Welcome to February,
This is the month of Imbolc also known as midwinter, halfway between the Winter solstice and Spring equinox. Days are working to stay lighter longer, and the Earth and those of us who work closely with Her are preparing for the budding growth of spring. Planning, speculating, devising, constructing, and deconstructing each step of the next part of our journey. We often do this through daydreams, journaling, note-taking, and all the other steps that go into successful goal-tending. Yes, little things are actually accomplished but truly this is more of a prep time.
Currently, we can be found maintaining life twice a day, repairing/reinforcing all the things that need tending, as well as Mise-en-Placing for projects. I just love this little French culinary phrase, meaning to gather in place. By gathering items for the next step of a current project it becomes easier to take advantage of the spits and spurts of sun.
February is also heart health awareness month. In 1964 President Lynden B. Johnson declared the first American Heart Month to bring more awareness to heart disease. This is such an important area of health. Your heart pumps blood through your entire body. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients which are essential to your entire system as well as carrying away waste and carbon dioxide. If the pumping mechanism isn’t working properly how can the rest of the system be in good working order?
Hearts are simply amazing but heart health doesn’t only mean physical health. Yes, physical heart health is essential to life but what about the spiritual side of heart health? Do you show gratitude, hope, forgiveness, empathy, understanding, LOVE? Working daily to promote a lifestyle that includes these traits can truly help your heart’s physical well-being as well as bring more positivity to the world and that is NEVER a bad thing.
As you read through the February Fun 411 below I encourage you to pick a few of the “Days” throughout the month that make you smile or even just smirk and celebrate the day. Have fun, be fun, encourage fun. A bit of fun and celebration is always good for the heart as well as the mind and the spirit.
February Fun 411:
Flower: Violet, Primrose
Birthstone: Amethyst (Sincerity)
2-1 Imbolc (Midwinter), Spunky Old Broads Day (pretty appropriate for me LOL)
2-2 Ground Hogs Day
2-4 Stuff a Mushroom Day, Thank a Mailman Day
2-5 National Shower With a Friend Day
2-6 Lame Duck Day
2-7 Send a Card to a Friend Day
2-9 National Pizza Day
2-11 Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day (tough thing if you’re the one who had to milk)
2-13 Get a Different Name Day
2-14 Valentine’s Day
2-16 Do a Grouch a Favor Day
2-17 Random Acts of Kindness Day (This should be a daily thing for everyone)
2-18 Drink Wine Day
2-20 Cherry Pie Day
2-22 Be Humble Day (Maybe listen to “It’s Hard To Be Humble” by: Mac Davis, it’s still a favorite of mine), National Margarita Day
2-23 International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
2-24 National Tortilla Chip Day (Make it Loaded Nachos for dinner, yummy)
2-26 Carpe Diem Day (Seize this Day and make it yours), Tell a Fairy Tale Day
2-27 No Brainer Day
2-28 National Chili Day (Make a pot, beans or no beans it matters not, just chill out makin’ your favorite chili), Tooth Fairy Day
For the Month: American Heart Awareness, Creative Romance, Great American Pie For the Month Nationally: Bird Feeding, Cherry, Grapefruit, Spunky Old Broads month (Not on a day but an entire Month, This is my jam)
Happy February from the Oasis
La Vita e’ Bella, M.o.M. (Mistress of the Manor)
Oasis Farm Population +/- 164
Caretakers: 5
Cats: 6
Chickens: +/- 30
Cows Beef: 1
Cows Dairy: 1
Dogs: 3
Goats: 2
Pigs: 2
Rabbits +/- 100
Sheep: 11
Turkeys: 3
If you have it and are interested in gifting, bartering or trading let us know.
Thank you in advance.
-Airline points: we have a necessary trip coming up in April and WOW are plane tickets off the charts. If you have airline travel points you would like to donate to a worthy cause we would be eternally grateful.
-Fencing
-Working Garden Hoses
-Hay &/or Grain Feeders
-Painted Desert Ewe/Ewe Lamb (looking to diversify genetics)
-Baby Bunnies Binking (3 points for this one)
-Lambs Leaping (2 points, a.k.a. stotting)
-Chicken Tractors in Process
-Seeds - check out the Farm Store for full lists
-Currently NO deliveries
-Pick-Up days by pre-arrangement
Homemade Bubble Bath
What child doesn’t like playing with bubbles in a bathtub? Do you worry though about what goes into those commercial bubble baths aimed at kids? We sure do. Skin is the largest organ we have and it absorbs all manner of stuff. When you warm up the skin in a bath those pores open up and can absorb even more. If it’s a commercial bubble bath made with chemicals and compounds you can pronounce it probably isn’t a good choice to be using. This simple recipe for bubble bath can make bath time a bit less stressful while being safe and fun.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup warm distilled water
1/2 cup unscented liquid castile soap
1/4 vegetable glycerin
essential oils of your choice (be sure to use only brands you know to be pure and safe, not adulterated - we choose DoTerra for our family)
Instructions:
In an appropriate bottle mix all ingredients well. The glycerin might settle to the bottom of your container, this is normal. When it comes to adding essential oils you have so many options. Let your child choose their favorite or if maybe this bubble bath is for mom, you choose your favorite. Choosing essential oils that encourage relaxation can be just what you need to encourage a good night’s rest.
To Use:
Give your jar a little shake to mix in the glycerin. Don’t shake too vigorously as you’re not trying to make bubbles yet. When it looks mixed pour 1 ounce into running bath water. If this is not enough bubbles, continue adding small amounts of bubble bath until the desired bubble-ness is achieved. Enjoy
Note: This recipe can be doubled easily so if bath time is your thing and you have the bottle for it, make extra. :)
Squash, pumpkin, pumpkin, squash…did you know that all pumpkins are squash but not all squash are pumpkins? This is the time of year when cured squashes of many varieties are what we have on the menu. I can be found using Hubbards both red and blue, Banana Squash as well as Pumpkin for all things “pumpkin”. No one has known the difference except if they have seen me cooking. I say difference only in that they know I used something different and yet it basically tasted the same.
This month I'm sharing a recipe I found for pumpkin fritters as well as a new favorite, Cornmeal Cheddar Biscuits
Savory Pumpkin Ricotta Fritters
I found this recipe at mangiabedda.com. I am constantly on the look out for new ways with "squash/pumpkin".
Ingredients:
1 cup pumpkin purée
1 cup ricotta cheese
4 large eggs
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano cheese or a combination of Parmigiano and Pecorino
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (fresh if you have it)
1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves chopped (I didn’t have fresh so I used dried)
Vegetable Oil for frying (I don’t use vegetable oil instead we use our rendered lard or tallow)
Instructions:
1. Place the pumpkin purée, ricotta, Parmigiano, and eggs in a large bowl and mix together.
2. In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients.
3. Add dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until combined. Stir in chopped sage leaves.
4. Fill a heavy bottom saucepan with about 2 inches of oil and heat on high.
5. Use 2 spoons or a cookie scooper to scrape tablespoons of the batter into the hot oil. Do Not overcrowd the pan.
6. Fry until golden, the flip to fry the opposite side. This will take about 2 minutes.
7. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-covered plate.
8. Serve hot sprinkled with extra grated Parmigiano, if desired.
Cornmeal Cheddar Biscuits
We love cornbread plain and simple but I like to mix things up a bit. Not to mention I haven’t had time to separate grains for grinding so my flour mix is a little low. Being able to add cornmeal reduces the amount of flour which allows me more time to put off the inevitable…Sorting rocks from wheat.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold butter
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup milk
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients
2. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly
3. Stir in cheese and milk just until moistened.
4. Drop by 1/4 cupful, 2 inches apart onto an ungreased baking sheet. (I lined my baking sheet with parchment)
5. Bake at 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until light golden brown.
Serve Warm
Water in Winter
Do you find it difficult in winter to drink enough water? When it's a nice warm day in spring or summer it becomes much easier to take in your daily water needs. Winter on the other hand can be a bit more of a challenge. It's cold and not only can it be a challenge to drink enough water but there never seems to be a simple "warm" option that aren't coffee.
I happen to really enjoy plain hot water, yes, I suppose this can seem a bit strange but I grew up with well water. It was pure and clean and had the most incredible flavor. I wanted a warm drink but we were only allowed one cup of homemade hot cocoa a day, so hot water was my thing.
I now have a beautiful tea and herb cabinet that I can pull from for great-tasting, healthy options for winter. I get my water needs covered while improving my health. This month I would like to share some options for pepping up your cuppa (British for a cup of tea) as well as a wonderful Chai recipe.
Tea Tips
Many of these tips and the Chai recipe came from a Taste of Home magazine that I kept the page from. Unfortunately the page does not specify the year and I know I’ve had it in my recipe book for almost 2 decades now. Here is a link to Taste of Home where you can find many more amazing recipes.
Add Apple Juice and honey for an Autumn flavor.
Steep tea bag with maple syrup and sprinkle with cinnamon. Top with whipped topping or ice cream.
For a cappuccino flavor, steep tea bag in a cup of milk with a tablespoon or more of brown sugar.
For chocolate mint:
Option 1: steep a tea bag in a cup of milk, stir in a little homemade hot cocoa mix, and add a drop of peppermint essential oil (we use DoTerra)
Option 2: if you have fresh mint in your yard, make your own mint tea by steeping your mint in water until the desired flavor is met. From there add homemade hot cocoa mix.
Option 3: Steep a mint tea bag in a cup of milk and stir in homemade hot cocoa mix.
For a citrus flavor heat water with honey, a lemon slice, and a cinnamon stick, then add your tea bag OR stir orange marmalade and lemon juice into your steeped cuppa.
For a holiday-esque cuppa, mix tea with cranberry juice and add cloves, cinnamon, and brown sugar to taste.
Chai
Ingredients:
2 cups water
2 tea bags
1 cinnamon stick (3 inches)
6 cardamom seeds, crushed
1 whole clove
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
2 1/2 cups milk
1/3 cup sugar
Optional toppings: whipped cream, ground cinnamon, and additional cinnamon sticks.
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan combine water, tea bags, cinnamon stick, cardamom, clove, and ginger. Bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Stir in milk; return to a boil for 1 minute. Do not scald.
4. Strain tea, discarding tea bags and spices. Stir in sugar until dissolved.
5. Ladle into mugs and Garnish. Enjoy
Community Partners
My new obsession. Quail eggs! Aren’t they gorgeous? We received these from our wonderful community partner, Cooper’s Homestead and Crafts.
Yes, they sell them for eating $4/dozen or hatching $5/dozen, or over 8 dozen $3/dozen. If interested contact: Rachelle Cooper text: 530-782-8545
A huge THANK YOU to Salina at Artistic Wonders for the wonderful Graphic Art.
If you require art of any sort give her a shout at:
artisticwonderscreates@gmail.com