I know the holidays are over but I haven’t put away my glampers just yet. This beauty and the birdhouse below were thoughtful gifts from the three women who are the heart and soul of our Coeur d’Alene store.
Doesn’t this just make you want to put your tailfeathers on?
Drum roll for cute-as-a-button Jordan …
Wyoming rancher Anita Shepperson found her way into my heart again. (I met up with Anita and friends last summer in South Dakota for a weekend of glamping.)
This time, she surprised me with a knitted cowl/neckwarmer and mittens that she’d created using wool from the Rambouillet ewes she raises on her sheep ranch. Fuzzy, warm feelings!!!! Thanks, Anita. They’re gorgeous!!! Love.
Here these beauties are modeled by Saralou, our seamstress/crafter. Love the handmade antler buttons Anita used. But of course! Anita makes her own butter and cheese. She also weaves extraordinary baskets and so much more in addition to running a large Wyoming ranch. She’s what you’d call self-sufficient to the max.
In light of the season’s marathon of sugary holiday goodies and my post yesterday about Waking Up to Wellness, it seems like we should have a little sit-down discussion about sugar cravings. Specifically, how to shake them before they get the better of us, leaving us tired, stressed, achy, overweight, and at risk for a slew of serious health problems down the road.
Some people seem to glide through life heedless of sugar’s temptation, while others—lots of others—really have to work at keeping their cravings in check. Sugar has a way of making a body feel powerless to its siren call. But it’s not a matter of mere weakness, and it’s not as simple as the proverbial “sweet tooth.”
Research is mounting that proves a critical connection between sugar and brain chemistry. As explained in the book, The End of Overeating, sugar can trigger the same effects in the brain as highly addictive drugs like amphetamines and cocaine—and, sadly, countless people in this country are hooked on daily, if not hourly, sugar intake. According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the average American’s yearly sugar intake has skyrocketed from 26 pounds to more than 135 pounds in the past 20 years. Not surprisingly, most of that sugar is coming from processed product additives like bleached white cane or beet sugar and corn syrup, which are far more addictive and health-harming than any sort of sweetness found in nature. The bottom line: sugar can lure you into seemingly unbeatable cycles of craving, overeating, and suffering. You feel helpless to stop once you get hooked on sugar’s instant pick-me-up, even though it ultimately leaves you down in the dumps again.
While perusing the health news segment in a popular magazine recently, I found myself cringing at the headlines. Insurance, radiation, prescription drugs, and myriad gloom-and-doom medical findings—the topics sent shivers down my spine! How, I wondered, is any of this “health” news? Even as our collective consciousness is blooming with enthusiasm for more nutritious food, safer homes, and healthier habits, it seems that an alarming number of people are still outsourcing the care of their bodies to the medical industry.
In large part, it’s a matter of convenience. Instead of investing time and effort into restoring one’s natural health, it’s easier to ask a doctor to prescribe one (or more) of the many pills touted as quick cures. I think there is also a significant fear factor involved here. Over the past century or so, modern medicine has managed to convince us that physicians hold the key to creating wellness, and if the average Jane wants access to her own health, she must come crawling into the doctor’s office with her pocketbook open for business.
This isn’t to say that medicine has not served a vitally important role in engendering health in our society. Indeed, it has its place and has helped countless people live healthier, happier lives. But the shame of the matter is that, like so many other commercial ventures, medicine has become big business to the extent that people have virtually—and literally—become addicted to the system and its often toxic byproducts. We’re hearing about more lawsuits filed for drugs gone awry. We understand that overuse of antibiotics causes dangerous bacterial resistance. And, heaven knows, we’ve read the volumes of side effects and warnings that accompany medications. Yet, it’s almost as if our expanding education engenders more fear, and less confidence, about our course of action.
Nadine Morton, neighbor and dear, sweet cousin-in-law to my husband, came to my recent book signing with the most adorable gift. Does she know me or what?!!!
It’ll be a while before I’m inclined to put this outside to share with my feathered friends. It looks too cute on my desk.
Chances are, cabin fever hasn’t set in quite yet …
But we can all use a little inspiration to get outside on a chilly day, right?
Even better … a winter’s night.
Well, here’s a super COOL idea:
ICE LANTERNS
These crystalline cuties, which traditionally hail from the world’s most wintery northern latitudes, are a good way to spark your appreciation of the season’s stark beauty or light a pathway that invites guests into your home.
Ice lanterns have the lavish look of blown glass, but they’re a snap to make.
I like the way they transform the outdoors into a winter wonderland—even in the absence of snow.
Depending on the sizes and shape of lanterns you’d like to create, choose from a variety of flexible plastic containers to freeze them in, such as:
You’ll also need:
Here’s how you do it:
It’s big. It’s unstoppable. It’s sparkly. Are you ready?
For the rest of the holiday season, that is. Feasts to prepare, halls to deck, family to see, and—oh, yes—gifts to give. Often, that includes whipping up our “famous” cookies, candies, and cakes and sending them to familiar faces in far-flung places.
But if you’re like me, you cringe to think what those goodies must look like by the time they’ve reached their destination. Have the cookies dried out? Did the frosting smear? Is your rum loaf still … well … a loaf? If the idea of people receiving a messy box of crumbs with your name on it makes you crazy, read on for some peace of mind …
The debate has been raging for decades of Decembers:
Real or artificial?
I’m talking trees, of course.
In one camp, you have the hearty, saw-slinging lumberjacks (and Jills) that relish the opportunity to strike out into the snowy woods …
(or tree farm)
to cut down a live fir for the holiday festivities …
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
