October 6: Terrifying Tuesday!

The terms “terror,” “terrible,” and “terrific,” are rooted in the Indo-European base ters- / tres- (to shake), according to the Chambers Dictionary of Etymology.

We won't ask you to quake in fear, maybe just shake your booty a little ;)

Come on in.. we've been waiting all night to party with you!

The winners of the Blackthorn Hoodoo Blends Tea Giveaways are:

1. Joe Beamon

2. Paula J.

Today's Blogger: Autumn Noel

An Old Fashioned Halloween in a Modern Day world

My girls and I, (ages one, three and thirty, because I know my age is just as important to you, I’m sure!) frequent the local craft stores in late July. We like to spy the Halloween and Fall items that slowly make their way onto the shelves, and dream of cooler days to come.

From the moment the first jack-o’-lantern hits the display, I start planning how I will make this the best Halloween ever, full of activities and crafts, baking and field trips. My mind starts spinning, and I am dizzy with excitement. WHERE WILL I START!? I race home to get everyone set up to start my planning… snacks for the girls and some Caillou on Netflix (shoot me, my ears!) and an iced coffee and Pinterest for me! My home page immediately pulls up a mixture of toddler crafts, Halloween items and I am sucked in. 

“Mama…” I hear, but I don’t respond. “Mama..?” I hear again. “In a minute…!”  I respond. Five or so minutes later, I notice my three year old has wandered over to her art table. I sneak up behind her to see what she has created. She turns around beaming “See Mama!! Pumpkin! Like at da store!” My stomach does a little guilty flip.

#motherhoodfail

I think for a moment, scoop up the baby and ask my toddler to follow me to the TV. We dig out some old home movies, and for the rest of the afternoon watch Halloween circa 1985-1990 something. Homemade costumes and school festivals, good old fashioned trick or treating, costume parties, carving pumpkins, homemade cookies with flour dusted on our noses, preschool songs, and proud parents, family.

no iphones

no pinterest

no facebook

no instagram

I of course, very much love these four things listed above, or I wouldn’t be writing for the Samhain’s Sirens. I also, find it easy to become addicted to these things as well. My goal for this fall, this Samhain season, is to give my girls an old fashioned Halloween and live in the moment with them, while being internet minimal.  With Samhain being the witch’s New Year, I find it fitting to set a positive intention; mine being to live slow and simple, to live present.

I hope this Samhain season brings you many happy jack-o-lantern faces, candy corn, autumn walks, pumpkin spiced lattes and memories posted to instagram.

…after the kids are in bed J

Brightest Autumnal Blessings

-Autumn Noel 

The Siren's Song with Jennifer Rasmussen

The writing's on the wall!!

Superstition by Stevie Wonder

Today's Recipe: Pumpkin Pancakes

I love making breakfast for my family. Especially in the autumn and winter.  There is something about a wonderful, warm family breakfast on Sunday mornings especially.  We slow down and enjoy each other’s company without having to rush off to be to work or wherever.  These pancakes just scream fall!  Give them a try!

Pumpkin Pancakes

3 cups cake flour

3 Tbs sugar

2 Tbs baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 cups canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

2 eggs

3 tsps vanilla extract

1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

2 3/4 cups milk

Butter and syrup of course!

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl and stir together.

In a separate bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, eggs, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and milk.  Whisk until combined.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until they just are combined. 

Place butter on a hot griddle, and pour 1/4-1/2  cupful of the batter onto the griddle.  Turn when bubbles start to form. Cook to golden brown.

Serve with butter and syrup. 

*Try sprinkling a little cinnamon/sugar on these too…yummy!! Or serve with cinnamon apples!

*Makes 12-15 pancakes

A great way to start your Autumn day!  Enjoy!

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 SundayStew 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

Garnet

Garnet comes in 7 different colors, red, pink, green, orange, yellow, brown, and black. This is a very common stone and can be found worldwide.

Garnet is a great metabolism stone and is also very useful to have with you during a crisis. 

Square cut garnets are best when dealing with business matters and will help bring success.

Garnet helps to remove taboos and opens up the heart and helps with self-confidence. Garnet also not only inspires love but also devotion. This stone will also help to balance your sex drive. Also considered to be a commitment stone. 

Red Garnet also helps to control anger towards oneself.

We have two giveaways today. You are welcome to enter either one or both. Please be sure you specify if you are only entering one or the other. Thank you!

Today's Giveaway #1: Leave Them in Stitches

This is a pumpkin hat and diaper cover made with acrylic yarn (least likely for sensitive skin to react to). The diaper cover is adjustable and has adorable little pumpkin buttons for fastening. 

Size? 3-6 mos

This item retails for $40.00

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

Like/Get Notifications on the Leave Them In Stitches 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. 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:

What is Canada's national sport?
a) Hockey
b) Lacrosse
c) Curling
d) None of the above
e) Both a and b


This giveaway is open until 9pm EDT tonight. Winner will be announced tomorrow morning 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!

Giveaway # 2 from Ravenfeather Glass Creations: God and Goddess Decor

The set includes the Horned God and a Raven Feather original design of a Triple Moon Goddess. Retail value $30

The Horned God measures 4.5" H x 3" W
Triple Moon Goddess measures 6.5" H x 6" W
Both come with a suction cup for hanging in the window.

Here at Raven Feather Glass Creations I pride myself in creating each piece using the original L.C. Tiffany technique. I cut each piece of glass by hand, the edges are then ground to accept copper foil and the piece is soldered together. I finish by polishing it to make the solder shine. Please don't clean with a window cleaner--just a damp cloth.


Good luck and thank you for participating from Raven Feather Glass!


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

Like/Get Notifications on the Raven Feather Glass Creations 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. Go to the Raven Feather Glass Creations etsy shop. Come back and tell us about your favorite piece.

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:

What is 1+1 ?

This giveaway is open until 9pm EDT 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!