Samhain's Sirens October 28

Good morning! It's our last Monday together for the season, so we're going to do it up right!

We have a fantastic giveaway, delicious recipe, wonderful music and a beautiful blog for you!

As we wind down, we want you to know how much we've enjoyed celebrating with you this year.

Don't forget that today is the deadline to submit your Forget-Me-Not to Kallan for her November 1 tribute to those who have passed. Email her with your loved one's name, any tribute you want to make and an optional photo. You are welcome to submit more than one loved one. Email here.

Today in history:

1793 - Eli Whitney applied for a patent for his cotton gin.

1886 - The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor by U.S. President Cleveland. The statue weighs 225 tons and is 152 feet tall. It was originally known as "Liberty Enlightening the World."

1965 - Pope Paul VI issued a decree absolving Jews of collective guilt for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

1972 - The United States Council for World Affairs announced that it was adopting the Who song, "Join Together" as its official theme.

As always, Serena's here to help.
Email her or use the contact form at the top of the page for assistance.

Now, on to the celebrations!

Today, we honor Michael Jackson.

Don't forget to check out our Youtube Channel for all of the music and lots of extras!!

Samhain Changes

by Tiffany Newson

I was watching Legends of Korra the Book Two Season premier on Nick Toons. Its a great anime story about an avatar that can control all four elements and is the bridge between the material and spiritual world. In this particular episode, it focused on how the city was built up physically but spiritually was unbalanced. Dark spirits were attacking the people because they lost their spiritual connection and were more interested in how to keep appearances.

This brings to my point of how we as humans are always quick to fix ourselves cosmetically. Some make-up here. New color or highlights as a pick-me-up. Losing weight to fit into clothes for the holidays that we often loose sight of our spiritual connection.

This time of year, we often gloss over with candy, desserts and costumes. Though all these are great fun and easy to do, we also have to remember this is a time to reflect. To ask our ancestors for guidance for the New Year.

I have done a lot of mental and physical changing. I've started again to eat healthier. I'm growing out the chemically straight hair and embracing my roots. Literally. But these should not be my only changes.

As the New Year approaches, I plan to follow more with the spiritual aspect. I've neglected to honor all my roots. I have not spoken to my mother in going on 8 yrs. In doing so, my maternal side is lost to me. I barely speak to my father and that also cuts off my paternal side. I seriously doubt I'll ever actually speak to them but I do know my ancestors don't deserve neglect because of their most recent branches are asshats.

Its time for me to regain my spiritual balance. To become a whole being. This is my plan for Samhain.

Light and Love,

Tiffany

About Tiffany: A wife and stay at home mother of 2. She is a very big cheer mom and a big pusher of education. She has been a Wiccan and Witch for the 10 years. She loves to cook and has been dubbed the next generation's come-to Grandma, though she prefers Mama T. She is passionate about LGQT, women's, and children's rights.

Apple Sweet Potato Side
5 medium sweet potatoes (2-1/2 pounds)
4 cups sliced peeled tart apples (about 4 medium)
3/4 cup thawed apple juice concentrate
1-1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons cold water, divided
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
7-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 cup butter, cubed
Place sweet potatoes in a large saucepan or Dutch oven and cover with water. Bring to a boil; cover and cook for 30-45 minutes or until tender. Drain. When cool enough to handle, peel and slice potatoes.
•Place apples in a large saucepan and cover with water. Cover and cook over medium heat for 7-8 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Place apples and sweet potatoes in a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish.
In a small saucepan, combine apple juice concentrate, 1-1/2 cups water, sugars and salt. Combine cornstarch with remaining water until smooth; gradually stir into apple juice concentrate mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly.
Remove from the heat; stir in butter until melted. Pour over potato mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 30-35 minutes or until heated through

Blessings

Autumn Earthsong

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

Today's Giveaway comes to you by way of Volante at Twin Pixie Gifts!

Created just for the Samhain's Sirens Celebration, it is a 20" one of a kind, wire wrapped necklace. Purple/black agate focal pendant accented with purple frosted glass beads and amethyst chips (7 on each link), wrapped in tarnish resistant copper wire. Cleansed, charged and charmed for protection, psychic awareness & balance. Retail value $120. Pictures don't do it justice. There is also a small bit of weight to the necklace.

Here's how to enter this giveaway:

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 29th 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 Twin Pixie Gifts Etsy Shop . Find your favorite book, come back here, and tell us about it in the comment section. (1 entry)

2. Like Twin Pixie Gifts Page on Facebook. Let us know you did in the comments 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 113 x 0?

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 :)