Monday, September 20, 2010

|> WELCOME TO MISS JUSTINA'S OFFICIAL PRACTICAL MAGIC BLOG PARTY POST 2010!! <|

Hey Lovelies ,

Welcome to my Practical Magic Blog Party Post !!

First and Foremost I want to give Anna over at Frosted Petunias, a HUGE thanks, because this party would not have been possible without her help and creativity! She created our lovely page layout and managed our sidebar :-D She is so talented, and if you haven't visited her blog yet, please do! She also has some wonderful giveaways planned for you all!

Practical Magic Blog Party

and without further adieu, I bring you my PM POST !!

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I found an ad in the newspaper today for this beautiful house. As soon as I saw it, I was overtaken by a strong sense of deja vu. I knew right away that I had to go see it, maybe not to buy it , but just to see if anything about it could jolt my memory...

I used the email address in the ad, to contact Miss Jenney. When she responded, she wasn't very welcoming, or descriptive in her email, but very shortly supplied me with the address. I decided to take the drive, since it was surprisingly not too far from where I lived.


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When I pulled up to the house, I immediately thought It was the most beautiful house I had ever seen!



As soon as I walked in the door, I could feel something special. I stood in the Parlor and felt some kind of force pushing me into the kitchen and towards the attic stairs



It lured me up to the attic!


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I followed a winding staircase to the very top and saw a bright light coming from under the entrance door. Upon entering, the light grew stronger....


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I peeked around the corner and what I found was an old brown trunk. There seemed to be this bright magical light emerging from it !


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I walked closer, and I proceeded to lift the lid with caution. I barely touched it, when it just flew open by itself !


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What I found inside was breathtaking!!


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I reached in, and pulled out an old spell book!! On the cover it said "La Boheme Magique's Book of Shadows" I wonder where this came from, and who's this was.



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On the inside cover it said property of Jet and Frances Owens, but that was crossed out. Underneath that, it said Property of Sally and Gillian Owens. That was crossed out as well! Underneath that, it said property of Antonia and Kylie Owens... It looks like it has been passed down from generation to generation... I wondered who would get it next...


I opened it up to center, and inside I found a magical spell...


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The left page appeared to be some sort of Bird Love Spell, where you are supposed to stick a bird with a pin needle to attract the one you love...


On the right side page was a spell titled "Spiritus". The recipe called for

4 oz of Braided Wheat Straw Bundles

2 oz of Blue Sage

2 oz of Mandragora

1 Tbl of Henbane Pulp


and then there was a disclaimer which read: Henbane is poisonous!


This spell is said to revive the dead, but precaution must be taken, because it is said that they will come back as something dark and unnatural!!


I figured I was not at liberty to try either of these spells, but I might need the book for something else, so I took it with me. In the trunk, under the book, was some old gypsyesque clothing, and I couldn't help but play dressup! I took out a beautiful lavender purple lace dress with silk lining.


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I finagled my way into the antique couture, when all of the sudden I felt a really cold draft as if somebody had ran past me!


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Just then, the old phonograph went on by itself, and it started playing Elvis Presley's "You Are Always on My Mind" !! It made me jump out of my skin!!


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I got that chill again, like someone had rushed past me, so I decided to go back downstairs!


As I was walking back down the winding staircase from the attic, this magical smell started to overtake me!!!


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It lured me through the magickal kitchen, and out into the garden. It was then, I realized what this smell was!!!! When I arrived in the garden, I saw a table seated for one, with the most amazing treat one could ever wish for!!


Brownies for Breakfast!!


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The table was also adorned with an old photo of a dark haired woman. Her face looked very familiar. Next to her was a green vase that looked like it was from a botanical shop, and a watch inscribed with the words Sally Owens. On top of the plate, was a note... I wondered if I was supposed to read it. I didn't want to impose, being that I was only here for an open house!


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I could not contain my curiosity any longer ! I carefully pulled the pink and white silk ribbon , and opened the parchment...


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It wasn't addressed to anyone specific, but for some reason I felt like I was supposed to be the one reading this...


It read:


Our Dearest Inheritor,

You are sent here today not by choice , but by the magickal plan we have set for you! We knew you would be here one day! And it is only you , who will carry on the true gifts of The Owens Family! Please take a bite of one of our magickal breakfast brownies, a recipe which has been passed down through generations, and in turn you will inherit all that is planned for you!!

Your Beloved Aunts,

Kylie and Antonia Owens


I looked around carefully to see if anyone was around. I skimmed through the letter again briefly. I kept telling myself that this was meant to be. I hopefully shrugged my shoulders,


and took a bite.


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I sat there for about a minute afterward waiting to shrink, or grow like Alice, but it didn't happen. All of the sudden these wild roses started blooming out of nowhere! The vines started growing and thickening around the white lattice on the harbor leading out into the front yard overlooking the bay. I thought I should follow the path. This whole thing has felt like one sign after another.


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As I was approaching the harbor, I felt a cold breeze like someone had run past me again! There was a toad resting along the pathway as if to say that I was going the right way...


I arrived on the front porch, and I noticed a little table set up as if it were going to tell my fortune! On the table, was a crystal ball, and a tarot deck set out on purple silk! I had felt a cold chill run through my whole body. I felt like someone had run past me a few times again. Was there some kind of phenomenon going on here, or was I just going crazy ?


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I sat down and gazed into the crystal ball and what I saw took me by surprise!


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First I saw two little girls sending off rose petals into the moonlight. Next I saw a few women dancing around the same magickal kitchen I had walked through just moments prior. I then saw two lovers embracing. The last thing I saw in the crystal was this very house on Hallow's Eve, white and statuesque against the midnight sky. There was a crowd below as if they were watching a show! Then, I noticed the black silouhettes, standing on top of the roof with umbrellas as if they were going to jump!


And jump they did!!






Who's life was this I was seeing, and what did it have to do with me ??



It was starting to get dark out now, so I decided to call it a night. I would sleep on my thoughts about the house, and email Lucinda in the morning with all of these questions...


Just then, I saw a woman standing by the harbor. She had long strawberry blondish red hair, and she was holding a black cat. I felt like I had seen her before.



I had asked her if she was here to see the house as well, and if she had been able to get in touch with Lucinda Jenney, the realtor. She had told me that Lucinda Jenney was the late daughter of the late late Sarah Jenney.


She had explained, " Sarah and Sally had been in a feud for years growing up, but that all changed when Sarah had helped Sally and The Aunts save my life. From that moment on, Sarah had promised to help protect and guide the Owens family for years to come. Sarah had a daughter Lucinda, who had grown close with Sallys' daughters Kylie and Antonia."



I had about a million questions running through my head. I looked down at the letter one more time, for only a few seconds. When I had lifted my head again to ask the woman all the questions I needed answered, she was nowhere to be found...


I decided to just go home and sleep, it had been a long day.


That night in my dreams, I had dreamt of people I had never thought of before. In my dream, my great grandmother was Sally Owens.



Witchcraft had brought my Great Grandma Sally and officer Gary Hallet together. Sally already had two children, Kylie and Antonia in a prior marriage with Michael, who was killed by Maria's Curse. When Sally married Gary, she had a third child, Audrina Owens Hallett. Kyle, Antonia, and Audrina had grown up together . Audrina had run away when she was 18, and had given birth to my mother. Audrina had raised my mother by herself, and never spoke about her family. She had never heard Audrina speak of the Owen's name, since she had the option to use her father's last name. So Audrina is my grandmother and that makes Kylie and Antonia my Great Aunts! Time went on, and most of the Owen's Family had either passed on , or lost touch. When I awoke, I had realized what everything meant. Lucinda is keeping her mother's word, helping my great Aunts salvage whatever is left of the Owen's Family history ever since that night they saved Gillian.

Then it hit me! The woman I spoke to lastnight who disappeared was the ghost of Gillian Owens! All day, when I had felt like someone had ran past me, was the presence of the spirits of my ancestors, letting me know that I was in the right place!



I then wondered if the prophetic dream was the result of that brownie bite I had taken, or pure coincidence!


Just then, the cleaning broom in the corner of my room had fallen!


Is Company Coming?




Well, what do you think?!?




So now that you've read my post, what did you find interesting? Did you notice anything odd in any of the pictures? Maybe some silly little visitors? Everytime I say "I feel that chill..." , take a closer look ! And you will find the hidden surprise... some are more prominent than others, but it is a fun treat to find none the less!


I am so sorry I don't have my giveaways up... I literally prepared this post down to the wire! Check back in a day or so, and I will have up a few items !!

Thank you so much for reading and being a part of my very first Blog Party! Who knows, maybe we will have another next year !

Thank you again for being a part of this amazing event ! Who knew Practical Magic had such a following !!!


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55 comments:

apinkdreamer said...

thanks so much for sharing this wonderful and magic post!!!
http://apinkdreamer.blogspot.com/2010/09/practical-magic-blog-party-ghost.html

Samantha Marshall said...

Fantastic!!! I love your book of spells.

Lisa said...

Wow! Gorgeous!

Papillon Bleu said...

hat an adventure!!!! It was absolutely magical! Thank you! I absolutely the effect with the crystal ball. Every single moment of your post was a pure delight!
XXX

Marfi-topia said...

Justina, thank you for hosting this, It has been SO much fun!!!
your post is beautiful.

Jorgelina said...

Fantastic!!! Fantastic!!! Fantastic!!!
Your post is beautiful♥
Absolutely magical!

Ivy said...

So beautiful and magickal! The circle is cast at:

http://www.tabithalenox.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for a fun blog party! xoxo

Sarah Sullivan said...

Oh my that was delighful..I am so enjoying all the fun..thank you for all of your hard work!
I think I will go back and do that one more time!
Blessings, Sarah

Victoria said...

Hello...wow..super-Gorgeous and inspiring post...full of magic beauty and so super dazzling! Thanks for hosting this enchatiung event...hugs!
Victoria~

Anonymous said...

After I watched the movie again (for the ba-gillian-th time) this week I actually said I wish we could learn more of what happens for the next generations.
And reading the start your post I had a suspicion that yours was the only paper running that ad. I could not imagine that glorious house in any other family.

{Daydreamer} said...

Delightful! I especially enjoyed the crystal ball slide show. Oh, and to answer your question... yes I noticed them.

http://heathersdaydreams.blogspot.com/2010/09/practical-magic-blog-party.html

Sara said...

So very lovely Justina!

magikalseasons said...

Pure Magic I really enjoyed your party! I'll have to fly back and look again! :) Becca

Susan Says (Stupid Stuff) said...

What a lovely post! I can't enlarge the pictures to search for your hidden extras sadly, but I'm sure they're enchanting. Thanks so much for the party! :D

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love your post, Justina! Beautiful. I felt like I was back in the movie set. You certainly have a gift for words. I think I am better with food, so check out my post for Aunt France's Breakfast Chocolate Cupcakes, Aunt Jet's Belladona Baked Apples, Sally's Amas Veritas Pancakes and Gillian's Tiger's Eye Sangria. I think you will enjoy them! Angie

http://cocinadiary.blogspot.com/2010/09/practical-magic-blog-party.html

Kaerie Faerie said...

fabulous post so fun, love all the pics thanks for sharing
Karey

Jill Marcott-McCall ~Feathers & Flight~ said...

This is Simply Magical! What a Lovely Post! Thank you for Hosting this Fun Party!
Hugs
Jill

Kathy said...

Fantastic post! Very, very creative story! Loved it! Would absolutely love that house!!!
Kathy

Lenora said...

Thanks for hosting this! Love your story adn photos! We came in so late last night in fact - don't even know if our link will get posted but my little fairy witch who is 10 so wanted to join i could not say no - we got the button up the comments made invited friends and got our post up by bedtime!

Visit us for more Practicl Magic at Practical Magic - How To Make A Magic Wand
http://lenorita-lenoramoore.blogspot.com/2010/09/practical-magic-blogparty-2010.html

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Thank you for your glorious "Practical Magic Party" post!

Gentle hugs,
Being Sweet Aunt Bridget, for the day
:-)

Lynda said...

That was very magical :) I love the picture of you by the ocean..and the crystal ball! Thanks for hosting the party...I'd say its a smashing success :)

jasmoonbutterfly said...

merry meet
I am in awe of your blog post for practical magic....I completely loved it!
Magical photo's - totally inspiring, thank you for sharing your story with us
love & light
Trace oxoxo

http://www.jasmoonbutterfly.blogspot.com

Laura said...

Oh my goodness! What a fabulous post!
blessings
~*~

Designs by Blanche said...

Justina, What a delightfully magical journey! I will definately have to go back and study your amazing graphics a bit more!

Thanks for sharing the little bit of witch in you!

-Blanche

Anonymous said...

Justina, I love your blog post...your story was wonderful and your photos are just gorgeous.

Thanks for hosting such a fun party!

Plumrose Lane said...

What a magical event and posting you and Anna created Justina! I've met so many wonderful souls already. Loved your posting and the wonderful journey you took us on ~ thank you so much!
♥Sharon

Scrap Vamp said...

OMG! This is such an amazing post! The photos are marvelous and I saw the things that gave you chills! I really enjoyed this visit! Thank you!

blue china studio happy said...

Great story! That was very cleverly done.

Thanks for hosting such a fun event.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderfully woven story!

Wendy said...

Oh Justina,

This is just a wonderfully enchanted post. I absolutely love it. I am amazed at all the pictures. You are just so absolutely talented, and the story was so very MAGICAL.
Thank you so much for the party. I will be back to read it again soon.
Spells and Wishes,
Wendy from Wonderland

Pellie / Penny said...

Justina,
This was a truly magical post - I loved it.

Your spell book is awesome.

Brightest Blessings,
Penny

Celia said...

What a magical post! I love the faces hiding out in your pics! That is so neat! Thank you for this blog party! You guys rock!

Susan said...

SUCH an AWESOME post! How do you do all those special effects? I am very impressed, and the story was magical!

only one thing...
"you were always on my mind is sung" by Willie Nelson :)

Thanks for the WONDERFUL entertainment!
Susan

Witchkrafting with Kat said...

Wonderful PM post, I enjoyed it so much. Kat http://katthehatlady.blogspot.com/

Birgit said...

Oh wow -- now that's a wonderful post! :)

-- Birgit

Susan said...

I NEED to APOLOGIZE...my hubby is 19 years older than I (I am 50) so i asked him about Elvis singing that song,(being he grew up on Elvis and is a big fan) he said, No Elvis never sang that song. SOOO, I believed him and thought Willie Nelson was the original. SINCE posting earlier my research has shown me differently, and I apologize. I feel like an ass.
So sorry,
Susan

Sinderella's Studio said...

wow - I really don't know what to say - incredible work!
thanks for hosting this event, it has been a magical adventure!
cheers with smoldering potions,
dana

Theresa MacNaughton said...

Thank you, dear Justina, for including me in this wonderful event. Your post was MAGICAL and LOVELY and so ENCHANTING. If you get a chance to visit mine, I hope it doesn't disappoint. Here's to chocolate cake at breakfast time! xoxo Theresa

Petunia said...

My dear Justina!!! That was wickedly delicious! What a fabulous post and sooo worth the wait! Love your story and magical pics. And your spellbook is beautiful. Everything is beautiful...but of course it would be, my magical co-hostess! Thank you for the brownies. It's just what I need before getting back on my broomstick to visit some more tonight. Good thing that moon is still bright!

Petunia said...

Oh my goodness! It was such madness getting my post up that I forgot to thank YOU!! So go back and read my post so I can do it properly! :)

♥Anna

Kelly said...

What a great post! I enjoyed the story and the photos.

Have a magical day, Kelly
www.blondheart.blogspot.com

Aisha @The Bewitching Bibliophile said...

OHMy Goddess I LOVE this post!!!! When I first read it until you got to the attic I actually it thought it was a REAL house. I can't wait for your giveaways this is an amazing post thanks so much for sharing and creating this party We should do it again next year!!!

Linda said...

Amazing post, What a journey. Linda :),Pyewacketts Blog

Kelly said...

Such a magical post! I love what you did with the snowglobe!!!

~*Rhi*~ said...

Oh how absolutely beautiful & creative! Thanks so much for throwing the Party, I'm still going over the blogs.

Wild & Bright Blessings,

~*Rhi*~

Michelle Frae Cummings said...

What a wonderful post! Love all your wicked delights! (what program do you use for the sparkles on your photo's) I hope you'll come "fly" over to my blog and see what I have been brewing!
~Michelle
http://faeriedustdreams-michelle.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Hi Justina! Happy Practical Magic Party, to one of my favorite movies! It's still going on... and so many blogs to visit! My favorite scene is when young Sally is making and casting her Amas Veritas spell... adorable... And the saying at the end of the movie,
"... fall in L*O*V*E whenever you can!

OMG your post is just so creative and I love all of the photos and how you led us on this magical journey!

Hope you have a chance to fly by my blog for a "special spell" that I have for everyone! Thanks so much for hosting SUCH A FUN PARTY! Wish I could stop by for a brownie or margarita...hee, hee!

✻´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´✻✻✻...Lots of magical wishes, dreams and blessings to you and your family.

xoxo Valerie
http://valeriehart.com

Unknown said...

HELLO!! Thank you so much for hosting this wonderful WONDERFUL event! What a great Idea! And I LOVE your photos~ love the BoS!

Dandelion Dreams said...

Justina,

Thank you and Anna so much for creating this party for us. Both of you have done a fantastic job. I can't begin to imagine the time it took to do so. I know what kind of time it takes to take and alter so many photographs but you not only did that, you took us on a delightful journey with the tale that you have shared. Your entire post really is so enchanting. My favorite part, if I must choose is two... I really adore the newspaper ad at the very beginning. And much later down, I am totally delighted by the way you did the crystal ball. I just WISH I could create such magic! ;)

Without this party I would not have came across many of the blogs I have this soon if ever, nor received many of the kind words that I am receiving. Thank you for your very large role in that.

Faith, trust, and faerie dust!

http://fortheloveofcreativity.blogspot.com

Andréann said...

Thanks so much for holding the party!
it was really fun!

I finally came around to do part #2 :)

Buccaneers and Ball Gowns said...

I just loved your Practical Magic post! It was so magical and lovely! Thank you for sharing and co-hosting this amazing party!

Michele Seraphim said...

What an AWESOME post! Thank you so much for hosting this party! I had so much fun creating a whole NEW line of Practical Magic room sprays and labels! I cannot wait to do it again. Come on by for my free giveaway and check out the new labels... thanks for the inspiration!

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

What a wonderful crystal ball!!

Thanks for hosting, this was fun.

Kelli Green aka Cajunstampingqueen said...

Such an amazing post! Thanks for the journey!!! I love your BOS!!!

be true to oneself and blessed you will be!

DreamCyn said...

omgosh I love it! I looove practical magic!!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog, i'll definitely be back to yours!


<333
Cyn