Imbolc fire festival dragons lair Columns 

Barefoot on the Crooked Path: Dragon’s Fire

By Melinda McNutt, Seanchaidh Time and weather had worn spaces in the old barn planks allowing light to pierce the abyss; half illuminating the mysteries held inside. Stones stacked upon each other, mortared together with ancient mud. Tools made from iron and wood hung about becoming shadow appendages. Leathery remains of wings suspended from the roof. Noses pressed into crevices brought… Read More
Winter gardening pruning apple trees Column: Josh Reilly Columns Gardening 

Ben Lomond Gardener: Nip and Tuck for the New Year

On December 21, the Winter Solstice, we rounded the corner at the wintery end of the year’s ellipse. After this most sacred of all garden holy days, the hours of sunlight begin to increase again, as the Northern Hemisphere starts tilting back towards the sun. Meanwhile, the winter garden is a cool, calm, relaxing place. The bones (roots, branches and... Read More
Glogg and Pebbernodder Peppernuts Columns Food & Drink 

Glogg and Pebernodder

By Marielle Martin Traditional Scandinavian Christmas Fare  Since ancient times, Scandinavian midwinter celebrations have centered around Norse and Pagan rituals of bringing warmth, joy, and light to the community to counter the darkness and cold of the season. Once Christianity was established in the region in the 11th century those traditions began to be called Christmas, but many practices continued.  … Read More