Homespun Alchemy™ ... In the Kitchen

Lacto-fermented carrots and garlic after about eight days of fermentation।

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"You are an alchemist; make gold of it."
-- William Shakespeare

Several years ago after reading about...and being intrigued by...a somewhat mysterious food-alchemy called "fermentation" ....

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"Discovering... the Forgotten Wealth of Nature"

"It is the thrifty who prepare today for the wants of tomorrow."

~ Aesop (circa 550 BC)

"It was the children who spied them first. Our bare ankles and sandal~ed feet scraped scraped against the cactus~like needles as we stepped gingerly over the vines sprawled across the landscape. They had buried themselves inside a mysterious, shadowy tangle of Pepper and Avocado trees like long forgotten treasure. A colossal patch of blackberries lie before us, not unlike an ethereal gift, the type of gift that night~fairies might leave to mere mortals. The dark glistening berries seemed to blink at the sun's brightness as we gently lifted the brand of an ancient Pepper tree to examine our cache'. Click HERE to continue reading.

Potential Accomplishments and Creating My Day

Potential Accomplishments

Since Mike returned to work a few weeks ago I have been trying to de~clutter my closets and office. This morning I came across several of my old newsletters from the 199o's and early 2000's. (Frugal Times: Making~Do With Dignity which evolved into our Frugal Luxuries newsletters and book series). I confess to spending far too much time reading through them. Happily it wasn't a total waste of time as I rediscovered this little insert in one of the newsletters from 1999 titled "Today's Potential Accomplishments" and decided to put it to use getting my life in order in 2012!

Originally, I had included this sheet... CLICK HERE TO FINISH READING

Homespun Alchemy ™: Creative Re~Use and Garden Magic...Sort of.

We're sprouting new ideas all the time...."

-Richard Cook

Click HERE for full post!

Abundant Wishes for a Happy and Blessed New Year to All! xxx000xxx

Click HERE to read post.

Frugal Luxuries for the Freezer and...I'll be on a Radio Show Today (Saturday)...Call Me!

Click HERE to read full post!

OH!!! I almost forgot to tell you, tomorrow, Friday (12/30/11) and Saturday (12/31/11) I'll be a guest on Positive Living Radio show(s)!!! I would just love it if you could call in and talk with us! Here's the exact information about the shows that I stole from Patricia's website.

Listen to Tracey McBride on Patricia Raskin Positive Living on Saturday December 31st 3:30-4:00PM ET on 630WPRO AM & 99.7 FM. Listeners can call in to the show at (401) 438-W-P-R-O (401-438-9776) or toll free at 1 (800) 321-W-P-R-O (1-800-321-9776) and listen live on www.630wpro.com.

Join nationally recognized multi-media radio talk show host and award winning producer Patricia Raskin, as she interviews Tracey McBride, author of Frugal Luxuries: Simple Pleasures to Enhance Your Life and Comfort Your Soul and Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons: Celebrate the Holidays with Elegance and Simplicity--on Any Income. Chicago Tribune wrote "Think of Tracey McBride as the Martha Stewart of the cheapskate set". She had delighted thousands by elevating the skill of living frugally to an art form. Tracey will discuss cost-effective ways to bring in the new year with beauty and joy.

Kindling a Simple Christmas

I'm feeling very simple this Christmas...

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Day Four: Thanksgiving Progressive Dinner~Blog Style~Remains of a Thanksgiving Feast

Remains of a Thanksgiving Feast: Classic Turkey~Noodle Soup!
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Autumnal Delights...

To see the full post please click...HERE !


Images: Rachel Whiting

Meet Homespun Alchemist (tm)...Manuela!

Click HERE to learn more about Homespun Alchemist, Manuela!

What is a Homespun Alchemist (tm)?

Please enjoy this occasional feature in which we highlight...


Homespun Alchemists!!!


What is a Homespun Alchemist (tm)? They are Kindred Spirits who demonstrate the uncanny abilities to ...


Make Something From Nothing (tm)


(well...almost nothing!).



Today we'll visit THIS INSPIRING POST written by Terri of the PennyAnn Poundwise blog. In it she extents a charming glimpse into her pretty, practical world of lovely living within a limited budget. I highly recommend reading it as she generously shares a plethora of her secrets for making something from nothing...or very little.


I found it to be pure magic and, of course, was very compelled to share it here...with all of you kind kindred spirits...where I know it'll be appreciated.


Love and good thought to all.


Warmly,


Tracey and Family


x0x


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"The New Can~Do Spirit"...

Recently we wrote HERE about frugal luxuries found in farm~stand bounty.


Imagine our delight when we found THIS very interesting and useful article in the LA Times reporting on the resurgence of the oft forgotten/lost skill of putting~food~by for future meals. It offers some valuable links to canning blogs that I thoroughly enjoyed reading...especially as I'm trying to preserve the bounty of the season in my own kitchen as well!


Hope you find it as interesting and useful as I!



Love and good thoughts to all.



Warmly,



Tracey and Family



x0x



P.S. If you haven't seen our simple secret for preserving fresh tomatoes click HERE!

Summer Luxuries...DIY S'Mores Kits for Concerts in the Park

DIY S'Mores Kits

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Before...
after.

Images: Project Wedding

Every summer we meet friends and neighbors at our local marina and enjoy the 100 year tradition of city~sponsored concerts in the park. It's a frugal pleasure that we all look forward to and enjoy.


One of the little luxuries we often treat ourselves to...during the evenings of music,food and friends...is melting marshmallows over votive candles (very carefully, of course :) and using them to build s'mores! Last week, I promised some of the children that they could count on me to bring the s'mores fixing's for our next concert!

When browsing online this morning I came across these charming little gift~boxed~s'mores~kits from Project Wedding! Of course I fell in love with the way they took these very simple ingredients (see image #2) and repackaged them into charming gift/kits for easy sharing...and as my mind was on the idea of sharing I was compelled to post them here to share with all of you kind souls!!!


If you want to read detailed instructions and see more images be sure to visit HERE!
http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/diy-s-mores-kits

Hope you're enjoying a lovely weekend...and summer.



Love and good thoughts to all.



Warmly,


Tracey and Family


x0x

soothing images of summer gardens...

...never enough lovely images and inspiration from the talented photography of Christine Bauer!!!



(You may also enjoy our other posts featuring Christine Bauer's work...see HERE and HERE.)




Images:Sources

Everything's Coming Up Roses...

...see more rose~y images here !

Frugal Luxuries

Stocking the Spring Gift Pantry

"Necessity never made a good bargain."

~~Benjamin Franklin


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Click below to see how we're...

Working Ahead of Need: Preparing for the Holidays All Year Round

Salt of the Earth...

Click HERE to see what we're doing with old salt shakers and pregnant onions!!!

Rummaging Up Emblems of Spring

Please click HERE for more Rummaged~Up Emblems of Spring!

Disclosing Secrets...Magic Mottos..."Making Something From Nothing" tm

I have a little secret...actually it's not really a secret...I just haven't written about it on these blogs yet. Today, then, is the day I will tell you my little story.

Please click HERE to continue.

We've Been Trying to Create a Bit of Order from Chaos...

To see a little more... please click HERE !

Lace Garden Fence

Our creative Kindred Spirit, Cindy McNatt, over at...

Dirt du Jour

has an amazing post (and links) for

dressing up a utilitarian chain link fence!

I was so charmed with the concept

I had to share it with you!

A Happy Valentine Wish

WISHING YOU LOVE ON VALENTINE'S DAY & ALWAYS.

Fragments of Love and Loveliness

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To see more click HERE.