Reviewing Beginner Rock Tumbling Supplies

I have always loved interesting stones and fossils. I always thought polished rocks are gorgeous. But I have never tried polishing (or tumbling) rocks at home, until now. My first batch of tumbled rocks have gone through the cycles and while they aren't as shiny and smooth as the polished rocks found at souvenir shops, they are very pretty. And it was a fun adventure. Had I known that it was this easy, I would have begun long ago.

I had recently begun fossil and rock hunting again because my grandson was sending me photos of interesting rocks. Geodes were my favorite to find as a child in the Midwest. But it doesn't seem that geodes occur naturally where I live now in West Virginia. In my research about local rocks, I was seeing gorgeous photos of polished rocks that people in the rock hounding groups were sharing. I decided to purchase a rock tumbler.

Coincidentally, I learned that a child at work also has a great interest in rocks. I told him that we could learn how to polish rocks together. He is delighted with finding rocks, giving them to me, then having them returned clean and shiny. 

I've done this first two batches of polished rocks with a tumbler and with a set of polishing grit. Of course, there are many more products that could be purchased. But I had fun results with just this small amount of items. We are learning that some rocks polish and some do not. Some stay approximately the same size and become shiny and others quickly wear away to nothing or crumble apart. Beginning to identify rocks is becoming a part of this process.

Rock Tumbler

I chose the Central Machine rock tumbler from Harbor Freight Tools. I knew NOTHING about rock tumblers when I went shopping that day. But it turns out that I'm very pleased with my purchase. 

Central Machine tumbler from Harbor Freight:

• dual drum, 6 lb capacity
• low speed and quiet
• barrels are rubberized to reduce noise
• fan-cooled, V-belt driven
• can be used with all types of polish media (ceramic, glass, resins, and nut shells)

You can find rock tumblers on Amazon. There are unknown brands and brands from companies such as National Geographic rock tumblers and kits for children. There are also rock polishers that work by using vibration. I would recommend the National Geographic tumbler and kit for kids, even thought it is a smaller, single tumbler because it comes with everything needed to try tumbling once; including some rough stones. Great for a one-time adventure in a classroom or with a person who isn't sure they are very interested in tumbling rocks. You can find that National Geographic kit here. 

One of the reasons that I'm happy about my Central Machine purchase is the dual drums. Tumbling rocks takes a long time; weeks or more. With dual drums I am able to run two sets of rocks at different stages of polishing at the same time. 

If you do not have a Harbor Freight store near you, there are many rock tumblers available on Amazon.

Polishing Grit

I chose the grit set because I saw the labels on one of the rock polishing channels that was most helpful to me on youtube. 

Polly Plastics rock tumbling kit was the brand she was using so it was the brand I ordered from Amazon. The kit came with 5 separate containers. They included:

• Step 1 Coarse grit
• Step 2 Medium grit
• Step 3 Pre-polish fine grit
• Step 4 Final Polish (Aluminum Oxide)
• container of 1 1/2 lbs of Ceramic Media (used to cushion and protect the rocks during tumbling at different stages).

While I had watched a variety of tutorials on rock tumbling, and everyone seems to have slightly different preferences, the Polly Plastics kit also comes with step-by-step instructions for their set. 

If you have ever wondered about tumbling rocks I hope you give it a try. I wish I would have started my rock tumbling adventures years ago. 

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Introducing Companion Fiber Yarn Company

There is a young lady in West Virginia who hand dyes natural fiber yarns in colors that celebrate the natural beauty of the area. I learned about her when  I was researching the vendors that planned on attending the Shenandoah Fiber Festival 2024.  As soon as I saw her colorways during my internet browsing, I knew that I wanted to find her booth first and find out if her yarn hanks pass the touch test.

Caitlin Moran and the Companion Fiber Company

Caitlin is the creator and owner of Companion Fiber Company. Her website describes that she loves nature and the West Virginia countryside. As a farmer, she uses companion planting (intentionally planting vegetables and flowers next to each other because they benefit each other) and that is the significance of her yarn shop name.

Companion Fiber company began in 2018. The merino yarn (in several different weights) is a natural fiber that is dyed in small dye lots by hand. Caitlin chooses the colorways from the inspiration of the land and plants around her.

In her shop, she offers

• Roving in Merino or Variegated BFL (bluefaced Leicester wool)
• Yarn hanks of Merino in fingerling, DK, Worsted weights, Super Bulky
• Fingerling weight/sock yarn in 80% merino/20% nylon
• At select shows, she offers hand-knitted plush animals (the hedgehogs were adorable!)

Shenandoah Fiber Festival

The 19th annual Shenandoah Fiber Festival in Berryville, VA is the first festival I have ever attended that focuses on natural fiber arts. The natural fibers coming from sheep, goats, alpaca, and rabbit. (those were the animals I saw anyway). The festival included fleece judging and plenty of animals to see and learn about. 

Because I had seen her colorway decisions, I made a beeline to her booth first. I was leaning toward 2 different colors as they appeared online for a natural-fiber sweater that I plan to make for myself. I want pops of color of her yarns in a field of neutral black, gray, or brown. Once I found her booth, I realized that it was going to be more difficult than I thought to choose one colorway. The hanks were visually pleasing. And oh so soft to the touch! Historically, I haven't been a fan of wool and natural fibers because I remember them as being scratchy. Her hanks are so incredibly soft. I wanted to wrap myself in the sample lap afghan she had draped in her chair. Caitlin was very helpful as I tried to decide between worsted weight and DK. (I chose DK because of the drape and feel of that beautiful lap afghan!)

I did choose a hank of Bakerton Quarry, which I had my eye on when I saw it on her social media. I'm not familiar with Bakerton Quarry. It must be a gorgeous place. The colorway personally reminds me of the Eastern Bluebirds that live here. I also chose Juniper. Frankly, at her booth, I wanted hanks in all of her colors. They are such vibrant colors and her color combinations really do parallel nature in this area. 

The only wish I have for her shop is that she include more neutral and almost "solid" colors of blacks, greys and browns. But that wasn't a deal-breaker as I went to another booth for the neutral, base color for my future sweater. 

I cannot begin to tell you how in love I am with Companion Fiber yarns. 

Bakerton Quarry and Juniper colorways

Companion Fiber Social Media: 

Website Companion Fiber

Companion Fiber Facebook

Companion Fiber Instagram

Local Fiber Festivals and Shows - On her webpage, Caitlin lists the shows that she plans on attending. In the list, I notice towns as far north as State College, PA and as far south as Baltimore, Md. And plenty of shows in VA, WV, and MD. If you can't find her at a show or festival, I hope you take a quick peek at her page. 

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Introducing Joe Pickett, Season 1

Joe Pickett is the new, unassuming game warden in a remote area of Wyoming. He is a quiet man and not your typical hero. Joe is publically introduced to his neighbors in Saddle String as a push-over after a poacher holds him at gunpoint - with Joe's gun. The "bad guys" consider him to be easy-to-manage and believe he'll fall in line with the how-it's-done-here mentality of the town and surrounding public lands. But Joe is a game warden who follows the rules, and expects everyone else to follow the rules too, even if he has to give his life to protect the wildlife. In this review, I will tell you a bit more about Joe and the characters of Saddle String.

Photo Credit: By Bob Wick of the Bureau of Land Management
(public domain) 

Joe Pickett, Season 1

As a young boy, Joe decides he wants to become a game warden. The outdoors is his sanctuary and he has a caring spirit.  

Joe Pickett season 1, episode 1 opens almost immediately with a life or death situation during Joe's normal game warden business. Ote Keeley is a local outfitter and hunting guide. He needs his hunting license to make a living and support his family be he's also a poacher and Joe catches him in the act. During the confrontation, Ote taunts Joe for having arrested the Governor for fishing without a license. 

"I didn't know he was the Governor".  Joe responded. But it wouldn't have made a difference if he had known. Rules are rules. And unlike Joe's predecessor, Vern, Joe doesn't cut deals or do favors. He doesn't follow Vern's suggestion to focus on ticketing the tourists and looking the other way for the residents. 

During the confrontation, Ote takes Joe's sidearm and holds him at gun point. Even at gunpoint, Joe doesn't back down from his plan to write him up for poaching. Fortunately, they come to a sort of truce and no one dies. Not on that day.

Later, Ote's body is found, shot dead with an arrow, in Joe's yard. Joe is trying to figure out why Ote would have come to his home on horseback, with an arrow in him. While law enforcement immediately arrests a suspect - surprisingly, they don't arrest Joe for the murder - Joe begins researching the crime from the game warden perspective. Ote was killed with an illegal arrow tip. 

As the murder count increases, people seem to be falsely accused, evidence disappears, and Joe knows he's missing a piece of the puzzle. But will he, his wife, and children live through the investigation or should he give up his job and turn a blind eye to it all?

This story is a modern western murder mystery in a gorgeous mountainous setting. There were so many characters who were unlikeable in this one small town that I couldn't guess who was exactly at fault. 

Characters:

Joe Pickett (Michael Dorman) and his wife, Marybeth (Julianna Guill) are trying to raise their children in a peaceful and safe setting. Marybeth was a lawyer until she made the conscious decision to stay home and raise her children - rather than be the stressed, absent parent that busy lawyers often are.  Her mother Missy (Sharon Lawrence) frequently berates Marybeth for this choice, for being a game warden's wife, and for choosing a simple life.  Interesting that Missy feels like she's in the position to judge anyone about their life choices.

Ote Keeley (Benjamin Hollingsworth) is the "degenerate" married to April Keeley (Vivienne Guynn) and they have children. Even though Ote died at the very beginning of the series, we think about him alot. And April incites both disgust and empathy.

Nate Romanowski (Mustafa Speaks) is the prepper/recluse who is immediately arrested for the murder of Ote based solely on one incident they had in the past (Ote killed one of Nate's birds of prey) and because Nate owns a bow. Nate comes across as frightening and perhaps manipulative. He asks Joe to find the truth and Marybeth ends up being his lawyer for the murder trial.

There is a huge cast. And far too many to list. There are the rich folks, poor folks, law-abiding folks, schemers, very strange-but-harmless folks, and the killers.  Most all of law enforcement and politicians are questionable and either lazy/inept or trying to redirect. 

I enjoyed Joe Pickett, Season 1 so much that I binge-watched it one weekend. I immediately began recommending it to others. I love thriller/mysteries that are set in amazing settings. The elk, bison, and mountains are all peaceful eye-candy. The clash between the good guys, bad guys, and flawed guys is the cherry on top. 

The Joe Pickett series written by C.J. Box

This tv series is based on the books written by C.J. Box. I have book 1 in my kindle and haven't read it yet only because I've been so engrossed in several of W. Michael Gear's historical fiction series. After discovering the Joe Pickett tv series by accident, you can know that I will begin reading the C.J. Box books next.  Especially since there are many books in the written series and only 1 and 2 and the television series. 

Related Links

Joe Pickett, season 1 on Amazon Prime Video or DVD

Author C.J. Box on Amazon:   Open Season (A Joe Pickett Novel Book 1)

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Reviewing Wool Ease Fair Isle Yarn by Lion Brand

I have crocheted for many decades but only recently have begun purchasing natural fiber yarns (wool and alpaca) for my projects. I was very excited to find the Fair Isle colorway by Lion Brand and have crocheted a hat that I'm very pleased with. My project ideas for this specific yarn is already a long list. 

Isn't Fair Isle Just the Name of a Colorway?

Yes and no. It is the name of this Lion Brand skein because it is a self-striping or self-pooling skein of yarn intended to create patterns that appear similar to the original style of Fair Isle - but without using two strands of yarn at a time while knitting. I chose the Fair Isle (self-striping) skein in the colorway Pink Mushroom. There are other color choices in the Fair Isle style of yarn.

Historically, Fair Isle is a knitting technique that is worked holding two strands of yarn, separately, at a time. The technique results in colors that create repeated shapes across the work. These shapes often are "OXO" shapes or simple geometric shapes. It was named Fair Isle after one of the Shetland Islands and reportedly became more popular after the Prince of Wales wore a Fair Isle sweater. I have always admired these designs but hadn't known previously that it was a specific knitting technique.

Wool Ease Fair Isle Yarn by Lion Brand

The Wool Ease Fair Isle yarn is meant to pool into patterns. This happens much more easily when knitting since the shapes are better formed in the "v" stitches that occur in knitting. Unfortunately, I have not yet learned how to knit.  But I still loved the colors offered in these skeins. And I'm looking to make more projects with natural fibers and that have the thicker, "wool" appearance. I bought one skein, worked up a hat, and immediately ordered more skeins.

Specifics:

• 80% Acrylic, 20% wool blend
• weight size 4 (worsted)
• 5.3 oz/348 yd
• machine wash gentle, tumble dry low
• Size 8 knitting needles/size J crochet hook

This Wool Ease yarn is a great way to start using a natural fiber blend, but isn't as expensive as a full natural fiber skein. And because it is a blend, it does not have to be handwashed.

I was attracted to the colorways. Many variegated yarns are extremely bold and bright colors.  I know that bright colors are the preferred choice of many people. But I prefer subdued colors. The Wool Ease Fair Isle offers the gentle colors that I like. 

I crocheted a hat, knowing that I would not get the exact patterns that someone knitting would achieve. But I was focused on the gentle colors. I was very pleasantly surprised when my hat turned out with pleasing stripes and flecks. And bonus, I have enough yarn in this skein to make another 1 - 2 hats!

As I was creating my hat, I was excitedly listing all of the projects that would be beautiful in this yarn; mittens, fingerless gloves, scarves, stuffed animals (wouldn't bunnies and elephants be beautiful in this color?!). This yarn is not as soft as the Eddie Bauer Wool-Paca yarn I recently purchased. But that's okay. While the Wool Ease Fair Isle is not as soft, it is not itchy due to amount of acrylic yarn in the blend. It is very thick and "cushiony".

The skein labels picture a finished project with repeating shapes. It states, "to create projects pictured here, visit Lionbrand.com.  With an internet search, you can also find reviews of this yarn, some projects, and examples of Fair Isle projects using 2 strands of yarn instead of the ease of using this one strand of Wool Ease. 

Related Links:

Be sure to visit the Lion Brand official site for more information and patterns. 

I often buy my yarn online at Joann Fabric and Crafts now that I don't live near any good yarn stores. I take advantage of their really good sales.

 If you prefer Amazon Prime due to saving the shipping costs, just do a search for "Yarn" and many options pop up; including Lion Brand yarn.

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Reviewing Eddie Bauer Wool Paca Yarn

I've crocheted for decades and have usually used acrylic yarns.  I have always wanted to use natural fiber yarns (wool or alpaca) but had been hesitant due to the high prices of the natural fiber yarns. And I don't like how some natural fibers yarns are more scratchy than soft. I didn't want to spend extra money for a yarn that I didn't want to touch. I have recently purchased and begun using Eddie Bauer Wool Paca yarn and couldn't be more thrilled. This yarn is super soft and works up wonderfully. 

Eddie Bauer Wool Paca Yarn

Eddie Bauer Wool Paca Yarn is a blend of 80% extra fine Merino superwash and 20% Alpaca.  It is a 3 weight yarn (thinner/lighter than worsteds weight yarn). The skeins are 277 yd and 3.5 oz (small/lighter than worsted weight yarn skeins). 

At the time I ordered, there were 16 colors to choose from. And there were 9 5-star reviews. 

The description of the yarn on the Joann site describes the yarn as:

• soft, luxurious, and warm
• machine-wash safe
• perfect weight for baby items and women's garments
• the merino base helps create accessories and garments with warmth and sophistication

My Project

I decided to give this Wool Paca Yarn a try when I found it on sale on the Joann site.  I chose 2 different colors: Scarlet and Alaska Gold. I hope to learn how to crochet a cable-stitch with the Alaska Gold color. I completed a beanie with stitches that I'm familiar with as a test-run with the Scarlet color. 

For this first hat, I used the Bag-O-Day Knotting Around Beanie video tutorial. As an intermediate crocheter, Crystal is SUPER easy to follow. I feel that she goes slowly enough, and had her camera set closely enough, that this is a great tutorial for beginners also. 

I was concerned about ordering my first wool/alpaca blend online. I haven't always been a tactile shopper - wanting to touch everything before I purchase it. When I lived in a metro area, I was blessed to have several, very large and well-stocked, yarn and fiber stores near my apartment. Now that I live in a rural area, I do not have this luxury. I have to mail order most all of my yarns. I was extremely hesitant to order this new yarn and expected it to be scratchy and not pass my touch-test.

This Eddie Bauer is very soft!  As I was crocheting the hat, I was already thinking about making scarves, sweaters, baby blankets and maybe stuffed animals.  I'm already wondering if I can find a pattern for crocheted plush bunnies that I used years ago. 

Related Links:

When brick and mortar stores are not an option, Joann.com is a great place to order your crochet supplies. Be sure to watch for their sales.

If you prefer to shop Amazon for your yarns, you can begin your search for wool alpaca yarns here. 

I also used my Nelsonwood crochet hook with this hat. You can see my review of my first Nelsonwood hook here!

Our Review This contributor, Wednesday Elf, is a talented crochet artist. You can see her most recent article related to crafts and crochet here. 

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Book Review Coming of the Storm: Book One of Contact: The Battle for America by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear

Coming of the Storm: Book One of Contact: The Battle for America begins in the company of an exiled trader and his pack of dogs during their travels. Black Shell, the trader, is able to move through the lands of various Indian groups under the Power of Trade. His dogs are his family, his protection, and his pack animals. Other than his dogs, he is alone. He is trading through Florida as usual, until he meets a beautiful woman named Pearl Hand and until he hears about the Kristiano visitors; whom he is literally dying to see.

Black Shell is of the Chicaza clan but he was banished after telling others he heard the voice of a Spirit Being named Horned Serpent. His people were sure he had lied. After being banished from a people who are known to be superior warriors he could only support himself through trade and gambling. Being a trader, he was able to travel onto the lands of all Clans; even those who war with the Chicaza.

Black Shell desires Pearl Hand the moment he sees her. His desire is unlike the desire of men who wish to own her. But she is a possession of the Irriparacoxi leader of the village he has just entered. She has been the possession of a variety of different groups of people. The only way Black Shell can be with Pearl Hand is to win her in gambling.

Pearl Hand is an exquisitely beautiful woman. Her beauty makes her the target of all men who wish to own her. She wishes to leave the Timucua Irriparacoxi and the village. She wants to be free.

Even if Pearl Hand is freed from her Irriparacoxi owner will she able to be free while De Soto is alive and pillaging the area?

Read more reviews for The Battle for America; Book One on Amazon here. 

Why I Enjoy Historical Fiction Novels

My knowledge of history is limited. Native Americans in North America and Europeans did not make first contact when settlers came around the time of the Mayflower landing, as I had thought. They made first contact long before that. One of those times was when the Kristianos led by Hernando de Soto, Spain, came into Florida in 1539. That information surprised me. 

De Soto led a brutal expedition from southern Florida into Arkansas. His military was considered the most advanced at that time.  He arrived in Florida via ships and traveled across the region with a huge number of soldiers and staff. He took slaves, which he considered temporary and easily replaceable. They labored in metal collars and chains until the couldn't then they were brutally killed. His army with guns, metal swords, lances and other tools of war easily cut through the Indian warriors village after village.  De Soto decimated village after village. He was, in large part, looking for gold. 

Part love story, part epic tale of survival against the odds, part mythical miracles, and part historical lesson, this book kept me engrossed. And I learned just how little I truly know about the beginnings of the country in which I was born.

Authors W Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear

I was introduced to author W Michael Gear when I read his western series  Saga of the Mountain Sage. I highly recommend that story. I enjoyed it so much that I recommended that series to a co-worker who is extremely knowledgeable about history and enjoys reading.  He read it and loved W Michael Gear's writing and knowledge. My co-worker then read The Battle for America series by Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear and told me that it is a must-read.

That was a lot of rambling to try to say that these books are written for both people like me, who know little about history but would like to know more, as well as people who are history buffs. 

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Reviewing Nelsonwood Crochet Hooks

I have just recently received my first handcrafted ergonomic crochet hooks from Nelsonwood and I'm so excited to show them to you. Nelsonwood crochet hooks are handmade, primarily wooden, hooks that are as much pieces of art as they are functional tools for crochet. No two Nelsonwood items could ever be identical, so every hook is a custom artpiece that only you possess.  They feel so velvety smooth that I just want to pet mine, like a calming fidget. Do you think I'm being dramatic?  I would have thought so too had I read this prior to touching and seeing my first Nelsonwood hooks. 

Crochet is a fiber art in which items are made using yarn and a hook. Crocheted items can be functional (hats, socks, blankets), unique art pieces and heirlooms (doilies, christening gowns), or fun (shaped pillows, amigurumi, stuffed animals, and costumes).  

I enjoy crochet very much and am astounded at some of the intricate art I see crocheters producing. I am a moderately skilled crocheter but my retirement dream is to spend plenty of time sitting on the deck and learning to crochet intricate doily tablecloths, mosaic blankets, and beautiful wearables.  

Many crocheters have their favorite brand or style of crochet hooks (and yarns, but that's an entirely different maze of rabbit holes to go down). I recently saw a crochet youtube tutorial in which the artist showed her Nelsoonwood hook. I was so astounded by how beautiful it was that I went directly to the website. It wasn't long after that I ordered my first Nelsoonwood hook.

Nelsonwood 

Bryan Tyler Nelson is the Texas wood artist of Nelsonwood. He handcrafts beautiful wooden items with a focus on bowls and crochet hooks. And the selection of woods and base/body parts seems endless.

You choose the components to each hook you order at Nelsonwood.

Hook.  Most importantly to me, you are able to choose a wooden hook or a metal hook. My favorite hook over the years has been the Boye brand. So I select that option and the size hook. 

Base (body). This is the largest part of the hook. Where you hand holds onto. You can choose one of the many woods listed (with a vast variety of colors and grains) or you can choose one of the AlumiLite designs. AlumiLite is a "Proprietary Casting Urethane". It is very strong, stronger than Acrylic and will not break or chip. 

Exotic Wood Ends. Whether you choose a wooden or AlumiLite base, you will then choose an exatic wood for the ends (for example, the far end of the hook and the piece between the base and the metal crochet hook on my custom Nelsonwood hook.)

My next order will be a hook with the AlumiLite base. There are so many options.  There are some styles that have feathers or dried flowers inside. With the clear AlumiLite, it looks like they are floating. 

All handcrafted items, that aren't created first then are "ready to ship" take slightly longer to receive after ordering. The site states that it typically takes between 4-5 weeks for the hook to be created and shipped. That is reasonable for a custom, handmade item. I feel that mine arrived in the 3 to 4 week time frame. (Frankly, I only usually check my post office box weekly. And my Nelsonwood hooks arrived a week sooner than I had anticipated). 

Nelsonwood orders can be made on Nelsonwood.net

Nelsonwood can also be found on Facebook and Instagram. 

Personal Thoughts

As I can begin to see retirement age approaching, my hands seem to be retiring before the rest of me. I find myself wondering if days filled with working with my hands/fingers will be a realistic goal. This is the primary reason I hurried to order this ergonomic hook option.  I also would like to be able to surround myself with a few nice, possibly heirloom, items here and there. 

I did find the ordering page a bit confusing. Part of that was 1) I rarely read directions and just try to race through and 2) there are so many options that I had a very hard time making decisions. The good news is that Bryan has included a step-by-step "how to order" page that was extremely helpful (once I chose to look at directions!)

These hooks are pricey. I am not at all saying they are over-priced. Like all handmade items and works of art, the price is higher than mass-produced items. In fact, for what they are, the Nelsonwood custom crochet hooks are very reasonably priced. A younger me would not have been able to pay this price. Fortunately, the older me is able to splurge on some gifts to me. And, is it really a splurge if the ergonomic shape will help me continue crochet well into my retirement?

I tend to use only a range of 4 hook sizes; F, G, H, and I. So I have plans to buy Nelsonwood hooks in those four sizes. And the next will be one of those gorgeous AlumiLite bases. Probably one with the combination of flowers and fathers. 

Personal Thoughts About Stereotypes

I'm rattling on about being an older woman and am looking forward to crocheting during my retirement. That is me personally. In no way do I want to continue the myth that crochet is a hobby that is only for old ladies. 

There are many males (adult and younger) who are passionate about crochet and who are extremely talented. I am so very thankful for these folks who are sharing their passion and talent on social media.

I have worked with at-risk and special needs children for decades. I often offer crochet as a way for these children to have a hobby, develop skills (physical and emotional), have an outlet for their amazing creativity and so on. Unfortunately, over the decades, most males and many young female children were hesitant to try; citing "that's for old women". 

I am thrilled that so many people, of such a wide range of age, gender, race, and culture are sharing their crochet passion with others. And am especially thrilled that males are showing their talent on social media. 

Thank you for that. 

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Book Review: The Earthwise Herbal Books by Matthew Wood

In my quest to move away from drinking soda and multiple-ingredient drink powders, I am trying to transition to a variety of teas. My goal is to learn about herbal teas and to be able to grow or forage my own plants for teas with confidence. This desire grew as I learned that I like chamomile tea and experienced the benefits that tea provided at night. And the desire multiplied when I had a really good experience drinking cleaver tea. Who knew that this annoying weed found on almost all of my hiking trips and taking over the edge of my yard is a tasty, organic, and helpful tea?! Now I know. 

Note: This is NOT a focus on purported medical benefits nor is this any sort of medical advice. Please see your doctor or trained expert for that sort of information. 

This review is about my desire find ways to accurately identify plants that I may enjoy for tea and ensuring that I do not use plants, or parts of plants, that might be contra-indicated for my body's needs. I definitely don't want to make myself ill by accidentally consuming toxic plants.

I had been watching videos on the internet about foraging and using beneficial plants when one day I saw a family misidentifying pokeweed as elderberry. While I know very little about herbs and plants, I was aware that they were showing pokeweed and were planning on processing it and consuming it as elderberry juice.  I asked them to pause and correctly identify the berries they had. I had always been taught that Pokeweed was toxic but I knew nothing in addition to that.  It was at that time that I became even more cautious about learning about plants on the internet. 

I learned that cleavers, this weed that annoys me with it's vines and fuzzy hitchhikers that are hard to remove from pets and clothing, is a plant that creates a tea with benefits. I began to research it's level of safety and how to identify it. After becoming more confident, I harvested some in the spring and drank the tea. I found that the tea really seems to agree with me and I experienced benefits that I won't go into here. BUT I still couldn't find more in-depth information about it.

For example, I didn't know when it could be harvested (only in the spring or through the entire year), which parts of the plant to harvest, how to best prepare it, how much to use for a glass of tea, and if it was possible to store it. Fortunately, I found many of the answers to these questions within the 592 pages of The Earthwise Herbal, volume 1.  

I found 4 pages of information about cleavers. That information included: plant family group, historical uses, taste (flavor), specific indications, cautions, and most importantly for my needs the preparation and dosage. I learned that there are no parts of this plant that is toxic and that it is best prepared in cold water. 

Volume 1 includes information for many other Old World plants such as dandelion, peppermint, clover, ginger, saffron, and the list goes on and on. The Earthwise Herbal, volume 2 provides detailed descriptions of 126 North American herbs. Now, I will admit, that I am confused a bit by this "New World/North American" versus "Old World" categorization of plants as I clearly have many of the "old world" plants growing in my yard and in my region. I have not yet read the section that discusses how those categories were decided. 

If you are at all interested in foraging or growing plants for teas, culinary, or herbal uses, I recommend that you add these books to your library. These volumes are packed full of information and are written in a way that is easy to understand.  Author Matthew Wood is a master's degreed graduate from the Scottish School of Medicine and is also a registered herbalist of the American Herbalists Guild. He is clearly trained, experienced, and is not mistakenly recommending toxic berries to others for consumption.

To read more reviews, get more information about the contents or author, and to check current prices, please click the links below (at the time of this writing, the books are 35% and 26% off respectively). 

The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants (vol 1)

The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants (vol 2)

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Book Review: Damaging Secrets (Rachel Ryder Book 1) by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

Rachel Ryder is a gutsy, sarcastic, emotionally damaged and extremely talented Detective who relocated from Chicago to small town Hamby, Georgia after the murder of her husband. Her life was turned upside in Chicago and she's hoping for a new start in Hamby. Besides, she has promises to keep.

Damaging Secrets (Rachel Ryder Book 1) opens with a call of a "suspicious person" at a questionable hotel. When Detective Ryder arrives, she learns that it is actually a deceased person. A deceased person who happens to be a city councilman. That is her first taste of the politics in this small town. You see, if you are a politician and you want your town to be rated as "safe", you'll avoid using certain terminology, such as murder and suicide, in order to keep the crime rate at less than one tenth of a percentage. In Chicago, there was plenty of political corruption to go around, but Detective Ryder struggles with this new small town status quo. And she struggles with the fact that they quickly decide the manner of death is suicide when it is clear to her, and should be clear to all of them, that it was murder.

Rachel Ryder's husband, Tommy, was murdered on a street in Chicago in front of her very eyes due to his part of addressing political corruption and crime. His death was why she moved to a small town; to leave the memories attached to Chicago and to live their dream. That dream included living in a rural area.

"Years ago, I promised Tommy I'd learn to care for and ride horses before we bought an acreage. He didn't want me walking blindly into that lifestyle. I intend to keep that promise..."

Detective Ryder's rough approach doesn't win her any fans as she tries to prove that the death was a murder. She also has a great deal of difficulty making friends. Rachel isn't concerned about making friends but she should be concerned about making enemies as she tries to figure out what the town is hiding at this seedy hotel. Was the councilman killed by a prostitute? An angry wife? A political opponent?  With everyone who matters in town insisting that it was a suicide, she may never learn the truth. 

Why I Chose This Book by Bestselling Author Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

I am not sure I've ever heard of this author previously.  I only happened upon this series when searching for a book that would hold my attention during my staycation. While I had many plans for my staycation, I wasn't feeling 100% and decided to spend much of my time reading and relaxing. 

Have you ever been in one of those moods that it is hard to choose a book? When all of the books sound like been-there-done-that, boring, and the same plot just recycled. I just wasn't in the mood to choose a book. My Amazon search brought me to Damaging Secrets a thriller by Aspenson and the first in the series.  I thought I'd give it a try and frankly, I was just tired of trying to choose a book.

I enjoyed the "scrappy" detective so much. She was brilliant and experienced but her approach created barriers time and time again.

As someone who has moved from a rural area, to a metro area, and back again so many parts of the book rang true. Each area has it's own unspoken rules, terminology, and customs. Aspenson's writing hit the nail on the head for me with some of these items and helped the story to come alive for me. 

I enjoyed book 1 so much that I'm already halfway through book 2. It is no wonder that Aspenson is a best selling author. 

Read more reviews of Damaging Secrets (Rachel Ryder Book 1) by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson here. 

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4 Ingredient Beefy Mushroom Roast - EASY Slow Cooker Meal

By the time I have worked an entire day outside of the home, cooking dinner is the last thing on my mind. I am always looking for easy, tasty, and economical meal ideas. This beefy mushroom roast couldn't be easier or more delicious. 

I am a household of one. So it is easy to make large and inexpensive meals. Rice and Pasta dishes are economical and fairly easy to make. If I make a large pot of either of those two meals, I also have an expensive lunch for the next day at work. I like avoiding the expensive (and often calorie-laden) fast food meals that I would resort to if I didn't make these meals for dinner and left-over lunches.

But sometimes I crave a different flavors from the pasta and rice routine. Unfortunately, I require easy meals and that often limits the variety flavors. This is why I was thrilled when I stumbled onto this four (or three if you don't like onions) ingredient recipe that is perfect for a slow cooker.

Beefy Mushroom Roast

One day at the grocery, I just happened to notice the cans of Campbell's Beefy Mushroom soup (condensed). I had been craving a beefy mushroom and rice menu item from a favorite Chinese restaurant in a neighborhood where I previously lived but I don't have access to that now that I'm living in a very rural area. I decided to try this soup with a beef roast to try to take care of the beef and mushroom craving. And I'm so glad I did!

Ingredients:

1 can of Beefy Mushroom soup (10.5 oz)

1 small onion (sliced or chopped)

1 small bag of frozen "soup" vegetables (16 oz)

1 beef roast  (2 - 3 lbs)

Preparation:

• slice (or chop) the onions and place them in the bottom of the slow-cooker
• place the beef roast on top of the onions.
• pour the can of beefy mushroom soup on top of the roast
• set the slow-cooker on "low" (I use this setting because I'll be at work during the day. You could use a high setting and have the meal in half the time)
• approximately 30-60 minutes prior to serving, add the bag of frozen vegetables in the slow-cooker. Turn the setting to high and cook until they are heated. Stir.
• serve
• Freeze or refrigerate leftovers for additional meals

Leftover Beefy Mushroom Roast

I have discovered that I usually end up with a large amount of leftovers with this meal. I often separate it into single serving (freezer) containers, pop them into the freezer, and I can use them for furture meals whenever the mood hits. 

I have made mashed potatoes the next day and spooned some of the Beefy Mushroom Roast leftover mix onto the mashed potatoes. 

I recently discovered the Bisquick "Impossible" Pie recipes. I most often make a chicken-pot-pie meal using the Bisquick recipe. It just requires some filling, pouring a Biquick/milk mix over the top, and baking until heated through and brown on top. It didn't take long for me to realize that the Beefy Mushoom Roast is a perfect filling for the Bisquick Impossible Pie recipes. And so quick and easy to make when using the leftover roast for the filling.

Additional Seasonings?

I am not good in the kitchen. And when I try to venture from exact recipes or be creative with additional herbs, I often end up with flavors that clash. So I haven't added any additional seasonings to my Beefy Mushroom Roast meal.  I occasionally wonder about adding Herbes de Provence, since I am fairly new to that herb mix and have discovered how much I like it in venison stews. But frankly, the onion and condensed beef mushroom soup seem to add sufficient salt and flavors to this easy slow cooker meal. 

There are a variety of frozen mixed vegetables to try. Mixes that include okra, spinach, or potatoes.  All of those have been good but I have preferred the mix with green beans. 

There is a creamy beef mushroom soup option that I have thought about trying but this roast is so good as it is that I haven't attempted to make that particular substitution yet.

Related Links: 

This Beefy Mushroom Roast is a delicious filling for the Bisquick Impossible Pies. I usually use a chicken-pot-pie type of filling but the beef roast is an amazing way to use leftovers with an additional flavor. 

My blog post after learning about Herbes de Provence for stews and  how wonderful those herbs are in a venison stew. 

Do you have a craving for less beef and more veggies? The 4 Ingredient Baby Lima Bean Soup recipe is another of my favorites. 

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Book Review: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Alicia Berenson, artist, lives in a gorgeous home in a desirable part of London with her husband who is a well-known fashion photographer. She has an upcoming art show, she is clearly very in love with her husband, and she appears to have everything. So why does she kill her husband? The Silent Patient is full of twists and turns. I suspected first one person then the next. 

The Silent Patient is a psychological murder mystery that jumps from one point of view to another and includes Alicia's diary. The story isn't told in a linear timeline. The prologue is an excerpt from Alicia's Diary on July 14th soon before the murder in August. Chapter One begins with recap as though written by a report with the murder having happened six years prior. We learn about their careers, their art, their ages, and the last day of Gabriel's life. We learn the gory details of the murder scene, Alicia's attempt to take her own life and how she fought those trying to save her. We find that Alicia turned mute and remained silent. 

Alicia was discharged from the hospital and was initially under house arrest while waiting for the trial. She painted a self-portrait that she named Alcestis. 

Huge Cast of Characters:

Alcestis. A heroine of Greek mythology. Also, Alicia's self-portrait just after allegedly murdering her husband.

Alicia. A complicated, artistic woman, whose husband worried about her mood and well-being. He convinced her to start a diary. After all, maybe writing would help.

Jean-Felix Martin. The manager of a small SoHo Gallery who exhibited her art; including the Alcestis. Long lines formed outside of this small gallery to see what the murderer had painted. 

Lazarus Diomedes. The clinical director of the Grove, the secure forensic psychiatric unit in North London. Alicia was placed here due to clearly suffering from profound psychological distress as determined by the murder and the continuing refusal or inability to speak.  Diomedes oversaw her treatment at the Grove. Including the high level of sedating medications that both kept her safe for others and barely able to function.

Yuri. Head psychiatric nurse. Appears to do very well with managing the patients.

Christian. The head of Alicia's care team and the current prescriber of her medications. He clearly dislikes Theo from the moment we meet him. 

Theo Faber. Psychotherapist. Theo followed the trial closely and chose to interview at the Grove as a way to get close to Alicia. His goal is to treat her and to get her to talk. But Christian is the head of her care team.

The list of characters goes on and on. Max Berenson. Gabriel's brother and Alicia's attorney. What might he and other members of the Berenson family know? The patients in the unit, what might they know? Who has something to gain from her lengthy stay at the Grove and her silence? Why is the victim's brother also the attorney for the murderer? How do the gallery still show her art?  There are so very many questions.

Alicia has been violent on the unit. Which is why her medications are so high and sedating. It's not a far leap to assume that she committed the murder. But still... there are so many things that aren't right. 

My Thoughts

During each twist and turn, I kept thinking "that's not right". Both in the unit where Alicia is house and out of the unit. With every twist and turn I began to think someone else did it. I never did guess correctly. Did I miss the clues? 

Or... is it a matter of me missing the clues in this mystery? Or, to quote Annie Wilkes in Misery, "He never got out of the cockadoodie car" and the plot doesn't fully line up? It reminds me a bit of how I felt when I watched The Sixth Sense many, many years ago. Malcolm Crowe is a child psychologist and the child he's working with says, "I see dead people." I was stunned and thought, Whoa!  How'd we get here?!!!! I feel the same about The Silent Patient.

I can tell you that I've already started reading this a 2nd time to try to find what I missed and why I blamed the wrong people. How I missed seeing how we got to where we ended up. Or... was it a matter of plot problems. I don't know, but I'm reading it again.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides can be found here on Amazon.

Currently, over 300,000 readers have reviewed this book on Amazon with a 4.4. out of 5 star rating. The negative reviews discuss the mental health issues, plot, and timeline issues. The vast majority of reviewers enjoyed this book. I found that the portrayal of the flawed mental health system and what can happen in those settings to be accurate. And the flawed mental health workers... same. I'm still not completely sure what I think of the plot/timeline. I can say that it was intriguing enough that I'm re-reading it already. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Reviewing Oats Overnight Flavor and Subscription

I am not a fan of subscription boxes. And I didn't think I was a fan of making oats in the fridge overnight for breakfast. Yet, here I am recommending Oats Over Night. Why? I am finding that the flavors are fantastic and having Oats Over Night brand meals at my fingertips has been very helpful. And I am very sure that the Oats Over Night meal is far healthier than the daily drive-thru choices I've been making. Did I mention that the Oats Over Night flavors are delicious?

My first few attempts at making overnight oats were failures. I made them with packets of my favorite brand of instant oats and I used milk. I also tried it with oats that are meant to be cooked when I was going on a camping trip and the oats would be soaking in a jar, in a cooler, for a longer period of time. All of my attempts produced slimy, pasty results. Yuck. Maybe it was the milk. Maybe it was the instant oats. I don't know. But it was just gross.

I was very hesitant to try the Oats Over Night brand. They seem a bit pricey and I didn't want to pay that much for yucky goo. But I have to do something. I've gotten to the point that I'm using a lot of drive-thru meals or joining my co-workers for the pick-up "gas station food".  Those options are too many calories and frankly, turn out to be more expensive than that Oats Over Night. I finally gave in and ordered a box and I'm so glad I did.

Oats Over Night Brand

The brains behind Oats Over Night thought that DIY oats were great but the flavor was inconsistent from serving to serving. Brian began experimenting to get consistent flavors, delicious flavors, and a short prep time. After many failures, and oats that didn't taste good, Brian landed on what they consider "The best oatmeal in the world". I can't say that I disagree.

To learn more, go to their official Oats Over Night site

On the site you will instantly notice the reduced price, free shipping, and free shaker bottle for the first subscription. The reduced price made it easier for me to convince myself to give it a try. You choose the number of oatmeal packets you want (16 for example) then choose the combination of flavors you want to order.  That will remain your monthly subscription (minus the "first order offers") but it is super easy to change the flavors that you want to arrive each month.

As a subscriber you are able to choose flavors that aren't yet offered to the non-subscribers. You also receive samples of products in development. Usually, that is a new flavor. This month, the sample of the product in development is a protein coffee. 

I have read reviews that it is super easy to cancel your subscription. And/or put your subscription on pause until a certain date. I cannot testify to that as I have had no desire to cancel or pause. 

Oats Over Night Flavors

The flavors of these oats are amazing. I expected the flavors to be similar to the flavored instant oatmeal varieties at the store (which - the apples and cinnamon is one that I liked very much by the way). The flavors of Oats Over Night are so much fresher and without that "artificial flavoring" taste that I dislike so much. Clearly, the bits of fruit are dehydrated or have been freeze dried. The Bananas Foster flavor is one of my favorites so far. And there are actually chunks of banana in it. Which is great in my opinion, not-so-great if you aren't a fan of bananas. 

Another of my favorites is the Banana Bread (do you see a theme here?). The flavor is very much as though I added a slice of Banana Bread to a bowl of milk. Speaking of milk... I have problems when I drink dairy. So I use unsweetened Almond Milk for my Oats Overnight. 

There are many flavors to choose from and I am excited to try them all. 

As far as nutritional values, I will let you do  your research. It will depend which flavor you choose and which milk you use. I will say that these packets reportedly have 20g of protein.

Preparing Oats Over Night

While you can make Oats Over Night in the microwave and eat it without the wait, the idea is to have a grab-and-go meal.  The prep is super easy. Add 8 oz. of your milk choice (mine is unsweetened Almond Milk) to the shaker bottle. There is a line indicating 8 ozs. so there is no need for measuring. Then you empty the packet of Oats Over Night, screw on the shake bottle lid (make sure the pour spout is closed), give it a shake and let it sit in the fridge until morning. 

I am finding that I still REALLY like sausage and egg sandwiches for breakfast. So I've been prepping the Oats Over Night in the morning and placing it in the fridge at work. No more missing lunches because I'm too busy. And no more having my really boring (good - but boring) apples and cinnamon instant oatmeal. 

I will say that the main complaint I see about the Oats Over Night grab-n-go meals are that they are chunky for straws and too runny for spoons. It's very easy to adjust the milk to oats ratio to get a consistency closer to what you like. While I do use regular straws when I forget mine, I find that the wider and washable "smoothie" straws are perfect.

Related Links

Our Lou16 writes about Oats Based Breakfast Ideas that Include Fruit & Vegetables and she reviews Why a Protein-Rich Breakfast is Important. She includes a lot of interesting and important information. 

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Reviewing Locally Made Candles and Soap by Wild Roots Cafe & Co.

I am thrilled that a local family has opened a cafe in a small town near me. The farm-to-table focus along with the home-made breads, biscuits, and desserts are exactly what I've been craving. In addition to the delicious meal options, they offer handmade soaps and hand poured candles. All made with fewer ingredients than mass produced soaps and candles. The great news is that even though these candles and soaps are made locally in my area the Wild Roots Cafe & Co. offers a mail order option so you can consider these for yourself or gifts even if you don't live here.

Just a few years ago, I was living in a small metro apartment and dreaming of moving to a rural setting. I watched gardening and homesteading videos for entertainment, relaxation, and education. And with those videos I tuned out the noise from the adjoining apartments, parking lot, and the frequent police helicopter circling overhead. One of those channels was Wild Wonderful Off Grid. I knew that they were a family working to build their off grid home, raising their children, and raise chickens and sheep. I knew they were in West Virginia. What I didn't know is how close they were to the raw land I had purchased in West Virginia. 

Fast forward a few years and my small home was built on my land, I transferred to one of our buildings near here for work, and I am now a West Virginia resident. I continued to watch gardening and homesteading videos in order to make progress toward my goal which is retirement on my land and growing as much as my own food as I am able. I am learning to live a healthier life. Imagine my GREAT surprise when I learn that Josh and Erin from Wild Wonderful Off Grid lives somewhat in this general area AND have built a cafe in a small town near me.

Wild Roots Cafe & Co

The videos show the remodeling process of what was once a flower shop in small town Romney, West Virginia. It has been turned into a cafe that offers coffee, breakfasts, and lunches. So far, I've had the cinnamon rolls (the best I've ever had!) and a BLT. A woman named DeAnna is in charge of the kitchen and her bread recipes are amazing! The cafe only very recently opened. You can learn more about the cafe and shop on their website Wild Roots Cafe & Co. 

Hand Poured Candles

The candle selection is poured at the Wild Roots Co. in Romney, WV. I purchased the Appalachian Forest scent which is Balsam Fir, Cypress, and Cedar. I had intended to purchase the "Bare Naked" which is the unscented candle since I struggle with so many perfumes and over-powering scents these days. One whiff of the Appalachian Forest scent had me hooked. I am having no sign of sensitivity to this scent. 

Wild Roots offers seasonal scents and holiday scented candles. They have just sold out (online) of their special Mother's Day candle.  

About their candles, they say:

• size - volume 8.5 oz
• wick - cotton (lead and zinc free)
• burn time - 40+ hours
• wax - 100% soy and made in the USA
• Premium non-toxic - phthalate-free
• hand-poured in small batches

They also list excellent reminders about general candle care and safety on their page. 

Hand Made Soaps

I was so thrilled to learn they were making soaps. I had started to learn to make my own soaps but I'm just too busy currently with work and other obligations. In the meantime, I've wanted to buy locally made soaps from small businesses. I am a firm believer that handmade soaps are far better for our skin than mass-produced soaps. Even better if I can find these soaps locally.

With the publicity of the Wild Roots Cafe opening, there has been a super high demand on the merchandise. As I write this, I notice that several of the soap types are currently sold out. Please don't let that deter you. 

When I was at the Cafe, I purchased the patchouli sunrise and the mountain mint. These bars are 4.5 oz. Both have a very short ingredients list: saponified oils of coconut, olive, palm and castor.  

In addition to that list of ingredients, the Patchouli Sunrise also has patchouli essential oil, sweet orange essential oil, and Brazilian clay. The Mountain mint includes eucalyptus powder, spinach powder, spurline, peppermint essential oil, and eucalyptus essential oil. I chose both of these soaps for their scent. The Mountain Mint will be perfect when I have colds or allergies. I also like to use peppermint and/or eucalyptus on my skin before I go hiking or camping. I feel as though those scents repel some of the bugs that want to swarm me when I'm outdoors. The Patchouli Sweet Orange is a scent that I've always enjoyed. With my chemical sensitivities, I have to be careful to now use over-powering scents. I am aware that patchouli can be over-powering. But these bars are at a nice level of the scented essential oils; not too soft and not too strong. In my opinion. 

As soon as they re-stock I will purchase a bar of the Detox soap. I have used activated charcoal and tea tree soaps in the past. I look forward to getting my hands on a bar of this soap by Wild Roots.

I highly recommend either these candles or soaps as gifts (for someone or for yourself). I am excited about pampering myself with the natural soaps and candles that Wild Roots Cafe & Co has to offer. 

Related Links:

Josh and Erin's primary YouTube channel can be found here at Wild Wonderful Off Grid. You can see their home build, home life, the cafe remodel and and more

Wild Roots Cafe & Co has an Instagram account here.

I often find the most updated information about the cafe on the Wild Wonderful Off Grid Instagram account here

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Reviewing Jeans Yarn by Lion Brand 5 Years Later

In 2019, I reviewed Jeans yarn by Lion Brand. I loved it then and I love it now. During that time, I was focused on crocheting chemo hats and baby/child hats. Jeans is a beautiful yarn that creates soft and comfortable wearables and afghans. 

Over the Fall/Winter holidays, I impulsively picked up a skein of yarn and began crocheting again. Life had been busy and I just hadn't made time for one of my favorite hobbies. I started with a huge skein of Mandala yarn and a new stitch to me called the Brick Stitch.  I then learned a beautiful Cross Back Stitch (tutorial by JaydaInStitches) and started a baby afghan using Caron Simply Soft yarn.

That baby afghan project put me in the mood for something soft and comforting, beautiful but not frilly. I had such a craving to use Jeans yarn by Lion Brand. I remembered how wonderful it was to work with, even all of these years later. 

Jeans Yarn by Lion Brand

• 3.5 oz/100g skein weight
• 246 yd/225m length
• 100% acrylic
• machine washable and dryable
• medium weight #4 yarn

While this is a worsted weight (#4) it feels much lighter to me. Afghans are far more supple with this yarn than with regular #4 weight yarn. Of course, both thick and light afghans have their uses but I am in the mood to make something lighter.

It comes in 5 shades of blue, very similar to the color of jeans, one black, and one shade of light brown. 

Here is a brief video (56 seconds) from Lion Brand that shows the yarn and shows it being worn. I think you can see how soft and perfect it is for garments.

In my current project, I'm using the Jeans yarn and the Cross Back stitch for 10 rows (however, it looks like 5 rows since every-other-row is a single stitch) and two rows of Double Stitch in the darker blue. This stitch looks like it requires more advanced crochet skills but it is very easy (if you know the Double Stitch and the Single Stitch). And it works up quickly. 

I learned the Cross Back stitch on the tutorial by JaydaInStitches. You can find the tutorial for this beautiful and easy stitch here. 

Related Yarn Review Links:

Wednesday Elf, a prolific creator of plushy friends, wrote about I Love This Yarn by Hobby Lobby. At the time of her review, that yarn came in acrylic, metallic, and cotton versions. 

Sylvestermouse reviews the Bernat Loop Yarn, a yarn that is created so that blankets can be made with your fingers alone. No crochet hook skills required. 

My recent review of the Mandala Bonus Bundle and the brick stitch pattern.

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