Happy Holidays everyone !! No matter how you celebrate at this time of year, I hope you can be with those in your bub ble and you can find peace ,joy and gratitude for all that you have !

For me I’m grateful my family is close by and staying healthy…we will celebrate as best we can ,its been hard for me to really get excited this year, I scaled back on everything …decor, baking ( I can hear my kids gasping at that one !!)and presents, but all is good!  I’m sure by Christmas Eve I’ll  get wound up!

I feel for those who can’t  be with family this year or have lost a dear one …its all very heartbreaking for sure. Last Christmas we would not have believed what 2020 had in store for us! As a Facebook post said who would have thought we could use pot legally but getting together with family would be illegal !

How are your celebrations changing this year? Are you scaling back or going all out crazy with food or gifts ? This year has been a trial and a wake up call for all of us , emphasizing what is important and what we can do without.

Maybe this is a good year to start a new tradition! I love how in some Scandinavian countries Christmas Eve is a time when families give each other books then the evening is spent reading. I’m sure fires are lit and good food abounds…I could really get behind that!

I always buy books for my Grandkids. I came from a family of readers and am so happy my two eldest Grandaughters love to read !

I have a fun little food craft for you ! Have you heard of Hot Chocolate Bombs??

I watched a video tutorial on Instagram by @thekwendyhome, she posts such fun videos from her home in Toronto. These use Kinder eggs and it was super easy ….I made 8 in about 30 minutes !

The idea is you put the “bombs” in your mug ,pour in some hot milk, dairy or non dairy and it all melts into a luscious creamy  drink !

First you need regular sized Kinder eggs, I bought 2, 4 packs.

Some hot chocolate powder

Mini marshmallow

Candy canes

Unwrapped the eggs and then here is the only slightly tricky part, split the egg in half at the seam….I dipped a small sharp paring knife in hot water and ran it along the seam just on one side, redip the knife as it cools . Use gentle pressure and when you get through you will feel it come apart. Gently twist it and it will come apart !

Remove the toy and fill one half of the egg with 2 spoonfuls of hot chocolate powder,a few bits of crushed candy cane ( or leave out if you dont want peppermint flavor) and a few marshmallows! Mine were all in a clump for some reason !

Now to seal it up again ! Heat up a small fry pan , dont add anything to it…..when its warm,not too hot as there is nothing as bad as burnt chocolate…place the empty egg shell seam side down in pan …when it starts to melt 2 or 3 seconds is all it takes ,place it onto your filled half and gently press them together. If you have some spots that remain open scrape some of the warm chocolate off the pan and use to seal the seam up! If I had wanted to fancy them up I could have piped some icing around the seam but I’m good with them like this !

I let them cool on a rack then package up with directions if giving as a gift!

One issue with these I must tell you….they are addictive !!

Fun to do and not time consuming ! Might have to do more!🤔

Well the gifts are wrapped , nothing to do but bake ! Five days to go ….let’s all find some peace and joy in our hearts at this special time of year….I believe 2021 will be better for all…just stay positive!

Sending love and blessings to you…..Jaye💗

Well Autumn is upon us here in Canada, my favorite time of year…maybe because I was born in October but I really love the cooler temps as summers heat and humidity leaves us ! Sweaters and warmer coats come out of storage and all my candles and throws are strewn about …the Danish people call it Hygge which roughly translated means a level of coziness and comfort the gives one a feeling of contentment. I’ve been doing all things Hygge before I’d even heard of the term , for me it means cosy throws , a warm duvet on my bed, candles , a cup of tea and a good book or movie , a warm fire ( mines electric ! ) comphy clothes and switching to warm comfort foods . It means different things for everyone but basically you make your home a cosy ,comforting nest for you and your family !

My decorating for fall has been quieter this year…no pumpkin buying ,no display on the front porch just a few tweaks around the house using what I have. I don’t know if it’s because of this crazy year 2020 or what but I feel the need to pare down,spend less. My living green journey has me constantly questioning what I buy…no plastics if it can be helped, and reusing what I already have.

This vignette on my dining table I put together with things I already owned. A wood slice cheese board , 2 glass domes I found a few years ago at thrift shops, the tall one was $2 and the small was $5. Inside is my silver baby cup with my name engraved on it ,a couple silver baby spoons. The tall one has a wood vase turned by my Dad and three very old ,tiny books of poetry and an English Hunt print that my Mom had saved.

Put together they all look very “Fallish” I think !

We had a busy early Fall having new stone walkway installed where we once had a flagstone path. It has made such a difference visually and is much easier to sweep off. Next we replaced the fence and gate which had literally fallen down . So happy with the result, my Son in law and my Hubby did an amazing job !

Next and last project for awhile I hope is my bathroom ! It was renovated 20 years ago and not particularly well so a new tub and vanity is in the works ! I have an antique dresser I hope can be retrofitted for the vanity …🤞🤞As we only have one bathroom it should be interesting ,we may have to room in with one of my kids !!

As the title of this post asked …how is your living green journey going ?? Its been very hard especially this year …the grocery stores wouldn’t accept cloth reusable bags here for a few months . When I went to my bulk store I had to use the plastic bags , I found it all quite disheartening!

It was of course understandable but felt like I was taking a step backward! However my local zero waste store Reimagine, continued to be open for delivery or curbside pickup and still used well cleaned and sanitized donated containers. I love their eco friendly dish soap, detergents, dishwasher tabs ( yes the ones I made in a previous post were not as good as I had hoped…I still use them, just not every time as I found a film was left on the dishes ) I also switched to their solid shampoo and conditioned bars…hubby switched too !! They are so nice and now there are no plastic bottles in my shower!

My soap I have purchased from stores that carry handmade package free soap for years now. I buy a good goats milk or other nourishing bar and use it as my face wash as well. My favorite moisturizer still comes in plastic but I save the container and use it to hold my homemade makeup remover, magnesium balm…helps me sleep… and homemade lip balm. If I have small containers that I can wash out and reuse I will try to save them .

It’s all about doing whatever we can it’s not about being perfect ! I was papertowel free for a couple of years then broke down and bought 2 of the cheapest rolls I could find as I needed some for my painting room and I really like to drain my bacon !! Well 2 rolls a year is better than 2to 4 a month right? My toilet paper is bamboo, cant quite get to using the reusable cloth ones ! Ugh!! Maybe if I lived alone ? Probably not ! Lol

If your new to this journey start small, do your research, maybe find some eco friendly stores in your area , ask the staff questions and you will be surprised at how much fun you can have changing the little things to make your life and that of your family much healthier!

When I look down the isle of cleaners in the grocery store I feel so sad seeing hundreds of plastic bottles filled with dyes and chemicals….these big companies love to spend millions on advertising that make us believe we need them…a different cleaner for everything …toilets should be clean enough to eat off of ! Well stop listening to the hype and you will be healthier and save a ton of money ! I dont even go down that isle anymore. What do I use you ask ….well I stock up on vinegar,baking soda, lemons and essencial oils . I use baking soda or vinegar to clean my bathroom and kitchen . A simple all purpose cleaning spray can be made with a 16 oz. Or so.. spray bottle…reuse an old one if you can . Fill it half way with white vinegar ,them fill rest of the way with water. ..add 30 drops total of essential oil, I use a combo of lemon, tea tree, and lavender as these all have disinfecting properties. Give a quick shake before using and don’t use on wood or marble because of the vinegar ! Pinterest has a plethora of recipes for cleaning products ! Make sure to label your bottles !

Also as a friend reminded me ,if you have pets they can have a reaction to some essential oils …ask your vet first!

Comment with any questions you have and I will answer! I have covered more on my green journey in earlier posts . I’m still learning along with everyone else , some things are easy to switch up some can be challenging but every little step counts !

I hope you are all well and managing during these crazy stressful times…take care of yourselves and your families….bring some hygge into your life !

Cheers Jaye

Happy July everyone !! Wow it’s been hot and humid here in Southwestern Ontario!  Thankfully we had a beautiful rain late yesterday afternoon for an hour or more and my garden was grateful !!

Everything is doing ok …I have mostly perennials that I dont fuss with, rarely water ! The pots on my deck have herbs and annuals so they get a daily drink from my 2 water barrels .

Unfortunately my veggie garden is mostly a bust this year ….something …probably chipmunks or squirrels ate all my carrot and beet seeds …planted twice but have nothing !

My bean plants were chopped off about 6 inches above the ground as well. Lettuces have done well, and my onions and peas have survived. My tomatoes look sad but are growing so we will have to wait and see ….must put some epson salts on them, they love magnesium!!

Ah well nature is unpredictable   right ?

My beautiful Annabelle Hydrangia is magnificent, however last nights rain has her floppy heads drooping on the ground , so I decided to pick a bunch and make arrangements for the house ! You cant have too many right ?

I’ve had issues in the past with those very delicate heads wilting not long after being cut and have listened to lots of people’s cures for the problem, so thought I would share what works for me !

First and foremost pick as early in the day as you can , I think they kind of rejuvenate overnight when its cooler and damp. Also I wait until all the tiny florets are fully opened, if some are not they dont seem to last.

Have your vases or vessels of some sort ready, you can use anything you have, a mason jar, soup turreen, jug…be creative and try something you might not normally use ! I like to fill with cool water almost to the top….some people add a bit of sugar or floral preservative which is great but I didnt this time…

Because a great armful of blooms looks better then a few, I picked good sized vases…an antique silver jug and a basket shaped pottery vase with pheasants on it that my Maternal Grandparents recieved as a wedding gift in the early 1900’s.

The next step is to remove all foliage, leaves, that may go below the water …they just go mushy and make the water foul! I leave some up near the blooms for interest in the bouquet.

I boil some water and place in a pyrex measuring cup …now take your stem and using sharp scissors or your gardening secatours make a fresh cut in the end of the stem then cut up into the stem about an inch…

Why you say ? Well with hydrangeas and any other flower with a woody type stem like peonies as well , it opens up the cells in the stem and  helps them to drink more water and therefore last longer!

Next dip the cut into the HOT water for 2 or 3 seconds then right into your vase ! I really can’t  remember what the hot water does but I can tell you it helps them to last !

Hydrangeas really dont need much “arranging “, just plop them in and fluff a bit !

If you are using a vessel with a wide opening you might need something to help hold the flowers up…..I love using flower frogs that I’ve found at flea markets or garage sales…this one I actually use to hold brushes and pencils in my art studio!

Another way to hold your blooms is to use floral tape or scotch/cello tape and use it to make a grid across your vase …

If I’m using a tall clear vase like the one above and your flowers have long stems, it’s nice to put decorative rocks or glass beads in the bottom a couple of inches worth and push the stems into the stones .

Flower arranging need not be intimidating, it’s a fun way to get creative . Your bouquets can be ultra simple with just one type of flower or mixed . If you have a few small bud vases, grouping them together with one bloom each is easy and a fun centerpiece.

I love to go out in the morning and see what’s in bloom and snip just a few to put in a tiny vase like my rose posie!

The vase above has pink Lace Cap Hydrangeas,  Oak Leaf Hydrangeas and one Annabelle , love the Medalta pottery vase !!

I love flowers …well plants in general…at our cottage I’ll go for a morning walk and come home with a handful of wildflowers or ferns ,plop them in a glass and place on the dining table . Even the guys love it when I do this !

I hope I’ve given you some inspiration to bring the joy of flowers into your home and I hope the rest of your July is filled with beauty!

Let me know if you have any floral tips and tricks !

Hugs ! Jaye💐

I’ve been thinking about my blog and wondering what subject to talk on next . So much going on in the world and much of it dark and sad,I really wanted to give you something fun and uplifting!

As I was sipping one of my many cups of tea one afternoon, I started down memory lane to where my love of tea started and so thats my subject today !

I bet many of you love tea like I do or maybe its coffee? I love my coffee and make sure I buy great beans because well let me just say those cups of joe first thing in the morning are something I dearly look forward to!! Just ask my husband …pass me a coffee and no conversation till I’m on my second cup please !!😁

However tea is my go to drink in the afternoon and evening and I am passionate about that too! When I think of my Mom tea was always there…if there was an upset with someone a cup of tea was offered. I remember after bringing my third baby home I was tired and frustrated as she wasn’t sleeping or pooping …sorry but that’s what it was ..and my older two were fighting ..5 years and 19 months ! Just as I burst into tears ,neighbours arrived to see the new babe …..my Mother jumped up, patted my knee and said ” I’ll just make a pot of tea !” And I’m sure, all was well !! She had an English Mother who instilled in her the virtues of a good pot of tea !

I probably started drinking tea by 2 , as soon as I could hold the tiny tea cup my paternal Grandmother sent my sister and I and Mom wasn’t too afraid I’d break it ! Always lots of milk and no sugar …I felt so grown up! My Mom was an amazing baker and we may have had cookies or cake to go with our tea or sometimes plain arrowroot or digestive biscuits . Tea was something always made after lunch , mid afternoon or after an exhausting shopping trip, Oh and it definitely helped to  solve whatever angst was happening in my life !

If I wasn’t happy after school or even if I was ….Mom and my sister and I always sat with a cup of tea and a chat, somehow you just felt better and I’m sure the caffeine perked us up till dinner time . It was a time to relax, connect, plan and laugh!

As a teenager  I remember sitting around the tiny kitchen table with friends, Mom bustling about cooking and chatting with us, many pots of tea and sweets went down and we left happy and satisfied and maybe we solved some problems along the way !

As an adult tea has always been my go to for a refreshing afternoon pick me up and my daughters will agree that after shopping I always need a cuppa !!

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They also enjoy tea and as little ones we had lots of tea parties !I bought them little tea pots shaped like cats that they loved to use and still have ! My Grandaughter Clara loves a tea party when she visits and loves to choose a tea cup from the china cabinet, so happy to pass the enjoyment of a good cup of tea on to the next generation !

There are so many kinds of tea and so many health benefits that I wont go into here…suffice it to say it’s a healthy addition to your diet and less caffeine then coffee . I love so many… Darjeeling is my fav, only grown in Darjeeling province in India up in the cool mountains . It can be hard to find but I can get it reliably from our small Indian grocery store not far from me or I order a very high quality Darjeeling tea,from Murchies Tea in Victoria and Vancouver . They have been buying it from the same plantations for 150 years plus so get first pickings!

I also enjoy Chai a delicious Indian invention with beautiful spices ! Green tea , English Breakfast and on and on !

Herbal teas are popular for the fact they have no caffeine and each plant has it’s own health benefits.  I do have a few in the house for a bedtime brew but enjoy black tea most of the time …and please dont flavor my black tea with fruit !!😳 That’s just me but I’m a purist !! 😉

My closest friends enjoy tea as well and no, it isn’t a prerequisite to being my friend ! My friend Liz who I met in kindergarten and thankfully still lives close by is a tea lover and we’ve been enjoying tea together for almost 60 years !

The English have perfected afternoon tea ( thankyou Queen Victoria!) And I’ve enjoyed high tea in Victoria British Columbia,  Bath and Oxford in England and various tea rooms near my home . I gave a High Tea themed wedding shower for my daughter in law…I had a ball planning that and making all the tea sandwiches and sweets !  I could indulge everyday but thankfully cant !!Not exactly waistline friendly!

We tend to throw a teabag in a mug most of the time don’t  we? But …there is something special about warming a tea pot …essential …selecting your tea …I prefer loose tea not bagged…and drinking from a lovely tea cup or mug ! Tea is a ceremony in Asia and makes an intentional pause in your day to relax and reflect on your own or enjoy with someone’s company and conversation . A cup or two of tea and a good book is my favorite way to while away an afternoon.

As Willian Edwart Gladstone said : If you are cold tea will warm you ,if you are heated tea will cool you, if you are depressed it will cheer you, if you are excited it will calm you. True !!

Dear Elanor Roosevelt was quoted …A woman is like a tea bag, you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water!

So my friends , happy tea drinking to you , however you like it. During these crazy days, take the time to enjoy the preparation of a good pot of tea, may it calm you, cheer you and maybe bring back some happy memories for you as well!

☕ Must be time for another cup! Cheers …Jaye

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Hello friends …how are you doing ! It’s been awhile since my last post …frankly, with the covid lockdown I haven’t felt much like doing anything!!

Spring has definitely taken it’s time arriving but its finally here ! We’ve  had plenty of rain so my garden is doing amazing , now I have to think about thinning some perennials that are covering up some of their neighbors!

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I thank goodness every day that I have a yard and garden to get out into ….I feel for those stuck inside apartments with no place to go out and enjoy nature ! The squirrels, chipmunks and of course the birds are so entertaining and now we have a neighbourhood ground hog who appears occasionally…chubby fellow! He’s welcome as long as my veggie garden is undisturbed! We shall see!

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Have you been homecooking more since we have been home all the time ? We sure have …still baking bread 🙄started using my sour dough discard in some recipes …made crackers ! So good may never buy crackers again !

No knead sourdough baked in a cast iron Dutch oven…yummm! Easy peasy and good every time ! I ventured out to get groceries for the first time since mid March . My husband and Son-in-law had been doing all the shopping.I went to a small store and it was very quiet…boy never thought I’d say I missed grocery shopping but I did !! Wore my mask and sanitized everything when I got home…that’s a pain, but, one must do what one must do  !

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What are you doing to keep busy ! I finally felt like painting again …did a commission for my Step Daughter which got my juices flowing again so did 3 more !

I sure miss my painting group…I’m  sure when we get together again we wont paint much it will be a gab fest!!

Something I did alot of when I was younger is embroidery and have taken it up again …it is hard with my arthritic fingers but I’m loving it ! I still have the first one I did at 9 years old and the pillow cases I did before I was married at 21.

My Mom made sure my sister and I learned fabric arts …knitting, needlepoint ,crochet, sewing clothes etc. These “arts ” are making a comeback especially now that people realize we need to more self sufficient!

Our zero waste store here in London, Reimagine, ran repair cafes in their store before lockdown. People could bring pretty much anything small that needed fixing . Whether it was a sewing job , carpentry or small electrical they had people with many talents helping out !We all  need to go back to they way it was to fix things instead of treating everything as disposable and buying new !

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Sewing by hand and machine is certainly an important skill, my older Grandaughters are learning at the hands of their Moms and me which makes me so happy ! My own children can do so much from sewing ,crafting ,cooking ,gardening , mechanical stuff ….my son. My youngest we call McGiver Laura,as she loves to solve a problem using what’s at hand ! Amanda has taught herself and her daughter weaving and macrame among other things …so nice when you see your kids teaching their kids !

Well off I go for now to attack my garden. Take care, stay safe ,stay strong …..Cheers Jaye !

With so much happening in the world right now it’s been hard in some ways to think of posting on my Blog, but here are some of my thoughts and what I’ve been doing to keep positive and busy ! It is so easy to be dragged down into panic at this time and if you have family or friends who are on the front lines ,in hospitals or EMT’s…or the brave souls in our groceries stores and pharmacies the truck drivers keeping food on our tables and other essencial services that are keeping us going I understand the fear is real !! I have a daughter whose job in a veterinary clinic is deemed essential …. they are only seeing emergencies and not allowing the human clients to enter the building . They are taking every precaution they can including cutting back their hours considerably ! Most of my family is able to stay home and stay safe for now so that is a blessing ! But as nervous as I have been at times I believe this is all happening for a reason and we all need to bring ourselves back to a more positive state of mind !

First of all, those that know me well know that I am not a religious person in the usual way but I am however a very spiritual person and have been on a mission for decades exploring metaphysics and the truth to why we are here on this incredible planet !

Ok i know I’ve lost some of you already and that’s ok but if you can , let me explain a bit of how I see this time in our history and how that is helping me and many of my friends to cope .

It’s been obvious that Mother Earth has been getting a little worked up in the last few years…so much upheaval for her and us in the form of earthquakes,hurricanes, extreme weather patterns ,floods and fires etc. Earth has never been still, she has evolved since her conception and is evolving now although maybe at an accelerated rate now! I believe it’s been a cleansing of old paradigms and negative energies that can not serve us moving forward . Mankind is driven by ego ,greed and a separation from each other and our truth and this cannot continue…a balancing is coming .I think we all know this at some level and I for one welcome the fall of a patriarchal society driven by money and the failure to see humankind as one entity. We have separated ourselves by country, race, religion etc. and this cannot continue ! We are one species together on this little blue planet and we must work together to create an abundant life for all.

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Nature, Spirit ,God ,whatever you call it has stepped in and said ok you are not listening so let us help you !!

I believe with every cell of my being that all will be well …we just have to wake up and live as a whole ….interesting to see how this pandemic has done just that …made us realize we only have each other so we have banded together, forced us to slow down, spend quality time with our family and especially our children . We are finding out that so much that we thought was soooo important is really not , earth is taking a much needed clean breath now that so many cars are not moving .

Life will change here on Earth,dramatically, but it will be for the higher good of all humans …so much more to say but really my message is , let go of fear as fear drives negativity…look for all the Joy’s in your life , get out into nature as much as possible, eating healthy foods learn how to cook if you don’t know how, discover the joy of reading a really good book! Turn off the news , it does nothing to make you feel good! Look out for the elderly or your neighbor who cant get out to shop….be careful and responsible of course.

I have tried not to listen to too much news which is hard as my husband loves it ! I meditate daily , try to continue my yoga practice and am painting a bit. But baking and cooking are very calming for me! Oh my waistline is not liking it though !

I bake bread frequently but now we are housebound I bake 2 loaves twice a week !

Today I wanted to use up some sourdough that I’ve been feeding but not using so it is sourdough chocolate chip cookies, sourdough blueberry muffins, and sourdough bread!

Yummy…it all turned out great although I find baked goods with sourdough a bit more crumbly but nice and moist and tender !

I know I’m cooking more like my Mom did ,scratch cooking has always been my way as that’s how I grew up but now I’m making sure to use up everything I have in the fridge or freezer. Saving things that might have been thrown out before….foil, parchment can both be reused if they’re not to grimy, elastics and twist ties and washing out plastic bags and reusing till they wear out ! Bags with a zip lock top that frozen fruit and veg come in can be rinsed out and reused like freezer bags just label well with masking tape so you know what’s in them !

Bread scraps go in my food processor to be ground into crumbs then stored in the freezer and of course all fruit and veggie scraps go into my 2 composters !

I save chicken carcasses in the freezer and then when I have a couple I make bone broth in my crock pot . Then its homemade soup !! Cant wait to get my veggie garden planted though that’s a few weeks off, nothing like picking fresh lettuces and herbs in june for a refreshing salad !

I think its important to live as “green” as we can every day but especially during these challenging times. I haven’t bought paper towel in over a year and don’t miss it, my toilet paper is made from bamboo, and many of my household cleaners I make. It saves me a ton of money but also gives me piece of mind .

I have always been a homebody and never have trouble finding things to do so having to stay home is not too bad for me . The hardest thing is not seeing my kids and Grandkids who all live close . Easter is coming and there won’t be a big family dinner this year and all the birthdays in April will be quiet as well. But it will all be worthwhile in the end , when this is over I hope our priorities will be different and we wont be taking a hug or a visit with friends and family for granted.

We have chosen to be here at this time in Earths history to help launch mankind forward , and I hope you are looking forward to the New Earth as much as I am !! Stay happy and positive and ” this to shall pass !”💗

Here are 2 of my recipes…sourdough starter is on one of my previous blog posts ! Happy Baking !!💗🎂

Sourdough Blueberry Muffins

1 to 1 1/2 cups blueberries

1 tsp lemon zest

I large egg

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup sourdough starter

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

In a large bowl combine lemon zest brown sugar ,oil, egg, water and starter…mix well

In a smaller bowl combine dry ingredients

Flour,baking soda,cinnamon,salt

Add dry mix to wet mixture combine lightly just until flour is moistened…be gentle don’t beat it !!

Fold in blue berries, fill paper baking cups 3/4 of the way full…I got about 15 muffins.

Bake at 375°f for 20 minutes . To check if they are done lightly push a finger on to the top of the muffin …it should spring back ..if it leaves an indent give them few more minutes …remove muffins to a cooling rack …

Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup softened butter

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar(packed down firmly in measuring cup)

2 tsp. Vanilla extract

1/2 cup sourdough starter

1large egg

Combine all of the above in a large mixing bowl…I use my stand mixer but you can use a hand mixer or mix by hand with a wooden spoon.

In a smaller bowl mix dry ingredients

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. Baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp salt

Add dry mixture to wet mixture combining well, add in 1 cup of chocolate chips . I also add 1/2 cup of raisins or you could add walnuts too.

Drop by spoonfuls on to cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°f for about 10to 11 minutes ! Remove with a spatula to a cooling rack .

Enjoy !!

Are you as anxious as I am for some Spring weather ?? Its been a very weird winter here in South Western Ontario and in most of the northern hemisphere!  Some days are above 0…balmy and sunny then a snow squall hits for a day or two then it all melts again ! I am thankful we havent had any really bad storms here and not too much snow at one time but I am definitely  ready for Spring !

This time of year I get the urge to change things up in the house , do a deep clean, finish projects …this time painting trim , a job that’s been staring at me for 5 years ….do some Springy decorating and basically just get ready for the next season when I will want to be out in the garden !

Hubby and I attacked the front hall in the last week or so, it was a dark purple which looked ok until I changed the livingroom paint colour but for the life of me I could not decide what colour to go with so it remained purple for years !!

It is tiny , about 6 feet long and 3 feet wide with four , yes 4 doorways off of it ! The trim on 2 of the doors is very old and wide and as it had been painted multiple times there were spots that required scraping and sanding before a fresh coat of white could go on . Let me just say I hate prep work …give me a paint brush anytime but the prepping !!! Urgh! Lucky me, hubby is ok with sanding !

I realized that I had half a gallon of my kitchen paint ..Grey Owl by Benjamin Moore so used that and painted the 2 doors Cloudy Sky ! It is perfect, really brightens up the space and makes it feel bigger ! We also replaced the front door hardware with a Schlage door set and keyless entry deadbolt in matt black ….what a difference from ugly brass and fun to use !!

Sometimes Iwonder why I overthink things so much ! Oh well it’s done and we both love it ! Hopefully it spurs us on to painting the rest of the trim in the house !!

This sweet Orchid was dormant for 2 years finally repotted it in fresh orchid medium ,fertilized it and gave it a stern talking to ! Within a few weeks it put on some new leaves and then a flower stalk ! Oh happy day !! Now if I could get my African Violet to bloom ! And yes I’ve had a few chats with it as well !🙃

I love houseplants…do you ! It’s so hard to walk by them in a store…I want them all! I broke down at the grocery store and bought 2 that were $3 each ,a miniature Jade plant and a mini Sheflera aka umbrella plant . They are so cute and seem very happy in my South facing window .

I inherited not only my Moms teak nesting tables but also her love of houseplants ! They clean the air and add life to your home ! When I see pictures in decor magazines or on Instagram of beautiful rooms I always look for plants , it amazes me how many dont have a plant in sight ! Some people say they cant grow them but there are so many easy care ones out there. My favs are Pothos , ZZ plant, Mother in Laws Tongue, Peace Lily…just do a bit of research and anyone can enjoy live plants in their home! I do tend to over love them ..aka too much water which is a death sentence for most tropicals so I have learned which ones need a weekly drink and which like to be on the dry side . Both my daughters tend to ignore their plants and they do well ! Indoor air is very dry in the winter so some like a misting on their leaves , some dont ! So find out what their likes and dislikes are and go for it ! I have a fiddle leaf fig that is super finicky…drives me nuts and as my Husband says it always looks half dead ! I’ll persevere with it as its put on a few new leaves in the past month or so but its days may be numbered !

I hope wherever you are you are safe and cosy in your home , looking forward to Spring but making the most of the last few weeks of winter ! We must not wish away our time, right?

Next time I want to talk some more about living a green life and I have a couple of awesome recipes to share !

Lovely talking with you! Till next time !

Jaye

• 

Happy New year everyone! Are you like me and can’t believe its 2020 !! So much has happened in my life and in the world in the first two decades of this century ! Time is flying way too fast for me ! No resolutions here as I never follow through so just making the intention to continue following my heart ,doing what I love and spending time with friends and family!

My 6 year old Grandaughter Clara is crazy about sewing ! I taught her to hand sew last year, now we are learning the sewing machine . She started a charm quilt for her new doll! Together we will come up with lots of new projects for her this year !

My Grandaughter Mabel ,8 is very artistic and is coming over with her sister Edith and Clara for a paint pouring workshop with me tomorrow ! It’s so nice when their interests mesh with mine so I get the pleasure of teaching these amazing little minds !

I’ll post pics of their work next time !

Christmas was busy with family but so much fun ! Lots of colds going around ,me before the holidays and my Hubby after Christmas!

We had a green Christmas here in South Western Ontario, but New years was white with a few inches of snow ! Unfortunately a warm front is heading in so won’t be white much longer….ah well January and February can brings lots of snow so be careful what you wish for Jaye !!

New Years Eve was quiet, I babysat for my Daughter and hubby went to bed ! Oh well he’s on the mend now and in a few days all will be back to normal!

As always I can’t stand the Christmas decor after New Years so yesterday it all came tumbling down and put away !

I just love my little snowy tree so decided to leave him up for a bit !

I took this antique mirror out of my front hall and couldn’t figure out where to put it …it is dear to me as it was given to me by my late Mother in law. It was her Dads shaving mirror!

I decided to lean it here till I figure out a more permanent home but I really like the layering and the beveled edge catches the light and sparkles!

Doesn’t it feel like your home just takes a deep breath and sighs when the heavy decor comes down and spaces open up ? Or maybe that was just me !!🤔😁

This is also the time of year many of us get the urge to purge !! Quite a few of the bloggers I follow are getting ready to clear out their “stuff” and reorganize ! I do this 2 or 3 times a year as my tiny cottage just can’t accommodate too much stuff!

Last year I purged a bit too much and have regretted a few of the books I parted with but they are gone and that’s that ! My clothes need a small clean out …I’ve kept a few things that I haven’t worn in years so as much as I like them they are getting the old heave ho !! I’m thinking a clothing swap with friends would be a neat way of cleaning up , might just try that!

Well my bread machine is going to beep at me any minute so I shall sign off for now !

I hope your holidays were all you had hoped for and that 2020 is an amazing year for all of you !

Cheers , Jaye!!

Ah Christmas time …my favorite time of the year ! Sounds like a song ,no? 😉

I must say this year I’m well organized and very relaxed for a change ! Why??  Well I have my shopping done and wrapped, house decorated, Christmas dinner plans are off my plate, except for taking mashed potatoes and squash to my daughters home and baking is planned but not started as I need it to last ! Too easy to see a freezer full of goodies and to sneak a few out at a time ! Hubby and I  both have a sweet tooth !!

As for decorating I tend to make do with what I have collected over the years and add lots of natural boughs and cones ….my little frosty tree is new this year and my mercury glass garland….oh how I love mercury glass!

I love to use bottle brush trees…they come in all colours and sizes of course but my little ones make great miniature scenes. I use pickling salt as my fake snow…eco friendly and after the holidays I combine it with baking soda and put it down my drains with a chaser of vinegar! Cleans all the guck out ! You can also use epsom salts and reuse in your bath !

Our tree is a faux one …as it’s nice and narrow and easily put up( prelit too!) It will be the last one we buy until we dispense with putting up a tree altogether! Then it will be donated .

Our bedrooms got some festive decor as well….I found some replicas of Christmas patents a couple of years ago ,printed them on card stock and popped them on top of the botanical prints above our bed !

The guest room has a painting done by my late father back in the late 60’s and a cloche with another tiny scene!

Gift giving can be a stressful part of the holidays for everyone ! What to buy ,how much is it all going to cost what if the reciever doesn’t like it ….etc. etc.!

Our family decided a few years ago to choose names so we all only have to buy one gift . We set a limit of $75…however because we all like to buy for the Grands, we all do ! I also like to get each of my kids and in law kids a little something so I do !

Come up with a budget, make lists and try to stick to both !

I do buy certain gifts ,usually something that I know the person needs or enjoys, but most of my gifts are made ,either by me or another artisan.

I love to support local artisans and businesses,and if I’m really not sure what to buy consumables are the best option! Things that get eaten or used up ! This year I made many of my gifts both to save money and because I enjoy creating ! The 5 Grandchildren will each receive a painting I did ,the girls another hand made gift and the boys an outfit each as they are growing like weeds at 14 months and almost 2!

As you know my blog is about living “green” and one of the things I love to do is making my own beauty products .

Last year all the ladies in my life recieved homemade lip balm,this year its bath salts ! So easy to do, here’s the recipe!

If possible buy the salts at a bulk store and fill your own containers !

Lemon Lavender Bath Salts🍋

2 cups epsom salt , 1cup Pink Himalayan salt (fine) , 1/4 cup baking soda,

Mix well in a mixing bowl ,then add any combination of essential oils that you like .

These are 2 of my favorites: 20 drops lavender, 10to15 drops lemongrass essential oil

Or jasmine and yang ylang,

Lemon and orange with a bit of peppermint is uplifting ,good for a morning soak!

Just 1/4 cup in a warm bath is all you need,!

Mix very well so oils get evenly distributed fill small Mason jars or snap lid jars,and a pretty bow and tag and your ready to gift! I always write on the tag exactly what the ingredients are in the product as you never know if someone is sensitive to one of the ingredients.

Essential oils all have their own benefits , just depends what you like or need.

What are the benefits of a salt bath?

Epsom salts have been used for ages for relaxing muscles and easing soreness….they are made up of magnesium and sulfate. It helps to reduce stress and the magnesium is absorbed by your skin and helps with sleep and stimulates detoxification .

The Pink Himalayan salt does that as well it stimulates circulation and deeply cleanses the skin .

Some oils can irritate the skin although I have not had an issue with lavender or lemon. If you are concerned about that with the oil your using, mix the essential oils with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond or avocado oil before adding to the salt mixture .

I’m planning to experiment with a few other products and will let you know how it goes !!

  Do you send cards this time of year ? I do mainly because so many family and friends are far away…

I’ve been painting cards in watercolour for a few years and love creating something new each year . Usually my kids or close friends are the ones that get an original one of a kind card but this year I did one that I was extremely happy with so had it printed onto cards.

So now everyone can have a little piece of me !

I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday Season filled with joy and love ! Find time to rest and reflect . Whether you are with family or friends, appreciate the little moments that we are all blessed with! A child’s excitement, a hug, a snowflake caught on your lashes…..

Life is what we make it and blessings are everywhere!

Love and hugs ! Jaye