Granny's Parlour

This is a summary of some of the delightful Blog articles I have been reading during the week. I invite you to graze through these, and also through the archives of the creative writers who wrote them.

Food canning equipment, tool carts, compost bins, growing kits, cider and fruit presses, the Squeezo Strainer, food dehydrators, juicers, smokers, cold frames, greenhouses and so many more innovations contribute to making our lives organized and healthier and to turning our homes and properties into an oasis where the living is good.

All of these things exist because we are creative and because we have a unique ability to adapt to our environment. In truth, foodies, homesteaders and gardeners who write about their experiences are telling the ongoing story of our inventive spirit. On their pages, every tool and appliance is like a paint brush; ready to express a new vision.

You can access the entire Weekend Highlights series to date by clicking on that category in the sidebar at left.

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Cecilia, author of The Kitchen’s Garden, returns to the home she affectionately calls “The Farmy” after a journey back to her home of origin down under, New Zealand. This dynamically visual post, titled A few Farmy Highlights (in pictures) from Jan-Dec 2012,  takes us on a tour through time.

I found it especially touching. It is, in itself, a testament to a journey where one’s life vision takes shape one step at a time and every piece works together to paint the greater picture. Every day, Cecilia wakes to this tableau. So much life, so much hard work, so many chores to mark the time… and so much peace and acceptance and love. This, it seems, is the rhythm of the homestead. [Go to blog]

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This time of year, we think about personal improvements and we make promises with the best intentions in the world. The Tea Blog suggests 5 Teas to Get You Through January.

“The first month of the year can be a toughie, especially with all the post-holiday clean-up and a bit of a sense of what can only be described as “the blahs.” But trying a new tea can cure those blahs in a big hurry…”

Reading about the flavors and serving suggestions that followed, it occurred to me that if we took the time to reflect on our resolutions and goals with a good, flavorful, heartwarming tea in hand, we might truly give weight to the moment, even make it sacred. Then, perhaps we’d keep our promises to ourselves. [Go to blog]

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The Sustainable, Sweet & Savory Gourmet welcomed the New Year with Homemade Graham Crackers.

“When I hear the words Graham Crackers,” begins the author, “The first thoughts that come to mind are smores, cheesecake with a graham crust, or my favorite as a child, grahams topped with honey and served with a warm beverage…” She goes on to observe that “kids are grazers” and that it is well worth the effort to offer today’s children a homemade choice for snacks and sweets.

Though this is my third entry in this Highlight, it is the first blog article I came upon on January 1st. Perfect timing, I thought. Graham crackers are among those special treats that connect us deeply to the warm memories that anchor the sweet moments of life into our hearts. We bring new memories into the New Year and build new memories with each successive day. Homemade graham crackers are like a batch of sweet memories. [Go to blog]

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Thank you for reading this Weekend’s Highlights. Please take a moment to leave a few words and click the LIKE button on the Blogs you enjoy. Thanks.