Apple Crisp

(this is my favorite recipe to make with any fruit)

Heat oven to 350.
Spread in ungreased 8 inch square pan:
4 cups of sliced unpeeled or peeled apples

Mix with a fork and sprinkle over the apples:
3/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup regular oats
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup ( 1 stick) softened butter

Bake about 30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and apples are tender.

Start to finish, about 45 minutes. Serves 6

Raise Your Hand

Beth, raise your right arm and wave,
now your left hand, raise it over your
head and wave..

looking at me with just a quick glance
he muttered now
raise your left hand and wave..

hmmm Ed said...
...as he stared forward
beyond me, past Beth, straight forward..

there is a shadow on the wall,
over there,
and it's neither one of you!
...it's gone now..

goosebumps!

..every hair stood on end..

chills ran up and down my spine,
they permeated my soul..

we have a visitor my breath whispered..
..we have a visitor..

we ponder in deep thought..
..who has come to visit?

have they lingered awhile..
or are they just passing through? stay awhile!

Time

Time is..
Time was...
Time will be again....

My days slip by like fallen snow melting into the crevices of the day...

Whispers

I hear your voices
whisper through
the breeze,
I fall to my knees
and want to see your
face once more.

Another summer has past
another fall has slipped
quickly by,
a few leaves and
your favorite apples cling
tight now in winters
wind gusts.

The bitter cold stings my face
numbing my fingers
through thick gloves.

Christmas is just past
your voices and laughter
echoed deep
within our hearts
within our thoughts.

Your whispers...linger....

Night Fall

I am like a mouse
scurrying in the night
finding things to do to stay awake.....

I know...
that when I close my eyes,
I will reclaim dreams that waver deep
in the depths of my conscious.....

Seeing your angelic face
motionless on falls crimson morning,
my arms envelope you
as I hold you close to the bosom of my soul.....

Lavender

Not long ago, I was asked "if you could be a plant, what plant would you be?" Without hestitation I said ..... Lavender. I love EVERYTHING about Lavender!

Scent...color...texture...taste...
......it calms and soothes my spirit...

Lavender, as with other herbs have been used since ancient times. The Romans used Lavender to scent their bath water. Its name comes from the Latin verb, Lavare, to wash. The ancient Greeks prescribed Lavender for coughs.

Today Lavender is widely used in so many ways - from bath scents, to medicinal, to chocolate. Lavender is an effective sedative and calming remedy for digestion. It relieves aches and pains and encourages relaxation.

I have been stretching myself with being more in touch with herbal uses versus over the counter remedies. I am presently trying a hand at mixing an heral remedy to help Eds and my symptoms of creaking joints, aching bones and muscles. We are also trying new ways of eating to relieve our arthritis aches with dietary changes. While cleansing herbal remedies to help alleviate our arthritic condition by clearing toxins from our systems. We both suffer from backaches and sciatica.

I am presently gathering dried herbs and essential oils to make an infusion found in one of my home herbal books.
Lavender oil is a mild analgesic and can relieve many types of backaches, while thyme is an antispamodic that relaxes overtense muscles and eases pain.

Juniper oil is midly analgesic and increases blood flow to the skin, encouraging healing.

Eucalyptus oil helps to encourage blood flow to the surface and is effective for aches and pains.

St. John's Wort oil is an anti-inflammatory helping to repair damaged tissues and ease pain.

Pine oil is a tranditional remedy for sciatica. It eases muscle pain and is a stimulant helping to counter act fatigue.

Be sure to use 100% Pure Grade Essential Oils. You should never skimp on the quality of oils used.


LAVENDER THYME RUB
10 drops Lavender oil
10 drops Thyme oil
5 drops Juniper oil
5 drops Pine oil
10 drops Eucalyptus oil
18 ml St. John's Wort oil
Mix oils in a 100 ml sterilized dark glass bottle and shake well. Pour about a teaspoon of oil onto one palm and gently rub your hands together before massaging into painful areas. Repeat at least twice a day.

Base oils to use with the Lavender oil are Sweet Almond, which contains vitamins, minerals and protein that are absorbed into the skin. Grapeseed oil and Olive oil can also be used.

I like to dilute 1-3 drops of Lavender oil in a teaspoon of Sweet Almond oil and massage my temples and neck for tension headaches and migraines.

Some uses for Lavender oil are..... 2-4 drops of Lavender oil in 2-3 cups boiling water ... inhale vapors for headaches, insomnia or depression.

2-3 drops of Lavender oil on a minor burn will decrease pain.

A few drops of Lavender oil on a wet cloth thrown into the dryer will deoderize and freshen your laundry.

Rub Lavender oil on the bottoms of your feet for a calming effect on the body.

A drop of Lavender oil on an insect bite will stop the itch and can help reduce swelling.