Posts

Wassail

I make this every year and everyone loves it. There may have been a bit too much Brandy in it a couple years back, my Aunt’s first sip came straight out of her nose. LOL! Anyways, I’m looking forward to making it again this year, it makes the house smell yummy. If you get a chance to make it, let me know how it turns out.

Happy Yule!

Gratin Dauphinois

Gratin Dauphinois should be crispy on both the top and bottom. It should have a rich, cheesy taste. Look closely once you take it out of the oven, you will notice the cream has turned into a curdled, cheese-like substance. Don’t be alarmed, this is what makes gratin most desirable. As the potatoes absorb water, you get a concentration of fat and protein, exactly like fresh cheese curds.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds starchy potatoes
• 1/2 clove unpeeled garlic
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup (4 ounces) grated Swiss cheese
• 1 cup boiling milk or cream
• 2 cups 1/4 inch sliced fully cooked ham (optional)

Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 425F. Peel the potatoes and slice them 1/8 inch thick. Place in cold water. Drain when ready to use.
• If you choose to use ham: Dice and heat in a skillet for 2-3 minutes, season with salt, pepper and garlic. Set aside until ready to use.
• Rub baking dish with cut garlic, then with 1 tablespoon of butter.
• Drain the potatoes and dry in a towel. Spread half of them in the bottom of the dish. Top with half the salt, pepper, cheese, and butter. (ham, if desired)
• Place the remaining potatoes over the first layer and season. Spread on the rest of the cheese (ham) and divide the butter over it.  Pour on the boiling milk.
• Set the baking dish on upper rack of preheated oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender, the milk is absorbed, and the top is a golden brown.

Thanks for stopping by!

VALERIAN (Valeriana officinalis) G

Folk Names: Ail-Heal, Amantilla, Bloody Butcher, Capon’s Trailer, Cat’s Valerian, English Valerian, Fragrant Valerian, Garden Heliotrope, Phu, Red Valerian, St. George’s Herb, Sete Wale, Set Well, Vandal Root

Powers: Love, Purification, Protection, Sleep

Photo by pfly

Valerian is a tall perennial with heads of sweet scented pink, blue or white flowers which bloom in the summer. Its one unpleasant quality is the the smell of the plant’s leaves, stems, and roots. However, cats and rats relish in it. Some herbalists suggest that Valerian was the secret of the legendary Pied Piper of Hamlin’s irresistible power over rats!

Dill

Photo by Fire Engine Red

Dill is a member of the Umbelliferae family, related to carrots and parsley. It is easily spotted in the garden due to the thread-like, feathery leaves. In ancient civilizations,  Dill was so valued that it was accepted as a means of payment. Today, the leaves and the seeds are highly regarded for both medicinal and culinary appeal. Dill’s essential oils found in the seeds make it a versatile naturopathic remedy, it’s great for stomach and intestinal problems, mild insomnia, nervous ailments, flatulence and heartburn. It is also widely prescribed for many diseases of the liver and gallbladder and may be recommended to treat gastric problems in children. In the kitchen, it is a flavorful addition to many dishes and excellent for accenting fish, poultry, potatoes, cucumbers and cheese.

A big thank you to Krystal Porras of 3:33 Paranormal Research group for this article!

Paranormal Thrill Seekers

Over the past several years the paranormal field has been flooded with new groups springing up every day at an astonishing rate. With new shows popping up every season, it seems to have encouraged many people to explore the unknown. Although these shows have really opened some doors it has also created a nightmarish reality for clients looking for real help and for the people who are dabbling in the paranormal as a hobby.

Samhain Blessings, Happy Halloween and a Blessed Beltane to my friends in the Southern Hemisphere!

Thanks for stopping by!

Lisa

Historic Jordan Springs has been documented as far back as 1549, when the Catawba Native Americans discovered the sulfur springs. They believed it had healing powers, for almost two centuries the Native Americans visited annually for ceremonial rituals.

Since then; three hotels have stood on the property, as well as a hospital during the civil war, a brothel, a school, a rehab for children, a monastery and a resort for the Washington Elite.

Pagan Pride 2012:

Pagan Pride festival dispels myths Amanda Hyde admits it was the spells and rituals that drew her to paganism as a rebellious teenager. But more than a decade later, that shock value has long subsided.

“There are a lot of misconceptions,” she laughed.

For 10 years now, Hyde has organized Pagan Pride Day in Hamilton as a chance to celebrate their beliefs and give outsiders a glimpse into their lifestyle to dispel the myths.

Apple Harvest Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Flour
• 1/2 cup Packed light brown sugar
• 1 tsp Baking soda
• 1/2 tsp Baking powder
• 1 tsp Ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Ground cloves
• 1 1/2 cups Sugar
• 3/4 cup Butter softened
• 2 Eggs
• 1 pound Pumpkin, cooked and mashed or 15 oz can
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• 3-4 apples, peeled and diced
• 1/2 cup Raisins
• 1/2 cup Walnuts

Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 350, grease 1 small loaf pan.
• Combine flour, brown sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder and spices in a bowl.
• In another bowl, sugar and butter. Beat in eggs, pumpkin and vanilla. Add the flour mixture, stirring until just moistened. Stir in apples, raisins and walnuts. Spoon the batter into pans.
• Bake the loaves for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Place all the topping ingredients in a small bowl and stir to blend.
• When the bread comes out of the oven, sprinkle with the topping.
• Let sit for 15 minutes, remove from the pans and let cool on a wire rack.

Can also do in muffin tins. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Folk Names: Common Thyme, Garden

Powers: Health, Healing, Sleep, Psychic Powers, Love, Purification, Courage

Photo by H Flannery

Thyme is a perennial shrub, and a member of the mint family. With over a hundred varieties, the most common being garden and lemon thyme.

The Greeks used Thyme “to make a burnt offering.”  In the Middle Ages, Europeans placed it under pillows to promote sleep and ward off nightmares. Women would also give the leaves to knights to bring courage. Thyme was also placed on coffins and burned as incense during funerals to send one into the next life.