Hearthside: Winter Solstice

“The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value.”― Charles Dudley WarnerGosh, hi. Come in, it’s nice to see you. We’ve been away from our shared hearth for a while, and have come in from the cold of this month to talk about giving gifts. In particular, gifts that don’t cost much (or anything at all!). Together, we reminisce about gifts given, joys received, and the pleasures of sharing something you love with someone you love. And…of course, we ended up hungry, because food is a wonderful gift.Mentioned in this episode:Hello Dolly recipe (AKA: Magic Bars)Root Vegetable Tarte Tatin (this is a Bon Appetit recipe from years ago that’s behind a paywall now, so this link is just to my saved copy)How to make a newspaper pot for plant cuttings

As the cold settles in, we’re talking about the ways that we stay present, and the pleasures that we’re appreciating right now. Notebooks and paper planners are some of the tools that we’re using to keep steady and help us remember interesting tidbits, and in our ongoing relationship with softer ways to keep time, we’re using lights, music, and actual programs on the actual radio to give shape to our days. We wind up our winter appreciation by sharing several poems that sustain us, make us laugh, or send us further on our journeys of curiosity. Links to the many things we appreciate can be found below.Mentioned in this episode:Libby app (library ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines)The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy TanBurnside Chai and Dark Forest teas from Jasmine Pearl Tea CompanyBlack Canadian Maple tea from The Rare Tea CellarTiny Shop, The Refilleri, Eco the Flamingo (Zero Waste shops in Chicago)Candlelit Tales podcast (Irish Folk Storytelling)The Last Kingdom (Book series by Bernard Cornwell; TV series on Netflix)KMHD Portland’s Jazz RadioCommonplace BookPazyryk Swan (Felt plush swan from Iron Age Siberia)Poems read:“Hope and Love” by Jane Hirshfield“why people be mad at me sometimes” by Lucille Clifton“Advice From My Inner Punk Rock We Should All Take” by Jared Singer“When the Waves Come” by Maia“5 things at 40” by Ana Bozicevic“little prayer” by Danez Smith

Join us as we share our favorite winter solstice poems. Kateri reads “Shab-e Yalda” by Anis Mojgani and Kathy reads "Shortest Day" by Susan Cooper. Happy Yule, Winter Solstice, and New Year!

Virgo season has arrived: it’s time to keep hold of our values while also doing botanical crimes. The days grow shorter; the light dips lower. Our energy is dipping lower, too. In this episode, we talk about some of the ways that we’re learning to navigate perpetual crisis (hint: with slowness). As usual, we’re also swapping stories about the things that delight us, keep us curious, and hurt our Virgo feelings. This is a shorter conversation than usual, but we packed a lot in here! Mentioned in this episode:Episode title inspired by the book Summers End by Juneau BlackFalling Fruit foraging appJesus That’s Weird podcastA Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky ChambersIjeoma Oluo on InstagramThe Spellshop by Sarah Beth DurstA Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. KingfisherRachel Lee-Carman’s zinesThe World of Agatha Christie 1000-piece JigsawBombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, documentaryKathy’s Columbo Vibes playlist on SpotifyMother Earth's Plantasia album by Mort GarsonThe Cadfael Chronicles by Ellis Peters

Join Kathy by the fire as she talks about reframing the Slavic summer solstice ritual, Ivan Kupala, into a less binary intention-setting practice.Mentioned in Episode- Wolf of Coins on YouTube- Polish Folk Witch on YouTube- Kupala Summer Solstice Ritual from Crone Vibes

On the late winter Easter Sunday when we recorded this episode, we were feeling the accumulated weight of ongoing trauma. Somehow, acknowledging this led us into a conversation about play, and this episode ended up being a LOT of laughing. We do some digging into our videogame likes, dislikes, and style of play. We ask who is the Patrick Swayze of this era? What is the standard number of dicks in a bag of dicks? What is the American Coot, and why should you care? Tune in for the answers to these and other compelling questions. Play is resistance; play is growth; play is life. Have fun out there and share your fun with your people.Mentioned in episode:Scorched Earth tarot readings on YouTubeGames: Stardew Valley, Wylde Flowers, Horizon Forbidden West, World of Warcraft, Rift, Cookie Clicker, Spiritfarer, Baldur's Gate, Shelter, Witcher 3,  Fallout 4TV Shows and movies: Black Books, Young Ones, Fallout, Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead, The World’s EndStar Trek training exercise: Kobayashi MaruKateri’s photo of the American Coot (Instagram)

We’re bringing just-woke-up bear energy to a conversation about our intentions for the months ahead. As we think about what we want for ourselves this winter, the conversation takes us into vulnerability in play, being [un]comfortable with letting silence play out, the idea of “coolness,” and risk and authenticity in friendship. Can we use play to reach for deeper community, while still honoring our fears around being vulnerable? We also share what’s on the stove in our winter kitchens, and swear a bit. Mentioned in episode:Scorched Earth tarot readings on YouTubeTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin“What Adults Forget About Friendship,” by Rhaina Cohen in The Atlantic“Nurturing your community through the winter” cartoon by Sophie Lucido JohnsonLester BangsThe Morale Department“I don’t take compliments well” cartoon by Asher Perlman

In the Northern Hemisphere, the leaves are turning, flowers are going to seed, and we’re very excited to be unpacking our cozy-times decor and blankets. Here on H&H, fall is our favorite season, and this episode is a whole snuggling vibe. Both of us did some hard work field-testing various soft products that physically and emotionally support us; we bought the stuffies and squishmallows so we could bring you the hard data. (We do it all for you, dear listeners!) As the year winds down, it’s natural to be thinking about rest, so we explore some ideas that support rest as resistance. We’re also talking about the hacks we use to lean into blanket life when it’s colder outside, how our autumn nesting is different from our spring nesting, and the foods we’re excited to be cooking and eating this season. Put the kettle on, and settle in with us.Mentioned in this episode:Through the Woods Candle - R. RebellionOphidia Rosa Tarot Deck by Leila & OliveLune Innate  on YouTubeKathy’s personal-sized 6-ring plannerKathy’s fav pens: Zebra Sarasa Clip 05 and WRITECH 0.5mm Fine Point TipKateri’s fav pens: Pilot G-2 .38 and Pentel SparklePop Goose plushie and Beet [knockoff] SquishmallowYoga NidraKindle page-turner remote Fair Folk Podcast, Episode “The Twelve Days: December Almanac”Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock by Jenny OdellJoy Marie Clarkson, poet

This quarter, we’re both experiencing what it’s like to grow passively - to learn about what springs up when we leave empty space. As we explore the feeling of liminal spaces, we talk about being (recovering) people-pleasers, how we’re learning to be curious about ourselves, some tools we’re using to keep those spaces of possibility open, and the growth that happens accidentally along the way. We also talk a bit about how we met, and some ways that we’ve changed over the years. And of course, it wouldn’t be Hearth & Heather if we didn’t talk about our favorite mysteries.Mentioned in episode:Real Self Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness by Pooja LakshminSaving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock by Jenny OdellRadical Remedies: An Herbalist’s Guide to Empowered Self-Care by Brittany Ducham“I said yes” and “I said no” punchcards from Shanalee Hampton Manoj Dias on  InsightTimer and InstagramComfort TV: Midnight Diner (Netflix), Columbo (Peacock TV), and Poker Face (Peacock TV)Annika Hansteen-IzoraCook as You Are: Recipes for Real Life, Hungry Cooks, and Messy Kitchens by Ruby Tandoh

We’re still very much in conversation with time this spring. On this episode of Hearth & Heather, we’re looking at time through the lens of our hobbies. We talk about the living nature of the spoken word, and the way that boating on a river can shift a small slice of landscape into a big, slow, and contemplative world. Kathy shares what she’s been experiencing recently in her experiments with art; Kateri gives an update on her #AnnWoodStitchBook 100 Day sewing project. And we talk about the hobbies that we share, and how feeding your joy can spread joy to other people. Mentioned in this episode: Underland: A Deep Time Journey and Landmarks, both by Robert Macfarlane The People of the Sea by David ThomsonPoetry readings by Anis Mojgani, the current Poet Laureate of Oregon Normal Gossip podcast @farmandfolk on Instagram Negative Painting with watercolor tutorial from Harinder SahotaKateri’s birding binoculars: Vortex 8x42 Diamondback HD Binoculars Kathy’s birding camera and telephoto lens: Canon EOS Rebel SL3 DSLR + Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens The Narrowboat Summer by Anne Youngson @folk_hattie on Instagram Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock by Jenny Odell Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Orwell’s Roses by Rebecca Solnit Getting to Center by Marlee Grace Murder She Drank and the  Murder Buddies Book Club  Murder in G Major by Alexia Gordon The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St James“The Watering” by Sameen Affaf