My new loom!!!

I am so excited about my new loom!!! A friend gave me a heads up that a woman who was a former colonial re-enactor was moving and had to unload a lot of things. Among them was this Structo Artcraft Loom!

It is more of a table loom than a floor loom which pleased me. The pedals are up on the side for changing the warp as you weave. These looms were made in the early 20th century and are all different. Some come in metal and some in wood. They evolved over time but I like this one the best!

What I love is it came already warped and ready to go! This loom is known as "the work horse of looms"! I have been on the search for the manual that goes with the loom. So far I have found it in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C....road trip maybe???

Herbal iced tea anyone?!

Have you grown those herbs and just don't know what to do with them? Especially those mints that are out of control?! Well let's make some iced tea! First take some spearmint...

some peppermint...

some apple mint...

some lemon balm...

and maybe some lemon verbena or what ever you might have!

Give them a nice little rinse with cold water...

put them into a large pitcher and pack them in really well!

Add some water and bruise the leaves well with a wooden spoon. I then place it in the fridge for a couple days so the flavor will seep out.

I then take some iced tea mix, lemon is really better. You can also use tea bags and make sun tea as well. Add the required powdered mix to the bottom of a pitcher. Add 1/4 of your herbal mixture and fill the rest with water...

and there you go! An iced tea that will impress your friends, taste divine and puts those herbs to use too! Enjoy!!!