Abrupt endings

Hello everyone, just wanted to touch base. I know we kinda dropped off at the end of the month there. Both of us got crazy busy doing the last minute things for our sister's baby shower. Which went great BTW. I hope you all enjoyed #fallfest and are having a lovely fall season.  Next week we plan to get back to our normal schedule. If all goes as planned you will get two posts a week. One from each of us. Talk to you soon!!!

Pork Roast with Apple Cider and Fresh Herbs

Hi and welcome back to fallfest! So, today I am posting a recipe that I have not tried yet, but that I will be trying because it sounds DELICIOUS! It's also a good recipe for fall, because of the flavors that have been added to the pork. This is a mixture of my own personal recipes and recipes I have seen online. I hope you try it and enjoy! I will be adding a follow-up post after I am able to attempt this delicious roast. :)

Ingredients:

1 ½ - 2 lb Pork Roast

1 cup Apple Cider

1 14 oz. can Chicken Stock (or broth)

1 medium Onion, roughly chopped

2 cups Potatoes, chopped (any type of white flesh potato)

2 tsp Olive Oil

1 tsp Fresh Rosemary, chopped fine

1 tsp Fresh Thyme, chopped fine

1 tsp Fresh Sage, chopped fine

2 tsp Salt (plus a sprinkle for the vegetables)

2 tsp Course Ground Black Pepper (plus a sprinkle for the vegetables)

1 Tbsp Garlic Powder

1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning Mix

Directions:

In a large skillet, heat olive oil. In a small bowl, mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning mix. Spread spice mix evenly over roast. Place roast in the skillet, and sear on all sides (don’t forget the ends of the roast) to keep in juices while cooking in crock pot.

Put chopped onion and potatoes into the bottom of the crock pot. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Place roast on top, adding the remaining oils and juices from the skillet. Pour in the apple cider and chicken stock. Sprinkle with the fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage.

Place lid on the crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours, or until roast is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.

Serve with broth and vegetables as a stew, or shred pork and serve on a bun with your favorite fruit butter (apple butter is delicious) for a fall-style pulled pork sandwich!

Happy munching! And happy fall!

-Sarah.

Currently: Fall Addition

PLANNING the final bits of my sisters baby shower

EXCITED for bestie game night this Saturday

WANTING these boots, coat and earrings

WAITING anxiously to move into our new townhouse

READING Natalie Creates. I love seeing all the cozy fall touches she has added to her home

FOLLOWING Kooty the cat

WATCHING Nicole and the Sorry Girls for Halloween costume inspiration

FEELING rather blah, migraines have been non stop this month.

SOAKING up all the sun I can get before its gone for the winter months. 

DRINKING Hot Buttered Rum coffee, mmmm

Fall Fashion Part 2

Hi! Welcome back to Fall Fest! This is part two of our fashion posts! Kelli and I have come up with one casual look, one dressier look, and one outfit good for wearing to haunted houses to show a wide range of options. And yes, I agree with Kelli, taking these pictures and not looking like 1. a frump 2. a crazy-red eyed monster and 3. a chipmunk were insanely difficult. Thanks to our third sister for taking these photos! I hope you enjoy!

This first look is the more casual look. I wear sweaters everywhere, because I am ALWAYS cold in the fall and winter (and most of the spring, too), no matter what the actual temperature is. So, I try to incorporate sweaters into my everyday attire. Oftentimes, I look like a bum. Or an Eskimo; so, trying to be warm WHILE being fashionable is hard for me. Below is an outfit I’ve come up with that tries to incorporate layers and fashion.

This second look is a bit fancier. I have a lot of dresses, and making a dress fit into my fall wardrobe that was originally from my summer wardrobe is difficult. But with the right accessories, it can be done. This outfit is great for a night out in the rainy October weather, or even into December if a heavier jacket or coat is worn over top.

And this third look is for haunted houses. A big chunky sweater and a scarf keep you warm while you are desperately fleeing from zombies, and boots help keep your feet dry in the rainy, muddy grass as you hide from chainsaw wielding crazies!

And here is my haunted house bracelet! Skulls to scare away the creatures!

I hope these three looks have given you some ideas for fun ways to warm up your wardrobe! Leave your tips and tricks for staying warm below! I would love to have them! :)

Happy fashion! And happy fall!

-Sarah.

Fall Fashion: Part 1

Hello everyone!!! Today's post is all about the clothes we love to wear in the fall. I just want to say that I use the word fashion loosely in the title. We thought it would be fun to get together and take pictures of ourselves all dressed up. And it was fun!! We even invited our other sister over to help us out with make up and hair. However, I  would like to shout out to all the real fashion bloggers out there. It must take and incredible amount of time making everything just perfect. I was just happy when my eyes weren't closed in the picture. Also seriously what do you do with your hands in pictures? Does anyone else struggle with this? Don't even get me started with lightning!!!

Anyways we each came up with 3 looks One was dressy for like a date night, the second one is casual and the third was what you would wear to a haunted house. 

I love to wear dresses and skirts in the summer. Pairing them with tights helps me to be able yo keep wearing them through the colder months. Add a big sweater and scarf to complete this date night outfit

If I am out running some errands I  love to put on a pair of leggings and a long t-shirt. Throw on some casual boots you are ready!!

Lastly, this is my haunted house look. Its important to wear a hooodie and Nike's in case you have to run for your life. Also its important that your hair is pulled up in  a pony tail. Lastly, not shone but equally important is to be sure you have chap stick and some mints or gum. Chapped lips and stinky breath are not fun when you and your friends are all crammed closed together, screaming like a bunch of ninnies.

Well I  hope you all enjoyed this post. Keep an eye out for part 2 for Sarah's fall looks!!!

Book Review: The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury

Hello everyone today I am reviewing The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury.

The story follows a group of boys who are trick or treating on Halloween night. The boys dare each other to visit an old haunted house. At the house meet a strange being that takes them on a trip through time to discover how Halloween came to be. All the while they are working to save their friend who has been taken mysteriously. 

In general the story was okay. Ray Bradbury has a way of sucking you into his stories so you feel like you are right there with the characters. The beginning of the story did just that. The imagery that he used mingled with my own memories of Halloween and it totally drew me in the adventure of it all. However once the boys started traveling through time it became kind of boring to me. I truly think it was just because it was written for a younger audience. I also had trouble following along about what actually happening with the friend that went missing. That whole part of the story just confused and felt weak. It wasn't necessary for that part to be included I felt. 

The art throughout the book was good. I  really loved the cover art the best. The cover is perfect for this story.

Overall I rated this book 3/5 on Goodreads. I think that kids would really enjoy the book, but if your an adult maybe skip this one. It can get boring at times. 

Cozy Up with a Good Book Part 2

Hi and welcome back to fall fest! In part two of Good Books to Cozy Up With, I've picked some fantasies that are sure to cure the building cabin fever. It snowed today- well, it sleeted today- so I am definitely in the mood for some couch travel, especially if it is to some fantastical, magical worlds! I hope you enjoy this list. And leave a comment below with your favorite fall read!

Stardust by Neil Gaiman- Neil Gaiman’s novel, Stardust, is so full of magic that it is almost like a ripe, sweet fruit. The story follows a young boy named Tristan as he single-mindedly hunts for the ‘falling star’ his sweetheart has demanded he acquire before she will marry him. But Tristan must cross ‘The Wall’, the boundary between the normal, human realm, and the magical, fairy realm to find the star. Once over the wall, Tristan discovers what loving someone and being loved by someone truly means. I think this book would fit right in with any time of year, but it’s just something about fall that makes me think of fairy tales, and this is one of the best.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield- The setting for this story always makes me think of fall, even though I think it actually takes place in late winter. The novel follows Margaret Lea as she documents writer, Vida Winters’s, biography. She has agreed to do so because she hopes to acquire the missing ‘Thirteenth Tale’ of Winter’s short story collection, which is titled Thirteen Tales of Change and Desperation, but only includes twelve stories. This book is a wild ride, and is so full of twists and turns that, by the end, the ‘reveal’ amazed me. Definitely a great mystery for a blustery, fall day.

Wildwood Series by Juliet Marillier- Another fairy tale retelling. (Surprise, surprise!) The first book in this series is a retelling of a few different fairy tales, but predominately The Twelve Dancing Princesses and The Frog Prince. The story follows Jena, her best friend- a frog named Gogu- and her three sisters, as they deal with the changing dynamics of their family. They must keep secret their midnight trips to the fairy realm, called the Other Kingdom, by way of an enchanted, hidden portal, but as their cousin demands more and more of Jena’s time, and more responsibility is put on her and her sisters, the secrets start to slip out; and could have disastrous consequences. Such a great book- and again, perfect for a crisp fall day (or night!)

Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente- This novel follows Koschei, a character of Russian folklore that is normally described as purely evil. But in Valente’s telling, Koschei is re-imagined as he takes on a new bride- Marya. Wisked away from her meager existence during the Russian Revolution, Marya is brought through Koschei’s realm, fed delicacies of a Russian autumn, entertained by magical creatures she’s never seen before. But as love and jealousy bloom between Koschei and his new bride, Marya discovers for herself why the tales of evil surround her new husband. This story is so beautifully written that one can almost feel the Russian autumn while reading! It definitely fits in when the leaves are turning and when the dead of winter is right around the corner.

The Tell-Tale Heart and Other Writings by Edgar Allan Poe- Poe’s stories, in my opinion, fit so perfectly with creepy, windy nights that they don’t even need much description here. Full of ravens, death, curses, and Gothic twists, Poe’s stories are perfect for a dark night around a campfire. Or a night in when dead tree branches are tapping on your bedroom window.

Happy couch-traveling! And happy fall!

-Sarah.

Fun Halloween Questions

Hello everyone!! Today I thought I would answer some fun Halloween questions.

1. What horror villain do you sympathize with most?

      Jason Voorhees, He was picked on and eventually killed because kids were mean to him.

2. Favorite Halloween candy?
   
    Reese's Cups

3. What genre of Halloween movie would you prefer to be in?

     Slasher. I feel like there is a greater chance of survival when you are facing a human killer. You can't  really reason out the next move of an alien or demon.

4. What are you most afraid of?

      Demons... Definitely.

5. What is your favorite Urban Legend?

     Jersey Devil I don't know why. It just intrigues me

6. Halloween Song?

     Werewolves of London

7. Favorite Scary book?

    Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

8. Have you gone ghost hunting?

    Yep quite a few times. Been to a few graveyards. I have always wanted to go to an abandoned asylum though and never got the chance.

9. Favorite Halloween costume you ever wore

      Dressed up as a carton of Chinese food, with a fortune cookie hat.

10. Do you support villain vs villain movies.
 
       No, most horror villains are silly on there own, it just gets dumb when they verse each other

11. Would you spend the night in a haunted house?

       I would like to think I would but probably not. I don't like to invite drama into my life unnecessarily.

12. Which would you prefer you were being hunted by vampires or werewolves

       This is a tricky one. I think werewolves would be much faster than me but I feel like I would have a better chance of defending myself against them if I was cornered.  With a vampire you need specialty equipment to bring one down, so if you weren't completely prepared you wouldn't have a chance.  So I guess werewolves.

13. Would you rather have get lost in the woods at night or a haunted house?

       Woods. I don't really have a reason. I just think I am better equipped to deal with the woods.

14. Would you survive in a horror movie?

       I don't think I would be the first to die, but yeah at some point I am going to die for sure.

15. Favorite Halloween Activity?

      Visiting haunted houses with my besties!!!!!

Bonus question: If you find your self in the zombie apocalypse how would you dress/style your hair to help you survive?

LOL, I added this question in because my friends always make fun of me because I swear I would shave my head the first opportunity I got if zombies come!!. I am just saying, I am a slow runner. I don't need a zombie to get a hold of my hair and drag me down. Also, since you just never know when you are going to get that next shower come the apocalypse so I would prefer not to have long gross dirty hair to contend with every day.


I would love to know what your answers would be to these questions and I love a good Halloween related debate so please leave me some answers in the comments down below.

Fall Traditions Around the World

Welcome back!

Since we are moving toward the holiday season, and Halloween is right around the corner, I thought it would be interesting to look at some different fall traditions that are celebrated around the world. You can see a common theme between many of them: to shed light on the darkening world.

St. Martin’s Day in Germany (Nov. 11^th): also known as the Feast of St. Martin or Martinmas, St. Martin's Day is a time for feasting celebrations. This is the time when autumn wheat seeding was completed, and the annual slaughter of fattened cattle produced "Martinmas beef". Historically, hiring fairs were held.

A widespread custom in Germany is bonfires on St. Martin's eve, called "Martinsfeuer." In recent years, the processions that accompany those fires have been spread over almost a fortnight before Martinmas. At one time, the Rhine River valley would be lined with fires on the eve of Martinmas. In the Rhineland region, Martin's day is celebrated traditionally with a get-together during which a roasted suckling pig is shared with the neighbors.

The nights before and on the night of Nov. 11, children walk in processions carrying lanterns, which they made in school, and sing Martin songs. Usually, the walk starts at a church and goes to a public square. A man on horseback dressed like St. Martin accompanies the children. When they reach the square, Martin’s bonfire is lit and Martin’s pretzels are distributed.

Guy Fawkes Night in Britain (Nov. 5^th): also known as Bonfire Night, Guy Fawkes Night celebrates the events of November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London, and months later the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure.

For many families, Guy Fawkes Night became a domestic celebration, and children often congregated on street corners, accompanied by their own effigy of Guy Fawkes. This was sometimes ornately dressed and sometimes a barely recognizable bundle of rags stuffed with whatever filling was suitable. Once the effigy was made, they would be placed on the bonfire and burned, usually accompanying songs like this:

Don't you Remember,

The Fifth of November,

'Twas Gunpowder Treason Day,

I let off my gun,

And made'em all run.

And Stole all their Bonfire away. (1742)

Diwali- Indian Festival of Lights: is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in autumn (northern hemisphere) every year. Diwali is the biggest and the brightest festival in India. The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness. The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five-day period, but the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls between mid-October and mid-November.

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs to mark different historical events, stories or myths but they all symbolise the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, hope over despair.

The Yoga, Vedanta, and Samkhya schools of Hindu philosophy share the belief that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the . The Atman. The celebration of Diwali as the "victory of good over evil" refers to the light of higher knowledge dispelling all ignorance, the ignorance that masks one's true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With this awakening comes compassion and the awareness of the oneness of all things, and knowledge overcomes ignorance. Diwali is the celebration of this inner light over spiritual darkness, knowledge over ignorance, right over wrong, good over evil.

I hope you enjoyed reading about these fall traditions! This is part one of a three part post, so stay tuned for more of these! 

Happy light-up-night! And happy fall!

-Sarah.

Three Creepy and Weird Fairy Tales

Hello! Welcome back to fallfest! Today, I'm going to share with you three of the creepiest and weirdest Brother's Grimm Fairy Tales I have ever read. These are not well-known, and the last one is so weird, I'm not even sure it's included in the newer collections of stories. But since it's the season of creepy, scary stories to tell around the fire, I thought these would be perfect!

Enjoy!

The Three Snake Leaves

There was once on a time a poor man, who could no longer support his only son. Then said the son, "Dear father, things go so badly with us that I am a burden to you. I would rather go away and see how I can earn my bread." So the father gave him his blessing, and with great sorrow took leave of him. At this time the King of a mighty empire was at war, and the youth took service with him, and with him went out to fight. And when he came before the enemy, there was a battle, and great danger, and it rained shot until his comrades fell on all sides, and when the leader also was killed, those left were about to take flight, but the youth stepped forth, spoke boldly to them, and cried, "We will not let our fatherland be ruined!" Then the others followed him, and he pressed on and conquered the enemy. When the King heard that he owed the victory to him alone, he raised him above all the others, gave him great treasures, and made him the first in the kingdom.

The King had a daughter who was very beautiful, but she was also very strange. She had made a vow to take no one as her lord and husband who did not promise to let himself be buried alive with her if she died first. "If he loves me with all his heart," said she, "of what use will life be to him afterwards?" On her side she would do the same, and if he died first, would go down to the grave with him. This strange oath had up to this time frightened away all wooers, but the youth became so charmed with her beauty that he cared for nothing, but asked her father for her. "But dost thou know what thou must promise?" said the King. "I must be buried with her," he replied, "if I outlive her, but my love is so great that I do not mind the danger." Then the King consented, and the wedding was solemnized with great splendour.

They lived now for a while happy and contented with each other, and then it befell that the young Queen was attacked by a severe illness, and no physician could save her. And as she lay there dead, the young King remembered what he had been obliged to promise, and was horrified at having to lie down alive in the grave, but there was no escape. The King had placed sentries at all the gates, and it was not possible to avoid his fate. When the day came when the corpse was to be buried, he was taken down into the royal vault with it and then the door was shut and bolted.

Near the coffin stood a table on which were four candles, four loaves of bread, and four bottles of wine, and when this provision came to an end, he would have to die of hunger. And now he sat there full of pain and grief, ate every day only a little piece of bread, drank only a mouthful of wine, and nevertheless saw death daily drawing nearer. Whilst he thus gazed before him, he saw a snake creep out of a corner of the vault and approach the dead body. And as he thought it came to gnaw at it, he drew his sword and said, "As long as I live, thou shalt not touch her," and hewed the snake in three pieces. After a time a second snake crept out of the hole, and when it saw the other lying dead and cut in pieces, it went back, but soon came again with three green leaves in its mouth. Then it took the three pieces of the snake, laid them together, as they ought to go, and placed one of the leaves on each wound. Immediately the severed parts joined themselves together, the snake moved, and became alive again, and both of them hastened away together. The leaves were left lying on the ground, and a desire came into the mind of the unhappy man who had been watching all this, to know if the wondrous power of the leaves which had brought the snake to life again, could not likewise be of service to a human being. So he picked up the leaves and laid one of them on the mouth of his dead wife, and the two others on her eyes. And hardly had he done this than the blood stirred in her veins, rose into her pale face, and coloured it again. Then she drew breath, opened her eyes, and said, "Ah, God, where am I?" - "Thou art with me, dear wife," he answered, and told her how everything had happened, and how he had brought her back again to life. Then he gave her some wine and bread, and when she had regained her strength, he raised her up and they went to the door and knocked, and called so loudly that the sentries heard it, and told the King. The King came down himself and opened the door, and there he found both strong and well, and rejoiced with them that now all sorrow was over. The young King, however, took the three snake-leaves with him, gave them to a servant and said, "Keep them for me carefully, and carry them constantly about thee; who knows in what trouble they may yet be of service to us!"

A change had, however, taken place in his wife; after she had been restored to life, it seemed as if all love for her husband had gone out of her heart. After some time, when he wanted to make a voyage over the sea, to visit his old father, and they had gone on board a ship, she forgot the great love and fidelity which he had shown her, and which had been the means of rescuing her from death, and conceived a wicked inclination for the skipper. And once when the young King lay there asleep, she called in the skipper and seized the sleeper by the head, and the skipper took him by the feet, and thus they threw him down into the sea. When the shameful deed was done, she said, "Now let us return home, and say that he died on the way. I will extol and praise thee so to my father that he will marry me to thee, and make thee the heir to his crown." But the faithful servant who had seen all that they did, unseen by them, unfastened a little boat from the ship, got into it, sailed after his master, and let the traitors go on their way. He fished up the dead body, and by the help of the three snake-leaves which he carried about with him, and laid on the eyes and mouth, he fortunately brought the young King back to life.

They both rowed with all their strength day and night, and their little boat flew so swiftly that they reached the old King before the others did. He was astonished when he saw them come alone, and asked what had happened to them. When he learnt the wickedness of his daughter he said, "I cannot believe that she has behaved so ill, but the truth will soon come to light," and bade both go into a secret chamber and keep themselves hidden from every one. Soon afterwards the great ship came sailing in, and the godless woman appeared before her father with a troubled countenance. He said, "Why dost thou come back alone? Where is thy husband?" - "Ah, dear father," she replied, "I come home again in great grief; during the voyage, my husband became suddenly ill and died, and if the good skipper had not given me his help, it would have gone ill with me. He was present at his death, and can tell you all." The King said, "I will make the dead alive again," and opened the chamber, and bade the two come out. When the woman saw her husband, she was thunderstruck, and fell on her knees and begged for mercy. The King said, "There is no mercy. He was ready to die with thee and restored thee to life again, but thou hast murdered him in his sleep, and shalt receive the reward that thou deservest." Then she was placed with her accomplice in a ship which had been pierced with holes, and sent out to sea, where they soon sank amid the waves.

*     *     *     *     *

The Fitcher’s Bird

Once upon a time there was a sorcerer who disguised himself as a poor man, went begging from house to house, and captured beautiful girls. No one knew where he took them, for none of them ever returned.

One day he came to the door of a man who had three beautiful daughters. He appeared to be a poor, weak beggar, and he carried a pack basket on his back, as though he wanted to collect some benevolent offerings in it. He asked for a bit to eat, and when the oldest daughter came out to give him a piece of bread, he simply touched her, and she was forced to jump into his pack basket. Then he hurried away with powerful strides and carried her to his house, which stood in the middle of a dark forest.

Everything was splendid in the house, and he gave her everything that she wanted. He said, "My dear, you will like it here with me. You will have everything that your heart desires."

So it went for a few days, and then he said to her, "I have to go away and leave you alone for a short time. Here are the house keys. You may go everywhere and look at everything except for the one room that this little key here unlocks. I forbid you to go there on the penalty of death."

He also gave her an egg, saying, "Take good care of this egg. You should carry it with you at all times, for if you should loose it great misfortune would follow."

She took the keys and the egg, and promised to take good care of everything.

As soon as he had gone she walked about in the house from top to bottom examining everything. The rooms glistened with silver and gold, and she thought that she had never seen such splendor.

Finally she came to the forbidden door. She wanted to pass it by, but curiosity gave her no rest. She examined the key. It looked like any other one. She put it into the lock and twisted it a little, and then the door sprang open.

What did she see when she stepped inside? A large bloody basin stood in the middle, inside which there lay the cut up parts of dead girls. Nearby there was a wooden block with a glistening ax lying on it.

She was so terrified that the egg, which she was holding in her hand, fell into the basin. She got it out again and wiped off the blood, but it was to no avail, for it always came back. She wiped and scrubbed, but she could not get rid of the stain.

Not long afterward the man returned from his journey, and he immediately asked for the key and the egg. She handed them to him, shaking all the while, for he saw from the red stain that she had been in the blood chamber.

"You went into that chamber against my will," he said, "and now against your will you shall go into it once again. Your life is finished."

He threw her down, dragged her by her hair into the chamber, cut off her head on the block, then cut her up into pieces, and her blood flowed out onto the floor. Then he threw her into the basin with the others.

"Now I will go get the second one," said the sorcerer, and, again disguised as a poor man, he went to their house begging.

The second sister brought him a piece of bread, and, as he had done to the first one, he captured her by merely touching her, and he carried her away. It went with her no better than it had gone with her sister. She let herself be led astray by her curiosity, opened the blood chamber and looked inside. When he returned she paid with her life.

Then he went and captured the third sister, but she was clever and sly. After he had given her the keys and the egg, and had gone away, she carefully put the egg aside, and then examined the house, entering finally the forbidden chamber.

Oh, what she saw! He two dear sisters were lying there in the basin, miserably murdered and chopped to pieces. In spite of this she proceeded to gather their parts together, placing them back in order: head, body, arms, and legs. Then, when nothing else was missing, the parts began to move. They joined together, and the two girls opened their eyes and came back to life. Rejoicing, they kissed and hugged one another.

When the man returned home he immediately demanded the keys and the egg, and when he was unable to detect any trace of blood on them, he said, "You have passed the test. You shall be my bride."

He now had no more power over her and had to do whatever she demanded.

"Good," she answered, "but first you must take a basketful of gold to my father and mother. You yourself must carry it there on your back. In the meanwhile I shall make preparations for the wedding."

Then she ran to her sisters, whom she had hidden in a closet, and said, "The moment is here when I can rescue you. The evildoer himself shall carry you home. As soon as you have arrived at home send help to me."

She put them both into a basket, then covered them entirely with gold, so that nothing could be seen of them.

Then she called the sorcerer in and said, "Now carry this basket away, but you are not to stop and rest underway. Take care, for I shall be watching you through my little window."

The sorcerer lifted the basket onto his back and walked away with it. However, it pressed down so heavily on him that the sweat ran from his face. He sat down, wanting to rest, but immediately one of the girls in the basket called out, "I am looking through my little window, and I can see that you are resting. Walk on!"

He thought that his bride was calling to him, so he got up again. Then he again wanted to sit down, but someone immediately called out, "I am looking through my little window, and I can see that you are resting. Walk on!"

Every time that he stopped walking, someone called out, and he had to walk on until, groaning and out of breath, he brought the basket with the gold and the two girls to their parents' house.

At home the bride was making preparations for the wedding feast, to which she had had the sorcerer's friends invited. Then she took a skull with grinning teeth, adorned it with jewelry and with a wreath of flowers, carried it to the attic window, and let it look out.

When everything was ready she dipped herself into a barrel of honey, then cut open the bed and rolled around in it until she looked like a strange bird, and no one would have been able to recognize her. Then she walked out of the house.

Underway some of the wedding guests met her, and they asked, "You, Fitcher's bird, where are you coming from?"

"I am coming from Fitcher's house."

"What is his young bride doing there?"

"She has swept the house from bottom to top, and now she is looking out of the attic window."

Finally her bridegroom met her. He was slowly walking back home, and, like the others, he asked, "You, Fitcher's bird, where are you coming from?"

"I am coming from Fitcher's house."

"What is my young bride doing there?"

"She has swept the house from bottom to top, and now she is looking out of the attic window."

The bridegroom looked up. Seeing the decorated skull, he thought it was his bride, and he waved a friendly greeting to her.

After he and all his guests had gone into the house, the bride's brothers and relatives arrived. They had been sent to rescue her. After closing up all the doors of the house so that no one could escape, they set it afire, and the sorcerer, together with his gang, all burned to death.

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The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage

Once upon a time a mouse, a bird, and a sausage formed a partnership. They kept house together, and for a long time they lived in peace and prosperity, acquiring many possessions. The bird's task was to fly into the forest every day to fetch wood. The mouse carried water, made the fire, and set the table. The sausage did the cooking.

Whoever is too well off always wants to try something different! Thus one day the bird chanced to meet another bird, who boasted to him of his own situation. This bird criticized him for working so hard while the other two enjoyed themselves at home. For after the mouse had made the fire and carried the water, she could sit in the parlor and rest until it was time for her to set the table. The sausage had only to stay by the pot watching the food cook. When mealtime approached, she would slither through the porridge or the vegetables, and thus everything was greased and salted and ready to eat. The bird would bring his load of wood home. They would eat their meal, and then sleep soundly until the next morning. It was a great life.

The next day, because of his friend's advice, the bird refused to go to the forest, saying that he had been their servant long enough. He was no longer going to be a fool for them. Everyone should try a different task for a change. The mouse and the sausage argued against this, but the bird was the master, and he insisted that they give it a try. The sausage was to fetch wood, the mouse became the cook, and the bird was to carry water.

And what was the result? The sausage trudged off toward the forest; the bird made the fire; and the mouse put on the pot and waited for the sausage to return with wood for the next day. However, the sausage stayed out so long that the other two feared that something bad had happened. The bird flew off to see if he could find her. A short distance away he came upon a dog that had seized the sausage as free booty and was making off with her. The bird complained bitterly to the dog about this brazen abduction, but he claimed that he had discovered forged letters on the sausage, and that she would thus have to forfeit her life to him.

Filled with sorrow, the bird carried the wood home himself and told the mouse what he had seen and heard. They were very sad, but were determined to stay together and make the best of it. The bird set the table while the mouse prepared the food. She jumped into the pot, as the sausage had always done, in order to slither and weave in and about the vegetables and grease them, but before she reached the middle, her hair and skin were scalded off, and she perished.

When the bird wanted to eat, no cook was there. Beside himself, he threw the wood this way and that, called out, looked everywhere, but no cook was to be found. Because of his carelessness, the scattered wood caught fire, and the entire house was soon aflame. The bird rushed to fetch water, but the bucket fell into the well, carrying him with it, and he drowned.

THE END

I hope you enjoyed these strange, creepy stories!

Happy reading! And happy fall!

-Sarah.

Black and Orange Books

Hello,

Today I am talking about a few of my favorite books that have orange and black covers. To be clear this is not a prettiest cover post. Basically,I went to my book shelves and pulled off all my black and orange covered books I could find. Let's jump right in!!

Otherland by Tad Williams

I loved this book/series.  Its part Sci Fi, part fantasy, part cyber punk. It's set in the near future where something is making children sick. They go online and are unable to get back to the real world. Anyone who investigates is never heard from again. Enter a diverse cast of characters who will try to save the children and sometimes themselves as well.This series is long but totally worth the time.

Mostly Harmless by Douglas Adams

This is the 5th? in the Hitchhiker's Guide series. To be honest I don't remember too much about this one. I remember not liking it as much as some of the others but I am not exactly sure why. In any event I would still recommend because, well its Douglas Adams, do I need to say more.

Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

This the First in a trilogy about a boy who discovers that his Grandfather's strange stories are all true. Now that he knows the truth he is being hunted by the very thing that killed his Grandfather. It is a really good story. I cant wait to finally get around to reading the second and third books in the series.

Death a Life with

This is supposedly a memoir written by Death himself. Death talks about his childhood, his obsession with life and so much more. It was a really funny quick read.

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Steig Larsen

This is the second book in the Lisbeth Salander series. I am totally in love with her and these books. If you have not read these books you are missing out.

Well those are the 5 books I own with black or orange covers. I hope if you havent read some of these you pick them up soon.

Oven Roasted Chestnuts

Chestnut season starts in October and ends around December, but if you want to beat the squirrels to the good chestnuts, you have to get out their early! This year, our three year old chestnut tree finally produced a good crop of chestnuts, so I wanted to try roasting them.

Chestnuts have a slightly sweet, starchy flavor, and are apparently great for baking recipes. And they smell so wonderful while they are in the oven! I hope you enjoy this recipe, and the experience of cooking and eating something from your backyard or nearby park.

Supplies and Ingredients:

20-30 Chestnuts (free of holes or other defects)

Sharp serrated knife

Oven safe pot (or a rimmed baking dish)

Kitchen Shears

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. After chestnuts have been taken out of their spiky protective shell, wash with warm water and pat dry.
3. Make a 1/8 inch deep incision into each chestnut in the shape of an X. This will allow the chestnut to roast and become soft, and it will make peeling the chestnuts easier. Be careful! This was easier said than done! 
4. Once all chestnuts have been slit, place them slit-side up in the pot or pan.
5. Bake for 35 minutes.
6. While still hot, start to peel the chestnuts. It is much easier to do while the nuts are still warm, as the thin, paper-like layer between the shell and nut is removed much easier when hot. (PS: We used a set of kitchen shears to assist in the more difficult nuts. By snipping the shell a little bit, it was easier to peel.)

After all the nuts are peeled, discard the shells (and any nuts that are dark or discolored), and enjoy the delicious roasted flavor of the chestnuts! (You can use chestnuts in MANY recipes, too!)

Photo diary: Pumpkin Fest at Seven Springs

Yesterday Dante and I went on a lovely fall inspired date.We drove up to a local ski resort, Seven Springs for their  pumpkin festival. It was such a lovely day. The Sun was shining but it was still fairly cool up in the Laurel Mountains.The trees were changing color and the air was clean and crisp. At the festival, we sampled some pumpkin beer, did some Christmas shopping and watched pumpkin chucking. On the way home I couldn't resist stopping to see the 1,000 lb pumpkin!! It was at the cutest farm stand called Pletcher's 

Cozy Up with a Good Book: Part 1

Fall is here! Blustery days, cold nights, and week-long rains. I don't know about you, but I don't feel like doing much of anything on days when I don't even get to see the actual sun.

This is part one of a list of books that would be perfect for those days when you don't want to move off of the couch. Grab a blanket, a hot cup of tea, a snack, your cat/significant other- light a nice fire in the fireplace if you have one, and snuggle in to one (or all!) of these books. They will definitely keep the chill off of you.



Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling- This series is perfect for the fall season. Witches and wizards going back to school, spectacular Halloween feasts, trolls, broomsticks, and cozying up to a fire in the common room. What more could you ask for, really?

The Fairyland Series by Catherynne M. Valente- The first installment follows twelve-year old September as she is whisked away to Fairyland by the Green Wind. The characters are so creative, and the adventures September goes on are so interesting, that these books are surely going to cure any cabin fever you may be feeling.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris- If you haven’t already read this series when the TrueBlood wagon came by, then now is a great time to pick it up! Whatever your thoughts on the HBO TV series, Harris’ series is fun, sexy, and completely addicting. It is the perfect book series to heat up a chilly October evening.

Beloved by Toni Morrison- Morrison is a master storyteller. Following escaped slave, Sethe, the story starts eighteen years after the death of her baby. But Sethe is not free. Still haunted by her dead child, whose tombstone is engraved with the single word: Beloved, the story follows Sethe as she struggles to overcome the memories of what happened on the farm she escaped from all those years before. Chilling- and downright scary at times- this story is best enjoyed late at night when ghosts seem most real.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas- Loosely based on the fairy tales Beauty and the Beast and Tam Lin, Maas’ new series opens with Feyre, as she struggles to keep her family from starving to death in the brutal winter. But, while hunting, Feyre kills the wrong type of creature in the forest, and the creature’s companion demands retribution. Feyre must leave her family forever, and go and live with an immortal, and very dangerous, fairy lord. Full of romance, fairy revelry, and magic, this novel is perfect for all-night reading under a comfy blanket.

What kind of books do you like to read in the fall? Leave your comments below! And stay tuned for Part 2!

Happy snuggling! And happy fall!

-Sarah.