Today's Harvest OMG CARROTS

Most years I struggle to get my carrots to grow. I'm not sure why. But I tend to throw a LOT of seeds into the ground in the hope of getting a few. For some reason, this year...

They seem to be doing pretty well :-) That's about 2/3rds of what's out there, maybe a bit less. And no, you're not imagining it...some of them are purple. They're a kind called "Purple Haze" and they taste sweeter than a regular carrot and have extra beta carotene. Also, they're pretty. I think that's important in a carrot, don't you?

Of course, not all carrots are pretty. Some are kind of...perverse looking. LOL

So--anyone have any good carrot recipes???

Here's today's Frog Prince picture

And the rest of today's harvest

Three kinds of potatoes, a few tomatoes, two scrawny ears of corn (not a good corn year, alas) and also, a huge bunch of edamame (soybeans) that I need to take off the plants and cook.

I'd forgotten I put a copy of the upcoming Everyday Witch Book of Rituals up on a Goodreads giveaway last week, and was amazed to discover that there were almost 300 people entered already! You can enter HERE.

And don't forget that the new online class, Witchcraft on a Shoestring class is going to start on August 27th over on the workshop loop. Registration is open now, and one lucky participant will be gifted with a signed copy of the new ritual book as soon as it comes out!

So, about those carrot recipes...

NEW CLASS: Witchcraft on a Shoestring & GIVEAWAY

As many of you know, my last book from Llewellyn was a little treasure called Witchcraft on a Shoestring which was full of suggestions for ways to practice Witchcraft without breaking your budget. It included all sorts of Craft crafts (heheheheh) and recipes, and a lot more.

Because so many people seemed to like this topic, I've added it as a class over on the Witchcraft & Writing Workshop Loop. The class runs August 27th-29th and only costs $15. Registration is open now, so why not make my day and run over and sign up now? No, really...I'll wait :-)

As a special bonus, since we're getting close to the release date of my next book, Everyday Witch Book of Rituals (official release date October 8th, but I will get a few author copies some time in September), I am giving away a copy of the new book to one of the people who takes this class!

That's right, you read that correctly: one of the folks who takes the Witchcraft on a Shoestring class will receive a pre-release, signed copy of my new book. And what's more, I don't care where you live. I'll send the book to whichever class attendee is chosen at random, even if she/he is one of my Australia fans.

So go sign up now. And if you get a friend to sign up, come back here and let me know, and I'll enter your name TWICE.

Yes, it has been very hot here and I'm a little punchy...why do you ask?

[If you want a chance to win a copy of the new book, and aren't interested in taking this class, don't despair--I'll be doing more giveaways between now and October, I promise.] 

I hope to see you in class. We always have a great time!

CONTEST! Awards celebration book giveaway

As y'all know, I won the COVR "Visionary" Award for Best Wicca/Paganism Book with my latest, Witchcraft on a Shoestring (Llewellyn, 2010).

This seems worthy of celebration, so I've decided to hold a contest for all the lovely folks who have been kind enough to read the book. Here's how it is going to work:

The book contains, among other things, an assortment of inexpensive recipes and craft projects. Tell me what your favorite recipe or project is, or which ones you have done (along with how you did them, or what happened, or any other personal tidbit). The most interesting response will get put up on my website, and the person who submitted it will win a free autographed copy of Witchcraft on a Shoestring or any other of my books.

If you haven't read the book yet (gasp!) you can go to Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Witchcraft-Shoestring-Practicing-Without-Breaking/dp/0738721360 and check the Table of Contents for a list--then tell me which recipe or project sounds like the most fun, and why. (Feel free to buy the book while you're there...)

Contest will run through Friday, so you have plenty of time to think about it, and spread the word (pretty please).

Thanks to all for your congratulations! They warmed this Witch's cold, cold heart :-)

The COVR Awards-- I won! I won!

Some of you might have seen me jumping up and down about this a couple of weeks ago on Facebook and Twitter when I first got the word that I had won a COVR Award for my book, Witchcraft on a Shoestring (out last year from Llewellyn). I've been waiting for it to be OFFICIAL before posting the news here. I'm thinking what came in the mail today qualifies:-)

The COVR "Visionary" Award is the biggest award I know of in the Pagan and New Age book world, and this was the first time I was even nominated, so I am truly thrilled to have won. The book won the "Best Wicca/Paganism Book" category. (Kudos to my pal Raven Digitalis, who finaled in a different category with his lovely book.)

Oddly enough, the award statuette actually goes to Llewellyn (pout), but I get to hang this shiny sign on my wall, and from now on, I can call myself an "Award-winning author."

Now that's cool.

So how should I celebrate? Obviously, by giving away a copy of Witchcraft on a Shoestring to some lucky blog reader! Any suggestions on a contest or way to pick someone to win the book?

Up for a COVR Award!

I found out from my editor, Elysia Gallo at Llewellyn, that Witchcraft on a Shoestring is up for a COVR Award!

Check it out. Winners will be announced on the 25th, so keep your fingers crossed.

http://www.llewellyn.com/blog/2011/06/4-llewellyn-titles-are-finalists-for-2011-covr-awards/

OMG! It's book release day!

I've been busy all day; cleaning, gardening and writing...and it wasn't until just now that it hit me--

TODAY IS BOOK RELEASE DAY!

Today is the day that WITCHCRAFT ON A SHOESTRING officially hits the stores (and Amazon). Whoo hoo!

I hope if you'll run out and buy a copy :-)

And if you do read it and like it, it would be great if you could review it on Amazon and Goodreads, if you use either one.

But don't worry, I'll still love you even if you don't. Wanna know why?

IT'S BOOK RELEASE DAY!!!!!

*does the happy author dance*

Look What Came Today! (Oooh, Shiny...)

I came home today to find an unexpected Fed Ex package on my doorstep. Opened it up to find the first copies of the new book, due out in September. Ooooh, shiny!

There's nothing like that new book smell. Or the sight of a book cover with your name on it. Yay! (And big thanks to Becky Zins, my production editor, for sticking these in the mail for me, so I didn't have to wait for the official shipment.)

Isn't it perty? Dontcha want to run right out and buy one? You know you do...

http://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738721361

Guest post at Llewellyn Journal online

Hi all,

I'm sorry not to have posted much lately--crazy busy preparing for the Ren Faire trip with the Blue Moon Circle gang this weekend, keeping up with the garden, a friend in town from AZ, and all the usual writing stuff.

But you can check out my guest post at Llewellyn's online Journal here: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article.php?id=2130

Also, don't forget to run out and get a copy of the current edition of WITCHES & PAGANS Magazine--my 1st column is in there! "Magick on a Shoestring" is a new column I'll be writing for them from now on, and I'm really excited.

If you read either the guest post at Llewellyn or the column, PRETTY PLEASE come back here and tell me what you think!

Look What Came Today From Llewellyn!

Some days it is pretty great to be an author. This is one of those days. About mid-afternoon, the wonderful FedEx guy showed up with a box from Llewellyn containing the proofs for WITCHCRAFT ON A SHOESTRING (which I need to edit and get back to Becky ASAP) and the first five copies of EVERYDAY WITCH A TO Z SPELLBOOK. Isn't it perty?

Look at that purple cover!

And it has that shiny new book smell.

Everybody who wants one, just raise your hand...

New Cover Art for Witchcraft on a Shoestring!

My editor at Llewellyn just sent me the final cover art for the upcoming Witchcraft on a Shoestring book (out in September, after the Everyday Witch A to Z Spellbook comes out in July). Tell me what you think!