Rest in Peace, Daydream Believer

Saying goodbye to Davy Jones from "The Monkees" who died of a heart attack today at the age of 66 years old. So sad.  I grew up with this wonderful music and it will always be a sentimental part of me as will Davy, Mickey, Mike and Peter.


"Daydream Believer"
http://youtu.be/ehJNw-T3gpo



"Valleri"
http://youtu.be/QWTa9CE51sA

In honor of National Friendship Week

"That's What Friends Are For"

And I never thought I'd feel this way
And as far as I'm concerned
I'm glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe I love you

And if I should ever go away
Well, then close your eyes and try to feel
The way we do today
And then if you can remember

Keep smilin', keep shinin'
Knowin' you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for

Well, you came and opened me
And now there's so much more I see
And so by the way I thank you

Whoa, and then for the times when we're apart
Well, then close your eyes and know
These words are comin' from my heart
And then if you can remember, oh

Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
In good times, in bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
Oh, that's what friends are for

An Irish Friendship Blessing

May there always be work for your hands to do;

May your purse always hold a coin or two,

May the Sun always shine on your windowpane;

May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain,

May the hand of a friend always be near you;

May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you!

Ostara Altar and other stuff

As you can see, I also put out my Ostara altar complete with the usual seasonal trimmings ~ statue of Eostre with Her sacred animal the Hare at her feet and showing her belly heavy with Spring and ready to soon give birth to every living thing, basket of decorated eggs (porcelain, of course, not real!), vine of spring flowers and pink and purple ritual candles. All in honor of Eostre, the Teutonic Lunar Goddess of Fertility.

Oh yes, and here are a few pics from last night's special birthday dinner at my bestie Judy's house ...

Smile!!

Making our birthday wishes!

Judy with son and also a member of our solitary Wiccan group, Rich

Judy opening her present from me (with hubby Draco)

A music box that you can put a 5 X 7 pic in and plays, "That's What Friends Are For"

My gift from Judy  ~ a pretty amber matching earring and bracelet set

She had quite a housefull of guests including her mother and father-in-law, her two sisters, her mom and a couple more of our friends. We had a great time and it was so wonderful seeing her again. But, the really cool thing is that we both (without knowing) happened to make the very same birthday wish (although I can't tell you what it is or it won't come true ~ LOL)!! Then again,  I suppose that I shouldn't be too surprised at this as we are, after all, each others' twin soul!  ;)

Decorating for Ostara

Don't you just love to decorate for the sabbats? The feeling of excitement that I get both before and after decorating my home simply addes to the anticipation of the changing seasons.

Last night I decided to begin decorating a little early while doing my regular weekly house cleaning. Every year, I try to add a little something new and different. So, this year it was a beautiful ceramic Spring dish which I had gotten as one of my birthday presents this year ...

The rest of my stuff, for the most part, I have had for many years now and faithfully put out every year ...

Eostre statue (one of my favorites!)

Handmade Ostara & bunny decoration

Yankee Candle Tart Burner w/tea light

Spring votive candle holder

Musical Bunny (if you press his cotton tail, he plays "Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail")

Spring banner

I figured since the weather has been so unusually warm here for this time of the year, it feels as though Spring has already sprung!!

Fun Friday ~ The Witch's Song

Special Surprise for Mom and ... Mom?

As you all know, I feel as though I have two loving moms ~ my "real" mom whom I am very blesssed with and my wonderful mother-in-law whom my mom also thinks the world of.

Lately, I have been really enjoying making decorative wreaths because it is so relaxing and therapeudic for me. It is kind of funny because every time I take my wreaths to the "Mail 'n' Ship 4 U" place where I mail out my blog give-away gifts, the owner who also works there always says to me, "Did you make these? These are beautiful!" LOL! I have to admit that it makes me feel like I did something good! ;- )

Anyway, I thought that while I was at it, I would make a couple of special ones for both my moms. The one above I made for my mother-in-law called, "Home is where the heart is" and the other one is a heart-shaped winter wreath  for my mom ...

Speaking of wreaths, I still have 3 spots left for my "Pay It Forward 2012" if anyone is interested in joining me! Also, for those who have already participated I want you to know that I sent your specially made wreaths out to you yesterday. Have an awesome weekend everybody!!

Busy Birthday Weekend

Today is my (cough, cough), 48th birthday ~ LOL! However, yesterday my sister Robin and a very dear and sweet friend of mine from work surprised me with some very beautiful birthday presents!

My funny B-day cards ;-)

"Willow Tree "Strength, Beauty and Peace Each Day" Journal from sis' Robin

Elegant glass Yankee Candle Set

Later on last night, my mother and father-in-law treated my hubby and I to a delicious dinner at Red Lobster (my choice as "birthday girl" of course). 

Judy 'n' me Birthday pic ~ 1996 ...



... Us on Samhain 2010

On Saturday night my twin soul and one of my long-time and closest friends, Judy, is making all of us a special birthday dinner after which we will exchange our gifts.  Her birthday is always the day after mine and every year for the past 16 years now we make every effort to celebrate our birthday's together.

Then on Sunday my mom is making a homemade spaghetti family dinner for me along with her scrumptious "Wacky Cake" which is a Pennsyvlania Dutch recipe for a moist chocolate cake. MMMM good! Want me to save you all a piece? ;)

Looking forward to a GREAT weekend full of family and friends ~ life is good.

ALERT! Google Friend Connect is going away!!!

That's right, my friends. It looks like Google has gotten too big for its' own britches! As of March 1, 2012, Google has decided to get rid of the Google Friend Connect feature in order to plug its' Google +. This means that any followers who are currently following my blog on Google Friend Connect (and other blogs for that matter) who do not have a blog on Blogger will be automatically deleted from my blog followers by Google from what I have read!!!

Personally, I think this really stinks, but fortunately I have decided to join Linky Followers as many of my fellow bloggers have already done. I have added a Linky Followers link on the right-hand side of my blog for those who, I HOPE, will decide to continue to follow my blog by joining! It is pretty easy. It is free and all you really need to join is your e-mail account. That's it.

I would truly miss any one of you should I lose you due to Google. You are so wonderful and I have so enjoyed getting to know many of you through my blog. You are all so wonderful!!!

Brightest Blessings to all,

Kim

Happy Fasnacht Day!!!!

Today, my friends, was Fasnacht Day here in Berks County and other surrounding areas in Lancaster, PA. For those of you who have never heard of Fasnacht Day, it is a traditional yearly celebration held the day before lent and is also known as "Shrove Tuesday." The word fasnacht literally means, "carnival" and is also a celebrated custom in Basel, Switzerland.

Fasnacht's are actually doughnuts without holes and were originally made as a way to empty one's pantry of lard, sugar, fat and butter done just before lent fasting. Being born and raised in a Pennsylvania Dutch family, I can tell you that we believe in the old adage, "waste not, want not!" LOL!

This is the only time of the year when fasnacht's are sold in our local grocery stores and food shoppes. I have included a recipe on how to make these tasty little treats! Some are made with powdered sugar and some are prepared without. It is simply a matter of taste.

Fasnacht Doughnuts/Donuts

Ingredients needed:

2 cups mashed potatoes (optional)

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup butter

1 quart milk ~ scalded and cooled

5 cups flour

3 packages yeast in 1 cup warm water (dissolve yeast in water then add teaspoon sugar)

2 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

Rest of 5 pound bag of flour

Directions:

Mix first six ingredients in order with electric mixer. Let rise until double, approximately four hours at room temperature. Stir remaining 3 ingredients into previous batter. Let rise until double (approximately 5 hours). Roll and cut. Let rise again until double (2-3 hours).

Then, fry in lard at 425 degrees.  Best served with molasses poured over top of them. Makes 100 fasnachts.

Pay It Forward 2012!!

Happy Sunday everyone! Gotta question for you? Would anyone like a free handmade wreath made by me??? Allow me to explain.

I am joining Linda from Olde Baggs'n Stuft Shirts, "Pay It Forward 2012." I first read about it actually on the cool blog MagicLoveCrow and felt very much compelled to join the fun!!!

This is how it works:

I promise to make something handmade for the first 5 people who comment on my blog about this post ~

They must in turn post this and make something for the first 5 people who comment on their blog ... and so on.

The rules are that it must be made by you and they must receive it by 2013. It is a great way to both share your passion for your work with others and spread some positive energy around to all!!!

Brightest Blessings,

Kim

And the winner's are ...

Good morning, my friends!! Hope everyone is having a great weekend so far. I am getting started bright and early this morning to bring you all the winner's of my Spring Give-Away!

And here goes ...

The winner of the homemade "Wheel of the Year" wreath is Jill

The winner of "The Modern Witch's Book of Herbs and Healing" is Robin Larkspur

The decorative Faerie Wand winner is Magaly

The winner of the "Astrology Through a Psychic's Eyes" is Sunshineshelle

And finally, the winner of the "Sabbats Almanac" is Bliss

A very special "Thank You" to each and every one of you who have participated! Please believe me when I say that I wish I could have given a gift to everyone. I so really do love doing give-aways and I am planning another one possibly close to Midsummer ~ so watch for it, my friends!

If the winner's would be so kind as to e-mail me their addresses within the next couple of days, I would be very happy to get your gifts out to you within the coming week. I assure you that your personal addresses will remain private!!! My e-mail address is Ladycaer1964@yahoo.com.

(I will hold the gifts for three days, no longer. In the interest of fairness, If a gift is not claimed via e-mail, I will pick another winner in its' place). 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!!!

Brotherly Love

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post as I have some rather sad news. My sister-in-law Robin's brother, Mark, has passed away at the young age of 44. Some of you may remember her from a few of my previous posts as her Craft name of Aurora Skye. She was very close to him and, needless to say, this is an extremely hard time for her.

As her "sister" I will always be there for her as I have been throughout all these many years ~ and she for me. There is never a way to prepare for the death of someone we love, espeically when it is so untimely and so unexpected. Mark was beloved by all who knew him. His family, his friends, his co-workers.

Robin's mom Eleanor, Robin & her brother Mark ~ 2011

 

I am praying for her and her family and I am asking everyone if they could please send her some positive energy at this very difficult time. 

Goddess Bless,

Kim

Fun Friday: "How Soon Is Now?" ~ Love Spit Love

Just posting a bit early because I know that I will be too busy tomorrow night is all. My husband turned me on to this song even before it was used as the theme song for "Charmed.".Have a wonderful Friday everybody and I will catch up with you all on Saturday!!!

Family Ties

A Mother's Love

A mother's love is always there,

With a tender touch or an knowing glare;

She encourages your dreams

and supports your goals,

She's a faithful friend

and a caring soul;

She's never too busy to lend a hand,

or a helpful word ~ she will understand

We don't always say

what our heart's know is true,

But one thing's for sure, mom ~

My love for you

~ Lady Caer Morganna

(Kim Witycyak)

Many years ago, I wrote this poem for my mother-in-law. A sweet, caring woman who has always been like a second mother to me and someone whom I feel very blessed to have in my life. With all of life's little uncertainties, she has always been there for both my hubby and I no matter what and we are very grateful to her for so very many things. Thanks, mom ~ we love you!!!

Just a little reminder ...

Just a friendly reminder to all of you who participated in my Spring Give-Away to stop on by this Saturday the 18th to find out if you won any one of the five give-away prizes!!!

Good luck and Brightest Blessings to everyone!!!

Happy, Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Even my kitty cat, Midnight, is enjoying Valentine's Day (isn't he just too cute?)!!  Remember my Yule gift from my hubby which I had to return because it was broken? Well, I finally got the replacement from Sears today. Ironic, right? I would happen to receive it after all this time on Valentine's Day of all days?

Cassette tape converter with turn table

Anyway, all we have to do now is figure out how to use it ~ LOL!!! I am so excited and can't wait to try it out so that I can finally post my tapes onto my blog as promised! Even Midnight wants to get in on helping us ...

Midnight "vogue-ing" for the camera

Our cards to eachother and candy from hubby!! (I am taking him out for some fine dining this weekend!)

I hope everyone has a very memorable Valentine's Day whether it be with family or friends!!! Blessings ALL!!

What's in a Holiday?: Lupercalia

I have always been fascinated by our holiday traditions and where they actually came from. St. Valentine’s Day, as with so many of the contemporary holidays which we, as Americans, celebrate today, has its’ beginnings in Paganism. In ancient Rome, a Pagan fertility and purification festival called Lupercalia, was celebrated. Lupercalia is uniquely Roman and was named after the fertility god Lupercus, protector of flocks against wolves. In fact, he was often identified with the gods Pan and Faunus.

Lupercalia was an important festival and historical records indicate that Mark Antony was Master of the Luperci College of Priests. In the year 44BC,, he chose the Lupercalia festival as the proper time to offer the crown to Julius Caesar. Since February occurred later on the ancient calendar than it does today, Lupercalia was held in the spring. Each year on February 15, the Luperci priests gathered on Palatine Hill at the cave of Lupercal. Young men wore their loincloths and led the priests around the pomerium, the sacred boundary of the ancient city, and around the base of the hills of Rome.

Long after Palatine became the center of the powerful city, state and empire of Rome, the Lupercalia festival lived on. Roman armies took the Lupercalia customs with them as they invaded France and Britain. One of these customs was a lottery where the names of available maidens were placed in a box and then drawn by the young men. Each man accepted the girl whose name he drew as his love for the duration of the festival, which lasted from February 13^th to the 15^th, sometimes longer.

Circa 289AD, a Christian named Valentine of Rome was martyred under the Emperor Claudius. Valentine was a bishop in the city who was arrested for giving aid to prisoners. While in prison, he was said to have converted his jailer by healing the man’s blind daughters’ sight. He then fell in love with her and from his death row cell, he wrote her a note signed, “From Your Valentine.”

Somewhere around 197AD, Christianity began to slowly do away with the Pagan pantheons. It frequently replaced the festivals of the Pagan gods with its’ own modern celebrations to fit the life and teachings of Christ. Lupercalia, with its’ lover lottery, had no place in the new order. In the year 496AD, Pope Gelasius did away with the festival of Lupercalia, citing it as Pagan and immoral. He chose Valentine as the Patron Saint of lovers who would be honored at the new festival on February 14^th.

It is believed that the very first valentine cards were the slips of paper bearing the names of maidens the early Romans first drew. Or, perhaps the note which Valentine passed to his sweetheart from his prison cell.

By the 17^th century; however, handmade cards became quite elaborate and pre-fabricated ones were only for the wealthy. In 1797, a British publisher issued, “The Young Man’s Valentine Writer,” which contained suggested sentimental literature for the young lover. Today, the St. Valentine’s Day traditions continue with the giving of chocolates, jewelry and flowers. An estimated 1 billion St. Valentine’s Day cards will be sent worldwide, making it the second most celebrated holiday after Christmas.