Herbal Salves

I completed my herbal salves the other day, finally got the bees wax.  They turned out good.  Was able to find these tins and I like to get more of them.  The small jar works great to. 

I was able to get a hard salve and a softer one.  You can work the wax to make it the consistency you like.

Theres only three herbs that worked while I was sunny them in the window, Thyme,Yarrow and Chamomile.  The Plantain and Nettle did not do well and I know why too.  I did not have them completely covered in olive oil.  They molded.  Must be covered.  And those two I wanted the most.  Need to get more oil and do again. 

These salves are great for rashes, insect bites and stings to scraps ad cuts.   Always check information on herbs before you apply.  Some herbs are very potent.  So please check first. 

I have lots of herbs and how to's but not until I got spring and summer issue of Mary Janes Farm magazine and her easy to follow and inspiring article that I jump right in doing something I had talked of doing for many years.  I'm so pleased with the results and will be adding other herbs to my collection and hope I never have to use them but its good to have on hand.

Thanks for stopping by,
linda

Plant Camp Monday's

Forget-Me-Nots  Myosotis laxa

 

I came to growing these little beauties from a stand outside of a store. They were taking donation for Alzheimers disease and giving away packets of Forget-Me-Nots.  I could not think of a more appropriate flower.  They will remind me how devastating the disease yet the beauty of love ones and their strength to carry on.

"(Ouote from text)---Henry David Thoreau wrote, "The moose-ear forget-me-not, Myosotis laxa, has now extended its racemes very much, and hangs over the edge of the brook. It is one of the most interesting minute flowers. It is the more beautiful for being small and unpretending; even flowers must be modest."

Here's a little something about them   Forget-Me-Nots

Thank you for dropping by
Have a great week
linda

Keeping A Journal

My Journal



Adding anything I like



 

Inspiration

I've started back at keeping a journal.  Set it aside and its hard to get back at it.   The upper two pictures are one of my journals.  Its a smaller book but great to take outside and sketch or jot down notes.   I even started some Haiku poems, these are fun three liners of anything you like.  Also working on sketches and watercolors.   

 

The last book is pure inspiration by Cathy Johnson, she is a artist ,naturalist, writer and shares so much in all fields.  She points out that no matter if you think that theres nothing to journal  about and it might be to mundane that even the little things can be captured in words and sketches to get us out of that way of thinking.   Shes so right.  You can journal no matter where you are.  Pick a subject , your thoughts anything you like.   The best part theres no rules, its yours, and you don't need to be an artist either.  I sometimes use stick people in my jounal to show family gatherings. 

 

If you can come across Cathy Johnsons book or others that will get you to keep one of your own, its so worth it. 

 

Do you keep a journal?  

 

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Journaling

linda

 

 



Plant Camp Monday's

Blazing Star 

The Blazing Star is blooming!  I don't have but a few plants but someday there will be many.  I'll save the seeds for winter sowing and then plant them next spring.  I have both purple and white

Blazing Star, Liatris pycnostachya is a wildflower.   Its also called Gayfeather and Button snakeroot.

Here's a link for more information on this lovely wildflower  Blazing Star




Garden:  Picking green beans and tomatoes, waiting for the squash. 
Even though would be for some rain the plants are still in good shape.


Have a great week and thanks again for your visits
linda

 

Plant Camp Monday's

This weeks featured plant on the homestead is the Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) plant.  I've been after this one for a couple of years. They went the first day at Powell Gardens plant day.   The leaves are beautiful purple and green.  Mine is doing well under the shade, hope it can take our summer heat.  A little over a ft high right now and those colors are still pretty.

Heres some info, check into this plant.  Persian Shield

Thank you for your visits, have a great week
linda

Plant Camp Monday's

This plant, Mullein also called Flannel Plant- Verbascum thapsus  grows all around the homestead.  It gets pretty tall, the leaves are velvet soft and the flowers our pretty, butterfly's like them too so I let them stay.

An extract  against respiratory problems was used by Native Americans and settlers. They also also smoked the leaves.    Was even used for diapers b/c of the super softness of the leaves.   It can be used today on walks in the wild incase nature calls.  I have not tried but good to know. 

Here's a link to more info:  Mullein

Always check before you use or eat anything in the wild.  Better to be safe then sorry. Esp when it comes to mushrooms and look alike plants.   Check with your doctor always before using a medical plant. 

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th. 

Take good care
linda

Coyote Stamp

I was working with digital apps on my Nook HD and alto I didn't get a realistic coyote this was what I ended with.  It's simple and it will work for my homestead stamp.  Maybe I can work on that nose, sort of got its tip cut off on the original drawing.   Anyway its fun to work with different  inks and effects on digital art.

Garden update:

Green beans will be ready to pick tomorrow.  Dig up new potatoes to add to the green beans, some garden onions , bacon, boy oh boy is that a great dish. 

Green beans this time of year always reminds me of a gathering we had, 101 people showed up, one friend was pregnant which made it 101 ppl : ). We furnished the meat and drinks, and everyone was to bring a side dish.  Most everyone brought green beans.  When you live in the country expect green beans to show up at the party esp on the 4th of July and hope everyone like beans : )


Chasing butterflies in the butterfly garden, the big ones I want to capture on camera are so fast.  I need to camp out in a flower clump and slowly pop up and get the shot.  Its tricky.

Take Good Care
linda