A dry sunny morning may be the best time for harvesting flowers, seeds and herbs. One can mix and match to create mix flower bunches, or single plant bunches may be tied up and hang along railings and barn staircases for drying. Other drying tools just as useful, are trays that can be old window screens or cardboard trays, the important thing is to ensure the flow of air through the bunches.
Nighttime dew may harm the bunches, so bringing them indoors during night time may help prevent them from moist harm. The drying process takes a few weeks, they are ready when the leaves are crackly dry. To dry flower petals and single leaves, the use of window screens for drying trays works very well.
Other methods for drying, are preserving the herbs in salt, and freezing fresh herbs. The first practice involves rinsing the herbs, and removing the flowers and leaves from the stems after drying them with paper towel. Set a layer of kosher sea salt in a jar, and inter-layer leaves and flowers alternating with salt. For freezing, the process requires to blanch the herbs before storing them.
The use of potpourri as home fresheners.
Herbs and flowers have gain momentum for their wonderful scent and their ability to freshen a room. A basic component for potpourri is dried flowers and aromatic leaves. Preparing potpourri is not too difficult and the results can be formidable.
Choose your favorite herb and flowers, dried them but not completely, for moist potpourri you will need the materials to fell leathery as opposed to crackly dry. Spread borax over the chosen potpourri herbs to dry after placing them in the desired container, alternating with sand till container is full. The potpourri and dry flower process will take about 2 weeks after placing the container in a warm and dry location.
If not borax, coarse salt can be used to create potpourri, and the container can be glass. The alternated layering’s of herbs, salt or borax and petals have to be tightly compressed and safely placed in a warm dry room.
With the finished potpourri product, you can create small Sachet preparations with the simple placing of small amounts of prepared potpourri in to small packets, and or open containers, crocks and jars. Setting open Sachets around the home, works as a natural alternative to chemical fresheners, and brings in the beauty of garden flowers. The simplicity of the process of plant drying and potpourri preparation draws the attention of craft making lovers, and with it’s creativity push one can create beauty while using second hand and already existent unused items around the home.
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Sonoma Lavender – Floret Liner Review
Sonoma Lavender – Floret Liner Feature
- The scent of white flowers. freshly cut from garden.
Sonoma Lavender – Floret Liner Overview
Line your drawers or your pillowcase with this quilted flat sachet. Floret flower sachet sold seperately.
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March 17th, 2010 in
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One of the most wonderful things about growing your own herbs is the ability to harvest them whenever you need them. Fresh herb gardening is wonderful for flavoring foods, teas, and creating home remedies. A great way to grow fresh herbs for your own personal use is by raising them in containers indoors or on a patio. It is very convenient to have quick and easy access to these herbs whenever you need them. It is not always convenient to walk out to the garden in your yard every time you need to harvest herbs for immediate use.
Another alternative is a windowsill garden located conveniently near your kitchen. You will need a location that gets sufficient sunlight. Keeping your herbs nearby this way allows you to see them often, and you’ll know when they need water or harvesting. Many home gardeners utilize mini “greenhouses” for their herbs. These are “domed” plastic structures that house a few popular herbs and the growing conditions closely parallel those of a larger scale greenhouse. The dome can be removed as necessary, but is often left in place to provide humidity and warmth.
Growing herbs in containers that sit on trays with wheels is a great choice for patio herb gardening. You can easily roll the containers around as needed, and move them indoors if the weather becomes inclement. The trays make it easy to water the plants if your growing area is indoors so that you don’t make a mess on your floor. Fresh herbs are not only used in cooking, teas, and remedies. Many soap makers use specific herbs when they create their homemade soap products. Herbs are also commonly used for aromatherapy. Many gardeners create wonderful smelling sachets that can be placed in dresser drawers and even in automobiles to provide pleasing fragrances.
Your fresh herb garden can be started from plants or seeds. The most convenient way is to use plants from your local nursery or from an internet source. You want to plant your herbs in a potting soil with good drainage. You can purchase containers for your plants at your local nursery or discount store. These are commonly made of plastic or clay. Clay is sometimes a poor choice for plants because it absorbs water, which may deplete moisture that your plant needs.
Some of the herbs you might include in your garden are chives, oregano, rosemary, basil, marjoram, lavender, and winter savory. Lavender is a wonderful addition because of its pleasing aroma. Basil is easy to grow and a wonderful culinary addition. Familiarize yourself with the growth needs and habits of the different herb varieties you are considering before starting your garden. Make sure they are suited for container gardening. Some herbs are annuals and some are perennials. There are even biannual herbs. This will have some bearing on the choices for your garden.
Fresh herb gardening is very rewarding and will bring you much enjoyment. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to harvest your homegrown herbs anytime you need them. Do a little preparation and research up front, and your garden will thrive under the care of your green thumb.
Happy gardening!
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March 16th, 2010 in
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When you get to a certain age it slowly starts to dawn on us ladies that over the years we’ve probably accumulated more clothes in our wardrobe (not to mention the spare bedroom’s wardrobes, every chests of drawers in the house, all the bedside tables, the attics, under the bed, kitchen drawers and even in the garage) than we could possibly wear in a year. And yet we never have anything to wear!
If that sounds like you then follow these few basic guidelines and not only will you suddenly have tons of space in your home for important things like the grandchildren’s letters and pictures, but you will also have a streamlined capsule wardrobe and always something nice to wear.
Firstly – be ruthless. Sort through your clothes and throw everything that you haven’t worn in the last year in to the charity shop pile. If all the four seasons have passed and you haven’t worn something then it is extremely unlikely you are going to wear it ever again. Don’t hold on to anything that’s too small in the (vain!) hope that you will slim in to it one day.
Next, sort out the remaining clothes in to different colours. How many colours do you have? Most people over forty should stick to a basic palette consisting of a few colours that they know suit them. If there’s a little top or blouse standing out on its own because it’s lime green, or custard yellow then are you really sure the colour’s you? If not, then bung it in the charity pile!
Anything that’s torn or a bit dirty then put into a rubbish pile, as however nice you look in something there is nothing worse than stains or bursting seams.
Now you have the start of your ideal capsule wardrobe. The next step is to check that you have the 10 or so essential clothes items that every woman, no matter what her age, should have. These are the clothes it is worth spending a little more on – spend wisely and they will form the basis of your outfit every day, whatever the occasion.
These include well fitting underwear, a versatile silk scarf or pashmina and beautifully cut separates that you can mix and match. Ensure you have a tailored jacket or blazer that you can dress up or down and invest in a cashmere or wool coat in a classic colour and cut as it will go with everything and last you years and years.
If you don’t already, next sort out your wardrobe in to winter and summer clothes. Now’s the perfect time to pack away all your summer skirts and linen dresses. Take a little time to fold them properly, place tissue paper in between, and remember to pop in a little sachet of lavender, and you’ll be rewarded next year with a summer wardrobe that’s ready to go as soon as the sun comes out.
Finally colour code your clothes. Some people advise hanging skirts and jackets and so on together but I would recommend that you put similar colours together. Not only will this look much nicer it suddenly becomes so easy to find things. If you haven’t the space to hang everything, put similar tops and jumpers together in to clear boxes so you can see what is inside or label them on the outside.
All this will only take a couple of hours or so and it’s well worth the effort. You may never say you have nothing to wear ever again!
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You will hardly find anybody on this earth who will not like to make their house look beautiful and elegant. Mosaic tiles are amongst the best options to decorating your flooring and it is classy and durable at the same time. There are various types and they come in different colors and textures and you can select the style according to your preferences.
They use quite a number of materials like glass, stones and ceramic to prepare these mosaic tiles. The appearance changes as the material differs. One of the most popular options is the one that is made of vitreous glass, which looks like glass, but the longevity is better.
Types of Mosaic Tiles
There are different types like iridescent mosaic tiles, metallic, mini, swirled and vitreous. The upper portion of all the mosaic tiles are flat but the back is often imprinted with minute crinkles that aid secured bonding with glue.
You can use them to make the indoor flooring as well as the floor covering for outside. The iridescent mosaic tiles come in sheet, which contains around 36 tiles of the size 15mm x 15mm. These tiles can be available in different qualities among which the Italian ones with a shiny opalescence finish.
Metallic mosaic tiles are the ones that come with the tiny metallic crumbles churned all over the glass base. You need to soak these tiles in water before fixing them on the floor. You can buy the vitreous glass tiles in sacks, which contain around 200 tiles. The price of these tiles is quite reasonable and perfect for the first time users with a limited budget.
The mosaic tiles made of swirled glass are popular for their splendid look as they are textured with high quality stained glass. There are other types like the assorted tiles, mini glass tiles etc.
How to Fix Mosaic Tiles?
Always choose the shades and patterns keeping in mind the space and size of the place you are planning to cover with mosaic tiles. If you have a special design in mind then draw it on a paper and show it to the manufacturer as these tiles can be custom made. They are then fixed on the floor with glue.
This is a great idea to lay the tiles before gluing them and understand how they are going to appear after you finally fix them. In order to get a stunning finish and sheen you can apply grout on them and leave it for sometime so that it dries out and become adequately firm and durable.
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March 11th, 2010 in
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To allow you to begin perfecting the art of quilling crafts there are a few essential supplies you will require, if you already participate in paper crafts you may have some of these to hand.
So, what do you need and where can you purchase it?
You should have no problem finding everything you will require at your local craft store, or the alternative is the internet. On line you will find numerous websites where you can order your quilling supplies.
It may also please you to learn that for quilling crafts the tools you will need are neither expensive nor large in number.
I have complied a comprehensive list of what is needed to get started and also what is available once you progress and want to create more complicated designs.
Quilling Paper Strips: These come in an untold variety of colours and also in different widths. The most commonly used width is 1/8inch however you can also purchase strips which measure 1/4inch, 1/2inch and 3/4inch. These are used mainly for making fringed flowers or creating 3D pieces.
You can cut the paper strips yourself however, they must be cut with great accuracy otherwise the coils will not look as good. For this reason it is probably more practical to buy paper already cut for you.
A Curling Tool: You can use a number of different items to curl the strips of paper into coils. Some people use hat pins, tooth picks,a slotted quilling tool or a needle quilling tool. If you use the pins or needle type tools you will have to start the coil by rolling the paper around the centre of the tool. When you are a beginner this can actually be quite difficult to perfect so purchasing a slotted quilling tool is probably a good idea. The paper is gripped in the slot making it easier to roll and keep the tension right to produce the correct size of coil. The only slight disadvantage is that the slotted quilling tool had a tendency to leave a little bend at the end of the paper in the middle of the coil.
Glue: Everyone has their own preference to which type of glue they prefer to use. The only advise I can give is in the beginning choose a good quality craft glue which is white and tacky in substance. Be sure that it turns clear when dry.
The three items listed above are all you will need get you off to a great start however as you begin to progress there are other quilling supplies you may find useful.
Once you become accustomed to making paper coils you can use any sort of item to curl the paper – many seasoned quillers do finger rolling too!
Quilling Crafts Board: This is not really an essential item but one which will make life a little easier. This board gives you moulds of numerous sizes which you can drop your coils into so that they can open up to a uniform size.
Quilling Fringer: Again possibly a non essential however if you wish to create say fringed flowers this tool will allow you to cut the quilling paper quickly and easily.
Quilling Comb: Once you become more ambitious and you are ready to learn a different quilling crafts technique this tool can help you make zig zag shapes and cascading loops.
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On old make-up, wipe off the lipstick or eye shadow with a tissue so there is a clean surface. Anything that dips into a tube, like lip-gloss, liquid eyeliner, or mascara cannot be cleaned. So toss those. If the cake of pressed powder, blush, or eye shadow has become hard from facial oils, scrape off the top layer of powder with a knife or the side of a spoon until there is a clean, powdery surface. To have make-up last longer and not get the oil slick on top, wash powder puffs and make-up brushes frequently. Cotton balls make fine powder puffs and are disposable.
If you like loose powder but all you have is pressed, then scrape out the compact with a fork. Put the chunks on a saucer and mash with the back of a spoon. Add a tiny bit of talc or cornstarch and continue to smash and mash. Put in a clean jar.
Try mixing colors. Put one color on your bottom lip and one on the top and blend. Try one color eye shadow on the brow bone and another in the crease.
If you want to try a new shade of eye shadow but wonder what it will look like with your eye color or complexion, find the color in your kid’s crayon box. Put a little baby oil on your eyelids and swipe on the color. If you powder over it the color will soften and may last all day. Usually this is just a temporary “try me.”
If you always wear a yellow based blush like coral and would like to try a blue-based color like wine, try the baby oil and crayon. If you want to see what darker brows would look like, use a crayon that you have sharpened. If the look is too harsh, dust on a little powder. Powder will soften and set too bright blush or eye shadow. If you don’t have face powder, try talc or corn starch.
Another crayon trick is to touch up the gray re-growth when you don’t have time to get your hair tinted.
Glossy, juicy lips are sexy. If you have never tried lip-gloss and want to see if the wet look is for you, put on lipstick and slick on some Vaseline for a high gloss, Movie Star look. For a pouty look, dab it just on the center of your lips. It won’t last because your color will smear, but it will give you an idea of plump lips.
The newest look in lipstick and nail polish is matte. To mattify your lipstick, use the lipstick that you currently have. Put it on as you normally do. Blot. Dust on a little powder. Instant matte at no cost. Use all your current nail polishes. Just buy one bottle of polish mattifyer to swipe on after the polish is dry.
If your nail polish has turned thick, do NOT thin it with polish remover. It will weaken the polish and cause it to chip more readily. Thin with alcohol.
Another powder trick is to apply mascara. Allow it to dry. Close your eyes and dust on powder. Flake off the excess with a clean, dry make up brush. Apply another layer of mascara. Allow to dry. Dust on powder. Continue until you have long, Movie Star lashes.
Any dry make up can be applied anywhere. So if you have powdered eye shadow, try applying plum on your eyebrows. If you have brush-on eyebrow powder, use it as contouring to narrow your nose, create cheek hollows, or to minimize a double chin. Barely wet a small brush and swipe it across the dry cake of color. You will pick up an intense color that is great in the crease of the eyelid or as an eyeliner. The less water you have on the brush, the deeper the color will be.
An eyebrow pencil can be used to define the crease in the eyelid then a powdered color can be applied over the pencil to set it.
When using a brush-on cake of dry color, swirl the brush around the edge of the cake, close to the case. One reason that cake make-up wears out is that we dip the brush into the center of the cake. The well that we create has thin edges into the vortex. These thin edges crack and break off. Then everything falls apart and we throw away a ½ used cake of color. By using the brush around the edge, the cake will wear down more evenly and last longer.
Do the same with pan-cake make-up, blush, or pressed powder. Swirl around the edge, near the compact to prevent creating a well in the center.
When a bottle of make-up is empty, stand it up-side-down in a glass. You will get several more applications out of it. When your lipstick is worn down flat with the case, use a lipstick brush to dig out the last remnants. A fun trick that Hollywood Make-Up artists do so that they have many lipstick colors available without carrying endless tubes and so that they can see the colors instantly is to put the colors into a bobbin box. Go to the sewing department and buy a clear plastic bobbin case. It has little half circles in it. Scoop out lipstick into the half circles. This is a super way to use up the last of the dead tubes. When the half circles have lipstick in them, nuke the case of color for just a second in the microwave. Check it. Nuke until the lipsticks are melted. Watch carefully. Now you have a whole palate of colors to apply with your lip brush. You can create new colors by dipping in one then the next color.
If you have little hairline wrinkles around your mouth, use a lip brush to outline your lips. Blot. Dust with powder. The powder will set the lip line so the color doesn’t feather and bleed around your mouth. Then fill in the rest of the lips with lipstick.
If you have nice smelling lotions that are old and have turned runny, use in the tub. Soak in the bathtub long enough for your skin to absorb water. Then pour in the pretty smelling lotion that you don’t like to rub on. Swish in the water. When you come up out of the water, the “oil slick” from the lotion will cling to your body to scent and soften your skin. You will have “ring around the tub.” But don’t be in a hurry to clean it. The scent will make your bathroom smell nice.
Make soap last longer by using as a sachet. Take the wrappers off bars of soap. Tuck the soap into your undies drawers and amongst your sheets and towels. Let the soap harden. After a few months the excess moisture will evaporate from the soap. When you use it you will notice that you don’t have the mushy soap mess that is usually in the soap dish. The soap will last lots longer. The fragrance in your clothes and linens is a FREE bonus.
Toss the last slivers of soap in the water tank of your toilet. The soap will help keep your toilet clean. Or (from FlyLady) put your toilet brush in a container that will hold water. I use a flowerpot without a hole. Put in soap chips and some water. Your brush always has cleaner on it for a quick swish.
If you have lavender sachets that have lost their scent, try crushing the lavender buds to release oil. If the oil has all evaporated, run the “dead” lavender down the garbage disposal with hot water running to make the kitchen smell nice.
FREE room fresheners: Keep a bowl of lemons in the kitchen. Run citrus peel down the garbage disposal. Simmer a pot of citrus peel, cinnamon sticks and cloves on the stove.
Now that you have saved so much on your cosmetics you can treat yourself to a professional Day at the Spa.
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March 7th, 2010 in
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French style is feminine, soft, luxurious, reminiscent of the past and conscious of the present. It speaks to living for the moment, loving passionately, and appreciating everything for its beauty, its sentiment or its practicality. Here are some ideas for you to include in your interior to capture the French feel:
1. Toile – long ago French living was sketched on fabric to convey news and rumours from the upper class to the peasant class. The peasants could not read and toile became their form of communication. Now, toile is a staple of the French inspired interior. Use it on drapery, bedding, cushions, footstools and upholstery. Use a little or use a lot, but use it.
2. Birds & Roosters – Poultry farming must be big in France because the motifs of chickens, roosters and little birds are typically French. Images of fowl can be included on tea towels, cushions, and wall hangings, and can also be represented in figurines, dishes and cookware.
3. Mirrors – Versailles, which used to be a country village where Louis XIV vacationed, is famous for its Hall of Mirrors. While these mirrors are large and expansive, they are modest in comparison to the beautiful ornate mirrors that are available now. The perfect mirror for French decor is Venetian mirror with etched and beveled pieces cut into curved and straight borders. Whether its vanity or simple practicality, a fabulous mirror in de rigeur in this style of interior.
4. Red & Yellow – These are the typical colours you will find in French decor, but it is not uncommon to see violet purple and robin’s egg blue. Cream is a nice neutral with shots of black to create vibrant contrast. For paint, focus on yellow and blue; for accents try black, grassy green, red and white.
5. Ornate Wrought Iron – Include this element in clocks or garden fret work wall hangings. The French version is finer and more delicate compared to its Spanish counterpart.
6. Opulent Lighting & Chandeliers – An amazing element that used to be overlooked was lighting, but with the ornate and sparkley options available today it’s easy to find new, trendy and colourful crystal (or glass) chandeliers. The shabby chic version includes leaf and rosette motifs in metal work around the bulb. Make sure you keep them clean to really make them gleam.
7. Soft Linens & Cushions – Soft linens in 500 thread count are a must luxury for the French bedroom, as are toile, floral or ticking quilts. Layers of cushions, covers and bedskirts in soft cotton, luxe satin or silk are also essential. On the couch, layers of cushions in a soft muted palette and a blanket to cozy up in provide the perfect lounging spot for a glass of Bordeaux and the latest edition of ELLE.
8. Fresh Scents & Aromas – The hills of France are covered in lavender and wild poppies, and the gardens brim with roses, asters and rosemary so include these in sachets in your danty’s drawer or use essential oil on a light bulb to infuse an entire room.
9. Urns & Florals – The urn is a classic French shape. Fill a couple with huge floral arrangements and place one in your entry, on your kitchen table and atop your mantel. Vary the colours, sizes, heights and textures for a wild look, or keep it to one flower for a more formal feel.
10. Crackle Finish – The time worn look of a crackle finish can be found on a clock face with Roman numerals or on a vintage dresser or mirror. Get the look by visiting your local paint store where crackle products can be purchased to create your own “flea market find.”
11. Lush Drapery – The French know how to do drapery! Imagine pinch pleated panels of silk edged with soft fringe and accented with elaborate tassels and rope, hanging from a wrought iron pole with acorn finials framing a large French door opening on to a garden. Beautiful!
12. Bits of the not so practical – Your French inspired decor would not be complete without an element of the beautiful which is included just for the sake of being beautiful. Try a rhinestone studded card case, an inlaid atomizer, a silver (plated?) box or canister, or a mirror-covered side table. These are essentially French simply for the fact that you can love them just for being beautiful.
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Following is a selection of herbs that can be used for making teas, culinary purposes, pot-pourris or for decorative drying purposes.
LADY’S MANTLE (Alchemilla mollis) — This beautiful plant looks absolutely lovely growing in the garden and is a hardy perennial that can be propagated by division in the spring or autumn. The flowers can be preserved with the air-drying method or the glycerine method. They are very popular in fresh or dried flower bouquets or posies. Small sprays of the flowers can be pressed for flower work. The leaves, when applied to the skin, make a great skin tonic after they have been infused and chilled in the refrigerator. Or, infuse the whole plant and drink as a medicinal tea to help relieve symptons of diarrhoea or menopausal discomforts.
WORMWOOD (Artemisia absinthium) or SOUTHERNWOOD (Artemisia abrotanum) — Both these hardy plants are easy to grow and can be propagated from cuttings in early autumn. The silvery foliage is very attractive in the garden and can also be used in fresh flower posies or pressed or dried flower arrangements. Using herbs in pot-pourris or in anti-moth sachets is very popular. The leaves, when dried, can be used for this purpose.
RUE (Ruta graveolens) — A hardy evergreen shrub; propagate by division in spring or from cuttings in early autumn. For decorative purposes, dry the seed heads. The leaves can be either pressed or glycerined. Rue looks very attractive in the garden and is used for fresh tussie-mussies. It can also be used in small amounts for cooking and works very well in anti-moth sachets.
COTTON LAVENDER (Santolina chamaecyparissus) — Another hardy evergreen shrub that will give some silver color to the borders of a garden. Propagate from cuttings through the summer and early autumn.
One shrub that is particularly pretty is “Lemon Queen”. Rather than the normal bright yellow color of most other varieties, it has a cream-colored flower. Another variety worth mentioning is Santolina neapolitana, because of the very attractive foliage. This herb can be used fresh, dried or pressed for decorative purposes and is also used in pot-pourris and anti-moth sachets.
FEVERFEW (Chrysanthemum parthenium) — A hardy perennial that will seed itself profusely or cuttings and division can be done also. One variety in particular that will give a bright color to any garden is “Aureum”. This plant has bright lime-green leaves and when the flowers are dried, they can be used in pot-pourris. The leaves may be infused for tea and may help migraine sufferers.
HOP (Humulus lupulus) — This is a hardy and beautiful climbing plant when trailing up a fence, garden arbor or any other form. The flowers and leaves are used in arrangements, garlands or swags and the female flowers for making beer. Pillows made of Hop are also considered to aid in sleeping. It is also said that tea made from the infusion of the flowers and a little honey has a calming effect and helps with hangovers.
HEATHER (Calluna vulgaris) — A hardy shrub requiring very little maintenance and is especially pretty in the garden when they flower. Heather can be dried but is much better when preserved in glycerine. Useful in dried decorative arrangements or pot-pourris. The young heather tips can be infused for an herbal tea and may be helpful for skin or complexion problems.
CLOVE PINK (Dianthus caryophyllus) — A perennial but will be short-lived where there are fierce frosts. Propagate from stem cuttings taken in the spring. Although there are many other varieties,
“Doris” has a lovely perfume. Preserve flowers in silica gel for decorations or pot-pourris or air dry for arrangements. The flowers are great for making floral vinegars, jams or wines and can be infused in wine as a nerve tonic.
LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia) — A hardy evergreen shrub that is a must for every garden and is at its best when flowering. Easily propagated from stem cuttings in spring or autumn. There are many types to choose from. “Hidcote” is a dark purple variety with “Alba” being white in contrast. Another variety, having interesting shapes, is French lavender (Lavandula stoecbas). Lavender has a great many uses. For instance, in the kitchen for lavender vinegars, oils and mustards, in pot-pourris and sachets. The oil is a very good antidote for insect bites, stings and burns. Lavender is a very popular aromatic herb. Add a few drops to your bathwater and have a relaxing experience.
BORAGE (Borago officinalis) — A hardy annual that self-seeds but may have to grow new plants each year. You may press the flowers but the leaves do not dry very well. Crystallize the flowers for cake decorating and try mixing the leaves in soft cheeses or for decoration of food dishes.
MINT (Mentha) — There are a large variety of mints, all of which are hardy perennials. They are propagated from root division or cuttings and will take over your garden. It is suggested that they be planted in pots or bags that have been sunken into the earth in order to contain their roots. Mint is most popular in the kitchen for jams and sauces as an accompaniment for roast lamb. Herbs in cooking are used to flavor potatoes, carrots and peas. Teas made from mint have a very relaxing effect and can be used to help relieve colds. Use as a hair rinse to relax the scalp or in pilliows. Some of the more common mints are peppermint, spearmint, applemint, pennyroyal and lemon balm. All can be used in herbal posies.
ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis) — A hardy evergreen perennial that likes a sunny spot and can be propagated from cuttings. Also best for culinary uses especially with lamb, pork or vegetables. Use in pot-pourris or infused in tea to help digestion or use in the bathwater for an invigorating effect. Oil of rosemary, when diluted, can be used as a final hair rinse. Rosemary turns a greyish color when glycerined.
COSTMARY or ALECOST (Chrysanthemum balsamita) — A hardy perennial that likes full sun. Divide in spring or autumn. This was once used in beer but now it has become more popular for use in flavoring vegetables, poultry or wild game. Used in pot-pourris, is an insect repellent and will add fragrance to your wash water or linens.
THYME (Thymus) — An evergreen shrub poropagated from cuttings or seed. Use in fresh posies for their aroma or for culinary purposes. Also used as a soothing tea for chest pains or as an aid for sleeping. When dried, can be used in pot-pourris, as a facial steam for clear complexions, in stocks, marinades and stuffings.
ROSE (Rosa) — Hardy shrubs bought as plants or propagated from curttings in the autumn. There are many very beautiful colors and varieties and a must for every garden. Use in fresh or dried arrangements or pot-pourris. Petals can be used in salads or crystallized for decorations. The hips are used in teas, wines, cordials and jams or a tonic called “Rosewater” which aids dry and mature skins.
LEMON VERBENA (Aloysia triphylla) — A half hardy shrub but frosts will kill it in winter if not protected in a greenhouse. Take dry cuttings in spring. Add dried leaves to pot-pourris or for adding fragrance to clothing drawers. Great in teas, hot or iced, and finger bowls. Soak pads in the teas and place on eyes to help reduce puffiness. Also helps in bronchial and nasal congestion. Mix it in your favorite apple jelly recipe for a unique flavor.
FENNEL (Foeniculum vulgaree) — A hardy perennial divided in the autumn and seeds itself. Weed out plants when necessary to prevent it from invading your garden. Do not plant near “dill” as it could cross-pollinate and ruin the flavor. Air dry flowers or preserve in glycerine. The flower of the bronze type can be chewed for a breath sweetener and the seeds and leaves can be used as a facial steam to deep clean the skin. The teas help digestion and the leaves may be chopped and sprinkled over vegetables and fish.
BASIL (Ocimum basilicum) — An annual and is not the easiest herb to grow and does not respond to overwatering. Best grown in a pot indoors or a greenhouse, although, I personally have had some good luck growing it in my herb garden on the south and sunny side of my house. The purple variety is very pretty in the garden and can be used as part of a dried herbal wreath or decoration. When made into a tea, it has antiseptic qualities for aid in relieving nausea and is very well known for its culinary uses in tomato and garlic dishes. It also makes for a very refreshing bath.
CAMOMILE (Chamaemelum nobile) — A hardy evergreen perennial propagated from cuttings or by division. The double-flowered variety “Flore-pleno”, when dried, is used in decorations. The flowers and leaves are used for pot-pourris and when infused can be used as a hair lightener. Chamomile tea is a very good tonic and is said to prevent restlessness and nightmares. Place tea bags on the eyes to reduce puffiness and lighten the shadows.
SCENTED GERANIUMS (Pelargonium) — Evergreen perennials that must be moved indoors or into a greenhouse during the winter. Take cuttings and root them in sand. The different varieties and scents include lemon, orange, rose and peppermint and are all very well used in pot-pourris. They can also be used for culinary purposes such as in jellies, sorbets and syrups. Infuse the leaves and put into bath bags for an aromatic bath.
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March 3rd, 2010 in
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Remember how much you loved coloring when you were a child? You’d snuggle down into another world with your coloring books and crayons, and time would pass almost unnoticed. Children today love to color just as much, plus we now know that coloring is an excellent pre-reading activity that helps children develop the eye-and-hand coordination they will need to write. Coloring books are still available in the stores if you like, but you will also find a ton of coloring pages to print in the Internet which will provide your child with a much wider range of subjects to choose from than you’ll find in books.
When people first started accessing the Internet, there were only a few sites that offered free, printable coloring pages. Most of their offerings were rough drawings or produced very small pictures. Now, however, there are a multitude of sites that will let you print high-quality coloring sheets on just about any subject you might choose.
DLTK is one of the premier children’s crafting sites and has been adding to it’s list of materials for many years now. On this one site you can find almost any type of coloring pages to print that you might want. For example, you can get numerous sheets for the different holidays throughout the year. These pages have been designed with children of all ages in mind, and you can find both secular and religious subjects. You can find many cartoon character coloring pages on the DLTK site including SpongeBob Squarepants, Spiderman, Scooby Doo, and the Powerpuff Girls. You can also find the coloring sheets to tell the entire story of “Brown Bear, Brown Bear” which is a favorite book for children.
Doing a search on Google for printable coloring pages will bring up numerous different websites that offer you coloring pages to print. Google even offers a selection of pages with everything from dragons to princesses and Dora the Explorer to animals and sports cars. Each picture is accompanied with a link to the website it was taken from, so you get a huge range of websites you can look on to find different kinds of coloring pages. This is a wonderful resource that provides you with a diverse collection of free, printable coloring sheets.
Individual character websites also often have great coloring pages to print. For example, by searching Google for the Strawberry Shortcake website, you can print a large number of high quality coloring sheets that will delight any little girl. You can try looking up other favorite characters for your child, such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder, and Curious George, and you’ll find some free coloring sheets you can print out at each site. It’s like having a hundred different coloring books at your disposal all the time.
There’s never been a better time to be a kid than right now, and free, printable coloring sheets are one of the great perks for children that have come out of our technological age.
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March 2nd, 2010 in
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