The Mystical Cauldron
Imbolg Edition - February 2010
You know, Imbolg is an
interesting time of year. It is cold and often dreary, somewhat dark (which is seemingly endless),
with few bright days, but for those of us on this spiritual path it offers more. On one of those
rare bright, days, step outside and listen to the Earth. You will hear Her whisper to you that the
light is returning and that her pregnancy, which has been developing all through the winter is
coming to fruition. Soon, all the life she has been nurturing in her womb will begin to spring
forth. The browns and whites of winter will begin to give way to the green of infant grass
and the beautiful colors of crocus and other flowers. 
Baby animals will show their gentle faces to the strengthening sun and all hibernating life will begin
to waken to the glorious Spring. In all the world is there truly a more hopeful time than this?
When the fetal stirrings of life can be felt within the Mother and the bursting forth of life is
but moments away from us. Let us be thankful for the peaceful time we have as we anticipate the new
beginnings that wait just around the corner.
It used to be when I heard the phrase 'Bring back
the Light' all I thought about was the return of the Sun; how the light was strengthening at this
time of year. This winter, however has forced me to view it in another light (pardon the pun) because
it has been a very difficult season emotionally; not just for me, but for many people that I know and
love. I began to think to myself about how we, who have been so emotionally stressed and/or challenged
during the dark months of winter can bring the light back into our lives this Imbolg... into our hearts...
help the joy and lightness return to our very souls. It dawned on me that there are several ways
we can do this.
One of the ways is simply to count our blessings. I know it sounds trite but if you will take the time
to do it, you will see that it really works. For example... If you look in the mirror and see an obese body, instead of saying to
yourself that you are fat, think how blessed you are to have plenty of food to eat. When the furnace in
the house decides to give up the ghost, be glad you have the wherewithall
to pay for its replacement. If you have had a horrible day at work, consider that you are blessed
to have a job. If your spouse snores and wakes you up, remember you are blessed to have someone who
loves you. Instead of complaining about how cold and nasty it is outside, consider how blessed
you are to have a roof over your head to shelter you from the weather.
Another thing you can do is to surround yourself with light. If you can, light candles in the room
where you will be when you are inside. If you are stuck in an office during the day, go outside for a few minutes at your
lunc
h break and soak up as much of the sunshine as you can... even if it is cold outside. Wear light-colored
clothes instead of the traditional dark, winter colors. Get out of your house!!! Visit with your friends and family. Go to a movie. Take a walk. Go on a picnic
with someone you love (NO, I'm not kidding... Some of the best picnics I've been
on were during the Winter.)
Every blessing you find in your life, every action you take, is one more break in the cloud of depression for the light of
joy to shine through. Is it easy to do? No, and I would be lying if I tried to tell you it was. Is
it worth it? What do you think? Is it worth a little work to regain the happiness and joy that lay
temporarily hidden from you? In my mind it is.
Lemon Pomander
These wonderful smelling items lift your mood and make your home smell
wonderful.
1. Start by washing and drying your fruit.
2. You can make prettier
pomander balls (and keep from breaking cloves) by doing a little pre-planning! Mark rows or designs around where
your ribbon will go (if you choose to have ribbon on yours).
3. Use a big needle or an awl to start
the holes for the cloves, then, insert your cloves along the pattern lines you
have decided upon.
4. After fruit is covered in
cloves, hang it in a dark area for a couple of weeks (maybe 2-4 weeks) until
it hardens!
You can use any kind of citrus fruit for
this project.
Clay Sun
You will need some air-dry clay,
which can usually be purchased at a craft shop (like Hobby Lobby). It normally
comes in either Terra Cotta color or White and in my part of the world costs
about $10 a box.
Before you begin, cover your work
are with newspaper or something and make sure that you have removed your jewelry
(the clay is really hard to get out of your rings) and that you are wearing an
old shirt.
Following the instructions on the
box of clay, shape your clay into whatever size sun-shape you want... (from
quarter to a dinner plate). When the shape is as you like it, sculpt a face onto
your sun. Make it as happy and joyous as you want it to be.
When the face is as you wish
it to be, find a well-ventilated, out-of-the-way location for your sun to sit
while it dries the appropriate amount of time (as recommended on the
instructions of the box).
Once it has dried, find a
prominent place to display your masterpiece!
Wacky Grass-head
You will need: Grass seed, Old pantyhose,
Potting soil, Paint (for face), a yogurt container
1. Put about 2/3 tablespoons of grass seeds into
the feet of old pantyhose.
2. Put about 1 - 1 1/2 cups of potting soil on top of
that. Then tie a knot in the end to keep it from falling out.
3. Paint Wacky Grass-head's face
onto the pantyhose and allow to dry completely.
4. Once the face has dried, fill the yogurt cup about 3/4 full with
water then put the Head onto a yogurt cup.
5. Make sure to leave a long enough "tail" on the pantyhose so that it reaches
the water. Also make sure to keep water in the cup so that the grass will grow.
Kids love to watch Wacky Grass-head grow and to cut his hair!!
Brie En Croute
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, pre-packaged
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 cup walnuts
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (8-ounce) wheel Brie
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
Crackers, for serving
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Defrost puff pastry for approximately 15 to 20 minutes and unfold.
3. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
4. Saute the walnuts in the butter until golden brown, approximately 5 minutes.
5. Add the cinnamon and stir until walnuts are coated well.
6. Place the walnut mixture on top of the Brie and sprinkle the brown sugar over the mixture.
7. Lay the puff pastry out on a flat surface.
8. Place the brie in the center of the pastry and slice off the very top of the coating.
9. Gather up the edges of the brie, pressing around the brie and gather at the top.
10. Gently squeeze together the excess dough and tie together with a piece of kitchen twine.
11. Brush the beaten egg over top and side of Brie.
12. Place Brie on a cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes until pastry is golden brown.
13. Serve with crackers.
Roasted Chicken
1 roasting chicken (4 lbs or so)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
6 cloves garlic, 1 crushed and 5 cut in half
1 orange, quartered
1 smallish yellow onion quartered
1/2 teaspoon salt
black pepper
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Wash chicken with cool clean water and pat dry.
3. Stuff cavities of chicken with quartered onion, quartered orange and halved garlic cloves.
4. Mix crushed garlic with olive oil and rub on outside of chicken skin.
5. Sprinkle salt and pepper on outside of chicken.
6. Bake for about an hour (longer if the bird is bigger).
7. Eat and enjoy!
Saffron Rice
2 3/4 cups warm chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup chopped onions
3/4 cup Arborio rice, rinsed
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon cream
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
Directions:
1. Heat the chicken stock and saffron on the stove.
2. In a saucepan, heat the olive oil, cook the onion for 5 minutes or until tender, but not brown.
3. Add the rice, stir to completely coat all the rice kernels.
4. Add 1 cup of the hot stock, reduce the heat, and slowly cook allowing the stock to absorb slowly as it cooks.
5. Add more stock as needed. You want the liquid to absorb and the rice to be perfectly al dente. Stir often with a wooden spoon.
6. When all the stock is absorbed and the rice perfect, quickly stir in the butter, cream, and cheese.
7. Season and serve.
Honey Glazed Carrots
3/4 - 1 pound carrots
1/2 tsp salt, table
2 tablespoons sweet butter, unsalted
1/4 cup honey, golden
Directions:
1. Peel and slice the carrots into 1/4 inch rounds or diagonals.
2. Place in a pot of water boil over high heat.
3. Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Cook for 3-5 minutes (for firm carrots), or longer according to your preference.
4. Drain the carrots in a colander and discard the cooking water.
5. Place butter in the same pan and melt the butter over medium heat.
6. Add in the honey and stir to combine well.
7. Add in the cooked carrots and toss to coat evenly. Let cook for just a minute or two longer.
8. Transfer to serving bowl and serve.
Stained Glass Cookies
1 cup sugar
2 sticks butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups flour
Assorted brightly colored, hard candies
Directions:
1. In a mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the sugar and butter until smooth.
2. Add the egg and the vanilla extract. Mix well.
3. Mix in the flour.
4. Remove the dough from the mixer and press into a rectangular shape.
5. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
6. Remove from the refrigerator and cut off about a large tablespoonful of dough.
7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheit.
8. Roll out dough into a long snake (like clay), about 3/16-inch thickness.
9. On parchment (or silpat) covered baking sheet, Form the snake into any shape you wish, making sure there are open areas to fill in with colored candies.
10. Place candies, by color, into plastic bags and crush with rolling pin or meat mallet into tiny pieces.
11. Sprinkle colored candy dust into open areas of raw cookies in any pattern you like.
12. Bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly golden brown, and the candy has melted.
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