Spring/Summer Handmade items

[Hippie Staff]

Jams, zucchini bread, teas, what else are we brewing up this season? :)

[poppy]

Carrot or Fig Wine would make a lovely gift...

[LIBRA]

Oh wow that sounds yumm!!! Have you made those before, how are they? It would def be a unique gift!

[LIBRA]

This spring Ive been drying and roasting as many dandelion roots as I can, for surplus and for gifts later on in the year.

Strawberry jam in a month or so.

And Im going to try and get some elder flower to make tinctures, but I cant take to many because Id like to use the berries too.

Poppy, you crochet or knit? Are you self taught? I saw on your myspace all the patchy clothes too, its all good :) We should barter sometime!!

[poppy]

I am self taught in most things, and have had some influence on others....

My pops sews for a living, so I learned alot about taking things apart and making patterns, cutting, and sewing from him.
When I was about 7, I had an old family friend give me a full peyote stitch necklace....and thus my love for peyote stitch was born.
My Bible teacher gave me a wonderful crochet book when I was just learning.
Patchwork is something I taught me.
I don't knit very well, but I love to knit anyhow on occasion.
I have not yet made my carrot wine, or fig. But I have been daydreaming about it for several years....and I think this is the year.
I have carrots growing, a huge fig tree next door and down the road. Huge.

Also, Buy or trade your Baby some love beads....antique inspired glass, resin, and plastic beads....with silver findings....super sweet, unique and beautiful.
necklaces $25 bracelets $15 Or Barter Offer. hehehe. Hand beaded by me.

What do you use dandelion root for? Jam?
That just went over my head, over my head, but it sure feels nice....
can I not think of a phrase without the coordinating song popping into my head?.....It's like a private radio, Cool

When I was growing up we would go up the mountain at the end of summers to pick blackberries and listen to goldmining stories while Jam stewed on the stovetop, the stories came from an amazing old woman who does numerology (extremely accurately). Grandma Ida. We never had a shortage of blackberry jam.

[LIBRA]

Do you have picts of the bracelets or necklaces, they sound wonderful!!

Id love to be able to crochet that well, I just learned to knit and so far I havent even mastered a scarf,lol I cant seem to get it even.
I can sew, but simple things, nothing fancy. I think I could do better if I gave myself the time, I rush things. Im a great starter, horrible finisher!!:bawl:
Its a family curse.

Roasted Dandelion root makes a delicous tea/coffee. I am in love with its taste..smooth, mellow, yumm! Plus its incredibly good for you, theres way to many good things to list, so here Roasted Dandelion root info (http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/dandelion_root_roasted.php).

that wine sounds so good, I would never have thought to even make wine from carrots, but I love carrot juice and I love wine...its a win win!


I love old wise mountain woman, I hope to be considered one someday! Such an honor.

[poppy]

I agree, wise old mountain women in training. The pics are in the album, as usual....:o

I love flower teas.......hint hint. When harvest draws near If I'm still hangin around....nothing in life is guaranteed.
I would love to trade for some Flower tea and Honey....

Rosehips are yum, dandelions are delightful. Just by the scent you know it tastes good. I've never had dandelion tea by itself though...only in flower tea.

Thanks for the link.

Ida used to make Kombucha in suntea jars. The mushroom would cover the top.

[LIBRA]

Ya Ya sounds good to me!!! I can always find you on myspace unless you delete me or your profile..so dont do either, we'll barter :)

The pics are lovely!

[poppy]

Just in case anyone would like to make these delicious sounding treats for a homemade gift, I've decided to share the recipes I have for them.

They Come from a cookbook entitled: Louisiana Lagniappe

Carrot Wine

1qt prepared Carrots
1gallon water ( I would say distilled)
3lbs Sugar
one fourth yeast cake

prepare carrots by peeling or scraping them.
Washing them in clear cold water and then grinding them.

Put the carrots, water and sugar into a deep gumbo pot.
Bring to a boil. Boil for one hour, setting timer after mixture reaches a full boil.

Place a cloth over a colander and strain into a clean crock jar. When cold add yeast, which has first been dissolved, or a fourth package of the granulated yeast. Cover crock with a clean cloth and a board. Let stand sixty days.

Cypher into bottles and seal. Let stand for one month after sealing before drinking or serving.

Mrs. G. R. Breaux Sr.

demi-note..Mrs Breaux said it is even better a year after sealing and suggests that the brewer hide a few bottles.

Fig Wine

6lbs fresh ripe figs
2 boxes seedless raisins, one pound size
10 qts water
8 lbs sugar
2 yeast cakes

Wash the figs in cold water. Drain. Place a portion of them in a crock jar and mash thoroughly with a potato masher. Add more figs until all have been mashed. Stir in the sugar and raisins and then add the yeast and water.

Allow to ferment fourteen days.

At the end of fourteen days, strain the mixture three or four times until wine comes out clear. Transfer to sterilized bottles, cap with wax. Chill in the refrigerator. Serve in wine glasses.

Mrs. E. N. Allen

and one more for good measure.

Berry Wine

1qt berries
3lbs sugar
1 yeast cake
1gallon water
1 lemon

Boil water. turn fire off. Add the 3lbs sugar and cook until mixture reaches boiling point. Turn fire off.

Wash berries and remove stems.

Add berries to hot sugar-water mixture. Let stand for one hour. Drain.
Add lemon and yeast and let stand for 24 hours, then drain again. Permit to stand 21 days, then cap in sterilized bottles.

Mathilda Guidry

Demi-note..Sounds as easy as falling off a wine barrel, doesn't it?

[lotuslizard]

mmmmmm wine...............