December 30: Happy New Year (almost)
During this time of year many people engage in a long held tradition of looking back at the past year to give thanks for what worked and make goals to fix what did not.
The goals are called New Year Resolutions. Let’s take a moment to examine the word resolution.
res·o·lu·tion
noun \ˌre-zə-ˈlü-shən\
: the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc. : the act of resolving something
: an answer or solution to something
A resolution is your answer or solution to a problem. For example, if you gained weight over the past year, perhaps in 2014 you will resolve to exercise more or eat healthier. If you do not feel connected to your family. Then you would resolve to set aside grievances and spend more time with them.
The other side of the process that is often overlooked is taking time to celebrate what worked. If you can’t think of anything then I will give you a challenge. You are reading this newsletter so you are alive. And if you are alive, step outside (or open a door or a “window”) and breathe in the air. Connect with nature.
At The White Falcon, one of our favorite ways to connect is through our animals. We have dogs and will post pictures of our crazy friends on our Facebook page. Please feel free post the thing that connects you to nature. The things you are celebrating or the people you are grateful to have in your life.
We want to see what worked for you in 2013!
December 21: Happy Birthday Rayla:
In honor of Rayla’s birthday we will be updating her web page with a different excerpt from the book…her 13th birthday!
Rayla’s birthday falls on Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year (in the northern hemisphere). So for her birthday, TWF has updated her character web page with an excerpt from The White Falcon: The Awakening…her 13thbirthday!
Why have people recognized the solstices (winter and summer) for thousands of years? The term solstice actually means “sun stands still.” On these two days the sun appears to stop its journey and change position. This is due to the how the earth is tilting on its axis and has nothing to do with the sun, BUT we are more informed than our ancestors.
It is a time of celebration and change because after the solstices the days get shorter (after summer solstice) or longer (after winter solstice). Imagine being a human thousands of years ago and the days keep getting shorter and shorter. You would think the sun was mad or worse…dying. Then, suddenly, the days start getting longer. Yahoo! Let’s celebrate. The sun is a happy camper again.
Check out this information on Newgrange, an ancient temple in Ireland that was built to interact with winter solstice (so cool). L.K. was able to visit Ireland in 2012 and this was one of her favorite stops.
November 23 & 24: TWF will be at the Long Beach Comic & Horror Con. We will be in Artists Alley at table 1005. Stop by and say hi!
November 1-3: TWF was at Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles. Check out the photos on our facebook page!
October & November 2013: We apologize for the lack of posts. L.K. had a surgery on October 4th and it taking this time to heal. Two years ago she was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer and the last two years have been filled with tests, treatments and surgeries. BUT we have GREAT NEWS...L.K. is cancer free and recovering nicely.
When she returns she will continue updating the website with more information on the Window Worlds and a sneak peak at the second book in the TALON series: The White Falcon: Allies.
In the meantime, enjoy the posts below AND check out the Character Bios.
September 30, 2013: Pumpkins
Planted in June – July, the pumpkin takes 90-120 days to grow and is commonly harvested in October. The orange squash, cousin to the cucumber, cantaloupe and zucchini, is synonymous with harvest and fall. Low in calories and an excellent source of potassium and vitamin A, pumpkins are yummy and good for you.
These versatile delights have many uses. Their seeds can be dried and turned into a delicious snack, their flesh can be used to make soup, muffins, pies, and their shells can be carved into works of art (the tradition of pumpkin carving will be covered in great detail in a future post).
Some other pumpkin particulars are Punkin Chunkin, pumpkin festivals around the world, and getting creative and using them as serving dishes, vases, and planters.
This Facebook page, Ireland’s Virginia Pumpkin Festival, will get you in a pumpkin lovin’ mood ~ enjoy!
Other information: TWF will be at Stan Lee’s Comikaze Con November 1-3 and the Long Beach Comic and Horror Con November 23 & 24. Check out our events page for more information.
Let us know what you think of the website or the book. Click here to access our contact form. L.K. Craig replies to each comment. If you send us your address, L.K. and our illustrator, Kathleen, will send you something special (small but special).
Our social media contest has closed but we want to share the pictures that have inspired us. Visit L.K. Craig’s Pintrest pages: The White Falcon: The Awakening (these will be used to help add illustrations to the current book) or Inspiration (these will inspire future illustrations and character drawings).
September 22, 2013:
Autumn EquinoxIt’s official. Fall is here and L.K. Craig and the TWF team are so excited. This is our favorite time of year!
Why?
Fall represents fall leaves, harvest, family traditions and comfort food. Shawnee, a mentor to Gabriel, historian and fairy from our story would remind us to look at this time of year through the eyes of others. How does each area of the world celebrate this abundant time of year?
The Chinese associate fall with the ending of things. The days are getting shorter, things are dying, it is a time sadness and courage.
In Ireland, the equinox, “mean[ing] "equal night". This happens because the sun in positioned above the equator and at this time of year - day and night are about equal all over the world," has been recognized for over 6 thousand years. The Knowth, near Newgrange, allows the morning sun to enter a passageway and light up the inside of the temple (very Indian Jones like).
The Autumn Equinox is also known as the Witches Thanksgiving, or Mabon. This pintrest page has great pictures, recipes (love the apple cider in an apple mug) and will get you in the mood for fall.
Celebrate fall in your own special way!
September 16,2013: Breakfast of Champions
Now that everyone is back in school mornings begin with the beep-beep of alarm clocks, the rush of getting ready, followed by the scarfing of a quick breakfast. Or even worse...skipping breakfast entirely.
Sure it is easy to chow down on a bowl of cereal, but what you eat for breakfast sets the pace for the entire day. A bowl of sugar covered cereal tastes good but will leave you in an energy slump and craving more sugar just a few hours later. Not really fair to you, your brain, or the teacher.
Your morning meal has a purpose and breakfast literally means to break the fast. Your body has done without fuel for eight or more hours. It is time to refill the tank and what you put in it matters.
As mentioned in our last post, witches pay attention to what they eat. They understand the purpose and benefit of eating healthy food. So next time choose to take a few extra minutes and eat something healthy and fun.
You can easily make the following items on your own or if you are in a rush the good news is that some very cool place are getting on board and are helping make eating healthy easier.
One suggestion is a fruit and vegetable smoothie. We love that Jamba Juiceis offering this option. Another choice is Greek yogurt. Places like PinkBerryoffer this healthy option with fresh fruit and granola toppings. And, of course, a traditional oatmeal with toppings of fruit and nuts is always a winner and can be found at your local Starbuck’s.
So start your day off with a meal that will truly break the fast.
September 9, 2013: An Apple a Day
September is traditionally back to school month. The month we say good-bye to summer and hello to fall. A month that slowly trades in hot summer days for cool crisp autumn mornings.
Trailing behind the cooler weather we find fall leaves, harvest, family traditions and comfort food. Each topic will take its turn as our guest of honor in future Magick Monday updates. The TWF team is looking forward to the hustle and bustle of autumn, a naturally magickal time of year.
Today, taking center stage, is the apple. In the White Falcon: The Awakening, Rayla enjoys a juicy apple fresh from her family tree and her mouth waters when she smells her Auntie cooking apple-ginger pancakes.
Rayla loves both the taste and smell of apples but raised as a witch she also understands their numerous health benefits. You see, witches do most everything on purpose. They carefully select what they eat, drink and do, ensuring all are in tune with nature.
Enjoy the following excerpt from The White Falcon: The Awakening:
A small orange beetle crossed Rayla’s path and she tripped trying to step over this friend of the garden. The basket she carried, filled with fresh vegetables and herbs, flew in the air and tumbled around her. Rayla giggled as she fell onto a well-placed mound of moss. An apple fell from the tree above and hit her head with an audible “thump.” The beetle continued on its merry way.
Rayla took a moment to breathe in the aromas of flowers and damp earth that floated on the warm breeze. She bit into the juicy apple and reflected on how much she had learned while living with Aunt Sadie. She knew when to plant and harvest each vegetable. She recognized each of the herbs by sight and smell. Rayla even knew the phases of the moon, and how nature reacted to its luminous waxing and waning.
She knew all of this because, as a witch, it was her job to understand how the world around her worked.
Click here to learn more about Rayla and get the recipe for her favorite apple-ginger pancakes.
September 2, 2013: Sir Zachary
Sir Zachary: friend to Lord Aaron, healer in the King’s Army, protector of Gabriel and leader to the mentors guiding Gabriel home.
Sir Zachary followed Gabriel through the Witches Window and into Mannaz, the world of mankind. It is his duty to look after Gabriel and protect him. Unfortunately he had to do this stuck in his raccoon form because Earth’s magick is much weaker than the magick in Giervalk.
On Labor Day, a day to celebrate the American worker, it seems fitting to recognize our books most prominent worker – Sir Zachary. While we can’t divulge too much about Sir Zachary’s past, that story will play out in one of our future books, we can share a day in the life of Sir Zachary as a raccoon.
Click here to read Sir Zachary’s character bio and back story.
August 26,2013: The Little Things
We were going to dedicate the entire month of August to rest and relaxation, but something happened that changed our direction. A small creature wandered into our lives and reminded us that it is often the little things, the ordinary things, that bring the most pleasure.
A small dog (a chaweenie) showed up in our neighborhood. We took in the big eared guest and hung up signs, posted notices at the local PetSmart and Petco, had her scanned for a chip, and contact the local shelter.
As days turned into weeks we started hoping that her people would'nt call. We, the entire family, were falling in love but remained guarded.
This weekend we finally took down the signs, bought her a tag with her new name, Winky, (and our phone number) and let ourselves fall completely.
This experience reminded me that even when life is good (and right now life is great) something small and ordinary can make it even better. When I come home Winky hops to the door (she does this funny run-hop thing). When I am lying in bed she gently nudges my hand (her way of asking me to pet her). When she and my other dog, Rocket, chase each other around the house, I laugh. With each interaction my heart fills with happiness.
This made me think of Xavier from the book. He is small but he fills Gabriel and Rayla's hearts with love and laughter. In honor of the joy furry creatures bring to our lives, I have added him to the character list and given him a backstory ~ enjoy. And don't forget to embrace the little things in life.
Note: Winky is named after a house elf from the Harry Potter series. She has enormous ears so it is a very fitting name. We will post pics on our Facebook page ;-).