Paper lanterns Update

Okay so here is my first attempt at it, they actually would have been fairly perfect except i forgot to turn the seam in the back of the bag:s...

Pardon my crappy lighting...giant shade trees do not make for good pictures sometimes. 

again my crappy lighting and camera...sigh one day i'll have a bitching one..anyway this was attempt # we'll try again in a few days...on another note of summer.. todays pics of events...

Swimming and ice cream what more could a kid want?:P

Paper lanterns Update

Okay so here is my first attempt at it, they actually would have been fairly perfect except i forgot to turn the seam in the back of the bag:s...

Pardon my crappy lighting...giant shade trees do not make for good pictures sometimes. 

again my crappy lighting and camera...sigh one day i'll have a bitching one..anyway this was attempt # we'll try again in a few days...on another note of summer.. todays pics of events...

Swimming and ice cream what more could a kid want?:P

Solstice decorating

Okay so after doing some research and general looking around, I've decided that I want to do paper lanterns for my main deco at my summer solstice  mini party (which basically consists of my, hubby, mini mooch, lil man, my older brother, younger sister, grandmother and my one friend that still likes to come hang out even tho i have kids :D:)

Anyway If they come out right they will look so pretty and magical and I really think the kids will get a treat out of it..
I haven't made these before but here's my idea:

about 6 or 7 smallish paper bags
White/clear Christmas lights
Black marker
and if you're like me and have no outdoor outlet, and extension cord (very old houses don't have those apparently:S)

Kind of what i have in my head but a lil different.

Okay so take your paper bags and fold about 1 inch -1 1/2 inch  at the top down, kinda like a rolled sleeve if you will.
Next find a design you like, pentacle, fern, flower something you enjoy and will make you feel at peace and happy.
Draw or stencil your design in the middle of the bag. draw it upside down because the opening of the bag will be on the bottom.
Carefully with the lights unplugged push on light through the bottom of the bag after it's been unfolded and brought where it would stand on its own, punch the light through the bottom of the bag. Do this with all the bags every so many lights with equal spaces in between.

Another design idea, This one
would probably have an opening in
the back for an led or tea light

Hang the string of lights from a tree or were ever you plant to hang them (could use a fence as well)
Plug in and enjoy.
The paper lanterns them selves will look cool and the lights in between them will be enough to have a nice summer ambiance after the Little witchlings have gone off to bed. I will definitely post pictures when I get mine done.

I probably should mention you can either color your design and leave it dark and have it a dark silhouette or cut it out for a light one and the rest of the bag would be darker.


And another Litha project that I did yesterday was:  Solstice Wreath....

All this was, was two vines from dollar tree and a wicker wreath base from dollar tree as well. Total of $3. I saw the flower when I was shopping and they just screamed at me to take them home. My yard has lost of green in it but no colorful flowers. These just brightened the yard up so much it was amazing:)

Solstice decorating

Okay so after doing some research and general looking around, I've decided that I want to do paper lanterns for my main deco at my summer solstice  mini party (which basically consists of my, hubby, mini mooch, lil man, my older brother, younger sister, grandmother and my one friend that still likes to come hang out even tho i have kids :D:)

Anyway If they come out right they will look so pretty and magical and I really think the kids will get a treat out of it..
I haven't made these before but here's my idea:

about 6 or 7 smallish paper bags
White/clear Christmas lights
Black marker
and if you're like me and have no outdoor outlet, and extension cord (very old houses don't have those apparently:S)

Kind of what i have in my head but a lil different.

Okay so take your paper bags and fold about 1 inch -1 1/2 inch  at the top down, kinda like a rolled sleeve if you will.
Next find a design you like, pentacle, fern, flower something you enjoy and will make you feel at peace and happy.
Draw or stencil your design in the middle of the bag. draw it upside down because the opening of the bag will be on the bottom.
Carefully with the lights unplugged push on light through the bottom of the bag after it's been unfolded and brought where it would stand on its own, punch the light through the bottom of the bag. Do this with all the bags every so many lights with equal spaces in between.

Another design idea, This one
would probably have an opening in
the back for an led or tea light

Hang the string of lights from a tree or were ever you plant to hang them (could use a fence as well)
Plug in and enjoy.
The paper lanterns them selves will look cool and the lights in between them will be enough to have a nice summer ambiance after the Little witchlings have gone off to bed. I will definitely post pictures when I get mine done.

I probably should mention you can either color your design and leave it dark and have it a dark silhouette or cut it out for a light one and the rest of the bag would be darker.


And another Litha project that I did yesterday was:  Solstice Wreath....

All this was, was two vines from dollar tree and a wicker wreath base from dollar tree as well. Total of $3. I saw the flower when I was shopping and they just screamed at me to take them home. My yard has lost of green in it but no colorful flowers. These just brightened the yard up so much it was amazing:)

Midsummer

Okay so Midsummer/Litha is right around the corner and next to Samhain, it was one of my favorite Sabbats. Something just so magical about midsummer, even more so imo. At our home we usually do a small bonefire in a fire pit. Bbq, roast marshmellows later in the evening, and after the kids have gone to bed, us adults have a few midsummer drinks:P.

Our rituals are small but we dance around the fire and give and offering to the fae. My daughter last year made a flower chain. My husband made little cookie drops, and I made a Smoke offering ;P.

We ask that the Goddess and the Fae bless us through the rest of the year and watch over us and then we douse ourselves with fairy dust that we make. Adults and kids alike have a blast. Last year the day after we woke up to a fairy ring in our back yard. Trinity went nuts running around screaming "the fairies came the fairies came!!!"

Gonna share some of my midsummer recipes for the next few weeks till midsummer is upon us:P. First one os for those who cannot drink such as kids, people who can't due to medications or medical conditions or those who simply choose not to.

Midsummer Fae Tea:

Makes a decent sized pitcher
4 chamomile tea bags
3 regular black tea bags
6 Lavender flower Whole or 2 tablespoon dried lavender

Pop a coffee filter in the coffee pot, add all the ingredients and brew like you would with coffee.
Pour whole pot into pitcher and add another pitcher of cold water.
Chill and serve over ice.

Makes and awesome refreshing drink. we make it year long around here when we get the winter blues.

Blessed Be
    *Spiritrunner*

Midsummer

Okay so Midsummer/Litha is right around the corner and next to Samhain, it was one of my favorite Sabbats. Something just so magical about midsummer, even more so imo. At our home we usually do a small bonefire in a fire pit. Bbq, roast marshmellows later in the evening, and after the kids have gone to bed, us adults have a few midsummer drinks:P.

Our rituals are small but we dance around the fire and give and offering to the fae. My daughter last year made a flower chain. My husband made little cookie drops, and I made a Smoke offering ;P.

We ask that the Goddess and the Fae bless us through the rest of the year and watch over us and then we douse ourselves with fairy dust that we make. Adults and kids alike have a blast. Last year the day after we woke up to a fairy ring in our back yard. Trinity went nuts running around screaming "the fairies came the fairies came!!!"

Gonna share some of my midsummer recipes for the next few weeks till midsummer is upon us:P. First one os for those who cannot drink such as kids, people who can't due to medications or medical conditions or those who simply choose not to.

Midsummer Fae Tea:

Makes a decent sized pitcher
4 chamomile tea bags
3 regular black tea bags
6 Lavender flower Whole or 2 tablespoon dried lavender

Pop a coffee filter in the coffee pot, add all the ingredients and brew like you would with coffee.
Pour whole pot into pitcher and add another pitcher of cold water.
Chill and serve over ice.

Makes and awesome refreshing drink. we make it year long around here when we get the winter blues.

Blessed Be
    *Spiritrunner*

Ahh Beltane

Besides Midsummer and Samhain,  Beltane is right up there with them. Spring has sprung, all the beautiful flowers and Colors and all the babies. May is a busy month here in my family. We have Beltane right off the bat with some fun traditions  that I will share in a minute. My daughters birthday may 5th and Mothers the following week/weekend. for the most part we celebrate Birthday and Mother's day on the weekend after the 5th just so we can do em in one go and not have as much over stimulation and stress from the massive dishes:P

Okay for Beltane:)

Lots of spring colors, blues, pinks, greens, yellows. A lot of our home flowers haven't budded yet so we use fake reusable flowers to decorate for the whole week. Since we don't really have a place for a maypole in our yard we use the tree. It looks really cool after its done too.

This year might be harder to build a Beltane fire than previously but i'm going to attempt to make a kind of fire pit out of an old, and i mean OLD round BBQ that we've had since i can remember.
After the kids have played have their fun and everyone has eaten time for adults to sit and drink some Pineapple cocktail bliss. (all of course after the kids have gone to bed)

May not seem like a lot but its what we do and have fun doing it.

Beltane dinner:

White cheddar and shells with southern style chicken chunks
Red wine vinagret salad
spring cupcakes:P
Pineapple cocktail bliss

White cheddar shells and southern style chicken chunks:(if you have more than three ppl you will need to double this recipe)
Okay for this you need a box of the shells and white cheddar make those according to the box and put them in a big bowl when done and chill till cold and sauce is very thick

Take A large chicken breast that has been marinading AT LEAST 24 hours in italian salad dressing.
Cut them in to 1 inch chunks. Set aside while you prepare the flour and wash.
Take one large egg and 1/3 cup milk and whisk together till well mixed
Take your chicken chunks and toss them in the egg wash.
In a bowl have 1-2 cups flour and 2 tablespoons sea salt
Mix the flour and salt well then take your washed chicken chunks and roll them into the flour to make sure they are covered well in flour.
In a large pan (I prefer cast iron over the poison non stick crap)
add some olive oil
Pop your battered chicken in the pan and cook on each side long enough to give it a nice golden brown color. The chunks should be small enough that if they cook just that long they will be cooked all the way through but still done and juicy.

Take you shells you made earlier out of the fridge and add the souther style chunks to the pasta while chicken is hot and pasta is cold.


Pineapple cocktail bliss
Pineapple chunks frozen
Pineapple juice
pre mixed fruit punch powder
White rum

Put your frozen pineapple chunks int he blender cover halfway with pineapple juice and the rest of the way just to cover the chunks with the rum.
add 1/4 cup of the fruit punch powder and blend till smooth server in pretty glasses with a lemon wedge and umbrella:P

Salad is pretty much a basic salad with dressing
Cupcakes I  usually go ahead and buy at the store as im crap at icing, lol

anyway Blessed Be
Spiritrunner

Ahh Beltane

Besides Midsummer and Samhain,  Beltane is right up there with them. Spring has sprung, all the beautiful flowers and Colors and all the babies. May is a busy month here in my family. We have Beltane right off the bat with some fun traditions  that I will share in a minute. My daughters birthday may 5th and Mothers the following week/weekend. for the most part we celebrate Birthday and Mother's day on the weekend after the 5th just so we can do em in one go and not have as much over stimulation and stress from the massive dishes:P

Okay for Beltane:)

Lots of spring colors, blues, pinks, greens, yellows. A lot of our home flowers haven't budded yet so we use fake reusable flowers to decorate for the whole week. Since we don't really have a place for a maypole in our yard we use the tree. It looks really cool after its done too.

This year might be harder to build a Beltane fire than previously but i'm going to attempt to make a kind of fire pit out of an old, and i mean OLD round BBQ that we've had since i can remember.
After the kids have played have their fun and everyone has eaten time for adults to sit and drink some Pineapple cocktail bliss. (all of course after the kids have gone to bed)

May not seem like a lot but its what we do and have fun doing it.

Beltane dinner:

White cheddar and shells with southern style chicken chunks
Red wine vinagret salad
spring cupcakes:P
Pineapple cocktail bliss

White cheddar shells and southern style chicken chunks:(if you have more than three ppl you will need to double this recipe)
Okay for this you need a box of the shells and white cheddar make those according to the box and put them in a big bowl when done and chill till cold and sauce is very thick

Take A large chicken breast that has been marinading AT LEAST 24 hours in italian salad dressing.
Cut them in to 1 inch chunks. Set aside while you prepare the flour and wash.
Take one large egg and 1/3 cup milk and whisk together till well mixed
Take your chicken chunks and toss them in the egg wash.
In a bowl have 1-2 cups flour and 2 tablespoons sea salt
Mix the flour and salt well then take your washed chicken chunks and roll them into the flour to make sure they are covered well in flour.
In a large pan (I prefer cast iron over the poison non stick crap)
add some olive oil
Pop your battered chicken in the pan and cook on each side long enough to give it a nice golden brown color. The chunks should be small enough that if they cook just that long they will be cooked all the way through but still done and juicy.

Take you shells you made earlier out of the fridge and add the souther style chunks to the pasta while chicken is hot and pasta is cold.


Pineapple cocktail bliss
Pineapple chunks frozen
Pineapple juice
pre mixed fruit punch powder
White rum

Put your frozen pineapple chunks int he blender cover halfway with pineapple juice and the rest of the way just to cover the chunks with the rum.
add 1/4 cup of the fruit punch powder and blend till smooth server in pretty glasses with a lemon wedge and umbrella:P

Salad is pretty much a basic salad with dressing
Cupcakes I  usually go ahead and buy at the store as im crap at icing, lol

anyway Blessed Be
Spiritrunner