Samhain's Sirens, Day 26, October 30

It's a Wonderful Wednesday here at Samhain's Sirens! Our last one of the season, and the day before All Hallow's Eve. Are you getting everything prepared for the big event?

We have two last giveaways before the big Grand Prize Giveaway tomorrow. Remember, every entry you make here, gives you entries into the GP Giveaway (we'll also give you extra chances tomorrow as well).

There's also a very special treat for you today at the end of this blog from our mascot, Cupquake Danger. We know you're going to love it :)

Today in history:

1735 - John Adams, the second President of the United States, was born in Braintree, MA. His son became the sixth President of the U.S.

1831 - Escaped slave Nat Turner was apprehended in Southampton County, VA, several weeks after leading the bloodiest slave uprising in American history.

1938 - Orson Welles' "The War of the Worlds" aired on CBS radio. The belief that the realistic radio dramatization was a live news event about a Martian invasion caused panic among listeners.

1953 - General George C. Marshall was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

1993 - Martin Fettman, America's first veterinarian in space, performed the world's first animal dissections in space, while aboard the space shuttle Columbia.

Remember, Serena's still around if you need her.
Email her, or use the contact form at the top of the page.

And, now, let's celebrate!

Today, we remember Amy Winehouse.

Calling up Samhain

by Danni Supplicki

"Leaves fallen on the breeze,

skitter like so many rats

beneath skeletal trees.

As gourds grin to the night,

beckoning spirits to visit,

and give their weary souls rest,

'round a candle's warm light.

Stars are spattered across

Night's velvet cloak, 

the swollen moon looks down, 

not a single cloud mars

her brilliant face. 

Greens, browns and shades of rust 

color fields of grain, 

wilting beneath the Harvest moon,

Dreaming of Summer rain

And in this field, 

'neath the darkened sky, 

A coven does conspire.

With hands clasped,

and heads bowed,

they gather 'round a fire, 

Quick footed in the rusty field, 

voices raised in joyous song, 

Wolves howl and owls take flight, 

As the Witches dance Tonight!"

 Visit Danni's Blog: The Whimsical Cottage 

Game Day Chili

2 TB olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

2 lbs ground beef

1- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

2-16 oz cans chili beans

*I use Bush’s Beans.  You can choose the heat- mild, medium or hot!

1/2 cup water

1/4 to 1/3 cup chili powder- again..how hot you like it 😊

salt, pepper, garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce to taste.

In a large skillet, heat oil. Saute onion and pepper til soft.  Add ground beef.  Brown adding in Worcestershire sauce and seasonings to taste.  Drain.

Add to a crock pot or dutch oven.  Add the rest of the ingredients.  Cook in a crock-pot all day.....2-3 hours on high, then low the rest of the day.  If you do it stove top, stir occasionally and cook either slow or fast. 

*serve with corn bread and toppings like sour cream, crackers, shredded cheese, hot sauce..however you like it!!  Serves about 4-6....great the next day too!

Blessings

Autumn Earthsong

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

Giveaway #1: from Danni at  Heartroot Studio:

 A stunning 8x10 print of "Harvest Moon",  retail value is $20.

Here’s how to enter:
You have until 6am 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 31st 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 Heartroot Studio. Find your favorite item, come back here, and tell us about it in the comment section. (1 entry)

2. Like the Facebook page for Heartroot Studio. Let us know you did in the comments. (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 99+1?

What's cool about being a Canadian? You automatically get 6 entries per giveaway for just answering 1 question!  We still need your email address, though :)



Giveaway #2: Francesca De Grandis, "Sprinkling Faerie Dust on Breakfast" Continental U.S. only.

About Francesca:  Francesca De Grandis, AKA Outlaw Bunny, authored the classic text "Be a Goddess!" Founder of Third Road, a Faerie Shamanism tradition that she teaches through both text and oral tradition, De Grandis explains, "I'm a non-theist, pantheist pagan serving Goddess. Mother and all my Gods, thank you." Ecstatic paradox. Bard, painter, spiritual innovator, Whedon fan, middle management for Chaos Gods, and busy elf. www.stardrenched.com  www.outlawbunny.com  https://www.etsy.com/shop/outlawbunny

Sprinkling Faerie Dust on Breakfast: A Daily Reader for Busy Parents and Their Children . . . and for Any Way-Busy Person

Spiritual reading that fits into your day

“[Francesca’s] writing has an economy of language that draws disparate threads together and weaves a new way of living.”—Scott Schulz

Retail price: $30.00 and, you can  have it not only signed, but personalized by Francesca! (your choice)

Here’s how to enter:
You have until 6am 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 31st blog post at 9am EDT.

Note: This giveaway is for U.S. Residents only.Void where prohibited.


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

1. Go to Francesca's Site. Sign up for her newsletter. Come back and let us know you did in the comments.

2. Go to Francesca's Etsy site. Choose your favorite item, and come back here to tell us about it. (1 entry)

3. Go to her books page. Find a favorite and tell us about it. (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.

The  winners from October 29th's giveaway by author Barbra Annino are as follows:

Paula Lupi

Sharon Rawson

Colleen Beaty

Danni Supplicki

Kellyanne Swensen

Jennifer Manley

Engie Willow

Rebecca Ford

Sandy Penns

Rebecca Powell

Hex Parker

Adelina Soto Thomas

Bonus Feature: Cupquake Danger Sings Witches Brew

Tune in tomorrow for our final day of celebration and grand prize giveaway. Although you've been automatically entered, we'll give you another shot at it just for the fun of it. See you then!