At the moment of solstice light a large (either pillar ot tall floor) candle. I use red as it is the Holly King's time. This should burn itself out towards dawn (hopefully).

"As the long shadows fall
In the dark of Winter's thrall
Let flame to wick alight
And illume the longest night."

At dusk - light the three candles of the Yule Log. Different Trads use different coloured candles. Some use Black, Red and White. I Use Red for the Holly King, White for the Goddess, and Green for the Oak King.

From now until dawn, the candles must be kept burning, light each replacement from it's predecessor - don't fall asleep -have company in to keep you awake. Have a party - that's what I do. Sing, eat, tell stories...be creative...

"Watch we all 'til morn
When the Light shall be reborn
And in creeping measure, day
Replaces night's cold sway."

At dawn, you may extinguish the Yule Log candles. Greet the fledging Sun ... outdoors if possible, as He rises on the first Winter morning.

"As God is of the Goddess born
Upon this first of Winter's morns
Let Time's great Wheel turn
And the candle bright flame burn
With the first Great Light ascending
Let the long, dark night be ending."

- contributed by Zyalia, the crone       

A Meditation for the Longest Night
from Willowsong

You may want to read this onto a tape for yourself, leaving pauses where appropriate...

Take a moment to make yourself very comfortable as you lie or sit on the floor. Take a quick scan through your body and see if there is tension in any of your muscles. If there is, breathe into the area and let it relax a little if it will. The floor is supporting your weight, there is no need for your muscles to work at all, now. Take another quick scan of your body, checking your joints: if any are uncomfortable, make any adjustments necessary to let them rest comfortably. Feel the floor supporting your weight, and let your body relax into the floor just a little more. Note your breathing, note your heartbeat, and note the blood flowing out to your fingers and toes. Reassure yourself that these processes will continue as you let your awareness journey out of your body for a short while.

Now, let your awareness float up above your body. See it laying on the floor, and see the silver cord which connects you to it. Now let yourself float up through the roof, so you are above the house looking down on it. Float up higher, seeing all the flickering lights that people put up to celebrate this sacred time. Let the lights fall away below you, so that you float above the Earth. And as you go higher, you see the sun behind it. Pay your respects to the sun; this is His celebration.

And as you float up through the atmosphere and into the vacuum of space, look around at the stars as they shine all around you. Take a moment to enjoy their beauty. And as you look around, one star seems to pull you toward it. This is your special star. You move toward it, and almost instantly find yourself close to it. Fly around this star, which is one manifestation of the infinite light of your soul. Feel its warmth. Enjoy the beauty of its flames. Blend with it and feel the magnificence of all that you are.

And as you, the star, float in the heavens, you look below you, and see an exquisite blue/green jewel lit by another star with a bright gold light. And this small planet, so lovely in the expanse of space, seems to pull you toward it. You know that you have visited it before. And you know that if you return, you will have another opportunity to live in manifest reality. While it is glorious and wonderful to shine radiant in space, there is something very special about this planet that makes you choose to answer its calling.

You travel toward the planet at great speed. As you approach, you are drawn to a hole in its surface, and find yourself travelling through a passage in the surface layer of the planet. This slows you down, gently, easily, so that you come to rest deep within the rock of the planet.

You find yourself in a small sac within the bedrock of the earth. You can move enough to be comfortable, but not enough to go anywhere. It is dark, so there is very little to see or visualise. You are deep enough that the rock is exactly body temperature. And all you hear is a steady heartbeat, the heartbeat of mother Earth.

You become aware of the energy that is all around you. The energy of her living flesh.

Here, within the womb of the Mother, there is nothing for you to do, nothing to see. There is only darkness and peace. And Her heartbeat, reminding you of Her love. All your needs are met. There are no demands placed upon you. In fact, all that is expected of you is that you receive the Mother's nurturance. And without any effort on your part, you grow.

Feel what it is like to have nothing to do but receive. If it is difficult to do this, tell yourself that for the purpose of this exercise, you will open to the possibility that you can be at peace with nothing to do. And allow yourself to enjoy it.

Listen to the heartbeat of the Mother. Hear it through her flesh as you heard the heartbeat of your own mother within her womb. And whatever your experience may have been within the womb of your own mother, be aware that here, within the womb of She who is the mother of all, you can heal those experiences. For the Goddess loves all of Her children, and loves you as one of them. She has birthed so many that there is no fear for her in bearing you within her womb. She is filled with joy and excitement knowing that your soul is about to become manifest once again.

Hear her heartbeat, feel the flow of her infinite love. To whatever extent you can allow it, open to this love. Feel what it is like to receive unconditional love.

This might be difficult. No need to feel anxious. Simply tell yourself that for the purpose of this exercise, you will try to open to her love a little more that you have allowed yourself before. Then open and let it in.

This is your time to feel all the nurturing that the Mother has to offer. Hear her heartbeat, and feel her love.

And now, as you rest within the womb of the Goddess, loved, protected, and cherished, let yourself realise that at this time before birth, before any choices and decisions are made, you rest in a moment of unlimited potential. You are not yet a healer, or a scholar or a builder or a teacher. You are as yet unborn, and you still have the option to become any or all of these things. Indeed, in every moment you live, there is infinite potential, but take this time as you wait within the womb of the Mother, to let yourself open to the idea that your potential is unlimited. For indeed it is.

And take a moment to dream. If you weren't as involved as you are with the tasks of day to day life, what would you like to be? What would you like to do? Let your dreams be big, as big as the soul you are. As big as the star that you are. As big as your present Mother, She Who Is All, could dream for you.

If you are having trouble comprehending the limitlessness of your potential, ask Her to send you some of the dreams She may have for you. This is not a time to worry about details of how they will come to be, but a time to comprehend how large your soul and your potential truly are.

The next step is to realise that while you rest here within the womb of the Goddess, she is sending you nurturance, she is sending you all you need. All you need to do to receive her gifts She sends you is to open to them.

If your dreams for what you would like to be when you are reborn would be served by having great courage, open to it now, for she is sending it to you. Receive it.

If your dreams for what you would like to be when you are reborn would be helped by having deep trust, then open now, for she is sending it to you. Receive it.

If your dreams for what you would like to be when you are reborn would be served by having great compassion, open now, for she for she certainly has an infinite supply of that, and she would be overjoyed to feel you receive it.

Whatever gifts would help you accomplish your dreams, perhaps clarity, insight, communication, decisiveness, strength of will, intuition, forgiveness, or wisdom. All of these are carried to you now on the heartbeat of the Mother. What you receive is limited only by your willingness to receive. For indeed, all of these gifts are in limitless supply within your soul. You can manifest them if you are willing and able.

And the time is drawing near when you are about to be reborn. Choose now what and how much you would like to be.

But do it now. For her heartbeat is speeding.

You hear her breathing deepen and speed up.

And your own breathing deepens and quickens in response.

Long deep, full breath. In and out and in again. And let your breathing become circular, so that there is no pause between breathing in and breathing out. No pause between breathing out and breathing in. Deep, full breaths, filling completely and emptying completely.

And you feel yourself propelled up through the earth, along your cord of light, passing out through the bedrock as easily as you descended.

Keep breathing. Fill your lungs to their base and beyond with the gifts She offers.

And without a pause, breathe out, emptying so that you can receive more. In and out without pause.

In and out without pause. In and out and in again.

And you are propelled through the soil, past the rocks and roots.

And keep breathing as She breathes in birthing you. Letting the air circle in and out. In and out and in again.

And you come through the floor. And with a final great breath, you return to your body.

You feel your limbs as they rest on the floor. You feel your heart beat. You feel the muscles of your chest expand as you take in great breaths of air.

And now let your breathing return to normal, letting it regulate itself. Feel your limbs as they tingle. Feel new life tingle through your whole body. Feel the Mother here in this room, her arms open to welcome you.

You may feel vulnerable and want to curl up in your blanket, hugging your pillow. Do this if you wish. You may feel full of energy and ready to tackle life with new vigour. Sit up, stretch, and see life with new eyes. You may want to hug someone. If they want it too, take time to do this. Welcome each other into the world.

Take whatever time you need, and when you feel complete, enjoy a very special "cakes and ale" to celebrate this sacred rebirth.

Willowsong shares more about her Yule ritual in an essay on Yule at the given link.

Hark the Merry Pagans sing,
Glory to the Holly King!
Peace on Earth and mercy mild,
God and Goddess reconciled,
Hear us now as we proclaim,
We have risen from the flames,
Our ancient Craft now we reclaim,
In the God and Goddess' names
Hark the Merry Pagans sing,
Glory to the Holly King!

Herne by highest love adored,
Herne the ever-reborn Lord,
At all times behold Him come,
Offspring of the Holy One,
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see,
Hail Incarnate Deity!
Ancient Craft now we reclaim,
in the God and Goddess' names
Hark the Merry Pagans sing,
Glory to the Holly King!

 
YE CHILDREN ALL OF MOTHER EARTH
-Ellen Reed
( Tune: "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear")

Ye children all of Mother Earth
join hands and circle around
To celebrate the Solstice night
When our lost Lord is found.
Rejoice, the year's begun again
The Sun blesses skies above
So share the season one and all
In everlasting Love!

 
OH, COME, ALL YE FAITHFUL!
-Ellen Reed

Oh, come all ye faithful
Gather round the Yule Fire
Oh, come ye, oh, come ye,
To call the Sun!
Fires within us
Call the Fire above us
O, come, let us invoke Him!
O, come, let us invoke Him!
O, come, let us invoke Him!
Our Lord, the Sun!

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee!
Born again at Yuletide!
Yule fires and candle flames
Are lit once more for You!
Come to thy children
Calling for thy blessing!
O, come let us invoke Him (x3)
Our Lord, the Sun!

 
SILENT NIGHT
-Ellen Reed

Silent night, Solstice Night
All is calm, all is bright
Nature slumbers in forest and glen
Till in Springtime She wakens again
Sleeping spirits grow strong!
Sleeping spirits grow strong!
Silent night, Solstice night
Silver moon shining bright
Snowfall blankets the slumbering Earth
Yule fires welcome the Sun's rebirth
Hark, the Light is reborn!
Hark, the Light is reborn!

Silent night, Solstice night
Quiet rest till the Light
Turning ever the rolling Wheel
Brings the Winter to comfort and heal
Rest your spirit in peace!
Rest your spirit in peace!

 
GLORY TO THE NEW BORN KING
-Ellen Reed (1st verse)

Brothers, sisters, come to sing
Glory to the new-born King!
Gardens peaceful, forests wild
Celebrate the Winter Child!
Now the time of glowing starts!
Joyful hands and joyful hearts!
Cheer the Yule log as it burns!
For once again the Sun returns!
Brothers, sisters, come and sing!
Glory to the new-born King!
Brothers, sisters, singing come
Glory to the newborn Sun
Through the wind and dark of night
Celebrate the coming light.
Suns glad rays through fear's cold burns
Life through death the Wheel now turns
Gather round the Yule log and tree
Celebrate Life's mystery
Brothers, sisters, singing come
Glory to the new-born Sun.

 
DANCING IN A WICCAN WONDERLAND
-"Alexander & Aarcher"

Pagans sing, are you listenin',
Altar's set,candles glisten,
It's a Magickal night, we're having tonight,
Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland

Blades held high, censer smoking,
God and Goddess, we're invoking,
Through Elements Five, we celebrate life,
Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland

Queen of Heaven, is in Her place,
Triple Goddess, now the Crone Face,
Above and Below, She's the Goddess we know,
Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland

Now the God, is the Provider,
Supplying game, for our fire.
Above and Below, He's the Horned ne we Know,
Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland

In a Circle we can light a Yule Fire,
And await the rising of the Sun,
It's the Great Wheel turning for the new year,
loaded with abundance and great fun.

Later on, by the fire,
Cone of Power, gettin' higher
It's a Magickal Night we're having tonight,
Dancing in a Wiccan Wonderland

 
SHARE THE LIGHT
(The First Noel)

CHORUS:
Share the light, share the light!
Share the light, share the Light!
All paths are one on this holy night!

On this Winter holiday, let us stop and recall
That this season is holy to one and to all.
Unto some a Son is born, unto us comes a Sun,
And we know, if they don't that all paths are one.
Be it Chanukah or Yule,
Christmas time or Solstice night,
All celebrate the eternal light.
Lighted tree or burning log,
Or eight candle flames.
All gods are one god, whatever their names.

 
MOON OF SILVER
(We Three Kings)

CHORUS:
Oh, Moon of Silver, Sun of Gold,
Gentle Lady, Lord so bold!
Guide us ever, failing never,
Lead us in the ways of old.

Maiden, Mother, Ancient Crone,
Queen of Heaven on your throne,
Praise we sing Thee, Love we bring Thee,
For all that you have shown.

Lord of Darkness, Lord of Light,
Gentle Brother, King of Might,
Praise we sing thee, Love we bring Thee
On this Solstice night.

 
JOY TO THE WORLD

Joy to the world! The Lord is come!
Let Earth receive her king!
Let every heart prepare him room
And Heaven and Nature sing, etc.

Welcome our King who brings us life.
Our Lady gives him birth!
His living light returneth to warm the seeds within us
And wake the sleeping earth, etc.

Light we the fires to greet our Lord,
Our Light! Our Life! Our King!
Let every voice be lifted to sing his holy praises,
As Heaven and Nature sing, etc.

CHRISTMAS TIME IS PAGAN!
(Gloria in Excelsius Deo)

CHORUS:
Glorious!
Christmas time is pagan!
Glorious!
Christmas time is pagan!

Christmas time is here again,
Decorations everywhere.
Christmas carols ringing out,
Gentle pagans, we don't care.

Modern folks all celebrate
What they learned in Sunday School.
In December, they don't know
They are celebrating Yule!

Let them have their Christmas trees,
Decked in red and green and blue.
We rejoice at every one!
Christmas trees are pagan, too.

Bowls of bubbly Christmas cheer,
Fill your cup and quench your thirst.
They think the tradition's theirs.
Wassail bowls were pagan, first.

Every door and window bears
Wreaths of holly, wreaths of pine.
Circles represent the Sun.
Every wreath is yours and mine.

Christmas lights on Christmas trees,
Candle flames burn higher and higher,
Let us cheer along, my friends,
As they light their Yuletide fire.
There's a possibility
That this song is yours and mine
'Cause the tune was known to all
Back in A.D. one-two-nine.

 
GOD REST YE MERRY, PAGANFOLK
(God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen)

God rest ye merry, paganfolk,
Let nothing you dismay.
Remember that the Sun returns
Upon this Solstice day.
The growing dark is ending now
And Spring is on its way.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.

The Goddess rest ye merry, too,
And keep you safe from harm.
Remember that we live within
The circle of Her arms,
And may Her love give years to come
A very special charm.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy!

OH, HOLY DAWN
(Oh, Holy Night)
Willowsong

Oh, holy dawn, the clouds are brightly shining.
It is the morn of the Sun king's rebirth.

Long lay the world in barren coldness pining
Til He appeared to awaken the Earth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Gather round the fires! Raise your joyful voices!
Oh dawn Divine, when the Sun King is reborn.

Oh dawn Divine.
Oh dawn, oh dawn Divine....

A HOLLY JOLLY YULETIDE
Adapted by Susan M. Shaw
[Tune: A Holly, Jolly Christmas]

Have a holly jolly Yuletide
It's the best time of the year
I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer

Have a holly jolly Yuletide
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And ev'ryone you meet

Oh, ho, the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me

Have a holly jolly Yuletide
And in case you didn't hear
Oh, by golly have a holly jolly Yuletide
This year!

CAROL OF THE BELLS
Words by Hilda Marshall

Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells
All seem to say, "Throw cares away."
Yuletide is here, bringing good cheer
To young and old, meek and the bold
Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song,
With joyful ring, all caroling
One seems to hear words of good cheer
From everywhere, filling the air
O, how they pound, raising the sound
O'er hill and dale, telling their tale

Gaily they ring, while people sing
Songs of good cheer, Yuletide is here!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Yuletide!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Yuletide!

On, on they send, on without end
Their joyful tone to every home
Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells
All seem to say, "Throw cares away."
Yuletide is here, bringing good cheer
To young and old, meek and the bold
Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song
With joyful ring, all caroling.
One seems to hear words of good cheer
From everywhere, filling the air
O, how they pound, raising the sound
O'er hill and dale, telling their tale

Gaily they ring, while people sing
Songs of good cheer, Yuletide is here!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Yuletide!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Yuletide!

On, on they send, on without end
Their joyful tone to every home.

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE YULETIDE
Words by Hilda Marshall
[Tune: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas]

Have yourself a merry little Yuletide
Let your heart be light
From now on our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Yuletide
Make the Sabbat gay
From now on our troubles will be miles away

Chorus:
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more CThrough the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Yuletide now.

OUR LADY GREENSLEEVES
[Tune: Greensleeves]

Midwinter moon is shining bright
The yuletide log is burning.
The people gather 'round tonight
The Sabbat wheel is turning.

Joy! Mirth! The Sun's rebirth!
Now as of old we greet Thee.
Gladdening is the song we sing
Of praises to the Lady.

'Twas at the feast of bright Beltane
When we all were a-Maying,
Sweet minstrel Queen in Her gown of green
Spring roundelay was playing.

And though now roped in snow
Her wintry garb deceives, for
Bedipped with holly and mistletoe
She is still Our Lady Greensleeves.

So drink ye wassail everyone
Good Pagans all made merry
With wine as red as the reborn Sun,
As red as holly-berry.

Dancing, come join the ring,
As Her Yuletide spell she weaves.
Fair Queen, the evergreen,
Sweet lovely Lady Greensleeves.

THE HOLLY AND THE IVY

Oh the Holly and the ivy when they are both full grown
In wintertime when all is dead they bear the living crown

Chorus:
Oh the rising of the sun and the running of the deer
The days are short, the night is long, the turning of the year

Oh the ivy is the maiden, the holly is her love
As they entwine at Yuletide the Lady smiles above

The Holly blooms in glory when the solstice day is near
We burn the yule log to make the new-born Sun appear

'Tis at Yule when the Mother gives birth to the coming Spring
In the midst of winter cold; the new-born Sun, Holly King

Throughout the land she wanders with the new day-lit god
And in the Spring sweet love is made where'ere Her foot has trod

She is in all our loving, in all we love and fear,
How wondrous is the way in which our Lady doth appear

Praise the Queen of Air and Earth, of Fire and Water
All poetry's our Lady's art, all music sings to her

All in the holy Circle, hand to hand we pass the blade
To invoke the Lady's power unsheathed by the Ivy Maid

Now Blessed be the Earth at rest beneath our feet
As we have hope of rest one day, our Lady for to greet

Out of Darkness shall come dawning, out of Winter shall come Spring
Out of the toil of striving comes the peace our Lady brings

The Thirteen Days of Yule
Willowsong

On the thirteenth day of Yule,
With my light I send to thee:

A rich and loving Community,
Deep inner Wisdom,
Clarity of Vision,
Freeflowing Abundance,
Ways to be of Service,
A deep sense of Peace,
The Protection of the Light,
Honest self knowledge,
Radiant Health,
Freedom to be all you are,
Glowing inner Beauty,
Joy overflowing,
And a great healthy dollop of Love!

1 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup honey
1 teasp grated lemon rind
1 teasp vanilla extract
1 teasp ground ginger
1/2 teasp ground cloves
1 teasp ground cinnamon
1 teasp salt
1 teasp baking soda
4 1/2 cups flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add syrup, honey, lemon rind & vanilla, spices, salt & soda. Add enough flour to make soft dough. Chill until firm enough to roll.

Set oven to 350 degrees. Grease & flour baking sheets.

On floured cloth roll dough 1/8 inch thick, cut shapes with cookie cutters. Bake 8 min or until puffed and dry. Cool on a rack and decorate with colored icing.

ICING
1 1/2 cup sifted confectioners sugar
1 egg white
1 teasp lemon juice
a few drops of vanilla extract.. various food colorings (collect flavored extracts and food colorings and get creative)

BEAT everything but the colors and extracts until the icing peaks. If necessary add more sugar and egg white. Divide into separate bowls for each of the different colors and extracts...have fun!

- contributed by Ms. DeeJay       

1 cup milk
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp salt
1/3 cup butter
1 tsp sugar
1/2 cup lukewarm (100F) water
1 tbsp dry yeast
1 beaten egg
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp mace
6 cups flour
2/3 cup blanched raisins
2/3 cup fruit cake fruit
Red and green candied cherries to decorate

Scald milk. Pour into a large bowl and add sugar, salt, and butter. Stir until butter melted. Cool to lukewarm.

Meanwhile, dissolve 1 tsp sugar in 1/2 cup lukewarm (100F) water and sprinkle dry yeast over top. Allow to stand for 10 minutes.

When yeast is a fluffy layer on top of the water, stir briskly with a fork to mix. Add to lukewarm milk mixture, and add egg, cinnamon, nutmeg and mace.

Stir in 2 1/2 cups flour and beat vigorously for five minutes. This mixing allows gluten formation, which gives the bread a springy texture.

Add raisins and fruit cake fruit

Work in another 2- 2 1/2 cups flour.

Turn dough onto a floured surface and kneed 9 minutes. Add up to another cup of flour if the dough gets sticky. Sing appropriate chants or carols while kneeding, and meditate on the returning of the light.

Shape into a smooth ball and place in a buttered bowl. Rotate dough in bowl to grease surface. Cover with a damp tea towel. Allow to rise until dough is doubled in volume (1 1/2 to 2 hours)

Punch dough down and divide into three equal parts. Roll each into a long snake about 1" in diameter. Take the three rolls, and braid them together. Form the braid into a wreath. Cover the ends with red and green cherries to decorate.

Lay on a greased cookie sheet. Brush top of wreathe with melted butter. Allow to rise under the damp tea towel for another 45 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Bread will sound hollow when tapped when cooked. Brush top with melted butter. Place on cake racks to cool.

Put the wreathe into the oven to warm while you go out to watch the sunrise on Yule morning. Your house will smell wonderful and you will have a hearty breakfast when you return home.

- contributed by Willowsong       

optional:
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins

In a mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt, ginger, baking soda, and cloves; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat together brown sugar and shortening until well combined; beat in eggs. Add pumpkin and milk; mix well. Add flour mixture to the sugar-pumpkin mixture, mixing well. Add walnuts and raisins, if desired. (Lunah’s note -- personally, I add chocolate chips instead ... :) ).

Turn batter into a greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool on a wire rack.

- contributed by Lunah       

Cookie crust:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 15x10x1in. pan with no-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl with mixer at medium speed, beat 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup cold butter or margarine,cut into pieces, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Press firmly into prepared pan. Bake 20-30 minutes or until golden brown. Top with filling and finish baking as directed.

Topping mixture:

4 eggs 1 1/2 cups Karo corn syrup (light or dark) 1 1/2 cups sugar 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 2 1/2 cups pecan halves or coarsely chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare and bake cookie crust. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat eggs, corn syrup, sugar, butter and vanilla until well-blended. Stir in pecans. Immediately pour over hot crust; spread evenly. Bake 25 minutes or until filling is firm around edges and slightly firm in center. Cool completely. Cut into 2 x 2 1/2 inch bars. Makes about 48 bars.

Trust me, these things are easier than they might sound, and are worth the effort!! They also freeze well. Yummmm!

- contributed by Serena       

1 pound butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup yellow sugar
4 cups flour
5 oz semi-sweet baker's chocolate

Cream butter until very light. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Gradually stir in flour, kneading in the last of it when the dough gets dry.

Separate into four equal parts and roll into long snakes about an inch in diameter. Make them as round as you can by rolling them in waxed paper. Chill for at least one hour.

Cut rolls into slices about 1/4 inch thick and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 22-25 minutes...until bottom edges are golden. Remove from sheets onto cooling racks and allow to cool completely.

Melt chocolate in a bowl over boiling water. Dip cookies edge-first into the chocolate. Try to make different moon phases by covering different fractions of the moon's surface. Leave a few full moons without chocolate, of course...and really enjoy the new moons!

- contributed by Willowsong       

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