tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54899985269697056332024-03-19T04:47:27.592-07:00Willow Cottage on the Wyndy HillRhiannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762633861100238829noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489998526969705633.post-16818704294724293312010-10-30T18:56:00.000-07:002010-10-30T18:56:35.147-07:00The Celtic New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and a blessed and beautiful Samhain to you all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_F4eqFG6B0Dho3gVz9POTYWEdaYz9_YgADwIK7iLFTqNa7tM-m8vrqFgNReFVElBFqAX7UTjnFh9ptjBNeCos8o1DtQKBCLWPqoutPnGRyVWJLDOkHtM5oo1DYzyOKd8OSou-GOggT0/s1600/Exterior-pergola-Halloween-GTL1005-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_F4eqFG6B0Dho3gVz9POTYWEdaYz9_YgADwIK7iLFTqNa7tM-m8vrqFgNReFVElBFqAX7UTjnFh9ptjBNeCos8o1DtQKBCLWPqoutPnGRyVWJLDOkHtM5oo1DYzyOKd8OSou-GOggT0/s400/Exterior-pergola-Halloween-GTL1005-de.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>~Rhiannon at the Willow Cottage on the Wyndy HillRhiannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762633861100238829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489998526969705633.post-83127327033562872502010-10-22T14:14:00.000-07:002010-10-22T14:20:42.008-07:00Quiet But Busy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S8x6iv0KS18oVEc0ukX57fhg-kDllvimbOdSOereYf0MPua3VVgcUN4TUmRCy6G6hlJKvguF8sgloBuvnnzFKnitaI13RvGVPZzMhnVWjYyOnTaq91ghd26WQpJ_zU3Od7n3dwB9W04/s1600/Imported+Photos+04215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_S8x6iv0KS18oVEc0ukX57fhg-kDllvimbOdSOereYf0MPua3VVgcUN4TUmRCy6G6hlJKvguF8sgloBuvnnzFKnitaI13RvGVPZzMhnVWjYyOnTaq91ghd26WQpJ_zU3Od7n3dwB9W04/s400/Imported+Photos+04215.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">October has been such a busy month. It's kept me a bit quiet on my three blogs...<em>quiet but busy!</em> I normally post more often than this but I've squeezed in a few days of stripping my old Thomas Edison 'Little Folks Furniture' dresser, circa 1930's. A favorite era-the 20's, 30's and early 40's. All my hard labor in stripping away decades of paint is eased with a little Al Bowlly playing in my head. At the moment, 'The Very Thought of You' is on constant rotation :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What's left of the Edison 'Little Folks Furniture' label on the dresser...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALuwvIy2ZiQZ3ZWIv_0PSRHbUxG4H7gWeEDdixUGZCloE5RNII-0yOK4TbAob91_rp1l1WMkzMQANCqWfOVOUDZIkqhXzOXMO6o_9oNElfb0gjJHfKGBep2fKnFKMFeo7tvT9hTm_UkQ/s1600/Imported+Photos+04185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALuwvIy2ZiQZ3ZWIv_0PSRHbUxG4H7gWeEDdixUGZCloE5RNII-0yOK4TbAob91_rp1l1WMkzMQANCqWfOVOUDZIkqhXzOXMO6o_9oNElfb0gjJHfKGBep2fKnFKMFeo7tvT9hTm_UkQ/s400/Imported+Photos+04185.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The door and drawers in it's last color; black....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd3mfphwZhA3ApthyEFt1JCIWpMgNfSGR17QYx_cp2t4XIAMuPyqLuCg_y8mwzjPnwQwtXwoFsHwxFOtmi3qXWTzMqOcpyeeHt1kpp4m5fwpqP2R2CFc3qrI9GJzqbBwg4fJEyrjbeTM/s1600/Imported+Photos+04182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd3mfphwZhA3ApthyEFt1JCIWpMgNfSGR17QYx_cp2t4XIAMuPyqLuCg_y8mwzjPnwQwtXwoFsHwxFOtmi3qXWTzMqOcpyeeHt1kpp4m5fwpqP2R2CFc3qrI9GJzqbBwg4fJEyrjbeTM/s400/Imported+Photos+04182.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Getting down through the last layers of time...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlYjoAoR6S3k1s71_NsO-oGJv48b2ZQIqmTvNp0o9OeEfR3BtJLK_8AL4Rmncheqh55zSUQjyCfDBo3rDQw69Vjvu5OmMdlTHnbzONhYo_ASoJJ-xv7tU2_q_t02dzIYXUHZYCX7plZg/s1600/Imported+Photos+04183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlYjoAoR6S3k1s71_NsO-oGJv48b2ZQIqmTvNp0o9OeEfR3BtJLK_8AL4Rmncheqh55zSUQjyCfDBo3rDQw69Vjvu5OmMdlTHnbzONhYo_ASoJJ-xv7tU2_q_t02dzIYXUHZYCX7plZg/s400/Imported+Photos+04183.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to it's beginning. Finally! Now...all I have to do is strip the drawers and the door, have a new wood handle made for the door to match the drawers' handles (original is missing), buy new hinges and door closure hardware that match the originals, that are in unusable condition, then sand, then stain....so, not <em>really</em> done ;)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVLbytojgAGLBksneWZO9V9a8RSCpTsE-4wNFtozeeHiR9bB0HsqTpMBH9o6B65L9s64G6lQQbpXztAG78F_lPn8635EFiISdCw3USiqEkEmbcu9uMC9bRkiLW19CNHt9EB93CG7HSdU/s1600/Imported+Photos+04191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVLbytojgAGLBksneWZO9V9a8RSCpTsE-4wNFtozeeHiR9bB0HsqTpMBH9o6B65L9s64G6lQQbpXztAG78F_lPn8635EFiISdCw3USiqEkEmbcu9uMC9bRkiLW19CNHt9EB93CG7HSdU/s400/Imported+Photos+04191.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've also been working long hours on geneology projects...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QS8ncAbwsZMEP-u9KVpdyf-zuwnmjtmmdwH7Hc4ldxdyW6O7Z-2Ss0eizSw6g23Yvl9BRCY5U1_Dh0nBVThczHyw8dHooY4vuED6GbmJ4Wv-mZP53VYbhW-Y4Fzhxq6lwu5JoQGcVqA/s1600/DeutchlandSE-perthes-1862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="335" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QS8ncAbwsZMEP-u9KVpdyf-zuwnmjtmmdwH7Hc4ldxdyW6O7Z-2Ss0eizSw6g23Yvl9BRCY5U1_Dh0nBVThczHyw8dHooY4vuED6GbmJ4Wv-mZP53VYbhW-Y4Fzhxq6lwu5JoQGcVqA/s400/DeutchlandSE-perthes-1862.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> My German-Austrian and British roots.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uVNFjTDBGIokfTULxB6GM5D7o5tA2a2ZjYhtA7wh_q5divkQ25O0McGCg6EepuLIEWmWFNDp-vH_Ey942f1kJJhb9n9uOPgJsA_5e5oSeE2oMtiQvF7_pelMmW3XbqdFyvh0Dkh3igs/s400/Imported+Photos+03676.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>My family, in California in the 1920's</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, planning a garden in the side yard for upcoming spring. Big plans for a little area! Raised beds, surrounded (hopefully) by grass, rain/snow collecting barrels at the far end (where the hideous chain link resides) and hopefully a clothes line! No need to use the gas dryer, no need to waste water while watering my veggies and fruits and no need to depend on the grocery stores toxic, over-priced produce! Whew! Big project :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAiNGoJ1X2YEhZw-4VOz2qpxHHhgU9oTf3jPVwu1zof-026OdQTuxvqcwoRmnIersHABqK3xIWEhMUNA_kRQ05fKTSR3DjVItH4pAqWmel_wLf7x2v3_Jx5YodbCc7Qlb_OWhr4VgzSU/s1600/Imported+Photos+04209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAiNGoJ1X2YEhZw-4VOz2qpxHHhgU9oTf3jPVwu1zof-026OdQTuxvqcwoRmnIersHABqK3xIWEhMUNA_kRQ05fKTSR3DjVItH4pAqWmel_wLf7x2v3_Jx5YodbCc7Qlb_OWhr4VgzSU/s640/Imported+Photos+04209.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOshwl5u8Ng-kaLkvgKDjgtwGZc1FK6iTQIW-ZBGh6iNR2HrFUUC4wDZwIOi9c2unqVVzFUwZIxKG1swBF3GsCKhuXQj44P6iXmwXMd9QrvX_7YzjyfwmAwzTtIeHbeXXTtHToxFq_LwY/s1600/Imported+Photos+04211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOshwl5u8Ng-kaLkvgKDjgtwGZc1FK6iTQIW-ZBGh6iNR2HrFUUC4wDZwIOi9c2unqVVzFUwZIxKG1swBF3GsCKhuXQj44P6iXmwXMd9QrvX_7YzjyfwmAwzTtIeHbeXXTtHToxFq_LwY/s400/Imported+Photos+04211.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then there are my daily walks with my friend, we'll call 'Mrs. Becks' ...</span></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILR1Hgu7wwiq9QUbaNCtXI5-6vIsbHBziaUU43i6ngAzfqajW15I9PmpLypLQCJOqZXOae7VyuYTLFBtR0AmhmSteCIS-ruVrWzLK32th0rYS14diMHx4W04Wtmp6SHi5LXLQMOIc53o/s1600/Imported+Photos+03302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILR1Hgu7wwiq9QUbaNCtXI5-6vIsbHBziaUU43i6ngAzfqajW15I9PmpLypLQCJOqZXOae7VyuYTLFBtR0AmhmSteCIS-ruVrWzLK32th0rYS14diMHx4W04Wtmp6SHi5LXLQMOIc53o/s640/Imported+Photos+03302.JPG" width="484" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Page from 'I Spy'</span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">All the while, trying to get the <em>work ball</em> rolling. It's hard to get the ball rolling when it isn't in your court anymore...just waiting on someone else...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqI-j2Iw-rpKZASDmgpp0OlBoIrxJZa6UY6XdnzdX4n77UKJZ7DjWMW1vWNsj7Xq-gdQiUo7ONVtJ2SceeryFNsJ1qUCpIdSbM5aqcUBRMp_sJekaxheqzkx0LOxkm0L1nL4vQSQcUfk/s1600/Imported+Photos+04140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqI-j2Iw-rpKZASDmgpp0OlBoIrxJZa6UY6XdnzdX4n77UKJZ7DjWMW1vWNsj7Xq-gdQiUo7ONVtJ2SceeryFNsJ1qUCpIdSbM5aqcUBRMp_sJekaxheqzkx0LOxkm0L1nL4vQSQcUfk/s400/Imported+Photos+04140.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And still find time to do 'fun stuff', silliness that I enjoy....mainly decorating.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMSF-R5SmfBhIqCY_iQmzue-rXTs-1g6NLb5JAlziQ8kGwZGEaXr_yFN5DU_QC9-6-9sCPP4YVjwLNxDtXoxnMr-fHplN_qjcyAaZ8Sp9jm0lZCCarDxB-gVkr62_3-tpz-zwVvzE8cw/s640/Imported+Photos+04219.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>One of the sheds</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMSF-R5SmfBhIqCY_iQmzue-rXTs-1g6NLb5JAlziQ8kGwZGEaXr_yFN5DU_QC9-6-9sCPP4YVjwLNxDtXoxnMr-fHplN_qjcyAaZ8Sp9jm0lZCCarDxB-gVkr62_3-tpz-zwVvzE8cw/s1600/Imported+Photos+04219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKNvTwGU05HtngScfMDS9csETdldasPlOPdjysD1QwaJEITehEg_Qz88rVS8WlyC5yrMdI26S3YVBcsqgDQj99KXEFVAAlCD3qj_vYsoWi8FWi9pHOGikDfUrhZSDTQaKaNQiaXG5nZg/s1600/Imported+Photos+04213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKNvTwGU05HtngScfMDS9csETdldasPlOPdjysD1QwaJEITehEg_Qz88rVS8WlyC5yrMdI26S3YVBcsqgDQj99KXEFVAAlCD3qj_vYsoWi8FWi9pHOGikDfUrhZSDTQaKaNQiaXG5nZg/s640/Imported+Photos+04213.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobkmY8SfVYZinnHsxtXeJyvpLST53FAWaX_9k5XMoAKfS2ODQqzxciQAfohRExqtKcK_3YPInVdM9Jhfh-Ve8byzTEhd-mKtw7G7dwTm0Y56cLfVMHsH-76UBIjtsUs_SQ7xRGEEh6SM/s1600/Imported+Photos+04217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobkmY8SfVYZinnHsxtXeJyvpLST53FAWaX_9k5XMoAKfS2ODQqzxciQAfohRExqtKcK_3YPInVdM9Jhfh-Ve8byzTEhd-mKtw7G7dwTm0Y56cLfVMHsH-76UBIjtsUs_SQ7xRGEEh6SM/s640/Imported+Photos+04217.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTl2ZX1-7TQ8XiXAb7OWbDaOXhOV6gKY-c5osOPbliFHXUsPs0rCmmWsSaNBtd49fc34hmls1SrVzkaplImy-7iugQHTd7UThO7CFcDW0StYzWPIZjxOsAIIamUUu08XGLp9kWsU2fJY/s1600/Imported+Photos+04221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTl2ZX1-7TQ8XiXAb7OWbDaOXhOV6gKY-c5osOPbliFHXUsPs0rCmmWsSaNBtd49fc34hmls1SrVzkaplImy-7iugQHTd7UThO7CFcDW0StYzWPIZjxOsAIIamUUu08XGLp9kWsU2fJY/s640/Imported+Photos+04221.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Green Man and acorns...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXDciCLgwdeA9SsBZIqwcQqSeSNqM4lUFO_u7yvS2C957WXhEjDtQRG4_6odpXLbJ-tBOPpOTfchjjuYPIcw0sDdYBsBJ0F3dQzhA7OtSN-8tEGJgtzVpmJbp9u9ivc1fEZ-nob8KghA/s1600/Imported+Photos+04222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXDciCLgwdeA9SsBZIqwcQqSeSNqM4lUFO_u7yvS2C957WXhEjDtQRG4_6odpXLbJ-tBOPpOTfchjjuYPIcw0sDdYBsBJ0F3dQzhA7OtSN-8tEGJgtzVpmJbp9u9ivc1fEZ-nob8KghA/s640/Imported+Photos+04222.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Autumn-gray sky, reflected in the cherubs birdbath...</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUM7OPH2Ep_VlW6Vul9SjsePskT9a0tYjadc_Gd-EeMGJQpMuBWsjO5kZCb5HbKkQFlNSf2W0d6XgVZDYlNJkpd-IX7-BnrGczsZ4_FQY6o9IpL2JrO7f7gdFIgjzZmnINYeGDS-Gmco/s1600/Imported+Photos+04212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUM7OPH2Ep_VlW6Vul9SjsePskT9a0tYjadc_Gd-EeMGJQpMuBWsjO5kZCb5HbKkQFlNSf2W0d6XgVZDYlNJkpd-IX7-BnrGczsZ4_FQY6o9IpL2JrO7f7gdFIgjzZmnINYeGDS-Gmco/s640/Imported+Photos+04212.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I'm never far from my true inspiration...my Moon, my Luna; always has been and always will be the most beautiful vision I have ever been blessed to see.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6mr-NiOPOeuJtQrgVeP19eeK8CsDbEqHiEMT3FljasF2qRLxVBUlBpShqZBoxlHA4h2LGAu4ldMVj2FZdu804zU0CsK3j8Pk3sABS-mXs5ofCmlZGOp29JH3SXCIh-FlOWkliiECMQU/s1600/Imported+Photos+04202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6mr-NiOPOeuJtQrgVeP19eeK8CsDbEqHiEMT3FljasF2qRLxVBUlBpShqZBoxlHA4h2LGAu4ldMVj2FZdu804zU0CsK3j8Pk3sABS-mXs5ofCmlZGOp29JH3SXCIh-FlOWkliiECMQU/s640/Imported+Photos+04202.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Luna rising over the pines at Willow Cottage on a crisp Autumn night, with the scent of a wood-burning fire in the air...as the clouds pass over her.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvIDdhkBaaevP8W06awYfXaBK4vERh0d2MrhFEhP4Hoc7oe5tedpYNqnybOOvwYZgfF1XNOXzPg7I4tSRxqlz1CzIIEZsrY0LF2s1gf7wyXXp9Vwk0SBeXMOrdH3flD0SR8irourk0-8/s1600/Imported+Photos+04207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvIDdhkBaaevP8W06awYfXaBK4vERh0d2MrhFEhP4Hoc7oe5tedpYNqnybOOvwYZgfF1XNOXzPg7I4tSRxqlz1CzIIEZsrY0LF2s1gf7wyXXp9Vwk0SBeXMOrdH3flD0SR8irourk0-8/s640/Imported+Photos+04207.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mabon Blessings, friends...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh! And don't forget to feed the birds :)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbO3lfcOnfLdhW-4lk2-xXj40errvutV2AwIcLH9z2TmJzTXO1Z0X1WJxCZgoJ2Zix_MJZO5MqOhnkfdYU86DCoHBxT5vPARtu5S75nj38I2e0chcD3_XD0Yi6n4raAesu-KpHjJf75eM/s1600/Imported+Photos+04218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbO3lfcOnfLdhW-4lk2-xXj40errvutV2AwIcLH9z2TmJzTXO1Z0X1WJxCZgoJ2Zix_MJZO5MqOhnkfdYU86DCoHBxT5vPARtu5S75nj38I2e0chcD3_XD0Yi6n4raAesu-KpHjJf75eM/s640/Imported+Photos+04218.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Rhiannon</span>Rhiannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762633861100238829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489998526969705633.post-42655902587111503812010-10-06T12:17:00.000-07:002010-10-06T12:17:59.383-07:00Rainy Southern California<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaURWUcM33BIEUEKrqccPyYVk8ubnimPkvKcw8E5Dv-7gplqVsMzExOanaqptEnP1CcphW0uuA5o4xskOohzqQasv-zRKhvpuK7iKZlSe0oPZIB-4o4-xMrJvZKcrJBVl1oQ6ZvU6rAz4/s1600/Imported+Photos+00167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaURWUcM33BIEUEKrqccPyYVk8ubnimPkvKcw8E5Dv-7gplqVsMzExOanaqptEnP1CcphW0uuA5o4xskOohzqQasv-zRKhvpuK7iKZlSe0oPZIB-4o4-xMrJvZKcrJBVl1oQ6ZvU6rAz4/s640/Imported+Photos+00167.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>I looooove rainy days. Although, being in Southern California, I can feel the waves of misery from all of those sun-lovin' folks that flock here to live in our sunshine. What's <em>my </em>story then? Why am <em>I</em> here? Well, I believe I'm one of those rare creatures that are called 'California Natives'. I was born here and although I love my Southern California and my good 'ol U.S. of A., I don't feel I've ever really belonged. My original blog (still up and running) is appropriately titled 'Elizabeth Rhiannon is...Misplaced in SoCal'. My story is...since the age of about 11 or 12 I began my obsession with England. Not in the way of 'fairytale, storybook land' or 'cute, little cobblestone streets with quaint teahouses' and 'aren't their accents <em>adorable?</em>'...more in a way of, I knew that's where I belonged. The simple things like beans on toast, rainy days, car boot sales, ancient history and my love of Brit music and Brit comedy among a million other little and not-so-little things. Not to mention Celtic Paganism that has always spoken to me. So, as I sit here, warm and snug in my cottage in the sky, I do what I do every rainy, blustery day, as I've done since childhood-I look outside and watch the rain and the beautiful dark clouds and dream of being in a different place...a place I belong.<br />
~Rhiannon<br />
<em><strong>(the photo above is mine, taken from our hotel room at the Grafton House. View of Durham Cathedral, Durham, England)</strong></em>Rhiannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762633861100238829noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489998526969705633.post-81569236356020108282010-10-01T12:09:00.000-07:002010-10-01T12:09:13.317-07:00~Blessed October~<span style="font-size: large;">Well, today is the first day of my favorite month. The month I was born, the month of Samhain, the month of my favorite season and many other favorites that I won't get into now, as I've just spent a good part of my morning on my 'other, not-so-Pagan blog', blogging away about my love for the month of October. I've also created another blog about the area I live in, mainly for real estate purposes. Something has to give and this blog is paying the price. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8B1ihA-kY6wSJz8DWh0giFZIe-6O0LxrDZunngIoLzhkx82opsJLzkI6Te7XB4aCBWmviHiSnMxXIqjb6cwjrpGLSfsUx-BBkqBREl3jmnXlMBp5izhXm-68vF73J94PKkWpcdZKV8w/s1600/Imported+Photos+04138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8B1ihA-kY6wSJz8DWh0giFZIe-6O0LxrDZunngIoLzhkx82opsJLzkI6Te7XB4aCBWmviHiSnMxXIqjb6cwjrpGLSfsUx-BBkqBREl3jmnXlMBp5izhXm-68vF73J94PKkWpcdZKV8w/s640/Imported+Photos+04138.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">Which is unfortunate because my reason for creating this blog was to help get me back in the spiritual swing of things, so to say. I know life is about 'peaks and valleys' and the 'ebb and flow' of things...but I've been too long in the valleys and here, once again, I'm letting some soul-nurturing take a back seat. Tsk! Tsk!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkSXRztmP5XLa_EjHKIfhetkLbS-cggpv6wt0Y4fRmyyjcGwPWnsyk4i94QlJ-XjMnX_zrplc7-NxepGtScQJLTOPesD29rfJpEKz6ioup5N0S29eLg0Vq0wuaXrZc8sM2Y6OrExEAB4/s1600/Imported+Photos+04137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkSXRztmP5XLa_EjHKIfhetkLbS-cggpv6wt0Y4fRmyyjcGwPWnsyk4i94QlJ-XjMnX_zrplc7-NxepGtScQJLTOPesD29rfJpEKz6ioup5N0S29eLg0Vq0wuaXrZc8sM2Y6OrExEAB4/s640/Imported+Photos+04137.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;">This 'little' folder is my latest reason. Filled with real estate 'stuff' that I need to organize and weed out. Something I should have been working on all morning...it's now 12:04...<em>lunchtime! </em>So, my stomach is telling me to get off the computer and fill it up.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqI-j2Iw-rpKZASDmgpp0OlBoIrxJZa6UY6XdnzdX4n77UKJZ7DjWMW1vWNsj7Xq-gdQiUo7ONVtJ2SceeryFNsJ1qUCpIdSbM5aqcUBRMp_sJekaxheqzkx0LOxkm0L1nL4vQSQcUfk/s1600/Imported+Photos+04140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqI-j2Iw-rpKZASDmgpp0OlBoIrxJZa6UY6XdnzdX4n77UKJZ7DjWMW1vWNsj7Xq-gdQiUo7ONVtJ2SceeryFNsJ1qUCpIdSbM5aqcUBRMp_sJekaxheqzkx0LOxkm0L1nL4vQSQcUfk/s400/Imported+Photos+04140.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I think I'll eat my lunch out in the beautiful, breezy first day of October, in the aftermath of last nights rain. Sit in the sunshine, talk to my usual robin that accompanies me in my outdoor excursions and contemplate October :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">See? The blog <em>is</em> helping me stay on track! :) Have a blessed day and Happy October...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>~Rhiannon</em></span>Rhiannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762633861100238829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489998526969705633.post-34941864007849403222010-09-22T12:22:00.000-07:002010-09-22T12:22:31.156-07:00Blessed Mabon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XGZzYMz5V6lKGEUkYPvqYephuag4jLZWfIw2Sj_LimX2GtC2gh3XMmtatpQC5m5mBZlYqPPsgJHS5c7GmwzNGthewpmMJoyP9xnpNdZjYly3XU2hyplvwt_Jqp5AWrHv2blWdTUgeQQ/s1600/Imported+Photos+04038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XGZzYMz5V6lKGEUkYPvqYephuag4jLZWfIw2Sj_LimX2GtC2gh3XMmtatpQC5m5mBZlYqPPsgJHS5c7GmwzNGthewpmMJoyP9xnpNdZjYly3XU2hyplvwt_Jqp5AWrHv2blWdTUgeQQ/s400/Imported+Photos+04038.JPG" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>"Listen! The wind is rising and</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>the air is wild with leaves.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>We have had our summer evenings,</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>now</em> for October eves!"</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>~Humbert Wolfe</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>(a favorite)</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6JD6GPztA-laWJZsKmTUGhUlQ5s86VbRMpi8AP2dq9RgD2Kdna6yTckZpDhELbkHQnj9spDBCoSgpf-4gaKqlb2HfIZG9EYtEJ4vFH-OQicsFOE0tPdpUy3Q0n2I9jOimdYQ7qTv-kY/s1600/fall-wreath-de.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6JD6GPztA-laWJZsKmTUGhUlQ5s86VbRMpi8AP2dq9RgD2Kdna6yTckZpDhELbkHQnj9spDBCoSgpf-4gaKqlb2HfIZG9EYtEJ4vFH-OQicsFOE0tPdpUy3Q0n2I9jOimdYQ7qTv-kY/s400/fall-wreath-de.gif" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Apples, Apple Pies, </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Corn Stalks, Hay, Straw, Grapevine Wreaths</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Ornamental Corn, Corn Bread, Corn Chowder,</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Chrysanthemums</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Gourds and Pumpkins...</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>All things to show your joy for Mabon!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl538jORYf6Ak4RpC2xbk8-ERxsSNvzNFL08Rp52aXkUyGLYS9QFqvI-qegx4wHfKcvB-UD6p90SU_pghGAjI-EhsFIHioG2-TJ-eCT-r3ktYlQIg6O9gUC384UcS1POFbb1a_0HfnYuw/s1600/Outdoor-room-Fall-GTL1005-de.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl538jORYf6Ak4RpC2xbk8-ERxsSNvzNFL08Rp52aXkUyGLYS9QFqvI-qegx4wHfKcvB-UD6p90SU_pghGAjI-EhsFIHioG2-TJ-eCT-r3ktYlQIg6O9gUC384UcS1POFbb1a_0HfnYuw/s400/Outdoor-room-Fall-GTL1005-de.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>"There is nothing in the world more peaceful</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>than apple leaves with an early moon."</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>~Alice Meynell</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEahMNeLBO-6KAUijgh4WkuPgD06HynZ6ZvVDU7uli18sUv7MotZCF5yxqRnglQNAmuumI2s_Y9gNKVAYqLPl0qCsS-YXEDnfXy6NF3i4yoD3kfyOthWYUpIUIA9O-hGydM_bgGoOIKE/s1600/albany-covered-bridge-fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEahMNeLBO-6KAUijgh4WkuPgD06HynZ6ZvVDU7uli18sUv7MotZCF5yxqRnglQNAmuumI2s_Y9gNKVAYqLPl0qCsS-YXEDnfXy6NF3i4yoD3kfyOthWYUpIUIA9O-hGydM_bgGoOIKE/s400/albany-covered-bridge-fall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><strong>A blessed Mabon is wished to you, friend. Enjoy this season with magick, love and wonder.</strong><br />
<strong>Blessings,</strong><br />
<strong>~Rhiannon</strong>Rhiannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762633861100238829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489998526969705633.post-9039152244193243562010-09-20T11:42:00.000-07:002010-09-20T11:42:49.628-07:00'Tis the Season for Apples<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a few weeks, we will visit Willowbrook Farms for some apple picking and some fresh cider pressing. Mmmmmm, Mabon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5gOTsxgBcVhhP-Hr5KUqplZl9HMOB7GGLxe3jm9mJDgH7HPRLblpEbc6JlhHzb1TuPNNp1KaZyq_kzfpJLE29ijIa1IrzpRA7G8W7g9YK2C33w6tZQyek50ehxdxF4AdhJ-D-ApENxo/s1600/willowbrook+farms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5gOTsxgBcVhhP-Hr5KUqplZl9HMOB7GGLxe3jm9mJDgH7HPRLblpEbc6JlhHzb1TuPNNp1KaZyq_kzfpJLE29ijIa1IrzpRA7G8W7g9YK2C33w6tZQyek50ehxdxF4AdhJ-D-ApENxo/s400/willowbrook+farms.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EnigDLU04IoLzUDe1t1vfD63fXYh5sATnI-dkKxklce9h4dgVIwypW7skOUa1BBugRZXkqF26JxdraP4XBk1EgWu_0x86_It_BChbiMl-JaPr7NKutYU-Af5JBAsruOZvDJaHTQHxrs/s1600/apples2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EnigDLU04IoLzUDe1t1vfD63fXYh5sATnI-dkKxklce9h4dgVIwypW7skOUa1BBugRZXkqF26JxdraP4XBk1EgWu_0x86_It_BChbiMl-JaPr7NKutYU-Af5JBAsruOZvDJaHTQHxrs/s400/apples2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left">Here are a couple favorite apple recipes for you to print out and try. A simple way for you and your family to enjoy in the magic of the season.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">~Vermont Baked Apples~</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Prep. time: 10 min. Bake time: 1 hr. 45 min. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">6 large cooking apples (Rome Beauty or Cortland hold their shape well when baked)</div><div align="left">3 tablespoons butter</div><div align="left">1 cup maple syrup or maple-flavored syrup</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove apple cores beginning at stem, peel one-third of way down. Stand apples in shallow 13" by 9" baking dish. Place 1 1/2 teaspoons butter into cavity of each apple. Pour maple syrup over and around apples. </div><div align="left">2. Bake apples, basting occasionally with syrup in baking dish, until tender, about 1 hour 45 minutes. Serve hot or cover and refrigerate to serve chilled. </div><div align="left">~Optional~</div><div align="left">Serve with whipped cream!</div><div align="left">Makes 6 servings</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">~Apple Brown Betty~</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Prep. time: 35 min. Bake time: 50 min. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">8 slices firm white bread, torn into 1/2" pieces</div><div align="left">1/2 cup butter or margarine (1 stick), melted</div><div align="left">1 teaspoon ground cinnamon</div><div align="left">2 1/2 pounds Granny Smith apples (about 6 med.), peeled, cored and thinly sliced</div><div align="left">2/3 cup packed brown sugar</div><div align="left">2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice</div><div align="left">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</div><div align="left">1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place bread pieces in jelly-roll pan; bake, stirring occasionally, until very lightly toasted, 12-15 min. Grease shallow 2-quart baking dish. </div><div align="left">2. In medium bowl, combine melted butter and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Add toasted bread pieces, tossing gently until evenly moistened. </div><div align="left">3. In large bowl, combine apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, nutmeg and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon to coat. </div><div align="left">4. Place 1/2 cup toasted bread pieces in baking dish. Cover with half of apple mixture, top with 1 cup toasted bread pieces. Place remining apple mixture on top and sprinkle evenly with remaining bread pieces, leaving 1-inch border around edges.</div><div align="left">5. Cover with foil and bake 40 min. Remove foil and bake until apples are tender and bread pieces have browned, about 10 min. longer. Let stand 10 min. before serving. </div><div align="left">~Optional~</div><div align="left">Be indulgent: Pour a little heavy cream over each serving! </div><div align="left">Makes 8 servings</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Blessings,</div><div align="left">~Rhiannon~</div>Rhiannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762633861100238829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489998526969705633.post-46694753704690877242010-09-15T12:12:00.000-07:002010-09-15T18:42:03.611-07:00Countdown to Mabon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aahhh, Mabon. My time of the year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukN5svddKzAYikzudUfYW8EzcuwQkPtNVCvAok2QsB5e3nEnCZkJ0Pvk1lOUH0hmRgDPmEgUQBNYW7qlvkM_KRWZ-h72_yyZ0zXUbNBoAK69L1Z5Mze4Tf9jA6qQpQa81AchJZbqpgvA/s1600/Imported+Photos+04032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukN5svddKzAYikzudUfYW8EzcuwQkPtNVCvAok2QsB5e3nEnCZkJ0Pvk1lOUH0hmRgDPmEgUQBNYW7qlvkM_KRWZ-h72_yyZ0zXUbNBoAK69L1Z5Mze4Tf9jA6qQpQa81AchJZbqpgvA/s400/Imported+Photos+04032.JPG" width="395" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A time for deep reflection. A time for rememberance for those who have passed. That in turn makes me more aware of what life has to offer...in the time of Mabon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMd3HTM4Ds3NzkC_0g8n4dEERBwbgMGS6wUNF62fQt9Pj45USvf2NG6NLnnrFCmnIg3_co7G1jzs4ANjyByBg-ru44qpy4eUWLuFVGB8yOIz8XMqlY-WJUkP_I6Js7nzL0zng271RCTU/s1600/frederick-morgan-apple-gatherers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMd3HTM4Ds3NzkC_0g8n4dEERBwbgMGS6wUNF62fQt9Pj45USvf2NG6NLnnrFCmnIg3_co7G1jzs4ANjyByBg-ru44qpy4eUWLuFVGB8yOIz8XMqlY-WJUkP_I6Js7nzL0zng271RCTU/s400/frederick-morgan-apple-gatherers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <em>The Apple Gatherers by Frederick Morgan</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The simple ways I look forward to spending Mabon will be with apple picking this year, for myself, my husband and son and anyone else I can tow along. On my menu of apple goodies, I will of course make an apple pie (or 3), apple cinnamon bread, caramel glazed apple cake (with Granny Smiths), an Apple Brown Betty, an Apple Charlotte and simple baked apples. Hm. That sounds quite ambitious. Well, we'll see how much energy I have :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyIQWv3zTXjgkljilRrGwjOkBYkQfLMfWnjosL-bvA-AYKeYMAfAtx4qXioia-gclQ2eo-7VY3_9F1Oa-Iqu790eTfbPyEnklAVw5UT00Y20HbArV7rGDRhubCkjhrhk8cMyEbzExkNo/s1600/albany-covered-bridge-fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyIQWv3zTXjgkljilRrGwjOkBYkQfLMfWnjosL-bvA-AYKeYMAfAtx4qXioia-gclQ2eo-7VY3_9F1Oa-Iqu790eTfbPyEnklAVw5UT00Y20HbArV7rGDRhubCkjhrhk8cMyEbzExkNo/s400/albany-covered-bridge-fall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As always, there is the fabulous fall foliage. This picture above is not of my local area. This is the very blessed New England area. Blessed, as far as this nature lover is concerned, for having some of the countries most beautiful and stunning foliage, one that I plan to visit soon.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1u7kKizW0m5f1jQCTcC-q6U3_t3f9a6ZKcbrQcLX6BB9goeYA1oXvzVI4ysnz1LsNHTDIwMsB7vdca8hfMUhVNKQ1X4Mb43LRWnsw0HHkAccTxiiYRoa3ileSqbbsbSX-BGdmNxWWrc/s1600/Imported+Photos+03233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1u7kKizW0m5f1jQCTcC-q6U3_t3f9a6ZKcbrQcLX6BB9goeYA1oXvzVI4ysnz1LsNHTDIwMsB7vdca8hfMUhVNKQ1X4Mb43LRWnsw0HHkAccTxiiYRoa3ileSqbbsbSX-BGdmNxWWrc/s400/Imported+Photos+03233.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aaaahhh, then of course there is the food, the feasting, the family gatherings. Raised by non-practicing Christian parents, we did not celebrate Mabon and the like. We did the usual Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc. which I still celebrate today, although I celebrate in the pre-Christian traditions of Mabon, Samhain, Yule, etc. needless to say, this goes unbeknownst to my family (parents, siblings, aunts, uncles). As many American pagans, we celebrate Thanksgiving, as it isn't a religious holiday but one of coming together and giving thanks and is high on my list of favorite Mabon celebrations...mainly for the food and family visits!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdMnczUqyBda6FmWq3rvZV3L0LZnnU4oZhOv4hUgdxPjpIJoDMrVWpGQB_-XhXh7g4J_-9d4b9Nr0RNyGW2aH58NRyjvEHibN2UBBc9vajGhQPjaemVI_srBDOQ8dedZCZbbCWJgtzgY/s1600/Imported+Photos+04039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdMnczUqyBda6FmWq3rvZV3L0LZnnU4oZhOv4hUgdxPjpIJoDMrVWpGQB_-XhXh7g4J_-9d4b9Nr0RNyGW2aH58NRyjvEHibN2UBBc9vajGhQPjaemVI_srBDOQ8dedZCZbbCWJgtzgY/s400/Imported+Photos+04039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlfqIbB37rfcSd83_9S-ptmolHrFyIWHRY468wdZSr6R52ShhA6eJmXHLQjPO0iEqlmW-4zpprCcxP7j90YrClxqoYbKysZ2nHeInD9Cj2po2pm0ZfONQyc1nTCDu1XWenYAKRe7bMrs/s1600/pierre-auguste-cot-the-storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlfqIbB37rfcSd83_9S-ptmolHrFyIWHRY468wdZSr6R52ShhA6eJmXHLQjPO0iEqlmW-4zpprCcxP7j90YrClxqoYbKysZ2nHeInD9Cj2po2pm0ZfONQyc1nTCDu1XWenYAKRe7bMrs/s400/pierre-auguste-cot-the-storm.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>by Pierre Auguste</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, being born and raised in Southern California, people are shocked to hear that I don't care for abundant, never-ending sunshine. I do love the beauty of a sunny day but like anything else, I like it in doses. Also, now living in the Southern California mountains, we have a whopping average annual of 310 days of sunshine! I'm one of those few, rare and <em>perceived strange</em>, Southern California natives that loves rain. I love rain, cloudy days, stormy and windy days (the darker and windier, the better!), occasional fog...and snow is always fun ;) But to get caught in a rainstorm, I'd like nothing better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIYtceN4ykA4f_THbmNmfu6pzz86cuRcGO9zyGL5xqCJF9CICAp2n9nHSgBK8R0ZzoozpSFnKYrwWh3jhyphenhyphenLOaIM_hRSuXa0wSdBEfSkuKB12dStWjmM5ZUet54NKSmSHjeCgXkclK4eg/s1600/will+moses+seven+little+princes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIYtceN4ykA4f_THbmNmfu6pzz86cuRcGO9zyGL5xqCJF9CICAp2n9nHSgBK8R0ZzoozpSFnKYrwWh3jhyphenhyphenLOaIM_hRSuXa0wSdBEfSkuKB12dStWjmM5ZUet54NKSmSHjeCgXkclK4eg/s400/will+moses+seven+little+princes.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <em>Seven Little Princes by Will Moses</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, there's Samhain. My absolute favorite holiday of the year. No, it's not a recognized national holiday, but it is, nevertheless, for me and many fellow Pagans. I do not participate in group activities but am a solitary worker. I have my own quiet plans this year but for my family, I plan on a special dinner menu, my son's trick-or-treating, as usual, then home to a candle-lit house where we can feast on breads or pies and as always watch the Nightmare Before Christmas and The Corpse Bride and any other Tim Burton fantasy that my husband will bring home. Later in the evening, I will find my quiet spot and celebrate quietly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is so much to do and to look forward to in every season but I'm counting down to Mabon's Magic. A favorite by Humbert Wolfe:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"<strong><em>Listen! The wind is rising and</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>the air is wild with leaves.</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>We have had our summer evenings,</em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><em>now for October eves!" </em></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apple recipes to come...Blessings Friends!</div>Rhiannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762633861100238829noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489998526969705633.post-74626398928145872322010-09-06T09:48:00.000-07:002010-09-15T18:43:41.582-07:00Looking for Inspiration and a Good Nudge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="277" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbDTXjRU-h1d0zTZs3s__-YyK8k5ZZo0P8LUFoZ0ShE12ZSGKCld8DSIuieUkGdEnMx91MYSVNzHC4yTnW3CrcqQTJ9jec0QJPts6UZebPhdblF30EYqoA2xZiSRhfQ3L835MNVjw9c8/s400/108_Rhiannon.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Merry Meet Friends, </span></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">First I would like to say, my main reason for this blog is partly to get back into Spirit. Something I have, unfortunately, moved away from, progressively over the past 1-2 years. Life got in the way and it crept in and masked my senses to what I have always regarded as central to my being; my spirituality. My beliefs have and always will remain the same but I have felt lost, scattered, unfocused and short tempered, to only name a few, over the past couple of years. So, here I am, trying to re-kindle that Spirit that is my flame, get inspired by my fellow pagans and bring more balance to my life, that in turn, brings balance to all around me; my family, my household and Great Nature herself.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4ohEywlJJGli8jnTlwvm4UUKr87meVux2UAiv-I2D351nkY17lei2Lp96JQu-B75JxNPbeW5gQcaAm8oFXhUnAhbiQN4AVJBYhTVhX6Rgjz8ffWka-XP-dBZhODerSAUQwJYcKNpNfU/s1600/Imported_Photos_03043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4ohEywlJJGli8jnTlwvm4UUKr87meVux2UAiv-I2D351nkY17lei2Lp96JQu-B75JxNPbeW5gQcaAm8oFXhUnAhbiQN4AVJBYhTVhX6Rgjz8ffWka-XP-dBZhODerSAUQwJYcKNpNfU/s320/Imported_Photos_03043.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfkpct3yTq6KzdiYIbHpeaDvw1_vlr3254V8uco4lmJnBTRltffDv7H0JMRCQQ1cdYyx7CKcPMnOwP6Wz-P3eK9XUR4pvivA_kq7kpxK4FdXUGvT8Ip5m71u2ND4W71wkZgUrdGQpAWI/s1600/Imported+Photos+04024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfkpct3yTq6KzdiYIbHpeaDvw1_vlr3254V8uco4lmJnBTRltffDv7H0JMRCQQ1cdYyx7CKcPMnOwP6Wz-P3eK9XUR4pvivA_kq7kpxK4FdXUGvT8Ip5m71u2ND4W71wkZgUrdGQpAWI/s320/Imported+Photos+04024.JPG" /></a></div>Last night, I thought I would lull myself off to sleep with a stack of dusty books, well-hidden beneath my nightstand from um, possible family visits. <em>Non-believing</em> family, that is. Dusty books with a wealth of life-giving inspiration just screaming at me to pick them up for too many moons to count. Last night, I did just that. I knew it was right. It was time...and as for 'lulling off to sleep', ha! They excited me, had me thinking thoughts I hadn't thought of in years; vegetable gardens, Sacred Space, raised flower beds, meditating, clothes drying lines, grounding and focusing and just being more <em>aware</em>, even decorating! Yeah, there's a bit of the witchy Martha Stewart in me. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTnYKC8bNq4eFFEdWQp5kPjsboGlE9RrnOuT3iV-EpmX2cc9-z1Hs2M47NXF-jzRE-mimu1GxT-yjKA_tmtUBYpXynYF4-iuymqcaaxgp6kmtl5UDWM2E90tYFUeevL7BlMTvCw1Ejjs/s1600/Imported+Photos+04027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTnYKC8bNq4eFFEdWQp5kPjsboGlE9RrnOuT3iV-EpmX2cc9-z1Hs2M47NXF-jzRE-mimu1GxT-yjKA_tmtUBYpXynYF4-iuymqcaaxgp6kmtl5UDWM2E90tYFUeevL7BlMTvCw1Ejjs/s320/Imported+Photos+04027.JPG" /></a></div><br />
So, today, I wake up to a much cooler day here in the mountains. One that whispers of Autumn. That, in itself gives me inspiration. Autumn is my time on the wheel. The time of the year this happy, gentle, whimsical soul came to be. The time of the year I chose for my year and a day to begin and end. The time of the year I gave birth to my own little Libra Goddess nearly 21 years ago. My Scorpio husband is also an Autumn baby. My beloved Mabon and Samhain take place and not to mention the colder temps, crisp apples, cherubic pumpkins, winds and whirling leaves that add to the magic of the season. It's time...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZA3XgpS8thdw3e7uXRlONRI44SKVru-zpgx6b-W-EakDAWReQZzzgkHS7JjQqSzTGA2yVKzsQnNRmL0GSWQVM-nY9VAHzONc09ETS9-NALyYzj7OZFCgyua59aagGaBHVtvYaq-Vqxo/s1600/Imported+Photos+04028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZA3XgpS8thdw3e7uXRlONRI44SKVru-zpgx6b-W-EakDAWReQZzzgkHS7JjQqSzTGA2yVKzsQnNRmL0GSWQVM-nY9VAHzONc09ETS9-NALyYzj7OZFCgyua59aagGaBHVtvYaq-Vqxo/s320/Imported+Photos+04028.JPG" /></a></div>Time to be inspired, as I was saying. I woke up this morning with a purpose, a meaning, a focus, a flame. Well, to be honest, a small spark but it's such a different direction I had been on, it feels like a bonfire. A bonfire of inspiration :) <br />
My other reason for the blog, was to not only get inspired, but hopefully I will inspire anyone else who feels the way I had; mentally listless, becoming unaware, becoming hardened and jaded and the list goes on. <br />
Hopefully, I can also pick up some great gardening tips while on my new blog :) Although I have a natural green thumb, I have been presented with a new challenge; our new house (of 3 months) seems to have nutrient depleted soil and plenty of gophers and chipmunks that loooove to munch on anything I have tried to seed. I have ONE lonely sunflower and foxglove left of everything I planted. I tell ya, that sunflower is the most well-protected plant you've ever seen with it's netting and wires! But my green thumb is no match for the critters and soil problems. Raised garden beds is what I'm looking at. I need a little skill, a little info and a lot of blessings to get this thing going...but I have time. As Autumn looks like she'll be here soon, I'm only in the planning stage.<br />
Well, thank you for reading my bit of rant, I look forward to returning each time with more inspiration, given and recieved :)<br />
Blessings,<br />
RhiannonRhiannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762633861100238829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489998526969705633.post-1931614101802415812010-08-30T15:09:00.000-07:002010-09-15T18:44:18.187-07:00New BlogAlthough I am not new to Blogger, this blog however <em>is new</em> and an extension of yet another facet of myself, my life, my beliefs that I need and want to share. I will be back within this week to begin regular posting and to go a-visiting to new and old blogs I love so well. Fare thee well and do come back...Rhiannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16762633861100238829noreply@blogger.com0