It's Monday And...

If you believe in magical days of the week, as I do, you may find the following interesting. Here are the associations of the day, make it a magical one!

Today's:
Planet is Moon
Element is Water
Sign is Cancer
Color is Silver, White, Gray, Pearl
Stones are Moonstone, Pearl, Aquamarine, Flourite, Quartz Crystal, Geodes, Azurite
Trees are Birch, Willow
Flowers/Herbs are Orris Root, Motherwort, Vervain, Night Flowers, White Flowers, White Rose, Iris, Moonwort
Oils are Poppy, Rose
Incense is Myrtle
Deities are Hecate, Moon Dieties
Angel is Gabriel

Influences of the day are: Psychic Ability, Psychology, Dreams, Astral Travel, Imagination, Reincarnation, Women's Mysteries, Intuition, Fertility, Psychic Powers, Psychic Sensitivity, Tides, Water, Emotional Issues, Clairvoyance, Home, Family, Medicine, Cooking, Personality, Merchandising, Theft, Reconciliations, Receptivity, Love, Voyages, Messages, Women, Children, the Public, Magic, Spirituality, Nursing, Antiques, Initiation, Astrology, New Age Pursuits, Totem Animals, Shapeshifting, Religious Experience, Visions

Homemade Flea Shampoo For Pets

Soon the weather will warm and your pets who wander out of doors will again be attacked by fleas. Here is a homemade flea shampoo you can use on them that will leave them sweet smelling and make the fleas very unhappy.

1 cup castille liquid soap
1/8 ounce of essential oil of pine
1/8 ounce of essential rose oil

Place all of the ingredients into a jar with a lid and shake to mix. Add this mixture to your pet's bath and watch the fleas make their escape.

Buttermilk Oatmeal Scones...

These scones are wonderful and were a hit at tea the other night. The only thing I would change the next time I bake them is I would cut them in triangles. I'm not sure why, but I love my scones cut in triangles. I was "going outside my comfort zone" when I made them round. That sounds amusing but I suppose it shows what a creature of habit I am.

As always, I doubled the recipe and placed a batch in the freezer.

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour - sifted
1 cup rolled oats - uncooked
1/3 cup sugar (I suppose you may be able to substitute Splenda but I did not)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter (As always I used "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Cube)
1 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine the flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the butter until mixture resembles course crumbs. (I just use my hands. I find them the best tools) Add the buttermilk and stir with a fork until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out on to a lightly floured board and knead 10 to 12 times. Roll out dough to about 1/2 inch thick and cut into rounds with biscuit cutter, or pat dough into circle and cut in to wedges.

Place on baking sheets and brush the tops with a bit of buttermilk. I sprinkled the tops of mine with a wee bit of sugar.

Bake for 18 - 20 minutes or until light brown. Remove from baking sheets and cool.

After Your Trip To The Farmer's Market...

Keep your fruits and vegetables fresh for as long as you can! Fresh produce is costly, as we know, so here is a tip to help keep those fruits and vegetables fresh longer in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Simply place a new sponge or two on the bottom of your vegetable drawer to absorb the excess moisture and your produce will last longer. Don't forget to check the sponges regularly and wring them out when needed.

The Bubble Machine

Have you ever accidently placed to much laundry detergent in your washer only to have the bubbles seem to take over? Placing to much soap in your washing machine can cause problems. If this happens, here's a tip to neutralize some of the soap. Pour 2 tablespoons of white vinegar or a capful of fabric softener into the machine and it will tame those bubbles.

Victorian Plum Conserve...

Today will find me in the kitchen baking breads for tea with a friend this evening. I was hoping I could fit in time to make this conserve but it will have to wait for another day.

This old fashioned spicy treat is wonderful spread on scones and toast or used as a tart filling. A conserve is a jam made of fruit stewed in sugar. In some cook books, such as the Chutneys Handbook, conserves are sometimes referred to as whole fruit jam.

Ingredients:
3 medium navel oranges
12 ripe plums (about 4 pounds), pitted and coarsely chopped
1-1/2 cups raisins
1 cup chopped peeled ripe pears
3 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Grate the peel from the oranges, reserving the peel (about 1/3 cup). Peel off and discard white membrane; section the oranges. In a large saucepan, combine the orange sections and peel, plums, raisins, pears, sugar, allspice and cinnamon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook for 1 hour or until thickened, stirring frequently.
Pour hot mixture into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Adjust caps. Process for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath. Yield: 9 half-pints.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (2 tablespoons) equals 51 calories, trace fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1 mg sodium, 13 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, trace protein.

Appreciate Your Miracles

People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child - our own two eyes. All is a miracle.
~Thich Nhat Hanh

Fairies In Your Garden...

As you start your gardening this spring, don't forget to watch for the signs that a fairy is about! I know spring seems like it's a long way off yet for some of you, but here in California I am already planting and keeping an eye out for the wee folk. They like playing tricks so don't be surprised if your gardening items seem to disappear or move from where you last put them. We all know fairies are a bit tricky and not to be altogether trusted, so it pays to be smart when thinking about luring more to the garden. I always have an area in my garden especially for them because, the more fairies, the better the garden! That is another reason to work at attracting them and keeping them happy. Keep in mind that fairies are afraid of cats, so if you have felines wandering about they will scare off your wee little beings. Remember to be kind and joyful in all that you do, even when doing the most boring and mundane of chores. Fairies are always watching you and will show up to help you or show themselves to you if your behavior is worthy.

Here is what to watch for to see if you have fairies:
An unexplained trembling or whispering of leaves or a whirlwind, the bending of grass blades with no one to be seen, the feeling of an insect walking through your hair, when there is none, a rippling of the water when not caused by something tangible, silliness and times of uncontrollable laughter, and an unexplained loss of time.

The hours to watch for fairies are twelve o'clock noon, twelve o'clock midnight, sunrise, early evening, dusk, during the full moon and new moon, and bright starlit nights. They absolutely adore honey and little treats, so if you have shrubs or small trees, drip a bit of honey down the bark of one and it will be much appreciated by them. They may even show themselves to you in thanks!

You can find them where the roads intersect, lakeshores, where the streams divide, islands, seashores and beaches, glades in the woods, thresholds, tidal pools, fences and border hedges, stairwells, hallways and landings, an opening in the sea or land, bends in the road, and of course your garden.

Celtic Tree Astrology...Pisces...Ash Tree -The Enchanter

February 18 – March 17
Those born under the Celtic tree astrology sign of the Ash are free thinkers. Imaginative, intuitive, and naturally artistic, you see the world in water-color purity. You have a tendency to moody and withdrawn at times, but that’s only because your inner landscape is in constant motion. You are in touch with your muse, and you are easily inspired by nature. Likewise, you inspire all that you associate with and people seek you out for your enchanting personality. Art, writing (especially poetry), science, and theology (spiritual matters) are areas that strongly interest you. Others may think you are reclusive, but in all honesty, you are simply immersed in your own world of fantastic vision and design. You are in a constant state of self-renewal and you rarely place a value on what others think about you. Ash signs partner well with Willow and Reed signs.

Happy Birthday To Pisces!

I would like to say Happy Birthday to all of my family and friends born under the astrological sign of Pisces! (myself included :)

Here's what they say about this sign...although, I'm not sure I'm known for my patience! Perhaps because I was born on the cusp...

Known for their gentleness and patience, those born under the zodiac sign of Pisces excel at understanding themselves and others more than any other birth sign. A water sign with an open heart, generous spirit and compassion, it’s not surprising that Pisces tend to be popular with all kinds of people. Easygoing and affectionate, they lead with emotion rather than rationality and are more often ruled by instinct over intellect.

Spring Clean With Homemade Cleaners

It's time to plan the spring cleaning of our cottage, and there is so much to do. While I know some hire out this work, I prefer to do my own. I like to make my own non toxic cleaners as well, and while most spots will be easily cleaned from walls, some repainting may be in order in a couple of the rooms. If you are readying your home for spring and like to use "green cleaners," here are a few recipes that I use.

To Remove Grease Spots:
Use:
2 oz. fresh white talcum powder and a new powder puff. Place the powder puff into the powder and gently rub over the grease spot. Continue with additional applications until the spot is completely gone. This is great for the kitchen if you have splatters around the stove wall.

Wall Cleaner With Ammonia:
Use:
1/4 cup washing soda
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup ammonia
1 gallon of warm water

In a bucket add all of the ingredients and mix well. Store in a well sealed container and store in a cool location. This will work well on enamel and surfaces that are painted with a flat oil or water based paint.

To Clean The Baseboards:
Dissolve 1 tbsp. cornstarch in a spray bottle in 2 cups of hot water and 1/4 cup of white vinegar. Mix and spray. This works great!

Magical Little Thyme Plant...

I am doing a repost today because I have been so busy the past few days I've not had time to pen you an updated post. I do hope you enjoy this bit I wrote back
in March of last year.

Do you like to grow your own herbs? When you think of thyme, perhaps you only think of it as a cooking ingredient. It is a little plant of wonder and I would like to share some of it's history with you.

If you are lucky enough to be able to grow your own, keep in mind that thyme leaves are sweetest if picked just as the flowers appear. When cooking with thyme, be aware that as with all herbs, using fresh is a little different than using dried. One fresh sprig equals the flavoring power of one-half teaspoon of dried thyme.

Thyme's best use medicinally is as an antiseptic, but it also has expectorant, antispasmodic, and deodorant properties.

Herbal medicinists use thyme in infusions, extracts, teas, compresses, bath preparations and gargles. Did you realize distilled thyme oils are used commercially in the production of antiseptics, toothpaste, mouthwash, gargle, hair conditioner, dandruff shampoo, skin cleanser, various toiletry items, potpourri, and insect repellent? It is also an ingredient in commercial expectorants and antispasmodics prescribed for whooping cough and bronchitis.

Did you know there are more than 100 varieties of thyme or that the ancient Egyptians used it in the mummification process?

Thyme has been associated with courage since ancient times. The Greeks, the Romans, the Scottish Highlanders, and the knights of the Middle Ages all thought thyme brought one strength and courage.

The ancient Greeks sprinkled thyme in their baths.

When the Greeks said that someone "smelled of thyme" it meant that the person was elegant, refined, and stylish.

The Greeks burnt it as incense in sacred temples.

The Romans used thyme in the treatment of depression.

Thyme was placed in coffins to ensure passage to the next world.

Thyme was sacred to the Druids, who used it to treat depression and ward off negativity.

In the Middle Ages, people placed it under their pillows to prevent nightmares and aid sleep.

Fairies are said to love thyme. In France and England, people often created a bed of thyme to attract fairies and make them feel at home in the garden. A nice reason to plant it in your spring garden this year. Oberon, the king of the fairies in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, says, "I know a bank where the wild thyme blows," referring to the bed of thyme in which Titania, the fairy queen, sleeps.

A 17th century recipe with thyme as one of the main ingredients claims to enable people to see fairies.

Hymettus honey from Greece is made from bees who gather pollen from wild thyme on Mount Hymettus.

Thyme was once used on bandages to prevent infection.

The essential oil of thyme is called thymol. It was isolated in 1725 by the German apothecary Neuiuiann. The active ingredient in Listerine mouthwash is thymol.

I hope you are inspired to incorporate thyme into your herb garden this year. What a wonderous little herb. Here is a great summer recipe using your little herb...

Zucchini with Thyme
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 pound fresh zucchini, cut into 3-by-1/2-inch sticks
1 beef bouillon cube, crumbled (use vegetarian bouillon for vegetarian option)
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter on medium heat. Add the onion and parsley and cook until soft, but not browned.

Add the zucchini sticks, crumbled bouillon cube or vegetarian cube, thyme and a pinch of salt and pepper. Gently stir to coat the zucchini. Cover and cook until tender, 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how tender the the raw zucchini is, and how small you have sliced the pieces. Check and stir every few minutes. Be careful not to overcook.

Serves 4.

Low Fat/ Low Sugar Blueberry Cake

I baked this blueberry cake today for brunch and adapted it a bit from a raspberry cake recipe that I have. It turned out wonderful and light and you don't have to feel guilty eating it since it's low fat and low sugar. I replaced the white sugar in the recipe with Splenda and used I Can't Believe It's Not Butter in place of the butter. You absolutely could not taste the difference.

I double the recipe every time I bake this cake because it freezes so well. (If it makes it to the freezer!)My advice...bake two!

Ingredients:
1 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar (I used Splenda)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
1/2 cup reduced fat plain yogurt (I used Non Fat Vanilla Yogurt)
2 tablespoons butter, softened (I use the I Can't Believe It's Not Butter cubes)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 cup unsweetened fresh or frozen raspberries (I used freshly frozen blueberries..they stir in easier without coloring the batter)

Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered confectioner's sugar
A few teaspoons lemon juice (or milk)




In a bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Combine the egg, yogurt, softened butter and vanilla. Add to dry ingredients and stir just until moistened.




Spoon 2/3 of batter in to an 8 inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Combine the brown sugar and the berries and then sprinkle them over the batter. Spoon or drop the remaining batter over the top.


Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until cake is golden brown and springs back when lightly touched.

Cool for about 10 minutes before removing from pan.

In a bowl, prepare glaze. Stir the ingredients together. If glaze is to thick add a little more liquid. I like mine a bit thick. Drizzle over cake.

Note:
If you use frozen berries, do not thaw before adding to batter.

Homemade Cleaning Wipes

Who doesn't love commercial cleaning wipes? They're wickedly convenient but also expensive and often contain harsh chemicals. I like to avoid chemicals as much as possible in Our Scented Cottage, so the solution is to make my own!

Homemade cleaning wipes are easy to make, economical, and contain only those cleaning agents you select. You can use a large plastic container without a hole in the top to pull through the wipes, but if you want the pull through here are the instructions:

Materials and Equipment Needed:
Plastic container,10-cup capacity (large plastic coffee container works well)
Extra-large roll of paper towels
Cleaning agents of your choice (recipes follow)
Electric drill with 1/2-inch drill bit (or a sharp knife to cut an x in top)
Electric knife
Liquid measuring cups
Instructions:

In the garage or workshop area, place a small block of wood beneath the plastic food storage container lid. Use electric drill to drill a 1/2-inch diameter hole in the center of the container lid. (Or you can just cut a large X in the top with a sharp knife if you do not have access to a drill)

For best results, select an extra-large roll of good quality paper towels for this project. Less-expensive towels fray or shred when pulled through the holder; thicker quilted towels have greater cleaning strength and withstand more scrubbing. Even at $1.39 per roll, cost for homemade wipes will be less than 75 cents, not including the storage container (recycle those plastic coffee containers).

Without removing the paper towel wrapper, use the electric knife to cut the paper towel roll into two shorter rolls. Save the second roll for a refill later. Be patient! It may take up to two minutes to cut through the towel roll and cardboard tube inside.

Remove the wrapper, and place one short paper towel roll inside plastic food storage container. Using a liquid measuring cup, gently pour one of the following cleaning solution recipes over the top of the paper towel roll.

You will need between 2 and 4 cups of cleaning solution, depending on the size and absorbency of the paper towel product selected. These recipes make about three cups of solution; increase or decrease amounts if needed.

General Surface Cleaning:
1 1/2 cups white vinegar
1 1/2 cups water

Disinfectant Cleaning:
1/4 to 1/2 cup pine cleaning solution such as Pine-Sol brand
2 1/2 to 2 3/4 cup water

Window and Glass Cleaning:
1/2 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
2 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon white vinegar

Place the lid on the plastic food storage container, and allow paper towels to absorb cleaning solution for 4 hours to overnight.

Open the food storage container. Gently pull the wet cardboard tube from the center of the paper towel roll and discard. Carefully pull the end of the paper towels from the inside, where the cardboard roll had been. Thread the end of the towels through the hole in the lid, and replace the lid.

Pull gently on the exposed end to separate the cleaning wipe.

As you use the wipes, they will begin to dry out, so add more water and/or cleaning solution as necessary. Allow wipes to stand overnight before continuing to use them after adding more solution.

You may vary the strength of the cleaning solutions as necessary for your household, using more cleaning agents for a stronger wipe, less solution and more water for a milder product.

I always use non latex gloves when I clean. You can purchase them for a low price in the pharmacy area of your local markets.

For You...

A virtual bouquet! Did you know that practicing random acts of kindness is actually stress reducing? What better way to make yourself and someone else feel better than to pick a bouquet of flowers from your garden (or purchase some if you're in a snow covered area)and give them to a neighbor or friend, or let someone pull ahead of you on the freeway, or even in line at the market. Write an anonymous note to someone regarding the beauty of their garden or a trait you admire about them, and slip it in the mail. They will receive quite a boost from it and only you will know you wrote it!

Today do just one (or more if you'd like) random act of kindness and your corner of the world will be all the better for it.

To Feel Joy...

All I want is to stand in a field
and to smell green,
to taste air,
to feel the earth want me,
Without all this concrete hating me.
Phillip Pulfrey, from Love, Abstraction and other Speculations

For Your Garden...

My garden is not large enough for even the smallest of games, but if yours is, this would be an adorable addition! Perhaps the fairies would fancy a game or two with you!

If you love decorating your garden, check out the Gardener's Supply Company here. They are having a great sale and you can pick up many items you may need for your outdoor area.

Did You Know...

That you can get your candles to last longer by chilling them? This is an old trick that is used by frugal people and the candle companies themselves. Chilling the candles before you use them makes the wax burn more slowly and evenly. Some say that the best way to do this is to freeze the candles for 24 hours before burning them. Others say that just storing them in the refrigerator for eight hours before you burn them is enough to do the trick. If you like to splurge and treat yourself to scented candles, it's nice to know you can get them to last a bit longer.

Sew Your Own Mixer Cover..With Cloth Napkins

I am in the sewing mood and looking to make some new curtains and a mixer cover for the cottage kitchen this spring. I thought I would repost my mixer cover idea for anyone else who has the same urge.

Would you like to cover your mixer with a fabric that matches your kitchen? Sew your own! Cloth napkins are very low cost (especially at Ross, Marshall's, Target or Walmart) and you can purchase them to match your placemats, tablecloths and kitchen curtains. They are sturdy and washable and make the covers quick and easy to make. They're already hemmed too, which makes it nice.

Here's how I do it:
I have a Kitchenaid 5qt mixer but any type of mixer, as long as it's not huge, would be fine with the size of the cloth napkins you can purchase. If you have a larger mixer you may need to piece napkins together or use a low cost tablecloth. 2 large cloth napkins are the exact size I need to make my cover.

I take one of the napkins to my mixer and on the back side of the fabric I trace the shape of my mixer leaving a little extra room so it doesn't fit to snug.

I then pin the 2 napkins together and sew along the line that I've traced for the shape of my mixer.

I leave about 2 inches on the back side unstitched so it can accomodate the cord of my mixer. I leave mine plugged in, but if you don't, you may be able to just stitch all the way down.

If you're using cloth napkins, they are already hemmed so that's it! You're done!! You can make numerous covers so quick that it's easy to decorate for the seasons, or when you want to change out your kitchen curtains and match it up with them, which I do often.

Blue, Purple And Yellow...

I read that those are the flower colors bees find most appealing. Flat or shallow blossoms, such as daisies, zinnias, asters and Queen Anne's lace, will attract the largest variety of bees. Long tongued bees will be attracted to plants in the mint family, such as nepeta, salvia, oregano, mint and lavender. Long tongued bumblebees are attracted to flowers with hidden nectar spurs, such as larkspur, monkshood, monarda, columbine and snapdragons.

The Lovely Peony

Did you realize that the Peony is an herb as well as a popular garden plant? In days of old, the apothecary would have prescribed an infusion of the powdered root for liver problems. During the Middle Ages "lunatics" were covered with peony leaves and petals in order to cure them, as the oils were thought to have a soothing, curative effect. The flower was thought to drive away evil spirits when planted in a garden and all throughout history, all parts of the peony have been thought to do everything from easing the pain of childbirth to curing jaundice. Although these plants have long been used for their wide variety of medicinal uses, do take precaution, as these flowers, when taken in large doses, are considered poisonous to consume.

The peony is striking in size as well as scent. It's an easy to care for plant but may have to grow a few years before flowering. It has been known to become quite wide, but is easily split by slipping a garden fork or spade right down through the middle, which is a good way to increase stock. (As noted below, it is believed unlucky to uproot the plant so do so at your own risk ;)

In folklore the peony was linked to the moon, and was believed to have been created by the moon goddess to reflect the moon's beams during the night. It's considered unlucky to uproot the plant, and the seeds and dried root used to be worn as a protective amulet against evil spirits. This plant also helps prevent the mocking delusions the fauns bring on us in our sleep, and it is believed that by keeping peony seeds under your pillow you could avoid nightmares.

These seeds were also once used to protect children from the fairies. A garland was made and placed around the child's neck to keep them safe from a kidnapping.

What's On Sale...

Can you believe the calendar has turned over to February? When I first started my blog, I would post a "What's On Sale For The Month" post at the beginning of every month. I have decided to do those posts again, so if you are planning on a major purchase soon, this post may save you a bit of your hard earned money. Do bear in mind that the best time to save money isn't always the best for selection, so get in on the sales early.

The month of February will bring you wonderful bargains on:
Air conditioners, art supplies, bedding, used cars, curtains, furniture, glassware and china, houses and condos, housewares, humidifiers, lamps, men’s apparel, consumer electronics, silverware, small consumer electronics, sportswear and equipment, storm windows, toys, and treadmills.

Happy Shopping!