Category Archives: Life Unscheduled

Ghourls’ Night In

We all remember the witches from the fairy tales of our youth, or the movies we watched as teenagers. They were generally a pretty frightening bunch of ladies, all seeming to have a score to settle.

Dark and a little bitter might be okay for chocolate but whose got time for the whole bitch-on-a-broomstick thing when there are parties to attend? And what better time to kick up your witchy heels with your like minded ghourl friends than Samhain?

The witching hour is nigh, but have no fear—there’s still time to conjure up these simple party tricks and treats for a covenly night of witchy fun—almost as easily as waving your magic wand.

Calling All Witches

Every good party starts with a great invitation. Choose from dozens of Halloween themed layouts like this one at Punchbowl. Customize with the who, what, where, and when then send by email or social media. POOF — all your friends have the deets.

Where The Witches Live

Witches live in scary houses, so be sure to set the theme for your party beginning at the front door. You could carve up a Jack-o-lanter or two and call it good, but—really? This is the time to show off all your practical magic by creating a truly dramatic entrance.

These witch hat luminaries styled by Melissa at Polkadot Chair will impress your guests right off the bat.

And speaking of bats . . .

Don’t forget to hang a few of these from the rafters, along with glow in the dark spider webs and lots of creepy plastic spiders.

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Finally, add to the sinister ambience by dimming or turning off bright lights. Instead, use plenty of candles (electric versions for safety!) and strings of colorful lights like these, reminiscent of Dios De Le Muerte. Check out the Halloween isle at your local dollar store for all the decorations you’ll need in a hurry.

Bubble Bubble Toil and Trouble
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Start the cackling good time off by providing themed cocktails like this Poison Apple.  Or keep it simple by featuring a punchbowl as the centerpiece of your buffet spread. Check out Pinterest for more tasty concoctions.

You might consider going strictly with mocktails or an alcohol free punch to accommodate the tea-totaling witches. You can always offer alcohol on the side for those who wish to imbibe. Use these free printables from Suzy Homemaker to label your booze with a grave warning.

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Setting the Feast Table

What’s a party of witches without a feast? Justina Blakenley at Jungalow shows you step by step how to lay your dark side on the table for all to see. Best of all, she pulls it off without breaking the bank by using thrift and dollar store finds.

Ladies Fingers

Of course you don’t have to limit your feast to finger foods, but it doesn’t hurt to have some on the menu . . . fingers that is.

These delicious digits are my all time favorite witches’ party treat from Martha Stewart. Making them requires some baking experience and the prep is a bit fussy, but they are so worth it. Your ghourl friends won’t be able to stop licking their fingers. Find more frighteningly fun partie foods, made with every day ingredients at Pinterest.

Sound Effects

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Make sure your witchy guests are feeling your vibe with a chilling play list. No time to curate your favorites? Tune into year-round spooky tunes on Halloween Radio. You can listen live or download for free.

Fun and Games

Where’s that Magic 8 Ball you had as a kid when you need it? Why didn’t you buy that tarot deck you’ve been wanting? What self respecting witch worth her salt can’t provide a little divination for her guests?

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Relax, you don’t have to have a Tarot deck to peer into the fortunes of your guests, a plain deck or a roll of the dice will do. You can also try your hand at reading tea leaves, or scrying. Everything you need is right in your kitchen cupboard.

Merry Meet, Merry Part, Merry Meet Again

When it’s time to say good bye to your witchy sisters, be sure to send them off with a parting gift. Whether a little favor that sits in the palm of their hand, or a bag full ‘O goodies, they’ll know you (s)care a lot.

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Grounding

I spent a few very pleasant hours this sunny autumn afternoon grounding myself in nature. It’s something I don’t do as often as I’d like, or should. If only I would remember how good it is for me to get away from my work/the tech screens and out of my head.

Being outside, whether rain or shine, working or playing, draws my energy back down into my body, to my lower chakras. It reminds me that I am a spiritual being very much captive in a limited human form. The limitations mean I need rest, I need reconnection with my source energy. I need to ground.

Today I spent my time outdoors harvesting herbs from my garden gone wild—mint, culinary sage and native prairie sage, gently cleaning them, stripping any browned or spotted leaves and layering the best of my crop into my drying basket.

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My back porch makes the perfect drying room, facing the south and west it gets toasty warm in the late afternoon. The two exterior walls are brick, so it holds the heat for hours after dusk. With only one window out of range of any direct sunlight, the herbs can dry naturally on top of the high wardrobe without any discoloration caused by oxidation.

My back porch smells sooooo good, spicy and savory scents filling the 10×10 space. Dried Bee Balm and Mint

There was a previous crop of mint and bee balm in the basket all dried and waiting to be bottled. I can’t explain why I derive so much joy from seeing these natural, organically grown herbs filling up baskets, coffee filters and jars, but I suspect it comes from active connection to the web of life.

It’s magical, when you think about it. Shoots poking up through the dirt from scattered seeds or roots that laid dormant through a frigid northern winter. Coming to life, reaching for the light, budding, flowering and, eventually, dying back again. There is comfort in knowing they will return and live again next year.

The cycle of life, the manifestation of energy transformed through seasons.

Connecting with nature helps me internalize and accept the Five Remembrances:

am of the nature to grow old.
There is no way to escape growing old.

I am of the nature to have ill-health.
There is no way to escape having ill-health.

I am of the nature to die.
There is no way to escape death.

All that is dear to me and everyone I love
are of the nature to change.
There is no way to escape being separated from them.

My actions are my only true belongings.
I cannot escape the consequences of my actions.
My actions are the ground on which I stand.

 – Buddha

At face value, I suppose those words can be quite depressing, but their truth is inevitable. I am like the herbs I harvest and forage, here for a time, vital when conditions are favorable, but time passes and so it behooves me to stay present and enjoy the now.

A dear friend passed away earlier this week after first beating cancer several years ago, but then being stricken by Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. It was a long but valiant leaving; I don’t believe I ever saw him without a smile on his face and a cheerful disposition at the ready. I’m sure he had difficult moments and moments when he was being difficult, but in the loving care of his wife he continued to enjoy social engagement to the last. I’m guessing he didn’t waste time worrying about what was to come, but endeavored to stay grounded in the present.

He is now transformed; his spirit is free of the body that progressively limited his final years. He lives on in the memory of his wife and sons, his grandchildren, father and brother and his many friends.

Rest in Peace Mikey. May your spirit soar and your memory be eternal.

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When Dreams Have Been On Hold

I am in such a rare place in life; a truly sweet spot. There is no telling how long it will last so I want to enjoy it as much as I possibly can.

An artist whose work I admire posted this on her Facebook timeline a few days ago.

I play this game with life. It says, “What now?”
I say, “Something Amazing!” And then I watch.
It never disappoints.
~Marabeth Quin

Having been laid low more than a few time by life’s heartbreaks (personal loss, death, disappointments). I know that amazing isn’t always the order of the day. But it is always possible – even at the darkest moment.

My husband and I waited five years for his medically predicted loss in the battle against heart disease, and when it seemed the shadow of death was drawing ever nearer, when the risks of surgery were less than the risk of doing nothing, he surprised us all by beating the odds. He awoke from surgery to a second chance at life.  How amazing!

So now it is my turn to take my life off of hold, to again pursue my purpose and passion with a whole lot of pizzazz.  That feels amazing too.

Every day, things all around me are changing. Who would think that completing chores could be such a thrill? In five years time many things went undone, for my husband’s physical inability to do them and my emotional incapacity to do it all alone.

We had known “retirement” a bit earlier than most because of my husband’s disability – adjusting to him being home full time, also included adjusting to becoming a somewhat caretaker.  But now his heart is fixed, as his daughter says, and we are beginning a new journey in our lives.

As we embark life is asking us, “What next?” and I am answering with a resounding “Something amazing, please!”