The treats and things that glow in the night

Hi to all, Well with the moon was almost full. Samhain was truly a beautiful eve... A bit of rain but not much, the moon played tag with the clouds and made for a wonderful evening... No ghost hunting... But I will on the full moon...

Sparkling sugar cookies..

Bee

Blessed be to all this Samhain

The moons a-glow, with golden rings. The night is still, but the raven’s wing. The winds are chilled in the quest of spring. The cauldron swells with fog to mark twilight. Let the balefires burn in celebration this Samhain night. By BeeCharmer Oct 2

Classic Horror Movies

Hi to all, I am doing a tribute to the classic horror film in this blog entry.

Four of "MY" favorites anyway..

Do you remember these...??

Creature from the Black Lagoon;
Release date ; 5 March 1954

Director: Jack Arnold

Plot; A scientific expedition traveling up the Amazon River encounter a dangerous humanoid amphibious fish creature

Richard Denning ... Dr. Mark Williams

Richard Carlson ... Dr. David Reed

Julie Adams ... Kay Lawrence (as Julia Adams)

Antonio Moreno ... Carl Maia

Nestor Paiva ... Captain Lucas

Whit Bissell ... Dr. Edwin Thompson

THEM;

Director: Gordon Douglas
19 June 1954
Nominated for Oscar

Plot ; The earliest atomic tests in New Mexico cause common ants to mutate into giant man-eating monsters that threaten civilization.

James Whitmore ... Ben Peterson, Edmund Gwenn, Joan Weldon ... James Arness ... Robert Graham, Onslow Stevens ... Sean McClory ... Chris Drake ... Sandy Descher ... Mary Alan Hokanson ... Don Shelton ... Fess Parker

Bride of Frankenstein;
Director: James Whale

Release Date ; 22 April 1935

Plot; Mary Shelley reveals the main characters of her novel survived: Dr. Frankenstein (goaded by an even madder scientist) builds his monster a mate.

Boris Karloff; the monster

Elsa Lanchester; the bride

The Invisable Man;

Director:James Whale

H.G. Wells (novel)
A scientist finds a way of becoming invisible, but in doing so, he becomes murderously insane.

Claude rains; The Invisable man

Gloria Stuart; Flora Cranley

Crows & Ravens

The Raven, is a bird which appears in world mythology as a soothsayer, an omen of death and as a creator and cleanser, taking away all that was decayed. Full of intelligence, cunning, and playfulness, the Raven was seen as a guardian among the tribes of North America, a creature whose far-seeing eye saw past, present, and future all at once. For the Algonquin peoples, Crow was the bringer of grains and beans. In the Ghost Dances, which are danced to solicit the help of their ancestors, Crow is a primary spirit messenger.Ravens & Crows have an intricate and detailed history in Celtic lore and legend. The Irish battle goddesses, Morrigan, and Badbh, regularly took the shape of crows, and both crows and ravens were their allies and companions.



In Scottish folklore, the Crow is said to have 27 different cries (a magical 3 times 9), each of which relates to a different event. These oracular cries can foretell the coming of important guests, an impending loss or death, or the coming of good fortune, a complete body of lore was built up from listening to the varied calls of the crows, which has the ability to mimic many kinds of sounds as well as to communicate with its own kind. When there is a molmacha (flock of crows), all crying together, it is said that no one but the most wise seer in the land can understand their words.



The raven is also the subject of a most famous poem that has lived through the ages..

The Raven
Poem by Edgar Allen Poe (1845)



Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door-
Only this, and nothing more."
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;- vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow- sorrow for the lost Lenore-
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
Nameless here for evermore.
And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me- filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
"'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door-
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;-
This it is, and nothing more."

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"- here I opened wide the door;-
Darkness there, and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering,
fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore!"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!"-
Merely this, and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice:
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore-
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;-
'Tis the wind and nothing more."
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and
flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed
he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door-
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door-
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore.
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no
craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore-
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning- little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door-
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as "Nevermore."
But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered- not a feather then he fluttered-
Till I scarcely more than muttered, "other friends have flown
before-
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before."
Then the bird said, "Nevermore."
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore-
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of 'Never- nevermore'."
But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and
door;
Then upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore-
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore."
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then methought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee- by these angels he
hath sent thee
Respite- respite and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!- prophet still, if bird or
devil!-
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted-
On this home by horror haunted- tell me truly, I implore-
Is there- is there balm in Gilead?- tell me- tell me, I implore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil- prophet still, if bird or
devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us- by that God we both adore-
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Be that word our sign in parting, bird or fiend," I shrieked,
upstarting-
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!- quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my
door!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the
floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted- nevermore!

Halloween Decorations

Hi to All, Well the decorations are up up an shinning in the night.. Capt. Jack is twirling in the breeze... My pumpkin crop await their speeedy change to Jack-o-lanterns .... All that is left is a few table decorations and I am ready for the special night.. Hoping for a bon fire this year --> Weather permitting??? Been really wet and windy here at Ravenswood..

Samhain Treats

Well here is somethingto put in your cauldron's to cook up for the festivities on Samhain..

Although there's no eye of nute, werewolf hair, or vampire teeth, needless to say these are a couple of my favorites for the special night.. I may have posted one or two of these before, but I really like these recipes--> they were easy and good ....

Please enjoy

BEE- Witchen Bee

Spirited Cheese Stuffed Apples

1- 3oz package softened cream cheese

4 medium apples

1 1/3oz Cheddar Cheese( finely shredded)

1 tablespoon dry white wine

Beat together both cheeses and the wine, with an electric or rotary mixer, until smooth. Core the apples and hollow out, leaving apple shells about 1/2 inch thick. Fill the apples with the cheese mixture and refrigerate for 2-3 hours. Cut apples into 8 wedges.


Jack-o-Lantern Cheese Ball

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

4 oz. package cream cheese, softened

1/4 c. solid pack pumpkin

1/2 c. pineapple preserves

1/4 tsp. ground allspice

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 pretzel rod, broken in half

Decorations: Dark rye bread, red pepper, black olive slices, parsley sprigs
Assorted crackers
Beat cheeses, pumpkin, preserves and spices in a medium bowl until smooth. Cover; refrigerate 2 to 3 hours or until cheese is firm enough to shape. Shape mixture into a round pumpkin; place on serving plate. Using knife, score vertical lines down pumpkin. Place pretzel rod in top for stem. Cut 2 small triangles for the eyes. Small triangle of red pepper for nose. Slice olives slices in half for the mouth. Cover loosely; refrigerate until serving time. Serve with crackers.


Mulled wine

(Want to make this a kid's Halloween recipe for the kiddos at your party? Skip the sugar and replace the wine with the same amount of apple cider. )

Ingredients:

1/2 C. water

1/2 C. granulated sugar

2 cloves

2 cinnamon sticks

1 orange, peel and juice

1 bottle (750 mL) dry red wine

Instructions:

1. in a pot (or crockpot) combine the water, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and orange juice.
2. Simmer 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the orange peel and wine.
4. Let sit warming over low heat at least 30 minutes before serving.
5. Don't allow it to boil or you'll cook the alcohol away.
6. Serve in warm mugs, garnished with a cinnamon stick and orange slice, if desired.

Remembrance Cookies

These cookies can be made on Hallow's Eve. They can be shaped like people and the herb rosemary is added to the dough as a symbol of remembrance. Some of the cookies are eaten while telling stories or attributes of special ancestors, reminding us that we still have access to their strengths--or perhaps a predisposition to their weaknesses. The rest of the cookies are left outside by a bonfire as an offering. This can be a solemn ritual, but it need not be.

Ingredients for the cookies:

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar

1 c. butter or margarine (softened)

1 egg

2 t. vanilla

1 t. almond extract

2 1/2 c. all purpose flour

1 t. baking soda

1 t. cream of tartar

1 1/2 T. chopped rosemary

Heat oven 375 degrees. In a large bowl, beat sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, almond extract, and rosemary until creamy. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Fold flour mixture into sugar mixture. Beat until dough forms and refrigerate for three hours. Divide dough into halves. Roll out one portion to 3/16 of an inch on a floured surface. Cut out with gingerbread women or men cutters and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat rolling and cutting with second portion. Bake for 5-7 minutes.


PUMPKIN GINGER SOUP

Ingredients:

1 small cooking pumpkin
1/2 cup cashews
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (or to taste)
Salt to taste
Directions:
Soak cashews in water to cover for several hours. This step is optional, but helps them blend better. Cut pumpkin in half, remove seeds, and bake cut side down at 350 degrees F until very tender (45 minutes to one hour). Scrape pumpkin from the peel and puree in a blender, with any juices, in batches. Put pureed pumpkin into your soup pot. Blend cashews in blender until smooth and add to the pumpkin puree. Rinse the blender with a little water and add to the pot. Add a little more water if it’s too thick. Add ginger and salt to taste and heat gently for a few minutes to blend the flavors.


Savory Samhain Butters

Autumn Butter

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/4 cup whipping cream1 cup butter, softened

Mix all ingredients until well blended. Spread onto your favorite muffins, quick bread, sweet crackers, or drop a dollop onto morning pancakes.

Cinnamon Butter

2 sticks butter1/2 cup brown sugar1 tsp cinnamon
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Serve over sweet bread, muffins, or morning waffles. Store tightly covered in the refrigerator.

Pumpkin Pie Spice Butter

4 tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened

4 tbsp canned pumpkin puree

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1/8 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp freshly grated or dried nutmeg

1/8 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Keep tightly covered in the refrigerator up to three weeks.
* 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice can be substituted for cloves, ginger and nutmeg.


Creativity bread..

1 cup white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. allspice
1 beaten egg
1/2 cup applesauce
3 tbsp. oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 cup raisins
1 cup finely chopped hazelnuts

Mix all ingredients together. Bake in a 350° oven
for forty five to fifty minutes or until a toothpick
inserted in the middle of the loaf comes clean.


Golden Herb Rolls

2/3 cup milk

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine

1/4 cup water

4 cups all-purpose flour, divided

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 package quick-rising yeast

2 teaspoons dried savory leaves, crushed

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed

1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed, crushed

1 cup canned pumpkin4

eggs, divided

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 20 to 24 muffin cups.

Combine milk, butter and water in small saucepan; heat until butter is melted. If necessary, cool to 120º F. to 130º F. Combine 3 cups flour, sugar, yeast, savory, salt, thyme and dill in large mixer bowl. Add milk mixture and pumpkin; beat for 2 minutes. Stir in 3 eggs and remaining flour. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place for 10 minutes or until doubled. Spoon into prepared muffin cups, filling 1/2 to 3/4 full. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place for 30 to 40 minutes or until doubled. Beat remaining egg and brush on top of rolls; sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until rolls are golden and sound hollow when tapped. Remove from pans; serve warm or cool on wire rack.

The Cauldron

"The cauldron or pot symbolizes cyclical time and the lunar calendar.This is because the cauldron represents the womb of rebirth. It has been called Soma by the Hindus, Red Claret by the Celts, and Greal by the Welsh Bards.

The Goddess and her cauldron is the center of all feminine power and every female group. Spiritual transformation can only come through Her cauldron, or belly-womb. Ancient tradition says that only women can tap into the great power of the cauldron, for only women are made in the image of the Goddess with her all-renewing womb of rebirth and transformation. This tradition remains in the figure of the witch and her cauldron. The cauldron is also the repository of inspiration and magic, as seen in Cerridwen's cauldron which was sought by the Bards. The Goddess has long been considered to be the source of inspiration and the Mistress of Magic. When a true initiation takes place, the initiate willingly descends into the cauldron, she is often filled with ecstatic emotions when she returns to her present state. She may sing, play music, dance, prophesy, see visions, or become creative in poetry and prose. In short, she is filled with Goddess spirit and inspiration, the type of power that only comes from the sacred cauldron. Such Bards as Taliesin stated that they regularly "drank"from the cauldron to promote their creativity and divine inspiration.

Sparkling Cauldron's

B.

The Scarecrow

Even if you do not have a corn field a homemade scarecrow can be quite fashionable and eye-catching. Choose bold colors and set up a display with corn stalks and bales of hay. Get creative, get the kids involved, use your imagination and make a scary scarecrow! The more menacing he looks, the more of a conversation piece he will be.

Supply Idea's for Your Homemade Scarecrow

· Long-sleeved shirt ( button up is good)
· Old pair of pants or jeans - preferably with patches
· Old pair of socks or boots
· Gardening gloves
· Straw hat
· Plenty of baling twine or string
· Safety pins
· A pillowcase or pumpkin for the head ( how about a old Halloween mask stuffed?)
· Fiberfill, newspapers, rags, or straw for stuffing
· Pencil, paint and markers for face
· Stakes (optional)

Assembly

To assemble your scarecrow, firmly tie the ends of the pants and sleeves on the shirt and stuff them with your choice of stuffing. Stuff the socks and gloves and tie on the ends. Fasten the socks (or boots) and gloves to the pants and shirt on the inside with safety pins (or bent paper clips.) Tuck the shirt into the pants.
If you're using a pumpkin for the head, it's best to carve it into a jack-o-lantern to take off some of the weight. It will take some wire to fasten it. A pillowcase works better and is far easier to attach to the body. Use a pencil and draw on the face. Follow up with the paint and markers to give him facial features. Then stuff the pillowcase and fasten it to the body with safety pins.
Top off your scarecrow with a hat. A straw hat gives it a classic look. Fasten the hat firmly so it doesn't blow off on windy days.
You can sit your scarecrow on the bales, or prop him up against them. wire him to a pole. Consider attaching him to some stakes with a hammer and nails to have him in an upright position.
Now, give your scarecrow a name and enjoy. When the season is over, store him in a dry place for next Fall.( or whats left of him<---)

Have fun &

Sparkling ScareCrows

Bee

Bee -----Witchen; Am I a Winner?

HApPy hAlLoWeEn OR I should say HaPpY--> early<-- hAlLoWeEn

These are a few recent photo's I had hubby take for a photo contest I am entered in..
Was this ever a blast.. Does my love for classic movies show in these???

I must say the hat does make the witch and the one I am sporting is a Kirks Folly original. I purchased it two years ago from their website. http://www.kirksfolly.com/ .

The hat is fantastic *~* I love it.. Being the gardener that I am I picked this hat, as it was called the "Enchanted Garden hat". They currently have witch hats available for purchase, new designs, and just as fab as this hat..

Bugs & Hiss's

Bee

Dark Shadows + Depp = Fantastic!!

Dark Shadows is a Gothic soap opera that originally aired weekdays on the ABC from June 27, 1966 to April 2, 1971. The show was created by Dan Curtis, who tells of a dream he had in which a girl takes a long train ride to visit a large mansion. It was considered daring (and unprecedented in daytime television) when ghosts were introduced about six months after it began.
The series became hugely popular when, a year into its run, vampire Barnabas Collins, played by Jonathan Frid, appeared. In addition to vampires, Dark Shadows featured werewolves, ghosts, zombies, man-made monsters, witches, warlocks, time travel (both into the past and into the future), and a parallel universe. A small company of actors each played many roles and, as actors came and went, some characters were played by several actors. Major writers in addition to Art Wallace included Malcolm Marmorstein, who created the character of Barnabas Collins, Sam Hall, Gordon Russell, and Violet Welles.







Dark Shadows now considered somewhat of a camp classic, it continues to enjoy intense cult status among its followers. Director Tim Burton and Madonna have both gone on record as fans of the series. As a child Johnny Depp was so obsessed with Barnabas Collins that he wanted to be him. In fact, Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are collaborating yet again to bring this series back to life. Johnny Depp will play the lead role of Barnabas. It will be director Tim Burton's next project and eighth collaboration with Depp.
We'll find out when Burton and Depp team up for the big-screen adaptation of "Dark Shadows. Burton confirmed when he presented footage from "Alice in Wonderland" to a capacity crowd at Comic-Con's cavernous Hall H. He said "Dark Shadows" would be his next project, "if I ever finish this one here."





Before Lestat, Angel, and Edward Cullen, there was Barnabas Collins, a 175-year-old vampire who stalked the town of Collinsport, Maine pining for his lost love. Originally, the character of Barnabas, played by Jonathan Frid, was only intended for a 13-week story arc on "Dark Shadows," but he caused such a sensation with viewers he became the lead character for the next four years. The show spawned two movies in the early '70s, a revived series in 1991, and a pilot that was not picked up for series in 2004.
Depp would play Barnabas, a role that has been a lifelong dream. Depp has said he loved the show as a child: "I was obsessed with Barnabas Collins. I have photographs of me holding Barnabas Collins posters when I was five or six." Depp has been pursuing the movie adaptation for years, buying the remake rights through his production company, Infinitum-Nihil.
Burton has also spoken about his fascination with the original show. He told the Los Angeles Times, "It had the weirdest vibe to it. I'm sort of intrigued about that vibe." He also spoke about the recent influx of vampire movies: "It's like any great fable or fairytale, it's got a power to it... There's something symbolic about it that touches people in different ways."
While both Depp and Burton seem excited to start work on what will be their eighth collaboration, production might have to wait until after Depp finishes work on the fourth "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie.


So it may be a while before Depp bares his fangs as a vampire. If "Dark Shadows" also hits theaters in 2011, it could be up against the final "Twilight" film, "Breaking Dawn." But if it's delayed another year, audiences might be over their bloodsucker addiction. Still, it seems that if anyone can create a dark, atmospheric, and entrancing vampire tale, it would be Johnny Depp and Tim Burton.

This news coming is just in time for Halloween!!

Barnabas will be quickened once more!!

Sparkling bat wings

Bee

The Witch's Broom

The Witches Broom or "Besom" is symbolic of cleansing and of fertility. They are used to sweep the circle (or any area) free of unwanted energies, so that the desired energy can fill the space. The besom is sweeping away the psychic dirt, getting the area purified for the ritual at hand. A Witch may begin a ritual by sweeping the area with the magick broom, visualising the psychic dirt being swept out of the ritual area. The sweeping also helps to get the mind ready for the ritual,quieting the mind and narrowing the focus for the witch. The besom is a purifier and is related to the element of Water.


The old picture of the witch riding around on the broom's stick casting magic spells is believed to have come from a agricultural fertility rite, where the women rode around the fields(like on a hobby horse), with the broom between their legs, hoping to bring the farmers a good harvest.

Besoms have been used by Witches to indicate that they were resident( a signal to other witch's you might say), or at work, by placing a besom (broom) outside the door. This is NOT to say that anyone who has a kitchen broom sitting outside their door is a witch.

Many Witches keep a besom by their door, or hanging from their door to protect the home from unwanted outside energies .

Have A bee---witching Day

Fairylands Most Wanted

Hi to all,

Well with All Hallows Eve 's fast approach, I thought I would give you all a heads up on our most wanted. There will be much merry making in the next few weeks so we need to be on the look out for these scallywags..

Mr Black is still wanted, as the Ministry of Magic still would like some questions answered. Although it is rumored he RIP?

Captain Jack Sparrow was recently spotted at "Pirate Con" in New Orleans.. Carousing and merry making with all who would have him? So I assume he will head to a merry making spot near you soon?

The pirate pictured in the middle is a new post. He has many alias's but most frequently is known by the name "Barnacle Bill". He tends to fly in, and relieve someone of their favorite rum, cause havoc with the Faery's, and then speeds off. So please keep your eyes to the sky these next weeks approaching All Hallows Eve..

All sighting should be reported to the High Elf at Faeryland security..

Thank You

Bee

Another Magical Halloween

Alls Hallow Eve, was a great night.. It turned out to be very interesting.. I had a great meal as well. Including cupcakes , -->devils food with coconut frosting, and applesauce cake-->My orange rosemary bread came out divine!!! I sported a new dress this year as well. I think I got to bed at around 2 am, and fell asleep watching the old horror classic " The Fog".

Here are a few pictures from the evening..

BB the New Year

Bee

Happy All Hallow's Eve

Leaves a twirl,Winds that whirl
Candles glowing bright.
A witch’s giggle and black cats' stare,
The smell of pumpkin in the air.
Creaking doors, footsteps in flight.
This must be; Samhain Night.

By the Bee 2008

Bee's Halloween decor

Hi to all, Here are a couple photo's of the front windows her at Ravenswood and my Capt. Jack hung nicely from the gutter.. Only thing missing up here is my Jack o Lantern which I carve tomorrow.. I have purple spider web lights in the other windows and a lovely purple spider to match..

Happy Haunting

Bee

Colorful Halloween

I could not resist posting some pictures of these creative Halloween house decorations.. As many of you Know I love the lights!! When was a child ( and still am) This was my favorite part.. The houses that went over board and spent time to make this night special for us.. I remember those homes still to this day.. It always made the night very fun and special!! I am sure there are some fantastic homes this year all over the great country of ours!!

Happy Halloween

Bee

The Many Faces of Halloween

I am the big Pumpkin fan.. I love pumpkins, I grow my own every year. I love the carving part too.. Each year I try something different, and when I have more than one I love variety in the faces I choose to carve. So here is a collage of faces may these help us all get ideas, and to just see how variety is the spice of life!!

Enjoy these and have fun carving your own!!

B.

Special Celebration Treats

Dracula Dip

2 cups sour cream

1 packet of dry tomato-vegetable soup mix
1. Put dry soup mix and sour cream into a bowl. Stir until soup mix is moist. Put mixture into refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Serve with chips or vegetables.

Halloween Cheeseballs

2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup Solid pack pumpkin

1/4 cup Pineapple preserves

1/4 teaspoon Ground allspice

1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg

1 large Pretzel rod -- broken in half

1/2 pkg cream cheese

Dark rye bread

Red pepper

Black olive slices

Parsley sprigs

1. Beat cheeses, pumpkin, preserves and spices in a medium bowl until smooth.
2. Cover refrigerate 2-3 hours until cheese is firm enough to shape.
3. Shape mixture into round pumpkin, place on serving plate.
4. Using a knife, score vertical lines down pumpkin. Place pretzel rod in top for stem.
5. Cut bread into triangles for eyes, cut red pepper into triangle for nose, and cut olives in half to make the mouth.
6. Surround with parsley.

Halloween Cup Cakes

1 pk Yellow cake mix1 1/2 teaspoons Pumpkin pie spice1 cup Buttermilk1 cup Pumpkin2 Eggs
Frosting3 tablespoons Margarine or butter softened3 tablespoons Pumpkin2 cups sugar1/2 teaspoon Milk1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Black licorice twists Small green gumdrops
1. Using 24 muffin cups with paper baking cups.
2. In a large bowl, combine all cupcake ingredients at until moistened
3. Beat 2 minutes scraping down sides of bowl.
4. Pour batter into prepared muffin cups.
5. Bake at 200 degrees Celsius for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted is removed clean.
6. Cool completely.
7. In a small bowl, beat margarine or butter and 3 tablespoons of pumpkin until well blended. Gradually add 1 cup of the sugar, beat until smooth.
8. Add milk and vanilla. Gradually add remaining cup of sugar, beat for another 2 minutes.
9. Spread on tops of cupcakes.
10. Cut down 1 side to open licorice twist into triangular pieces for eyes and noses. Cut jagged curved pieces for mouths.
11. Arrange on top of cupcakes for faces. Slice gumdrops in half attach to head for stems.

Witches Brew Cider

4 Cups Apple Cider

2 Cans Frozen Lemonade Concentrate, Thawed

2 Cups Water

8 Cinnamon Sticks

Lemon Slices

1. Into a large saucepan, pour cider, lemonade concentrate, and water; stir.
2. Over medium heat, bring cider to a simmer.
3. Pour into cups.
4. Place a cinnamon stick and a lemon slice in each cup.

Halloween Cake - Barmbrack, Bairin breac
from Ireland

Traditionally baked with a gold ring inside; whoever gets the ring will be married within the year. The cake is made in two stages.

First stage

Mix together:1 cup of sultanas ( dried seedless white grapes)1 cup of raisins3/4 cup brown sugar1 cup cold tea
Cover these ingredients and leave to soak overnight.

Stage Two

Prepare these ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of flour

1 level teaspoon of baking powder

1 egg beaten

1 teaspoon mixed spice

1. Add the four, baking powder and spice to soaked fruit mixture.
2. Mix in the beaten egg.
3. Spoon into a well greased loaf tin and bake for 1 1/2 hours at 150 degrees Celsius (300 degrees Fahrenheit).
4. When cool brush the top with warmed honey for a glazed surface.

Lovely Samhain spreads

Trefoil, Johnswort, vervain, dill

Hinders witches of their will.

William Shakespeare

Happy Samhain, and Halloween everyone! I have some great fall recipes to share with you. I’ve also included a list below of the magickal and healing properties of some of the seasoning that are called for in these recipes!

Magical sparkling moon beams

Bee

Savory Samhaim Butters

Autumn Butter

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/4 cup whipping cream

1cup butter, softened

Mix all ingredients until well blended. Spread onto your favorite muffins, quick bread, sweet crackers, or drop a dollop onto morning pancakes.

Cinnamon Butter

2 sticks butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Serve over sweet bread, muffins, or morning waffles. Store tightly covered in the refrigerator.

Pumpkin Pie Spice Butter

4 tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened

4 tbsp canned pumpkin puree

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1/8 tsp ground ginger

1/8 tsp freshly grated or dried nutmeg

1/8 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Keep tightly covered in the refrigerator up to three weeks.
* 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice can be substituted for cloves, ginger and nutmeg.

Raspberry Butter

1 cup raspberries

2 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1 teaspoon blackberry liqueur

1/4 teaspoon lemon juice

Boil raspberries, water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat until syrupy, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Strain through sieve to remove seeds. Cool. Process with remaining ingredients until smooth and well mixed. Can be prepared one day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature and stir before serving.

Vegan Samhain Recipes

PUMPKIN GINGER SOUP
Ingredients:
1 small cooking pumpkin
1/2 cup cashews
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (or to taste)
salt to taste
Directions:
Soak cashews in water to cover for several hours. This step is optional, but helps them blend better. Cut pumpkin in half, remove seeds, and bake cut side down at 350 degrees F until very tender (45 minutes to one hour). Scrape pumpkin from the peel and puree in a blender, with any juices, in batches. Put pureed pumpkin into your soup pot. Blend cashews in blender until smooth and add to the pumpkin puree. Rinse the blender with a little water and add to the pot. Add a little more water if it’s too thick. Add ginger and salt to taste and heat gently for a few minutes to blend the flavors.

PUMPKIN-CIDER BREAD

Ingredients:
2 cups of canned pumpkin
2 cups of flour, and then enough to keep the consistency just right
2 tblspns dry yeast in 1/2 cup of 110 degree water
1 tblspn salt
2 tblspns vegetable oil
1/3 to 1/2 cup molasses
2 cups of fresh cider
Directions:
Start with two cups of flour, then slowly sift in more after wet ingredients are added. After the flour and salt are combined, mix in the rest of the ingredients from wettest to most solid (cider, then yeast mix, and so on). Once mixed, pour the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a cloth or plastic wrap, and let it in rise until it’s doubled in size in a warm place. (Generally, this takes from half an hour to an hour). Punch down the doubled dough. Roll the dough out into a long, thin, relatively narrow strip and roll from one end. Place in a greased pan (probably circular in this case), and let rise until doubled again. Baking bread is not for the impatient! Finally, put it in a preheated oven at about 400 degrees F for about 50-60 minutes. If it looks like it’s browning too quickly turn the temp down a notch or two. You’ll know it’s done when tyou can poke it with a fork and then fork comes out clean. If the fork has some dough on it, let it bake a little longer.

VEGAN PUMPKIN PIE

Ingredients:Filling –
1 1/2 packages silken tofu
1 15 oz. canned pumpkin
2/3 cup barley malt syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spicePie Crust –
1 1/2 cups sifted unbleached flour
about 6-7 tbsp. non-hydrogenated margarine
about 2 tbsp. cold water
pinch of sea salt
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Blend tofu in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and blend well. Pour into a 9" unbaked deep dish pie shell. Bake for about one hour. Filling will be soft, but will firm up as it chills. Chill overnight and serve.

PUMPKIN TREATS

Ingredients:Filling –
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup. flaked coconut, lightly packed
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
walnuts or pecans, finely chopped
Directions:
Mix the first five ingredients well in a large saucepan. Cook over medium high, stirring constantly for 15-20 minutes. It is done when it is very thick and leaves side of pan, forming a ball in the center as you stir. Turn onto a greased baking sheet. Cover loosely with foil or plastic wrap. Let cool completely. Lightly grease your hands and shape candy into balls. Roll the balls in nuts. Cover, store in refrigerator.
This recipe makes about 2 1/2 dozen. Vary by stirring 1 cup crushed granola into cooked candy before cooling and shaping.


Cinnamon : Attracts Prosperity, Love, Lust and Protection. It also helps to reduce stomach acid and relieve menstrual cramps, and helps heal from colds and flu.
Nutmeg : Attracts Prosperity, Luck and Psychic Awareness.
Ginger : Attracts Prosperity, Love, Lust & Heightens Magickal Powers. Also relieved Headaches and is an anti-inflammatory.
Vanilla : Invokes Memory, Heightens Magickal Powers, and Attracts Love & Lust.

All Hallows Eve's pudding

Ingredients

1.4kg / 3 pounds cooking apples, peeled and de-seeded

120g/ 3/4cup soft brown sugar

3 Eggs, fresh

200g/1 cup caster sugar

1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped

200g /1 cup salted Butter, softened

220g/ 1 ¼ cups ground almonds
To decorate
2 tbsp icing sugar, for dusting

3 fresh rosemary sprigs

Method
1. Put the apple and brown sugar in a saucepan and cook over a low heat until soft.

2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the caster sugar and rosemary. Mix in the softened butter and ground almonds until you create a smooth paste.

3. Set the oven to 160C/gas 5/( 375 degrees.) Fill six ramekins (small oval 7 oz ceramic bowls) half way up with the softened apple and then spread the rosemary mixture over the top of each one. Bake for about 40-50 minutes until golden brown.
Check regularly so it will not burn.. Oven temps vary!!

4. Once ready, dust with the icing sugar and decorate with fresh rosemary sprigs.