The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
~Robert Frost
You know how it is with an April day.
~Robert Frost
Friday, April 8, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
I Gotta Gouda for my Spargel and a Fire Dancing Crow
Welcome to WiccanFarm! Just kidding! I can never, ever come anywhere close to jaz's cooking at her blog OctoberFarm, but I made a pretty good attempt last night. I prepared her recipe for Spargel (asparagus) which you can find here
My husband does not like asparagus. But he is out of town this week, and that gives me the opportunity to eat foods he won't touch with a 10-foot pole!! So my brother and I dined on Spargel last night. Asparagus, ham, gouda topped with a fried egg. Thanks so much to jaz for her wonderful German recipe. She has an incredible sidebar on her blog full of terrific recipes.And she always does great tutorials for each recipe. If you have never visited OctoberFarm, please do. And say hi to Teddy the magnificent wonder-Chow.
There was a knocking on my door yesterday which startled the heck out of me. It was the postal carrier!! With a beautifully packed box just for me, from the lovely Magic Love Crow blog (please click to go to the blog)
This painting is so wonderful...a photo does not do it justice. The colors are superb, with a feeling of fire and movement. She included her original "Fire Dance" story which tells why crows have black feathers. Even the gift tag was adorable. Thanks so, so much to Magic Love Crow for this very special gift that will make me smile forever on end!!
The blog-o-sphere is full of many talented, creative, fun, friendly people. I love my blog list and everybody on it!! Who will we meet today?
 |
| My version of jaz's spargel with her recommended gouda |
My husband does not like asparagus. But he is out of town this week, and that gives me the opportunity to eat foods he won't touch with a 10-foot pole!! So my brother and I dined on Spargel last night. Asparagus, ham, gouda topped with a fried egg. Thanks so much to jaz for her wonderful German recipe. She has an incredible sidebar on her blog full of terrific recipes.And she always does great tutorials for each recipe. If you have never visited OctoberFarm, please do. And say hi to Teddy the magnificent wonder-Chow.
There was a knocking on my door yesterday which startled the heck out of me. It was the postal carrier!! With a beautifully packed box just for me, from the lovely Magic Love Crow blog (please click to go to the blog)
 |
| The Giveaway I won |
The blog-o-sphere is full of many talented, creative, fun, friendly people. I love my blog list and everybody on it!! Who will we meet today?
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
National Tartan Day
If you are of Scottish heritage, today is a day to bring our your plaid and wear it proudly. This is mine. My maiden name is Ferguson.
Here are some interesting links about all things Scottish. Enjoy!
http://www.tartanday.org/
http://www.heartoscotland.com/
http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/ (The Celtic Croft, a great on-line shop for many Scottish items)
Would you like to read some great fiction about Scotland? Currently a series of 7 books with the 8th in process of being written, The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon is rich, vibrant historical fiction series with a little bit of sci-fi thrown in. They are all very long books, but so full of fabulous characters, plots, history, romance, mystery and so much more. Most of the story takes place in the 1740's and is so wonderfully written. I can not recommend this enough. The titles of the series are (and you MUST read them in order) Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, An Echo In The Bone. These books are not for the faint of heart, that is for sure. As I said they are quite lengthy, there is violence and realistic depictions of life in the mid 18th century, as well as some rather racy scenes. But, such a great group of books. Here is Ms. Gabaldon's website if you would like to learn more: http://www.dianagabaldon.com/blog/
And if you have read these books, I would love to hear your comments. (Sorry to gush, I just love these books, and National Tartan Day reminded me to tell you all about this great series that deals so much with Scotland)
So if you are Scottish, of Scottish heritage or just love Scotland, Celebrate National Tartan Day!!
Oh, and here is one of my favorite Scots:
 |
| The Ferguson Plaid |
http://www.tartanday.org/
http://www.heartoscotland.com/
http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/ (The Celtic Croft, a great on-line shop for many Scottish items)
Would you like to read some great fiction about Scotland? Currently a series of 7 books with the 8th in process of being written, The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon is rich, vibrant historical fiction series with a little bit of sci-fi thrown in. They are all very long books, but so full of fabulous characters, plots, history, romance, mystery and so much more. Most of the story takes place in the 1740's and is so wonderfully written. I can not recommend this enough. The titles of the series are (and you MUST read them in order) Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, An Echo In The Bone. These books are not for the faint of heart, that is for sure. As I said they are quite lengthy, there is violence and realistic depictions of life in the mid 18th century, as well as some rather racy scenes. But, such a great group of books. Here is Ms. Gabaldon's website if you would like to learn more: http://www.dianagabaldon.com/blog/
And if you have read these books, I would love to hear your comments. (Sorry to gush, I just love these books, and National Tartan Day reminded me to tell you all about this great series that deals so much with Scotland)
 |
| Scottish Terrier |
Oh, and here is one of my favorite Scots:
 |
| Sir Sean Connery |
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
For the Birds
Okie doke! Cue the Hallelujah Chorus!! I finally "shot" the Elusive Cardinal. After many days of attempts! (Clicking on photos will make them bigger)
Mrs. Cardinal was on the feeder next to The Big C., but unfortunately she fled once she saw the photographer. That's okay...."I'll get you, my pretty!" The cardinal has always been my most favorite bird. I grew up in Virginia where the cardinal is the state bird. So striking these birds, don't you think.
Just as I finished capturing the Big C. on film, an enormous beautiful Blue Jay landed on top of the shepherd's hook. Typically, I reacted too physically before I could snap him too, and off he flew. I will get him too.
The yard is a flurry of activity in more ways than one. Firstly, it is frickin' snowing!! Big, wet heavy flakes. Grr. But secondly, the feeders are crowded.
Bird watching is more than a hobby for me. I consider it part of my Wiccan Path. Since I was a child, I loved the wild birds, watching them at the feeders, in the yard, in the trees. Since I have been a practicing Wiccan, though, I see divinity in all living things (both animate and inanimate). Feeding the birds, paying attention to them is one of the ways I feel I honor the Goddess and the God. All of nature is touched by divinity. Providing shelter, food and security for these backyard birds is one small way of forging a connection with nature, and thus with divinity. Once the weather gets more conducive to such things, I will be having a morning ritual out in the yard. In the meantime, watching from the window serves me well.
Oh, and by the way this little fella is out here several times a day, along with his partners in "crime". I have dubbed him "Tiny Tail", as he seems a little short in that department.
Mrs. Cardinal was on the feeder next to The Big C., but unfortunately she fled once she saw the photographer. That's okay...."I'll get you, my pretty!" The cardinal has always been my most favorite bird. I grew up in Virginia where the cardinal is the state bird. So striking these birds, don't you think.
Just as I finished capturing the Big C. on film, an enormous beautiful Blue Jay landed on top of the shepherd's hook. Typically, I reacted too physically before I could snap him too, and off he flew. I will get him too.
The yard is a flurry of activity in more ways than one. Firstly, it is frickin' snowing!! Big, wet heavy flakes. Grr. But secondly, the feeders are crowded.
Bird watching is more than a hobby for me. I consider it part of my Wiccan Path. Since I was a child, I loved the wild birds, watching them at the feeders, in the yard, in the trees. Since I have been a practicing Wiccan, though, I see divinity in all living things (both animate and inanimate). Feeding the birds, paying attention to them is one of the ways I feel I honor the Goddess and the God. All of nature is touched by divinity. Providing shelter, food and security for these backyard birds is one small way of forging a connection with nature, and thus with divinity. Once the weather gets more conducive to such things, I will be having a morning ritual out in the yard. In the meantime, watching from the window serves me well.
Oh, and by the way this little fella is out here several times a day, along with his partners in "crime". I have dubbed him "Tiny Tail", as he seems a little short in that department.
 |
| Tiny Tail |
Monday, April 4, 2011
Monday Medley
April showers today. Hoping for wonderful May flowers! In the meantime, I have spring flowers coming up and the Faerie cam is working again!
Walking around the yard yesterday I found more signs of spring.
I am not sure what happened to this cedar tree, possibly ice, maybe a bird. The bark is pulled off revealing a beautiful wood underneath.
Here is something interesting to spend time with. I found it at my favorite bookstore. Circle Magazine. Have you read this magazine? I have read several previous issues and have found informative articles, interesting writers and more. Circle Magazine comes out quarterly; Celebrating Nature, Spirit and Magic. (from the inside page): "...provides articles, news, rituals and other information pertaining to Wiccan traditions, Shamanism, Goddess Spirituality, and other forms of contemporary Paganism."
Have a super week! Blessings from Robin.
 |
| crocus |
 |
| daffodil |
 |
| tulips |
 |
| crocus |
 |
| budding forsythia |
 |
| My namesake, the robin, back from the south |
Here is something interesting to spend time with. I found it at my favorite bookstore. Circle Magazine. Have you read this magazine? I have read several previous issues and have found informative articles, interesting writers and more. Circle Magazine comes out quarterly; Celebrating Nature, Spirit and Magic. (from the inside page): "...provides articles, news, rituals and other information pertaining to Wiccan traditions, Shamanism, Goddess Spirituality, and other forms of contemporary Paganism."
 |
| Circle Magazine, Spring 2011 issue |
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Eh?
Driving through a small town last weekend, I noticed this sign. I love long weekends, don't you?
Friday, April 1, 2011
Book Versus Movie--Practical Magic
How many times have you read a book, loved it, then gone to the movie based upon this book...and were very disappointed in the movie? Hollywood has a tendency to change plots, leave out your favorite parts of the book, alter characters, even change the endings. So how about seeing a movie, loving it, and then, later reading the book the movie was based upon?
Last week I was in my favorite book store looking for a particular title, when I stumbled upon a book I have never read. I love the movie; so do a lot of other people, especially witches in blogland, and many non-witches too. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman (The Berkley Publishing Group, Penguin Group (USA) Inc, copyright 1995 by Alice Hoffman) is a wonderful movie filled with unique characters, great plot, lovely actors, beautiful house and other scenery. There are many great scenes that live on in our memories."Midnight Margaritas" is one that comes to mind, with the lively "Lime in the Coconut" song. Magic, murder, hauntings, sisterly relationships, love, sadness, bliss. All these are in the movie. You have to love it, it's...well, magical!!
Settling down in my reading chair, knees covered with a comfy blanket, I open the book, deliciously anticipating a fun, happy ride with all these characters and elements from the movie. So, guess what? The book is nothing like the movie. The characters' names are the same. There is a slight similarity in plot. And there is definitely no midnight margarita scene.
To read and enjoy this book, you must put aside the movie completely. Really. This is a wonderful book. I love the writing style of Alice Hoffman. She writes in third person, present tense. Her words flow and float, almost in a stream-of-consciousness way. Painting her characters with an insightful brush, leading us through childhoods fraught with sadness and unhappiness to adults who are unable to shake the shadows of the past. The aunts, for instance, are quite old, seemingly unloving and unapproachable by little girls longing for affection. There is no lovely, happy, beautiful Victorian home. In fact, the aunts are barely in the book, showing up near the end to help with a problem. The sisters are older in the book, rougher, dysfunctional, conflicted.
Having said all this, I do highly recommend this book. Do not be disappointed that it is not like the movie. It is a beautifully written story that speaks volumes about family relationships, old folk magic, fear, anger, jealousy and the shining moments that happen between people you love, even when you almost hate them. If you can forget about the movie, and read the book for its own beauty and worth, I think you will value it immensely.
Both book and movie do share the following advice.
Last week I was in my favorite book store looking for a particular title, when I stumbled upon a book I have never read. I love the movie; so do a lot of other people, especially witches in blogland, and many non-witches too. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman (The Berkley Publishing Group, Penguin Group (USA) Inc, copyright 1995 by Alice Hoffman) is a wonderful movie filled with unique characters, great plot, lovely actors, beautiful house and other scenery. There are many great scenes that live on in our memories."Midnight Margaritas" is one that comes to mind, with the lively "Lime in the Coconut" song. Magic, murder, hauntings, sisterly relationships, love, sadness, bliss. All these are in the movie. You have to love it, it's...well, magical!!
 |
| Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman |
Settling down in my reading chair, knees covered with a comfy blanket, I open the book, deliciously anticipating a fun, happy ride with all these characters and elements from the movie. So, guess what? The book is nothing like the movie. The characters' names are the same. There is a slight similarity in plot. And there is definitely no midnight margarita scene.
To read and enjoy this book, you must put aside the movie completely. Really. This is a wonderful book. I love the writing style of Alice Hoffman. She writes in third person, present tense. Her words flow and float, almost in a stream-of-consciousness way. Painting her characters with an insightful brush, leading us through childhoods fraught with sadness and unhappiness to adults who are unable to shake the shadows of the past. The aunts, for instance, are quite old, seemingly unloving and unapproachable by little girls longing for affection. There is no lovely, happy, beautiful Victorian home. In fact, the aunts are barely in the book, showing up near the end to help with a problem. The sisters are older in the book, rougher, dysfunctional, conflicted.
Having said all this, I do highly recommend this book. Do not be disappointed that it is not like the movie. It is a beautifully written story that speaks volumes about family relationships, old folk magic, fear, anger, jealousy and the shining moments that happen between people you love, even when you almost hate them. If you can forget about the movie, and read the book for its own beauty and worth, I think you will value it immensely.
Both book and movie do share the following advice.
Always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder. Keep rosemary by your garden gate. Add pepper to your mashed potatoes. Plant roses and lavender, for luck. Fall in love whenever you can.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)