Washing Dishes By Hand?

When “washing up” the dishes, put a piece of lemon peel into your dish water. It will soften the water, remove all traces of the smell of fish, onions, and so on, and put a fine gloss on china.

The Scent Of Baking Crisp...

What is summer without a fruit crisp with a bit of ice cream to accompany it? The wonderful sweet scent, filling your cottage...what could be more welcoming than a home emitting aromas such as this?

This basic crisp is a versatile recipe. Just replace the fruit with your favorite and you have a winner! Enjoy!

Fruit Crisp Recipe
5 apples - about 3 Cups (or 3 cups other fruit, such as peaches or blueberries etc), peeled and chopped in- to bite-size pieces
1/2 Cup brown sugar
1/2 Cup white sugar
1 Cup old-fashioned oats
1 Cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 sticks( 3/4 cup)butter, melted (I use "I can't believe it's not butter")

Preheat the oven to 375° F. Butter the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish or small buttered ramikin bowls.

Layer chopped apples or fruit on the bottom of the dish. Mix all the other ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Pour mixture over the apples, spreading evenly. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Serve warm, topped with vanilla ice cream.

What could be easier?

The Wonders Of Clove Oil...

Clove Oil is a powerful oil that is antibacterial, antiseptic and analgesic, making it a good oil for the prevention of infections. Use it to disinfect surfaces and in aromatherapy lamps to help disinfect rooms. Clove oil is very strong and can cause irritation if used in it's pure form. It is best never to use it undiluted on the skin. Using clove oil topically spreads warmth and numbs pain but first, dilute your therapeutic-grade essential oil with a vegetable oil such as olive oil...one drop of therapeutic-grade essential oil added to four ounces of vegetable oil.

Cloves are also used to treat colds, dental abscesses, gum disease, earache and arthritis pain. Oil of cloves kills bacteria that can cause food poisoning, and is used in treating viral infections. Clove oil also has antimicrobial and antifungal uses and can be used for acne, warts and scars.

Clove oil also serves as an excellent stress reliever. It has a stimulating effect on the mind and removes mental exhaustion and fatigue. It also induces sleep and is helpful if you suffer from insomnia.

Have A Headache? Clove oil when mixed with salt (and the vegetable oil), and applied on the forehead, gives a cooling effect and helps in getting relief from headaches.

Clove oil for toothpain...rub a little clove oil directly on where it hurts - you can use a cotton swab, or ball for this - don't swallow the oil. The use of Clove Oil has been passed down generation to generation and has come to the rescue of many who could not get a timely dentist appointment.

NOTE: Clove oil should not be given to infants or children younger than six because of the possibility of stomach upset. When taken internally, it should be diluted, with one drop of therapeutic-grade essential oil added to four ounces of vegetable oil before adding it to a capsule, the same dilution used when applying clove oil to the skin.

Women who are pregnant should consult with a doctor before using clove oil. For others, clove oil is classified as a "hot oil", particularly in it's undiluted form. People with kidney or liver problems, or who have bleeding disorders or take blood thinners, should not use clove oil.

Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after the use of therapeutic-grade essential oils. Also avoid contact with your eyes.

For Aromatherapy: Clove oil aroma creates a positive , optimistic lightness, lifting depression and warming the soul.

Blends well with: Basil, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, geranium, lavender, rose, lime, neroli, orange, petitgrain, rosemary, nutmeg, ylang ylang.

Welsh Tea Loaf Recipe...

A recent visit to the British Shoppe in my area has provoked my interest in Welsh recipes. They had recently taken in some Welsh Tea Cakes for sale and I could not help but rush home to make some myself. They were wonderful! This Welsh Tea Loaf is next on my list of baked goods to try. It looks perfect for tea time!

Ingredients:
2 3/4 cups water
1 (15 ounce) package raisins
4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3 eggs
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 cups all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.

Combine water and raisins in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in baking soda and let cool.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Stir in molasses, vanilla and salt. Stir in flour and then beat in raisin mixture until well combined. Spoon batter into prepared pans.

Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean, about 50 to 60 minutes. Cool in pans on a wire rack. Serve at room temperature.

St. John's Wort...

St. John's Wort gets it's name from the superstition that on St. John's day,the 24th of June, the dew which fell on the plant the evening before, was effective in preserving the eyes from disease. The plant was collected, dipped in oil, and thus transformed into a balm for every wound.

Once thought to rid the body of evil spirits, St. John's Wort has long been used as a folk remedy to treat emotional disorders. If you suffer infertility, it is said that if you go naked into the garden on Midsummer's Eve (June 23) and pick the flower of St. John's Wort, you will soon become pregnant. (I'm not sure I would try this unless you live in a VERY rural area :)

There are many ancient superstitions regarding this herb and in Scotland, an old tradition states that a person could use a St. John’s Wort flower to get a ride with the fairies.

In gardens, it is known as the "Rose of Sharon" and as "Aaron's Beard." It is a woodland plant, and thrives under the shade of trees.

It's name hypercum is derived from the Greek that means "over an apparition", a reference to the belief that the herb was so obnoxious to evil spirits that a whiff of it would cause them to fly. If you pinch the leaves or the petals they give out a reddish purple stain- the "blood of St. John". Keeping this herb in your garden will protect you from fairy trickery. Carrying a few stems of the foliage was an old way to avoid being "fairy-led", or lost and confused while wandering through the local enchanted forest.

St. John's Wort is picked during the summer months, traditionally the week following June 24th. It can then be dried at a medium temperature in the shade. An infusion can be made from adding the dried herb to boiling water and had as tea.

St. John's Wort was withdrawn from sale in Ireland without a prescription. There was concern over a number of issues including possible side-effects, such as fatigue and photosensitivity, and the possibility of the herb interacting with prescribed medicines.

Please do not take this, or any herb, without researching it first and/or discussing it with your medical professional, especially if you are on medications or pregnant.

Old Fashioned Molasses Candy

If you love the taste of molasses as I do, you will find this a wonderful recipe and a great treat. They are reminiscent of the Mary Jane candies I used to eat as a child.

Did you know that molasses is actually good for you? Unlike refined white sugar and corn syrup, which are stripped of virtually all nutrients except simple carbohydrates, or artificial sweeteners like saccharine or aspartame, which not only provide no useful nutrients but have been shown to cause health problems in sensitive individuals, molasses is a healthful sweetener that contains significant amounts of a variety of minerals that promote your health.

Molasses is a good source of iron, calcium, copper, manganese and a very good source of potassium, and magnesium.

What better reason to enjoy a piece of this homemade candy!

Ingredients:
1 cup molasses
3 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tsp cream of tarter

Mix sugar and cream of tarter together. Add molasses and water. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Boil without stirring until a drop of it hardens in cold water. (have a cup of cold water nearby so you can drop a small amount in to see if it hardens) Turn onto buttered pan: when cool, cut into sticks or squares. If desired you can wrap each piece in a square of waxed paper, twist, and fill your candy jar or give as gifts!

Enjoy!

Still Using Mothballs?

A better idea than using mothballs to store with your beloved sweaters and coats, is to take your leftover soap slivers and put them in a vented plastic bag.(I like lavender soap, use your favorite scent)Place the bag with seasonal clothes before packing them away and not only will the scent prevent them from moth harm but they will also smell great when you pull them out! This is especially great for sweaters, which can be difficult to get the odor of mothballs from.

Oat Pancakes...Diabetic Recipe

I love pancakes but rarely eat them now that I am watching my carbs. I found this healthy recipe for them on EverydayHealth.com and can't wait to try them! I will more than likely use fruit and a dollop of yogurt on them instead of syrup.

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups oats, rolled
3/4 cup flour, all-purpose
1/2 cup flour, whole-wheat
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 egg whites
2 1/4 cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons oil, cooking
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
cooking spray
strawberries, blueberries etc. (optional)
light pancake and waffle syrup product (optional)

1. In a large bowl, combine oats, all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center of flour mixture; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites with a fork; stir in buttermilk, oil, honey (if desired), and vanilla. Add egg white mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy). Cover batter; allow to stand at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes.

3. Coat an unheated griddle or heavy skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat over medium-high heat. For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup of the batter onto the hot griddle or skillet. Spread batter into a circle about 4 inches in diameter. Cook over medium heat for 4 to 6 minutes or until the pancakes are golden, turning to cook second sides when pancakes have bubbly surfaces and edges are slightly dry. If desired, garnish with strawberry fans and serve pancakes with strawberry syrup.

Nutritional Info (Per serving):
Calories: 189, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 317mg, Dietary Fiber: 3g, Total Fat: 5g, Carbs: 28g, Sugars: 4g, Cholesterol: 3mg, Protein: 8g
Exchanges: Starch: 1, Other Carb: 1, Fat: 0.5
Carb Choices: 2

Turn One Stick Of Butter Into Two...

Did you know that you can take one cube of butter and extend it to two? This is a great frugal tip and you'll love it! Extended butter is easy to make, just beat one half cup of lukewarm water into one softened stick of butter. If you use a mixer, start slowly to prevent splattering. Add small amounts of water at a time and keep beating until the water is thoroughly incorporated into the butter. The mixture will be smooth and fluffy, and you will end up with one cup of soft butter. After this soft butter is refrigerated, it will become as firm as regular butter. Hard to believe but true!

Here is another way to extend your butter:
To one pound of butter, gradually cream in one tall can of evaporated milk and a little salt. Chill and you have two pounds of delicious spread.

Note: I would only use this for spreading on toasts, breads, muffins, etc, not to bake with due to it's lighter consistency.

June Birthstones...Yes, There Are More Than One!

Pearls...In myth and lore, they represent the tears of sorrow and gladness, patience, purity of mind and soul and distaste for violence and temper.

From one of the humblest of life forms, the mollusk, comes the pearl. A gem of unsurpassed beauty and elegance. Ancient civilizations had many stories to explain the origin of June's birthstone, such as the Greek belief that pearls were the hardened tears of joy that the goddess of love shook from her eyes as she was born from the sea. According to Arab legend, pearls were formed when oysters were lured from the depths of the ocean by the beautiful moon and then swallowed moonlit dewdrops. The Ancient Chinese thought that these gems originated from the brains of dragons.

Cultured or freshwater pearls are considered to offer the power of love, money, protection, and luck. They are thought to give wisdom through experience, to quicken the laws of karma, to cement engagements and love relationships and to keep children safe.

June also has two alternate birthstones. The first is Moonstone, a type of feldspar named because of its uncanny resemblance to the iridescent sheen of the moon. Varying in color from clear to blue-white or peach, it was considered by ancient civilizations to be a sacred stone, bestowing the wearer with great spiritual understanding. Some believed that the Moonstone could even make a person invisible! Oh if only it were true!

The second alternate birthstone for June is the Alexandrite. A yellowish or brownish green in color, this gemstone has the unique characteristic of changing color to a red hue when exposed to a glowing light source, such as candlelight. Because of this quality, it has been characterized by poets as "an emerald by day, a ruby by night."

June Also Has Power Stones:
There has always been, in the course of human history, people who have believed in the power of stones. They have been worn to have impact on treating ailments whether the ailment be mental, emotional or physical.
June's power stones are:
Aquamarine, Alexandrite, Agate, Aquamarine, Beryl, Blue Lace Agate, Chrysocolla, Citrine, Emerald, Jade, Quartz Crystal, Sapphire, Serpentine, Tanzanite, and Watermelon Tourmaline

Did You Know...

That if you pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip you will not have a clingy skirt or dress? The same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place a pin on the seam of slacks and the static is gone!

Minted Strawberries With White Wine...

This refreshing cocktail is a perfect summer drink that combines strawberries, mint, and white wine. If you prefer to make it nonalcoholic, use white grape juice instead of wine and reduce the sugar to two tablespoons.


Ingredients:
6 cups strawberries
1 cup sugar
2 bunches fresh mint (1-1/2 oz.)
2 to 3 cups dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc
Fresh mint sprigs

1. Cut large berries in half; leave hulls on a few berries. Place berries in a large bowl; sprinkle with sugar and cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let stand at room temperature at least 1 hour, stirring once or twice.

2. Remove mint leaves from one bunch of mint. Stack 6 to 8 leaves together; roll the stacked leaves. Slice across the roll to create narrow strips. Repeat with remaining leaves. Add the shredded mint to strawberries just before serving.

3. To serve, evenly divide the minted berries and juices among 8 glasses; pour wine over berries until just covered. Garnish with mint sprigs. Makes 8 servings.

For a nonalcoholic version, use white grape juice instead of wine and reduce the sugar to 2 tablespoons.

Quill Pens And Berry Ink...

In the 1700s and well in to the 1800s, people wrote with quill pens. Such writing was not easy, and skill came only with alot of practice. They say the merit of a quill pen is it's ability to produce a fine line with none of the harsh qualities common to a steel tipped pen. It's sad, but these days we can go days without even picking up a pen, and we send out missives on our computers instead of handwriting personal notes.

Here is a fun idea if you still enjoy writing as well as doing crafts. If you have older children they may appreciate this as something to keep them busy during the summer months if they write or pen missives to far off friends and relatives. Do be careful of berry stains, but if you get them, check my archives on ways to remove them.

Berry Ink Ingredients:
1/2 cup ripe berries (blueberries, cherries, blackberries, strawberries, elderberries, raspberries, etc.)
1/2 Tsp. Vinegar
1/2 Tsp. Salt

Fill a strainer with the berries and hold it over a bowl. Using the rounded back of a wooden spoon, crush the berries against the strainer so that the berry juice strains into the bowl. Keep adding berries until most of their juice has been strained out and only pulp remains. Add the salt and vinegar to the berry juice. The vinegar helps the ink retain its color and the salt keeps it from getting moldy. If the berry ink is too thick, add a tablespoon of water. Store in a baby food jar. Only make a small amount of berry ink at a time and, when not in use, keep it tightly covered.

To Make Your Quill Pen:
A large feather (find your own or purchase one from a craft store)
Craft knife
Paper
Berry ink
Paper towels

Tips of fresh shafts on the feather must be hollowed out before cutting to remove all oil or fatty material. Thoroughly dry the quills. Use a craft knife to cut the tip of the feather at an angle. (this is best done with a very sharp knife and a hard surface, such as a block of wood, under your quill) Carefully, cut a slit in the tip. Dip the feather into the berry ink. Dab the end on a paper towel. Repeat as needed. Now, write your masterpiece just like our ancestors did!

Writing with your quill pen tip:
Hold the quill as if writing and make small circles with it on the back of your other hand (Try this without ink!) When you can make slight indentations on your hand without leaving a slight scratch mark, you are using the proper pressure to write. The pressure most of us use to write with today is too hard to use with a quill. There is no substitute for practice.

Enjoy your new quill pen!

Yogurt And Walnuts...Homemade Skincare

We all know how healthy yogurt and walnuts are for our insides, but have you used them for skincare? They are both items that are always in my kitchen, if they're in yours too, you have it made!

Did you know that during medieval times, walnuts were considered a medicine? A potion containing walnut leaves was used to treat muscular aches and pains and walnuts were believed to soothe the digestive system.

Later, in the 16th and 17th centuries, herbal treatments became official medical practice under the "Doctrine of Signatures," and various plants were prescribed due to their resemblance to a particular body part. Hence, the walnut, with its visual likeness to the human brain, was used to treat head ailments, boost intellect and calm emotions. It's no surprise to me that the regal and delicious walnut comes from an ornamental tree that is highly prized for its beauty.

Your skin thrives on vitamins A, D, and E, all commonly found in milk and yogurt. Did you know that you can slather yogurt on your acne daily and the rich zinc content will help to clear your skin? Yogurt adds enzymes and oils to the skin, working as a natural moisturizer and it can also reduce pore size and improve overall skin texture. It goes without saying that you should avoid the flavored varieties and apply yogurt only after you've removed all make-up.

Try this recipe and see if your skin isn't just glowing afterwards!

Yogurt Walnut Scrub
The Ingredients:
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup walnuts (very finely grounded)

Mix ingredients together. Wet your face and gently work the scrub into your skin. Rinse off with warm water.

Welcome June...

June, the sixth month of the current Gregorian calendar and the first month of Summer, derives its name from the ancient Roman goddess Juno. The traditional birthstone amulets of June are alexandrite, moonstone, and pearl; and the rose is this month's traditional flower.

June is shared by the astrological signs of Gemini the Twins and Cancer the Crab, and is sacred to the following deities: Juno, and all gods and goddesses who preside over love, passion, and beauty. During the month of June, the Great Solar Wheel of the Year is turned to the Summer Solstice.

On June 1 the festival of the Oak Nymph is celebrated. This celebration honors all hamadryads (female nature spirits who are believed to inhabit oak trees). Place a small offering of some kind before the oak tree and the tree nymphs who dwell within it will surely bestow a blessing upon you.

The Oak Tree is the tree of truth. It is ancient and wise and has an old spirit. It is an important tree for the druids. The mistletoe of the oak tree has many magickal properties. It is also a marriage tree and it is said that if you dance around the oak tree and wear some of it's leaves you will have a long and happy marriage. If there is a question in your heart that you cannot find the answer to, go to an oak tree and embrace it and ask the spirit of the oak tree to answer your question. If the answer is something you should know, the oakman will send you a prophetic dream.