Returning to myself
Dear Reader,
Since this week was very full, I really didn't have the space to consider what I was going to write about. I thought about a lot of things, but nothing seemed quite right. It wasn't that I was out of ideas. Actually, all the things swimming around in my head made my brain feel about as full as my week. Backing away from social media has given my brain much more space to focus on things that are more important and much more relevant both personally and creatively, so I thought maybe I'd write about those things.
I don't know about you, but spring always makes me feel like I'm on the cusp of something. It's a bit uncertain, as we jump back between balmy days and blustery rainy days. My heart always wants to leap into summer, my favorite season. I can't wait for the lightness of heart I feel soaking up the sunshine day every day, and spending as much time as possible outside. Since I am one who revels in warmth and light, every summer I feel reborn and new again. Although I have gained some patience with age, I still feel like I sit here waiting. . . However, once summer is finally here, I can't help but feel a sense of urgency to fit everything in that I possible can in those months that just seem to fly by. So with that, here is an ever- growing list of what I hope to do/accomplish this summer.
The list
- Go to Maine
- Grow my own fruits and veggies in my community garden plot. (I'm giddy about this)
- Wake up early every morning and finish all of my sewing so I can spend most of the day outside.
- Go to bed earlier to make the above an actual reality.
- Travel as much as possible for shows and for fun.
- Eat outside as much as possible
- Start crafting meet-ups in local parks.
- Set-up my own pop-ups in Buchanan park.
- Buy a bike trailer so I can do the above regularly without driving.
- Road trip as much as possible. *Try new things and have new experiences with my family.
- Day trips *limit my screen time to 2 hours a day ( this might be tricky with website stuff and texting with my kids, but it's a goal)
- Live in the present (a lesson for every season, but still. . . )-I have a tendency to try to predict the future through a series of constant what ifs.
- Focus on community connections (see 7 and 8)
- Do not stress about not completing the list.
- Make cold brew iced tea on the daily. (see how to do that below)
Cold brew iced tea
Would you love to enjoy a refreshing glass of delicious iced tea all summer long, but you wonder how you can avoid the bitter taste from over steeping? Well, then this little bit of info is just for you. It's so easy to enjoy an iced tea, whether you like herbal, black, green, or any other blend, and all it takes is a little prep.
Cold brew iced tea
*I only use loose tea or dried herbs from my garden, but you could probably do this with tea bags as well.
*Find a mason jar (or any other glass container)
*Fill this jar with loose tea or dried herbs. The amount is up to you, just eyeball it.
*Fill this jar with cool water.
*Put a lid on the jar and place it in the fridge.
*The next day strain your tea and enjoy.
*This cold brew method will give you a rich, delicious cup of tea without any bitterness. Added bonus if you're using herbs: a longer cold brew will help extract more of the medicinal properties of the plants.
April shows
If you'd like to see me and my wares at local shows this month, here's where you'll find me.
New Cumberland Earth & Arts Festival — The New Cumberland Collective
May you trust in community, collaboration, and companionship dear reader. Have a lovely week.
xo, Christa
Thanks for reading. I appreciate you.