#sassafras leaf (one of each)

[ghostalmost]

oh no i ordered art supplies uh oh

[poem-today]

A poem by Minnie Bruce Pratt

The Sound of One Fork

Through the window screen I can see an angle of grey roof and the silence that spreads in the branches of the pecan tree as the sun goes down. I am waiting for a lover. I am alone in a solitude that vibrates like the cicada in hot midmorning, that waits like the lobed sassafras leaf just before its dark green turns into red, that waits like the honeybee in the mouth of the purple lobelia. While I wait, I can hear the random clink of one fork against a plate. The woman next door is eating supper alone. She is sixty, perhaps, and for many years has eaten by herself the tomatoes, the corn and okra that she grows in her backyard garden. Her small metallic sound persists, as quiet almost as the windless silence, persists like the steady random click of a redbird cracking a few more seeds before the sun gets too low. She does not hurry, she does not linger. Her younger neighbors think that she is lonely. But I know what sufficiency she may possess. I know what can be gathered from year to year, gathered from what is near to hand, as I do elderberries that bend in damp thickets by the road, gathered and preserved, jars and jars shining in rows of claret red, made at times with help, a friend or a lover, but consumed long after, long after they are gone and I sit alone at the kitchen table. And when I sit in the last heat of Sunday, afternoons on the porch steps in the acid breath of the boxwoods, I also know desolation. The week is over, the coming night will not lift. I am exhausted from making each day. My family, my children live in other states, the women I love in other towns. I would rather be here than with them in the old ways, but when all that’s left of the sunset is the red reflection underneath the clouds, when I get up and come in to fix supper, in the darkened kitchen I am often lonely for them. In the morning and the evening we are by ourselves, the woman next door and I. Still, we persist. I open the drawer to get out the silverware. She goes to her garden to pull weeds and pick the crookneck squash that turn yellow with late summer. I walk down to the pond in the morning to watch and wait for the blue heron who comes at first light to feed on minnows that swim through her shadow in the water. She stays until the day grows so bright that she cannot endure it and leaves with her hunger unsatisfied. She bows her wings and slowly lifts into flight, grey and slate blue against a paler sky. I know she will come back. I see the light create a russet curve of land on the farther bank, where the wild rice bends heavy and ripe under the first blackbirds. I know she will come back. I see the light curve in the fall and rise of her wing.

Minnie Bruce Pratt

[schlehenschnaps]

Done with the scent list :)

Please note that I picked the perfumes primarily on how well they fit the character (in my opinion) rather than availability.

That said almost all Limited Edition scents are recurring seasonal releases, can be bought through distributors or are relatively easily obtainable through swaps.

Sixteen92 for example does a resurrection event at the beginning of each year during which you can pre order most of their limited edition scents (time frame and scent list will be announced on their site).

I limited myself to four scents per character but if you’d like some more suggestions you can always message me <3

I added the scent descriptions/notes from the perfumers sites so you have a general idea what they smell like. Keep in mind that the scents can change based on your skin chem.

Pennywise:

1. Arcana – Blood & Circuses – Limited Edition (Halloween 2016):

The monstrously sweet scent of clowns gone wrong. An outlandish, carnivalic mix of white pancake makeup accord, pink cotton candy, and the salty sugariness of warm kettle corn.

2. Solstice Scents – Foxcroft Fairgrounds – General Catalogue:

Cotton candy, cream soda, vanilla taffy, funnel cakes, powdered sugar, crisp fall air, woodsmoke and a tendril of incense.

3. The Strange South – Twice Dead – Limited Edition (Halloween 2018):

Frozen breath and arterial blood.

4. Sixteen92 – Supercell – Limited Edition (Released every year during Spring):

The first cracks of ozonic lightning in the distance, rolling humid air, sharp green grass under heavy grey skies, the smell of rain on hot asphalt, crushed green stems, windblown hay, soaked earth and ancient branches snapped open by the forces of nature.

Bill:

1. Alkemia – Book of Shadows – General Catalogue:

Heavy parchment paper, ancient iron oak gall ink, crumbling leather bindings, and wafts of rare incenses.

2. Poesie – Myself Invisible – General Catalogue:

Stacked books, spilled ink, black tea, shy violets hiding deep in the forest.

3. Darling Clandestine – Aequitas – Released on a rotating scedule:

Smoke, blood, whiskey, damp alleys, steel, gunpowder, sweat, denim, sweet wooden rosary beads, clover struggling up through concrete cracks.

4. Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – The Small Brown Cat – General Catalogue (American Gods Collection):

Warm brown fur, cardamom-infused bourbon vanilla, and a touch of cedarwood.

Beverly:

1. Sixteen92 – Only Children Weep – Limited Edition (Summer 2018):

Sweet tea, azalia, red clay, rhubarb, dry wood, cement.

2. Blooddrop/Astrid Perfume – Lemon Carousel – Limited Edition (Summer 2018):

Italian lemon and cotton candy.

3. Darling Clandestine – Inked – Released on a rotating scedule:

Leather, salt, communion wine, skin musk.

4. The Strange South – Mama – General Catalogue:

Dandelions, iced tea, gingersnap crumbs and jam fingerprints on a little lost girl's cotton dress.

Georgie:

1. The Strange South – Some Mothers Boy – Limited Edition (Summer 2018):

Steel tracks, gas from an old copper lantern, dried tears, and roadside flowers.

2. Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Chad – General Catalogue (American Gods Collection):

A steaming mug of hot chocolate.

3. Fyrinnae – Kitten Tummies – Discontinued:

Marshmallow, sweet benzoin resin, white sandalwood, sugar, and a hint of myrrh.

4. Hexennacht – Moloko Plus – General Catalogue:

Steamed milk, sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, and rice milk, infused with lavender simple syrup, coconut crème, and green cardamom poddiwods.

Mike:

1. Solstice Scents – Gibbon’s Boarding School – General Catalogue:

Dusty wooden desks, paper, leather, amber, tobacco, dying fire, dried leaves, autumn breeze.

2. Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Miskatonic University – General Catalogue:

The scent of irish coffee, dusty tomes and polished oakwood halls.

3. Sixteen92 – The Cocktail Party – Limited Edition (Birthday):

Dark chocolate devil’s food cake with caramelized fig compote and whiskey ganache.

4. The Strange South – Deerskin – Limited Edition (Fall/Winter 2018):

Warm straw, painted corn, antler velvet, juniper, and musk.

Ben:

1. Sixteen92 – Lycanthrope – Limited Edition (Always Released during Friday 13th):

Monkshood, warm fur, elm bark, artemisia, galbanum, weathered rock, and silver moonlight.

2. Sixteen92 – I Believe In Mary Worth – Limited Edition (Always Released during Friday 13th):

Tarnished silver, flickering candlelight, faded violet petals, cold glass, shadowed musk, melted wax.

3. Hexennacht – Camp Crystal Lake – General Catalogue:

Lake water, fishing dock, seaweed, forest.

4. Sixteen92 – Blood & Honey – General Catalogue:

Blood orange, wildflower honey, pale amber, honeysuckle.

Richie:

1. Solstice Scents – Maine Moon – Limited Edition (Mostly released during Fall):

Crisp fall air, wood smoke, leather seats and concessions of root beer, popcorn and chocolate covered caramels.

2. Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Stimulating Sassafras Strengthener – General Catalogue

Sassafras, vanilla extract, oak leaf, CO2 butter extract and onycha.

3. Alkemia – Deus Ex Machina – General Catalogue:

Fire hardened steel, rusted iron, motor oil, wet cement, burnt copper wires, and grey amber.

4. Hexennacht – Trashcan Man – General Catalogue:

Smoke, motor oil, low-octane gasoline.

Eddie:

1. Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab – Snake Oil – General Catalogue:

A blend of exotic indonesian oils sugared with vanilla.

2. Sixteen92 – The Bottling Room – Limited Edition (Summer 2018):

Sterile glass, electricity, copper, hot light bulbs, lab-grown flowers, synthetic greenery.

3. Solstice Scents – Mountain Vanilla – Limited Edition (Spring 2018/2017):

Sweet clover, coumarin, vanilla musk, fresh green accord, poplar buds, morning dew.

4. Poesie – Carnal – General Catalogue:

Soft, sueded leather.

Stan:

1. Sixteen92 – Welcome to Burkittsville – Limited Edition (Halloween 2018):

Ancient stone, raven feather, forest floor, tangled roots, dark water, pitch-black musk.

2. Sixteen92 – Aeromancy – Limited Edition (Fall 2018):

Powdered snow, silver birch, dried leaves, rose oxide, a blanket of morning frost.

3. Solstice Scents – Covered Bridge – General Catalogue:

Woods, moss, leaves, wood smoke, dirt, ozone, fir absolute.

4. Poesie – Strange Unearthly Thing – General Catalogue:

Moss and ivy entwined, an overturned log studded with tiny mushrooms, one ripe peach, a circle of fairy flowers, white amber.

[en--dear]

“The Sound of One Fork”

BY MINNIE BRUCE PRATT

Through the window screen I can see an angle of grey roof and the silence that spreads in the branches of the pecan tree as the sun goes down. I am waiting for a lover. I am alone in a solitude that vibrates like the cicada in hot midmorning, that waits like the lobed sassafras leaf just before its dark green turns into red, that waits like the honeybee in the mouth of the purple lobelia. While I wait, I can hear the random clink of one fork against a plate. The woman next door is eating supper alone. She is sixty, perhaps, and for many years has eaten by herself the tomatoes, the corn and okra that she grows in her backyard garden. Her small metallic sound persists, as quiet almost as the windless silence, persists like the steady random click of a redbird cracking a few more seeds before the sun gets too low. She does not hurry, she does not linger. Her younger neighbors think that she is lonely. But I know what sufficiency she may possess. I know what can be gathered from year to year, gathered from what is near to hand, as I do elderberries that bend in damp thickets by the road, gathered and preserved, jars and jars shining in rows of claret red, made at times with help, a friend or a lover, but consumed long after, long after they are gone and I sit alone at the kitchen table. And when I sit in the last heat of Sunday, afternoons on the porch steps in the acid breath of the boxwoods, I also know desolation. The week is over, the coming night will not lift. I am exhausted from making each day. My family, my children live in other states, the women I love in other towns. I would rather be here than with them in the old ways, but when all that’s left of the sunset is the red reflection underneath the clouds, when I get up and come in to fix supper, in the darkened kitchen I am often lonely for them. In the morning and the evening we are by ourselves, the woman next door and I. Still, we persist. I open the drawer to get out the silverware. She goes to her garden to pull weeds and pick the crookneck squash that turn yellow with late summer. I walk down to the pond in the morning to watch and wait for the blue heron who comes at first light to feed on minnows that swim through her shadow in the water. She stays until the day grows so bright that she cannot endure it and leaves with her hunger unsatisfied. She bows her wings and slowly lifts into flight, grey and slate blue against a paler sky. I know she will come back. I see the light create a russet curve of land on the farther bank, where the wild rice bends heavy and ripe under the first blackbirds. I know she will come back. I see the light curve in the fall and rise of her wing.

[easyfoodnetwork]

The Comforting Creole Classics You Should Cook at Home

Try out turkey-stuffed bell peppers and a marinated trout stir fry from NOLA Creole chef Corey Duckworth

The culinary impact of the late “Queen of Creole” Leah Chase is obvious to anyone who has either been to New Orleans or is familiar with the city’s cuisine. From Cajun-Creole and Creole-Italian and even “haute Creole,” the city — and Louisiana at large — have taken the style of cooking in countless creative directions.

One staple of Creole cooking in New Orleans is Sassafras, co-owned by mother-and-son team Sandra Duckworth and Corey Duckworth since 2004. Over the years, Sassafras has become known for Creole soul food dishes like smothered okra, fried catfish and shrimp, and stuffed peppers, with Corey manning the kitchen as chef.

As part of our Eater at Home series, Duckworth is joining Eater’s Instagram Live to give us an in-depth rundown of some of his favorite Creole dishes: stuffed bell peppers and a marinated trout and broccoli stir fry. Check out the recipes below for yourself.

Stuffed Back Porch Pepper

Makes 4 servings

1 ¼ pounds cooked ground turkey �� cup holy trinity* 1 cup lump crabmeat 2 tablespoons chopped scallions 2 bay leaves 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 pint chicken broth 1 tablespoon Tabasco Red Sauce 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 3 cups bread crumbs, divided 4 green bell peppers, blanched 4 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon oil

* Note: Considered similar to mirepoix in most Louisiana Creole cooking, holy trinity is a blend of yellow onion, green bell peppers, and celery.

In a pan over medium heat add your holy trinity, bay leaf, green onions, and oil. Cook until onions are translucent. Add garlic and crabmeat plus 1 tablespoon of Tabasco Red Sauce and let simmer for another 5 minutes. Add your chicken broth and cooked ground turkey, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook covered for about 7 to 10 minutes so the broth reduces.

Remove the pan from heat and mix in 2 1⁄2 cups of bread crumbs to the crab mixture. Then, working one at a time, stuff your blanched bell peppers with about one cup each of the mixture. Top the stuffed peppers with the remaining bread crumbs and 1⁄2 to 1 tablespoon each of butter; sprinkle each with paprika. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Trout and Broccoli Stir Fry

For the trout marinade: ¼ cup Tabasco Red Sauce ½ cup melted butter 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 sprig fresh rosemary 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 pund speckled trout

For the stir fry: 2 tablespoons canola oil ½ cup holy trinity ½ pound broccoli florets 1 tablespoon minced garlic 2 cup parboiled rice 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon house Creole seasoning blend 2 tablespoons Tabasco Green Sauce 8 ounces marinated trout 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

On a cutting board, slice the fresh speckled trout into 8-ounce servings. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

In a medium bowl add Tabasco Red Sauce, melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and lemon juice; mix well. Using a basting brush or your hands marinate the trout with the Tabasco mixture. Transfer trout to a plastic bag and refrigerate for at last 2 hours.

Once marinated, wrap serving in aluminum foil and fold the edges. Broil at 270 degrees for 15 minutes or until cooked medium well.

In a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil, the holy trinity, and broccoli. Cook for 5 minutes. Add rice vinegar, Tabasco Green Sauce, garlic, and soy sauce, and stir. Add the rice and cooked trout and stir fry for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Creole seasoning blend and Parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh scallions and Tabasco Red Sauce. Enjoy!

from Eater - All https://ift.tt/2WG6sAv https://ift.tt/3hpTJK3

Try out turkey-stuffed bell peppers and a marinated trout stir fry from NOLA Creole chef Corey Duckworth

The culinary impact of the late “Queen of Creole” Leah Chase is obvious to anyone who has either been to New Orleans or is familiar with the city’s cuisine. From Cajun-Creole and Creole-Italian and even “haute Creole,” the city — and Louisiana at large — have taken the style of cooking in countless creative directions.

One staple of Creole cooking in New Orleans is Sassafras, co-owned by mother-and-son team Sandra Duckworth and Corey Duckworth since 2004. Over the years, Sassafras has become known for Creole soul food dishes like smothered okra, fried catfish and shrimp, and stuffed peppers, with Corey manning the kitchen as chef.

As part of our Eater at Home series, Duckworth is joining Eater’s Instagram Live to give us an in-depth rundown of some of his favorite Creole dishes: stuffed bell peppers and a marinated trout and broccoli stir fry. Check out the recipes below for yourself.

Stuffed Back Porch Pepper

Makes 4 servings

1 ¼ pounds cooked ground turkey ½ cup holy trinity* 1 cup lump crabmeat 2 tablespoons chopped scallions 2 bay leaves 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 pint chicken broth 1 tablespoon Tabasco Red Sauce 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 3 cups bread crumbs, divided 4 green bell peppers, blanched 4 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon oil

* Note: Considered similar to mirepoix in most Louisiana Creole cooking, holy trinity is a blend of yellow onion, green bell peppers, and celery.

In a pan over medium heat add your holy trinity, bay leaf, green onions, and oil. Cook until onions are translucent. Add garlic and crabmeat plus 1 tablespoon of Tabasco Red Sauce and let simmer for another 5 minutes. Add your chicken broth and cooked ground turkey, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook covered for about 7 to 10 minutes so the broth reduces.

Remove the pan from heat and mix in 2 1⁄2 cups of bread crumbs to the crab mixture. Then, working one at a time, stuff your blanched bell peppers with about one cup each of the mixture. Top the stuffed peppers with the remaining bread crumbs and 1⁄2 to 1 tablespoon each of butter; sprinkle each with paprika. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Trout and Broccoli Stir Fry

For the trout marinade: ¼ cup Tabasco Red Sauce ½ cup melted butter 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 sprig fresh rosemary 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 pund speckled trout

For the stir fry: 2 tablespoons canola oil ½ cup holy trinity ½ pound broccoli florets 1 tablespoon minced garlic 2 cup parboiled rice 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon house Creole seasoning blend 2 tablespoons Tabasco Green Sauce 8 ounces marinated trout 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

On a cutting board, slice the fresh speckled trout into 8-ounce servings. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

In a medium bowl add Tabasco Red Sauce, melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and lemon juice; mix well. Using a basting brush or your hands marinate the trout with the Tabasco mixture. Transfer trout to a plastic bag and refrigerate for at last 2 hours.

Once marinated, wrap serving in aluminum foil and fold the edges. Broil at 270 degrees for 15 minutes or until cooked medium well.

In a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil, the holy trinity, and broccoli. Cook for 5 minutes. Add rice vinegar, Tabasco Green Sauce, garlic, and soy sauce, and stir. Add the rice and cooked trout and stir fry for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Creole seasoning blend and Parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh scallions and Tabasco Red Sauce. Enjoy!

from Eater - All https://ift.tt/2WG6sAv via Blogger https://ift.tt/39lHvQ4

[lowcarbnutrients]

Pregnancy Nutrition Dos and Don`ts

Should you consume alcohol coffee or ought to you prevent all of it together?

Should you guide clear of any type of soft cheeses or simply the raw ones?

Pregnancy Cravings You Must NOT Delight In

And what's the deal with deli meats?!

When you conceive, you have recommendations flying at you from all directions-from your Mama, your buddies, web sites, books, publications, your boss and also random individuals who really feel the need to give you recommendations, even when you don't ask for it. This info overload can be overwhelming and a wee bit overwhelming-especially for a novice expectant Mother.

As a Mama, I know that being expectant is exciting yet a little bit aggravating. When I was pregnant the very first time, I was perplexed regarding nutrition during pregnancy-and this is exactly what I do!

As a Registered Dietitian and also Nutritional expert, I intend to give you the finest, current nourishment advice possible for your maternity, in a easy-to-understand method. Kick back, get a decaf cappucino, and read on ...

Exactly How To Select A Prenatal Multivitamin

Here are my leading maternity nutrition Dos and Don'ts:

Do

Take a managed pre-natal multivitamin with 0.6-1.0 mg (400-1000 mcg) of Folic Acid, 16-27 mg Iron, and much less than 5000 IU's of Vitamin A everyday. If you aren't expectant yet but are considering conceiving, start taking one now. This is essential for your baby's normal growth in utero as well as to maintain you healthy and balanced throughout maternity. To guarantee that your supplement is government managed, search for an NPN or NHP number (all-natural products number). Consider likewise taking a Vitamin D supplement of 400-1000IU's each day in addition to an Omega 3 fish oil supplement if you do not consume low mercury oily fish at the very least twice a week.

Don't

Take random isolated vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin B's, Iron, and also Vitamin C unless your family Physician has actually recommended it. Much more vitamins as well as minerals does not imply a healthier baby.Toxic degrees of minerals and vitamins could create damage to you and your baby.

Do

Continue to appreciate reduced mercury fatty fish such as salmon, halibut, trout, mackerel and light flaked canned tuna twice a week to satisfy your Omega-3 needs. Fish is a terrific resource of healthy protein and also several other nutrients that are necessary throughout maternity.

Don't

Eat high mercury fish such as Swordfish, Marlin, or Orange roughy. Mercury works as a neurotoxin, potentially effecting the mind as well as nerves of an unborn baby. Best to stay clear of these fish while pregnant.

Do

For a single pregnancy (not doubles of triplets), eat an extra 300-340 calories each day throughout your 2nd trimester and also an extra 400-450 calories throughout your Third trimester to support your baby's growth and also growth if you were at a healthy and balanced weight prior to maternity. I urge my customers to concentrate on protein-rich foods such as lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, milk, and also yogurt. An example of a 350 calorie snack is 3/4 cup yogurt, a handful of berries as well as a couple of nuts. Aim to consume tiny meals as well as treats every 2-3 hrs to make certain optimum nutrition, and also to prevent nausea as well as intense appetite.

Don't

Eat like you're actually eating for two. During your initial trimester, you really don't require any type of additional calories. After all-your infant is approximately the size of a pea. Many females error maternity for a free-for-all food fest. This can bring about excess weight gain which can be harmful to both you and also your infant for several factors. If you're unsure of exactly what as well as exactly how much to eat, talk with your doctor who can refer you to a Dietitian for guidance. Do delight in the occasional reward like you generally do (let's be real!), but don't go too far on fast food. It's not mosting likely to benefit you or your infant.

Do

Stay away from alcohol, for the most part. At this moment, no safe level of alcohol has been established for pregnancy, so it's probably much better to err on the side of care and also prevent all of it together. Fetal Alcohol Disorder, which can trigger severe developmental hold-ups in child, has actually been mainly connected to hefty drinking while pregnant. That being stated, there have been several researches that recommend that light, occasional alcohol consumption could not present a danger to baby. And I would be lying if I stated that I didn't have the occasional sip or even little glass of wine during my last maternity. Generally though, I played it risk-free and stayed with virgin mojitos and soda, cranberry and lime, which I am advising that you do.

Don't

Eat raw or undercooked meats, chicken, fish, shellfish or eggs. Likewise prevent deli meats (and also meat crowns) and also smoked seafood unless you cook them well. When you are pregnant, your resistance to specific food-borne microorganisms decreases- so you as well as your coming babe are much more at danger for gastrointestinal disorder. Eating raw, unusual, or undercooked meats or poultry could place you in jeopardy for direct exposure to Toxoplasmosis along with Salmonella. Delicatessens meats as well as smoked seafoods have been recognized to lug Listeria, which could create a miscarriage. If you pick to consume deli meats, make certain that you reheat them till steaming first. Smoked seafood that is canned or shelf-stable is generally safe, yet chilled smoked seafood must be prevented unless reheated till steaming (like in a covered dish). Raw or undercooked eggs need to be prevented due to the danger of Salmonella poisoning. Keep an eye out for particular Caesar salad dressings, raw cookie dough, custards and Hollandaise sauces made with raw eggs.

Do

Enjoy your java, in small amounts. Some professionals claim that as much as 300 mg of caffeine is absolutely risk-free while pregnant and also after that various other experts say to prevent it all with each other as it enhances the threat of having a losing the unborn baby. I recommend that ladies limit their high levels of caffeine consumption to around 200 mg daily, which is the matching of concerning one and a fifty percent 8 oz cups of coffee/day. Keep in mind though, particular teas, sodas and also foods likewise consist of high levels of caffeine.

Don't

Consume unpasteurized milk items such as unpasteurized milk or imported soft cheeses made from raw milk. Unpasteurized milk could consist of Listeria which could put you at a raised risk of miscarriage. In Canada, milk offered legitimately should be sterilized, yet it's essential to review labels very carefully, especially on imported soft cheeses, to earn certain that the milk utilized has been pasteurized.

Do

Feel cost-free to take herbal supplements and teas that are considered secure throughout pregnancy, in small amounts. These consist of Bilberry, Cranberry, Evening Primrose Oil, Gingko Biloba, Environment-friendly Tea Remove, raspberry leaf and Valerian root. Herbal teas such as linden flower, citrus peel, ginger, lemon balm, orange peel, and increased hip eaten in moderation (2-3 cups per day) are considered risk-free. Prevent teas that have aloe, coltsfoot, juniper berries, pennyroyal, buckthorn bark, comfrey, labrador tea, sassafras, duck origins, lobelia and also senna leaves. These are considered harmful while pregnant.

[madamehearthwitch]

How can I get closer to balance in my life?

Great question!

Mother of Winter, Sassafras

The sassafras tree is an interesting one. A single tree can contain several different leaf shapes, making it a real treat to identify.

This card suggests that the key to finding your balance is in your perception. Instead of focusing on a single leaf, you need to take in the big picture to identify what is going on.

9 of Winter, Belladonna

In the past, this flower, also known as deadly nightshade, was used extensively in women’s cosmetics. Begging the question, just how much are we willing to risk for the sake of beauty? And what would drive us to that point?

For you in this spread, this card shines a light on the darker aspect of the self. there’s no denying that this part of you exists. And it’s far better to learn how to work with it, than try to keep it buried.

Mother of Autumn, Lavender

It’s a rare witch I think, who is not at least passingly familiar with lavender. It brings to mind the comforts and peace of home. 

Its place as the last card in this spread I think perhaps shows that the three cards represent a journey. It starts with an increased understanding of the environment around you. Which in turn reveals an aspect of the self which you have perhaps been trying to hide away.

This then brings us to the Lavender card. The result of this balancing of yourself will be a more peaceful atmosphere in your home space. Indeed this is not a stretch to believe, as the full acceptance of oneself can only lead to a more contented life.

I hope you found some truth in the reading. A reminder that tarot reading, and all divination, are not an infallible look into the future, but rather, taking the temperature of current energies and offering slight nudges and guidance.

If you have any questions about anything here, send me a message and I’m happy to discuss them with you.

Also, I apologize if the reading feels rough. My cards and I are still getting to know each other!

[tipsycad147]

Magickal Herbs 20

Faery Herbs and Fungi 

Chicory - Chicory can bring good luck or make you invisible if you carry it with you. It is also said to be able to open any lock. 

Elecampane - Elfwort and Elf Dock are folk names for this plant, an herb whose roots are used in faery magick. Scattering the root about is said to attract faeries to your home, and growing it is said to attract them to your garden. It can be added to any magick or spell used to invoke faery blessings. 

Flax - Purging Flax is also called Faery Flax. 

Lady's Mantle - Faeries shower with the dew that drops from this flower's petals. They keep wrinkles away and this is very important for someone as old as they are. Lavender - Where there is lavender there is great faerie activity. Faery clans like to have many parties and lavender infused wine is one of their favourites because it promotes pure knowledge. Lavender plants are also where the Faeries drape their clothes to dry. These faeries bring healing, protection and help to overcome emotional blocks and the scent of lavender in the air relieves stress.

Elf leaf is another name for lavender, which is used in elfin magic. 

Pearlwort – Placing a spring of pearlwort above the front door is said to prevent faeries from stealing any member of the household away. 

Rosemary – Provides protection against evil faeries; grow rosemary, or place a fresh sprig of it about, to keep malicious faeries away. Burn dried rosemary as incense to attract the fae. It is also good for the memory. 

Sassafras – A favorite of Air Elementals. 

St. John’s Wort – St. John’s Wort is said to offer protection from both faeries and faery spells. It is also used for healing. The Celts passed it through the smoke of the Summer Solstice fire, then wore it into battle for invincibility. The people of Scotland wore it as a charm against faery influence. Thyme - Ever want to bring the fae into your home? Hang sprigs of Thyme in a window. Placing sprigs of thyme on your closed eyes while you sleep upon a faery mound is a sure way to see faeries. If you plant thyme in your garden, the faeries will come and build their homes under its mounds. 

Verben 

Vervain Western hyssop or horsemint 

Wild Thyme - Part of a recipe for a brew to make one see the faeries. The tops of the Wild Thyme must be gathered near the side of a faerie hill. Wearing a spring of wild thyme, or essential oil of thyme, will help one to see faeries. 

Wood Sorrel - Wood sorrel is used in faery magick, and for the evocation of elves. 

Yarrow Mushrooms and Toadstools Mushrooms and Toadstools - Mushrooms and toadstools with knobbed caps are used as stools and umbrellas by the faeries. Some of the folk names for various types of fungi reflect this belief: Faery Club, Elf Cap, Elf’s Stool, etc. A circle of mushrooms on a lawn is called a Faery Ring, Faery Circle, Faery Dance, or Faery Court. Faery rings are believed to be places of dangerous enchantment that formed where faeries dance. Mushrooms are used by faeries to mark the boundaries of their dancing circles and portals to their world. Some toadstools have poisonous hallucinogenic properties. The Vikings ate them and gained their reputations as berkerkers. In Celtic lore, they are among the food of the gods, as with many red plants. Some toadstools associated with the faerie are Fly Agaric, Yellow Fairy Club, Slender Elf Cap, Dune Pixie-Hood, and Dryad's Saddle.

Miscellaneous Faery Plants 

Clover - The clover faeries will help one to find love. Those with four leaves can be used to break faery spells and glamours. Wearing a four-leaf clover in your hat will give you the power to see invisible faeries, as does anointing yourself with an ointment made from four-leaf clovers, or carrying a charm of 7 grains of wheat plus one four-leaf clover.   

Elderberry – This is used to make faery wine. The berries can also be burned on a fire to invite the Guide Neighbours to a gathering. Make a homemade brew of Elderberry Wine and you are sure to have some thirsty visitors. It is said that if a human drinks the wine, then he or she will be ale to see the Wee Ones. If a human should drink Elderberry wine from the same goblet as a faery, he or she will be able to see them forever. 

Fern - Ferns are favoured by pixies, who are said to sometimes be found near them. 

Milkweed - Both Monarch butterflies and faeries like milkweed. If milkweed is planted in a Witch's garden, the fae will always be in the area. The silky tassels of the milkweed pods can be added to a dream pillow – no only to make it softer, but also to make you dream of the faeries. In the Autumn, when the pods are bursting, and the fluffy seeds are flying across the fields, one wish is granted for each seed that is be caught and then released again. 

Shamrock – Celtic faeries adore it. Also see Trefoil. 

Trefoil - Also known as shamrock, or searaog, it symbolises all triple deities. Always leave something in payment when you take trefoil, because it is a favourite herb of the Little People and faeries. A pinch of ginger or a little milk pored onto the ground are acceptable gifts.   

http://www.hafapea.com/thelandoffaepages/recipes.html

[sciencespies]

Watch Leaves Change Color in a Matter of Seconds

https://sciencespies.com/nature/watch-leaves-change-color-in-a-matter-of-seconds/

Watch Leaves Change Color in a Matter of Seconds

Every fall, the leaves of deciduous trees undergo a dramatic color change before forfeiting their newfound hues, fading to brown and dying. The process can take weeks, but Owen Reiser, a mathematics and biology student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, wanted to see the leaves change in a matter of seconds. “I was taking a field biology class and we were learning about deciduous trees,” he says. “I’ve been getting into wildlife photography and time-lapse for a while, and I couldn’t find a time-lapse of leaves changing color, so I just went for it.”

Over the course of six weeks, Reiser took more than 6,000 close-up photographs of leaves in his homemade time-lapse studio, which includes a macro lens and a camera he purchased on eBay, a $10 LED light and a battery that allows the camera to run continuously. “It’s [basically] a cardboard box and a bunch of duct tape, but it gets the job done,” he says.

Reiser gathered leaves from eight different deciduous trees, species such as sassafras and sugar maple that shed their foliage annually, and took a photograph of each one every 30 to 60 seconds for up to three days. By stitching together thousands of images into a single video, he revealed a scene of changing leaves that’s far more alive than a typical autumn snapshot. In the time-lapse video, color seeps through each leaf like dye spreading through fabric, revealing the dynamic inner workings of the plants as they transform.

David Lee, professor emeritus in biological sciences at Florida International University and author of Nature’s Palette: The Science of Plant Color, says he has never seen a video like Reiser’s before. “The color even on an individual leaf varies dramatically, and this shows that change over time.”

Despite the popularity of fall foliage, the science behind the changing leaves isn’t widely known. “Every fall, people write about color change, and typically the articles are full of all kinds of mistakes,” Lee says. One of the biggest misconceptions is that red and yellow leaves change in the same way, when they actually undergo completely different processes.

The yellow leaves of plants like witch hazel follow a traditional textbook explanation for color change: The breakdown of green photosynthetic pigments called chlorophylls exposes the yellow pigments, or carotenoids, hiding underneath. (Carotenoids are the same type of pigment that gives pumpkins and carrots their distinct hues.) As the leaves continue to waste away, they produce tannins and turn brown.

Seen through a microscope, chlorophyll is concentrated within plant life in structures called chloroplasts.

(Kristian Peters — Fabelfroh via Wikicommons under CC BY-SA 3.0)

On the other hand, most red tones, like those in red oaks, come from a pigment called anthocyanin that’s produced as the leaf dies. “People argue that the red color is [also] an unmasking from the breakdown of chlorophyll, and that’s simply wrong,” Lee says. “The red color is actually made when the chlorophyll is beginning to break down—there’s a synthesis of those pigments, so it’s quite a different thing.”

Although scientists know how red pigments are created, they’re still not sure why. According to Lee, there are two dominant hypotheses. Evolutionary biologist William Hamilton suggested that color is used to protect plants from herbivory, since red hues might trick insects into thinking that a leaf is toxic or unhealthy, discouraging bugs from feeding on it or laying their eggs there.

However, the dominant belief popularized by horticulturist Bill Hoch is that red pigments offer photo-protection when the leaf is vulnerable, especially in bright light and low temperatures when plants don’t photosynthesize as efficiently. Anthocyanins help shield the leaf by absorbing excess light at wavelengths that aren’t used for photosynthesis, like the green part of the visible spectrum. They also act as antioxidants, protecting the leaf from toxic byproducts that are made when chlorophyll breaks down during aging.

The synthesis of anthocyanins might also explain why the rapidly expanding blotches of color in Reiser’s time-lapse aren’t uniform, since temperature and light exposure can vary drastically over a leaf’s surface, possibly impacting local production of the pigment.

But why would a plant go through the evolutionary trouble of protecting a leaf that’s destined to die? “The advantage to the plant is that the leaves that are breaking down can more efficiently remove nitrogen from the proteins that are breaking down, and transport the nitrogen back into the plant, either in the big limbs or even in the root system,” Lee says. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for photosynthesis and growth, so returning as much of it to the tree as possible before a leaf falls helps ensure that the plant is well-stocked for next year’s cycle.

While the science of color change is still shrouded in mystery, Lee thinks it will continue to fascinate both researchers and curious observers for many autumns to come. “It’s like our panda. It’s the thing that really grabs a lot of attention for the plant world compared to the animal world,” he says. “An odd color is something that we all notice.” With work like Reiser’s video, we can now examine the changing leaves with a fresh perspective, bringing new questions into focus and magnifying the puzzle of nature’s ever-evolving palette.

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#Nature

[melbourne-exchange]

Natureee!

And hikingg, yay! But first, I promised to write about Canberra.

Everyone told me not to stop there (for context, I’m taking a hop-on-hop-off bus from Melbourne to Brisbane and can hop off where and as often as I want to).

I stopped there.

Canberra was built to be a capital city, in 1913, as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne both wanting to serve as seats of the government. Canberra is essentially a diffusion of a sharp rivalry. The entire city looks like it was poured out of concrete in one go. It is thoroughly planned, annoyingly geometrical, even the lake is designed. The architecture is all modern, and as it was all built around the same time, the buildings all strike a chord with each other. Peculiar. It is also pretty brutalist - monumental, aggressive, heavy, and the concrete is the choice of material for everything. Many of the buildings, like for example the National Gallery of Australia, hide the fact that anything is going on inside at all. The New Parliament is only partly above the ground - a major part of its “facade” is the Capitol Hill, and the building itself is buried under it.

The National Gallery. (Photo by By Thennicke - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62136852)

Flagpole of the Capitol Hill through. A planned view, one of many.

The city planning has also been inspired by the garden movement, meaning that there is an abundance of vast green areas, filled to the brim with sculptures, monuments, installations, fountains and what have you. I have never seen so much public art per capita.

The city itself was empty. Fair enough, I arrived at 6AM, but during my 5-hour walk, I mostly saw wide, empty roads, red lights blinking for no-one, and empty parks filled with sculptures and monuments with no-one looking at them. Peculiar.

I did go into the National Gallery, which was a delight. My favourite part, as was in the NGV in Melbourne, was the international exhibitions. I saw a wonderful Miró I hadn’t seen before. I saw an abstract expressionist painting from Mark Rothko, who I hand’t seen before, that struck a deep chord in me. I saw a funny little piece by Dalí, enjoyed some Art Nouveau graphic art by Alphonse Mucha whom I love and saw, for the first time, a collection of Tiffany lamps! But enough about Europe. The gallery featured an impressive collection of aboriginal art, and I have been so glad to see that the platforms for it are ever more abundant and used. The elaborate, colourful, and intricate artworks in a range of media, from leaf paintings to sculpture, from the numerous Indigenous and Saint Torres Islander people were an awe to see. The gallery was really a delight.

If ever in Canberra, the botanical gardens were supposed to be very nice, too.

And now, back to...

...I loove nature! It is so primal, so powerful, so meditative. And, of course, it is the first time for me to experience nature like this. 

I’m at the Blue Mountains, couchsurfing an awesome little house near Katoomba, and I just finished my second day of hiking. The pedometer has measured - 32,587 steps, 23,5 km and 6:40 hours for today; 30,421 steps, 22,2 km and 6:54 hours for yesterday. Decent.

It’s my first experience with such a descent from a clifftop to a rainforest. The climate change is abrupt - the scorching heat is quickly substituted with a cool air and a humid shade. The screeches of high-flying Cockatoos are muffled, and instead there is the soft rustling of numerous Crimson Rosellas in the bushes. The vegetation is so lush - all sorts and shades of green ferns cover the ground densely under the high Sassafras trees, water drips and oozes from everywhere, the forest floor is covered with fallen leaves in various stages of degradation, and walking tracks are often transformed into a mushy, muddy mess.

I haven’t seen as much wildlife around here as I saw in the various national parks in Victoria. There’s certainly much more tiny lizards - these guys are everywhere - but not a single Ekidna nor Wallaby. I saw two big lizards and stumbled upon a napping, curled-up black snake who did not seem very happy about having to wake up and slither away from its warm sunny spot in between the rocks.

Spot 2 lizards! Masters of camouflage.

Met this guy on the way, said his name was Tarzan, asked me to take a picture of him in a cave. Hilarious.

So, so many beautiful waterfalls.

The biggest minus of travelling solo is that you can’t share it, the immediate part of it. The raw emotions that you get from these places, be it symbolic or sacred or sublime or fun, or even the frustration and muscle pain gotten from taking thousands of steps up an down the cliffs.

Here’s one more tribute to the Blue Mountains, a bit more visceral pleasure, allow me to share this with you.

Thanks!

x

[wildozark]

How long does a Paleo Mini last? It generally takes me a while to use most of these colors except the black – I do use a lot of black, but a mini-cube will paint more than one of my typical raptors with a lot of black.

Collection No. 3

The cloth is out of the picture. There’s the base, the three ‘boats’ with your pigments, and a dropper bottle for wetting your paints.

The little ‘boats’ are made from hickory nut husks. They’re biodegradable except for the magnets. The base is made from a wild plum that we pruned a few years ago. You can also see your swatch card. It’s mounted underneath so that the whole thing sits on top.

Here’s the really cool thing about 2020 Collection No. 3. The ‘boats’ are removable.

Red Heavies came from the same red sandstone that created the Red Lite Lites. It is the sandiest portion that sank to the bottom the quickest when I washed the paint.

Black Sandstone is the hardest of all the rocks I’ve ever ground up. But an amazing thing happens when I put it on the mulling plate. It seems to just dissolve into the media. And it makes a really nice brown. Just goes to show that the color of the stone doesn’t necessarily mean the color of the paint.

Shale Gray, as mentioned above, comes from the black shale that I find in the creek. It’s a very crumbly thin layered rock when it dries out, but it mulls into a really buttery textured paint. It has to be washed after grinding, though, as it is one of the rocks containing sulfur compounds. If not washed it really stinks pretty badly.

Collection No. 5

  The Paleo Mini Pigments (listing specifies which colors are available)

The varieties offered will change as I make my own paints. The list below will be added to as I make a new color that wasn’t previously listed. Not all colors are available at all times. I have an article that gives more information on the various colors and what they come from. Click here to open a separate tab to read it. I’ll update it with any new colors as I find or create them. The following is a list of intermittently available Paleo Mini Paints.

Red Lites

Red Middles

Red Heavies

Red Middles Gouache

Whole Red Clay

Red & Yellow lites combo

Whole Yellow

Yellow Lites

Yellow Gouache

Green Lights Gouache

Green Heavies

Red plus Pink

Bone Black (bone sourced, light fast)

Vine Black (plant sourced, but light fast)

Antler Black (antler sourced, light fast)

Shale Gray

Brown Brown (Black sandstone)

Sassafras Root Bark (plant sourced, light fast)

Sassafras Leaf (plant sourced, light fast)

Red Leaf of Black Gum (plant sourced, light fast)

Murdock

Earthy Murdock (brown brown with Murdock)

Cromwell’s Sunrise

Whole Earthy Delight

Sassy Lake (a very pale yellow lake pigment from sassafras leaf)

A Note about Color Reproducibility & Transparency

All of my paleo mini paint cubes are made from natural foraged rocks, clay, or other resources. While I may be able to come close to reproducing the color later, it’s very unlikely I’ll get an exact match. There’s enough pigment in each of these dots to paint several swatches, and possibly full small paintings in the style I produce. A little bit does seem to go a long ways.

Watercolor paints made from earth pigments are not as transparent as those you might be used to. All of them are more similar to gouache than not. The ones I’ve labeled ‘gouache’ are more opaque than the pigments alone. The only ones of my paleo paint samples that are truly transparent are those from plant pigments, like the sassafras root bark in this collection.

You can see the paintings I’ve made using my handmade watercolor paints at http://www.PaleoPaints.com if you’d like to get an idea of how they look.

Soul of the Ozarks | Sets of Paleo Mini Cubes How long does a Paleo Mini last? It generally takes me a while to use most of these colors except the black - I do use a lot of black, but a mini-cube will paint more than one of my typical raptors with a lot of black.

[chopdoctx]

How to Identify My Tree by Bark and by Leaves?

Trees are an important part of our environment. They are the largest plants on the planet, and they provide us with a system of releasing oxygen into our atmosphere and storing carbon. But could identify the tree you have in your backyard?

The Value of Trees

Trees act as natural filters and absorb air pollution and dust. The shade trees provide helps protect us from harmful solar radiation. Another added benefit of trees is the reduction of noise their presence provides.  They can provide wind-resistance and cooler air because their leaves reflect heat away from the ground.  The stature of trees allows them to decrease and prevent soil erosion and flooding.

Many trees that commonly grow in North America and parts of Europe possess medicinal benefits. Fall and winter time is the perfect time to extract roots, bark and twigs for medicinal purposes. People have made tinctures, salves and poultices from these tree parts to treat a variety of diseases.

The Two Major Tree Classifications

Evergreen means a tree doesn’t lose its leaves during the course of the winter. Most people think of evergreen trees as pine and Christmas trees because evergreen trees thrive in wintry weather and dry weather. Although most evergreen trees are coniferous, there are some coniferous trees like larches that do lose their leaves. Evergreen is the opposite of Deciduous.

Deciduous trees, on the other hand, lose their leaves at the end of the growing season and grows them back again typically in the spring. “Deciduous” is an adjective and means that the plant so described sheds its leaves at the end of the growing season. These are the trees that provide elegant foliage when the trees turn red, orange and yellow during the Fall season. However, there are some deciduous trees (some broadleaf trees like the live oak trees) that do not lose their leaves and keep them all year.  You can think of deciduous as being the opposite of evergreen.

How to Identify Tree by Leaves

Evergreen/Coniferous Trees:

When a tree has foliage that are needles or clusters of needles, those trees are most likely a coniferous evergreen.

Single Needles:  Needles on a lot of evergreen trees will be attached to a twig. They may look like pegs (spruce), cups (fir) or petioles or leaf stalks (hemlock, bald cypress and Douglas fir). Trees in this subcategory of evergreen trees are usually, spruces, firs, cypress or hemlocks.

Cluster/Bundle Needles:  The leaf clusters or bundles found on pine trees and larches are referred to as fascicles. The number of adult needles per fascicle helps to differentiate between pines and larches.

For example, you can expect most pine species to have 2 to 5 needles per fascicle. Larches will have multiple clusters of needles. Keep in mind that larches do shed needles every year, and the needles will eventually turn yellow.  

Deciduous trees:

When identifying leaves on deciduous trees, start by looking at how the leaves are arranged on the stem. Some leaves grow in an alternating pattern along the stem, and some leaves grow in pairs opposite each other along the stem.

Next, look at the structure of the leaves. All leaves have two main sections: the petiole and lamina. The Petiole is the stalk that attaches the lamina to the stem. The lamina is the leaf blade and the flat part where photosynthesis happens. Leaves with an undivided blade are called simple leaves. Leaves that form a collection of leaflets are called compound leaf.

Compound leaves can be sub-classified based on how the leaflets are arranged. Palmately compound leaves are leaflets that extend directly from the end of the petiole. They spread out (in clusters of three or more) and look like fingers on the palm of a hand. Pinnately compound leaves have leaflets that extend from a vein that connects to the petiole. These leaflets are in an opposite arrangement on the petiole, and they may be evenly or oddly paired.

By Leaf Arrangement: Alternate and Opposite Patterns

Alternate leaves are situated between each other on opposite sides of the stem. These leaves tend to grow in a staggered, alternating pattern.

Examples: Hawthorn, Sycamore, Oak, Sassafras, Mulberry, and Dogwood.

Opposite leaves (whether simple or compound) are located directly across from one another on the same stem. They also tend to grow in pairs on the stem.

Examples: Ash, Maple, and Olive.

By Leaf Structure: Simple and Compound Leaves

A simple tree leaf has one blade attached to the stalk.

Examples: Maple, Sycamore, Sweet Gum, and Tulip.

In a compound leaf, the leaf is divided into leaflets that are attached to a middle vein by their own stalks. If compound leaves are alternate in form and look like a feather, they are called pinnately compound leaves. Pinnately compound leaves are divided into another subcategory: odd (number of leaflets is odd), twice-pinnate or bipinnate (which means the leaflets are themselves divided into smaller leaflets) and even (which means there is an even number of leaflets on the twig.

Examples: Hickory, Walnut, and Locust.

Palmate: As stated earlier, the shape of the leaves looks like the palm of a hand (or like a fan).

Examples: Maple and Horse Chestnut.

  How to Identify Tree by Bark

In case you were wondering how to identify your trees when all the leaves are gone, you can always look at the tree’s bark. What you will discover is the bark of trees has a unique pattern—kind of life a fingerprint. Therefore, you will expect no two bark patterns are exactly alike. Even though some tree species have similar types of bark, they all still have their own unique identity.  Because of this, you can consider identifying trees by bark to be like other types of tree identification options. All you have to do is begin with a broad category of types of tree bark and then look at other characteristics. That way, you will be able to tell slight differences in bark types that look similar.

Scaly: These are trees that have square-like bark pieces that overlap each other. Sitka and Blue spruce trees have very scaly bark. Trees that have scaly bark are shagbark hickory, strawberry tree, maple and river birch. This is the best maple tree bark identification characteristic you can find out there.

Furrowed:  This bark is the most common type of bark out there, and this is what most people think of when you talk about tree bark. Trees in this category will have chunky vertical strips of bark that have deep grooves. Trees with this type of bark are hemlocks, Redwoods and Doug-firs.

Papery: Trees with this type of bark refers that looks like white paper. It’s easy to peel, and it’s easy to tear off in large pieces. It’s also very thin.  You can see this type of bark on the Red Alder in the Pacific Norwest and on the White birch in the Northeast.

Smooth: Trees with this type of bark often look like they don’t have bark.  Most times, you will see small plates of bark on the tree that looks a lot like camouflage. The color of smooth bark trees is usually a light tan or whitish color. Aspens and sycamores are examples of the types of trees that have smooth bark.

  Best Tree Identification Apps Around

There are many tree identification apps out there, but not all of them are worth the download or investment. Some apps allow users to upload tree identification pictures and other details to help determine what type of tree it is. Here are a few identification apps that you can use with your smartphones.

  Woodland Trust Tree Identification App

This app is a great tree identification by bark app because it allows you to identify the tree using any of its parts. This app was designed by Woodland Trust and is good for Android and IOS. This company was established in 1972. The primary objective of this organization is to protect the existing woodlands, restore older woodlands that have been in ruins and create new woodland territories.  As a tree identification app, the Woodland Trust Tree Identification App is capable of identifying the 50 tree and shrub species native to the UK, and it can also help with identifying non-native trees.

  Virginia Tech Tree ID

Virginia Tech’s tree identification app is by far a popular app that just about everyone interested in studying trees has discovered. Their extensive dendrology has led to a vast collection of tree identification pictures. Their tree-identification app allows you to retrieve their extensive data right on your smartphone (both Android and IOS)

  This app is free, and it has a lot of filters you can apply to narrow your search. That way, your search goes from species-specific to geographical location-specific. There is also a feature called “Dr. Dendro” that will help you narrow your search even further.

  LeafSnap

LeafSnap is a culmination of field guides that provides educational information about trees.  The app is for IOS only, and it only includes a database of trees found in Northeastern United States. The app is maintained by many scientists, developers and researchers from the Smithsonian Institution, Columbia University and the University of Maryland.

Users get foundational tree identification information along with photos of a variety of species.  The feature that really makes this app unique is the ability of the user to take an image of the tree the user wants identified (called the LeafSnap feature). The feature uploads the image and uses a sophisticated algorithm to recognize the species of the tree.

The app has an interactive component that will collect your tree identification information and send it globally to professional scientists. These scientists will use this information to help them understand how various species are functioning in real-time.

  Botany Buddy

Botany Buddy is a free, interactive plant information app that is for IOS users and for other Apple devices. It has a 1,300-species database that gives information on a variety of native and non-native plants and trees. No internet access is needed because the database is downloaded. Unlike some other apps, Botany Buddy does not require users to be connected to the internet to access the database.

  Tree Id – British Trees by Sunbird Images

Those looking for a great app to identify the native (and naturalised) trees found in the British Isles will love this app. The database is created by reputable ecologists. No internet connection is needed for this app because the database is downloaded when you buy the app. 

  Identifying trees is a viable part of forestry. Hopefully, this guide has given you more insight on the topic of study that helps us keep our woodlands populated, our air cleaner, our landscapes beautiful, our houses built and our yards cosy.

The post How to Identify My Tree by Bark and by Leaves? appeared first on Chop Doc - Tree Services.

[nooks-crannies-crockpots]

The wheel of the year ever turns again, and now we find ourselves staring down the changing of the seasons from the warm summer sun to the cooler autumn nights. The colors from lush greens and bright colors of summer flowers to the richness of autumn leaves and the bountiful harvest from the crops. Mabon is the also known as the autumnal equinox were light and dark are equal this happen from Sept 21st-29th, and is also the time of the second harvest were the rest of the crops are gathered before winter. I love this time of year and sharing some information for anyone to enjoy if your stumped for ideas on how to celebrate Mabon or autumn equinox along with information and background to this wonderful celebration.

Mabon has much lore behind it, and as a history nut I love learning the behind the scenes of any holiday.  Did you know that The Druids call this celebration, Mea’n Fo’mhair, and honor The Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees. Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time. Wiccans celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone, and her consort the God as he prepares for death and re-birth.  Also, Various other names for this Lesser Wiccan Sabbat are The Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Alben Elfed (Caledonii), or Cornucopia. The Teutonic name, Winter Finding, spans a period of time from the Sabbat to Oct. 15th, Winter’s Night, which is the Norse New Year.  At this festival it is appropriate to wear all of your finery and dine and celebrate in a lavish setting. It is the drawing to and of family as we prepare for the winding down of the year at Samhain. It is a time to finish old business as we ready for a period of rest, relaxation, and reflection.  The god and goddess at this time of year go through the cycle or death and rebirth, for example The Goddess at Mabon- The Mother of the Harvest becomes the Old One, the wise grandmother who teaches us to rest after our labors. In ancient Greece, the Goddess of the season was both Demeter, who can be generous with her gifts, or hold them back as she mourns for her daughter, and Persephone, who goes into the underworld to return again.In the British Isles, the ancient name for the Goddess of this time was Modron, which simply means “Mother”. Sometimes she was pictured as a trio of women, each seated on a throne. Together, they were called the Mothers. They were responsible for abundance and sustaining the life of the people In the Celtic myths, is Modron’s son who is stolen away into the Underworld. Whenever we feed the hungry, we honor the Mothers. The God at Mabon-This Holiday takes its name from the God Mabon. He was called “Mabon, son of Modron,” which means “Son, Son of the Mother.” He is such an ancient God that most of the stories about him have been lost. All we know is that he was stolen away from his mother when he was only three nights old and imprisoned until he was rescued by King Arthur’s companions. Because Mabon knows what it is like to be imprisoned, he is also the God of freedom. He frees animals from their cages and loosens the bonds of all those unjustly imprisoned. He protects all things wild and free. His totem animals are the owl, blackbird, stag, eagle and salmon. We honor Mabon when we protect the wild things, animals and when we work for freedom for all people. I like many of you love to decorate for this time of year and to ready our home for the celebration of Mabon here are the colors, incense, candles and anything else you want to incorporate through out your home.

Herbs & Plants of Maybon: Acorn, aster, benzoin, cedar, ferns, grains, hazel, honeysuckle, hops, ivy, marigold, milkweed, mums, myrrh, oak leaf, passionflower, pine, rose, sage, Solomon’s seal, tobacco, thistle, and vegetables.

Foods of Mabon: Breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, cornbread, wheat products, grains, berries, grapes, acorns, seeds, dried fruits, corn, beans, squash, roots (i.e. onions, carrots, potatoes, etc.), hops, sassafras, roast goose or mutton, wine, ale, & cider.

Incense & Oils of Mabon: Pine, sweetgrass, apple blossom, benzoin, myrrh, frankincense, jasmine, sage wood aloes, black pepper, patchouli, cinnamon, clove, oak moss, & sage.

Colors/Candles of Mabon: Red, orange, russet, maroon, brown, gold, deep gold, green, orange, scarlet, all autumn colors, purple, blue, violet, & indigo.

Stones of Mabon: Sapphire, lapis lazuli, yellow agates, carnelian, yellow topaz, & amethyst.

The Mabon altar is simple. Make an arrangement of some of the things harvested that will keep for a few weeks: winter squash, dried corn, herbs, pumpkins. If you haven’t harvested anything yourself, this is a good time to go to a farmers’ market or a pick-your-own farm and choose what you want on the altar. Autumn leaves, a bouquet of late-blooming flowers, picture or figurines of animals are good additions, as well.

There is also wonderful spell work that can be done this time of year as well to honor the god, goddess and the harvest.

Use a deep orange or burgundy altar cloth, and brown, burgundy, or purple candles. Decorate with bunches of dried herbs, sunflowers, autumn leaves, potatoes, acorns, and Indian corn. Burn Mabon incense (Mabon Recipes 2 has several types of incenses).

Cast Circle using the athame. After ritual, leave any edible decorations (herbs, sunflowers, acorns, corn, and so on) outdoors for the wildlife to enjoy.

Mabon Celebration Ideas •Potatoes are very symbolic at Mabon, for they grow and take shape under the ground. For this reason, many Crafters like to have a potato bake during this celebration. Just rake the leaves from your yard, then use them for a bonfire to welcome the fall season. Wrap potatoes in foil, bake them in the fire, and thank the Earth for Her bounty by saying: ◦”O Goddess Mother of us all, We thank You as Your blessings fall. Upon us – each and every soul – As the year wheel turns and rolls. For nourishing our bodies and Our spirits with Your gifts from the land. For your abundance on the Earth. We give you thanks with love and mirth.”

•Honor family ancestors with a feast of oatmeal walnut cookies and apple juice. Set a place for everyone present, and include place settings for the honorees. Go through family albums or photographs, recall the life stories of the ancestors pictured, and meditate upon the importance of their lives. Remember how each family member gone before lives on in you. End by thanking the ancestors for the roles they continue to play in your lives by saying: ◦”For your lives, I give you thanks You, who live now in the ranks. Of memories of times now past Whose blood still flows within me fast. Whose personalities I share Whose mannerisms here and there Come out in me from time to time. Bringing reason for my rhyme, I thank you for the parts of me. You’ve put in place that I might be I promise now that you shall thrive. With loving thoughts throughout my life, For all I am and all I’ll be, Is because you live in me.”

•Get up early on Mabon morning. Listen to the songbirds in the trees, and bid a fond farewell to those creatures who begin to burrow beneath the Earth for winter hibernation. •Using a needle, draw pieces of monofilament cord through several sunflowers. Hang the flowers in trees so the birds can eat the seeds. As you hang each flower, say: ◦”Symbol of Sun, Who now departs. And leaves the world both cold and dark, Live on within these seeds of Light. And feed our feathered friends in flight. That they may thrive in winter’s chill. Until again with light you fill The Earth and shine again anew. Replacing ice with morning dew.”

•Remember that thanksgiving isn’t just about saying thank you. It also involves giving something back for all you’ve received in life. That being the case, volunteer at a hospital, or spend some time visiting the elderly. Even better, plan to spend a day working at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. It will not only lighten the hearts of those you touch, but bring you the blessings of reciprocation. Blessings are much more valuable than anything else we hold!

Copyright © 2011 Ravenna Angelline

2) Mabon Ritual For Solitary; Easily adapted for Group Ritual by StormWing, Copyright © 1996 – 2007

Preparation & Set Up

This Ritual is best performed during the early evening hours, just after Sunset, as this is the time of day which corresponds to the time of year. Sweep area, starting in the North and moving deosil, with your Magickal broom to cleanse the Circle area and “sweep away” any lingering negative energies. Lay out the circumference of your Circle with cord, stones, etc., as necessary.

Set up the Quarter candles (North-Green, East-Yellow, South-Red, West-Blue) and/or other items symbolizing the elements at the Four Quarters (use a compass if not permanently marked out). Set up your altar as desired, and face it to the North, covering it with the red altar cloth. Place all of the items listed below in their proper places upon it. For this ceremony, decorate the altar with the cornucopia filled with harvest items, and whatever else feels right. In addition to your usual tools and props, upon the altar should be:

Red or Brown Altar Cloth Cornucopia filled with Fruits and Vegetables of the Harvest A Red Apple Bolline or another Sharp Knife (for cutting the Apple) Altar Pentacle or a Plate (to cut the apple on) A Bell A Second Wand decorated with Colored Ribbons (to use in the Demeter/Persephone portion of the ritual) A Wicker Basket (to carry the Decorated Wand in) Incense – Any of the following either alone or mixed together to make an Autumn Blend: Frankincense, Aloes Wood, Jasmine, Cinnamon, Musk, Cloves, Benzoin, Myrrh, and Sage

When all is set up, take a shower or bath for purification and don your ritual robe or other ritual attire. Be sure to wear your Magickal jewelry. Sit quietly and meditate for a little while – to ground and center before beginning the Ritual. When you feel ready to begin, play some quiet peaceful music for the ritual.

The Ritual>

After the Circle is cast, begin the Mabon Sabbat Ceremony by sitting quietly for a few moments, then say these words aloud in dedication: “Lady Autumn, Queen of the Harvest, I have seen You in the setting Sun, with Your long auburn tresses blowing in the cool air that surrounds You. Your crown of golden leaves is jeweled with amber, amethyst, and rubies. Your long, flowing purple robe stretches across the horizon. In Your hands You hold the ripened fruits. At Your feet the squirrels gather acorns. Black crows perch on Your outstretched arms. All around You the leaves are falling. You sit upon Your throne and watch the dying fires of the setting Sun shine forth its final colors in the sky. The purple and orange lingers and glows like burning embers. Then all colors fade into the twilight. Lady Autumn, You are here at last. I thank You for Your rewards. I have worked hard for these gifts. Lady Autumn, now grant me peace and rest.”

Sit quietly again and reflect on the meaning of the Autumn Season for a little while.

When you are ready, pick up your wand and hold it in your power hand, face the North and with your arms outstretched (kneel or stand) and say: “The Wheel of the Year turns on and on, bringing us all to and from each Season, and from and to another. What will be is. What was will be. All time is here and now in this Sacred Space.

I now pause to watch the Wheel turn and cast this Circle on this blessed eve to celebrate the Season of Mabon, the Autumnal Equinox – the time of the Second Harvest. In this moment between time, I come to praise the bountiful aging Goddess and Her consort, the God of the Harvest. I wish to give thanks and feel myself as a part of the relentlessly turning wheel of life, death, and rebirth.

O Great God of Wine and the Harvest, who has been known as Mabon, Dionysus, Bacchus, and Thor – Grant me strength and understanding throughout this season and always.

O Great Goddess of the Harvest and the Underworld, who has been known as Demeter, Persephone, Modron, and Morgan – Teach me the secrets of the Mysteries and the ways of Magick.”

Place your wand back in its place on the altar.

Spread your hands out over the Harvest Altar and say these words: “The time of change is upon us again – the Equinox comes, the Wheel turns…

The Goddess and the God prepare for Their journey to the Otherworld, as the Earth and all of Her children prepare for the time of quiet and reflection that lies ahead…

May I use this Autumnal period to seek for the strength and power within to assist me on my own quest for vision, feeling, and peace…

May I see and feel the presence of the Goddess and the God within, though without, the Earth begins Her slumber…

Keep me in Your light…”

Lower your arms and sit quietly meditating again for a while.

When you are ready, stand at your altar facing the North and raise your arms in greeting. Say: “Between the worlds I build this sacred altar. Outside of time, this rite leads to the ancient way. Where I may find Demeter of high Olympus And conjure Magick great. Be here, I say.”

Place the decorated wand in the wicker basket and carry it to the North. Say: “Persephone returns to the Underworld. Weep not, Earth Mother, For the Divine Child of love is here.”

Carry the basket to the East; say: “Persephone returns to the Underworld. Although the Light is fading, It shall return to the Earth.”

Take the basket to the South; say: “Persephone returns to the Underworld. The cold of winter comes, But only for a short time.”

Finish by carrying the basket to the West; say: “Persephone returns to the Underworld. The Earth shall lie in slumber Until the Light of this Divine Child Once more grows in strength and shines full upon us.”

Place the basket on the floor before the altar. Ring the bell three times.

Take your bolline in your power hand and the apple in the other. Say: “Reveal to me your hidden secrets That I may come to understand your sacred Mysteries.”

Set the apple on the altar pentacle (or plate) and cut it crosswise (with the bolline) to reveal the pentagram in the core. Contemplate this hidden sacred symbol for several moments. Then say: “In life is death, in death life. All must follow the sacred dance into the cauldron, Time after time, to die and be reborn. Help me to remember that Every beginning has an ending And that every ending has a new beginning.”

Take a bite of the apple. What is left put outside later to share with the birds. Say: “Holy Mother, Demeter, Comfort and protect me in my times of tribulation. Instruct me into the Mysteries. You, with your daughter Persephone, have the power To lead me to new understanding.”

Now is the time for meditation and any spell workings you may need or desire to end your Sabbat celebration. Appropriate Spell work for Mabon include those for protection, wealth and prosperity, security and spells to bring a feeling of self-confidence. If no spell work is to be done at this time, then proceed with the Cakes and Ale Ceremony, followed by Releasing the Magick Circle.

3) Honoring The Dark Mother

Decorate your altar with symbols of Demeter and her daughter; add flowers in red and yellow for Demeter, purple or black for Persephone, stalks of wheat, Indian corn, sickles, baskets. Have a candle on hand to represent each of them; you can use harvest colors for Demeter, and black for Persephone. You’ll also need a chalice of wine, or grape juice if you prefer, and a pomegranate. If you normally cast a circle, or call the quarters, do so now. Turn to the altar, and light the Persephone candle. Say: The land is beginning to die, and the soil grows cold. The fertile womb of the earth has gone barren. As Persephone descended into the Underworld, So the earth continues its descent into night. As Demeter mourns the loss of her daughter, So we mourn the days drawing shorter. The winter will soon be here. Light the Demeter candle, and say: In her anger and sorrow, Demeter roamed the earth, And the crops died, and life withered and the soil went dormant. In grief, she traveled looking for her lost child, Leaving darkness behind in her wake. We feel the mother’s pain, and our hearts break for her, As she searches for the child she gave birth to. We welcome the darkness, in her honor.

Break open the pomegranate (it’s a good idea to have a bowl to catch the drippings), and take out six seeds. Place them on the altar. Say: Six months of light, and six months of dark. The earth goes to sleep, and later wakes again. O dark mother, we honor you this night, And dance in your shadows. We embrace that which is the darkness, And celebrate the life of the Crone. Blessings to the dark goddess on this night, and every other. As the wine is replaced upon the altar, hold your arms out in the Goddess position, and take a moment to reflect on the darker aspects of the human experience. Think of all the goddesses who evoke the night, and call out: Demeter, Inanna, Kali, Tiamet, Hecate, Nemesis, Morrighan. Bringers of destruction and darkness, I embrace you tonight. Without rage, we cannot feel love, Without pain, we cannot feel happiness, Without the night, there is no day, Without death, there is no life. Great goddesses of the night, I thank you.

Take a few moments to meditate on the darker aspects of your own soul. Is there a pain you’ve been longing to get rid of? Is there anger and frustration that you’ve been unable to move past? Is there someone who’s hurt you, but you haven’t told them how you feel? Now is the time to take this energy and turn it to your own purposes. Take any pain inside you, and reverse it so that it becomes a positive experience. If you’re not suffering from anything hurtful, count your blessings, and reflect on a time in your life when you weren’t so fortunate. When you are ready, end the ritual. **You may wish to tie this rite into a celebration of the Harvest Moon.(Wigington, Patti. “Rites, Rituals and Ways to Celebrate Mabon, the Autumn Equinox.” ThoughtCo, Feb. 19, 2018, thoughtco.com/mabon-rites-and-rituals-2562284.)

Those are a few Rituals that can be adapted to Solitary or Group…

Now I am also a food lover and this time of year brings so many yummy recipes so here are a few of them I found if you would like more please feel free to email me or comment and I will be glad to pass more along.

Edible Autumn Leaves

Materials: 1 bag each of semisweet chocolate and white chocolate morsels (chips), broad leafed herbs such as mint, basil, celery, etc.

Select your sprigs of leaves in the produce section of your grocery store or from your garden. Wash leaves thoroughly and pat dry. Melt chocolate with 2 tsp. of butter, stirring until smooth. Pour chocolate into small bowls and give each child a clean small paintbrush. Paint the underside of the leaves with the chocolate and place on a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Refrigerate until firm. Slowly pull real leaves away from chocolate leaves. (Explain to children how art is a reflection of the true beauty of Nature.)

Cinnamon Apple Butter (–N-Turkey) Sandwiches

9 to 10 apples, peeled and cored 1 cup apple cider 2 tsp. apple pie spice (or 1/2 tsp. each nutmeg and allspice and 1tsp. cinnamon)

Cut the apples into 1-inch chunks. (Don’t worry about making them perfectly sized.) Place in a large, nonreactive saucepan and pour cider over them. Cover the pot and cook for about 30 minutes over low heat, until the apples are soft. Cool the mixture, divide it into two batches and puree each in a food processor or blender. (At this point, you have an unsweetened applesauce, which makes excellent baby food). Pour the pureed fruit into a large baking dish, sprinkle with the apple pie spice, and stir. Spread mixture evenly in a 13-by-9-by-2-inch pan. Bake in a 300-degree oven for 2 to 3 hours, until thick and deep brown. Stir every 20 minutes. Cool the apple butter and then scoop it into a clean jar with a sealable lid. It will keep for up to two months in your refrigerator.

Makes 1 1/2 cups.

Create your favorite turkey sandwich buffet with slice turkey breast, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado wedges, sprouts, etc. Use CAB* instead of butter or mayonnaise.

Share the Wealth Applesauce

24 tart apples Juice of a lemon 2 cups water 1 cup sugar 4 tsp. cinnamon 1 cup raisins (optional)

Peel and core the apples, then cut them into chunks. Place the apples in a large nonreactive saucepan, and add the lemon juice and water. Stir in the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and cook for 30 minutes or until the apples are soft. Remove the mixture from the heat and add the cinnamon and raisins, if desired. Stir light for a chunky sauce and rigorously for a smooth sauce. For a pink applesauce, use red apples and leave the skins on. Once the apples are soft, you can strain out the skins or lift them from the sauce with a fork.

Makes 2 1/2 cups. ( Pour into resealable jars, decorate to give as Harvest gifts to relatives, friends, and neighbors.)

All Things Harvested Pot Roast

4-5lb pot roast 1 stick butter 1 large onion sliced 3 celery stalks, chopped 1 garlic clove, chopped ¼ tsp. dried thyme ¼ tsp. dried parsley 1 bay leaf 1/8 tsp. black pepper ¼ tsp. salt 2-10oz cans French onion soup 4 large potatoes, quartered 1-8oz package raw baby carrots 1-16oz pkg. frozen broccoli/cauliflower mix

In dutch oven or oven safe pot w/lid brown both side of the roast, using half the butter. Set the roast aside. With remaining butter, sauté’ the onion, garlic, and celery until onions are tender and beginning to brown. Add the thyme, parsley, bay leaf, and pepper. Mix well and then return the pot roast to the pan. Sprinkle salt over the roast and add the French onion soup. Cook at 325 degrees for 4 hours. Baste meat as needed. Add potatoes and carrots and salt to taste. Cook for another 45 minutes. Add broccoli/cauliflower mix and cook for 20 more minutes. Serve with hot bread.

Makes 8 servings

Mabon Caramel Apples

1 package Kraft* Caramels 6 red or green apples, destemmed

6 popsicle sticks

Melt caramels slowly in a double boiler. When runny in consistency, stick popsicle sticks into top center of apple, and dip apple into caramel sauce, making sure to cover entire apple with a coating of caramel. Place dipped apples, stick up on wax paper covered cookie sheet an refrigerate till caramel hardens.

Makes 6 servings.

Remember, an apple a day keeps the dentist, doctor, and dermatologist away!!!!

–Adapted by Akasha Ap Emrys for all her friends and those of mind– Copyright © 1997-99 Akasha, Herne and The Celtic Connection wicca.com. All rights reserved. http://wicca.com/celtic/akasha/mabontnrecip.htm

Mabon Lore, Crafts, Rituals & Recipes The wheel of the year ever turns again, and now we find ourselves staring down the changing of the seasons from the warm summer sun to the cooler autumn nights.

[easyfoodnetwork]

Try out turkey-stuffed bell peppers and a marinated trout stir fry from NOLA Creole chef Corey Duckworth The culinary impact of the late “Queen of Creole” Leah Chase is obvious to anyone who has either been to New Orleans or is familiar with the city’s cuisine. From Cajun-Creole and Creole-Italian and even “haute Creole,” the city — and Louisiana at large — have taken the style of cooking in countless creative directions. One staple of Creole cooking in New Orleans is Sassafras, co-owned by mother-and-son team Sandra Duckworth and Corey Duckworth since 2004. Over the years, Sassafras has become known for Creole soul food dishes like smothered okra, fried catfish and shrimp, and stuffed peppers, with Corey manning the kitchen as chef. As part of our Eater at Home series, Duckworth is joining Eater’s Instagram Live to give us an in-depth rundown of some of his favorite Creole dishes: stuffed bell peppers and a marinated trout and broccoli stir fry. Check out the recipes below for yourself. Stuffed Back Porch Pepper Makes 4 servings 1 ¼ pounds cooked ground turkey ½ cup holy trinity* 1 cup lump crabmeat 2 tablespoons chopped scallions 2 bay leaves 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 pint chicken broth 1 tablespoon Tabasco Red Sauce 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 3 cups bread crumbs, divided 4 green bell peppers, blanched 4 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon oil * Note: Considered similar to mirepoix in most Louisiana Creole cooking, holy trinity is a blend of yellow onion, green bell peppers, and celery. In a pan over medium heat add your holy trinity, bay leaf, green onions, and oil. Cook until onions are translucent. Add garlic and crabmeat plus 1 tablespoon of Tabasco Red Sauce and let simmer for another 5 minutes. Add your chicken broth and cooked ground turkey, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook covered for about 7 to 10 minutes so the broth reduces. Remove the pan from heat and mix in 2 1⁄2 cups of bread crumbs to the crab mixture. Then, working one at a time, stuff your blanched bell peppers with about one cup each of the mixture. Top the stuffed peppers with the remaining bread crumbs and 1⁄2 to 1 tablespoon each of butter; sprinkle each with paprika. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Trout and Broccoli Stir Fry For the trout marinade: ¼ cup Tabasco Red Sauce ½ cup melted butter 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 sprig fresh rosemary 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 pund speckled trout For the stir fry: 2 tablespoons canola oil ½ cup holy trinity ½ pound broccoli florets 1 tablespoon minced garlic 2 cup parboiled rice 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon house Creole seasoning blend 2 tablespoons Tabasco Green Sauce 8 ounces marinated trout 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan On a cutting board, slice the fresh speckled trout into 8-ounce servings. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. In a medium bowl add Tabasco Red Sauce, melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and lemon juice; mix well. Using a basting brush or your hands marinate the trout with the Tabasco mixture. Transfer trout to a plastic bag and refrigerate for at last 2 hours. Once marinated, wrap serving in aluminum foil and fold the edges. Broil at 270 degrees for 15 minutes or until cooked medium well. In a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil, the holy trinity, and broccoli. Cook for 5 minutes. Add rice vinegar, Tabasco Green Sauce, garlic, and soy sauce, and stir. Add the rice and cooked trout and stir fry for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Creole seasoning blend and Parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh scallions and Tabasco Red Sauce. Enjoy! from Eater - All https://ift.tt/2WG6sAv

http://easyfoodnetwork.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-comforting-creole-classics-you.html

[lotsofdogs]

Herbal Healing Recipes

Acid Indigestion: Warm a cup of milk and steep four or five Eucalyptus leaves in it. Drink this to ease discomfort

Aqua Vitae: Considered and excellent elixir of health for hundreds of years, this liqueur may be prepared and taken once a day, like a vitamin.

To a liter of brandy add five or six Bay leaves, a teaspoon of Cardamom seed, a teaspoon of Clove, two teaspoons each of Angelica, Chamomile, Lemon rind, Fennel seed, Licorice, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, several slices of Ginger root (to your taste), and a handful of Juniper berries along with sugar or honey to sweeten.

This may be warmed to incorporate the Herbs, or left in a sunny window, then strained after about a month.

Athlete's Foot: Besides keeping your feet dry and powdered with Orrin root, try a vinegar rinse (one cup water, one teaspoon cider vinegar) to which one tablespoon Thyme and Red Clover have been added. Soak for 15 minutes.

Get your dried, organic herbs, organic essential oils, bulk spices, loose leaf organic teas and aromatherapy supplies at the place where we shop – StarWest Botanicals!

Bee/Wasp Stings: A drop each of tincture or Myrrh or onion juice will help draw out the poison

Boils: Paint the sore with a tincture of iodine, Caster Oil, cohosh root and sassafras root mixed with one half pint of whiskey.

Bruises: Take one pound of Almond oil with one cup each Arnica flowers, Balm of Gilead and St John's Wort, all of which should be bruised, and warm over a low flame. When the oil has taken all the color out of the buds, cool and strain the liquid, applying as needed to the bruised area.

Burns: A poultice made from wheat flour, molasses and baking soda will relieve a burn and often hasten the healing process.

Canker Sore: Sorrel soaked in warm water until soft, then strained as a tea should help clear them up more quickly.

Chapped Skin: To one ounce wax add four ounces of Glycerin and four to five drops of oil of roses (or other scent you like). Warm until well mixed and apply as needed.

Coughs: In three pints of boiling water, place Peppermint leaves, one cup of rum, one half cup Lemon juice, one once Cinnamon Bark and one ounce Comfrey root. After these are well blended, strain and add half a pound of sugar and two ounces of honey, bringing the entire mixture to a rolling boil. Cool and store in an air tight container for use as a cough syrup.

Dandruff: An excellent after shampoo rinse for Dandruff can be made by taking one cup each Violet leaves, Peppermint, nettle, Red Clover, Witch Hazel, and Rosemary. Mix them together. Before shampooing, warm a quarter cup of the dried Herbs in two cups of water for your rinse.

Earache: Use ten drops of Anise oil, sweet Almond oil, onion juice and a pinch of Pepper tied in a small cloth and placed in the ear (carefully). Then wrap your head in a warm towel for 15-20 minutes as you lay on the opposite side of your body.

Eye Rinse: In a half pint of water, warm one ounce of Elder Flowers and a half teaspoon of salt. Strain and use as needed to refresh eyes or relieve itching.

Fever: Warm one quart of whiskey with the peels of two oranges and one Lemon. Take two teaspoons after each meal.

Heart Burn: To four ounces of water add two teaspoons each of Cinnamon, Lavender flower, baking soda, Peppermint leaves and one half teaspoon ground Ginger and allow to steep like a tea. Strain and drink warn in half-cup quantities after meals.

Infections: To ten ounces petroleum jelly add two sliced onions and two ounces each Beeswax, honey and elder leaves. Warm over a low flame for about 30 minutes. Strain and apply to the wound with a clean dressing.

Itching: Blood root pulverized and steeped in apple vinegar until well incorporated will ease the itch. Lotions made from aloe, lanolin, Coconut Oil, and/or Cocoa Butter also help greatly. Another alternative is a poultice made from two tablespoons each Tansy, Catnip, Horehound and Hops mixed with vinegar.

Liniment: To one pint of cider vinegar add one ounce of aconite root, and a teaspoon each tincture of Myrrh, oil of cedar, Peppermint, Clove, wormwood and Thyme. If you do not have the Herbs in oil form, the whole herb may be warmed in the cider then strained for use. For a lineament which will be warm to the skin, add two teaspoons Camphor, one teaspoon Bayberry and one teaspoon Cayenne Pepper to increase Circulation.

Nose Bleed: It is said that if you make chewing motions with your mouth while your fingers are in your ears, this will stop the bleeding

Poison Ivy: Tincture of one pint Black alder Bark to one quarter water and one cup Olive Oil. Wash frequently. A viable and easier alternative is to make a poultice of Clay mud.

Sleeplessness: Two raw onions eaten before bed with a healthy portion of bread and butter is said to aid sleep. However, due to the sensitive nature of many stomachs, I would recommend Valerian, Catnip and Peppermint tea as a good substitute.

Sore Throat: A gargle made from Black tea with a teaspoon of Lavender flowers, a quarter teaspoon salt and a quarter teaspoon vinegar will help reduce pain. An alternative to this is Sage tea mixed with honey and Lemon.

Stomach Ache: A tea of Mint, strawberry leaf, Catnip and blackberry with one tablespoon of brandy should ease the stomach. An alternative is brown rice which is pulverized and allowed to stand in warm water for 15 minutes. To this add a dash of sugar, Nutmeg and an equal quantity of boiled milk is added then drunk.

An elixir said to ease sour stomachs is made from two pints of brandy, a half teaspoon of Clove, two teaspoons Cinnamon, and a pound of blackcurrant. Soak all together for two weeks and add sugar to taste. Take by the teaspoon after meals.

Sty: A used tea bag which is still warm, applied to the sty overnight will help greatly

Toothache: Oils of Peppermint and Clove mixed with a bit of rum and applied directly to the tooth should ease the pain until you can get to a dentist.

Warts: A wild turnip or sliced potato rubbed on the wart for 3 days and then buried is supposed to be a sure cure. While I cannot say if this actually works, there are many reports to indicate that it does!

Disclaimer: The author and poster of these remedies takes no responsibilities for any harm caused by the use of these recipes.

Safe, Effective Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies

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Find out how our dual-modality approach to wellness can provide fast-acting symptomatic relief (homeopathic) plus improve body function for long-term holistic health (herbal), and discover the body’s innate sense of healing with tissue salts and flower essences.

Learn more about Native Remedies. Why do we promote this?

From: The Urban Pagan. Author: Patricia Telesco

[Read More ...] http://www.natural-holistic-health.com/herbal-healing-recipes/

[mikeyd1986]

MIKEY’S PERSONAL BLOG 77, November 2017

“Watch what you eat and what you drink, your health depends on it. Watch what you think and what you feel, your heart gets filled with it. Be wise, don’t make yourself sick.”           The Oracle (2017)

On Monday afternoon, I spent the day down in Sassafras, located in the Dandenong Ranges. Of course, being the Melbourne Cup long weekend, the roads were busier than usual today and finding a parking spot was a pain in the ass. I also struggle to adjust to driving around windy roads, hairpins and steeply inclined sections but I just paced myself through it and eventually made it to Sassafras. https://visitdandenongranges.com.au/...

We had lunch together at a beautiful restaurant called Fortnums Restaurant and Reception Venue. The venue features a large open dining space with Old English-styled observatory windows and doors looking out into the gardens and surrounding forest. There was also a bird feeding area where you could see native birds such as white cockatoos, rosallas and common blackbirds all swooping in for a feed. I ordered the sensational hot potato with a side salad. I’d highly recommend it. http://www.fortnums.com.au/

We also visited a few of the shops along Mount Dandenong Tourist Road including the Chojo Feature Trees Bonsai Nursery, the Bluestone Candle Shop and Oracle Of Sassafras. The weather quickly turned during my visit, supplying a cold misty atmosphere overhead, so it was a great day to go gift shopping. It was slightly overwhelming taking all the products in but it certainly gave me plenty of ideas. I absolutely love homewares and cosmetics such as candles, diffusers, room sprays, humidifiers, hand creams, glass lamps, soaps and aromatherapy oils. https://www.facebook.com/Bluestone-...

On Monday night, I went to my Water Workout class at YMCA Casey RACE in Cranbourne East. Tonight we had a younger female instructor running the class and she certainly brought things up a few levels. We spent half of it doing dynamic movements around the edge of the pool in a rectangle including running, skiing, rock n’ roll, rocking chair and baby crawl. We had to change direction a few times which increased the resistance through the water. Certainly some great exercises for mobility and endurance.

The other half was done using the underwater dumbbells. I was really struggling to hold my body weight up at times but I did what I could. We had to do as many reps as possible in one minute such as high knees, forward and side kicks and alternating arm raisers whilst jogging on the spot. It was good to see the instructor changing up the structure of the class and making it a bit more challenging and interesting. https://www.caseyrace.ymca.org.au/a...

On Tuesday morning, I went to my Pilates Mat class at YMCA Casey RACE in Cranbourne East. I was really surprised to see a full class today considering it was a public holiday and a lot of people would be either going out to The Races, working or spending time with family. I found myself in neither category so I thought I’d do a group fitness class instead. Once again, Anita was instructing the class and her sarcastic sense-of-humour was firing on all cylinders this morning. https://www.localfitness.com.au/cas...

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve done any sort of core exercise but I was determined to put in 110% effort today. We started by doing the usual slow, controlled movements holding the chi ball and drawing shapes with our feet extended out. The hardest part of the class involved doing table top toe taps, straight leg lowering with double pulses and criss-crosses. My core muscles were very much on fire here but I feel like I’m improving a bit more each time I do Pilates. http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/fitne...

Even before there was more awareness raised around the animal cruelty of racing horses, I was never really interested in the Melbourne Cup or horse racing in general. I just see the public holiday as an excuse to wear an expensive designer outfit with a fascinator, randomly place bets on a horse, have a "fun" day out and basically get wasted. Personally, I really don't get it. I truly think that it’s a waste of time, money and lives.

But aside from that, I find the behaviour of the bookies and betting agencies (Crownbet, Sportsbet, Ladbrokes etc) to be really disgusting in trying to promote The Cup and manipulate punters to think that there's nothing wrong with having a bet. It's such a greedy, selfish and careless industry that cares more about making money than the treatment of horses! http://www.animalsaustralia.org/iss...

On Tuesday night, I ended up going out to the movies to see JIGSAW, the latest film in the Saw franchise at Village Cinemas Fountain Gate Vmax. Honestly, I was feeling pretty low and depressed most of the afternoon. I was bed-bound with the lights off and curtains drawn. I literally had no motivation at all to leave the house. And yet I already pre-purchased my ticket and didn’t want it to go to waste. But I’m really glad that I dragged myself out because it did make me feel a bit better. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3348730...

On Thursday afternoon, I had a 1 on 1 job interview at Coles Fountain Gate for the position of trolley collector and store cleaner. It’s been almost a year since I last did a job interview of any kind so I was severely out of practice today. I decided to walk in with no expectations whatsoever and basically just do my best and be myself. I was interviewed back a manager named Scott Archer; a big burly man with a serious facial expression. It didn’t take long before I started physically shaking like a leaf.

I was caught out by so many curve ball questions that I really wasn’t prepared for such as why do you want to leave your current job? Why do you want to work for Coles Services? What’s your availability like? What do you do during your days off? What are your career ambitions? Where do you see yourself in five years? The good news is that at least I was honest with my responses. I didn’t try to sell him bullshit to win points. It was a difficult interview for me and thankfully it was all over within 10 minutes. I guess I should have been more prepared so I didn’t stumble as much but it’s all learning really.

But instead of walking away scolding myself for my average performance or feeling depressed knowing deep inside that there’s no way I’m gonna get the job, I held my head up with pride. I turned up. I was punctual and neatly-presented in business attire. I was extremely polite and well mannered. I answered all of Scott’s questions honestly. And I did the best that I could despite shitting myself as I usually do during an interview. I don’t enjoy them but they give me valuable experience when it comes to improving my self-confidence and conversation skills. So even if I don’t get the job, it’s no loss on my end.

On Friday night, I attended the Family Movie Night organised by Alive Crusade at Wilson Botanic Park Berwick. To be honest, I had mixed feelings about going considering I left UFT PLAYgrounds a few weeks ago and I really don’t know where I stand with certain people there. But really it was the fear and social anxiety holding me back. Why should I care what they think about me? I have every right to be here. I’m supporting a great cause. I’m a good person and I’m going to enjoy my night. I decided to bring my mum along for support.

Focus on what’s really important to you. Focus on the people who matter most to you. Once I arrived at Wilson Botanic Park, most of those negative thoughts and feelings naturally dissolved. I was really surprised at the large turnout on the hill of the amphitheater. I honestly wasn’t expecting it. They had several stalls and food vans along the base of the hill with many families spreading out their picnic rugs and folding chairs getting ready for the movie...Disney’s Inside Out. I had some brief friendly exchanges with Jules and Joel before getting some food. https://www.facebook.com/events/724...

They had a few announcements including the drawing of the raffle, some general housekeeping and a short video about what Alive Crusade do and the ultimate goal of building The Alive Centre before we all watched the feature film. https://www.facebook.com/alivecrusa...

Inside Out depicts the feelings and emotions of a young girl named Riley as animated characters...Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust. Memories are represented by coloured spheres inside of Riley’s brain and the emotions have to work together in order to keep Riley’s mood balanced and avoid conflict. It’s a really interesting way of explaining the basic psychology behind why we feel, think and act the way that we do and how mental illness can affect our feelings and emotions. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673...

“Life is very short, and there's no time. For fussing and fighting, my friend. I have always thought that it's a crime. So, I will ask you once again. Try to see it my way. Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong. While you see it your way. There's a chance that we might fall apart before too long. We can work it out. We can work it out.”                                         The Beatles - We Can Work It Out (1965)

“Well on the way, head in a cloud. The man of a thousand voices talking perfectly loud. But nobody ever hears him. Or the sound he appears to make. And he never seems to notice. But the fool on the hill. Sees the sun going down. And the eyes in his head. See the world spinning around.” The Beatles - The Fool On The Hill (1967)