tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599Fri, 18 May 2012 10:51:13 +0000Mea Culpa Mondayswhat's newfaveslitlingscharactersprosegardensStoreyBooksnatureartgearconsumer culturePennsic34RandomHouseBooksfollowfridaygiftstravelyogawildflowers#BAD11NortonBooksWalking the Weststudy"gypsies"tarotbeautygiftgivingeat/drinkrecipesyoga viddanceherb bookBlog Action Daygiveawaysfilm reviewgatheringhalloweenOpen LettersShambhalaPublicationsgreen livingactivities and actionsLooseleaf Handcrafted Storiespoetry (limericks)resourcefulnessstorytellingChristmashistoric sitesholidays and celebrationsjoyPennsic and the SCAcharacter:herbalistcha xiSkyhorseBookshandcraftsValentine's Daycircuswwwtheory and social networkingFrivolous Fridaysfestivalsherbalismrelationships and other real live peoplebook reviewFestive Fridaysbohemediaramblings and observationsteahealthnovelsIrelandTricks of the trade and misadventures on the quest<br>to live resourcefully, sustainably, and creatively.http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/noreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)Blogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-2651769519940844542Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:44:00 +00002012-04-12T14:01:06.154-04:00prosejoynaturegreen livingherbalismhealthwildflowersDear Dandelion, You must have been the first flower I knew by name.  I remember making crowns of your blossoms, and wishing on your seeds, as my breath against their feathery parachutes launched them to unknown adventures. Growing up, I didn't know your properties or constituents, or that you could nourish and support.  But you were always welcome in our yard, because you're cheerful and http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2012/04/love-letter-to-dandelions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-1893449897139637Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:26:00 +00002012-04-04T13:26:51.909-04:00prosenaturegiftgivinghandcraftsI think it was about a year ago that I was lucky enough to win the Green Man pictured below during a giveaway over at Confessions of a Country Witch.  Nydia of Carioca Witch and Bringing Up Salamanders makes these beautiful hand-embroidered felt god and goddess figures.  She put her etsy shop on hold a while back, which is why I put this post on hold, but I've noticed some new designs over at thehttp://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2012/04/green-man-and-lady-of-seasons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-1925539369033915020Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:25:00 +00002012-03-30T14:04:23.378-04:00prosetravelteaIrelandeat/drinkIf you're on your way to Doolin or the Cliffs of Moher, be sure to stop by Stonecutters Kitchen.  It's right on the main road between Doolin and the Cliffs, and has some of the freshest and tastiest food I've eaten in Ireland.  One of my favorite ways to pass a day on holiday in Doolin is to walk from the Rainbow Hostel, past Fisherstreet, uphill to this restaurant, enjoy some soup and tea and http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2012/03/stonecutters-kitchen-doolin-co-clare.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-2553587429588021144Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:24:00 +00002012-04-12T09:23:39.761-04:00storytellingproseartactivities and actionstarotgiftsI recently had the most wonderful thing arrive in the mail:  a tarot deck.  What is a tarot deck to me?  Seventy-two works of art.  A source of endless inspiration for storytelling.  A tool for tapping into my intuition and for finding new perspectives on life's opportunities and challenges.  An object useful for tapping into magic?  No doubt, as not only do I believe that there is a sort of http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2012/03/waking-wild-spirit-tarot-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-3331836692041256145Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:46:00 +00002012-03-29T10:52:18.832-04:00prosegiftgivingeat/drinkrelationships and other real live peopleMy sister has a knack for getting me presents no one else would have thought of.  For my high school graduation, she filled a small wooden chest full of everything from smudge sticks to a fountain - in short, a complete kit to make a boring old dorm room into a home.  For my twenty-first birthday, she bought me a mini waffle maker.  Not a traditional choice, but I lived on whole grain waffles http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2012/03/vaguely-bohemian-angels.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-6001432701177614614Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:10:00 +00002012-03-29T10:55:23.932-04:00prosetravelIreland In front of the Rainbow Hostel. Photo by Kasia. The first time I stayed at the Rainbow Hostel, I meant to come for a weekend and stayed for over two weeks.  I've been returning as often as possible ever since.  This past June was my most recent visit.  It had been four years since my last visit to Ireland, but when the bus dropped me off at the Rainbow Hostel, Carmel gave me a warm welcome, andhttp://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2012/02/rainbow-hostel-doolin-co-clare.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-4749096264835559443Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:47:00 +00002012-02-08T14:47:41.315-05:00SkyhorseBooksbook reviewherbalismhealthNortonBooksherb book Click on image to buy from your local indie bookstore. I'm a big fan of this relatively new title by Maine herbalist Deb Soule. It strikes a wonderful balance in tone and depth: accessible to someone with little or no experience in herbalism, but specialized enough to contain valuable info for even experienced herbalists. It speaks from both the intellect and the heart, and is a nurturing http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2012/02/book-review-womans-handbook-of-healing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-6588297228494667777Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:41:00 +00002012-02-01T08:41:12.882-05:00prosebook reviewherbalismlitlingsherb book Click on image to buy at your local bookstore. Okay, I'll be honest:  I don't have any kids, I'm a youngest child, and I don't babysit for love or money, so I'm not your obvious first choice to review a kid's herb book.  But I will say that, while I purchased this as a gift for a young acquaintance, I want a copy for myself!  The recipes are not only fun but very, very useful.  The songs are a http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2012/02/book-review-kids-herb-book-for-children.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-738339506476006621Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:46:00 +00002012-01-30T08:46:56.791-05:00prosetravelhistoric sitesbeautyIreland Watch Kristen flee the Vikings! (A round tower used by monks to escape from Viking raids.) Dysart O'Dea Castle, part of the Clare Archeology Centre, may be a little ways off the beaten path, but it's very much worth a visit.  While there are castles every which way in Ireland, most of them are closed to the public, since Americans seem so prone to suing people.  Dysart O'Dea Castle, however, http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2012/01/dysart-odea-castle-clare-archeology.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-6554703730593540195Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:26:00 +00002012-02-21T11:38:20.903-05:00proseStoreyBooksbook reviewherbalismherb book Click image to buy at your local indie bookstore. This slender, down-to-earth volume compiles a working holistic veterinarian's recommendations on common feline health problems, as well as maintenance of good health.  It's readable, practical, and accessible, even for someone with little or no experience in herbalism.  Experienced herbalists might not find a ton of new information here, but http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2012/01/book-review-dr-kidds-guide-to-herbal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-2591453806116853221Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:36:00 +00002012-01-26T10:36:40.447-05:00SkyhorseBooksbook reviewherbalismNortonBooksherb book Click Cover to Buy from your Local Indie Bookstore Backyard Medicine, by Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal, is an absolutely gorgeous combination of information and full-color photographs.  It's also my go-to book for in-depth info on easy to find (and easy to grow) medicinal herbs.  Backyard Medicine is very readable, and the bulk of the book is made up of a short chapter on each of fiftyhttp://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2012/01/book-review-backyard-medicine.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-6674385955733136804Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:14:00 +00002012-01-25T22:14:54.857-05:00holidays and celebrationsprosenatureconsumer cultureValentine's DayChristmasrelationships and other real live people "Offering to Venus," by J. W. Godward I'm not sure if I know anyone else who really loves Valentine's Day.  Those without a significant other feel left out of all the hoopla, and those who are attached are either nonplussed or stressed about the holiday.  For me, it's a stepping stone that helps me through the dourest part of the winter. New England seems to be tailor-made for Christmas.  We http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2012/01/why-i-love-valentines-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-6366944460724898752Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:49:00 +00002012-01-10T09:49:36.210-05:00proseherbalismhealth "Human Element" by Jonathan E. Russell Healing, to me, is a process by which a person (or animal or plant) returns to whole-ness. This is often literal, for example in the case of a scrape: As the scrape heals over, my skin becomes whole again. Or it might be more figurative: If my digestion isn’t functioning properly, I can’t fully take advantage of the nutrients in my food, so my body wonhttp://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2012/01/on-healing-being-healed-and-healers.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-3961875106151662036Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:10:00 +00002012-01-06T10:10:08.421-05:00Looseleaf Handcrafted StoriesThe Christmas season was a blast here at Looseleaf.  Thank you so much to everyone who placed orders!  I had a ton of great phrases and quiz answers to create from, and enjoyed every sentence of it. There's a new presentation format available now:  a softcover handbound with a Japanese stab binding.  These booklets are 5" by 7", and are available on Looseleaf's etsy site.  The covers are http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2012/01/news-from-looseleaf.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-5105016491922487431Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:41:00 +00002011-12-16T10:41:27.306-05:00character:herbalistRandomHouseBooksbook reviewnovelsDecember sure is flying by!  I've been having a blast writing stories for Looseleaf, not to mention taking care of the usual holiday preparations.  But I wanted to make a quick stop here and point out a great novel that was just released this month. The Angel Makers is the story of a small village in Hungary during the early 1900s.  Sari is the daughter of an herbalist, and when he dies she http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2011/12/book-review-angel-makers-by-jessica.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-5532666019923160825Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:09:00 +00002011-12-01T09:09:36.798-05:00prosejoynaturefavesherbalismhealthgatheringrelationships and other real live people "Mother Earth," by Jonathan E. Russell I feel in perfect health whenever the ocean breeze catches me by surprise - especially in Ireland, where that breeze has traveled over thousands of miles of ocean, and there’s something especially clear about it. I feel in perfect health whenever I’m really, honestly laughing. I feel in perfect health the first many times I smell dirt in the spring (http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2011/12/perfect-health.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-5773345335605396620Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:57:00 +00002011-12-02T09:14:06.386-05:00artnaturebeautyfollowfridayfavesrelationships and other real live people Mother Nature's Wild West, by Jonathan Russell  When I first started VaguelyBohemian.com, part of the impetus was that I know so many cool people - many of them with nontraditional careers or callings like acting, dancing, juggling, writing, and art.  Now that I've got a few blogs under my belt, and a website design that doesn't make my head spin, I think it's about time to start paying some http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2011/11/mother-natures-easel-some-thoughts-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-7957951191697335595Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:26:00 +00002011-12-02T09:14:06.388-05:00prosefaveseat/drinkrecipesMiso soup is my go-to food whenever I'm feeling a little bit overindulged, motion sick, or just plain queasy.  It helps that it's yummy and nourishing, and I love to eat it anyway!  Most miso soup contains seaweed, and we don't have local seaweed in Vermont (what with being landlocked).  But we do have lots of kale! Vermiso Soup a little olive oil 1 bunch kale, rinsed and cut into small strips http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2011/11/vermiso-soup.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-954628322467403302Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:05:00 +00002011-11-03T11:05:18.671-04:00travelteaIrelandgardensAs the days get colder here in the northeastern U.S., here are a few more photos from my midsummer trip to Ireland.  When I visited the Burren Perfumery in 2005, for whatever reasons I was nonplussed.  Not so this trip!  We visited the shop first, sampled all of their wonderful new herbal balms, and ended up bringing some borage balm home.  Then we had a walk around the garden, where I took thesehttp://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2011/11/burren-perfumery-co-clare.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0Burren Perfumery, Fahee, Co. Clare, Ireland53.04429259572759 -9.05093605087893153.03167509572759 -9.069929550878932 53.05691009572759 -9.03194255087893tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-5950810802347162914Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:04:00 +00002011-11-02T14:10:55.883-04:00ShambhalaPublicationsproseactivities and actionsbook reviewLooseleaf Handcrafted StorieshandcraftsToday I made my very first attempt at a Japanese four-hole stab binding, and it worked!  Okay, so it's not rocket science - but it's nice when something works on the first try! This was still a very rough draft.  I want to clean up and tighten the lines of the stitches, and get a bigger awl (for punching those holes):  The one I have was quite a bit too small.  I improvised with a nail, which http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2011/11/first-attempt-at-japanese-four-hole.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-5326996437389320299Sun, 16 Oct 2011 04:01:00 +00002011-12-02T09:14:06.389-05:00joy#BAD11teafavesherbalismhealtheat/drinkrelationships and other real live peopleI've blogged before about ethical issues concerning food, but this Blog Action Day, I'd just like to say a few words about how delightful food is.  There are such a wonderful variety of tastes to choose from:  earthy-sweet carrots, rich cream (or, for me, goat's milk), nectar-like honey, warming chai.  I've gotten to enjoy an even wider range of tastes since I've become a fan of tea and, more http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2011/10/yummy-crunchy-delectable-food-post-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-1461027434575816053Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:05:00 +00002011-10-07T12:05:16.103-04:00RandomHouseBooksbook reviewbeautyfestivalscircusbohemedia Shop Indie Bookstores Imagine, if you will, a circus.  Or maybe a carnival, since you walk through it from act to act.  This carnival has the artistry of Cirque du Soleil, is completely in black and white, only opens at night, shows up unannounced - and some of the acts might be real magic. The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern, has an interesting and compelling story with a satisfying endinghttp://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2011/10/book-review-night-circus.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-4068736610111291382Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:58:00 +00002011-11-02T15:21:36.443-04:00proseconsumer cultureMea Culpa Mondaysgreen livingresourcefulnesseat/drink "Autumn," by Giuseppe Arcimboldo When I moved to Philadelphia, I was psyched about shopping at Trader Joe's.  I'd heard about the place for years, especially from some friends in L.A.  It sounded like some kind of crunchy paradise, where food was both organic and cheap.  The nearest Trader Joe's was quite a ways across the city, but my boyfriend and I would zoom over on his motorcycle and then http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2011/10/saving-harvest.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-3594384703004814928Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:03:00 +00002011-11-03T08:31:04.892-04:00proseactivities and actionsstudyStoreyBooksbook reviewbeautyresourcefulnessherbalismhealthherb bookIf you know me in person, you've already heard about this book :) If you're looking for an accessible, fun, compassionate, and well-balanced book on herbalism, this title is a great pick.  The bulk of this book is dedicated to specific herbal remedies for everyone in the family -- children, men, women, and elders. There are tons of yummy herbal dishes and treats, a section on everyday ailmentshttp://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2011/09/book-review-rosemary-gladstars-herbal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24216599.post-475688780172346447Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:07:00 +00002011-11-02T15:22:01.748-04:00yogaactivities and actionshealthyoga vidIf you click right here, you'll find a 45 minute flow sequence with Elise Lorimer, courtesy of Yoga Journal.  I've been really enjoying this sequence, because of the lively but unhurried flow, the circular "mandala" the movements describe around the mat, and the strength workout provided.  Most of the movements stay low to the ground, and that's not for everyone - a friend of mine described it http://blog.vaguelybohemian.com/2011/09/45-minute-mandala-my-latest-fave-free.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kristen Eaton)0