Wiccan holidays, also known as Sabbats, are celebrated by practitioners of the Wicca religion. These holidays mark key points of the year and commemorate the changing of seasons and the cycles of nature. In 2023, these Sabbats will follow the traditional Wiccan calendar. The year will begin with Imbolc on February 1st, which marks the coming of spring and the return of longer days. This Sabbat is often celebrated with candle lighting ceremonies and rituals focused on transformation and new beginnings. Next, we have Ostara, which falls on March 21st, the vernal equinox.
Fajita-seasoned Scrambled Eggs, Chicken Sausage, Peppers, Grilled Onions, Mushrooms. Cheddar Jack Golden Brown Crust. Served with Avocado and Salsa. Three AA Eggs* scrambled, Diced Bacon, Pork Sausage, Ham, and Cheddar Jack. Topped with Sausage Gravy, served with Skillets Potatoes, Grits, or a Fruit Cup
Vacationing on Fort Myers Beach, Florida and trying to decide which tempting option to start your day can be tough with so many delectable possibilities. Select a Flour or Wheat Tortilla per box and have it filled with your choice of Eggs scrambled with Smokehouse Bacon, Diced Tomato, and a Cheddar Jack Parmesan Cheese Blend - or - Eggs scrambled with Avocado Slices, Fresh Salsa, and Pepper Jack Cheese - or - Egg whites scrambled with Chopped Spinach, Mixed Peppers, and Parmesan Cheese.
Next, we have Ostara, which falls on March 21st, the vernal equinox. It celebrates the arrival of spring and the balance between light and darkness. Many Wiccans perform fertility rituals during this Sabbat and decorate eggs as symbols of rebirth.
We have a hunch you’ll like Bonita Brunch
When you open the menu at Bonita Brunch, the numbers are overwhelming: 25 omelets, six eggs benedicts, five burritos, six skillets and more. And that’s just the breakfast menu. The lunch list is equally staggering: 14 salads, 13 wraps and stuffed pitas, eight sandwiches, 15 burgers and melts and — well, you get the idea.
Owner Joe Vushaj is accustomed to big numbers. He came to the U.S. from Albania with nine brothers and sisters. The extended family eventually established themselves in the restaurant business in Michigan before some of the clan moved to Southwest Florida, where one of the brothers opened House of Omelets in Cape Coral.
Joe Vushaj launched Bonita Brunch with two daughters last November in the Bonefish Grill plaza in Bonita Springs — though you have to drive around to the back to find it. It’s worth the effort, as well as some temporary inconvenience due to a construction project at the plaza. We sampled just a minute fraction of the all-encompassing menu, but are eager to return and try more.
Bonita Brunch puts a modern spin on diner décor.
Our food clearly was made to order with fresh, quality ingredients and served in generous portions. Service is efficient and exceedingly warm — you may even get a waitress who takes “hands-on service” literally. The modernized diner atmosphere is appealing and on trend — shades, perhaps, of the rebranded First Watch’s farmhouse-chic?
The tile floor looks deceptively like aged wooden planks, which complements the neutral gray-tan-black color scheme and contrasts the sleek black vinyl booths. The busy kitchen sits behind a tomato-red wall framed by a homey striped valance and bookended by clusters of prefab decorations expressing generic aphorisms such as “live, love, eat” and “believe in the magic.” A beautiful, fresh red rose adorned our table.
Crabby Benedict features crab cakes topped with eggs, spinach, tomato and hollandaise.
Our waitress touted the specials, which included surprises like flambéed saganaki cheese and lamb chops with eggs and toast. As if there aren’t already enough choices when both breakfast and lunch items are served at noon.
Corned beef hash with two eggs and toast is one of the more traditional breakfast dishes.
We had originally set out to sample a bit of each menu, but our party included two people who rarely eat in the morning and one who could eat “breakfast food” for each meal of the day. So, we all wanted breakfast. Lunch will have to wait for another visit.
The trendier offerings include avocado toast topped with fried eggs and feta, chicken with waffles drizzled with maple syrup and honey mustard, and fanciful waffle/pancake/French toast flavors such as Reese’s peanut butter cup, S’More and Elvis (peanut butter and banana drizzled with chocolate). A picture on the restaurant’s Facebook page shows the gluttonous Sampler Skillet, a mix of corned beef, pastrami, peppers, cheese, eggs and home fries blanketed with sausage gravy.
You can concoct your own waffle creation with toppings such as Nutella and pecans at Bonita Brunch.
None of us was up to that cardiac challenge, but we managed to finish three very different dishes, washed down with glasses of fresh-brewed iced tea ($2.55) and Diet Coke ($2.55).
From the eggs benedict choices, I selected the Crabby Benedict ($12.75) — two crab cakes topped with tomato, spinach sautéed with garlic, two poached eggs and hollandaise and a dusting of Old Bay. At this price, you can hardly expect pure jumbo lump crabmeat; even though they were padded out with stuffing-like fillers, they still had good crab flavor and an appealingly crisp crust. The eggs were incredibly soft and silky, and the scratch-made hollandaise was not overly rich or over-applied. Each element of the dish was present in just the right proportion.
The corned beef hash ($9), in contrast, was more one-dimensional. The meat was very finely chopped — too finely chopped for our taste. If there were potatoes or onions or any other ingredients mixed in, they were so miniscule that we couldn’t taste them. We would have preferred a chunkier texture for the salty, crusty meat, and a little more complexity in flavor. The over-easy eggs were perfectly cooked, and the wheat toast was fine. Regardless of the criticisms, my guest cleaned his plate.
For those who prefer to a sweeter breakfast treat, there are plate-sized waffles ($8) with your choice of toppings from basic banana to cinnamon roll with a cream cheese glaze. The waffle itself was light and crispy, with a hint of vanilla. My guest opted for Nutella ($1.50) and pecan (50 cents) toppings, and they were amply applied, along with a dusting of powdered sugar. Two slices of good, chewy bacon were added on the side, which cost an extra $2.50.
Whether you start your day or take your lunch break at Bonita Brunch, I have a hunch you will find more than one item to satisfy your hunger.
(BZ) Steamed Spinach, Grilled Tomato Slices, topped with Sliced Avocado and Chopped Chives. Served with a Poached Egg*, Wheat Toast and a Fruit Cup
Beltane, celebrated on May 1st, is a highly anticipated Sabbat that signifies the peak of spring and the beginning of summer. It is a time to honor fertility, growth, and the vitality of nature. Bonfires are often lit during Beltane, and rituals involving dance and music take place. Litha, or the summer solstice, will occur on June 21st. This Sabbat celebrates the longest day of the year and the power of the sun. Wiccans may gather to watch the sunrise, engage in outdoor activities, and perform rituals to harness the sun's energy. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, falls on August 1st and marks the first harvest of the year. It is a time to give thanks for the abundance of nature and to honor the god Lugh. Many Wiccans participate in feasts and rituals focused on bread-making or grain-related activities. Mabon, the autumnal equinox, occurs on September 21st. It celebrates the arrival of fall and the balance between light and darkness once again. During this Sabbat, Wiccans often perform rituals to express gratitude for the harvest and engage in activities that embrace the changing of the seasons. Samhain, perhaps the most well-known Wiccan holiday, takes place on October 31st. It marks the beginning of winter and is associated with honoring ancestors and the thinning of the veil between the living and the dead. Wiccans may hold rituals to communicate with spirits and engage in introspection. The final Sabbat of the year is Yule, celebrated on December 21st, the winter solstice. It is a time to welcome the return of the sun and the promise of light and warmth. Many Wiccans decorate evergreen trees and exchange gifts during Yule. In conclusion, the Wiccan holidays of 2023 follow the traditional calendar of Wicca, celebrating the changing seasons and the cycles of nature. These Sabbats provide opportunities for worship, reflection, and connection with nature and the divine..
Reviews for "Celebrating in Sacred Circles: Wiccan Holidays in 2023"
- Jennifer - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Wiccan holifays 2023". The plot was confusing and lacked depth, and the characters felt one-dimensional. It seemed like the author was trying too hard to include as many Wiccan elements as possible without actually developing a compelling story. The writing style was choppy and the pacing was off, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. Overall, I found it to be a tedious read and wouldn't recommend it.
- Michael - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "Wiccan holifays 2023". The writing was so pretentious and the author seemed more interested in showcasing their knowledge of Wiccan practices than actually telling a captivating story. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, and the characters were completely unrelatable. The book was full of cliches and predictable twists, making it a complete waste of time. Save yourself the trouble and skip this one.
- Emily - 2 stars - "Wiccan holifays 2023" fell flat for me. While the concept was intriguing, the execution left much to be desired. The pacing was incredibly slow, with long stretches of unnecessary descriptions that added little to the plot. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, and I struggled to feel invested in their journey. The world-building had potential, but it was underdeveloped and left me with too many unanswered questions. Overall, I found the book underwhelming and wouldn't recommend it to others.
- David - 2 stars - I was really expecting more from "Wiccan holifays 2023", but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction, making it difficult to stay engaged. The writing style was mediocre at best, with repetitive phrases and a lack of descriptive language. I found it difficult to connect with the characters, as they were poorly developed and their motivations were unclear. Overall, I found the book to be forgettable and wouldn't recommend it to fellow readers.