Inward Journey

Image via WikipediaA lot has changed for me the past year. I help start a non-profit and I got a job and became the bread winner of my family. This has caused a lot of inner conflict for me as I find myself unable to find a new balance yet. I am looking forward to the Winter months not just for the beautiful landscapes the snow provides but for the purpose of looking inward to find my new peace.

I recently asked, "Why is it so hard to pursue happiness?"

I think the best answer that I received was "because happiness changes"

As with everything in life!

I look around and see the last of the leaves falling to the ground and feel the chill in the air. While, I don't look forward to the commercialism of the holiday to come that I always succumb to due to respect for my husband...

I do find some little joys that do come with this season.

So while I look inward to find my new path I will be sure to remember my hot cups of tea, snuggles in bed and comforting smells of spiced baked goods.

Yule Season

I'm sure everyone is familiar with the traditional cinnamon ornaments?
Well, someone I know makes them with only applesauce and cinnamon so she can burn them as incense when she is done with them. I thought that was pretty awesome! So, I decided to try a variation of that using an actual Yule incense blend. I mixed equal parts of the incense blend with the applesauce. It seemed too moist so I added some flour to thicken it up. I then used a cup to cut out circles and my pentacle cookie press. I used a straw to poke a hole at the top and stuck them in a 250 degree oven for about an hour and a half. I used red and green ribbon to make loops for them. They came out excellent!

Yesterday my family played hooky and had a family day together. We went to the grocery store and picked up egg nog, cookies, and fixin's for Make-your-own-pizzas. I cranked up the Xmas tunes and we decorated our Yule tree.


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Despite it not being officially Winter until the 21st we are already in the midst of Winter here in Maine. I woke up to a temperature of 1 degree this morning. It is very icy everywhere which I don't much like. I can't wait for the next snow storm here. I enjoy the snow much more than the ice.

Here is a picture from our last snow storm here:





A winter wonderland!

On the EMPPD front we have been having lots of fun and a lot of success in our endeavors!
We completed our first photo shoot for our Naughty Pagan Calendar. There were many beautiful (and hilarious!) shots taken and we are looking forward to our next shoot in January.

As far as Yule in my house we will be spending time with our adopted family here on the 22nd and I hope to make a big batch of Wassail.

Blessed Yule!