Now that I have harvested my (potentially cursed!) elderberries, it’s time to use them for a little hobbit kitchen magic! So put on the kettle, or prepare your pipe, and sit back and relax. I will show you how to turn even a small harvest into something healthy and tasty to enjoy all through the winter.❄️ Elderberry syrup can be frozen and used in sauces, teas, and even just enjoyed on its own!
Want a printer-friendly version of the recipe? Click here.
A note on elderberries: Correct identification and preparation are essential. Raw or improperly prepared elderberries and other parts of the plant can cause illness. Never eat unidentified wild berries. Use good hobbit sense – never forage from roadsides, places that could have been sprayed by chemicals, etc. Be sure to use low and slow heat when cooking to render the berries safe from toxins.
Wondering how to forage elderberries? Curious about he British folklore? (I like to think the Professor himself was at least aware of the tales of the Elder Mother). Then be sure to check out the previous episode below.
Happy Hobbit has brought Middle-earth to its viewers’ daily lives since joining TheOneRing.net in 2012! Learn hobbity recipes, crafts, and more by watching new episodes and/or perusing the 14+ years worth of videos on their YouTube channel. 🌻 Be sure you are subscribed to Happy Hobbit on YouTube and check back here at TheOneRing.net so that you don’t miss out!
Get even more content focused on seasonal living in friendship with the earth by following Happy Hobbit on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok! If watching the show has left you with an appetite for more, know that Kili (Kellie) has a podcast where Tolkien is often mentioned called Forests, Folklore & Fantasy. She is also the co-author of the recently re-released Middle-earth from Script to Screen.
The old ones say that the veil is thin at All Hallow’s Eve. Those who venture into the woods are often followed home by playful wee sprites! Join Kili to learn this whimsical autumn craft. All you need are some fallen leaves, paint, and a bit of imagination! These wee spirits make the perfect Halloween decorations to any hobbit hole.
Be sure to get your free printable copy of the craft instructions here and watch the Halloween special below.
Happy Hobbit has brought Middle-earth to its viewers’ daily lives since joining TheOneRing.net in 2012! Learn hobbity recipes, crafts, and more by watching new episodes and/or perusing the 14+ years worth of videos on their YouTube channel. 🌻 Be sure you are subscribed to Happy Hobbit on YouTube and check back here at TheOneRing.net so that you don’t miss out!
Get even more content focused on seasonal living in friendship with the earth by following Happy Hobbit on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok! If watching the show has left you with an appetite for more, know that Kili (Kellie) has a podcast where Tolkien is often mentioned called Forests, Folklore & Fantasy. She is also the co-author of the recently re-released Middle-earth from Script to Screen.
Nearly all of us Shire-folk (and likely every Ranger) love to forage in the autumn. Many of us have elderberries ripening in our woods but don’t know much about them. Join me to discover the many benefits of elder, explore the folklore and meet the legendary Elder Mother. Along the way, I will teach you how to correctly identify elderberries, test them for ripeness, and how to harvest them… without getting cursed!
J.R.R. Tolkien and I share a passion for mythology, folklore, and storytelling. While I cannot say for certain, it is highly probable that he would have been aware of this old British belief in a protective tree spirit. Connecting with his influences and sources of inspiration help me feel closer to Middle-earth, which is what Happy Hobbit is all about!
A note on elderberries: Correct identification and preparation are essential. Raw or improperly prepared elderberries and other parts of the plant can cause illness. Never eat unidentified wild berries. Use good hobbit sense – never forage from roadsides, places that could have been sprayed by chemicals, etc.
Happy Hobbit has brought Middle-earth to its viewers’ daily lives since joining TheOneRing.net in 2012! Learn hobbity recipes, crafts, and more by watching new episodes and/or perusing the 14+ years worth of videos on their YouTube channel. 🌻 Be sure you are subscribed to Happy Hobbit on YouTube and check back here at TheOneRing.net so that you don’t miss out!
Get even more content focused on seasonal living in friendship with the earth by following Happy Hobbit on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok! If watching the show has left you with an appetite for more, know that Kili (Kellie) has a podcast where Tolkien is often mentioned called Forests, Folklore & Fantasy. She is also the co-author of the recently re-released Middle-earth from Script to Screen.
You don’t need a round door or a house beneath a hill to bring a little of the Shire into your home! In this episode of Happy Hobbit, I’m sharing some of my favorite simple ways to make an ordinary home feel a little more hobbity:
dried leaves, sticks and acorns
well-loved belongings
baskets
candles
cozy corners
storybook creatures
enchanting artwork
whimsical crafts
More than anything, making your space more hobbity (or “hobbitcore”) is less about what you own or how you decorate. It’s about how the room makes you feel. But… pine cones. You definitely should decorate with some pine cones!
So grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and enjoy this tour of my cozy abode! Prefer a more Elven look to your space? Then check out the episode An Elven Home here.
Happy Hobbit has brought Middle-earth to its viewers’ daily lives since joining TheOneRing.net in 2012! Learn hobbity recipes, crafts, and more by watching new episodes and/or perusing the 13+ years worth of videos on their YouTube channel. 🌻 Be sure you are subscribed to Happy Hobbit on YouTube and check back here at TheOneRing.net so that you don’t miss out!
Get even more slow-living hobbit content by following Happy Hobbit on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok! If watching the show has left you with an appetite for more, know that Kili (Kellie) has a podcast where Tolkien is often mentioned called Forests, Folklore & Fantasy. She is also the co-author of the recently re-released Middle-earth from Script to Screen.
It’s no secret that we hobbits enjoy “nice crispy bacon and fresh tomatoes!” (Just be sure to not get ash in the tomatoes). But other than that tried and true hobbit recipe, what is there to do with a glut of tomatoes? Unfortunately, they don’t keep for long while fresh. Freezing them is an option, but they take up a lot of space.
When I was blessed last month with several pounds of sauce tomatoes from my hobbit garden, I decided to make a tomato sauce and can it for longer-term preservation. There truly are few things more satisfying than pulling out a summery jar of homegrown tomato sauce from the pantry in the depths of winter. It also officially bestows upon one Shire bragging rights!
So grab a pipe or a mug of tea, put your feet up, and watch me do all the hard work in the latest episode of Happy Hobbit.
Happy Hobbit has brought Middle-earth to its viewers’ daily lives since joining TheOneRing.net in 2012! Learn hobbity recipes, crafts, and more by watching new episodes and/or perusing the 13+ years worth of videos on their YouTube channel. 🌻 Be sure you are subscribed to Happy Hobbit on YouTube and check back here at TheOneRing.net so that you don’t miss out!
Get even more slow-living hobbit content by following Happy Hobbit on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok! If watching the show has left you with an appetite for more, know that Kili (Kellie) has a podcast where Tolkien is often mentioned called Forests, Folklore & Fantasy. She is also the co-author of the recently re-released Middle-earth from Script to Screen.
Since all hobbits are drawn to the green world, many of us feel a tinge of sadness as autumn creeps in and slowly steals away our beloved wildflowers, vegetables, and green tree leaves. But what if there was a simple way to preserve some of those bright summer hues to enjoy all year long?
As summer in the Shire winds down, now is an excellent time to try your hand at pressing flowers! You can use the dried petals, leaves, and whole blossoms to create endless crafts, from bookmarks to candle decor. Join Kili as she guides you through selecting blooms in this new episode of Happy Hobbit. She then shows how to assemble the flower press and reveals the finished results.
Have you ever pressed flowers before? Did you use a press or a book? How did it turn out? Let us know in the comments on the video!
Happy Hobbit has brought Middle-earth to its viewers’ daily lives since joining TheOneRing.net in 2012! Learn hobbity recipes, crafts, and more by watching new episodes and/or perusing the 13+ years worth of videos on their YouTube channel. 🌻 Be sure you are subscribed to Happy Hobbit on YouTube and check back here at TheOneRing.net so that you don’t miss out!
Get even more slow-living hobbit content by following Happy Hobbit on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok! If watching the show has left you with an appetite for more, know that Kili (Kellie) has a podcast where Tolkien is often mentioned called Forests, Folklore & Fantasy. She is also the co-author of the recently re-released Middle-earth from Script to Screen.
