Hobby Farm Home Magazine Feature

We're just a little giddy around here with the latest publication of Hobby Farm Home Magazine (May/June 2013)!

Check out the laundry line article "Hung Up on Appearances" on page 60... Homestead Revival is featured in Stephanie Staton's piece along with some photos and other great options for line drying clothes. You'll also find some other great articles on canning, perserving basil, making artisanal sodas with fruit from your garden, dealing with broody chickens, fermenting foods, and lots more great stuff!

Thanks, Hobby Farm & Stephanie!

Holiday Hospitality And A Warm Cup Of Cheer

A few years ago, I started helping my daughter set up a hot beverage bar at her school as a fundraiser for charity. It finally dawned on me that this would work great for drop-in visitors that stop by the house during the holidays. So I set about creating one for my own kitchen, mostly with items I already had around the house. Below I've included pictures from the last two years and you can see that items on the trays differ depending on my mood and what I have on hand.

A cute container with peppermint sticks (a must have for hot chocolate!)...

And a jar full of marshmallows and a scoop...

Three cute shakers I found at a store one day for nutmeg, chocolate, and cinnamon (the 'adult' must have items for coffee!)...

Coffee syrups for flavoring...

A selection of hot chocolate packets and teas in holiday flavors as well as some all time favorites...

Don't forget mugs, spoons, cute napkins, a sugar bowl, and honey...

If the door bell rings, I just pull out the creamer and add it to the tray.

For hot water, I use an electric tea pot that heats in less than 3 minutes. And for coffee, I use a coffee pot of course, but I also have a commercial grade thermos with a pump spout that I use if I want to keep it hot and fresh all day long ...

Each morning, I just add fresh water to the pot and coffee in the thermos. Visitors often can't stay long and this way I can offer them something right away to warm them up before they are out the door again. And if they can't stay, I keep hot/cold cups with lids for a "to go" treat. Any unused water can be used in something else when I cook and the extra coffee... well, I can always drink one more cup, right? Besides, you don't have to fill it to the top, just make what you think you'll need for that day. Oh, and if you don't have a tray, just use a cookie sheet and add a placemat to it in order to cover any "stains" it may have.

Finally, I like to keep a plate of cookies or a sampling of other Christmas treats that I can offer, so I have these on hand and just cover them with plastic wrap to keep them fresh until visitors arrive. I just refresh the plate when needed.

This really is so easy sometimes I wonder why I don't do this year round?

Simple Christmas: Forcing Narcissus Bulbs

In keeping with my simple and natural Christmas theme this year, I started a florist shop. No... just kidding. But I did start a whole bunch of Paperwhite Narcissus bulbs in various containers to spread throughout the house.  Even if you start some right away, they probably won't bloom in time for Christmas unless they are well on their way to sprouting (they typically need 4-6 weeks to bloom), but you could have them ready for the after Christmas blahs of January. Wouldn't that be lovely?

Once these are taller, I'll add moss around them to fill in the space. 

I'm thinking these will go nicely on the coffee table or kitchen island.

This collection will go on the table behind the sofa that 

divides our living room from our dining and kitchen area.

The sunroom? I'm still trying to decide.

All the bulbs just getting started. The red and blue containers will go in 

each of the girls rooms so our out-of-town guests can enjoy a bit 

of holiday cheer. The rusty tin container... perhaps in the guest bathroom.

How To Force Narcissus

• Select a water tight container, potting soil or pebbles, bulbs, and water. (Tall containers help support the stems and leaves.)

• Fill container about 3/4 with moist (but not wet) potting soil or about 1/3 of pebbles (unless using a really tall container). 

• Place bulbs directly on surface, pointed end up. For potting soil, cover the bulbs, but leave 1/3 - 1/4 of the bulb exposed. For pebbles, no additional stones are needed.

• Keep soil moist. For pebbles, keep the water level just at the bottom of the bulb. You do not want the bulb to be sitting in water or it will rot (you do want the roots in the water.)

• Place in a dark, cool location until roots are about 2 inches long (50 degrees is good). 

• When roots are established, move your container to a bright, warm location. You may need to rotate your container regularly as the foliage will stretch toward the light. If there isn't enough light, your bulbs will get leggy and flop over,and they may anyway. Be prepared to support the stems and leaves if necessary. A pretty ribbon tied around the foliage and a support will look lovely.

Perhaps when they're in bloom I'll post some more photos. I'm hoping I timed these just right. Seems a bit tricky to me, but I'm know that even if they're blooming before or after Christmas, rather than right on the 25th, they'll be a joy to behold!

Are you using any plants in your Christmas decorating this year?

Fresh Christmas Tree Care

Going with a fresh Christmas tree this year? Here's a few simple steps to keep it from completely drying out before January 1. 

Photo Credit: the idealist

Cut Tree Care


• Begin by cutting off a small slice (at least 1") on the bottom of the trunk to expose fresh wood. The new surface should be a creamy white. If not, cut some more or it won't take up water. 
• Soak the tree immediately in a large bucket of water that holds at least a gallon. Do not wait more than a couple of hours to place your tree in water after making your cut or resin will begin to cover it again.
• Continue adding water periodically as the tree takes up water. When it no longer appears to be taking up water, you can proceed to place your tree in the stand. If you will not be bringing it in the house right away, keep it in water in a location that is not windy, won't freeze, and is out of direct sunlight (all of which will dry a tree out faster).
• Use a stand that is not only stable, but holds plenty of water (be sure to check for leaks before using).  

Tree stands such as this one by Oasis will hold a gallon to a 

gallon and a half depending on the size of stand you purchase.

• Remember to check your tree regularly to see if it needs additional water. Trees can consume as much as a gallon a day and if the water level drops below the cut end, resin will form on the end and the tree will no longer take up water!
• For easy watering, use a funnel with a hose attached (installed in back before decorating), but be careful not to overflow the stand's reservoir. 
• No additives are necessary for the water. Fresh water will do just as well as water with an aspirin or other preservative ingredient.
• Be sure you are using lights that do not over heat the tree or have frayed cords. Every year, homes burn down during December because of electrical fires igniting the tree.
• Placing a tree near a heat source or sunny window will cause it to dry out quicker. Select a location that is a bit darker and cooler.
• When you're done with the tree, don't forget that you can compost it!


Live Tree Care


• Purchase a tree that is not already showing signs of stress.
• Do not move your tree immediately indoors if it has been in a cool or cold climate or it will start to grow rather than remaining dormant. Instead, move it to a location that is a bit warmer for 3-4 days, such as a garage or enclosed porch. This is a good time to check it for any bugs, nests, etc.
• You can spray it in the garage with an anti-wilt product or antidessicant such as Wilt-Stop. This will prevent needles from falling off and help keep moisture in the tree.
• When you select a location in your home to display the tree, choose a spot that's as cool as possible - away from heat sources. You don't want the sap to start flowing or the tree to dry out.
• Place the potted tree inside a larger pot or bucket that is leak proof and make sure it is stable.
• Water as needed to keep it moist but not soggy. Adding ice to the top of the tree ball will also help keep it cool while watering it as the ice melts. 
• Living trees should not be kept indoors more than 4-7 days. When moving it back outside, place it in a protected area to acclimate it once again to cooler temperatures. 
• Plant when soil temperatures will allow.


Purchasing A Tree


Here's an excellent, short video to help you on your outing to purchase a cut tree. 

For additional information on finding a tree farm or lot, try these links...


California Christmas Tree Association
National Christmas Tree Association
American Christmas Tree Association
Living Christmas Trees

Swedish Pepparkakor Cookies

Tis the season for cookie exchanges and baking cookies; one of my favorite traditions with the girls! And without a doubt, Pepparkakor is our family favorite. This swedish ginger cookie is similar to a ginger snap, but much more mild, like a gingerbread that is thin, crisp and not extremely sweet (one reason I like them so much). This recipe is so delicious, you won't be able to stop eating them! And when I say they're easy to make, I mean EASY! The dough is so forgiving and a breeze to work with. My friend, Anna, shared this with me several years ago and we've been making it ever since.

Photo Credit: stephskardal

Pepparkakor Cookies

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup butter, softened

2 T. milk (or water)

3 T. molasses

1 egg

3 1/4 cup flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. ground cloves

Combine butter and sugar...

Add molasses...

milk...

and egg; combine well.

In a separate bowl, combine flour...

baking soda, salt, and spices...

then add to sugar and butter mixture...

mixing well...

Refrigerate dough for about an hour until it is chilled. Then roll out and cut with your favorite shapes...

Bake at 350 degrees for 7-10 minutes depending on how crisp you want them!

Cool 2 minutes and remove to a cooling rack. Then decorate as you like; or you could just eat them right there on the spot, like I often do. I have to hide them from my husband or they'd be gone in a day! Did I mention they freeze nicely so you can bake these ahead of time?

I am particularly fond of antique and vintage cookie cutters, but I hesitate to use them for actual baking because I don't know where they've been and how clean they are. Quality tin cookie cutters must be washed in very hot, soapy water and dried immediately to prevent rusting (tutorial to follow soon on another post). Often, the older cookie cutters are beginning to show signs of rust, thus my hesitation.

My solution has been to order quality handmade, reproduction cookie cutters. My favorite company is The Victor Trading Company. Most of their shapes are designed from old historical cookie cutters that they have reproduced (indicated by an * on the design). Having the tin plate behind the cookie cutter gives the shape and handle extra stability. The only drawback is that you can't see through it to see where you are cutting. However, I found that the type without the tin plates eventually break due to the stress on their joints. I want my cookie cutters to be a family tradition that are handed down someday! (For more information on Tin Cookie Cutters, see Gregory LeFever's article)

Keep in mind that you will pay quite a bit more for one of these handcrafted cookie cutters - you won't find any $1.99 models available. However, long term, these are worth the money. I just pace myself and buy one or two a year. The funky tree and snowman above are from The Victor Trading Company. (Just ordered a new reindeer and angel last year since mine was worn out - they were not from VTC but the new ones are!) I'm pretty sure I got the snowflake and heart-n-hand from Gooseberry Patch, but sadly, they aren't carrying this type of cutter anymore.

Photo Credit: melynda.huskey

Hope you are crafting some wonderful Christmas traditions and creating beautiful family memories this year!

The Advent Conspiracy

I know... it's only August. But some of you have already started thinking about Christmas. And before we get any closer to the season of giving, I'd like to encourage you to enter it with a different mindset this year. 

Visit Advent Conspiracy's website and find out more about this radical approach to the holidays!

Worship fully.

Spend Less.

Give More.

Love All.

Be purposeful. Be radical. Be a pioneer. 

Enter the story.