Samhain blessings

Happy Samhain to one and all. Last Saturday we had the party, for Elliotts 21st, round at Sandra's house and decided to go down the horror route as a theme. I was surprised how well thought out some of the costumes were and full marks go to Elliott, Michael, Katie, Torzee and Jermaine. Elliott's mask had the ability to bleed but, due to a leak, managed to drop blood on the kitchen floor. Cool ! Tree cooked up a mean veggie hotdog and later Elliott and I put on a firework extravaganza. The highlight being the Catherine wheel that didn't go round ! All in all we had a good time and Elliott enjoyed himself, which is what it is all about.
Tree and I will be observing a more serious ceremony on Wednesday, but without the costume.
So blessings to everyone and remember to take time to think about what has passed and what will be. Make wishes for the future and honour those that have passed. Light a fire and make herald to the coming gathering in of the light.

Pumpkin Extravaganza and Elliott's 21st birthday

With Samhain just a few days away I have been busy with the preparation for Elliott's 21st birthday party today. He was actually born on Samhain but it was easier to have the party early this weekend. I have carved the first pumpkin and we did a test to make sure it worked as I have cut out the wrong bit before now and messed it all up. I am quite pleased with the result and my next attempt will be to use a three tone design and do a portrait maybe. I have also made a mask using an old gas mask and some odd bits hanging about. The teeth are luminous and the eyes light up from the inside. Again, this is my first attempt at using Fimo and I am happy with the finish.It is a little claustrophobic to wear, with all the wiring inside, but worth the laugh. I am on the look out for a voicebox to add that extra creepy feel to the whole thing. I will do a full post of the party photos in a future blog soon.

Sahmain and the Dragon's breath

It's coming to that special time of year when you can tangibly feel the change of the seasons as we approach Sahmain. Tree and I were talking about how we will celebrate it this year and may decide to travel to Moseley Bog to join in with an open ritual there. We will light a fire of Oak at the very least.
The mornings have become particularly beautiful with the sun hanging low on the horizon and the shadows stretching out like fingers of grey. The Dragon's breath catches in pockets around the dips and valleys on the West side of the Malvern hills and reminds me of the mist that encircled us at Stonehenge for the Summer solstice in 2006.
Yesterday I met with a man called Yogiman Singh who read my fortune, but took no money, and said today and the 27th of December would be very lucky for me and Tree. Tree has a job interview today so we will see. I am a bit of a sceptic but I must admit he was very charismatic. He told me the initials of my parents surnames and their ages correctly. He also numbered how many children and siblings I have as well. Add to this that the name Lilly had significance, twice in my life, ( Grandmother and nieces names) and I was beginning to wonder if I was part of some huge wind-up. To cap it all, he told me Tree's name as my partner!! He told me I will live to a very old age, with no pain when I die. He left his phone number and said to call him when I became lucky with money and he would take a small token for his reading then. And then he left!! Curiouser and curiouser!

Hanbans all growed up.

It seems like only yesterday that Hannah was a little girl and yet, on Thursday, we went to the Kings Charles restaurant to celebrate her 18th birthday. Looking around the dining table, it was striking to see how all of our nieces and nephews have "suddenly" aged. It is nice to celebrate a new age in their lives and watch as they tread the well worn path laid out before them.( I sound like a right aging hippy). Joy and Nige came round on Sunday and we caught up on all that is happening with them. You can visibly see they are so much more relaxed. On the shop front, we are booking into a Xmas craft show at Croome estate on the 17th & 18th of November ,which is a relief as we weren't sure where to go. Ludlow Medieval fayre had looked promising but getting accommodation for the night was a problem. I have just got to make loads of mirrors and stuff ready in time. No change there!!

Back to grass roots.

Well more like hedge roots as I didn't get to cut the grass after all. Sunday was spent catching up on all the gardening, getting ready for the winter. A long delayed job of tackling the honeysuckle was the main priority and took the most time. Tree said I looked more like I was fighting the bush rather than pruning it! We had a visit from Dan, Sarah, Wills and Lydia in the afternoon, which was nice as we haven't had time to meet up for a while.

On Monday we went to Marchington to see our crystal wholesaler and just take a day out for us really. For the first time on record, we actually bought within budget and got a good deal at that! The shop always looks better when it is full of new stuff.

Mikes 16th Birthday.

Busy as ever, Tree and I found time to go to our Nephew Mikes 16th birthday party on Saturday. "It seems like only yesterday...", was the thought of the day as it hits you how quickly time flies. Highlight of the evening was watching Tree get drunk and end up having a fight with Cain, one of Mikes friends, using a refresher bar as a weapon. No guesses who cleared that one up! I spent most of the evening fending rather drunk teenagers away from the vodka stash and confiscating drink. It's funny how life goes full circle!

Lady in the mist.

For some time Tree and I have been travelling to work via the West Malvern Road. The views from here are much better than on the Worcestershire side and there is far less traffic. As Tree will be changing jobs soon, we will not be going that way and I thought it was time to mention the lady in the mist. As you come up to the bend before the Malvern Hills Hotel there is a lady, with a cloak hood pulled over her head, who stands by the edge of an Oak tree. She takes on a different appearance each day, according to the light and time, and looks most striking in the early morning mist. I shall miss seeing her every day, as will Tree.( You will need to click on the photo and enlarge it to see her)

To everything (turn, turn, turn) There is a season (turn, turn, turn)

I couldn't resist the pun on the Byds song when you consider the weather and what I am about to say. Last weekend, after many a month searching, I finally found, and bought, a woodturning lathe. The particular model is a Kity 663. Those in the know will be going "Ooh, aren't you lucky" whilst everyone else will be none the wiser. This model is German in origin and is one of the best, quiet running, lathes you can get. It belonged to a wood turner in Rotherwas and was sold to me by his grandson after his grandfather's death. An absolute snip at £50, especially as I was given about £100 of drills, scrapers, G clamps, spokeshaves and a benchstop, for free, because his grandson wanted to see it go to a good home. The motor is very sound and I spent most of Monday cleaning it up, oiling and greasing everywhere. If I was to buy a restored model now it would set me back about £600. Above is a photo of the lathe as it was found in the lock-up and I will post subsequent shots as I use and restore it further.


On a totally different note, it was Nick Waller's wedding on Saturday. Tree and I were running behind all day and didn't get to the reception until quite late. But we managed to see Nick and "fornication" Dan, who was his best man, Sarah and Lydia. It reminded us to pay more attention to keeping in touch with people. It is getting bad when it comes to just seeing people at weddings, funerals, etc.