As I’ve mentioned before, I quite like a good cup of coffee. Usually black, but occasionally I’ll get a hankering for a latte or cappuccino, and sometimes I’ll give in to myself and buy one from Sheetz or Starbucks, ignoring the voice of reason that says “but Lindsey, those things are full of non-real food, processed junk!”

A few years ago I purchased a Bialetti Moka pot,* and I’ve used it every so often to make myself a specialty coffee, along with a rotary beater to froth the milk a bit. It works, but frankly it’s quite inconvenient. So I decided I’d start saving up for a nice electric espresso maker with a frothing wand. I didn’t need anything too fancy, just something a bit easier and faster to use, so I could have a nice cuppa made with real food ingredients like raw milk, homemade syrups, and natural sweeteners.

However, it seemed like every time I’d saved enough extra money for one, some other unexpected expense required my attention (that’s adulthood for ya) and I’d have to start all over again. I’d  check Target when I went in just in case they were on sale, and a few times I almost bought one at the regular price, but I decided it wasn’t a priority and I could wait a bit longer.

Yesterday, we went to a few thrift shops in town, as I am looking for a pair of silver sandals to wear at my friend’s wedding. I didn’t find any shoes, but I found a few nice tops, and as I was standing in line to check out, the thought popped into my head that I should check and see if they had an espresso machine. Now, I don’t know why, but I never really thought to look for one at thrift shops before… but I looked over at the shelf where the appliances were and there it was!

I walked over to check the price tag, figuring it would be about $20 based on what I know this model retails for. I took a look at the sticker – and what a surprise! $7.50! I checked the manual and all the parts were there, and even though I didn’t know if it would work or not, it came home with me on the hope that if it didn’t work, the previous owners would have just recycled it or thrown it out, rather than donating it. I had the chance to try it out today, and yes! It works!

I think there’s a little lesson in my thrift store find story. It may seem a rather silly thing, but I believe the Lord knew I wanted one, so He provided this to bless me. It’s not something I needed, not even something I deserved, but He did it anyway, because He knew it’d make me happy. Isn’t He Wonderful?

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A guest blogger/contributor? Who, me?

Yes! I’m so very excited to be working with the lovely Kimi of The Nourishing Gourmet! I’ve been a reader of hers for a long time now and have found her posts on traditional foods very informative and encouraging along my journey to healthful living.

I’m honored to now be part of a great group of gals  who will be contributing a (at least) one recipe a month to the Nourishing Gourmet blog. Each of us will be developing and sharing recipes that focus on traditional cooking and nutrient-dense foods, following the Nourishing Traditions/Weston A Price Foundation guidelines, or sharing tips for how to integrate a real foods diet into your life, like this post by Dina-Marie of Cultured Palate, where she shares what she’s learned about cooking nourishing food for a large family

I’m excited about this opportunity, largely because of the encouragement and accountability it will provide me as I continue on this path to a traditional foods diet. I still feel that I have a long way to go, but if I’m going to be “preaching” it, I’d better be living it as much as possible!

So… click on over to see my recipe for a Spring Green Frittata!

As soon as I saw this quote, I knew it had to made into a cute little poster! So I asked Kimi for her permission to whip this up. She said yes, so here it is!

Pin it: http://pinterest.com/pin/253046072785769621/

It’s no secret that I love, love, love a good cup of coffee. I love the ritual and pleasure of a nice cup of rich black coffee – the smell, the taste, everything.

But lately, I’ve been developing a real affinity for tea as well. Partially as a result of trying to limit my caffeine intake in the interest of health, partially because coffee was getting to be a bit – dare I say it? – boring, day after day. I needed to find an alternative for those days when I wanted a warm cup of something, but just didn’t feel like another coffee. Don’t worry though – tea, as much as I’m growing to love it, will never replace coffee in my mind or in my life. They are completely different drinks and comparing them is, pardon the cliché, like comparing apples and oranges.

And so, I’m learning that tea definitely has a place in my life. I’ve been tasting my way through the teas in our cupboard, and we have a surprising variety. When you frequent a discount grocery that sells good teas (brands like Traditional Medicinals, Yogi, Tazo, Mighty Leaf, and of course, Twinings,) for $1.25 a box, it’s hard to resist throwing an interesting-looking blend or two in the cart. When it comes to most black tea, I can take it or leave it – although, a friend gave me a few bags of Lapsang souchong and I found it quite yummy with a splash of milk, as pictured above, and surprisingly not nearly as smoky-tasting as it smells, and I will always love Earl Grey – but I really do love a good herbal blend, and even a cup of plain peppermint is enjoyable.

I don’t remember if the first cup of tea I ever had was a stoneware mug of hot, milky, sweet black pekoe in my grandmother’s kitchen, or out of a plastic Tupperware tumbler with a sippy lid while lying on the couch with a stomach bug, made for me by Mom, lukewarm with just a splash of milk and the littlest bit of sugar. Regardless, I’ve always associated tea with relaxation and comfort, which is why it doesn’t work for me early in the morning. But sometimes, a moment to relax with a cup of herbal tea is all the afternoon pick-me-up I need. I like that.

Smelling: Eucalyptus oil, as I’m using it in an attempt to combat spring allergies.

Seeing: green, green, and more green. also, flowers!

Hearing: early-morning birdsong.

Tasting: UNREAL peanut chocolate candies (M&Mish) – a little treat before starting a 5-day juice fast tomorrow.

Feeling: so very, very sad for Boston, MA and West, TX.

The Goat Herder and his Lots and Lots and Lots of Goats from Will Rose on Vimeo.

I have no idea where we got this little book – the free pile at the library, perhaps, or maybe a yardsale, auction, or used bookstore – but I found it to be quite an interesting read, full of simple yet practical information relating to farming and homesteading. It appears to be a first edition, with a 1904 copyright.

In addition to the text, it is illustrated with a number of drawings and color plates, and I found some leaves, plants, and flowers pressed between some of the pages. 

My favorite chapter so far is the one on home dairying, and although it was written with the cow in mind as the dairy animal of choice, there are a lot of good tips regarding the care of dairy animals, proper handling of milk, sanitation of milking equipment, and a bit of information on churning butter.

I just thought it was a very interesting book!

If you’d like to take a look at the book, it’s available here on Project Gutenberg. If you’d like to own your own copy, there’s a revised print edition,* as well as a Kindle e-book,* on Amazon.

*Affiliate links

Triad

Tenor

Lyra

Baxter

Too much cuteness!

I miss you, my sweet Nona-girl.

“my symphony” – w. h. channing   font: Mathlete