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Gail Butler

Heartsease Cottage

As a childhood mud-eater (I don't remeber this, but my Mom tells me it was so), I've spent most of my life digging in the dirt - rockhounding, gold prospecting, gardening - and am happiest with my hands in the soil communing with its mysteries.

Interests: Anything "dirt" oriented and writing.

Recent Activity

Made From Scratch - Mexican-style Cocoa-Latte/Con Leche

Spice - and spike - this "made-from-scratch" Mexican-style hot cocoa-latte as you like! Continue reading

Posted Feb 22, 2021 at A New Heartsease...

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Pizza Marguerite From A Toaster Oven

Well, thanks to Covid I haven't been able to get my standard oven fixed...so I've turned to my toaster oven for most of my baking needs! Continue reading

Posted Feb 9, 2021 at A New Heartsease...

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Is Violence A Justifiable Means To An End?

As soon as men decide that all means are permitted to fight an evil, then their good becomes indistinguishable from the evil that they set out to destroy. — Christopher Dawson, The Judgment of Nations (1942) Regardless of which "side" one identifies with, there are greater, indissoluble truths that transcend... Continue reading

Posted Jan 10, 2021 at A New Heartsease...

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A Tree Is Felled

A sudden wind gust on a smokey day breaks away part of the top of a large conifer next to my building. On the way down it hits the roof and chimney of my condo unit. My first clue was the sound and tremor passing through the building. The next... Continue reading

Posted Dec 7, 2020 at A New Heartsease...

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Snow

Then comes the snow in its beauty... Continue reading

Posted Nov 10, 2020 at A New Heartsease...

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A Campfire Lesson In Rising To the Challenge

I learned that when faced with a dilemma, a challenge, a hardship, or some other event or condition beyond our usual milieu, we have at least two choices... Continue reading

Posted Sep 26, 2020 at A New Heartsease...

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Yaak Falls Day Trip & the Perfect Onion

Yikes! It's summer. Not much to do because of Covid. So camping is an enjoyable, safe option. Thus, I decided to scout out some campgrounds in next-door Montana with my nephew, Jeff. But, he wasn't feeling good that day, so I packed a lunch and set out on my own... Continue reading

Posted Aug 26, 2020 at A New Heartsease...

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Shrimp & Kale Scampi! It's Easy, Healthy, Delicious and Gluten-Free!

Shrimp & Kale Scampi is gluten-free, healthy, and delicious! Prior to this photo the savory juices were mopped up with a piece of crusty artisan bread. Sorry, couldn't wait! I'm a fan of "Buddha" bowls...colorful and varied one-bowl meals comprised of a formula that calls for a grain, a legume... Continue reading

Posted Aug 10, 2020 at A New Heartsease...

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Foraging for Sheep Sorrel

Lemony, wild, and free! Sheep sorrel makes a tangy sauce for eggs, fish, or chicken! When I lived in my Folk Victorian Farmhouse - Heartsease Cottage - I grew garden-domestic French sorrel. Now, living in a condo (Heartsease Haven) in Northern Idaho, I forage for the same tangy, lemony flavor,... Continue reading

Posted Jul 25, 2020 at A New Heartsease...

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Fiesta Bowl - Healthy, One Bowl Meal For Vegans, Vegetarians, and Everyone Else!

A savory blend of quinoa, roasted yam, pinto beans, with scrambled tofu (or egg), cooling guacamole, alfalfa sprouts, and a drizzel of hot sauce... Here, an intersection of Mex-Asian ingredients marry in mutual, munificence! And it's vegan/vegetarian and oh, sooo tasty! While the yam bakes in the oven and the... Continue reading

Posted Jul 10, 2020 at A New Heartsease...

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NATURE - Simple Grace In the Age of Covid-19

God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars. ~Author unknown, but commonly attributed to Martin Luther~ * * * * * Even in times of tribulation, such as we are now undergoing, God's wild places can soothe the troubled soul... Continue reading

Posted Jul 1, 2020 at A New Heartsease...

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What To Do In the Age of Covid-19 - Knit and Think!

This cool-weather knitted outfit is for wearing with leggings. The skirt keeps my 70-year old keester warm and hidden from view. The vest looks great with my lavender long-sleeved turtle neck. Vest and skirt were knitted with Lion Brand, Woolease yarn in grey heather, which is 20% wool, 80% Acrylic... Continue reading

Posted Jun 23, 2020 at A New Heartsease...

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Woods Walk In the Age of Covid-19

Here in Northern Idaho we're all under self-quarantining restrictions, but we can still get out with some restrictions as I'm doing here at Farragut State Park. Although bars and restaurants are closed to entry - we can pick up food at restaurants on a "drive thru" and "curb-side" basis -... Continue reading

Posted Apr 20, 2020 at A New Heartsease...

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Toilet Paper Conservation In the Age of Covid-19

Is this happening to you? Are you afraid you cannot buy more? Are the paper goods aisles empty of TP? Yikes! What are we all gonna do? Where I live there simply isn't any toilet paper to be had in the stores. And, it is a rare commodity online. I... Continue reading

Posted Apr 17, 2020 at A New Heartsease...

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Using Your Oven To Dehydrate Food In the Age of Covid-19

You can use your oven to dehydrate some foods. You can use your oven to dehydrate foods thereby adding to your food security. Dehydrated foods are compact, require no refrigeration, and store for long periods of time. You can make tasty dishes, snacks, sauces, soups, desserts, gifts, crafts, and more,... Continue reading

Posted Apr 3, 2020 at A New Heartsease...

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Dehydrating Foods In the Age of Covid-19

Today I'm drying potatoes. At this moment, my dehydrator is working away to dry the sliced potatoes I loaded into it this morning. After submitting them first to Fruit Fresh to keep them from oxidizing and browning, then a steam blanch for eight minutes, followed by a dip into honeyed... Continue reading

Posted Apr 1, 2020 at A New Heartsease...

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Woods Walk, "Back Burner Items", and Self-Reflection In the Age of Covid-19

In the meantime, God Bless us all, each and every one! Continue reading

Posted Mar 24, 2020 at A New Heartsease...

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Homemade Antiseptic Spray and Hand Sanitizer...If You Can't Find Any Make Your Own!

Homemade Antiseptic Spray and Hand Sanitizer...If You Can't Find Any Make Your Own! Continue reading

Posted Mar 3, 2020 at A New Heartsease...

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Happy 2020!

I have always liked the idea of hearing the clock strike twelve on the last night of the old year.... wakeful to welcome the new year's angel when the old one has winged his flight from us, bearing with him the record of our inner years, its sins and sorrows.... Continue reading

Posted Dec 31, 2019 at A New Heartsease...

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Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

Wishing Everyone all the warmth and joy of the Season! Continue reading

Posted Dec 21, 2019 at A New Heartsease...

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A "Spirited" Eggless, Dairy-free Nog

Is there such a thing as an eggless eggnog? Should there be? Why not? Continue reading

Posted Dec 16, 2019 at A New Heartsease...

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Fruits of Winter Tabbouli...and Kayaking?

This festive tabbouli is delicious and nutritious! Due to the fact that my several weeks long camping trip was dogged by wind, blizzard, and cold, and few photos were taken, I'll share the high points as an appendage to this blog. The rest consisted of driving, a few hotel stays,... Continue reading

Posted Dec 5, 2019 at A New Heartsease...

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Autumn Camping Trip - Yakima Sportsman State Park

. In the desert-like area around Yakima, Washington this campground is an oasis of trees and animals, and a quiet, calm spot for people to camp and relax. This large leaf may be from the "big leaf maple" native to Washington State - Acer macrophyllum I've just returned from a... Continue reading

Posted Oct 30, 2019 at A New Heartsease...

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Easy Elegance Home - Think Whites and Neutrals

Like a breath of fresh air and the scent of sun-dried sheets, whites and neutrals used as the main colors for your decor create an atmosphere of calm and tranquility. I remember hearing about a decorator who worked with color all day long for her clients. Yet, her own home... Continue reading

Posted Oct 12, 2019 at A New Heartsease...

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Easy Elegance Home - Think Outside the Box!