Haymaker’s Switchel

The wassail posted earlier got me to thinking about drinks. But mine is not to warm you up but cool you off.  This is not my own recipe obviously, it was passed to me from a friend.  I have had it and other drinks like it but I have never made it before.  It’s a wonderful drink for those hot, thirsty summer days.   It is very refreshing and I  like something other than soda or kool-aid.  I do know there are a few variations floating around so if this doesn’t work out to your liking don’t give up on it.  I plan on making it this summer for our annual trip to Ragnarök, which is quite fitting as those long hot days of endless battles do work up a thirst.

1 gal. water
2 c. sugar
1 c. molasses
1 c. vinegar
1 tsp. ginger

Mix all ingredients and serve on ice.  You can make this a couple hours in advance and set in the fridge.  The longer it sets the mellower the ginger can become.

HERE.NOW.

 

Kris of A  Small  Life

I had a nice little post planned about my attempts to wrangle my disorganized right-brained self into some semblance of order through the help of routines-the FlyLady way.  Something else came up that I wanted to explore, so I will write more about  routines at my blog next week. 

   Recently I have had some extreme psychological ups and downs.  Now that I have ‘evened-out’ I realize I have been emotionally distant from my present tense life; either very up and excited about plans, hopes and dreams for the future or  ‘hiding under the covers’.  I have been neglecting the here and now.  I don’t know about the rest of you, but it is a constant struggle for me to ’stay in the moment’.  I have such GREAT plans and ideas and goals, I am constantly looking ahead.  I forget how great the RIGHT NOW is.  Today is  the fulfillment of yesterday’s dream and I need to spend some time enjoying the fruits of my labor.   To stop and smell the roses, as they say.  To stop and truly be. here. now.

I have a very hard time sitting still; I am forever moving on the next thing.  I think I have a hard time being still because I am not truly comfortable in my own skin and having a project ‘in the works’  keeps my attention directed outward.   I have found myself with extra time this winter, but instead of relaxing and enjoying-I am filling my time with more projects, more goals, more to do lists.  There is nothing wrong with projects-it’s just a matter of balance!

I am practicing mindfulness in the odd moments of the day, checking in with my breath, with my emotions, trying to really SEE what is around me.  I am also carving out a nice 20 minutes every morning to sit in the dark living room with a fragrant cup of tea and just breathe, learning how to be comfortable in my own skin, right here, right now.  What brings YOU, the reader, back to the wonder of the present moment?  To the laugh of a child, to the sparkle of a frosty morning, or the awe of clouds scudding across the face of the moon.

Christmas Traditions

As we move into December, we at Willow’s Cottage turn our attention to our Christmas Traditions.  Because we have lived in many different cities and countries, our traditions are not connected to places but to activities.  These traditions are just three of the many things we do to celebrate our favorite season.

Baking Cookies– Every year, I bake cookies using my German grandmother’s sugar cookie recipe.  I roll out the dough and create shapes using her old tin cookie cutters.  I remember making cookies with my grandma at her house, then later with my mother and grandmother and  then sharing the time with my children when they were very young.  I love making these cookies, then frosting and decorating them and sharing them with my neighbors.

Sending Cards– I love to send Christmas cards!  Buying and mailing all those cards can get expensive, so I always purchase cards the week after Christmas and save them for the next year.  I realize that most people have stopped sending Christmas greetings, if indeed they ever sent them at all, but this tradition is one I budget into my Christmas costs because it’s important to me.

Listening to Carols– Starting on Thanksgiving Day, we listen to Christmas music.  We love it all– Handel’s Messiah, Silent Night, Silver Bells, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.  Singing and listening to carols is a free activity and one that gives us great pleasure.

What are your Christmas traditions?

Games people play

by Teresa

I’m sure the Cat-Herder and I aren’t the only people who look for fun, inexpensive things to do with our friends, other than throwing  a dinner party. (Always fun, but a bit of work.) One couple we’re friends with has gotten us into a habit of periodic gaming days.  They both love games of all kinds–in fact, he’s been featured in the local paper for his amazing collection of vintage board games–and so does my husband.

I was dubious at first. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a bit of a ferret. Two modes, working or tipped over on the couch. I wasn’t sure I could handle play that I couldn’t excuse with redeeming social value. You know what I’m talking about, because I bet a lot of you busy ladies make the same excuses to allow yourselves some recreation: knitting makes gifts! my doctor told me dance classes help with my back problem! the flower garden attracts bees to the veggie garden! Etc, etc.

To my surprise, I’m loving game days. We talk and laugh and play and eat and drink and can’t wait to do it again when it’s finally time to say good night.

My favorites are card games. I’ve gotten hooked on rummy. I also like word games such as Boggle, though when we play those, the guys tend to go into another room and hide from the competition between me and the other woman. But we play all kinds of wacky things: kids’ games, board games, strategy games that last all afternoon. Sometimes it’s just us, or us and the House-Geek. Sometimes other people are invited. It’s always fun.

We’re all avid cooks and fond of a tipple, so we usually enjoy a little wine or beer over the course of a day and have quite a spread of food, but there’s no reason to make it complicated or expensive. We pot-luck, each couple tosses in a bottle from our collection, and we enjoy a great day of games, eats, and great company at a very reasonable cost. (OK, after the last one we all went out to a very nice restaurant and the cost wasn’t quite as reasonable, but you have to splurge sometimes!)

Walk this way

by Stephanie of Going Green in So. IL

It’s fairly easy to do, you can do it almost anywhere and doesn’t really cost much (outside of a decent pair of shoes).  It’s something I confess that I really need to do more often.   Ideally I would be hiking out in the Shawnee National Forest, nature is my battery charger, but just about any place where I can walk without bumping into a ton of people will do.  I’ve walked the parking lot on my lunches at work before.  I think a lot during my walks,which makes it an ideal activity when Im really pissed off.   I sort through the garbage that tends to clutter my brain, I look at problems like pathways and try to work them out.  It’s usually also a refresher. 

If I’m having to do some urban walking such as the parking lot or the mall then I usually am listening to music. Depending on the reason I’m walking and what type of state of mind I want post walk will determine the type of playlist I will load up. I don’t have a super expensive mp3 player,  just something that will do what I want and not be bulky.  The great techno beats are usually for when I’m trying to stay at a faster pace or when I really need to wake up.  Cool downs, cool offs and lazy strolls tend to be tracks from what I call the “spa” genre but I’ve been known to put on some John Lee Hooker or other blues artists.

Timing can really be a crunch for most of us.  How can we possibly walk away from all the things that we are doing or need to be done?   Im asking how can you NOT?  It is crucial to our own health, both mentally and physically to make ourselves take the time out for activities such as this. I try to go for a minimum of 30 minutes, if I’m on lunch I try for 15.   Sometimes when I’m super steamed at home its just a couple blocks down to the gas station and back but I always feel better afterward no matter how long or short the walk is.

R&R

by Annette @ The Ward House

Yes, when I relax wool and wood are involved.  Having the time to just sit and relax is rare so I need something that is portable, that can be picked up and put down without much to-do.  Yesterday, amidst snow and rain, Ronnie and I traveled up to Monterey to visit a store called Wool Becomes Ewe; So much fiber, so little time.  I splurged and picked up two rolls of Encore Colorspun, worsted weight yarn, by Plymouth Yarn ($5.98/each).  My color is 7128 ->  What am I going to do with this yarn?  Another sock.  I believe with the appropriate yarn and pattern, a pretty, wearable sock can be made.  I am finishing the toe of a wearable, though not very pretty, first ever, is-going-to-be-a-primitive- decoration stocking, sock.

The pattern I am using is by Sassy Stripes, and is a free pattern.

View this document on Scribd

This is where I am at the moment. . . An intermediate level pattern, similar to the beginning pattern used for the primitive decoration stocking sock mentioned above.  My plan is to learn to knit socks, two at a time, on two circular needles – for that I will take a class at Wool Becomes Ewe.

Pick something that relaxes/distracts you for some down time.  For me, the act of knitting is relaxing.  My girls play high school volleyball and when they went to State, some of the games were so high tension that I had to start knitting a dishcloth.  It was finished by the end of the match.  *whew*  We were the state runner-up’s btw.  =-)

I believe I’ve said this before in another post- do not let a pattern intimidate you.  Obviously a beginning crafter would not pick up an expert pattern; however, the challenging patterns are what helps us to grown and learn.  Take a class, learn via YouTube, find a friend, make a friend.

Permission To Put Yourself First!

By Kris of A Small Life

This summer I cut my work schedule down to 25 hours per week to spend extra time with my kids, now it is November and I am feeling a little guilty about not ‘getting back to businesss’.  I am getting over it nicely however!  I realized that I have spent a lot of time putting myself last and that it is acceptable-admirable even-to practice self-care.  If I don’t take care of myself -who will?  And if I run myself into the ground how will I ever have the resources to care for others?   

One of the things which has been occupying my time and recharging my batteries has been exercise.  I am not, nor have I ever been, an athlete.  I joined our YMCA and have been having a blast swimming (once getting over the swimming suit in public thing).  I can’t breathe and front crawl at the same time but I do a mean backstroke!  It has turned into a moving meditation,  just me and my breath and the view of the ceiling; nothing else exists.  I did not expect to enjoy swimming but it has become something I look forward to.

Another form of self-care is acknowledging my requirement for quiet and no deadlines.  I was going a little crazy towards the end of the summer, spending time with my kids was great-but I need time which is my own-nobody else in the house and quiet.  I have that time now and I am like a spring slowly relaxing, tension running out of me.

I have found myself to be a much more relaxed Mom.  There is more cuddling before the bus comes, better meals planned, fewer blow-ups, and less guilt on my part.  Now I realize most of us do not have the luxury of dictating work hours, but how can you take better care of yourself?  How can you find a little ME time?  Is there an hour or two you can stake out every week for an appointment with yourself?  I would like to hear some of your creative solutions.

homemaking resources

I’m switching it up! Instead of my normal verbose post, I want to turn it around and ask all of you a question. Our topic for the next few days is hobbies and relaxation, and since I have been stress baking up a storm lately (which I have previously covered) I had to think of something else.

Something we all obviously have in common is reading blogs. (Shall we all say “duh” together?) Some blogs I read are inspirational, some are educational and informative, and some are purely escapist. The topics range from arts and crafts to photography to sustainable design, with a lot covered in between. Some are huge professional sites with thousands of daily readers, but most are not. I get something out of each of them, however.

Which brings me to my question for you. What are your favorite homemaking blogs? A few rules, just to keep this on track!

- Not this one (or any of the authors here), though we hope we’re a favorite!
- Not your own (I love following your links from your comments, though!)
- Not ALL the blogs you read, just pick your top few!
- “Homemaking” is a large, vague topic, so it could include homesteading or crafts or food or whatever

While blog-hopping is a favorite hobby of mine, I thought it would be fun to see what else you are reading and share those sources with everyone. I hope you agree and leave some comments; I look forward to some fabulous new-to-me blogs.

Please tell us, what are your top online resources for homemaking?

Connecting

Dear Friends at HWW,

Like most other people in North America, I have been spending more than my usual amount of time thinking about being thankful.  This happens every November, I’m sure.  I am thankful every day for my husband, my family, freedom to travel when and where I wish, my job, daily bread–food, drink and shelter.  Thinking about the many blessings I have, I remember my friends who do not live near me.  Most of my friends and family live in other cities and other states.  Staying connected with them should be a yearlong priority, not just in November. 

I stay in touch with my friends several ways. I send emails regularly.  Daily IMs with my out of state daughter help me stay in touch with her life and my grandson’s development as a toddler.  My sister-in-law sent me a message this morning asking for more details about my children than what she had gleaned from my Willow’s Cottage blog.  Someone else mentioned that she was keeping up with my activities via Facebook.  These are all great ways to stay connected. 

But sometimes, I want a more tangible connection.  That’s when I get out my note cards and pen and write a letter. In the busyness of my days, I tell myself that I do not have time during the week to ‘write’ to people.  But if I take a note card with me to work, I can grab a couple of minutes during breaks or lunchtime to pen a quick note.  I’ve found that if I give myself permission to write ’short notes’ I actually communicate with more people.  Waiting until I have time to write a long letter, I’ll probably never even start it.  Two or three paragraphs fit perfectly on a note card and I can write at least one paragraph during one work break.  Because I am gone from home three days a week, that’s three friends who will receive a personal note from me!

How about you? Can you focus on sending short notes to three people this week, reminding them of how much they mean to you all during the year and not just Thanksgiving week?

Happy Thanksgiving Week, Everyone!

Love, Willow

Squirreling away…

By Joanna of Keeping Feet

Not long after I started cooking a few years ago, the Baking Season Bug hit me. You know what I mean, right? The days get shorter and colder, the garden is put to bed, and I’m spending lots more time inside. The house is getting cooler, too, and warm baked goods do wonders to warm both house and tummies.

Also, the occasions to bake keep piling up. Cookies can be sent as presents in colorful tins. Parties demand that some sweet be brought to share with a crowd. Coworkers especially appreciate a plate of cookies or muffins left in the breakroom. I’ve started a tradition to decorate cookies for Santa with my nephews. Baking, baking, baking.

It’s not just sweets, though. I’ve found that I’ve been motivated to cook and squirrel away in the freezer other dishes, too. That’s how I feel, actually- like a squirrel, hiding away my nuts before winter comes full force. Not that I’ll have anything better to do when winter DOES come full force, other than bake, but it’s nice to have pans of ready-made meals, just in case… you know, I decide to hibernate or something. When the cold and darkness are upon us full force, that’s pretty much all I feel like doing. I’m glad to know the freezer will be stocked and we’ll still eat, even when I don’t feel like crawling from under the covers.

Recently, I modified this recipe to use lasagna noodles rather than shells with much success- and put away another ten servings into the freezer while I was at it!

Lasagna Roll-ups
1 Box of Lasagna noodles, cooked to al dente according to the box’s directions
2 26 oz. cans spaghetti sauce (I used the equivalent amount of home-canned sauce)
1 box frozen spinach
1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp each salt and pepper
2 eggs
2 cups shredded cheese

- Spread 1/2 – 1 cup spaghetti sauce into base of each baking dish.
- Cook frozen spinach as directed on package. Drain excess liquid after cooking.
- In large skillet, brown the ground beef with chopped onion. Drain, rinse and return to skillet. Add the rest of the spaghetti sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir in the spinach.
- Stir in eggs.
- Stir in shredded cheese. Reserve some for topping.
- This is the tricky part. Make cylinders of the noodles and stand on end in the baking dish. Spoon meat into pasta shells. Alternatively, lay a noodle in the dish, spoon filling in the middle of the noodle, and wrap the rest of the noodle around the filling (see here) The latter is easier to accomplish and just as tasty! The vertical noodles are more impressive-looking, though. Top with cheese
- Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.
- Freeze leftovers after baking and cooling.

Has the Baking Season Bug bit you yet? What do you put away in your freezer for a “hibernation day”?