Summer's Song

Good afternoon my sweetlings, 

It's been a little quiet around these parts, I hope you all are having a lovely July! These past few weeks have been a little difficult, I got hit by a major case of the girly monster which really put me out of action for a week. It was like living with a very emotionally prone Ogre I think, not very nice at all. However the sun is now shining and the storm is over, I feel much better now and I've been journalling like mad, making paint butterflies and video chatting and laughing with my lovely teacup Steffie. Speaking of my little teacup she has a new website, go and check it out! Tiny Owl Knits, so proud of her ♥ Mwah! Hoot hoot!

Today I was going to go out berry picking with my friend but he told me there aren't many out yet so we're all going to go in a few weeks when there are more. I decided to just take a stroll in the sunshine by myself and listen to music as a wiffled along, it was lovely. I managed to pick a few blackberries, enough for the Apple and Blackberry crumble I want to make in any case, and I found a tiny little crab apple (I think) and a nice stick.

When I got home I took my cauldron outside, I just use a teacup which is covered in flowers, it works perfectly for what I want it for. I put in dried rose petals, fennel and cinnamon as well as one of the blackberries I picked. I finally realised my photo editing program actually has a GIF maker on it, I don't know how I missed that!

Little Sage, all my herbs are doing fantastically which I'm so happy to see. 

Willowherb on the left, I love how you can see all the hairs on it in this picture. Ever growing cacti on the right, that one in the back has become a certified beast! 

Aloe Vera is growing nicely outside.

I'm not sure what the plant on the left is, the leaves look a little like a hollyhock but I don't think it is one. 
It's a Verbscum, also known as Mullein. Thank you to my wonderful reader Jan, a very clever gardener indeed! On the right you can see my gigantic fennel, the base and stalks are so thick now.

Our blackberry plant has a modest load ripening on it. 

Hello! I rarely ever wear these glasses, they're technically my spare pair even though I actually adore them. I call them my Harry Potter glasses because I think they make me look like a little bit of an owl! I've been on a total Harry Potter kick these past few weeks.

I also have to share this video with you, how fantastic is he? I can't stop laughing at this, so amazing.

Make Your Own... Tomato Salsa

Good Morning my Sweetlings,

Ah how sweet it is to be back in the Summer spirit, the markets stocked with fruit and vegetables, the garden growing bushier and greener every day, plants covered in fruit (being eyed by the blackbirds) and the irresistable urge to DIY.

I don't know about you but during the Summer I always get carried away into a little world of making things, anything. Food, tea, tiny mint green tea cozies for even tinier teapots, tiny charm bottles and bits and pieces of clay craftiness have all been on the list for me these past few weeks. I'm even making a scarf!

A few days ago I made Raspberry Jam, sprinkled with Lavender. Yesterday I tried my hand at making tomato sauce, it turned into a salsa due to chunky pieces of tomato but I'm still rather pleased with it. I took a few photos along the way and thought I would share them with you here along with the recipe for you to try out if you like.

You need:
A large pan
Wooden Spoon
Ladel
Chopping Board
Sterilised jar
Olive Oil or the cooking oil of your choice.
3 Cloves of Garlic, skinned.
Vine tomatos
Half a Lemon
Sugar
Basil, Oregano, Salt and Pepper and any other herbs and seasoning you like.

First things first, stick your jar in the oven at gas mark 3, 130c, for 10 minutes. This will sterilise the jar for later use, after 10 minutes turn off the oven and leave the jar inside until you're ready to use it (remember to use an oven glove when you get it out!)

Cut up your garlic into large chunks and add it, with about 4 tablespoons of oil, to your pan and put it on low heat. Brown off the garlic and then remove it from the oil with your spoon, dispose of it.

 Next cut up your tomatos. You can skin them if you like, I didn't. You can also use tinned tomatos if you prefer, they will be softer and will most likely make a less chunky finished product. Dice it all up into chunks.

 Next pick some Basil and Oregano. You can put more in than this, the reason I used so little is that my plants are still young and picking too much would probably do them harm. Tear the herbs up and throw them into a bowl with your tomatos. 

 Now add the tomatos and herbs to your pan and simmer for about 5 minutes. Once it starts to boil you can add sugar to make the salsa sweeter if you desire, if not skip this part. I added around a cup of sugar and then boiled for a further 5 minutes. Lastly squeeze in half a lemon, stir and simmer for a few more minutes before removing from the heat. This results in a sweet but tangy salsa.

 The finished product. I actually had a little bit more than my jar allowed, I'd recommend sterilising a few jars if you don't want to waste any. This should keep for about a week in the fridge, alternatively you can freeze it for longer periods.

You can also see my Raspberry and Lavender jam next to it, I'm really happy with it! Next I'm going to try my hand at Apple Sauce, and probably some Strawberry Jam if I can find somebody who would eat it since I don't like strawberries. 

On a none food related note I can relate that Gandalf and Dumbledore have also been enjoying the Summer and all the tasty food it brings with it! Here they are lounging on the bedside table with a saucer of water.

The Ancient Whispers of Tarot and Rune (Readings now Available)

I've opened up July slots for Tarot and Rune Readings. They've always been incredibly popular in the past so I thought I would offer them again and offer them to you my sweets.

I've been practicing Tarot Reading for eight years now, having started at the age of thirteen when my father gifted me with my first deck. Since then I've done readings for myself and for others and have always recieved great feedback on the clarity of the readings my cards provide. I've been practicing long distance readings for around three years and really enjoy the wide variety of folk that gives me.

Runes are new to my hands but since aquiring them I've done some fantastic readings and gotten really good feedback on them. My runes are made of Carnelian gemstone and have a gentle but powerful presence and power.

 3 Card Tarot Spread

£5

This reading encompasses the drawing of three cards which represent the Past, Present and Future. This layout is perfect for both a general overview reading and specific question based readings alike. 

The deck that will be used for this reading is the Animals Divine Tarot, a very clear and friendly deck that gives excellent readings.

You will recieve a PDF file of your reading with in depth interpretations of the cards and their connections to one another as well as pictures of your reading. I aim to send your reading within 72 hours of purchase.

During payment please include your email address and question (if you have one) in the 'Notes to Seller' section. Please be aware that I will not do readings on a 3rd party, this reading is for you. Refunds will not be issued.

3 Rune Reading

£5

This reading encompasses the drawing of 3 runes which represent The Past, Present and Future respectively. They give great overall readings and can also be read for specific situations or questions to great effect. 

You will recieve a PDF file of your reading with in depth interpretations of the runes and their connections to one another as well as pictures of your reading. I aim to send your reading within 72 hours of purchase.

During payment please include your email address and question (if you have one) in the 'Notes to Seller' section. Please be aware that I will not do readings on a 3rd party, this reading is for you. Refunds will not be issued.

 

I look forward to reading for you!

The Sun Beats Down on the Wild Water

Good Afternoon my sweetlings,

July is proving a month of quiet for me, I nestle into the greenery around me and breath it all in. I've been studying herbs every day, soaking in their mysteries and magic. Spending time with my boys, human and animal, and loving them with all my heart and soul. Mint hangs over my bed and I'm planning all the jam I'm going to make and running my hands over the soothing shapes of my runes, letting in the sun and feeling everything flowing.

I dressed up for the first time since June today, the urge hit me suddenly and so I scurried off to do it's bidding. I love it when things come to you like that. 

 

My little Beloved Sage, growing like wild fire. 

Sunflower Whispers and Salix Secrets.

I hope you all are well dear hearts?

Blackbird, Blackbird Magic in the Sky

Good Afternoon my sweetlings,

This afternoon I took my things out into the garden to work on, any excuse to go out there and I'll take it! I'm working on a herb book at the moment and have been reading a good book on Green Witchcraft, it's the best book I've read in quite some time and is a really superb book for anyone interested in learning about the history of Paganism, Witchcraft and Wicca as well as learning a lot about the practical and magical use of herbs amongst a lot of other things.

I wasn't the only one in the garden though, my little family of blackbirds was out in full force today! These folks have been living in the hedge over the wall for the past few years and we've really gotten to like eachother, the female spends a lot of time cheekily poking around my garden and often pops in to see us when we go out there (especially if we're gardening, turning up worms and bugs for her). She's very placid and she was being so funny today, she would hop onto the wall behind me, sit for a while and then start chirping at me if I didn't realise she was there, at one point she sat right behind my head. 

Daddy is a bit more elusive and flighty but even he was confident today and I finally got to meet their second baby, I'm not sure how many they have but from the sounds of the ruckus they make in the hedge I'm guessing a few! I've named one Baby Spicy because she's cheeky but now I need a name for the other one. 

I also put a painting up in the shop, I'm really happy with her.

Hi Baby Spicy! She always gives me the funniest looks.

The second baby, this one is a little bit darker (perhaps a boy?)

The cheeky gene definitely comes from Mummy, she's very sweet though. 

My aim today was to cut some herbs for charms I'm planning to make. Here I have Mint, Fennel, Marjoram, Chives and Lavender. 

Daddy blackbird appears on the wall...

Here's the book I was talking about. It's entitled Green Witchcraft : Folk Magic, Fairy Lore & Herb Craft by Ann Moura. I recieved it through a swap and I've been engrossed in it ever since.

Aquara Luna

Aquara Luna is a water deva residing in the deep ocean, keeper of secrets and a universal tinkerer she houses galaxies, sea creatures, jewels and plant life in her hair. She gives inspiration and care to those who seek her and shares her ancient wisdom with all. Kind but secretive, it is a gift to catch a glimpse of her as she flits amongst the waves.
The red dot painted on her forehead signifies psychic abilities and sight, she knows the past present and future and holds it carefully in her grasp.
At night she grows wings and meets with the Goddess of the Moon, some say she is the daughter of the Moon itself. She controls the tides and has a strong connection to blood and femininity, she is strongly tied with fertility and the waves of the universe.

Buy her Here 

Mummy came down to get food, we always throw things out for them. 

Today these little monsters joined in, they were hopping around me all over the place!

Baby Spicy strikes back. with faces and poses of pure excellence.

Dad, Dad, Dad, DAD, DAD!!!

What was that?

Looking out for Mummy. They spent quite a bit of the afternoon chirping at her.

The basket I like to use.

We have no hooks in our kitchen to hang herbs from but I really wanted to dry them in there so I tied them to Clementine instead. I think she'll be happy with the company. 

How are you all my dears?