Thanksgiving crafts

My mother is always saying that Gobble Gobble, comes before HO HO HO. So Let's see what I have on my cd's.

 This is a nice little gift idea for kids. Get yellow tissue paper and rap the gifts. It looks like that they have used real corn husks but I guess you could cut some with green tissue paper too. Using the twine, I think makes it really rustic. It is a nice project to think about.

Of course as a Pagan candles are a must. This is a great way to accent the harvest theme.

 

I have my small tree up all year so I like the ornament ideas. This is really cute to take some sticks from you own trees in your yard and make mini trees for a center piece. Pumpkins and grains again give it the Harvest theme.  

 

Here is an idea for a decoration or candy holder. If you use a candle you must remember to make sure that your decorations are not in any danger of catching on fire. I have seen this idea before using plastic cups for kids to drink out of. I guess the kids would use a straw but I thought it was cute. You can find the fake leaves at the dollar stores and it looks like they have used wooden spoons for the turkey head and feet. The button is a cute touch, along with the heat nose. I guess if you cant find a proper nose your child could draw it.

Here are some little decoration ideas that makes the harvest theme stand out.

I have seen these as hair clips. I have a daughter of a co-worker that makes hair clips. I got some cute ones for Addie. I may have to share them with you later.

These look like they have cut flowers in half and gluing the bodies on.  The bodies look like black snowmen. At the dollar store I got Christmas foam stickers. One of them are snowmen and I guess I could take a marker and make them black or brown. A couple of googlie eyes and a little nose and voila!

If you turn them into hair decorations, take a second look on how to attach the hair pin so it is facing the right way.











Lots of people, like my mother, loves wreathes. This is actually my favorite one. You use lots of ribbon but I love the effect.

Now remember what I have said about any craft, it is all about having fun and being creative. Those little imperfections that happen just gives your craft a personal touch. So have fun and be adventurous. 

Samhain Dishes

Harvest Pumpkin Soup

 

2 TB unsalted butter
1 large potato, peeled and chopped
1 large onion, chopped
4 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 15-oz can pumpkin
salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 pint heavy cream

In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add potato and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 8 mins. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until potato is tender, 10 to 12 mins.

Stir in pumpkin. Using an immersion blender, puree mixture until smooth. (You can use a blender too) Stir in 1/2 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper and nutmeg. Increase heat to medium-high and bring mixture to a boil. cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 10 mins. Stir in cream and heat thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot. Makes 8 servings

Harvest Salad

1 large butternut squash
2 TBs olive oil
2 Tbs honey
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 8-oz bottle poppy seed dressing
1/4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
8 oz mixed greens
4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
3/4 cup pecan halves, toasted
6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled

Preheat oven to 400* Peel and seed squash, cut into 3/4 inch cubes. Toss together squash, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Place in a single layer in a lightly greased, foil lined jelly roll pan. Bake 20-25 mins until squash is tender, stirring once halfway thru. Remove from oven and cool in pan for 10-15 mins.

Meanwhile, pulse poppy seed dressing and cranberries in a blender 3-4 times or until cranberries are coarsely chopped. This will be your dressing.

Toss together squash, salad greens, goat cheese, bacon and pecans in a large serving platter. Serve with dressing. Makes 6-8 servings.

 

Herbed Pork and Apples

 

1 teaspoon each dried sage, thyme, rosemary and marjoram, crushed
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 bone-in pork loin roast (about 6 pounds)
4 medium tart apples, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 large red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 cup apple juice
2/3 cup maple syrup

Combine herbs, salt and pepper; rub over roast. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 1-1/2 hours. Drain fat. Mix apples and onion with brown sugar; spoon around roast. Continue to roast 1 hour or until meat thermometer reads 160°-170°. Transfer the roast, apples and onion to a serving platter and keep warm.

Skim excess fat from meat juices; pour into a heavy skillet (or leave in the roasting pan if it can be heated on stove top). Add apple juice and syrup. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until liquid has been reduced by half, about 1 cup. Slice roast and serve with gravy.

Apple Sweet Potato Side

5 medium sweet potatoes (2-1/2 pounds)
4 cups sliced peeled tart apples (about 4 medium)
3/4 cup thawed apple juice concentrate
1-1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons cold water, divided
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
7-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 cup butter, cubed

Place sweet potatoes in a large saucepan or Dutch oven and cover with water. Bring to a boil; cover and cook for 30-45 minutes or until tender. Drain. When cool enough to handle, peel and slice potatoes.

•Place apples in a large saucepan and cover with water. Cover and cook over medium heat for 7-8 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Place apples and sweet potatoes in a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish.

In a small saucepan, combine apple juice concentrate, 1-1/2 cups water, sugars and salt. Combine cornstarch with remaining water until smooth; gradually stir into apple juice concentrate mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly.

Remove from the heat; stir in butter until melted. Pour over potato mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 30-35 minutes or until heated through.

Slow Cooker Bacon-Potato Soup

5 lb bag potatoes cut into small cubes
1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled. ½ goes in the slow cooker, ½ save as a topper
3 (14.5oz) cans chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz sour cream

Put all ingredients in crockpot. Cook for 8-10 hours on low.
*Great topped with shredded cheddar cheese, bacon crumbles and crackers!

Autumn Cranberry Chicken in Slow Cooker

4 boneless skinless chicken breast
1 (16oz) can whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 cup Russian salad dressing
1.35oz pkg onion soup mix

Cooked rice

Place chicken in the slow cooker, cutting pieces in half if desired. Combine remaining ingredients except rice; spoon over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Serve over cooked rice. Serves 4

Sweet Apple Acorn Squash

2 acorn squash, halved and seeded
2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
3 Tbs packed brown sugar
3 Tbs chopped pecans
1 tsp all-purpose flour
¼ tsp cinnamon
2 Tbs butter, softened
Place acorn squash halves cut side down in a greased 13” x 9” baking pan. Bake at 350* for 30 mins. Combine remaining ingredients. Turn squash over and fill with apple mixture. Bake, uncovered, for another 15-30 mins until squash is soft when pierced with a fork. Serves 4.

Samhain Recipes

Remembrance Cookies

These cookies can be made on Samhain Eve. They can be shaped like people (use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to achieve this easily) 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 or by window next to a black candle as an offering. This can be a solemn ritual, but it need not be.

Ingredients for the cookies:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter or margarine (softened)
1 egg
2 t. vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. cream of tartar
1 1/2 T. chopped fresh rosemary (substitute dry)

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 un-greased cookie sheet. Repeat rolling and cutting with second portion of dough. Bake for 5-7 minutes. You can also punch a hole in top of each cookie with a wooden skewer (BEFORE baking) and thread black ribbon through; these can be hung for decorations, or top gifts.

Recipe by Barbara Morris

CAKES FOR THE DEAD

Makes about 3 dozen, dough must be chilled several hours to overnight.

1/2 c veg. oil
4 sq unsweetened chocolate (4 oz) melted
2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups pastry flour (not hard, sifted or cake flour)
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup confectioner's sugar

Mix oil, chocolate, and granulated sugar. Blend in one egg at a time until well mixed. Add vanilla. Measure flour by dipping method or by sifting. Stir flour, baking powder, and salt into oil mixture. Chill several hours to overnight. Heat oven to 350 degree F [175 degree C]. Roll about a tablespoon of dough into a ball (yes, it's messy). Drop balls into confectioner's sugar & roll around until coated. Place about 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Bake 10-12 min. They will be a little soft but should not be mushy. Edges should be firm.

 

HOT APPLE CIDER

 

1 1/2 gallons Apple Cider
5 cloves
1 large orange, sliced thin with peel left on
1/2 lemon, sliced thin with peel left on
1/2 cup sugar

Directions: In large pot, combine cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange and lemon slices, and sugar to taste. Serve hot.

All Souls' Day Bread 

 

4 yeast cakes (fertility and money)
2 cups milk
8 cups flour (fertility and money)
1 teaspoon salt (protection)
8 egg yolks (fertility)
2 cups sugar (love)
1 teaspoon grated orange peel (love and money)
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel (protection)
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon poppy seeds (luck and invisibility)

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of milk, and add 1 cup of flour. Sprinkle a little flour on top and let rise until size doubles. Add salt and egg yolks, beat until thick. Add sugar and peels and mix with other ingredients. Add 2 cups flour and remaining milk, alternating each so that the mixture doesn't get too dry or too wet. Knead for 5 to 10 minutes, saying:

Blessings upon the living
Prayers for the dead.

Hum if you like or chant. Add remaining flour and butter and knead until dough comes away from your hands. Set dough in a warm place, covered with a warm, damp cloth, until it rises double in bulk. Separate into 4 parts, braid. Brush top with beaten egg yolks and sprinkle with poppy seed. Let rise. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Silver RavenWolf "Halloween"

 

Pumpkin Bread

 

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour (fertility and money)
1 1/2 cups sugar (love)
3/4 teaspoon salt (protection)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (spirituality and protection)
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (luck and health)
1 cup canned pumpkin (abundance)
1/3 cup water (cleansing)
2 large eggs (fertility)
1 teaspoon vanilla ( love and mental powers)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (health and wishes - will counteract a fertility spell)
confectioners sugar

Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. In a different bowl, combine pumpkin, water, eggs, vanilla, and oil. Mix well. Add dry ingredients slowly and beat thoroughly. Stir in nuts and pour batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 75-80 minutes (but watch different ovens may lengthen or shorten that time). Cool 15 minutes before removing from pan. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar. Makes 1 loaf.

Silver Ravenwolf "Halloween"

All Hallow's Eve by Mike Nichols

When I started my BOS, I copied every article that I found. I have disk upon disk about everything. I have found a couple of authors that I enjoy and want to share with you. Mike Nichols has written an article on all the Sabbats and want to share him with you. For more articles you can find his website at http://www.witchessabbats.com/ 

All Hallow's Eve by Mike Nichols

Halloween. Sly does it. Tiptoe catspaws. Slide and creep. But why? What for? How? Who? When! Where did it all begin? 'You don't know, do you?' asks Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud climbing out under the pile of leaves under the Halloween Tree. 'You don't REALLY know!' --Ray Bradbury from 'The Halloween Tree'

Samhain. All Hallows. All Hallow's Eve. Hallow E'en. Halloween. The most magical night of the year. Exactly opposite Beltane on the wheel of the year, Halloween is Beltane's dark twin. A night of glowing jack-o-lanterns, bobbing for apples, tricks or treats, and dressing in costume. A night of ghost stories and seances, tarot card readings and scrying with mirrors. A night of power, when the veil that separates our world from the Otherworld is at its thinnest. A 'spirit night', as they say in Wales.

All Hallow's Eve is the eve of All Hallow's Day (November 1st). And for once, even popular tradition remembers that the Eve is more important than the Day itself, the traditional celebration focusing on October 31st, beginning at sundown. And this seems only fitting for the great Celtic New Year's festival. Not that the holiday was Celtic only. In fact, it is startling how many ancient and unconnected cultures (the Egyptians and pre-Spanish Mexicans, for example) celebrated this as a festival of the dead. But the majority of our modern traditions can be traced to the British Isles.

The Celts called it Samhain, which means 'summer's end', according to their ancient two-fold division of the year, when summer ran from Beltane to Samhain and winter ran from Samhain to Beltane. (Some modern Covens echo this structure by letting the High Priest 'rule' the Coven beginning on Samhain, with rulership returned to the High Priestess at Beltane.) According to the later four-fold division of the year, Samhain is seen as 'autumn's end' and the beginning of winter. Samhain is pronounced (depending on where you're from) as 'sow-in' (in Ireland), or 'sow-een' (in Wales), or 'sav-en' (in Scotland), or (inevitably) 'sam-hane' (in the U.S., where we don't speak Gaelic).

Not only is Samhain the end of autumn; it is also, more importantly, the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. Celtic New Year's Eve, when the new year begins with the onset of the dark phase of the year, just as the new day begins at sundown. There are many representations of Celtic gods with two faces, and it surely must have been one of them who held sway over Samhain. Like his Greek counterpart Janus, he would straddle the theshold, one face turned toward the past in commemoration of those who died during the last year, and one face gazing hopefully toward the future, mystic eyes attempting to pierce the veil and divine what the coming year holds. These two themes, celebrating the dead and divining the future, are inexorably intertwined in Samhain, as they are likely to be in any New Year's celebration.

As a feast of the dead, it was believed the dead could, if they wished, return to the land of the living for this one night, to celebrate with their family, tribe, or clan. And so the great burial mounds of Ireland (sidh mounds) were opened up, with lighted torches lining the walls, so the dead could find their way. Extra places were set at the table and food set out for any who had died that year. And there are many stories that tell of Irish heroes making raids on the Underworld while the gates of faery stood open, though all must return to their appointed places by cock-crow.

As a feast of divination, this was the night par excellance for peering into the future. The reason for this has to do with the Celtic view of time. In a culture that uses a linear concept of time, like our modern one, New Year's Eve is simply a milestone on a very long road that stretches in a straight line from birth to death. Thus, the New Year's festival is a part of time. The ancient Celtic view of time, however, is cyclical. And in this framework, New Year's Eve represents a point outside of time, when the the natural order of the universe disolves back into primordial chaos, preparatory to re-establishing itself in a new order. Thus, Samhain is a night that exists outside of time and hence it may be used to view any other point in time. At no other holiday is a tarot card reading, crystal reading, or tea-leaf reading so likely to succeed.

The Christian religion, with its emphasis on the 'historical' Christ and his act of redemption 2000 years ago, is forced into a linear view of time, where 'seeing the future' is an illogical proposition. In fact, from the Christian perspective, any attempt to do so is seen as inherently evil. This did not keep the medieval Church from co-opting Samhain's other motif, commemoration of the dead. To the Church, however, it could never be a feast for all the dead, but only the blessed dead, all those hallowed (made holy) by obedience to God - thus, All Hallow's, or Hallowmas, later All Saints and All Souls.

There are so many types of divination that are traditional to Hallowstide, it is possible to mention only a few. Girls were told to place hazel nuts along the front of the firegrate, each one to symbolize one of her suiters. She could then divine her future husband by chanting, 'If you love me, pop and fly; if you hate me, burn and die.' Several methods used the apple, that most popular of Halloween fruits. You should slice an apple through the equator (to reveal the five-pointed star within) and then eat it by candlelight before a mirror.

Your future spouse will then appear over your shoulder. Or, peel an apple, making sure the peeling comes off in one long strand, reciting, 'I pare this apple round and round again; / My sweetheart's name to flourish on the plain: / I fling the unbroken paring o'er my head, / My sweetheart's letter on the ground to read.' Or, you might set a snail to crawl through the ashes of your hearth. The considerate little creature will then spell out the initial letter as it moves.

Perhaps the most famous icon of the holiday is the jack-o-lantern. Various authorities attribute it to either Scottish or Irish origin. However, it seems clear that it was used as a lantern by people who traveled the road this night, the scary face to frighten away spirits or faeries who might otherwise lead one astray. Set on porches and in windows, they cast the same spell of protection over the household. (The American pumpkin seems to have forever superseded the European gourd as the jack-o-lantern of choice.) Bobbing for apples may well represent the remnants of a Pagan 'baptism' rite called a 'seining', according to some writers. The water-filled tub is a latter-day Cauldron of Regeneration, into which the novice's head is immersed. The fact that the participant in this folk game was usually blindfolded with hands tied behind the back also puts one in mind of a traditional Craft initiation ceremony.

The custom of dressing in costume and 'trick-or-treating' is of Celtic origin with survivals particularly strong in Scotland. However, there are some important differences from the modern version. In the first place, the custom was not relegated to children, but was actively indulged in by adults as well. Also, the 'treat' which was required was often one of spirits (the liquid variety). This has recently been revived by college students who go 'trick-or-drinking'. And in ancient times, the roving bands would sing seasonal carols from house to house, making the tradition very similar to Yuletide wassailing. In fact, the custom known as 'caroling', now connected exclusively with mid-winter, was once practiced at all the major holidays. Finally, in Scotland at least, the tradition of dressing in costume consisted almost exclusively of cross-dressing (i.e., men dressing as women, and women as men). It seems as though ancient societies provided an oportunity for people to 'try on' the role of the opposite gender for one night of the year. (Although in Scotland, this is admittedly less dramatic - but more confusing - since men were in the habit of wearing skirt-like kilts anyway. Oh well...)

To Witches, Halloween is one of the four High Holidays, or Greater Sabbats, or cross-quarter days. Because it is the most important holiday of the year, it is sometimes called 'THE Great Sabbat.' It is an ironic fact that the newer, self-created Covens tend to use the older name of the holiday, Samhain, which they have discovered through modern research. While the older hereditary and traditional Covens often use the newer name, Halloween, which has been handed down through oral tradition within their Coven. (This is often holds true for the names of the other holidays, as well. One may often get an indication of a Coven's antiquity by noting what names it uses for the holidays.)

With such an important holiday, Witches often hold two distinct celebrations. First, a large Halloween party for non-Craft friends, often held on the previous weekend. And second, a Coven ritual held on Halloween night itself, late enough so as not to be interrupted by trick-or- treaters. If the rituals are performed properly, there is often the feeling of invisible friends taking part in the rites. Another date which may be utilized in planning celebrations is the actual cross-quarter day, or Old Halloween, or Halloween O.S. (Old Style). This occurs when the sun has reached 15 degrees Scorpio, an astrological 'power point' symbolized by the Eagle. The celebration would begin at sunset. Interestingly, this date (Old Halloween) was also appropriated by the Church as the holiday of Martinmas.

Of all the Witchcraft holidays, Halloween is the only one that still boasts anything near to popular celebration. Even though it is typically relegated to children (and the young-at-heart) and observed as an evening affair only, many of its traditions are firmly rooted in Paganism. Incidentally, some schools have recently attempted to abolish Halloween parties on the grounds that it violates the separation of state and religion. Speaking as a Pagan, I would be saddened by the success of this move, but as a supporter of the concept of religion-free public education, I fear I must concede the point. Nonetheless, it seems only right that there should be one night of the year when our minds are turned toward thoughts of the supernatural. A night when both Pagans and non-Pagans may ponder the mysteries of the Otherworld and its inhabitants. And if you are one of them, may all your jack-o'lanterns burn bright on this All Hallow's Eve.

Document Copyright © 1986, 1998 by Mike Nichols
This document can be re-published only as long as no information is lost or changed, credit is given to the author, and it is provided or used without cost to others.

Mabon Poems

Autumnal Equinox
by Rhiannon Cotter

The Autumnal Equinox represents a turning point from Summer to Fall during which the themes of balance and equality are once again evident. The crops that have been ripening during the Summer now come to fruition. The Goddess as Mother generously offers us the fruits whose harvest She has overseen. Our energy is now directed inside so that we can reflect upon the harvest and integrate its components into our lives and personalities.

Lady Autumn
by Deirdre Akins

Lady Autumn, Queen of the Harvest,
I have seen You in the setting Sun
with Your long auburn tresses
blowing in the cool air that surrounds You.
Your crown of golden leaves is jeweled
with amber, amethyst, and rubies.
Your long, flowing purple robe stretches across the horizon.
In Your hands You hold the ripened fruits.
At Your feet the squirrels gather acorns.
Black crows perch on Your outstretched arms.
All around You the leaves are falling.
You sit upon Your throne and watch
the dying fires of the setting Sun
shine forth its final colors in the sky.
The purple and orange lingers
and glows like burning embers.
Then all colors fade into the twilight.
Lady Autumn, You are here at last.
We thank You for Your rewards.
We have worked hard for these gifts.
Lady Autumn, now grant us peace and rest.

 

 

 

Mabon
by Ezzy Violet

The Time of Change is upon us again -
the Equinox comes, the Wheel turns...

The Goddess and the God prepare for
Their journey to the Otherworld,
as the Earth and all of Her children
prepare for the Time of Quiet and
Reflection that lies ahead...

May we use this Autumnal period to seek for the strength and power within
to assist us on our own quests for
vision, feeling, and peace...

May we see and feel the presence of

the Goddess and the God within, though
without, the Earth begins Her slumber...

Keep us in Your light...

 

 

 

Invocation of Blue Corn Girl for Autumn Equinox
by Noel-Anne Brennan

(If there is more than one person present for this invocation, others can whisper "listen, she is coming" or "Blue Corn Girl is coming" at various points in the chant, as indicated by parentheses.)

Listen,
She is coming,
Blue Corn Girl is coming,
She is coming in the winds,
(Listen, she is coming)
She is coming in the sunlight,
(Blue Corn Girl is coming)
She is coming in the fallen leaves,
She is coming in the dying meadows.
Listen,
She is coming,
Blue Corn Girl is coming,
(Blue Corn Girl is coming)
She is coming
To see the harvest
(Listen, she is coming)
Of the fruits of the soil
And the fruits of the soul
Listen,
She is coming,
Blue Corn Girl is coming,
Listen,
She is coming.
Blue Corn Girl is here.
Welcome.

The night has a thousand eyes,
And the day but one;
Yet the light of the bright world dies
With the dying sun.

William Bourdillon

Mabon Receipes

This set is from Amethyst's Wicca -- but the web site is no longer active. http://www.angelfire.com/realm2/amethystbt/index1.html

Stuffed Acorn Squash

2 acorn squash, washed and cut in halves
1/2 stick of butter
1/2 cup of crushed Ritz crackers
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup brown sugar
Wash and cut acorn squash in half from stem to bottom
Scoop out the seeds and rub the inside and cut parts with butter
Put the acorn squash on a cookie sheet
Melt the butter, and mix in the walnuts, brown sugar, and crackers
Place in the holes of the squash and bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 40 minutes or until done.

 Fresh Apple Pound Cake

2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs
3 cups firm apples, diced
3 cups plain flour
1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
1 teaspoon baking soda
Mix together sugar and oil.
Add eggs and beat well.
Combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
Add to oil mixture.
Stir in vanilla, apples, nuts, and mix well.
Pour batter into a greased 9 inch tube pan
Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until cake is done.

Icing:
1 stick margarine
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Heat margarine and sugar together over low heat. Add milk and let come to a full boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Drizzle over the cake.

Wild Rice with Apples and Walnuts

1 cup wild rice
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
Cook rice and oil in water for 50 minutes.
1 cup walnuts
1 rib of celery, chopped
4 chopped scallions
1 cup raisins
1 red apple, peeled and chopped, set aside in lemon water
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
Combine nuts, celery, onions, raisins, drained apple and lemon rind and set aside.
3 T. lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 t. salt
1/3 cup olive oil
pepper, to taste

Whisk together juice, salt and pepper, garlic and oil and add to cooked rice.
Add fruit mixture to the rice (to which has been added oil, spices and juice) and mix well. May be served cold or heated.

Sweet Potato Casserole

3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and steamed until completely soft
3/4 cup orange juice
2 eggs, beaten
2 Tablespoons melted butter
2 T. sugar
1 1/2 Teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg

Mix juice, eggs, sugar and spices and blend thoroughly with potatoes using an electric mixer. Spread into a greased 9"x13" pan.

1/2 cup flour
1/4 c plus 2 T. brown sugar
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 c. chopped butter
1/2 c. chopped pecans

Mix together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter and nuts until crumbly, spread on top of sweet potatoes and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

 

Here are some more

 







Mabon Craft ideas

Mabon is coming and it is time to get out the glue gun and markers and get crafty. Remember that Mabon is our Thanksgiving  so many Thanksgiving and Harvest crafts and decorations will work. So lets see what ideas I have found.

Several years ago at a yard sale I bought some cd, I thought they were blank but I got lots of craft ideas and pics. I do not know the original sources. I hope you enjoy them and get inspired.

Hanging Pumpkin Ornament Leaves

Hanging Pumpkin Ornament Leaves





Hanging Pumpkin Ornament Leaves