Sporting a 31 Days Button? Sign up and let me know!

If your blog is sporting a button for The 31 Days of Halloween, today is the day to let me know!    Leave a comment to this post so that you will get an extra entry to every giveaway in the coming month!

If your profile is private (so that I can't click on your user name and get to your blog), please leave the URL to your blog with your comment - if I can't find your blog to confirm the button, the entry will not count.

We are so close to starting!

No one guessed, but there's still a winner!

No one guessed the correct costume (maybe I'll keep it a secret for now!), so I used a random number generator to pick a winner for the custom Voodude™ and the winner is....

Twisted Truth!  Please use the contact button at the top of the page to send me your shipping info and an email addy so that I can ask a few questions to determine what sort of poppet I'll make for you!

One Day Only Contest!

If you know me, you know every year I dress up for Halloween.  Whether it's just to pass out candy, or whether it's for a party, I'm all in!  I have my Halloween costume all set and on it's way to me this year from Pure Costumes, so I thought I'd run a little one day contest!  The first person to correctly guess what I'll be dressing up as will get a made-specially-for-them mini-Voodude™.  If no one guesses the right answer by the end of today (9 pm EST), I will draw a random name from all of the entries!

So get guessing!

The only rules: one guess per person, and I must be able to contact you if you win, either through your blog (your profile must be set to public!) or through an email addy left in your post.  Open to everyone everywhere!

Monday Mutterings

After a couple of weeks getting caught up on projects, back to school and a couple of family illnesses I think I'm finally about caught up (as much as any domestic housewitch can ever be, lol!).  Now it's time to get cracking on finishing up the prep for The 31 Days of Halloween!  I've got my work cut out for me, but I'm hoping to crank it out quickly in the next couple of days.

Thanks to all who've donated, volunteered, written articles and are getting their blogs spruced up for us to visit! If you haven't heard from me with dates yet, you will today or tomorrow!

And if you signed up for a guest blog or guest tour, you were automatically accepted - there seemed to be some confusion (my bad ;O) on that.  Because of this, I'm going to continue to take guest blogs for the next couple of days, so you still have time to get them in if you haven't yet!

Thanks, guys!

Cooking 101: Choosing Knives

Photo courtesy of the author

The paring knife is a kitchen essential that every home cook needs. It's small blade size (generally between 2 1/2 - 4 inches) and plain edge make it the perfect all-purpose knife. Mainly used for peeling fruits and vegetables a paring knife can also be used for specific tasks that require precision, such as deveining shrimp or creating decorative garnishes. A paring knife, a chef's knife and a serrated bread knife are considered the only three knives required in a kitchen.

The most important factors in choosing a paring knife are how it feels when you hold it in your hand and how the blade cuts.  How the knife retains it's sharpness and whether the material that makes up the blade reacts with foods are also points to consider.  Purchasing the right knife the first time, and caring properly so that it does not have to be replaced regularly can make up for the possible expense of buying a quality knife.

Knife materials to choose from

• Carbon steel: Inexpensive and holds it shape, but is vulnerable to rust and can impart a metallic taste to some foods.
• Ceramics: This material retains a very sharp edge, however it is easily chipped or shattered if dropped.
• High carbon stainless steel: Stainless steel alloys containing a specific amount of carbon, blades from this material are strong, hold their sharpness and do not stain.
• Laminated: Laminated blades are created by layering different steel alloys and are considered by many as the best blades available.
• Stainless steel: Most blades made of stainless steel are too flexible and do not retain their cutting edge.  Many stainless steel knives are created with a serrated edge and are virtually impossible to sharpen.
• Titanium: Knives with from titanium tend to have weak, hard to sharpen blades.

Proper care of knives

• Use only a wood or plastic cutting board.  Ceramic, stone and marble cutting boards can damage your knife and leave nicks in the blade.
• Never put your knives in the dishwasher.  Wash by hand with soap and a non-abrasive sponge, dry and put away immediately.
• Sharpen your knife with a honing metal before each use.
• Get quality knives professionally sharpened every 6 months, or learn how to properly sharpen them with a whetstone.

Proper storage of knives

• Use a knife block.  When storing knives in a block, make sure they are completely dry before placing them inside. Blocks generally come in stainless steel or wood.  The downside of a block is that it takes up counter space.
• Magnetic bars allow knives to hang safely out of the way.  Do not overcrowd the bar, as knives may get damaged from hitting each other.  
• Drawer inserts that keep knives separated and blades covered for safety are available at different sizes and prices.  Inserts keep knives from being damaged as they would be if just thrown in a drawer with other utensils.

With a bit of knowledge and proper care, a good paring knife can be purchased and used for years. Of all the utensils in kitchen, knives are the ones that are probably used the most.   By purchasing good tools for the jobs done, cooking can be more of a joy and less of a chore.

Here's a little video I found by Prime Cuts TV on how to sharpen your knife with a honing metal:

Photo and article copyright to CoaPSM. They many not be reprinted, 

reposted or copied without express written permission of the author.

Where the Hell is Tanner..... Waiting for the Mabon Feast Edition

For more Where the Hell is Tanner, click here.

Mrs.B.'s Simple Candle Spell for Mabon (Fall Equinox)

Photo courtesy Jim of Wikimedia Commons

As Mabon is the witch's day of thanksgiving, this is simple way of giving thanks, counting blessings and vowing to share our bounty with others:

What you need:
A candle  and something to light it with - candles in oranges, browns, rusty reds or gold are nice, but a white candle always works in a pinch.  A fall scented candle would work as well: cinnamon, pumpkin spice - whatever makes you feel the season!

A drink and a snack: Again, fall inspired things are nice if you have them on hand: leaf shaped cookies, fresh bread, a pumpkin or apple muffin - or just a nice fresh apple!  Drinks can be anything from apple cider, herbal tea to a cold glass of water (it'll be almost 90 today here, so that sounds good to me!)

Optional: paper and pen, your cauldron or another heat proof dish

What to do:

Sit with your ritual items when you find a quiet moment.  Center yourself and take a few deep, cleansing breaths. Think about the season passing and the one to come.  Think of the abundance that you've received and worked hard to obtain.  Light the candle and say the following (or words of your own creation):

I light this candle to honor the season and to give thanks for the abundance in my life. I strive to remember these blessings and give thanks for them throughout the entire year.  I strive to remember to share those blessings with others not as fortunate as I am, even when I have little to share.  I express my gratitude to the Lord and Lady for all my blessings this Mabon, and give thanks for all those blessings that will come to me this glorious fall season. So Mote it be!

If you have the time or desire, write down your blessings and a few words of thanks on the paper.  When it's just the way you want it, fold it into a small square, light it on fire on your lit candle and place it in your cauldron, to send off your thanks into the universe.  (Never leave fire unattended and keep away from children and pets!).  Have your drink and snack, leaving a bit to put outside as an offering if you choose to do so.  Snuff out your candle and have a blessed Mabon season!

 

Article copyright to CoaPSM and may not be reprinted, reposted or copied in it's entirety without express written permission of the author.  Links to the article are allowed and very appreciated.

Mabon fun for the kiddies!

Just popping my head in to let you know that the Pooka Pages for Mabon is up and just waiting to bring all sorts of fun to your festivities!  My youngest is almost to the age where Pooka will be a bit young for her, so I am enjoying these as hard as I can!  I've been a fan for years and have all sorts of copies of older pages stuffed in around my books and such!  I think a Pooka magazine was one of the very first things that Miss M. ever put in her first attempt at a BOS.  =)

This is about the time I usually post one of my favorite poems as well:

In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail! Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The gray smoke towers. Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all,
Flowers in the summer
Fires in the fall!

~Robert Louis Stevenson

Tomorrow I'll be cooking my traditional Mabon feast, complete with my very favorite acorn squash.  I'll also set up my little scarecrow to start help protecting the house and yard for the season.  =)

If I'm not around tomorrow, Happy Mabon, everyone!!

Monday Mutterings and 31 Days Updates!

It's Monday!  Time for updates and news.

In personal news, I've been sewing my fingers to the bone (no complaints!) getting a ton of Voodudes™ off to new homes.  If I have time, I plan on making one set (maybe two) for a pack of Yule ornaments.  If I can get to them, lol!

Today Miss M. is home sick.  Any healing energies are very welcome!  She hates to miss school.

On the blog front, October is right around the corner (how did that happen already?)!  It looks like the 31 Days of Halloween might end up being slightly scaled down this year in some aspects.  There are tons of great donations coming in (thank you all!) - and still time to get one in! - but as today was supposed to be the deadline for getting guest blogs in and I've only received two, that sort of presents a problem!  If you signed on and need a bit more time, please just let me know and we'll work something out.

Later today I will be sending out the dates for those who signed up for the Halloween Blog Tour.  There are still 4 spots open, so if you'd like to participate, there's still time to sign on!  All you need to do is fill out the form, and have your blog dressed up on the day you're assigned day (only dates at the end of the month are left open).  Click on the 31 Days tab at the top of the blog for details.

Other than that, things are moving right along.  Work, school, housework - the usual!    What do you have planned for this week?

Ingredients 101: Parmigiano-Reggiano

Photo courtesy of William Bradley, Jr.

Every domestic witch should strive to be as knowledgeable as possible about the foods and ingredients that they cook with and serve to their loved ones.  On that note, here's a little information about one of my very favorite ingredients!

Admit it, you know you use it.  That green can of cheese, stored in the fridge filled with salty sprinkles of parmesan.  It's reasonably cheap and makes a lovely cloud on top of your spaghetti.  But have you ever tried the real stuff?  There are several ingredients that I go for on the cheap - the difference is negligible. But some time ago, I bit the bullet and started splurging on real hunks of Parmigiano-Reggiano.  Once you do the real thing, you won't go back!

Parmigiano-Reggiano, with it's nutty flavor and granular consistency has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, where it is said to have been created in the town of Bibbiano in the Italian province of Reggio Emilia. Documents going back to the 13th century show that it was made in a similar fashion to how it is still made today.  

This particular cheese is made with strict guidelines that are set in law by the Italian DOC to protect and preserve Italian cheeses, while insuring the quality. The first step in making Parmigiano-Reggiano is starting with only cows who only graze on grass and hay and are carefully tended to by farmers (a pretty sweet life for a cow!). The only ingredients besides the raw milk that are permitted in Parmigiano-Reggiano are natural whey cultures (using the whey from the previous day's cheese making), calf rennet and salt. The cheese is formed and branded with the number of it's cheese house, the date of production and the name of the cheese.   Cheese can only be called Parmigiano-Reggiano if the production follows the guidelines, including being created only in certain areas of Italy: Parma, Reggio-Emilia, Modena,  Bologna or Mantova, and it must be made between May and November (that's why the green can says "Parmesan").

A minimum of 12 months of aging goes by before a master taster (called a "battitores")(and what an awesome job they must have!) from the Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano (the body who governs protecting the name of the cheese) checks each individual cheese. If the cheese passes, is it marked with the battitores seal of approval; cheeses that fail are stripped of their rind and markings.

On the other hand, American-made canned Parmesan cheese is made from pasteurized milk from cows who are generally fed a concentrated feed; this causes great differences in the taste of American Parmesan and Parmigiano-Reggiano.  American cheese makers, instead of using whey from their own cheese making, almost always purchase starters from enzyme manufacturers.  Different brands of cheese using different starters will cause variations on flavors from brand to brand.  Domestic Parmesan generally has a much higher salt content, and allows a variety of other ingredients to be added to the recipes, such as cellulose powder and potassium sorbate.  No quality rules govern the making of American Parmesan cheese (not counting safety regulations by the FDA).  American made Parmesan cheese does cost significantly less than Italian.=

Certainly each individual cook has to make their own choices depending on availability of products, cooking style and their working food budget.  Parmigiano-Reggiano is one of the ingredients that is definitely worth a splurge when creating a special meal.

To store Parmigiano-Reggiano, wrap it in a white paper towel, then place in a baggie, squeezing out as much air as possible.  The cheese will stay fresh for months if kept wrapped correctly. Throw "rinds" or dried out bits of the cheese into soups or stews to add flavor!

Most local groceries carry Parmigiano-Reggiano in their deli cheese case. 

This article is copyright to Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom and may not be reused, reprinted, reposted or shared without express written permission of the author.  Fair Use laws do not cover the use of an article in it's entirety.

Making an Automobile Protection Charm

A representation of a lion is a good choice as a protective spirit for your automobile.

Photo: Photo via freerangestock.com

As a modern domestic witch a large amount of time can be spent in your car.  There are multiple spells for automobiles: everything from protecting your car from having issues in the snow to quick prayers to get a better parking spot.  Protection spells for your car can be elaborate rituals invoking gods and goddesses, burning herbs and casting circles. There is, however, a very simple charm (inspired by Scott Cunningham's household guardian charm)that you can create to invite a protective spirit to your car, much like inviting a domestic deity into your home.

The first step starts with a small, plastic toy.  The trick is to find a toy that represents something that you find to be fierce and protective: lion, bear, dragon, dinosaur,  griffon, leopard, wolf, gorilla, tiger, elephant.  Track down a miniature representation of the animal and cleanse it in whatever way feels best to you.  This could mean a sage smudging, leaving in a moonlit window overnight, etc..

When the animal is cleansed to your liking, hold it in your hands and fill it with your intentions. Visualize the animal in it's full grown shape, protecting your car from theft, from accidents and from negative energies.  In your mind's eye,  see it protecting those who regularly travel in the vehicle.  When you feel that it's properly charged, find a way to connect the animal to your car, such as gluing it to the dash, or hanging it from the rear-view mirror.  Just remember that the animal should have a position where it can look out over the road to see what's coming.  

When you enter the vehicle, picture your guardian animal waking up and becoming alert.  When you arrive at your destination, thank the animal for helping you to get there safely.  Occasionally, small offering can be left on your dash to thank your guardian animal for it's protection.  The offering should be something that is appropriate for the animal chosen. Leave the offering over night, then discard in the morning.

If a god or goddess is known to have a strong connection to the guardian animal, working with that deity can not only strengthen your relationship with the guardian, but also with the deity as well.  A simple prayer asking him or her to help the guardian look out for you and yours while you travel can be a great boost to your automobile protection.

As always, do your research before working with any deity, and remember that for any spell to work, you must do your part.  A protection spell is not an invitation to drive recklessly.  

This article is copyright to Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom.  It may not be reused, reposted, copied or reprinted without express written permission of the author.  Fair Use laws do NOT cover reprinting an article in it's entirety. 

Bringing Deity Into Your Every Day

A big part of domestic witchery is the ability to bring magic and deity into your every day life.  There are many different ways to create a magical household, both complex and simple, from morning meditation routines, to simply praying before meals.  Here are 5 quick ideas for making your day more magical. 

1.  Choose a family incense:  Choose a certain scent of incense  and stock up.  Light a stick whenever the family is all gathered together in a calm way, perhaps after dinner or at story time. After a while, lighting the incense will help create a feeling of calm, relaxation and grounding.

       A cleansing shower starts the day magically.

2. Take a cleansing shower:
As a part of your routine, when you enter the shower, imagine a white light pouring out with the water from the shower head, moving over your body and cleansing it.  Concentrate on feelings of peace and contentment.  Visualize negative energy washing away from your body and down the shower drain.

  Feeding the birds is a simple offering ritual.

3. Feed the birds:
Start the day off by throwing a handful of birdseed, stale bread bits or crushed dried cereal out into the yard for the birds.  As you throw it out, say a quick prayer to the Goddess, such as "Goddess, I feed your family as you feed mine."  A simple offering that shows you appreciate the bounty that the Lord and Lady provide for you and your family.

  Lighting a flame can be a show of reverence.

4. Light a flame
Find a time of day in which you can light a flame as a simple ritual.  It might be lighting a candle in the morning while you ready for work, lighting a fire in the fireplace in the evening to make the house cozy, or lighting the stove to cook a meal.  Create a simple prayer in honor of the God and/or Goddess, such as "I light this flame in honor of the God/dess."  Make it a part of your daily custom.

 Give to others to give to deity.

5. Keep a change jar:
Each day when you clear out your pockets, add a little something to a change jar, even if it's just a penny or two.  When the jar is full, give the money to charity in honor of the God/dess, or use it to do a random act of kindness, such as paying the tolls for the next few people in line behind you.  Not only is it a sacrifice for deity, but giving money away traditionally brings it back to you, as well.

This article is copyright to Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom.  It may not be copied, reposted or reprinted without express written permission from the author.  Fair Use does not allow for entire articles to be reprinted.

Guest blogs are due soon!

Just a reminder... if you've signed up to do a guest blog, they are due by the 20th!  If you're running behind and need more time, please contact me at confessions.of.mrs.b AT gmail DOT com.

Thanks!

Inviting a Household Guardian into Your Home

My personal household guardian statue.

Having or creating a household guardian is an idea as old as time, but was most widely read in the writings of Scott Cunningham in his book The Magical Household. In Cunningham's work, he suggests magically creating a thought-form being who will reside in a statue of the creator's choosing; a statue fierce and/or strong looking that will sit on the household altar.  An alternate school of thought is that a house, or perhaps the land it sits on, has a ready made guardian attached to it already and the residents just need to get it's attention to gain it's protective instincts.

Much like creating an animal protection charm for your car,  getting a household guardian's attention will start with obtaining just the right physical manifestation to represent it.   During a quiet time at home, try a meditation in circle and concentrate on the spirit who looks over the household.  This meditation should be done in circle so that no negative energies can be accidently invited into the house.  Afterwards,  a simple sage smudging can be done to take care of any lingering energies.

Ask for the guardian to show it's true face, so that you may search for just the right figure to represent it.  This might result in "seeing" the image in your mind; you might stumble across a statue soon after in your travels.  Keep your eyes open to signs that you may receive.  

Once you've found the representation of your guardian, place it in it's post in the household.  It might go on the family altar or in a spot where it can look over the front door.  Choose a way to honor the guardian, such as putting out a small offering bowl that you place small bits of food (such as bread) on a regular basis, or perhaps a candle which is lit in it's honor.  Announce to the guardian that the family hopes that it is pleased with your choice.

Keeping a household guardian happy is a simple matter.  When you pass his representation, acknowledge it, and thank it on a regular basis for helping to keep your family safe.  Tell it your plans when you'll be out of the house on long stays, so that it can be vigilant in it's duties.  Leave offerings or light it's candle on a regular basis.  Keep it's area clean and dust free.  Basically, treat the guardian like a part of the family. After a time, the guardian will feel like an integral part of the household.

  Should you move, make sure to announce to the guardian that you'll be moving, and invite him to come along.  Find a new place in the new house for his representation and let him know that you hope that he'll be happy in his new location and will continue to look after the family.