Out with the old ... In with the new

 So long old appliances, you've served me well. They don't look to shabby from their outer appearances but let me tell you the truth. The fridge was our first purchased fridge when we moved from an apartment to our first rented house. Over the years the condiment holders broke off, veggie bins were replaced with random plastic bins, and the over all stainage...yuck. The freezer section had many years of beverages left in overnight and explosion aftermath. Truly we are lucky it lasted 13 years. Next a gas stove that my husband acquired from my Suegra's backyard claiming it could be fixed. The thermostat was off and you had to guess the temp, it took forever to bake or burn. The stove top was missing a knob and only two burners worked. We have a saying around here "ride it till the wheels fall off".

Enter the new stove and fridge ..ohh so shiny, and they match. In my last post I wrote about how I manifested free couches and had exactly the right amount of cash to purchase these appliances on spot. Once in place, we decided it's time to do an upgrade to our kitchen. It has been 7 years since we first slapped "Crisp Autumn Leaves" paint over the wallpaper that lined the walls when we moved in.

When I say I have a cozy little kitchen, I mean it. The square footage is small but the warmth from the heart of the home is definitely felt.

We are currently here at this phase where the avocado ceiling is being painted crisp white, and the fluorescent lighting has got to go. I wouldn't budge on my wall paint color so were patching it up and slapping on a fresh coat. Good thing I'm not hosting Thanksgiving because of right now the cabinets are off the hinges and being transformed. Hint hint... I love me some chocolate!

If I don't post later on in the week I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a weekend filled with leftovers & laughter.

Manifesting Couches

{ The current living room...before it gets sprinkled with holiday cheer }

In June I woke up one morning looked at my old couches and was appalled to a point that I  had the Renaissance Man take them to the dumps immediately. They have been well worn by family use and spotted on by Chico (our dog) while gone on vacation. So I had moved the kitchen set into the living room as seating, which was okay for summertime but now the chill has officially set in. It's cuddle snuggle time with blankets and Netflix so new couches are a must.

So now for the manifesting part. I took Flora Sages's five day manifesting challenge not long ago. Basically it's the magnetic thought of attracting to you what you desire and knowing without a shadow of a doubt it's on it's way. I put out to the Universe that I wanted couches for free. I waited a month and then decided it's time to go and buy new couches. We shopped and  picked out a couch set but would have to wait for them about a week delivery  if we couldn't bring them home then. I called my Dad to see if I could borrow his truck and my Stepmom said" why are you buying couches, I was going to see if you wanted my set upstairs", enter the manifestation come to fruition.

Bonus to this story! After we brought the couches home we went to Home Depot to buy leather wipes and other home supplies. While there Renaissance Man said " show me those appliances your were talking about the other day as a Black Friday sale". It was just a random thought about having new stainless steel appliances I spyed online. After showing him and explaining the current state of our stove and fridge he was sold. The total came up to the exact amount of cash I had in my pocket that was for couches earlier in the day! I'm keeping my manifesting mindset well tuned and making improvements in many aspect of my life. Put out what you wish for and wait for it, don't forget the attitude of gratitude once it appears.

Under The Super Moon

Celestial Night Illumination

Morning Glow

Just stopping by blogland to share my super moon pics and update you about Casa Sol y Luna. When I said November was time to  slow down and be cozy I could not have been more wrong, but in a good way! It all started with manifesting couches which in return has had a trickle down effect to home renovations. More in depth post to follow. I hope your all doing well and in great spirits. I shall be sneaking in visits to your blogs when I can. I must sign off now and go do yard work, two days of rain is on it's way.

The Lush Life

After reading the title I realized there are many takes on the word lush and fortunately that type of lush living is behind me. I'm referring to the lushness that is brought on with days of equal sun and rain. The carpet of soft green grass under my feet feels so rejuvenating as I practice earthing. Mother nature is showing off  her underground wonders and providing a bounty for all of her creatures. In gratitude I take it all in and wish for the rest of November to be as luscious.

 The persimmons are ripe for the picking and this guy doesn't mind helping himself to the neighbors tree. Sometimes the branch that hangs into my yard has enough persimmons to make muffins and pudding. The birds have been pecking at the fruit lately and I find half eaten fruit on the ground going to waste.

A Wee bit of Mycology (because I'm a fungi)

Agaricus  Compestris also known as common field mushroom in it's blush stage.

 A few days passage and sun darken the gills and hardens the mushroom.

Another variety of field mushroom, more a button type. The mushrooms photographed are from my own backyard but I do not pick them just in case. 

What's blooming to the surface in your November?

All In The Name Of Hallow Fun

 October has been full of Halloween fun. Here is a re-cap of the past week celebratory fun. Every time we went into Walmart me went down the Halloween isles and played dress up.

 Pumpkins were carved on a day of rain and sun to spooky tunes of Pandora's Halloween Party station.

 Many theatrical song and dance were performed along the viewings of our favorite Halloween movies, and art was inspired.

Costumes and trick or treating at school to raise funds for my daughters 6th grade end of year trip was a hit.

My {M} turned the big 6 yesterday. We went to John's Incredible Pizza, the skating rink, and then cake and ice cream at home.

I hope this Halloween season was celebrated in many ways that brought you bliss! Today's celebrations will commence with taking the teens to see a scary movie since they have the day off (how lucky for them). Trick or treating will take place in the rain, but I'm equipped with a large black umbrella trimmed with red roses that can also serve as a method of protection in case any clowns get out of hand. Take time to reflect and renew, it is the Witches New Year after all.

~ Brightest Blessings to you all, and to all a good fright ~

Releasing The Power Of Gen 7

Come, sit close, warm your bones by the fire, what I whisper to you is of need and desire. The curious child sits and  listens intently to Abuelas teaching,  you must respect your elders and their message their preaching.

Mother Earth is bountiful with her provisions

but life will halt with human decisions

Tenderness to her must be made by all  nations

so your 3 stages will ripple into the next 7 generations

As above, so below

the ancestors knew, but will the future know?

*******

What's up my witches! I hope you enjoyed this contribution to Witches In Fiction 2016, the art below is a magical portal to the hostess's wicked domain so click and transport.

Make No Bones About It

Art from my Llywellyn's Witches Calender

Now that I got your attention with a straight forward quote "Happy Humpday & October". How is this month treating your skeleton so far? The mornings here in the valley are chilly with warm afternoons and then crisp evenings. It is still to soon to pack away the summer wares which is also making the Halloween transitioning so hard, I like to move things out before moving things in and rearranging. Later today I'm taking the decorations out of storage and getting prepped to decorate. I have a few skeletons lying around to show you, and hopefully next week I'll have more to show.

I bought this piece at Ross last year and love the vintage washed look. I have it hung over the dining table in the living room {I threw out my couches that were so dingy one day and haven't replaced them so I put the table in there}. The art hangs on the wall throughout Thanksgiving as a reminder to be thankful to our ancestors who have provided instinct and culture in our lineage and have since past over.

One of the many projects I have my fingers on are these guys & gals. I used nail glue and nail jewels to add some sparkle to those desolate eye sockets. They may have whole outfits or just some Dia de Los Muertos flare. These skeletons come in a garland of four at the Dollar Tree.

 Heart jewels upside down make the perfect nose. This one has stars in his eyes and a gleam in his smile. Maybe it's those lovely set of hips near the fruit bowl that has his bones rattling.

 This season can be hectic so try not to become a basket case and lose your head. Whether it be pure Autumnal fun, Witchy, or scary Halloween bliss, enjoy what the season holds and remember magic is all around when your eyes and heart are open!

P.S.

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Natural Bridges State Beach

Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz California is one of my favorite new beaches I discovered this summer. The drive down West Cliff  from the Boardwalk is full of majestic landscapes and an array of luxury homes. Once you get to the beach there are tide pools to explore to the right of the main beach. Another sight to behold is the Monarchs over-wintering habitat in the nearby Eucalyptus grove. The butterflies start their return in October and so do we. Turns out we are still going to the 150th Boardwalk birthday celebration after all, and I'll have my camera ready to capture the beauty of the Mariposas.

Thank You Note & Other News

First of all I would like to thank everyone for sending me vibes of healing and well being. My mentality is a lot better and I have a new perspective on my day to day life, let's hope it sticks around. In other news we had to cancel our weekend trip to Santa Cruz due to wildfires in the mountainous areas. I hope my friends out there are unaffected and out of harms way. This leaves me bummed but maybe the universe is telling me it's time to experience a new adventure? Well here's to a new week, may it treat us all well.

"Autumnal Transition on the Homestead"

Broken

The day after the first day of Fall was supposed to be about my Mabon celebrations but instead all you get is this. This is a reflection of how I currently am...broken. I usually don't put my depression or other state of affairs online but you my blogging family (yes I think of you as family) are brave enough to do so, so here I go. I feel unappreciated at the moment, actually I feel like that constantly.  My day starts off at 4:30 a.m. every weekday morning so I can get the husband off to work, the kids off to school and then I take care of home and everyday life in between. My head hits the pillow at 10:00 p.m. and I am out. I rise again the next day and do the same thing over and over, and yes I know it's called life.

The lack of appreciation, unacknowledgement, and mental disfunction has got me flying on broken wings. If I stopped doing what I do my family's world would come crashing down and this house would lose it's magic. Mercury retrograde sure isn't over because I have to adjust my situations according to peoples lack of doing there job correctly and making mistakes. Last week I received a letter saying my home owners insurance was cancelled (I got that fixed) and today I found out a new secretary at my husband's job sent out paychecks by mail. I live in the ghetto and mail sometimes gets put into the wrong box. The list goes on and on. If your one to send out thoughts and vibes please keep me in mind so I can start to heal. I do hope everyone's weekend is filled with things that bring them joy.

Haunted Humpday Has Returned

As the title expresses Haunted Humpday has returned, actually it started a week ago and I feel a little like the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, "I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date". For those new to Haunted Humpday it is an every Wednesday up to Halloween post about Halloween goodness and haunting tales. I usually don't have a ghostly story in my post but our hostess with the mostest Marfi of Incipient Wings always has a tale to chill your bones. So without further ado....

 Every year I go with the flow when decorating for Halloween and this year I have a strong urge to do a lot of Dia de los Muertos flair. This giant calavera is displayed at a dart balloon game booth on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the prize is a colorful skeleton...I must get one. Were going to the boardwalks 150th birthday celebration, there will be fireworks and fun!

I picked this book up on my latest thrift store trip. Everyday Grace seems to be the kind of book to take notes along with hence the notebook or perhaps will turn onto a few post, I just opened it yesterday. The feathers I collect everyday from my yard,  I give thanks and gratitude from my feathered allies for gifting them to me. The tiny pumpkin is actually aged rosehip from my roses. 

I'm in love with these witch hat earrings I made. I found a bag of six hats on discount at Michaels and was going to use them as adornments for mini besoms but they did not hang correctly but they fit perfectly on hooks. This was going to be an Etsy item but I decided against opening an Etsy shop after much mental debate and financial calculations. 

I actually made a physical sign for the online shop as a banner photo. Perhaps one day I will have a craft booth and then I can hang my sign an lure people to my goods and wares.

 Some more handicrafts I finally finished. The sachet is filled with lavender harvested from my yard. I come to realize cross stitching takes  quite a bit of time to complete a whole project, so I will probably resume it once the weather is cold and there is less outdoor work to be done. I'm off now to plan my Mabon celebration which I always seem to due last minute. 

Happy Haunted Humpday!