The cooler days really make me want to get in the kitchen to cook and bake. There's just something about the warmth that kitchen magic brings to the home. The scents, flavors and good times. Here are two of my favorite Samhain Recipes that I make every year: Samhain Stew and Samhain Pumpkin Bread. Please feel free to save and print them out. If you make them let me know. For this quick bread you can adjust the spices as you see fit. I add freshly grated ginger and candied ginger pieces. Sometimes I put in chocolate chips. Because - chocolate! Invite friends and family over. Enjoy the eats and the Season!  Have a very magical Samhain! Audra

Mabon coincides with the Fall Equinox, the 23rd of September. It's one of my favorite holidays, besides Samhain. The trees put on cloaks of gold, red and orange. The air takes on a crispness that makes you rush for your comfy sweaters. Well, it did when I lived in Colorado. Here in Southern California the leaves don't change and there's balmy 100 degree days in September. Boy, do I miss Colorado autumn. So I do what I can to bring in the Fall. My altar and home get decorated with many significant things for the changing seasons. We start with wheat to represent the bountiful harvest and to remind us to be thankful for the things we have. Then comes the Fall leaves - each with their own color significance: Brown is for animals, home and health. Red fuels courage, independence, passion and survival. Orange for prosperity, creativity, releasing bad habits and ambition. Yellow for joy and happiness. Gold invokes spirituality, divination, fortune and communication with Spirit....