Thursday, December 12, 2013

Shop now for the holidays at the Celtic Attic - only 9 more shopping days!


Top O' The Morning To All,
Ce'ad Mi'le Fa'ilte
100,000 Welcomes


There are only 9 more shopping days until Christmas!  Yes, 9… I just cannot believe this year is almost over.  We are almost to the major giving day in most of the world.  We are giving $1.00 of every order from now until Christmas Eve to the USO & Marine Corp Toys for Tots program.  Celtic Attic has adopted 2 children from our local giving tree and will get them holiday gifts as well. 

We are still running our Half Off Shipping special all the way until Christmas (does not apply to express shipping requests).  We decided to leave our Black Friday/Cyber Monday special online until Christmas Eve.  We have 25 items that you can get at a discount of 15% off the retail price, while supplies last.  The coupon code is BlackFriday and you can shop now.  We have put all our Black Friday/Cyber Monday specials on the shopping portal A Celtic Calling.  The sale is listed on the front page. 

We have about 1200 products now on the A Celtic Calling.com shopping portal.  We have about 300 more to add, so if you don’t see what you’re looking for be sure to visit celtic attic.com. We will have the websites completely remodeled by end of January for ST. PATRICK’S DAY Shopping!

We will be giving away a Christmas Treat Basket! (Gift Basket includes - 2 Holiday coffee mugs, Irish or Scottish Tea, Irish Candy Treats bag and a Celtic Pendant! Value $60.00) Enter Now!  Anyone that enters now, will be put into the Christmas Giveaway drawing...  http://www.celticattic.com/contact_us/free_giveaway.htm

Most of your Favorite Celtic Attic goodies are now in the new store location along with a wide variety of other gifts and jewelry.  We have balloon baskets, gift baskets and so much more!  It is a Celtic & Gift Shop Paradise.  We have just launched our line of Fairy Bath products in the store.  The store address is 408 Pacific Ave, Bremerton WA 98337.  For those that would love to visit and get your Celtic on, drop by Tues-Sat 11am-6PM.


Just a little bit of Irish

Most Cultures can trace their paths back to a time when there were no computers, automobiles or airplanes.  The Celtic peoples origins can be traced far back to antiquity.   For the ancient Celts, grand tales were told by word of mouth and passed from parent to child and to the clan.  Imagine a vibrant bonfire of orange and yellow flames shooting towards the night sky.  Close your eyes and see a clan of Irish Celts sharing tales of Giant Trolls chasing a wee Fairy Princess through the wooded forest.  Envision now if you will a culture that did not write down a single word of its most precious and prized tales.  Can you hear them speak?  Listen to the wind as it passes grand stories and adventures through the air.  What of these people?  Why did they not write down for future generations their most prized tales and visions?    Join me know as we explore an ancient way of communication from the Celtic Lands.  Come let us explore the world of the Celtic Knot and what these strange and entrancing symbols meant to the Celts and mean to us today.  Hurry the land of Shamrocks and Heather as it beckons you listen and observe!  Welcome to the Celtic Lands.

The Celts have been around for quite some time.  There is much magic and mysticism associated with these people and with the land of Erin, the Emerald Isle and all the British Isles indeed.  Modern folk are attracted to the Celtic Knotwork of these lands.  Spirals, Key Patterns, Interwoven Love Knots and Geometrically perfect symbols.  What do all these symbols mean?  Does each have a place in history?  Did the Gods and Goddesses wear these symbols?  Did the mortals design them out of reverence for their world and surroundings?  Does the Spiraling knot shaped like hearts truly represent “Love”?  Ah to answer this question in a mystical and enchanting way is quite the challenge on the part of Historians, Secular & Religious folk alike.

               Before the time of the Christian influence on the Celts, the only known Celtic Knotwork consisted of simple geometrical patterns.  While they were ornate, delicate and painstakingly crafted, I am sure; they did not represent anything specific to the ancient Celts. They did not create the love knot to express adoration of their spouse, nor did they create the peace knot in hopes of ending the Roman occupation of the British Isles.  The basic premise of life was simple for the Celts, all things were revered and worshiped, but I do not believe and Historians have debated this, that they created Knotwork as symbolism.  It is more likely they created it as a lovely way of adorning their land, their person and their dwellings.   This early Knotwork did not feature plants, animals or humans.  As most early Pre-Christian civilizations, they might possibly have believed that making a representation of any living thing was contrary to their belief of the interconnectedness of life.  To form a symbol would be to take away the very spirit of what they were trying to represent.

As time marched on in the Celtic lands and Christianity and its teachings came to the Emerald Isle and the other cultures, the Knotwork symbols were re-born.  Christian Celtic artwork was strongly influenced by pagan Celtic sources. It is only in the artwork of the post Pagan era that we see Knotwork representing a certain idea or aspect of life. The Christian Celts added human, plant, and animal forms to their glorious Knotwork designs.  The most famous example of this artwork form is the beautiful illuminated manuscripts – The Book of Kells. Images of the ancient lands and of a people that were steeped in magic and mysticism come to life in the Book of Kells and other Knotwork manuscripts. The Crane, Raven and the Dog are gloriously depicted in the Book of Kells.  The Celtic cross, which is now one of the best-known symbols of Irish Christianity, was introduced in this post Pagan era. 

Today Celtic Knotwork symbols have been assigned attributes and meanings.  This is a modern interpretation and re-design of the ancient Knotwork patterns.  I will mention a few to entice your appetite to explore this symbolism further.  Keep in mind these are the modern interpretations.  The modern Eternity Celtic knot symbolizes the never-ending eternal circle of life.  The Shield Celtic knot is a symbol for protection.  The claddagh is a traditional celtic symbol, the hands are for friendship, the heart is for love and the crown is for loyalty and sometimes this symbol has Knotwork woven into it.  The Celtic Love Knot can enliven relationships, heighten passions and attract true love.  The Triscele was a sacred symbol to the Celtic People. It represents the eternal rhythm of life that we are all a part of.  The traditional ancient Knotwork Interlace pattern is probably the most common pattern. Basically it looks like strands of braided strips that bend and weave amongst themselves. It could possibly represent the interconnection of life and the universe. The Trinity knot spirals are included in this grouping and may occur in double, triple or quadruple swirls. Spirals are typically joined to one another in either an "S" or a "C" type format. They may represent the universe, heavens, and water or an individual's journey through life.  I am sure as you explore the various Knotwork patterns of both the ancient Celtic People and the modern Christian art, you will see meanings within meanings.  After all, artwork is about inspiration and magic and vision.  Open your vision to see the sacred Knotwork of any ancient people still in use today. Copyright Kristin Olsen 2012


Irish Potatoes Soup

Christmas Punch a la Shirley
 
1 can orange juice 1 quart
1 can pineapple juice 1 quart
1 can apricot nectar 1 ping
1-quart rye or bourbon
 
Combine above, let set in refrigerator.  When ready to use add 1-quart club soda and ice.
 
 
 
As Always, Peace
Kristin and the staff at the Celtic Attic
408 Pacific Ave
Bremerton, WA 98337
360-813-1113
360-531-1107

Friday, December 6, 2013

only 13 more online shopping days left - Save on shipping order now!


Top O' The Morning To All,
Ce'ad Mi'le Fa'ilte
100,000 Welcomes


There are only 13 more shopping days until Christmas!  Yes, 13… This year has gone by in a whirlwind.  We are almost to the major giving day in most of the world.  We are giving $1.00 of every order from now until Christmas Eve to the USO & Marine Corp Toys for Tots program.  Celtic Attic has adopted 2 children from our local giving tree and will get them holiday gifts as well. 

We are still running our Half Off Shipping special all the way until Christmas (does not apply to express shipping requests).  We decided to leave our Black Friday/Cyber Monday special online until Christmas Eve.  We have 25 items that you can get at a discount of 15% off the retail price, while supplies last.  The coupon code is BlackFriday and you can shop now.  We have put all our Black Friday/Cyber Monday specials on the shopping portal A Celtic Calling.  The sale is listed on the front page. 

We have about 1200 products now on the A Celtic Calling.com shopping portal.  We have about 300 more to add, so if you don’t see what you’re looking for be sure to visit celtic attic.com.

We will be giving away a Christmas Treat Basket! (Gift Basket includes - 2 Holiday coffee mugs, Irish or Scottish Tea, Irish Candy Treats bag and a Celtic Pendant! Value $60.00) Enter Now!  Anyone that enters now, will be put into the Christmas Giveaway drawing...We will draw two winners for Celtic Pendants for November as well… http://www.celticattic.com/contact_us/free_giveaway.htm

Most of your Favorite Celtic Attic goodies are now in the new store location along with a wide variety of other gifts and jewelry.  We have balloon baskets, gift baskets and so much more!  It is a Celtic & Gift Shop Paradise.  We have just launched our line of Fairy Bath products in the store.  The store address is 408 Pacific Ave, Bremerton WA 98337.  For those that would love to visit and get your Celtic on, drop by Tues-Sat 11am-6PM.


Just a little bit of Irish

Well what if you could see fairies and they were chasing butterflies in your backyard?  Would the world think you sane?  Would you care?  Let me tell you of the Irish Fae Folk and then you can decide for yourself if they are real or not.  If you do believe, maybe you can bring the magic of the Fairyland into your life.

Most Fairies today are seen as beautiful fluttering creatures that you see out of the corner of your eye or just imagine them to be dancing around happily.  Not so of the ancient Celtic realms.  Sidhe (pronounced Shee, a fairy) and other magical creatures lived with human kind.  They were there to possibly teach and assist the human folk of the land.  Since they were a part of the life process you have the mean, ugly, beautiful, sad, happy and death fairies of the Celtic Isles.  The people of the Isles call their fairies wee folk.  Lets take a brief look at some Fae Folk.

Have you ever had your heart leap and you had to stop and catch your breath?  Have you ever thought about a place, a thing, or a person and felt that you just belonged there, like your heart and soul were in some way intertwined with it?  Close our eyes and see green trees, wide open lush valleys, streams teaming with fish, fairies dancing, dragons roaming and leprechauns running freely with human kind and of course magick a glitter everywhere.  Welcome to the land of Erin.  Come, SHH… you don’t want to awaken the Banshee Fairy!

The belief in fairies is an almost universal attribute of early folk culture.  Fairies are magickal creatures that entertain children and adults alike.  For adults the fairy represents the innocence of youth and the promise that there is something more than just what we see.  Most adults have lost the ability to see fairies peeking out from behind a tree or chasing a butterfly across the lawn.  To read about the Fae folk takes us back to childhood and cotton candy, slip n slides and magic. 

The Leprechaun:  A solitary creature avoiding contact with mortals and other fairies.  He is usually making shoes or protecting his pot of gold.  It is said that if a mortal catches a leprechaun and sternly demands his treasure, he will give it to him. He is very symbolic of Ireland.

Merrows:  The female is also called a mermaid (murĂșch) or a sea-maiden (maighdean mhara).  She has the tail of a fish and web-like scales between her fingers; she is most lovely and graceful.  The male sits on a rock, always scanning the sea for cases of brandy lost from wrecked ships.

Silkies:  Are seals by day but men and women by night.  They are fabled to be extreme beauties.
Lianhan Shee: Love Fairy.  She seeks the love of mortal men at a high cost.  She creates such desire in her lovers that they will overcome all obstacles to embrace her. She does insist on meeting her lovers in Tir-na-n-Og.  Mortal men must die to enjoy her fairy delights.


Irish Potatoes Soup

6 medium potatoes
2 medium onions
3 pints of stock or milk and water mixed
1-tablespoon butter
Parsley
Salt & pepper to taste

Peel and dice and potatoes and chop onions.  Melt butter and gently cook the onions and potatoes in a covered saucepan until soft but not colored.  Add the liquid, add seasoning to taste.  Cook for a while until warm.  Serve in bowls and decorate with chopped parsley.
 
As Always, Peace
Kristin and the staff at the Celtic Attic
408 Pacific Ave
Bremerton, WA 98337
360-813-1113
360-531-1107
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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Gift Shop Alley Store window

The window at the store looks great... got some products added in there and working on rope lights! Drop by and shop handcrafted and unique gifts and of course Celtic Attic's collection of Irish, Scottish, Celtic and Norwegian gifts and jewelry. Tues-Sat 11am-6pm 408 Pacific Ave Bremerton WA





Black Friday Shopping Special... Shop some amazing Celtic Gifts & Jewlery


Top O' The Morning To All,
Ce'ad Mi'le Fa'ilte
100,000 Welcomes

There are only 24 more shopping days until Christmas!  Yes, 24… We normally do a shipping special for Black Friday, which we will continue to do – HALF OFF SHIPPING.  In addition we will be featuring about 25 items that you can get at a discount of 15% off the retail price, while supplies last.  The coupon code is BlackFriday and you can shop now.  We have put all our Black Friday/Cyber Monday specials on the shopping portal A Celtic Calling.  The sale is listed on the front page.  If you wish to order anything not on sale, you can do that as well on this site.  You can as always visit http://www.celticattic.com for all your holiday shopping needs.

We will be giving away a Christmas Treat Basket! (Gift Basket includes - 2 Holiday coffee mugs, Irish or Scottish Tea, Irish Candy Treats bag and a Celtic Pendant! Value $60.00) Enter Now!  Anyone that enters now, will be put into the Christmas Giveaway drawing...We will draw two winners for Celtic Pendants for November as well… http://www.celticattic.com/contact_us/free_giveaway.htm

Rest assured Celtic Attic is not being replaced, just updated and it will take another month or so to finish it up!  A Celtic Calling is going to be our shopping portal and have all the newsletters posted as well as happenings at our store and any book tours and book release information from herself, Kristin. A Celtic Calling is up and ready for you to shop!

Most of your Favorite Celtic Attic goodies are now in the new store location along with a wide variety of other gifts and jewelry.  We have balloon baskets, gift baskets and so much more!  It is a Celtic Paradise.  We have just launched our line of Fairy Bath products in the store.  The store address is 408 Pacific Ave, Bremerton WA 98337.  For those that would love to visit and get your Celtic on, drop by Tues-Sat 11am-6PM.


Just a little bit of Irish

Irish Crab Chowder
From Shirley’s notes about a trip to Maine

1/2 cup onion
1/2 cup celery
3 tablespoons butter
3 cups milk
1 can condensed frozen potato soup
1 7 1/2 oz can or fresh crabmeat, if canned drain
1 8 oz can cream style corn
2 tablespoons chopped pimento
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup dry sherry
1/2 cup parsley

Cook onion & celery in butter until tender.  Add rest of ingredients except the Sherry & parsley.  Cook until heated through stirring often.  Cook about 15 minutes.  Stir in sherry.  Remove bay leaf and garnish with parsley.
 
As Always, Peace
Kristin and the staff at the Celtic Attic
408 Pacific Ave
Bremerton, WA 98337
360-813-1113
360-531-1107
https://twitter.com/celticattic

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Thought for day: Be specific about what you ask for...



A number of years ago I was testing the universe, magic, the power of intention and my own sense of self and miracles.  I asked the universe to provide me with $10,000 in 3 months.  Things were going quite well for the first month.  Then in November I was affected by Identity theft.

The took me for a lot of money, bank accounts and credit lines were affected.  After surviving almost two weeks with no money because all my accounts had beenput on hold, I was frustrated, angry and worried.  Not only did this affect me personally, but also it was my business livelihood and I couldn't buy product for the holiday season.

I was talking to a friend on the phone about the situation and she simply said "be careful what you wish and ask for".  Then as quickly as the money was taken, it was all put back into my accounts.  After looking it all over and crunching numbers, it was determined that they took almost $10,000 in assets.  Wow did I learn a lesson about being clear in my intentions.  I really wanted $10,000 in new money not my own taken away and given back!

KC’s Coffee Coaching


Coffee Coaching…

I have combined two things that I love – Coffee and Coaching.

Ever wanted to hire a life coach or a mentor?  Need someone to chat with, bounce ideas off of or help with your small business. $20 per hour flat rate fee for our services.  There are no hidden fees.  In Person, via Skype, Phone or via Email, the choice is yours.  Plus 5 email follow-up questions with each coaching session.

KC’s Coffee Coaching is affordable coaching.  Can’t afford coaching?  Give up your coffee to pay for it.  Really just 4 $5.00 coffees per week or every other week gets you an hour coaching session and email follow-ups.  What is your business, life, love and time worth?  A cup of coffee…

Can you afford coaching without giving up your daily coffee?  Why not donate a cup to our $5.00 cup scholarship program and give a woman a free life or small business coaching session.

More details email Kc@celticattic.com

Friday, November 8, 2013

Christmas is just around the corner


We will be giving away a Christmas Treat Basket! (Gift Basket includes - 2 Holiday coffee mugs, Irish or Scottish Tea, Irish Candy Treats bag and a Celtic Pendant! Value $60.00) Enter Now!  Anyone that enters now, will be put into the Christmas Giveaway drawing...We will draw two winners for Celtic Pendants for November as well… Our winner of the Halloween Gift Basket is Karen from WA, Congratulations Karen.  http://www.celticattic.com/contact_us/free_giveaway.htm
 

If you want to check out our happenings on our new face book Celtic Attic page, visit us and please like us!  https://www.facebook.com/celtic.attic.1 Please like us!
 
Our friend Josie V just opened up a Gift shop that we are calling Artist Alley Gifts.  So all your Favorite Celtic Attic goodies are now in the new store location along with a wide variety of other gifts and jewelry.  We have balloon baskets, gift baskets and so much more!  It is a Celtic Paradise.  We have just launched our line of Fairy Bath products.  Soon to be added to the website.  The store address is 408 Pacific Ave, Bremerton WA 98337.  For those that would love to visit and get your Celtic on, drop by Tues-Sat 11am-6PM.

Here is the deal of the month at the Celtic Attic.  The Celtic Attic Cookbook is now available for FREE in PDF format.  That's right, FREE.   We have decided to give you this gift so you can cook some of these great ideas for the upcoming holidays!  Email mailto:Kristin@celticattic.com if you would like your free pdf copy of this book.

This just in… Are you interested in taking a trip to Ireland?  Celtic Attic is planning a tour to Ireland next year in either August or September.  If you are interested in a funky guided tour in B&B’s, Hostels and every pub along the path, let us know.  Email Kristin for more details and pricing.  We are planning on at least 10-14 days and want to show you the Island we love and cherish.  Spiritual sites, pub crawls, great food, the countryside, shopping and historic sites.  We might even hit a ghost or two along the way to be included in an upcoming book on Ireland… Kristin@celticattic.com

Friday, November 1, 2013

Check out our new Shopping Portal, Place an order and get a Ornament at the Celtic Attic Now!


Top O' The Morning To All,
Ce'ad Mi'le Fa'ilte
100,000 Welcomes


We are still in the process of finishing the new website, but you can shop it now and browse the products that we have put online so far (only about 800 of 1400)… If you want to test the site for us and place an order we will be giving you a FREE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT plus we are running a discount on shipping as well.

Rest assured Celtic Attic is not being replaced, just updated and it will take another month or so to finish it up!  A Celtic Calling is going to be our shopping portal and have all the newsletters posted as well as happenings at our store and any book tours and book release information from herself, Kristin.

Halloween is HERE.  We will announce the Gift Basket winner in next week’s newsletter.  We are busy giving out candy to the kiddies all day at the store and at the house this evening. Our next Basket GIVEAWAY Starts Now! We will be giving away a Christmas Treat Basket! (Gift Basket includes - 2 Holiday coffee mugs, Irish or Scottish Tea, Irish Candy Treats bag and a Celtic Pendant! Value $60.00) Enter Now!  Anyone that enters now, will be put into the Christmas Giveaway drawing...We will draw two winners for Celtic Pendants for November as well… http://www.celticattic.com/contact_us/free_giveaway.htm
 

If you want to check out our happenings on our new face book Celtic Attic page, visit us and please like us!  https://www.facebook.com/celtic.attic.1 Please like us!

Our friend Josie V just opened up a Gift shop that we are calling Gift Shop Alley.  So all your Favorite Celtic Attic goodies are now in the new store location along with a wide variety of other gifts and jewelry.  We have balloon baskets, gift baskets and so much more!  It is a Celtic Paradise.  We have just launched our line of Fairy Bath products.  The store address is 408 Pacific Ave, Bremerton WA 98337.  For those that would love to visit and get your Celtic on, drop by Tues-Sat 11am-6PM.

What to know where Celtic Attic will be and what shows we will be selling at?  Visit our Happenings Page for more info.

Here is the deal of the month at the Celtic Attic.  The Celtic Attic Cookbook is now available for FREE in PDF format.  That's right, FREE.   We have decided to give you this gift so you can cook some of these great ideas for the upcoming holidays!  Email Kristin@celticattic.com if you would like your free pdf copy of this book.


TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Tips N Hints - Songs from the Old Country
Irish Recipes
Irish Travel
Scottish Recipes
Scottish Travel
Welsh Recipes
Cornwall Recipes
Celtic History & Myth
Celtic Attic Free Giveaway
Removal Policy & KC's Notes

 
TIPS N HINTS: Songs from the Old Country

Words and music by Gunn McKee

I walked alone in foggy dew
Just me and my memories
A voice out seaward beckons thru
A whistle of love for me, for me
A whistle of love for me.

T'was two moons 'go her father stole
My love away from me
Arranged to wed a soldier red
My love's gone 'cross the sea, the sea
My love's gone 'cross the sea.

For ten days long our love grew strong
She swore her "love to thee"
Each night up high on mountainside
She'd whistle her love for me, for me
She'd whistle her love for me.

Late one night, my fire alight
Awaiting for her to see
My wait was long, o' what could be wrong
Where could my true love be, love be
Where could my true love be

A light 'cross waters lantern glow
Was all mine eyes could see
And from below noise drifted slow
Like a 'gull come back from sea, from sea
Like a 'gull come back from sea.

Her song it haunts me still this day
Notes of uncertainty
If heaven laughs at prayers of mine
Then it never was to be, to be
Then it never was to be.

IRISH RECIPES:

Yummy Mummy Sausages
Posted on October 31, 2013 by Food Ireland 

Delicious Sausage Mummies – So easy to make and perfect for Halloween!
- See more at: http://www.foodireland.com/recipes/#sthash.wALLQ6Fg.dpuf

Ingredients:
8 Donnelly Sausages
1 sheet ready rolled shortcrust pastry
1 beaten egg, to glaze
2 tsp Colman’s Mustard Powder, for the faces

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 190c/gas mark 5.
2. Unroll a sheet of pastry and cut into fine strips about 1cm wide to form your bandages.
3. Wrap a pastry bandage around each sausage in one direction, and then repeat with another bandage in the other direction. (Just use as many strips as you need to cover each sausage.)
4. Leave a space for a face and then place on a baking sheet lined with greaseproof paper, brush with beaten egg.
5. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until the sausages are cooked through and the pastry golden.
6. Put the sausage roll mummies on a platter then make your faces. Mix the mustard powder with equal amounts of water to form a paste and then spoon it into a disposable piping bag, snip a tiny hole at the end and pipe a pair of eyes onto each mummy.
- See more at: http://www.foodireland.com/recipes/#sthash.wALLQ6Fg.dpuf

Drop by the Celtic Attic's Irish Food section:
http://www.celticattic.com/treasures/irish_food.htm

Check our New Irish Kitchen Section:
http://www.celticattic.com/treasures/irish_kitchen.htm


IRISH TRAVEL:

Painting in The West of Ireland Exhibition at the Model
27 September - 01 December 2013
Venue: The Model: Home of the Niland Collection

To Irish culture, the west of Ireland has become synonymous with mythology, legend, folklore and fairytales. This exhibition examines the influence of the west of Ireland as a source of inspiration for artists and features works by many well-known names.

The west was also the focus of a pursuit that was central to Irish culture for much of the 20th Century, the need to discover, define or construct an authentic national identity. From Malin Head to Mizen Head, the landscape has been imbued with symbolic significance that overwhelms pure geography and identifies the west as the heartland of the authentic Ireland.

The Niland Collection holds a considerable amount of work by some of the finest Irish painters of the 20th Century. This exhibition examines the influence of the West of Ireland as a source of inspiration for artists and features works by Percy French, Paul Henry, Sean Keating, Maurice MacGonigal, Jack B. Yeats, Nano Reid, Nick Miller and Dorothy Cross. It illustrates the connection with the North West that The Niland Collection holds through its works.

The Mall
Sligo Town
Sligo
Republic of Ireland
+353 71 9141405
info@themodel.ie
www.themodel.ie


SCOTTISH RECIPES:

Caramel Shortcake is often called "Millionaires' Shortbread" - presumably because it is so rich. I have to confess this is one of my favourites when eating out anywhere which has "home baking" on the menu.

    Ingredients (Biscuit Base):
    8oz (200g or two US cups) plain flour
    6oz (150g or 1½ US sticks) margarine
    30z (75g or half US cup) caster (fine white) sugar

    Ingredients (Filling):
    2oz (25g or ½ US stick) margarine
    2oz (25g or between a ¼ and a ½ US cup) soft brown sugar
    A large tin of condensed milk

    Ingredients (Topping):
    8oz (200g or one US cup) light brown chocolate

    Method:
    Rub the margarine and flour together in a bowl until you have a mix which is similar to breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar. Spread the mixture evenly into a 9" (23cm) square tin which has been lined with baking parchment. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 170C/340F (160C/320F if fan assisted) for approximately 35 minutes until it is golden brown. Allow the base to cool.
    Heat the filling ingredients together in a pot, making sure that you stir it constantly (otherwise it will stick!) until it begins to simmer. Continue stitting until it thickens (which it should do in a few minutes). Spread the filling evenly over the base and again allow cooling.
    Melt the chocolate so that you can spread it over the filling.
    When it has cooled and you are ready to eat it, cut up into squares or rectangles with a sharp knife.


SCOTTISH TRAVEL:

Castle Trail

Scotland’s only dedicated Castle Trail lets you discover the dramatic stories of 17 of Aberdeenshire’s most famous castles.

This itinerary is organized into 4 broad areas of Aberdeenshire to group the castles around a main hub town. A visit to any of the castles makes an ideal day out or navigate your way along sections of the trail for a longer break.

Scotland’s only dedicated Castle Trail lets you discover the dramatic stories of 17 of Aberdeenshire’s most famous castles.

This itinerary is organized into 4 broad areas of Aberdeenshire to group the castles around a main hub town. A visit to any of the castles makes an ideal day out or navigate your way along sections of the trail for a longer break.

    Piper on the hill at Dunnottar Castle
    Looking across to Balmoral Castle from the south side
    Looking along the main driveway to Castle Fraser
    View up to Craigievar Castle in the autumn with leaves lying on the ground
    Visitor walks through the walled garden at Crathes Castle
    Piper on the hill at Dunnottar Castle
    Looking across to Balmoral Castle from the south side


Basing yourself in the city of Aberdeen, start following the trail by heading south on the A90/A92 to Stonehaven where you'll be met by the well-preserved ruins of Dunnottar Castle, perched on a dramatic cliff some 160 ft above the North Sea. Fought over by Wallace and Cromwell, it was used as a set for Franco Zeffirelli's 1991 film of Hamlet.

Drum Castle Heading north from Stonehaven on the A957 brings you to Crathes Castle, a few miles east of Banchory and Drum Castle, 5 miles further east on the A93. Crathes is a classic fairytale castle standing in superb grounds with a range of woodland trails on offer to help you explore. Inside, spiral staircases lead to rooms famous for their Jacobean painted ceilings and resident ghost, the Green Lady.

Drum Castle combines a unique mix of a late 13th-century tower, fine Jacobean mansion house and later Victorian additions. Superb furniture and paintings are on display while the estate’s woodland trails and exceptional walled rose garden are well worth exploring.

Some 15 miles further north on the B977 stands Castle Fraser, one of the grandest castles of Mar. This magnificent building contains an evocative Great Hall, fine furniture and paintings. Enjoy the beautiful secluded walled garden, extensive woodland walks with fine views of the castle plus a children’s adventure playground.


WELSH RECIPES:


This dairy-heavy dessert was made by Welsh settlers in Argentina’s Patagonia. It hails from the period after the River Camwy was dammed, which led to a dairy surplus. This is not one for anyone on a low cholesterol diet!

8 ozs | 225g flour
4 ozs | 125g butter
3 eggs, separated
1/2 pint | 10fl. ozs | 275 mls double cream
1 tbsp sugar with tsp vanilla essence
sprinkle of nutmeg

METHOD
Mix the butter and flour together to a breadcrumb consistency then add the egg yolks. Rest the mixture in the fridge for at least an hour, and then roll out to line a pie dish.

Beat the egg whites to the stiff peak stage then fold into the cream and sugar and vanilla essence and then sprinkle nutmeg on top and bake for 35-40 minutes.


Patagonia Cream Tart (Teisen Hufen Patagonia)


WELSH HISTORY:


As the name suggests, concentric castles were based on a ring-within-a-ring structure.

Sometimes known as a multiple castle, the buildings were constructed to present as daunting a challenge to attackers as possible.

Sometimes on a rise, and sometimes bounded by a moat, concentric castles were far larger than the earlier motte and bailey designs - and could never be built on man-made mounds.

There would be a central enclosure of stonewalls and towers, then one or more outer walls, also with towers. The walls would be castellated and usually featured arrow slits and outlets for boiling oil or other missiles.

The height of the walls would increase towards the middle, enabling inner defenders - such as archers - to shoot over the defenders of the outer walls.

Great examples of concentric castles in Wales are Caerphilly and Beaumaris.


CORNWALL RECIPIES:

Cornish Buttered Lobster

Hog's Pudding
           
           
3 1/2 lbs ground pork

3/4 cup dried bread crumbs

1/2 tsp pepper

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp ground cumin

1/8 tsp celery powder

1/8 tsp ground oregano

1/2 tsp onion powder

sausage sized casings

Place ingredients in a large bowl and mix. Stuff casings with the mixture (a great deal of work)
tie the bottom when you have the amount that you want,
and repeat until all the mixture is used, cut and boil until done.
 
CELTIC HISTORY & MYTH:

This is Lady Gregory's collation of the Cuchulain cycle. Cuchulain was a mighty warrior, 'the Hound of Ulster', the hero of 'the Red Branch', a band of elite fighters of ancient Ireland. Cuchulain is the subject of numerous tales set in pre-Christian Ireland, including the pivotal 'War for the Bull of Cuailgne'. The mythological and supernatural elements are tightly interwoven in this saga, including the ever-present Sidhe (fairies); and Celtic gods and goddesses, particularly Morrigu, the goddess of war. As for the battles, they are principally composed of single combats as hair-raising as any in the Iliad or the Mahabharata. The female characters are vivid and self-motivated. The saga is overlaid with episodes which could be echoes of ancient myths, for instance the story of the two shapeshifting swineherds. There are sections of great poetry embedded in the text, particularly the lament of Emer on Cuchulain's death.

Lady Gregory's prose, which resembles that of William Morris and her collaborator Yeats, is gorgeous and moves the story along vigorously. This rendition of the Cuchulain saga is required reading for anyone interested in Celtic mythology.

Production notes: This text was originally produced by Phillip Brown from an unknown edition. In March 2004, I did a proof pass on it using a 1902 first edition. This was primarily to add page numbers and correct a number of transcription errors in the original etext. However, there are a half-dozen places where the Phillip's etext diverged significantly from the text of the first edition. In these cases, I have retained the text from Phillip's edition, printed in green type. I have placed these passages in a two-column table with Phillip's version in the left hand column and replaced text (if any) from the 1902 version in the right hand column. Perhaps some reader can identify the other edition.
--John Bruno Hare, March 10th, 2004.


TIME TO PLUG SOME OF OUR PRODUCTS:

Home Decor: Wonderful products to add a celtic touch to any house.

Remember to Enter the Free Giveaway each month:
http://www.celticattic.com/contact_us/free_giveaway.htm

As Always, Peace
KC and the staff at the Celtic Attic

Remember, if you wish to submit a story, article, thought, poem or ask
a question for the next newsletter, eMail us by the 20th of the month.
kc@celticattic.com

 
GREAT CHRISTMAS DEALS

All Sales Items are now at least 50% off, so order now for all your holiday shopping needs. We created a page with all the new items we are discontinuing from our product line. We don't usually do this, but they are taking up space in the warehouse. Our overstock is your pocketbooks gain.


All Sales Items are now at least 50% off, so order now for all your holiday shopping needs. We created a page with all the new items we are discontinuing from our product line. We don't usually do this, but they are taking up space in the warehouse. Our overstock is your pocketbooks gain.

Celtic Wedding! Add a Celtic Flavor to your Wedding.

Great Personalized Gifts for your shopping pleasure.

As Always, Peace

Kristin and the staff at the Celtic Attic
408 Pacific Ave
Bremerton, WA 98337
360-813-1113
360-531-1107

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Check out our new website!


Top O' The Morning To All,
Ce'ad Mi'le Fa'ilte
100,000 Welcomes

We are going to start to send out the newsletters every Wed from now on so that you know when to expect them and can read the recipes and travel hints as well as see our specials. 

We are still in the process of finishing the new website, but you can shop it now and browse the products that we have put online so far (only about 600 of 1400)… If you want to test the site for us and place an order we will be giving you 10% off plus we are running a discount on shipping as well.

Rest assured Celtic Attic is not being replaced, just updated and it will take another month or so to finish it up!  A Celtic Calling is going to be our shopping portal and have all the newsletters posted as well as happenings at our store and any book tours and book release information from herself, Kristin.

Halloween is almost upon us… We will be sending out the giveaway basket in just a few short weeks.  Halloween GIVEAWAY! We will be giving away a Spooky Basket! (Gift Basket includes - 2 Halloween coffee mugs, Irish or Scottish Tea, Irish Candy Treats bag! Value $50.00) Enter Now!  Anyone that enters now, will be put into the Halloween Giveaway drawing... http://www.celticattic.com/contact_us/free_giveaway.htm
 

If you want to check out our happenings on our new face book Celtic Attic page, visit us and please like us!  https://www.facebook.com/celtic.attic.1 Please like us!

Our friend Josie V just opened up a Gift shop that we are calling Artist Alley Gifts.  So all your Favorite Celtic Attic goodies are now in the new store location along with a wide variety of other gifts and jewelry.  We have balloon baskets, gift baskets and so much more!  It is a Celtic Paradise.  We have just launched our line of Fairy Bath products.  Soon to be added to the website.  The store address is 408 Pacific Ave, Bremerton WA 98337.  For those that would love to visit and get your Celtic on, drop by Tues-Sat 11am-6PM.

What to know where Celtic Attic will be and what shows we will be selling at?  Visit our Happenings Page for more info.

Here is the deal of the month at the Celtic Attic.  The Celtic Attic Cookbook is now available for FREE in PDF format.  That's right, FREE.   We have decided to give you this gift so you can cook some of these great ideas for the upcoming holidays!  Email Kristin@celticattic.com if you would like your free pdf copy of this book.

Interesting Halloween facts:
 
  1. Halloween is actually the night before where lanterns (Gaelic: samhnag), Hallowfires and such are supposed to scare the souls that will emerge at midnight, away from your house. Samhuinn is also used in Gaelic for the entire month of November. The name "Samhain" entered Canadian folklore as "Sam Hain", the name of the guy doll which children would wheel round
  2. Halloween customs in Scotland these days consist chiefly of children going door-to-door "guising" (or "Galoshin" on the south bank of the lower Clyde) dressing up and offering entertainment of various sorts in return for gifts. The Witchcraft Act of 1735 contained a clause preventing the consumption of pork and pastry comestibles on Halloween although these days sausage rolls seem to a popular treat for children - the act was repealed in the 1950s.
    1. The children are invariably dressed up as something supernatural or spooky and the entertainment usually consists of singing, telling a poem or joke etc. They don't 'trick' you if you do not give, as in America. However, after the showing of ET in the early 80s, the influence of American "trick or treating" seems to have become more prevalent at least in England. Hollowed out turnips with candles in them are sometimes displayed or carried. Note that many children in America do not 'trick' either.
    2. Halloween parties often consisted of various games, for instance 'Dooking fur aiples' where the children had to bite apples floating in a basin of water, once they had one by the teeth they could retrieve and obtain it. Sometimes flour would be sprinkled on the surface of the water.
    3. For younger children a more modern game is 'Forkin fur aiples', an easier task, where the children stood on a chair and held a fork handle in their teeth, taking aim, they would release it into the basin of apples and water and retrieve and keep any apple they so skewered. Another game was 'treacle scones' where children had to eat a scone covered in treacle hanging on a piece of string.
    4. One custom associated with Halloween in the Western Isles was to put two large nuts in the fire. These were supposed to represent yourself and your intended spouse. If the nuts jumped together when they warmed up then this was deemed to be a good omen, but if they jumped apart then it was time to look for someone else!
           
Cookie Spiders:
Take your favorite cookie recipe and bake or use ready made rolls from the Market, or you can even buy them at Costco if you are out of time.  Purchase Betty Crocker Decorating Icing in White and Black.  Take the White Frosting and spray to make a web on the cookie.  Use a raisin for the spider body and place it in the middle of the web.  Now add black frosting to the raisin edges of the raisin to form the legs.  Spider Cookies!

All Sales Items are now at least 50% off, so order now for all your holiday shopping needs. We created a page with all the new items we are discontinuing from our product line. We don't usually do this, but they are taking up space in the warehouse. Our overstock is your pocketbooks gain.

Celtic Wedding! Add a Celtic Flavor to your Wedding.

Great Personalized Gifts for your shopping pleasure.

As Always, Peace

Kristin and the staff at the Celtic Attic
408 Pacific Ave
Bremerton, WA 98337
360-813-1113
360-531-1107