The FOXGLOVE...

First off, I'd like to make sure to point out that the Foxglove is a poisonous flower. The roots, sap, flowers, seeds, and leaves of foxglove are all poisonous, even when dried. If you decide to plant them in your fairy garden, take great care not to work with them without gloves and be careful not inhale any part of them, even when dried.

Foxglove (Digitalis), is an old-fashioned bloomer that brightens up shady areas in a flower bed with hues of white, pink, lavender, red, yellow or rose. Depending on the variety, the spiky blooms can grow a demure two feet up to tall six footers. Needing little soil, they are found often in the crevices of granite walls, as well as in dry hilly pastures, rocky places and by roadsides. Seedling Foxgloves spring up rapidly from recently turned earth.

The mottlings, or speckles, on the blossoms were said to mark where the elves had placed their fingers, and one legend has it that the marks on the foxglove were a warning sign of the baneful juices secreted by the plant. In Ireland the plant is commonly called Dead Man's Thimbles.

In Scotland, it forms the badge of the Farquharsons, as the Thistle does of the Stuarts. (I am a clan member of both :).

A domestic use of the Foxglove was general throughout North Wales at one time, when the leaves were used to darken the lines engraved on the stone floors which were fashionable then. This gave them a mosaic like appearance.

Folk names for foxglove include Fairy Thimbles, Fairy Glove, Little Folks' Glove, Fairy Fingers, Fairy Petticoats, Fairy's Cap, and Fairy Weed. Foxglove is strongly associated with fairies, who are said to wear the tiny flowers as hats and gloves, and to leave their fingerprints upon the flowers. Foxglove is used in fairy magic, and for the evocation of elves or earth elementals. The leaves are said to grant release from fairy enchantment. Planting foxglove is an invitation to fairies to enter your garden.

Foxglove flowers have both positive and negative symbolic meanings.They are said to sometimes hurt and sometimes heal. In the language of flowers, foxglove is associated with insincerity.

Scent Your Cottage Baking Lavender Scones...

These lavender scones are best served slightly warm with unsalted butter or with fruit preserves.



Ingredients:
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 whole egg
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter (very cold and cubed)I use I Can't Believe It's Not Butter
1/2 teaspoon dried lavender buds (minced)(Make sure your lavender has not been sprayed with insecticide!)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together.

Using forks (or your hands like I do) cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until it has the consistency of coarse corn meal.

In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk and eggs together and then add to the dry ingredients. Press the mixture into a 1 inch high round. Be careful not to knead or over-work the dough.

Cut the dough into 12 wedges and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Bake for 25 minutes until lightly browned. Serve warm or at room temperature.

If You Were Born Between July 23-August 21...

Your flower is the gorgeous Sunflower. It's meaning is "I will brighten your darkness."

Sunflower signs are warm, open, and natural leaders. You rise to any occasion with confidence and assurance and you have no doubt that you are the perfect person for any challenge. You know how to reach to the top and you tend to be the center of attention. Others look to you for advice and mentoring. You are a loving, faithful and tenderhearted friend, generous and enjoying a wide range of intellectual gifts.

In mythology Clytie was so transfixed by her love of Helios the Greek Sun god that she watched him travel the sky all day long. She became rooted to the earth and transformed into a sunflower.

Did You Know...

That Irish Moss (also known as Carragheen Moss) is not a true moss, but rather the dried leaf like structure of a northern seaweed? Irish moss is widely believed to have the power to bring about good fortune in money matters, both through business success and through good luck in gambling. Some people are known to carry a pinch of Irish moss in a green flannel bag or in their pocket when they go to place a bet or buy a lottery ticket because they believe it will bring in the winnings. Others like to sprinkle Irish moss under the carpets in their place of business to attract and hold a stream of steady paying customers.

Irish moss is found on rocks, in pools, and in lower intertidal and shallow subtidal waters in Ireland.

Irish moss contains vitamins A,D,E,F,K, iodine, calcium, and sodium and is known to contain 15 of 18 elements composing the human body. It is sometimes used in digestive conditions where a demulcent is called for, such as in gastritis and ulcerations on the stomach. The soothing activity is also useful in inflammations of the urinary system.

Irish moss can also be used as a thickening agent in soups, jellies and other foods. In Ireland it's sometimes used for respiratory disorders.

Other plants used for fortune and luck are Aloe, Anise, Basil, Clover, Daffodil, Hazel, Holly, Linden, Nutmeg, Oak, Pomegranate, Snakeroot, Strawberry and Violet.

In Jamaica there is a drink made using Irish Moss that is said to “put it back,” or “put lead in your pencil.” Good for writers wouldn't you agree?

Jamaican Irish Moss Drink
1/2 lb Irish Moss
2 oz. Gum Arabic
4oz. Isinglass
4oz. Linseed
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 lb Sugar
2 tbsp. Vanilla Flavoring
1/2 of a Nutmeg
4 qts. Water

Wash the moss in the sink to remove sand or foreign matter . Bring water to a boil and then add moss, linseed, isinglass, and gum arabic.

Let the ingredients cook until everything is dissolved, except the the moss. This will take about an hour or so.

Strain the liquid into another container and separate the boiled Irish moss from the drink.

Add the rest of the ingredients to the mixture, now do a taste test. Add more of anything you feel that would make this drink taste the way you want it to.

Put it to cool in the refrigerator for 4 hours and then serve in 12 oz. cups.

Note: Because the thickness of this drink can vary, you may have to dilute this mixture to an acceptable level of consistency.

This drink can be flavored with other flavorings such as Jamaican Strawberry Syrup, or add Peanut Butter, or Rolled Oats, or Ground Cashews, the possibilities are endless.

Victorian Lavender Cookies with Rose Water Icing ...

I first posted this recipe in the spring but did not want anyone to miss it so I am reposting! It is a wonderful tea cookie and freezes well.

These cookies are a must for your teas and everyone will love them. If you grow your lavender (as I do) make sure it is pesticide free if you use it in your recipes. Otherwise, you can order food grade lavender online for your cooking needs. I have replaced the butter in my recipes with "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" cubes. I find it works and tastes great while reducing the fat. I suppose you could replace the sugar with splenda but I prefer to use sugar in the recipe for these cookies.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon lavender, crushed
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
For Icing:
2 cups powdered sugar
5 1/2 teaspoons water
6 1/2 teaspoons rose water (can be found in most specialty or grocery stores)

Yields about 4 dozen cookies

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, lavender, flour, baking powder and salt.

Drop by teaspoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes.

While the cookies bake, prepare the icing by mixing the powdered sugar with water and rose water. Drizzle over the cookies after they have cooled.

Tea...Did You Know?

Did you realize that you can brew more than 200 cups of tea from one pound of loose tea leaves? That works out to less than ten cents a cup for quality tea brewed at home, even adding in the cost of heating the hot water. Tea's low cost is a big reason why it's the second most popular beverage throughout the world, second only to plain water.

A cup of brewed tea typically contains less than half the caffeine of a cup of coffee. It's easy to decaffeinate loose tea at home if you prefer decaf. Because caffeine is highly soluble in hot water, "rinsing" tea leaves will get rid of most of the caffeine. Begin brewing tea as usual, but then remove the leaves after twenty seconds. Discard the initial brew and start again with fresh boiling water and the now decaffeinated tea leaves.

Have you started using tea in your recipes yet? It's wonderful and gives new life to old recipes. Here is one to try if you're an Oolong Lover! Oolong tea, which is also known as wu long tea or brown tea, is a cross between green tea and black tea. Rose Oolong Tea is produced by scenting Oolong tea repeatedly with fresh rose petals.
The subtle rose and oolong flavor makes these a perfect start for a weekend morning. If you don't have any rose oolong on hand, just use plain oolong.

Oolong Scones
1 cup self-raising flour
1 ounce butter melted (1/8 cup)
1/2 cup boiling water
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp rose oolong
3 tbsp rose petals (make sure they are pesticide free!)
1 tbsp skim milk powder

Infuse rose oolong with 1/2 of boiling water for 5 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour and sugar into a large bowl. Tear up the rose petals and add to the flour mixture.

Discard tea leaves from tea. Combine tea, skim milk powder and melted butter in a cup. Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in tea mixture all at once, reserving about a teaspoon for glazing. Mix quickly into a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured board (using self-raising flour). Mix very lightly and form into 4 small balls. (Add a little more self-raising flour if the dough is too sticky to handle.)

Place on an oven tray lined with baking paper and pat down just a bit. Glaze over with remaining tea mixture. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until scones sound hollow when tapped. Serve warm.

Traditionally scones are served with jam and cream, but try these without the “extra” to enjoy the subtle floral flavor of these scones.

Teatime...Add The Milk First Or Last?

Do you like to add milk to your tea? Have you wondered about when you should be adding it to your cup? Is it proper before or after...and why?

Originally all tea cups in Europe were made from soft paste porcelain. The milk was added first to temper the cups from cracking. Once hard paste porcelain was discovered in Europe, about 1710, it was no longer necessary to temper the cups. These days it makes more sense to add milk after the tea has brewed. We have so many types of tea that the correct brewing cannot be judged by its color, therefore milk after is a wiser choice.

Going On A Picnic?

Picnics were very popular with the Victorians, perhaps because it supplied them the opportunity to escape from their formal dining rituals. Often the food was delivered in separate carriages ahead of the guests. In the dog days of summer, one often desires a happy excursion to whittle away the hours with family and friends and what better way to do so than to arrange a Victorian summer picnic?

Eating al fresco has been popular throughout history. The word "picnic" first appeared around 1740 and was derived from two French words: "piquer" which meant "to pick at food" and "nique," meaning "something small of no value." But they were even popular before Georgian era. During the Medieval era, picnics were included as an important part of hunting parties. They featured rich foods such as cooked hams, roasted meat, poultry, pies and tarts.

Picnics became most popular during the Queen Victoria's reign in England. Victorians delighted in picnics and made it quite fashionable. Picnics were held at family homes or other scenic locations. Although servants often attended wealthy families on their outings, they were casual gatherings, and only a few servants were required to be present.

If you are looking for a wonderful marinade for your next bbq or picnic try this recipe. It is wonderful for tuna, shrimp, chicken or vegetables and I have even used it on beef.

Oregano Garlic Marinade
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Combine lemon juice, wine, oil, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Use 1/2 cup to marinate tuna, shrimp, chicken or vegetables. Reserve remaining marinade for basting.

Enjoy!

It's Friday...

The Day of the Love
The Day of Venus



frigedaeg or frige dag (Anglo-Saxon)
freitag (Germanic)
dies veneris (Latin)
sukra-var (Hindu)
juma (Islamic)
vendredi (French)
kin youbi (Japanese)
Dé hAoine (Irish Gaelic)

Friday is traditionally the sixth day of the week. The name given to this day in ancient Rome was 'dies Veneris' as it was a day dedicated to Venus. Later the French named the day 'Vendredi' believed to have derived from the same origin. In northern countries the closest equivalent to the Goddess Venus was 'Frigg' or 'Freya' with the day becoming known by the Anglo-Saxons as 'Frige dag', later to Friday.

According to tradition there are some practices that should be avoided if possible on a Friday including, births, weddings, the sailing of a ship, cutting your nails or starting a new job. This is indicated in the following rhyme:

'Whoever be born on Friday or it's night,
He shall be accursed of men,
Silly and crafty and loathsome to all men,
And shall ever be thinking evil in his heart,
And shall be a thief and a great coward,
And shall not live longer than to middle age.'
A contradiction is expressed if a child was born on this day in 'Days of the Week', which indicated a more favourable omen. And indeed it is said that in 1492 Columbus set sail and sighted land on a Friday.

The criminal underworld have an old belief that 'a burglary committed on a Friday will probably result in arrest' as perhaps a sign of divine intervention and retribution upon the criminal, and if you were bought to trial for any offense on a Friday, it was thought to be a bad omen. In the British Isles and USA Friday was the customary day to carry-out hangings and so was sometimes referred to as 'Hangman's Day' or 'Hanging Day'.

If it rains on a Friday an old rural belief in the UK was that it indicated the forecast would be fine on the following Sunday.

If you dreamt on a Friday night of an event or people and then told the content of the dream to someone in your family on Saturday morning it was more likely to happen.

In Scotland and Germany, according to an old belief, Friday was thought to be a good day to go courting. Norse men traditionally saw this as a positive day, the luckiest of the week.

Friday is associated with Venus and the colours of - Green, Pink and White.
Friday is the best time to deal with such matters as:
Romantic Love, Friendship, Beauty, Soul-mates, Artistic Ability, Affection, Partners, Alliances, Grace, Luxury, Social Activity, Marriage, Decorating, Cosmetics, Gifts, Income, Gardening, Architects, Artists, Beauticians, Chiropractors, Dancers, Designers, Engineers, Entertainers, Fashion, Music, Painting, Poetry, Courtship, Dating, Household Improvements, Planning Parties, Shopping, Herbal Magick, Luck, Fertility, Physical Healing, Balance, Prosperity, Courage, Change, Material Things, Peace, Harmony, Relationships and Success

The Annoying Little Ants...

Have you found areas around (or in) your home with little ants marching about? I find them everywhere, going up the tree to the bird feeder, marching up and down the garden lighting, traipsing across the sidewalk to my flowers etc. Usually I like to let the creatures of the outdoors live in peace and harmony, however, during the summer when they are searching for water, they like to find their way into the cottage and invade my space.

If you have issues with them as well, here is a great way to control, if not get rid of them almost completely, without toxic items that may harm your children and pets.

Put small piles of cornmeal where you see the ants (under bushes, fence etc). They eat it, take it "home," and can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed.

Tip For Stained Kitchen Towels...

Are your kitchen towels clean but still look dirty or dingy? They do take a beating if you use them as much as I do. To keep them from appearing as though they belong in the trash heap, fill the washer with water, put in the usual amount of detergent, then add 1/2 cup automatic dishwashing detergent. This is a magic formula that works wonders on most stains! If possible, line dry in the sun to brighten them even more.

Is Charoite Your Stone Of Choice?

The crystal Charoite is found in only one part of the world, the Chara River area of Siberia.

The colors of Charoite range from bright lavender, violet and lilac to dark purple with both white, gray and black veining. It forms a swirling pattern of interlocking crystals. Purple is a sixth-chakra color, and the sixth chakra is where many of our limiting mental programs, including our fears, are stored. The color purple, among it's other roles, helps to bring us closer to spirit by showing us that everything, even the thoughts we hold as true, can be dissolved and replaced with more empowering energies. In the Victorian era it was very popular as material for carved cameos.

The Mongols use this stone to make decorative objects, and on special feast days they would boil the stone in tea. This tea is then consumed by all members of the family in order to strengthen family ties and protect all it's members from evil.

Charoite was quickly adopted as a power stone in ancient times to aid in transformations. It has survived great trauma, rains, winds, heat and cold, only to become more beautiful over time. This is a wonderful lesson. You cannot avoid changes in your life, just flow with them and become stronger.

Charoite is a high frequency stone which aids the wearer in walking their path of service in this lifetime. It instills a sense of peace and harmony with the flow of life and destiny. It allows us to understand and heed the lessons we have brought upon ourselves.

This stone will assist you in stepping out of the old, fear based existence of emotions, thoughts and patterns. It lightens the way to the unlimited self. Carry Charoite to release limiting beliefs and old patterns, so you can manifest your reality with Divine assistance for your highest good and greatest joy.

Chakras:
Crown, Earth Star, Heart, Soul Star, Stellar Gateway, Universal Gateway

Astrological signs:
Virgo, Aquarius

Healing ability:
Put charoite beneath your pillow, especially if you are prone to disturbed sleep or fears which surface in dreams. In combination with amethyst, it will help to release these fears.

Mystical powers:
Charoite is said to be useful for the cleansing and purification of one's energy body as well as for the transmutation of negative energies within oneself. It cleanses the aura. Charoite facilitates the release of fear and dissolution of negative energies encountered in the process of aligning with your soul's purpose. Work with Charoite to foster a synthesis between the heart and crown chakra, walk your spiritual path with awareness, and manifest your soul's wisdom and light in daily life.

Dingy Whites On Wash Day?

As we have all experienced, white fabrics can become yellowed, grayed and dingy. For gray and dingy whites try the triple soak. Soak the whites first in a solution of a bucketful of water and 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap. Next rinse out the whites and soak in a solution of 2 tablespoons of ammonia and a bucketful of water. Next, rinse out the whites, and soak in a bucket of warm water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Rinse thoroughly and dry. This soaking method will leave your whites bright and clean.

Fresh Paint?

To help remove the odor of new paint, place a bucket of water in the freshly painted room. Add a few tablespoons of peppermint extract to the water and it will help absorb the odors overnight.

Cast Iron Skillet Apple Pie...

Here is a great recipe that you start in your cast iron skillet on the stove, and finish up in the oven. Great for a rainy day like the one we are having here today!

Ingredients:
Filling:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (I use I Can't Believe It's Not Butter)
3 golden delicious apples, peeled, cored, and sliced thin and tossed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced thin and tossed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup brown sugar,firmly packed(I have not used brown sugar splenda..you can try it)
1/2 cup sugar (I use Splenda)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons flour

Topping:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon sugar
2 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, chilled
2/3 cup half-and-half
3/4 teaspoon vanilla

To prepare the filling:
Melt butter in 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the apple slices and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes.

Mix sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch in a bowl; gently stir into the apples.

Continue to cook until apples are soft but not mushy, about 5 minutes.

To prepare the topping:,
Mix flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Using your hands or a pastry blender, cut the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse crumbs. Add the half and half and the vanilla. Quickly blend together.

To assemble the pie, drop heaping tablespoons of the biscuit mix on top of the apples; cover most of the center of apple mixture. Sprinkle top remaining sugar.

Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden. Remove pie from oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Cool Bath For A Hot Day...

An epsom salt bath is the perfect antidote to a hot, stressed summer day. It’s a bath that incorporates cucumbers, fresh mint, and a bit of floral essential oil. Peppermint has has a soothing and cooling effect on skin irritations caused by hives, poison ivy, or poison oak; it reduces headache symptoms; and it can be used in the treatment of depression. This is a perfect treat at the end of a day of gardening as well!

To a tub of tepid water add 2 cups of Epsom salt, stir in 1 sliced cucumber, a handful of torn peppermint leaves (you can purchase peppermint in the produce section of your market if you are not growing it) and an optional 3 drops ylang ylang pure essential oil or oil of your choice. (If you aren't keen on fishing around to remove the cucumber slices and peppermint, tie it up in a bit of cheesecloth and just toss it in your bath.)

Soak and enjoy!

Pesky Insect Bite?

If you find yourself suffering from insect bites after a day in the garden or after your outing at the park, make a paste out of baking soda and water, and apply as a salve onto affected skin. To ease the itch, shake some baking soda into your hand and rub it into damp skin after bath or shower.

Great Tip...

Have you ever broken a glass or light bulb and wondered if you picked up all the broken bits? Use a dry cotton ball to pick up those little broken pieces! The fibers catch the small specks of glass you can't see.

Thursday's Child Has Far To Go...

The Day of Strength
The Day of Jupiter


An Déardaoin or Déardaoin — Old Irish, "day between fastings"
thursdaeg (Anglo-Saxon)
donnerstag (Germanic)
dies jovis (Latin)
vrihaspat-var or guru-var (Hindu)
jumerat (Islamic)
jeudi (French)
moku youbi (Japanese)

Thursday is traditionally seen as the fifth day of the week. Originally associated with two gods, 'Jove' and 'Thor', Thor was the God of Thunder hence the day also being known a 'Thunderday'. Jove was also known to be associated with thunder, with the French renaming the day 'Jeudi' which means 'Jove's Day'.

In Germany, Thursday was believed traditionally to be the most unluckiest of the week. As a result the practice grew of ensuring that no important business should be carried out, no marriages, and even that no child should be sent to school for their first time on this day.

Thursday is associated with Jupiter and the colors Blue and Metallics.

Planet - Jupiter

Elements - Fire, Water

Signs - Sagittarius, Pisces

Colors - Purple, Royal Blue, Metallic Colors

Stones - Sugilite, Amethyst, Torquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire

Trees - Oak, Pine

Flowers/Herbs - Cinquefoil, Cinnamon, Beech, Buttercup, Coltsfoot, Oak

Oils - Clove, Melissa, Oakmoss, Lilac, Storax, Aloes

Incense - Nutmeg, Henbane

Thursday is the best day to deal with:
Business, Logic, Gambling, Social Matters, Political Powers, Material wealth, Happiness, Luck, Victory, Health, Leadership, Public Activity, Power, Success, Honor, Riches, Clothing, Money, Legal Matters, Desires, Male Fertility, Friendship, Ambition, Publishing, College education, Travel, Foreign Interests, Religion, Philosophy, Forecasting, Broadcasting, Publicity, Expansion, Growth, Sports, Horses, the Law, Doctors, Guardians, Merchants, Psychologists, Charity, Correspondence Courses, Self-Improvement, Researching, Reading, Studying