Let Us Toast with Tea

Delightfully, and appropriately, January is Hot Tea Month.  The weather is chilly, and it's time to get cozy, and nothing soothes a chilled spirit and body than a cup of hot tea.

 I love tea all year round, but it's especially inviting in the winter. An absolute favorite of mine is chai, a spicy blend with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, clove and all spice, traditionally made with warm milk. Add a dash of chocolate and it is heaven after an afternoon of shoveling snow. Throw in a little Pumpkin Syrup and you won't be able to talk to me until I've finished the whole cup. I'll be in my happy place.

Tea has been enjoyed for thousands of years. It is the most widely drunk beverage in the world (coffee is moving up as a close contender, but tea still wins at the moment).

Not only is tea a spirit lifter, it is a beverage packed with healthful benefits. All of the varieties are!

The most typical and popular teas are green, black, white, oolong,  and pu-erh. These are filled with ECGC, a powerful antioxidant. They do have caffeine, but in different strengths compared to coffee. Herbal teas can add a wide variety of healthful benefits. Chamomile can be calming and help with sleep. Mint and ginger is refreshing and aids digestion. Hibiscus is very refreshing and can help reduce blood pressure.

And tea offers a myriad of magical options. Add fruits like pineapple or raisins, add a kick of heat with peppercorns, dabble in reds or blacks or blends, include a splash of honey or sugar or milk... the list goes on and on.

Mountain Rose Herbs and Ducky Life are two of my favorite companies to purchase loose leaf tea. I even have a soft spot for Teavana. My absolute favorite way to make tea is with herbs from my garden - chamomile, lemon balm, mint, lavender, roses, Jersey Tea, Oswego tea or Mondara (bee balm), holy basil, and my favorite lemon verbena. I just pick them in season and dry them to enjoy year round.

Celebrate Hot Tea Month this January... and keep the fun going through out the year.

Oswego tea or monardo,

 

Oswego tea or monardo,

Oswego tea or monardo,

Pumpkin Syrup to Round out the Season

I have finally finished roasting the last of my pumpkins. Luckily, they keep a good long while if kept cool and dry. And I got to the last one before we finally got freezing weather here in lovely central New Jersey.

My favorite type of pumpkin to prep for later jamming and pieing and such are cheese pumpkins. These are delightfully rich with a touch of natural sweetness. They almost smell like cantaloupe when you cut into them. My 4 rather large pumpkins from Giamarese Farm yielded about 40 ounces of roasted mashed pumpkin. That's quite a bit for future use! And it also gave me about 9 cups of sweet, earthy pumpkin juice.

What to do? Time to make some Pumpkin Syrup! It's a slow process - but soooo worth it. As Alton Brown says - Your patience will be rewarded.

First, I took the pumpkin juice and simmered in down a bit to enhance the flavor. I kept it on a very low simmer, so it wouldn't over cook. When it simmered down to about 8 cups, I added 2 sticks of cinnamon, a little ground nutmeg, and some allspice berries and let it continue to gently simmer for about an hour.


I took out the spices, then added 1 cup of chai infused honey, 1 cup of white sugar, 1 cup of turbinado sugar, and one cup of the mashed, roasted pumpkin. This then simmered for about another hour.

The trick to make this smooth is to blend it all together. I took my stick blender and gave it a good whir. I then brought the whole thing up to a boil, stirring frequently. Watch it carefully or it will bubble over. Once it comes to a good boil, turn it off and remove from the heat. Let it cool
completely.

One of the blessings and curses of being an herbal student is that I tend to have bottles and jars a plenty. I put the the syrup in 3 cute little bottles.

I've kept this in my fridge for up to 6 months and it's been fine. It's divine in chai tea, heavenly over waffles, and oh so marvelous over ice cream.

You can always play with this recipe a bit. I've made it before adding some maple syrup or some brown sugar.  For me, an extra dash of cinnamon never hurts either.

This is the perfect way to keep the Season of Everything Pumpkin going, so you'll want to make  sure to have some on hand.

Winter Colds & Chills Stolen Away by the Robbers Clan

Winter is finally upon us here in New Jersey. After celebrating Yule and Christmas in short sleeves and sandals with temps in the mid 60's, the iciness of the season has hit home. With all of the temperature shifts and craziness of shopping, parties, dinners, and families, it's not surprising that many people find themselves fighting off colds.

There are certainly many things that can be done to help keep the nasty little buggies at bay. Washing your hands, obviously. Try desperately not to touch your face. Making sure to eat healthy and drink lots of fluids is extremely important. It's also imperative to make sure to clean the air and frequently touched surfaces. Viruses and bacteria can linger and wait until transferred to a new recipient - like you!

One of my favorites for winter is our Oil of the Robber Clan.  Not only is it wonderfully aromatic, the essential oil blend is created specifically to fight off the invisible fiends. There are many ways this concentrated blend can be used:

• Place a few drops in a diffuser to purify and cleanse the air.
  
• Fill a small spray bottle with white vinegar. Add 10 or so drops of Robbers oil. Shake well and use to clean and disinfect counters, sinks, doorknobs, etc.
  
• Put a quarter teaspoon in the dishwasher to help sanitize dishes.

The spiciness of clove essential oil encourages the immune system.  Red Thyme essential oil is a powerhouse anti-septic and disinfectant. Lavender is renown for it's  anti-bacterial properties. Lemon is - well lemon! Add in Rosemary, Lemongrass and several other essential oils and you've got a true legend - and an amazing way to scare away winter colds.

Light and Fluffy Shave Foam

My son has always been a connoisseur when it comes to shaving. He liked straight edge razors when he was in his teens. He had soap mugs and shave brushes in all shapes and sizes. So when he asked me if I could make him a shaving cream, I had to jump at the chance.

It took some experimenting, and with that were some disasters. Some were way too oily. Way, way to oily. And there were others that had no foam at all, or felt too dry. We went through a lot of combinations - but we came up with a winner.  The final version  includes pure Castile's soap blended with clarifying hydrosols, skin refreshing essential oils, and carrier oils. JP's Shaving Foam is light and fluffy. It puts a light thin, protective coat on your skin with just a fine foam. It's doesn't even need to be washed off after your done shaving. Just a light rub in and you're good to go.

JP's Shaving Foam is great for men and women. The scent is very light and fresh. My husband, who gets 5 o'clock shadow at noon, loves this. I love it as well. It even feels nice using it under my arms. 

Next up, finding the right combination for a shave butter. 

And if you have any suggestions for products, just let us know. That's how we come up with the best products!

Getting Steamy

I don't know about you, but this has been one heck of a winter. The cold temperatures, constantly running heat in doors, even an Arctic vortex have wreaked havoc on my sinuses. I don't really have any allergies, just a little touch during extremely high pollen times. But I am prone to sensitivities with dryness and barometric shifts. My nose is as dry as the desert, and that is just as painful and annoying as too many flowing (or not so flowing) buggers.

In times like these, I turn to a wonderful old fashioned remedy – a good sinus steam. The warmth feels fabulous, and the steam helps moisturize and relieve headaches.

It's such a simple thing to do. You'll need:

• 3 to 4 cups of water
• Approximately ¼ cup of herb
• A towel

Boil 3 to 4 cups of water. It doesn't have to be exact, just a pot of water.
Turn off the heat and add a small handful of your selected herb. See the choices below.
Cover the pot and let it steep for about 10 minutes.
Put the pot on a stable surface.
Cover your head with the towel and tent it over the pot.
Carefully remove the top off the pot. Don't put your face straight over the steam when you open the lid, because the steam will be very hot and could burn.
Inhale the lovely herbal steam.
If it gets to hot, recover the pot and take the towel off.
Repeat until the steam cools.

When you're done, you can cover up the pot and save it to use again in a few hours if needed. Just bring the water to a simmer for a few minutes, then turn off the heat and proceed as above.

There are several herbs that are particularly wonderful for a sinus steam.

• Chamomile is soothing and generally safe for everyone to use. It tends to be anti-allergenic,
  
  relieves lung congestion, opens stuffy noses, and the scent is very lovely.
• Balsam Pine Needles are so refreshing and help relieve chest congestion as well as sinus pressure.
• Bee Balm relieves sinus pressure, stuffiness, and provide some anti-infective assistance.
• Peppermint is fabulous for sinus soothing and headaches associated with being all dried out.
• Eucalyptus is another wonderful congestion and pain reliever.
• Thyme or sage can also supply relief from pain and congestion.

Give sinus steams a try if this wintry weather is tormenting your sinuses. And keep it in mind for spring stuffiness, and the summer sniffles, and autumn allergies. Nothing beats a heaping bowl of steam.

Put Out Cold Season with a litte Fire in Your Cider

Actually - it's a little fire in your apple cider vinegar.

For a number of years I've been studying about herbs and their power. About 15 years ago, I came across the well-known recipe from Rosemary Gladstar, a renown herbalist and healer, and in general a very cool lady. To tell you the truth, the recipe didn't sound very yummy, but it did sound mighty powerful to fight colds and sinus problems. So I gave it a shot. The original recipe for fire cider from Rosemary follows. 

• 1 part Garlic
  
• 1 part Horseradish
• 1 part Onions
• ½ part Fresh ginger
• Cayenne to taste (just a few grains will do)
• Honey to taste
• Apple Cider Vinegar.

Chop fresh garlic, onions, and grate the horseradish and fresh ginger. The amounts and proportions vary according to your particular taste. You can always adjust the flavors in future batches. Chop enough of the first four ingredients to fill a quart jar approximately half full. Put in wide mouth quart jar and cover with Apple Cider vinegar (keep vinegar about two to three inches above the herbs). Add cayenne to taste (just a small amount or will be too hot!). Let sit at least 4 weeks. Strain well, squishing out all the goodness, and discard spent herbs. Add honey to taste, 1/4 cup at a time (add the honey after you strain the rest of the herbs). Raw honey is best if you have it. Don't use store bought honey unless you are 100% sure it's real honey.

Fire cider should taste hot, spicy and sweet.

You can see Rosemary make her recipe here. Plus she explains the benefits of all the ingredients.

This is the way I first made my fire cider. There are lots of recipes available, and all have their own slight variation.

My recipe has changed over the course of time as well. I like to add a few cinnamon sticks, a handful of dried elderberries, a sliced orange &/or lemon, turmeric (I can never seem to find it fresh so I use a teaspoon of powdered), a dried thai dragon pepper or two, and extra ginger. Sometimes I'll add some astragalus root or licorice root.

Something else I do now - I store the infused fiery apple cider separately and add the honey as needed. One of the reasons I do that is to have the chance to use an assortment of infused honey's, depending on how I'm using my brew.

You'll find a number of ways to use fire cider in our newsletter. However, it's main use in our home is still to help battle those bugs of winter. I particularly use it when my sinuses are acting up.

This wonderful winter tonic is a remedy that was found in many kitchens in years past. With it's many uses, it's something that is easy, healthy and fun to make.

Protect That Fabulous Face

Winter is upon us - at least in a good portion of the country. Today there's a wonderfully fluffy snow storm going on. Looks so pretty, feels so icy when heading out to shovel or play. We all know the drill - bundle up, dress in layers, keep your hands and feet dry. If we're smart, we remember the lip balm to protect our delicate lips from moisture loss. Do we remember, though, to change up our face and skin moisturizers?


Here's a few tips to keep your skin safe and glowing throughout the winter:

• Keep it dry. Freezing temperatures will ice up moisture on your face, damaging and drying your skin. 
• But keep it moist...urized. Wear a moisturizer that's slightly heavier than you might normally, especially if you're going to be outside for any extended period of time. This will provide a buffer against the wind and cold. Our lotion bars are perfect for this kind of weather. They might be too heavy for your face, though. Try the Jazzy Lavender Body Butter. Thick, but whippy and refreshing. Whatever your choice, cover up before you go out. Then clean and remoisturize when you come in,
• When you wash your skin, use warm water, not hot. Hot water will actually dry your skin. I know, hot sounds lovely, but it will really damage more than help.
• Remember to exfoliate. You can use our sugar scrubs for your body, and our Honey Pumpkin Face Mask is wonderful for your face. It removes dead skin cells and opens up your skin to accepting good moisture.

Don't be afraid to get out there and ski, play or just walk the dog. But do it right and it will be easy to slip right into spring.

Which Witch in the season of the Witch?

Soon we will be coming upon the season of the Witch. I don’t mean Halloween and “cast a spell” type of Witch (although that is coming and that’s a separate story). I mean season of the Witch … Hazel. Specifically Hamamelis virgniana, the plant that blossoms in late autumn and winter and has such fantastic healing properties.

Witch Hazel is native to the eastern part of the United States and Canada. It has several common names, including popping hazel, long boughs, spotted alder and winterbloom. It was widely used by Native American’s for a number of purposes. They used it for medicine. And because the branches were flexible yet strong, they used it to make their bows. Plants were brought over to Europe in the early 1700’s. In Middle English “wyche” meant pliable or flexible. Hazel – because the tree was similar to hazelnut. Over time it became Witch Hazel. Nothing spooky about that.

The shrub or tree can grow to be 12 to 15 feet tall. The leaves are a lovely red before they fall off for the winter. Here’s where Witch Hazel’s magic begins. After the leaves fall off, beautiful, bright yellow blossom appear in the early to late fall. At the same time, the fruit from last year’s blossoms ripens and makes an audible pop. No wonder the tree is considered to have mystical properties.

Native American Indians utilized Witch Hazel for a variety of medicines, applying decoctions and poultices on cuts, burns, bug bites, bruises, and sore and stiff joints, muscles and backs. Teas were used to help staunch internal bleeding and treat colds, sore throats and other ailments.

Another part of Witch Hazels magic is found in its strength as an astringent and anti inflammatory, as well as anti-itch properties. These enable Witch Hazel to help stop internal and external bleeding. It's a wonderful asset to skin care where it helps ease and prevent acne, tighten and tone up the skin, and help damaged blood vessels under the skin.

Witch Hazel hydrosol is also very effective in treating hemorrhoid’s and varicose veins. It’s a main ingredient in products like Preparation H Pads, Tucks, and others. The tannins and astringency help tighten the distended veins and add a protective structure to help the veins return to a more pliable, normal structure.

Witch Hazel just does so darn much. And you probably have a bottle of it in a bathroom cabinet. The Witch Hazel you find in your cabinet is most likely made from the leaves and young twigs, which are then distilled. The bark is used to make different tinctures and ointments.

I’ve always been a fan of Witch Hazel. I’ve used it straight as skin toner and in hair rinses. I’ve mixed it with different herbs for liniments and bruise treatments.

We use it in a number of our products, including our Face Toner; Dó Gréine Spray for sunburns, rashes and bug bites; Méla Tae Night Moon and Lemon Bright Hair rinses; and in one of our new skin care products (news on that one soon).

As the season of the Witch approaches, I’ll be keeping my eyes open for ghosts, goblins, flying brooms and magical winter blossoms of bright yellow, because Hazel is one of my favorite witches.

How do you like to use witch hazel?

Why I'll Miss Winter

Just so you know, I LOVE spring and summer. The warmth of the sun shining down, the garden growing, the beach - it's all good. However, as I've gotten older I've gained a real appreciation of winter and the cold weather. I'm apparently alone in this celebration of our snowy season, at least here in New Jersey. So I thought I'd share some of the reasons why I enjoy winter and will miss it when we slide into spring.

• On a cold winter night - there is nothing as absolutely fabulous as hot chocolate chai tea - with or without your spirited libation of choice.
• Snow storms force you to spend time together with your family. Too much together time encourages teens to take a very active interest in shoveling and clearing the walkways and driveways.
• There is still time to get in shape for the summer clothes that you bought 2 years ago and haven't worn yet.
• In winter you are spared the sight of the old guy down the street bent over his garden wearing nothing but a speedo, socks and sandals.
• A day that is warm and bright and sunny while snow still blankets the ground is just plain extra magical.
• Snow covers and beautifully hides the pile of junk in the corner of the yard that you keep avoiding.
• The garden, still hidden with snow, looks so much better in your mind than in reality.
• It is sooooo much easier to bundle up when you're cold than strip down when you're hot. You can only take off so much, but you can always keep layering.
• In winter - you don't have to shave your legs. At least not as often.

You see, winter does have it's benefits. Spring will most certainly be celebrated with planting, gardening and windows open wide, but I will miss winter when it's gone. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go find that razor.

Get Your Laugh On

Today in National Belly Laugh Day!

Considering the weather, economy and all else, I think we could all use a good laugh. Laughter not only warms and lifts your spirits - and warms you up from the inside out.

The goal of National Belly Laugh Day is to spread the joy of laughter around the world. They want everyone at "1:24 p.m. (local time) to smile, throw your arms in the air and laugh out loud." It's the Laugh Bounce heard around the world.

But even if you miss the bounce, take some time to really laugh today:

see more Daily Squee

* Check out LOL Cats or the Daily Squee. It can be addicting and worthy of laughing out loud.

* Watch your favorite funny movie - or find a new one! If you really want to laugh, share it with a friend.

* Play a silly game. Games like Charades or Pictionary always get the laughter rolling.

Break the winter blues and celebrate National Belly Laugh Day.

Laughter is an instant vacation. ~Milton Berle

Don't Rush the Seasons

It was snowing again last night here in New Jersey. As the snow fell outside, I sat curled up on the couch with a lovely cup of Ducky Life Tea (some Ellen's Cranberry Orange tisane mixed with a little Wendy's Citrus Chamomile) sweetened with just a touch of elderberry honey and lemon herb honey. It smelled and tasted heavenly. My candles were lit throughout the house - some from Wickit Good, a few from Dreaming Tree Soapworks, and some made by my dear husband. The only other lights were the glow of the TV and the magical sparkle of the Christmas Tree. What a great way to relax on on cold and snowy winter night.

And yes, my Christmas tree is still up. Why not? It's still hanging on to it's needles and it makes the whole house feel festive and homey. I know so many people

who take their tree down almost the moment that Christmas has past. I just don't understand that. We spend so much time rushing to get things done before the holiday - shopping, baking, decorating, parties, etc. Then the big day comes and we're so used to rushing we practically speed through day without taking notice. Why rush? Celebrate Christmas, Happy New Year, take down the tree, where is spring? It just doesn't help your health or your spirit to go rushing through all these things with out taking some time to notice and enjoy them.

Take winter for instance. This is the second snowfall here in New Jersey. Now, I'll grant you, the first snow dropped upwards of 25 inches in many parts of the state and there were plowing issues in many towns. It could get annoying. But it's winter, it snow's in winter. If we're honest with ourselves, New Jersey has been pretty lucky in the snow department. Most winters haven't been that bad.

So many people are wishing the winter away, and it's only January. Heck, it's only been winter for 3 weeks! After this past hot, dry summer I'd say the land around here could use the nice winters nap, all tucked in and cozy. Do you like being rushed to wake up? I know I don't.

So, on my part, despite minor annoyance and inconvenience, I'm not rushing the seasons. They will end when it's their time to end. The tree will have to come down soon enough. Meanwhile, I'll stock up and candles, put a little Téigh on my hands and feet and a little Jazzy Lavender on my face and head out into the snowy, wintery wonderland.

Spicy Clove and Winter Memories

It's been a very snowy winter here on the east coast. It reminds me of when I was a kid, when the snow seemed piled as high as mountains. We lived next door to my grandfather’s bakery, and there was nothing as wonderful as playing in the snow while smelling the tantalizing, warming spices of cinnamon buns and spice cakes being baked while building a snow fort.

Cinnamon is often the first that comes to mind when thinking of those lovely winter spices. It is one of my favorites. But cloves are right up there - warming, fragrant and tangy. And so good for you, too.

Cloves (Eugenia carophyllata), are the flower buds of a tropical tree that is kin to allspice. The tree is native to the Molucca (Spice) Islands.

This popular spice serves an array of purposes in the kitchen, the medicine cabinet, and aromatically.

Whole cloves look like little tacks or nails. But don’t let the size deceive you, they are pungent and strong.

The fragrance of clove is said to reduce stress and improve concentration. I love putting just a few drops of clove essential oil in my diffuser. You don’t need much to have that spicy fruity scent fill the air. It seems to make the air feel cleaner. It probably does since cloves are antibacterial, antifungal, antihistaminic, anti-infectious – and so very much more.

Mix clove with citrus, and you get an unbeatable combination. It’s easy to create that scent any time with a so simple to make Pomander.

For a Pomander you need a jar of cloves and a citrus of your choice. Most people use oranges. But you can use lemons, Clementine’s, limes, and I guess even a grapefruit - but that would be a very big project and need a very big jar of cloves.

When I make a pomander, I take a straight pin or pushpin and mark out where I’ll put the cloves on the citrus fruit. This can be rather juicy, so make sure to do it over a dish or bowl. Some people make patterns; others (like me) cover the citrus with cloves. Once I’ve marked the spots, I start adding the cloves. Just push the long part in and leave the tack part on the surface. Once you’re done, add a ribbon around it and hang it up! The citrus will dry with the cloves and will tighten up. The fragrance lasts for years.

Chinese and traditional Ayurvedic healers have, for centuries, used cloves for a number of ailments and issues. These include indigestion, nausea, gout, respiratory issues and parasites.

Clove oil eases the pain of toothaches. The most common practice is to mix just a drop or two of clove essential oil with a carrier oil (like vegetable or grape seed) and rub it on to the sore area. The straight clove essential oil might be too strong, but I do know a few people who have used it that way. They really had bad toothaches. I usually add three drops to a table spoon of vegetable oil, and then use a cotton swab to rub it into the affected area. Works like a charm for me. However, I wouldn’t recommend this for teething infants, even diluted it might feel to hot on their baby gums.

Have you ever seen a ham that wasn’t studded with cloves? I rarely have. This spice is a wonderful addition to savory dishes as well as sweet. It’s a must for pickling, and pumpkin pie wouldn’t be the same without clove. It’s part of the tangy Chinese 5 Spice, and essential in Chai Tea.

Cloves powers across the board make it an invaluable ally in kitchen or cabinet. We use cloves in our Tingles Lip Balm to add warmth and all it’s “anti’s” powers. It’s also in our Muscle Rubs to aid in circulation to sore muscles.

A snowy night, some Chai tea, a little Muscle Rub to soothe those aches and pains, and the fragrant embrace of clove to warm the heart and spirit bring back playful memories.

Being Smooth Even When it's Frosty

The days may be finally getting a little longer, but the temperature is dropping by leaps and bounds. Flaky is good for pie crusts, but not for your skin. Icy temperatures combined with the drying effects of indoor heat can really wreak havoc on your skin. A little TLC will keep your skin glowing until the warm spring sunshine returns.

Tip 1: Humidify
Heat keeps us nice and toasty warm on frigid winter days. But it also drys out the air, which in turn drys out your skin. Running a humidifier will aid some moisture back into the air - and your skin.

Tip 2: Cover it all Up

The one thing I hate most about winter is the bundly layers of clothes. But layers help you stay warm. And by wearing your glove and scarf and covering up exposed skin you'll help prevent evaporation and retain vital moisture.

Tip 3: Moisturize
All moisturizers are part water and part oil/butter. The easier the pour, the more water is in the cream. In tough winter weather, your best bet is a butter salve or lotion bar. These products are high in butters and oils, which adds a protective barrier over your skin. They help you retain your own moisture and oils, as well as sooth itchiness. Our Body Butters and Lotion Bars are perfect for all over wintery weather care.

Tip 4: Don't forget your lips
Lots of people use lip balms on a regular basis. The one thing to avoid in harsh weather are flavored lip balms. We make a number of yummy balms, but when you have a flavored balm you tend to lick your lips more. Try our Tingles or Sweetest Kisses, especially if you have a cold to boot. Tingles has anti bacterial and anti viral herbal constituents when will help cracked and cold sore lips heal. Sweetest Kisses uses the power of honey to add softness and emolliency to your lips.

Tip 5: Helping Hands
Cover up your hands with gloves whenever you have to go out in the cold. The skin on the hands is thinner than elsewhere, so it is easily affected by chill air. And after you wash your hands, make sure to dry them thoroughly, then follow with a moisturizer. Our Lotion Bars or Gardeners Salve are soothing and softening for on active hands. And here's a quick tip - if you find yourself with out a good hand salve you can always use a little lip balm. It's a great quick fix for cracked, dry cuticles.

Spring isn't that far away, so give your skin some extra care and you'll be ready for the warmth to come. For more information on caring for winter skin, check out the article at WebMD.

Join us at the Wonderful Sea Girt Holiday Craftmarket!

This weekend we run full on into the holiday season. One November 22 & 23rd, you can find Celtic Chairde Creations at the Sea Girt Holiday Craftmarket. Although relatively small, there are over 50 crafters presenting unique hand made items suitable for any holiday shopping list.

The event is held at the Sea Girt School on Route 71 and Bell Place in Sea Girt. One of my favorite parts of this show is the cafe. Eighth graders serve as waiters for some of the finest craft show food I've ever had.

We hope you'll come by and visit. There are only 4 more events that Celtic Chairde will be participating in before the Christmas. So stop by and select the perfect gifts for teachers, co-workers, family and friends.

Kicking off the Holiday Season at the St. Peter's 31st Annual Craft Fair

It's so hard to believe that we've rolled around to another Holiday Season! Yet here we are, busily preparing products for our flurry of holiday fairs.

One of our favorites is the St. Peter's School Annual Craftmarket. This year the event is November 7 & 8, this Friday and Saturday. There are always so many interesting crafts and gifts. It's one of our favorite craft fairs of the season. Friends and family start the holiday shopping and enjoy a good time.

We hope to see you there this weekend!

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