The Scots and Witches say SAMHAIN

 

It is the Halloween season and my neighbors have decorated their homes. Me? A sign in my yard and a pumpkin on the porch are my additions. 

In other parts of the world, the night of Halloween is called All Hallow's Eve. In the Celtic world, where many of my books are set, Halloween was called Samhain. (Check out these books: My Honorable Highlander, Dragon Bites, and Smoke). 

Samhain originated in ancient Europe as a Celtic holiday, but today, it is an event that is celebrated worldwide. It's a pagan holiday that acknowledges the end of the harvest and honors the changing of the seasons, with cold weather right around the corner.

Another reason I love the fall season are the colors...orange, pumpkin, amber, gold...colors that will decorate the house until we celebrate Thanksgiving Day (November 28th). 

Sorry...I went off-topic. While Halloween does have roots in Samhain, they are not the same thing. Samhain is still celebrated today by various groups including Wiccans and there are many ways in which the festival is celebrated. There are not only group rituals, but single rituals as well.

Whether you celebrate with kids in costumes that roam the neighborhood, or simply enjoy the changing of the leaves or your neighbors' spooky homes, enjoy the change of seasons (and a little bit of chocolate!)

Nancy Lee Badger 🎃

Banana-Walnut Bread & a Book from Nancy Lee Badger

What do you do when bananas turn brown? You bake with them! 

Here in Raleigh, North Carolina I am amazed how fast bananas that were green in the supermarket start getting spotty at home. 

Many folks do not realize that their flavor magnifies as they get ripe. When this happens in our house, I drag out the flour and chop up some walnuts (or dig up a bag of chocolate-chips) and enjoy the smell and absolutely divine taste of:

Nancy's Banana-Walnut Bread

2 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour

1 Cup sugar

3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons salad oil

3/4 Cup milk

1 egg

1 Cup bananas, mashed

1/2 Cup or more walnuts or chocolate chips (I chop walnut halves into bits. Easier on the teeth)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or spray two 8 inch loaf pans (or one 9 inch) with PAM and flour them to prevent sticking. At Christmas, I made three smaller loafs in 7 inch by 4 inch disposable aluminum pans which makes it easier to share the final product with other home-bound folks!

Measure all ingredients except nuts or chips into a mixer bowl. Beat on medium speed about 1/2 minute, scraping bowl sides and bottom. Fold in chips or nuts. Pour into prepared pans. 

Baking times: consider them done when golden brown and inserted knife comes out clean-

*two 8 inch pans, bake about 40 minutes

*one 9 inch pan, bake about 50 minutes

*three small foil pans, bake about 30 minutes

Cool at least 7 minutes, then turn onto a rack to cool. If sharing the small ones with others, leave them in the aluminum pans and wrap in more foil. Freeze any for later.

A slice of banana bread, warmed in the microwave for 10 seconds, makes a great snack anytime. Sip a cup of coffee or tea and relax with a book. If you like SWEET romance that goes along perfectly with banana bread, how about checking out my book RESCUING CHRISTMAS. Is it snowing where you live? Well, it isn't in my book, which sparks all kinds of trouble.

"Vermont is lovely this time of year, 

but where is the snow?" 

Entertainment during this pandemic is also healthy to a person's well-being so remember to READ BOOKS. For a quick, sweet, adventurous story, this book is available in ebook or print.

Find Buy Links HERE