Author: the untamed alchemist

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb-Bumble

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb-Bumble

Things can be a little slow up here in the North country. Early spring blessings don’t always greet us in early spring–sometimes we have to wait until much closer to summer for delicious things like strawberries and rhubarb to emerge. But, oh, when they do… 

Blueberry Almond Coconut Loaf

Blueberry Almond Coconut Loaf

  We’re getting ready for a trip in the camper soon–we can’t wait to wake up and hit the trails first thing with the beasts. To wit, I’m testing recipes for delicious, grab-‘n-go breakfast noms that stand up to our new food rules. Last week’s 

Elderflower Punch

Elderflower Punch

  Since I had the great fortune of being intimately connected with not only my Danish family, but also with life in Denmark and Danish traditions, I remain especially vulnerable to memories associated with (or triggered by) Danish food: frikadeller (which I perfected during my 

The Joys of Beltane and the Wild Transformation of Spring

The Joys of Beltane and the Wild Transformation of Spring

  I’ve got a lot of heart for Beltane. Earth’s fertility feels most tangible: She accessorizes with flirtatious first flowers and sticky buds, teases with the first tendrils of climbing vines. Her wild, showy reemergence tempts us beyond frail hope into courageous, playful, intimate relationship 

Sweet Retreat Scrying Incense

Sweet Retreat Scrying Incense

Some days, it’s hard to see the forest for the trees or the answers for the questions. On those days, we need a little clarity and comfort. This incense, designed for burning on charcoal, is a sweet, soothing comfort when your heart is weary. Crafted 

Fun Ways to Drink Fire Cider

Fun Ways to Drink Fire Cider

By now you know I love fire cider. I love making it. I love cooking with it.  I also love drinking it! Here are three simple, creative ways to enjoy your fire cider by the glass… Cheers! fire cider smoothies WHOA. I saw you flinch 

Quickening in the Dark

Quickening in the Dark

Sleet taps the windows like a hundred hungry children as wind whips the house with a howl. The dead of winter is not dead at all, but alive and thrashing with an unholy chill. Change is coming, but it may not be spring, not the 

Chile Corn Chowder with Bacon for your Belly

Chile Corn Chowder with Bacon for your Belly

Our freezer and pantry regularly provide us with delicious reminders of previous seasons’ bountiful and diverse harvest. Many of our most delicious moments in the kitchen result from creative ways of using items we’ve previously put by. Our chile corn chowder with bacon is a 

Rise & Shine Granola: Crunch, Coconut, NOM

Rise & Shine Granola: Crunch, Coconut, NOM

I’m a big granola lover, but I hate the funky ingredients included in many processed, pre-made granola blends. Too many of them have artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, and other junk that I’m not interested in consuming. So, I basically avoided granola until a friend shared 

Making Time for Maker’s Day

Making Time for Maker’s Day

I’m a big fan of Stuff That Works. Stuff That Works is the stuff that we all do to make our lives easier, better, more lovely, less challenging. I enjoy lots of Stuff That Works: aromatic baths for stress, walks in nature to clear my 

Sweet, Fragrant Milk & Honey: An Aromatic Bath for Imbolc

Sweet, Fragrant Milk & Honey: An Aromatic Bath for Imbolc

The pagan festival of Imbolc–also known as the feast of Brigid, the Festival of Lights, Candlemas, Lupercalia, Feast of Flames, and the Festival of Milk–marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Celebrating the return of the light, it falls at the 

Pine Cone Fire Starters

Pine Cone Fire Starters

Between local minds and the farmer’s almanac, rumor has it the winter of 2016-2017 will be a particularly cold and wet one in our little slice of the inland northwest. To wit, we rallied early this year to keep the home fires burning in our 

Still *More* Things To Do with Fire Cider

Still *More* Things To Do with Fire Cider

(If you’re just joining this series, you’ll find a fire cider recipe here to get you started and other recipes using fire cider here… If you’re back for more, welcome back!) Yes, there are still more amazing ways to use fire cider. Here are a 

Botany, A Poem by Berton Braley

Botany, A Poem by Berton Braley

Botany There should be no monotony In studying your botany; It helps to train  And spur the brain– Unless you haven’t gotany. It teaches you, does Botany, To know the plants and spotany,  And learn just why They live or die– In case you plant 

*Other* Ways To Use Fire Cider

*Other* Ways To Use Fire Cider

If you’re like I was, you were very excited the first time you made fire cider. I visualized my highest possible health as I washed, peeled, and minced my ingredients. I imagined wellness itself steeping in that beautiful Mason jar. I was positively dizzy with 

Fire Cider for Fall

Fire Cider for Fall

Let me begin by reminding you that I am not a health care professional (nor am I into pretending to be one). So I won’t suggest I know how to protect you from everything that might infect you this autumn. I’m no master of my