October 14: Wayward Wednesday!

Welcome back to our October Celebration, you wayward wanderers!

You've stumbled upon a party, and you're the guest of honor. What happens here, stays here.. but, so much you ;)

Not to worry, we have plenty of things we can do to with you.


Come on.. don't be shy...

The winner of the Hemlock and Garnet giveaway by artist Loren Morris is....

Fearless Fallen Angel

Today's Blogger: Kathleen Lane

Change will Come

I have always heard the saying that "Change is the one certain thing in life". Looking at this time of year always reminds me of that saying and this has certainly been a year of change in my life. My husband has retired and rather than being gone for half the year, he is home for good. So one way of life has ended and a new one begun.

As this summer rolls to the inevitable end and the new winter comes in, the wheel keeps turning and new things come in with it. I was going through some papers and found my old bucket list. Looking at it I wonder why some of those things were important to me and I realized that I need to throw it out and start a whole new list. Some of the things I have already done and some of them just don't seem relevant anymore.

What would be something important in your future that you would like to achieve or experience? Is there someplace you have never been or something you have never done and it is still waiting? Did you start something and never finish it? Do you remember promising yourself that someday you would climb a mountain or write a book or take that trip to the Costa Rican rain forest?

Let each year end with a positive finish to some goal and if you can't decide what your future should be, let this time of the thinning of the veil guide you in your choice. Those who have gone over the bridge already can sometimes see our future in a clearer light. Listen to what they are telling you and open yourself to what they tell you.

The Siren's Song with Jennifer Rasmussen

Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I feel like somebody's watching me.

Today's Recipe with Autumn Earthsong

I love October mornings! Especially the ones with the blue skies, fluffy clouds, dappled sunlight through bright colored leafy trees, and a nip in the air.  This bread is decadent and perfect for those kind of mornings. Especially the ones you don’t have to go anywhere right away…or for a sweet treat by the fire on a harvest moon night!


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
2/3 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 completely.
If you are lucky enough to have a wonderful neighbor like I do, send the extra loaf over to them! They’ll love you for it!
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

Emerald

Emerald is an amazing crystal. It is not only a wisdom stone but helps to bring to the surface what is unknown. 

If you deal with claustrophobia then this is the crystal for you. This crystal also helps to overcome the misfortunes in life and can heal negative emotions.

If you are working on your psychic abilities this stone can help with clairvoyance.

Emerald is a great choice in helping to open the heart chakra and is very calming.

Giveaway from Touch of the Goddess!

Whether you are anointing candles or tools, taking a ritual bath, or setting up protected space, this set has the oils you need all in one place. Sanctuary, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water are for working with those respective elements and the Elementals. Solaris and Luna give you help in working with these Celestial bodies and their associated Gods and Goddesses. Prosperity, Entice! Indulge your workings with the real essential oils. Frankincense, jasmine, cinnamon, just a few a the scents and magical essences all a part of this collection! Never again have to search for just the right oil, they are all right here together in one box!

9- 5 ml cobalt blue bottles in a a pretty turquoise box

Value: $35.00

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

Like/Get Notifications on the Touch of the Goddess 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 the Touch of the Goddess etsy shop. Comment here and tell us your favorite item in the shop.

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: 

Who wrote the lyrics to Canada's national anthem?

This giveaway is open until 9pm PDT (midnight Eastern)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!