Samhain or All Hallow's Eve customs

HAPPY ALL HALLOW'S EVE

It is that time of the year again...31st October and for some the Celtic New year or Samhain. It is said this event known to most of us as All Hallow's Eve was regarded by the anciens Celts as a day to honour the family's ancestors, allowing harmless spirits to visit whilst warding off harmful ones.

Disguising themselves with costumes and mask allowed people to ward off harmful spirits. In Scotland revelers would wear white costumes and blackened their faces. Samhain was a time to take stock of food supplies and prepare for the winter. Bonfires were lit and each home lit their hearth from the bonfire.


Traditionally in Celtic Samhain, turnips were hollowed and carved with scary faces then placed on window sills. Since pumpkins are much more readily available in the US and much easier to carve than turnips, children and adults alike use them instead in the making of their jack o' lanterns.

As to trick or treat, in some parts of Scotland children still go guising or perform some sort of trick such as telling a ghost story or sing a song to earn their treats.
Along with Irish and Scottish immigration in the 19th Century this holiday came to the US.


Giving Soul Cakes on All Hallows Eve originated in the UK and the Isle of Ireland in the Middle Ages. These cakes were filled with Cinnamon, Allspice and Nutmeg, Raisins or Currants and the top was marked with a Cross.

These little round cakes were referred as Souls and given out to Soulers, children and the poor who would sing and say prayers for the dead.
Each Soul Cake eaten defined a Soul freed from the Purgatory thus seen as the origin of the modern Trick or Treating.

Recipe for Soul Cakes

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup butter
  
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar
  
• 4 cups flour, sifted
  
• 3 egg yolks
  
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice
  
• 1 teaspoon allspice
  
• 3 tablespoons currants or raisins
  
• a little milk

Directions:

1. Cream the butter and sugar together until pale in colour and fluffy in texture. Beat in the egg yolks, one at a time.

2. Mix together the flour and spices. Fold into the creamed butter mix.

3. Gently stir in the currants/raisins. Add enough milk to make a soft dough.

4. Form into flat cakes and cut each top with a knife to make a cross.

5. Bake on a well-greased baking sheet at 350 F for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden.

So now like me, you know a little bit more about All Hallow's Eve. Whilst Trick or Treating, be safe and have fun!

Come and See - Bible Study Series: Ezekiel, Hebrews, Revelation

Come and See Bible Study - Ezekiel, Hebrews, Revelation is the latest book in The Catholic Bible Study series. Written by Father Andreas Hoeck, S.S.D. and Laurie Watson Manhardt, Ph. D. this book is especially designed to be used in a group setting and is proving to be an excellent tool for both the novice as well as the experienced teacher.

Ezekiel, Hebrews, Revelation gives a sequence of events which allows leaders to plan a complete 60 to 90 minutes session and includes a needs list, an how to guide as well as a practical outline. Following each chapter is a question and answer guide which will further enhance your knowledge.

Although Ezekiel has always been a more difficult book to study this guide will in fact make it easier to understand the many visions and dreams of Ezekiel with an excellent outline of how much he influenced Revelation in his writings.
Both Hebrews and Revelation studies were found much easier to follow for the everyday student being New Testament books and will give you new perspective on Jesus.

Overall, this is an easy guide to use, informative, precise and well written. I would recommend it as an addition to any Church library and I give it a 4 stars!

I received this book free from the Catholic Company as part of their Blogger Review program.I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

And whilst visiting the Catholic Company please check out their baptism gifts!

Surf Sweets for my sweet tooth

The one thing that goes hand in hand with reading as many books as I do is having a penchant for sweets...Very telling is it not? (Life without Chocolate, what a sad thought!)

When I received the possibility to review a Natural and Organic candy called Surf Sweets I just knew it was something I would like.
I was not disappointed! My gift parcel contained in fact Jelly Beans, Gummy Bears, Gummy Swirls and Sour Berry Bears and some very interesting information regarding the Tru Sweets Company.

This natural and organic candy is made with Organic Fruit Juice & Sweeteners, natural colours and flavours, has 100% RDA of Vitamin C, suitable for many people with food allergies and is one of the few made without corn syrup! And best of all, Made in the USA!

My family rated the candies as "Swell, yummy, good flavour". The Surf Sweets are tasting as promised of fresh fruit flavour and we very much enjoyed discovering each one. Of course, we have our own favourites: I like best the Sour Berry Bears and my husband prefers the Jelly Beans.

Anyone who knows me will guess I checked out the Tru Sweets Site for the many causes this Company sponsors including amongst others The Ocean Project and Treeswing .
I would recommend you take a moment of your time to check their website especially in view of Halloween coming up in a few days: Green Halloween is a healthy and safe way to celebrate this fun Holiday!

You can find Surf Sweets at most Whole Foods Markets or use the store locator on their website to find a retailer near you.

Please note I received free samples of the a fore mentioned candies. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions of this post are my own.

The Church Awakening by Charles R. Swindoll

If you are a serious churchgoer maybe looking for a better way to help guiding your Church or perhaps a Pastor wishing to make the word of God the most important part of your worship service than this book is for you!

In his latest book, The Church Awakening, Swindoll takes us first to the very beginning of the Church when Jesus Himself revealed to Peter and the other Apostles that "on this rock, I will build my Church.
Using the early Church as the very example of how any church should be, not as we too often perceive it these days through the eyes of others, he clearly defines the drifting of the church from its earlier teachings by Peter and his fellow disciples. The sharing of the death on the cross, the resurrection of Jesus, the ministry of giving to the poor, the helping of widows and orphans all seems to have lost their rightful place in our worship.

Often today's services resemble a social club gathering with little praise or gospel sharing. In The Church Awakening, an urgent call for renewal, Charles R. Swindoll gives us great insight on how we can work our way back to the basics of the Church in the way he does best, through stories, scriptures and examples of daily living.

This is an honest look at the Church the way it is now and showing us that if we are willing, we can change. An excellent source of renewal for everyone and a great book for any church library! I give it a 4 stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Hachette Publishers as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Day of the Deployed coming up on 26 October 2010

On the 26th of October 2010 we will celebrate the 5th Annual Day of the Deployed. Let's not forget for a moment the many Men and Women who are putting their lives on the line to protect and preserve our Way of Life. Let's also take a moment to remember their loved ones who in turn have sacrifice so much in the name of our Freedom.

Take a moment to salute these brave Men and Women, remember a Veteran, help the family of a Deployed Soldier. Write a letter, send a parcel, inquire if the spouse of a Deployed needs help perhaps by babysitting for an afternoon or an evening for i.e.
There are many ways to help so please, let's take a moment out of our busy time to remember them.

As a Soldier Angel I have the opportunity to make a small difference in the life of a National Guard deployed friend and I enjoy sharing through correspondence and parcels what is happening here on the home front whilst praying she will soon be home amongst her loved ones.

There are still many such soldiers waiting to be adopted. Please visit Soldier's Angels site to find out more!

In honour of the Day of the Deployed a Poem was written. I wanted to share this with you:

I Am the One

I am the one,
who was there in the fight that won
the United States of America the right to be
the land of the free and voice of liberty.

I am the one,
who does what must be done
to save and protect
what we all hold dear and respect.

I am the one,
who doesn't run
when faced with an enemy's gun,
always there, standing tall
in response to my cherished nation's call.

I am the one,
whose life was undone,
while doing my very best
for you and all the rest
during a noble quest.

I am the one,
who is a daughter, son,
or another loved one,
proudly serving the USA
every single day
in the Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army or National Guard
with it never being about me...
but out of love for my great country!

By David G. Bancroft Copyright © 2005 All Rights Reserved

Latest news from Soldier's Angels. Will you help?

Please help to fill our First Response Backpacks. We have enough empty backpacks, but we need Angel Power to help fill them by sending supplies directly to the Combat Support Hospitals. For complete directions, please email Roger at rgodskesen@soldiersangels.org with the subject line "BACKPACKS." Tell him what you can send and how many of each item and he’ll tell you where to send it.

Please note this post reflects my opinion only. I was not asked to write anything about this special event but felt compelled to spread the word!

Holiday Shopping and the Pleasure of Giving

Gift ware with a conscience

It is always a pleasure to hear what all of us TOGETHER can do to make this a better world! Too often we need to be reminded life is not easy for so many and yet reaching out is such little a thing to do.

We CAN make a difference, We CAN help others, We CAN offer HOPE!

Like most of us I see the Holiday Season coming up, shoppes advertising their pretty wares and the mood getting jolly just thinking of what we will share with our loved ones. This Season, please remember not just to give, but give meaningfully by helping others to retain their independence, their pride in providing for their loved ones.

TOGETHER we can do so much!

Please note this posting is reflecting my opinion only and I was not rewarded monetarily. If I helped spreading the word however I feel indeed rewarded!

What Good is God? by Philip Yancey

Does Faith really matter when you are struggling with an addiction, when you get laid off from your job, when your home is in foreclosure?

In his latest book What Good is God? Philip Yancey asks just that question, ultimately proving that to most of us it really matters! Giving excellent examples of how Faith works in our lives, he describes ten memorable events whose aftermath he personally attended throughout the world.

As the book unfolds, he gives us the story behind the story with events taking place from the US with the heartbreaking tragedy of Virginia Tech to the underground Church of China.
With each story Philip Yancey gives us a glimpse of true Faith as he interviews Students, Pastors, Alcoholics as well as Prostitutes from all over the world thus recording amazing details of love and compassion amongst survivors and participants of world shattering events!

This is truly an interesting book, emotional at times as well as factual and I give it 4 stars.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Hachette Publishers as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”