Witchy Wednesday New Modern Witch Hat...

Happy Witchy Wednesday to you. I recently ordered a new hat from Amazon.ca, its a witch hat as you can see, and for me its like a thinking cap....or writing cap.  For months I would see adds for it on Facebook, it comes in lots of colors but I ordered black and it is super comfortable. I even wore it at work for a few minutes... forgot it was on actually so more like an hour.

Why did I buy it? Impulse buy? Okay it did help for free shipping but honestly it is a hat I would wear out, write in and it is as I said before really comfortable. I might order my little friend Lily one for her birthday, she too loves witchy stories like me.

Who knows this Hat might just have some magic in it after all, I seem to be writing more since acquiring it...
If you might need a super comfortable Witches hat to write or garden in, check it out on Amazon like I did, by clicking here ( I am not an Amazon Affiliate) 

Thank you for joining me here for a cup of tea and a look at my new Witches Hat/Writing Cap. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Dark Corner By Vicki Vass...

One of the most extraordinary things about life is how chance encounters lead to unimaginable adventures. Not so many years back I was introduced to the most amazing of authors, Vicki Vass, through my friend Lisa Kelley. I devoured books that Vicki wrote like potato chips and came to have admire and be inspired by her writing. I reached out to her through social media and an amazing thing happened. Somehow, the books I had come to love, I ended up a character in. This is one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me.
Book two in the Witch Cat Mystery Series arrived early in December and was the most exciting paranormal reads of 2018. I love the premise of this series,  the story line, the setting and of course the characters! Lending my name and my familiar to the story, gave me an unbelievable sense of excitement in a book that gave me hours of joy and mystery. We lose ourselves in books but we find ourselves there also...

I hope to be as "badass" as my character is in Dark Corner, and I hope it is not my last time in this amazing series. If you love witches, if you love cats, if you love magic, adventure and hope. This is a series you need to pick up and read. Vicki Vass is truly talented and magical in every way!

Evil has awoken in Asheville, North Carolina, and Terra Rowan must prepare the Ladies of the Biltmore Society for battle. With her familiar, Pixel, a crooked leg fluffy orange cat, and her apprentice Abigail Oakhaven, a stubborn teenage girl with a bloodline dating back to the beginning of time, she begins their journey. The witch hunters have come to the Appalachian Mountains in search of the last witch of Salem. The magic of the mountains can no longer protect her and her coven. She must travel to the one place on earth that holds the secret to save mankind – Dark Corner.Combining elements from different cultures, Appalachian folklore, Celtic legends, Native American mysticism, Dark Corner continues its new witch mythology while staying true to the realm of cozy mystery. Terra Rowan is a witch trapped between worlds and lost in time.

Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a cozy mystery review. I would love to hear from you so please leave  me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

A Very Witchy Spelling Bee by George Shannon, Illustrated by Mark Fearing

Happy Halloween/ Happy Samhain to all of you!

Today I am so excited to be able to share my Halloween Day with the tea loving community as I am headed to work  at the tea shop for the day. I will join my boys later for their post trick or treating pizza after work. I love Halloween. I always have.

This year I am going to share a book review of one of my true favorites...

This book is lovely and delightful for the under 8 crowd. In A Very Witchy Spelling Bee the main character, takes learning her spells and spelling very seriously and she becomes a very confident and thoughtful young witch. This lovely story about a spelling bee, shows how age doesn't matter and that confidence and kindness goes a very long way. I love reading this book and having this book read to me. A very sweet story and one I am thrilled to own.

You can find a copy to love on Amazon by clicking here (I am not an amazon affiliate) 
Happy Halloween and thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a children's book review this very Witchy Wednesday!
I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

The Long Lost Kitchen Witch...

Years ago, in the house on Fernwood that no longer stands, my mother had a Kitchen Witch hanging in our kitchen. When I was 8,  I was obsessed with it. When I was 11,  we moved and she got lost in that move, even though we only moved with in the neighborhood. I have missed her for many years. I looked for her in every thrift store and yard sale since and yet never finding her. I looked on Ebay and never could afford the $80+ to bring her home.   Eight years ago when my mom passed away, I renewed my hands on search to replace her.

In September I found her! At the bottom of a bin of Halloween items at a thrift store I found my kitchen witch. She was perfect in every way, only missing her head scarf. I quickly paid the $2.99 for her and carried her triumphantly home.
My search began for the perfect fabric to make a head scarf from and though I have many scraps in my possession none felt quite right.

 On October 12th, my friend Anna and I went out to the fabric store which is about 40 minutes from where I live. On a table in a basket of "candies" for $1.25 I found what I thought would be the perfect head scarf. I was thrilled when I got home and saw that I was right.

Saturday night I plugged in the hot glue gun, and I got the scissors out cutting the fabric I felt a renewed sense of joy. A tiny dab of glue on her head near here hair and I tucked the head scarf into place. A dab more under her chin on the fabric and she was whole again, and for a moment, so was I.

 I only need a bit of clear fishing line to finish her off and hang her in my kitchen with pride.  I do think I shall name her Nora...
Thank you for joining me today for a cup of tea and a visit with my kitchen witch. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Witchy Wednesday- Crystal Magic by Sandra Kynes

Coming out in October is a book called Crystal Magic by Sandra Kynes. I requested to read and review this book because I have become enchanted and love the look and feel of crystals. As long as I can remember I have always picked up rocks in my path, had rocks in my shoes, purse, hand or around my neck. I like the way they feel and the way I feel when I have them close at hand. It was not until many years later that I learned that there are actually meanings and it is believed that there are properties in these rocks and crystals which can aid in comfort and condition.  I have read and reviewed crystal books in the past and always learn a little, I am fascinated each time I learn or pick up something new. I found while reading Crystal Magic, I felt like I was constantly learning something new about many of my favorite crystals and learning about ones I had not explored. This is a great book for reference and one I think would be handy to have on my shelf in print! I love books published by Llewellyn Publishers and am grateful for the opportunity to read and review them.

Strengthen your connection with the natural world and learn how to incorporate the power of crystals into your magical practice with this comprehensive guide. Crystal Magic features everything you need to effectively work with crystals, from the history, science, and magical workings of the mineral kingdom to an encyclopedic list of more than one hundred varieties of stones. Explore numerous ways to grow your knowledge and skills, including details on buying and preparing stones, how to spot fakes, and even a new and powerful form of crystal grid.

Click here for the Amazon listing of Crystal Magic. 
Thank you for joining me here for a cup of tea and this weeks Witchy Wednesday selection. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Witchy Wednesday A Year and A Day of Everyday Witchcraft 366 Ways to Witchify Your LIfe by Deborah Blake

This week's Witchy Wednesday selection is a book coming out this October by Deborah Blake. A Year and A Day of Everyday Witchcraft is an eclectic selection of daily witchy tips that would make a great gift for those new to Witchcraft or those who want to learn about Witchcraft. This is a really easy to follow book that is meant to be read daily though one can not help but want to read ahead. I found this was an interesting read, someday's had really interesting facts, others recipes, ideas and things to think about. This one is out in October but would also make a great holiday gift. 

Enjoy the Sacred Wisdom of Witchcraft Every Day

Connect with your witchy self each and every day using quick, easy, and fun practices. This handy book features simple yet meaningful ways to integrate witchcraft into your daily life, inspiring you to take your magic to a new level whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner.

Deborah Blake guides you on a journey through the Wheel of the Year, providing witchy wisdom, affirmations, spells, questions to ponder, and much more. From working with herbs and gemstones to connecting with deities, A Year and a Day of Everyday Witchcraft explores a variety of modern Pagan practices to help you get more in touch with your personal path of witchcraft.

A Year and a Day of Everyday Witchcraft can be ordered from Amazon by clicking here.

Thank you for joining me here for a cup of tea and a Witchy Wednesday book review. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gamil.com

Witchy Wednesday- The Good Witch's Guide To Wicked Ways by Deborah Gray

It is Witchy Wednesday day here and today I am sharing a book I picked up a few months ago called The Good Witch's Guide to Wicked Ways written by Deborah Gray.
This book caught my attention with it's title first and humorous cover. I was really thrilled to find that inside the cover is actually some really great information! I loved the Ye Olde Apothecary chapter on Setting up your "Enchanted Kitchen".  As a writer I really loved and appreciated the section on names! The chapter simply titled What's In A Name, offers and inspires the writer in me to write an entire mystery series based on the names in this chapter! As someone who tries to learn and understand the ways of those who practice witchcraft, the very easy to understand explanations of Witchcraft! I loved this quote "Whatever awaken your spirit as a seeker and set you on your path and whatever first inspired your journey into magic is correct perfect for you" This is a book you can pick up and read just a bit of or cover to cover and one I am so thrilled to have on my shelf and at my fingertips! An older book this one is still a keeper! You can find it on Amazon by clicking here.

The Good Witch's Guide to Wicked Ways is a fascinating, fun to read introduction to the spells, rituals, potions, and magical powers used by today's real-life witches. With over 100 spells and charms for love, prosperity, fortune, and more, it reveals practical magical methods readers can use to get everything they want out of life.

Author Deborah Gray also offers her personal insights into the life of a real witch--and shows readers how they can develop their own innate magical powers. She reveals the essential knowledge and secret meanings that real witches use to work their magicóand shows readers how to use these secrets to:

* Cast their own spells* Create new spells and incantations* Bring magic into their everyday life...

Thank you for joining me for today's Witchy Wednesday Selection! I am so happy to have you over for tea today! I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Witchy Wednesday, The Witching Hour by Silver Raven Wolf

This weeks Witchy Wednesday post has me reading and reviewing an October release from Llewellyn Books by Silver Raven Wolf called The Witching Hour. 
This is a book for those who feel a calling to magick and who are looking to enhance or learn about spell casting. I found myself  taking notes as I read through this book and while it is a Witchy Techniques book it also has some very practical advice. This is one I would love to own and have on my shelf. It comes out October 8th and is available for preorder on Amazon by clicking here.

The Witching Hour―that moment when every fiber of your beings says, "This is the time to do the magick, the ritual, the enchantment for what I need." It could be dawn, a misty twilight, or the deepest, darkest inky night. It's a time when all of your being urges you to get up, get moving, and get working! Confidence that you can easily step from the problem at hand to the success that you desire seething around you. And you know, to the depths of your soul, it is time for magick! The moment of your own power has matured!

This is a book of magic―formulas and techniques for working with herbal blends and powders, techniques for connecting to the ultimate oneness of universe, inspiration for deepening your magical work and seeing your intentions become real changes in the world.

Thank you for joining me for a cup of tea and a Witchy Wednesday review. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Witchy Wednesday Spotlight On The Magickal Family by Monica Crosson

One of the best parts of being a blogger and reader is the ability to find and read books that call to me. I am very pleased to be involved with Netgalley as a professional reader. One of the perks of being a member of Netgalley is that I can chose the books that call to me in hopes that I will be approved to read them. The Magickal Family by Monica Crosson, was a book that called to me. I loved the cover but I also love the family approach to learning and living a Pagan life. I did a happy dance when I got the email that I was approved to read it and on Sunday I sat down "familiar" Squirrel the cat and settled in for a wonderful afternoon read.

The Magickal Family had me hooked from page one. I laughed, almost cried and tried to soak in every detail and practical suggestion in this book that really is a guide to incorporating simple things into your family's daily life to enhance it. There were special recommendations as and advice on everything from walking in nature, to setting up a fairy garden, recipes and the who, how and why of Pagan living. I was about three pages in when I knew this was a book I was going to have to own and hold in my hands. A book I could count on as a reference, and a guide that would remind of the simple things in life and the important things too. Not to mention some great tea recipes and gardening ideas! This was most definitely a Magickal book!  This one is out October 8th and I can not wait to have it in my hands and on my shelf.

The Magickal Family is a real-life guide for those who want to practice magick and simplicity but need a little nudge to break out of the work-a-day world. Filled with tips, ideas, and projects to bring you and your family closer to nature and to celebrate the Goddess, this book shows how to be true to your magickal self while raising little witchlings and creating a life you're proud of.

Discover a load of validation, encouragement, and techniques for thriving in the modern world with gardening, kitchen witchery, tinctures and herbal remedies, crafts, recipes, reusing and recycling, and working with the wheel of the year.

You can find and pre order The Magickal Family on Amazon by clicking here

You can also find it  and pre order like I have on The Book Depository with FREE shipping world wide by clicking here.

Thank you for joining me here for a cup of tea and a Witchy Wednesday Spotlight. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Witchy Wednesday, Hedge Witch Book Of Days by Mandy Mitchell

Last month when I was in Oregon, we went to Powell's City of  Books, if you have never been there and are making your way to Portland this is a must! You can spend hours going through the various floors and stand in awe at the amount of books both new and used that this store has to offer. I appreciate their many sections and I love their witchcraft section.  Since I was a young girl I have been fascinated by and very interested in witchcraft. Learning about and reading about witchcraft is a passion of mine and as a writer has been a great took in fueling my imagination as well as giving me much to think about.

I picked up Hedge Witch Book of Days by Mandy Mitchell, while I was there, it pretty much jumped off the shelf at me.  The cover is about as perfect as one could get to get my attention. This book is divided into months and gives the reader information on each month, from which food is best this month, to celebrations and spells.  There are some wonderful recipes as well included that I am excited to try. I am very happy I found and picked up this book.

Once upon a time the witch held a place of esteem in the village; her knowledge of local plants and wayside herbs were used to heal; her wisdom and empathy made her the village matchmaker and marriage counselor; and her ability to commune with nature and animals gave her a place of revelry and wisdom. She was the Hedgewitch.

Aimed at the busy witch, who is both breadmaker and breadwinner, this book revives the spirit of the Hedgewitch and teaches you how to make every day one full of wisdom, healing, and magic. For the practicing or would-be witch whose life is more jeans, chaos, and the never-ending question of what's for dinner than it is black robes, cauldrons, and incantations, Mandy Mitchell has a recipe for you!

This book is in print and if you can not make it into Powell's books to find your own copy (Mine was a new copy) you can find it on Amazon.com by clicking here. 

Thank you for joining me here for a Witchy Wednesday Book Review. I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com