Welcome to Alice's World

The purpose of this blogsite is to bring glory to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. There will be many different topics discussed, so hopefully you will enjoy your visit with me. Some of the topics may be very controversial, while others may be the normal stuff everybody already knows a little about. Because I am a Christian as well as an herbal enthusiast and also grow and am always learning about organic gardening and heirloom seeds and plants, I believe in going to what I believe to be the "book of books," meaning the Authorized King James Version of 1611 Bible, for most of the things discussed here. The things mentioned will be involving these topics. Of course, from time to time you may see pictures of my family (my grown children and my grandchildren as well as my other half, i.e.HUSBAND), but for now I would just like to say THANKS for joining me!







Monday, June 6, 2011

June Newsletter

June, 2011

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herbs for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth...


  Chamomile                       Yarrow               Lemon Balm

From The Herb Patch

Howdy once again!
This month I decided to focus on three basic herbs that are easy to grow and are effective for the vast majority of people when used as simple teas, poultices or salves. All three of these herbs I grow myself, so I have learned first hand that they are indeed very easy to grow. The following information has been taken from the magazine The Herb Companion:
GROW A MEDICINAL HERB GARDEN
By Steven Foster

Save time and money by stocking your backyard or windowsill gardens with five basic medicinal herbs. These superstars will treat common ailments such as colds and flu inflammation, minor cuts, infections, pain, muscles spasms, anxiety, poor digestion and insomnia.

Growing medicinal herbs may seem difficult, and preparing teas or tinctures from them might appear complicated and time-consuming, but the truth is you don’t have to be a skilled gardener to grow a few basic medicinal herbs successfully or be a trained pharmacist to easily prepare them for use. In the process, you may save some money and enjoy yourself.

Five Basic Herbs
There are many easy-to-grow, easy-to-use herbs that you can harvest and prepare to treat minor illnesses. Every medicinal garden should include chamomile, yarrow, lemon balm, echinacea and peppermint.

*A note from Alice: Since I have already in previous issues talked about two of these five herbs, I will focus on the other three.

Chamomile: Gentle Yet Powerful
Many Europeans and Americans enjoy chamomile tea, which is made from the dried or fresh flowers of the annual German or Hungarian chamomile. Roman or English chamomile, the flower of the perennial, is seldom sold in the United States for medicinal use, although it is commonly grown in herb gardens. German and Roman chamomile flowers may be used interchangeably.
People have used chamomile tea for centuries as a gentle sleep aid (particularly for children), as well as to ease digestion, promote urination and relieve colic. They also used chamomile tea to wash wounds and sores. Today, the pharmacopoeias (official authorities) of 26 countries approve it to treat inflammation, infection, colic, muscle spasms and tension. All uses except sedative claims have been confirmed by recent research.
German chamomile is easily grown from seed. The daisy like flowers usually appear within six weeks of planting, so you often can make two plantings in a single growing season. It does best in cooler climates; in the South, it quickly bolts and shrivels under the intense summer sun. German chamomile likes a neutral to slightly acidic, well-drained sandy loam and full sun. Plants self-sow freely, so you’ll probably not need to plant it again after the first season. During the several weeks in which chamomile blooms, you can make several pickings. Spread the flowers in a basket in a warm, dark place to dry.
Making tea with flowers picked from the garden couldn’t be easier. Just pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 heaping teaspoon dried flowers, steep, covered, for 10 minutes, then strain into a cup. Sip a cup of tea three to four times a day to relieve an upset stomach or drink a cup to relax before going to bed.
Note: Those allergic to the pollen of other aster family members such as ragweed may also be allergic to chamomile.
*A note from Alice:
I usually gather chamomile on our nearby roadside, but had become concerned about pesticides, etc. being sprayed on that area. Last year I noticed a few chamomile plants around our garden area and worried that they would be cut down this year. So, I prayed a little prayer about this situation. After my husband tilled one of our garden spots and left it alone for a while, I find that the Lord has given me a whole garden patch full of chamomile. The plants from last year some how reseeded themselves. This is another reason why you would want to use heirloom seeds and save them. They do sometimes reseed themselves, hybrids will not grow the same from year to year. Thank you, Lord!

Yarrow: First Aid in the Garden
Yarrow, another member of the aster family, is known to many as a perennial weed that grows wild along roadsides, meadows and dry wastelands throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Yarrow contains more than 120 other chemical components, some of which have been shown to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms and relieve pain. Others are believed to ease digestion, calm anxiety, treat baldness and relieve hypertension.
Nearly all yarrows require no care, remain pest-free and are winter-hardy in Zones 3 through 9. As a garden subject, it’s an attractive, 3-foot-tall herb whose stems and ferny leaves are covered with wooly hairs. Flat or round-topped clusters of white or pale, lilac-pink flowers bloom from June through September. Plants are easily grown from seed or propagated by dividing the roots in the spring or fall. Yarrow adapts well to many soil types but thrives in moderately rich soil in full sun. Harvest the stalks when in full bloom and hang to dry.
I use yarrow as a garden first-aid station. Whenever I cut myself while working outdoors, I wash the cut thoroughly (yarrow doesn’t inhibit the growth of bacteria), then crush some yarrow leaves or flowers in the palm of my hand, and apply them to the cut. Yarrow can also be used in a salve or poultice for minor cuts and wounds. The bleeding usually stops immediately. Infuse the summer blooms for a refreshing skin toner or a cleansing hair rinse. Dried yarrow flowers look stunning in herbal arrangements.
To make a yarrow tea, pour a cup of boiling water over 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried herb and steep, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes, then sip. Drink three cups per day to treat colds and early fevers. Yarrow is not considered toxic, but some people may have an allergic reaction to it.
*A note from Alice
I can attest for the fact that yarrow is easy to grow. I started some a couple years back out in the garden from seed and it grew well there until I decided to move it to an herb garden I started with lavender, thyme, rosemary, and sage. I put it in the shade near an oak tree and it is doing well. I have not had any allergic reaction to any of the herbs I have written about. And after all my reading and studying about herbs I didn’t fully realize the potential of this herb. It is also one of the ingredients in Me Me’s Superblast!

Lemon Balm: A Tasty Healer
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a favorite of bees, as its generic name attests: Melissa is Greek for “bee.” Popular among herbalist for 2,000 years, this lemon-scented perennial member of the mint family is also high in essential oil content. It is native to the Mediterranean region, western Asia, southwestern Siberia and northern Africa, but it is widely naturalized in North America.
Traditionally, lemon balm has been used to reduce fevers and treat colds by inducing sweating; calming the digestive tract; relieving spasms related to cramps and headaches; and overcoming insomnia. Recent research has confirmed lemon balm’s ability to calm anxiety, relieve spasms, and inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria. The German government allows preparations of lemon balm to be labeled as treatments for insomnia related to nervous conditions and gastrointestinal spasms. A slightly sprawling herb growing to 2 feet high, lemon balm is easy to grow from seeds sown in the spring or early fall. It is hardy in Zones 4 through 9. A fertile, moist soil is ideal. Lemon balm tolerates a wide rand of acidity, likes a cool habitat; if grown in full sun, lemon balm may wilt during hot, dry spells. Plants grown under shade tend to be larger and more succulent than those grown in direct sun. It can be invasive, so prune off the flowering tops before they go to seed.
Lemon balm is a great medicinal herb to grow yourself because it is more effective when used fresh or freshly dried. Harvest it just as the plant comes into bloom. Lemon balm is easy to dry but loses much of its scent upon drying. The fresh leaves make a refreshing tea. Pour a cup of boiling water over a small handful of fresh leaves (or 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaves) and steep, covered, for 10 minutes. It is delicious either hot or iced.
*A note from Alice
I have had lemon balm growing in a “circle” patch for a few years and it is easy to grow. When picked fresh it has a delicious lemony aroma and when crushed or made into oil, it can be used to rub on the skin to repel mosquitoes. I have done this, so I know it works. It is also used when dried to rub on salmon or any fish dish (no rhyme intended).J

A note about Me Me’s Butt Salve
My granddaughter Ariel just informed me the other day that she had a mosquito and/or chiggar bite on her leg that no matter what she did, it would not stop itching. So, she got a wise idea and tried some of the salve on it. Guess what! No more itching. She said, “Guess what Me Me? I thought the other day about running an ad in the newspaper about your “Butt Salve” and how good it is for stopping itching.” I have decided after much research to add the herb comfrey to the next batch of salve. I will write more about this later.
It is not my intention to embarrass myself or anyone else over the name of this salve. So, if you decide to purchase this or already have some, feel free to stick something over the name on the label and ask the Lord why He told me to name it this!!  J
CLEAN SHAVEN AND CHEMICAL-FREE
by Janice Cox
Since June is the month for Father’s Day, I thought it a good idea to write something that most men would appreciate.
Shaving products have gotten more sophisticated, but little has changed when it comes to the daily ritual of shaving: removing hair from the face with a sharp blade and then soothing the skin with a splash of cold water or aftershave. Fresh herbs such as rosemary, sage, and yarrow are well-suited for masculine tastes. They are all naturally antiseptic and cleansing to the skin. Yarrow in particular is a good choice to use in male product recipes as it is healing, cleansing and astringent. Follow these simple shaving tips for a closer, more comfortable experience:



*  Always shave in the direction of hair growth. Shaving against the growth can cause ingrown hairs and skin irritation.
*  Before shaving, soften the beard with warm water or a hot towel.
*  Don’t shave the same area over and over; this can be irritating and can damage new skin cell growth.




*  Use a gentle facial scrub once a week to remove dead skin and ingrown hairs. Try mixing a teaspoon or two of cornmeal, ground nuts or oatmeal into your favorite cleanser or soap while washing your face.
*  Rinse razor blades well after each use and replace often. Allow your razor to air dry to avoid the chance of bacteria growing.

Here are a few all-natural recipes for you to make at home using botanical ingredients. They also make great gifts when wrapped up with a new razor. Enjoy!

Olive Oil Shaving Cream
The addition of olive oil to this recipe helps create a rich, moisturizing cream. For an even better (and less irritating) shave, shower beforehand to let the stream soften hairs. Stearic acid powder is found in some drugstores and pharmacies or chemical suppliers.
¼ cup stearic acid powder         1 teaspoon borax                                          1 cup hot water
2 tablespoons olive oil                2 tablespoons grated mild soap
ŒOn the stove top gently heat stearic acid powder and olive oil until just melted. Remove from heat and continue to stir until you have a clear liquid.
In a separate container, mix together hot water, borax and soap, and stir until the soap is completely dissolved.
ŽPour the soap solution into a blender or food processor and blend for a few seconds. Slowly pour the stearic acid and oil mixture into the soap solution and continue to blend on high until you have a smooth, creamy mixture.
Spoon into a clean container. To use : Soften your beard with warm water and then smooth the shaving cream over your face. Use a sharp, clean razor.

Aftershave helps refresh and close your pores after cleansing or shaving. Used as a final facial splash, the combination of herbs in this recipe will help tighten pores and keep your complexion clear. They are naturally antiseptic and cleansing.

Herbal Aftershave
 1 cup witch hazel                         1 teaspoon dried mint              
1 tablespoon dried sage
1 teaspoon dried yarrow               1 bay leaf 
1 tablespoon dried lavender    
ŒMix all ingredients. Pour into a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. Place the jar in a dark cool place for 2 weeks.
At the end of 2 weeks, strain off the liquid and discard any solids; pour into a clean container. After shaving or cleaning your face, pour a small amount into your hands and put on your face.



HAPPY FATHER'S DAY !!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Cleaning Out Clutter

Am I the only one that seems to have endless bouts with clutter. Ever so often I tell myself I am going to work on getting the clutter out of my house, and after many attemps, for some odd reason there always seems to be something else coming in to make more clutter. Now, mind you, I don't just go out and buy things just because I like shopping. I'm really not buying anything, but if you go to the mailbox every day, or some of the good neighbors decide they want to load off their stacks of magazines in order to get rid of the clutter in their homes, guess what, that clutters up the house again. My husband is a good example of bringing in clutter. He has his work stuff, his outside the house "work stuff", and especially all the different tools that he uses while off work, that for some reason all ends up sitting around all weekend. Then there's the garden stuff, that if we could afford an outback shed, we could mysteriously hide most of the clutter that this makes. Then there's those plastic bags you have to put somewhere until you use them or maybe recycle them. I am a firm believer in reusing things. I am not the pack rat type. Some folks are. Although, as I said previously, if I can reuse something, I try to keep it around rather than throwing it in the trash. No, I don't mean that I reuse tin cans, etc. just some things like once used plastic bags, paper bags, newspapers which usually go to the compost pile for mulching or smothering out weeds. I have cloth and old clothes upstairs that I have intended to make skirts for my grandkids....That's a little joke in itself. They tell me they will probably see that next year, right!

All goes on the back burner, because I am inevitably having something else to take care of. It seems that as soon as I get in gear to do things one way, someone in my home comes along and changes their mind and decides that something else should be done. This is especially embarrassing when I have told a person that we have made a decision about something, and within a few hours it could possibly change to another something or nothing at all. So I have decided, if possible, to work within my limitations. Since I have an old back injury, I have to be careful of bending, pushing, standing for long periods, especially on cement; lifting heavy objects;  sitting in certain chairs for long periods. But, most of all I have to be careful not to allow all the "stuff" that inevitably wants to come in my home. Because someone has to pick it up or clean around it. And guess who that is, usually!!! Since the rooms in my house are not large and open, I have to really work on keeping the clutter down in order to enjoy some calmness about me.

The older I get the more I cry out for a large open space with no clutter!!!!

I bought a little book last year while visiting my daughter in the Virginia Beach area entitled 101 Ways to Clean Out the Clutter by Emilie Barnes.  Every now and then I sit that book in view so that I can periodically read it and get motivated to downsize. And it has inevitably done exactly that because I have in the past been able to get rid of things (mainly clothes) by giving to someone who really needs something. And while I'm talking about giving stuff I don't need away, most of the time I do not give anything to the Good Will Store unless I can't do anything else with it. I usually try to find someone who is actually "poor" to give the items to. Most people who think they're poor have the money to go out and buy cigarettes  (at $4 a pack) or get their toenails and fingernails manicured, or have a big screen TV in their house and have a mailing list of DVDs coming into their house along with Internet Service, or they have an accumulation of at least 200-300 DVD collectibles that probably cost at least $10 each if not more, and unlimited Cell Phone paraphanalia...And they have a few dogs in their house that they have to buy dog food for! The list goes on and on...
Are you tired by now...I sure am. I'd much rather spend my money and energy on something eternal.

Until Next Time....

A Vist With Beth

As I stated in the past, I intend to share with my readers some of the information that my daughter Beth has on her blog. She has been doing a lasagna garden for the last couple of years and is finding out that it is much easier to grow than the conventional type like I grow. I wish I had started doing this myself, and hope that some of my readers will have a look at this easy and simple garnening method!

My PhotoFriday, June 3, 2011


The Growing Garden

 More early peas-a mix of Lawson's early pea and snow peas....I have enough seeds saved now to have a good planting in the fall. Because of the great rainfall here in the last few months, everything is so green and growing very well.
Mint coming back in a border garden that we thought had died. It smells good. I'm not sure what I'll end up doing with this border.
 Lasagna gardening is so easy, sometimes I go out and look to see what I can do. Occassionally I pull up a weed or two. I have 5 beds this year, and everything has been growing great. I plan on adding more as time goes on and space permitting. I am also going to work these existing beds with composted materials to make the soil richer.
Another view. I have corn, squash, zucchini, 4 types of beans, about 3 types of tomatoes, cantalope, watermelon, cucumber, and okra. I am not growing a huge amount, but I am using this as a learning process, and seeing what I can grow where. I am going to reseed empty spots as soon as possible.

Growing Chickens

For all of you who may not know it,  Todd and Beth and grandchildren have started raising their own chickens in order for the kids to sell for profits and of course for their own enjoyment. This is a money venture that's going to be used to teach the kids how to be responsible for taking care of the fowl and earn money at the same time. The above picture is one of Texas Leghorns that will lay white eggs. In my research, I found that these chickens lay well in the winter which is a great investment, since most chickens cut back dramatically in their laying eggs in the cold months. Also, they chose these chickens because for some reason, people have a problem buying and eating brown eggs. These chickens have really grown since the last time I was there, Beth!
I am looking forward to getting some of those "healthy" eggs from you and the grandchildren!