by Krista | Jul 23, 2016 | Winter
One of the things I look forward to most every Abbey Medieval Festival is ambling through the Viking encampment.
I love the Viking food displays, the wonderful Viking tents, and, most of all, my talented and lovely Viking friends.
I’m always intrigued by children’s toys down through history, and this tiny handmade doll is delightful. Perfect for a little Viking girl to carry around.
I like learning how food was made during medieval times, and this beautiful stone grinder is such a clever way to get flour from dried grains of wheat and rye.
One day I’m determined to learn how to play this Viking game. My friend’s children always look like they’re having such fun as they plot moves under the trees.
This is my lovely friend, Karen – she gives the best hugs – showing off the fantastic Viking grill made by her seriously talented husband, Ray. I want one to use at home and can envision it loaded with meats for roasting or sausages for smoking.
This is my friend Zeta’s stall, laden with fresh herbs, spices, and cabbages that she uses to make fermented cabbage.
I love homemade sauerkraut, especially made the way Zeta makes it, with peppercorns and caraway seeds. It smells absolutely marvelous and tastes divine piled high alongside boiled potatoes and sizzling homemade sausages.
jkl
by Krista | Aug 7, 2014 | Winter
These days my body may be present, but my mind is most often found dreaming amongst old black and white photographs, my eyes squinting over the tiny print of weathered newspapers from the 1800’s, my fingers galloping over computer keys as I transcribe story after story in preparation for the first draft of my history book.
Life thought it would be hilarious to choose this time for me to receive word that I need to gather documents, paperwork, and police checks for round two of my Australian Visa, file taxes in both America and Australia, and get a stack of new (and very welcome!) writing assignments. It’s pure craziness around here, but I’m so thankful for the work and such a peaceful place to get it all done in.
With everything piling up at once, I’ve been struggling with fear. Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of my body giving out before I’ve done everything I need to. So I loved reading this passage by Neil Gaiman today:
“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.
So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.
Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it.
Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”
Especially this line: “Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is.”
Such words take all the stress out of me and help me breathe again, help me focus and just do the next thing the best way I know how.
And they help me remember that (especially) when life gets crazy, self-care is vital.
So I get up early and make time to write and think and read just for me.
I go for a walk every day.
I make food that is both delicious and nourishing: roasted carrots, pulled pork, fresh strawberries, homemade bread.
I yank myself out of writer mode to give Bear hugs and share cuppas and go see the projects he’s been working on.
I connect with people I love, even if it’s just a one sentence email or a quick phone call.
And I try to photograph something beautiful each day: hollyhocks in the morning sun, baby goats with velvety muzzles, vegetables heaped in baskets and bowls.
It makes me smile.
How do you care for your self when life gets a bit wild? xo
by Krista | Jun 12, 2013 | Bits 'n' Bobs
One of my favorite parts of medieval camping is waking up before sunrise while nearly everyone else is still sleeping.
The grounds are quiet and peaceful, and it’s lovely to get the fire burning, brew a hot cuppa, and sit near the warm campfire to watch the sun come up over the sea of medieval tents.
I love my morning cup of strong Earl Grey tea, and somehow it tastes even better made with smoke-scented hot water served in a medieval pottery mug engraved with my Aussie nickname.
Breakfast is hearty fare: pan-fried shortcut bacon (the good, meaty parts), scrambled eggs tossed with the delish crispy bits of bacon left in the pan, and thick slices of flatbread.
After breakfast there’s time to check out some of the medieval displays near us.
I love the gorgeous honey-scented beeswax candles made by my friend Stacey (see top two photos) and these beautiful medieval Hungarian glory beads made and worn by my friend Ann (see below).
One of my favorite encampments is the featuring Iron Age Vikings.
I especially like their food displays showcasing the foods that were available during their time in history. There were no potatoes then, or bell peppers or tomatoes, but they were able to make hearty stews with turnips, parsnips, and elegant purple carrots.
They made soup with dried peas, fried up eggs, and snacked on all sorts of nuts and dried fruits.
I was intrigued to learn that they would make a healing, nourishing tea by steeping pine needles in boiling water. Pine trees are in short supply in my part of Australia, but as soon as I track some down, I’m determined to try my hand at making Viking Pine Tea.
I love learning about new cultures and the foods they treasured. What food culture is most interesting to you?
I’m always intrigued by children’s toys down through history, and this tiny handmade doll is delightful. Perfect for a little Viking girl to carry around.
I like learning how food was made during medieval times, and this beautiful stone grinder is such a clever way to get flour from dried grains of wheat and rye.
One day I’m determined to learn how to play this Viking game. My friend’s children always look like they’re having such fun as they plot moves under the trees.
This is my lovely friend, Karen – she gives the best hugs – showing off the fantastic Viking grill made by her seriously talented husband, Ray. I want one to use at home and can envision it loaded with meats for roasting or sausages for smoking.
This is my friend Zeta’s stall, laden with fresh herbs, spices, and cabbages that she uses to make fermented cabbage.
I love homemade sauerkraut, especially made the way Zeta makes it, with peppercorns and caraway seeds. It smells absolutely marvelous and tastes divine piled high alongside boiled potatoes and sizzling homemade sausages.
