Tending to Hearth and Home
A bit of Outlander and a terrific Oatmeal Recipe!
“I woke just past dawn to the scratching of the rose brier against the window, and the muffled thump and clang of breakfast fixing in the kitchen below. Peering over Jamie’s sleeping form, I saw that the fire was dead out. I slid out of bed, quietly so as not to wake him. The floorboards were icy under my feet and I reached, shivering, for the first available garment.
Swathed in the folds of Jamie’s shirt, I knelt on the hearth and went about the laborious business of rekindling the fire, thinking rather wistfully that I might have included a box of safety matches in the short list of items I had thought worthwhile to bring. Striking sparks from a flint to catch kindling does work, but not usually on the first try. Or the second. Or …
Somewhere around the dozenth attempt, I was rewarded by a tiny black spot on the twist of tow I was using for kindling. It grew at once and blossomed into a tiny flame. I thrust it hastily but carefully beneath the little tent of twigs I had prepared, to shelter the blooming flame from the cold breeze.”
Excerpt From: Diana Gabaldon. “Voyager.”
Meet Piper, my Warm and Constant Companion!
As I've said many a time before, my favorite scenes from Outlander (And if you’ve never watched Outlander, WHY?) always seem to be in a kitchen, around a cooking fire, in a bedroom with a peat fire and stone hearth or in a parlor replete with brandy, tea or oatcakes! The act of breaking bread together in and of itself is an act of bonding and creating community; add a fire and you've added a generous measure of warmth and safety.
Over the years many have asked me about Piper, my old wood fired stove. Here she is in all of her glory! She's a good old fashioned Dutch West cast iron workhorse capable of going up past 1000 degrees really quickly once you fire up the catalytic converter! When we left our farm in Burton, I couldn't bear to leave her there, so I uninstalled her and now she lives with good friends of ours who enjoy her warmth on a regular basis.
At this point I've written about her so many times that she's begun to really have a persona of her own. I loved sharing life with her, she was the provider of many a fine breakfast, lunch and dinner at Windesphere when the power would go out. On evenings without heat, Jim ,Alex and I would curl up with our blankets and pillows, lay down around her (cats and dogs too!), watch the flames dance and wake up in the morning safe and toasty warm.
Even on mornings when the power remained steady, I'd relish cooking pancakes and bacon atop her sturdy frame.
And let me tell you about the oatmeal—it's simply unparalleled. Imagine preparing it just before bed in a cast iron pot, nestled atop the warming stand of a woodstove, where it simmers gently through the night. With additions like cinnamon, raisins, and your favorite spices, it transforms into more than just breakfast—it becomes a fragrant and comforting potpourri that makes the chilly mornings a bit easier to face!
Indulge in the Simple Joy of Slow-Cooked Oatmeal - My Favorite Recipe!
Here's my favorite crockpot oatmeal recipe that's perfect for preparing before bed. Imagine waking up to a warm and comforting breakfast that fills your home with delicious aromas, reminiscent of cozy mornings by the woodstove! While optional, a hint of liquid smoke adds an extra layer of flavor that you're sure to enjoy.
Overnight Crockpot Maple Vanilla Oatmeal
Ingredients:
- 1 cup steel-cut oats
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup milk (or almond milk for a dairy-free option)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
-1 cup of diced apple
-3 drops of liquid smoke (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Optional toppings: sliced bananas, chopped nuts, dried fruits, shredded coconut, or additional maple syrup for serving
Instructions:
1. Grease the inside of your crockpot with a little butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Add the steel-cut oats, apple, water, milk, maple syrup or honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to the crockpot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
3. Cover the crockpot with the lid and set it to cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, ideally overnight.
4. In the morning, give the oatmeal a good stir. It will be thick and creamy.
5. Serve the oatmeal hot, topped with your favorite toppings such as sliced bananas, chopped nuts, dried fruits, shredded coconut, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Embracing Hearth and Home
These days, although I've moved into the city, I'm all about inspiring others to create as much self sufficiency as possible and for me a wood burning stove is one of the most important things that you can ever install in your home, city or country. When the power goes out and you need drinking water you can boil it, when the power goes out and you need food and warmth guess what? Just fire up the stove and you're as cozy as can be. Everyone should have the experience of cooking with fire at least once, if not for any other reason than to just know that it can be done and besides...there's no better pot of chili , vegetable soup or chicken and dumplings in the world than when they are cooked slowly on a stove just like this!
I hadn't seen Piper in over 8 years but we went out into the country a while back to have dinner with our old neighbors and there she was, logs a~blazing, standing stalwart in the corner and heating their home as capably as she'd ever done ours. It was so good to bask in her warmth again and furthered my resolve to have a smaller version of her placed in my home by next winter.
If you're interested in a woodstove of your own, grab a cup of tea and biscuit with jam and cozy up to Lehman Brothers and have a look around! You'll find all kinds of wonderful things to bring joy to your homesteading heart!
Nourished by the gentle whispers of dawn, the soft touch of a loved one's shirt, and the comforting warmth of flickering flames, I am reminded of the simplicity and sustainability that guide our lives. As the aroma of hearty oatmeal wafts through the air, I am transported to moments of connection and resilience. The crackling of the woodstove, the anticipation of a wholesome meal, and the knowledge that I can care for family, evoke a sense of preparedness for the changing climate and the challenges it may bring. This is my dream for all of us and in these treasured moments, surrounded by the timeless rituals of hearth and home, we can find not only solace and inspiration but also the importance of gathering together as family. As we continue to embrace a life of simplicity and sustainability, may we cherish the enduring bonds of community and find comfort in the essence of home, no matter where our journeys may take us.