Remodeling House

After you make a batch of vanilla sugar from my previous post for cooking and sweet indulgences like tea and coffee, whip up a batch of vanilla facial scrub. It's a mild, sweet smelling scrub that has real benefits. It's all natural, easy to make and effective.

Here's the recipe:

Vanilla and Honey Facial Scrub

1 Cup packed brown sugar
Seeds from half a vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon of real

Vanilla sugar is a neat twist on plain old granulated sugar. It'll boost your morale every time you lift the lid on the pot or dish. It's very simple, too. Another wonderful benefit is that it makes a very nice gift for a favorite cook -- or even just someone who likes trying out new foods.

It's wonderful in coffee or tea, makes a nice sprinkle on cookies or homemade donuts (or cereal), and

We have had the wonderful pleasure of dealing with and observing an abundance of wildlife over the last almost eight years.  Our last house was sandwiched between farmland to the back and natural water to the front as is this house.  However, this house is a bit more rural so we get even more wildlife visits.  When we moved to our last house we noticed swallows building nests under our dock. 

Yes, 3:00am, central time, the alarm will startle me but I will get up to watch the pre-wedding chat shows. It's mass excitement, on the world stage, a time of dreams and fairytales in a 'time' of need.
Before the alarm sounds I am certain to dream of Princes and castles.............









I shall watch the wedding in my 'fascinator'. One can only hope that Princess Beatrice, she of the ridiculous headpieces fame, will show a modicum of restraint. However hat watching is a traditional sport and often the more outlandish the better. Where else is Millinery an in demand profession?

This will do, don't you think?  And I am hoping this is a trend that takes hold here in the US, how fun are these?
Since we were not invited, we can celebrate this happy occasion with the world, indulge our own princess fantasizes from afar and then make reality happen, with reservations...........
                                          
Space is available but filling quickly. So, we are repeating this journey immediately following;
September 9th to September 16th. Space is limited to fourteen.

Eggs are an almost perfect food. They’re inexpensive, low in calories (under 80 and around 17 in an egg white) high in protein (more than six grams), easy to prepare and have a mild flavor that lends itself to lots of dishes.

With the right handling, they can be decadently creamy, and with a little boiling water (and a few minutes), they become the perfect take along food for lunch or a picnic.

Years ago we had the wonderful opportunity to visit Parliament Hill during the spring when the crocuses were in bloom.  There were masses of them.  I immediately fell in love with the look vowing at some point to duplicate it at our home.  That was five houses ago and I still have not done this so it will be priority this fall at our new house.  Essentially what you do is grab a handful of crocus

First Daffodil of 2011April 24, 2011
Look what blessed us with a cheery nod Easter Sunday!  The beautiful bright yellow was a much welcomed sight.  The weather was mild as well just perfect for sitting on the dock enjoying the sights and sounds of the water.  I spent a little time puttering amongst the raised beds as well, prepping one for planting and cleaning debris from the herb bed.  As I

I'm working on Easter baskets and menu items, but I wanted to take the time to wish everyone a good holiday -- whatever you're celebrating -- or just a wonderful spring weekend. I have another mud dauber infestation this spring, but am so happy to be outdoors they don't bother me.

The potatoes, onions, lemon balm, peppermint, lavender, catnip, hyssop, tarragon, asparagus, chives (I also

This Morning's SnowfallApril 18, 2011
We woke to about two inches of snow this morning.  I'm sure the daffodiles and tulips are not appreciating their wintery blanket.  The calendar says it's spring.  By this time last year the weather had been on the warm side enough to be in summer clothes to celebrate a couple of our grandkid's birthdays.  The sun was even warm enough to give that first glow

If you've planted herb seeds this year congratulations. It's a great way to garden. If you haven't but have kids, you should consider doing it one year whether you're into gardening or not -- it might even make you a convert.

Before you grab the scissors and start snipping herbs for tonight's Hamburger Helper, pay attention to these important tips.

Protect Your Tender Herb Seedlings
Seed

Are you still hung up with your taxes? The due date is April 18th this year. When you finally sign on the dotted line, or press enter, head outside for some fresh air -- you'll probably need it. While you're breathing deep and lamenting the current condition of your savings account, take a look around. Isn't life nicer when there's something green to look at? Human beings are conditioned to

Before you use up all your prime garden spots, consider growing these herbs too. They're useful and easy to keep. If you want a versatile herb garden with some surprises, these plants are for you:

Saffron Crocus - Add this one in late summer. Yes, this is the Saffron you pay a fortune for at the store. Start with around 10 bulbs. In three years, you'll have enough for yourself and a little

If you're eyeing those adorable, tiny herb starts at the garden center (in their beguiling little pots), you don't necessarily have to do a research marathon in order to get them installed successfully in your landscape. Although there are some exceptions, herbs aren't persnickety, and they're pretty grateful for anything you can give them. Those picturesque photos of herbs spilling out of old

If you've visited here much, you know I love lavender. Over the years, I've written content about fun things you can do with your lavender harvest (for crafts, cooking and medicinal uses) and also about the literature and interesting history of my purple passion.

Since the lavender growing recap I posted a few days ago was so well received, I thought some of the following posts would make good