Winter has finally arrived in Arizona. Mountain roads...
lead into the mist...
And when the clouds lift...
Mingus Mountain is wearing his winter best.
Woodchute Mountain has an outfit to match with Jerome nestled at the foot of Cleopatra Hill. The horizontal stripes above Jerome are the 300 level...
which has a dusting of snow. Off in the hazy distance...
stand the San Francisco Peaks. Closer to home...
the frost came and all the fall leaves fell at once, overnight. Brownie made himself a cozy nest; I hope you're all snuggled in your cozy nest - with a nice, warm cup of cocoa!
I'm grateful for so many things! But the beauty of nature is way up on the list - to see such majesty is a blessing. This is looking toward Sycamore Canyon from Clarkdale, Arizona. Fall is just starting in the cottonwood trees and mesquite.
I have been absent from my blog for a while - I have a day job that occasionally knocks the stuffing out of me. Hopefully all the stuffing will be gathered up and replaced by mid-December!
This is a group from Kelly Rae Roberts' class "Flying Lessons", if you didn't take the class - please fly along anyway! We are a flock of creative birds, spreading our wings to fulfill our creative destinies and we will create those destinies along with our artwork.
For me the important message in the class was "be yourself", something dificult to find and often hard to do. So many influences in this world tell us what we should be and how to think - the message "think for yourself" got through to me years ago, courtesy of Timothy Leary. He said it so clearly I could hear it, and I listened. But to "be" yourself requires being - taking action. But my, how rewarding when you do. So here's to all who are being and doing...
Find those wings and dare to fly!
Here is a list of participants, please visit, and thanks to Kris Lanae Binsfeld of Cherish Designs for putting this together.
Welcome and Merry Meet! It's time for Halloween tea.
It's such a lovely time of year - let's take a stroll through the woods...
Down the path...
Over the stream...
Look - a fairy house! I hear giggling, watch out. The last time I came by they chased a skunk onto the path, this group is rather naughty.
Ah, here we are. And the lights are on! Do you see them twinkling?
Tasty treats! The cupcakes with purple frosting are "Wytches Brew", made it myself, and those with green frosting are "Poisonous Toadstool", the toadstools are fresh from my garden. And the tea has a special ingredient - Black Cat Magic! To help you see better on dark nights and vanish into the shadows when you don't want to be seen. Now help yourself to as much as you'd like!
Oberon and I out gathering some Black Cat Magic.
"Only the best!", says Oberon.
Tasty treats and magical tea bring sweet dreams...
For more Halloween Tea Parties please visit Witches Tea Party and have a Happy Halloween!
It's time for some spooky fun so grab your broom, cat, cup of tea and read on...
Alice wanted to visit Aunt Opal before returning to college so she wrote, and Aunt Opal replied. It was arranged that she would meet Alice at a certain spot and show her the way, but Alice was late. The directions said "Turn left at Cemetery Road", and late in the afternoon she found it...
She turned left, down the dirt road and found Aunt Opal waiting for her. "Your late, my dear, they've locked the gates early this evening, you'll have to park and we'll walk down." Aunt Opal was her father's odd sister, the one who lived in a run-down house with her black and white cat. She stood in the dirt road looking as much a part of the desert as the cactus, a bit dusty and faded.
We'll have to sneak around...
We must hurry - the sun has set and shadows fill the valley.
Yes, Alice, we have to go through the cemetery. Now don't trip!
Come along!
That's only the wind...
We're almost there.
Here it is - the gate...
Hurry through, down a bit and then you'll see the house.
No the house isn't haunted, well, not usually. Come on in, we'll close the door, turn on the light and lock out the night!
Here, have a seat - oh - just move the cat.
Her name is Titania and yes, she looks at everyone like that. She's the black and white cat of Dargaz, the Butterfly Goddess, our protector. Now have a seat and I'll fix us some tea.
What? You heard clanging? The rock falls are haunted...
The headframes moan and shudder on windless nights. Pay no never-mind to chains that rattle and wheels that turn, the long-dead miners toil in caverns deep to dig the phantom ore. You've had a long day, rest and I'll be back with tea.
Wake up, Alice. You had a dream, tell me...
Ah - Dargaz the Butterfly Goddess. From darkness to light.
Dargaz, Butterfly Goddess
Through dark, into light
Lady of the wood and meadow
Protect us on this blackest night
Now off to bed to my dear, and head no nightly noises!
I hope you've enjoyed a bit of spooky magic! Alice enjoyed her stay with Aunt Opal, and butterflies followed her always.
For more fun continue the party at A Fanciful Twist , and Thank You Vanessa Valencia for being our gracious hostess!
I couldn't resist a rose for red - one of my favorite colours and flowers! The texture is "crackerjack", multiply 100% with a little removed over the center of the rose.
This is for "love" because I love to photograph clouds! Back in the day of old-school film photography I would fill roll after roll of black and white film with pictures of clouds. The texture is "if only", soft light 76%.
Now for two party announcements:
There is a Halloween party on October 22 at "A Faniciful Twist", click here for details.
And on October 29 and 30 there will be a Witches Tea Party, click here for details.
My broom will need a tune up after all these parties...
Time for a party! Step inside and join the Practical Magic blog fun.
It's fall...
Time for apples and golden leaves...
How about a brownie? Mexican Hot Chocolate brownies to be precise - would you like the recipe?
Heat oven to 350, grease 8" pan
Combine:
1 stick of butter, softened
1 cup sugar
Add:
1 t vanilla
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
1/4 t cinnamon
Bake for 25 minutes or until brownies pull away from pan
.
Frosting:
1 cake of Mexican hot chocolate - see the picture above, Ibarra is my favorite brand.
1 cup powdered sugar
1 T cocoa
3 T butter, softened
1/2 t vanilla
1 t - 2 T milk
Cut the chocolate cake in pieces and put in a metal mixing bowl and place mixing bowl on top of a saucepan of boiling water - like a double boiler - stir until it's soft, it doesn't melt smooth, remove from hot water. Add powdered sugar and cocoa to melted chocolate, mix with an electric mixer on low to blend, add butter and mix well. Add vanilla and enough milk for spreading consistency. The frosting will be a bit gritty from the hot chocolate cake, spread on cooled brownies, cut into squares and enjoy. These are crumbly, plate and fork brownies.
What lovely outfits - I'm sure the Owens sisters know their neddlework. They must have magical sewing boxes!
Of course they do - a magic fan, crescent moon and even a purple dragon!
Crocheted herb and popouri bags...
Stiched charms with lucky spells!
Pins and needles and secret boxes...
Let's see what the cards say - visiting friends bring gifts of fun and frivolity - sounds good to me! Walk in peace and Blessed be!
