Deck the halls with boughs of Holly, fa la la la...

Did you know that holly is one herb that Celts felt too sacred to have a Celtic name? In ancient Celtic tradition, the Holly King fought, and won, a battle with the Oak King for supremacy over half the year from the summer to the winter solstice. Holly and mistletoe are traditional to the season through commemoration of the battle. The holly was hung in honor of the Holly King; the mistletoe (which grows high in the branches of oak trees) in honor of the Oak King. Dressed in red and adorned with holly sprigs, the Holly King is considered by many to be the forerunner of our present day Santa Claus.

Holly was brought into Celtic homes to protect the occupants from ill-meaning faeries or to shelter spirits that the druids believed inhabited the tree’s sacred branches. Whether the prickly-leaved or smoothed leaved variety was brought in determined whether the husband or the wife would rule the house through the coming year.

There are special spirits that dwell within Holly trees: the Holly Man lives in the tree that bears prickly Holly, and the Holly Woman dwells within that which give forth smooth and variegated leaves.

Do not burn Holly branches unless they are well and truly dead, for this is unlucky. It is said that if you gather nine Holly leaves in complete silence on a Friday after midnight, wrap them up in a white cloth, use nine knots to bind the cloth, and then place them under your pillow, your dreams will come true.

A Simple Gift From Your Kitchen...

Chocolate spoons are a great gift for both hot chocolate lovers or those that love those expensive coffee drinks. If you'd like to make chocolate spoons with nuts on them you can use them to eat ice cream for a fun treat. Chocolate with crushed candy cane is wonderful to stir into your hot chocolate drinks. They are quick and easy to make so let's get started:
Here's How:
Melt baker's chocolate in the microwave or on the stove, following the instructions on the box.

Allow the chocolate to cool slightly.

Dip a spoon in the chocolate, fully coating the bowl.

Sprinkle nuts or candies onto the spoon, if desired.

Place the finished spoon on wax paper to dry.

Repeat until all of the chocolate is gone.

Tips:
Use white and dark chocolate together to create a swirled look.
Top the spoons with cookie crumbs or other pantry leftovers to cut the cost even further. Use a baggie or plastic wrap to package the finished spoons; tie them with a piece of ribbon or string.
What You Need:
Plastic spoons
Baker's chocolate
Wax paper
Nuts or candies (optional)

Blueberry-Oat Popcorn Bars

Here is a great popcorn bar recipe that you can wrap and put in those brown bag lunches. Don't buy those snack bars in the market when you can make your own and know they are healthier and fresher! Santa might even enjoy one of these as a break from cookies on Christmas eve. ;)

Ingredients:
8 cups popped white popcorn
1 cup coarsely chopped dry-roasted peanuts
1 (5 ounce) package dried blueberries
2 cups uncooked quick oats
4 cups miniature marshmallows
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 cup honey
Cooking spray

In a large bowl, combine popcorn, peanuts, berries and oats.

In a large saucepan, melt marshmallows, butter and honey over medium-high heat.

Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn mixture and stir until completely coated.

Spray a 9 x 13-inch pan with cooking spray and press popcorn mixture into pan. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.

Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container.

Serves 18 depending on size of bars.

Homemade Carpet And Upholstery Stain Remover

During the fall and winter months we seem to have more stains than ever on our rugs, carpets and upholstery. Here are a couple of recipes that can help you remove them. You can purchase glycerin in most stores.


Ingredients:
1/4 cup liquid detergent
1/4 cup glycerin
1 1/2 cups water
Mix and pour into a squirt bottle. Use sparingly and rub on stain.
--or--
Club soda
Dish detergent
Blot stain with club soda then scrub with a dab of dish detergent.
--or--
Equal parts vinegar and water

Mix and use to remove tough stains including grass, perspiration, rust, jam, coffee, orange juice, wine, beer, ketchup, barbeque sauce, chili, urine and pet stains.
TIP: Never use warm or hot water on stains containing sugar!

Tips For Better Health

As 2012 looms nearer, and we all start making the resolution to take care of ourselves, I thought I would provide a tip for better health. All we need is the desire to do so, and we can live a long, healthy, and active life. Why not start early and give yourself the gift of health for the new year?

Eat foods rich in vitamin C every day. An adequate intake of vitamin C may help protect against cancer and possibly other diseases. Besides oranges, the best sources are asparagus, blackberries, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, grapefruit, kale, kiwi, mangoes, mustard greens, peppers, raspberries, strawberries, tangerines and tomatoes.

Include some of these items on your next shopping trip and you're on your way to a healthier you!

Rum Balls Recipe...Easy!

These obviously aren't treats for the children, but your adult friends and family will love them! Keep some aside for yourself or they will be gone before you know it. These are also a perfect little food gift from your kitchen and very easy to make!

Ingredients:
12 oz chocolate chips
1 cup sugar
6 Tbls light corn syrup
1 cup Rum
5 cups finely crushed vanilla wafers
crushed nuts (optional)

confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar)

Melt chocolate. Mix in remaining ingredients. Make into 1 inch balls and roll in confectioners sugar. Add crushed nuts if desired.

The Victorian Cure For a Toothache

Here is an old remedy from the 1890 Victorian Era that may help you if you find yourself with a toothache and can't get dental care right away.
A drop of oil of peppermint applied to the cavity of an aching tooth, and confined there with a pellet of cotton, will arrest the pain and provide relief for at least a time.

Warning: Peppermint oil is not safe for everyone.
The respiration of a baby or child under 5 can be slowed down or even stopped if peppermint oil is close enough for the baby to even breathe it. Do NOT use on children under 5 years of age. High blood pressure may be elevated by peppermint oil.
Also: Peppermint oil may harm a pregnancy, please avoid or consult your physician before using peppermint or peppermint tea while pregnant.

Make Your Own Silver Cleaner

Do you have silver that you need to clean and polish for the holidays? It's such a chore, but you can make it easier with this non toxic cleaner from items in your pantry. Watch your silver shine!


Ingredients:
3-inch square of aluminum foil
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 cup warm water
Dissolve salt and baking soda in warm water. Submerge the foil and silver in the solution. Wait one hour. Rinse silver and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
--or--
Use a non-gel toothpaste and rub tarnished spots with soft cloth and rinse.

What's Scenting The Cottage Today?

Mix in the pan Applesauce Cake! This applesauce spice cake is so easy and you don't even have to get out a bowl! It's a no egg recipe and it's moist, spicy and wonderful. Remember, bake an extra one to share or put in the freezer for another day, you'll be happy you did!

Ingredients:
1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup applesauce (I use unsweetened)
1/3 cup canola (or vegetable) oil
1 teaspoon white vinegar

Heat oven to 350 degrees.






Measure all of the dry ingredients into an ungreased 8 inch pan (I double the recipe) and mix together. Pour the wet ingredients in and stir until all the ingredients are mixed but do not overmix them.







Bake for approximately 35 minutes or until a toothpick or knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Serve plain or sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Christmas gift suggestions...

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
~Oren Arnold

Gingerbread Delight Scrub Recipe

Are you contemplating making homemade gifts this holiday season? If you have bath lovers on your gift list, why pay for a wonderful body scrub when you can easily make your own? Purchase a pretty jar for the scrub and place in a basket with some Gingerbread Tea, some Gingerbread Cookies and perhaps a candle scented with cinnamon, cloves or ginger.


Ingredients:
1 teaspoon ginger powder
2 tablespoons almond meal
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey granules

Mix all the ingredients and place in a jar. To use, add enough water to make into a thick paste. Scrub on to your skin gently. Rinse.

Are You Having A Hard Time...

Starting the fire in your fireplace or woodstove? Though you may not normally think about it, one of sugar's properties is that it is flammable. If you have trouble getting a coal, or wood fire to burn, throw a handful of white sugar onto it. The sugar will ignite and help get the fire going.

Do You Love Vintage Baubles?

In the Victorian era and up until the 1930s, jewelers strung crystal beads on fine silver or gold chain to ensure that the necklace and bracelet would never break. If you find a chain strung strand at a flea market or estate sale, the necklace is more than likely very old. Ladies of the time collected good crystal jewelry; many fine pieces were of karat gold set with carefully chosen faceted crystal shaped pieces. These pins and other items were the precursors of the fabulous rhinestone/crystal pins and earrings of the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

If you fancy vintage amber pieces, they were very popular during the 1890's until about the 1920's. Amber in those days was a bit different from the amber we have today. The inclusions and air bubbles were considered unattractive so the amber was melted to remove them before forming the beads. Sometimes the beads even had a celluloid core. If you find a strand of vintage amber and the beads have inclusions, you may want to think twice about it's age.

Amber can be found in not only a light yellow (honey colored), but also brown or red (cherry amber). The color seems to vary according the depth of water into which the tree fell. Amber can be translucent, opaque, or a mixture of both.

How do you tell if it's real amber? An easy way that will not harm the amber, is to rub the piece briskly with woolen or cotton material and then immediately place the amber in contact with a plastic straw, or a piece of tissue paper. If they are real amber, they will lift the straw or tissue and sometimes even the point of a very fine needle.

Celtic Zodiac...The Elder Tree...Nov. 25-Dec. 23

The Celtic Zodiac is based on the cycle of the moon with the year divided into 13 lunar months. Each month is associated with a tree sacred to the Druids. The Druids believed the human race originally desended from the trees, and each tree had particular magical qualities. Branches were hung above stables to protect horses from evil spirits.

If you were born between November 25 and December 23 your Celtic Zodiac sign would be the Elder tree. You are often misjudged as an outsider and because of this you have a tendency to withdraw, although you can also be known to be the wildest of all the Celtic Zodiac signs.

The Druids and Ancient Celts recognized the elder had natural banishing abilities. The essence of its leaves, and the odor of its pretty white flowers were proven to ward off pesky insects. It is also associated with the realm of fairies. Celtic lore indicates that if you stand near an elder tree at Midsummer's Eve the land of the fairies will be revealed to your searching eyes.

Did You Know...

That if your cork seems to large to go back into your wine bottle, you can place it into hot water for a few minutes and it will soften? This will allow you to reuse it without accidently crumbling it while trying to reuse.

Use Spaghetti To...

If you find you've run out of toothpicks this holiday season and need to keep your cakes intact, push a piece of (uncooked) spaghetti into the top of your cake to keep plastic wrap or a soft box lid from smudging the frosting.

You can also use a piece of spaghetti to mark your page in a cookbook or spear hors d'oeuvres on party platters. Hot foods might soften the noodles, so this works best for cold fare, like cherry tomatoes and chunks of mozzarella and basil.

You can also light candles! When you don't have long matches but you do have plenty of candles, use a piece of spaghetti to fire them all up in one go. Also handy for lighting a candle in a deep holder.

Test baked goods to see if they're done: Poke a piece of spaghetti into the center; if it comes out clean, your treat is ready to eat.

The Meanings Of Numbers

Did you know that in the Victorian and Edwardian Eras they were fascinated by Astrology and Numerology? Most people don't realize that even in those times, there was delight in looking to the stars. Do you have a lucky number? Most of us do, mine is three. Did you know that every number has a certain power representation and is connected to universal principles? Such is Numerology. Numbers have relationships with all things in nature, thus making them a powerful symbolic expression. Some people believe numbers have other meanings as well, such as “lucky” number seven, and the bad luck associated with the number 13.

Here is the meaning of number one:
The number one reflects new beginnings, strong will and pure energy. The symbolic meaning of number one is further clarified when we understand it represents both kinds of action: physical and mental. Be careful to manage your thoughts so that you are consciously manifesting the reality you want. When we begin to see ones recurring in our lives, it indicates a time to exert our natural forces, take action, and start a new venture. One encourages us our action will be rewarded in kind.

Scenting The Cottage Today...Welsh Tea Cakes

There is a favorite in Our Scented Cottage and it's Welsh Cakes. I'll be making a batch today and I'm looking forward to them with our afternoon tea.

A while back I posted regarding a visit to the British Shoppe in our area. They had taken in new tea cakes to sell and I couldn't wait to rush home and make some of my own (I would much rather make them than purchase someone else's). Using simple ingredients that you may already have on hand, you can make yourself a batch to try today!

The cakes are also known as bakestones within Wales because they are traditionally cooked on a bakestone (maen in Welsh), a cast iron griddle about 1.5 cm or more thick which is placed on the fire or cooker. Luckily I have cast iron and I have a gas flame to cook on which made these little cakes perfect! If you do not have cast iron or an open flame, I am sure you'll have no problem making them with what you have. It's hard to describe how wonderful these are. They have a crispness to the outside that stayed with them even after being frozen.

Just pull a few out to thaw before teatime or when company arrives, brew a pot of tea, and happy you'll be! If you can't wait for the thaw, do as I do and microwave for 35 seconds. Heavenly! Here is the recipe I used that has prompted us to fall in love with them. Anyone else love these little cakes? Tell me!

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter (I use I Can't Believe It's Not Butter cubes)
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup currants or raisins (I use plump, dried cherries...wonderful!)
1 egg
1/4 cup milk (I use skim milk and none is the wiser)
2 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder

Cream butter and sugar. Add currants or raisins or your chosen dried fruit. Beat together egg and milk and add to above mixture. Add dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder). Roll on floured board, to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut in circles and fry on griddle, lightly greased (I spray my cast iron griddle with PAM Cooking Spray). Cook like pancakes until each side is brown. I put my gas stove setting on 4 and it takes approximately 3 minutes per side.

My Favorite Craft Source...

I've had so many of you email me to ask where you can find cloves, cinnamon, and more, for pomanders and crafts at a good price, that I realized I should post my source! If you need to purchase supplies in bulk they have fabulous deals at
Save-On-Crafts. I have purchased cinnamon sticks, allspice, cloves, lavender, chamomile, and much more from them to make my fragranced pillows. Check out their site...I'm sure you'll love it!

Take Some Time Today...

To Relax! How many people do you know who, just when they are completely overloaded by their work, suddenly come down with the flu, a bad cold, or worse? It's not just bad timing, your body is telling you something. Stress visits us all at times but perfectionists are particularly vulnerable to it. We create it ourselves by the notion that without us taking control, the sun may not rise in the morning.

Stop and take some time today to treat yourself to a walk, some flowers, a movie, anything. Turn off your cell phone and put yourself out of arm's reach of others for awhile and see how rejuvenated you feel. (Yes, I know, it will be quite stressful at first but you'll quickly adjust).

There is only one you, take care of yourself!

Decorating Your Fireplace Mantle For The Holidays

If you have been one of my readers since the beginning, you'll notice that I first posted this in 2008. I thought it would be a nice repost for all of the new readers who have just recently found their way to my blog or may have missed it.

There's something about a new season or special holiday that just begs for special decoration for your home, but who has the money these days to spend on something elaborate or expensive? You can turn your plain fireplace mantle into a magnificent focal point of your room.

You really don't need to spend a lot of time to create a decorative motif for your mantle. Here are some ideas for pretty, simple, and inexpensive decorated mantles just perfect for your special fall or Thanksgiving party, and you will be able to enjoy them long after your guests have left.

Start with leaves, pine cones, and twigs you can pick up around the yard or in a park. Then add interesting gourds, Indian corn, and colorful mini-pumpkins. You can even add a decorative glass jar filled with candy corn or those little candy pumpkins, for Christmas use these same jars and fill them with small pine cones or pine needles. Finish off your display with brass, wood, or silver candle holders and candles in fall colors. Voila! You have a sensational seasonal decoration.

For a garland and mini pumpkin arrangement you will need the following:

5-9 mini pumpkins or gourds
1 or 2 artificial fall leaf garlands
pillar or taper candles and candlesticks or hurricane lamps

Purchase a silk leaf garland in your choice of gold, green, red, brown, and even deep purple. Lay the garland on the mantle. Use two garlands if desired, for added color or for additional length.

Next, line up the mini-pumpkins or gourds, evenly spaced all along the mantle. If you're not fond of the traditional orange pumpkins, try replacing them with little white ones or use green and yellow gourds instead. For an extra elegant look, try applying gold or silver leaf to the pumpkins.

Be sure to place circles of plastic (I use either old butter dish lids or just plastic wrap) under any items that may decay, such as pumpkins or fruit.

Decorate the center or ends of the mantle with several pillar or taper candles in seasonal colors.

This fall arrangement is long lasting and simple:

Collect some artificial fruit and set them on a variety of lifts and levels using vases, compotes, glasses, or other decorative containers. Beaded fruit, silver compotes, and glass vases are beautiful, but you might also do a rustic themed mantle using artificial reeded fruit and wood levels.

Heights and Levels Thanksgiving Mantle Decor

9 artificial or beaded fruits
vases, compotes, glasses
topiaries or plants
natural twigs

Arrange fruits in three groups of three (groups of three is the rule when decorating a mantle), using the vases and compotes to lift each piece to a variety of heights.
Place topiaries or potted plants between the groups, accenting the greenery with a handful of red twigs gathered from the yard.

Some other ideas for your fireplace mantle are:

Candles of various sizes in groupings either on one side or both

Place a beautifully designed clear bowl filled with potpourri on your mantle. In addition to the beautiful accent, it will fill your room with a wonderful, inviting fragrance.

Mirrors are always a hit when it comes to fireplace mantles. Depending on the style of mantle you have, you can hang a large, ornate mirror for a look of sophistication and elegance or plain, tilted mirrors for a more contemporary look.

When it comes to decorating fireplace mantles, it is far better to use objects that are over-scaled than under-scaled. You want your mantle to provide a bold, impressive appearance. Smaller objects and paintings will be dwarfed in scale to the fireplace and draw attention for all the wrong reasons.

If you have collections, such as figurines, small boxes, or crystal pieces, the fireplace mantle is the perfect place to display them

Hang a beautiful wreath that enhances the color or style of your room above the mantle or display flowers using a couple of decorative vases. Since the heat of the fire can affect fresh-cut flowers, display these during the months when you are not using your fireplace and silk flowers when you are.

Remember, your fireplace mantle is the first thing a person will see when they enter your room. Try several of these suggestions or use your creativity and come up with some ideas of your own. The great thing about a fireplace mantle is that you can change the way it looks at any time. During the holiday seasons, use your fireplace mantle to set a festive atmosphere. If you are entertaining a special guest, change the look to one more on the romantic side. Regardless of the occasion, when you find the perfect combination, your mantle will look beautiful and you will enjoy your fireplace even more!

No Cook Food Gifts From The Kitchen

Nothing makes a gift more personal than taking the time to choose something suited specifically for the recipient. What could be more pleasing to show your sentiment than a gift from the kitchen? Your kitchen gift doesn't have to be a big investment. Small touches will make all the difference. Read on for quick gifts and packaging ideas. These ideas are suitable not just for the holidays, but for year-long gift-giving on any special occasion.

Quick kitchen food gift ideas
Gather up treasured family recipes and copy them into a colorful purchased journal. Or, print them on pretty recipe cards fitted into a categorized recipe box.

Purchase candy canes or any interesting-flavored candy sticks. Dip them in melted semi-sweet chocolate and let harden. Wrap in cellophane with bows to be used as coffee or tea stirrers. These are nice tucked into a pretty coffee mug.

Purchase several small herb plants and nestle them together in a pretty basket with a favorite recipe card for using each herb.

A bottle of wine with an IOU for a home-cooked meal makes a terrific gift for that person constantly on the go.

Purchase a salt mill or pepper grinder and package with gourmet salt or peppercorns. Or how about some herb and spice blends? Great for the cook on your gift list!

Line a large, heavy oven mitt with colored cellophane, fill with gourmet jellybeans or nuts, and tie with a bright ribbon.

For families with children, fill a cookie jar with cookie decorating accessories such as small bottles of neon food coloring, colored sugars, candy sprinkles, and jimmies. Don't forget to include your favorite cookie recipe.

Purchase a bundt cake with the hole in the center. Put some small silk flowers in an inexpensive miniature bud vase and place in the center. Wrap with colored cellophane and a bow.

Purchase a decorative ceramic loaf pan and fill with quick bread mixes. They have these out at craft stores now for the holidays in a lot of cute designs.

No cook can ever have too many measuring spoons, silicone spatulas and wooden spoons. Real cooks aren't spoon snobs so head to the dollar store and stock up! Take the time to wrap them in a creative way.

Unusual Uses For Lip Balm

If you're like me, you have lip balm in your makeup bag that you never get around to using. I'm not even sure where mine comes from. I never buy it yet I always have a new tube around. Here are some ways to put that tube of balm to use.

Prevent windburn
You love to ski, but you hate wearing a ski mask. The next time you go snow skiing, try rubbing lip balm, such as ChapStick or Burt's Bees, on your face before you hit the slopes. The lip balm will protect your skin from windburn.

Remove a stuck ring
No need to pull and tug on your poor beleaguered finger to try to remove that stuck ring. Simply coat the finger with lip balm and gently wriggle the ring loose.

Groom wild eyebrows
Use lip balm as a styling wax to groom unruly mustaches, eyebrows, or other wild hairs.

Zap bleeding from shaving cuts
You just cut yourself shaving and you've no time to spare. Just dab a bit of lip balm directly onto the nick and the bleeding from most shaving cuts will quickly stop.

Lubricate a zipper
Rub a small amount of lip balm up and down the teeth of a sticky or stuck zipper. Then zip and unzip it a few times. The lip balm will act as a lubricant to make the zipper work smoothly.

Simplify carpentry
Rub some lip balm over nails and screws being drilled or pounded into wood. The lip balm will help them slide in a little easier.

Keep a lightbulb from sticking
Outdoor lightbulbs, which are exposed to the elements, often get stuck in place and become hard to remove. Before screwing a lightbulb into an outdoor socket, coat the threads on the bulb with lip balm. This will prevent sticking and make removal easier.

Lubricate tracks for sliding things
Apply lip balm to the tracks of drawers and windows, or to the ridges on a medicine cabinet, for easier opening and shutting.

I bet you didn't realize all the things that lonely, little tube in the bottom of your makeup bag could do!

Make Your Own Signature Scent

Ok, you say...now she's taking it to far! Making my own perfume? Well, I have to admit, I do buy perfume. For instance I am totally smitten with Chanel Madamoiselle and never want to be without it. It is nice to be able to experiment with scents, however, and create your own one of a kind concoction especially for you. Also, the holidays are coming up and if you'd like to make some special gifts it's time to get started!

Have you ever smelled a fragrance and you just knew that if you were a perfume that this one would be you?
Essential oils can set you back a dollar or two, but don’t panic, you need only a drop or two of jasmine, for example, to infuse a bottle of really luxurious perfume.

Unlike many store bought perfumes you can be sure that you are buying the real thing. You don’t have to worry about added chemicals and preservatives going onto your skin and drying it out or even worse having a severe reaction to it. Each person has an individual chemistry in their body, so it might be best to try a sample of the essential oils.

The strength of your aromatic liquid or perfume depends on the ratio of essential oils to water and alcohol. Perfume is the strongest formula: 15-30 percent essential oil, 70-85 percent alcohol, and the remainder or at least 5 percent water. Be sure to use bottled distilled or spring water only. 100 proof vodka should be used for the alcohol. If you want to add color, use a high quality, natural, vegetable food dye. You will also need sterilized bottles to put your creations in, and as much as you want to use the pretty clear cut glass bottles, please don’t. They attract perfumes worst enemy: the sun. But if you feel you must display your new creations in a beautiful bottle, at least store the majority of your perfume in a separate container and only what you want to display in the pretty glass one.

Finally, you need a notebook to record the exact formulas, in drops of essential oils, that you use when making up your concentrate. Remember that one drop of essential oil can change the whole formula. For instance you know you put in jasmine, ylang-ylang, and vanilla, but was it one drop or two of jasmine, and 3 or 4 drops of vanilla? So if you stumble upon a masterpiece you sure want to have everything nice and neat to look back on.

Step-By-Step Instructions:
Concentrate of essential oils
2 1/2 oz of 100 Proof Vodka
2 tbsp of Distilled or Spring Water (add more water if needed)

Take your essential oil concentrate and add to Vodka, stirring slowly but long enough to disperse the oils. Let this mixture stand for 48 hours, then add 2 tbsp of distilled or spring water, again stir slowly and thoroughly. Let this mixture stand another 48 hours. You can let your perfume stand anywhere from four to six weeks curing time, this way you will get a stronger perfume, and not a cologne. This choice is up to you, just remember if the formula seems too strong you can always add more water and dilute it back down. After letting the perfume mature or cure, pour through a coffee filter (so any sediment does not get into the final product). Now you have your own signature perfume!

Since essential oils can be a little pricey you may want to invite some of your friends over to make their own fragrance. Have them each bring one or 2 oils and you can mix it up a bit. Most of all have fun! Here are a couple to try:

Misty Passions perfume
Ingredients:
3 drops passionflower essential/fragrance oil
2 drops ylang ylang essential/fragrance oil
3 drops neroli essential/fragrance oil
2 1/2 oz of 100 Proof Vodka
2 tbsp of Distilled or Spring Water (add more water if needed)

Directions:
Pour the alcohol into a dark bottle or jar. Add the oils and shake well. Leave for 1 week. Store in a cool dry area.

Orient Nights perfume
Ingredients:
4 drops sandalwood essential/fragrance oil
4 drops musk essential/fragrance oil
3 drops frankincense essential/fragrance oil
2 1/2 oz of 100 Proof Vodka
2 tbsp of Distilled or Spring Water (add more water if needed)


Directions:
Mix all the ingredients together, shake well. Place in a dark color bottle. Then allow the perfume to settle for at least 12 hours. Store in a cool dry area.

Are Your Eyes Green?

If so, wear colors to compliment them! Purple, dark red (green's complimentary color), dark blue, black, brown, and off-white, are colors that will look great on you. Avoid gray as it weighs down the natural tones in your iris, muting the color. However, if your eyes are bright green or blue green, gray actually brings out the color. Yellows, bright red, bright white, orange, and green, are the colors you should avoid.

What's Scenting The Cottage Today?

Blackberry Bars! These bars are wonderful, and though my husband was reticent to try them the first time I baked them, once he did he was hooked! At his request, they are what's scenting our cottage today!


Ingredients:
Crust and Topping

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks)unsalted butter, chilled (I used I can't believe it's not butter cubes)

Blackberry Filling:
4 large eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup sour cream (I used lowfat sour cream)
3/4 cup flour
pinch of salt
zest of 1/2 lemon
1 tsp almond extract
2 (16-oz) packages frozen blackberries, thawed and drained (I used fresh berries)

To make the crust and topping, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.

Combine the flour, sugar, and salt into the bowl of a mixer and mix a few times to incorporate. Cut the butter into 1/2-inch cubes, and add to the flour mixture. Mix just until the butter is evenly distributed but the mixture is still crumbly.




Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the mixture to use as the topping. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the pan, and bake 12-15 minutes. Cool for at least 10 minutes.





To make the filling, whisk the eggs in a large bowl, then add the sugar, sour cream, flour, salt, lemon zest, and almond extract. Gently fold in the berries and spoon the mixture over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining flour mixture evenly over the filling, and bake 45 to 55 minutes.












Cool at least 1 hour before cutting into bars.

A Lesson On Scottish Shortbread...

To say I have a fondness for shortbread would be a gross understatement. I not only love nibbling on it with my cup of afternoon tea, but I love to gift it during the holidays as well. Place some in a pretty tin and include some tea and it makes a fine and welcome gift indeed!

The story of shortbread begins with the medieval "biscuit bread". Any leftover dough from bread making was dried out in a low oven until it hardened into a type of rusk. The word "biscuit" means "twice cooked". Gradually over time, the yeast in the bread was replaced by butter, and biscuit bread developed into shortbread. In the old days, shortbread was classified as a bread by bakers to avoid paying the tax placed on biscuits in Scotland. It was an expensive luxury, and for ordinary people, shortbread was a special treat reserved just for special occasions such as weddings, Christmas and New Year. Luckily, these days it is one of the most affordable cookies to bake.

Shortbread has been attributed to Mary, Queen of Scots, who in the mid 16th century was said to be very fond of Petticoat Tails, a thin, crisp, buttery shortbread originally flavored with caraway seeds.

There are two theories regarding the name of these biscuits. It has been suggested that the name "petticoat tail" may be a corruption of the French petites gatelles ("little cakes"). However, these traditional Scottish shortbread biscuits may in fact date back beyond the 12th century. The triangles fit together into a circle and echo the shape of the pieces of fabric used to make a full-gored petticoat during the reign of Elizabeth I. The theory is that the name may have come from the word for the pattern which was 'tally', and so the biscuits became known as 'petticoat tallis'.

Shortbread is traditionally formed into one of three shapes: one large circle divided into segments ("Petticoat Tails"); individual round biscuits ("Shortbread Rounds"); or a thick rectangular slab cut into "fingers." No matter how you cut them, they are delicious and one of my favorite cookies. I usually make mine in rounds or squares and sometimes use a shortbread press to make designs on my cookies. If you are a lemon lover as well, you will like this recipe. These cookies also freeze very well.

Lemon Shortbread
1 cup butter,softened (I use I can't believe it's not butter cubes and it works GREAT)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add lemon zest and blend well. By hand, stir in flour a little at a time. Dough will be crumbly. Pour it out onto a counter top or pastry board and work it together by hand until smooth. Pat or roll dough out into a rectangle that is about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into small squares, rectangles or diamonds (whichever you prefer). Arrange cookies on ungreased baking sheet (I use parchment paper for easy cleanup) and bake 20-25 minutes in a preheated 325 degree oven until the bottom edges are just starting to brown.

Cherry And Pecan Cream Cheese Spread

Are you looking for something special to spread on your scones at tea time? You will love this cherry and pecan cream cheese spread! It's even delightful spread on a shortbread cookie or two, or spread atop a cupcake. ;) In our local market you can find dried cherries with the raisins and other dried fruits. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 cup dried sour cherries
1 cup water
Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest
Scones, Cookies, Crackers

In a small heavy saucepan, simmer cherries in water until liquid is reduced to about 1 tablespoon. Remove pan from heat and cool mixture. In a bowl whisk together cream cheese, pecans, lime juice, thyme, zest, and cherry mixture until spread is combined well. Spread may be made 2 days ahead and kept chilled, covered. Serve spread with
scones, cookies, bagels, crackers etc.

Makes about 3 cups

Did You Know...

That refrigerator handles are a prime source of bacteria just lurking and waiting to cause a problem for you? While you would think of bathrooms as being the source of the most bacteria in your home, it's actually your kitchen! These germs are the same ones that cause the cold or flu to spread through your family.

Faucet handles and doorknobs are also on the list of kitchen culprits that aid and abet germs. Use a disinfectant spray or wipes on sink faucets, refrigerator handles, stove handles, cupboard handles, trashcans, doorknobs, and any other areas that you touch with your hands at least once a day. While you're at it, don't forget to wipe down your telephone!

Also, make sure to check the temperature in your refrigerator often (at least every other month) to be sure it's holding at least a 40 degree reading and your freezer is at 0. Keep that bacteria at bay!

Caring For Your Vintage And Delicate Fabrics

Unless you spend quite a bit of money on vintage clothing, linen or other fabrics, or just happen upon a great treasure, usually the items you'll find have quite a bit of wear on them. Since there usually isn't sentimental attachment to these purchased items, it's easier to take a chance and try cleaning them. If it's a piece of clothing that isn't suitable to wear any longer, consider making pillows, doll clothing or crafts with it. I never turn down a bargain on vintage fabric, trim, buttons or lace!

GENERAL CLEANING TIPS
First tip--don't use your washing machine or dryer. Buy a large jar (the huge plastic ones are wonderful!) at one of the discount stores. You can wash your lingerie in this jar as well. (Fill a 1-gallon glass jar 3/4 full of tepid water and then add 1/2 a capful of extra gentle detergent and swirl and roll the jar for a bit. Then rinse by doing the same with clear water.) Old fabrics are just too fragile and need individual attention. Start with a simple soak in cool water and a mild soap. Soak all day or let it soak overnight. Swish it around in the soapy water but don't rub. Rinse the item three or four times in cool water. Don't wring out the water. Squeeze VERY gently then use thick towels and gently pat the item dry. Lay it flat on a dry towel, out of the sun. Once it's dry, look it over. You may not need to do anything else. If it's stained you can try a few other methods. If you are cleaning old lace or trim--do the same thing, but take a paper towel tube or something shaped like it, and wrap it with a dish towel, then gently wrap the trim or lace around it and allow it to dry. You can store it on an empty ribbon spool or paper towel tube as well once it's dry, but wrap the spool first with acid-free paper.

SPECIAL FABRICS
Notes on Silk: it comes in a variety of cloth types: broadcloth, chiffon, crepe de chine, georgette, noil, silk linens, tweed and silk blends. Dry cleaning is recommended for patterns that have many colors---if handwashed the colors may run. Light colors or whites may be handwashed in warm water. Always roll silk in a towel, never wring it out or put it in the dryer. It also can be damaged if it is ironed on too high of a setting. Cover it with a cloth and use a steam iron it if it needs ironing. Silk also shouldn't be dried in the sun or displayed where it has direct sunlight on it. After washing, rinse in cool water to which a teaspoon of vinegar has added to remove the soap. Roll the item in a towel to soak up the moisture and lay it flat to dry. A mild liquid castile soap can be used, a mild shampoo, or use something made especially for washing silk. Don't use regular detergents, hot water, any type of heat and never use bleach. To remove yellowing from pale color silks, you may add 3 tablespoons of white vinegar to a basin of cool water and gently soak and swirl. Dry as above.

Notes on wool: Big controversy on hot water versus warm or cool water. To be safe, use lukewarm water---wool doesn't like any type of temperature change. So, rinse in the same temperature that you wash in. Squeezing, rubbing, wringing or ANY type of roughness is out. For soap use a ph neutral soap--anything from Dawn original dish soap, liquid Tide or even a gentle shampoo. "Swish" the wool item VERY gently. Rinse well, and lightly squeeze to remove some of the water, but don't wring it at all. Dry flat on a towel, out of the sun.

Notes on doilies and crochet pieces: Liquid starch can be used on doilies that are being displayed or used in your home to protect against spills and use. After dipping the doily in a liquid starch solution lie the doily flat on several layers of dry towels. Align all of the corners and sides if the piece is rectangular or square- this is called "blocking". The same process is used for crochet items such as tablecloths and bedspreads. You can lay large pieces on cotton blankets outside using the same process. You should never hang crochet pieces to dry.

Notes on lace: It used to be that it was suggested you dry lace in the sun to bleach out any stains, but I've seen several things now that suggest this may damage the fibers in the lace. It's actually better to leave the yellowing---it will look aged, much like when people use tea dyes and that type of thing, to give fabric an aged look. You can wash lace with a very mild detergent. Pat out the water with a towel or soft cloth rather than wringing it.

Any of the fabrics above should be stored flat and gently wrapped in acid-free paper...never any type of plastic, and don't allow them to touch a wood surface while being stored either. Never store any vintage item on a hanger. If you follow these suggestions your vintage fabrics should be kept in good shape. But remember, get them out, enjoy them, use them--and share them.

What's For Breakfast?

I eat a lot of yogurt and berries and I love them. Lately my palate has become bored with the redundancy of the same thing for breakfast every day, so I decided to use my daughter's favorite crepe recipe and make yogurt and berry crepes! They are so easy to make and I wrap the leftover crepes with layers of plastic wrap between them and freeze so they are at the ready when I crave them. My daughter makes wonderful lunches and fills hers with mozzarella, tomatoes, asparagus etc., so don't just save them for your morning meals! Be creative!

Here is her recipe:
1 cup flour
1 cup milk (I used fat free milk)
1 egg
pinch of salt
a few pinches of sugar (I used 1 packet of Splenda)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and pour approximately 1/4 cup into a pan on medium heat. (Tilt the pan so the mix covers the bottom in a thin layer) Flip over when the top starts to firm up and just before the bottom browns.

Sharing A Lucky Find

I'd love to let you all in on a great little secret. Those of you who know me know that I LOVE Classical and Celtic music. There is a wonderful site that has any music you'd like to listen to and it's all free online! My personal favorites are Baroque 24/7 and many of the Celtic Stations. Check it out and let me know what you think!!
Click here and type in the kind of music you'd like and there it is...just waiting for you to enjoy.

Saturday...

'Then rose the seed of Chaos and of Night
To blot out order and extinguish light.
Of dull and venal a new world to mould,
And bring Saturnian days of lead and gold.'

When one reads about the meaning of the day Saturday, it does not seem to be one of the better days of the week. Traditionally seen as the seventh day of the week, the Latin name for this day was 'Dies Saturni' meaning the 'Day of Saturn' (Saturn being a Roman deity) which was later developed by the Anglo-Saxons to 'Soeterdoeg'. Saturn was associated with the ancient Greek 'Kronos' or 'Time' (some refer to this deity as Father Time). Kronos was said to have attempted to devour each one of his children but was unsuccessful with 'Neptune' or 'Water', 'Jupiter' or 'Air' and 'Pluto' or 'The Grave' as it was believed that not even time can harm these. Jupiter eventually banished Saturn from his throne. Saturn was also known as the God of the Seed and Harvest being symbolized by a scythe.

Saturday in India is traditionally believed to be an unlucky day, as this is the day dedicated to the God of Misfortune named 'Sani'.

In Ireland it is believed that if the visual phenomena of a rainbow appears on this day, then the following week will be nothing but wet weather.

In Scotland it was traditionally believed that any child born on this day would have the gift of seeing ghosts.

In rural areas of the British Isles it was traditionally believed to be bad luck to change jobs on a Saturday, an old English rhyme to support this was:

Saturday servants never stay,
Sunday servants run away.

"Black Saturday" was the name given to August 4 1621. It is said that a violent storm symbolically blew up in Scotland just at the moment when Parliament was in the house discussing whether to make change of the Episcopacy laws, and force this upon the people of Scotland.

Saturday is ruled by Saturn.
It is the best day to deal with such matters as:
Patience, Stability, Neutralization, Material Gain, Protection, Karma, Death, Manifestation, Structure’s, Reality, Laws of society, Limits, Obstacles, Tests, Handwork, Real Estate, Dentists, Bones, Teeth, Farm Workers, Sacrifice, Separation, Stalkers, Murderers, Criminals, Civil Servants, Justice, Math’s, Plumbing, Joint Money Matters, Wills, Debts, Financing, Real Estate, Discoveries, Transformation and Relations with Older People.

For The Love Of...

Your animals....Please, I beg of you, if you live in a cold weather climate, please do not leave your pets out in the cold. Pets are a member of the family no matter if they reside outside or inside. It is important that we take special care during the colder months to keep them healthy.

I have been witness to dogs being left outside in the cold snows of Chicago winters and it's not a pretty sight! One actually froze to death before I was able to get in contact with Animal Control and it haunts me to this day. Please bring them in to bask in the warmth of your cozy cottage if only for the winter months.

When you bring them in, give them a nice bath so they will be free of fleas and you will keep your cottage pest free. Use 1 tsp cider vinegar to every quart of water and fleas will not go near your pet! They will wash straight down the drain.

Bake A Batch Of Eggnog Scones...

The holiday season is the perfect time to bake a batch of eggnog scones. Wonderful at breakfast, tea time, or as gifts, I will be baking a batch of these again soon. Put on the tea kettle and prepare to savor one of these luscious scones.

Ingredients:

1 cup commercial eggnog

1 egg, beaten

2 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

4 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons shortening

1 handful raisins

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine eggnog and beaten egg; set aside. In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon. Mix well. Cut in butter and shortening. Add eggnog mixture to dry ingredients and stir. Stir in raisins.

For cut scones: Turn dough out onto floured surface and roll dough out. Cut into biscuit-size rounds or other shape. I like to make my scones in to triangles so I pat in to a round and then slice in pie shapes.

For drop scones: Drop by rounded tablespoonful onto cookie sheet. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 15 minutes or until light golden brown.

Ladders...

Walking under a ladder has long been considered back luck, but have you ever wondered why? Ladders were believed to be spiritual ascents to heaven by the ancient people. The rule was "Do not disturb the spirits who were using them."

If a ladder is leaning against a wall it forms a triangle. In ancient times a triangle symbolized life. If you walked under a ladder that was leaning against a wall you were breaking the symbol of life.

If you find yourself having to walk under one, first cross your fingers and spit over your left shoulder, or keep silent until you see your first four legged animal. This offsets any evil or danger.

On the symbolical level, the ladder often represents an individual's spiritual quest as it moves from a lower to a higher level. Seen in dreams, the ladder may symbolize that the person is about to achieve a transition to a higher state of awareness.

Save Your Broom...

Do you find yourself going through alot of brooms? You can add new life to fiber brooms by washing them occasionally in 2 quarts of warm water to which has been added 4 tablespoons of household ammonia. Let the bristles soak in this for half an hour. Rinse in clear warm water and then hang them up in a cool place to dry. Never stand a broom or brush on its bristles in the closet. If you hang it up so the bristles don’t touch the floor this prevents the brush from losing its shape or wearing out sooner than necessary.

Scent Your Cottage With The Aroma Of Cinnamon Scones

I posted this recipe long ago but it's worth reposting. If you're new to the world of home-made scones, then this is the perfect recipe for you to start with. It's simple and basic, but tastes great with just a hint of cinnamon. Try them with one of the butter recipes in my archives.
Ingredients:
2 cups white flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 tbs baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 400F. Blend together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Cut in butter. Mix milk, egg and vanilla in another mixing bowl. Add to the flour mixture, and stir until just moist. Shape dough into an 8-inch round loaf. Cut into 8wedges and separate slightly. Bake for 11-15 minutes or until light brown.
Makes 8 scones

The Lovely Larimar Stone...

The Larimar gemstone is sometimes mistaken for turquoise, and not surprisingly because of it's beautiful color, it represents Oceanic energy, peace, clarity, and healing for the Earth. This stone helps one with truthfulness, precision, and forthrightness, and stimulates the heart, throat, third eye and crown chakras promoting inner wisdom. It represents peace and clarity, healing and love and is reputed to be helpful for those experiencing stress and anxiety.

This beautiful stone's powers are believed to help us view events from different perspectives, to soften and enlighten, to heal the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual body.

Placing Larimar stones in one's home or work environment will assure a pleasant and serene atmosphere. Using the stone on the throat chakra in a pendant or in a laying-on-the-stones treatment, will help to unleash the voice of one's deepest wisdom.

Lowfat Sugar Cookies...

With almost half the butter of most sugar cookies, you can treat yourself to one of these low fat Christmas cookies without feeling too guilty. I use "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" cubes for even less fat. Top with sprinkles before baking or add a glaze afterwards using confectioner's sugar, lemon juice and some food coloring.

Ingredients:
5 tbsp butter, softened (or I Can't Believe It's Not Butter cubes)
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Using a mixer, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing well. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually stir flour mixture into butter and sugar until dough forms. The dough may seem a little crumbly at first but will come together. Wrap dough in plastic and chill for two hours in the refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 1/4-inch or 1/8-inch thickness. Dip your cookie cutters in flour to keep from sticking in the dough.

Place cookies 1 inch apart on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for 9-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Transfer to wire rack after 1 minute to cool.

This recipe makes approximately 30 cookies if you're using small cookie cutters.

Baking Cookies...A Cute Poem

I was warned that this would happen as I stirred the cookie dough.
“Now, if you eat too much of it, a pain inside will grow.”
I didn’t really listen as the ingredients swirled around.
I took a nip to try it; a better taste could not be found!

I couldn’t stop! I ate and ate… a spoonful here then there.
Before I knew it, most was gone; the bowl was almost bare.
I looked down at my belly. It stuck out beneath my shirt.
And that is when the pain began, the ache - the awful hurt.

“It hurts!” I clutched my tummy as I sat down on the floor.
“Too much!” I cried to everyone. “The cookie dough… no more!”
I moaned as I regretted having taken every bite.
“I should not have eaten all that dough! I know now - you were right!”

There was nothing I could do but wait, the ache would go away.
I knew it must eventually. It couldn’t stay all day.
I sat and waited patiently, and pouted; rubbed my tum.
Then I heard the ding-dong ring… the cookies! They were done!

Well, cookie dough and cookies are two very different things,
For my tummy feels much better once the oven timer rings.
It knows the fix for too much dough is cookies. I am sure.
It doesn’t really make much sense, but b’lieve me it’s the cure!

By Carrie Heyes

For The Love Of...

Cornish Pasties! These pasties are Cornish, not Scottish, but they are meat pies and they're wonderful. If you have not tried them or made them, you must! I like making my own pastry crust but if you don't, by all means cheat with pie crust mix. I have also made this recipe in a pie plate like a pot pie. Any way you choose to make it, prepare to be hooked.

Ingredients:

Enough pie crust mix for three 9" crusts

2 - 2 1/2 pounds good lean beef
3 medium potatoes
1 large onion
1 rutabaga or turnip (I like turnips)
beef gravy (optional)
1 beaten egg

1. Finely dice the meat, potatoes, onion and turnip. Mix them together in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste ( I do not add salt).

2. Roll out the dough and cut into 6 to 8 inch rounds.

3. Put a generous amount of the meat mixture on the pastry circle and top with a tablespoon or so of beef gravy if you wish. Seal the edges with water,fold in half and crimp.

4. With a pastry brush, spread some of the beaten egg on top of each pastie and cut slits to vent.

5. Bake on a cookie sheet at 350 for 25 - 30 minutes - or until golden brown.

Yield: about 12 - 15 pasties. They freeze well so individually wrap them and have them on hand for those days you're to tired to cook!

The Sooty Scone...

Peace and plenty; and no killing;
Beef at a groat, and meat at a shilling.
Whisky for nothing, beer at the same.
A bonnie wee wife; and a cosy wee hame.

In the Mearns and Aberdeenshire, among the many superstitious ceremonies that were performed by the younger people of both sexes, that of the "sooty-scone" holds a distinguished place. It was the usual custom to make "skair" scones, which are composed of milk, meal, or flour, and eggs beaten up and sweetened with sugar, mixed to a thin consistency. When a sufficient quantity of skair-scones was prepared, the remainder of the mixture was made into a large thick scone, into which a quantity of soot was put together with a wedding ring, and in this last scone lay all the magic.

The person who prepared the sooty-scone had to keep a strict silence while it was baking, for if she spoke all it's virtues were lost; and when it was done it was divided into as many portions as there were unmarried guests, each of whom, blind-folded, drew a piece.

The person who drew the piece containing the ring was then assured of being the first married of the company; and to know who their "intended" would be, the piece of cake was dreamt upon after it was placed under the pillow in the left foot stocking. Whatever person was dreamt of, he or she was viewed as the future husband or wife of the dreamer. This power of looking into the future, however, was not confined to the person who obtained the ring, but, by the mystical virtues of the sooty-scone and to all who partook of it. The ring only conferred the privilige of being the first married.

Info: Tour Scotland

The Seagull In Celtic Lore

The seagull is associated with Lir, a Sea-God in Celtic lore. Like many birds, the seagull flies between the earth and the heaven world, bringing messages to mortals. Gulls are highly intelligent with a complex social structure developed partly to ward off predators. Seagulls live in colonies and sometimes utilize tools.

It's Monday...

Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go,
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for a living,
But the child who is born on the Sabbath Day
Is bonny and blithe and good and gay.

Monday: An Luain or Dé Luain (Irish)— Latin Lunae, "of the Moon"
monandaeg (Anglo-Saxon)
montag (Germanic)
dies lunae (Latin)
som-var (Hindu)
peer or somwar (Islamic)
lundi (French)
getsu youbi (Japanese)

Monday is traditionally viewed as the second day of the week and "the day of the moon"

It was believed by ancients that there were three Mondays during the year that were considered to be unlucky: first Monday in April, second in August and last in December.

Mondays are for women's mysteries, illusion, prophetic dreaming, emotions, travel, fertility, cooking, family, the home, intuition, medicine, spiritual growth and the ocean.

Some suggestions for Monday would be to:

Get outside and look for the moon in the heavens to bring you wisdom and insight.

Empower your silver jewelry under the light of the moon. Wear moonstone or pearl jewelry today to add a lunar and magical shimmer to your outfit. Be mysterious and subtle and wear moon-associated colors such as white, silver, and blue.

Gather bluebells, jasmine, gardenias, or white roses, flowers that are associated with the moon.

Eat a lunar fruit such as a melon to be healthy, serene, and at peace.

Brew a cup of chamomile or mint tea for sweet dreams and restful sleep.

Monday Associations:
Color: Silver, white, light blue
Planet: Moon
Metal: Silver
Deities: Thoth, Selene
Gemstones: Pearl, opal, moonstone
Herbs & Plants: Wintergreen and other mints, catnip, comfrey, sage, chamomile
Associations: Childbearing and family life, purity and virginity, healing, wisdom, intuition