More Let It Snow!

Winter is here and what is winter in Connecticut without snow?  Here are more Nutmeg Collective members' goods to Let it Snow!

Doug Hockman Photography 11x14 Mat

Cottage Wicks Soy Candle

RiverDog Prints Greeting Card

Jenny Fields Fiber - Snowcrash

Sleigh Ride Tea and GingerBread Tea
Winter Warmer Tea can be found at Whole Harmony Apothecary 1572 Saybrook Rd Haddam CT 06438

Let it Snow!

The serious lack of snow just doesn't feel right at this time of year.  I know some people dread the winter weather, but we are sharing some Nutmeg Collective members' goods today and Monday to Let it Snow!

InDee Designs - Silver Snowflake Necklace

The Toy Box by Vinny Snowman Kit

Made by Jane Design Handmade Glass Bead Necklace

fallenpeach Sammy on a Snowman Bookmark

MSD Design Snowflake Garland

Lily Pad Prints Pillow Cover

Winter Food: Slow Cooker Oatmeal

Winter is finally here!  As the cold sets it, we find ourselves looking for warm fare for our bellies.  Overnight oatmeal is perfect- it's warm and ready to eat when you wake up to a cold house.

I love oatmeal with all my heart.  Instant Quaker plain packs with honey and milk has been a staple in my life since I was little, and both my kids love the combination.  I know that the packets are not the best choice as far as oatmeal goes, though, and as I've been trying to weed the pre-packaged food from my cabinets, I've taken to making what I call Midnight Oatmeal, since you cook it in the slow cooker and it needs to be turned on roughly around midnight, depending on what time you get up in the morning.  Midnight Oatmeal is steel cut oats (or Irish oats), which are slightly better for you than rolled oats, and vastly better for you than flavored oatmeal packets.  They normally take awhile to cook on the stove, so it's not a meal to prepare if you're hungry right when you wake up, which is where the slow cooker comes in.  You set the oats to cook late at night, and they're ready for you in the morning, and it makes the kitchen smell amazing.

In your slow cooker, spray your bowl really, really, really well with cooking spray (I use coconut oil spray) and combine the following:

1 1/2 cups of steel cut oats (I like Bob's Red Mill organic)
2 1/4 cups water
2 1/4 cups milk (I use 1 cup 2% milk and then 1 1/4 cups unsweetened almond coconut milk)
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
a pinch or two of salt
1 tablespoon butter, cut in pieces

Cook on low for 7 hours, then stir well.  If you cook it longer, crunchy bits will form around the edges, which are delicious but make for a tough cleanup.  The oatmeal is creamy and delicious as is, though I love to top mine with a little bit of maple syrup, and you can also top with nuts, fruit, seeds, or coconut to suit your taste.  Another alternative- chop an apple into small pieces and throw it in with the mixture to make it applesaucy, or make a batch of easy slow cooker applesauce and serve together.

This hearty meal is guaranteed to fill you up and warm you up on these super-cold mornings, and this size batch gives me enough to eat all week.  Do you love oatmeal?  Have you tried it in the slow cooker, or are you a packet person?

Kristen Skelton of Milo and Molly is a self-taught sewist, Kristen who runs her business while staying at home with her two small children.  Fueled by an endless supply of tea, she sews late into the night when the house is quiet, most often accompanied by her faithful poodle, Casey.  Stop by and see her collection of bold modern accessories and home goods.

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | miloandmollyshop@gmail.com 

Wednesday Words

Heart and Willow Prints

As we move into a new year and everyone is making new goals and resolutions, this is an important statement to remember.  You are strong.  You can do it.  You can make things happen.

Work Life Balance: Office Hours

We are starting a series on the real-life struggle of creating and maintaining a work / life balance.

Follow along as we try to give some strategies to implement from our members.

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Working from home has so many perks and I know many friends and former co-workers think wistfully about a home-based business.  How do you manage the freedom you have to "work at will" with the demands of family, friends, pets, and sanity?

One thing that has worked for me is figuring out a realistic schedule of my Office Hours and actually posting them in my workspace for all who care to see.

It's a declaration to yourself, your customers, and your loved ones, that you are in control of your time and your business.  Posting your Office Hours is a sign of respect for your work and creative time, as well as, a respectful sign to your family and the time you spend with them.

Everyone's Office Hours will be different and will definitely need tweaking as life, and the seasons change.  But consistently honoring the hours you have posted will have a positive effect on your efficiency and organization.

Knowing the time you have to commit to your work will create limits, and hopefully a balance that we all strive to create in our crazy, creative lives.

Cyn Thomas is the illustrator, designer and pattern maker of RiverDog Prints. Her paper goods and gifts are guided by earth, animals, function, food and cocktails. You can also find Cyn canning in her kitchen, walking her dog, being outnumbered by her boys and husband or reading herself to sleep.
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | woof@riverdogprints.com

2016: A Year to Shine

via Harebrained Schemes

Happy New Year!

We are so thrilled to welcome in 2016 and say Happy 2nd Birthday to the Nutmeg Collective.  Now entering our third year, we are looking forward to bringing you the best handmade artisan goods in the state and highlighting some of the best local places to find them.  

Make sure you are keeping in touch with us by following us on social media:

You can also get our new blog post delivered right in your inbox! Sign up over there ------------------->

We are so glad you are here and hope you will help us make 2016 a year to remember!

Best of NC : Local Love: Favorite Connecticut Gift Shops

This week, we're running the best posts from this past year.  Enjoy!

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We asked our members for some of their favorite local gift shops for holiday shopping.

Check out these wonderful places in your Connecticut travels. 

SOULBURY in Woodbury

Pondering Creations in Terryville

The Hoot in Willimantic

The Wooden Toy in Wethersfield

Amato's Toy and Hobby in Middletown

Daybreak Coffee in Glastonbury

Old Wethersfield Country Store in Wethersfield 

Museum Shop at the NBMAA in New Britain

Over the Rainbow Toys in Glastonbury

Vintage Carousel Boutique in Enfield

Windowbox Boutique in Stafford Springs

Grace in Niantic

Design Forum in Farmington

Ally Bally Bee in Ridgefield

Brookfield Craft Center in Brookfield

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There are also shops owned by some of our members.

I'm sure they would love to see you during the holiday season!

Get Baked in Windsor

Hartford Prints! in Hartford

The Brothers Crisp in Hartford

Hello! Artisan Shop and Studio in Simsbury

Cinder + Salt in Middletown

Mystic Knotwork in Mystic

Salt Shop + Press in Mystic

Cyn Thomas is the illustrator, designer and pattern maker of RiverDog Prints. Her paper goods and gifts are guided by earth, animals, function, food and cocktails. You can also find Cyn canning in her kitchen, walking her dog, being outnumbered by her boys and husband or reading herself to sleep.
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | woof@riverdogprints.com