Kiri Callaghan's Blog, page 2

"My wife and I are taking a long weekend in wine country," was a phrase I uttered last week when booking my PTO at my day job. It felt oddly posh, something a different person would say. Someone who wears blazers and shops regularly at Bloomingdales.

But nah, still me.

We first decided on our location inspired by a feature on The Cold Spring Tavern in Santa Barbra. Angelique showed me photos and we thought it looked like a delightful space between cottagecore and fantasy. Amusingly, we never actually got there. The plan was basically that we would drive up Thursday afternoon after work, get dinner, and have an early night so we could drive up to Solvang for Friday. Unfortunately, we didn't realize that on Monday and Thursdays they close at 3:30pm.

So! Instead, we made our way down to the Santa Barbra Wharf.

First, it's beautiful. I don't think that really needs to be said but it feels important as I'll rave about other things later. Because while it was gorgeous and lovely, and the waves and mist were just fantastic--it honestly could have been anywhere. We could have been closer to home in Santa Monica. Beautiful horizon, boats, great seafood--but if I'm honest, a bit touristy.

Not that there's anything wrong with touristy, but you can't really get a feel for the city you're in. We dined at the Harbor Restaurant, partially because Angelique had some hankering for oysters, and partially because it was one of the few restaurants open on a Thursday after 7pm. In the spirit of wine country, while the glass of Meomi Pinot Noir was surprising and delicious.

Though, if I'm completely honest, it tasted more like a Malbec... and I feel really fancy that I both knew that and could type it with relative confidence.

I will never be a wine snob. I will never be one of those people who can blind-identify any kind of adult grape juice, but I do appreciate the tasting and flavor process.

Solvang is a strange place. Imagine if Epcot did wine country. Don't get me wrong it's fantastic, but it's strange to be in the mountains of a Californian town in Scandanavian Cosplay. There are faux windmills, a place called Hamlet Square, and bakeries filled with delicious scents that remind me of being home with my family on the holidays.

We started the day at Chomp to get some espresso... where I learned they are not accustomed to serving straight espresso, as it was served far too hot to take as a shot, and it was super bitter. On the upside, it definitely woke me up!

The theme of this weekend ended up being 'pleasant surprise', and it started with stumbling upon the 64th Annual Meet-up of the Pierce-Arrow Society! (We also learned we were one day off from Solvang's 1st Pride Parade!)

I'm not a car person. But these were gorgeous, and they had them organized in chronological order so you could see how the design changed over time. One supposedly was rumored to have once been owned by Charlie Chaplin and had a hidden whisky flask compartment under the floor mat... though we weren't allowed to see it and I'm still a little salty about that. I'm here for the history, gosh darn it!

Most of the society members seemed at least in their 70s, and one talked a little bit with us, joking that he'd talk our ear off.

Joke was on him, we absolutely talked HIS ear off about US history, and piecing together what was going on in the world around the time each of the cars was made--such as the rubber shortage due to the world wars. I think he thought he was going to have a friendly jab at two alternative-looking girls and got more than what he planned.

Looking at the website, it seems like all in all the society (which is surprisingly based out of Michigan even though the Manufacturer was based out of Buffalo, NY, and obviously this particular meet-up took place in Solvang, CA) was pretty set in its ways and old fashioned. They even still have gender-segregated events like a demonstration and educational talk on auto restoration with an emphasis on upholstery and top-making for the gentlemen and a tea and colorizing black and white photographs for the ladies. To each their own, but may I have a full high tea WHILE I learn how to restore auto upholstery? I think that's fun for all, frankly.

We popped into The Red Viking to share a plate of sunny-side up eggs and corn beef hash. I was surprised to learn Anglique had never had corned-beef hash (in our house we still call it Who-Hash thanks to the Grinch), and theirs was absolutely delightful. Perfectly ground beef to properly make sure each bite had the right balance of flavors--and with the runny yoke it was just perfection.

We also snagged some of Arnie's Famous Aebleskivers, and I have to be honest with you... I was both saddened and joyous that they're so much better homemade--at least by my family. They were good, but a little more fried-tasting than I'm used to... sort of like if you made a funnel cake into a ball. But that's also probably because it was doused in both powdered sugar and a raspberry syrup that I think was meant to be jam but was a bit cloyingly sweet and ultimately choked the flavor of the pancake.

Ultimately, I think this was tourism winning over authenticity... which shouldn't be a shocker considering it's a town in California wine country in Scandanavian Cosplay.

But back to the wine because apparently that's the point of wine country, and not if the pulla from the bakery under the fake windmill tastes like how your father used to make.

Spoilers: It did not, but it was pretty darn good anyway.

Toccata wine tasting was lovely, and the breeze that flowed through the terrace was exactly what we needed in the 90+ degree weather.

We also visited their sister store across the way (which focuses more on French-style wines, unlike Toccata which focused on Italian).

But the big thing about Solvang is that it closes down at 5pm. It also didn't really open until about 10 or 11am--or even 12pm for the wine tastings. Not going to lie, the idea of having a 5-hour work day (assuming it's the only job you need to have to support yourself, which... doubtful, but one can hope), sounds rather divine. Props to Solvang!

But a trip to Solvang would not be complete without a stroll around Rennaissance Antiques.

I have no photographs because it felt disrespectful, but every item in there is breathtaking, out of time, and so far out of my budget I am often terrified to breathe on it. But they also have disc music boxes... And I swear these things... You can feel the music resonate in your chest. While originally created in (I believe) the Baroque period, there is a company that still faithfully recreates both the boxes and discs even with modern music.

So while I did not record at the antique shop, I can share the experience through the power of YouTube.

https://youtu.be/nIjv0hDLK98

With our hearts and bellies full, we drove back down to Santa Barbra, stopping to admire the sunset on the waves from the bluffs.

In the span of 47 days, I have walked 224.3 miles. According to the handy app, The Conqueror (not sponsored), which allows you to compete in virtual marathons, and thus is allowing me to follow in the footsteps of one Frodo Baggins (by distance, at least), this means I have walked the entire Shire (145 miles), have passed through Bree, and am now somewhat parallel with the Great East Road, some distance from Weathertop.

As you might imagine, my legs are quite sore. I am in severe need of finding a good "restorative stretch/yoga" routine.

Now, I love walking--a lot, I would even go so far to say--but I haven't really BEEN walking much over the past two years on account of us all being in lockdown.

I've been using my FitBit--which during this process has revealed some somewhat unpleasant things to me--mainly that on my busy work days I am lucky if I break 2k steps.

Definitely makes an argument to try to get up between meetings if I can find the time--or even walk DURING meetings that don't require me to be on camera and allow me to mosey about the apartment with my wireless headset.

Ultimately this has also brought up some... frustrations with how weight has settled differently during the pandemic. It feels like it's distributed differently and even more frustratingly, feels like it's taking far more time to adjust back to how it was--it it ever does.

I'm trying my best not to focus on that and just lean into the gamification of daily steps, walking my virtual marathon and living my best adventure hobbit life.

There are 5 total LOTR challenges, breaking up the epic pilgrimage to Mordor into manageable pieces. I finished The Shire challenge in 32 days. I'm currently now on The Fellowship, and while it's just me, I am tackling the entire 680 miles. My reasoning behind this is simple. The 1st, is I want to get my full money's worth and to me that means using the app as long as possible. The 2nd is that while the app allows you to split those miles among a fellowship of your own, my logic is that Frodo still had to walk 680 miles, regardless if he had friends with him. And that didn't even get him to Mordor! That's just when Hobbits were joined by others.

Also, I will say, the medals are fantastic. I know The Conqueror challenges are a bit spendy, but ultimately you're paying mostly for the medals. They're all metal, they've got heft, it's like a giant enamel pin but far stronger. I can't wait til I have all 5 and can put them in one big shadow box of accomplishment! But, obviously, that will be a while from now.

According to my current projects, I should be done with the 680 miles by Halloween of this year. But, who knows, things happen--there is a chance I will have to push that date back to make sure I remain safe etc.

That's a great thing about The Conqueror App--you set your own time limit. And if you don't meet it, it's not a waste of money, you just adjust. Things happen. You really are just paying for your medal and access to your tracking app.

Again, this isn't sponsored, but I'm pretty darn happy with this experience so far.

And if you don't want a medal and can't justify the price--there's also this wonderful free Walk To Mordor app!

Connect with me on GoodReads

It warms my heart so many folks contributed and voted! Here is where we ended up as 2021 closed out!

Winners (in the order of how you voted, not how we will be reading):

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

Arch-swindler Moist Van Lipwig never believed his confidence crimes were hanging offenses - until he found himself with a noose tightly around his neck, dropping through a trapdoor, and falling into...a government job?

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Night Circus, a timeless love story set in a secret underground world—a place of pirates, painters, lovers, liars, and ships that sail upon a starless sea. Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Diana Bishop, a historian and reluctant witch, unexpectedly discovers a bewitched manuscript in Oxford's Bodleian Library. This discovery forces her back into the world of magic in order to unravel the secrets it holds about magical beings. She is offered help by a mysterious geneticist and vampire Matthew Clairmont.

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsy Muir

Gideon the Ninth is set in an empire comprising nine planets, each home to a great House that practices a particular type of necromancy.

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison is a story of a world in which witches, vampires, pixies and other creatures exist alongside humans, although not completely in peace. The main character in the story, Rachel Morgan, is a witch who quickly gets pulled into a conspiracy that goes deeper than Rachel realizes.

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

Iron Widow follows 18-year-old Wu Zetian who offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, not to earn her family some money but to avenge the pilot responsible for her sister's death. She knows anyone signing up is essentially signing their death warrant and has made her peace with it— vengeance over survival.

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Moon Called is the beginning of the story of Mercedes Thompson. Mercy's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf, her former boss is a grumpy old fae, and she is fixing a Volkswagen bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy is not exactly normal herself.

Terrier by Tamora Pierce

Terrier is a young adult fantasy novel by Tamora Pierce, the first book in the Provost's Dog trilogy and the fifteenth book set in the Tortall Universe. It tells the story of Rebakah "Beka" Cooper, the ancestor of George Cooper from Song of the Lioness and Alianne from Trickster's Choice and Trickster's Queen.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl is the first book in the Artemis Fowl series. It follows Holly Short, a reconnaissance officer of the Lower Elements Police (LEP), after she is kidnapped by criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl II for a large ransom of gold with the help of his bodyguard Domovoi Butler (and his younger sister Juliet Butler) in order to restore the Fowl family fortune.

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing follows April May, a young queer woman launched into internet celebrity. One night, she and her friend Andy post a silly news report on the arrival of a mysterious sculpture in the heart of Manhattan; as these statues pop up in dozens of major global cities, the video goes viral.

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar

As agents Red and Blue travel back and forth through time, altering the history of multiple universes on behalf of their warring empires, they leave each other secret messages—at first taunting, but gradually developing into flirtation and then love.

Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

Trail of Lightning is Rebecca Roanhorse's first novel and the first of a planned series known as the Sixth World. The setting is a post-apocalyptic world rife with poverty, crime, violence, betrayal, and hunger. The novel takes place after most of the world is destroyed through a massive flood known as the Great Water.

https://poll-maker.com/poll4088142x3ae24e89-128

We had about 150+ unique submissions, it was a LOT to put it all together (and harder to find a free program that supported that many options)

This poll will be live from now until we hit the New Year. Please limit your picks to no more than 12.

I am hoping to get an abundance of recommendations, and we will distill them down (with votes) to 12.

Here are the rules:

Your recommendations MUST:

* Be the first in a series OR stand enough on its own that it will not tarnish the storytelling experience.

*Be available on either kindle or audible.You may make as many recommendations as you like, and while not a rule, please keep in mind the following:

* I am not fond of horror

*Triggering topics are not deal breakers, but I would like some kind of warning ahead of time so that I can properly prepare myself.

At the end of each month, I'm going to talk about them--right now I am dabbling with a video or podcast idea. Would you like to read along with me and discuss the story?

Apparently after 7 years, my Blue Yeti mic is kicking the bucket. So I'm gonna perform and maybe raise a lil dough, but also give back to you and your awesomeness. Tiktok & Twitch Streams.

You may request a song at any time, most will be held at 2:30pm, please give three song options in case I don't know one or more of them. If I don't know all three, we'll work something out. Please use the rough list below as a guide.

Note, this schedule may change at any time.

12pm: Chat & Lunch (TikTok/Twitch Crossover Stream)

Introductions, how this will be working, links

12:45pm: Character Creation Video (Twitch)

From My YouTube, a video of how to create a character. While I focused on LARP aspects, most also apply to creating characters for books.

1:00pm: Story Structure & How To Outline (Twitch/TikTok Crossover Stream)

While this is a cross-over stream, I recommend tuning in to Twitch specifically for the full picture and not just me talking. Visual Aids will be important. We're going to go over the basic bones of a story, how I create an outline for a book, and then build that outline into something fully fleshed out.

2:15pm: Bio Break

Get your snacks, go to the bathroom, etc

2:30pm: Acapella Concert (TikTok/Twitch Crossover Stream)

Request songs through donation (rough list below) Twitch: Paypal Donation $10 Song Request TikTok: Concert Gift (Mathmatically these two work out as the same, but I recommend donating through paypal as TikTok takes half of whatever you donate (through gifts).

3:30pm: Tea, Bake & Chat (TikTok)

Hang out, chat, etc

4:30pm: ?5:00pm: Come Game With Us on WoW? (Twitch)

Rough Song List:

Showtunes

Hamilton, Wicked, Heathers, Dear Evan Hansen (mostly just Requiem), Phantom of the Opera, Camelot, RENT, Les Miserables, etc. (I don't sing Cats, but I will sing a 10 second middle finger to Andrew Llyod Weber about Cats)

Disney Songs (& Muppets & Don Bluth Musicals)

This was my bread and butter growing up, I probably will know the song no issue. (knocks on wood)

Shanties/Folk Songs

Dark Lady, The Fisherman's Song, Homeward Bound, Red is the Rose, Amarili's Secret, The Parting Glass, Cruel Sister, Kilkenny Ireland, Randy Dandy O, A Drop of Nelson's Blood, The Willow Maid, Song of Fey Cross

Pop Songs

I put this up very tentatively on the list because

There are a million of them and there's bound to be a lot more I don't know. And Most of them don't sound right acapella and I don't enjoy singing them as much.

https://youtu.be/IM19XXq9LZ8

Our Registry

Below is a full transcript of the ceremony itself per request after the original livestream had some audio issues:

JO (Officiant) :

Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears.

Welcome. Welcome!

I am the Lord Reverend, Jo Louie.

We are gathered here, today…or probably there, and maybe later. Time and space are relative under these wibbly and wobbly circumstances, aren't they? I mean, they are normally. Where are you, really? Your bodies are there, in your seats, or, you know [gesture vaguely], but your hearts and your minds are also here with these two. And it is with the essences of ourselves that we bear witness to the union of Kiri Sandra Callaghan and Katrina Angelique Rockwood.

I promise that after we are done here, I will not call either of you by your full names unless you have done something remarkably stupid. Thankfully, many of those moments are behind you. Without those foibles we would not be here today with you. More undoubtedly lie ahead, but together, your strength and resolve will be boundless. You may not feel it in yourself, but you feel it in the other. This is what makes the two of you amazing.

That one time that two elves and a Tiefling walked into the faire…you posted our pic on Facebook, and Angelique asked us (though I now read that as you) to come say hi. Upon our book of faces, after going back and forth, Angelique wrote “No worries. SMILEY FACE EMOJI. I'm sure our paths will cross again.” We walk around, and this dashing roguish paladin hops off stage after her performance, and I saw the looks you gave each other. After the “rogue” left, Kiri, you had this utterly giddy look. I gave you “the squint.” You know, this one. [FRY SQUINT] And you told me that nothing was going on. [ANOTHER SQUINT] “Though there was a dramatic kiss just a few days ago.” This was my first interaction with Angelique. I knew that there was something special between you two, but it had not had time to grow. Here we are, three years later, and it has indeed grown.

Your love and support of each other is why I traveled across the country (the short way, but still, it’s a pandemic) to stand here before you and take part of this. Each of you makes the other more whole in a beautiful way. You encourage and embolden the other to be and do your best.

You encourage all of us to be better. The communities that you came from, and the ones that you’ve built, will provide advantage should you ever need us.

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks but bears it out even to the edge of doom.

We know well of doom. It is a fearful thing, a spectre of chaos and despair, and is marked by isolation and division. It haunts us even now like a shroud. But here we are to part this fog and cast “dispel darkness” by combining these two celestial beings into a binary orbit.

Through dangers untold, and hardships unnumbered, you have both fought your way here to the castle beyond your respective Goblin Cities, to share and celebrate the love you have discovered. For your will is strong, and your kingdoms as great. Fear has no power over you.

Now, on to the formalities.

Is there anyone among us that objects to this union? *DRAMATIC PAUSE*

[After a resounding cry of no from the chat, JO turns past a page of contingency plans]

Excellent, no grand gestures. However, if you have anything that made you think twice, please message me. I love me some good tea.

Now join hands, and with your hands your hearts.

You have written your own vows, so who would like to start?

ANGELIQUE:

First of all, I'd like to say: HOW DARE YOU?

I had the idea of love ALL figured out until you. Before you, I knew that there were no such thing as soul mates, or destined mates. And that was okay!

You find partners to love, to learn from to grow, and more often, to grow apart from. There's nothing wrong with that. It's a wonderful, beautiful thing. And my life has been blessed with some wonderful past partners, partners who helped me become who I am today.

But then you had the AUDACITY to come along and prove me wrong.

The nerve.

Before you, I didn't know I had the capability to have a feeling this big, let alone have that feeling be love.

Thank you for turning my world upside down.

With my opening arguments out of the way, and with the court's permission, I'd like to move to Article 6 of the Vows.

For context, for some who may not know, while I never grew up dreaming of a wedding, I did grow up dreaming of becoming a knight.

In my defense, at the time, it seemed more plausible.

But as I stand here now before you, on our wedding day, I know that this is the higher station.

Where a knight pledges fealty to a land or ruler, I get to pledge mine to you.

So please know that when I make these vows, I make them with the same commitment and fervor of a Knight's Oath.

Kiri, you are magic.

Not just because of what you put out into the world: Whimsey, Hope, Creativity, this AMAZING community that you've built, but who and what you are at your core: Magic.

I vow that I will not take for granted the gift and privilege it is to know and honor your truest self.

I vow to support you in all of your endeavors and encourage your unbridled curiosity.

I vow to be your champion, to defend you and your heart from any that may be out to cause harm.

I vow that I will continuously work to better myself. Not just for you, but for us. You deserve a partner that keeps reaching, keeps trying, failing, getting back up, and trying again.

In closing...

Our natural state is fantasy. We see magic in the air. It is the most beautiful life with you.

But sometimes this world becomes harsh and suffocating. There will be hard times. There will be impossible times. There will be times where it would be easier to walk away.

I VOW to fight for us. I vow to listen, to be patient, and to put in the work for us.

Remember what I told you on that Pirate's rocky shore: I'm not going anywhere.

You are worth fighting for. You are worth staying for. As long as the love lasts, as long as you'll have me, as long as you want me, I am yours.

I will love you to the end of time and beyond.

KIRI:

I’ve written about a million drafts of these vows. Tomorrow it will be a million and one. In trying to write down these promises to you, I’ve come to realize this contract between us is a living document. It changes just as we do with each day. So this list of promises will grow ever longer. Ever stronger. They’re the best thing I’ll ever write, and yet they’ll never be finished. And they’re really only meant for one audience. Still, I hope you’ll indulge my rough draft, just as you have done with every other piece of writing I’ve brought you. And know that I’m open to notes and constructive criticism.

I have been a fiercely independent being since… I was born. My parents can attest that even before one year, if I set my mind to something, I would do it. No meant do it yourself, and as I grew, it became very clear that they had strongly prepared me against ever being truly dependent on anyone but myself. And while I have leaned on friends and loved ones through hard times, I have truly never needed anyone.

So when I tell you that I want you in my life, it’s important you understand the full weight of my meaning. When I tell you I want you by my side, it is not because I cannot live without you, but because I have lived without you. And I never want to go back to that existence. You bring magic everywhere you go. You aren’t the air I need to breathe, you’re the dream I work for every day. You are not essential to existing, but you are what makes each day a joy to live. You encourage me, you inspire me, you make me better every day just by letting me know you.

I promise to always bring whimsy into your day. I promise to protect you from all threats--including but not limited to spiders. I promise to always try to understand what’s going on in a football game, and at least pretend that all the math involved isn’t entirely superfluous. I will always run with any bit you throw me, especially if it makes you laugh. I promise to encourage you in your creative endeavors, to be your cheerleader for every punctuation and every direction you give. I promise to hold you when you feel sad, or scared--even if it’s just from a bad dream. I will take care of you when you are sick, or ill. I promise to never judge your feelings. I promise that I will listen, even when it’s about something hard. I promise to talk out our problems. To communicate what I need, and listen to your needs. And when I inevitably make a mistake--as we are both bound to do countless times during our lives together--I promise that I will apologize and take steps to learn from that mistake.

I will love you. No matter what. I will love you when things feel perfect, and I will love you when it feels like everything has fallen apart. I will love you when we disagree, or are finishing each other's sentences. I will love you when you are confident in your reflection and I will love you even in the moments when you feel you cannot even love yourself.

I will, on no uncertain terms, do anything for you. In this life and the next. And every one beyond that. As long as we’re together, life is everything I ever wanted it to be. The rest is just sprinkles

JO:

Do you, Katrina Angelique Rockwood take Kiri Sandra Callaghan to be your wife and companion, partner in all things, through darkness and light, and thus consent to this union?

Do you, Kiri Sandra Callaghan, take Katrina Angelique Rockwood to be your wife and companion, partner in all things, through darkness and light, and thus consent to this union?

It is my honor and my privilege to pronounce you wife and wife.

ANGELIQUE: May I kiss the fae?

A strange task that I'd never have imagined when Angelique and I proposed to each other last year was that we'd be re-planning our original wedding ideas for a much different world.

A world where our wedding couldn't physically include all the people we love. A world where we'd have to have most of our guests for the initial event by livestream and what few guests will be there would be wearing masks and standing 6ft apart.

However, this is the world we're living in. It's also been an agreed upon fact between us that this wedding was about a marriage ultimately, and while we want it to be special, a traditional wedding was largely unimportant in that regard. It's somehow fitting, admittedly, that 'our song' is "As the World Falls Down" by David Bowie from Labyrinth. We meant it--that we would be there for each other... we just didn't expect the world to quite literally fall down to test us. But here we are, defying all the chaos in the world, getting married and rejoicing in every moment. As long as we were both there, we had witnesses and someone to officiate, that was all we really needed. Everything else was just sprinkles.

However, in forfeiting our pre-Covid sprinkles, we have found a silver lining. And since so many won't be able to join us in person, we'll be live-streaming the wedding. Which means, I have the luxury of inviting all of you!

Save the Date: 10/23/2020

Time: 2:30pm PST (Schedule to come)

Place: My Twitch Stream

More details to come as we get closer to the date.

For anyone curious, we do have something set up for a registry--specifically for honeymoon things. Whenever it is that we're able to travel again. So it's possible this registry may be open for a while.

Our Wedding Registry

I'm a bit of an eclectic witch, but primarily, I have worked mostly in chaos and green magic. Under quarantine, I've been feeling rather... disconnected, as you might imagine. It's hard to feel at one with nature when you're more or less trapped inside.

We don't have many live plants in my apartment simply because the lighting is very strange and I haven't quite figured out which will thrive the most in our home. It's been a struggle. So I've been working in areas that I can. We're confined to our homes for our safety, and thus I have delved further into hearth magic. Which, naturally, includes kitchen magic.

Once upon a time* Angelique and I had two opportunities that have shifted my view of a very particular liquor. The first was a trip to Chicago where we were able to sneak into a marvelous speak-easy by the name of "The Violet Hour".

Lovely, wonderful place, and if you're in Chicago after this clears, I cannot recommend enough you give them a visit. Heck, I recommend you give them a hand if you can right now by making a donation or picking up one of their cocktail kits. Angelique had a side-car that literally brought her to tears, and I had my first taste of Absinthe. The Violet

Hour actually holds an Absinthe Happy Hour (Mon - Thursday, 6pm to 8pm) and I took this opportunity to try something new. I attempted to look on their online selection but am fairly certain I do not see the one I tried, so it's possible they rotate their selection (this is highly unimportant, Kiri), but I believe I tried La Muse Verte because I remember it being described as an older French family recipe. Regardless, I found myself very surprised in not only did I thoroughly enjoy the flavor, but the strong star anise flavor reminded me very much of ritual work. For that alone, I found myself a bit enamored with the drink.

A few weeks following, we were treated to an engagement gift of a trip to Club 33, something that I imagine I will never be able to do on my own, and it was a once in a lifetime treat. I encountered a cocktail there called a "Green & Cream" that used an absinthe base with lime, cream and meringue. And it's quite haunted me since. So I've been attempting to recreate it. I'm not entirely sure if I've done that faithfully, but I've done to the best of my recollection and ability (given that I have only tasted it once and am not able to taste it again unless I somehow gain entrance once more--which is unlikely). I renamed it for both acknowledging that this recipe is, despite my best efforts, ultimately an homage to a "Green & Cream" and because ultimately my purposes are a bit different with it.

I have listed the basic ingredients first, and then gone into further detail of each herb's meaning before moving on to the actual directions and spell craft.

This drink is very appropriate for Ostara (which, yes, I know is behind us now), but also, depending on your purposes, might be useful as is or even for ritual preparation.

Note: I am, ultimately, fairly lactose intolerant, so instead of using 'cream', I used a non-dairy creamer substitute. This DOES have sweetener added, so if you opt to use an unsweetened cream, you may have to account for that.

*A few months ago Basic Recipe

1 1/2 oz La Clandestine Absinthe

1oz Lime Cordial

1oz Pineapple

2oz French Vanilla Creamer

1 egg white (lightly meringue)

Absinthe

Wormwood (Mars, Fire & Air)

Divination & Astral Projection Protection From Accidents Countering Harmful Spells + Calming Stomach Pain & Appetite Stimulant

Star Anise (Jupiter, Air)

Calm Good Luck Protection Psychic Awareness + Digestion Aid & Appetite Stimulant (Do not consume while pregnant)

Fennel (Mercury, Air)

Confidence Memory Repel Interference Protect From Harmful Magic + Ease Hunger, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive Aid Lime Cordial

Lime (Sun, Fire)

Purification & Protection Love Joy

Cane Sugar (Venus, Water)

Love, Lust Pineapple

(Sun, Fire)

Luck & Prosperity Protecting Possessions & Family Draw Wealth Confidence + Digestive Aid, Anti-Inflammatory, High in Vitamin C Creamer

Milk/Cream (Moon, Venus, Goddess Energy)

Ostara Prosperity

Coconut Milk/Cream

Protection Spiritual Cleansing

Vanilla (Venus, Water)

Happiness & Soothing Energy Good Fortune Enhances Mental Stimulation Enhance Physical Energy

Egg

Ostara Protection Fertility Purification

First step, you'll want to take your egg and separate the egg while it is still cold. You may do what you wish with the yolk, but place the egg white in a glass or metal bowl. I suggest covering it to prevent anything from falling in. I used one of my altar cloths and placed it on my altar for 30 minutes. This is to primarily help the meringue process, but you may use this time to set your intention as well.

If you're making this for Ostara, you can sing a song, or simply focus on the holiday and the activities you have planned. If you're making it for ritual prep, I suggest focusing on protection. If you need help with visualization, I try to focus on how the egg white keeps the yolk protected, and imagine a protective aura of light around yourself in a similar fashion.

I also like to use this time to ask for the Green Man's Blessing (eg.):

Green Man of the Wood

God of the Wild and Free

With Honor and Love, I invoke thee

Bless this work and intention

And if it harm none, so mote it be

After the egg white has warmed for approximately 30 minutes, you can begin to whisk it to a light meringue. You're not making a full on meringue, and feel free to use a mixer if you're more comfortable, but I prefer to do it by hand since you're only making a light latte-like froth of soft peaks. With each stroke, imagine you're building protective walls as the meringue thickens.

Once you've achieved enough stiffness in the egg-white for soft peaks, set it aside.

Fill your drink shaker with ice cubes and add the absinthe. (You do not have to recite anything, I just like to, even if just internally):

Fennel for protection

and Anise for good luck

Steeped in Wormwood to help me reach beyond the veil

Add lime cordial to your shaker, then the pineapple and creamer.

Sweetened lime so we may work in love

Pineapple to draw health and wealth

Coconut to cleanse the spirit that I may be worthy to receive these gifts

And vanilla to prompt good fortune

Shake together for approximately 30-40 seconds, focusing again on your overall intention. Shaker should be sufficiently cold and frosted. Pour drink into glass, remove ice. Now you're going to do a reverse shake (where you shake the drink with the egg whites gently with no ice but while the shaker is still cold). Ice can break down the froth in the egg whites, so this should help keep the froth but mix the two together.

Pour egg whites into shaker. Then pour the drink mixture (again, no ice) back into the shaker with the egg whites. Shake for another 30 seconds or so. Visualize the egg whites protecting the ingredients inside as they once did the yolk, now protecting your spell's integrity and your intentions.

Pour drink into your desired glass (a short cocktail glass, or in my case, a tea cup). Let stand 1 minute.

Blessings did I ask

Blessing did he grant

Gifts to the faithful

Gifts of the Wild

I toast to the Lord of the Green

Take a drink!

Note: Absinthe is a somewhat misunderstood alcohol, so while it will not have you seeing fairies or hallucinating, remember it IS a very high proof. Please drink this slowly.

https://youtu.be/XQEyUmGWhzI

I've been thinking a lot about this song lately, so we decided to revisit it since I was dressed as a Dalish for Faire From Home.

Let me back up. This past weekend Angelique and I hosted watch parties and zoom meetings to best imitate the Renaissance Faire experience because for obvious reasons, the faire was cancelled. Angelique has always attended or participated in the faire since she first moved to Los Angeles, as many of you know, it's where we first met each other, so we wanted to very much make it mean something. We watched some faire-appropriate movies, we dressed up, we took turns singing songs, and we even had moments of LARP style descriptions (eg. FORSOOTH, YOUR SENSES ARE PLEASANTLY OVERWHELMED WITH THE SCENT OF GARLIC FROM THE FOOD VENDOR TO YOUR RIGHT. YOU SEE IT IS NONE OTHER THAN THE SEASONING DELIGHT THAT IS ,,THE GARLIC FESTIVAL) that described not only what you might see at the faire, but also provided a link to that vendor's online store to help push sales for them since faire is a huge part of their revenue.

Fun fact, we're attempting a larger scale open to public ,,Pirate Party this Saturday. You should try to stop by if that's up your alley. Kindness and jovial expectations required. Pirate accouterments encouraged.

So after the event was closing down and we had heard people sharing both their fears and hopes, this song was especially in my mind, and since I was very much already dressed for it, it seemed the perfect time to film it.