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

Framed!

I have a stack of finished needlework projects that need finishing - it never ends, or so it seems - doesn't stop the needle from flying though. Some are being stitched into little goodies and a few others were taken to my LNS, Cross Stitch Cupboard in Fort Lauderdale, for framing. They do a wonderful job and are a great shop, always helpful and so knowledgeable - if you can't figure out a stitching issue, they certainly can! I also photographed some other witchy stitches that hang around Toadstool Condo; I thought you might enjoy seeing them. Some are from a number of years back, all are dear to my heart!


Most recent framing: 


A little freebie design from an alphabet found on line, that I adapted and changed into something a little witchy!

A design by Lisa, may she be on a wonderful journey, of The Primitive Needle. She passed away a few months ago when swept away in her car by a flash flood. I have many of her designs. I was working on this when it happened and so have dedicated it to her memory.

And some old favorites including the witch wall, not a great photo, but there's no other way to photograph it as it is a hallway between the front door and dining/living room area. It is very narrow. All witchy designs - and a few pieces of Jewish art for my darling dear! We mix it up at the Toadstool!

Mike gave me another Jim Shore witch, this one called Wicked, with a flying monkey, a few years ago for my collection. I then found this little stitch to go with it - just perfect! Instead of stitching the broom, I added a silver broom charm. There's also an old, very old,  Cricket Collection design of a cute little witch next to it, to which I added a little crescent moon button - can't seem to stitch anything as designed.

And this is the work I designed for my article, The Ritual of Stitching, which was published with the chart in The Beltane Papers in 1997, I believe. Again, not a great photo due to the hallway, but you get the idea. I am planning to self-publish the chart in the very near future, so if you are interested in obtaining the chart so you can stitch this little blessing, let me know. There are a few specialty stitches as well as some leaf charms, but you could use small leaf buttons - or anything else you like!

A little stitch in a great frame from Cross Stitch Cupboard, to show I am a member of:

And a necessary caution:  

And finally, another designer's work which is changed, if not beyond recognition, then not exactly what she had in mind and too long ago to remember which one! Blackwork, cross stitch, specialty stitches and a verse from Lucius Apuleius, I believe - my contribution to the designs, which is a favorite.

So there we have it, witchy stitches! Most, except for the first three photos, have been framed for many years, but I thought I'd share them anyway. The last was an offering for Hekate, our Great Lady!


Here's hoping you have a lovely weekend. I am at the shop tomorrow with all our wonderful crystals and stones, and other magickal paraphenalia. We now have a Facebook page! If you'd like a virtual tour of our magickal shop, go to the link below and "Like" our page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Natures-Emporium/102956843131674

Gorgeous amethyst heart with baby calcite points and some smaller amethyst specimens. Wonderful pieces, great energy. After years in medicine, this job is a dream come true!


Blessings nine!