Everyday Sanctuary
Did you know your home has healing powers? The world is dominated by notifications and screen fatigue. Hands on hobbies around the house isn’t about passing time it’s about creating a personal sanctuary. Home hobbies let you unwind on your own terms. There’s no commute, schedule or small talk that needs to happen. It’s a sense of accomplishment and provides a screen free reset.
So which hobby has captured my heart? Well, there’s a few but gardening is my number one. Over the past twelve years my passion for gardening has evolved through every season of my life. It all started in a backyard where I managed to create a 12’ x 12’ veggie patch. Today, that modest start has expanded into a 40’ x 25’ oasis featuring ten raised beds, six raspberry bushes and a strawberry patch. The backyard is also home to a rose garden with twenty-eight varieties and an english lavender bed. This past spring I dove into the world of perennials and planted a few dozen. It’s a new chapter for me with plenty to learn but expanding the garden year after year is half the fun.
Gardening doesn’t last all four seasons in Illinois, but my yard stays busy year round. I maintain two large bird feeders and three birdbaths to care for local birds. It’s a great arrangement to have. They get a reliable feast, help manage the bug population and leave my veggies and berries untouched. In the gardening world, free and natural pest control is always a win.
And remember, you don’t need a huge property or to even own a home to grow something. Backyards, balconies, porches or sunny windowsills make wonderful places to garden. Gardens come in all sizes and varieties. No matter the scale, growing something yourself is very rewarding.
As our lives become more plugged in and dominated by technology, I think more people will crave physical, offline ways to recharge. Luckily, there’s so many hands-on hobbies to explore right at home. You can dive into creative outlets like sewing, knitting, painting, jewelry making, reading, journaling, gardening, birdwatching, flower arrangement, puzzles or my second favorite hobby, cooking. Growing up in a family full of talented cooks, my love for food was built-in. I’ve always preferred cooking from scratch and avoiding processed foods when possible. My Grandma Rosie was constantly in the kitchen preparing meals, canning homemade jellies and baking treats like cake drizzled in caramel sauce. Meanwhile, my Grandma Dorian had a recipe for every occasion. A refreshing angel food cake with lemon sauce, perfect for summer, cozy caramel popcorn at Christmas, her famous sloppy joes, and the best canned pickles you could find. My mom kept that tradition alive making sure we always had homemade meals and fresh baked treats regularly.
Lately, cooking from scratch seems to be making a well deserved comeback. It’s a vital skill everyone should learn, especially since knowing what goes into your food and where it comes from is so important. That’s why I’m so passionate about home gardening, it’s not just a hobby, but a boost to your well being. And when growing your own isn’t an option, supporting local farm stands and farmers markets is another fantastic way to get safe healthy produce into your kitchen.
Your home should be a reflection of who you are and a soft place to land when the world gets loud. Folkie Dot has always been more than just a place to restore or flip furniture; it’s a tool to help surround yourself with pieces you truly love. The way we design our spaces shapes how we experience daily life. In a world constantly demanding our attention, home activities whether tending a garden, sharing a meal, or working on a craft pull us back into the present moment. These quiet routines serve as a peaceful buffer against the noise. Slow down, create with intention, and ground yourself in what truly matters.
Garden inspiration
Did you know Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), early to mid August is your golden window to start a fall garden? The average frost date typically hits around mid to late October. The goal is to plant cool season crops that reach maturity quickly or thrive once night temperatures drop. It’s one of the best seasons for gardening because there are fewer pests to deal with!
August soil is nice and warm, which helps seeds germinate quickly as long as you keep the soil damp, so watering daily is important.
My favorite fall garden picks.
Radishes (25–30 days to harvest) The fastest turn around you can get. Sow seeds through late August and into September.
Spinach or Swiss Chard (40–50 days) Extremely frost-hardy. Light autumn frosts actually make spinach taste sweeter.
Beets (50–60 days) Plant these in early August so they have enough time mature before heavy freezes hit.
Baby Carrots (50–60 days) Plant short maturing varieties in early August.
Bush Beans (50–60 days) If planted during the first week of August, short-season bush varieties (like Blue Lake or Provider) can produce a fast harvest of beans before cold weather stops production. Make sure you have a bush bean variety because pole beans take too long to mature.
Salad greens struggle in midsummer heat, but August planting lets them grow into the cooler autumn weather without bolting.
Lettuce (Leaf, Romaine, Butterhead, Bibb) Plant continuously from early to late August. Provide a little shade on scorching August afternoons until seeds germinate.
Kale & Collard Greens, Plant early to mid August. A little frost improves their flavor by converting starches into sugars.
Arugula & Mustard Greens, Fast growers that love the crisp autumn air.
Recipes
Sunflower seeds
Take the seeds from the head of the plant, let them dry.
Put in a brine of 1 - 1/2 cups salt and 2 quarts water. Let them soak for 3 days. Drain and put them on a cookie sheet in a 300 degree oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 250 degrees until they are dry, Stir the seeds every 10 minutes.
They are done when they crack when opened, which will be 45 to 60 minutes, depending how many you have on the cookie sheet. The seeds can be put in jars and frozen to keep them fresh.
Zucchini Bread
3 eggs (beaten lightly)
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla
2 heaping cups of zucchini (shredded)
In another bowl mix
3 cups flour
1 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Gradually blend second mixture into the first until all is blended.
Bake in 2 loaf pans at 350° degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until done.
Old Fashioned Apple Cake
4 cups apples (chopped)
2 cups sugar
Pour over the apples. Let stand 2 hours.
Then add:
2 - 1/2 cups flour
2 eggs (beaten)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup pecans or walnuts
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Add dry ingredients to the apples, oil and eggs.
Bake at 350 degree in oven until done
Blueberry Cake
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup of shortening
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup milk
2 cups blueberries
1 1/2 cups flour
Wash and drain berries, cream together sugar and shortening, separate eggs, beat whites and set aside. Beat yolks, add milk and stir into creamed mixture. Add dry ingredients to batter. Fold in beaten egg whites. Last, gently fold in the blueberries. Place in 13 x 9 inch pan and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 375° for 35 minutes or until done.
Butterscotch Brownies
1 - 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar (packed)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Grease and flour small brownie pan.
Melt butter before mixing in sugar, eggs, vanilla. Add flour and baking powder to wet ingredients. Lastly, add the chopped nuts (optional) Pour into pan. Bake at 350 degrees
for 30-35 mins (or until done).
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