My little world is humid and gray today. I’m sitting by the window while my tea steeps and my little stove gets it’s oven up to fritatta-making temperatures. So, I thought I’d share a few of the little things with you while I wait. Watching: the sheep graze outside the window. They are pretty indifferent…
Teas, Trees, Spreading Nettles, and Herbal Elixirs
I’m trying to add a long-infusion of nettles to my daily routine. Not just nettles, though they are the backbone of the tea, but nettles, ashwagandha, burdock, and yarrow. It’s a drying, circulation boosting blend full of nutrients. Since my constitution is pretty slow and damp, it feels fantastic to me – very energizing and…
Why Homesteaders Don’t Get Invited to Parties
Homesteaders aren’t always the most fun people to be around – have you noticed? Not only do we have too many demands on our time to stay late at parties or take surprise trips to the coast, but we like to talk about those demands ad nauseam. If you say to your homesteading friend “I…
Pentecost
Our parish priest was away this week, presenting at the Healing Land Homesteading conference. Usually, when he’s gone, we take the opportunity to attend Mass at our previous parish in town. But this week, we decided to visit the Melkite mission instead. When we arrived, though, no one was at the church. Had I gotten…
Spring and Solitude
It’s been a busy time here in the woods. I really should get a good camera. There are adorable goat-babies frolicking around (and on) their mother. There are ugly goslings hissing at me from their tiny mouths. There are ducklings and chicks and their enthusiastic-but-over-large dog-friend. There are pigs rooting around in the earth. The…
Checking In With Friends
My dear friend, Daja wrote a little Mid-Lent Check In on her blog the other day. I read it today during my morning online and just had to respond. I love posts like this one – full of tiny peeks into the lives and minds of the people I love. They’re so cozy and intimate….
Lenten Notes
How on earth can I ever put anything useful up here if all I’m doing is updating occasionally? My poor, neglected blog-friends! How is your Lent going? Mine is delightful, though I’ve gotten distracted these past few days by a visit from my sweet parents. They’re here to celebrate my son’s upcoming birthday, to put…
Winter Gloom
It’s been a gray, gloomy winter so far. We’ve had one, glorious snowstorm and tons of heavy rain. The skies are overcast and the air is heavy. It feels very much like what I imagine a British winter would be. But I miss my wild, snowy, New England winters. I’m hoping January and February feel…
Sunday Quiet
I hope nobody believes me when I say “I’ll be writing here more often.” Trust me, every time I say it, it’s a lie. But it’s New Year’s Day! The Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus! I’m feeling all wrapped up in potentialities. So here I am, plying you all with false promises again. I…
Making & Making Do
Are we in a recession? Who knows – I certainly don’t. Labels and certainties have never really been my strong point. And anyway, the answers vary depending on who you ask. All I know is that whether I’m going to the grocery store, filling up the gas tank, or buying feed for the animals –…
Y is For Home! 