To A Healthy 2012~

Happy New Year....from Sage Hill Herb Farm....

Let's talk herbs and better health in 2012~

EatWell-BeWell...

With Gratitude,

Bea Rigsby-Kunz

Sipper For The Season~

A Holiday Special for Non Coffee Takers~

This delicious tea can serve as dessert, or with dessert instead of coffee.

(Hot Spiced Tea Punch)

12 whole cardamom pods, or substitute allspice

1/2 tsp whole cloves

1 stick of good cinnamon

4 Tbsp Darjeeling tea leaves

1 bottle of hearty Burgundy (about one quart )
1/4 cup honey
Cinnamon sticks to garnish

Bring to boil in a large saucepan...1 quart plus 1 cup water and the spices

Remove from heat-add tea leaves and stir-cover and steep 5 minutes

Strain tea and return to saucepan

Over low heat, add wine and honey-warm gently-stirring occasionally-5 to 10 minutes

( do not boil )

Pour into a punch bowl or ladle into mugs and garnish

Makes 2 quarts

Enjoy~Tis The Season~

Bea Rigsby-Kunz
Sage Hill Farms
Tennessee

http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com/

Thursday morning...the 29th day of December-2011...the 6th day of the beautiful Christmas season....A very special song for me is the "Twelve Days Of Christmas,"  some say ( historians-both secular and Theologians ) that the song was a code to allow Christians to communicate their faith during the bitter times between Christians and the Catholic church...there seems to be no real proof...except the timing and the easy understanding of the relationship of the words to the facts of the day.  For me, it really doesn't matter, much of history is based on ones interpretation of the time.

The 6 geese a-laying translated to the "6 days of creation...." a fact among believers.

( the now ) While I didn't see 6 geese a-laying,  I did see 6 geese flying south this early am. I do believe...both in the creation, and in history-without one or both...nothing else comes together in my spirit for me.

So...whatever you believe and practice...may it bring you closer to the real "truth." Ask, and you shall receive...the truth~

Merry Christmas~

Bea Rigsby-Kunz
Sage Hill Farms
Tennessee
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com/

Treats And Sweets~

From Bea's Kitchen~

 

(Cashews and Coconut Chews)

2/3 cups unsweetened coconut

6 ounces pineapple juice

1 Tbsp sesame tahini

2 Tbsp maple syrup ( optional )

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp powdered stevia extract

1/2 cup coarsely ground raw cashews

Scant 2/3 cups whole wheat pastry flour

Preheat oven to 350*

Oil a cookie sheet

Soak the coconut in the pineapple juice

Cream together the tahini, syrup, vanilla, and Stevia in a mixing bowl
Stir in the soaked coconut and ground cashews
Mix in the flour

Drop the batter by spoonfuls onto an oiled cookie sheet
Leave the drops dome shaped

Bake for 25 minutes

Cool and enjoy~

Yields 16 cookies about 1 and one half " in size.
117 calories per cookie

Tis The Season~

http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com/

The 5th Day and All Is Well~

On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...5 gold rings...

Ahhh...1 pair of earrings and 3 gold bangles...that counts, yes?

Our holiday season is progressing beautifully...as I trust yours is also.

Cold, rain, and some frosty mornings...so far, no snow :) But, I'm not giving up hope !

The Christmas pumpkin is holding up very well--these are the most amazing pumpkins for keeping long term, beautiful and sturdy.

This recipe I will be using on the New Years menu....

Dill and Potato Cakes~

makes about 10 to 12 cakes

2 cups self rising flour ( unbleached if possible )
3 Tbsp real butter ( organic ) softened
pinch of Sea salt
1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh dill ( or 1 teaspoon dried )
1 cup mashed potatoes-freshly made
2-3 Tbsp milk-(organic)

Preheat the oven to 450*

Stir the flour into a bowl, and add the butter, salt, and dill.
Mix in the mashed potatoes and enough milk to make a soft, pliable dough.

Roll out the dough on a well-floured surface until it is fairly thin.
Cut into neat rounds with a 3" cutter.

Grease a baking sheet, place cakes on it and bake for 20-25 minutes until risen and golden brown.

These are delicious served with most any meal, especially breakfast or brunch.

Enjoy and celebrate each day of Christmas through the 4th of January.

Bea---from the Sage Hill Farms kitchen~

http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com/

The dill is fresh and so good !

The Season, The Reason, The Gift~

Merry Christmas from the 'Sage Hill Farms' family~

December is the month of many joyful reunions, family and friends who see each other on a daily basis, and those who travel far to make the connection at this special time of year.

There is magic in the air !  The twinkling of the lights seem to say...awake,  go forth, and celebrate.
The falling of frosty snowflakes and cold windy gust...all seems to be a little less harsh during December.
Perhaps it is because we know there is a warm and ready fire awaiting us inside, hot frothy chocolate or simmering cider on the stove.
Or, perhaps it is the spirit that comes to celebrate the most important birthday of the year.....our Lord Jesus Christ.

We hear much about the commercialization of this amazing season...to this I say...tune out the hustle and bustle if it bothers you, but do not allow the  actions of others to discolor your reason for the season.
Gifting is part of the celebration, that which comes from the heart is perfect for this display of love and inclusion.

May you, your family, and all those you include...have the most blessed Christmas ever.

A Recipe to Tempt Your Taste-buds~

( Cranberry and Port Sauce with Lemon Thyme~)

Makes about 1 pint-can easily be doubled

4 Tbsp port
4 Tbsp orange juice
4 oz brown sugar
8 oz fresh cranberries
1 Tbsp finely grated orange rind
1 Tbsp finely chopped lemon thyme

Pour the port and orange juice into a saucepan and add the sugar.
Place over low heat and stir with a metal spoon until the sugar dissolves.

Transfer the mixture to a larger pan, increase the heat a little and add the cranberries.
bring mixture to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the berries are just tender and the skins begin to burst.

Remove pan from heat and mix in the orange rind and thyme.

Leave to cool...you can then pour into jars and seal for later use or for gifts...or place in a container for use on your holiday meats...it's delicious on turkey, chicken, duck, or ham...

Enjoy !

Bea Rigsby-Kunz
Sage Hill Farms