Are everywhere here on The Butterfly Hill in the late winter and all thru spring. I used to pull them and think of them as weeds. But now in true Permaculture style, everything grows right where it sprouts. I had heard of people making soup with them and wanted to give it a try. We first harvested a big bunch of the Onions and washed… Read More »Wild Spring Onions
Crushed Natural Freeze Dried Friut Freeze-dried fruits are a great way to color cookies and frosting naturally. I tested Blueberries, Strawberries, Bananas, and Green Apples for their coloring. The Blueberries turned a really pretty purple. Although they were hard to crush. I used a food processor and then crushed them with a pestle and mortar. They added a lot more flavor to the cookies than… Read More »Why would you not use natural colors for food?
My favorite Royal Icing recipe This is Martha Stewarts Recipe for the best smooth as silk Royal Icing 2 large egg whites 4 cups sifted confectioners sugar Juice of 1 lemon 5 drops of Glycerine (found at drug stores) Beat egg whites till stiff, but not dry. Add sugar, lemon, and glycerine and beat for 1 minute more. If too thick, add water. If too… Read More »Royal Icing
Easy recipes you can make with ingredients from your kitchen. Colds & Fever Peel an Onion. Chemicals released by cutting an onion attract water, that’s why you cry. Try cutting a large onion and lean over to allow it to clear your sinuses. Apple Cider Vinegar with Cayenne pepper and a pinch of salt in hot water several times a day as a tea helps… Read More »DIY Home Remedies
Face Fresh Grapefruit is high in Vitamin C and potassium. Slice fresh Grapefruit and rub on acne as it has mild exfoliating properties and helps to reduce toxins in the skin. Drinking fresh-squeezed juice will also help to encourage healthy skin. Cucumber is high in Vitamin C. Place slices placed on your eyes helps to reduce inflammation and eye strain. Skin conditions also respond well… Read More »DIY Home Spa
Everyone knows that Roses are associated with Love. But what about the others? People have been associating meanings to flowers for centuries. The Romans used Laurel for the wreaths they wore to signify victory. Shakespeare used many floral references in his writings to describe love. Here are some of my favorites. Aloe/affection. Amaryllis/pride. Anemone/forsaken. Angelica/call the angels. Appleblossom/preference. Aster/symbol of love or daintiness. Anemone/forsaken. Bay/glory.… Read More »Flower Meanings
Companion Planting allows us to use the collective wisdom of those who have come before us to teach us which plants benefit from growing together. One great example of the is The Three Sisters, Corn, Pole Beans, and Squash. According to The Farmers Almanac, there are many benefits to planting certain plants together. Large plants provide shade for smaller plants. Large stalked plants provide support… Read More »Who Loves Who
Native Americans planted Corn, Beans, and Squash together and referred to them as the three sisters. This companion planting has been done for centuries by many Native American tribes. According to The Farmers Almanac, each of the sisters contributes something to the planting. Together, the sisters provide a balanced diet from a single planting. Corn the older sister, offers the Beans support. The Pole Beans… Read More »3 Sisters
Ferns have had the same DNA for 300 million years. They are virtually the same as they were when the Dinosaurs roamed our planet. And they are one of the only plants that have been able to do so. Redwood forests are perfect acidic soil for Fern growth. I have seen several different types of Fern hiking in our California Redwood forest. Maiden Hair, Water… Read More »Wild Fern Oil’s
