blissful domesticity

Friday's flowers, a granola recipe, and thrifty finds......READ MORE.

violet syrup, violet cooler, and violet lemonade

Recipes using violets......READ MORE.

dandelion goddess- outdoor challenge day 5

Dandelion Goddess and dandelion links.......READ MORE.

Numi Blooming Tea

Numi Flowering Tea- Flower Jewel's tender white tea is crowned by a bright.......READ MORE.

winter sunflower and oats scrub

A recipe to rehydrate your skin using ingredients from your cupboard......READ MORE.

cinnamon-applesauce ornaments

A yearly holiday tradition for us is making cinnamon-applesauce ornaments. I started making them 12 years ago when I was looking for a “holiday scent” activity to do with my kindergartners. I believe I’ve been making them every year since! The little ladies and I deck our Yule tree with them; they smell so wonderful! They keep their scent for a long time.......CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE.

wool roving balls- washing machine method

We have been busy making lots of little kitty jingle toys. We have made these using the hot water in a bowl method, which is so time consuming and takes forever if you want to make a lot of these. Then there is the short cut method- the washing machine. Using the washing machine does a pretty good job forming the balls and aiding in the felting process. This method is so much faster and easier.......READ MORE.

homemade peppermint extract

I tried making peppermint cookies a few years ago. They were very festive to look at- dark chocolate cookies with pieces of candy cane spread throughout; but they tasted TERRIBLE! The peppermint flavor was way off and I blame the peppermint extract I used. This year I am making my own......READ MORE.

herbal honey candy/cough drops

We made herbal candy (medicinal drops) for the first time last week. Little bit challenging I must admit, but fun and tasty! Our candy was basically a peppermint candy with a bit of beebalm, thyme, and sage added for a cold fighting punch......READ MORE for the recipe.

lavender/rosemary ink (handmade holidays)

On our Williamsburg trip, my granny (that’s great granny to the little ladies), bought the girls each a white feather quill pen. The timing was great because I have been wanting to make a lavender/rosemary scented ink. This was a wonderful herbal activity leaving the house smelling great! READ MORE........

get well gremlin softie (free pattern)

The Get Well Gremlins are finished and I have 2 little ladies who are quite excited about them! They are kind of a twist on a dream pillow but you don’t use dry herbs as the stuffing. Each gremlin has a pocket to hold a cotton ball or........READ MORE.

natural dyes- walnuts and goldenrod

Making natural dyes from backyard plants (or frontyard) is an activity we enjoy to do in the Autumn, when we can heat up the kitchen and still have a window or two open. Yesterday we gathered goldenrod, walnuts and pokeberry to dye a thrifted wool blanket and some wool roving. READ MORE.....

shakespeare and kids (shakespeare herbal globe)

Many, many years ago I had a dream that my sister Katrina and I owned a little terrarium shop full of hanging glass spheres full of green life. This dream will always be in my mind and it inspired me to do this little Shakespeare activity with the girls. Shakespeare was a country boy and knew.....READ MORE.

goldenrod history and medicine

Happy Autumn! Our field is ablaze with gold from the tall goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) growing everywhere. I love the golden color of this plant and it has an interesting history in the USA. After the Boston Tea Party.....READ MORE.

red clover tea (nitrogen)

One of our favorite teas from our yard is red clover tea. Not only are the blossoms tasty to munch but they make a wonderful cleansing tea. We are studying the many benefits of clover to our gardens..........READ MORE.

Jewelweed Poison Ivy Remedy

It’s that time of year for picking wild blackberries and elderberries. And wherever the berries grow, the poison ivy grows. Here is the remedy I use to prevent or treat that horrible itch (and other plant related rashes)!

You need: jewelweed, calendula blossoms (optional), apple cider vinegar, glass jar




This is poison ivy, avoid it at all costs. I find the new growth just darling and beautiful but don’t let that tempt you to touch it! Remember the rule “Leaves of three, let it be!”

This is jewelweed (Impatiens capensis). It likes the same habitat as poison ivy and stinging nettle; so if you see those, do a little hunt for jewelweed. Harvest 1 part jewelweed to 2 parts apple cider vinegar; please only harvest what you will use. Bruise the jewelweed up a bit, place it in a clean jar and cover with apple cider vinegar. Let it steep for a week or two, strain out the plant material and there you have the “magic elixir.” You can place the liquid in an ice cube tray and freeze for up to a year. When needed take the cube and rub onto the infected area. My sister Katrina keeps the plant and all in the vinegar and uses a cotton ball to apply; she keeps this on her bathroom counter, this is good too, but it won’t keep as long. Should you be out in the field and be exposed to poison ivy, split open the stem of the jewelweed and apply directly to infected area.

I like to add a couple of calendula blossoms to help heal the skin and moisturize. I also use this remedy for other plant related rashes and allergies. Like whenever the Little Ladies convince me to go into our field without long pants on, I always come out in pain with a grass rash!

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Easy Herbal Syrup (Lavender)

You Need:
1/3 cup dried lavender
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups water

Steps:
1. Combine lavender, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan.
2. Bring to boil, turn down the heat to a simmer.
3. Simmer until syrup thickens and is bubbling in a thick frothy manner (about 45 min.).
4. Cool and strain.
5. Discard lavender.
6. Very good drizzled on soy vanilla ice cream.

*This recipe can be used with any herb of your choice.

Our Nature, Creation and Inspiration Table

The Magic Onions, is hosting a weekly Friday's Nature Table, which celebrates nature and imagination. I thought I would share our "nature, creation and inspiration table." The Little Ladies and I have MANY nature tables throughout the house. The one that follows is my favorite! It is placed in our "creative room" right in front of our big bow window. The table is an old thrifted table I found about a month ago for $20 (a steal). It is solid oak, big and wonderful!


On the table you will find projects waiting to be finished with needed supplies of art pencils, watercolors, oil pastels, paint brushes, glue and nature journals. Usually you will find a Little Lady there too, all is easy access for their creative pleasure.

Sewing on leaves project.

Feathers, monarch caterpillars and beetles, and water frogs (from the pet store) are also there for observation and nature journal inspiration.

Baskets of pressed leaves and sycamore bark are there for art projects.

Reused glass bottles full of flowers to be observed or dissected.

Baskets of flowers waiting to be pressed and various flower presses are close at hand.

Homemade clipboards with pollen studies attached.

HA! This table is in the same room as my herb table. This creative room is a room full of "organized clutter," much to my hubby's distress. Since this room is too much to take in for one post I'll save the cabinets full of more nature and art supplies for a later date.

Table Leg Ornament

The tables' contents change daily and will change as the seasons change. It may be a little "messy" to look at from afar, but my little ladies and I find it absolutely beautiful!

Herbal Lore 2

Hens and chicks (Sempervivum). Gives protection from evil and lightning when grown in the garden. Has many folk names- Jupiter's Beard, old man and old woman, stonecrop, wall pepper, and my favorite- welcome-home-husband-though-never-so-drunk. Albertus Magnus, a 15th century German writer included it in an old charm to catch fish.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). "Fennel is for flatterers." In an earlier age it was said to restore lost vision. The symbol of success and discourage evil if hung in the home. It was used by sorcerers to conjure up evil spirits.

Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium). Carries the folk name of bridesbutton. Our fore mothers carred it in their bridal bouquets. It will cleanse the air, ward off disease, and purge a siege of melancholy. Feverfew in the garden will entice fairies to dance there.

Borage (Borago officinalis). "I Borage give Courage," this herb gives courage to those who carry it or drink it as a tea. It also encourages cheerfulness. It was traditionally used to decorate houses for weddings.

Radish (Raphanus sativus). No snake will approach if you carry a radish in your pocket. Served before a meal to clean your palate.

*Lore from the book Mugworts in May by Linda Ours Rago

Sure Cures and Herbal Lore

For colds, drink chamomile or sage tea.

For strength, eat thyme with your meal. For easing sadness, sleep on a pillow stuffed with thyme.

For staying young, smell rosemary frequently. ;)

For attracting money, carry basil in your pockets.

For indigestion, chew parsley.