Friday, February 7, 2014

Sounds of Spring

                                                                                                                                                                                       


       From across the way, I hear it coming.  The constant hum.  The up-and-down.  The turn-around. Pause. And then on his way again.  It's my wonderful neighbor turning under the soil for the first time this year.          I look forward to hearing it each time.  More than the last, it seems.

  This year, our parts even saw snow and sleet which has only happened once in my lifetime before.

All this has to mean spring is on it's way, right?????   

This also means our little plot on our property is ready too!!  He usually plows ours for us and we are soo grateful

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Spring Awakens ?? Seedlings

Already?? Wow. It's barely February. Okay. I guess. Whatever. Hope Old Man Winter killed enough mosquitoes off that we aren't taken away by spring. My spinach seedlings are peeking through. I'm giddy with these first green signs of warmer weather. I have them beside my kitchen door so that I can easily tear off leaves to use in my cooking. Same with my herbs. I also have lettuce here. I'll post pictures as things come alive.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Essential Oil Uses : Fluid in Ears

The last few days, several around the place have been having "junk" in there. Throats. Ears. Chest. Sinuses. Whatever it is, we've got junk in it. I try, whenever possible, to work out treatment of minor issues at home. We have great medical coverage in the event we need it. When my 7 yr old said her ear felt "heavy" and like it had water in it, I assumed it was just some fluid since she hadn't had any pain at all. She did have a low grade fever, but she is prone to them and it isn't alarming with this child. I used a few drops of an essential oil blend along with a few drops of olive oil lightly massaged behind the ear. Three times yesterday I did this , along with pushing water and lots of rest. This morning, she beat me up and was ready to go out to play. No fever. She says there is a little fluid in there but not much. She's at about 95% today. And that makes this mama's heart
happy.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Friendly Winter Harvest : Scallions / Green Onions


We have a fabulous neighbor who does far-and-away more gardening and farming adventures that we do.  And the season comes when these little gifts begin showing up on my porch.  I love them!  I love the smiles they come with, too!

Today it is scallions, I guess.  We call them "little green onions" but I suppose they have a technical name. Love these!  And, they regrow themselves, I'm told.  My husband eats them as a side with any beans I might serve.  I chop them  and sautee' in just about anything. 

As you enter our home today, the aroma is all about the entryway. And I can't stand smelling like onions just because I cook with them.  But today, it's okay.  It is near 80 degrees and it's February!  It's giving us the tease that spring is here and I'm feeling like getting in the garden  and that makes it OK to smell onions as my "home fragrance" today!!