Cottage Herbal 4

What's wrong my dear? You look a little down.... Ahhh, yes. The moody times are upon you. Then I have just the right herb to share for your visit today. This one looks like a mint, it is after all in the mint family, but the taste is not as pleasant. Nor does it expand from the roots as most in her family. A gift from Mother Nature to help soothe away the times & stages of womanhood.  Relief for Maiden to Crone. A most wondrous herb. As though laying your head in mother's lap, she caresses your hair. Calming & restoring you from upsets. She is not just an herb for women! Men can benefit from her mothering as well. But lets dive into her female assistance first.

I began giving this herb to Panda, when she began showing the mood swings of pre womanhood. The poor dear would be crying and have no idea as to why. Then she would be spitting mad the next with no real explanation for such upset on so small of a matter. Besides explaining & the attempt to help her recognize these moments of distress as part of growing into a woman, I turned to the guidance of Mother Nature.

 I too was hesitant on it's ability, until my eyes were witness to the change in my young Panda, just moments after a dropper dose of the tincture. Soon, she would come to me asking for the tincture which had relieved the overwhelming emotions. Her comprehension expanding with the aid of Motherwort. Giving her the personal insight of Herbal Wisdom.  

This my dear, is Mother Wort. A young one at that. Her Latin name being Leonurus cardiaca  

(Leonurus sibiricus explained: Leonurus “lions”, “oura”, meaning “tail “and cardiaca is “heart” )

Amongst the most cherished herbs I grow. I think of her as the Queen of her realm. The Mothering Goddess whom deserves her own space to conquer.  I had once been told, Herbs have an amazing way of reaching out to you when you are  in need. If only we humans would open our eyes. The first summer of our being in the Stone cottage, I was amazed & bewildered to find Motherwort growing at the South end of the Chicken pen. I had not planted her nor did I have any of her plants in my care as of yet. Where did she come from? Up to this time, I had purchased all of our motherwort through the Co-op. That following Spring, I ordered Siberian Motherwort for cultivating. I see it, she was reaching out, knowing we had need for her. I did not rationalize nor dissect this event. Some things are best left alone. I took it as a caring hint.

Motherwort can be found wild all over the U.S mainland, minus California & Florida. To be honest, for the untrained eye, she has a slight Cannabis appearance from afar. I have heard stories of neighbors mistaking Motherwort for such. Do not let that cause you pause on growing her. It's not that common of occurrence and personally, your neighbors will not see it as such when growing amongst all the other herbs & garden items. More of a funny then a worry.

Susan Weed highly recommends her. From Anxiety, Monthly emotional woes & cramps. To a heart tonic as well as use for heartache. Ones caused by childhood injuries, soothed away with her love. {you can read more of Susan's Wise Herbal advice & doses at this link* { http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/July08/wisewoman.htm }.

 Motherwort is an herb that can help ease you through the transition of Menopause. Helping to regulate hormone levels, improving mood and protects vital organs.

Motherwort can also help reduce hot flashes. According to MayoClinic.com, nearly 75 percent of all menopausal women will spontaneously break out into sweats due to the hormonal changes that occur during this time of life. Motherwort can offer relief from hot flashes by shortening their duration, severity and frequency, says Kathleen Eich, clinical herbalist and aromatherapist, of Madison, Wisconsin. She adds that motherwort also reduces the light-headedness and dizziness that sometimes occur during hot flashes. She also gives aid to the Insomnia & emotional roller coaster most often accompanied with menopause.

I mention the aid to Menopause being I have known many women whom have had full Hysterectomies at a younger age. In turn, causing their bodies to have instant Menopausal onset. Doctors prescribe Hormones to help ease it but it does not cause relief, especially the nasty Hot flashes. I only wish these woman would listen to me when I suggest adding Motherwort to their lives. But as with most people, they turn their nose up "to a plant". Flat out refusing to even give it a try. Continuing to going back to the doctor for various Man made chemical pills with high risk of side effects and/or strain to the body.

Men can greatly benefit from her Mothering as well. Nourishing their heart and soul. Calming their nerves! Lowering blood pressure. Try 10-20 drops of Motherwort tincture twice a day the next time you feel stressed or a little blue.

 A tidbit found from Alternative Remedies sums up her usefulness :
Motherwort is an excellent heart tonic. This antispasmodic, emmenagogue, cardiac, nervine and laxative herb has a long history of folk use in China, Europe, North America and other parts of the world as a heart tonic for nervousness-related heart complaints, such as palpitations and fast heartbeat.
This has been confirmed by the German herbal doctor, Rudolph Weiss MD, who also finds that regular use of motherwort can lower blood pressure and improve heart health. A dose of 10-20 drops of tincture taken 3 times daily is appropriate. Historically, motherwort has also been used as a calmative, sedative, nerve tonic, and treatment for epilepsy, and as an agent for stimulating delayed or suppressed menstruation, encouraging labor and relaxing the uterus after childbirth."

As women, we must open our minds and hearts to the old ways. This is not to say turn your back on modernization. Simply embrace what our fore mothers have instilled in past generations, before many turned their backs on Mother Nature. We are the natural nurturers. The caregivers and lovers. We are not meant to be like men. They have their own unique qualities and gifts. We are meant to be partners. One balancing the other. Simply put, we should respect each others gifts and natural abilities. Just as a man can not give birth or nurse a child with their bodies, we as women would not be able to conceive this gift without them. Respect the differences instead of forcing a sameness. Embrace your femininity. Do not discard it. Some things are just better left not to dissect or intervene. Welcome the female deity into your lives.
In christianity, they call her Mary, though more seen as Saint then Deity. There is the Hindu warrior Goddess Durga,  The Celtic Goddess Brigantia, as well as numerous others spread into every faith. Females have always had their place in history as well as a place of honor next to men. Only with the enforcement of the bible, has woman been shoved to the back seat. Kinda reminds me of the movie scene in Dirty Dancing when Johnny, {Patrick Swayze}, walks into the dance hall and puts out his hand for his gal, saying" Nobody puts Baby in a corner" before they clear the floor with the last Dance. Mother Wort is a reminder of our feminine values. Our natural ways. Give her space in your lives and she will reward you with her intent. Do not put your value as a woman "in the corner".

 I leave you with the poetic words of Marianne Williamson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?


Sweetest dreams,
~Tammie

Safe & Sound inspirations

The video takes my breath away. The song, made for the soundtrack The Hunger Games, has an eery lullaby sound in comparison to her normally upbeat sunny songs. The video emits the same eery lullaby with a romanticized feel which pulls you in. Set in the hillsides during colder weather. Trees bare with a fog rising around. Taylor slowly walks around as though in deep thought, searching in loneliness. Her vintage chiffon dress making elegant long waves around her legs and bare feet as the fallen leaves contrast in color.

I have searched out for a dress similar to the one she wears with no luck. Before the weather brings the burst of green, I have this surge of desire & inspiration to find the perfect spot for photos in the same feel of the video.

My search has made me realize, my sewing machine can be my best friend when the need arises for something that can not be found in the stores. I fear chiffon. It's delicate nature is not like where one can whip through sturdier fabrics. A visit to the fabric store will provide further decision on the delicate flow of fabric as chiffon provides. The decision on this as well as the pattern is consuming me. The eery romantic side of me is bursting with want. Being that self photography has it's drawbacks for obvious reasons, I may have my little Panda, whom resembles a Snow White with her dark long hair and snowy skin gliding along the foggy morning hillsides.

During one such search for location, I fell for this beautiful statue in a local graveyard. It sits upon a newer very large header which marks a family area of members buried between 1890-1930. 

When ever the subject of burial comes up with The Captain & I, my one huge selfish desire is to have a very large female statue marking my resting ground. My ashes split between between there and a few other places. This young female statue standing barefoot,  her long chemise hanging low from her shoulders, drew me in as I drove by. I could not stop looking at her. Here, almost 100 years later, she still holds all who come upon her. Throwing all other thoughts to the wind as you look up to her face. That, is what I desire with mine.

If I could only find a large statue like this for my Garden of Eden... So beautiful.

The late dreary months of winter are not my best of times. It's as though you can almost see Spring coming from afar and yet, it does not come soon enough. Like seeing it down a long road, you want to run towards it, hoping it will meet you sooner. I know that is not possible. Mother Nature takes her own time but that has not stopped me from starting the Romanesco Broccoli. The Peony poppies & Hibiscus Roselle seeds. I simply can not adjust to these northern winters. It gives me the feeling of being trapped. Always looking for a way out in between trying to settle.

I know this will pass as it has has a hundred times before. So I dive into my artsy side. Not worrying about the satisfaction of others. I do these to appease myself.  Such as this recent surge inspired by the above video.

This is not meant as a sad posting. Truly not. More of appreciation and understanding that the many sides which make each of us up can not always be Sunny in Ohio. That just would not be reality.

Now, time to dust my old friend off and allow myself to drown my thoughts into chiffon's and threads. the patterns of the 1930's and center the overpowering thoughts of bare feet, hillsides and the feel of early Spring soil warming my soles.

Sunny dreams,

~Tammie

Cottage Herbals 3 *warning wound pic

This herb has been touted many times amongst bloggers and many still overlook it's inclusion. Our first introduction was in our former house when I found it growing wild in our garden. It was during this time I began discovering many of the wild herbs growing around us. I have an admiration for ferns, so it's small fronds were a delight to incorporate by the old Fairy & toad log.

Yes, Yarrow. Nature's Band aid. Many times a cut has sent my children running for the Yarrow patch. A quick rubbing between the fingers of a frond plucked from the patch, then placed onto a bleeding knee or hand. My experience with growing yarrow has shown it will still have green fronds into the winter. The younger Fall induced growth still vibrant despite freezing temperatures. It goes beyond cuts and scrapes. It is a fever reducer, inducing a sweat with chills. {1 ounce dried herb to 1 pint boiling water}.

Now, before I share with you my latest battle scare from the kitchen, one can not fully appreciate the glory of this herbage without a little history and lore.

 This ancient herb has indeed had a long history as a medicinal herb.Many know of it's infamous use centuries ago by Achilles, whom stanched the bleeding wounds of his soldiers. Modern science has identified a mild blood-clotting agent in yarrow, confirming the truth behind such folk lore. It can prevent or stop the growth of microorganisms, which makes it an antiseptic used to fight inflammation and infection. During the civil war, Yarrow was widely used to stuff wounds for this very reason, bringing it's dependable use close to our own time.

This brings us to my meeting of a serrated knife. What better way {and coincidence of timing} to share this medically forgotten friend. Cutting deep into the side of my index finger, almost to the bone, due to my own neglect of proper safety. As I Sliced the dinner bread, for some unknown reason cutting TOWARDS my hand, I howled with surprise as Ming the Peke strutted happily off with the slice of dinner toast I had thrown to the floor in my haste. You can blame The Captain for that behavior. He will drop bits when he is preparing food such as hard boiled eggs, claiming he is sharing with her. In turn, she now thinks anything dropped in that area is a gift for her indulgence. {He can be such a softy}.

The blood was pouring quick and soon puddled in my palm and dropping from my wrist.  I rinsed it quickly under cool water as my stomach began to get that tightening dread. I knew before I could see it, this was not going to be good. I grabbed a washcloth to prevent anymore cleanup spots before Little man & I headed out, with oil lamp in hand {flashlight was AWOL again}, straight to the herb garden. He quickly harvested young green Yarrow fronds, knowing from past exposure, the proper method & selection. Once back inside, he rinsed off the small fronds in cool water, blotted with a towel and mashed them up in the Marble Mortar & Pestle. With this we applied the green paste to the still badly bleeding wound. Covered with sterile gauze and masking tape to hold it in place. {I'm skipping the whole "where's the medical tape" rampage. In the end, all it produced was masking tape}. For the most part of the week, it hurt to use that hand. Even something as simple as grabbing a towel would cause sharp pains as though it were ripping the wound back open on the inside. I would wake in the middle of the night with intense stabbing pain from flexing my hand during sleep. I could not even place a cup in my palm without the painful reminder I must not use it.

 Although Comfrey deserves it's very own post, I mention it being it was the second herb used with this wound, especially due to the depth I had seen after the first yarrow paste changing. Another herb that should always be in the Home Herb Garden due to the allantoin potency that speeds healing. ONLY use AFTER the wound is clean & free from infection due to the cell regeneration speed. Step 1 is Yarrow. Then once sure no infection is present of any level, proceed to step 2,  the Comfrey leaves or root slices.{ Great link for more knowledge on Comfrey use at http://www.appropedia.org/Comfrey }

** Be warned if you can not take the sight of cuts, It's not pretty. Not horror flick bad but it's still yucky. Feel free to skip down to the star line for other Yarrow Herbage uses, as to avoid the photos I decided to snap.**

The pictures do not show the cut depth well, but I knew upon inspection this was one of those that would have produced stitches if I had gone to the Doctor. {I hate needles being used on me & was determined not to go}.

After 36 hours with 2 yarrow paste changes and a hot shower:

The following day after 24 hours of Comfrey Poultice~ notice how it helped "knit" the skin up?

And on the 5th day, it started to look like a nasty, yet healing, paper cut:

See little brother? No holding me down or super glue needed.

********************************************************

The day after my knife incident, I spoke with my little brother Army who was aghast that I had not gone to the hospital. He threatened that if he had been up here, he would have sat on me and stitched it up. Knowing I can no longer over power him as when we were growing up, his now twice my size stature would force me to make a compromise. "Let me tap into the Moonshine and then GO FOR IT Doogie Howser MD.." Again...total woos with needles. He was not happy with my plopping "some leaf" onto my open wound and urged me to use super glue to get it to heal right. Really? That would burn like the dickens! ...Men... It's all duct tape and super glue but grab a leaf from the outdoors and they get all proper on ya....

In addition to the proven wound assistance, Yarrow is a cooling herb. It has effects to cool down the body (brings temperature down through sweating). Therefore it is used to treat common colds, flu and headaches with fever. In upper body (chest, head), yarrow cools down the temperature and dries up the fluids mainly through sweating. In lower body, yarrow cools down the temperature and dries up the fluids mainly by increasing urine flow.

A Fever reducing tea recipe to try, shared by TLC families:

Herbal Fever Recipe

• 1 teaspoon yarrow
• 1 teaspoon elderberry flowers
• 1 teaspoon peppermint
• 2 cups water

Steep dried herbs in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drink hot.

Planet Botanic has a vast of information on more Herbal medicine Yarrow  use at this link * {http://www.planetbotanic.ca/fact_sheets/yarrow_fs.htm }

As for where to get it, many online herb & garden seed suppliers have this available should you not find it through friends or a simple search of your area. It's not picky on it's soil fertility and gladly grows in partial shade as well as poor soil. I have patches throughout the property from house front to far in the back so we will have it hand when needed. The fern mounds are beautiful and the white cluster flowers which bloom from May to October are a wild delight. It will spread, and again, is one some say grow like weeds. I just split the overgrowth and transplant it to another spot in the yard or offer to others when it spreads more then I desire.

Use it in your first aid salves. Dry the flowers to have on hand in winter months. 

Dry and powder the leaves for your very own "blood stop" powder {100% pure yarrow leaves} to keep in your first aid kit. 

I searched for the longest time on when & how to go about this, so here is what I finally discovered.

How to make Blood Stop powder:

 Gather the young healthy leaves in Spring, before the flowers start. Rinse them in cool water and blot dry. Allow to dry set out on linen towels for 24-36 hours {it may take longer if your home is not as dry as mine}. Test them by simply crumbling one between your fingers, by checking for any moisture. I strip the "leaves" from their main stem. {this step can also be done before drying the whole mini frond leaf}. Using a clean & thoroughly dried  mortar & pestle, grind into a powder. Store in a small, dark or covered glass jar {I prefer glass over plastic} and it's done. I replace the powder with fresh every Spring. Placing the previous year's powder into the composter. We use it on humans and animals with never a problem {minus not having any left which meant using pepper on Roo Beer for his leg cut}.

Yeah. it's that simple and for the life of me, I could not find detailed instructions on exactly how to make it.

Just for kicks and giggles, search engine the words "yarrow blood stopper powder" and you will find that all those pricey factory made products are made from yarrow with a few added preservatives. Same stuff. Better & purer home made. 

 I must share some word of wisdom bestowed upon me from KYDoomer of the Survival podcast forum when I inquired of the potency in yarrow leaves harvested during winter:

"Generally speaking of course-

When it blooms the power is in the flower.

When it grows green the power is in the leaves and stem.

When it goes dormant the power is in the root.

If you can't use the part with the power (due to in edibility or containing of other compounds), use the next best one that won't harm you."

I did successfully use young yarrow leaves found in the winter garden with the wound I have shared with all of you. So as was mentioned, the above is an herbal generalization to keep in mind.

Herbs are so amazing and once you step through the threshold, you will forever be amazed by the abilities and resources waiting outside your back door. Modern medicines have their bonus BUT consider the downfalls it has also created. With antibiotic strains over prescribed and with patient neglect causing resistance and the constant search & experimentation for new strains, we must not turn our back on nature and what is grown on this earth for our use. Almost everything you need is right here. There are far too many medicines floating through the bodies of our population. One to help this problem but another to help the side effects of the first medicine which is suppose to help the initial problem and so on down the line, causing many to be on multiple medicines due to a single issue. It's wrong and the only winner is the Pharmaceutical companies.

Think responsibly. Do your own research. Do not fear experimentation but don't be an idiot. Use common sense and for Goodness sake... if it wont stop bleeding or your feeling light headed... go to the emergency room. I took my matter into my own hands and will not be held responsible for any outcome {unless it's great of course} that should happen from your own actions. [you know I have to include this. There is bound to be some idiot out there who gouges themselves and decides "hey Farm Chick said I could just stuff this gaping wound with yarrow and I'll be fine"... No. No you won't idiot...]

Sweetest Dreams,

~Tammie

The England charm & Glass face Jar

In past gardens, I have emphasized edibles, overlooking the beauty one finds incorporated in Cottage gardens. Once realizing the amount of space wasted in my larger gardens, I took aim to the intensive planting method. Carrots growing amongst tomatoes. Parsnips amongst the lettuce. Pen to paper, I realized I could grow just as much in half the space by simply mixing things together. Leaving spare space for scented luxury.

My friend settled on very dark purple sweet peas for her wedding and finding one consistent amongst the American suppliers was a disappointment. Enough slight differences that sent me scouting across the waters. I discovered Owl's Acres Sweet Peas, whom specializes in pure reliable Sweet pea flower seeds. I chose 2 for the experiment of timing & other considerations. Dark Passion *& Cream Southbourne *.

Yes, all that excitement over a package from England contained just 40 seeds of flowers. On something as important as this day, I wanted the best I could find and England... Well. They know their sweet peas!

And so it begins... The growing Love & adventure of Sweet Peas.

The flowers have an air of romance about them, in scent and appearance. Sweet peas' fragrance is sensuous, a captivating blend of honey and orange blossom, with an intensity that varies from one cultivator to another. Their ruffled blooms look like little butterflies all a flutter in garden or vase. Another bonus being Sweet peas offer one of the widest color ranges in the plant kingdom.  As the vines get older, the flowers stems will get shorter. In the beginning, it may seem their stems are perfect for your favorite vase with later on swaying you to use one shorter. The all knowing & wise Sweet Pea society exclaims to grow them as cordons (as in cane poles} and remove the tendrils. Personally, I think that for the home gardener starting, the method can be daunting. After a year or so of becoming more familiar with their habits & needs, you may feel like taking on the Cordon way. For now, embrace their stem length behavior and ready the jars & glassware of various heights. I am experimenting with the method simply due to the need of arrangements I will put out for our roadside table. I have yet to see anyone doing this with flowers in our area. Everyone does veggies & fruits. but as for flowers, especially at an affordable price. I see a potential niche.

I happened to find these 2 jars at one of the local thrifts,  a mere 79 cents each. The hour glass will prove to be a fine flower vase and the too tempting to say no face jar will make an adorable addition to our summer array. Bringing the sensuous scent from the garden, into our home.

  I save glass jars from items we use as well so to have plenty for the roadside table with an honesty box. This way when peole buy an arrangement, they can take or leave the jar and not be missed.

I will not go into a lengthy How To on their growing. Renee of Renees Garden* does it better then I could- with pictures! As for how to achieve the  perfect bouquet and how to prolong their vase life, I found some very helpful information amongst the books I have scoured. Renee covers everything except this, so please do read her article for a positive experience with your growing adventure.

I discovered a very fascinating book titled..what else... "The Sweet Pea book by Graham Rice". So informative, I am scanning some pages into my comp for printing later on. If you can get your hands on a copy, it is well worth the read. I admit, I did not devour every paragraph or page being it covers information on a huge amount of different cultivators. I centered in on the growing methods, harvesting & prolonging vase life. I did take note on possible diseases as well.

Almost every plant has a nemesis where unfortunately Powdery Mildew is the most widespread & destructive for these plants. Helping to prevent an invite when it is generally most troublesome in hot, dry spells with low humidity, you need to keep them well watered to reduce it's impact. Do not plant sweet peas next to Lupines or culinary peas being they share the same species of powdery mildew strain. yes, there are different strains such as the one on Roses is not the same as the above.

Do not make the mistake of mixing a hodge podge of bloom colors when arranging as cut bunches. Maybe this is why I am not fond of the bouquets I see in farm markets. The mixed medium flow is just not appealing to me. I prefer to keep bunches simple and not over doing the palette . When making pure Sweet Pea bouquets with little to no greenery, keep in mind, some colors look better together then others. Traditional is Pink & Lavender. Mauve & salmon are good. Whites with almost any color looks splendid. Their pastels are darling and their darks are dashing.

de Moratti Gardens

Simple greenery is really not needed  with these, but if you want to add a green, look for spikey flowers like the Bell of Ireland to bring the bunch to a whole new level. Do you have access to long non stiff feathers? Rooster or Peacock? This may sound a bit much but for those who want something unique & beyond casual, one should experiment with adding other mediums. This picture is of course of a wedding party with an example of adding other mediums such as the peacock feathers.

It's not just for weddings my dear. Even clippings from Witch Hazel or other Smooth wood twigs like willow tree tips can change up the feel of your arrangement. Instead of just giving away extra tomatoes & zucchini, make up a worthy centerpiece arrangement to share the Garden joy. Your friends and family will enjoy your masterpiece and possibly have them asking for more.

EXTENDING VASE LIFE

When you harvest your sweet peas, this first step may seem unnecessary, but it has a huge purpose. Use hand pruners for clipping only after you have wiped down the blades with alcohol to disinfect. Do this periodically while you are cutting. This will help prevent any disease from spreading as you go down the line. Bring a bucket of COOL water to plunge your cut flower in immediately As for longer life, you want to cut stems that have just the first bud opened. Do not use your tap water in the vase. Water softener salts and city water flouride are not friendly to any vase flowers. They have a chemical reaction inside the flower, almost like poisoning or clogging as it draws the liquid up. In a pinch, you can boil your water for vase use should distilled not be available. Air bubbles are also a quick death. I know many have heard of using diluted 7UP. Personally, I sway from it even if the carbonation has been diluted to the naked eye. My personal opinion and not fact on its use. The air bubbles are indeed...Bad. 

Keep them no higher then at 75 ( F ) degrees. Keep them away from anything creating ethylene {yes, they too create this but adding another source is another quick death}. Away from fruit bowls, especially bananas & other flowers. Keeping them in a breezy place will help disperse the ethylene they themselves produce. 

After a few days, recut the stems UNDER WATER to help prolong their life. Why under water? Due to the makeup of their stem structure, air bubbles can make their entrance unless done in the water.

Increase vase life from 2-3 days up to 6 by following the above and of course adding a food solution of 1 pound sugar to 1 gallon of water. Adding the sugar after boiling your tap water would be ideal being the water and sugar will mix happily. No sugar crystals lounging in the container with this method.

It can be overwhelming when your search for the perfect sweet pea flowers. If you would like to start out with a company here in the states, Renee's Garden* shares a very nice variety with descriptions of scent & stem included. Otherwise, hop over to Owl's Acres { http://www.lathyrus.com/ } for the expansive tantalizing charms they offer. No Cottage garden should be without Sweet Pea flowers. Along a row just for them or climbing the fence sides where they will not be bleached in the heat of direct sun. Perhaps even a Bentwood Arbor greeting the guests mingled in with  kiss me over the garden gate.

Your garden should always pull your guests in. Let the squash ramble and Calendula peek from beneath it's leaves. Let Zinnias line the pathway between the beans. Not only are you pulling in the attention of beneficial bugs, you are creating a habitat for Organic bliss with their scent. For your health & your garden's. Keep in mind, many bugs are deterred by scents in companion planting. Thats why you always hearr about planting marigolds heavily throughout the garden. Bugs think it stinks too.

Now I must be off. I have posts to assemble as well as ready the string / wire to be hung for the grasping of their tendrils. 20 ft long rows with a total of 3 just for sweet peas. Maybe a space amongst that I can plop my new to me old chair, inhaling their wondrous sweet scent napping with my little white dog....

Sweetest Dreams,

~Tammie

Cottage Herbal: 2

So you've come back! Wonderful. I have a special herb to share with you today which I have grown for many years now. I am rather fond of it's fresh scent and the habit of coming back every year with just a few new friends off to the sides. It's not very well known for medicinal benefits. More for it's culianry use and seasoning substitute for Diabetics. A substitute for Salt as well! I find the scent rather uplifting.

Lovage tastes & smells just like celery with a hinting of anise, which for me, is far more preferred over actual celery. Not only due to the more abundant stalks, but the ease in comparison to grow as well as a more enjoyable taste. Go ahead, taste & smell. Isn't it wonderful?!

Lovage has been said to help relieve abdominal pains due to gastrointestinal gas. It's also been touted to reduce flatulence when consumed as a tea brewed from its roots or leaves.

A little tidbit I picked up from my herbal knowledge seeking: A Cordial of Lovage, Yarrow & Tansy was sold in taverns throughout Britain at one time. Hmmm. interesting fact, ay?

 This not so little lovely readily sprouts up each year with a few friends in close proximity.  The main root will stop being as productive after a few years. This is where diligence on your part to align your lovage in such a way that a continuous supply will last a lifetime. Some may even say it grows like a weed. I believe that is more due to neglect of not cutting it back and allowing more then 1 to go to seed. They will also send up new plants from their roots, which is how I retain the herb without allowing any to form seed.

{2-3 year old roots which will need dug up are perfect for use in some recipes.}

I line mine up starting on one end with the oldest root and on down the line. They produce plenty to share with friends as well as stock your pantry with dried seasoning. They also make a very nice vegetable broth stock. A Pantry & herbage bonus.

Would like to know of more uses for it? After all, you will not lack in it once you have included him in you garden. Truly, it's a good thing. Some of these recipes & uses make for unique gifts.

What about a most tempting Lovage soup base? The bonus being it is suitable for canning!

This is a healthy, creamy soup. Use a spoonful or two in stews and soup

to add a depth and complexity of flavor to your meals. It will last in the refrigerator for several weeks or can for the Pantry. A German recipe for a soup stock base made from lovage (the original can be found at www.chefkoch.de).

1/2 celery root peeled and cut in pieces* {or substitute with Lovage root}
10 carrots, cleaned and cut in pieces
3 leeks, cleaned and cut in pieces
2 onions, skinned and cut in pieces
3 cloves of garlic, peeled and pressed
2 tomatoes, cut in pieces
1 bunch of lovage stem with leaves, cut finely
1 bunch of parsley
1 tbsp. salt 

10 pieces of pimento{personally, I would opt this out}

1. Put about 1/2 cup of water in a large pot and cook all of the above ingredients until soft.
2. Add salt to taste (it should not overwhelm the delicate flavor of the herbs and vegetables).
3. Put the cooked mass into a food processor and chop until the whole forms a firm mixture (it shouldn't be too runny). Keep in refrigerator for a few weeks or proceed as for canning.

Wood Dog3's blog has a useful recipe for Lovage Pesto at this link*

Old Fashioned Living shares a few recipes at this link* - I especially favor the Lovage & Lentil soup recipe.

Of course Lovage stems make a most excellent drinking straw for Bloody Marie's. I did find varying recipes when it comes to Lovage cordials, like those commonly served in 18th century British pubs.

You can always experiment with the herbs and spices you prefer to combine or be inspired by the European available lovage cordial which is mixed 2 parts to 1 part Brandy.

 Felicia shares this tempting summer cocktail over on her blog Felicia's Speak Easy.

Lovage Spritzer

1 ½ ounce lovage-infused vodka {simple recipe included below}

Sprite

Lime wedge *optional

Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add lovage-infused vodka and top with Sprite. Garnish with lime wedge.

Half of a pound chopped lovage minus the leaves to one bottle of vodka. Let it sit for about five days. The result is a clean, mild, celery-flavored vodka used in the above cocktail.

A nice read up I encourage you to visit with your Lovage interest is here* at Mountain Herb Estate. More tidbits to satisfy your need of knowledge.

Rarely if ever will you see this plant in garden centers. It appears to be more of an herb shared by other gardeners. I find that to add to it's charm. An herb shared amongst friends.

My small package has arrived from England as well as a special book ordered through my local library on this specific piece. I'll share more soon but first, I have some clay to play with.

Sweetest Dreams,

~Tammie

Ming the peke, earns her keep.

Yesterday was beautiful. Bright sunny sky with puffy white clouds. Even a tolerable wind making just a thermal & jeans adequate attire. Perfect day for cleaning out the chicken coop. 

Ming the Peke accompanied me outdoors even though I knew her short 3 inch legs with that long white coat meant a bath would be in order. I let the chickens out to roam knowing they would be fine with Ming. As mentioned in the past, she is rather fond of sniffing them and they have come to accept this without any fuss.

So I busied myself with hauling the winter bedding over to the garden as a top layer to the decomposing Fall leaves while the chickens busied themselves with a bug hunt. Ming being not far behind. She seems to enjoy watching them. Every once in a while I would look up from my job, checking to make sure everyone was where they should be. During one such "head count", I thought it appeared as though Ming was preventing the hens from straying too far from the run. Of course not. That's just silly. So I dismissed the idea as I fetched the clean straw for the coop. But then, as I peaked the hill drive, I could not believe what I was seeing. She was herding the chickens! Just like a trained dog does with sheep. My little white dog was making side to side passes pushing them closer towards their run gate. I stood their for a moment thinking it may very well be a coincidence. 

Boy, was I in for a shocker!

Roo Beer is still the Harem leader and despite allowing Ming to hang out amongst them, on occasion he tries to put Ming in her place. As if that ever works....

She just keeps on going like nothing happened! She is determined. Diligent with what ever she is doing. Should any of the gals stray out of her intentional clutch, she breaks from the group to corral them back in.

She was moving so fast and I was in such amazement, besides forgetting to snap the button at times, she looks like a blur of white zipping about. By looking at her face, you can see she is rather happy with her "job".

Once all the chickens were in the pen, she plopped herself right there in the middle of the gate! Looking back over her shoulder as if to say "all done mom!". I still can not believe what I had seen. I mean, the breed is not known for such things and I never trained her to do it. I would joke and tell her to round them up. Earn your keep!.  The extent of her actions would be sniffing their bottoms and laying amongst their group in the yard.

I know this is not the frst time she has done this. Today was the confirmation she has been doing this for some time, just not while I am paying attention. I would let the chickens out as I worked in the yard or garden, to only find they were back in their run within a short period of time. At first I dismissed it to comfort. They do not free roam very often outside of summer. I thought Roo Beer would call them back in being he was tired of watching the skies for falcons. I now realize, all this time it has been from our little pekingese dog. The self assigned Chicken herder. Maybe it is her "everything has a place" personality as well as her natural trait of being in charge that brought this about. Whatever the reason, I now have a proud chicken herding Pekingese who takes her self assigned job very seriously...with a smile on her furry face.

With such a nice day, we ventured out into the side woods for determining the perfect spot the kids can build their fort plus get that Zip line back up. 

Of course, being all greenery has died down for the winter, the velcro burrs attacked my boots as well as  covering the underside of Ming. I could not help but laugh as I looked back to see what was causing her to lag behind.

She was flopping her legs to the side, trying to shake them off. Poor thing. I felt sorry for her.

After all the hard work she had done with the chickens and the pathetic frustration I could see on her face from burrs irritating her paws, I scooped her up into my arms like a babe and carried my Ming back home. I spent a good portion of the evening combing & pulling those burrs from her long coat as she laid on her back, nestled into me on the couch. 

I have a new appreciation for this short Diva dog. I have always had great love for her even though she has issues with strangers that set my nerves on edge. But today, in my eyes, all is forgiven. 

Ming the Peke has now earned her keep. 

Sweet Dreams,

~Tammie