Happy Birthday Harry Potter

Hi to all the Potter fans, Yes, today is Harry's birthday.. July 31.... ( and my Grand-daughters who is 9 this year) So I am celebrating by sharing some of Hogwarts secret recipe's.. And baking "Cauldron Cakes" for myself in celebration!!!

Also the announcement of the release date for JK Rowling's "The Tales of Beedle the Bard".

Enjoy

Bee

Butter Beer!

(YUMMY)

Ingredients:
1 cup (8 oz) club soda or cream soda
½ cup (4 oz) butterscotch syrup (ice cream topping)
½ tablespoon butter



Directions:Step 1: Measure butterscotch and butter into a 2 cup (16 oz) glass. Microwave on high for 1 to 1½ minutes, or until syrup is bubbly and butter is completely incorporated. Step 2: Stir and cool for 30 seconds, then slowly mix in club soda. Mixture will fizz quite a bit.Step 3: Serve in two coffee mugs or small glasses; a perfectly warm Hogwarts treat for two!





Chocolate Frogs




frog or toad chocolate candy mold

white chocolate candy melts,

peppermint candy flavoring oil

(chocolate chips or other chocolate)


You can use food coloring to make the white candy melts any color you'd like. Melt the white chocolate according to the instructions. Use a toothpick to add peppermint oil drop by drop until you have the desired taste. Be careful, since the peppermint oil is VERY strong! Spoon the flavored chocolate mixture into the candy mold and let harden in the refrigerator. When solid, pop out your toads and add the eyes with a small paintbrush and melted chocolate chips. These can be frozen, just thaw before serving.

Cauldron Cakes

Makes about 3 dozen from a standard cake mix.Your favorite devils food cake recipe, made into cupcakes, black string licorice Bake your cupcakes according to the instructions, without using paper cup liners. Slice off the top of the crown of each cupcake so that when it is turned upside down, it sits flat. This gives you more of a cauldron shape than a cupcake shape. Cut the black string licorice into small pieces and poke them into the cupcakes as cauldron handles

Butter Beer for over 21 crowd

Makes 2 quarts.

1 cup butterscotch schnapps

7 cups cream soda (almost one 2 liter bottle)


Carefully mix just before serving, adding the schnapps to the soda then stirring gently to mix well, or the fizz will dissipate too soon.You can also find butterscotch flavoring near the vanilla flavoring in the baking section of the grocery store, but it is more difficult to find, and actually the flavoring is 35% alcohol where the schnapps is only 15% alcohol by volume, so if you're making large quantities of butter beer, I recommend just to buy the schnapps. There is not much alcohol content in the butter beer mixture, just enough to make a house-elf tipsy and to give it the warm, buttery aftertaste to the fizzy cream soda.

Pumpkin Juice

Bake your Halloween jack o'lantern in the oven.(watch the face distort and shrink - it's fun!)Strain your pumpkin, saving the juice separately from the strained pumpkin.Serve your chilled pumpkin juice to your guests!This takes a good hour or two, depending on the size of your jack o'lantern, so keep checking your pumpkin as it is baking. Use a cookie sheet underneath so you can easily take the hot mushy pumpkin out of the oven and to catch any drippings. If your pumpkin was not carved, cut it in half before baking, otherwise it could explode and make a GIGANTIC mess! You will see that the juice separates from the pumpkin flesh as it starts to bake, so spoon off this juice periodically and save it so it doesn't leak all over your oven. Once your pumpkin flesh has baked long enough to be good and soft, remove from the oven and let it cool. Scoop the pumpkin flesh from the skin into a strainer with a container underneath. Use a spoon to squeeze out the juice from the pumpkin, so you have as "solid" a puree as possible, which you should save for your Pumpkin Pasties, pumpkin bread, or your favorite pie recipe.Ironically, this is always how I strained my pumpkin after baking, since if you don't, you end up with a very watery pumpkin pie, but I always just discarded the pumpkin juice before. Now I freeze my pumpkin and pumpkin juice separately in plastic containers, and they can keep over a year in the freezer quite well. After thawing the pumpkin, you can strain again for even better results (and more pumpkin juice!) since during freezing, the ice crystals were separated from the pumpkin naturally.I did try using pumpkin pie spice mixture to flavor my juice, but I thought the flavor was too strong. I actually prefer plain, unsweetened pumpkin juice, since it is quite refreshing and tastes a bit like iced tea. My guests liked the Butter beer much better though! ;)

Lammas/Lugnasadh

Blessed Lammas

Lammas is one of the four major pagan festivals originally celebrated in Britain and now celebrated in other countries, including the United States. Its the first of the three Pagan harvest festivals.
As the days now grow visibly shorter and by the time we've reached autumn's end (Oct 31st)<--(My favorite hoilday), we will have run the gammut of temperature from the heat of August to the cold and (sometimes) snow of November. Lammas, the festival of the First Fruits of the Harvest, is the first festival of the Waning Year. It is celebrated on August 1, while the climate (in the United States) is essentially still Summer. Never-the-less, technically, Lammas is the first day of Autumn. Lammas takes its name from the Old English "hlaf," meaning "loaf" and "maesse," meaning feast.

• Lammas has often been taken to mean Lamb-mass, because on August 2, the next day, is the Feast of St. Peter's Chains, at which lambs are taken to church for blessing.
  

• This festival is also called "Lugnasadh" (Loo-nah-sah), which has an entirely different meaning. The element "nasadh" relates to the Gaelic, "to give in marriage," and so would mean the "Marriage of Lug," rather than Lugh's Mass, which is a common interpretation. There is also some debate as to who the bride is, if there is one. Some authorities favor and others favor Eriu --> Ireland, herself.

However, no mention is made of Blodeuwedd, "the Lady of Flowers" created for Lugh by Math and Gwydeon, the ultimate cause of his death. One clue to the identity of this particular bride may be that "handfastings" (marriage for a year and a day) are still called "Taillten Marriage", and many are performed at Lammas Fairs.

Another common interpretation of "Lughnasadh", perpetuated by Christian historians, is "Lugh's Games" and some say it is a festival created by Lugh, in honor of the memory of Tailltiu.
The Lammas festival was adopted by the Christian Church in 1843, and today, in England, people decorate churches with sheaves and corn dollies, celebrating the old Pagan holiday, as they sing "Bringing in the Sheaves" and make offerings of corn to the Church.

In some areas, Lammas was a time of sacrifice. Sacrifices at Lammas were made to thank the Deities for the First Fruits and to guarantee an abundant Harvest. The victim was often the king, who was God Incarnate to his people. Sometimes a substitute king, a fool or "scapegoat", was sacrificed in the king's stead.

Until recent years, in Scotland, the first cut of the Harvest was made on Lammas Day, and was a ritual in itself. The entire family must dress in their finest clothing and go into the fields. The head of the family would lay his bonnet (hat) on the ground and, facing the Sun, cut the first handful of corn with a sickle. He would then put the corn Sun-wise around his head three times while thanking the God of the Harvest for "corn and bread, food and flocks, wool and clothing, health and strength, and peace and plenty." This custom was called the "Iolach Buana."

In the British Isles, the custom of giving the First Fruits to the Gods evolved into giving them to the landlord. Lammas is now the traditional time for tenant farmers to pay their rent. Thus, Lammas is seen as a day of judgment or reckoning. From this practice comes the phrase "--at latter Lammas", meaning "never", or "not until Judgment Day."

An old custom that can be re-created today is the construction of the Kern-baby or corn maiden at Lammas. This figure, originally made from the first sheaf, would be saved until spring, then ploughed into the field to prepare for planting. ( if you have a corn dolly from last year throw it into the fire at lammas with prayers of gratitude for a years of good fourtune.

Most of us, today, have no first sheaf nor shall we prepare a field at Spring, but as a means of adding continuity to our festivals, the maiden can be made from the husks of corn served at the Lammas Feast, then saved for use as a brideo'g at Candlemas.

To the Celts, Lammas was, of course, one of the four Great Fire Festivals, -->cross-quarter festivals. The custom of lighting bonfires to add strength to the powers of the Waning Sun was wide-spread. Brands from the Lammas fires were kept in the home, through the Winter, as protection against storms and lightning, and against fires started by lightning. The Need-Fire seems to have been an integral part of most Fire Festivals, but was not limited to them. Since the ashes from such a fire had properties of protection, healing, and fertility, a Need-Fire might be lit at any time a "need" for such things existed.

Lammas is often celebrated as the Wake for the Sacred King. As you know, a Wake is a Celebration of Life, not a time to grieve. Lammas is a joyous time of celebration.

So feast to your heart's content, sing, dance and make merry.

Light your Need-Fires and make your Kern-babies.

You'll "never forget that happy night" you celebrated in The Old Ways!

Blessed Be!!!

BeeCharmer

Lammas Activities, and Rituals

Activities and Rituals:

Bread being eaten and thrown into the fire, grains woven into goddess symbols, onion braiding, meditation on the sun God, games, activities of all sorts, the time of reaping what one has sown. Decorate your table with harvest vegetables, grains, and fruits

Incense: Aloes, Rose, Sandalwood, frankincense
Stones/Gems: Carnelian, Citrine, Amber, Tourmaline
Colors: red, orange, gold, yellow, brown, bronze
Symbols & Decorations: threshing tools, corn dollies, flowers, wheat stalks, the scythe, yellow candles, corn, sheaves of grain
Foods: All grains, Breads, cheeses, Cider , fruits, vegetables, herbs, Pies ,corn, early apples, Berries, jellies, Herbal "sun"teas
Deities: Lugh, the Sun God, Sovereignty, Rhiannon and Epona, Tailte, Tammuz, Demeter, Persephone, Cerridwen, Faunus, Baal and Crom Dubh
Herbs and Flowers: Heather ,hollyhock

Activites for Lammas
If you have a spring or well in your area, bless it and decorate it with flowers
Harvest the first crops of your garden and dedicate them to the Gods. If you don't have a garden, take a trip to a farmer's market or grocery store and purchase some fruit and vegetables.

Bake some bread.

Float flowers at a local creek or pond.
Take a nature walk and collect goodies for your altar.
Sacrifice bad habits and unwanted things from your life by throwing symbols of them into the Sabbat fire.
Hold your own "Tailltean Games" (the Irish contests in honor of Lugh or His foster-mother Tailte), by competing in athletic games, poetry reading, and any other contest that would be fun.
Baking and sharing a special "Lammas-loaf" with family and coveners using whatever grains are native to your area.
Make a god-figure which is whole ears of corn wired together with sticks, and covered with gold foil. During the ritual this sun god image is cast into the fire - later to emerge transformed into the corn god. Eat Him along with other ears of corn which have been roasting around the fire's edge and, of course, other potluck goodies. Thus the power of the sunlight is transformed into the harvest which sustains us and we give thanks for His willing sacrifice by feasting on corn and wine.

Ritually sacrifice negative emotions, outworn habits, etc. by "transferring" them into a small bread "person" you have baked, and then throwing it, either whole or in pieces, into the ritual fire. Or write it down on a scape of paper and ask the fire to hep you rid yourself of this habit or emothin. then throw it in.
Bless your garden, where Lugh's vitality has transformed into the sustenance of ripe vegetables, fruits, and grains.

Take time to actually harvest fruits from your garden with your family. If you don't have a garden, visit one of the pick-your-own farms in your area.
Include bilberries or blueberries in your feast; these were a traditional fruit, whose abundance was seen as an indicator of the harvest to come.
Gather the tools of your trade and bless them in order to bring a richer harvest next year.
Share your harvest with others who are less fortunate.
Decorate with sickles, scythes, fresh vegetables & fruits, grains, berries, corn dollies, bread..

Special Activities:

Save and plant the seeds from the fruits consumed during the feast or ritual. If they sprout, grow the plant or tree with love and as a symbol of your connection with the Lord and Lady.
Walk through the fields and orchards or spend time along springs, creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes reflecting on the bounty and love of the Lord and Lady

Play a game such as rhibo (a Welsh game) which is traditionally played at Lammas. Three pairs two people face each other and hold hands. A person is then laid across the hands and tossed into the air much like how grain is winnowed. For little ones use a blanet with two adults holding the corners. Be sure to be careful not to "toss" anyone too high!!! ( good luck anyone bouncing me--> LOL)

Bee --> flopping in the grass on Lammas as the blanket tears from the weight!!! ;-)

Lammas Recipe's

Hi to all, With Lammas coming up on July 31-Aug 1. I thought I would post some recipe's early I dug these out a couple weeks ago... Enjoy!!

Bee

Breakfast

Lots of jams are always a blessing as well. Jams made from wild Berry's such as blackberry . Served on a lovely bread.

Boxty* (Potato Griddle Cakes)

If you have mashed potatoes left over, you can turn them into another
traditional Irish dish. Makes12 x 3-inch pancakes (4 to 6 servings)
1 cup hot unseasoned mashed potatoes
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup grated unpeeled raw potatoes
1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup milk

Butter or margarine, for frying In large bowl mix together mashed potatoes and
2 tablespoons butter. Stir in eggs and grated potatoes, then the flour,
baking powder, salt, caraway seeds and pepper. Blend in milk. Heat 1
tablespoon butter to sizzling in large nonstick skillet. Drop potato mixture,
about 2 1/2 tablespoons at a time, into skillet to form patties. Flatten
slightly. Fry over medium-high heat until crisp and browned, turning once.
Repeat with remaining potato mixture, adding butter to skillet as
needed. Serve hot.

An old rhyme goes:
Boxty on the griddle,
boxty in the pan,
if you can't make boxty,
you'll never get a man.

*Gaelic Coffee*

1 servings-- A wonderful way to end a meal!

Black coffee; freshly made
Scotch whiskey
Demerara (raw brown) sugar
Double (heavy) cream; whipped until slightly thick
Pour the coffee into a warmed glass.
Add the whisky and the sugar to taste.
Stir well.

Pour some lightly whipped cream into the glass over the back of a teaspoon.

Main dish's

*Noodles in Faery Butter*

4 hard-boiled egg yolks
2 tablespoons orange flower water (optional)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup sweet butter, softened
1 lb. noodles (any kind), cooked
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried sweet basil
1 orange, sliced (garnish)

Beat the egg yolks, sugar, butter, thyme, basil,
and orange water in a small bowl until smooth. Mix enough of the butter with
the hot noodles to coat the noodles with a golden-yellow color. Garnish with
orange slices.
Yield: 8 Servings

*Beef Tenderloin with Blackberry Port Wine*

1 large shallot or small onion, finely diced
1 cup fresh or frozen blackberries, divided
2 cups port wine 1 tsp. sugar
2 cups beef stock
1 Tbsp. butter, softened

In a saucepan bring diced shallot, 3/4 cup blackberries, wine and sugar to
boil. Boil gently to reduce wine to 1/2 cup. Strain and set liquid aside.
Boil beef stock in separate pan to reduce by half. This will take
approximately 15 min. Grill steaks or pan broil in a skillet 3-4 min. per
side. Whisk blackberry and port wine reduction into reduced beef stock. If
sauce is too thin, dissolve 1 tsp. cornstarch in water, then sir into sauce
and bring to boil. Whisk in 1 Tbsp. softened butter. Serve steaks with sauce
and garnish with remaining blackberries. Serving Suggestion:
Garlic-Horseradish Mashed Potatoes & Zucchini with Thyme. Serves 4.

*Green Dragon Walnut Meatballs*

For the meatballs:

1 large green pepper
1 lb ground beef
2 cloves finely chopped garlic
3 oz weight chopped walnuts
1 tbl tomato paste/puree
1 tbl soy sauce
1 tsp ground ginger
3-4 pinches chili powder
1 tbl sugar (can be omitted)
oil for frying
For the sauce:
1 1/2 tbl soy sauce
4 1/2 tbl water
3 tsp wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp sugar
4-5 spring/green onions, finely chopped

Cut the pepper in half and remove the seeds and pith. Bring a small
pan of salted water to a boil and put in the pepper halves. Cook
until soft (6-8 minutes). Drain and chop finely. Put all of the
meatball ingredients in a bowl and mix well. With wet hands, form
the mixture into small balls. Fry until browned all over. Transfer
to a serving dish with a slotted spoon. Pour most of the fat out of
the pan, but don't wash it yet. Add all the ingredients for the
sauce except the onions. Bubble fiercely for a minute or two, until
you have a thick, dark, syrupy sauce. Remove from the heat and stir
in the onions. Spoon over meatballs and serve at once.

Breads

*Perfect Corn Bread*

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup yellow corn meal
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup shortening

Sift flour with sugar, baking powder, and salt; stir in
cornmeal. Add eggs, milk, and shortening. Beat with rotary or electric beater
till just smooth. (Do not over beat.) Pour into greased 9x9x2 inch pan. Bake
at 425 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Corn Sticks: Spoon batter into greased
corn-stick pans, filling 2/3 full. Bake in hot oven (425) 12 to 15 minutes.
Makes 18.

*Oatmeal Bread*

1 cup wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
1/2 cup nuts
3 medium apples, chopped
1 cup raisins
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1-1/2 cups rolled oats
1 egg, beaten
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla or orange

Mix above ingredients together completely, then place in a greased 9-inch
cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, until it begins to move away
from the sides of the pan. Also, fruits and nuts can be changed for different seasons.

Deserts

*Brigid's Blackberry Pie*

(Makes one 9 inch pie)
4 cups of fresh blackberries (thawed frozen berries are ok)
11/2 cups sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon of salt
1 unbaked pie crust

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a deep pie dish with the pie crust or
purchase a commercially-made one. Set aside. Mix all other ingredients
together in a large mixing bowl. If it appears too "wet," mix in a little
more flour (about 2 tablespoons). Turn the fruit into the pie shell and dot
with butter or margarine. You can bake the pie as is, or cover it with
another pie crust. Then score the top several times with a sharp knife. Bake
for 1 hour, or until the top crust is a golden brown.

*Wild berry Cheesecake*

Vegetable cooking spray
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup apple juice with vitamin C Filling:
2 Tbsp. unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup water
2 cups 1% fat cottage cheese
1 cup nonfat ricotta cheese
1 package (8-oz.) lite cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup mixed fruit puree

For crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9" spring form pan with
cooking spray and set aside. In medium bowl, stir crumbs and apple juice
until well combined. With back of spoon press crumb mixture evenly into
prepared pan. Bake 5 minutes. Cool.

For filling: In small saucepan sprinkle
gelatin over water; let stand 5 minutes to soften. Cook over low heat until
dissolved, stirring often. Set aside.

In food processor or blender process gelatin mixture and next 5 ingredients
until smooth. Stir in fruit puree. Pour into prepared crust. Refrigerate at
least 2 hours before serving.

*Scottish Raspberry Cheesecake Dessert *

6 servings

BASE:
4 oz Butter
1 tbl Scotch whiskey
8 oz Digestive (graham) biscuits crushed
FILLING:
8 oz Cream cheese
2 oz Caster (granulated) sugar
10 fl Double (heavy) cream
1 tbl Scotch whiskey
TOPPING:
8 oz Raspberries
2 tbl Honey
3 fl Scotch whiskey
3 ts Arrowroot
1 ts Caster (granulated) sugar
5 fl Whipping cream
1 tbl Scotch whiskey

First, make the base:
Melt butter and add the tablespoon of Scotch whisky and the crushed biscuits.
Press mixture well down into a greased loose-bottomed 8-inch cake tin.
Chill for 30 minutes in fridge.

To make the filling:
Beat cream cheese and caster sugar together until smooth. Whip double cream
and whisky until softly stiff and fold into cream cheese mixture. Spoon over
biscuit base and chill well.

For the topping:
Soak the raspberries in honey and whisky. Leave for 30 minutes, then strain
raspberries, leaving approximately 4 fluid oz juice (top up with whisky if
necessary). Make a paste with 2 tablespoons of juice blended with arrowroot.

Heat remaining juice with caster sugar until almost boiling. Stir in
arrowroot paste and return to a very low heat, continually stirring until
glaze is thick. Stir raspberries into glaze, and then leave until cool. Spoon
raspberry glaze over cheesecake.

Decorate: Whip cream with a tablespoon of
whisky until softly stiff and use this to decorate the cheesecake.

Sprinkle with malt whisky before serving.

*Rich Whiskey Shortbread*
(Scottish Cookies)

1 batch

4 oz Butter
1 1/2 tbl Single malt scotch whiskey
3 oz Caster (granulated) sugar
1 1/2 oz Almonds; blanched
1 oz Mixed peel; chopped
6 oz Plain (all-purpose) flour
2 oz Rice flour

Cut the butter into small pieces.
Place in a bowl together with a tablespoon of whisky and the sugar.
Cream the mixture until fluffy.
Chop two-thirds of the almonds finely and add to the mixture.
Stir in the peel and the flours (sieved together).
Draw the mixture together and press into a buttered 8-inch sandwich tin.
Prick well all over and pinch up the edges decoratively.
Halve the remaining almonds and place these on top of the shortbread.

Bake at 325º F for 30-40 minutes, until the shortbread is golden in colour.
Remove from the oven.

Sprinkle with the remaining whisky and a little caster sugar.
Leave to cool in the tin.

Run a knife carefully around the edge of the shortbread and invert onto a
plate.
Store wrapped in greaseproof paper in an airtight tin.

Drink

*Rose Petal Wine* (1)

6 cups fragrant rose petals
1/4 lb white raisins, chopped
1 gallon water
2-1/2 lbs granulated sugar
2 tsp acid blend
1 tsp pectic enzyme
1 crushed Campden tablet
Rhine wine yeast and nutrient

Pick the rose petals just before starting, so they're fresh. Boil 6 pints
water and pour over all ingredients except yeast and pectic enzyme, stirring
gently to dissolve sugar. Cover with cloth or plastic wrap and set in warm
place for 24 hours. Add pectic enzyme, yeast and half remaining water. Set
aside until vigorous fermentation subsides (7-10 days), stirring daily. Do
not exceed 10 days. Strain liqueur into secondary fermentation vessel, top up
to neck with water, and fit fermentation trap. Rack after 30 days, then again
after additional 30 days. Bottle when clear and store in dark, cool place. It
will be fit to drink after 6 months, but will improve enormously after a year.

Rose Petal Wine* (2)

4-6 cups rose petals, depending on fragrance
2 lbs green pea pods
2-1/2 lbs granulated sugar
2 lemons
1 orange
2 tsp pectic enzyme
1 gallon water
1 used tea bag
1 crushed Campden tablet
Rhine wine or Champagne yeast and nutrient

Use pea pods as soon after shelling as possible. Rose petals may be picked up
to two days earlier and frozen in plastic freezer bag. Juice the lemons and
orange and combine juice with all ingredients in crock except water, pectic
enzyme and yeast. Bring water to boil and pour over ingredients, stirring to
dissolve sugar. Cover and set aside 24 hours. Add pectic enzyme and yeast,
recover, and set aside one week, stirring daily. Strain through a muslin
cloth or bag onto secondary fermentation vessel, topping up to neck of
vessel. Fit fermentation trap and allow to ferment completely (45-60 days).
Rack and bottle when wine clears. Allow it to age six months in the bottle
before tasting. Will improve with age.

COMMENTS: Both color and fragrance will vary with different roses. Generally,
the fresher the flower the stronger the color and fragrance, but the rose
must be fragrant to begin with. It is perfectly acceptable to use petals
from flowers whose blooms are fading (but not yet brown) on the plant. Cut
the flowers and carefully remove the petals from the hip and stem.Both
recipes call for 2-1/2 lbs granulated sugar per gallon of wine. This produces
a medium wine. Use 1/4 lb less sugar for a dry wine, 1/4 lb more for a sweet.
Champagne yeast will convert more sugar into alcohol than Rhine yeast.

A Special Gift

Hi to all, I received a very special surprise from a Dragon via post some time ago.. I am quite amazed at this lovely lovely Bee. It is so sparkly I had trouble getting a good photo. Took some time -->it really did! I wish this was clearer so you can see all the crystals in the wings. This bee is a "watch". You open it up from the jeweled body to reveal its secret clock.. It was made by a company called" Creature & CO.

It is a necklace watch that I will treasure always..

Hugs to all

Bee

Bee is Crafty!!

Hi to all, Thought I would show you what I made for a couple of friends who are having Nargle trouble!

Nargles can be quite a bother.. I had some trouble this spring myself. I had two vintage varity tomato plants disappear over night. No doubt "Nargles". My fairy friend E" had her moon flower disappear,and another friend had phone troubles!!! So I prepared these charms from cork and butter beer caps. All are magical objects from Kingfisher Cove collected under the recent "buck moon". They are soon to be on there way to the needy fairy's.

So faries, if your looking--> this is a sneak peek..

Hugs

Bee

Undines, Earth Gnomes, & Pixies

Water: Undines
The undines are the elemental beings that compose water. They are able to control, to a great degree, the course and function of the water element.
Etheric in nature, they exist within the water itself and this is why they can't be seen with the normal physical vision. These beings are beautiful to look at and are very graceful.
They are often seen riding the waves of the ocean. They can also be found in rocky pools and in marshlands. They are clothed in a shimmery substance looking like water but shinning with all the colors of the sea, with green predominating. The concept of the mermaid is connected with these elemental beings.
The undines also work with the plants that grow under the water and with the motion of water. Some undines inhabit waterfalls, others live in rivers and lakes. Every fountain has its nymph. Every ocean has its oceanids.
The undines closely resemble humans in appearance and size, except for those inhabiting smaller streams and ponds. The undines often live in coral caves under the ocean or on the shores of lakes or banks of rivers. Smaller undines live under lily pads.
The undines work with the vital essences and liquids of plants, animals, and human beings. They are present in everything containing water. There are many families of undines, as the chart indicates.
The ruler of the undines is a called Necksa. The undines love, serve, and honor her unceasingly. They are emotional beings, very friendly and open to being of service to human beings.
The smaller undines are often seen as winged beings that people have mistakenly called fairies. Those winged beings are seen near flowers that grow in watery areas. They have gossamer wings and gossamer clothing.

Subgroups ;
Limoniades,Mermaids,Naiads,Oceanid,Oreads,Potamide,Sea Maids,& Water Spirits.

Earth Gnomes
The nature spirits of the Earth are called Gnomes.

Subgroups; Brownies,Dryads,Durdalis,Earth Spirits,Elves,Hamadryads,Pans,Pygmies,Sylvestres, & Satyrs.

Pixies (or Piskies as they are sometimes known in Cornwall) are mythical creatures of folklore, considered to be particularly concentrated in the areas around Devon and Cornwall, suggesting some Celtic origin for the belief and name. In regional dialect, these mischievous little folk are sometimes referred to as piskies/piskeys or the little people. They are usually depicted as wingless, with pointed ears, and often wearing a green outfit and pointed hat.

Fire and Air

Fire: Salamanders

The salamanders are the spirit of fire. Without these beings, fire cannot exist. You cannot light a match without a salamander's being present. There are many families of salamanders, differing in size, appearance, and dignity. Some people have seen them as small balls of light, but most commonly they are perceived as being lizard-like in shape and about a foot or more in length.

The salamanders are considered the strongest and most powerful of all the elementals. Their ruler is a magnificent flaming being called Djin. Those who have seen him say that he is terrible, yet awe-inspiring in appearance.

Salamanders have the ability to extend their size or diminish it, as needed. If you ever need to light a campfire in the wilderness, call to the salamanders and they will help you.

It has also been said that salamanders (and the other elemental beings) can be mischievous at times. For example, a fiery temper and inharmonious conditions in a person's home can cause these beings to make trouble. They are like children in that they don't fully understand the results of their actions. They are greatly affected, as are all nature spirits, by human kind's thinking.

Air: Sylphs

The sylphs are the air spirits. Their element has the highest vibratory rate of the four (beside earth, fire, water). They live hundreds of years, often reaching one thousand and never seeming to get old. They are said to live on the tops of mountains.

The leader of the sylphs is a being called Paralda who is said to dwell on the highest mountain of Earth.
Sylphs often assume human form but only for short periods of time. The vary in size from being as large as a human to being much smaller. They are volatile and changeable. The winds are their particular vehicle. The work through the gases and ethers of the Earth and are kindly toward humans.
They are usually seen with wings, looking like cherubs or fairies. Because of their connection to air, which is associated with the mental aspect, one of their functions is to help humans receive inspiration. The sylphs are drawn to those who use their minds, particularly those on creative arts.

The 4 Elements

Elemental Kingdom

There are four basic elements of nature: fire, air, earth, and water. Within each of the four elements are nature spirits that are the spiritual essence of that element. They are made up of etheric substance that is unique and specific to their particular element. They are living entities often times resembling humans in shape but inhabiting a world of their own.
The beings in the Elemental Kingdom work primarily on the mental plane and are known as "builders of form." Their specialty is translating thought-forms into physical forms by transforming mental patterns into etheric and then physical patterns. Each of them is a specialist in creating some specific form whether it be an electron or interstellar space.
Elementals range in size from smaller than an electron to vaster than galactic space. Like the angels, elemental beings begin their evolution small in size and increase their size as they evolve. The elementals serving on planet Earth materialize whatever they pick up from the thoughts and feelings of mankind. This relationship was intended to facilitate the re manifestation of "heaven on Earth."
They take their orders from the devas.
They do not remain individualized as humans are. These beings are animated by the thought power of the lower angels and so are thought forms of sorts.
They may be etheric thoughts forms, yet they have etheric flesh, blood, and bones. They live, propagate off spring, eat, talk, act, and sleep. They cannot be destroyed by frosser material elements such as fire, air, earth, and water because they are etheric in nature. they are not immortal. When their work is finished they are absorbed back into the ocean of spirit. They do live a very long time--300 to 1,000 years.
They have the power to change their size and appearance almost at will. They cannot, however, change elements.

Natures Spirits & the Garden

Flowers
All the names I know from nurse: Gardener's garters, Shepherd's purse, Bachelor's buttons, Lady's smock, And the Lady Hollyhock.
Fairy places, fairy things, Fairy woods where the wild bee wings, Tiny trees for tiny dames-- These must all be fairy names!
Tiny woods below whose boughs Shady fairies weave a house; Tiny tree-tops, rose or thyme, Where the braver fairies climb!
Fair are grown-up people's trees, But the fairest woods are these; Where, if I were not so tall, I should live for good and all.

~Robert Louis Stevenson ~

Hi to all, For millennia there have been garden legends of malevolent and benevolent spirits that influence a garden's productivity, and even the health and welfare of the gardeners themselves.

Ancient Slavic garden legends speak of Kikomora and Polodnuci who, if not appeased, would wreak havoc in the garden or on the fields.

The Aztecs and Mayans feared the wrath of the garden gods and offered human sacrifices to appease them.

On a more positive side, in Findhorn, Scotland, a community was established in the early 1960's (and still exists today) with the belief that the area was ripe with spirits called 'Deva'. If you did what the 'Deva' asked you would be blessed with gigantic produce. Pictures of these products actually exist, including 40 pound cabbages and the like. But was it supernatural assistance or good gardening practices that resulted in these phenomena?

Devas are part of the Angelic Kingdom and are in direct service to
the world of nature expressing themselves as one of the 4 elements.
They exist in the ethereal world which runs parallel to our own.
They can be seen or felt intuitively or through the lens of a camera.

Thus I will start with a short descriptive series of blogs on Nature Spirits.

I will begin today with a short expalnition.

Many Sparkles

Bee

NATURE SPIRITS

To 'talk telepathcally with nature spirits is to understand that they were created to help restore the balance of nature as humanity is bi-polar and in a constant state of destruction. The destrucrion of the exco-systems around the world - the Amazon ran forests - are just example.

There are those of us who love the gentle and compassionate frequencies of many nature spirits - working with them - or just being in their energies as we move towards the evolution of consciousness.
Nature Spirits are one way that allows human consciousness to connect beyond the physical and otherstand other realms.

Pan is the God of the nature spirits. He is half man and half goat.

The nature spirits are for the most part composed of etheric matter. Their job is to build the plants. They channel the etheric forces ( a medium formerly believed to fill the atmosphere and outer space and to carry electromagnetic waves --> send a message across the ether--->14th century - Via Latin -Greek - aither- "upper air" .

Thank *~* You

Hi To All, Today is very memorable for me.. My cup over flows with gratitude. To think that I have had ten thousand hits to my blog page. This astounds me! I am truly humbled by this. I am so glad I can find something interesting , funny, or even controversial for you all to read. I hope my Celtic history & lore excerpts are informative as well. I do this page as it is a pleasant experience, and I love to create and share.

Much love, and laughter to all

Bee

8th Moon of the Celtic year

HOLLY LORE

· 8th Moon of the Celtic Year - (July 8 - Aug 4)
· Latin name: English Holly (also called Scarlet Oak) - ilex aquilfolium;

American holly - ilex opaca.

The Holly is an evergreen tree.
· Celtic name: Tinne (pronounced: chihn' uh )
· Folk or Common names: Holly, Scarlet Oak, Kerm-Oak, Holy Tree.

Holly actually means "holy".

· Parts Used: Leaf, berry, wood.

· Herbal usage: The leaf of the Holly can be dried and used as teas for fevers, bladder problems and bronchitis. The juice of the fresh leaf is helpful in jaundice treatment. Holly can be used homeopathically as a substitute for quinine. Note: Holly berries are poisonous!

· Magical History & Associations: The Holly, a masculine herb, is associated with the element of fire, and is an herb of Saturn and Mars. The bird associated with this month is the starling, the color is green-gray, the gemstone is yellow caingorm, and the day of the week association is Tuesday. Holly is the first moon of the dark half of the year, and the Holly is sacred to both the Winter and Summer Solstices. Summer Solstice is the time when in mythology, the Oak King is slain by his twin, or tanist, the Holly King, who rules until the Winter Solstice, when he in turn is slain by his tanist, the Oak King. Tanist is related to the tannin found in an Oak tree; Oak and Holly are two sides of the same coin, the end of one cycle and the beginning of the next. The Holly is also sacred to the deities of Lugh, Habondia, Tina Etruscan and Tannus. There are special spirits that dwell within Holly trees: the Holly Man lives in the tree that bears prickly Holly, and the Holly Woman dwells within that which give forth smooth and variegated leaves. Holly is also associated with unicorns, since the unicorn is one of the Celtic symbols for this tree - the other symbol is the Flaming Spear.

· Magical usage: The month of Holly is a good time to do magic designed to help bring about a successful harvest. The Holly has applications in magic done for protection, prophesy, healing, magic for animals, sex magic, invulnerability, watchfulness, good luck, death, rebirth, Holiness, consecration, material gain, physical revenge, beauty and travel.

Holly also has the ability to enhance other forms of magic. As a symbol of firmness and masculine energy, Hollywood was used by the ancients in the construction of spear shafts, which were thought to then have magical powers. Uses of Holly in protective magic includes hanging a sprig of Holly in the home all year to insure protection and good luck. Holly is also an excellent charm to wear for protection. 'Holly Water' can be made by soaking Holly overnight in spring water under a full moon. This water can then be sprinkled over infants to keep them happy and safe. Holly Water can also be used to sprinkle around the house for psychic cleansing and protection. Holly leaves can be cast around outside to repel unwanted spirits or animals and a Holly bush can be planted close to houses to protect against lightning. Ensure that the Holly has a place in your garden because its presence wards off unfriendly spirits. Do not burn Holly branches unless they are well and truly dead, for this is unlucky. Holly, intertwined with ivy, is traditionally made into crowns for the bride and groom at weddings/handfastings. Holly and Ivy also make excellent decorations for altars.

Holly is also a traditional decoration for Yuletide

If you gather nine Holly leaves in complete silence on a Friday after midnight, wrap them up in a white cloth, use nine knots to bind the cloth, and then place them under your pillow, your dreams will come true.

When harvesting the leaves from the Holly, remember to ask the tree if it will allow you to take the parts and be sure to leave the tree an offering of thanks when you are done.

Holly favors red and yellow stones as gifts.

Highest Vantage Point?

Hi to all , Well my Sunny is growing, almost 10 months old now. Sunny has decided that the top of my fairy rock in the fairy garden is the place he likes to set. Right behind my fairy Melania.

Oh what a handsome boy he is becoming.

Sparkling Bee


" Still hobbling around :-) "

Another Interesting Life experience

Hi to all, I had my fire works early this year on July 2nd and 3rd.. But the 3rd was the more memorable of the two days.
.. After a night kept awake by thunder all-around us I woke to a nice foggy cool morning about 8:00am. I took Sunny an Kayla out to pee pee. I came in a did my normal stuff. Hubby was up and about. About 9:15 I heard thunder again not to far off.. So I went about my business, then pretty soon I heard some more.. The puppies wanted out to play so about 10am I let them out. They were out about 15 -20 min. when I heard a pretty good rumble.. I told Leo I was getting them in so they would not get to afraid of the noise.. I let them in and put them on the back porch to dry( they were wet from playing). I heard a big clap of thunder and told hubby" see I new it would get loud".. So I tuned off my TV in the living room, and then went a turned off my computer. More thunder was rumbling real close together. So I went into my bed room thought I would make my bed and stay away from the windows.. I bent over an threw a pillow off, then grabbed my other two, still bent over I turned to throw them behind me, and all I new I was I was air born being thrown into the other room in a scissor position with this unbelievable clap of thunder in my head.. I rolled over mid air to keep from hitting the door jam of the other room and slid to a stop in the room next to the kitchen -->about 8 feet from where was standing.. hubby came running from the back porch saying the lightning hit something? --> then saw me on the floor. I could not get up at first but I new it had to be the static shock wave from a bolt that threw me. I never saw a flash so we think it was above the house -->right above. I skinned my knee, elbow, hurt my shoulder a little,my hip and my neck is sore. It was a real good thud..
So I had to listen to thunder for another two hours with my puppies in the bath room that's where hubby put us for safe keeping.. While he went out to see if anything got hit-- But never saw anything that got hit.. The local news said last count 2500 lightning strikes in Puget Sound area the last 24 hours .. So that said "That's all the fire works I want to see thank you"..

hugs Bee

The colorful Fourth of July

What do I miss about the 4th of July?

• Home made cherry bombs--( tin foil, a cap, and a marble)
• Real pop sicle's ( the pop sicles today are so tiny)
• Ice cold Hams beer --(no longer is REAL beer available you know--> Only micro brew.)
• Picnics with my family in the county park, (which has now been sold to private duck hunters club)
• Lots of water melon, oh I miss the taste.( import just has no flavor)
• Congragating in the Safeway parking lot after along day with friends talking about the world and what we can do about the wrong doings. -->(Oh that's right --- that activity is subject to arrest now.. illegal public Assembly)

In the Declaration, its eloquent assertion

"All Men are created equal,"

is beloved by the American people.

"Taxation without representation!"

That was the battle cry of the 13 colonies in America that were forced to pay taxes to England's King George III with no representation in Parliament. As dissatisfaction grew, British troops were sent in to quell any signs of rebellion, and repeated attempts by the colonists to resolve the crisis without war proved fruitless.
On June 11, 1776, the colonies' Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia formed a committee with the express purpose of drafting a document that would formally sever their ties with Great Britain. The committee included Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. The document was crafted by Jefferson, who was considered the strongest and most eloquent writer. (Nevertheless, a total of 86 changes were made to his draft.) The final version was officially adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4.
The following day, copies of the Declaration of Independence were distributed and, on July 6, The Pennsylvania Evening Post became the first newspaper to print the extraordinary document.
The Declaration of Independence has since become our nation's most cherished symbol of liberty.

"Liberty", My question is; as to "How much "Liberty" are those trusted in our highest offices allowed to take. At the cost and detriment of America's people.

The Declaration of Independence was signed 232 years ago. In 8 years, George W. Bush has done his best to destroy the beautiful ideals of our nation He has made our nation one of the most hated and mocked. His actions have tarnished America's reputation; His war, his Patriot Act, his lies, and his spin, have created the black cloud hanging over the optimism of America. But yet on this fourth of July 2008 The BBQ at the White House on July 4th should be quite the blast. Some of George's "special" friends will be visiting.

Satan will be dropping by. He likes his BBQ ribs extra hot ! He has a lot to catch up on with George W. He wants to know how all those political strategies he suggested are working out!

Dick Cheney will visit, but only briefly; he has to leave before the fireworks because they scare him.

John McCain will linger longer and entertain everyone with tales of his plans to swift boat even the pets of whoever wins the democratic nomination. After a few beers he decides to share his list of people and countries he plans to nuke once he's the Pres.

Barbara Walters will be visiting. She wants to interview McCain's wife about what it is like to have a verbally abusive husband. Then Babs will be working the party looking for a senator cause it has been a while since she's had an affair.

Nelson Mandela was invited, but he couldn't attend because he's on the no fly terrorism list Bush created.

Condi Rice is at the party and she is talking about how she's going to have to move out of the country if she ever wants a date again. Lately for some reason American men just can't stand her.

The angels of the soldiers killed in Iraq will be there too. They are always there out in front of the White House picketing. All day everyday they are walking back and forth just outside the fence in protest of the war trying to save lives, trying to obtain an end date to the war before even one more American soldiers joins their ranks as an angel.

So I have decide this year to forgo the regular celebration of the fourth of July and have a

Vickers and Tarts Party ( Vickers = priests, Tarts = prostitutes) A flavour of Cocktail Party where the men dress as Priests, and the women as Hookers, but with a new spin. Costumes will represent our current and former political leaders & associates as Vickers and Tarts. It will be colorful, lots of food, drink, and I am sure it will be a big BANG!!

The Buzzing Bee