Modern country living


Yeast Milk Pie
Life in a forest homestead has some rituals. One of them is country style cooking. Organic, simple, traditional.
My family love this yeast milk bun. It keeps for a long time - great for a busy mother :)

Recipe step by step (I use double size, but you should try a single serving first :) ):
250 ml milk
14 g fresh yeast or 7g dried yeast
450 g strong white flour , plus extra for dusting
30 g sugar (or more -- to taste)
225 g butter, at room temperature
1 tablespoon caraway seeds or any other seeds you like, optional
1 large free-range egg

Gently heat the milk until tepid, then stir in the yeast. Combine the flour, sugar and 1 teaspoon of sea salt in an electric mixer or another large bowl.
Using your hands or the mixer’s dough hook on medium, work in the butter till the mix is like fine breadcrumbs.
With a wooden spoon, stir in the yeasty milk until well combined. It will appear a bit wet, but don’t add any flour. Rest the dough for 10 minutes.
Skip this stage if using an electric mixer. Grab a handful of dough, stretch it out and slap it back into the bowl. Continue to stretch and slap for 5 minutes until it’s more elastic and easier to handle.
Turn the dough out onto a flour-dusted work surface and, with floured hands, knead it for 8 to 10 minutes (or 6 to 8 minutes using the mixer’s dough hook) until it is smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a large clean bowl, cover with a damp tea towel and leave in a warm place for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 190ºC. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper (or use a non-stick baking tray).
Knock back the dough and turn it out onto a work surface. Shape it in the desired manner.
Place the dough on the tray and cover with a damp cloth. Leave in a warm place for 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Beat the egg, then brush over the dough and sprinkle the caraway seeds or any other (if using) on the top. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until it is golden and sounds hollow when tapped underneath.
Bon appetite!
Afterwards I need some rest. Lazy weekend at home, near my fireplace with cozy wool clogs and tea - I earned it.
Woolenclogs
But on Sunday I would love to have the family dinner at a nice table with this rustic original tablecloth.
NativeLT
Kids are starting to ask - isn't it already time to think about Christmas decorations?? They are right, you know, because later on orders and "serious" preparations will eat up all the free time.
Kaleda
When days get cold and it's dark longer and longer we start thinking about cozy things - warm clothes, fire, heating, bed, like this cozy linen bedding in soothing calm colours.
LinenSky
Yes, it's time for candles. I like these small flames on the table, it feels like the room suddenly got warmer.
ZwoodZ
And wool, yes, natural dyed wool, made into socks. Every autumn and winter woolen socks are my best friends, these natural colours remind me of the green forests and fields.
ForestsAndMeadows
There's always some work that needs doing outside if you live on a farm - walking your dog or bringing firewood home, these finger-less mittens are perfect for the job -- your hands stay warm and your grip is not compromised.
Take care, stay warm and cozy, eat well and wait for Christmas :)

8 reasons to get married in the fall



There are some obvious benefits of getting married in the fall - most of the venues and various wedding services will be cheaper than in the summer. Not to mention your make up will not melt off your face as quickly, less humidity and thus less frizzy hair for the bride and guests, beautiful autumnal landscapes for a backdrop...


1. Love apples? Great, us too! They are a perfect fall theme decoration and suitable as wedding favors or table adornments. Or maybe gather them on a thread and hang them up as garland? 
Miniature red felt apples with their little felt leaves and stems
2. You can also decorate your venue with nature sourced autumnal finds: 
Floating acorn candles are perfect for guest tables, dessert or snack stations 
3. You can use bold colors for your fall wedding without anyone second guessing your choice.
Navy blue alternative guest book for instant photos of your guests
4. Yes, that includes bridesmaids. Perfect time of the year to choose daring jewel tones for their outfits.
Try and emerald green velvet dress for your girls
5. Rich in color tablecloths and other linens of your big day will compliment the landscape, especially if the winter is right around the corner and no green is left in the surroundings. 
Stand out with a burgundy linen tablecloth
6. While in the summer everyone pretty much assumes that the bridal bouquet equals real flowers, the fall is the perfect time to choose something that will remain with you forever - paper, silk, felt are all fantastic options to explore. 
Autumn bouquet made out of silk flowers will never wither
7. If you're bored with all the nude lips and natural make ups for brides, the good news are - there is no better time to rock a berry lip tint than fall!
Natural and vegan red berry lip tint
8. And lastly, it's the perfect time to wear that long sleeve dress you've been dreaming of, which would be too warm for you in the summer and yet is perfect for fall. 
Dusty peach toned wedding dress with 3/4 sleeves
Thank you for reading! There are many more reasons to get married in the fall, would you share yours with us? 

Linen care. How to soften this fabric.

Linen fabric has been used for table coverings, bed coverings and clothing for centuries. Is is much stronger and smoother than cotton and there are only few things to know in order for your linen textile or clothes to last a long time. We have already written a post about why linen is eco-friendly, so you can read that as well.
Linen decorative pillow cases from TikTakTimeLINEN
So what about linen care? Linen has a tendency to wrinkle easily, especially when it's new. We recommend to iron it on full heat when it's still damp, or use a lot of steam while ironing.
Long sleeves linen dress by  SondeflorShop
Slightly used linen feels soft and supple, while brand new linen may feel stiff and harsh if it is not special treated during the production process. A lot of sellers use softened linen fabrics for their production.
If you are in love with crafts you may like to visit YarnStories for linen yarn supplies.
Actually, with each washing, linen becomes softer and more absorbent. This fabric is washable up to 90°C, but we recommend up to 60°C. It may seem like it would be scratchy, sometimes, because of the texture, but unlike wool it doesn’t give you the itches. The results of softening depend on how the linen fabric was originally manufactured. Weight can be a factor of how firm the fabric is, but you can speed up the softening process without damaging the fabric.
Perfect mug coasters for your table by Linentextile.
Before washing your linen, always check the manufacturer's suggestions for care. Most linen is best washed in cool or warm water in the gentle cycle and dried on low heat. If your linen has been pre-washed and preshrunk, you may be able to dry it on a higher heat setting. Feel free to machine dry your linen clothes or textile if you have one – just be sure to use cool temperatures and remove when still slightly damp, because over drying can make linen stiff and crackly. When removed from the dryer linen items can be hanged on a hanger or lied flat to fully dry.
Bedroom linen by CasaDeLinos
Traditional fabric softeners may not work well on linen fabric; plus, they may add a chemical residue or a scent that you don't want. An option for a natural fabric softening method is adding a solution of 1/2 cup of baking soda or 1 cup of vinegar to the wash. You can soak the linen overnight in a stronger solution of 1 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water before washing. Use dryer balls during the drying cycle, because once again, you're trying to increase friction.
And much more in SandSnowLinen shop

All Natural Christmas Decor

Christmas is one of the happiest occasions we celebrate every year and there are countless Christmas decorations and ideas presented by interior stylists and bloggers .
One thing is certain: it takes a lot of space, it's expensive and wasteful to get new trending decorations each year.
Following the Zero Waste idea, we prepared a few tips on decorating your Christmas tree in a natural, eco-friendly way, with ornaments that are made from natural, reused or renewable materials, suitable for composting, take less energy and materials to make, support local craftsmen and small businesses and are made to last.
And most important of all it will give your home a beautiful natural look and a festive feel.

Here are ornaments made from the most common natural, renewable, zero waste materials.

WOOD
Renewable, compostable material, that fills your home with warmth and woody scent and gives it an instant rustic look. Keep an eye out for toxic paint or glue.
Set of Natural Wood Ornaments by MadeWithLoveByAleksi
Set of three Rustic Star Ornaments, natural and eco-friendly, made from fir bark from coastal forest by kaleda
WOOL / FELT
Wool and felt traditionally associate with winter time, crackling wood in the fire place, cozy and warm evenings. Although it's non vegan, but is another popular craft material, that can be recycled or composted. Be careful, some felt ornaments might be stuffed with polyester filling.
Real Oak Acorn Cap and hand felted Ball Ornaments. Comes packed in a craft box from VART
Perfect Christmas tree decoration for rustic or country holidays. Made by mellsva
JurgitaNeedleFelting made this quaint Red Bolete Ornament , it just breathes vintage feel.
Four Little Red Gnomes will cheer up every child and grown up. Gnomes are made of felted wool balls, felt and hand embroidered with beads by JoyfulRiver
LINEN/COTTON/CERAMIC
Linen ornaments give more vintage country feel, usually come in calm earthy tones and is easy to match within most interiors.  Linen is also eco-friendly material.
Cotton is the most versatile fabric, ornaments can be sewn, knitted, crocheted or knotted, it only depends on creativity and time.
Ceramic ones are pricier, but sturdy and will last longer, not so Zero Waste, due to energy required to make, so choose carefully, go for quality, check local the ceramic artists, visit the workshops with the family to make unique and personal ones. Ceramic ornaments are a great family keepsake for passing down to kids.
Christmas Cloth Linen Angel Ornament from DovileDollart
Six White Unique Snowflakes from SnowflakesStories
Christmas Tree Heart Ornament. Handmade, packed in the box with some wood shavings by CozyHomeIdeas
MOST NATURAL MATERIAL COMES FROM NATURE
Acorns, pine cones, conifer cones, decorative twigs, dried berries, nutshells, evergreens go well as ornaments, centrepiece, presented in bowls or baskets.
All you need to do, is just have a nice afternoon in the local park or forest.
Classic and elegant Wreath from SecretGardenn. Made from paper, jute rope and pine cones.
Eco friendly Handmade Soy Wax Candles in Walnut Shell. Amazing idea by LessCandles
When choosing an ornament for your Christmas tree follow a few simple tips:
* Go for color range that compliments your home. Neutral colors, earth, black, coffee, gold, silver always look good with any decorating style.
*Play with size and shape of spheres, combine stars, snowflakes, reindeer figurines, saints, angels. Mix and match different materials and textures.
*Decorate Your Christmas tree with white lights, they will always look good and can be used season after season without worrying, that it will not match colors of that year.

PINE CONE GARLAND TUTORIAL 
Materials:
Pine Cones
Cotton String/Jute Rope
Wrap the thin rope inside the scales of each pine cone
Leave approximately 10cm of rope between each cone.
Make simple loop-knot at the end and trim excess rope.
Hang up and enjoy !

10 things that make linen eco-friendly material

Linen is one of the most biodegradable and stylish fabrics in fashion history. It is strong, naturally moth resistant, and made from flax plant fibers.
Linen can withstand high temperatures – making the fabric generally perfect for everything. Sleeping on linen bedding or using it in your kitchen or just relaxing on a tropical island. It absorbs moisture without holding bacteria. In fact, it is actually stronger when wet than dry and becomes softer and more pliable the more it is washed. It just gets better and better!
Here is a bedding example by of their stonewashed softened duvet covers.
More natural and not dyed linen bedding you can find in shop.
Here are 10 things that make linen an eco-friendly material:
  • Flax grows naturally and requires no additional water other than rainwater, making it the most eco-friendly fabric.
  • Because it’s a natural fiber, flax linen is recyclable and biodegrade. 
  • The whole flax plant can be used, leaving no waste.
  • According to the European Confederation of Linen and Hemp, flax respects the environment and preserves the land.
  • Very little energy is required to process flax.
  • Linen yarn is inherently strong, which reduces the need for starching during spinning and weaving.
  • The Advisory Commission Report to the European Parliament stated that flax cultivation has positive effects on eco-system diversity as it allows for an “environmental pause”. One hectare of flax can retain 3.7 tonnes of CO2 .  
  • Linen fabrics can be recycled into paper and insulation materials for the car industry.
  • Flax linen is many times stronger than cotton, which means clothing, window hangings, and upholstery made from linen is made to last, rather than wind up in a landfill.
  • Most Lithuanian companies use low-impact dyes to keep it certificated with a STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®.
You can use linen textile in your kitchen and to decorate your table for every occasion as it looks simple but luxurious at the same tame. You can find many linen goods for your kitchen and dinning in shop.
Designer Ingrida uses only 100% organic and toxin free certificated linen for all her collections. We recommend to look in Linenfox shop for these beautiful linen clothes

Something blue

There is this Old English rhyme about objects the bride should have on her wedding day - "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe". While not many brides still obtain and carry all five objects on her big day, “something blue” is still very common and a whimsical touch to the wedding attire. The blue originally stood for purity, love and fidelity, and while we shall not engage in the debate on whether purity is still a thing in the modern world, the beauty of something blue is barely questionable.
We can think of more than one way to incorporate the blue into the day you pronounce your everlasting love to your significant other, and here’s just a few of them:

1. Wear it as part of your bridal jewelry. Here are a few gorgeous Etsy finds:
  
Cornflower tear drop shaped dangle earrings.
Getting married on a beach and looking for
a unique bohemian accessory? Crocheted
linen necklace
may be just the thing.
Embellish your hairstyle with a blue opal hair vine.
2. Cover up in blue. If it gets chilly in the evening, if your dress is not modest enough for the church, for any reason at all, if you need to cover up your shoulders, why not do it in something blue?
Cover up in dusty denim blue shawl.
On a warm summer day use extra modesty
provided by lightweight gauze scarf
in pale aquamarine.
To get some genuine “oh wow’s”,
 rock the knit lace pattern ombre shawl.
       3. Did you know that one of the colors for wedding dresses in 2018 is going to be blue? So if you are bold enough for a blue wedding dress, next year is your time to shine and be trendy, all at the same time.
Choose a pastel blue wedding dress with white lace details for your big day.


Or just an ombre dusty blue dip dyed skirt.

If you are not bold enough for any of the above, can't go wrong with this incredibly subtle pale blue skirt.

4. 
At this point you may be thinking: I am not wearing any blue for my wedding day! Fair point, but what about your groom, your bridesmaids, or your ring bearer boy?
Check out this blue bridesmaids dress for your beach wedding.


What about a cute little ring bearer outfit with pastel blue details?
Small details: shades of blue bowties for the groomsmen 
or the groom himself.

5. 
If neither of the above is what you see as something blue at your wedding, and yet you are reading this article, so it must be an option to explore, here’s a suggestion that will work for absolutely anyone. Incorporate the something blue into the décor. 
Greet the guests at their tables with
stone washed linen cloth napkins.
Dine out of the vintage plates with blue watercolor splashes. 
Thank the guests for attending and
have them bring home wedding favors in blue pouches.



    
     Thank you for reading and happy hunting for your something blue!
Teikia „Blogger“.

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