Yesterday I ventured out to the store and decided to bring my camera with me. I wanted to capture the Fall creepin' in. It was a chilly and dreary day yesterday and there was a stillness in the day. I could hear the heartbeat of the Earth, of this place. I thought to myself, what a big difference it has been experiencing a full cycle of seasons. There is a whole rhythm to life here that I never imagined. I find my body and mind has easily adjusted to this rhythm but it is still so new and strange to me. There is a beauty to it. I thought for sure my body and energy was more aligned with this cycle rather than the the cycle I lived in down in Florida. I see the Gods beauty everywhere here...
My life has changed immensely in the past year in a way I didn't think would ever happen. This Mabon I have a lot to be thankful for.
I am thankful for finally finding a place I can call home. I am thankful for my children. I am thankful for my hubby. I am thankful for my friends both old and new. I am thankful for the opportunity to help organize something for the pagan community here. I am thankful to have found a place where my children can have better opportunities in their lives. I am thankful for my parents who despite differences have been supportive.
I feel I have come a long way in my life in ways people will probably never know about. Netjer and my Akhu have blessed my life.
Yesterday I went outside to check the mail and to my surprise felt a mighty chill. My hubby says there is talk around work that Fall has arrived early and that we might get snow early this year. My opinion? I have none. I'm new to this thing called seasons. What I have noticed is that it is chillier and the smell in the air is changing. Maybe that is what Fall smells like, maybe it is here. One thing I know for certain is that Mabon is creeping up on me. Time to start menu planning! A couple of years ago I came across an Apple Mabon bread recipe that I fell in love with. Of course since the move I have not been able to find a darn thing I am looking for. However, I think I found a YouTube video of someone making it. Seems to be the same ingredients. Thank the Gods!
Instructions:
2 ½ cups grated apple 2 cups raisins or crazins (soaked) 1 ½ cups boiling water 3 Tbs oil 1 cup honey or Agave nectar 1 ½ tsp cinnamon 1 ½ tsp allspice 1 ½ tsp salt ½ tsp cloves
3 cups whole wheat flour 1 ½ tsp baking soda ¾ cup chopped nuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two loaf pans and set aside. Combine first 9 ingredients together in a bowl and set aside. In another bowl, mix together the last three ingredients. Add the wet mixture to the flour mixture and mix until combined. Pour into prepared loaf pans and bake for one hour.
Let rest on rack until cool.
I still have not entirely figured out what I am putting on the menu. One thing I would like to try for this feast is to try and put as many local ingredients as I can into it. I am hoping for a chance to take the kids to an apple orchard to pick apples for us to use in the feast.
My ideas so far have been: Apple Mabon bread, pumpkin bread pudding, candied/caramel apples, mashed potatoes, succotash. As far as a meat I am considering roasting a chicken or turkey with my homemade stuffing.
If you have any favorite Mabon or Fall recipes please post and share!
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