Why Watermelon Juice Isn't Sold Like Apple Juice

 🍉 

Unlike apple juice, which is shelf-stable and easy to mass-produce, watermelon juice is delicate:

  • It’s 92% water, which makes it prone to separation and spoilage

  • Fresh watermelon juice only stays good for 12 to 24 hours, even when refrigerated

  • Because of this, grocery stores rarely stock pure watermelon juice in the same way they do apple or orange juice

🍉 

Instead, what you’ll usually find are “watermelon juice drinks”—blends that include:

  • Added sugars

  • Preservatives

  • Other juices (like grape, pear, or apple)

  • Artificial flavors to mimic watermelon taste

Brands like Simply and Minute Maid offer watermelon-flavored drinks, but they’re not 100% watermelon juice.

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🍉 

Where You Can Find It

  • Some health food stores or specialty markets carry 100% watermelon juice in small batches-

  • Brands like CoCo Joy and Namai offer canned versions with minimal additives they say-

  • Or—you can make it yourself with a blender and a ripe melon. It’s easy, fresh, and mythically hydrating

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“She searched for the juice of summer—but the shelves held only echoes. So she sliced the fruit, blended the light, and drank the truth.”
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🍉 Watermelon Whisper Juice

A summer scroll for your kitchen ledger

✨ Ingredients

  • 4 cups ripe watermelon (seedless or seeds removed)

  • Juice of ½ lime (optional, for brightness)

  • A few mint leaves (optional, for a cooling shimmer)
  • Pinch of sea salt (optional, to awaken the flavor)

🌿 Instructions

  • Slice the watermelon into chunks and remove any seeds

  • Blend the chunks until smooth—no water needed, it’s already 92% magic

  • Strain through a fine mesh sieve if you prefer a smoother texture

  • Add lime juice, mint, or salt if desired

  • Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes or serve over ice

  • Sip slowly, preferably barefoot in the sun

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Fig Leaf Tea Healing Properties

Busy in my kitchen, I opened my large jar of dried fig leaves to make me some fig leaf tea. Those of you that have followed my youtube channel have most likely seen old videos of my 15 foot tall and 15 foot wide old fig tree. Today I thought I would gather up some healing facts when it comes to drinking fig tea. 

Fig leaves (Ficus carica) are packed with bioactive compounds that offer a wide range of therapeutic benefits. Here’s what modern herbalists and ancient healers agree on:

1. Blood Sugar Regulation

  • Fig leaf tea is traditionally used to support Type 2 diabetes and insulin sensitivity.

  • Flavonoids like quercetin and apigenin mimic insulin and help regulate glucose uptake.


2. Cardiovascular Support

  • Helps lower LDL cholesterol, reduce triglycerides, and improve blood pressure thanks to potassium and magnesium.

  • Antioxidants protect blood vessels from inflammation and oxidative stress.


3. Anti-Inflammatory Effects

  • Contains polyphenols that act like natural COX inhibitors (similar to NSAIDs but gentler).

  • Used traditionally for menstrual cramps, headaches, and joint pain.


4. Digestive & Detox Support

  • Soothes IBS, gastritis, and gut inflammation.

  • Acts as a gentle laxative and liver tonic, aiding detoxification.


5. Respiratory Relief

  • Used in folk medicine to treat asthma, bronchitis, and coughs.

  • Often brewed with dried figs for added soothing effects.


6. Skin & Mood Benefits

  • Antioxidants promote skin healing and reduce oxidative stress.

  • Essential oils like linalool offer anti-anxiety and antibacterial effects.

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How to Brew Fig Leaf Tea

Simple Recipe:

  • 3–4 fresh or dried fig leaves (use the mature leaves)

  • 2 cups water

  • Simmer for 5–10 minutes

  • Strain and sip warm, optionally sweetened with honey

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"Steeped in ancient shade, fig leaves whisper healing into every cup."
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Why Rhyming Matters in Witchcraft & Potions

Long before paper, printing presses, or even written alphabets, rhyme was the memory’s lantern. People used rhythm, rhyme, and repetition to pass down everything from healing recipes to mythic lore, laws, genealogies, and spells.

Let's tap into something ancient and enchanting—rhyming in witchy potions isn’t just theatrical flair, it’s deeply rooted in ritual, rhythm, and intention.

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Why Rhyme Was a Memory Tool

  • Oral Tradition: In cultures where knowledge was spoken, rhyme helped preserve accuracy across generations.

  • Mnemonic Power: Rhyming lines are easier to recall—our brains latch onto patterns like melody and cadence.

  • Community Sharing: Rhymed verses could be sung, chanted, or recited in rituals, making them communal and enduring.

  • Protection of Knowledge: In times of persecution or secrecy (especially with herbal or magical lore), rhyme disguised meaning while preserving it.

Think of nursery rhymes, folk songs, or even ancient epics like The Iliad—they were all designed to be remembered, not read.

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Why Rhyming Matters in Witchcraft & Potions

Rhymes have long been used in spells and potions because they:

Focus the mind

  • Like a mantra, rhyme helps the practitioner stay centered and intentional.
Create rhythm
  • The cadence mimics natural cycles—breath, heartbeat, moon phases
Aid memory
  • Oral traditions relied on rhyme to pass down spells and recipes.
Amplify energy
  • Repetition and rhyme build emotional resonance, which many believe strengthens magical effect.
Symbolize harmony
  • Rhyming words reflect balance—an essential concept in healing and ritual.

Even in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the witches chant:

“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.” This isn’t just spooky—it’s a rhythmic invocation of transformation

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Here's some Examples of Rhyming Potions: (Things from my books)

🌿 For Protection

Brewed with bark and rosemary’s bite, Calendoulah stirs by candlelight. A pinch of salt, a whispered charm, To shield the heart and guard from harm. This brew will hold you through the night.

🍵 For Peaceful Sleep

Lavender dreams and chamomile sigh, Calendoulah hums as stars drift by. A drop of honey, soft and slow, Let restless thoughts begin to go. This brew will hush the midnight cry.

🧄 For Strength

Garlic glows in broth so bold, Calendoulah stirs with hands of gold. Thyme and sage, a healing flame, To mend the wound and name the name. This brew will help your strength unfold.

🌙 For Intuition

Mint and moonlight, steeped with care, Calendoulah breathes the midnight air. A fig leaf floats, a truth revealed, The brew uncovers what’s concealed. Let inner knowing rise and flare.

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In Closing,

The Halloween Season has started and I've published a few Halloween related books in honor of the spooky season. One of which is "Halloween Herbal Companion" you can find it here.

Happy Fall to All!

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I just read Cinderella's Story

Cinderella’s story is a poetic arc of resilience, transformation, and love. Whether you follow the Grimm Brothers’ version or Charles Perrault’s, the heart of it remains the same: a kind, mistreated girl who never loses her grace, even when covered in ashes.

She’s denied joy, mocked by her stepsisters, and left behind when the palace ball begins. But then—poof!—a fairy godmother appears, turning a pumpkin into a carriage, mice into horses, and rags into a gown that glows like moonlight. The only catch? The magic fades at midnight.

And when the clock strikes twelve…

  • The carriage crumbles

  • The gown vanishes

  • The glass slipper remains

That slipper becomes the shimmer thread that leads the prince back to her—not because of status or wealth, but because of the quiet magic she carried all along.

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Cinderella Story - www.readthetale.com

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Halloween Herbal Companion Book Has Arrived!


The kettle is whistling, the moon is rising, and Miss Calendoulah has brewed something special just in time for October’s shimmer...

I’m thrilled to announce the upcoming release of my newest book: ✨ Halloween Herbal Companion: Healing, Brewing & Blooming ✨

This keepsake edition is part of my Herbal Healing Series and invites you into a garden of seasonal comfort, poetic ritual, and moon-brewed magic.


What’s Inside?

  • Herbal Tea Recipes for autumn healing and Halloween charm

  • Steam Intentions to guide your seasonal reflections

  • Lore Pages featuring Raven’s whispers and Calendoulah’s wisdom

  • Healing Garlic Soup (yes, it gets its own poetic spotlight!)

  • Interactive Tea Tags you can cut, paste, and personalize

  • Poetic Prompts to stir memory and meaning

  • Whimsical Illustrations of Miss Calendoulah in her garden

Whether you’re sipping fig leaf tea under a full moon or crafting a brew for clarity and calm, this book is designed to be both practical and poetic—a companion for your seasonal rituals and cozy nights.

🛒 Shop Halloween Herbal Companion Book here

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Why You Feel Sleepy After Eating

Have you ever noticed how sleepy people get after a big meal—especially during the holidays? One moment everyone’s laughing around the table, and the next, half the group has vanished to find a cozy corner for a quick nap. It got me wondering: Why does eating make us so tired? So I did a little digging, and here’s what I found.

Feeling sleepy after eating—often called postprandial somnolence or the classic “food coma”—is a common experience, and it’s caused by a mix of biological and nutritional factors. Here’s what they say is really going on:


1.) Blood Sugar Fluctuations

  • Meals high in refined carbohydrates (like white bread, pasta, or sugary snacks) cause a rapid spike in blood sugar.

  • Your body releases insulin to bring it back down, and that crash can leave you feeling sluggish.


2.) Tryptophan & Serotonin

  • Foods like turkey, milk, eggs, and nuts contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps produce serotonin, which regulates mood and sleep.

  • A meal rich in protein and carbs can increase serotonin levels, making you feel drowsy.


3.) Melatonin-Rich Foods

  • Some foods naturally contain melatonin, the sleep hormone—like tart cherries, oats, rice, and pistachios.

  • These can subtly signal your body to wind down.


4.) Large Meal Volume

  • Eating a big meal diverts energy to digestion. Your body focuses on breaking down food, which can leave you feeling tired.


5.) Circadian Rhythm

  • Many people experience a natural dip in energy in the early afternoon. Eating during this time can amplify the effect.

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health.clevelandclinic.org
verywellhealth.com
medicinenet.com
msn.com

Is Raven the Cat a Muse or Something More

Recently I've been asked about the word "muse" in some of my Halloween books that front Raven the cat as a host or narrator... so I thought I would give some companion information for my readers.                                                                                                                  Let's talk about the word "muse" first: “muse” is one of those deliciously layered words that feels like it belongs in my world of whispers and shimmer trails.

Here’s how it unfolds:

  • ✨ In mythology: A Muse (capital M) is one of the nine Greek goddesses who preside over the arts and sciences—each inspiring a different creative domain like poetry, music, dance, or history.
  • ✨ In everyday creativity: A muse is someone or something that sparks inspiration. It could be a person, a place, a memory, or even a mood that nudges your imagination awake.
  • ✨ In poetic language: To “muse” (verb) means to ponder or reflect deeply—often in a dreamy, thoughtful way. Like sitting beside a flickering candle and letting the shadows tell stories.

Is Raven the Cat a Muse or something more? Well let's discuss it in detail.

 In the flicker of candlelight and the rustle of autumn leaves, Raven appears—not just as a character, but as a whispering guide. But is she a muse?

A muse, by definition, is a source of inspiration. In mythology, she’s a goddess of the arts. In everyday life, she’s the spark that nudges creativity awake. Raven, with her shimmer trails and watchful eyes, fits this role perfectly. She doesn’t just decorate the pages of The Haunted Host Handbook—she animates them.

Whether perched in a party scene or prowling through poetic prompts, Raven invites readers to imagine more. She’s part myth, part memory, part mischievous mentor. And yes, she’s a muse.

So yes, Raven the Cat is absolutely a muse

✨ —part myth, part memory, part mischievous guide. And your illustrated spreads? They’re visual muses, whispering party ideas without saying a word.

✨ If you’re curious to see how Raven inspires haunted happenings and seasonal storytelling, you can find her in The Haunted Host Handbook—available . Let the lanterns lead.

✨ I set up Raven as a free printable for you - Click here - or click tab at the top of the page for other seasonal printable.

🐾 Oh and... just so you know - The Raven you see in my books is named after my very own black cat with yellow eyes that lives with me. Giggle!

May Raven's whisper lead you through the shadows - and into celebration.

Pam

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Why Email Invitations Are Taking Over

 The Rise of Email Invitations: A Modern Twist on Party Planning

Gone are the days of licking envelopes and waiting on snail mail—today’s hosts are embracing a faster, more creative way to invite guests: email invitations. Whether you're planning a haunted bash, a cozy tea party, or a glitter-drenched pumpkin carving day, email invites offer flexibility, flair, and instant delivery.


Why Email Invitations Are Taking Over

  • Instant Delivery: No waiting for postal delays—your invite lands in inboxes within seconds. 
  • RSVP TrackingPlatforms like Paperless Post, Evite, and Smilebox let you monitor responses in real time.
  • CustomizationUse tools like Canva's Email Invitation Creator to design invites that match your theme—complete with fonts, graphics, and even animated elements.
  • Eco-Friendly: No paper waste, no stamps—just digital shimmer.
  • Easy Updates: Need to change the time or add a costume note? You can resend or edit without fuss.

✨ How to Create a Magical Email Invite

  1. Choose a Platform: Canva, Paperless Post, and Smilebox all offer free templates and RSVP features.

  2. Design with Intention: Match your invite to your party’s vibe—whether it’s velvet mischief or pumpkin grins.

  3. Include Essentials:

  • Date & Time
  • Location (or Zoom link)
  • Dress code or theme
  • RSVP instructions
  • A poetic tagline or Raven-approved whisper

Send & Track
: Email directly or share via link or text. Most platforms let you send reminders and follow-ups.

🐾 Raven’s Tip for Realm Hosts

This invitation was conjured from....

The Haunted Host Handbook—available on Amazon.”

 🖤

Now Offering Free Printables to my readers!

 New! Free Printables Coming Soon

Hello Friends,

I’m thrilled to share that a new tab has appeared at the top of this blog: Printables. It opens a shimmering doorway to helpful tools, holiday resources, and party prep guides you can download, print, and use year after year. For Free!

Whether you’re planning a seasonal gathering, organizing classroom magic, or keeping track of your Realm rituals and celebrations— I will be creating printable pages to make it all a little easier. (and a little more enchanted).

Inside the Printables section:

  • Party Prep Tools
  • Seasonal & Holiday Resources
  • Celebration Planning Pages
  • Forgotten Holiday Spotlights
  • Calendar Inserts & Seasonal Timelines
  • Welcome Sign Prints for the door
  • Frame-worthy Poetic Printables
  • Coloring Pages
  • Puzzle Pages

A Dash of Creative Mischief 

 Some printables are inspired by my seasonal books, with sneak-peek coloring pages, themed puzzles, and activity sheets tucked in for readers who love to play inside the Realm.

All files are formatted for black-and-white printing and designed to sparkle with crooked charm, no matter the season.

🕯️ Visit the new Printables tab at the top of this page to explore what’s ready—and keep watch for fresh downloads added soon.

Visit the new Printables tab at the top of this page to begin. 

Blessing to all, Pam

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I’ve Been Crafting something meaningful and I'm ready to share it

For years, I’ve shared seasonal wonder on this blog

—rituals, traditions, recipes, forgotten holidays, and cozy little moments that bring meaning to the calendar. But behind the scenes, something new was stirring. 

I started writing books.

Not just books—seasonal companions, poetic party guides, holiday wall art, and coloring pages that echo the same shimmer I love to share here. They’ve been quietly growing like pumpkins in moonlight.

I’m proud of them. They carry my love for forgotten lore, print-only beauty, storytelling, and celebration. They’re playful and heartfelt. Some are narrated by Raven the Watchcat. Some are traceable. Some have spider secrets. I even tested the waters on creating puzzle books and found I love to create them. lol~

And yes—now they live on Amazon.  

Here’s where you can explore them: 

I've added an Author tab at the top of the blog for those who want easy access to my books.

"I’ll be sharing more soon—book spotlights, seasonal downloads, perhaps a few behind-the-scenes whispers. For now, thank you for being here. You’ve walked beside my journey even when you didn’t know the path had pages."

Let’s keep celebrating the Holidays, together. 

Here's to coloring carefully, dreaming wildly, and following the light wherever it leads.

Pam 🖤

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🕯️ The shimmer doesn’t stop here…
Explore my seasonal library of print-only books, poetic party guides, and curated creative picks.
📚 Visit My Author Page  |  🛍️ Shop My Seasonal Storefront
Curated by the Keeper. Judged by the Cat. 🐾

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Download your free Halloween Party Prep ChecklistClick here to open the PDF

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