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Victory Gardens
Covid-19 gripped the world and brought home the point of knowing, or not-knowing as was the case in the early months, where most of our food supply comes from. 2020 became the year that heralded the return of the Victory Garden. With supply chain interruptions and contamination fears in abundance, it spurred a gardening renaissance akin to that of World War II Victory gardens. During the war years, Americans came together, eager to do their part to support the war effort. Paramount was that our soldiers overseas have a steady supply chain. Items such as eggs, produce, meat, silk stockings-as silk was needed for parachutes- and metal of all kinds…
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Honey
I know that I love honey. It’s just too delicious and its divine in tea. My favorite is orange blossom honey. I ration myself or my consumption can quickly get out of control. There are other uses for honey that may surprise you. Honey, used in personal care, has been a well-kept ‘secret’ for generations. It is actually the oldest skin care ingredient known to man and used by many cultures around the world. Honey in Personal Care Ancient Egyptian women chewed pills made of honey and spices to freshen their breath. They used honey and sodium bicarbonate for vaginal irrigations. Though some success could be attributed to the alkalinity…
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The Tablecloth
In my family, the tablecloth is special. It was always present for important celebrations and holidays- Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and every birthday. Often with matching napkins, the tablecloth set the tone for a happy, festive ocassion. The tablecloth served to frame the meal. An elegant, damask cloth was unfolded, carefully smoothed and arranged over the table. Next, elegant china and silverware were placed around each place setting. As children, we were encouraged to help fold napkins and place them folded edge along the left side of the dinner plates. This small task made us feel important and I think it also helped us to remember the family tradition. Perhaps one…
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Why compost is so good for your soil
Soil needs nutrients and this is one reason why compost is so good for your soil. It provides good bacteria for beneficial insects and is an excellent soil amendment. Green manure Compost consists of organic matter- plant material such as grass clippings, dead leaves, food scraps (no meat or grease) peelings and cores. These are known as ‘green manure’. We’ll get to the other manure in a minute. Add some shredded newspaper and cardboard. That is pretty much your compost ingredient list. Next, we’ll start the decompostion into compost by adding a little water; just enough to moisten not soak. Also known as ‘black gold‘, compost provides rich nutrients that…
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Hanging Laundry in the Fresh Air
Hanging laundry outside in the fresh air says clean and ‘home’. I think it’s satisfying to watch your clothes drying outdoors in the sun. There is something soothing about watching the breeze catch and gently float the clothes. Or to hear the occasional loud ‘flap’ when a strong wind them whips them back and forth. The clothes dryer reliance is largely an American one. In Europe, you will find laundry hung on nearly every balcony of Italian homes. It can be from multiple stationary lines, strung from one side of the balcony to the other. Or ‘Stendibiancheria da balcone‘, a metal frame with lines of plastic covered wire, which juts…
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Comfort Food: Oatmeal
Few things say comfort food better than oatmeal. It warms you up and provides energy to sustain you through mid-day. I like to pack it full of crushed/chopped walnuts and fresh blueberries. Walnuts for a good supply of protein and about 10% of your daily required iron. Blueberries are high in vitamin K, manganese and vitamin C. Blueberries also provide anti-inflammatory benefits. For added richness, I add a pat of butter, some brown sugar and cinnamon. Finish it off with a splash of milk on top. If I feel a chocolate craving coming on, I add some cacao nibs. Yum… For me, traditional oatmeal is better tasting than the instant…
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Spring Garden
The spring garden is beginning to show signs of life again. Spring bulbs that I planted last fall, are poking up through the mulched beds. Perennials are beginning to awaken. My established pots of rosemary, sage and thyme are showing a slight ‘greening up’. I hope their growth doesn’t get too far along since mid-March is notorious for 60 degree days and 30 degree night temps. Indoors, my five-year-old, potted Meyer lemon is responding to a dose of citrus tree fertilizer and is loaded with fragrant blossoms. Because the tree spends more time indoors than out, I use a natural hair paint brush to try and pollinate each blossom .…
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Victory Gardens
