Showing posts with label Comfort. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Comfort. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Homemade Cream of Tomato Soup...


It's really starting to get cold here on the prairie and when that happens, I get a hankerin' for soup.  With windy, gray skies and chilly daytime temps of 44 degrees, I've been thinking a lot about creamy tomato soup.  So tonight, with a five gallon bucket of homegrown tomatoes in the kitchen and supper to fix, I looked up a Cream of Tomato Soup recipe and took a chance on this one from Whiteley Creek Homestead Bed & Breakfast.  I find that  most B&B's in winter country really know how to knock out the cold from your bones with good soup.  This one is no exception.  It is simple and delicious. 
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Homemade Cream of Tomato Soup
 Makes 12 cups (8 - 1 ½ cup servings)

5 tbsp butter (I used 2 tbsp.)
½ cup chopped onion
4 tbsp flour (I used 2 tbsp because pureeing it in a blender thickens it.)
4 cups milk (I used whole milk.)
½ bay leaf (I used 1 whole bay leaf)
1 ½ tsp sugar
1 ½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda* (I used 1 tsp because I doubled the amount of tomatoes.)
6 cups (approx) fresh or canned tomatoes (I used 2 – 28 oz cans diced tomatoes plus the juice.)

Melt the butter in a soup pot. Add the onion and cook until the onion is soft and translucent but not browned. Sprinkle the flour over the butter mixture and continue to stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. (Because I reduced the butter, the flour will burn if you cook it that long. I just mix the flour into the butter and call it good.) While stirring, slowly pour in the milk. Add the bay leaf, sugar, and salt and continue to cook and stir until slightly thickened. (You’ll only see a slight thickening action because I reduced the amount of flour, so I heated it only hot enough for serving. Do not simmer or boil.) Stir the baking soda into the tomatoes. It will fizz. Add the tomatoes to the milk and bring it back up to serving temperature. Remove from heat and put through a strainer. (I say, "Why strain it? And toss out the tomato chunks? Why?!" For a smooth/chunky combo, allow to cool then puree half of the soup adding it back into the remaining chunky soup in the pot. If you want a smooth consistency without chunks, puree entire mixture, including tomato chunks, in a blender. For average blender container sizes, you'll need to do this in stages.) *Adding baking soda to tomatoes neutralizes their acidity to keep the milk from curdling.
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When I made this soup tonight, I used fresh, chopped tomatoes instead of canned, but I'll use my home-canned tomatoes this winter.  I halved the recipe and added pepper and garlic powder to taste after it was all put together.  I used my stick blender to break up the tomatoes to the consistency that I wanted instead of using a blender.  I think it's way easier than trying to pour hot soup into a regular blender.  
( M E S S )  Adding a little fresh or dried basil to your taste would be another delicious addition to the soup.  All in all, I think this took about 15 minutes to put together including the chopping and the making of grilled cheese sandwiches which, to me, must always go alongside cream of tomato soup --  Winter Comfort Food Supreme!

For the Record:


We took the bucks out of the ewes this past week (10-4).


We received our first snow last week and had a little today too.   It was a light snow that didn't stick to the ground.  There were snow flurries today too but I don't think October snowflakes are quite ripe.  As Lucy from A Charlie Brown Christmas says, "It's too early. I never eat December snowflakes. I always wait until January." 

The vet came to fertility test the sale bulls yesterday.

The 2-year-old heifers got their new ID tags today, and we sorted them into two bunches:  Keepers and For Sale.

Huge flocks of Canada Geese flew over as we were working livestock today.  Wave after wave of V'd geese flew over us, calling to one another, "Fly south!"

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Cloudy day = Donut day...

 The Littlest Billy Goat's Gruff has returned home today for a weekend visit before he drives away to Tucson to go back to college.  I decided that since it's drizzly, cloudy, and even a wee bit rainy here, it's a perfect day for a Donut Day!
Raised, glazed donuts.

 My donuts aren't traditional.  
They're puffy, long donuts. 
 Easy to cut, easy to turn, easy to eat.  
I wouldn't want to make it difficult you know.


 Afternoon Tea and Donut!

The End.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Coffee time...

I am literally sitting here at the computer having my afternoon coffee time.  And this (muffin) is what was once on my plate.  Now am picking the crumbs and will soon lick both crumbs and sugar from the plate, washing it down with the last of my strong, black coffee.  It's a good thing!  Is it any wonder I must have my 3:00 cup of coffee every day?  You want it too, don't you?  Some years ago I started this afternoon coffee thing, and enjoyed it so much that I don't intend to quit.  This morning I made a batch of what was supposed to be Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins, but as I started into the recipe and was nearing the end, I went to the pantry and found no canned pumpkin so I did what any cooker would do, skipped it and baked them off as they were.  Oh my!  I didn't miss the pumpkin one itty bitty bit.  They were just perfectly delicious with interior doughnutty spices of all-spice and nutmeg and an exterior coating of melted butter and cinnamon & sugar.  If you want to make these yummy muffins, you can find the recipe here.  Just omit the pumpkin!  Actually, I baked them at 380*F (I don't know why I chose that temp) for about 15 minutes or so.  I don't think you should have to bake muffins for a half an hour, but that's just me.  Maybe if they had had been made properly with pumpkin in them, they would have taken longer to bake, but I will never know.
I got a couple pounds of onions planted in one of the raised beds today --  mulched it and watered it.  The bread dough is rising and spilling over the bowl so I must quit this coffee-ing and chit-chat and get myself back to work.  I hope you took a little time for an afternoon cuppa.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

When the tomcat comes home....

 We've seen you out in the pastures hunting, stalking your prey, frolicking amongst the alfalfa fields in search of the Thirteen-stripe Ground Squirrel and the mole and the vole.  By the Springs you have been seen pouncing on unsuspecting frogs and basking in the penetrating sun. What a summer!  What a life!  Fluffy, you wouldn't let us touch you out there.  You wouldn't come to our loving calls of  "Here kitty, kitty, kitty."  You ignored us, you ran away from us, and only thought about your exciting life living in the wild -- no cares, no worries, only fun and frolic.

After all of this, today, you showed up on our doorstep.  You came nuzzling and caressing us.  You slinked between our legs and purred.  You didn't think for a moment of ignoring our call, "Here kitty, kitty, kitty," but you came running and jumped into our arms again, rubbing and loving on us.  What has happened?  What's come over you, Fluff?

Is it time now?  Is it time for the cold winds to start blowing and the temperatures to begin to plummet?  Will the days get dark and chill and bitter?  You know it.  You want us to feed you and comfort you through these next months.  And of course, we will.  Fluff, it's good that you're home, but your coming has deeper meaning.  You won't make it out there in the wild without us.  You need us.  You don't want us to forget about you and leave you out there starving in the cold of winter.  Alone.  You HAD to come home, didn't you?  Well, we can't blame you for that.  Who would want  to go through winter alone, cold, and without a friend?  Welcome back.  The barn is full of hay and straw.  There are mice aplenty in the granaries.  I've got a big sack of dog food in the garage, and I know you'll join the chickens when I bring the pail of scraps from the house to feed them.  Welcome home, old friend.  You're looking good.  The Peach and Toodles will be so glad to have you back home.  Cupcake will get to know you this winter too.

Now, as for me, you remind me that it's time to clear off the garden.  The pumpkins are gathered up, the acorn squash too.  The vines are cleared off and the last of the green tomatoes are on their vines in the garage in hopes that some of them will yet ripen.  I even pulled up the gladiola corms that I thought I'd discard this fall, but they were too big and beautiful to ignore and throw in the trash heap.  Nope.  I'm saving them up for next spring.  I pulled the last of the fall lettuce and snipped the herbs to bring in and dry for winter suppers.  The parsley really took off and there's plenty of rosemary and thyme for roasts and stews.




The garden hoses are all rolled up and the pumps are covered.  It's supposed to freeze tonight, and hard.  Twenty-nine degrees sounds harsh.  It is.  But it is mid-October after all.  It can't stay summer forever, although some days I wish it could.  We both know it can't.  So come here, Old Fluff Boy.  Jump into my arms and I'll scratch you behind the ears and tell you what a good cat you are.  Close your eyes and enjoy it.  Thanks for the reminder that when the warm days of the good life come to an end, you can always go home. 

Monday, March 14, 2011

Take a bath...

Picture from Builders Square

In the winter months especially, I love a hot bath.  A good, long soak in the tub with a cup of hot tea on the ledge and a good book or magazine in my hands is a really happy place to be for a half an hour or so.  Doesn't this bathtub look like the perfect place for unwinding?  (I wonder how you clean a wood bathtub?)

When I was a kid at home, long baths were never an option.  I recall taking group baths with my siblings when we were littles.  Do any of you remember pictures taken in the tub with your hair all sudsy and formed into a tall curlicue?   My mom loved doing that, and I'll admit that I have some pictures of my own children with their hair all done up in suds and their clean faces smiling for the camera.  As we grew up, baths were dumped for showers. Timed showers -- about five minutes.  Unlike homes of today, ours had just one bathroom and there were six of us to share it.  There was also limited hot water.  Oftentimes we took our showers in shifts.  Some of us showered at night and some showered in the mornings.  It helped with the hot water and the time factor of getting everyone ready for school and work.  So bathing became a luxury or something that was done when you were really sick or needed to soak a throbbing back.  

This past winter you'd find me soaking in the tub in the evenings after the chores and the dishes were all done, and I'm not yet finished with taking baths.  It has become a way of treating myself for a day's work well-done.  The rest of my family enjoys an evening bath too, so we have to take turns having a bath night since our tub is fairly big and requires plenty of hot water.  The first to call it, gets the first chance at the tub.  Lately we've been taking turns passing the flu back and forth and so the bathtub has had a lot of traffic.  A hot bath is so therapeutic for the flu sufferer.  Stuffy heads, achy muscles, and pounding heads seem to melt away when you can submerge yourself in a hot bath.

I have found some interesting facts about bathing recently when I decided to try adding some Epsom salts to my bath water.  Here's what the Epsom Salt Council says about adding salts to your bath.
Studies show these benefits from the major components of Epsom Salt may: Magnesium:
  • Ease stress and improves sleep and concentration
  • Help muscles and nerves function properly
  • Regulate activity of 325+ enzymes
  • Help prevent artery hardening and blood clots
  • Make insulin more effective
  • Reduce inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps
  • Improve oxygen use
Sulfates:
  • Flush toxins
  • Improve absorption of nutrients
  • Help form joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins
  • Help prevent or ease migraine headaches
I didn't realize it, but magnesium is easily absorbed through the skin and most of us are very short on the mineral.  Magnesium is not easily absorbed through supplements and so the best ways to get it is to eat foods high in magnesium (nuts, seeds, grains, fruits) and to take a bath or soak your feet in Epsom salts three  times a week or so.  How about that for a healthy way to relax?

I pulled out my blue Ball canning jars and filled them up with Epsom salts and set them out in the bathroom so my family could easily dump salts into their baths.  Pretty and functional! 

Another way I like to soak is to take an oatmeal bath.  I made some Oat Floats a few months ago for gift-giving and for my family.  I add one to my bath and squidge it around so the powdery oats dissolves in my bath, and then I use the pouch to rub the moisturizing, oat-y goodness all over my skin.  If you have dry skin, it is very soothing.  I sometimes add a little coconut oil to my bath water which also moisturizes the skin nicely.  I have even used coconut oil as a hot oil treatment for my hair and then follow up with my regular hair washing routine. Click here for more information on using coconut oil for your hair.

So if you're feeling tired, sick, harried, overwhelmed, or you just need a few minutes to relax, consider a hot bath. Would you like to know more about the health benefits for taking a hot bath?  Click here.  It'll cure what ails ya.

Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine.   
~Thomas Aquinas

Saturday, March 05, 2011

Simple things turn into special things...

 French Tea Garden by Childe Hassam

Bread and water can so easily be toast and tea.
~Author Unknown 

Simple things turn into special things...

Water and Epsom salts turn into a healthy, relaxing bath.
Paper and pen turn into a letter to a friend.
Paper and crayons turn into art.
Words and a tune turn into a cheery song.
Fruit and sugar turn into jam for scones.
Needle, thread and calico turn into a patchwork quilt.
Knitting needles and yarn turn into cozy slippers. 
Water and cold air turn into frosty crystals.
A hug and kiss turn into balm for the soul.

Can you think of more?

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

The senses....


The days, they are full. I am trying to "live in the moment" and take in all that is around me so I decided to  share some of the things I see, hear, smell, feel, and taste.  Beware, not all things will be pleasant.
 
I see.....
Pink morning skies; snow, snow, snow; my breath; hat hair; eagle pairs; yellow cats on gray fences; chickens that want out of the coop; eggs in my bucket, strong men flipping bales from a stack; strong men grabbing ewes on the fly; my grandgirl carrying her own crook; two crooks hanging in the rafters; a dead skunk; three dead lambs; fresh straw for the jugs (pens); week-old lambs frisking and playing together (just like the storybooks); Mary Toodles smiling up at me.

I smell....
Ammonia and manure at the sheep shed and on the bottom of my boots; summer when I open an alfalfa hay bale; the dead skunk; that fresh, earthy smell when snow melts into the ground; ham frying for breakfast; milk when I feed the bum lambs; greasy lanolin when I rub down the bummies after their feeding; fresh paint; soapy-clean after a hot shower; line-dried sheets when I went to sleep last night; fresh coffee when I rise in the morning.

I hear....
The pick-up trucks running as they warm up each morning, the coffee trickle into the pot, boots tromping off the snow on the front porch; soft newborn baa's and mothering murmurings as ewes imprint their lambs at birth; the metal gate creaking as it swings; the sliding shed door; the newly-arriving blackbirds chortling, an owl hooting at dusk;  banging ice from water buckets, dogs whimpering in excitement to go with me in the truck; the guys radio-ing me; the water running into the bath tub.

 
I taste...
Ham & eggs for breakfast and honey on toast for breakfast-dessert; black coffee; freshly-made cake doughnuts; milk; brown beans; afternoon oatmeal cookies; snow when Hazel Peach offers me a bite of her snowball;  fresh, clean water; grilled cheese sandwiches; more hot coffee.

I feel....
Tired; energized; cold; sick of winter and cold days; finally warm in the hot bath; glad that I can work hard and go to bed tired; blessed to live in the country and to be a part of new life; wet, cold hands dipping out chunks of ice from buckets; sorry for lambs with no mothers; happy for lambs with good mothers; sorry for lambs with crazy mothers; physically stronger for the hard work; hungry; like I need a nap; the need for spring; warm wool slippers on my feet; slimy, wet lambs in my hands; wet gloves; hugs from my family; satisfaction.

Saturday, February 05, 2011

Simple pleasures....

 Someone once said, "Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the Big Things."  In that spirit, I would like to share some of my simple pleasures, the little things, that make life Big.

Fresh citrus from my Arizona friend.
It's been a blessing to have juicy, sliced lemons to 
make hot lemonade to fight the sniffles.
 
Buttermilk pancakes for breakfast!
I like this recipe.


 Playing in the snow and making a snowman with Hazel Peach.
Fresh air makes everything better, doesn't it?

My knitted acrylic scrubbies.  
My Arizona friends have made these for me
and there is nothing I like better for scrubbing dishes.

A good book.  
I'm coming to the end of my adventure at 
Pilgrim's Inn by Elizabeth Goudge.

Steamy, hot oatmeal baths.
When the body aches, the bath relieves.
 I can't think of any sorrow in the world that a hot bath wouldn't help, just a little bit.
~Susan Glasee

A piping hot bowl of corn chowder.
Comfort food supreme.

Water.
Whenever I've been away from home, I appreciate more than ever the fresh, non-chlorinated water that I drink from the tap every single day.
Water is my favorite drink.

Naps.
I used to think napping was weakness. 
After a long bout with a bad back, I realized the best thing I could do for my family and for myself was to take a daily nap until I was better.  My mood, my attitude, and my physical strength all improved.  We know the old adage well, "When Mama ain't happy, aint nobody happy."
I say, when Mama ain't happy, she might need a good nap.
Nap in Jesus name.

Singing a hymn.
Yesterday J. and I sang Jesus Savior Pilot Me.
We both agreed, it's good for our souls.

Old friends and new friends.
It's been a joy catching up with old friends and meeting new friends too.
Thank you for being friends with me.
Stay a while!
"Stay is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary."
~Louisa May Alcott

Monday, December 27, 2010

Heffalump or snuffleupagus?

Whichever you prefer, that's what I've been feeling like for the past two days.  Sneezing, sniffling, snuffling,  achooo-ing -- all makes my very chapped nose feel large and snout-ish, like a Heffalump or a Snuffleupagus.   I've been doing all I can to take this creature down.... vitamin C three times a day, going for walks in the fresh air, eating bits of raw garlic, taking hot baths, drinking mugs and mugs of herb tea, eating peppermint candies (to de-stuff), and coating my sore-from-blowing nose with Bee Butter or vitamin E oil.  Napping is what I want to do, but it is difficult when one's nose is either stuffed up and won't breathe, or when it's running all over the pillowcase. O bother! (as Pooh would say)

My latest tea concoction is a mix of peppermint leaves, a chunk of ginger root, honey and a lemon slice to float on top.  I think it helps somewhat, but the bits of candied ginger (beside the mug) is what I like best.  I don't know if it is very medicinal, but it's tasty, sweet, and warm to my mouth.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Remains of the day...

 Sharptail grouse in the shelter belt

Sledders

 Tiramisu


 Handmade cross. Wood from a fence post. 
Crafted by Middle Child for me.

 Bonfire of cleared trees.

Abandoned Table

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Natural moisturizers for winter skin....

A jar I received from a friend becomes my kitchen sink cream  container

Winters on the northern prairie can be very harsh to say the least.  The air is dry and the cold is deep, in fact I had a brisk walk to the mailbox this afternoon and our high temperature for the day was just 12* F.  My family's skin pays dearly for such exposure, and my dishpan hands always need relief.  So I do what I can to bring relief to chapped hands, lips, feet and over-all dry skin.  I really dislike all the additives and things that are found in commercial lotions and creams so for several years, I have been making what I call Bee Butter.  I first found this recipe here, but have since altered it by adding a few capsules of vitamin E oil.  Sometimes I swap part of the olive oil for coconut oil (which is very healing to the dry, itchy skin).   I love the smell of the beeswax in this formula which gives it a sweet, honey smell so I never have added fragrance to the cream, but you could add an essential oil if you wanted to.
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Bee Butter  (non-petroleum jelly)
2 ounces olive oil
1/2 ounce grated bees wax
12 drops grapefruit seed extract (natural disinfectant)

1. Melt the beeswax with olive oil in a pyrex measuring cup in the microwave, 30 seconds at a time until wax  is liquefied.  Be careful!  The glass will be HOT.  Or you may heat it in a double boiler over simmering water and medium heat.
2. Remove mixture from the heat and add the grapefruit extract.
3. Allow mixture to cool about 10 minutes.  Then beat mixture with a hand mixer or whisk until it starts to turn creamy or cloudy.  Pour into a clean container.

Makes 1/4 cup. Store in glass jar with screw on lid.
Shelf life up to one year.

*I have made this without the grapefruit seed extract and it still maintains a long shelf life. I also add 3 or 4 capsules of vitamin E oil to the butter to further enrich it.  You may like to substitute part of the olive oil with sweet almond oil, coconut oil or others. It is fun to experiment and find the combination you like best.

I want to try a creamy body butter next.  This video looks simple enough.
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 Another skin soother is oatmeal.  My family enjoys a hot soaking bath in the winter months, but even baths can take a toll on already-dry skin.  To moisturize your skin in the bath, toss in an Oat Float.  I found this idea over at Maya*Made.  She gives a complete tutorial on how to make these cute little sachet pouches for gift-giving or for your own bath.  After soaking in the bath, I  rub the pouch on my face  for an easy oatmeal facial and then scrub the rest of my body with it for more moisturizing.

I think I made a couple dozen "oat floats" for our baths and for gift-giving this Christmas.  I used cheese cloth (doubled) for my pouches, but you can use thin muslin like Maya did in her instructions.  Another idea would be to buy some spice bags or bouquet garni bags that are pre-made and just pour your oatmeal in them and pull the drawstring --much easier than sewing if you're not a sewist.  Enjoy!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

December days....

 This morning was crisp and cold -- not even ten degrees when I left the house.  The snow is hard now and squeaks as I walk on it.  Hubs was putting out the hay with the tractor as I drove over the hill and saw the cows coming up out of the breaks for feed.  I had the pick-up loaded with alfalfa cake for them. The sheep and the cows and the bucks and the bulls were all happy to see me.



 I've been spending a portion of my evenings in front of the fire embroidering some Christmas gifties.  Sometimes I just sit before the fire and drift, not really thinking about anything in particular, but just staring at the fire in a hypnotic trance.

Do you ever crave one of those all-in-one-pan suppers that is baked in the oven?  I do.  This evening I whacked up a meat & potato pie with a good lard crust on top.  It has been such a long time since I've made one of these and it was *just* what I wanted.  Hubs and Hazel Peach thought it was just right too.

After our supper, HP and I turned the Christmas music on and played with the red yarn and the jingle bells.  I made a jingle bell cuff for her with green wool felt.  I attached the jingle bells with red yarn and then used the tails of the yarn to embroider a little design on the cuff.  I sewed on velcro to secure it to her wrist.  Next Christmas I'll be making three Jingle Cuffs (for HP and the new grands).

After reading Pom Pom's Ponderings about Gladys Taber's Stillmeadow Daybook, I read the December chapter for myself and felt all snuggled into December as if Gladys had tucked me securely into a bed of memories and pulled up the covers to my chin so I'd be cozy and warm with the pleasure of it.  The first snowfall, setting feeders out for the birds, hunting for misplaced Christmas gifts bought in August, cooking meals with spices from far-away lands, cutting the Christmas tree, singing the ancient carols like Good King Wensceslas and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and meditations of the Carpenter's Son born in Bethlehem all speak so very well of December days to me.  I pray that you are savoring the distinct quiet stillness of December.  Scatter joy along your way.

Friday, December 03, 2010

The star on the barn...

 Lighting the star on the barn is one of my most favorite parts of the Christmas Season; I think I like it even more than putting up the Christmas tree.  (It's easier)  I had to fasten new lights onto the star frame this year.  YoungestChild and Hazel Peach went with me to help hang it up and plug it in. 

 This is how our star looks from the road in the late afternoon.

This is the very barn where we will  lamb the sheep in just a few months. We also calve some of the cows here in the spring.  I like to think of it as a place similar to the stable where our Lord was born in Bethlehem.  Even though it does not compare to the crudeness of that lowly manger, it is still a barn that is meant for animals, not for the King of Kings.  But God chose a place like this for His Son to come into the world.  Birthed in a barn.   Adored by common shepherds.

This is what our star looks like from the road in the dark of night.  I absolutely love driving home at night and seeing the star appear out of nowhere.  We live way out in the country on a road less-traveled than most, but the light shines in the dark for those few who pass by.  It calls to mind Psalm 139:7, "Where can I go from your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your presence?"  Even in the remotest parts of the earth, God is with us.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Cattle & Cold....

Herd Bulls await a bucket of alfalfa cake.
Cows coming  out for their cake.



The days are turning colder and colder.  This morning it was a meager 6 degrees as we headed out to feed the cows.  The sky was beautifully bright and blue and the air was brisk.  
We are expecting single digit temperatures tonight with windchill temperatures as low as -10.
And snow.
About 4-5 inches of snow overnight.


For comfort, I'm building fires in the wood stove and lighting candles.  I like the hazelnut candle best.  It seems any type of flame makes the home feel more cozy and warm.
Lately I'm drinking more hot tea and trying to keep it herbal (Stash Lemon-Ginger) since I don't need the extra caffeine of my favorite drink, strong fresh-ground coffee or my second favorite, chai black tea.  I really like the Rishi Teas and so far, my favorite chai is Rishi Masala.  Add some hot milk and a tiny bit of honey and you've got something good in your hands.  It makes a nice dessert!  What's your favorite wintertime drink?

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