As far as this blog, I have about 4 ovedue entries to write and I'm sure I'll get round to them eventually. One thing at a time, one foot infront of the other, more haste less speed, etc, etc, etc.
Friday, 19 August 2011
life is what happens....
Getting my etsy shop up and running has taken up quite a bit of my time so I've had very little time for the garden. Thankfully, due to the unseasonal (or very seasonal depending on how you look at it) rain we've had the plants seem to be fending for themselves. My herb bed got very overgrown so I had to move some bits around but the new long boarder looks so colourful. There's so much to keep on top of but as with everything at the moment, you have to do what you can when you can.
As far as this blog, I have about 4 ovedue entries to write and I'm sure I'll get round to them eventually. One thing at a time, one foot infront of the other, more haste less speed, etc, etc, etc.
As far as this blog, I have about 4 ovedue entries to write and I'm sure I'll get round to them eventually. One thing at a time, one foot infront of the other, more haste less speed, etc, etc, etc.
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
when did you last.....
....smile at yourself in the mirror?
Can you count the things that make you happy? Are you one of them? If not, why not?
They say it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. You could argue that by being solemn you're giving your face a workout but take a moment to realise how good it feels to grin from ear to ear.
A smile a day keeps misery at bay, try it!
Can you count the things that make you happy? Are you one of them? If not, why not?
I am so grateful for the things in my life that make me smile; my baby girl, my partner, my crazy cats, my friends; the hardest thing for me to admit is that sometimes I can make myself smile, just by being me.
They say it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. You could argue that by being solemn you're giving your face a workout but take a moment to realise how good it feels to grin from ear to ear.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Friday, 29 July 2011
finding time & etsy
finding the time to blog is not as easy as I first thought. To be honest having a toddler means that finding the time to do anything isn't easy, or is it a question of being more organised.....I can never tell. I guess I can safely say my priorities have certainly changed, and for the better I might add. All time I have with my daughter is precious, as is the time I have to myself. I have to make sure that I make most of both. I am so inspired by friends of mine who either raise children on there own or have more than one; or in the case of one of my best friends, have 4! Organisation either becomes a military operation, or goes out the window completely!
Isla started nursery this week. I have the distinct feeling it was alot harder on me than it was on her! I had no idea it would hurt so much to leave her. Don't get me wrong I leave her with friends and family without a second thought and she loves it, but somehow leaving her with strangers in a nursery setting is a whole different matter. Still, having a day to myself once a week has helped me to (finally) get my jewellery business off the ground. I've been toying with this for ages now and a well meaning soul gave me a kick up the arse a while back to actually get it done, so I have. Enjoy x
http://www.etsy.com/shop/inpansgarden
Isla started nursery this week. I have the distinct feeling it was alot harder on me than it was on her! I had no idea it would hurt so much to leave her. Don't get me wrong I leave her with friends and family without a second thought and she loves it, but somehow leaving her with strangers in a nursery setting is a whole different matter. Still, having a day to myself once a week has helped me to (finally) get my jewellery business off the ground. I've been toying with this for ages now and a well meaning soul gave me a kick up the arse a while back to actually get it done, so I have. Enjoy x
http://www.etsy.com/shop/inpansgarden
I work mostly with fine silver and gemstones, creating one off pieces with nature as inspiration. I'm hoping to get alot more pieces listed over the next few weeks. I just hope they are well received....
fingers crossed!
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Monday, 18 July 2011
I love the rain!
I know its meant to be summer and everyone's missing the sun, but the garden loves it and on days like this, so do I!
Friday, 24 June 2011
st john's wort oil
Although we celebrated the summer solstice on the 21st june, in many parts of the Britain and Europe the 24th June, St John's Day, has historically been considered to be midsummer. Technically the solstice is an astronomical point so the date moves between the 20th - 23rd june but in the distant past many European peasants were not able to travel to Stonehenge to check the passage of the sun, settled on a fixed date on which to celebrate, the 24th. In Shakespeare's play, his midsummer night's dream occurs on the 23rd, midsummer's eve.
A herb that flowers at this time is St John's Wort, Hypericum Perforatum. A wonderful herb known to treat depression, anxiety and sleep disorders and also, externally, nerve pain and skin disorders. It flowers on and around this day and is said to be most powerful when picked on this day. It also has many magical connotations, traditionally linked with the festivals of love and fertility.
The young maid stole through the cottage door,
And blushed as she sought the Plant of pow'r;--
'Thou silver glow-worm, O lend me thy light,
I must gather the mystic St. John's wort tonight,
The wonderful herb, whose leaf will decide
If the coming year shall make me a bride.
from A Midsummer's Celebration by Mike Nichols
I have found quite a large clump growing in my local park and although not many of the flowers have opened yet, most likely due to the weird june weather we're having, I managed to pick enough for a small jar. As with any herb or plant you harvest from, take care to thank the plant for what you take, and also not to strip it bare; leave something for others to enjoy.
I was taught years ago by my herbalist friend Paula (http://paulagrainger.com/) how to make this oil and I love the folklore behind it and the magical way the oil changes colour using the warmth of the sun. Its almost like there's a kind of mystic alchemy involved!
To make this infused oil like this you need an empty jar with an airtight lid, a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, jojoba, grape seed, hemp or olive oil and enough flowers to fill the jar. Crush or chop the flower heads and put them in the jar. Use enough oil to cover the flowers and put the lid on tightly. Leave in the sun on a warm window sill for 2-3 weeks, giving the jar a gentle shake every day to encourage the oil to infuse. Eventually the oil will turn a beautiful dark red colour. Once it has turned red the oil can then be strained through muslin and kept in a dark glass container for up to a year in a cool dark place.
This oil does not have any of the anti-depressant qualities of the orally taken herbal tincture but it has many other external uses. It can be used for abrasive wounds, musculature and nerve pain and also burns. I will keep checking the oil for the next couple of weeks and show you the results once the colour has changed.
I love these home remedies. They are so easy to do and I feel it helps you become more aware of the plants that you might not otherwise take any notice of. I have also collected some lime flowers from a tree I spotted on the way to my Zumba class last night. I'll dry them and use in them in tea. They smell so amazing and so evocative of summer.
I really want to add to this that I am not a qualified herbalist. I have picked up many of the remedies and preparations from books, courses and personal study but if in doubt always consult a professional. It is so important to double check that you know what it is you're picking and how it will effect you when used as a treatment. Enjoy!
A herb that flowers at this time is St John's Wort, Hypericum Perforatum. A wonderful herb known to treat depression, anxiety and sleep disorders and also, externally, nerve pain and skin disorders. It flowers on and around this day and is said to be most powerful when picked on this day. It also has many magical connotations, traditionally linked with the festivals of love and fertility.
The young maid stole through the cottage door,
And blushed as she sought the Plant of pow'r;--
'Thou silver glow-worm, O lend me thy light,
I must gather the mystic St. John's wort tonight,
The wonderful herb, whose leaf will decide
If the coming year shall make me a bride.
from A Midsummer's Celebration by Mike Nichols
I have found quite a large clump growing in my local park and although not many of the flowers have opened yet, most likely due to the weird june weather we're having, I managed to pick enough for a small jar. As with any herb or plant you harvest from, take care to thank the plant for what you take, and also not to strip it bare; leave something for others to enjoy.
I was taught years ago by my herbalist friend Paula (http://paulagrainger.com/) how to make this oil and I love the folklore behind it and the magical way the oil changes colour using the warmth of the sun. Its almost like there's a kind of mystic alchemy involved!
To make this infused oil like this you need an empty jar with an airtight lid, a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, jojoba, grape seed, hemp or olive oil and enough flowers to fill the jar. Crush or chop the flower heads and put them in the jar. Use enough oil to cover the flowers and put the lid on tightly. Leave in the sun on a warm window sill for 2-3 weeks, giving the jar a gentle shake every day to encourage the oil to infuse. Eventually the oil will turn a beautiful dark red colour. Once it has turned red the oil can then be strained through muslin and kept in a dark glass container for up to a year in a cool dark place.
I love these home remedies. They are so easy to do and I feel it helps you become more aware of the plants that you might not otherwise take any notice of. I have also collected some lime flowers from a tree I spotted on the way to my Zumba class last night. I'll dry them and use in them in tea. They smell so amazing and so evocative of summer.
I really want to add to this that I am not a qualified herbalist. I have picked up many of the remedies and preparations from books, courses and personal study but if in doubt always consult a professional. It is so important to double check that you know what it is you're picking and how it will effect you when used as a treatment. Enjoy!
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