Ice Tea 3 Ways

The lightning bugs are blazing, and the humidity is high and there's nothing better then sitting back with an ice cold beverage.  Here are a few ways I like my tea (and it's not sweet).  

First off, I boil a few cups of water and add 6-8 green tea bags to a half gallon jar.  Then I fill it with cold water and remove the bags.  

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I'm an avid gardener and love to use herbs for flavoring.  If you don't have herbs you might find them at a farmers market, or ask a friend with a herb garden.

When my lemon balm gets to big and is about to flower  I cut it all down and rinse it off, then add it to a pot of boiling water and steep it for 3 minutes.  After it cools pour it into ice cube trays and freeze.  I add these to my plain ole tea for a burst of flavor, not to mention the health benefits of lemon balm.  You could also use lemon grass or lemon verbena herbs.

If you have kids you could make a healthy version of lemon aid by adding a *simple syrup to the lemon balm tea.  Then add strawberries and fresh basil for extra sweetness-it's delish!

 In the evenings when I'm ready for a little cocktail, I add a shot of this to a glass of ice tea.  It's got a wonderful apple, cinnamon flavor that's a nice flavoring for my tea (it's a little to sweet for me all by itself) and it comes from a local organic distillery in Three Oaks Michigan.

The house is clean and it's time to kick back with a
summertime drink!

*Simple syrup-boil equal parts water and sugar until it's reduced by half.  You can flavor the syrup with herbs and spices for drinks.

Creating a Haven

After being stuck inside for the winter and early spring I'm ready to move outdoors.  Dinners are enjoyed on the patio or in mosquito weather in the gazebo.  Instead of cleaning my house, I'll take weeding the garden any ole day.   It's work I enjoy, a time to de-stress and think.

Right now I can harvest asparagus, rhubarb and a mix of greens from my garden and soon strawberries.   In the heat of summer it's where I "shop" for food every single day.  Whatever my garden offers gives me the challenge of "What's for dinner."  It's my safe haven for organic food.  It might not look like a lot of garden, but I use my raised beds to the max.  Pack them full of great soil from the compost pile and do a 3 year rotation on my crops.  This years crop includes,  Yukon gold potatoes, tomatoes (10 plants), peppers, zucchini,  winter squash,  broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, kale, mustard greens, leaf lettuce, bok choy, okra, onions, basil, peas, and cucumbers.

We eat mainly vegetarian style but don't limit ourselves.  We just bought some organic beef from our friends farm so we know exactly what's going into our bodies.  Once in a while I crave meat for the protein and there is nothing better than steaks and burgers on the grill.

Whether you have a tiny plot or a big one it's easy to turn it into an outdoor living space.  Our front porch has comfy vintage ivy terrace furniture for an afternoon book read in the shade.  If I had a shed I would probably turn it into a summer guest house or bedroom!  Space you can escape to without ever leaving home.

What does your Haven look like?  

There are lots more beds behind the flower garden that you can't see from here.
Even on a rainy day it's beautiful.

My fire pit is ready for a campfire with friends.

Everyday is a new adventure when you garden.

Shipshewana Flea Market

I'll be in Shipshewanna every Wednesday at the Taproot Tee's booth Come visit us at 606 row 18.  I'll be selling up cycled antiques, and harmonica neck gear.  Kim creates hand painted, original designed tee's.

Wear Your Heart on a Tee

I'm designing a line of fun t'shirts with quotes and sayings that I love.  I sent the first one to Rosemary so she could model it where it would look the best...the Colorado mountains!  Rose and her husband, Drew went on a drive yesterday to one of my favorite little mountain towns (Salida) to explore new trails, restaurants and shops!  

I will be adding these to my easy shop soon, but I'm giving you (my loyal followers) first dibs!  The shirts are a try-blend, and are a fitted ladies style.  Rose usually wears a small and she's wearing a Medium (the smallest size I ordered).  The last picture is the truest match for the color, more of a muted try-color blend of blues.  Very soft and comfortable fabric that holds it's shape nicely.  $25.00 each.   Leave a comment here or on Facebook if interested.

SPRING

I have just dropped into the very place I have been seeking, but in everything it exceeds all my dreams.    Isabella Bird

MOUNTAIN CLOTHING

Flannels, and cotton shirts-All season mountain wear for Etsy.

This might seem like the wrong season to be adding long sleeved shirts to my shop but trust me, it's the perfect time!  We had a saying when I lived in Dillon, Colorado (at 10,000 feet) that we had winter, late winter, spring and early winter.  If you're like me and don't like humidity, Colorado has the perfect weather.  You can have a nice warm summer day, and in the evening still wear a flannel shirt or even a wool sweater.  Very good sleeping weather.  

So with that being said, this collection is literally perfect year round mountain wear.  We also always layer in Colorado because the weather temperatures can change dramatically.   I learned the hard way about monsoon season while hiking at about 13,000 feet without a jacket.   

I choose shirts that are worn to perfection, meaning very soft but in very nice condition.  Then I make them mine by adding a patch and our logo to the back (so you can show your own sense of adventure).  I always look for natural fibers and high end brand names with excellent quality.

I love the colors of this shirt, basic brown and red.

A red and white mountain patch

Not just for men!   Wear it with a sensible compass necklace that will come in
handy while exploring!

light weight cotton, red, white and blue

Thermal paired with a flannel

Front

Back Patch

Carheart

Army green work shirt

Spring Forage

Spring time in Northern Indiana is still pretty monochromatic in other words blah.  The first green shoots you see (that look like grass) are the wild chives.  Such a welcomed herb if you like garlic and onion flavors.  I grabbed a couple of handfuls (just the top part) to use in my cooking this week while on a walk.

My husband and I love (a store bought) salad dressing called Low Fat Sweet Vadalia Onion.  Anything low fat usually has lots of added sugar so I wanted to try my hand at making it, but a healthier version.   Ed gave it two thrombus up.  So here it is.

1 tbs rice wine vinegar (you can use regular white vinegar)

2 tsp local honey

2-3 tsp onion powder

1 cup honey greek yougurt

S & P to taste

2 pinches of spring chives

Whisk together in this order, you can adjust the dressing to taste, (you may like it a little sweeter).  Plain yogurt can be used as well but you'll need more honey or natural sugar.

This dressed about 3 medium sized salads so adjust your recipe accordingly.

Walking the Pumpkin Vine

Spring chives

If you aren't sure if they are chives pick some and smell the cut end-they
smell like garlic.

Pax-the wonder dog.  My kid replacement, little buddy, constant companion :)

Chives and eggs 

store in an air tight container in the fridge.

Once they dry they loose their flavor, then it's

time to go for another walk in the woods.