For the Love of Tisane!

Living a more self sustainable, earth friendly life means more then food & animals. You must strive to be healthy and happy with life. Herbs are a great preventive and soothing way for helping in the health department. Amazing what they can do for your body and your mind. To begin introducing herbs into your life, not just by their culinary use, but by the liquids you drink, Tea makes for a great starting point.

Most people when they think of tea, think of iced tea. Either brewed in a pot on the stove or in a large jar set out in the sun. The tea would be the normal black leaf variety commonly purchased in the local grocery store. Not many venture much from the common flavor or style.
In an attempt to reduce the intake of juice my children consume plus instill a bedtime ritual to induce calm, I began making "Sleepy time tea" for my children 2 hours before bedtime. It contains Chamomile, Spearmint, Valerian, and other soothing herbs. The only sweetener used is honey from our bee hive.This has been a ritual since last Fall. I have seen a great difference in my children since beginning their Tea and story time. As I read bedtime stories aloud, we cuddle up either in the big bed or on the couch while they enjoy their late night beverage. For the most part, they remain calm for the remainder of the evening and fall to sleep faster in comparison to nights they do not have their special tea.
Without any push from me, they have begun requesting tea's during the day. Between the sleepy time, the Chamomile, and the lemon balm, our children are off to a good start on loving herbal teas ( also known as "Tisane") .
Questions about the kinds of tea we have and what else can be used for tea showed they are ready for more herbal wisdom.
Our local library carries many books on herbal wisdom, but one in particular is helping me on the path to their introduction.
"A kid's herb book" by Lesley Tierra.
Majority of the herbs can be easily found in our yard or garden. A few we have on our list to order from the Blossom Farm come Spring( an online seller which is 1 hour from here).They carry more then live plants. Their site includes dried herbs, lotions, salves, soaps, tea's, even herb and spice blends hand made by their family farm. The Lavender fields are such a beautiful site. They carry plants that I can not find at most garden nurseries, such as Patchouli plants.(and the prices I feel you will find most agreeable for those hard to find plants).
Every herb has its own chapter and "bedtime story". A coloring picture, song, and great descriptions of use, plus ways how to use the herb.
Many many years ago I found a special tea mug. Something I had never seen before and became intrigued by its little ceramic insert. I love the mug which has beautiful artwork of the strawberry plant on the sides and on the lid. Inside was an infuser for whole leaf teas. Until I had my own herbs growing in the garden, this special mug set just sat in the cupboard. It would be years before I knew the use of the porcelain insert. this was before I understood whole loose leaf tea.
I would like to share a few sites with prices most agreeable, so you too may experience your herbal teas in this unique fashion.
This teapot with infuser, found at enjoyingtea.com, is priced under $14 and is nice for sharing tea with others or for those moments where more then 1 cup is desired.

And if you already have a favorite mug, you must have a ceramic strainer similar to mine for just under $5:Found at this site with the best prices I have found in my searches:http://www.teamerchants.com/MyPages/Home.aspx
There are many more great items at the above sites which many may appreciate. Have a look around. Sample some Tisane and possibly a new experience.

Snuggle up with a favorite blanket, a great cup of tea (with your new infusing method), dream of the new year's garden or read to your children. Begin a ritual of Tea time. Read some books on growing herbs for teas.
Soon it will be time to get your hands dirty and hot tea will soon turn into herbal iced tea.
Sweet Dreams,
~Tammie

Our Valentines for Valentines Day

I made a trip to the "Dollar tree" store for a few of their clay plant pots. I bought all those clearance shelf plants for the pondthat came in cheap nursery plastic. I feel bad for their root bound bottoms peeking from the holes.
After walking in, I spotted silicone (flexible) ice cube trays with little heart shapes. I stopped in my tracks, distracted by the little trays. At $1 a tray, I knew this was the key to our Kid Friendly Valentines for their Class. On my way out I saw the next key factor for our big idea. Candy canes- 12 in a box- 4 boxes for $1.... Then I was off to the chocolate aisle!
Little bite size hearts for little fingers...
Each year, Panda and I try to dream up a cool "Valentine" for the class exchange. Something Handmade. Something that would be enjoyed by boy or girl. Something....DIFFERENT (and NOT store bought).
Last year it was a heart shaped cookie in a decorated, see through, CD sleeve from another blog spotlight.
The year before it was handmade paper Valentines with pop up art. This year, we decided to make Peppermint Bark in the shape of hearts! A recipe is listed below for those wishing to make these. Follow the instructions, but forget the oven part. Just double boiler method both chocolates. Being sure to wash the boiler between chocolate changes.
First layer into iice cube trays is the dark chocolate. Put in fridge to chill 30 minutes. 5 minutes before chill time is up, double boiler your white chocolate. Using a spoon, pour the white chocolate over the dark chocolate in the hearts. Sprinkle on top of the still warm white chocolate, your crushed/smashed/ beaten- candy canes. Place back into fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour. These will pop out easy, be gentle non the less. Its chocolate- not ice.Frog and I made the test batch today. I ran out of peppermint oil, which I add to the WHITE chocolate while melting in the double boiler. Gotta pick that up this week before we make the final batch for giving.
Here is the same recipe I make when we get on a "peppermint bark trip". I reduce the white chocolate to half, adding a thinner layer of the white over the chilled brown chocolate:
http://www.recipezaar.com/Peppermint-Bark-345124
I worked for a bit at a William Sonoma store (total dream land for the kitchen lover in me!) and that peppermint is the best. My recipe- the same as the link above- is no different.
chocolate.*KEY TIP*Just remember, do NOT buy cheap chocolate. Buy Hershey's chocolate chips in the baking aisle or Ghiraldi brand. Go with a chocolate that gives pure bliss in a bite. The same with the white chocolate. READ your ingredients on the white chocolate. They are NOT all the same. If it does not contain Cocoa butter as a main ingredient, then forget it. Its not real white My trusty brands for our bark~
Of course now I need to find a way to wrap them. I could always get valentine zippy bags if I got lazy... But I have a feeling it may go "parchment paper and ribbon with heart tags...
~Sweetest dreams,
~Tammie

Cordwood chicken coop coming soon...

The old goat cabin will be cleaned out and refinished for a transformation into kid clubhouse. Paint it to match the color theme of our house exterior adding better curb appeal. But what about the chicks which are due for delivery February 8? Oh, by the way...we ordered more chicks...
Since The Captain and I have decided staying together and counseling is much better then separating, Our adventures continue on this little plot of land. We have Americaunas (easter egg color laying hens), more Deleware hens with 1 rooster, and Silver laced Wyandotte hens to make up the new homestead ladies. Not all will be kept. No more then 15 chickens will stay. (I say that now..) But where are we going to house them?
So The Captain and I made a trip to the library after court and found a book on various chicken coop housing styles. The cordwood/earth berm fit in our unusual style and we have the perfect hill side for it. This is covered in snow at the moment, but you can see the great sized slope. The dogwood which is dying will be removed from the space. The hill top is north side and the coop will be facing out towards the south. A roof top will rise above hill level by 1 foot and have its own "gutters" to guide water into as rain barrel.The interior we hope for a 6X8 space. A cement slab floor and cement brick back wall and lower sides which will be covered with hill sides. This is the cordwood coop which is gave us the "crazy" idea:
Drawing of the pic we found in the book:Minus the front porch they have added, their coop door will be on the west side for entry into their run.
Now the search is on for seasoned/dry firewood cords. I will be "doing my homework and that thing I do", as the Captain likes to say, calling around for either old telephone poles or other logs that will be drastically less then buying cords of firewood. In our area, they average $165 a cord. The plan, as always, is cheap or free for the project. We will see if my resourcefullness will bring one of those to the table.
The run will go out to one side and up onto the hill side behind the hen house.. I am hoping to preserve the pink lily of the valley which grows in the spot we want to build. I wish to plant them on the rooftop of this project for a more enviromently pleasing view and earth friendly building.
We will be placing a few wood fence panels blocking the view from the road and a gate for entry. Another curb appeal aspect but the cordwood coop would have its appeal as a kids playhouse once cleaned out and the old goat cabin could be an actual tool shed for the future buyer.
See? Its not crazy. It's called seeing the possibilty and versatility in what you do to fit your lifestyle and future inhabitants.
Construction starts as soon as the ground thaws enough to start digging. If your in the area and would like to help or just come check it out, let me know. An extra hand is always welcome. Not to mention, how often do you see a cordwood chicken coop?
Sweeter dreams,
~Tammie

Indoor pond...Now what fish to grow?

I built a box frame to hold the pond shell. This shot you can see how the one lip of the tub extends over the box frame. It is in dimensions of 34 inchesX36 inches. With a depth/height of 14 inches. Leaving the back with only a 7 inch cover since I ran out of wood..

Placed the plants all around it. Added an old mirror. Now you can not really tell about the back cover being smaller. Grizzle freaks out thinking there are "others" in the house when she walks by the mirror. Growls and stares into the mirror. She does that to Ray Ray too. She'll will adjust soon enough.
We need to repaint the walls from little people hands. This time a semi gloss in the Sweet Annie color.
The pump came with water fountain features, so the kids and I have been playing around with them, seeing which we prefer. Now what fish should I put in there beside gold fish? Something I can get local and that we could eat maybe? O.k That does seem kinda odd, but yet kinda cool. Growing your own fish for food right in the living room. Eventually Hydropnics with large tanks holding fish in the basement...
Hmmm. Maybe we should just start with the plans for the new chicken coop. Stay tuned for the post. I assure you it will be interesting and prove to be what puts me in the " bit eccentric and rather eclectic" category, to many outsiders...

I still can not believe this is OUR indoor pond:I have been baking bread like crazy. I had the extra starter which had to be used up and now have 4 loaves of bread. I experimented with one and replaced one cup of unbleached all purpose flour with whole wheat graham flour. Now that was some GREAT bread.
I have garden tools which need painted~ rake, shovel, spade, pitch fork. Also a wheel barrow that needs some attention. Guess what color they will be....
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie

winter blues save major greens at the garden center!

Winter may not be the time you think Garden center, but looking around at your local Lowe's may bring you deals like these:
125 gallon complete pond with pump kit~ normal price $119~
clearance price? $29!
This will be going in front of our basement glass block windows in late Spring. For now, it sits by the pool table seedlings nourished with the grow lights....
Makes me miss Clyde and Bonnie... How they would have LOVED to romp in this thing...

2 beautiful stenciled pots normal cost $24.97 EACH... Clearance price? ~ $6.24
"Ray~Ray" the big rooster normal price $39 and clearance for $10
There is a mini Chiminea in there for $2.50 (will be part of an upcoming project), A waterfall attachment for the outdoor pond ($10), around 30 houseplants on the bargain clearance shelf from $.74 cents to $3.00 for the extra large multi colored ones.I also purchased a 35 gallon round pond with pump, in the same shell form like the above, for $12! Normal price was $40. This was at The Brimfield/Kent Lowe's. Same place I found those Bargain stepping stones last Spring.
The 35 gallon round pond will be going in the Living room. Yes, you read that right. An indoor gold fish pond, surrounded by the above houseplants and a love seat close by. A reading nook for those days of rain in the summer, and cold winter days to dream about the upcoming garden season. A nice nook for our little ones to curl up with their books and Night time bed stories for all 3 to cuddle up with mommy, while sipping bedtime tea...
Once I have the frame for the pond built, I will share with all of you how easy it is to make a nook of your own, on the cheap.
Think out of season most likely equals BARGAINS!
upcoming.... A new coop for the new Ladies and their gentleman!
Sweetest Dreams,
~Tammie

winter treasures and basement lettuce...

The snow has been wonderful this year! This last weekend the kids were able to play with their ski boards and build snow forts.

We made snowflake cookies to enjoy with the hot cocoa when a break from the cold was in order. Grizzle was not to be left out and romped with her buddy Buster.

Poor thing has pain in her back leg when its too cold and hops around on 3 legs until I force her inside with kids, to defrost and huddle around the wood burner. I was inside for the most part baking away. I was the kitchen inhabitant for the day.
I had a few Delicata squash left in the cold room, so they were quickly made into squash bread. That was some great bread! I also made fresh Italian bread from the Macrina Bakery book- using homemade starter. Plus white bean with ham soup for the cold days evening meal. Simple, filling, and gobbled up by the picky Lil' Man.
Frogs lettuce and basil seeds have sprouted! They are off to the basement for their new home under glow lights, hovering above the unused pool table.I have wanted to share this little treasure for awhile now. Before the first snow fall,I found this tiny nest laying in the front yard. Most likely blown down from the catalpa tree by the driveway. The egg for comparison is a first time pullet egg. I was so excited to share it with Panda. There is a special detail which makes this nest different from the others.Do you see inside the nest? Do you see the long white and red/brown strands?That would be Fernie and Chia's hair used to line the inside, for the bird eggs to keep warm. How awesome is that? It was found just before taking the goatie girls down to Roseanna's.
A wonderful Nature gift that will be treasured for many reasons.
I found some great buys at the most unbelievable prices which I will share with you later in the week. Of course it has something to do with gardening, but also something I have desired for a while now. I am talking like 85% off the normal price and that is massive savings! Now to just get the Captain to remember he promised I could pick it up Thursday..
I have leftover starter from the weekend and it needs to be used up before it sours. The kids have been begging for more of my Italian bread so i best get to baking, ay?
Sweet Dreams,
~Tammie

Frogs first planting and Panda's party planning....

I had an infected partial impacted wisdom tooth removed last Monday. A horrible experience for recovery and am just now feeling somewhat better. Just in time for starting the window garden!
With snow covering the ground outside and frog enjoying her new futon bed, conveniently placed in the living room this week, we decided to plant some lettuce together. I had some leftover seed from last years garden and we started the process with her discovering, in disbelief, how tiny the seeds are that become the salad we eat:
After filling an 18 count egg carton with soil, she planted our small seeds and helped place saran wrap over the top. We nestled this into the carton top, which was cut off ( see seed packets displayed in it) for a bottom tray.After setting her seed tray on the sunny window sill, we sat back with our mugs of hot herbal tea, sweetened with honey from our beehive. We watched the snow fall from the newly cleaned window- thanks to frog and her umm... finger painting as we both shared oohs and awws over our new seed catalog stash. I get a new one at least every other day now. Makes me wonder how they even get my name. She wants everything, of course. But I just wish for sweet potatoes and maybe try some blue potatoes to go with the purple carrots over wintering in the garden. Maybe try some sugar snap peas again for Panda and maybe discover something lil' man will like long enough to grow before he changes his mind..LOL. He's at the picky stage right now.
Of course a peek at the Murray mcmurray poultry catalog would not be skipped over. Frog found last years catalog in the desk and demanded we look at the chick chicks.
We made a trip to the library for a very important book. Panda is planning a "Kit Kittridge("American girls" series character) theme birthday party( for the weekend after school ends in June). Just like the character in the "Happy Birthday, Kit! Springtime story( book 4 in the series), Panda will be turning 10 years old. The character is about a little girl growing up during the depression (1934 to be exact for the book time frame) and lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. I have lots of little details for her and I to go over and the white parasols over at the Oriental trading company ( 12 decent sized Japanese paper parasols with bamboo handles for $30) will be ordered for us to decorate as party favors. Paper Fans as an activity need to be perfected first too... Along with the start of purchasing 9 copies of the book I mentioned above over the next 6 months. Each girl who receives an invitation will get a copy of the book to read before coming to the themed party. They cost between $5 to $7 a copy where I found them on yahoo shopping. Money well spent as an additional party favor. A homemade cake just like Kits along with the decorations and some fun activities along with watching the Kit Kittredge movie make up in price for the extra favors. I LOVE that Panda likes the American girl series. Not just the stories but the other great books the company puts out for girls. She has read over and over the ones she received for the holiday and cherishes her Just like you! doll, which has been requested for years and finally was able to be bought this year.
Have a look around the site link above. Well worth checking out.
I have a grow light to put up and a Frog who needs some cuddling off to sleep...
Sweet dreams,
Tammie