tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37597562811637936552024-02-20T21:38:25.588-05:00The Scented Home and GardenThis blog is about gardening with fragrant plants and about making scented items from them. Gardening tips and information and craft projects, ideas and instructions will be shared here.Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-50825015087053982902011-10-30T22:09:00.000-04:002011-10-30T22:09:15.852-04:00Project - Make Lavender Oatmeal Soap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="color: #351c75;">“Anyone's life truly lived consists of work, sunshine, exercise, soap, plenty of fresh air, and a happy contented spirit.” - </span></em><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/lillielang307406.html"><span style="color: windowtext; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><em><span style="color: #351c75;">Lillie Langtry</span></em></span></a></span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana;"><em> </em></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifC_cGpwTJcXIJ_yG2_nmtT6cjHXnVUE6ZjGWlReDoSAx7hKUifFqeeo1AmHWYbv7A1lz8PKE59a6ys-BoPSSsPyh-72e2hAEDvB_kn8wpLGWrTTqdSRZUtkUw6uoE4kgRqkJ4ifCIKjYc/s1600/lavender+oatmeal+soap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifC_cGpwTJcXIJ_yG2_nmtT6cjHXnVUE6ZjGWlReDoSAx7hKUifFqeeo1AmHWYbv7A1lz8PKE59a6ys-BoPSSsPyh-72e2hAEDvB_kn8wpLGWrTTqdSRZUtkUw6uoE4kgRqkJ4ifCIKjYc/s400/lavender+oatmeal+soap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Making your own soap at home, like cooking from scratch, is a great way to know and control the ingredients used, and add healthy alternatives from your herb garden and kitchen cupboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it doesn’t have to be difficult, expensive or time-consuming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is certainly possible to make your soap completely from scratch and there are many books and resources to teach you how.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to keep it simple, though, an easy alternative is to use a melt-and-pour soap base and soap molds, which you can buy at craft stores or from many online suppliers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soap bases are available in many varieties, including clear glycerin, cocoa butter, honey, oatmeal, olive oil, shea butter and, my personal favorite, goat milk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goat milk soap is soothing and moisturizing, and when you add all natural ingredients to it, can be very beneficial to dry or sensitive skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lavender and oatmeal are also beneficial to the skin.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To make melt-and-pour lavender oatmeal soap, you will need the following:</span></div><ul style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1 lb. melt-and-pour goat milk soap base (or other variety of your choice)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">¼ cup dried lavender buds</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">¼ cup old-fashioned rolled oats (don’t use quick-cooking or flavored varieties)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">large knife </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">microwave safe measuring cup or bowl</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">microwave</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">popsicle stick or other stirring implement (creates less bubbles than a spoon)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">soap mold or molds which will hold a total of a little over a pound of soap (since soap mold sizes and shapes vary widely, this may be anywhere from three large bars of soap to half a dozen or more guest sized novelty soaps)</span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First, cut the soap base into chunks of about 1 ounce each (soap base often comes with pre-scored lines for cutting). Microwave the soap in the bowl or measuring cup, stirring after each 30-second interval.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Microwaves vary, but this will probably take 2 to 3 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you are able to dissolve the last of the lumps by stirring, it is ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stir the lavender buds and oatmeal into the melted soap base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pour the mixture into your soap mold or molds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let the soap harden for a couple of hours or until completely solidified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove from the mold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the mold won’t release the soap, put the whole mold into the freezer for about 10 minutes, then try again. Wrap the soap immediately in plastic wrap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This kind of soap does not have to cure, so you can begin using it right away. The soap will have a scrubby texture which is excellent for washing your hands after garden chores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-61567681123427551852011-10-27T19:17:00.000-04:002011-10-27T19:17:45.582-04:00Bee Friendly<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="color: purple;">“The solitary Bee, Whose buzzing was the only sound of life, Flew there on restless wing, Seeking in vain one blossom where to fix.” - </span></em><a href="http://www.worldofquotes.com/author/Robert+Southey/1/index.html"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><em><span style="color: purple;">Robert Southey</span></em></span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Butterfly and hummingbird gardens are quite popular, and many gardeners select plants with the purpose of attracting these beautiful pollinators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gardening to attract bees does not always hold the same widespread appeal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may be due to some misconceptions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First, many people associate bees with stings and prefer not to have them around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact is that bees very seldom sting aggressively, but rather use it as a last defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even should a sting occur, only a very small minority of people suffer from a life-threatening allergy to bee venom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSx_wW_Ew_bQOKO7Eoer0JR3ttj5JF-0J8M3YxRvzUf3iZlgsZZunguNwlS4LQM3eo5Te_LcPwhmB6CGBmiYA3d1Gl30jfgQLZtQ1wCdpcwT_1rDTeKbTxs2I8EsWGOo3QiFCA4ZB4eVz/s1600/bumblebee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSx_wW_Ew_bQOKO7Eoer0JR3ttj5JF-0J8M3YxRvzUf3iZlgsZZunguNwlS4LQM3eo5Te_LcPwhmB6CGBmiYA3d1Gl30jfgQLZtQ1wCdpcwT_1rDTeKbTxs2I8EsWGOo3QiFCA4ZB4eVz/s320/bumblebee.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Second, some may think the only way of helping bees is to be a keeper of honeybee hives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not all gardeners have the time, space, resources, or even the desire to do so. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, honeybees aren’t the only bees around. There are about 4,000 native species in the <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">United States</place></country-region> and about 20,000 worldwide. Native bees can survive just fine without human attention, but there are things we can do to help them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Why be concerned about helping bees?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many species of bees, including both honeybees and native species, are experiencing a population decline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is estimated that bees pollinate about a third of the world’s food crops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from that, the buzz of bees around a blossoming fruit tree or patch of blooming flowers adds another dimension of pleasure to your fragrance garden, appealing to the ears as well as the eyes and nose. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What can you do to help native bees? First refrain from harming them with pesticides; then help them by providing food and shelter. Some ways to appeal to bee preferences include:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Choose plants native to your area</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Single, rather than double, flowers, and flowers with short or no tubes make nectar more accessible </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Garden with fragrant plants </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Choose plants in the mint family – mints, balms, oregano, sage, and lavender, for example</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Bees love flowers in shades of blue, purple and yellow</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Keep something blooming all season long</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">Don’t overdo the mulch – many bees need to burrow and nest in the dirt</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt;">From my personal observation, the plants most attractive to bees in my garden have been raspberry and apple blossoms, oregano, bee balm, lavender and thyme.</span></div>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-50580645590433743162011-10-23T18:54:00.000-04:002011-10-23T18:54:51.973-04:00Teas for the Tub<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them." –Sylvia Plath</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSbWXh_JB3leHbRv59Mn395jeQcQ62WqSdyrK71YFTo1D_DULClIRavmf9rUtXNADL_GfvDaQ5DYjccklLpc1khxTNLFLsmSaZ5A4xjnteXn3uCUQPv2NeTb9wKynqtqRpF9rH3okx4IY/s1600/alice_in_wonderland_mad_tea_party_apparel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSbWXh_JB3leHbRv59Mn395jeQcQ62WqSdyrK71YFTo1D_DULClIRavmf9rUtXNADL_GfvDaQ5DYjccklLpc1khxTNLFLsmSaZ5A4xjnteXn3uCUQPv2NeTb9wKynqtqRpF9rH3okx4IY/s320/alice_in_wonderland_mad_tea_party_apparel.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Everyday life is full of stress these days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to relax and relieve stress is soaking leisurely in a warm bath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plain water will help, but to take it to the next level, try making a bath tea with your homegrown or purchased dried herbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Make your bath tea by either of two methods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first is to steep the herbs in hot water, then strain them off and add the water to the tub. The second and easier method is to place the herbs in a small cloth bag or else tie them up tightly in muslin or cheesecloth, and hang the bag from the faucet, letting the hot water run through it as you fill the tub. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You can experiment with using different herbs, singly or together. Here are some of the herbs you may wish to use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Caution: if you are pregnant or have a serious health condition, always thoroughly research the herb you wish to use to be sure it is safe for you.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Calendula – skin soothing</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Chamomile – skin soothing, calming</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lavender – skin soothing and calming</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lemon balm – skin soothing and uplifting</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mint – uplifting</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 39pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 39.0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Rose petals – skin soothing and uplifting</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 3pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For dry or sensitive skin, you may also like to add oatmeal or dry milk to the bath bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-53288073586590838212011-10-20T18:56:00.000-04:002011-10-20T18:56:39.902-04:00Deer in the Garden<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">"Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed." --Francis Bacon</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The deer population is on the rise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is estimated that the number of deer living in the <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">United States</place></country-region> has risen from about 300,000 in 1930 to 30 million today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More deer are being seen in suburban areas as well as in the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a good chance that deer may be visiting your yard and snacking on your garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When learning to coexist with deer, remember that deer are just like people in a number of ways.</span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBa9mR_WPabv09FHh3rTolxA_qkyeUoQvfc0rdjF62bWDPEHKU0kHiynbO5K1iOANfrb9lV5qlvqSnailQoMCYEmATc46th6SzAmU5k0hdL-BCIXeoV-nk8mtnK9arNJ86R_pblxJaFPe/s1600/winter+deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBa9mR_WPabv09FHh3rTolxA_qkyeUoQvfc0rdjF62bWDPEHKU0kHiynbO5K1iOANfrb9lV5qlvqSnailQoMCYEmATc46th6SzAmU5k0hdL-BCIXeoV-nk8mtnK9arNJ86R_pblxJaFPe/s200/winter+deer.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer outside our window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tastes in food vary from one individual to another</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A starving deer will eat anything, regardless of likes or dislikes</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s hard to keep one out if it’s truly determined to find a way in</span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My personal experience with deer (in a rural area) is that they mainly come into the garden and close to the house in winter when food is scarce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our rhododendron bushes get trimmed of buds as high as a deer can reach each winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve also observed them munching on evergreen bushes and any kind of plants they can reach through the snow. When good weather comes, they tend to range out into the woods and fields, although I have noticed that they love apples, lilies and hostas, and I have never even attempted to grow corn.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the scented garden, the good news is that deer tend to avoid plants with scented foliage - like basil, lavender, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lilacs, honeysuckle, daffodils, hyacinths, and carnations and pinks are also on the “rarely eaten” list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bad news is that deer are often observed browsing on scented flowers such as roses, lilies, pansies and peonies. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gardeners use many strategies to try to protect their plants from deer, including fencing and use of various deer repellents. Another approach is the grow plants that deer generally dislike, either exclusively or as barriers or camouflage around the plants they consider to be tasty.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKF0ea1-ELmatztC5gfE9g-EhAvzRmZ7t36pKPw-v3Qa-KsQTrGKGx6dzixLETtVqn5SiCe7USKicL_AWKyfKYlFJMD7MuT8WDEgsc8vqd2xMXFFzREYl3SAFdYTqKOI21StyJUxyUKOY/s1600/fawns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKF0ea1-ELmatztC5gfE9g-EhAvzRmZ7t36pKPw-v3Qa-KsQTrGKGx6dzixLETtVqn5SiCe7USKicL_AWKyfKYlFJMD7MuT8WDEgsc8vqd2xMXFFzREYl3SAFdYTqKOI21StyJUxyUKOY/s400/fawns.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fawns under the apple tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-82516957607817792612011-10-16T18:51:00.000-04:002011-10-16T18:51:06.782-04:00Lavender in the Laundry<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #2c2625; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">And still she slept an azure-lidded sleep, In blanched linen, smooth, and lavender’d – John Keats</span></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iwIiWtnhSxq4wl0fqg4BeBIHI2M2h7YhTzXs-X97c8rYWtnuPUFAamfDyLakITWTigjtoF-5IVR_IZNDsEoaqLjqdDzx_v9y1jSQH1PxVa89KpeUSpVFhZaCEk09xdQNFom8p3-6adBp/s1600/Pictures+Sep+2011+088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iwIiWtnhSxq4wl0fqg4BeBIHI2M2h7YhTzXs-X97c8rYWtnuPUFAamfDyLakITWTigjtoF-5IVR_IZNDsEoaqLjqdDzx_v9y1jSQH1PxVa89KpeUSpVFhZaCEk09xdQNFom8p3-6adBp/s200/Pictures+Sep+2011+088.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lavender has a long history of use in the laundry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its name comes from the Latin term <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lavare</i>, meaning “to wash”, and it has been used for cleaning laundry at least since Roman times, if not longer.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My own experience with using lavender for laundry was prompted by a case of dermatitis (rash) and the realization that I have sensitive skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now buy only detergents and fabric softeners which are free of dyes and perfumes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is good for the skin and most likely for the environment as well, but having clean laundry with no scent can be a little boring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The solution- use lavender in the following ways in the laundry:</span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Add several drops of lavender essential oil to unscented liquid laundry detergent or unscented fabric softener.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simply add it to the full container and shake before each use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Use white vinegar with lavender essential oil added for scent, in place of or in addition to commercial fabric softener.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Put several drops of essential oil on a clean lint-free rag or washcloth and add to a dryer-load of clothes at the beginning of the cycle.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSS4_GpHsUqUv01sKH1b1EfHKb8MMgIP2ITUJnOO1h_fWti0g6GvSzFpNuHykmu2eKN4hVsrP7IFdy3yNNl1ZBDqzGEPkgkmrqyHIJ6nuVZReKfj93scLCSlUt9ceSW0ewYlRQDAhdH57/s1600/Plastic-Clothes-Pegs_31564-150x150_jpg_pagespeed_ce_-EiiznS6Jz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSS4_GpHsUqUv01sKH1b1EfHKb8MMgIP2ITUJnOO1h_fWti0g6GvSzFpNuHykmu2eKN4hVsrP7IFdy3yNNl1ZBDqzGEPkgkmrqyHIJ6nuVZReKfj93scLCSlUt9ceSW0ewYlRQDAhdH57/s200/Plastic-Clothes-Pegs_31564-150x150_jpg_pagespeed_ce_-EiiznS6Jz.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Replace dryer sheets with homemade dryer sachets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Purchase empty tea bags from a craft store or online supplier, fill them with dried lavender and seal with a regular household iron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could also make them by sewing or otherwise securely fastening a muslin bag with the lavender inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use these through several dryer cycles, according to your personal preference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even after retiring from the dryer, they will still retain enough fragrance to use for a linen drawer sachet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You can use other essential oils besides lavender in the same way – such as eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, or orange – whichever fragrance you would appreciate in your clean clothes and linens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-12718824394553561102011-10-12T21:30:00.000-04:002011-10-12T21:30:39.849-04:00Ramblings on Roses<div class="s" style="margin: auto 0in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="color: #a64d79;">Some roses are very lush and others are orderly. Each one appeals to a different kind of person. - Victoria Pearson</span></em></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIjRIYY9Xk2MXUTbEanjary2kB72GND9qqklGZ5SnoKypP6RbQZ6D7AWD7B8RinxmweVwnTArItHjPFzUZejx5LaJNK0IUabpQGm2lMdLHZBu6PCre79WdK7Ctvid16C1p-jdR8S4dCKF/s1600/zephirine+drouhin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIjRIYY9Xk2MXUTbEanjary2kB72GND9qqklGZ5SnoKypP6RbQZ6D7AWD7B8RinxmweVwnTArItHjPFzUZejx5LaJNK0IUabpQGm2lMdLHZBu6PCre79WdK7Ctvid16C1p-jdR8S4dCKF/s400/zephirine+drouhin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zephirine Drouhin climbing rose still blooming in October</td></tr>
</tbody></table> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A scented garden could never be complete without an abundance of roses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there are as many tastes in roses as there are people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t personally care much for long-stemmed unblemished roses from the florist’s shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their visual perfection and lack of fragrance makes them seem artificial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, I love wild, rambling roses filling the outdoors with their scent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they’re suitable for cutting, very well, but what is on my must-have list is hardiness, easy care, lots of blooms over a long season, and of course, fragrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the roses I’ve chosen to plant are landscape or shrub type roses.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One of my particular favorites is Zephirine Drouhin, an old-fashioned scented pink rose from 1868.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zephirine has almost no thorns and grows vigorously as a climber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike most roses, it will tolerate a good deal of shade and still bloom profusely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Some other roses I’ve grown and liked include:</span></div><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Miniature or groundcover roses - Fairy Pink Cushion, Patio</span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Landscape or shrub roses - Pink Knock Out, Double Knock Out, Royal Bonica, Scarlet Meideland, Fairy</span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Climbing roses - Climbing Blaze, John Cabot, Ginger Syllabub</span></div></li>
</ul>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-23874807273098447312011-10-09T20:12:00.000-04:002011-10-09T20:12:28.076-04:00Woodstove Words of Wisdom<div class="font15" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: red;"><em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">“</span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">To poke a wood fire is more solid enjoyment than almost anything else in the world.” -Charles Dudley Warner</span></i></span></div><div class="font15" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Although we’ve been enjoying unseasonably warm daytime temperatures here, it’s still cool at night and woodstove season is not far off. I love having a fire in the woodstove in our family room downstairs, and the dogs want to lie in front of it non-stop all winter long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you fully or partially heat your house with wood, you are aware of two things already - wood fires are messy and they dry the air. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are my tips about woodstoves:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXAn6Fy6GtxYOA3Oh96CKA6E5nDZXZzNsb511dyykSgW5sdyfPZTPLRy7t8o-_yw5EixNvaOHUMfPfyrJqfoZsxNmH8Xa0plMXg6y2-XADeAsDSccU2Edn-3ISrAvzgC59NPS3WazHKu0/s1600/woodstove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXAn6Fy6GtxYOA3Oh96CKA6E5nDZXZzNsb511dyykSgW5sdyfPZTPLRy7t8o-_yw5EixNvaOHUMfPfyrJqfoZsxNmH8Xa0plMXg6y2-XADeAsDSccU2Edn-3ISrAvzgC59NPS3WazHKu0/s320/woodstove.jpg" width="316" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="color: red;">Ashes -</span></em> in winter, ashes can be used to melt ice. Just be careful about dumping any live coals and about tracking the mess back into the house on your feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can also add ashes to your compost pile, or mulch them directly around plants that like alkaline soil, such as clematis, delphiniums, lilacs, oregano and many more. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><em><span style="color: red;">Glass viewing windows –</span></em> glass stove windows can be a real pain to clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best method I’ve tried so far is to put white vinegar in a spray bottle with several drops of essential oil (any scent will do, but citrus scents have extra cleaning power).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make a paste with baking soda and vinegar and scrub the glass with this, using additional vinegar to rinse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This works better than any store-bought product I’ve found. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><em>Dry air –</em></span> woodstoves dry out the air in your home very quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To moisturize the air and prevent dry skin and breathing problems, keep a full teakettle of water on the stovetop at all times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never let it burn dry; you may be surprised at how quickly it evaporates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To scent the air as well as moisturizing it, make a simple simmering potpourri. Add the following to the kettle – an orange peel, a couple of cinnamon sticks, and a spoonful of whole cloves. Exact measurements are not necessary – the amount of scent you want will be a matter of personal taste. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can also experiment with adding essential oils or dried herbs to the water in your kettle. </span></div>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-10194636322193773142011-10-05T19:20:00.000-04:002011-10-05T19:20:23.054-04:00Beguiling Bee Balm<div class="font15" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: #351c75;">“People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Iris Murdoch</span></span></em></div><div class="font15" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5RgGS7lGa2OHs6LXrsQ5wYr3VrBtzhp7uqmaK5IJWEwG4i5xgr-DhvNaMwxgNt2V_tF096PHYkFr21ZzpbhANxA0HjJQYk35m7u0qN26zWkgr_K7ILQMk7paQSo6zRmz2-ibFxmphRrb/s1600/Pictures+Sep+2011+089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5RgGS7lGa2OHs6LXrsQ5wYr3VrBtzhp7uqmaK5IJWEwG4i5xgr-DhvNaMwxgNt2V_tF096PHYkFr21ZzpbhANxA0HjJQYk35m7u0qN26zWkgr_K7ILQMk7paQSo6zRmz2-ibFxmphRrb/s400/Pictures+Sep+2011+089.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monarda didyma reblooming in September</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Flowers are not the main attraction for many of the aromatic herbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main source of fragrance and usefulness is often their leaves, while their blossoms remain small and insignificant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bee balm is definitely an exception to this rule, having large, beautiful blooms which attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds galore. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The scientific name for bee balm is Monarda, <span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">named after 16<sup>th</sup>-century botanist Nicolas Monardes.</span> It also goes by several other aliases, including bergamot, horsemint, and Oswego tea. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bee balm, a native North American plant, is an easy-care perennial that is not picky about soil conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may spread rapidly, but can be controlled fairly easily by simply pulling up the unwanted runners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have two varieties growing in my garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The red Monarda didyma ‘Joseph Cline’ has large blossoms and does not spread as quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other variety seems a little more aggressive, and has smaller, purplish flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I received a start of that one from a friend, so I don’t know its proper name, but I suspect it is what is known as wild bergamot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bee balm blooms in early summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cutting the blooms after they are spent may result in a second crop of flowers in late summer or early fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far I have not harvested my bee balm, but have left it in the garden in order to enjoy its looks and fragrance and attractiveness to pollinators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does have home uses as well, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flowers and leaves are both edible and scented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They make an attractive addition to potpourri and sachets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can also use them in the kitchen to add color to a salad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tea can be brewed from the leaves and is supposed to be good for insomnia and digestive problems. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-79815054818261270392011-10-01T20:04:00.001-04:002011-10-01T20:05:49.915-04:00Project - Make Carpet Freshener<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #741b47;">"Those herbs which perfume the air most delightfully, not passed by as the rest, but, being trodden upon and crushed, are three; that is, burnet, wild thyme and watermints.” - Frances Bacon </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pCgqg6i_Jd-b8FDbtzhpLSMCVGs46O4gL_Fnzqz8Y6jsZ5d8mA8sfUMtQ4H4sQjeF-fQ-NULGE1I0YzSE-LGPakSzeFAaAJxX49RsZ_H1pmadXWYFN4Q2oCONckbHQzupWDHD36lMo86/s1600/Pictures+Sep+2011+102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pCgqg6i_Jd-b8FDbtzhpLSMCVGs46O4gL_Fnzqz8Y6jsZ5d8mA8sfUMtQ4H4sQjeF-fQ-NULGE1I0YzSE-LGPakSzeFAaAJxX49RsZ_H1pmadXWYFN4Q2oCONckbHQzupWDHD36lMo86/s200/Pictures+Sep+2011+102.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon Balm</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Commercially produced carpet fresheners are often quite effective, but they may be costly or contain synthetic fragrances and other ingredients you, your children, or pets find irritating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Making your own carpet freshener/deodorizer is simple and inexpensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A word of warning:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when using any cleaning product on your carpet, it’s a good idea to first test it in a small inconspicuous area. However, I’ve never experienced any problems such as staining or discoloration when using homemade carpet freshener.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below are two methods for making “green” carpet freshener.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Carpet Freshener with Dried Herbs – thoroughly mix 1 cup baking soda with ¼ to ½ cup dried herbs, varying the amount of herbs according to your personal preference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be sure that the herbs are completely dry, and slightly crush or grind them up before adding to the baking soda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can use just one herb, such as lavender or peppermint, or try herb combinations like lavender and rosemary, or mint and thyme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Carpet Freshener with Essential Oils – thoroughly mix 1 cup baking soda with 15 to 30 drops essential oil, stirring thoroughly to avoid clumping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, use the amount that produces the strength of fragrance you desire, and use either one or multiple scents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></li>
</ol> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaBlCMxAmkiwk1R200ltdgCvPSH_Pid2OETNIoHwfvFW6zP95DfWLrUQZfbekcUQvJl2rnaNWh3FDgq8ONwXASL8T24xtkhMAJp5IWuOhyphenhyphenw8tZJ2V5Ul46YeUTvywbjZmbAT1rVcT0Q14/s1600/Pictures+Sep+2011+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaBlCMxAmkiwk1R200ltdgCvPSH_Pid2OETNIoHwfvFW6zP95DfWLrUQZfbekcUQvJl2rnaNWh3FDgq8ONwXASL8T24xtkhMAJp5IWuOhyphenhyphenw8tZJ2V5Ul46YeUTvywbjZmbAT1rVcT0Q14/s200/Pictures+Sep+2011+033.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potential Source of Carpet Odors</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">After mixing either formula, place in a cheese shaker or similar container.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If possible, let it sit for at least a day before using to let the fragrance permeate the blend. Sprinkle sparingly on carpet and let sit for 15 minutes or longer; then vacuum thoroughly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Don’t be afraid to experiment with different scents and scent combinations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ingredients are inexpensive, and you can make small batches until you find a combination you like, or keep changing the formula to fit the season or your mood. </span></div>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-67243876009126682642011-09-28T21:36:00.000-04:002011-09-28T21:36:10.444-04:00Plant Now for Spring Fragrance<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em><span style="color: #45818e;">"Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?"<br />
- Neltje Blanchan</span></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5g3R-7y84bFfxillvTTqqCPeaZgzlAiflqMhDSF_qTgA2oJJhjKJ11FVTtmkpBOqktcTp7qtqfgS8uo1lu7rL4EQqy5PkJo0ZfbVGb16q1AifhTjCT1S6-tFNbWQjm449l8lwyOAhP0p3/s1600/lily-of-the-valley-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5g3R-7y84bFfxillvTTqqCPeaZgzlAiflqMhDSF_qTgA2oJJhjKJ11FVTtmkpBOqktcTp7qtqfgS8uo1lu7rL4EQqy5PkJo0ZfbVGb16q1AifhTjCT1S6-tFNbWQjm449l8lwyOAhP0p3/s320/lily-of-the-valley-2.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Fall isn’t my favorite time of the year. Although it is beautiful and the moderate temperatures are welcome, I know that winter is just around the corner and I’ve come to dread its weather extremes. One way to keep a positive outlook is to start planning (and planting) now for spring. In my part of the world (US Hardiness Zone 6), now is the time to plant spring-flowering bulbs. Bulbs can be planted until the ground is frozen solid, but they will perform best if you plant them in early fall. Not only will they add welcome color to your garden, but many spring flowering bulbs are fragrant as well. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The following is not meant to be a comprehensive list, but will give a few suggestions of fragrant spring-flowering bulbs.</span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Hyacinths (Hyacinthus) – all kinds</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Grape Hyacinths (Muscari) – all kinds</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Lily of the valley (Convallaria) – all kinds</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Tulips (Tulipa) – Apricot Parrot, Apricot Beauty, Monsella, Prinses Irene, Angelique, Ballerina, Peach Melba</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Daffodils (Narcissus) – Fragrant Breeze, Fragrant Rose, Erlicheer, Martinette, Cheerfulness, Baby Boomer, Thalia</span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">If you can’t find fragrant bulbs locally, a quick Internet search will yield many mail order sources.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-66834598449435890982011-09-24T21:32:00.000-04:002011-09-24T21:32:04.119-04:00Essential Oils 101<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat” –<a href="http://www.quotesea.com/quotes/by/william-cullen-bryant" title="William Cullen Bryant quotes"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">John</span></a> Beverley Nichols<span style="color: #444444;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Many think of essential oils only as something used by aromatherapy experts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there are plenty of ways that the average person can use essential oils around the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to health and environmental concerns as well as financial considerations, more people are making their own household cleaning products.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Essential oils are a great addition to these “green” products, as well as to home fragrance and bath and body products, all of which are easy to make yourself. In this blog, I intend to share recipes and directions for such items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But first, here are a few basics about acquiring and using essential oils. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">First of all, what are essential oils?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are pure oils extracted or distilled from plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Depending on the variety, they may come from the leaves, flowers, roots, bark, or other plant parts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Making them is beyond the scope of most home gardeners, as special equipment and large quantities of plant material are required to make just a small amount of essential oil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you will probably want to purchase your essential oils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I purchase my essential oils from a wholesaler, www.naturesgardencandles.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many other reputable online sources, both retail and wholesale, and the oils are also usually available at natural food and craft stores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look for pure essential oils, rather than synthetic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quality oils will be packaged in dark-colored glass bottles and it is best to store them in the original bottles in a cool, dark room. Essential oils usually come with some sort of dropper, as a little bit goes a long way and oils should be measured out one drop at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will probably want to start out by purchasing oils in the smallest size available. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1-BdTCex2cCudfgaiP8CmtXBfHQKhtICP0O4qBTNoehNU1hUJlvveMXvHeodUmaJBRogXDzPJDqx6RsCLyrWh5pgKXvdE7Vd6qzV-RksZdLOEZsC1mX96fcJSZDB6cDlWyyoo5ah0WFP/s1600/Pictures+Sep+2011+091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1-BdTCex2cCudfgaiP8CmtXBfHQKhtICP0O4qBTNoehNU1hUJlvveMXvHeodUmaJBRogXDzPJDqx6RsCLyrWh5pgKXvdE7Vd6qzV-RksZdLOEZsC1mX96fcJSZDB6cDlWyyoo5ah0WFP/s320/Pictures+Sep+2011+091.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairy Rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">What kind of oils should you buy? This is purely a matter of personal taste, but here are some of my favorites:</span></div><ul style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Cassia (cinnamon)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Clove bud</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Eucalyptus</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Lavender</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Lemongrass</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><city w:st="on"><place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Orange</span></place></city><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Peppermint</span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-21556167055202356362011-09-21T20:52:00.000-04:002011-09-21T20:52:52.039-04:00The Lure of Lavender<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><em><span style="color: #674ea7;">“The air was fragrant with a thousand trodden aromatic herbs, with fields of lavender” -</span></em><a href="http://www.quotesea.com/quotes/by/william-cullen-bryant" title="William Cullen Bryant quotes"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><em><span style="color: #674ea7;">William Cullen Bryant</span></em></span></a><span style="color: #444444;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgiWC15L10iK8c_es0at7E6dQqkAyhjbtZhOrX-HeuJzUI13FRDbu_Jm6WlykR3bLz4bE3jLF4sJ3sBRPAaPz4PzT0PsHehK0GXleFxgpq8JVpbJlvcs4PQH2tflsLcZn8FEjBZI-NjE2/s1600/lavander-lavandula-antineae_w128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgiWC15L10iK8c_es0at7E6dQqkAyhjbtZhOrX-HeuJzUI13FRDbu_Jm6WlykR3bLz4bE3jLF4sJ3sBRPAaPz4PzT0PsHehK0GXleFxgpq8JVpbJlvcs4PQH2tflsLcZn8FEjBZI-NjE2/s200/lavander-lavandula-antineae_w128.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">If I had to choose just one indispensable plant for both garden and home (which, thankfully, I don’t) it would have to be lavender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outdoors, it adds beauty and fragrance to the garden over a long season and its semi-evergreen foliage provides winter interest in our cold climate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like many aromatic flowering plants, it attracts bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. Of the several varieties I’ve grown, I especially like Lavendula angustifolia ‘Hidcote Pink’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found it very easy to start from a small potted plant and it has grown to a respectable size over the past two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is cold hardy to US Zone 6. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEF2-rqRtVzVypmdPKlpdSjUGgoP0qlynBNHnZ-W0uQTs6-Ppo19CxPb87wCFTE3ZHfAqEd10TDA_i5FtC4K_xa0s3rbnzzausiDPvhfEn0QmWMUzLeUCn_Y5u5w6uhYw7BQRTGLrLvq_/s1600/lavender_with_sunflower_in_background-371x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEF2-rqRtVzVypmdPKlpdSjUGgoP0qlynBNHnZ-W0uQTs6-Ppo19CxPb87wCFTE3ZHfAqEd10TDA_i5FtC4K_xa0s3rbnzzausiDPvhfEn0QmWMUzLeUCn_Y5u5w6uhYw7BQRTGLrLvq_/s200/lavender_with_sunflower_in_background-371x600.jpg" width="123" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Inside the home, I’ve used lavender, either dried or the essential oil, for more projects than any other plant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some the things I’ve made from lavender:</span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Sachets – for drawers and pillows</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Laundry items – fabric softener and dryer sachets</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Carpet freshener</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Drain cleaner</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Soap</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Bath salts and bath teas</span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">In future posts, I will share details and instructions for some of these items.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">You can use lavender for culinary purposes, too, but so far I haven’t tried that. It would be interesting to hear from those who have. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-61197846138720966372011-09-18T22:29:00.000-04:002011-09-18T22:29:30.858-04:00Thyme for Drying Herbs<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Of leaves, choose only such as are green, and full of juice; pick them carefully, and cast away such as are any way declining </span></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">– Nicholas Culpeper -The Complete Herbal -1653</span></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-soPciEV5f4LwRVXkNmpJdBleKUbCjzF4T6jI1salkNiffgrdJr5Jnh42LsCh4C4yqaalKKdXtwj-lrxL4Tug5etgnbZVYHxQZxJ4ITkTVv4xSiU6D-k9ukWMz_-r4VGHRjGQdaAQNwSm/s1600/jar-of-catnip-600x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-soPciEV5f4LwRVXkNmpJdBleKUbCjzF4T6jI1salkNiffgrdJr5Jnh42LsCh4C4yqaalKKdXtwj-lrxL4Tug5etgnbZVYHxQZxJ4ITkTVv4xSiU6D-k9ukWMz_-r4VGHRjGQdaAQNwSm/s200/jar-of-catnip-600x600.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">When you dry your homegrown herbs, you can use them not only for cooking, herbal teas, or medicinal purposes, but also to make all kinds of fragrance items – such as sachets, potpourri, and bath and body products.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">There are several methods for drying, including air drying by hanging or spreading on racks, and drying in a dehydrator, microwave or oven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Although each method has its merits, I prefer oven-drying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is simple, fairly quick, and you don’t need any special equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just spread the herbs in a single layer on a cookie sheet, set your oven to the lowest temperature available, and leave the oven door slightly ajar (you can prop it with a wooden spoon if it won’t stay open on its own). Check progress often, stirring the herbs around about every fifteen minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The finished product should be dry and crisp; once they are cool, you can easily crumble them with your fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drying time will vary according to the variety and size of herb and your oven temperature. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I’ve just finished drying a batch of basil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will probably use it as a food seasoning, but the smell is also delicious. This took about one hour and ten minutes with my oven set at 170 degrees F. </span></div>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-23572790641615741372011-09-14T22:29:00.000-04:002011-09-14T22:29:46.450-04:00Beloved Invaders<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #330000; font-family: Georgia;"><em><span style="color: #741b47;">O thou weed! Who art so lovely fair and smell’st so sweet – William Shakespeare</span></em></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdKrgysKb5FnSpeQM-UYdc0IiG_z7ys7_CEoNw9UhNb-WBtUAL5n9jCe-MORLmT6SoNNrh6PaAiBQtV5Smic1tqW59UvAaFauBJvwixhokURX46JfRjJMIVmKGH19G88WoB3UC1em10ex/s1600/mint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdKrgysKb5FnSpeQM-UYdc0IiG_z7ys7_CEoNw9UhNb-WBtUAL5n9jCe-MORLmT6SoNNrh6PaAiBQtV5Smic1tqW59UvAaFauBJvwixhokURX46JfRjJMIVmKGH19G88WoB3UC1em10ex/s200/mint.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Some of my best garden friends are – well, bullies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the uninformed, their vigorous growth and invasive habits might make them seem nothing more than weeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, though, they are useful, decorative, and aromatic herbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With proper care, they can form the backbone of your fragrance garden without getting out of control.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Members of the mint family, especially, are prone to spreading rapidly. Besides the many varieties of mint itself (peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint, apple mint, pineapple mint and many more), this plant family includes other aromatic herbs such as bergamot, lemon balm, sage, thyme, and oregano.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">So how do you keep your herbs from getting out of hand? One of the most attractive methods is to plant them in containers or small raised beds, devoting each container to only one variety of plant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other strategies include planting in a pot or bucket with the bottom removed and submerging the pot below ground level. Devoting a large area in a bed or border adjacent to a lawn works, too, as they will simply be mowed off if they start spreading into the grass. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With care, these potential garden bullies can become your best friends, too.</span></div>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-6005523221602248162011-09-11T20:13:00.001-04:002011-09-11T20:18:11.970-04:00A Breath of Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #330000; font-family: Georgia;"><em><span style="color: purple;">Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity - John Ruskin</span></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #330000; font-family: Georgia;"><em><span style="color: purple;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></em> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTW6h_MAeS8C1XgZoRhX2lwxze8FAkMvJG7fK2ek6MnSgL66IS5JIp0RLKqpawo-Xn_5qeDgeyrKo9a144YEu5j5KXZek_wC55w_g3Zb7JfudB0oE1E2JxRAAik0ARMHO3-bJraMfaHvO/s1600/honeysuckle-blossoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTW6h_MAeS8C1XgZoRhX2lwxze8FAkMvJG7fK2ek6MnSgL66IS5JIp0RLKqpawo-Xn_5qeDgeyrKo9a144YEu5j5KXZek_wC55w_g3Zb7JfudB0oE1E2JxRAAik0ARMHO3-bJraMfaHvO/s200/honeysuckle-blossoms.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The scent of autumn will soon be in the air here in <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Ohio</place></state>, but this weekend I’m enjoying a breath of spring – the delicate yet pervasive aromas of honeysuckle and lilac. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spring-scented September is being made possible by repeat-blooming varieties of these popular plants.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The lilac is called Josee – I planted it last year. After a rough start from being accidentally mowed to the ground, it has recovered and is now starting to bloom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Josee is considered a dwarf lilac, although it grows four to six feet tall. It grows in Zones 2 through 8, has pinkish-lavender flowers, and blooms sporadically from May through the end of summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It requires very little pruning or other care.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4o9lgmJF612z8G_Rt7IMkRkMCPp5PtknEARjfxyHJQp215DHVqTVz7K7R6_8sNdAiBKqaIRt0k-hXrvnGbdOh2ysWD3s_eYuyCcpYPzBDkk64RUfFkY1afagacoSD3wPeR7nX3fa7tMC7/s1600/Lilac-Syringa_52906-150x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4o9lgmJF612z8G_Rt7IMkRkMCPp5PtknEARjfxyHJQp215DHVqTVz7K7R6_8sNdAiBKqaIRt0k-hXrvnGbdOh2ysWD3s_eYuyCcpYPzBDkk64RUfFkY1afagacoSD3wPeR7nX3fa7tMC7/s200/Lilac-Syringa_52906-150x150.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;">As for the honeysuckle, I don’t know which variety it may be. A quick Internet search informs me that there are over 180 species of honeysuckle worldwide. This one is a vine, growing wild, either a gift of nature or a planting of my mother’s from years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has a yellow and white flower and also blooms in flushes throughout the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aroma is simply heavenly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The Josee lilacs and the unknown honeysuckle definitely meet my criteria for favorite plants – long bloom season, strong fragrance, and little to no maintenance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div></div>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3759756281163793655.post-20388676907476767502011-09-07T20:49:00.000-04:002011-09-07T21:21:50.147-04:00Why Garden for Fragrance?<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;"><em>“Awake, O north wind, And come, wind of the south; Make my garden breathe out fragrance, Let its spices be wafted abroad.” - Song of Solomon 4:16</em></span></div><span style="color: #001320;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">Why grow a garden with fragrance as a focal point?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, it is mostly for the sheer enjoyment of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This summer a friend told me that growing basil among the tomato plants is supposed to give the tomatoes a sweeter flavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I planted one lone basil plant in the tomato bed, and its fragrance filled the vegetable garden all summer long. In spite of good intentions, I never did harvest the basil and make pesto or other delicious sauces, and I’m not sure if the tomatoes tasted any different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But growing that plant was worth it for the enjoyment of that wonderful aroma every time I worked in the vegetable plot.</span><br />
<span style="color: #001320;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">There are other reasons to garden for fragrance, of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many aromatic plants are among the easiest to grow, are attractive to butterflies and other pollinators, and may be resistant to snacking deer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you can harvest them and make all kinds of gifts and household items, like sachets, potpourri, household cleaners and decorative crafts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #001320;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt;">This blog is about growing scented plants and making things from them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you will like the facts, ideas and projects I plan to share in future posts. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuupMMw4_BwMeO6G3vJLjvdW5IT3YY1_5IAD4MisUhZ-bD2ZMhuATOEvUJOpk3YM1o6JJ81OPdZe3CT4rvqCvbBSNaJiTqZltEIv59Aj4ifl9YhL8GiuhENbU6iywKYvunQxIQnLrT7aXF/s1600/bees-and-basil-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuupMMw4_BwMeO6G3vJLjvdW5IT3YY1_5IAD4MisUhZ-bD2ZMhuATOEvUJOpk3YM1o6JJ81OPdZe3CT4rvqCvbBSNaJiTqZltEIv59Aj4ifl9YhL8GiuhENbU6iywKYvunQxIQnLrT7aXF/s320/bees-and-basil-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Kelly - Blackberry Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417641671021675721noreply@blogger.com3