Pride & Prejudice Documentary

Here is a most informative radio documentary about Jane Austen and her novel, Pride and Prejudice, this year celebrating the 200th anniversary of its publication. A great deal of interesting information with lovely music and clips from various productions pepper the documentary. Something I learned and I didn't realize, there is a Pride and Prejudice opera!!! Jane and opera, I am beside myself that two great loves are combined. This will be a must listen to, at least, if I cannot find a DVD or live performance.

And why am I posting this here, a witchy, goddess blog? Well... in my opinion, Jane was definitely a sorceress, weaving words into magick. Perhaps you agree?




Blessings nine!

More This & That

It is a truth universally acknowledged that until a woman reaches a certain age she does not qualify for certain discounts available to her elder sisters. Dear reader, I now qualify! Yes, indeed, yesterday I reached the big 55. A "dear" friend sent me, just a few weeks ago, a completely amazing list of all the discounts one qualifies for when reaching the ripe and wise age of 55. The majority of these are not publicized, but they are available if one asks for them - such as 10% off at various chain restaurants, etc. She also sent discounts for those 65 years and older as my darling other half reached that milestone a few months ago. Friends, they are so dear to one's heart!

As some of you know, I am married to a nice Jewish guy - in fact, due to the Jewish by injection factor, many of my Jewish friends tell me I'm more Jewish than any Jew they know! Hey, when I first married I intensely studied How To Run A Traditional Jewish Home by Blu Greenberg! Of course, for years I have been working on my own version, The Witch's Guide To Managing the Pagan-Jewish Home, but that is neither here nor there. It was inevitable with so many Jewish friends and in-law relatives, I would become one of the tribe - in my own way, of course! Anyway, the point of all this, I think, is that it is with delight that I discovered, from one of the many Jane Austen blogs I read, a new version of Pride and Prejudice - P & P, The Jewess and the Gentile by Lev Raphael! As the author says on his webpage, http://www.levraphael.com/pride-and-prejudice-jewess.html, get ready for Pride and Prejudice and brisket! (Now that's cute!) Our lovely heroine, Lizzy, is a nice Anglo-Jewish gal with attitude, Mrs. Bennet is a Jewish mother and Mr. Darcy is himself. Can it work? I immediately ordered it on my Nook - how could I resist? If it turns out to be as hilarious as described, I will order a hard copy for my collection of JA take-offs. I am beside myself - yes, again!

In other, less mundane news, Hekate's Night is the 13th and a full moon. We are planning a major ritual, of course. Since our little coven is dedicated to Her, this is a major celebration. I know many devotees around the world will be celebrating as well which will make for an energetically intense event. I will be posting a simple ritual to honor Hekate in a few days for those who wish to celebrate but have not done so before.

Later in the month, coinciding with the New Moon, I will begin a monthly women's gathering for discussion, meditation and even a little magick focusing on  the Divine Feminine. We will meet at Nature's Emporium in Coral Springs, Florida on Tuesday, August 30th at 7: 30 PM. If you are in the area and are interested in joining us, please see our Facebook page for further updates: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Natures-Emporium/102956843131674

And now, after a day of napping, reading, talking on the phone and saying thank you on Facebook to all my family and buds who sent birthday wishes, it is time to take a few stitches to complete my day. I napped so much I'm wide awake! A cup of tea and some stitching is just the thing to relax. Perhaps a little music too, via iPod, so as not to disturb my other half. Yes, that does sound perfect.

Sweet dreams and...

Blessings nine!

Her (Jane Austen) needlework, both plain and ornamental was excellent,

and she might have put a sewing machine to shame.

She was considered especially great in satin stitch.

James Edward Austen-Leigh, 1871

Home Again, Hot Peppers, Bugs, Eel and Such

I have returned from my mother's and am settling back into life at the Toadstool. The Schmoodle was beside himself to see me when I arrived and has not left my side - to be honest, I was just as delighted to see him - oh how I missed my little furball! My favorite man was off with his bonsai group and their show at Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Miami, but returned home by midnight and appropriately greeted me etc., etc. after a three week separation!

I immediately unpacked upon returning with the exception of books and needlework. I am exhausted. I don't know about anyone else (well, actually I do, but never mind) I just never sleep well away from home. I was SO sad to leave my mother - we had a great time, but at the same time just wanted my own little Toadstool Condo and all its lovely things that make my life so pleasant. Oh well, I will go back up in November - Enchanted Earth is hosting a concert featuring Kellianna - I'll kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.

The last two evenings at my mother's were spent playing bingo - which... I LOVE!!! Who knew??? I'm really surprised, but I'm going to have to find a local group, I do love it! Oh, did I mention that between the two of us we won $75.00 over the two nights? A great team. 

And now a little something I found whilst reading Jane Austen blogs!  You may (or not) find it interesting, peculiar or a combination of both - which I did and therefore decided to display those things I have eaten from this list - which includes those I will NEVER eat! This isn't really a Janeite thing, but I did get the link from a Jane blog so hence the bit of Jane-speak!


From Andrew Wheeler:
Here’s a chance for a little interactivity for all the bloggers out there. Below is a list of 100 things that I think every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life. The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food - but a good omnivore should really try it all. Don’t worry if you haven’t, mind you; neither have I, though I’ll be sure to work on it. Don’t worry if you don’t recognise everything in the hundred, either; Wikipedia has the answers. (Note by W of S: some things just didn't sound as if I needed to know what they are!) 



Here’s what I want you to do:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.

2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.

3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.

4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.


1. Venison

2. Nettle tea (regularly)

3. Huevos rancheros

4. Steak tartare

5. Crocodile

6. Black pudding

7. Cheese fondue

8. Carp

9. Borscht

10. Baba ghanoush (ah, love it!)

11. Calamari (fried, I love this too!)

12. Pho

13. PB&J sandwich (nothing like it!)

14. Aloo gobi

15. Hot dog from a street cart (another nothing like it!)

16. Epoisses

17. Black truffle

18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes

19. Steamed pork buns

20. Pistachio ice cream
 (oh, oh, delish!)
21. Heirloom tomatoes (have I mentioned that I am addicted to tomatoes?)
 
22. Fresh wild berries

23. Foie gras
 (AHHHHH)
24. Rice and beans

25. Brawn, or head cheese

26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper

27. Dulce de leche

28. Oysters

29. Baklava

30. Bagna cauda

31. Wasabi peas (tried them and won't eat them again! Why would anyone?)

32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl

33. Salted lassi

34. Sauerkraut

35. Root beer float

36. Cognac with a fat cigar

37. Clotted cream tea (another AHHHHHH)

38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O

39. Gumbo

40. Oxtail

41. Curried goat

42. Whole insects (ok, one flew in my mouth and down my throat, no choice but to swallow!)

43. Phaal

44. Goat’s milk

45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more

46. Fugu

47. Chicken tikka masala

48. Eel

49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut

50. Sea urchin

51. Prickly pear

52. Umeboshi

53. Abalone

54. Paneer

55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal

56. Spaetzle

57. Dirty gin martini

58. Beer above 8% ABV

59. Poutine

60. Carob chips

61. S’mores

62. Sweetbreads

63. Kaolin

64. Currywurst

65. Durian

66. Frogs’ legs

67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake

68. Haggis

69. Fried plantain

70. Chitterlings, or andouillette

71. Gazpacho

72. Caviar and blini
 (another AHHHHHHH!)
73. Louche absinthe

74. Gjetost, or brunost
 (no clue, but it doesn't sound whilesome!)
75. Roadkill

76. Baijiu (???)

77. Hostess Fruit Pie

78. Snail
 (haven't yet, won't say never, but unlikely - the slime!!!)
79. Lapsang souchong (most delightful blended with a nice Assam, 1 part LS, 3 parts A)

80. Bellini

81. Tom yum

82. Eggs Benedict
 (yummy!)
83. Pocky
 (what? I don't think I can eat something named Pocky!!)
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.

85. Kobe beef

86. Hare

87. Goulash

88. Flowers

89. Horse

90. Criollo chocolate

91. Spam

92. Soft shell crab

93. Rose harissa (I have to find out what this is - anything rose is delightful!)

94. Catfish

95. Mole poblano (isn't poblano something to do with hot peppers?)

96. Bagel and lox

97. Lobster Thermidor

98. Polenta

99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee

100. Snake 


61 out of 100 - I think, it's almost 3:30 AM, I'm bleary eyed. Now that I've finished that,  I can sleep!


Blessings nine!

Sunday Musings

Take the Quiz here!

Very nice - I adore Anne's character and Persuasion is a favorite. I love a little quiz like this. Thanks to my friend Judy for sending me the link.

Just about finished with Mansfield Park & Mummies which I am enjoying. I look forward to Jane Bites Back and can't wait to get it started. I also have an order in for some books about Jane and her time, so that should keep me busy along with...

Yes, The Nativity! I finished the pine tree that gave me a bit of a fit by putting the fabric in a frame. The frame helped pull the threads apart making it easier. The fabric is 32 count, which I never have a problem with, however this linen has thick, round threads - maybe that is the issue. Also stitching a little freebie, Love, from The Stitcherhood (www.stitcherhood.com) on that same piece of Exemplar 40 count linen that I did Thankful & Time on. I probably have enough linen left to do one more little piece. Now if I could just get them framed or finished in some way.

I did a lovely, solitary full moon ritual last night which has left me feeling peaceful. Mike was with his bonsai group so I had plenty of quiet time. A magical night!

So... the dishes need doing and I promised Mike a batch of shortbread so I had best get to it if I want to get any stitching done today.

Blessings nine!

More Jane Austen

Well, I'm at it again! Reading novels, that is, with a Jane Austen theme. This time, Mansfield Park and Mummies. This one has mummies, as the title informs, as well as werewolves, vampires and curses! One would think Jane might be rolling in her grave... or not!!! No, in the next book on my fiction pile is Jane Bites Back - Jane is actually undead and living (I guess one would say living) in modern upstate New York - yes, Jane is a vampire! And would you believe a third JA book awaits me? Emma and the Werewolves.

I am, gentle reader, beside myself!

Blessings none!

Jane Austen Challenge Finished!

Finished at last! Yes, I've completed my Everything Austen Challenge and much more. Originally, beginning July 1st, one was supposed to choose six Austen related tasks and complete them by January 1st. A little ways along, someone came up with the idea to do twelve, I believe. I became so engrossed in this little challenge that I ended up completing thirteen - but of course!!!! What else would a witch do? No mere dozen for me, it had to be... that most mysterious and misunderstood of numbers, thirteen! I was watching DVDs, reading like a mad woman (alright, so that's nothing new) and then finally.... after changing my mind several times, chose a little embroidery piece, Cheerful Company by The Sampler Girl (www.samplergirl.com) and... just a few minutes ago, took the final stitch. So there I am, Everything Austen Challenge complete. Hurray!

Here's my list of completed Austen related tasks:

1. Watched DVD, Persuasion (Amanda Root & Ciaran Hinds)

2. Watched DVD, Lost In Austen

3. Read What Would Jane Austen Do?

4. Read Jane Austen Ruined My Life

5. Read Tea With Jane Austen

6. Read Mr. Darcy, Vampire

7. Read Sense & Sensibility & Sea Monsters

8. Read Pride & Prejudice & Zombies

9. Watched DVD, Northanger Abbey (Masterpiece, 2007)

10. Read Jane Austen, A Life

11. Watched DVD, Becoming Jane

12. Watched DVD, Miss Austen Regrets

13. Stitched Cheerful Company, a design by The Sampler Girl

And here is the sweet little piece, stitched on 40 count Examplar linen, along with a stitching basket purchased long ago, forgotten and abandoned at our storage facility. I came across it a few weeks ago and brought it home. Also you can see a pair of scissors with a little scissor fob. I have so many favorite things that surround me; books, stitching treasures, fabric, threads and charts, tea necessities - need I go on? One can easily see why we have a storage facility in addition to Toadstool Condo - Beneath the Mushroom storage bay, LOL!

Thoroughly enjoyed this and one thing leads to another, so it is likely I will be continuing the Jane Austen adventure. So many books, so many samplers, etc. - I can't help myself. Everyone has their "special stuff" that makes life so delightful. And speaking of delightful things, a cup of an especially soothing tea is in order. I shall put the kettle on the hob... err, the stove - I'm living in Jane Austen mode, sorry!

In other news, today begins the Brumalia, honoring the goddess, Bruma, Roman goddess of the Winter Season. I celebrate for two days - don't really have a reason, I am just inclined to do so. To honor Her, welcome Winter by decorating home and altar with icicles, snowflakes, white candles and white lace. My decorations lean toward that and lots of red on the Solstice tree, among antique ornaments, stitched ornaments, cutest ornaments on the planets...! We are thankful for this time of year where we can be cozy in our homes and enjoy the journey within. Soon enough the days will become longer, embrace the darkness and its healing and contemplative magic.

The clock has just chimed the witching hour here at Toadstool Condo, midnight and time for that tea!

Blessings nine!

Jane Austen, the Goddess Pages & the weekend!

Well, another busy week. Took my pre-salon final and have now moved on to the next level at school. I even have two customers booked for next week!

Too busy to stitch, but I did manage to finish Sense & Sensibility & Sea Monsters and move on to Pride & Prejudice & Zombies which is even more of a hoot! Really enjoying it. And if you think that should be enough Jane Austen for me, you would be wrong! Thanks to Netflix, tonight I watched Northanger Abbey, Masterpiece 2007 version, which was just great. Looking forward to Becoming Jane as well as Miss Austen regrets.

Now, that should have been enough excitement for a week, but there was more! I will have an article in the winter issue of Goddess Pages. This is both a paper and on line magazine. My article is an account of my Nine Nights of the Winter Solstice Hallowing in 2007 which includes the ritual and some magical work. I am honored and pleased. You can find out more info at http://www.goddess-pages.co.uk/

I am off to the Inner Mysteries Intensive workshop with Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone in Miami this weekend. I attended last year in May and enjoyed meeting them both so I'm looking forward to this year's event.

Blessings nine!

Unfortunately, Elizabeth...

A silly, but fun and interesting meme to try: go to google.com, type in Unfortunately, (your name) then read what comes up and laugh!


Here are 10 of mine:

Unfortunately, Elizabeth also has some detecting to do, as a dead body is found, and none of the wedding party is above suspicion....

Unfortunately Elizabeth (who looks not unlike Bettie Page) was wearing a very elegant Chinese dress with the absolute last shoes you would want to be wearing if you were going to be walking clear across Rome on New Years Eve.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth's frequent protestations against marriage didn't stop these horny pervs from trying it on with her.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth didn't wait for me to agree or disagree.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth makes a fatal mistake and tries to "fix" her unsuspecting husband.

Unfortunately Elizabeth may have felt compelled to remain a virgin "bartered" bride.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth found out the truth and Maxie was forced to confess everything to Lucky before Elizabeth told him the truth.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth failed to persuade her lover to sign a reciprocal contract, which he kept to himself, unsigned until he died.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth was not eaten.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth is nowhere to be found.

I was utterly fascinated by this little exercise and could have kept gong on and on and on, however, unfortunately for me, Elizabeth, I have a few little errands and chores to attend to before the weekend is upon me. One of which, not unfortunately... I think, is finishing that most unusual novel, Sense & Sensibility & Sea Monsters by Jane Austen & Ben H. Winters. A most peculiar novel that compels one to continue reading as well as write and speak in the manner of Jane Austen - which, I might add, causes Michael, my husband, to give me strange looks whilst walking into the other room mumbling about living with a witch. Well, that in itself is not unusual and he is very used to strange occurrences living with me at Toadstool Condo. In any event, I will then begin Pride & Prejudice & Zombies by Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith. Of course there is stitching to be done, tarot cards to be read, a spell or two to cast and potions to be brewed. Ah well, nothing very out of the ordinary after all! Do have a delightful weekend.

Blessings nine!

Austen Challenge - Two down, Four To Go!

OK, so I've watched Lost In Austen, thanks to Netflix and Sunday, I watched Persuasion -oh I do love that version - which I own. And now... I own Lost In Austen as well! It arrived today along with the paperback, What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown - thank you Amazon. I can't wait to get started on that. I also decided to stitch this freebie Jane Austen sampler I found on-line instead of the small design by The Sampler Girl. It has a row of women - Marianne, Elizabeth, Elinor, Emma and Jane, with those names below, a nice little border and flowers. As for The Sampler Girl, I will treat myself to one of the larger Austen samplers, just because I like them - decisions, decisions, which one? One other change in my list - I will read Jane Austen, A Life, by Carol Shields, instead of reading Persuasion again - which I can do anytime.

Other books recently acquired: Hekate Liminal Rites by Sorita d'Este & David Rankine. This book is SO wonderful! So much information in one place about my beloved matron goddess. I also purchased a copy of Unbound, A Devotional Anthology for Artemis by Bibliotheca Alexandrina. One of my poems is included and of course I wanted a copy. It, too, is a very fine book.

Back to stitching: I also received the book, Bewitching Cross Stitch by Joan Elliot. I had to get it from England. I purchased the book for one design, Mother Moon. Yes, I know - am I crazy??? Well, no actually... it is a gorgeous design. Happily there are a few other designs in the book that I really like as well. So there!

On the Heirloom Nativity front, I am stitching the shepherds, well actually the pine trees next to the shepherds. It looks like this piece will not be ready for Christmas as I am heading back to school - yes, at fifty-three - at the end of August. Four nights a week will not leave much stitching time. Who knows though, perhaps I will stitch more than I think.

I did take a few stitches on Salem Remembered by Primitive Needle. I will have to get some photos up to show these pieces off.

Finally had some needlework from last year framed. All look divine. Cross Stitch Cupboard does a beautiful job framing.

Here's the revised Everything Austen CHallenge List:

1. Watch Lost In Austen - done!

2. Watch Persuasion - done!

3. Read "What Would Jane Austen Do? - begun!

4. Read Jane Austen, A Life.

5. Read Mr. Darcy, Vampyre - ordered and waiting for release!

6. Stitch the little freebie Jane Austen sampler.

OK - I'm updated!

Blessings nine!

I am Lost in Austen - Everything Austen Challenge

I have decided to join the Everything Austen Challenge - which actually began July 1st - I was still trying to finish my list of six Austen-themed things I will do. So here they are, one of which, I just accomplished:

1. Reread Persuasion

2. Watch the movie, Persuasion - the one with Amanda Root & Ciaran Hinds

3. Stitch one of The Sampler Girl's Jane Austen designs

4. Read "What Would Jane Austen Do?"

5. Watch the movie - "Lost In Austen" - and thanks to Netflx, I just watched it this evening - a really wonderful, sweet, funny film.

6. Read "Mr. Darcy, Vampyre" by Amanda George and due out in August - OK, I know it sounds weird, but how interesting!

So there I am, I just have to pick out that Austen inspired needlework project.

Blessings nine!