Been a Busy Weirded out Weekend!!

Did you ever lose a few days where when you look back and with questions asked..."What did you do" ..the answer surly will be "Everything, Nothing, I'm not really sure,"!!! Well that was my weekend. It has been filled with a little of this and a ton of that, accomplishing something, but really nothing, finishing what was once started , and started that which may never find an end... and all the while tidying up from past weekends of folly!

So now it is Sunday ... what seems like a week long weekend has boiled down to this day...as a treat to myself (and I figure I REALLY EARNED a treat) I decided to read my favorite Blogs and catch up....so many WONDERFUL words out there, so much buzzing in the lives of my Cyber Friends ...makes me smiling uncontrollably.... but one blog caught my Eye and my Heart...

as often it does...my friend PAM'S BLOG . OK, it's not just cause she mentions me in her blog.. it's because her words always strike a cord that is so familiar to my soul. She writes from a place we have all been , her thoughts so descriptively displayed through verse , and she challenges you to be just the person you wish to be and KNOW you are deep down inside.... I like this in Writing... "My firm belief...and I stand by this till the End... never hide the child that remains in us all , for the child is freedom ..... it never judges, it never grades, it never restricts.... it only offers a happy side to life ...helping to find the 'other children' out there ...hiding.

Pam is one of the Happiest Kids I know whose Playful Side begs you to join in ... and all meet up on the Playground called life!!!

Her Blog is not to be missed....truly!

So yes...it is true....I sit here on an early Sunday Morning , sipping my cuppa Hot Joe... reading and typing while all the while wearing my Witch Hat ...and hugging tightly the season ...that beckons the child in us all...

Have a Child Like Sunday Everyone and go look for that piece of clothing in your closet that is begging to be scribbled on...I sure am.

Hugs,

Jodi

"Hey,she's got a Licence to Fly....."

Were the last words spoken by my Bank Teller before she handed me my deposit slip and gave me a glare that still is burned in my brain. ...does NO ONE have a sense of humor these days????

If nothing else...I have one hell of a fun time during this season. Each October I like to make up little stories and have fun with the neighborhood kids by telling them I either fly or turn into something , each day they come over and hang out on the front porch waiting for something to happen ...I tell them that normally I fly only at night when they are in their beds fast asleep so they will seldom see me taking the broom out for a test ride. Then the next morning very early I set my beloved Besom Broom outside the front door and leaning up against the wall and along side my witch shoes and a small pail of pumice stone rocks that are just odd enough that I can easily tell the kids they are 'Moon Rocks' that I gathered the night before while on my flight... the kids are jazzed, I am jazzed and all seems right with the world.... But I have started to have fun with adults ... and it is surprising how gullible they really are... I have this whole season been wearing my home made designer witch hat out when I go to the market, to shop, driving , and the bank.... the reactions I get are priceless... all the way from "Where's your Broom"...I tell them "double parked, let's get this show rolling, fines on Brooms are a Bitch" ...to "please don't turn me into anything"..."not today" I say.... of course the kids are the best for reactions...it is amazing how just wearing a hat with a point evokes so many reactions ...

Now I started to carry my 'Flying Licence' with me in my wallet...it is the exact size of a driver licence, it is laminated...actually looks rather real. When asked if they can see my drivers licence for verification, I LOVE whipping that one out instead of the real one...the takes are priceless...all the way from laughter to serious almost fearful stares...I of course always say..."OOPS, so sorry, I always forget when I am and pull out the wrong one" sooo much fun... poor Richard, he tries to stay as far away as he can from me during this season... 'POOF' I am instant 12 years old' ...

Come fly with me, well fly well fly away!!!

Jodi (aka Mahulda Mugwart)

Recipe Time...YUM, Let's Eat!!!

OK...since I have been on a cooking kick lately...thought I would share a couple of my fav recipes for the season....

The Rum Raisin Cream Cheese pie Recipe and Pumpkin Spice Cookies...YUM!!!

PUMPKIN SPICE COOKIES
4 3/4 Cups all-purpose flour

2 Teaspoons baking soda

3/4 Teaspoon salt

1/2 Teaspoon baking powder

2 Teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/2 Teaspoons ground ginger

3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 3/4 Cups sugar

2 Large eggs

1 Teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 Cup molasses

1. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and ginger in a large bowl; sift, and set aside.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine butter and sugar. Beat, starting on low speed and increasing to high, until mixture is fluffy, about 2 minutes; scrape the sides of the bowl down once with a rubber spatula. Add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla; beat on medium speed until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.

3. Turn off mixer. Add molasses, and mix on medium speed until just combined. Scrape sides of the bowl, and add dry ingredients. Mix, starting on low speed and increasing to medium high, until ingredients are just combined, about 30 seconds.

4. Transfer dough to a clean work surface. Roll the dough into four 1 1/2-inch-diameter logs. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, 1 to 2 hours.

5. Heat oven to 350°. Unwrap, and slice each log into 3/8-inch-thick rounds. Place rounds on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until cookies crack slightly on the surface, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

6. Now eat and enjoy…specially with a nice cup of hot cider.
_________________________________________________________________

Rum Raisin Cream Cheese Pie
Crust:
2 cups graham crackers
¼ cup butter
2 Tablespoons sugar
Filling:
1/3 Cup Rum
1 Cup raisins
12 oz cream cheese
2/3 Cup sugar
¼ teaspoon. salt
2 eggs
2/3 Cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
Sour cream topping:
1 C sour cream
3 T sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
The day before, heat the rum in a small saucepan over low heat just until it comes to a simmer. Add raisins, cover and set aside over night until plump .
Crush the Graham crackers to a fine consistency (I do this with a rolling pin and the G.C. in a zip lock bag)…take 2 cups of the Graham Crackers put in bowl pour in the melted butter and sugar, mix well. Press and pack firmly into the bottom of a deep pie plate or I use a spring form pan lined on bottom with parchment paper and then press the Graham Cracker crust mix over that….set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temp. cream cheese until soft and smooth. Add sugar and salt and continue beating until well blended. Beat in eggs until smooth. Stir in cream and vanilla. Stir in raisins and any remaining liquid.
Pour filling into G.C. crust. Bake for 10 minutes at 400. Reduce heat to 350 and bake 20 to 25 minutes longer, until filling has set around the edges. The center should remain slightly soft; it will become firm as it cools. Cool for at least 1 hour. For topping … Stir together sour cream, sugar and vanilla until sugar dissolved. Spread over baked pie, concealing any surface cracks. Chill for 1 hour before serving.

Our Newest 'The Bride'

Happy Saturday All....and what a lovely Saturday it is...the air is crisp today and clear as a bell out...a true feel good kinda day.

Well I have just finished our latest doll...a Miniature 1:12th scale 'Bride of Frankenstein' ...

But I must tell you...she did not in any way start out this way... this is one of those Serendipitous Dolls that just happen once in a while...no rhyme or reason...they just happen....but with joyful outcome. I was just sitting at my desk the other day and started playing with the clay...thinking...hmmm maybe I will make one of my Ghostie Ladies on a tombstone...so with that in mind...I headed full force in that direction...with image in mind... well, there was no way that was going to happen...try as I may another face kept popping out , was not sure who at that point...I kept mishing it...but it kept forming when I worked the clay ...until I saw her.... 'The bride" I said.. ...WOW I thought, never made her , this will be fun...so I headed in that direction and things came together smoothly...as a matter of fact, I was so engrossed in this little Bride that I made her without even telling Richard (he is working on a Rick Shaw' at the moment)...first thing I knew...she was finished....WOW...been years since things fell into place this easily... I enjoyed every step ... I truly believe that sometimes serendipity just steps in and guides an artists hand... for whatever reason , who knows...and I always say...Go With It!!

Thanks for taking a Peek...

P.S. Studio Ghost update...things have been a little quiet ...BUT...this morning two strange things happened.... first off....when I came into my studio this morning a big bundle of black fabric was sitting in the middle of my chair and one one my jewelry desk ??? Not sure why...but neither Richard nor I have used any black fabric in a few weeks now...and it was odd fabric that I normally keep at the bottom of my pile... plus as I was talking to my Mom this morning on the phone (she lives about 3 miles from me) her front door opened wide...and there is no wind today...freaked up both out...again, not sure what that means...

OK...I need to get back to work...gathering with a bunch of friends this evening for cards and desserts.... I made a Rum Raisin Cheesecake.

Happy Saturday..

Hugs,

Jodi

Got Flies?

Halloween Grows ever Close....

I cannot believe that it is now approx. 17-18 days away from Halloween Night!! Where in the hell did the time go? This is always the one time of the year that I want time to 'linger'' a bit...yet instead time turns in a whirling dervish of out of control minutes..zipping by at break neck speed...UGH! I have barely started with my decorations ... I mean, I do have some things up but getting to them all seems an impossibility for that Magic Day!! Double UGH!

I am however living vicariously through others Blog Postings of their Halloween Decoration Joy... check out William Bezek's 'House Decorations' and Chris at Designs by CK "Fantastic Halloween Tree' ...WOW...these are NOT to be missed...I know there are many others...I will go out and scout and report back!!

Sniff Sniff...alas...I am still pretty much over thinking my decorating this year and still dragging Frankenstein Feet with all of Life's Other Obstacles thrown in my pathway.

Even the above 'Attack of the 50 Foot Vampmingo' is something I did a few yeas ago (not actually 50 feet...nor were any neighbors hurt in the shooting of this still!!)...

Let's face it... I miss FALL!!! Where the leaves change color and morning chill hangs in the air and frost is readily available for any self respecting pumpkin! Hard for me these last 8 years to get my True Halloween Mojo up and running in this desert terrain...specially since they REALLY discourage kids from going door to door here , instead encouraging them to all congregate on downtown's main street or go to churches for 'Trunk or Treat'??? ... cars parked in a church parking lots with trunks open and offering candy to kids as they pass by...WTF... don't they have a name for that???!!! I mean OK...it is very nice and probably the kids dig it cause they can score a lot of sweets in one setting with little work... but I have to tell you... that as kids if we didn't cover a few miles of walking down dark streets, alleys, small neighborhoods to get our sweet goods... we felt cheated...and after all, isn't that what Halloween is... taking that chance of knocking on doors or ringing bells in mortal fear of a Ghoul or Monster answering...asking yourself in that one split second if they did..."How badly do I want this candy...How badly do I want this candy"??? ...hanging there at the door just long enough to hear the 'Baby Ruth' make contact with your sack and then as if you had 'magic shoes' ran away like the wind while yelling "T---H---A---N---K--------Y---O---U "!!!! I mean, there is nothing more intoxicating that Kid Adrenaline rushing through your clean little arteries as a child... What's the point of dressing up (planning for weeks what you would be), working on the costume , decorating your Super Market Paper Sack, watching 'Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein' on TV 8 times during the season, just picking at dinner so as to save room for all those yummy treats you would later cram into your mouth (all at one time), practicing moans, groans, screams and yells in front of a mirror getting your 'tough' on just in case you came across a marauding band of crazed ghouls and creatures of the night...so that you would rise victoriously in defeating them all....and as back up plan 'B' ...Mom was always there to run and hide behind... as she was defender of all children and a First Class 'Monster Basher'....

I mean what's the point if fear is taken out of the Halloween experience.... if that happens, all you have for memories are a bunch of stale mini candy bars and Church Ghouls!!

I do long for the days of old and the childhood of the 50's -early 60's ..Halloween was an event, all stores, houses and shops knew it too ...decorated to the nth degree and thousands bags of candy were never seen in stores 3 months early...and Christmas Holly was never sharing a shelf with witch hats and rubber bats!

So here I sit...dreaming of Old.... and longing to give a least one kid a scary memory he will take with him into his adulthood...

Jodi

Newest Award and Newest Thanks....

I must start off by saying THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for giving me such a lovely Award.... and second I must bury my head in shame for not acknowledging this Award sooner to those that have taken the time to give me this award... SOOOOOOOOOO SORRY!!!

But I will 'unbury' my noggin just long enough to Thank 3 people who have given me this Beautiful Award...

Jacqui from Odddollz

Andrea from 'Dreamkeeperfae'

Rosanna from "La Stanza Di Giuggiola'

All 3 WONDERFUL Blogs...and Dear Sweet Friends.... Thanks so much.... I will add with Great Pride to my Fireplace Mantel...

OK..onto the Rules...there are always rules...aren't there!!!

'Name Seven things about yourself that know one would really know!!! (GULP!!!)

and now nominate 7 Others for this Award....

OK first off...the Seven Thing that few know about me....

I will try to make them all 'Halloween/Spooky based in honor of the Season.

1.) I grew up in a haunted house, and slept in the room where the ghost hung out the most

2.) I last went Trick or Treating when I was 15 years old (just for old time sake) and though I dressed young...I was told by the very first person who opened the door..."You are TOO OLD to be Trick or Treating", and slammed the door in my face and I cried as I slowly walked home....it was officially over!! Sad Night Indeed....

3.) I portrayed a 'Witch' 9 of my years Trick'0'Treating ...with one year as a Gypsy! (in my mind a Gypsy Witch) and one year a Geisha...don't ask!!

4.) When I grew up in So. California , friends and I each year would visit the Harry Houdini house ...hoping to see him..it was spooky fun!...never did!!

5.) One year when I was in 2nd grade ...on 'Costume' day at school...for some reason I was the only kid to dress up (guess the other kids parents didn't get the memo...) needless to say I was stared at all day long...and this is the time I was a Geisha!!!

6.) I once quite a job as they did not give me Halloween off (like I arranged 6 months earlier) so I could make my Haunted house for the neighborhood kids....didn't like that place anyway!!

7.) When I was 7 there was a Haunted Fun House set up for our Halloween School Carnival ...I have never done well with the extreme dark...and it was dark in there , I let go of my friends hand and backed into something Big and Furry...and let out a blood curdling scream (and I don't scream) ...it scared the H.H. workers enough to turn on the lights...I told them why I screamed...only problem was...they was nothing big and furry in there...hmmmm, always wondered what that was.

I now Pass this Award onto...

Deborah at http://possiblim.blogspot.com/

Cody at http://codyland.blogspot.com/

Karin at http://orrlakemusings.blogspot.com/

Sprite at http://spritebites-brokenplanet.blogspot.com/

Linda at http://thewindowtomylife.blogspot.com/

Pattee at http://odd-dolls.blogspot.com/

Cindy at http://southwoodcreations.blogspot.com/

Thanks so so much..

Hugs,

Jodi