Cynthia Hamlett

+ Follow
since Jun 20, 2022
Merit badge: bb list bbv list
Biography
Trying to rehabilitate an almost completely vegetation free .87 acre property in an ancient riverbed. The only things currently growing in the actual ground are 17 VERY old state-protected coastal oaks. Need help lol.
For More
So CA, Zone 9b
Apples and Likes
Apples
Total received
In last 30 days
0
Forums and Threads

Recent posts by Cynthia Hamlett

I passionately love tea of all kinds. I buy whatever tea catches my eye (so soo many) and will grow any plant that can be used for tea (so soo many), and have indeed been told, as Tereza above, that I may need "professional help" haha.  Large quantities are consumed daily: hot and iced, herbal, black, green, white, a mind-boggling array of different blends, so I have a really hard time choosing a favorite. I just love tea! But when asked to recommend something interesting, Yogi tea (not the brand) always comes to mind. Gotta like spicy (as in, cinnamon ginger black pepper spicy), but if you do, this will not disappoint. Particularly excellent during the cold months, but also good hot or cold year-round. Not too arduous a process for permie-type folk, but definitely more work than pouring water over a teabag. My recipe below is a good example but ingredients can absolutely be (and usually are) adjusted to taste. Quality of ingredients does make a difference, but don't let that stop you from making it with what you have on hand.

Yogi Tea

2 quarts water (preferably filtered)
20 black peppercorns
15 whole cloves
3 sticks of cinnamon
20 whole cardamon pods (split)
8 fresh ginger slices and (if desired/available) 8 fresh turmeric slices. No need to peel!
1/2 teaspoon of black tea, or one small bag

While the water is heating in a large pot on the stove, count out the spices. Split the cardamom pods by pressing on each one with the flat side of a butter knife. Slice the ginger and/or turmeric.

When the water is at a gentle boil, add the ingredients, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes or so. Turn off the fire and allow the pot to cool down. You can sample from the hot tea, if desired.

When ready, strain the tea into its container and discard the used spices. Keep refrigerated for up to a week. Serve hot or cold; milk and/or honey to taste, if desired.
1 year ago
My old country grandma - Universe rest her soul - did something funny for Christmas cards one year. She cut postcard sized pieces of cardboard and with a marker wrote this message on one side: "Money's tight; times are hard. Here's your damn ol' Christmas card." Then she drew a few very basic (no artist, she) trees and snowflakes and further embellished with some gold star stickers she had lying around. On the other side, she addressed them and added postage. They were a huge hit with her neighbors and literally didn't cost more than the stamp to send them. It's something we all remember and bring up frequently this time of year. I sure do miss her - she taught me everything about gardening and country living that I know!
2 years ago
art

Jay Angler wrote:  I use a dry facecloth at the end of my shower to get the big drips off, then I like a *really large* bath towel as I get cold really easily when wet. A large towel keeps me warmer and dries me faster.



About 25 years ago, my mother was gifted a very expensive (about $100 even then) long unisex Turkish spa robe by a well-off friend. Turned out not to be my mom's thing, though, and sat around until about 5 years later when she asked me if I wanted it. Uhh, yeah!

This robe (it is snow white) has hung on a hook in the bathrooms of two different houses for 20 years and I use it every single time I shower. In general, I also wipe off the big drops with a small towel or shared bath towel, then don the spa robe until I'm ready to get dressed and hang it back up for the next time. It's very absorbent, much cozier and more secure to wear than even an enormous bath towel.  I don't need to wash it more than about once a month. Even then, it doesn't stink - that just feels like enough time has gone by that I'd better do it.

The robe is still holding up well after 20 years, in one piece with no holes or frays just yet, still cozy.  If this thing ever does disintegrate to the point of not being able to use it, I mean to invest the money (probably significantly more these days) to buy another one, though I have looked and this level of quality is a bit hard to find. If you can find a high-quality one, though, it could become a trusty companion for many years to come!
2 years ago