I REFUSE TO BELIEVE IN THIS

Those who have read this blog know that I am Pagan.  I was raised Mormon.  I have no qualms against Christianity or any other religion... except for things like this.  It makes no sense.  Christians believe Christ died for our sins, so why would he, if not God himself, allow something like this to happen?  Why would someone be punished for not only not having faith in God, but not knowing.  I'm pretty sure this is just something that was said in order to get people to go on missions to preach the word of God.  But no.  If the Christian God and Heaven are what awaits us in the afterlife, and those who are good, decent people but do not believe in or know of the existence of God... if those people are going to hell?  Then I guess I am too.  Because 'Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.' 

I saw this on pinterest.  Sorry.  I'm trying not to get so angry at things I can't change (people's belief in things like the above).  

Full Moon Dreamboard- Full Cold Moon

This month Jamie asks us 'What comforts do you dream of?'

Leave it to me to be practical.  To be financially stable and on time would be a great comfort. I've wanted to go to a spa for awhile now... that would be so awesome.  I imagine if they really have those mud baths that I would be playing rather than relaxing.  But I suppose play is a kind of relaxation, no?

I love scarves.  They are a great comfort.  You can't really wear necklaces with them, but you can wear pins and brooches!  I love those too!  The comforter is not a pun.  I really do need a new bed set.  My current one is a bit worn, not to mention green.  Green is fantastic but in a burgundy painted room?  Not so much.

KITTENS!  Not just any kittens... Sphinx kittens!  Bread, the ultimate comfort food.  You may disagree and say chocolate, but bread can be any taste: sweet, salty, savory.  I should make some bread...  maybe with dinner tomorrow.

Full Moon Dreamboard- Full Frost Moon

This month's dreamboard question asks 'What is clear about your dreams?' and 'What further clarity do you seek?'  What is becoming clear to me is my career path, for one.  A friend of the family recently gave my sister some information for me regarding massage therapy school (apparently the normal route is NOT the way to go, and considering that she manages a massage clinic, I'm bound to believe her on that).  She also said that if I'm good at massage therapy, that there may be a job at the center she works at for me!  *insert high pitched excited noise here*

Ah, the car.  I need to drive more.  I don't care to do it, as my perfectionism kicks into high gear when I do drive and I keep getting down on myself for it.  It is clear to me that I need bright colors in my jewelry making supplies.  I have a lot of metallics and darker colors, but I need to add some vibrant ones.

I would like clarity of skin, thus the mirror.  I've been having a problem with cystic acne along with hives recently.  Not fun.  I would like to know how to fine-tune my perception of things and overall outlook on life.  See what I did there, with the tuning forks?  Funny?  No?  

Clarity of heart would be nice.  Within myself and with others.  Clarity on what to do with this blog!  I have so many things I could write about, but I don't because I'm worried about the direction the blog would take.  Ooh, and last but not least... I would like clarification on crocheting.  I'm not very good at sewing-type stuff and I keep knotting the yarn.  So I'm thinking wire might be easier?  Combining crocheting with jewelry making?  What do you guys think?

Full Moon Dreamboard-Harvest Moon

This month, we are asked "What would I love an abundance of?"  Health is a big one.  I was recently diagnosed with PCOS (Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome) and the medication I've had to take has been pretty awful.  One makes me nauseous and I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to the other :/

Energy is the other big one.  I haven't been cooking or doing much of anything lately.  I'm pretty sure it's tied to the health thing as well as being the stress of moving.  Buy hey!  We're now in our new house and I'm already feeling better!  

Time, as there never seems to be enough.  Peace and prosperity for our new living situation. Wisdom is something I'm always striving for.  And last but not least, the sweater is for softness.  Warmth too because it's starting to get cold, but while we need to get things moving around here we need a nice cushiony environment in which to do it.    

Full Corn Moon Dreamboard

This month Jamie asks "What dreams do I wish to bring to fruition?"  Forward movement.  My mother, sister, and I will be moving shortly due to a divorce.  I want to find a house where my mother can stay for a LONG time.  I want to eat at the dining room table instead of in the living room on the couch.  I want our lavender to finally bloom!  

My perfectionistic tendencies were in high gear when I put this together.  I refused to put just any dining room table on it, no.  The table needed to be laden with food!  Of course it also needed to be horizontal and all the home furniture photographers like to take pictures at an angle... 

Full Moon Dreamboards- Blue Moon

This board just sort of came to me randomly.  At first I had no idea what to put on here.  Jamie talks about extra-special wishes for the full blue moon.  Makes sense... as it is a moon that is shared by both hemispheres and it's the second full moon in one month.  I follow the lunar cycles and believe they have influence over us, so I get it.  But for this board I actually had to think 'What do I really want to do?'

I seem to have a block of practicality when it comes to dreaming.  There is always something else that the resources could be used on, be it money or time or something else.  I seem to have cracked the block slightly though, with this board.

I want to go places.  Take risks.  I'm only 21 but I certainly don't act like it.  That's good in some ways, but I feel like I'm holding myself back.  I need to move around more (NO I DON'T MEAN HOUSES! I've done that quite enough and am about to do so again.)  Experience things.  Make mistakes.  Do things that are scary.  Thus the surfing.  Water scares the hell out of me for some reason.  

So yeah.  This board was pretty eye-opening for me.  So thank you Jamie for this practice of self discovery. Now all I have to do is figure out how to do these things :/

Full Moon Dreamboard- Full Sturgeon Moon

This month Jamie asks "What is your intuition telling you about your dreams?"  Well, mine is telling me that I have stuff to do.  Hard work and all of that.  But at the same time I need to remain calm.  I need to make sure I take good care of myself and my surroundings as I go (considering I am one of those who likes to forget all else while focused).  

I'm noticing an abundance of blue, black and brown in this board.  I think that means I need to chill out and strap myself in for the amount of stuff I have to go through in the near future.  But hey, maybe it'll be fun.  Hopefully it will let me focus on my stuff more instead of worrying about everybody else's.

Full Moon Dreamboard- Full Buck Moon

The Full Buck Moon asks: “What are your most powerful dreams? Who are you when you are powerful?”
Another dreamboard to share with you all.  With the lioness and the swordswoman, I am a fighter.  I recycle the power I am given, back into the earth, into others and into my work .  I believe in the truth of equality for all people.  At my most powerful, I am a woman of grace and wisdom as well as whimsy and courage.  But during that growth and maturity into becoming that powerful  person, I must remain me.  Thus the rawr face in the middle.  I've been drawing that thing as my symbol for years. XD

Full Strawberry Moon Dreamboard

Please click on it for it's full splendor.  This month's dream board, Jamie of http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/ asks "What would I love to delight in this month?"  


Well... strawberries, for one thing.  Or rather, fruit in general.  I also notice a lot of texture on this board.    Jamie also make a point to say to dream without censorship.  That is the tortoise right there.  Not only do I love turtles and tortoises, but look at the symbolism.  Symbolism!  That strawberry is almost as big as that tortoise, but still it goes right for it without hesitation.  


Something I noticed while putting this dreamboard together.  I always want it a specific size.  That is a lot easier when cutting out pictures, but I make mine on the computer.  So this time around I made the board fit the pictures, not the other way around.


By the way... isn't the bee marvelous? >w<

Countdown to Party Time!


On the nineteenth of June I will be turning 21.  For most that is a big birthday since here in the States that is our legal drinking age.  Not so much for me.  I've always had a negative reaction when it comes to drinking.  I've been working on socializing myself to having those around me drinking, but I'm still a bit wary of partaking in it myself. 

Anyway... I will be doing a countdown until my birthday.  Lost of stuff to do.  My eldest sister turns 24 on the 15th.  Then on the 16th will be her bridal shower.  I should be posting stuff about the gifts I'm making her and hopefully some pictures.

So the first of June has come and gone already.  I've been busy with necessary pruning.  The plants in the house have been getting a touch too long.  I trimmed the ivy plant Fred and another hanging plant of unknown origin.  Then I cut a large part of the rosemary, as some of the leaves were blocking the way for future growth of the whole plant.  I also cut back the thyme a bit. 


And then there was the outside garden.  The chamomile had taken over.  So I pulled out a few plants (We had at least six large plants in our little five by two garden!) and trimmed most of them WAY down.  The flowers were going to seed and the last thing we need is MORE chamomile.  They were also choking the parsley, which was also trying to seed itself.  I cut those seed heads off to encourage further leaf growth.  I intend to compost the plants and cuttings that I'm not drying.


Speaking of drying, I suppose I do that strangely.  Most articles tell you to hang the plant upside-down to dry.  I'll do that with sage bundles and parsley, but not with thyme, rosemary, or chamomile.  With those I like to pick the leaves off and dry them in my mortars.  I have a few of them so I can dry multiple herbs at one time.  I also like having to physically turn the leaves for them to dry properly.  It gives me an extra chance to imbue them with energy.

Psychology Carp Part 2-The Keirsey Temperament Sorter

 The Keirsey Temperament sorter is a personality tool.  Much like the aforementioned Enneagram, it splits different people into certain groups.  There are four key groups that combine to make your four-letter personality type.  You can take the test here.
http://www.keirsey.com/sorter/instruments2.aspx?partid=0

The first possible letters are E or I.  Extrovert or Introvert.  Sounds easy enough to guess, right?  Not necessarily.  It can be easy for an extrovert in a family of introverts to adapt to the people around them and vise-versa for introverts.  My mother is an extrovert, but the rest of us here at home are introverted.  That, and she does the mom thing where she takes care of everyone else first, so she doesn't get her social needs met. So take the test and see (but trying to guess first can be fun and surprising)


The second choice of letters are S and N for Sensing and Intuiting.  An S is more of a here and now, concrete thinker.  They prefer hard data and facts.  An N is a dreamer of the future.  They like imagining and possibilities.


The third set of letters are T and F.  Are you a Thinker or a Feeler?  Hopefully both, but which are you more so?  Here's a question that puts it into perspective: Which do you value more, logic or sympathy?  I, being a Thinker for this portion, prefer logic to sympathy.  Neither are wrong.  Just different.


The last possible letters are J and P for Judging and Perceiving.  Judging people go into things with a plan or preconceived notion of how things are going to be.  Perceiving folks take things as they come and adapt.  I'm making J's sound bad I know, but there are pros and cons to any possible outcome.  Plus, I'm a J myself, so don't worry too much if you end up being one too.


I happen to be an INTJ.  An introverted, intuitive, thinking, judging person.  According to the test I am a Mastermind (XD)  No problem with that.  I used to be an INTP when I was younger.  It is said that your outcome may change sometime during your life, but rarely more than one letter.  So I hope you take the test and have fun learning about yourselves.  If you do take it, leave me a comment and let me know what you got! 

Full Flower Moon Dreamboard

Jamie asks us "Who are you in full bloom?"  My simple answer is colorful.  A perfect combination of class and whimsy, beauty and freedom.  All of the things on this board are things I love and/or aspire to be more like, because hey... who doesn't need more glitter in their life?  The flower is a mountain laurel.  I identify with the peacock and his feathers' color palette, most likely because they are jewel tones.  I simply love the clothes and accessories here.  Eastern paper-style fan and parasol, an Indian sari (again with saturated jewel-tones), and a cute little cloche hat.  The dancer is less for the dress (which is fabulous) and more for the style of dance.  Flamenco dancing is beautiful.  And finally I have a frond of a fern.  Not only because it fits with the growth of this month's theme but frond is just a fun word to say.  Seriously.  Say it out loud.  Frond. 

Psychology Carp (Part 1)

No, that is not a typo... I thought it was funny.  Anyway!  This segment is sort of psychology based, but also numerology based.  First I want to talk about the Enneagram.  This is a system of nine personality types.  I first learned about this from a self-help book my mother owns. 


As I said, there are nine types.  1:The Reformer.  2:The Helper.  3:The Achiever.  4:The Individualist. 5:The Investigator.  6:The Loyalist.  7:The Enthusiast.  8:The Challenger.  9:The Peacemaker.


These names may change depending on the book you read, the website you go to, or the test you take.  There are a few tests on the website I get my information from.  That can be found at the following website: http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/  You don't have to take the test.  I found out my number from simply reading about the different types.  You may find you feel some resistance to your true number.  I know I did.


I am a One.  I could go on and on about being number one or being first.  But that doesn't really matter.  I learned quite a bit about myself by reading about the One.  I am a perfectionist.  I didn't know that.  A vast majority of my anger comes from my need to change things for the better, as a reformer.  In the paragraphs on ones from the aforementioned site, the talk of ones being "highly self-controlled, even rigid".  This describes how I am quite well.  


All numbers on the enneagram are connected.  What's good for one is bad for another.  I would highly suggest taking a look at the website and seeing what you find.  It's even more helpful when others look at it to see what they are.  Don't try to gauge what others' numbers are... it can cause arguments.  But when you find your number and someone else finds theirs, it can help you better understand how the other thinks, feels, and expresses themselves.

Religious Tolerance and the Past Mistakes of OTHERS

Sorry for the white against red if it hurts people's eyes.  This is a pin I saw on pinterest today.  Things like this bother me.  I could understand that this would make an Atheist not like Christianity itself, but to laugh at those who practice it is, I feel, misguided.  It isn't nerve to complain when this Christian person has done nothing to deserve being laughed at, save believing in God and Jesus Christ.  It is not right to hold the past over the heads of future generations.  By that logic, Americans should still be annoyed at the British because of the tyranny before the American Revolution.  Southern Americans and Northern Americans would still dislike each other because of the Civil War.  African Americans would feel that all Caucasian people would not be trustworthy and only out to hurt them.  I am a Pagan, and proud of that fact.  People who were Pagan in the past were mistreated, but they also mistreated others.  Just like Caucasians have enslaved and murdered people just because of race.  I am NOT prejudiced about religious belief or skin color or gender or social status.  People need to base their judgments of others based on their character, how they act.  NOT on what groups they belong to.  If someone who is Islamic kills any one, don't blame it on the Islamic faith.  Blame it on the person.  Religion is not inherently bad.  Religion is belief.  Belief does not start war, actions do.  PEOPLE are the one who make those actions.  So for the "holy wars" I don't blame Christianity, I blame those people who were too ignorant to think for themselves and realized that murder and torture are BAD THINGS.


Okay.  Text block over.  I felt this was necessary.  

Full Pink Moon Dreamboard

I'm kind of all over the place this month.  There is a lot to do with scheduling and choosing a path.  But at the same time I want a bit of fun in this journey, thus the hopscotch...and the pun fork.    I need to branch out in so many ways that this dreamboard reflects that hectic way of thinking (at least to me).  And the bats?  Ever since I petted one in first grade I have always had a fondness for them <3.  The lipstick is for femininity, the frog is a Chinese symbol for prosperity, the bird and the blocks are for color.  Which I seem to be in desperate need of these days.  

I Sigh at Myself
This is how I've been feeling lately.  Homework needs to get done before anything else I said.  Done by St. Patrick's Day I said.  DID NOT HAPPEN.  I did, however, just finish my last test in Geometry.  Thank goodness for small miracles I suppose.  I just have to finish Algebra 2 then I get my diploma.  But I've noticed that I get less done when I don't allow myself things I want to do.  I would probably be done with school by now had I written more of my fictional story or made jewelry.  Or... I don't know... maybe BLOG ONCE IN AWHILE.  

Ohh!  I finished my biggest sister's wedding jewelry!  She's getting married in September.  I also know what dress I'm going to wear.  I'm really excited for it.  That-> is the picture my older sister took of the jewelry I made.  It isn't the best quality, but we WILL make a photo box eventually.  I'm quite proud of them myself.  I can't wait to see them on her.  Maybe I can get her permission to post a picture.  


I just realized what my problem is... I haven't been drinking enough tea!  So!  More tea, more blogging, more art in general!  I do need to prioritize finishing school, but when that's the only thing I allow myself, I procrastinate it even more.  I love you guys that read this and I haven't abandoned you!  <3

Full Worm Moon Dreamboard

This full moon I am feeling the need for balance.  The quote on the right is especially important for me to remember.  I have found myself to be a perfectionist and that does get in the way of making any progress.  The snake is my guide this month in a symbolic way.  Not only does the snake symbolize the pagans of Ireland in the story of St. Patrick, but they shed there skin and start fresh many times over in their lives.   Please click on the picture to read the words on the bottle cap properly.

44 Days of Witchery: Air Element
I'm tired of waiting for a god to present himself, so I'll skip that one until he does.





The element of air is ever-changing.  It is communication, intelligence, inspiration and ideas.  Air to me is the whimsical side of most things.  Air is the opposite of Earth, and in being so is a daydreamer.  Air's color is yellow and it's tools are incense and the wand.  The air signs of the zodiac are Gemini (my sign!), Libra and Aquarius.  The air suit in Tarot is the wand.  Something I find interesting is that air is not present in Feng Shui or the Eastern elements.  Air is regarded there as a part of chi, and is thus always around us.

Loose, Stick, Diffuser: Which Do You Like Best?

Today I'm going to talk about types of incense.  

Now a diffuser doesn't hold incense exactly, but it does use a candle to make essential oils evaporate into the air and give off their lovely scent and beneficial chemicals.  Unfortunately you need quite a bit for it to last a really long time.  But a few drops should last about half an hour to an hour.  In my opinion, a diffuser combines fire in the candle, water in the oil and air in it's dispersion.  I have become quite attached to my diffuser over the past few weeks.  One of my favorite oil combinations is two drops of lilac oil for every one of vanilla.  I would say that the diffuser is a great substitution for normal incense for those who are sensitive to smoke.  Just get the essential oils that collaborate with your magical work and put them in the basin.  Then light the candle underneath and voila!  You may want to test combinations first, to see if it smells good and isn't distracting or overpowering.  

The next form of incense is one I think we're all familiar with.  I know I used stick incense (or cone incense) before I even practiced witchcraft.  Now, call me paranoid (I don't mind... It's kinda true) but I don't like the idea of not knowing exactly what is going into my spell work.  There has to be some sort of binding agent in this incense, and I don't like not knowing what that is.  So I use stick incense for spells only when I don't have the herbs to burn on charcoal (we'll get to that in a minute).  But as always, use what works for you.  Most stick incense doesn't sit right with me, so it would likely mess with my magic.  Whereas for you it may work, so go with whatever feels right.

Loose herbal incense is what I understand to be the normal thing used by witches.  You have an herbal mixture designed for your work, sometimes with oils mixed in, and you burn it on a charcoal block.  You have to have sand underneath the block to absorb the heat.  I do like using this method sometimes, but I think I may move away from it in favor of my diffuser.  Cinnamon smells great on the charcoal block, but other herbal scents tend to get lost in the burning scent.  I'll have to do a test to see which works best for me.

Valentine's Day... Meh
I can't say that I'm a huge fan of the holiday.  Not just because I've never been in a romantic relationship, although people have said that is the reason.  No.  I believe that love should be something we don't need a reminder for.  As well as the fact that I don't need someone to give me flowers or chocolates to know that they love me.  I do believe love should be celebrated, don't get me wrong.  But more so in everyday things and less consumerism, if you please.


That being said, I love you my lovely readers!  Have a happy day!

Full Snow Moon Dreamboard
Alright.  This is the first one of these I've ever done.  I didn't use a color palette, as I've seen done on some others.  I just went with what came to me, and sometimes used pictures that I thought felt right.  You can find out about dreamboards at Jamie Ridler's blog http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/

Fear the almighty brontosaurus of whimsy!  Agh! The extra large one was too wide and the large one is a tad small.  Curse you technology! *shakes fist*

Patience is a Virtue and My Sister has a Gift

Is that not the truest quote you have ever read?  Patience has always been a difficult thing for me for whatever reason.  It could be that, per Catholicism, Wrath is my sin and Patience is the opposing virtue. I have no work that needs to be done.  The job interview I posted about before went well (I thought) but I never got a call back T^T.  Now I have to wait for more of my schoolwork to arrive to actually feel productive.  Sure, I should be writing.  But that's not an actual obligation.  


It's sad I think of it that way, as the story is for my sister.  Perhaps a change of attitude is in order?


My room has been given an overhaul.  My sister/Twinny organized it for me.  The outcome?  Order!  Cleanliness (except the carpet which has yet to be cleaned).  It's crazy!  She took my otherwise sad room and transformed it into a place where I can actually use my things!  She should become a superhero fighting against clutter.


Just a little note: Sage and cinnamon make an amazing herbal incense.  Thought I'd pass that along. 

Imbolc Celebrations

I have a feeling that Imbolc will become a big Sabbat for me.  I've recently discovered Brighid as one of my patron goddesses.  This is due to the fact that she is multifaceted, and the number 19 is important to her story.  19 has been a recurring number in my life so it just made sense.

So!  Imbolc practices!  I made butter this morning.  Yes.  Made it.  All you need is some heavy whipping cream and a mason jar big enough to hold it with a little room at the top.  Then you shake the jar for about 30 minutes or until the cream solidifies.  You will have some fluid left over.  But that's buttermilk!  You can use it in some other recipe.  I added salt to my butter.  You can also add herbs, honey or whatever you want to it.  It's really easy and tasty too!  We're a margarine household here, so it's been awhile since I've had real butter.

To go with the butter, I am making braided bread.  I should probably go braid it now actually.  Ah well.  We shall be having that with our dinner.





Later on my sister will be helping me clean my room.  Well... she'll be organizing and I'll be doing the cleaning.  I mean a deep, carpet-shampooing type clean.  Should be fun! *note sarcasm*  

It's That Time of Year

I seem to have come down with a cold.  First Ada went down, then Momo.  Twinny seems to be holding out, but for how much longer I can't say.  Massive amounts of tissues and alka seltzer have been used in combating this monstrosity, but Momo seems to be the only one doing a terrible amount of damage.  Could be the antibiotics she got from the doctor.  


Ah well.  This morning we may or may not be going to the art museum.  I hope we do.  Its a good idea to get out of the germy house and get some exercise.  


I seem to be making slow progress on my to-do list, but progress is progress.  I even got a necklace finished!  But once I finished it I noticed that the ribbon was a bit off for the design.  Twinny suggested using a chain instead, so I think I'll try that.


Something else I noticed... I actually like wearing skirts.  When I went on my interview I wore the only one I have and enjoyed it despite the cold weather.  I seem to have an aversion to things "stereotypically feminine".  I consider myself a feminist, but that shouldn't mean I have to be a tomboy all the time.  Methinks it's time for a change in attitude.

A flower to help the seasonal effective disorder in you.  Even though here there isn't any snow!

Excitement and Nerves

So yesterday was Twinny's birthday.  I think I was more excited than she was... or she was more composed about it, which is weird.  She says she had a good one, so I guess that's all that really matters.  There was dinner and presents and a Spock cake!  She got a lot of art supplies, which is good for both her own creativity and our potential art business.  I look forward to seeing what she paints.  She also got some metaphysical books and Tarot cards (courtesy of me!).  So we should have some interesting conversations regarding such things.


Now on to the nerves.  I have an interview tomorrow.  I've never had one before.  I've never had an actual proper job before either.  Yes.  I am twenty years of age and have never had a job that was official.  I don't think working for a friend of the family for a few days really counts.    I suppose I should be happy that my abundance spell worked.  Now I just have to follow through with the not so comfortable part.  Wish me luck!

A New Year

2012: A year of controversy.  Will the world end?  Will humans be wiped out from existence?  Or is it simply a time of great change?

I hope it's the last one.  But I won't fret terribly.  If we are going to die from some great catastrophe, well, we've had a pretty good run.  I'm going to go about my business and try to better myself as I would any other new year.  So!  Resolution time!  I have fourteen of them this year.  Is that too many, do you think?

1)Finish school

2)Get a job

3)Lose enough weight to fit into my green striped shirt comfortably

4)Start an exercise routine

5)Get my driver's license

6)Start saving for car/business/college

7)Figure out what I truly want to do for a career

8)Purchase bridesmaid dress for sister's wedding

9)Learn how/make banner for this blog

10)Learn new jewelry techniques

11)Use up plastic beads 

12)Learn 12 new recipes before 2013 *BONUS* Extra points if they're healthy

13)Stop drinking pop

14)Blog a day something positive

So?  Thoughts or opinions are welcome and appreciated.  What are your resolutions, if any?

A New Tradition is Born!
Last night was New Years Eve, as you all know.  My family used to go all out for New Years, party poppers and silly string galore.  But as my sisters and I have gotten older, this tradition has slowly but surely come to a halt, much to my displeasure.  But as New Years is a holiday in it's own right I believe it should have a tradition of some kind.  So me being the resident kitchen witch, I decided to not only make something to eat, but use an otherwise wasted food product in our house.

On Yule I attempted to make a Yule log.  It tasted good but was not very pretty.  Part of the recipe I used calls for whipping cream, something our family does not use unless we have a specific recipe.  The Yule log recipe did not use the whole carton though, leaving me with a cup of unused cream.  So I wracked my brain for something I could use it for and voila!  

New Year's Eve Chocolate Mousse
Note: I halved this recipe

12 oz. semisweet chocolate
2 sticks unsalted butter
6 eggs, separated
4 Tbsp white sugar, halved
2 cups cream
1 tsp vanilla extract

Melt the chocolate and unsalted butter in a double boiler. (I just use a saucepan and hold it above the flame.  Worked just fine.)  Stir mixture as it melts and remove from heat and let cool slightly.  Do not let it harden.
Separate eggs.  Add yolks one at a time to chocolate mixture.
Whip egg whites with half of the sugar in a separate bowl until they form soft peaks.
In another bowl, whip cream with remaining sugar and vanilla.  Beat until cream holds it's shape.
Fold cream mixture into chocolate but do not mix completely.
Add egg whites and fold in carefully.  There should be white streaks remaining in the brown of the chocolate.  Serve immediately or cover and chill in the refrigerator.
You can top with chocolate shavings, sprinkles or fruit.  Anything you want, really.