Hearts... Free Crochet Pattern

Embellish a scarf, applique on an afghan, add a tassel for a bookmark...  All sorts of things can be sweetened with these cute crochet hearts!

INSTRUCTIONS:

Base Round:  On a magic round chain 2, then 7 sc in the round.  Pull the ring tight to close.
Chain 3, then turn and work on the back.
2 dc in first stitch
2 dc in second stitch
1 dc in third stitch
chain 1, dc in fourth stitch; at the end of that dc, ch 1, then slip stitch back into the top of same dc (like a small picot -- this will give you the point at the base of the heart)
chain 1, then dc into the fifth stitch
2 dc in sixth stitch
2 dc in seventh stitch
chain 3, then join with a slip stitch into the top of the heart.

The Seasonal Cough and Cold

The cold season comes, of course, with the seasonal cold.  We're in the midst of a winter cold.  While Handsome is up and back at the office armed with a box of tissues, the girls and I are in quarantine.  Playdates, music lessons and tap class have been cancelled and we're resting.  Television does a good job of distracting us from our discomfort.  My Happy daughter is upstairs in Mum and Dad's bed watching Little Rascals and my Lovely daughter, being older, is downstairs reclining on a couch, satisfied to watch British Railway Journeys with me.


MULLEIN AND MINT TEA

Two years ago, after Handsome experienced a terrible cough, my love of natural remedies led me to discover mullein's soothing properties.  As Dog and I went for our usual amble along our country roads, I was struck by the abundance of mullein.  Mullein is considered a weed, but in herbalists' circles it is a natural medicine that is quite safe to use.  (Do your research before harvesting and using, and be extremely careful to identify plants correctly!)

Mullein can soothe coughing.  Paired with mint in a tea, it's a staple in our family.  I use peppermint from my herb garden which is often tempered with warmer spearmint.  For one good mug, I'll use one teaspoon dried mullein and one-half teaspoon dried mint for ten minutes in a fine filter since mullein has little hairs.  Stir in a bit of raw and/or local honey for added benefit.  (Regardless of our discipline in using healthy herbs, we're still a bit naughty and treat ourselves to cold ice cream and popsicles!)

I'm off to make a cuppa...  Here's to your good health!

Jess

January Skating, Hot Cocoa and Warm Soup

SKATING

This morning, we slipped out for a quick skate on the pond before the snowstorm hit.  The dry summer left our skating pond down two feet from its usual level, so we had to slide down the bank through the brambles quite a ways to reach the edge.  To my surprise, I sank a foot in smelly stagnant water and mud because the edges of the pond weren't completely frozen.  I still managed to stuff my wet feet into skates, though and we were off!  Cold air, rosy cheeks, spins and spills...  What a grand time!  (My Happy daughter tells the story in her charming way at:  http://gatheringpetals.blogspot.com/2017/01/saturday-seventhwhat-nice-day.html.)

In the Connecticut countryside there may be some ponds and small lakes scattered about, but I'll never forget the lakes in Maine.  There are alot of them, and they're typically large.  I remember as a teenager, skating almost the complete length of Sabbathday Lake in New Gloucester.  Those lakes would freeze so thick, the men out ice fishing would simply drive their pick-up trucks out on the ice to set up a fishing hole.

HOT COCOA

Back home, we started a fire in the wood stove and filled our bellies with hot cocoa and tea.  For hot cocoa, do yourself a favor and make your own.  It's simple and yummy.  Fill a jar with equal parts cocoa powder (Ghirardelli is our favorite) and sugar.  Mix it thoroughly.  Keep it in the cupboard and when you're back home from skating, heat up 5 tablespoons of the mix with 2 cups of whole milk.  Be careful to keep from scalding the milk.  It's enough for two small mugs for the kids.  The amount of sugar used in the mix and the amount of mix added to the milk can be adjusted to suit your taste.

WARM SOUP

As the day goes on, we're being buried under a thick layer of soft snow.  We're tucked inside staying warm and making soup.  My handsome husband has been in bed all day with a bad cold and fever.  Soup is just what we all need.  Here's an easy Hamburger Soup.

Heat up a bit of oil and brown 1 pound hamburger, 1 medium onion (chopped), and 2 large carrots (chopped).  Season with salt and pepper.

When the onions and carrot are tender, add one can (about 16 ounces/2 cups) tomato sauce and four cups of water.  Bring to a steady simmer.

At this point you can add about 4 medium potatoes, scrubbed and cubed.  Peel them if you want.  Alternatively, you could do as I did and dice last night's leftover baked potatoes and yams.  Yam skins can be very thick, so I removed them.  If there were any other leftover veggies, I would have stuck them in, too.  Soup is a good way to economize, use up leftovers and clean out the fridge.

Add 1 or 2 bay leaves and 1 teaspoon crushed thyme and simmer the soup for an hour before serving.  If the bay leaves are very fresh, they should only steep for about 15 minutes and then be removed.  Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings along the way.

After the soup has simmered, the veggies are tender and the seasonings properly adjusted, add 8 ounces cubed Monteray Jack or other cheese.

Serve with some buttered toast triangles.

Warm food, warm fire, warm smiles!

I wish the same to you!

Jess

Welcome!

I just brewed some Harney's Organic Assam, stirred in a half spoonful of coconut sugar and a splash of Smyth's creamy whole milk...mmm...

It's January and this little part of Connecticut near the river valley is uncovered and brown.  "Just wait five minutes and the weather will change."  Have you heard that old New England saying?  It is very often true.  Yesterday was sunny and mild; today is gray and chilly. My Channel 3 app just texted that snow is on the way...  (Okay, that's 24 hours, not five minutes, I know!)  I'll keep the fire blazing and the girls and I will stay warm in our valley home when the icy weather hits.

How's your weather?  Is it perfect for wrapping your hands around a steamy cuppa?  Or are you getting ready to go for a walk on the beach and bury your toes in the warm sand?  (That sounds nice!)

Well, there's my segue:  the weather.  Safe subject, huh?  You might wonder who I am and why I'm blogging.  I'm a homemaking wife to a handsome, hardworking husband and homeschooling mum to two beautiful girls.  I have tried blogging in the past, but my subject focus was too narrow.  The purpose of this blog is to journal my New England sights and share some homekeeping and homeschooling ideas, as well as other interests and hobbies.  Perhaps, my friend, you'll have some things to share with me, too!

Jess