Garden herbs, seeds and rose beads

"The hours when the mind is absorbed by beauty

are the only hours when we really live..."

---Richard Jefferies

If you grow herbs,

and have some sweet woodruff on hand,

you may want to try some

May Wine.

Mountain Rose Herbs has a great recipe ...

http://mountainroseblog.com/wine/

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When I went on the artist retreat

at Shiela's home last month,

she gave me some dwarf canna seeds.

These large seed pods dry up and

are filled with eraser sized black

very hard coated seeds.

Seeds like this have to go through

scarification.

You have to nic or scratch the seed coat

in order for it to germinate.

Another way is to soak the seeds in vinegar

for about 30 minutes.

Both ways worked for me ,

and this is what I have today...

I used an old egg carton, filled it with seed starting mix

and inserted the scarified seeds.

Then I watered it and placed it in a plastic bag.

Now I will separate each sprout,

and place each one in a larger pot.

After they are established

they will go into the ground.

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Have you ever made

Rose Beads?

I made some a few years ago,

but right now I don't have any roses.

I thought you may like to try them.

This was taken from the book

China Bayles' Book of Days

by Susan Wittig Albert

How to make Rose Beads

In a cast iron pan,

put about one quart of fresh rose petals,

finely minced.

Add one cup of water to the minced rose petals

and add a few drops of rose scented oil,

and a few rusty nails.

Simmer for one hour.

Remove from heat,

stir well with a wooden spoon,

and let it stand overnight.

The next day, repeat the simmering process,

adding water if necessary,

until the doughy mixture turns very dark.

Let it stand until it dries to a claylike consistency

 that can be easily molded.

Wet your hands and roll into beads

a little larger than a marble. 

(they will shrink about 50 percent as they dry)

Place on paper towels.

When the beads are partly dry,

thread a large needle with dental floss,

string the beads,

and hang to dry.

Turn beads often to prevent sticking to the floss.

In about a week, your rose beads are ready for their final stringing.

Alternate them with smaller, pretty beads used as spacers.

Add a clasp and store in an airtight container

to preserve the scent.

As you wear them against your skin,

they will warm and give out a sweet fragrance.

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Find new or old ways to use your plants and herbs.

Enjoy the beauty!

It helps you to....

Savor the Day!

Yvonne