Practical Magic Blog Party 2011

"There's a little witch in every woman." Aunt Jet

First of all, a big thank you to Anna of 'Frosted Petunias' for hosting this blog party. (Click on the badge over there on the top right to visit all of the party participants blogs. And Anna's blog is also on my blog roll, down on the middle right).

I love 'Practical Magic,' both the book and the movie. It was Alice Hoffman's lyrical style of writing that made me love the book; it was the house (mostly) that made me love the movie. Who wouldn't want to live in that house, set on an island off the coast of the Pacific Northwest?

I was cleaning the glass in my studio...

(unfortunately, unlike the woodwork in the aunts' house, it doesn't clean itself). I was caught up in the reflections in the large bell jar. Reflections, like looking into candle flames or the flames in a fireplace, can take you to other places, you know...

Because they're so mesmerizing, you can...What was that noise?

Broom fell...company is coming!

I must hurry back inside and get ready for a party!

Must make sure all the candles are lit...

I want it to look warm, inviting and pretty for my guests.

I think this is the best use for a birdcage, don't you? (That was the only part of the book and movie that I didn't like. Poor dove...)

This faery is supervising everything I do, and wow, can she be bossy! Happily, the Faeries seem to like my little cottage and studio; I see them all over, including in the woods that surround my cottage and by the stream that you have to cross over to get to my cottage.

Let's see...well, I'm low on some things, but I have enough of the right herbs and potions if we want to do a few spells.

I wonder; perhaps my guests would like to borrow some of my moon jewelry? It's so much fun to try on! Choose what you like, please...there are necklaces, bracelets, rings, and brooches.

Hmmmm...how did my husband's badge get in there? Like Sally, I fell in love with a law enforcement officer, something I never, ever thought I would do. And yes, he is cute...in a Penal Code sort of way! ;-) We've been happily married for over thirty years.

Like Sally Owens says "Magic isn't just spells and potions. Your badge? It's just a star, just another symbol...it has power because you believe it does." I'd better get this back to him.

Whoops! I almost forgot...

Midnight Margaritas! Can't have a party without those!

So please, make yourselves comfortable and have as many margaritas as you want. These margaritas will never make you over-intoxicated, just magically happy...and they NEVER cause nasty things like hangovers!

Have a wonderful Autumn and an especially magical Halloween! Blessings to all (including my husband who, since I sprained my wrist, did all the cleaning and heavy lifting for this post) ~~~~~~~ Victoria

Observing

These are little wild Asters. They grow all over up here, and they are another sure sign that Summer is gracefully yielding the stage to her sister Autumn.

In all the years that I've been photographing Asters I never noticed the little pods that they make until I cropped this photo. I've always thought that I was a pretty observant person, but I've had a couple of things like this happen lately that makes me think I wasn't as observant as I thought.

Or ... maybe I'm becoming more observant as I grow older. It's another thing I can add to my list to remind myself that being a Crone, being in 'my' Autumn, is not so bad. As I age I feel more connected than I ever have to the Great Mystery. I treasure that...and I wouldn't trade my Autumn for another Summer even if I could.

Autumn in the Water

Harvest Moon

I took this around midnight on the 10th, so she wasn't completely full yet. It was very windy, but maybe all the dust in the atmosphere is what gave her the beautiful golden glow. Although...when I was just looking at her without using the camera she looked white. The more I zoomed in, the more colorful she became.

We Will Never Forget

Nearly 3,000 flags...one for every person who died on September 11, 2001.

We will never forget you. Never.


(photo by Jeff Roberson, AP)

A Message From Autumn

Autumn passed by sometime last night, caressing a few leaves here and there with her chilly hand. She only stayed for a brief time.....

and she kindly left some brave little Impatiens still blooming, leaves and blossoms untouched by her cold fingers. She took her leave quickly though, having urgent business at higher elevations and areas far to the north of here. But she won't stay away for too long; she wrote that message clearly for all to see on the leaves.

Sunday Sunlight

More red Penstemmon, lighting up the shade. It's almost done blooming now, and I'm seeing little lavender asters popping up here and there, a sure sign that autumn is on the way. I'm praying that this autumn is like last year; cool and wet instead of hot and dry.

We got a tiny spritz of rain today, but not enough to do anything any good. Thunderstorms are predicted for tomorrow but, unfortunately, they usually produce more lightening than rain. And more lightening-caused fires. I hate/love this time of year. Love the autumn holidays, hate the heat, dry weather and the stress of never knowing if we'll have to flee from a fire at a moment's notice...or even if we'll have enough notice to flee.

Flooding in the East from too much rain, fires in the West from not enough rain. How I wish there could be balance.

Faeries Friday - Eolande

Eolande was a gift from my sister. Her name means 'violet flower.' Since she's holding violet colored flowers, I thought that was a perfect name for her.