On the eve of December~

Twas the night before December

and all through the manor

one can hear the titter of laughter

in unbridled candor.

Lord Craven-Moore chuckled

as he licked his lips with glee.

With Charlotte holding her spoon near his mouth,

and Amanda perched on his knee.

"Where is that imp, Kristina,"

he bellowed to the sky

and in she sashayed,

putting a twinkle in his eye.

With a face, oh so merry

and his women gathered nearby

he looked at each one

and then said with a sigh,

"It's time once again to bring merriment to all.

You've written and promoted,

all but cast me to the wall.

Well, enough is enough." He turned his head quick.

"For a few days, you're mine

and I intend to push ,pat and lick!

Every pie crust you make,

every chocolate concoction sublime!

"Let the holiday baking commence,"

he said as he grabbed the spoon from Charlotte

and clamped it between his pearly white teeth.

His smile was so devilish,

his cheeks, still unshaven

but he looked so delectable

in his red checkered apron.

"You want it all, don't you?" the three stated with mirth.

"Of course!" he replied as he unbuttoned his shirt.The Lit ladies continued, "The slaving, the rolling, we don't see the worth."

"Oh but ladies, I'm here to assist," he said with a smirk.

Their expressions perked joyously!

Their eyes, they grew bright,

as Lord Craven bent over once more

it was a heavenly sight.

"I found the sugar and flour and

I'll grease down the pans."

The LIT ladies nodded,

with a swoon as they fluttered their fans.

"You'll see, it can be fun!" he said,

laying a finger aside of his nose.

And much to the dismay of the ladies,

from his bent over stance, he arose.

but he gave them a smile

and picked up the buttery stick

"Who'd like to help me?"

All responded, toot sweet!

"Be nimble, my loves,

recipes are a delight,

but not half as much fun

as we'll have later tonight!"

"When we sit 'round the fire

and sample our wares

and eat , drink, and make merry

and whatever inspires!"

So from our house to yours

on this cold December eve,

we embark on a month of taking--

and giving, as Lord Craven quickly adds in.

Taking stock of the warm blessings

of home, hearth and good friends

and give without reservation,

our time-honored traditions!

So share with us boldly

what preparations you may--

that help celebrate this holiday season

in whatever way.

From Lord Craven and the Lit ladies--

Amanda, Charlotte, Kristina

we bid you the merriest of Christmas's

and a month of sumptuous delights!

We invite you to join us all season as we share some time-honored family recipes, soem quick tips to making your holiday less stressful and perhaps a surprise or two along the way!

Happy Holidays~

Amanda, Charlotte, Kristina & Lord Craven-Moore

Happy Samhain!!

Samhain (pronounced /ˈsɑːwɪn/ translated means "summer's end"-sometimes known as the harvest festival, it is also called "the festival of the dead."   Many consider Samhain as the beginning of the Celtic New Year, ushering in the dark "half" of the year when the earth begins its descent into dormancy and quiet.

Long ago, in medieval Ireland, Samhain, or 'Féile na Marbh' was celebrated with a gathering in the royal court of Tara, or Hill of Tara, near the River Boyne. This is considered to be a sacred place where kingships made their offerings through pagan rituals.

From the spark of a ritual fire of the kings, a  great bonfire was lit on top of the Hill of Tara, where it could be seen for miles, welcoming all of Ireland to gather together and celebrate with rituals, song and dance and light the fires of their homes for the next year. The celebration is still carried out in many pagan sects on this first three days of the month--to celebrate "summers sunset."

It's a quintessential day to begin the All Hallows Weekend! A cold front moved in yesterday bringing with it a foggy , steady rain (hello, you'd think I lived in Seattle!) and this morning, its chilly, grey and the burnished red, gold and orange leaves lay sodden everywhere, clinging to any surface to avert the high winds that have blown in from the north.

Yep, its my kind of day.;)

As the northwest winds spin the leaves into a frenzied quick dry--the Lit Ladies are also ushering in the release of the first in the Celtic Spice mini series--WINTER'S DESIRE releases on Nov 1, but I hear rumors that already you can find it at a few brick & morters across the country! 

Join us November 2 and 3 for a full on--48 hour bash with prizes that you cannot believe--including signed coverflats, special Celtic Spice water bottles, a beautiful necklace, Lorenna McKennit CD and the hunky Gods of Football calendar!!(you might have to pry that out of my hands, just sayin')

We'll be giving you sneak peeks to each of the stories, talking about the legend that inspired this anthology , Winter's Solstice legends, and MORE Celtic Spice anthologies on the horizon!!  Mark your calendar and tell your friends--you dont want to miss this one!

Have a safe and sensational Samhain!

The Lit Ladies & Lord CM