Merimac-the-brave - The Shire

Two mini paintings I got to do for @oldolonde a little while ago! Thank you so much for commissioning me, I adore the ideas for both of these lovely seaside Elven cities, and the friendly sea Maia!

2.5 x 3.5" watercolor, white and sepia ink

Yes, from time to time. It’s one of the wonderful things that makes reading so enjoyable.

do you ever just accidentally stumble across the most delicious sentence in the middle of a book and are forced to stop just to revel in its beauty??

going to a strawberry patch was honestly the height of my aesthetic

Cassandra Arden

Misty Mountains

strawberry juice 🍓

ingredients:

- 8 frozen strawberries

- 2 tbsp of honey

- 2 tbsp of lemon juice

- 4 cups of water

- mint leaves

- ice

instructions:

boil the water in a medium pot! when the water starts to boil add six of the frozen strawberries

let them boil for about ten minutes, then remove the strawberries with a fork! add honey to the strawberry water and let it sit for about 2 minutes

strain any strawberry bits out of ur juice (that part is completely optional) and then pour it into a cup/jar! add lemon juice and two frozen strawberries and let it chill in the fridge for a few hours

remove the strawberries, replace them with ice, and garnish with lemon slices and fresh or frozen strawberries and mint leaves!

most important step: take pictures and send them to me or reblog them onto this post!!

Tolkien art by Anato Finnstark

Apple Butter Recipe

Apple season is coming into full swing where I’m at so we bought a peck and we’re spending the morning making apple butter, which is magical in its own way if you’ve never had it. Just wanted to share the recipe here. 

Apple Butter:

Yields 3 pints

Ingredients:

4 lbs – 16 medium apples (tart)

4 cups sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. clove

Directions:

1.    Peel and slice apples.

2.    Cook apples in 2 cups water – until able to mash with potato masher.

3.    Add spices. Cook slowly till pools on spoon – (doesn’t slide off) will be thick –

*If canning to store – process 10 minutes in water bath. Bring water to boil – make sure water covers jars. Wash jars in scalding hot water. Leave jars in hot water until ready to use. Heat lids in pot of water – do not boil. Put apple butter in jars – wipe top of jar mouth – put lid on just until tight. Water bath.

*If not canning, just reduce ingredients and store in fridge.