Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the season for dreaming about spring is upon us.
While the weather is still cold, and the wind bitter, the days are noticeably longer and the first stirrings of spring whisper through air and tickle the earth: The buds which will blossom beautifully come springtime are just beginning to swell, and here and there a brave snowdrop peeks out of the snow to remind us that spring really is on its way.
Mother Earth is like a newly pregnant mama; She knows that life is stirring within her — but only the most observant of outsiders will notice it too.
Imbolc might generally be considered to be a Pagan holiday, but anyone can celebrate the slow changing of the seasons.
It is a time for cleaning out old closets and old ideas… to make room for the new.
It is a time for washing windows… to let the sunshine sparkle in.
And it is a time for planning… new gardens, new dreams, new plans that will grow and thrive.
Expectant.
Stirring.
Hopeful.
It is also a time for bundling up, going out, and enjoying the longer days… a walk through the woods, the fields, or the park to enjoy the first whispers of spring.
And enjoying a nice, warming cup of Spiced Wine when you come back inside.
Spiced Wine
1 cup water
2 cups pineapple juice; organic if possible, freshly made is best
1 cup orange juice; organic if possible, freshly squeezed is best
1/4 cup (or to taste) raw, local honey
9 whole cloves (buy here)
3 cinnamon sticks (buy here)
Pinch of sea salt (like this![]()
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Add all ingredients to a crock pot and heat on high for 2 hours, stirring once or twice.
Turn crock pot to low, remove lid, and wait for juice mixture to come to below 180 degrees.
Add a bottle of red wine, and allow to warm up.
Enjoy while planning a spring project.
Imbolc is celebrated on February 1st or on February 2nd, otherwise known as Groundhog Day!
Did you try it? What did you think? Please be sure to leave me a comment; I love to hear from you! 
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Note: This is a Real Food update of a previous Spiced Wine post.
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The photos in this post were edited with PicMonkey.
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