AQUAVIT!

Aquavit translates to "water of life"

One simple pleasure I allow myself every winter, during the long dark evenings, is a small glass of aquavit, to sip slowly...

the herbs and spices are amazingly comforting.  My favorite is one I make myself.  

It is an easy Scandinavian recipe from a favorite cookbook:

from Andreas Viestad

The master recipe:

It is considered "mock" because commercial vodka is used.  I vary the additions of herbs

and spice according to what I'm in the mood for.  For Christmas a fresh batch is always enjoyed!

Yes, the water of life!

Vinegar and Baking Soda

I use vinegar and baking soda for a myriad of things,

and really don 't know what I would do without these 2 simple products.

They have been my weapon for years (30+) to clean and combat the stink of everyday life!

Cheap, earth friendly, and very effective.

Some hacks that really all of you should be using:

teeth whitening=once a week brush with baking soda=amazing results!

Every visit to my dentist they ask if I've just whitened my teeth...

haha, our little secret:)

dishwasher rinse agent...who needs the expensive chemical stuff?  Pour vinegar into the rinse agent cup, voila, sparkling dishes!  With no harm to your wallet or earth.

Smelly front loading washing machine?  No problem!  Add vinegar...following your machine's cleaning recommendation...and yes, it really works!

When I use these two simple natural ingredients, I think about our water supply and how zero harm is done.
Of course, the opposite is true when using commercial toilet bowl cleaners, rinse agents etc...you know where I'm going here.

Just switch, just do it, I have the most amazing confidence you will be happy you did.

Earth will thank you :)

Colors Of Winter

It has been a true, old-fashioned Minnesota winter.

For weeks now our world has been snow and ice dumped...dumped...

dumped...

 The colors of our landscape have become neutral,

white, gray, sienna. 

 Tones that have seeped into all that I see,

everything I draw and paint:

"Milkweed"  18x25 drawing on paper  CWLarson

"Birch Bark"  18x25 drawing on paper  CWLarson

Of course I know that Spring is inevitable,

hidden beneath all that ice and snow...

 and when it appears to my happy eyes,
all will be

green, green, green...

Now,
where did I put that tube of sap green paint?