November bouquets & rain barrel & lemon balm
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lemon balm and lifesaver plant questions
Comments (9)Susannah, you just inspired me to reference one of my favorite books on herbs. I just pinch my lemon balm occasionally to smell it, but its so puny I haven't actually done anything with the leaves, though I love the thought of using it as a tea and an alternative to skeeter spray. Quoting from the "Herbal Yearbook" here. "Lemon balm is often known by its botanical name, melissa (the Greek word for bee) as bees are attracted by its scent." "Lemon balm is frequently used freshly chopped in salads or added to soups and egg dishes. It also partners fish well. Fresh lemon balm leaves make a refreshing tea, either served hot with a dash of honey or cold poured over ice cubes, or mixed with sage." "Lemon Balm leaves are excellent added to pot pourris as they keep their scent when dried." Here's the recipe for Sage-leaf tea: Infuse 2 tsp fresh sage, 2 tsp fresh lemon balm, 3 tsp sugar and 2 lemon quarters in 1 pint hot water for 5 minutes. Strain and cool the liquid, then add white wine. Sounds refreshing! Regarding your lifesaver succulent, I'm not proud of my kill rate with succulents. I killed the mother of the one I swapped with you at Ricky's last fall...another one bit the dust!...See Morewanted: have: part 2 2013 ft worth autumn swap november 2
Comments (44)Hi Marti, To be honest, I've been so focused on my "side" of the trades that I have forgotten. I love asters and if you have one for me, I will love it. I'm so sorry that you aren't coming, but do understand about hubby's and projects. The trick is to get your hubby involved and bring him with you :-). I hope Sylvia's coming in a vehicle large enough for your brug because I don't want to bring it back home :-) Anyway, happy home improvements! Can you send your hubby over to help scape the rest of the popcorn off my ceilings? Just joking :-) I can't paint my walls or redo the floors until we get the ceiling done also and we need a kick start on it. Pam...See Morenew: mnf november: *defrost yer turkey*
Comments (75)Hi Perennial! :O) Great to see you post, it HAS been awhile, huh? Baby's doing fine (her name is Lili), she'll be 1 in December...and we've got another one on the way in April (long story, and a true miracle!). I do like your idea, BTW...it's kinda like a white elephant, isn't it? Sounds like it'd be fun, in any case! Okay, Dan....here's the deal....I almost NEVER use a written recipe when I make soup! I'm a "what ever I darn well feel like" kinda gal. I only use recipes as *guidelines* when I'm baking...never cooking. Anyway...here's what I usually do when I make chicken soup (keep in mind, I make enough to feed 10 people or so!): I take about 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; one large, chopped onion; 4-6 crushed garlic cloves(large ones); red pepper flakes (probably about 2 tsps); 2-3 chopped jalapeno peppers; fresh chopped oregano (or dried, probably about 1 tsp dried, a good fistful if fresh); salt & pepper......I boil all of that in a stock pot that's about 3/4 full of water. Boil it until the chicken starts falling apart, usually 1.5-2 hours. Then, I take the chicken out & shred it...pop it back in there, add bunches of chopped carrots & celery stalks, plus some more spices- paprika, cumin, tiny pinch of sage, curry.....and whatever else I feel like it needs. Let that boil for another hour, then I add either some cooked rice or uncooked noodles- just however much I want to fill in. Sometimes I like a lot of broth, sometimes I don't. That's basically it- just throw & go, is my motto. :o) Oh, and when there is a sick person in the house (with a cold or such), I usually go for more spice & more broth. I've even thrown some lemon balm in there, along with catnip & other "cold fighting" herbs. I don't think I cook the same soup twice. LOL...See MoreUPDATE: Kathy547's Secret Pal Swap....November Check-In
Comments (48)Oops! I forgot to post that I received 2 huge boxes from my secret pal! October - First, a note apologizing for being late for October(had flu/hospital), which was really nice but she didn't have to do because she'd already told me in an email. I feel for anyone w/ the flu - last year was the first time in 10 years I didn't get the flu. I luaghed (sorry!) when I read PlantladyJan's post. The one year I was able to get a flu shot was the one year I had the flu the worse. Go figure! I decided this year we weren't celebrating Halloween since the kids are teenagers. We live out in the country so we don't get trick-or-treaters. Therefore, my kids were grateful for all the candy you sent. My husband does most of the cooking & will enjoy the Vidalia french onion seasoning & raspberry vinaigrette dressing. he loves cooking & experimenting with new dishes & can't wait to try the recipes in the little onion cookbook magnet or to use the onion ball that you can use in the microwave. Since I have to get up so early I've developed a love of coffee (lots of creamer, little sugar) so I'm looking forward to trying the hazelnut coffee. My pal also sent an air freshener (smells great!) & "purrfect 10" on it, 2 hand poured votive candles, a peach scented body spray that my daughter begged for, & a little jewelry box that she's also begging for. I also got a picture & frame of a cup of Earl Grey tea done in blues & white w/ a little yellow that I hung in the kitchen. I also got one of those very decorative vinegar bottles w/ flowerheads or potpourri in it. There was also a little wooden cut-out made up like a girl with a heart sign that says "I'm having a bad hair day". I'm gluing a magnetic strip to it and making a magnet out of it. I also got this candle that is just too pretty to burn. It's one of those with the flowers pressed in & is just really gorgeous. It came on a terra cotta base surrounded by potpourri. Also, a little frog you hang on flower pots, a needlepoint kit I can work on when it's too cold or icky outside. Also a pretty coffee mug w/ 2 garden-related refrigerator magnets & packets of seeds (3 kinds of squash, 1 tomato, & 1 pumpkin). As if that wasn't enough: November - set of doll-shaped notecards the girl child confiscated, an herb stake w/ seed packets (sweet marjoram, parsley, chives, lemon balm), set of magnets, a jar of candle crystals that smells heavenly (rose petals). Hubby & boy child thanks you for the sunflower seeds - what they don't eat themselves they'll feed to the chickens. There was a little wooden desktop plaque the girl child wants, a pretty plaque of a lavender plant, a photo frqame w/ memo sheets, a box of Earl Grey tea, & an agenda kit w/ a calender, addresses, & memo pad. The pkg. of sour gummy worms went over well w/ the kiddos. There was a large container of powdered cheese for making pasta. My aunt told us you can take packets of the cheese from boxes of mac & cheese, & make cheese popcorn so we're going to experiment! My weakness is ice cream so I'm not sure that the bottle of chocolate ice cream topping will last long here. Also included in the box was a cute little birdhouse, a floating candle, a little jar of natural potpourri (smells great!), & a candle & candleholder set. I also like the garden-themed picture frame, & the yellow & white rose soap set. after the peach scented candle burns completely up, I'm going to clean the tin out & use for a pill box or to store Q-tips. Thank you pal! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! If you don't send anything at all December, I won't be offended or feel left out at all because you have more than sent your share!...See Morestrawchicago z5
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last yearlast modified: last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearlast modified: last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearlast modified: last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearlast modified: last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearlast modified: last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearlast modified: last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearlast modified: last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearlast modified: last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearlast modified: last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearlast modified: last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearlast modified: last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearlast modified: last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearlast modified: last yearstrawchicago z5
last yearlast modified: last year
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