“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” – - George Eliot

I could post about the weekend, or my usual sabbat write up, or link to my podcast but, my write up needs some final touches, as does the podcast… As for posting about my weekend, it was wonderful but I am tuckered out! So I will write more tomorrow, but I wanted to say

…that people ask me about Christmas.

A couple people have asked me recently what I want. I don’t need anything (unless anyone has a couch or futon mattress in decent condition they need taken off their hands.) I know that statement won’t fly with some of my family, so I’ll link you to our wishlist if you want any ideas.

As far as Damian goes, we mainly need winter clothes for him (size 9-12 months.) I don’t mind if they are used (almost all his clothes are second hand) as long as they are in good condition. I never expected him to be fitting in 9-12 months clothes in less then 6 months! Damian does not need anymore stuffed animals (we have half a closet full already.) If you want to get him a toy, I would prefer them not to be plastic. I have a few wooden toys on his wishlist, but I don’t mind if they are second hand either.

I’ve been putting up our tree and cleaning today. I forgot how tedious it is to shape an artificial tree and how ignoring the dishes for a few days makes a scary pile! I love having a tree though… and a clean home. I think I am going to make meatloaf for dinner…

And a baby picture, just because.

A juniper berry is the female seed cone produced by the various species of junipers. It is not a true berry but a cone with merged scales giving it a berry-like appearance.

(With the changing seasons flowers are not in abundance anymore, but their fruits are. Perhaps I should have fruit or foliage Fridays, in keeping with the alliteration.)

unknown subspecies

Does anyone know what kind of tree this is? It is right outside our townhouse door.

I love the clusters of vivid orange berries that is has. The birds don’t seem to touch them though.

Tree Identified: European Rowan

Even more of a reason to love it, it is a sacred tree in Scandinavian myth (the first woman was made out of the rowan) and in Aegean lore the first rowan came from where the blood of an eagle fell on the ground.

You can make a jelly out of the berries too, but shouldn’t eat large quantities of them raw. According to Wikipedia various parts of the tree can be used for throat problems, bowel and vaginal irritations, eye problems, cramps and to remedy diarrhea.

I have a few clusters of berries that the tree let me harvest. I am drying them to add to my Autumn wreath.

Blessed Samhain!