Myspace Comments

*Heavy Sigh*

The whirlwind that is the holidays, for the most part, is over.
The traditional Italian fish feast Christmas eve is slacking, due to my mom's age, and my reluctance to learn how to make 'fish salad', baccala, and stuffed squid. I want to introduce new dishes, such as, fried striped bass, scallops, and perhaps shrimp parmesan.
Next year.
I didn't get to watch much of 24 hrs of A Christmas Story this year. Only 30 minutes. It's a Wonderful Life still remains MIA.
My nieces and family all arrived at my home in the evening and we drank and ate while carolers sang outside. It was a lovely night. The next day my sons came over, and my mom, and we dined on honeyed ham, sweet potatoes with apricots & apples, carrots and a big salad.

Now the cleanup begins...yuk!
Duty calls...and laundry.
Happy New Year!
Ella

Yesterday I attended my book signing at Bluemoon Enchantments. It was a wonderful experience. So many people came to celebrate the holiday season, and purchase books, sample some meade, munch on cheese and crackers, veggies, and much more. I was able to meet a few Myspace friends, as well.

This was my first time tasting meade, I must say it's different than I expected. It's a wine made from honey and various flavors. The samples there were; peach, vanilla, and raspberry. I enjoyed the raspberry. Also on the list of favorite holiday drinks is wassail, which I love, and eggnog! Wassail is made with, or without alcohol, and apple cider, cloves, cinnamon, and any other spices you like. Serve it warm and enjoy!

Afterwards, my husband and I had our own celebration and went out to dinner. All in all, it was a marvelous day and evening. I especially cherish going out at this time of year when many businesses and homes are dripping with brilliant rainbow colored lights. I often wonder what is going on in the living rooms of the warmly lit homes as we'd drive by, TV's are sometimes on, and holiday trees are sparkling.

I've officially got three book signings under my belt. I enjoyed everyone of them and look forward to doing more. The people are friendly, warm, and either book lovers or know a book lover.

I just finished reading a lovely book, Garden Spells, by Sarah Addison Allen. It's a Giving Tree type story about a family's apple tree and the magic it bestows when someone bites into one of its apples. If you enjoyed the book, Practical Magic, by Alice Hoffman, or Nora Roberts, Dance Upon the Air--Three Sisters Island Trilogy, you'll love Garden Spells.

I think that it's important that everyone is able to express their own opinions, but I feel it is equally important that we try to stop lumping stereotypes together. I have considered myself an ecclectic wiccan and have read many and written a few books.
I don't believe that anyone can or should judge a person's devotion based on length of time of a ritual. A hollow heart can pray all day, but that does not make him/her anymore devout than a sincere person who walks his/her talk, and doesn't perform any rituals. It's what's in a person's heart and soul that counts.
In my many years of study, I think the most important thing I've learned is that we're all still learning, still evolving... and a rose by any other name, would smell as sweet.
My reasons for incorperating different pantheons comes from past life connections. So, yes, I will have statues of Isis, Kuan Yin, and Ganeesh in my home. If I had to chose one it would be Isis. She speaks to my soul, and yet I am not Egyptian (not in this lifetime).
I say, it's the journey that counts, not the color horse you ride. Personally, I really don't like labels and that's another reason 'eclectic' works for me. Basically, as I've said in my bio, "I'm a spiritual being having human experiences."~ Wayne Dyer.
Of course these are just some of my thoughts on the subject.

With love and respect,Ella

The Yule trees have been put up all around the house and now I'm preparing for next week's book signing. It's at BlueMoon Enchantments in Patchogue, NY. December 15th is the date.

The shopping season is in full swing and as usual I have many to still shop for, but I had to get my novella finished before the holidays.

Any special plans?

Ella