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.....
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Fall
Ring around the rosey,
a pocket full of posies,
ashes, ashes
we all fall down....
This echoed through my head as I swept leaves from my steps.
Fall .......... Down ..........
YES IT'S FALL!
The days have grown shorter, the leaves whirling and twirling in the slightest breeze becoming part of natures dance.
Firey maples screaming to be noticed ... orange, reds, wild choke cherry glowing yellow through the density of the woods. In our yard some apples cling tight, as others shake loose to the ground below.
The days and nights have been very chilled, a quick reminder of what is soon to be.
Last Wednesday I spent hours in the garden gathering the last remaining peppers and tomatoes, as our first frost warnings were announced. I sat next to my herb garden stripping basil from their stocks filling a roaster, thinking to myself the whole time of all the wonderful pesto I'd be making.
The frost wiped out the weaker plants left in the garden, while adding sweetness to the kale and beets.
Tonight we fired up the outside wood burner. The clanking of the registers bring added chills to my spine, as I dread winter.
Seems only yesterday that I got sunburned and tonight another frost warning is upon us.
a pocket full of posies,
ashes, ashes
we all fall down....
This echoed through my head as I swept leaves from my steps.
Fall .......... Down ..........
YES IT'S FALL!
The days have grown shorter, the leaves whirling and twirling in the slightest breeze becoming part of natures dance.
Firey maples screaming to be noticed ... orange, reds, wild choke cherry glowing yellow through the density of the woods. In our yard some apples cling tight, as others shake loose to the ground below.
The days and nights have been very chilled, a quick reminder of what is soon to be.
Last Wednesday I spent hours in the garden gathering the last remaining peppers and tomatoes, as our first frost warnings were announced. I sat next to my herb garden stripping basil from their stocks filling a roaster, thinking to myself the whole time of all the wonderful pesto I'd be making.
The frost wiped out the weaker plants left in the garden, while adding sweetness to the kale and beets.
Tonight we fired up the outside wood burner. The clanking of the registers bring added chills to my spine, as I dread winter.
Seems only yesterday that I got sunburned and tonight another frost warning is upon us.
"Things Are Getting A Bit Seedy"
It's that time of year...
........time to choose the best heirloom tomatoes in the garden to save seed.
Not just for the following summer, but summers to come and seeds to share. I have been saving heirloom tomato seed for over 30 years. The majority of my seeds are over 50 years old.
I started saving seeds from Ed's gramma in southern Illinois back in the early 70's. Who knows how old her seeds were that she saved year to year. She always had the most wonderful tasting tomatoes, the flavor pops in your mouth just thinking about them. The seeds I have saved year to year from his dad are a bit similar, yet a different blushing on them.
This year I bought a couple different varieties of tomato plants from the Athens Farmers Market in Southern Ohio and have added seed from the best ones to my collection.
"Purple Russian"...they were an interesting purple black plum like tomato, very meaty and flavorful. They originated in the Ukraine.
"Mortgage"... dates back to the 1930's. It is a cross between German Johnson, Beefsteak, Italian and English varieties.
Bethany introduced me to "Orange Oxheart".. a very flavorable orange heart shaped tomato, "Golden Plum" and "Black Brandywine".
Although I started out with 91 tomato plants in my garden, I lost quite a few to drought and groundhogs. My soil conditions were a bit bleak as well. We just picked up a testing kit to take soil samples in our garden and send them in to get tested at a lab in Holmes County.
I am dreaming of lush bushy plants in 2010.
"
........time to choose the best heirloom tomatoes in the garden to save seed.
Not just for the following summer, but summers to come and seeds to share. I have been saving heirloom tomato seed for over 30 years. The majority of my seeds are over 50 years old.
I started saving seeds from Ed's gramma in southern Illinois back in the early 70's. Who knows how old her seeds were that she saved year to year. She always had the most wonderful tasting tomatoes, the flavor pops in your mouth just thinking about them. The seeds I have saved year to year from his dad are a bit similar, yet a different blushing on them.
This year I bought a couple different varieties of tomato plants from the Athens Farmers Market in Southern Ohio and have added seed from the best ones to my collection.
"Purple Russian"...they were an interesting purple black plum like tomato, very meaty and flavorful. They originated in the Ukraine.
"Mortgage"... dates back to the 1930's. It is a cross between German Johnson, Beefsteak, Italian and English varieties.
Bethany introduced me to "Orange Oxheart".. a very flavorable orange heart shaped tomato, "Golden Plum" and "Black Brandywine".
Although I started out with 91 tomato plants in my garden, I lost quite a few to drought and groundhogs. My soil conditions were a bit bleak as well. We just picked up a testing kit to take soil samples in our garden and send them in to get tested at a lab in Holmes County.
I am dreaming of lush bushy plants in 2010.
"
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Fall Migration
I just brought in my last hummingbird feeder yesterday, although I haven't seen any hummers since the first week of September, I thought there may be a few stragglers coming through.
The male hummingbirds leave in the first part of August. By late August, the majority of the females are gone. The "juvenile" hummingbirds are the last to leave.
By the end of May, I have my feeders up for the females who start to show up in our area come June. Every year we have nests in the pine trees behind the house and near the pond.
The females have 2 pea sized white eggs that hatch in 14 to 16 days. They are nearly full grown when they leave the nest in 21 days. Every year I watch to catch a glimpse of the new hummers in the yard...it's near impossible to tell which are the juveniles.
Every summer I like to stand still nearby where I usually have a feeder hanging and hold the feeder close to my face...it takes only a few minutes for the hummingbirds to come for the sweet treat. Seeing them so close is just awesome!
I am feeling the loss of not seeing the hummingbirds whizzing around the porch and in the perennial garden at the feeders. The winter will drag on until they arrive again in the spring...they will quicken our hearts and catch the eye as no other birds can...
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Is It Kosher or Polish?
For the last weeks, I have been trying to track down pickling cucumbers. This year many gardens, including mine, were hit hard with an "air blight". It took quite a toll on the cucumber vines. A few days ago I ordered a bushel of pickling cucumbers from an Amishman, he has been able to buy large quanties to sell from the English/Amish Auction Barn a few miles away.
This week I have been making batches of Kosher and Polish pickles with a twist. I have to wait until all are nestled in bed before mixing my hot peppers and garlic concoction, as its enough to choke the toughest soul out of here, once the brine starts boiling.
As I choke, gasp, and sneeze from the hot peppers I am boiling in the brine, I am continuously telling myself, it's going to be well worth it in the end....
The Harvest Moon
The Harvest Moon looks like a big ole pumpkin in the sky, just before dark...
... the moon should be full September, October, November...the Autumn moon often helps the farmers working in their fields late in the night trying to bring their late crops in.
There were many nights years back that old man Garver would be harvesting a late crop of soy beans across the way by the light of the moon. Sure miss hearing the chugging of the old John Deer forgaging through the fields.
The Harvest Moon also brings on garden harvest time...
... the last couple weeks I have been busy harvesting near dusk, tomatoes...
for salsa,jars of stewed, and many to freeze...
A neighbor down the road has been very generous with his bumper crop of zucchini. Every few years I put up a slew of zucchini relish. I have not bought relish in over 30 years. This relish recipe has been passed on to many.
Zucchini Relish
10 cups zucchini, minced
1 cup pickling salt
5 cups onion, minced
1 cup celery, diced
3 green peppers, diced
2 sweet red peppers, diced
2 teaspoons turmeric
1 tablespoon dry mustard
2 tablespoons celery seed
1 tablespoon mustard seed
6 cups sugar
5 cups white vinegar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
Prepare zucchini, combine with salt and other vegetables. Allow mixture to stand overnight. Drain; rinse thoroughly and drain again in a colander. Press bowl down on top of vegetable mixture to force out as much liquid as possible. In a large enamel or stainless steel pot, combine remaining ingredients; add vegetables and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and boil gently 20 - 40 minutes, stirring often. Ladle relish into hot sterilized jars and seal. Makes 8 pints.
... the moon should be full September, October, November...the Autumn moon often helps the farmers working in their fields late in the night trying to bring their late crops in.
There were many nights years back that old man Garver would be harvesting a late crop of soy beans across the way by the light of the moon. Sure miss hearing the chugging of the old John Deer forgaging through the fields.
The Harvest Moon also brings on garden harvest time...
... the last couple weeks I have been busy harvesting near dusk, tomatoes...
for salsa,jars of stewed, and many to freeze...
A neighbor down the road has been very generous with his bumper crop of zucchini. Every few years I put up a slew of zucchini relish. I have not bought relish in over 30 years. This relish recipe has been passed on to many.
Zucchini Relish
10 cups zucchini, minced
1 cup pickling salt
5 cups onion, minced
1 cup celery, diced
3 green peppers, diced
2 sweet red peppers, diced
2 teaspoons turmeric
1 tablespoon dry mustard
2 tablespoons celery seed
1 tablespoon mustard seed
6 cups sugar
5 cups white vinegar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
Prepare zucchini, combine with salt and other vegetables. Allow mixture to stand overnight. Drain; rinse thoroughly and drain again in a colander. Press bowl down on top of vegetable mixture to force out as much liquid as possible. In a large enamel or stainless steel pot, combine remaining ingredients; add vegetables and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and boil gently 20 - 40 minutes, stirring often. Ladle relish into hot sterilized jars and seal. Makes 8 pints.
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