Gratitude and a Call for Recipes

Hi everyone,

Thanksgiving is upon us. This is my favorite holiday. Not only because of the food, but because of my big family getting together without the noisy madhouse that comes with Xmas. And because my birthday is November 22 it falls somewhere around the holiday.

This Thanksgiving was going to be especially fun because my cousin has fallen in love with an amazing Italian filmmaker and he and his mother have flown in from Italy for the festivities. But then suddenly her mother, my Aunt and Godmother suffered a stroke. Luckily it was mild and the paralysis in her right hand and part of her mouth should be worked out with rehab therapy.

Still it made me think. This is not my aunt's first trip to the hospital (I lost count after the 3rd heart attack). My cousin is an only child. She's only in her early 20's and the burden of an ailing mother should not be one that she bears alone. So I'm looking for ideas for what my family can do to help.

So I thought that my sister, sister in law and mother should take turns making meals for my aunt and cousin (who moved back in to take care of her mother). I'm thinking lasagnas, casseroles, something that freezes well.

I'm a good cook but I rarely cook, so I don't have a cache of recipes on hand. My aunt is also diabetic, so everything is going to have to be healthy, lean and low on sugars. I would really appreciate any ideas you have!! (I'll be all over your blogs too)

In the meantime, let's all focus on what we're grateful for. What are you thankful for this year?

I'm thankful for:
The Gods and their infinite love
My new daughter
My wonderful husband
My awesome family
My growing Pagan Mommy network
My hipster mom friends
My job (It's great to have one!)
Our new mold-free home
Barbie dolls and crafts
And so much more

Much love and blessings to all of you this Thanksgiving. Soon I'll be settled and hopefully posts will come more often.

Blessings,
Dani

I'm Back(ish)

Hi everyone,

I thought I posted something ages ago and was totally heartbroken that I didn't get any comments, but then I checked just now and whaddya know?

Anywho we're are happily in a new home! It's small but perfect. Okay we might have to dump some possessions but it's the Year of Conservation! We need to conserve space.

Things weren't all rosy. We looked at about 10 different houses. We even looked at the one we're in. The Hubs wasn't crazy about it but me and the baby were. In the end, when the perfect, HUGE house we looked at had German cockroaches (those of you who know Atlanta, know that you have got to be seriously gross to have a NY-style roach problem. We have big waterbugs, not the tiny kind.)

We still have far to go in the decorating and organizing but it already feels so good. The baby got to sit on grass for the first time. (By the way, she's sitting up ya'll!) The neighborhood is peaceful and safe and well lit with lots of kids and dogs. And it's multiracial so it's not surprising to see black, white and Hispanic kids playing together. And it's behind and elementary school. Awesome!

The move was not smooth. My brother drove the 27 foot truck and the bumper got stuck in the asphalt as it tried to turn into the driveway. In the rain. Yikes. A tow truck, a cop and $125 later, we were free. Took 2 days to move us. I wonder if our movers (our friends and family) will ever speak to us again.

It was a great Samhain in the new house. My altar is still boxed but I set up the outdoor altar right away and buried an apple and a loaf of bread for the passing souls. Also burned a candle in the window all night.

We cancelled cable and found that we have no idea what time it is but we have lots of time to be with each other and the baby now. We all cuddle up in front of the internet for The Daily Show reruns and are asleep by 10.

Man, I can't wait to give this place a thorough cleaning. There was no time for any spiritual cleaning (long story) so the altar will be unpacked this weekend and I'll get to work!

We re-watched The Secret last night. Have you guys seen/read that? Everyone hates on it but it's EXACTLY what witchcraft is. Witchcraft for the masses. But sometimes I get bogged down in...I dunno, the persona of the Goddess that I forget to think of Her as this universal energy that really doesn't care if you don't follow exact rules of Wicca ceremony that was crafted by some dude in the 20th century. Just be nice and feel happy! Challenging but rewarding.

Anywho, with the absence of TV and trying to curb my Facebook usage, I might end up slowing down on blogging for a while. I spend more time thinking of stuff to blog about than doing the things I should be blogging about. Know what I mean? So my entries may be sporadic. Or I might have quite a lot as I decorate...We'll see.

Oh and almost forgot, Not Hannah: the house and the neighborhood is surrounded by pine trees!!!!

It's good to be back you guys. I've missed you!

smooches,
dani

A Time of Repose

Well the mold assessment guy came out to the house and it turns out the entire foundation is infected! To fix it the landlords will have to give the basement an overhaul and reseal everything or else it will happen again. I feel bad for them. I think they bought this house with the idea that they would flip it but it just didn't happen for them. (Well they seemed to use the cheapest materials possible so I'll reserve my pity until they tell us that we don't owe them anything for breaking the lease.)

So we are outta there! They're still running tests on the other areas in the house but it's only a matter of time before those spores journey upstairs.

So I need you guys to keep us in your prayers, not just for health but for finding a house in a timely fashion. We're moving out November 1st and we don't have money until November 1st, we haven't found a place yet and haven't begun to pack. Yikes!

Well I wanted out of this house and the Goddess provided. I know she'll provide us with a great place too.

Know any "find a house" spells?

So the month of October will be mainly looking for houses, viewing houses, packing up, and hitting the road. This is a great opportunity for me to be closer to my family (okay they're like 5 miles away now but we're all sort of in love with each other).

Ever since I had the baby and was on unpaid leave for 3 months, we never really caught up financially. I think this is a prime opportunity to get organized and pay less rent. So I retreat my dear friends and will emerge after Samhain, renewed and happier than when I left you. And positively bursting with wealth.

The house is there just waiting for us. I am claiming it. We will find a house that is at least 3 bedrooms, with a bonus room for Caesar's man cave and room enough for me to have my doll/craft studio. A safe neighborhood where I can pop Iris in the stroller and walk off some of these stubborn baby pounds. Um, close to family, easy commute and a sturdy, healthy home with absolutely no rodents (I have a thing with mice. They freak me out.)

See ya'll in November if not sooner.

Oh hey if any of you have minor mold issues, the mold dude recommended pine sol instead of bleach. I still like my vinegar!

Blessed be!

Mold and Baby Wipes

It's been 10 days since I've posted?! I've been neglecting you. I've been obsessing over Barbie and fighting mold. Which is so pretty when viewed up close (above). The baby is now spending her nap time in the crib so I have so much time to do everything!

Did I tell you guys that I make my own baby wipes? It's so easy and convenient that I'm thinking of making home cleaning wipes of vinegar and lavender.

So here's my favorite recipe:

Take strong paper towels-my dad is in construction so he gets these strong industrial paper towels. Like you can't even rip them. Anyway, Bounty does well. Those Select-A-Size are perfect. After I run out of the strong ones, I'm going to try some generic brands, so I'll let you know they hold up.

Anyway, the recipe I had said to cut the paper towel roll in half. I tried this with a bread knife and made a terrible mess. Try maybe an electric carver or table saw or something. What I do now is separate each sheet and cut them in half.

Place towels in plastic tub/wipes container.

Mix (in this order to avoid lather), 3 cups water, 1/8 cup vegetable oil (olive, almond, etc. No corn oil people), 1/8 cup baby soap, 8 drops lavender Essential oil, 4 drops tea tree oil. Mix slowly. Pour over paper towels.

This makes A LOT of baby wipe juice so I use this recipe to make 2 batches. Let towels soak, pour and squeeze out excess into the other tub.

Tada! There is a recipe that calls for baby lotion too. I'd mix that with the oil separately first.

So I think for cleaning wipes I will use what I usually have as a spray.

One part water to one part white vinegar
about 10 drops of lavender essential oil.

As for the mold, I'm soooo glad that we're renting. This mold has reeked havoc with my once beautiful sun room. Even the incense is moldy! Gross. Vinegar is great for this but it's going to take more time, attention and dry weather!

Mold is like a good horror movie. Gives me the creeps but I can't help watching it...

Introducing the Year of ...

...Conservation!

This is great. It encompasses everything that is really important for next year.

• Get back to composting (it started to attract bugs and the baby was totally new and I, totally paranoid)
• Stop the madness with the Starbucks!
• Save money!
• Downsize, organize
• Live frugally
• Learn to do more with my dioramas with less money (using what I have, dollar stores, etc)
• Conserve funds and reduce pollution with homemade stuff like soap

And there's just something about the word "conservation" that feels like an action, you know?

I'm looking forward to hearing what you name your year! Now to begin my year I will use a notebook that I already have! (I have a bit of an office/school supply fetish).

Have a great weekend guys!
Danielle

Name that Year!

Hi All,

As I mentioned briefly in my last post, a friend of mine developed a new way to keep those New Years resolutions. Instead of coming up with a list of things we want to accomplish, we come up with one word to sum up the year.

At first we had the same year name. I believe our first was the Year of Beautification. That year I got laser hair removal (don't ask), wore awesome vintage clothes, straightened my hair a lot, stopped watching TV and instead listened to Ella Fitzgerald, fully decorated every inch of my little apartment, lounged around in fancy nighties and read books like The Bombshell Manual of Style while wearing facial masques and giving myself a mani-pedi. I wrote that terrible novel about a really attractive jewel thief and bought a full bar set so I could mix myself cosmos. Ah, to be 24 again.

Over time, our priorities changed and we couldn't come up with one word to encompass all we both hoped to accomplish in the next year. So now we have our own years.

My first year on my own was Year of the Monk. For that year, I was celibate, spent all my time studying all things Wiccan, drawing and playing with dolls. I don't think I went out socially once. It was an amazing year, equally as fun as the Year of Beautification.

But I've had total failure years. Years that made no sense when we named them. The Year of Clarification. The Year of Reflection? Yeah very easy to do nothing and say you were reflecting.

So my friends, I issue you this challenge. Join me in naming your year. We can share it publicly or you can do it privately. But it's infinitely more successful than resolutions.

So here's how it goes:

• Come up with a list of things you would like to accomplish in the coming year.

• Figure out a name the suits you. We keep it to one word. I like very grand sounding names. I would like to name this year "Year of Getting Your S*%# Together" but it's not very grand, is it?

• This is optional but it helps: Get a notebook. Can be any kind, any size, whatever you like. Here you will write up some of your goals, quotes you come across, books you have to remember to buy, spells you thought up on the train, the reports mentioned below, etc. It helps if it has pockets. You should see my friend's book at the end of the year. It's doubled in size. I'm not so good at using the notebook but I still try every year.

• Around June you have to write a report on what you've done so far to support your year name. That's right, accountability! Also, what else you hope to do for the rest of the year.

• Around September or October, start to write your new list and think about what you will want out of the next year.

• At year end, write up a final report of how you lived up to the name of the year.

You can start at Samhain or on January 1st. I find I automatically shut down the year around Samhain, so I think I'll start then.

So, wanna join me? I'll send reminder posts about writing your report and how my year is going.

For the sake of full disclosure, here's what I hope to accomplish:
-Declutter! Have yard sale, move to house with better space layout
-Break out of hermit ways for the sake of Iris at least a little bit
-Get serious about dolls: building more sets, getting better like this , going to conventions, entering contests.
-Stop watching so much TV
-Research some work-at-home stuff (so I can eventually be a stay at home mom)
-Work on finances: cut down on expenses, manage debt, quit Starbucks addiction, cut corners
-Household/craft: learn to make soap!
-Spirit: work on more kitchen witchery, actually observe sabbats, maybe find unitarian church to attend with sister or a pagan circle that is kid friendly.
-Family: continue/expand play group, spend more time with Dad.
-Wear cute clothes. (Seriously, I should be on What Not To Wear.)
-Find an awesome house to rent for at least 2 years.

That's it for now but I'll be sure to add to the list. The name might now cover everything. You'll find that you

Off to brainstorm names...

Herbal Spell Blends

Since becoming a parent, I've become the worst witch ever. There never seems to be time for anything. I've been trying for years to integrate magick into my daily life in small ways but creating routines has never been my strong suit.

Now it's even harder. I don't want to use candles, incense, keep herbal pouches around, etc, not to mention, having 5 minutes of quiet to center myself and raise some energy is damn near impossible.

But my best, quickest and most effective spells have been "small magick" or "low magick". Both terms are totally offensive to me. Why is my magick small? It's no less effective and I don't even know what a complicated thing like the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram is even for. Boo. Maybe I can call it quick magick. I do very well with this stuff.

Like that chant I used for my morning coffee. Or the quickie circle cast: "Thrice thrice thrice about. Good stays in, bad stays out." Also, a long time ago, in my pre-witch days, a witch taught me how to stave off the rain by making a pentagram in the sky with an athame (or a finger). Or when I'm in a public office bathroom and I need some...privacy. I push a pentagram of energy out.

All these things work wonderfully. So I need to get back to that. I need to remember that the magick is in us, not in the candles or wands! Okay I totally got off topic.

So anyway I was cleaning the sunroom/altar room and realize we have a mold problem. Cleaning the altar and finding mold growing on everything organic makes you feel like a very bad witch. Time to streamline! "Stuff" is fun but it gets me away from what's important. Me, the gods and all that energy swirling around.

Anyway in cleaning up the altar, I came across my magickal herbs (too old to be used for medicinal purposes). Since I have to move my altar indoors and we have little room, I have to condense everything. Voila! Herbal spell blends.

Armed with my hand Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, I made a few mixes for me and anyone I do magick for. So now I have mixes for Love, Money, Success, Women's Mysteries (what? when will I ever use this?) protection, psychic powers and healing.

So I got the flu recently (which is why I've been absent) and then it looked like Hubby was getting it. So, very quickly (because I had to set up the day for baby AND Daddy), I grabbed a handful of healing herbs on my way out the door for work, said a quick prayer at my outdoor altar and spread the herbs before my Goddess and God rocks. And tada! Daddy ended up just having a sore throat and nothing more.

Anywho, my fellow magickal mommies I'm feeling really sort of buzzing with excitement today. See, my good friend and I always name the year, instead of doing New Years resolutions. This year was the Year of Expansion. And I expanded in many ways (still waiting for my baby weight to drop off...). So when this time of year comes around she and I start to think of names for the next year. It always inspires a spirit of renewal in me.

Cleaning out the altar, starting a debt mgmt program, possibly doing a music video with my dolls for my friends band, getting together with my Mommy friends for playdates is getting me really excited for what 2010 holds!

Oh one more thing. For those with kids who are old enough to read Harry Potter type books, let me recommend City of Beasts by Isabelle Allende. You may have read some Allende books already like the very magickal and awesome House of Spirits. Anyway City of Beasts is about a boy who's mother has cancer and who ends up going on an adventure down the Amazon River.

Very cool book. There are two more books but I haven't read those...yet.

Okay have a great weekend!

blessings,
Danielle