Simple Traditions

 Good Morning Dear Friends

We have been busy as ever 

as I am sure many are this time of year.

For many in the trades,

 work seems to slow down about now through spring.

That's not happened for us since opening the business.

Though a bit of a break would be nice at times,

it truly is a blessing to have the work.

(This is the one for our friends.)

Every year, we go get our Christmas tree

about a week to week and a half before Christmas.

We put real candles on the tree

so there is no way we could have a month old tree

and not have a fire hazard.

Also, I'm not sure I could handle a tree in the house

for that length of time.

It always feels nice and clean when it all comes down

and is put away for another year.

(A clear beautiful day.)

It has been cloudy and foggy here for the past couple weeks.

When we headed up the mountain to our usual place,

we broke through the clouds and were greeted with

wonderful bright sunshine.

Up on top where we stop and begin hiking,

it was 16*.

The chill felt good along with the prospect of an 

evergreen to liven up our living room.

We found one for us and one for some friends

who have 2 little ones and weren't able to go get one.

Once we find the tree(s) and make it back to the rig,

we have "real" hot chocky waiting for us.

It's a welcome treat after trekking through the snow.

It doesn't take very long walking in the snow

to get the heart rate up.

(Especially if you have short legs like me 😊) 

This year someone had left about a 3' base section of their tree

which I dragged back to use as bows around the house.

It smells so good!

We now have the tree in the house and as decorated

as it's going to get.

(Done)

We don't worry about perfect décor or the perfect shape.

That's not what it's all about.

We have made this journey every year for ages

and don't see an end to it any time soon.

It's these little acts or traditions if you will.

That's part of what makes us reliable.

Our children can depend upon certain things,

and that helps create stability.

For young and old alike,

we like the things we can depend on.

It doesn't have to be anything big or extravagant.

It's often the simple things that mean the most.

(So much help.)

Wishing each of you

a Merry Christmas

and a blessed New Year.

Beyond the Pantry Shelves

How often have you given or received a gift in a jar?

There's just something special about it no matter which end you're on.

Here and here are a couple of examples.

As wonderful as that all is, imagine something that's even better.

Here, let me show you.

You see as a home-canner, we seldom think much past the immediate:

wash the jars, heat the water, how long, what pressure, how much produce?

Of course, we know we are nourishing our family, 

securing food for winter, and usually saving money.

We tend to get stuck in those niches without giving it much more thought.

But there's more~

something deeper that we can't see.

Recently, my mother-in-law asked if I wanted some canning supplies.

They aren't doing that any more.

Of course, I said, "Sure."

They live in a small town not too far off, and Mr. LB and I work in two different towns each of the three about an hour's drive from the other. (Crazy I know.)

My M-I-L called one evening and asked 

if Mr. LB could drive the pick up the next day. 

They would be in town and would bring the canning things.

She didn't think it would fit in the car.

I laughed and asked if she was sure - note: never laugh at M-I-L.

She said, "Well, I think there are 16 boxes, 1 tote and a water canner."

I think I was still laughing not thinking she was serious -

note: quit laughing at M-I-L - she's serious!

It gets better. . .

Mr. LB drove the pickup to work and brought home the bounty.

When I saw it all and remarked that I couldn't believe how much was there, not even blinking, he said that they had already give 21 boxes to a grand daughter!

He is the youngest of five.

I can't imagine how much food was prepared for each meal.

His response to my shock was a casual, "Yea, Mom used to can a lot."

It was the weekend before I was ready to tackle the pile of boxes.

Within one of the boxes were these beautiful old blue jars~

the good ones with air bubbles in the glass.

Even some of the clear glass jars were old and had bubbles.
I think it was during the second load in the dish-washer 

that I called to thank her.

That's when she asked, "I think there were some blue jars in one of the boxes."

"Yeeeesss," I answered slowly as I looked at them drying on the counter.

They were the first ones washed.

She continued, "Could I have just one of them back?"

They were actually her grandma's (Mr. LB's great-grandma's.)

She didn't need it, and I would get it back some day, but she would like one.

"Certainly."

(Actually, I think I laughingly said I would think about it just 'cause I'm ornery."

But THAT'S what it is - whatever 'that' is.

That invisible thread that ties generations together

just by being and doing, by feeding the family, 

and by sharing the "pay" of your labor.

There's something so special in that.

Since then, I've rearranged, moved, and reevaluated things in the pantry.

I've decided the blue jars will be for herbs.

The herbs will be protected from the light, and

 it will be a "gentle" use of the jars.

And there is still one sitting on the counter - waiting:)

Below is a recipe for a meal in a jar~

a special gift,   from me . . . to you.

(In this one, I put the pasta in a plastic bag and then in the jar.) 

Chicken Noodle Soup (in a jar)

1/3 c. dried carrots

1/3 c. dried celery

1/4 c. dried onion

1/4 tsp. ground thyme

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/8 tsp. celery seeds

1/8 garlic powder

1 bay leaf

2/3 c. pasta

1 pint jar 

Layer ingredients in jar.  If you lay the bay leaf on the top of the dried items, the pasta will stay on top better - depending on what pasta you use.

Instructions:

In crock pot add jar ingredients to: 
8 c chicken broth or water
 and 3 c. chopped chicken.

Cook all day on low.
PS~ Sometimes I'll add dried peas or peppers or rice instead of pasta.
If you've been around a while, you know I have recipe issues.
If you're new to the site, 
you should know I consider a recipe as a general guideline.

                                                                                                         

Traditions by Any Other Name

It's just a way, a way of living.

We move about tending animals, foliage, and soil alike

while the seasons change around us.

It's what so many generations before us did in some fashion or other.

Putting-by in order to keep ourselves and our families

 through the cold months of winter ahead.

For centuries, this was just referred to as living.

In recent years however, there seems to be an infatuation with names.

Like members of an elite club, members proclaim that they are preppers, homesteaders, locavores, etc.

There are of course good qualities to each and all of these; however,

if we look a little deeper, there is a word that encompasses all of them.

That word is tradition.

It's not a name, just a word.

Traditionally, people worked from their homes, providing for themselves and making do with what was available to them either by their own doing or by procuring necessities through trading/bartering with neighbors for goods and services.  Doesn't that sound familiar?

Those of us who partake in such ventures today are considered by some to be anomalies, rebels, or outcasts.

But those of us who are doing the partaking know better.

We know with a knowledge greater than that portrayed by the consumer society that what we are doing is right.

How do we know?

We are following Mother Nature's example and in return, 
she usually helps us out.

When we plant the seeds, she waters.

When she provides the sun and warmth, we provide the water.

When she forgets to take care of the animals, we step up.

When we aren't there during the birthing of a lamb, calf, or kid, she usually handles it just fine.

It's a partnership, working together in tandem and taking turns.

In return for working with her, we are rewarded.

We are rewarded not only with clean nutritious foods and physical well being, but with that knowledge as well.

As the summer heat begins to ebb, the heat in our kitchens and around our homes is turned up.

The sound of the pressure cooker hisses, the knife claps against the wooden cutting board, canning jars and lids clank and chime, and the dehydrator hums along all joining in chorus to create a commotional hymn.

Meanwhile, out back, baskets and bowls are being filled.

There are now fewer animals to feed during the cold up-coming months.

And there is a woody scent and a slight haze trailing from the smoker or smokehouse if you are so fortunate.

We are those who know how many quarts and pints of veggies, how many pounds of meat, and how much feed for the stock we need to last us through the year.

We plan, work, prepare, and preserve accordingly.

We carry on, keeping alive and honoring the ways of so many 
who have gone before us.

And it's with gratitude and great reverence that we pass these skills and this knowledge on to the next generation.

It's not for any kind of monetary pay or prideful glory.

It's because, it's just the right thing to do.

This is tradition and indeed,

this is living.  

                                                        

Starting Your Own Christmas Traditions

A little tale to inspire you.

When my children were wee little munchkins~

you know that age when blankets get dragged around,

and teddy bears are still being slept with,

and yes, they were much shorter than me,

that's when it started.

It might even have been a school night.

It's difficult to remember.

I do remember they wanted to watch a Christmas movie

and had half their bedding hanging around the living room.

Of course, this time of year it gets dark about 4 o:clock.

We had eaten dinner already so

I said, "Why don't we just have a slumber party?"

We (even me) made up a giant "bed" on the floor.

I made some tea or cocoa and popped corn.

We turned the lights down and proceeded to watch our movie. 
By the time the movie was over,
they were nearly asleep.
There was no fussing about bed time.

And we did so the following year,

and the year after that, and the year after that.

You get the idea.

It's silly really, but I miss having my 'little' kids here

to do such a silly thing as watch

a movie that we've seen multiple times
and sleep on a hard floor with someones foot in my ribs.

The kids of course remember,
after all, it was just yesterday right?
Perhaps someday, they will continue it with their own children.
(Not too soon - they're not quite thaaat old.)

Another thing that started before my son was even born
was the pickle on the tree.
The story is that long ago when there was little or nothing to spare
for gifts,
a father said he was going to hang a pickle on the tree.
There was but one gift, and
the finder of the pickle got the gift.
I loved this.
I would hang our pickle ornament on the tree.
Christmas morning they would come down the stairs excitedly
and begin looking.
They seemed more excited about the pickle prize
than their actual gifts.
The pickle prize was usually something small that required a second person.
Actually, I think one year it was pick up sticks - like I've shown.
So, they still both got to play/share.

We will go get our tree today.
I've had so many people say, "You don't have a tree yet?"
No we don't.
This is actually a little early for us to get a tree.
We usually get it about a week before Christmas.
There are little 'steps' we enjoy throughout the season.
Christmas doesn't revolve around the tree or decorations for us.
It's making each of those little steps special
as we look forward to that special day
and carrying that in our hearts even after the tree is out the door.

If you have endearing traditions, I'd love for you to share
a comment so we can all enjoy.

Merry Christmas
Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

A Family Activity ~ Bird Feeder

About a year ago,

I posted that around Thanksgiving

we make a treat for the birds.

You can see that post here.

This year, the feathered little tweeties

get peanut-butter seed cones.

This can be a bit messy so be prepared.

The supply list is rather simple:

pine cones

peanut butter

bird seed

jute twine

and scissors, spoon, butter-knife, and bowl.

In case you are unaware,

pine cones close in the cold and open in the heat.

I only mention that, because

I have met so many people who don't know it.

If your pine cones are closed,

bring them in and set them by the stove

or even in the oven on a cookie sheet lined with foil.

Your first step is to tie a string of jute

(about 18 inches long) onto the top point of the pine cone.

Then use a butter knife to put peanut butter

in all the little crevices.

(I did notice I missed a spot or two when I took the picture so had to fill them in.)

Next, set the covered pine cone in a tray of bird seed.

 Use a spoon to cover it with seed.

Also, tip it on it's side and make sure there is seed

covering all the peanut butter.

Now it is ready to be hung in a tree 

for our feathered friends.

I have done this as a children's church activity,

and it went very well.

If you do so,

you might want to take plastic sandwich bags

so the children can take them home.

If you make them at home,

you can take them directly out and hang them in a tree.

Warning: try not to hang them next to where

the cats can easily get to them.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches.

Traditions, Ideas, & a Gift Tutorial

As many of you are aware,

we don't have television.

Over Thanksgiving,

we were at my in-laws

who seem to have it on for

all but a few sleeping hours.

On our way home,

Mr. LB said, "No wonder people act so stupid."

We couldn't believe what was in the shows

and especially in the commercials.

We didn't 'do' Black Friday &

find it abominable that big box stores

started their 'big sales' on Thanksgiving.

Yet we know - so be it.

There are things that are so much simpler

and for us at least, better.

When the children were just youngins,

they would string cereal on jute

and hang it out for the birds on Thanksgiving

so they could be thankful too.

It was great.

I love that memory.

The year this was taken was extra-special for the birds.

They also got bagels with peanut-butter and bird seed.

One idea I recently ran across

is to make little pockets for the Christmas tree.

When you are taking down the tree,

strip the needles from some of the branches,

and put them in the pocket for in your dresser drawers.

Then you can be reminded of Christmas

every time you open your drawer.

I thought it was a great little tradition

so here's what I came up with.

I made a very simple version

and will probably make a few more

just for a few friends.

(Just letting you know: I used some scraps I had.)

Also, I used a machine, but they would not be difficult to do by hand.

I like the more primitive look (in the real sense of the word)

so I tore a strip of tea dyed muslin at about 4 inches wide.

Then cut at about 11 inches long

Depending on the width of your fabric,

you can get 3 or 4 pockets from one strip.

Then tear an alternate color at about 1/2 inch wide.

You will need 2 that are about 4 1/2 inches long

and one that is about 4 inches ~ the width you tore your muslin.

I wanted the selvage across the edge so left it.

I used a small scrap of iron on interfacing.

This is where the button hole will be.

Also, on the second one (green) I stitched one of the

1/2 inch strips across this end and liked it better than without.

At the other end, I stitched under about 1/4 inch. 

Stitch a button hole in the end with the interfacing.

(Not done in the picture yet.)

Lay the two 1/2 inch strips along the sides. 

Fold her up and stitch along the sides

(after button hole is sewn of course.)

See below~ 

 Sew button in place.

Fill with pine needles and Christmas memories.

You could get as fancy or as detailed as you wanted.

I thought about stitching "NOEL" on one.

I may or may not do that.

I do like the one with the extra strip of color.

(The green along the selvage.)

If you know someone uses a fake tree,

you could stuff it with cedar shavings.

Other than a floral arrangement and using the Christmas napkins,

I don't decorate until a week or so before Christmas.

I do enjoy Christmas,

and like to keep the focus on the real meaning.

I know others do so differently~ 

it's all good.

Wishing you all Peace, Happiness, and Harmony

this Christmastime.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches