S. Cu'Anam Policar's Blog: Cu's Journey From Aspiring to Published, page 2

Ramblings of the Soul (01/04/2014)

As usual, when I get bored enough, my brain wanders and I put thoughts to paper…Understand poetry is not my forte lol

Free…

A luxury taken for granted.

Sacrificed so others can experience it.

Caged…

Is what I’ve become.

Tamed, controlled, submissive.

The walls close in on me.

I miss the thrill of the hunt,

the passion of the catch.

The excitement of running with the wolves.

carefree howls to our goddess.

Gentle nuzzles of friendship.

My soul is damaged.

Battered, abused, shredded, and broken.

Through freckled, hazel depths it watches the world outside its cage.

Kindred scattered to the winds,

Never to be seen again outside the dreamscapes

If they heed the call.

Free…

A luxury taken for granted.

something lost forever…

Some Thoughts on Sebastian’s Thorne

The new year is almost 2 days old. I’ve been pondering a ton of stuff lately and it just seemed that I let you, my family, friends, and fans in on at least one of those thoughts.

I’ve been asked more times than I can count within the weeks since I decided I was going WAY outside my comfort zone to write Sebastian’s Thorne… Why?

“Why are you writing an erotic romance Cu?”

“Why a m/m romance?”

The answer’s really simple. There’s several reasons on why I’m writing it. So I’ll tell you…

Please for the love of the gods if I start rambling, just let me; I promise there’s actual sense behind the madness lol The topic of sex in any form makes me blush and giggle like a kid. It’s pretty pathetic. But I can write it, so write I will >^.^<

1) The male anatomy has always interested me, since I took sex ed in the 5th grade really. The way a guy’s penis looks, feels, moves.. it fascinates the hell out of me. I like examining by touch and sight. And no not sexually, though my hubby makes for a poor guinea pig to my explorations LOL he gets excited if I breathe on it the “wrong” way LOL. The penis is just simply interesting as hell and I want to know as much about it as I do my own parts.

2) along with the physical explorations, there are mental ones.. I ask myself all kinds of questions at the most random times -.- Questions I’m too shy to look someone in the eye and ask.

“What do it feel like when it gets hard?”

“How does it feel when you get head?”

“does oral feel different than vaginal (or anal)?”

“What does cumming feel like?”

There are tons of others… I’m a very curious person when a topic interests me, and usually what interests me isn’t appropriate to be talked about. OMG yes! Cu is a big fan of all taboo topics! omg whatever shall I do?! O.O

2) It was on one of these random trains of thoughts, that Sebastian first whispered in my ear that he had a story he wanted told.

Over the months, Sebastian’s grown persistent to the point that I can no longer ignore him. I tried very hard to tell him that I’m a girl, I lack the parts and the knowledge to write what he demands, but he, like any other dominating character, won’t shut the hell up. (You other authors know how persistent a character can be)

So now, I have this story idea. Two young lovers, both male, from allied clans..

I’m still clueless to the fundamentals of how this particular relationship would go in the bedroom (or in the inn since Sebastian has no shame… or decency half the time apparently). I told this loud character this and he suggested I seek help from someone I know can help… If he’d been something other than a figment of my imagination, I’d have slapped him with a brick. Apparently Sebastian doesn’t know just how shy I am…

So I watched my wall, and I waited and Sebastian chose who he felt would be the best at giving me the information no holds barred, no holding back.. We’ll call this person my muse.

I ramble, stumble over my words, I’m sure I’ve accidentally offended him at least once, but he’s been just epic and laughs when I trip over my words or stick my foot in my mouth.

Bast couldn’t have picked a better person to be my muse, and the human embodiment of himself (even if he says my muse’s hair and eyes, while hot, are the wrong colors to be him). my muse is the single most freest and wildest spirit I know, almost a living entity of my Patron satyr god, Pan. He’s sexy, he passionate, he’s loving, he’s friendly, and he’s quite open about his sexuality. Just what I need! Someone who won’t blush as much as me when I get to those personal questions about feeling and whatnot!

4) So Sebastian’s Thorne is being written for him, and for others like him who are simply too much male for us females to handle. For the untamed, wild spirits.. For those still afraid to let the world know who they are.. for the best friends who found love most unexpectedly and loved hard, and fell even harder…

Please don’t question on why I write this book anymore. I am Cu’Anam.. the Wolf Spirit… I am naturally reserved, honorable, loyal, and true… I’m also fierce, protective, and passionate, exploitative, adventurous, and a thinker. This book is being written for those who I know will appreciate. And if you aren’t one of those, then it’s your loss, the story is probably the best I’ve ever had whispered to me. I doubt I’ll ever find another pair of characters who love each other more than Sebastian Drakul and Thorne She’bali do.

This book is outside my comfort zone in so many ways, but I’m hoping by the end of this wild ride, erotica of any form can be approached with a smile instead of the anxiety, embarrassment, and near shame I look at it as now. it’s going to take a lot of conversations with my wonderful ocean eyed muse to get the detail and understanding I will need for it. But I promise you it will be worth it.

So I give you the first teaser for your enjoyment >^.^<

The Diamond Isles by S. Cu’Anam Policar Cover Reveal

Title: The Diamond Isles

Series: Legend of Xosha Prequel Trilogy 1

Author: S. Cu’Anam Policar

Genre: Fantasy

Age Range: 16+

Length: Approx. 140 Pages

Publisher: Satalyte Publishing

Cover Art: Wolf Paw Designs

Good Reads

S.Cu’Anam Policar was born in Brooklyn, NY, but now lives in Washington State. The Mother of three she makes time to write, usually late at night.

An avid reader, she not only writes but helps promote other authors with blog tours and reviews of their books.

She is Pagan but respects all religions and believes everyone should celebrate their similarities and not worry about their differences.

When she has the time, she enjoys playing video games, horseback riding, singing, and writing things short stories.

She absolutely loves to make new friends so don’t be afraid to come by and say hi on facebook!

Author Links:

Personal Facebook Author Blog Review Blog Wolf Paw Blog Tours Author Facebook Cu’s Ebook Giveaways on FB Twitter Pinterest BookLikes Good Reads Shelfari Smashwords Amazon B&N Authorgraph

Publishers:

Wolf Paw Publications Satalyte Publishing

 

 

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A tale of epic proportions.

The Rise of Xosha tells the tale of Xosha’s beginnings.

Where Anjyls are mortal pawns,

Dragons rule the skies,

Wolves and elves roam the forests,

and demons lurk below the surface.

Oceanus, the leader of the last hord of dragons in the realms must find his people a new home.

Going only on the word of the odd colored white dragon, Rose, he leads the horde far from their home, over waters that seem to have no end.

Pyre, Oceanus’ younger, rebellious brother must come to terms with the fact that Oceanus will never see him as anything more than a welp too young to be of any use.

Jade the youngest of the three has her own thoughts and inner demons to contend with.

Then there’s Rose, The dragon with an amazing gift no one will acknowledge. The outcast of her people simply because she’s the only one of her color.

Will these four ever come to terms with why they had to leave their home?

And what strange new beings will they encounter in their new territory?

Find out when you read The Rise of Xosha; The story that started the legend.

One to lead…One to see…One to protect…One to Deceive.

The Rise of Xosha; The story that started the legend.

“not all allies are friends, not all friends are true, and some enemies will in turn be your greatest allies.”

A strange white whelp; found by The Gateway.

The winds tell her that destruction is coming.

That the horde can no longer remain in their home;

But no one will listen.

Rose has always been different.

Being mocked, abused, and shunned;

That’s the story of her life.

The gods of her people whisper a dire warning to her.

An unknown enemy seeks The Diamond Isles.

She knows the must leave, to stay means their death.

She even knows where they must go.

She has seen their “xosha” in dreams and visions.

Will she be able to convince the Oni to leave?

Or will the things the winds spoke of come to pass?

 

 

He had been floating for a few hours, the hot spring was his favorite place to be, especially when it was empty. He never saw the black tail snake around his foot, but he felt the tug that yanked him under the water’s surface.

He came up sputtering and gasping for air, and it took him a few minutes to hear the melodic laughter coming from the female beside him.

“Obsidian!” Pyre exclaimed in shock.

She let her sleek ebony frame float over to him as she continued to giggle. “I’m sorry Pyre. But that was just too easy!”

He huffed and turned his back to her as his tail swished angrily.

Obsidian swam up beside him and wrapped her tail with his before placing a soft lick to the corner of his maw. “Aww Pyre, don’t be such a sour puss.. Though I must say, you’re kinda cute when you pout.”

“Hmmpf!” Was all Pyre replied as he drifted away from her.

“You better not be breaking up with me, Pyre Drakul!” Obsidian called, a hint of actual panic laced in her voice.

It was his turn to chuckle. “I’m angry, not stupid Sidian.”

He glided back over to her and nipped her neck softly. “Have you seen Ocee today?”

Obsidian’s gaze narrowed. “Are you stalking that freak of nature again? You know everyone’s talking about your dad taking her in and raising her. When he finds out about Oceanus entwining tails with her by the Opal Mountains I bet he gives her the boot from the horde like he should have to begin with.”

Pyre’s emotions were conflicted. It was his fault Rose had lived and had been raised by his family. No one but his family knew, and he really wanted to keep it that way. “I didn’t ask about the freak Sid.. I just wanted to give Ocee his hatch day gift.”

The sound of laughter drifted over to them growing louder by the second. Obsidian’s voice dropped, but the venom of her words was still thick. “Let’s go.. The water’s about to be contaminated…”

As Pyre followed Obsidian out of the hot spring, he had to wonder if she was only letting him court her in some lame attempt to make Oceanus jealous. He also wondered if she noticed that Oceanus saw nothing when he was with Rose except for the alabaster scales of his adopted sibling.

 

 

Abomination: The Ways of the Pack 1 (Released December 12, 2013)

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**This book contains course language, sex, death, and at least one scene some may find offensive. It is not recommended for readers under the age of 18**

 

Abomination Release Blast & Giveaway

Title: Abomination

A Legend of Xosha Novel

Saga: Howl of Wolves book 2

Series: The Ways of the Pack book 1

Author: S. Cu’Anam Policar

Publisher: Wolf Paw Publications

Cover: Pretzels N Karma Designs & Wolf Paw Designs

Release: December 11, 2013

S.Cu’Anam Policar was born in Brooklyn, NY, but now lives in Washington State. The Mother of three she makes time to write, usually late at night.

An avid reader, she not only writes but helps promote other authors with blog tours and reviews of their books.

She is Pagan but respects all religions and believes everyone should celebrate their similarities and not worry about their differences.

When she has the time, she enjoys playing video games, horseback riding, singing, and writing things short stories.

She absolutely loves to make new friends so don’t be afraid to come by and say hi on facebook!

Author Links:

Personal Facebook – Author Blog – Review Blog – Wolf Paw Publications – Author Facebook – Cu’s Ebook Giveaways on FB – Twitter – Pinterest – BookLikes – Good Reads – Shelfari – Smashwords – Amazon – B&N – Authorgraph

Other Works by S. Cu’Anam Policar

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**This book contains course language, sex, death, and at least one scene some may find offensive. It is not recommended for readers under the age of 18**

I didn’t ask to be what I am.

I didn’t ask to be created.

Everyday my very blood wars against itself.

They don’t understand.

They didn’t save me.

They only turned me into an Abomination.

Born a wolf, created to be a monster. Katalina DarkLaw, daughter of the DarkLaw pack alpha, finds herself losing more and more of who she is with every day that passes. Leaving behind a trail of murder and blood, she flees from her pack, right into the arms of Silver Von’Dyre, perpetual bachelor and alpha of Von’Dyre pack.

Will his faith in her be enough to save her? Or, will she become the monster she fears she already is?

 

 

Excerpt

Silver’s PoV

I scooted up the bed and rested my back against the headboard before I pulled her closer to me, letting her lay her head in my lap. My right arm lightly ran up and down her back, while the left ran through her silky tresses.

“It will be alright Kitten. We’ll get through this. I promise.” And we would. No matter what I had to do to make that happen.

“You called me ‘Kitten’.” She said almost surprised.

I arched a brow in her direction. “I always call you ‘Kitten’.”

I felt her shake her head on my lap. “You didn’t call me that when you left before. You called me Katalina. I thought you were mad at me.”

I stopped stroking her hair and lifted her chin to make her look at me. I was propped up too much and she had to shift herself to reach my eye level with a hand placed delicately on my shoulder. “Never think I’m mad at you. You haven’t done anything, willingly, to make me mad at you.”

She looked at me curiously and asked. “You mean it?”

I gave her my crooked smirk. “Of course I mean it.”

She smiled at me then and I really couldn’t resist. My left hand remained under her chin for the time being and I leaned forward and let my lips find hers.

She took a sharp intake of breath before her eyes slid shut and she returned the kiss the almost shyly.

Katalina was such a paradigm to me. I knew I would never figure her out, just like I knew, I could never be without her. She was who my heart and soul belonged to.

 

 

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Hannukkah: The Feastival of Lights – Chanukah Gelt

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What every Jewish kid waits all year for (well I did at any rate O.o) the Chanukah Gelt!

But first let’s check out the songs chosen for day 5 of Chanukah >^.^<

Okay now on to the Gelt!!!! o.o

What is Chanukah Gelt? Well Gelt in general o.O? Gelt is the Yiddish word for Money e.e something every person in the world wishes they could just roll around in >.>

Chanukah Gelt are chocolate cions wrapped in gold foil to with menorahs, dreidels, Hebrew letters, etc on them made to look like real golden coins. They are what’s used (most of the time) in a game of dreidel for the pot.

But where did the Gelt come from? Who decided that that Chanukah needed chocolate gelt? That’s what we’re going to talk about today, the history of Chaunkah Gelt!

We’ll start with Gelt itself. It’s said Gelt originated around 142 B.C. after the Maccabees helped the Jews gain independence from the Syrian King. The original gelt were minted gold coins stamped with pictures of the Menorah on them.

In the 18th century, it was customary to give religious teachers a monetary token around Chanukah, sometime in the 19th Century, that changed from teachers to children.

After the Civil War, Chanukah wasn’t celebrated by many Jews in America. The reason is mixed, some claim it was because they saw it as a minor holiday, but according to my Grandparents, it was more due to fear than not remembering why Chanukah was celebrated.

However, in the 1920′s Chanukah began to rival Christmas in popularity and American candy companies saw an opportunity and ran with it by creating foil covered chocolate coins that resembled the original Gelt that was minted in 142 B.C. They even created chocolate Maccabee Soldies and Latkes, but they didn’t stand the time that the chocolate gelt did.

So there you have it, the history of Chanukah Gelt >^.^<

Tomorrow we’ll look into the tradition of Chanukah and Eight Nights of Presents >^.^<

Hannukkah: The Festival of Lights: The Cuisine

Day Four Topic: The food eaten during Chanukah

Music Chosen for Day Four:

Today we’re going to talk about some of the different foods that are eaten during Chaunkah.

(All recipes found via Google.com)

One of my personal favorites is Brisket in Wine Sauce

Prep Time: 9 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours, 9 minutes

Ingredients:

1 (2 1/2 -pound) beef brisket, thick-cut
1 tablespoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
3 medium onions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, peeled, halved
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1 1/2 cups dry red wine
1 1/2 cups water

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 325° Fahrenheit (165° Celsius).

2. Rinse brisket. Place in roasting pan.

3. Rub paprika, basil, salt and pepper into meat.

4. Scatter onions and garlic over meat.

5. In a medium bowl, mix ketchup, wine and water. Pour over brisket.

6. Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil, tenting so that the foil does not touch the meat.

7. Bake at 325° Fahrenheit (165° Celsius) for 3 hours, or until a digital instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the brisket reads 190° for well done.

YIELD: 8 servings

SOURCE: Quick and Kosher: Recipes from the Bride Who Knew Nothing, by Jamie Geller.

Roast Chicken

Roast chicken proves that sometimes simple is better. Simply mix spices, coat chicken and then bake uncovered in the oven. You can make preparation and serving even easier by buying a chicken cut into eighths. The result is a moist and flavorful chicken entree that everyone will love.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Ingredients:

1 3 1/2-pound (1.5 kilo) chicken, cut into eighths
1/4 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup water

Preparation:
1. Place chicken in a shallow pan.

2. Mix oil and spices in a bowl. Rub on chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.

3. Discard marinade. Pour water into a shallow roasting pan. Place rack over water. Place chicken on the rack.

4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

5. Roast chicken, uncovered, for 1 hour, or until the chicken is tender and its juices run clear when pricked with a fork.

VARIATIONS:

1. Add 1-2 tablespoons of white wine to the marinade.

2. Place onion slices under the rack in the roasting pan.

YIELDS: 4 servings

Potato Latkes (Pancakes)

- Latkes are made from shredded potatoes, eggs, onions and salt. Matzo meal, flour or breadcrumbs are often added to help bind the ingredients together. Herbs and spices are sometimes added for flavor.

- Sephardic Jews traditionally fry their latkes in olive oil because Hanukkah occurs at the end of the olive-pressing season. Olive oil was treasured in Biblical times, so using it to fry latkes gives the dish a deeper significance. Ashkenazi Jews in Eastern Europe and immigrants to America typically fried their latkes in schmaltz, or rendered poultry fat, until more healthy oil alternatives were introduced. Some cooks still splurge and use schmaltz because it tastes so darned delectable.

- Chremslach (singular: chremsel) is the Yiddish word for a fried pancake. Potato chremslach are often mistaken for latkes. They are similar to latkes, with one major difference. Instead of shredding the potatoes, as we do with latkes, the potatoes are mashed and made into a thick batter before frying.  Chremslach often appear on deli menus as “potato pancakes.” Latkes are thinner and more crispy due to the shredded texture of the potatoes. Chremslach are thicker and fluffier.

- Latkes are traditionally made from potatoes because they were plentiful and easy to obtain for Eastern European Jewish cooks. However, there is no law that says latkes have to be made from potatoes. They can also be made using shredded vegetables, sweet potatoes, or even cheese!

Ingredients:

5 potatoes
2 onions
3 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
between 1/4 to 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
oil for frying (canola is recommended)

Preparation:
1. Peel potatoes. Place in a bowl of cold water so they won’t turn brown.

2. When ready to prepare the latkas, drain the potatoes. Place potatoes and onions in a food processor fitted with a knife blade. Pulse until smooth. Drain mixture well.

3. Pour potato mixture into a large bowl. Add beaten eggs. Add salt and pepper. Add enough flour so that the mixture holds together.

4. Pour 1 inch of oil into a large, deep frying pan. Heat the oil over medium-high heat.

5. Carefully drop 1/4 cup of the potato mixture into the hot oil.

6. Flatten the pancake slightly so the center will cook.

7. Fry for several minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.

8. Drain on paper towels.

Serving Suggestion: Serve the latkes with applesauce.

Yields: approximately 20 pancakes

Sufganiot (Jelly Donuts)






Ingredients



2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (100 degrees to 110 degrees)
1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar, plus more for rolling
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 teaspoons salt
3 cups vegetable oil, plus more for bowl
1 cup seedless raspberry jam





Directions


Step 1

In a small bowl, combine yeast, warm water, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes.

Step 2

Place flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the center; add eggs, yeast mixture, 1/4 cup sugar, butter, nutmeg, and salt. Using a wooden spoon, stir until a sticky dough forms. On a well-floured work surface, knead until dough is smooth, soft, and bounces back when poked with a finger, about 8 minutes (add more flour if necessary). Place in an oiled bowl; cover with plastic wrap. Set in a warm place to rise until doubled, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Step 3

On a lightly floured work surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 2 1/2-inch-round cutter or drinking glass, cut 20 rounds. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise 15 minutes.

Step 4

In medium saucepan over medium heat, heat oil until a deep-frying thermometer registers 370 degrees. Using a slotted spoon, carefully slip 4 rounds into oil. Fry until golden, about 40 seconds. Turn doughnuts over; fry until golden on other side, another 40 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet. Roll in sugar while warm. Fry all dough, and roll in sugar.

Step 5

Fill a pastry bag fitted with a #4 tip with jam. Using a wooden skewer or toothpick, make a hole in the side of each doughnut. Fit the pastry tip into a hole, pipe about 2 teaspoons jam into doughnut. Repeat with remaining doughnuts.



Source

Martha Stewart Living, December/January 1997/1998

Rugelach

This recipe for Jewish rugelach is made with a cream cheese dough like Polish kolaczki, roszke or roski, also known as “little horns,” and Hungarian Kifli. Some make rugelach with a sour cream dough, but the dough in this recipe can be used as well.

Rugelach are a Hanukkah tradition but, these days, are eaten year-round. Typically, they are spread with apricot jam and filled with raisins and nuts, but any nuts, jams, or dried fruit can be used.

Makes about 4 dozen Jewish Rugelach

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

Dough:
8 ounces (2 sticks) softened unsalted butter
1 (8-ounce) softened cream cheese
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
.
Filling:
2/3 cup apricot preserves
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
.
Topping:
1 large beaten egg
1 tablespoon sugar mixed with 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation:


For the Dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together butter and cream cheese. Add flour and salt all at once. Beat on low until dough holds together. Divide the dough into 4 balls, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Place rack in center of oven and heat to 350 degrees. Warm apricot preserves until spreadable. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one ball of dough at a time into a 9-inch circle.
Brush apricot jam over entire circle and then about 2 tablespoons nuts, 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar, and 2 tablespoons cranberries or raisins.
Using a pizza cutter, cut each circle into 8 wedges. Roll each wedge from the wide side to the point. Place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
Bake for 25 minutes until well browned. Immediately remove to a wire rack to cool completely before serving. Rugelach are typically better the day after they are baked. They store well in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks and can be frozen.

 

 

Zalabia

Popular in Egypt and throughout the Middle East, these puffy fritters are soaked in syrup colored red or yellow to symbolize joy, and sprinkled with cinnamon or sugar. Also popular in the Jewish tradition, Zalabia are served during Hanukkah as one of many fried treats on the table.

Ingredients

Sugar Syrup:

5 cup(s) sugar
2 1/4 cup(s) water
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 tablespoon(s) rose or orange-blossom water

Batter:

4 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 2/3 cup(s) warm water
Light vegetable oil, for frying, plus more for coating spoons

Directions

To make the syrup: Combine sugar, water, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Place over medium heat, and simmer until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. Add rose or orange-blossom water, and simmer for a few seconds longer. Remove from heat, and let cool. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
To make the batter: Whisk to combine flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl. Gradually stir in water, beating vigorously until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for at least 1 1/4 hours. Uncover, and beat once more. Cover, and let rise again, about 30 minutes.
Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep saucepan over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 375 degrees. Dip two tablespoons in a small bowl of oil to coat. Working in batches, spoon about a tablespoon of batter into hot oil. Fry, turning occasionally, until puffed, crisp, and golden. Reduce the heat a little so that the fritters are thoroughly cooked without getting too brown. The light batter produces irregular rather than round fritters.
Using a slotted spoon, remove fritters, and transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Dip fritters in the cold syrup for a few seconds to coat and soak up some syrup. These are best served hot, but they may also be served at room temperature.

 

Tomorrow we’ll be talking about the history behind Chanukah Gelt >^.^<

Hannukkah: The Festival of Lights: The Dreidel

(Pic courtesy of me)

Music Chosen for Day Three:

Today is the third day of Chanukah

Today’s topic: The Dreidel

We’ll begin with the basics and then get on to the fun. Our first topic today will be the history of the dreidel.

The dreidel or Sevivon is not a law, it’s rather a custom created by the Jewish people. The Memorah is a law passed from the Rabbi to the people, the Dreidel came from the people to the Rabbi.

The closest anyone has coming to connect the dreidel to the story of Chanukah is the lettering found on each dreidel.

If you are in Israel the letters are Nun, Gimmel, Hay, Pey which are the first letters in the phrase “Nes Gadol Hayah Poh” which translated means “A Great Miracle Happened Here”.

Everywhere else, the letters are Nun, Gimmel, Hay, Shin, which are the first letters in the phrase “New Gadol Hayah Sham” which translated means “A Great Miracle Happened There”.

The dreidels I own are the latter ones.

While it is liked to be believed that the dreidel game was invented solely for Chanukah, it has been proven that the game was placed in various ways for centuries before Chanukah came to be. It was played in many languages and in many different places.

In England and Ireland there played a game called Teetotum, which had the same rules as the dreidel games. In fact, the dreidel game that’s played today is directly based off the German version of teetotum.

However, there are still many who believe the dreidel lettering had some significance to the either the empires that tried the control them or the numerical assumption since the lettering equals 358 which is supposed to be the Messiah.

Now that we know some of the history, let’s check out the game!

The dreidel game is typically played for pennies or chocolate coins, both of which are called “gelt” which is the Hebrew word for money.

Everyone forms a circle and is handed an equal amount of gelt to which every person playing places one piece of gelt into the pot for ante in the center of the circle.

The youngest player spins the dreidel first and depending on what letter it lands on determines what the player does.

Nun – Do nothing, the next player goes

Gimmel – Players gets all the gelt

Hey – Players gets half the gelt

Shin – Player pays in two pieces of gelt

The game continues on until there is someone who has all the gelt from all the players. (or everyone gets bored.)

While it doesn’t sound like much, I assure you from experience, playing dreidel when you’re drunk is way more exciting then playing poker >.>

Tomorrow I will tell you about all the great food served during Chanukah and give you some awesome recipes to try out >^.^<

Hannukkah: The Festival of Lights – The Story and The Menorah

(My memorah. Pic taken last night)

Today is the second day of the Jewish holiday of Chanukkah (Hannnukkah, Hanuka)

Seeing as I was raised Jewish, even though I am now Pagan, I still like to teach my children the traditions I was taught as both a Jew and a Christian growing up.

Each day until Chanukkah ends, I will teach you, my fans, a little about this holy Jewish holiday in the hopes you, like my children, will learn how while these holidays are different from your own, they are still beautiful and should be respected.

Since I missed yesterday due to it being Thanksgiving, I’ll do a double topic >^.^<

Topic 1: The Story of Chanukah

Chanukah is always on the 25th day of the Hebrew Calendar in the month of Kislev, which is why unlike other religions’ holidays, the Jewish ones bounce around and fall on different days or sometimes even months each year. The Jews never adopted the Roman Calendar that we use now they still use their own, older calendar for their holidays. (for instance according to the Jewish calendar, the year is 5774 which began on sunset on September 24, 2013) (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_calendar)

The story of Chanukah begins during Alexander the Great’s reign. He had conquered a good portion by this time including Syria, Egypt, and Palestine, and while he allowed most of his conquered lands to continue to practice their holidays and traditions. Due to this seemingly benevolent rule, many Jewish people adopted to the Greek ways including learning the language, adopting the dress and so on.

Over one hundred years later, Antiochus IV succeeded Alexander and ruled over the conquered lands. He was against how Alexander had given his subjects free reign over their religions and traditions and began to oppress them.

When Antiochus got to the Jews, he began to not only slaughter them, but he desecrated their holy temples (their places of worship to God) and sacrificed pigs on their alters. The Jews then had their Torah (Their Holy bible) taken away and burned. They were told they could no longer be Jews. They were forced to be Greek.

A man stepped forward. His name was Judah Maccabee. He, along with his father and brothers, rallied a great army to go against the Greeks and the Pharisees, and they won. After the battle had been won and the Antiochus realized he could never make the Jews submit to him, the Jews began to search the ruins of their beloved temple for some oil that hadn’t been desecrated by the Greeks to light the Menorah in the temple.

They found just enough oil to last for a single night, but a miracle found the Jews and instead of burning for one night, the oil burned for eight days straight, which ironically is the length of time needed to make a fresh batch of oil for one day. The Jews took this to be a sign from God in favor of what they had done. And so Chanukah is now celebrated on the day the oil was found every year in remembrance of God’s great miracle. (Jews don’t glorify war which is why the holiday isn’t in remembrance of their victory)

Now that you know the story. We’ll move on today’s post >^.^<

Topic 2: The Menorah

The Menorah is an eight branched candelabra with a center candle holder. The center candle is called the Shamash (The servant candle) and it is used to light all the others.

The candles on a menorah are placed from right to left, but light from left to right. Each night of Chanukah a new candle is added to the left of the one from the previous day (These days you have to keep adding new candles unless you have an electric menorah, then you just need to twist the bulbs in to light them lol).

There are three prayers said during this holiday.  The first is only said on the first night.

Shehecheyanu (Spoken only on the first night)

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam

shehecheyanu v’kiyimanu v’higi’anu laz’man hazeh. (Amein)

which means

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe

who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season (Amen)

Blessing for Chanukkah

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam

she’asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim haheim baziman hazeh. (Amein)

which means

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe

Who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time

Blessing over Candles (said every night as the candles are lit)

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam

she’asah nisim la’avoteinu bayamim haheim baziman hazeh. (Amein)

which means

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe

Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us

to light the lights of Chanukkah. (Amen)

I hope you enjoyed this little history lesson. Tomorrow we will talk about the Dreidel!

Message from the Soap Box: Prizes and the Contacting of Donators

Topic: Prizes and the Contacting of Donators

Really, this is the last time I’m going to bring this topic up before I simply stop donating to your rafflecopters, events, and giveaways, which I LOVE to do, but honestly this is getting to be a bit much.

When you collect donations from authors, bloggers, swag makers, etc, you are OBLIGATED to contact the donator with the winner’s information. OBLIGATED! We are not mind readers. We are NOT in charge of YOUR giveaways. This is YOUR responsibility to let us know who won the items we promised to give.

It is unfair to contact a winner telling them they won this or that and that so and so will contact them when you haven’t contacted so and so.

It is unfair to have a winner wait MONTHS for a prize when you didn’t feel you needed to contact the donator to let them know who won.

We aren’t supposed to keep track of YOUR giveaways, YOU are.

We can not contact our winners if we don’t know who they are.

Get your acts together guys or you’ll not only lose your fans, you’ll lose your reputation and your donators. Really think about if trying to smear a donator’s name is really worth the ramifications it’ll cost you in the end