Solstice Blessings!

 A mighty log, adorned with candles to burn through the coldest nights. A green tree, adorned with memories! The settings to feed however many folk might wander through on this cold night.

A fire blazing bright, to ward of the dark while the sun is gone. Perfect for passing cups of mead around! Hail to the reborn Sun!

Happy Holidays to all my readers, no matter how you gather this season. May light and love be in your house.

Firestarters How-to

 It's winter, but at our house that does NOT mean that we aren't hanging outside! It does mean that our supplies of dry tinder are dwindling, and fire starting is getting trickier. (I rarely have piles of waste paper around, first world Druid problems.)

I do, however, have a box of old candle stubs and half empty tea-lights. ( Double boiler of course, with an old pan you aren't fond of.)

I also have a box of dryer lint, saved for just such an occasion. Some notes on that - the suitability of dryer lint for burning is dependent on the fiber content. Wool does not burn well, synthetics smoulder and melt. Fortunately, most American wardrobes have a high percentage of cotton, which makes rather flammable lint. To test your lint, pinch off a bit and try lighting it ( don't hold it in your fingers directly!) If you get a smouldering melting mass, it will not serve as good firestarters. To be clear, even a "pure" cotton lint will not burn clean and bright, as it likely has lots of dyes, dirt and foreign bits in it, but it will burn fine when covered in wax.

 I created a "mold" with a waxy advertisement paper, and filled it with a layer of lint. It's not terribly tall, it's easier to work with relatively narrow strips of firestarter.

 Wax is poured over, and a stick was used to ensure that all the fiber was covered in wax. When the block had cooled enough to solidify, but was still warm and pliable, I used a knife to divvy it up into blocks.

It takes a moment with a lighter to get each block going, but it then burns like a candle covered in wicks, and will light even damp or stubborn fuel!
Happy Bonfires!

Finds - Ewe Ready for Spring?

Today marks Imbolc, also traditionally known as "Candlemas" and"The Feast of Lactating Ewes". Whatsa matter? Don't have any ewes around your house that are ready to start lactating? You can still enjoy a touch of Imbolc, get a glass of milk, a warm wool sweater, and some sheepy friends to join you...

Fabulous block print by EdamamePress, a view of the world from a place where lactating ewes are still noticed.

Settle in on a fluffy sheep pillow from JustPlainFolk...

And wrap up your hot beverage of choice with this cute warmer by PurlandJune.

Cozy up with this bowl from MiriHardyPottery to corral your wildest wooly projects...

And knit with these piratey stick from Scary2Merry for added sass.

Or just keep this little wooden friend around, made by OutsideEverywhere. Toys are for all ages after all!

Light a little fire this weekend to remind yourself that spring is coming, and until it gets here you can still enjoy our ovine friends!