Recyling old candles

02/06/2013

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MAKING CENTS  OF SCENT
S T R E T C H   Y O U R   D O L L A R    &   E N J O Y   S C E N T   L O N G E R

February is a short month with only 28 days, but sometimes the weeks of dreary weather make it feel like the longest month of the year.  It is the time when cabin fever sets in for many of us.  Years ago, a customer told me that she burns a candle on rainy days to elevate her mood.  I liked her idea and now, I too light a candle when I want to lift my spirits on dark days.  I keep votive candles around for this purpose but over the holidays I  was burning  jar candles with a soft pine fragrance.  When they were finished I hesitated tossing them because wonderful smelling wax still remained.  So, I came up with an idea - make scented sachets with the leftover wax. 
The soy wax was easy to remove from the jar with a paring knife.   I found several bags in my stash of craft supplies but decided on the paper tea bags that I normally use for tea leaves.  After filling, I tied the bags with satin ribbon to hang the 'sachets' from doorknobs as room fresheners.  Then, I washed and cleaned the jars as they will make perfect vases for the spring bouquets that I am already anticipating.   What a great way to re-purpose old candles.
I'd love to hear your ideas for repurposing old candles.  
Think spring,
Sally
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Perfumes & Linen Waters

01/30/2013

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LAVENDER 
PERFUME WATER
T H E   D E L I C A T E   L U X U R Y   O F   S C E N T

I love natural perfume waters.  They have a light scent that lasts for hours and are the perfect pick-me-up on dismal winter days.  I keep a small bottle of fresh perfume water on my bed stand to sprinkle over the pillows  before I go to sleep at night.  Here is an easy way to make your own linen/perfume water with just a few ingredients.  
Start with freshly sterilized bottles.  I mix a combination of very hot water and baking soda to cleanse, then I rinse them in rubbing alcohol.  Small antique perfume bottles are my favorite way to store freshly scented waters.  
Begin with distilled water.  The above picture is a bottle I keep distilled liquids in that has already been infused with a scent- this one being lavender.  For extra punch I add my own dried lavender petals from the garden (above: just about a tablespoon).
Place the dried petals in the mixing bottle.  
Then add several drops of lavender essential oil.  My favorite is from Now.  You can order it here.
Put six to twelve drops into the bottle- add more if you like a stronger scent.  
Now fill half the bottle with distilled lavender water.  
You can let the bottle sit for several days to infuse or begin placing the liquid in other vials.  
Take a small syringe and draw the perfume from the mixing bottle into smaller antique vials.  This is a convenient and beautiful way to store your lavender water. 
Store remaining liquid in the mixing jar for later use.  If the perfume begins to color a light purplish-brown, don't worry.  Its scent is only getting stronger and it will not likely stain sheets, clothing, or furniture.  
If you want to clean with the solution, add it to a misting bottle with more water- It's a great home air freshener/cleanser.  
Put a glass vial in your purse, next to your bed stand, or on your bathroom vanity for little perk up. 
Lavender helps to relax my senses, and reminds us that the longest days of summer will come again.  
Shannon
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Dried Tea From the Garden

01/24/2013

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GARDEN MINT
 S U M M E R   T E A   F O R   W I N T E R   D A Y S

A steaming cup of mint tea warms the spirits on a cold winter's afternoon.   In my opinion, dried tea from my garden is far superior to any commercial brand.  Maybe the rich aroma and flavor is because I fill the tea bags with more leaves than the store-bought bags. Why skimp when you don't need to?
Mint tea has grown on my property for generations.  Spearmint tea, planted by the women who toiled the soil before me, thrives under the raspberry bushes surrounding the smoke house.  Mountain tea flourishes on the powerline and in the woods behind the house.   It doesn't make sense (or cents) to buy mint tea when I have a fresh supply of my own available but that is exactly what I did for many years.   I bought the Boston Mint Tea in little metal cans until one day I realized how easy it was to make my own tea bags.  
This sustainable resource, for both hot and cold beverages, can be enjoyed during winter days by drying the leaves in a few simple steps.  Clip fresh tea stems 0n a sunny afternoon and hang in a warm place like an attic or dark closet.  When dry, remove leaves and fill tea bags purchased at specialty shop or on-line.  A box of 100 bags cost only a few dollars.  The tea bags keep their oils and minty aroma if stored in glass jars with lids. 
The longer you steep the tea the stronger the flavor.
Come and share a pot of tea.
My home is warm and my friendship's free.
Sally
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Edible Grains: Rice, Wheat, and Barley

01/16/2013

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FROM GRAINS TO FLOUR
 M I L L I N G   B A R L E Y   W H E A T   A N D   R I C E

Did you know that whole grains lose nutrition after being processed?  Most flour on  the pantry shelf has been eliminated of any healthy benefits (including whole wheat or gluten free options).  I became aware of this fact about a year ago and purchased a Wondermill.  Milling fresh grains in my kitchen is amazingly satisfying.  The texture and taste of the flour is unrivaled to grocery store options, and the possibilities of what to mill are endless.  Healthful food never tasted better! 
A good substitue for white flour in most recipes is equal parts of Spelt, Barley, and Brown Rice according to Chef Brad's cookbook featuring the WonderMill.  He recommends grinding the different flours at one time and storing in an air-tight container for  use during the week.  Whenever a recipe calls for white flour just grab the the freshly milled grain mix.  My goal, like Chef Brad, is to make food more healthful without compromising flavor.
Next, I want to try milling corn. I found a recipe for Old-Fashioned Corn Bread that requires 2 cups of freshly ground popcorn.  I'll be giving that a try soon and will let you know the results. 
Eat well and stay healthy,
Sally

Be careful about what you eat.
 Be even more careful about what is eating you.
-copied-
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Edible Seeds

01/03/2013

 

THE SEEDS WE EAT
 E D I B L E   S E E D S  F O R   V I T A L   N U T R I E N T S  

Last evening I toasted sesame seeds for salad toppings in the oven.  After dinner I poured alfalfa seeds into trays to sprout and later made a popcorn snack.  I began to think about the different seeds  included in my winter diet. Taking a quick inventory of the pantry shelf I found sunflower seeds, dill seeds, poppy seeds, mustard seeds, pumpkin seeds, alfalfa seeds, and popcorn as staples. 
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Pumpkin & Sunflower Seeds
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Dill - Sesame - Poppy Seeds
The flavor of seeds is enhanced by roasting in a warm oven, toasting under the broiler, or tossing in a hot skillet with butter.   Seeds are especially tasty added to cakes, muffins, homemade yeast and sweet breads or salads.
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Popcorn - Pumpkin- Mustard Seeds
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Alfalfa & Sesame Seeds
 

Holiday Desserts

12/18/2012

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FESTIVE HOLIDAY TRA Y S
E M B E L I S H I N G  D E S S E R T S  W I T H  E V E R G R E E N S

Holiday desserts take center stage when embelished with a few evergreens. A snippet of fresh holly, pine, or boxwood add a festive look to any tray.  Use whatever is available in your landscape or ask to clip from a neighbor or friend's yard.  Since my holly bushes were hit by early frost and not yielding berries, I added Barberry for a splash of red. 
Happy feasting with family and friends as you celebrate the Christmas season.
Let heaven and nature sing,
Sally
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The Cakes of Christmas: AMISH 

11/29/2012

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AMISH CAKES & FEASTING
T R I E D   A N D   T R U E   R E C I P E S   F R O M   T H E   O L D   O R D E R

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Festive Cakes of Christmas by Norma Jost Voth, Illustrations by Ellen Jane Price
This little recipe book drew me in the second I spotted it at a local thrift store.  The hand-drawn sketches and folkish stories had me at first sight.  I can't help but share them with you, so here are a few pages for your enjoyment about Amish Christmas traditions.   
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Festive Cakes of Christmas by Norma Jost Voth, Illustrations by Ellen Jane Price
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Festive Cakes of Christmas by Norma Jost Voth, Illustrations by Ellen Jane Price
Like the dinner menu above, I was once served an Amish Feast hosted by people who had left the Amish church locally.  The food was wholesome and delicious with several courses of starchy delights such as whipped potatoes, buttered noodles, lima beans, gravy and sours to combat the fat.  We finished the meal with an overwhelming amount of fresh baked cakes and pies and there were plenty of seconds for everyone.  

We all left the meal more than satisfied that evening.
Sally

HOLIDAY RECIPE FAVORITE
Yule Log Cake

INGREDIENTS 

3 eggs
3 Tbsp. baking cocoa
1 cup sugar
4 tsp. cold water
1 scant cup flour
1  1/4  tsp. baking powder
1  1/4  tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp. hot melted butter


DIRECTIONS

  1. Beat eggs and sugar until creamy.  
  2. Add water, cocoa and dry ingredients.  
  3. Gradually add vanilla and hot butter last.  
  4. Bake in quick oven (375 degrees) for 15 minutes (or until cake tests done).  
  5. Turn out on a towel and immediately roll up with towel.  
  6. When cool, unroll and frost with your favorite icing.  
  7. Roll up.  
  8. Slice to serve.
NOTE:  This is a fast and easy recipe that tastes great with almost any filling.  If you want to cut the fat/calories substitute the icing with a light yogurt ice cream. yum!
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Sweet Potato Recipe

11/21/2012

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SWEET POTATO RECIPE
 E A S Y   A N D   D E L I C I O U S 

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Picking up & Loading Sweet Potatoes- Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, DC
Sweet potatoes are a favorite food around the holidays.  This recipe balances the sweetness of the potato with tart apples and cranberries making for a delicious and unexpected combination that is complimentary to a menu of turkey or chicken.    Everyone I serve seems to like the taste and I like the ease of preparation.  Give it a try and let me know what you think!


CRAN-APPLE SWEET POTATO 

1 Sheet 18x24 Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
4 med. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch slices
2 Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples, cored, thinly sliced 
1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins
1/2 packed brown sugar
3 Tbsp. margarine or butter, melted
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  2. Center potatoes, apples and cranberries on sheet of foil. Mix sugar and cinnamon with melted butter then drizzle.  Bring up sides of foil and double fold ends to form one large foil packet.
  3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes on cookie sheet or casserole dish until potatoes are tender.
  4. Serves 4 to 6
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Preserving Winter Herbs 

11/06/2012

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MAKING A BOUQUET GARNI
P R E S E R V I N G   H E R B S   F O R   C O O K I N G   &   G I F T   G I V I N G

Parsley, kale, dill, chive, and thyme are thriving in my garden boxes outside the kitchen door.  Knowing that these hardy plants will soon succomb to the dropping temperatures, I clipped several herb bunches to preserve for winter cooking and making a Bouquet Garni.
 The French term, Bouquet Garni, refers to a small bundle of herbs infusing a mild aromatic flavor to savory foods.  These herb bunches may be used either fresh or dried to enhance the flavor of  broth, stews, and soups.  I especially like to add them to my chicken recipes.  
How to make a Bouquet Garni 
  • Step 1:  Clip a mixture of herbs such as parsley, chive, thyme, sage, and dill.
  • Step 2:  Tie the bundle together with cotton string leaving some extra length for hanging to dry and retrieving from the cooking pot.
  • Step 3:  Use Bouquet Garni fresh or hang to dry for later.
Remember, any combination of herbs may be bundled together.  The purpose is to preserve whatever is growing and available in the garden.  In my opinion, fresh herbs from the garden are far superior to the ones purchased at the store.  
Dried herb bundles may be stored in jars with lids up to 6 months.   For gift giving, I place a coffee filter over a wide-mouth jar and label with a felt pen.  
 A jar with incredibly aromatic pre-made Bouquet Garni is a thoughtful hostess gift for friends and relatives over the holidays.  
Sally
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Natural Cold Medicine

10/16/2012

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NATURAL COUGH REMEDY
A   H E A L T H I E R   S I D E   T O   M E D I C I N E

The changing seasons always bring fluctuating temps and weather patterns that inevitably affect our health.  As winter approaches prepare yourself against cold and flu season with this easy Cough Syrup Recipe.  Sometimes I'll heat the mixture on the stove (with a little extra honey) for a less-watery consistency.
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Organic Cider Vinegar with the Mother
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Fresh Cayenne Pepper
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Fresh Ginger Root

C O U G H   R E M E D Y

2 T. Spring Water
1 T. Organic Cider Vinegar 
1 T. Local Honey ¼ t. Cayenne
¼ t. Ginger
  • Dissolve Cayenne & Ginger in Vinegar & Water 
  • Add honey and let dissolve
  • Place in a bottle and shake well
  • Take 1 T. as needed for cough
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