TO A FAR OFF DAY

Written in the 'Epic of Gilgamesh' by a scribe of Uruk in ancient Sumeria:

Through the shifting sands of time, the ancient cities and wall are covered by the sands and winds. Many thousands of years have passed.

"To a far off day
On a far off night
In a far off time...............

Gilgamesh what you seek you will never find
For when the Gods created man, they let death be his lot.
Eternal life they withheld.

Let your every day be full of joy
With the child that holds your hand.
Let your wife delight in your embrace,
Fore these alone are the concerns of humanity"

Homemade Marmite/Vegemite

For all you vegemite and marmite lovers out there, here is a homemade recipe for you.

(In case you wonder why these wonderful products are not sold in the US, it is because some higher-up in our government has decided that they should be a controlled vitamin supplement substance.  And therefore can no longer be imported.  Go figure......

I discovered the demise of these wonderful cooking products in the US when I tried to bring Vegemite in to the States after visiting Australia several years ago.

Also a military friend tried to slip it past customs in Hawaii when returning from Australia.

Both times, the product was confiscated.

One day soon, I shall have a discussion on the importation and exportation of food products between the US and our world.  Please join in!

I discovered the recipe in one of those serendipity moments when I wasn't even looking for it.

It comes from an old Seventh Day Adventist vegetarian recipe book called Nature's Harvest, printed by the Walla Walla General Hospital Auxiliary.

On a side note,  SDA vegetarianism needs to evolve to include the wonderful world of spices and herbs. (But that is just my opinion.)

There is an untapped incredible amount of healing properties in herbs and spices, as I have been discovering for the last 20 years!

-----VEGEX - page 44 in the yellow section of Dressings & Spreads & Vegetables----

-----And here is my own recipe that evolved from the VEGEX recipe:
(In general, I seldom write down the amount of the ingredients when I tweek a recipe, but add and mix until I like the taste.  So, this is your moment to create your own!
Ingredients:
*Nutritional yeast - Bragg is the best I have used; Red Star produces a good yeast but it may not be organic.  Haven't checked since I am able to use Bragg.
*Instant Postum, Pero, etc.  (Postum is no longer produced in the States. Sad, sad.)
*Sea salt
*Amino Acids - Bragg brand is the best I have used.
*celery seed, ground - I have a little coffee grinder only used for herbs and spices
*butter
*onion powder

If you are going to attempt to make this, it is assumed that you are familiar with the consistency and taste of vegemite and/or marmite, and therefore will be able to create a palatable substance.

***This is an amendment to the original post in that I have tweaked the recipes here and there: melting ghee or butter in a pan and then adding the ingredients, or a combination of ingredients from both recipes, makes a very savory, warming, creamy paste that is very spreadable warm.  Although the butter separates from the yeast (mystery to me as to why), it will stir up. The bit that doesn't, I pour in with the "golden paste" that sits on the back of my stove.   Of course, the butter hardens in the fridge, so take out the portion you want to use and let it warm up before spreading.

Enjoy!

Have a wonderful and magical day!

We Are Like Lutes...........

We are like lutes once held by God.
Being away from His warm Body,
Fully explains this constant yearning.

Ibrahem Hafiz

Happy Celtic New Year!

November 1st has historically been celebrated in Celtic Lore as the beginning of the new year.
And I say, "Why not?"  And, "Makes perfect sense!"

Modern civilization has strayed so far from its origins, that societies and cultures are on a downward spiral.
Most are no longer in sync with Nature and the Cycles of Nature: the waxing and waning of the moon, the coming and going of the Seasons, the celebration of the New Year, The Harvest, The Awakening, The Solstices, and on and on.
Because they do not observe these wonderful natural cycles and celebration, they have lost connection with their Souls, the Souls of those around them, and the Great Spirit.

Samhain (Halloween), is the last harvest celebration, a Fire festival, and a reckoning of all that has transpired through out the previous months and year. It is the celebration before the day of the New Year, November 1.
The fields have all been gleaned and are ready to lay fallow, the grains stored and prepared into useable fare for both human and beast, the winter meat has been slaughtered, preserved, and set aside for the long winter ahead.
All that could be done has been done to prepare for the cold, lifeless, snowy months ahead. It is time to snuggle down into our abodes and await the Spring.
I think I like this time of year the best.  Spiritually it is a time of reflection on my life's activity throughout the Spring and Summer.
I have prepared the harvest and stored it for our winter meals. I have prepared the house for the cold winter winds and snow.
And now, there is a sort of waiting.  Waiting for the first snows, the first storms. All the while knowing that we are safe and warm, that my husband and I and family are together. Together we can withstand anything.
And so, I wish you the reader, a wonderful year ahead.  May you be Blessed and Protected.