open to the U.S., Canada and where allowable. Void where prohibited.

Canadian residents, please pay close attention as by law, you have to use a different set of rules. Not to worry, we have you covered :)

You MUST provide a valid email address to enter the contest.

1. Go to Paws Out Pet Boutique and Bakery. Find your favorite item, come back here, and tell us about it in the comment section. (1 entry)

2. Like the Facebook page for Paws Out Pet Boutique and Bakery. Let us know you did in the comments section here. (1 entry)

3. Blog about this giveaway (make sure you link back here), come back and leave us a link to your blog. (1 entry)

4. Tweet about this giveaway (link to us, please), come back, and leave us a link to your tweet (1 entry)

5. Be a follower of this blog, Samhain's Sirens (1 entry)

6. Like Samhains Sirens on Facebook (1 entry)

Note: If you want your entries to count as separate entries, you must post them separately. If you post 1 comment with all of these on it, it will only count as 1 entry.

Canadian residents, by law, instead of the above, you must answer the following question to be eligible:

What is 4+1?

What's cool about being a Canadian? You automatically get 6 entries per giveaway for just answering 1 question!  You still have to give us an email address :)

The winner of the October 22 giveaway from Heartroot Studio is: 

Beth Brown

Remember, every time you enter, you are also entered into the grand prize giveaway at the end of the month! See you tomorrow for more fun!