Garden Yum ?

My Mother Loved these.I could not eat this until I was way into my thirtys and found out what I was missing.
You will also find how to kill snails listed at the bottom of this recipe.
How to prepare garden Snails Yum ?

Instructions.Things You'll Need:
•2 shallow saucers (about one half inch deep)
•Cornmeal
•Oatmeal
•Wheat bran
•Shredded lettuce
•Water
•Chopped fresh herbs (optional)
•Red wine (optional)
•Small fish tank, about 5 gallons (or equivalent container)
•Screened lid
•3 bricks
•1 board that will fit into cage
How to Prepare Garden Snails for Eating

Step1
Start by placing two of your bricks in a sheltered area of your garden where snails hang out. Place the board across them. Check in the early morning and you should have snails clinging to the underside of your board. Decide how many snails you will need, generally about a dozen per person. Gather them carefully to avoid damaging them or their shells. Keep gathering until you have enough.
Step 2
Place your two bricks in the tank, then put the board on top of the bricks. Place the saucers on top of the board. Fill one saucer with clean water, the other with a mixture of your grains. Place shredded lettuce in the bottom of the cage. Supplement the lettuce with fresh herbs to add additional flavor. You can also use wine for part of the water. Mist all very lightly with water, then place your snails inside. Place the cover on top and weight it down with the third brick.
Step 3
Change the water, grains and lettuce daily. Mist the inside of the cage lightly every day. The snails will "excrete" a lot every day, and you want them living in a clean cage. Continue this process for two weeks. Remove any dead snails as soon as you find them.
Step 4
Remove the lettuce and grain, but keep the water clean. CAREFULLY remove the snails and wash them gently in clean water. Replace in the cleaned cage. Leave the snails with water only for two days.
Step 5
Bring two gallons of water to a boil. Put your snails into the boiling water and stir them very gently for five minutes. Drain them, then remove the snails from their shells. Wash the snail meats several times in vinegar and water (one cup of vinegar to two gallons of water) to eliminate remaining mucus. Drain, then cook for a half hour in water with garlic and your choice of herbs, salt and pepper.
Step 6
If saving the shells, cook them for an hour in one gallon of water and a cup of baking soda. Allow to drain and dry overnight.
Step 7
Proceed with any recipe, either chopping the meats or leaving them whole. The French usually retain the shells for presentation, but other cultures serve them sauced in small baking dishes. They are a popular Spanish tapas dish.Make sure you serve with plenty of good bread for sopping up the butter and juices.

 
How to Kill Garden Snails. Just in Case

The Folded Paper Flower

These beautiful paper flowers

Can be found over on the Folding Tree Site.

She has a tutorial on how to make them

HERE

Scrunchie Flower Card Tutorial Link

Tutorial for this card found HERE

Make Mine Black

Here are some suggestions for using composted grounds in the yard and garden from the OSU Extension compost specialists:
• Mix grounds into soil as an amendment. Make sure to keep them damp. Add some nitrogen fertilizer if you do this, as coffee grounds encourage the growth of microbes in the soil, which use up nitrogen. While microbes are breaking down the grounds, the nitrogen will provide a source of nutrients for your plants.
• Spread grounds on the soil surface, then cover them with leaves or bark mulch.
• Add grounds to your compost pile, layering one part leaves to one part fresh grass clippings to one part coffee grounds, by volume. Turn once a week. This will be ready in three to six months.
• Or, put them in an existing unturned pile. Just make sure to add a high carbon source, such as leaves to balance it.
• Grounds may be stored for future use. They may develop molds but these appear to be consumed during the composting process. Or a large plastic bag works for storage as well.
• Paper coffee filters may be composted with the grounds.
Keep in mind that uncomposted coffee grounds are NOT a nitrogen fertilizer. Coffee grounds have a carbon-to-nitrogen ration of about 20 to 1, in the same range as animal manure. Germination tests in Eugene showed that uncomposted coffee grounds, added to soil as about one-fourth the volume, showed poor germination and stunted growth in lettuce seed. Therefore, they need to be composted before using near plants.
Wise and her composting protégés have been conducting informal research on composting coffee grounds. So far, they have observed that coffee grounds help to sustain high temperatures in compost piles. High temperatures reduce potentially dangerous pathogens and kill seeds from weeds and vegetables that were added to the piles. They have noticed that coffee grounds seem to improve soil structure, plus attract earthworms.
When coffee grounds made up 25 percent of the volume of their compost piles, temperatures in the piles stayed between 135 degrees and 155 degrees for at least two weeks, enough time to have killed a "significant portion" of the pathogens and seeds. In contrast, the manure in the trials didn't sustain the heat as long.

"We were amazed at the results we got with coffee grounds when we did the trial," said Wise.
Jack Hannigan, an Extension-trained compost specialist, is pleased with the results he gets from the coffee grounds he collects from the Fast Lane Coffee Company in Springfield to use on his farm in Pleasant Hill.
"I make hotbeds that run about 150 degrees," Hannigan said. "It kills the weeds. I can get the piles hotter and break down the compost better with coffee grounds than I can with manure. It works great."
Coffee grounds also can be added directly to soil but the grounds need a few months to break down, Wise said. "We're not certain about how coffee grounds act with the soil, but anecdotally people say they do dig it into the soil," she said.
An additional benefit of diverting coffee grounds from the landfill is that it helps cut greenhouse gas emissions, said Dan Hurley, waste management engineer for Lane County's Short Mountain Landfill.
"To keep organics out of the landfill is a good thing for reducing greenhouse gas emissions because organics decompose and produce methane. Methane is about 25 times as bad as carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas," said Hurley.

Flowers in your hair

DIY Project with instructions and photos found HERE

The Moss Pit

Lawn at the old house in 2003

This was not lawn at all but moss.

I recommend it highly under large fir and  pine trees.

It was the best lawn we ever had.

Mowed it only 5 times a year and it stayed green all year long.

Once a month I put gallon of buttermilk and miracid into a blender and poured it over the moss in thin lines to help feed and spread it.

Growing moss

 Step 1 pull any weeds and other plants currently growing in the area. Make the entire area bare, and remove rocks, branches and any other debris or objects on the ground.

Step 2 Carry out a pH soil test using your pH testing kit. Moss requires a slightly acidic soil base. Your soil should have a pH level of approximately 5.5. If necessary, lower soil pH levels by one point by mixing 1.2 ounces of rock sulfur for every square yard of dirt. Alternatively, raise the pH by one point by mixing eight ounces of hydrated lime in every square yard of soil. Repeat this step until the pH level is just right.


Step 3 Lightly water the soil until the dirt is moist but not muddy.

Step 4 Obtain moss. Your local nursery may sell flats of moss. Alternatively, transplant the moss from another area of your yard or from moss growing in the wild. Harvest the moss with a garden spade, carefully scooping the moss up off of the surface on which it is growing.


Step 5 Lay the transplanted moss on the prepared soil plot. Gently pat it down so that the moss is level. Water continuously throughout the day to keep the moist perpetually moist, but not dripping wet. If you are not able to manually water the moss, set a sprinkler with a timer. The moss will establish itself within three weeks.

The 20 x 70

Most of you know I have a new place and we have down sized ALLOT !
The back yard is a nice 20 x 70 in size. Of course I wanted a nice 20 x 70 space so this is the progress so far.
Started when we moved in in august last year .
We stopped for snow and -10 degree weather but hubby is back out today working on my grand plan.
So here it is so far

The large horseshoe is my veggie garden .

The new ring is the herb garden.

The tree across the yard is a flowering pear.

The boards are where the ceder deck goes.

The fence line will have a stone raised bed as well and the rest will be in rock .

No grass in the little back yard.

Well that's the plan so far.

Seed packs Free printable

If your looking for that seed pack for your next exchange I have made these two ready top save and print out.
Standard size to cover your store bought seeds with.
Copy and save as to your system, then print on card staok , fold on the lines, glue edges and fill.

Recipe cards to print

I know it's a bit past time but these are some great recipes on a 8 by 10 sheet to print out.
Copy save print and cut apart.
Merry Winter

Lady Bug Card Instructions

Supplies Needed:
Black Construction paper: each page makes two invitations.
Red Construction paper: each page will make wings for 6 invitations.
Hole Punch: used to make spots
Wiggle eyes:(optional) need two per invitation.
Glue
Scissors
Coffee Cup
Pencil
Step 1: Ladybug Invitation:
Fold the sheet of black construction paper in half.
Using the coffee cup draw two circles on the page making sure to have the cup lay over the edge of the fold a little. The fold is on the left side.

Trace the coffee cup onto the paper creating a circle. You can get two invitations from each sheet of paper. Cut out both invitations making sure you leave the fold intact.
Use the scraps of black paper and make small circles about the size of a quarter, these will be the ladybugs' head.
Take the smaller scraps and punch holes with the hole punch.

Step 2: Ladybug Invitation:

Using the same coffee cup draw complete circles on the red paper. You can make six circles from each piece of paper. Cut out all the circles. Cut each circle in half creating a set of wings for each ladybug.

You should now have all the parts shown in the picture below.

Step 3: Ladybug Invitation:

With the fold towards the top, add one of the wings to the black body section. Make sure you slant it outwards leaving the gap in the center. Once you have one wing placed glue the other wing into place. It will overlap the first wing a little at the top.

Glue the dots on the wings. When putting dots on you want to use odd numbers (3,5,7). An even number of dots will look funny!

Glue the head (small quarter sized circle)onto the wings where they overlap.
Glue the two wiggle eyes onto the head.

The finished Ladybug Invitation:
This is what the invitation will look like when you finished it.

The ladybug will open from the rounded side.
It really doesn't take very long to make party invitations and can be loads of fun.
Print out your party information on a mailing label or a name tag label.
Just peel and stick to the inside.

Pansy Seed Packet Printable

Bowling ball Bugs

The Lady bugs

The Bee

Bowling Ball Bumblebee

 Joyce Kline Creator
SUPPLIES LIST:

Bowling Ball
Silicone caulk
101" #6 copper wire. Have it cut at the hardware store at these lengths:
1.Two—8.5" lengths for antenna
2.Two—20" lengths for top wing
3.Two—22" lengths for bottom wing
Window Screen: Two—8.5" squares
Hardware cloth: Two—9.5" squares
Two—1" round wooden beads
Kilz exterior primer
Yellow exterior latex paint
Black exterior latex paint
26 gauge bare copper wire (approx. 60-70" for each wing)
Brush or sponge
Wire cutter

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.Prime the bowling ball. Let dry. Paint the bowling ball with yellow paint. (We applied two coats).

2.Bend the 8.5" lengths of wire slightly to make antennae. Paint the two beads black (we used a thin wash coat of paint).

3.Squirt a little dab of caulk into each bead hole. Push one bead onto end of antenna. Repeat for the next antenna.

4.Bend the 20" lengths into an oval shape for the bottom set of wings. Bend down about 1-1/2" at the ends. (This will be inserted into the finger holes on the ball.)

5.Bend the 22" lengths into an oval shape for the top set of wings. Bend down about 1-1/2" at the ends to place in the fingerholes.

6.Center 20" wire ovals over the window screen material and "sew" the thin copper wire to the wire to attach screening. Trim around the edges after sewing. We found it was easier "sewing" from the underside of the wing.
7.Center 22" wire ovals over hardware cloth and "sew" with thin copper wire too attach to the cloth. Trim to 1/4" past the edge and bend hardware cloth edges around copper wire.

8.Apply painters tape to the ball where desired and paint or sponge black stripes on the ball. Let dry.

9.Squirt caulk into finger holes to attach antenna and wings. Let dry for 24 hours. Touch up areas on finger holes.

Bits of Treasures

I have tons and I mean tons of old lace. So when i found this turoeial I was hooked
Cute little flower pin made of a tiny bit of lace.
Tutorial found HERE

Recycled Paper Flowers 2

Recycled newspaper Flower

This cutie is one of my most used flowers.
I drop it on cards and packages all the time.because it is so easy to make out of nothing.
Great tutorial with tons of photos found HERE

Crochet Flowers

Designed by: Nazanin Fard


YOU’LL NEED:
• Size E Crochet hook
• 5 yds./color of DMC Senso thread in three desired colors

Skill Level: Intermediate
Stitch Gauge: 6 sc = 1"

Note: Petal rounds are worked from front of flower to back.

Rosette: With one color, ch 5. Sl st into first ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: * Ch 7, sl st into the ring; rep from * 6 times. (6 petals started)
Rnd 2: * (sc, hdc, dc, 5 tr, dc, hdc, sc) in next ch-sp*; rep from * alternating colors for each petal. (You will have two petals per color.)
Rnd 3: Sl st into the center ring inside of the first petal, * ch 9, sl st into center ring inside of next petal.* (6 petals started for second row)
Rnd 4: * (sc, hdc, dc, 7 tr, dc, hdc, sc) in next ch-sp*; rep from * alternating between colors for each petal. Fasten off.
Weave in all ends.

Edible flowers

Edible flowers
Common Name Botanical Name Comments

Angelica Angelica archangelica May be skin allergen to some individuals. Good with fish and the stems are especially popular candied. Tastes like: celery-flavored. More info here.

Anise Hyssop Agastache foeniculum Tastes like: sweet, anise-like, licorice
Apple Malus species Eat in moderation; may contain cyanide precursors. Tastes like: delicate floral flavor

Arugula Eruca vesicaria Tastes like: nutty, spicy, peppery flavor

Basil Ocimum basilicum Tastes like: different varieties have different milder flavors of the corresponding leaves. Tastes like: lemon, mint. More info here.

Bee Balm Monarda species Used in place of bergamot to make a tea with a flavor similar to Earl Grey Tea. More info here.

Borage Borago officinalis Taste like: light cucumber flavor. More info here.

Burnet Sanguisorba minor Tastes like: faint cucumber flavor, very mild. More info here.

Calendula* Calendula officinalis Tastes like: poor man's saffron, spicy, tangy, peppery, adds a golden hue to foods

Carnation Dianthus caryophyllus (aka Dianthus) Tastes like: spicy, peppery, clove-like

Chamomile* Chamaemelum nobile Tastes like: faint apple flavor, good as a tea

Chicory* Cichorium intybus Buds can be pickled.

Chives: Garden Allium schoenoprasum Tastes like: mild onion flavor. More info here.

Chives: Garlic Allium tuberosum Tastes like: garlicky flavor

Chrysanthemum: Garland* Chrysanthemum coronarium Tastes like: slight to bitter flavor, pungent

Citrus: Lemon Citrus limon Tastes like: waxy, pronounced flavor, use sparingly as an edible garnish, good for making citrus waters

Clover Trifolium species Raw flowerheads can be difficult to digest.

Coriander Coriander sativum Pungent. A prime ingredient in salsa and many Latino and Oriental dishes. Tastes like: Some palates detect a disagreeable soapy flavor while others adore it. More info here.

Cornflower* Centaurea cynaus (aka Bachelor's Buttons) Tastes like: sweet to spicy, clove-like

Dandelion* Taraxacum officinalis Tastes like: very young buds fried in butter taste similar to mushrooms. Makes a potent wine.

Day Lily Hemerocallis species Many Lilies (Lillium species) contain alkaloids and are NOT edible. Daylillies may act as a laxative. Tastes like: sweet, crunchy, like a crisp lettuce leaf, faintly like chestnuts or beans

Dill Anthum graveolens More info here.

English Daisy* Bellis perennis Tastes like: tangy, leafy

Fennel Foeniculum vulgare Tastes like: sweet, licorice flavor. More info here.

Fuchsia Fuchsia X hybrida Tastes like: slightly acidic

Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides Tastes like: light, sweet flavor

Gladiolus* Gladiolus spp Tastes like: similar to lettuce

Hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Tastes like: slightly acidic, boiled makes a nice beverage

Hollyhock Alcea rosea Tastes like: very bland, nondescript flavor

Honeysuckle: Japanese Lonicera japonica Berries are highly poisonous. Do not eat them!

Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis Should be avoided by pregnant women and by those with hypertension and epilepsy.

Impatiens Impatiens wallerana Tastes like: very bland, nondescript flavor

Jasmine: Arabian Jasminum sambac Tastes like: delicate sweet flavor, used for teas.

Johnny-Jump-Up Viola tricolor Contains saponins and may be toxic in large amounts. Tastes like: sweet to bland flavor

Lavender Lavendula species Lavender oil may be poisenous. More Info. Tastes like: floral, slightly perfumey flavor

Lemon Verbena Aloysia triphylla Tastes like: lemony flavor, usually steeped for tea

Lilac Syringa vulgaris Tastes like: lemony, floral, pungent

Mallow: Common Malva sylrestris Tastes like: sweet, delicate flavor

Marigold: Signet Tagetes tenuifolia (aka T. signata) Tastes like: spicy to bitter

Marjoram Origanum majorana More info here.

Mint Mentha species More info here.

Mustard Brassica species Eating in large amounts may cause red skin blotches. More info here.

Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus Buds are often pickled and used like capers. Tastes like: sweet, mildly pungent, peppery flavor

Okra Abelmoschus aesculentus

(Hibiscus esculentus) Tastes like: similar to squash blossoms

Pansy Viola X wittrockiana Tastes like: very mild sweet to tart flavor

Pea Pisum species Flowering ornamental sweet peas are poisonous.

Pineapple Guava Feijoa sellowiana Tastes like: similar to the ripe fruit of the plant, flavorful

Primrose Primula vulgaris Birdseye Primrose (P. farinosa) causes contact dermatitis. Tastes like: bland to sweet flavor

Radish Raphanus sativus Tastes like: milder, sweeter version of the more familiar radish heat

Redbud Cercis canadensis Tastes like: mildly sweet

Rose Rosa rugosa or R. gallica officinalis Tastes like: sweet, aromatic flavor, stronger fragrance produces a stronger flavor. Be sure to remove the bitter white portion of the petals. Rose hips are also edible (see Rose Hips Recipes).

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Tastes like: pine-like, sweet, savory. More info here

Runner Bean Phaseolus coccineus Tastes like: nectar, bean-like

Safflower* Carthamus tinctorius Another "poor man's saffron" without the pungent aroma or strong flavor of the real thing

Sage Salvia officinalis Sage should not be eaten in large amounts over a long period of time. Tastes like: varies by type. More info here.

Savory: Summer Satureja hortensis More info here.

Scented Geranium Pelargonium species Citronella variety may not be edible. Tastes like: varies with differing varieties from lemon to mint. More info here.

Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus Tastes like: bland to bitter flavor

Society Garlic Tulbaghia violacea Tastes like: a very mild garlic flavor

Squash Blossom Cucurbita pepo species (aka Zucchini Blossom) Tastes like: sweet, nectar flavor. More info here.

Sunflower* Helianthus annus Tastes like: leafy, slightly bitter. Lightly steam petals to lessen bitterness. Unopened flower buds can be steamed like artichokes.

Thyme Thymus vulgaris Tastes like: lemon, adds a nice light scent. More info here.

Tuberous Begonia Begonia X tuberosa ONLY HYBRIDs are edible. The flowers and stems contain oxalic acid and should not be consumed by individuals suffering from gout, kidneystones, or rheumatism. Further, the flower should be eaten in strick moderation. Tastes like: crisp, sour, lemony

Violet Viola species Tastes like: sweet, nectar

Yucca Yucca species Only the petals are edible. Other parts contain saponin, which is poisonous. Large amounts may be harmful. Tastes like: crunchy, fresh flavor

Flowers to Avoid Some flowers in particular to be avoided (but not a complete list) are: azalea, crocus, daffodil, foxglove, oleander, rhododendron, jack-in-the-pulpit, lily of the valley, and wisteria. See a more complete list.


Have you ever been to a restaurant where they have served you a beautiful salad with flower petals scattered around the plate? Or maybe you have had a cake decorated with flowers on top? Perhaps you have visited a Tea Room and were served flower syrup. Edible flowers are the new rage in haute cuisine. The look is elegant; yet preparing flowers for eating is simple and fun to do.
The amazing part to edible flowers is that in spite of it being the new rage, eating flowers has been going on for centuries. The first mention of people consuming flowers was as far back as 140 BC! Did you realize that broccoli, cauliflower, artichokes and broccoflower are all flowers? Or that the spice saffron is the stamen from the crocus flower? Capers are unopened flower buds to a bush native in the Mediterranean and Asian nations.
In regions such as the Middle East, Eastern Europe and India, floral waters such as rosewater and orange flower water are used to flavor candies to meats to beverages! France has a spice mixture known as "Herbes de Provence" which has dried lavender flowers in it. North Africa has an herbal mixture too, which contains rosebuds and lavender. The green liqueur, Chartreuse, contains carnations.

There are a few cautions one should remember before harvesting any flowers:

(a) Do not harvest any flowers that could have been exposed to animal excretement.

(b) Do not harvest any flowers that have had insecticides sprayed on them.

(c) Do not harvest any flowers that have had fertilizers sprayed on them unless specified for food consumption.

(d) Do not harvest any flowers from the side of roads where they have been exposed to trash, carbon monoxide etc.

(e) If you are unsure if it is edible, then do not eat it. Caution is always the best policy.

(f) If you have any allergies, consult your physician before

consuming edible flowers.

(g) Do not eat any flowers from florists as they have been sprayed with pesticides.

(h) Do not pick any flowers that show signs of disease or have been eaten by insects.

Pick your flowers in the morning when their water content is at its highest. Then bathe the flowers gently in a salt-water bath.

Immediately drop them in ice water for 1 minute. Dry on a paper

towel. For best results, use your flower petals immediately (not the stamen or the stems), or store the whole flower in a glass of water in the refrigerator overnight.
Flowers can be used for a multitude of dishes: from garnishes to salads. Try freezing petals in ice cube trays
filled with water for a unique addition to your favorite lemonade or iced tea!

RECIPES:

CANDIED FLOWERS
1 egg white (please use powdered egg whites to avoid salmonella)
100 proof vodka
superfine granulated sugar
thin artist's paintbrush
violets, pansies, Johnny-jump-ups, rose petals, lilac, borage, pea, pinks, scented geraniums
wire rack

Beat egg whites until frothy. Add a couple of drops of vodka to help the flowers dry quicker. Using fresh picked flowers, paint each flower individually with beaten egg white using the artist's paintbrush. When thoroughly coated, sprinkle with fine sugar and place on the wire rack to dry. Flowers are completely dry when stiff and brittle to the touch. They can be stored in an airtight container and put in the freezer for up to a year. A simple bakery cake can be turned into a work of art by garnishing with candies flowers.
Will last approximately 6 months!

Idea: Try a chocolate cake decorated with fresh raspberries and candied rose petals.

FLORAL LIQUEUR

4 cups vodka or brandy
1-cup sugar
1 - 2 cups flowers

Place lightly bruised petals in a jar with vodka or brandy and steep for 2 days. Then, add sugar and steep for 2 weeks, shaking vigorously once or twice a day to let sugar dissolve. Strain and filter into clean decanter.
Ideas: rose, carnation, lavendar and mint orange zest and mint ginger and pear peaches and lemon verbena
raspberry and lemon balm use a dry white wine

FLOWER BUTTER

1/2 - 1 cup chopped fresh or dried petals
1 lb. sweet unsalted butter

Finely chop flower petals and mix into softened butter. Let mix stand for several hours at room temperature, then refrigerate for several days to bring out the flavour. Can be frozen for several months.
Wonderful on breads or used in sugar cookie or pound cake recipes.
Ideas: use cream cheese rose, lavender or sunflower add some herbs: basil, thyme, garlic

FLOWER HONEY

1/2 - 1 cup fresh or dried petals
1 lb. honey

Add chopped or crushed flowers to honey. Loosely cover jar and place in a pan half full of gently boiling water. Remove from heat, and let sit in the hot water for 10 minutes. Remove jar from water and let cool to room temperature. Allow jar of honey with flowers to sit for 1 week. Flowers can then be strained out if desired.
Will last indefinitely in a cool dark place.
Uses: Tea, salad dressings, on croissants, scones, muffins and bread.

FLOWER JELLY

2 1/2 cups apple juice OR white wine
1 cup fresh rose petals or scented geranium flowers and leaves
4 cups sugar
1/4 lemon juice
1 - 2 drops food coloring (optional)
3 ounces of liquid pectin
fresh flower petals (optional)

Bring juice or wine to a boil and pour over petals. Cover and steep until liquid has cooled, then strain out flowers leaving only liquid.
Combine 2 cups of this flower infusion with sugar, lemon juice and food coloring. Bring to a boil over high heat and as soon as the sugar has dissolved, stir in the pectin. Return to a rolling boil, stirring, and boiling for exactly 1 minute. Remove the jelly from the heat and skim off any foam. Let jelly cool slightly and add more flower petals (if desired), then pour into sterilized jars. If petals do not stay suspended, stir jelly as it cools until petals stay in place. Process in hot water bath or seal with paraffin.
Yields: 4 - 5 half pints


FLOWER OIL

1/2 - 1 cup fresh or dried flowers
1 qt. vegetable oil

Add flowers to bottle of oil and place in a pan of water. Simmer water with bottle in it gently for at least 30 minutes. Remove from stove and cool. Cover bottle tightly, and let steep a week before using. If dried flowers are used, they may be left in the oil. Fresh flowers should be drained after one week as they lose their color.
Uses: Salad dressings, marinades, hot pasta, stir-frying.
Nasturtium and herb blossom oils are excellent for sautéing.
Rose and carnation oils make nice salad dressings.

FLOWER SYRUP

1-cup water (or rosewater)
3 cups sugar
1/2 - 1-cup flower petals, whole or crushed

Boil all ingredients for 10 minutes, or until thickened into syrup.Strain through cheesecloth into a clean glass jar. Keeps up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Can be added to sparkling water or champagne for a delicious beverage. Or, it may be poured over fruit, pound cake or pancakes.

An Incomplete List of POISONOUS FLOWERS Commonly Found in the Garden:

Aconite Anemone

Anthurium Atamasco Lily

Autumn Crocus Azalea

Baneberry Bead Tree

Belladonna Black Locust

Black Snakeroot Bloodroot

Boxwood Buttercup

Butterfly Weed Caladium

Calla Lily Carolina Jasmine

Castor Bean Cherry Laurel

Chinaberry Christmas Rose

Clematis Daffodil

Deadly Nightshade Death Cammus

Delphinium Dogsbane

Dumbcane Elephant Ears

False Hellebore Four O'clock

Foxglove Gardenia

Gloriosa Lily Golden Chain Tree

Goldenseal Heavenly Bamboo

Henbane Horse Chestnut

Horse Nettle Hyacinth

Hydrangea Iris

Ivy Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Jerusalem Cherry Jessamine

Jetbead Jimson Weed

Jonquil Kentucky Coffee Tree

Laburnum Lantana

Larkspur Leopardsbane

Lily of the Valley Lobelia

Marsh Marigold May Apple

Mescal Bean Mistletoe

Monkhood Morning Glory

Mountain Laurel Nightshade

Ohio Buckeye Oleander

Periwinkle Philodendron

Poinsettia Poison Hemlock

Potato Privet

Rhododendron Rock Poppy

Schefflera Spring Adonis

Star of Bethlehem Strawberry Bush

Sweet Pea Tobacco

Tomato (blooms) Trumpet Vine

Wahoo Water Hemlock

Wild Cherry Windflower

Wisteria Wolfsbane

Yellow Allamanda Yellow Oleander
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/edibles.html
http://www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com/edible-flowers.html

http://www.learningherbs.com/edible_flower_recipes.html

Paper Flower Tutorials

If you have missed these great flower tutorials please stop by the website and check out all her wonderful tutorials

inspirationaltechniquesandtutorials

Flower and garden Week April 1 --- April 10

If you have missed any of my crazy flower posts over on the Chat forum I will be listing them all here is a group this week along with the garden goodies.
This is a Tutorial of a straw flower created by Sunshinescreations.
She has a list of other fine tutorials HERE.
The site is a bit slow to load but worth the wait has she has  large picture tutorials that are very easy to follow.

This week Flowers and the Garden

This week it will be all about flowers and the garden. All my collected links and Tutorials on flowers and flower crafts.
So here goes. List of online garden mags. full of info .

BACKYARD LIVING

BIRD & BLOOMS

ORGANIC GARDENING

ALFRESCO

FINE LIVING

HORTICULTURE

FINE GARDENING

MY HOME IDEAS COTTAGE LIVING

DREAMS ALIVE

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS

HERB QUARTERLY

GARDEN DESIGN

GARDEN GATE

Don't Toss Those Lids

Lidmen instructions found HERE

There nothing but old lids and some clever fingers.

Don't toss your old lids out !

Paper Mache Eggs

Link to cute paper mache eggs
HERE

Paper Mache Paste

1 cup water
1/4 cup flour
5 cups lightly boiling water
Mix flour into one cup water until mixture is thin and runny, stir into boiling water. Gently boil and stir for 3 minutes. Cool before using. (Use with newspaper/newsprint strips for Paper mache).

Easter bunny face
Paint a small egg form a solid color. Once dry paint face details with a water based craft paint.
Cut out ear shapes and attach to your bunny with glue.

You can attach head to a larger form to make a body or just make the head.

Easter Eggs

Using water based craft paints, paint egg forms various Easter egg colors. These make great table decorations, or you can slip a surprise inside for special Egg hunts.

Paint one base color first, allow to dry then paint on designs. You can also glue on ribbons or other Easter decorations.

Easter Piniata

Using a very large form, paint and decorate to look like an Easter Egg. Once completely dry, fill the form with Easter eggs and treats from the open end of the form. Seal with additional strips of newsprint dipped in paper mached paste. Once dry touch up with paint.

Hang your egg with string and allow kids to crack open like a Piniata. Easter eggs and treats inside will come out when broken open.

Spring Recipe card to Print

The Black Walnut

Black walnuts folklore

My Grandma and aunties all used boiled black walnut hulls to wash there black hair in.
They had black hair until there late 90s.

Black Walnut Pound cake
Ingredients


1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla flavor pudding mix
4 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water
1 1/4 cups ground black walnuts
Directions

1.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9 inch tube pan.

2.In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, instant pudding, eggs, oil and water for 2 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed. Stir in the ground walnuts. Pour into the prepared pan.

3.Bake for 50 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan before inverting onto a plate to serve.

Footnotes
Tip Always freeze my walnuts before grinding them in a food processor.

Black Walnut Cake

Ingredients
Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped black walnuts*

Frosting:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup heavy cream, plus more as necessary
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 (16-ounce) box confectioners’ sugar
2 cups finely chopped black walnuts, for garnish (optional)*

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 (9-inch) cake pans.

For the cake: In a medium bowl, stir together flour and baking soda; set aside. Using an electric mixer, cream together shortening and sugar in a bowl until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in mashed bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla. Add flour mixture, mix until just combined. Stir in black walnuts.

Pour into prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool in pans on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely.

Meanwhile, prepare frosting. Melt butter in small saucepan. Add brown sugar and 1/3 cup cream. Cook over medium-low heat until the sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Transfer to a large bowl.

Using a handheld electric mixer, beat in confectioners' sugar a little at a time until smooth. If frosting is too thick, add 1 tablespoon heavy cream at a time until consistency is right. Sandwich 2 layers of cake with frosting. Frost the outside of the cake. Press chopped black walnuts on the sides of the cake, if desired.
*Cook's Note: DO NOT substitute English walnuts for black walnuts.

Donna in NC Water Faux Putty Eggs

These beautiful chocolate creations were made using watty Puttyby donna in NC.

Her blog site is

http://djscraftythoughts.blogspot.com/

She has some very fun faux items for sale on her site.

Below are the doirections for general water putty bunnies.

General Directions for Water Putty Rabbits

This beautiful faux-chocolate bunny.
Tools and Materials
Easter bunny chocolate molds
Binder clips
Clothespins
Scissors
Bucket
Bamboo skewer or other long, slender stick
File, sandpaper, and/or Dremel tool with a sanding attachment
Durham's water putty
Drill with paint mixer attachment, or paint mixing stick
White primer paint
Brown paint (Martha used liquid acrylic -- a mix of burnt sienna, burnt umber, and white)
Clear satin topcoat
Paint in a variety of colors for details
Ribbon and flowers for embellishing

Faux Chocolate Bunnies How-To

1. Clip the two halves of the mold together with binder clips. Cut the bottom out of the mold, if necessary, to allow pouring of putty mixture.

2. Set the mold upside down in a bucket to keep it upright; clip the mold to the side of the bucket with clothespins to hold it steady.

3. Mix 3 parts Durham's water putty powder to 1 part water. Add putty slowly, in 3 stages. Mix until the putty is the consistency of pancake batter or a little thicker.

4. Pour putty slowly into mold.

5. Use a bamboo skewer to ease putty into all nooks and crannies and eliminate bubbles.

6. Allow to set for 2 to 3 hours.

7. Remove binder clips and open molds to release bunny.

8. Smooth seams using a file, sandpaper, or a Dremel tool with a sanding attachment. Fill in any bubble holes with more putty.

9. Prime with white primer, allow to dry, and paint with brown paint. Apply a clear satin topcoat to the painted bunny for sheen.

10. Paint eyes and other details, and add embellishments like ribbons and flowers, if desired.

Resins:
Polyester Resin: is a liquid plastic that hardens when a few drops of the catalyst are added to create a chemical reaction. Polyester Resin is durable and is the resin of choice for industrial applications and serious crafters who are experienced in resin casting. This resin is highly toxic and should be used in a well ventilated area using protective masks to avoid inhalation. One main advantage of Polyester Resin is the depth in which it can be poured for larger embed projects. Polyester Resin is cheaper to buy than Epoxy resin as it is generally purchased in larger quantities such as 1lt + tins.

Epoxy Resin: These resins are more frequently used in the crafting and hobby world, they are easy to use with a low toxicity, making them suitable for ventilated craft rooms and work areas. Epoxy resin is perfect for jewelry casting as it has a shallow setting depth, so it will cure quickly when used correctly.

Epoxy resins come in two parts: resin and hardener. The two parts must be mixed in the precise ratio given in the manufacturer's instructions. Imprecise measuring and mixing prevents the epoxy resin from solidifying or curing. Epoxy resin is also self leveling, giving your project a glass like finish without too much technique. More expensive than the polyester resin but a great way to get started for a small batch of projects.

Always handle resins with care, and follow the proper use that is recommended by the manufacturer.

Pigments and Dyes: These come in liquids, powders and pastes . You will need to purchase color dyes that are suitable for your brand of resin. Dye's are added during the mixing process.

Molds:

Dimensional Molds: These are molds that create a 3D object, such as a heart shaped pendant, bangle or coaster etc. Latex and Plastic Molds can be purchased for resin casting or you can make your own molds, or use items you have around the home.
Latex molds: These are great to use as the flexibility of them means you can literally POP out your resin cast. You may need to experiment with your resin as some resins require a little extra hardener to cure in a latex mold due to the fact that the temperature of the resin is effected because of the latex.

Plastic molds: You can use store bought chocolate molds, specific pendant molds or other similar molds. again these are great to use due to the flexibility.

Home molds: Ice cube trays work well for pendants, chocolate box inlays are a great source of small rounded molds. You can use any durable (heat proof) plastic item you find in your home. You can also use inflexible molds that can be cut or broken away from the casting, such as a glass jar or plastic lunch container.

Mold Release: If you are using a flexible mold there really is not need to add a mold release agent. However a perfect inexpensive release agent is spray cooking oil. Simply give your mold a quick spray and wipe over and it's ready to use.

Flat Objects: You can also pour your resin over flat objects such as scrabble pieces, decorated coasters, trays and flat jewelry pieces.

How to mix: Your resin will come with it's very own set of instructions which you should follow strictly. Basically you will measure the two parts (as per the instructions provided on your product) together and then pour into your mold.

For mixing and measuring use baking spoons and measuring jugs as these will give you an accurate measurement. Wipe out your measuring tools after each use, making sure you have separate tools for the resin and hardener parts.

Plastic disposable bowls, spoons or cups work well as you can discard them after each use. Do not over mix or your resin will be filled with air bubbles. Let your resin rest for a few moments before pouring to avoid extra air.

Air Bubbles: Can be gently tapped out or use a straw and your warm breath to blow over the bubble, this disperses the soft resin and releases the air trapped underneath the surface. Larger projects use a warm setting on your hair dryer or embossing gun.

Embedding items: You can embed all sorts of items to make your resin exciting, from plastic toys to coins, dried foliage and even cake sprinkles.

Photos and Images: Photos and images can easily be embedded into your resin, it is advised to coat your image and photo with a sealer first to prevent the ink dyes from running in your resin. Using white clear drying craft glue is one way to seal your image, you can also use a spray varnish or other archival sealer. Make sure it is completely dried before pouring.

Cleanup: If you have spilled your image, use a acetone cleaner, such as nail varnish remover or a methylated spirits before it cures. Cured resin can be chipped away with knifes or chisels. The easiest way to clean up resin is not to spill it in the first place.

Strawberry Pie Pattern

Digi Scrapbooking Tag

The Bunny is Close

This was made by

http://paperpunchaddiction.blogspot.com/

She used a cone design and dolled up for a great carrot cone worthy of any Easter tree

While your at her blog be sure to check out here list of easy to follow tutorials on the right hnd side.

Her Tutorial Is found HERE

Oringinal cone Design Found HERE

How to Quilt a Card

Great tutorial with instuctions and photos .

This pretty card can be found HERE

with all the instuctions needed yo make it

Satained Glass Cookies

Stained Glass Tulip Cookies
From Woman's Day Magazine 2009

INGREDIENTS
3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp each ground ginger and vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
4 cups all-purpose flour
30 lollipop sticks

About 50 assorted colors Life Savers or Jolly Ranchers hard candies, each color crushed separately
PREPARATION

1. Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. On low speed beat in next 5 ingrdients to combine. Gradually beat in flour until blended.
2. Divide dough in half; shape each into a 1-in.-thick disk. Wrap and refrigerate 30 mijnutes, or until firm enough to roll.

3. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets(s) with foil; coat with nonstick spray. Have ready a 3 1/4 x 2 1/2-in. tulip cookie cutter.
4. On lightly floured wax paper, with floured rolling pin, roll out 1 disk dough (keep other refrigerated) to 1/4-in. thick. Cut out tulips. Place 2 in. apart on lined baking sheets, with tops of tulips along long edges of sheet. Insert a lollipop stick in bottom of each. Using a small, pointed knife cut "windows" in tulips. Re-roll and cut scraps twice. Repeat with remaining dough.

5. Bake 1 sheet at a time 8 minutes, or until just barely tinged brown at edges. Using a small spoon, fill cutouts with candy until level with top of dough. Brush off stray bits. Bake 4 minutes, or until candy melts.

6. Cool on sheet on a wire rack 7 to 10 minutes until "glass" cools and hardens. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Not Chirstmas Already ?

Now I know we are a few months away from the Christmas holiday .

But these are such  lovely things to look at.

A detailed picture tutorial with a few others is found  HERE

Wonderful paper photos and ideas

http://quillcottage.blogspot.com/

The Lace Bird Tutorial

Wonderful tutorial found HERE

This cute bird has eas to folloew well planned instructions

Check out the rest of the blog at "

http://judyhartman.blogspot.com/

Swedish Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Cabbage Rolls


INGREDIENTS

1 egg
1/4 teaspoon curry
1 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2/3 cup 1/2 and 1/2 cream
½ pound ground beef
½ pound ground pork
¾ cup cooked rice
6 large cabbage leaves
1 (10-3/4 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice

In a large bowl combine egg, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, onion, and milk; mix well. Add ground beef, ground pork, and cooked rice; mix together well.
Immerse cabbage leaves in boiling water for 3 minutes or just until limp; drain. Slit the heavy center vein of leaf about 2-½ inches, depending on size of leaf.
Place ½ cup meat mixture on each leaf; fold in sides and roll ends over meat.
Place rolls in 12 x 7-½ x 2-inch baking dish.
Blend together soup, brown sugar, and lemon juice; pour over cabbage rolls.
Bake in moderate oven, 350 degrees, for 1-¼ hours. Baste once or twice with sauce.
Note to spice up add 1 chopped bell pepper to sauce and a dash of hot sauce any will do.

Makes 6 servings

Quilling an Easter Basket Tutorial find

This darling is made of just paper and with a very crafty lady.

Her detailed instructions with photos are very easy to follow.

Tutorial found HERE

quilledcreations.com

Chocolate bundt Recipe and Card

Copy ,save and print

Cleaning and Caring for Birdfeeders

If you enjoying feeding backyard birds, cleaning and maintaining your birdfeeders is an important part of keeping your feathered friends safe and healthy. Wild birds prefer fresh, mold-free birdseed and a safe and convenient place to feed. Clean and well-maintained feeders not only attract more birds, they also reduce the risk of disease.

Wood Feeders
It's common for wooden feeders to weather and fade over the years. It is not necessary to treat wood feeders with products; however, if you wish to maintain the appearance of your feeder, you can follow these simple directions.
Redwood or Cedar Feeders:
Feeders made from these materials are ideal for outside use because of their natural resistance to weathering. Under normal conditions, these woods require very little maintenance, however, they will gradually fade in color as they age. If you want to maintain the original color of the wood, give it a coat of non-toxic wood sealer or linseed oil every few years. Make sure you apply it to the outside area of the feeder only and not to the eating surface of the bird feeders. There are a wide variety of soy-based non-toxic wood sealers currently on the market. If you can't find one locally, check out Green Builder's Supply on the web.
Pine Feeders:
Pine feeders also weather nicely, but will fade with time. Again, apply a non-toxic wood sealer or linseed oil as needed. If your feeder needs repainting, remove any loose paint flakes and sand the birdfeeder lightly. Repaint with an eco-friendly paint rated for outdoor use. Make sure the paint you use does not contain lead, zinc, or chromate.

As with all wooden feeders, inspect them for protruding nails and sharp points or edges each time you fill them with seed. Small cuts and scratches on feet and toes can quickly lead to infections.
Copper Feeders
Copper is highly resistant to corrosion, and if not preserved, acquires a beautiful green patina over time. Copper cleaners are considered toxic to birds, so if you want to restore the copper to its original luster, try one of these non-toxic recipes:
Non-Toxic Copper Cleaner:
Mix 2 tablespoons salt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Rub with sponge and allow to dry. Rinse with hot water and dry with a soft cloth. Or, apply a paste of lemon juice and cream of tartar and leave on for 5 minutes. Wash in warm water and dry with a soft cloth.
Keeping Feeders Clean
Cleaning your bird feeders regularly year round is important for the health of the birds.All you really need is a pair of rubber gloves, hot water, scent-free liquid dish soap, a scrub brush, and some white distilled vinegar. Fill a sink or tub with hot soapy water and let the feeder soak in it for 10 or 15 minutes to loosen up any caked-on debris. After soaking, give the feeder a good scrubbing, then rinse well and let it air dry. For tough jobs, refill with clean water and 4 cups of vinegar. Let the feeder soak for 1 hour. Rinse thoroughly and let it air dry.
Hummingbird Feeders:
Because hummingbird feeders are filled with a sugar solution, they need to be cleaned more frequently than other types of feeders. This chore is much easier if you start out with a feeder that has parts that are easy to disassemble and clean (stick it in the dishwasher!). Every time you refill your feeder with nectar, wash it out with hot water (no soap). Use small bottle brushes, toothbrushes, pipe cleaners, or cotton swabs to clean visibly dirty nectar ports. Adding a few rice grains or course salt and lemon juice can also be useful scrubbing agents for hard to reach places. Make sure you rinse everything thoroughly. How often you change the nectar depends on the weather.
Temperatures in the 70s = once per week.
Temperature in the 80s = every 3-4 days.
Temperatures in the 90s = every 1-2 days.
At least once a month soak the feeder in full-strength white distilled vinegar and clean with a bottle brush. Rinse well with warm running water. Evidence suggests that using bleach to clean plastics containing polycarbonates (like those found in some feeders) can accelerate the leeching of bisphenol A (BPAs). It's not yet known if this is harmful to birds, but it's better to be safe than sorry and avoid using bleach.

Great Advanced Card Tutorial Find

This is an advanced card

Called girl on a swing.

This blog has video card tutorials and cute tips to follow for the avid card maker .

Great card and wonderful gift to anyone.

Check out the tutorial HERE

Toby Jug Crochet Pattern

This old pattern is from the 1940s

A toby Jug Potholder.

If you can not copy and save the pattern you can email me and I will send a file over to you.

Printable Recipe cards