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Arts & Entertainment:

Warner Bros. to adapt ‘Discovery of Witches’ David Auburn is looking for witches and vampires and has come on to adapt Deborah Harkness’ “A Discovery of Witches” for Warner Bros. and producers Denise Di Novi and Allison Greenspan.

Studio acquired the property last summer. Story centers on a reluctant witch and a 1,500-year-old vampire. The witch – a direct descendant of the first woman executed in the Salem Witch trials – accidentally unlocks an enchanted manuscript and finds herself in a race to prevent an interspecies war.

Headlines:

DC Pagan Community Center Launch (Source: FireFlyAcadamy)

Environment:

Moss Has Cloned Itself for 50,000 Years, Study Says A moss spreading throughout the Hawaiian Islands (map) appears to be an ancient clone that has copied itself for some 50,000 years—and may be one of the oldest multicellular organisms on Earth, a new study suggests.

The peat moss Sphagnum palustre is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, but the moss living in Hawaii appears to reproduce only through cloning, without the need for sex or production of spores. Read full story from nationalgeographic.com

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 Holidays!

Photo by lija

Garlic

Botanical Name: Allium Sativum

Folk Names: Ajo, Clove Garlic, Poor Man’s Treacle, Stinkweed

Native to Central Asia, garlic is a species in the onion family Alliaceae.

The ancient Greeks placed garlic at cross-roads as a supper for the goddess Hecate, or for protection to ward off demons. Greek midwives would hang garlic cloves in birthing rooms to keep evil spirits away. Athletes would take large amounts of garlic before competition, and soldiers would consume garlic before going into battle. Roman soldiers ate garlic to inspire and give them courage. Egyptian slaves were fed garlic to keep up strength. Tibetan monks were forbidden from entering monasteries if they had eaten garlic. Nicholas Culpeper, (botanist/herbalist/astrologer) linked garlic with the planet Mars. A fiery planet also connected with blood. Dreaming that there is “garlic in the house” is known to mean you will discover hidden secrets.

Wishing you all a very Magical and Blessed Samhain. May the new year bring you health and happiness!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njoJTpXptks&feature=related

Blessings, Lisa

Interview:

Interview with Author Dorothy Morrison Dorothy Morrison is the author of a number of books on Wicca and Paganism, including the brand new Utterly Wicked. Dorothy was able to take some time out from her busy tour schedules to answer a few questions for About.com.

Health:

Accepting death is difficult for patients and doctors, but it needs to be done My 64-year-old patient with terminal cancer and less than six months to live wanted to go to Oregon. He was contemplating assisted suicide, which is legal there. “My life has been long and good,” he said. “I believe it is my right. I want the ability to say it’s too much, I can’t do it anymore. A person should have a dignified quality of life.”

Wishing you a Blessed Mabon, have a wonderful day!

Garden Pasta

Photo by Pabo76

Prep time: 21 minutes
cooking time 11 to 12 minutes
Servings: 4 to 6

Ingredients

• 16 ounces fusili pasta

• 1 cup each sliced yellow squash and zucchini

• 1 cup each julienne red bell pepper and chopped green bell pepper

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 3/4 cup chopped green onions

• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth

• 1 small tomato, peeled, crushed

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley

Arts & Entertainment:

O’Death: “Bugs” Challenges Nick Cave For Most Disturbing Video And loses, but keep in mind that Nick Cave, whose latest incarnation Grinderman is responsible for “Heathen Child”, has never really said for certain whether or not he is in fact a demon toying with our souls until he consumes them. So no, O’Death doesn’t beat the creepiest man in rock and roll with their music video for “Bugs,” but that doesn’t mean theirs doesn’t haunt your nightmares afterwards.

Citrus Shrimp

Prep time: 36 minutes
Cooking time: 7 to 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Partner: Herbed Vegetable Medley

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces fettuccine

• 6 tablespoons butter, divided

• 1/4 cup chopped green onions

• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled, deveined (about 25 to 28 shrimp)

• 1/3 cup fresh orange juice

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

• 1 1/2 tablespoons grated orange zest