Merriment in the Dark ￨ True Samhain

How did the ancient Celts celebrate Samhain? Are our theories sound or was the truth lost to history? We may never know exactly how this Sabbat looked long ago, but we can be relatively certain that it was an end of summer celebration and a time to usher in the dark half of the year. Samhain reminds us that even in the darkness and uncertainty of winter, we have the ability to make merry! We can put on costumes, dance around a bonfire, and feast! We can stare down our fear and stand boldly in defiance of it. As the sky darkens and the air chills, imagine the light that you will carry into winter. Happy Samhain! 

What am I reading?

The Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edward

https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781668087145

Our Green Heart by Diana Beresford-Krueger

https://bookshop.org/a/111301/9781039009790

https://bookshop.org/shop/witchywomanwalking

What’s playing on repeat?

Dead Man’s Party by Oingo Boingo 

What’s for dinner?

Savory Veggie Egg Bake 

Ingredients:

9-10 eggs

1/2-1 cup cottage cheese

1 cup Shredded cheese

Parmesan cheese on top

1/2 cup Milk

Onions

Garlic

Peppers

Sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil

Cherry tomatoes

Salt

Pepper

Red pepper flakes

Fresh herbs- dill, parsley, or basil work nicely 

Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 9x13 baking dish, set aside. Sauté sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil with onions and garlic until fragrant. Add peppers and cherry tomatoes, sauté until onions and peppers become soft and cherry tomatoes blister, set aside. Whisk together eggs, milk, cottage cheese, and shredded cheese, season with salt & pepper and red pepper flakes. Add veggies to prepared baking dish, spread evenly. Pour egg mixture on top of veggies, add more milk if needed, stir gently. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and herbs, bake for 35 minutes or until fork comes out clean and cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Enjoy! 

Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea

  Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 black tea bag (or 1 tsp loose leaf black tea)
• peel of 1/2 orange (save some for garnish)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp brown sugar (or to taste)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk (or your preferred milk)
• orange peel twist or orange slice for garnish

Instructions:

• In a small pot, bring 1 cup of water to a boil.
  
  
• Once the water is boiling, add the orange peel and the cinnamon stick. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to infuse the flavors.
  
  
• Add the black tea bag (or loose leaf tea) to the pot. Steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea. Strain the tea into your cup, removing the cinnamon stick and orange peel. Remove the tea bag afterward.
  
  
• Stir in the brown sugar and vanilla extract while the tea is still hot, so the sugar dissolves completely.
  
  
• Pour in the milk and allow the tea to gently heat for another 2-3 minutes. Do not let it boil.
  
  
• Strain the tea into your cup, removing the cinnamon stick and orange peel.
  
  
• Add a twist of orange peel or a slice of orange to garnish, and enjoy your warm, fragrant Orange Cinnamon Milk Tea!