Where can I buy.....

the co-op sells those smudge sticks.

Most of the chain drugstores have big packages of tea lights. I've got a big package of 25 vanilla-scented tea lights I picked up at the Walgreen's at 3rd and Atlantic -- not Park Slope, I know, but I've seen similar packages at other chain drugstores -- that was only $2.99 (or you could buy two packages for $5), and when I got them they also had unscented ones for the same price.

Don't know about the sage, though I'd imagine any store that carries a lot of candles and incense would carry smudge sticks. In a pinch you could buy a package of fresh sage at a grocery store and dry it yourself. I've done that myself before.

To oven dry, you spread a single layer of the sage on a cookie sheet or shallow baking pan. Put it in a warm (180°F or less ) oven for two to four hours. Leave the door cracked open a bit and stir the herbs periodically until they are thoroughly dry. Of course, if you dry herbs in your oven, keep a close eye on them and check them frequently to make sure they don't overdry or catch on fire. Bonus: It smells really good while you're doing this.

Herbs can also be dried in a microwave. Spread a layer on a paper towel and cover with a second sheet. Set the microwave control on high and cook 'em for one to three minutes, checking every 20 seconds or so until they're really dry.

Then just let the leaves cool and bind them up tightly in cotton string to make your smudge stick.

Flexichick wrote: I never saw vanilla tea lights. I have a car, so maybe a trip to Walgreens is in order (and if it's too cold, maybe drive to BttL)

For what it's worth, I did pick them up over a month ago, but I used to live down the block from that Walgreen's and they almost always had the packages of 25 tea lights for sale. They're usually in a bin up front near the registers.

Flexichick wrote: Went to BttL (or Back to the Bank as it is sometimes known as) and got my sage and also some tea lights - they were $2.25 for a box of 10, which is too expensive, but I bought them anyway

How much *should* I be paying for tealights? I usually buy them at BTL or some other pricey place, just for the convenience.

If you know of any reasonably priced local places, I'd love to know. I haven't found anywhere yet.

I just got an almost Ikea-size bag (not sure how many this one has, but its at least 50) at the dollar store on 5th btw 14th and 15th for $2.99.

Velcome!

Nah, I don't think it will get rid of your neighbors, but might help change the energy between you two, or even the way you react to her.

Part of my NYE ritual (I do it other times as well, but specifically at the start of a new year) to get the negative juju out of the house.

This link explains the idea and process in pretty simple terms:
http://www.rainbowcrystal.com/crystal/smudge.html

they don't have anything to do with smudging. I just wanted some for the house.

Remember to toss a a pitcher of water H2O out the front door at midnight to get rd of the bad mojo.

I never heard the water before. What culture is that from?

I already video Skyped with my friends in Madrid and they gave me cyber grapes y un brindis. Next year maybe I'll be there.

Until then, I have 2 1/2 hours of self-imposed exile.

Goodbye and good riddance to 2006!

Did you read the link above? That will tell you what smudging is.

I already bought at BttL, but then today I bought 50 more tea lights for about 3 bucks at a dollar (ok, 3 dollar) store on 5th Ave. I probably could have found them even cheaper if I was determined.

I think there is a device out there that you can buy - it's kind of like a tv remote but it will turn off any tv you point it at.

Yesterday I saw 25 packs of unscented tea lights for 99 cents at that Asian 99 Cent Store on the West side of 5th Ave, 2 or 3 blocks in from Flatbush. There're a few Botanicas left in the neighborhood too, on 5th Ave, 4th Ave and elsewhere, they should have the sage.

Flexichick wrote: Well, considering 25 scented candles cost $2.99 or 2 bags/$5, 10 lights for $2.25 unscented seems too much.

The last time I bought some it was a HUGE bag at Ikea and super cheap. I don't remember how much.

I believe it's 2.99 for 100 tealights at IKEA. I always stock up when I go there. Plus there is more wax per candle than the ones bought in the little packs at Drugstores/etc.

I bought a larger pack at Target recently and I thought it was a pretty good deal, however the candles didn't last as long as the IKEA ones.