Showing posts with label Tess Giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tess Giveaway. Show all posts
Welcome back, everyone!
Are you ready to start another week of Samhain Celebrating? Our sirens are all rested up, and raring to go!

We kick this week off with a blog post from Kallan Kennedy from The Secret Life of the American Working Witch, another great giveaway from Tess at East Coast Craft & Curio, and of course, a recipe and craft for today. Thank you all so much for the wonderful feedback! All of us here at Samhain's Sirens are thrilled you're having fun :)


Today's Blog Post- Kallan Kennedy

Last year, a few of us got together for a project we called "What Makes Your State Great?" in which we featured each of the 50 states in the U.S., their flag, motto, the date they entered the Union, etc...
It was difficult for me, as I was born and raised in West Virginia, lived in Virginia for 18 years, and have spent the last decade or so living in Maryland. I've come to truly love Maryland for so many reasons. It has everything from beautiful ocean beaches to mountains and rivers and lakes. The people here are wonderful. Our state cares deeply about the environment and our public schools are #1 in the country. One of the other really cool things about it is its history.

So much has happened on Maryland soil. One of the ways it reveals that is through the numerous haunted happenings around the state. I did a blog post on it a couple of years ago, and today, I'm going to re-share that with you. If you're not familiar with Maryland, I'll start off with a little about this fabulous state.


Maryland

Nicknames: The Old Line State. Also known as The Free State, The Cockade State, The Oyster State and The Queen State


Formed: Charter given from Charles I to Lord Baltimore in 1632; it was the 7th state to enter the Union in 1788. 


Named: Maryland in honor of Henrietta Maria (queen of Charles I of England)


Known for: Crabs, Oysters, Old Bay, The Star-Spangled Banner (Francis Scott Key was born here), Edgar Allen Poe and John Wilkes Booth (Also for those who are foodies, the Cake Boss is in Baltimore)


Sports teams: The Baltimore Ravens (football) and The Baltimore Orioles (baseball)


Haunted: In a 1993 article in the Washington Post, reporter David Montgomery makes the observation that “The State of Maryland is the single largest local owner of haunted real estate”.

I am only selecting a few of these, as volumes can and have been written on the numerous haunting throughout Maryland. I've selected a few, and am providing some pictures that we (my family members and I) have taken over the years. As you can see from the brief history above, both Harford County (where I live) and Maryland itself have a very old (comparatively speaking) history in the United States.

The Susquehanna Indians lived in this area long before Europeans came to settle here. It is no wonder that we have such wonderful stories and hauntings to share. These stories are either well-known in Maryland or personal experiences from me and/or my family members.

The Jericho Bridge

Built in the 1800’s, this is the last covered bridge standing in Harford County. It is also just a few hundred feet from the 242 year old Jerusalem Mill, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge itself is nearly 90 feet in length and about 15 feet wide. It’s completely made of wood and I can tell you from personal experience that the word ‘rickety’ is kind when driving through it. Legend has it that slaves were once hanged from its rafters during the Civil War. Maryland, while being a Union state, was very sympathetic to the South, and many nightriders captured and sold back into slavery those that made their way along the Underground Railroad. Hundreds of personal encounters have been recorded there.

The most common is that when driving through the bridge, if one looks in the rearview mirror, one can see a body hanging from the rafters. There have also been sightings of women in “old-fashioned” clothing walking around the bridge area, only to disappear upon closer looks. In the interest of ‘fair reporting’, I’d like to point out that at the Jericho Mill on weekends, there are a lot of re-enactments that go on, and women dressed in old fashioned clothing would be common.

I have personally never seen either of these, but one of my family members did see a man in a black hooded cloak run out in front of their car in the middle of the night just before they crossed the bridge, and then he disappeared.

I've had an eerie experience at the bridge one evening. It was a few years ago at dusk, and a friend had taken me to the bridge to show it to me. As we pulled up in my car (probably 50 feet from the actual bridge) a fog appeared out of nowhere and enveloped the road to about 4 feet in height and covered the area all around the bridge. We slowly pulled up into the bridge and drove across, turned around and returned across the bridge.. the fog seemed to follow us ( and the temperature dropped drastically during this time as well) until we came through the bridge and to the Jerusalem/Jericho road crossing. As we looked back.. the fog had completely disappeared, as if it had never been there. Needless to say, we were a little creeped out by it ;)

Thomas Run Road
Thomas Run Road is host to one of the top community colleges in the nation- Harford Community College. It’s also host to a strange ghost tale a little further down the road.
There is a housing development back there called The Village of Thomas Run (upper middle class neighborhood). Hundreds of witnesses of all ages over the years (dating back to the 1800’s, although the housing area hasn’t been there that long) have reported a man dressed completely in black with a stark-white face running through the neighborhood at various times, but mostly at night and in the rain. More than a few residents living near the woods have stated that someone is up to mischief around there- they will hear their doorbells ringing and when they answer, no one is around. Is it the “Tractor Man” (as he’s been affectionately named)?

Bottom Road
There are two ghostly tales on Bottom Road, which runs through several areas of Harford County and into Baltimore County, and there is a bridge over the Little Gunpowder River on Bottom Road.
The first tale involves the sighting of a little girl (ages have been reported from 4-7) at the narrow end of Bottom Road in a torn, bloody dress, holding a bloody teddy bear and crying. The sight is so startling that most travelers who have seen it, have actually stopped to help the little girl and when they do, she disappears.
The second is located at a certain area of Bottom Road where one must stop the car. At this point, once the car stops, everyone in the car gets the sensation that they are going backwards, even though the car is stopped on a flat road with no earthly reason for this sensation to occur.

The Joppatowne K-Mart
This store is located just off historic Route 40 in Joppatowne, Maryland. For several years running, witnesses have reported that on February 14, a young girl’s body can be seen hanging from a tree in the woods just behind the K-Mart. There is a small homeless population in the woods back there, and many of them have reported seeing this themselves as well.

Havre De Grace
As noted earlier, Havre De Grace was almost the site of the nation’s capital. It has a long, rich history as a town. There are so many ghost stories in relation to the town that every year, the historical society does a Haunted Havre De Grace walking tour. Having personally taken this tour, I must say I’ve never seen anything ghostly (yet!), but the experience and the history lessons are well worth the 12.00 admission fee.

John Wilkes Booth
Yes, that’s right. The infamous killer of President Abraham Lincoln was born and raised up just a few miles from me. His home, called Tudor Hall is located in Churchville Maryland. Legend has it that JWB was actually never caught and that his alleged killing was reported to appease the American people. Some say he escaped to the Mid-west, where he lived a long life into old age. Others say he was killed and that he now haunts the grounds of his childhood home. Regardless, there is a tombstone in his family’s plot in Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore, which is the most-photographed in the site’s history.

Edgar Allen Poe
 And,  what kind of Marylander would I be if I didn’t at least give nod to one of the most Halloween-y Poets to ever live? Well, I’d at least be disowned by my youngest daughter, who is an absolutely Poe devotee. For those who aren’t aware, many cities like to lay claim to this literary icon. New York, Philadelphia, Richmond were all places where he lived and worked. But, Baltimore is the city of this amazing author’s death and burial. There is an annual Poe festival which offers tours of his home (The Poe House) and of course, we have the Poe Society which cares for his letters and memorabilia. But of course, the most famous legend surrounding him is the one of the Poe Toaster. Every January 19 since 1949, someone (and no one has never known who) leaves a special present at the author’s gravesite sometime between midnight and 6am. Three red roses and a bottle of cognac are left at the foot of Poe’s grave. The man has always dressed in black with a white scarf that covers his face. It’s become such a tradition that people have come out to watch the scene unfold. Sadly, since 2010, our visitor has not shown. No one is sure why the tradition started nor why he has not returned. We now must quote the Raven, “Never more”.

Witches 

And what kind of witch would I be without honoring those who were innocent, yet accused of witchcraft?


From "Historical Witches and Witchtrials in North America" by Marc Carlson:

1654: Mrs. Richard Manship. Accused of witchcraft, but not convicted. Her accuser, Peter Godson was judged to have defamed and slandered her.

1654: Mary Lee was hanged ast sea as a witch by the crew of the vessel "Charity".

1658: Elizabeth Richardson was hanged at sea as a witch by the crew of the vessel "Sarah Artch".

1661: Joan Mitchell (Charles County Maryland) was accused of witchcraft and brought suit against four people for slandering her.

1665: Elizabeth Bennett (St. Mary's County Maryland) was accused of witchcraft and acquitted.

1674: John Cowman (St. Mary's County Maryland) convicted of witchcraft, conjuration, sorcery or enchantment on the body of Elizabeth Goodale, but received a reprieve from execution.

1685: Rebecca Fowler (Calvert County Maryland) was executed for witchcraft.

1686: Hannah Edwards (Calvert County Maryland) was acquitted of witchcraft.

1702: Katherine Prout (Charles County Maryland) was charged with being a witch and was fined 100lbs of tobacco.

1712: Virtue Violl (Talbot County Maryland) was acquitted of the charge of witchraft.

That’s it for this Haunted Blog. I hope you enjoyed our little creepy tour of Maryland haunts. Want more? See some of the links below. Happy Halloween!


Bennett's Curse (haunted house attraction):
http://www.bennettscurse.com/

Creepy Woods (haunted house attraction):
http://www.creepywoods.com/


Havre De Grace Haunted Tour:http://www.mainstreethdg.com/ArtsandEntertainment/HauntedHistoryGhostTours/tabid/104/Default.aspx

The Baltimore Poe House and Museum:http://www.eapoe.org/balt/poehse.htm

Tudor Hall: http://harfordhistory.net/th.htm

Baltimore Paranormal Society: http://bsprnet.com/

Greater Maryland Paranormal Society: http://greater-maryland-paranormal-society.com/

Plugs Paranormal I Investigations:  http://plugsinvestigation.wix.com/main

Today's Giveaway

Courtesy of Tess at East Coast Craft & Curio

Tess is giving away a Gift Certificate worth $35.00 and in order to win this give away you'll need to do the following:

Remember:
Your first entry is to follow us here. (make sure you comment and tell us that you're following!)

Bonus entries:
  • Go to East Coast Craft & Curio on Facebook and peruse her wares. Come back and tell us what you like best there.
  • Like the Facebook Page for East Coast Craft & Curio. Come back here and tell us you did (separate entry).
  • Like us on Facebook- come back and tell us (separate entry).
  • Follow us on Twitter (come and tell us!- separate entry).
  • Blog about this giveaway (comment separately and send us a link to your blog post).
  • Tweet about this giveaway (comment separately and send us a link to your blog post).
Deadline for entries: October 9, 8pm EDT.
Winner will be announced on Wednesday, October 10. We’ll ask the winner to contact us with shipping information so Tess can get this out to you ASAP. Thank you and good luck!

Recipe of the Day

Witch Hat Ice Cream Sandwiches

Picture Credit 

Perfect for kids! Or, you know, anyone who likes ice cream. Get them in on making the cookies, sampling the ice cream (there’s plenty to go around, right?), and assembling.

Ingredients

* 1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix

* 1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened

* 1 egg

* 3 cups mint chocolate chip ice cream

* 1 cup dark cocoa candy melts

* Betty Crocker® candy sprinkles, if desired

Method

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms. On lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with 3- or 4-inch witch hat-shaped cookie cutter. On ungreased cookie sheet, place cutouts 1 inch apart.

2. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

3. For each ice cream sandwich, press about 1/4 cup ice cream between 2 cookies. Wrap individually in plastic wrap. Freeze until firm, about 1 hour, or until serving time. Melt candy coating as directed on package; brush over one side of each ice cream sandwich. Decorate with sprinkles. Freeze until set.

Craft of the Day

Picture Credit Pikadilly Charm

PAPER BAG TREES     

Grade: all

Age: all

Activity Summary:

Grab a brown paper lunch bag and some Autumn colored tissue paper to make this easy and fun tree that appears to be blowing in the wind. A fun craft to make with your children during the fall season.

What You Need:

brown paper lunch bag

tissue paper in fall colors (brown, red, orange, yellow)

Tip: Use only shades of green tissue to create a summer tree!

scissors

glue

What You Do:

Open the paper bag so that it can stand by itself. Carefully hold the bottom of the bag and twist just above the seam/fold several times.

Use scissors to cut strips from the top of the bag down to the twisted section.

Gather three strips at a time and twist together to form the branches. Continue twisting three strips until you run out of strips to twist. If you end up with an uneven amount, twist four together or two together at the end.

Tear or cut small pieces of colorful tissue paper and glue a few on here and there as leaves for the branches.

Today's Song by Kestril Trueseeker


 I remember a grade school chorus production where my younger brother and his classmates sang “Now we are putting on our Halloween things” to the tune of this classical piece. It’s been firmly linked in my mind with Halloween since then, though I tend to envision creatures much more mischievous than my brother causing ever growing havoc as the song reaches its crescendo...





And the winners are:

October 4: Dorothy Morrison signed copy of "Utterly Wicked"- Hex Parker

October 5: Eliora's Mini-Altar Broom: Mary EH!

October 6: Sosanna's Rosary: The Starfire Witch (Bald Girl)

Congratulations to all of you!! Please don't forget to send us an email with your name, shipping details, etc... so our lovely vendor sirens can send you your goodies :)

See you tomorrow!!
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Welcome back! We're thrilled to have you join us today for our second day of the Samhain's Sirens extravaganza! Don't forget: you have until 8pm EDT to finish your entries for yesterday's giveaway (please keep your comments on yesterday's giveaway there. We have a giveaway today and we don't want to confuse our Giveaway Sirens as to which one you're entering for)

 Now, on to today's FUN!

 Alan Heartsong's Samhain Ritual


 Samhain is that time of year when the veil between the realm of the living and the realm of the dead is at its thinnest, and historically has been a time to honor ancestors, try to see visions of the future, and remember those closest to us who have passed in the last year.  While visiting with departed friends and family may be solemn or sad, remember too that love should bring joy, and that being happy to visit with them again is a huge gift worth treasuring.  Some years, I’m sad at Samhain, and other years I can’t wait for that night to see everyone again. 

There is a wealth of historical information about Samhain in books and on the Internet, so I won’t go into the Celtic aspects of it or the Egyptian customs that have survived to this day.  Instead, this is how *I* celebrate Samhain within the context of my Wiccan path, and if you find it of any use in your personal practice please feel free to use this for your celebration as well.

Supplies you’ll need:

Food for afterward

All participants should know who they will be reaching out to, because you will be calling them by name.  Make a list well beforehand if you don't trust your memory.

Depending on your preference, you may want a small dish of food that was the favorite of whomever you plan to call and commune with.  For example, one of my relatives liked corn flakes with honey, and there’s always a bowl for her at Samhain.

A candle for each of the 4 elements, appropriately colored for this time of year.  So brown for Earth, deep blue for Water, red (or orange!) for Fire, and pale yellow for Air.  You will place Air in the East, Fire in the South, Water in the West, and Earth in the North areas of your circle.  A central place for the black and white candles would be good, or you can set them in the north as well.

A black candle to represent Death, and a white candle to summon the spirits with.  A spare black candle to cast the circle with unless you’re using jack-o-lanterns.

Incense, either a stick of Frankincense & Myrrh if you can get it, or pure Frankincense will do.  If you’re really interested in blending up an incense to call the spirits to you there are many recipes out there, but if you use a tablespoon each of sage and mugwort and a teaspoon of wormwood with a pinch of frankincense resin that will work after you powder it (roughly) in a mortar and pestle.  I don’t recommend putting resin in a coffee or spice grinder, because it’s so sticky.  Wormwood is toxic, so make sure you don’t ingest it.  Adding a dried rose petal or two may be nice to represent the love you have for the people who have passed on.   There’s a lot of flexibility here, but the herbs as described will help put your mind in the right space to open up to spiritual communication.  Of course, if you use powdered herbs for incense, you’ll need charcoal to burn them on and something heavily insulated enough to not burn whatever it’s on.  I am assuming you have common sense and practice basic fire safety.

The Outline:
1.       Cast a circle to create sacred space, essentially an area free from psychic interference by anyone outside of your ritual.
2.       Ask the elements to guard your space and lend their power to your work.
3.       Honor aspects of Death you’re most comfortable with, whether it be Goddess/God or Death itself.  We’re witches, and Death is just part of Life.  It’s not something we fear, though we have every right to grieve the loss of a loved one.
4.       Call on your blessed departed, spend time communing with them.  This is going to be *very* personal for you, and if you’re sharing this time with others it may be emotional.  Have tissues on hand.
5.       Thank all spirits for showing up, open the circle.

And here we go:

Circle casting note – if you’re doing this with other people, you may want to have small pumpkins or gourds hollowed and carved with faces and lit from within so that each participant can walk the periphery of the circle and help create the sacred space.  It’s an option, and can help lighten the mood a bit if this is going to be emotionally difficult.  In all places where I’ve used the singular “I”, substitute with “We” if you’re doing this with a group.
Light the charcoal for the incense and let it catch, then drop a pinch of the herbs on it to start burning right before you cast the circle.  Alternately, light the stick of incense and begin, depending on what you were able to use.

Walk the circle clockwise, with either the jack-o-lantern or a lit black candle and say:

 I conjure a circle between the worlds and call upon the spirits of Air, Fire, Water and Earth to make it a place of safety for us and the Spirits.
Picture the energy rising like a curtain behind you, shimmering with smoke and starlight until it forms a closed circle after you’ve walked the periphery.

Light the candle for Air and say:  I call the powers of Air, the songs of joy and sorrow and the winds of change to guard and guide my loved ones to me from the realm of the dead to this place between places.

Light the candle for Fire and say:  I call the powers of Fire, the passions and funeral pyres, the transformation from matter to spirit to guard and guide my loved ones to me from the realm of the dead to this place between places.

Light the candle for Water and say:  I call the powers of Water, the depths of both love and grief and the healing waters of the Earth Mother to guard and guide my loved ones to me from the realm of the dead to this place between places.

Light the candle for Earth and say:  I call the powers of Earth, the bones of the Mother, the graveyard dirt, the strength that supports all of our lives to guard and guide my loved ones to me from the realm of the dead to this place between places.

Light the candle for Death and say:  I honor Death, you who end suffering and grant peace, you who release all of us from this mortal coil, and name you Friend.

Light the white candle, and see in your mind’s eye that it shines forth between the worlds, acting as a beacon to the spirits of your departed and say:

 I call to you [insert names of departed here],
I light a candle in the dark this Samhain night
Let its light be a beacon to guide you
Let the incense build a bridge for you to travel to me
I open wide the gateway
I miss you, come to me
I need your guidance, speak to me
I love you, be here with me
Come walk with me again, departed family
Come laugh with me again, departed friends

If you’re alone, feel free to talk to your departed friends/family out loud and make sure to listen to them.  If you have provided food for them, make sure to tell them what you made for them.  I usually tell my sister what’s been going on in my life, my father what I’m doing with work and my finances, and my grandmother gets to hear all of my secrets.  If you’re doing this as a group, you may want to keep it private and in your mind instead of out loud. 

When you’re ready to end the ritual say the following:

The time has come to end this rite, and return all of us to our proper place. To my dear departed, know that you continue to live in my heart, and I love you.  Spirits of Death, take them home with my thanks.  Spirits of Earth, Water, Fire and Air, thank you for guarding them and helping us spend this time together.

You will un-cast the circle at the point where you finished it, so as you walk it counter clockwise, envision the shimmering curtain of power sinking into the Earth and repeat until the circle is gone:

Earth the power, send it down to the Mother’s sacred ground.

When the energy has been released back into the Earth, the rite is ended and you can blow out the candles (or snuff them if you prefer, it’s just up to your personal preference).  Remember to eat something to help ground you and reconnect you firmly with your physical body again.

Today's Give Away 

Courtesy of Tess at East Coast Craft & Curio

Tess is giving away a Gift Certificate worth $35.00 and in order to win this give away you'll need to do the following:

Remember:
Your first entry is to follow us here. (make sure you comment and tell us that you're following!)

Bonus entries:
  • Go to East Coast Craft & Curios on Facebook and peruse her wares. Come back and tell us what you like best there.
  • Like us on Facebook- come back and tell us (separate entry)
  • Follow us on Twitter (come and tell us!- separate entry)
  • Blog about this giveaway (comment separately and send us a link to your blog post)
  • Tweet about this giveaway (comment separately and send us a link to your blog post)
Deadline for entries: October 2, 8pm EDT.
Winner will be announced on Wednesday, October 3. We’ll ask the winner to contact us with shipping information so Tess can get this out to you ASAP. Thank you and good luck!


Our recipe for the day:



How about some yummy goodies to add to the mix: Today's recipe comes from Vickie over at Aoibheal's Lair. She's giving us Pumpkin Spice Latte
Pumpkin Spice Latte
(picture credit eating Rules)
Vickie tells us she adapted this recipe from one found at Averie Cooks 

Pumpkin Spice Latte

1. Make coffee (a pot, a cup, in whatever fashion and however you prefer making your coffee.   The stronger the better)

2. Make Pumpkin Milk

1 c milk (I used almond milk but use any kind you want from half and half to rice milk)

1/4 heaping cup pumpkin puree (more if you really love pumpkin)

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice blend, or to taste

1 tsp cinnamon, or to taste

1 tsp vanilla extract

sweetener of choice, to taste (I use 2 tbsp brown sugar or a pinch of stevia to taste; you can also try honey, maple syrup, etc. to taste)

Optional: pinch of ground nutmeg, ginger, garam masala, cardamom, or other warming spices to taste

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well by hand or blend all ingredients using a blender

Optional: Warm the finished pumpkin milk mixture in the microwave or on the stovetop.  (microwave approximately 1 minute)

3. Pour 1 c of brewed coffee into a mug and pour half the pumpkin milk mixture over the top of the coffee and enjoy.  (Optional: Finish by garnishing with real whipped cream, recipe found below and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice/cinnamon on top)

The other half of the pumpkin milk mixture is for the refill you know you will want.  If you truly don’t want a refill, refrigerate it for up to a few days and use for your next latte, in a smoothie, or drink it as is.  As long as you're dirtying dishes, I always make a little extra for refills or for later.

The spices will not “blend” or entirely dissolve.  This is to be expected and normal.  If this bothers you, this may not the recipe for you and you may want to experiment with other recipes or techniques.

All spices and seasonings are to taste; in this case, mine.  If you want to reduce the spices (or increase them), obviously adjust everything according to your own taste preferences.  Some people may find the amounts I used a bit strong, but I like robust flavors.

Homemade REAL whipped cream

1 cup heavy whipping cream
1TBS sugar or stevia
1 tsp vanilla extract

freeze beaters to your electric mixer and medium mixing bowl for approximately 30 mins prior to using. Pour heavy whipping cream into bowl, add vanilla and sweetener. Mix on high until stiff peaks form. Add a spoonful (or more) to your latte and enjoy. Can be stored in refrigerator for up to 48 hrs.



Easy Make Your Own Paper Ghosts

Our craft for today comes from Country Living

Photo by John Kernick
You will need:
Paper wedding bells (you can get them at any craft store)
Black Construction Paper
Cheesecloth
Scissors
Glue

First, cut the construction paper into black dots (for eyes and gaping mouths) and glue them to the wedding bells. Cut out pieces of cheesecloth and drape over the bells. See? Told you it was easy!


Today's Song 

From Kestril Trueseeker:
I love the violin on today’s selection, Dead is the New Alive. Emilie Autumn is actually a violin prodigy. She was homeschooled starting from age 9 so she could devote more time to learning it. 
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