Copyright © 2008 Our Scented Cottage, www.ourscentedcottage.blogspot.com, All rights reserved.

Welcome to our cottage. Feel free to introduce yourself! We love new friends so stop back often!

Playing For You From Our Scented Cottage...

The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.
~Dorothy Frances Gurney, "Garden Thoughts"

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Warning...Calories Ahead...



These cookies are so good you won't be able to stop after one! If you love peanut butter and chocolate these will be your new favorite cookie! Don't say I didn't warn you!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies with Chocolate Peanut Butter Creme
Ingredients:

1 cup butter (as always I use "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" cubes
1 cup peanut butter
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. corn syrup
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups quick cooking oatmeal

For sandwich creme:
1 (12 oz.) package semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl combine butter with peanut butter and beat until smooth. Beat in brown sugar and granulated sugar until fluffy, then add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Add vanilla and corn syrup and beat until smooth, then add flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Add oats and mix until combined.

Drop by large teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10-14 minutes until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on sheets.


For filling:
Combine chocolate chips and 1/2 cup peanut butter in a small microwave bowl. Microwave for 1 minute and stir. Continue microwaving at 1 minute intervals stirring after each minute until mixture is smooth. Let cool 20 minutes.


Make sandwiches with the cookies and chocolate filling. Let stand at room temp until set, then store in airtight container.

Makes 24 cookies

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Baking A Fruit Pie?


If you want to keep your top crust looking lovely, cut four small slits in to your top pie crust and stand one piece of tubed pasta in each slit (choose pasta at least 2 or 3 inches long...cannelloni and cut ziti work well). The juices will bubble up the pasta "pipe" and back down into the pie instead of running all over your oven. Once your pie has finished baking, remove pasta and discard.

Proper Demeanor...


Admittedly, some of the rules of a Victorian Lady's Proper Demeanor no longer fit in with today's society, however this one does. I have seen it occur time and again over the years and often thought it quite a rude behavior indeed. The following is an excerpt from "Keeping Hearth and Home in Old Massachusetts: A Practical Primer for Everyday Living" by Carol Padgett. It's a book not unlike one that your great grandmother might have read at age 17 to prepare herself for the etiquette of courting, to learn how to conduct herself in public, and to learn what would be required of her during marriage. Pity that this is not a subject taught in our schools today, as I've seen more bad manners displayed in the last decade than ever before.

Have you noticed this blatant display of rudeness? The excerpt reads:

"Refrain from Eyeing Over Other Women. Few observant persons have failed to notice the manner in which one woman, who is not perfectly well bred or perfectly kind hearted, will eye over another woman, whom she thinks is not in such good society and, above all, not at the time being in so costly a dress as she herself is in. Who cannot recall hundreds of instances of that sweep of the eye, which takes in a glance the whole woman and what she has on from to-knot to shoe-tie? It is done in an instant. No other evidence than this eyeing is needed that a woman, whatever be her birth or breeding, has a small and vulgar soul."

Now that this habit has been brought to your attention, count how many times you see it while out on your daily errands. I see it most while standing in the checkout line at the market. Women eyeing other women and making judgements on them by the way they dress while marketing or carrying about their day.

Monday, October 25, 2010

What Exactly Is...


Cream Of Tartar? Have you ever wondered (or is it just me with these continous moments of curiosity?) To me, it is a mysterious and seldom used inhabitant of my spice rack, used mostly to bake cookies.

I bet you will be surprised to learn that Cream of Tartar is a by product of wine making. It's the acid salt of the tartaric acid, the crystallized sediment that falls to the bottom of a wine cask after fermentation. The crystalline substance that collects on it's sides are crude tartar. To refine it for commercial use, it is decrystallized in a basic solution, then recrystallized, then bleached and allowed to crystallize again. The layer of white crystals that forms on the surface of the cooling liquid is powdered to make commercial cream of tartar. Because of it's thickening properties, it is often added to egg whites when beating so they do not break.

Cream of Tartar has an indefinite shelf life if kept tightly closed and stored away from heat.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

To My Friends...



The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand,
nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship;
it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when
he discovers that someone else believes in him and is
willing to trust him with his friendship.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Friends and life. Life and friends. The two are so tightly interwoven it's impossible to imagine one being remotely worthwhile without the other. Friends are our truest treasures. How many times have they made us laugh when we felt like crying, made us feel loved when we felt hopeless, gave us courage when we were feeling our weakest? Like armor, good friends make us almost invincible, capable of warding off the blows life occasionally deals us. Because of their steadfastness, we see setbacks for what they are: temporary.

Today I am sending out a big THANK YOU to my friends for being there to lift me back up when I need it. I won't name names, you know who you are. Thank you for being there and pulling me back up onto my feet when life knocks me off them. I appreciate it more than you could know!

Blessings for a day of wonder.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Perspective...


Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, friends, and spirit - and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls - family, health, friends, and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged, or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.
Brian Dyson, CEO of Coca Cola Enterprises from 1959-1994

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Take Charge Of Your Health...The Many Uses Of Hydrogen Peroxide


If you haven't already, throw out your harmful, toxic disinfectants, cleaners, bleaches and insecticides and look no further than my page for your natural cleaning recipes.

Hydrogen peroxide is the only germicidal agent composed only of water and oxygen. Like ozone, it kills disease organisms by oxidation. Hydrogen peroxide is considered the worlds safest, all natural, effective surface sanitizer. It kills micro-organisms by oxidizing them, which can be best described as a controlled burning process. When hydrogen peroxide reacts with organic material it breaks down into oxygen and water.

Next to Apple Cider Vinegar, hydrogen peroxide ranks up there as one of the best household remedies.

Besides the obvious (cleansing wounds), did you know that peroxide is one of the best remedies to dissolve ear wax? It is also used around the world to prevent the flu. Athletes also use hydrogen peroxide to build stamina. Additionally, there have been several reports that hydrogen peroxide has cured melanoma, prostate and mesothelioma (asbestos) cancer, although many more studies need to be done on this.

Please Note: Regular 3% hydrogen peroxide (bought at any drugstore for under $1) is the type of peroxide I am referring to.

Here are some ways to incorporate peroxide in to your home cleaning:

Toothbrush: Soak your toothbrush in 3% hydrogen peroxide between brushings to kill bacteria and stop the passing of sickness to family members.

Shower: Keep a spray bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide in the shower for spraying down the shower to kill bacteria bugs and viruses.

In the dish wash/rinse water: Add 2 ounces(or more) of 3% hydrogen peroxide to the regular washing formula to safely sanitize and eliminate the tranmission of colds and diseases.

Washing meat: I know this sounds strange but use salt and 3% hydrogen peroxide in chilled water for washing fish, chicken or other meat to kill bacteria and viruses.

Cleansing for vegetables and salad greens: No need to buy the costly vegetable cleaner in your produce aisle at the market. Just add salt in addition to 1/4 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide to a sink full of cold water. Wash vegetables thoroughly, rinse with cold water and drain. This process prolongs freshness as well.

Leftover tossed salad: Spray with a solution of 1/2 cup water and 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. Drain, cover and refrigerate. Eliminates use of chemical preservatives.

To freshen kitchen: Keep a spray bottle of 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide in the kitchen. Use to wipe off counter tops and appliances. It will disinfect and give the kitchen a clean, fresh smell. Works great in the refrigerator and lunch boxes.

Humidifiers & steamers: Use 1 pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a gallon of water. This helps keep them clean too.

Laundry: Add 8 ounces of 3% hydrogen peroxide to your wash in place of bleaches.

Pets: For small animals (dogs and cats) use 1 ounce 3% hydrogen peroxide to 1 quart water for their drinking water and bath.

House & Garden Plants: Put 1 ounce 3% hydrogen peroxide in 1-quart water. Water or mist plants with this solution.

Sprouting seeds: Add 1 ounce 3% hydrogen peroxide to one pint of water and soak the seeds overnight. Add the same amount of hydrogen peroxide each time you rinse the seeds.

Athlete's Foot: Soak feet 10-20 min. each night in 3% hydrogen peroxide until condition is in remission.

Bath: 1 cup of peroxide to a full bathtub for a detoxifying bath. Note: try not to use this after 6-7 pm, as the increased absorbed oxygen may keep you awake.

Enema: Mix up to 6 tablespoons (Maximum) 3% H2O2 to 1 quart of distilled water.

Mouthwash: On arising, rinse mouth with water, then gargle & wash mouth with 3% peroxide, swishing for 1/2 to 1 min.(Note: a dash of chlorophyll adds flavor & effectiveness.) This also helps prevent colds. One of the main whitening ingredients in over the counter teeth whitening products is hydrogen peroxide. In general, the more hydrogen peroxide, the greater the whitening power, so this will be an added bonus to gargling with it. When I had dental surgery my dentist could not believe how fast my mouth had healed!

Nasal Spray: 1 tablespoon of 3% peroxide added to 1 cup of pure water. Spray into nasal passages to relieve congestion.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Pumpkin Pie Tea/Coffee Creamer Mix


I love pumpkin and when I first tasted the popular Pumpkin Spice Latte I fell in love with it! There's no need to sprint off to the nearest coffee shop for that expensive seasonal drink when you can make this creamer at home and have it any time of the year for less cost. Save those pennies for something else this season!

Ingredients:
4 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp allspice
1 cup non-dairy creamer

Combine ingredients and store in an airtight container.

Use 1-2 tsp per cup of coffee.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Coconut Cookies Are Scenting The Cottage...


It's my son's birthday this week and since he lives in another state and I can't bake him a cake, I'm baking and sending cookies! These cookies are wonderful if you like coconut. They are thin, crisp and perfect for teatime as well. I have not sent them off in the mail before but I will wrap them well and hope they make it to him and his family in perfect shape. If not, they will make perfect crumbles for ice cream topping! Speaking of ice cream, these cookies are perfect for making homemade ice cream sandwiches. Just put your favorite ice cream between them, individually wrap and freeze!! Don't be surprised if after you make these once, you get many more requests.

Here is my recipe...

Coconut Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup margarine (I use I can't believe it's not butter)
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup coconut
1 cup flour
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt

In a large bowl beat together the margarine, sugar, brown sugar and egg. Add the remaining ingredients. Form into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Press down with a floured fork and bake in a 350 degree oven 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

This recipe makes 3-4 dozen small cookies or 2 dozen large.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Gorgeous Celestite...


This beautiful stone allows us to find serenity, harmony and easiness of mind. The Celestite has a long history of being used by shamans, healers, wise women and priestesses for contacting spirit helpers and guardians. For centuries, crystals have played an important role in maintaining spiritual connection to source.

Celestite brings mental clarity, harmony, calmness, and happiness to every day activities. It also helps to reduce mental fatigue and brings intellectual understanding and comprehension when used while reading and studying. The Celestite stone brings forth a great mental picture from what you are reading and you can create a relaxing energy in a stressful environment by placing a piece of this wonderful stone in the area. It will reduce and minimize the stress and permit the emotional structure to remain intact and undisturbed.

Celestite (also known as celestine) can be found in clear, white, gray, blue, green, yellow, orange or reddish brown and is an effective stone to use in order to establish and maintain communication with the angelic realm. This is an ideal stone for your meditation space as it's an environmental cleanser. Celestite is a soft stone and it's vibrations radiate in all directions.

This is an excellent healing stone for the eyes, ears and mental disfunction. It eliminates toxins and is also good for digestive problems. In healing, it has the ability to replace pain with loving angelic light. It attracts luck, reveals truth, brings balance, and within this stone one can discover the energy of peace. It balances yin and yang energies in the energy field of the individual and promotes purification and improvement of the chakra. Place it near your bed and it can help in dream recollection after waking. Always filled with Divine love, it leads us into deeper spiritual waters, toward enlightenment.

This stone can be cleansed and discharged of negative energy every month. Cleanse it by running it under warm water or charge it overnight in a bowl of tumbled hematite. The most beneficial would be to cleanse it by the light of the full moon for 24-48 hours. Be careful as Celestite will fade in sunlight if left out for a long period. It's recommended that it be recharged in the sun's light only briefly.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Something's In The Air...


And it's the Air Fairy! Air Fairies are magical, joyous little creatures who love to dance on the wind. While fairies have often been associated with or drawn having wings, they actually possess a magic that helps them fly.

Air fairies are known as sylphs. According to folklore, sylphs transform clouds into artistic renderings in the sky. I'm sure you have seen one...that cloud that looks like an animal, the face of a loved one who has passed over, or other images that you think you have just "imagined" to see in the sky. Sylphs are also responsible for wind, certain types of storms and weather patterns. From the tiniest of breezes to the most powerful hurricane, sylphs are a part of every natural phenomenon involving the air.

Since we are completely dependent on air and can last only a few minutes without breath, the work of the sylphs is critical to our survival. Sylphs work closely with our own bodies to ensure that oxygen is properly absorbed in our lungs. They are also said to have specialized functions such as integrating new knowledge and mental development.

Air fairies often take the shapes of birds and many even have the skill of speaking the language of birds. Fairies who fly are the most evolved of the fae, having incorporated all aspects of the four elements. Wings are symbolic of air, legs of earth, their shimmering qualities of fire, and a shape shifting aspect represents the fluidity of water. Added to these four, is the fifth magical element, moonlight.

If you are lucky enough to meet an air fairy, it will bless your pet with abilities from the sphere of air - powers such as invisibility, haste or flight.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Like Molasses?



Make some Molasses candy! This recipe is very easy, and if you like molasses and sweet treats you'll love it!

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 small piece dropped from a spoon hardens in cold water. Turn onto a buttered pan: when cool, work and cut into sticks. Wrap in waxed paper.

Feel A Cold Coming On?


This vintage tip may help. At first indication that you've contracted a virus, like sniffles, sorethroat, etc., chop very fine one clove of fresh garlic and take one teaspoon of it. Drink with a half cup of water and you should notice the symptoms fade or be gone within a few hours.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Wipe Out Mold...


Do you have problems with mold as the weather becomes wetter in the fall and winter months? When I lived in the Pacific Northwest, I had more than one occasion where I had to control this unhealthy issue.

Exposure to mold can cause health effects in some people. The most common effects are allergic responses from breathing mold spores. These allergic responses include hay fever or asthma and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat or lungs. Allergic responses can come from exposure to dead, as well as to living mold spores, therefore, killing mold with the following mixture, bleach or other disinfectants may not prevent allergic responses.

Any extensive indoor mold growth should be treated as a potential health concern and removed as soon as possible no matter what species of mold is present. Identify and correct the source of moisture so that mold will not grow back.

Borax is a natural mold retardant. If you live in an area where the humidity levels are high, give this mixture a try to keep unhealthy conditions at bay.

Combine:
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup vinegar
1 cup water into a spray bottle
Mix the ingredients and spray generously on moldy surfaces. Wipe clean with a damp sponge. Sterilize or discard the sponge when you are finished and PLEASE do not use your dish sponge for this chore.

You can usually find borax on the top shelves of the laundry detergent aisle at the market.

You can help to reduce the amount of mold in your home by frequently cleaning shower curtains, bathroom windows, damp walls, areas with dry rot and indoor trash cans with the above mixture or bleach and water. Open doors and windows if warm enough outside and use fans to increase air movement and help prevent mold.

Don't carpet bathrooms or other damp rooms and use mold-proof paint instead of wallpaper. Reducing the humidity in your home to 50% or less can also help. You can control your home air quality by using a dehumidifier and keeping the temperature set at 70 degrees.

Monday, October 11, 2010

An Old Fashioned Treatment For...


Shingles! I don't suffer from this ailment but I know many do. If you or a loved one suffer from this painful issue, give this simple treatment a try. You can use apple cider vinegar right from the bottle and apply to the skin area where the shingles are located. Apply four times during the day and three times during the night if you awake. The burning and itching feeling on the skin should leave within a few minutes after the vinegar is applied. Many people swear by this treatment declaring that the shingles heal quicker from the frequent use of apple cider vinegar.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Sage Gargle For A Sore Throat


Soothe your sore throat using this old-fashioned remedy. Take 3 or 4 dried sage leaves and put them into a cup of hot water. Let them stand for approximately ten minutes and then gargle while it is still warm. Additionally, to treat canker sores add lemon (1/2 tsp.) to the concoction.

Although most sore throats are a symptom that a cold or flu is coming and resolve on their own within a week, it's not always the case.

Remember, a doctor's visit is necessary to rule out a more serious condition if any of the following are present:

Sore throat or hoarseness lasts for more than several days.

Sore throat causes severe pain or difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Blood in saliva, sputum, or phlegm.

Rash

Enlarged or tender lymph nodes in the neck.

White or yellow patches or pus at the back of the throat.

Fever of 103°F (39.4) in infants under 12 months or 101°F (36.3 C) or higher in babies under 6 months.

Excessive drooling in children.

Contact with someone who has been diagnosed with strep throat or mononucleosis or if there is a reported outbreak in your community.

Sore throat but no fever.

Beautiful Citrine...


Did you realize that citrine is actually rare? Most of the citrine found on the market today is simply amethyst which has been heat treated.

In the Late Victorian era citrine was often set with other semiprecious stones such as bloodstones, carnelian & garnets. In ancient times, citrine was believed to ward off evil thoughts and was carried as protection against the plague, skin problems and snake bites. It was one of the stones used in the breastplate of the High Priest.

Citrine prepares your body, emotions and mind to accept a greater flow of the yellow color ray. The yellow ray is the aspect of life force that helps us release what no longer serves us. Citrine also aids the kidneys, liver, spleen and intestines.

Known as "The Merchant's Stone", citrine is said to bring prosperity when placed in a cash register as if drawing the money there. Since citrine is reported to hold no negativity, it never requires cleansing or clearing.

Metaphysical Properties:
Astrological Sign(s): Libra, Gemini, Aries, Leo

Element: Air

Solar Plexus Chakra.

Optimism.

Confidence.

Energizing, recharging.

Promotes creativity.

Mental clarity.

Problem solving.

Abundance ("The Merchant's Stone).

Self-esteem.

This stones brings a bright, sunny and sensual warmth to your life.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Vintage Tip To....


Ventilate a Room! Place a pitcher of cold water on a table in your living or sleeping space and it will absorb all the gasses with which the room is filled. These gasses come from the respiration of just being in the room and the more people in it, the more gasses you have. This is especially important when you have colds and flu going around your home. Very few realize how important such purification is for the health of the family, or, indeed, understand or realize that there can be any impurity in the rooms. In a few hours a pitcher or pail of cold water, the colder the more effective, will make the air of a room pure, but the water will be entirely unfit for use.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Do You Recognize One?


They have existed through the centuries and I would bet that almost everyone has fallen prey to one. It may have been a chance encounter that left us temporarily exhausted, or possibly a long term interaction with serious effects on the mind and body. You may live with one or work with one. Some warning signs that may make you aware that you're "under attack" are: tiredness, fatigue, depression, headaches, nausea, dizziness, feeling drained, anxiety, panic attacks and nightmares. If the attacks continue, then you can become very ill, both physically and psychologically, especially if this goes on for a length of time. What am I speaking of? Psychic vampires.

What is a psychic vampire and why am I speaking of them? They are consumers of our energy rather than our blood. They are a person who feeds off of our life force, or our joy of life until we feel drained and exhausted. Their goal in their day is to drain others emotionally, either empathically (draining your auric life force) or metaphorically (taking emotionally without giving anything back; a "user"). They are men or women, young or old. They can be children, teens, or adults. Professionals in business suits, business associates, next door neighbors, friends, or even family members. They are energy parasites and we meet one every day in one place or another. I would almost bet you are thinking of a person now whose influence leaves you feeling exhausted, unfocused and depressed. Despite the havoc they wreak, psychic vampires are not evil life suckers, but rather people caught in a debilitating cycle of energy addiction, and no, they do not possess supernatural powers. Deficient in energy, and with their own happiness impaired, they seek other options- like yours. Most often they will not stop until they accomplish their mission of making your life miserable and tired. Misery loves company after all, and to see another person happy and fulfilled is their nightmare. They must feed off of you and "take you down."

The saddest part is most people don't even realize what is happening. They "know" the person is negative but yet they endure the nonsense of the "vampire" until one day they reach a breaking point.

Why am I speaking of them? Because I have endured to many an encounter with them in life and recognize one when I happen on them. I avoid this type of person like the plague (and amazingly it leaves few people left to associate with!), and because I have a loved one who is battling more than one as we speak. The toll it is taking is apparent and I can stand by no longer without taking action of some sort, which is why I am writing this rather lengthy post. It is my mission today to alert the masses to these types of attacks on their well being so that the day is more pleasantly endured and as meaningful as it should be.

If you recognize yourself as a "psychic vampire" after reading this post, please take action to change your course in life. If you do not, you will never experience a day of true happiness.

If you suddenly feel emotionally or mentally depleted be on the alert. The unfortunate effects of prolonged energy loss are damage to the energy system itself and in some instances, serious illness.

Do you recognize any of these types of "vampires" in your life? If so, take action now to remove yourself from them lest you become their next victim. It is nearly impossible to avoid them altogether, we must work and assimilate in to the masses after all. But if you can see what is happening and recognize it, forewarned is forearmed.

Vampire #1: The Narcissist
Their motto is “Me first.” Everything is all about them. With a grandiose sense of self-importance and entitlement, they demand attention, and crave admiration. They're dangerous because they lack empathy and have a limited capacity for unconditional love. If you don't do things their way, they become punishing, withholding, or cold.

When dealing with this type of person keep your expectations realistic. These are emotionally limited people. Try not to fall in love with one or expect them to be selfless or love without strings attached. Never make your self-worth dependent on them or confide your deepest feelings to someone who won't cherish them. To successfully communicate, the hard truth is that you must show how something will be to their benefit. This tedious ego stroking is very tiresome to say the least, but if the relationship is unavoidable use the above strategies to protect yourself.

Vampire #2: The Victim (oh how many times a day do we come across this person??)
These vampires grate on you with their “poor-me' attitude and are allergic to taking responsibility for their actions. The world is always against them, and everything is the reason for their unhappiness. When you offer a solution to their problems they always say, “Yes, but.” Actually that could be their motto. You might end up screening your calls or purposely avoid them. As a friend, you may want to help but their tales of woe overwhelm you. In your quest to "offer help" they drain you of your life force.

With this person you must set firm limits. Listen briefly and tell a friend or relative, “I love you but I can only listen for a few minutes unless you want to discuss solutions. Then I'd be thrilled to brainstorm with you.” With a coworker, listen briefly, sympathize by saying, “I'll keep good thought for things to work out. Then say, I hope you understand, but I'm on deadline and must go back to work. Then use “this isn't a good time” body language such as crossing your arms and breaking eye contact to help set these healthy limits.

Vampire #3: The Controller
These people obsessively try to control you and dictate what you're supposed to be and feel. They have an opinion about everything. They'll attempt to control you by invalidating your emotions if they don't fit into their rulebook. They often start sentences with “You know what you need?” and then proceed to tell you. You end up feeling dominated, demeaned, or put down. (I seem to have a built in force field for this type of person. My ego, stubbornness and "I can do it myself" attitude usually puts this type of person off and I find they avoid me. This is the only type I have been able to "ward off" easily.)

The secret to success with this type of person is to never try and control a controller. (In fact head for the hills if you encounter one or you will be annoyed beyond belief) Be healthily assertive, but don't tell them what to do. You can say, “I value your advice but really need to work through this myself.” Be confident but don't play the victim or sweat the small stuff. Focus on high priority issues rather than on menial issues.

Vampire #4: The Splitter or Borderline Personality
I seem to have encountered many of these in my journeys through life. Do you recognize one? A Splitter sees things as either good or bad and have love/hate relationships. One minute they idealize you, the next you're the enemy if you upset them. They have a sixth sense for knowing how to pit people against each another and will retaliate if they feel you have wronged them. They are people who are fundamentally damaged inwardly and they feel as if they don't exist and become alive when they get angry. They'll keep you on an emotional rollercoaster and you may walk on eggshells to avoid their anger. I have worked with more of these than I can count and I would bet my next dollar that there is one in your workplace as well.

In your attempts to ward off this vampire try to stay calm. Don't react when your buttons get pushed. (Yes I know, this is much easier said than done) Splitters feed off of anger. They respond best to structure and limit setting. If one goes into a rage, tell the person, “I'm leaving until you get calmer. Then we can talk.” Refuse to take sides when he or she tries to turn you against someone else. With family members, it's best to show a united front and not let a splitter's venomous opinions poison your relationships.

Am I correct in assuming you know or work with one or more of these suckers of our energy? How do I deal with them you ask?

Simply refuse to accept that the person can harm you and actually believe this to be true. Their efforts will either dissipate or, having nowhere else to go, will return to them the sender - the psychic vampire.

This may seem to simple, but it works and the rebound can cause considerable problems for the person who will find themselves beset by the troubles they have tried to cause for others. However, it takes a strong mind to adopt this sort of attitude. If you feel you are particularly vulnerable to the thoughts or actions of another then it is very important for you to act in your own defense. This is something the psychic vampire rarely comes across or considers (that you will be able to defend yourself) so your actions in reversing their influence over you will be even that more strongly and rapidly manifested.

You must acknowledge that you play a role in the experience, and you are no longer willing to do so. Say firmly and clearly aloud or think it to yourself, "No one else can have my energy. My need to give is fulfilled through healthy means." Visualize severing those ties in whatever way comes to you. Do this clearing, affirming, meditating and severing until you feel you mean it and it is complete. Relief and new energy will follow within a few days.

If you feel you need a little more protection than just words, there are crystals you can wear or carry to help empower yourself. They can be very effective and below you will find a list of the most popular crystals and stones used for this purpose. Wear one around your neck, wrist or on your finger or just put one in your pocket. Take back control of your life.

Amethyst: Protective against dark energy.

Banded/Zebra Agate: Good for general psychic protection and to prevent you from absorbing another's negativity.

Black Moonstone: Good for general psychic protection.

Black Obsidian: Good for basic psychic defense.

Black Onyx: A good aid to grounding.

Blue Aventurine: Protective against psychic vampires.

Blue Tiger Eye: Protective against negative energy for healers.

Brown Tiger Eye: Helps protect against unwanted spirits.

Brachiated Jasper: A good psychic shield that returns negative energy to the sender.

Calcopyrite: It is generally protective against psychic attack.

Carnelian: Protective against psychic intrusion.

Chiastolite: One of the best for all-round psychic protection.

Clear Quartz: Protective against negative energy and will transmute it to positive energy.

Garnet: Good for general protection.

Green Moss Agate: It will protect your aura from negativity.

Hematite: Good for grounding and general protection.

Howlite (Natural): Protective against unwanted ghosts and phantoms.

Kyanite: It is THE anti-negativity stone. It doesn't just repel it, it destroys it.

Lapis Lazuli: An all-round protective shield.

Mookaite: It is protective against negativity.

Red Jasper: A good psychic shield that returns negative energy to the sender.

Red Tiger Eye: Protective against the evil eye.

Rhodonite: It can be used to ward off negativity and psychic attacks.

Rose Quartz: Another good stone to help with grounding.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Announce Yourself With Calling Cards


I know, I'm old fashioned, but there is something about calling cards that has always entranced me. I carry them tucked in a beautiful little silver engraved case and I actually have 3 styles of cards, all Victorian. How could I choose just one? A Victorian code of social etiquette, calling cards have made a fashionable resurgence in our fast-paced 21st-century lives. They are the perfect personal introduction for those occasions when a business card is too business-like. You can express yourself through a variety of colors and sizes with coordinated fonts, motifs and ink colors paired with images of whatever tickles your fancy. I suppose it shouldn't come as a surprise, my obsession with these little cards. After all, I have an armoire just overflowing with euphemera, inks, various types of pens, all waiting to carry special thoughts to loved ones.

Recently I came across this article in Decorum that was published in 1877. The following recommendations were made for refined visiting card etiquette: "Visitors should furnish themselves with cards. Gentlemen ought simply to put their cards into their pocket, but ladies may carry them in a small elegant portfolio, called a card-case. This they can hold in their hand and it will contribute essentially (with an elegant handkerchief of embroidered cambric) to give an air of good taste."

When visiting friends, or "making calls," people would leave a card at the front door or parlor, even if the person they were visiting was home. They were used as a reminder about who had visited recently and deserved a visit in turn. Sometimes a loving greeting was added, though the card alone was considered a message.

It was considered a "red-letter day," a term that originated with the tradition of marking holy days in a church calendar in red, when a young "maid" or man was granted his or her first visiting card. As for babies whose cards were sent out by their parents, theirs was "the tiniest and daintiest of cards, fit for fairies!" according to one Victorian Lady, Margaret Sangster, in her etiquette book entitled Good Manners For All Occasions.

The fashions of calling cards varied with the trends; sometimes middle initials were fashionable, other times not; some cards were ornate such as these, while others were of a "severe style," particularly for the gentlemen.

I say let's bring back elegance! Join me in carrying your special calling card, if only to present your name and email address to someone you've just met.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Slipping and Sliding...


I see a lot of shoppers purchasing the whipped butter in the tubs these days, but if you're like me and still like cubes, here is a great tip to keep that cube from sliding off the butter dish as you retrieve it from your refrigerator. Heat your butter dish with real hot tap water and dry the dish off. Put the butter stick on the dish and place it back in refrigerator. It will melt slightly on to the dish and when the butter gets cold it will be stuck and prevent it from sliding.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Lowfat Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars


For those of you who have followed my blog for awhile, you may recognize this post. I thought it worth posting again for those who love pumpkin as I do! I have already baked the first pumpkin pie of the season, lit pumpkin candles and am filling the cottage with the scents of autumn, my favorite time of year.

I first shared this recipe a year ago and no doubt I will post it again next October. It's a perfect fall treat. You will love these!

This luscious recipe was found in the Taste Of Home magazine October 2009. It may become your new favorite!
Ingredients:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup reduced-fat butter, melted
Filling:
2 packages (8 ounces each) reduced-fat cream cheese
1 package (8 ounces) fat-free cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs, lightly beaten
20 walnut halves
Directions:
In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom of a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheeses and sugar until smooth. Beat in the pumpkin, flour, pie spice and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust.
Bake at 325° for 35-45 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
Cut cheesecake into 20 bars; top each with a walnut half. Yield: 20 bars.

Nutrition Facts: 1 bar equals 186 calories, 9 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 42 mg cholesterol, 230 mg sodium, 21 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 6 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat.

Work Magic With Cream Of Tartar


Cream of Tartar is a common baking ingredient but can also be used in home cleaning when a mild acid is called for. To use as a bathtub stain remover, sprinkle cream of tartar on the stain and then rub with lemon wedges. To remove spots from aluminum cookware, mix 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar and 1 quart of water in the stained item. Bring the solution to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes. Wash and dry the item as you usually would.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Making Homemade Noodles...


Cooler air, the beginning of fall (and cold and flu season) are inspiring me to make some homemade chicken soup today. Making homemade is the best way to know what's in what you are consuming as well as controling sodium. Today I'll spend the morning making noodles for my soup. If you haven't made your own noodles, give it a try! It's much easier than you can imagine and you'll wonder why you didn't try it sooner. It's a money saver as well. The first recipe makes 2 servings, the second recipe makes a larger quantity.

Homemade Noodles
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 egg
1 pinch salt
A bit of water (I add water until I like the way the dough looks..1 tablespoon at a time)
Mix all ingredients. Roll thin with flour, then roll like a jelly roll. Cut into 1/2 inch strips. Let dry. Drop into hot chicken broth. Boil for 15 minutes.

Granny's Noodles
4 eggs
2 tablespoons water
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Beat the eggs and water together in a bowl. Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder into a separate large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour the beaten eggs into the well, then stir in the flour mixture until a soft dough forms.

Roll the dough into a very thin layer on a lightly-floured surface; cut into 1/2 inch strips. Allow to dry at least 4 hours before using.

This recipe makes approximately 6 servings.

When Chopping Raisins, Dates And Figs...


Is there anything more annoying than finding your raisins, dates and figs in a gummy mess after putting them in your food chopper? You can avoid that issue if you first rinse them in very cold water before putting them through the chopper. They won't form such a gummy mass and become unrecognizable. Just be sure to drain them well after rinsing.

Stop by again soon!