Woven Lavender Closet Bundles

Woven Lavender Closet Bundles

I had such a wonderful lavender crop this year (I say "crop" but I actually only have 3 very large lavender plants).

Lavender - what a scent!! - In my opinion, the soothing scent of lavender ranks right up there with roses and lily of the valley.  Lavender is actually quite beneficial - as an essential oil it can aid in sleep, anti-stress and general relaxation.  Also, lavender is a moth deterrent - instead of using those stinky mothballs why not try making these Lavender Closet Bundles.

STEP 1:  Harvest your lavender making sure that the stems are about 6 to 8 inches long. (see picture above)
STEP 2:  Count about 13 stalks making sure that the stems are similar lengths and then tie this bundle together with a decorative ribbon of your choice (see picture below).  This ribbon should be 24 inches long and should be tied right under the purple flowers (again - see below).

STEP 3:  Gently fold (or curve) back each stem as seen in the picture above

STEP 4:  Take the ribbon and begin weaving - every other stalk as you go around (see picture below) - this is not easy (or it might be that weaving is not one of my stronger skills).

STEP 5:  Continue weaving until you have a bundle that resembles the finished product below. 

STEP 6:  Knot off the bottom and use the remaining ribbon to hang this Lavender Bundle in the closet.

IMPORTANT:  The stalks/stems must be green otherwise they will just snap off.

ENJOY!!

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Scattering Seed

"He also said, 'This is what the kingdom of God is like.  A man scatters seed on the ground.  Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.  All by itself the soil produces grain - first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.  As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it , because the harvest has
come.' "   Mark 4:26-29

This parable is not a very popular one but I think it is wonderful.  This parable is also only found in Mark.

It is interesting when you think about a farmer scattering seed.  We can plant the seed but we have nothing at all to do with the seed itself.  It doesn't matter if we are there or not - the seed sprouts & grows - God is in control - we are not.  It doesn't matter if we were to watch the seed or go inside - that seed will still sprout & grow.  It is the same with the gospel - planting the saving grace & mercy of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.  It is not by our works - only God can have the glory - we don't even have to fully understand why or how - that seed still grows.

The detail of each plant is also significant.  The growth process (stalk, head & kernel) are all parts of every life and development of our Christian walk.  I also believe that the different parts symbolize that together we all make up the kingdom of God - we all have our position in the church.

And don't forget about the harvest - when the "grain is ripe."  I'm reminded of this verse:
"......because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."  Philippians 1:5 & 6
This "completion" & "the day of Christ Jesus" is the harvest.  Even in our own life it is God in control & "He will carry it on to completion."  All we have to do is trust and follow - sprout & grow.

Let's scatter the seed of grace & mercy from our Savior Jesus Christ.

Strawberry Syrup - Homemade & Homecanned

Strawberry Syrup - Homemade & Home canned

No offense California but Michigan Strawberries are the best in North America!!

Similar to my Blueberry Syrup recipe  - My Strawberry Syrup recipe can also be used in many other ways: ice cream, pancakes, waffles, to flavor lemonade, in batter (eg. strawberry coffee cake), in frosting, in homemade Popsicles, in yogurt or kefir.......etc

NOTE: This syrup is on the thin or runny side but for certain uses - such as pancakes, it is easy to thicken with a little corn starch (see "thickening recipe" at the end of this post).

                                                                Printable Recipe       
Juice
16 cups whole strawberries (washed, drained & hulled)

4 cups water (preferably filtered)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Prepare the strawberries as described above. Place the strawberries, lemon juice and water in a large stock pot and bring to boil. Simmer for 1 hour. Now you will need to strain the juice to separate the strawberry pulp from the liquid (see the picture above - the strawberry pulp has already been strained out). Allow the juice to drain out of the colander for an hour.

Syrup

10 cups strawberry juice (unsweetened)

Juice from 1 lemon

4 cups sugar

Discard or compost the strawberry pulp and pour the strawberry juice into the large stock pot - there should be about 10 cups of strawberry juice. Add in 4 cups of sugar and the juice from the second lemon - stir until dissolved.

Gather your canning jars, lids and rings (you will need 7 or 8 half pints):

Canning Basics - Jar Sizes. Also, gather all other canning supplies:Other Canning Supplies. Start the water boiling for Jar sterilization: Sterilizing Jars & Lids.  Now bring the strawberry juice mixture to boil (stirring most of the time) and then turn down the heat and simmer for 1/2 hour.

By now your jars should be sterilized and ready to be filled. Take the jars out of the boiling water (I use my jar remover and make sure that the water is drained out of each jar). Pour the hot Strawberry Syrup into each sterilized jar and fill each jar up to the jar "threads" (about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch of head space).

Wipe the rim of each jar with a damp cloth making sure that any syrup residue is gone (any residue left on the rim can prevent the jar from sealing). Place a sterilized lid on each jar and then tighten a ring on each jar.

Place all filled jars in a "Water Bath Canner" and process (boil) the jars for 10 minutes (make sure that the water level in the Canner is 1 inch above the tallest jar)

Remove the jars and place them on the counter or table to cool (I always place them on a cloth because there have been a few times when a jar cracked and then the contents oozed out making a mess - the cloth will help if that happens). You will hear the wonderful popping sound of your jars sealing.

Allow the jars to cool for 24 hours and then store in your pantry or in your fruit cellar until the winter and then ENJOY a little bit of summer.

ENJOY!!

Thickening Recipe:

1 cup Strawberry syrup (cold or room temperature)

1 tablespoon corn starch

With a whisk - stir the corn starch & Strawberry syrup until combined (with no clumps). Pour into a medium size saucepan and bring to a boil - stirring all the time. You will know when it is thick enough by the color - The key to thickening with corn starch: the syrup mixture will be cloudy when you start , then after it has boiled - it will be transparent (red but still transparent).

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The Importance of Trimming

Before Trimming

After Trimming

The left side has been trimmed & the right side has not been trimmed.

About 8 years ago the electric company came through and totally cut down (to the ground) these giant trees that were interfering with the power lines.  These trees are on our property but since they were causing problems with the electric lines we had no say in the matter.

My in-laws had planted these trees in the late 60's or early 70's believing that what they were planting was a hedge.  Well, they grew and grew and became mammoth trees.  It wasn't until 8 years ago when we discovered that this actually was a hedge - all that was missing was the "trimming"!!!!

This is proof - Trimming is Important.   

When they are not trimmed - The hedge below grows into these giant trees seen above.  (Seriously - I wouldn't have believed it either if I hadn't witnessed it myself).

Bacon Wrapped Zucchini Strips

Bacon Wrapped Zucchini Strips

I am swimming in zucchini right now.......at least that's what if feels like.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I simply forget every year how prolific each zucchini plant can be.  You can just imagine how many zucchinis I have since I have 22 zucchini plants      ;-)

Because of this wonderful abundance - every year I try to create new ways to use zucchini.  This year I thought: "Everything is always better with bacon" (in my opinion anyway).  These Bacon Wrapped Zucchini Strips have been sauteed to perfection and then I dipped them in Creamy Caesar Dressing - "Delish"!!!

HOW TO MAKE:  Wash, dry and slice the zucchini into 3 inch strips.  Cut the bacon strips in half (use thinly sliced bacon).  Take 1 zucchini strip & 1 bacon strip and tightly wrap the zucchini with the bacon making sure that the bacon overlaps a little.  (NOTE:  when the bacon did not overlap - it tended to slip off of the zucchini strip).  Saute on both sides until the bacon is crisp or done to your desired texture.

Serve immediately with a dipping bowl of Creamy Caesar Dressing and ENJOY!!

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Fruit of the Spirit - GOODNESS

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, GOODNESS, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22 & 23

This is the sixth of a nine part series I call "Spiritual Fruit of the Month Club". Have you ever seen or received a gift where you are entered into a club and once a month you are sent a box of fruit - a different kind of fruit each month? Well, that is what we will be doing here - on the first Sunday of each month for nine months I will be sending you a digital box of Spiritual Fruit. We will study and try to use that fruit in our daily lives for that month.

What is goodness? - It is doing what is right - Justice with love.  The opposite of good is evil. 

"Turn from evil and do good; then you will always live securely."  Psalm 37:27

"Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with Justice."  Psalm 112:5

What is our goodness based on? - It's the commandments.  We know what is right and wrong by God's example.  There is only One who is truly "good" and that is God but we are to strive to live up to His example.

" 'Why do you ask me about what is good?' Jesus replied.  'There is only One who is good.  If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.' "  Matthew 19:17

When should we be "good"? - Everyday of the week - even the Sabbath.  There is no rest from doing good - no rest from "goodness."

"Then Jesus asked them, 'Which is lawful on the Sabbath:  to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?'  But they remained silent."  Mark 3:4

To whom should we be "good"? - We should be good to everyone - even our enemies.  That is the most difficult thing - to be good to those who hate us, but that act will totally glorify God.

"But I tell you who hear me:  Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you."  Luke 6:27

This is God's will for our lives - to "do good works."  Let's strive this month to be decent, moral, noble, wholesome.......to show our "goodness."

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  Ephesians 2:10

What will you do with your spiritual basket of GOODNESS this month?

Fruit of the Spirit - LOVE
Fruit of the Spirit - JOY
Fruit of the Spirit - PEACE
Fruit of the Spirit - PATIENCE
Fruit of the Spirit - KINDNESS
Fruit of the Spirit - GENTLENESS

Pretty Petunias

Pretty Petunias

This is a flower from my childhood - I always remember my parents having these beautiful flowers growing among my dad's roses.  I just love the deep royal colors and the velvety look of the petals (see the picture below specifically).

These flower are quite easy to maintain .  Petunias are anuals - I have never grown them from seed so I always just buy plants from some of my local greenhouses.

As you can see I took these pictures when our Cottonwood trees were shedding their snowlike seeds

Tending Petunias:
There are different kinds of Petunias.  These are the traditional Petunias that require a bit more care than "Wave Petunias".  In the picture below and in the bottom left hand corner you will see a dried up flower.  To keep the traditional Petunias flowering all season you will need to "dead head" the old dried up blossoms. 

Simply snip off the dead flowers as seen in the picture below.

Simple and Pretty - ENJOY!!