Lavender's Garden

I'm Back

2010-10-20T10:59:00.001-07:00

I'm back online now, and wanted to let everyone know I'm OK!

I went thru a year of hell, but now after the Universe has blessed me, will be back for good!

Will be working on a New Web-Store, and have a new name for my local Baking Business

Mountain Season's Sweet Shop, and gearing up for Halloween Sales and looking forward to the Holiday Season!!

I want to thank all of you whom have stuck by me all these months, without your words of encouragement and prayers ect, I dont know what I would have done.

Love to All

Lavender

2010-10-20T10:59:00.000-07:00

Going Offline For Awhile

2010-04-01T17:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends, Followers and Others,

It has almost been a year since I have posted, and with good reason, Alot has happened, and now due to unforeseeable occurrence's, I will be going offline for awhile, as of Friday April 2nd, 2010.

I never dreamed in a million years that I would be Homeless at the age of 50! And so I start a new chapter/adventure in my life! Hopefully this will be a short lived one, and end up being something Positive in the end!

I will try and check in from time to time if I am able.

Wishing Everyone much Love and Blessings

Lavender

FIND SOMETHING NEW ON ETSY

2009-01-18T21:50:00.000-08:00

Something Old and Something New, You never know what you will find on Etsy.
Please check out the following shops taking part in the Neato Stuff Great Marketing Exchange

http://www.mistflowerstudio.etsy.com/
Mixed Media, Mosaics, and art

http://www.retrograndma.etsy.com/
Record Handbags, BOOK Purses, Clocks, Earring Holders

http://www.beadscraftz.etsy.com/
Handmade clay roses & flowers jewelry

http://www.queensnuff.etsy.com/
Variety of Unique Items

http://www.jillredesigns.etsy.com/
Colorful modern jewelry and boxes

http://www.woolies.etsy.com/
Handmade Dolls, Toys and more - Heirloom Quality!

http://www.littleredcottage.etsy.com/
Scrapbook Mini Albums and Fun Embellishments!

Sponsored by www.neatostuff.yuku.com

The Lavender Dragon is front page news!

2008-12-26T09:44:00.000-08:00

Well what a great way to wind up a tough old year: two appearances on the Etsy front page!! Once on Christmas Day and then again on Boxing Day :) 'Thank you' to my friends Maisy and Cyn for including me in their beautiful treasuries that took me to the front page; and thanks also to Etsy admin's HeyMichelle for the opportunity to showcase these wonderful themed treasuries for the Holidays...

That's my hand-dipped incense in the bottom row (above)...

...and that's my organic, wild-crafted catnip in the middle of the second row down!

Many blessings and best wishes to everyone for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year 2009.

BLESSED WINTER SOLSTICE

2008-12-21T01:54:00.000-08:00

I feel Very blessed to have found the Friends and Customers I have here on and off Etsy, for without any of you I would not be here and to be able to have a shop and share my labors of love with the world

And so I send these Wishes out to the Universe on this Solstice Morning.................

Solstice Blessings to All who are in need in One Way or Another.

May the Universe Bless You and Yours, and May Everyone have a Safe and Prosperous New Year.

Special Blessings and Candles Lit For:

1.Those who need Sales

2.Those in need of Jobs

3.Those in need of a Warm Place to be Out of the Storms of Winters Wrath

4.Those who need Companionship during the Holidays, and find themselves Alone, without Family or even a Friend to Celebrate Life with.

5.Compassion, Understanding, and Healing for/to those who have lost loved ones this past year

6.Healing and Positive energies to those who are Ill , Hurting, or in Pain

7.The Power of Positive Thinking to those who Lost Homes, and Jobs these awful months past, that somehow things will only be/get better in 2009

8.Warm Dreams of an Owner and a Home to those FurBabies in shelters this Holiday Season

END OF THE YEAR CLEARANCE SALE

2008-12-11T23:28:00.000-08:00

END OF THE YEAR CLEARANCE

15% OFF YOUR ORDER OF $20 OR MORE

25% OFF YOUR ORDER OR $25 OR MORE

30% OFF YOUR TOTAL ORDER OF $35 OR MORE

40% OFF YOUR ORDER OF $40 OR MORE AND FREE SHIPPING

For the discount Please pay with "other" and wait for a revised invoice from me with your new total.

Put "CLEARANCE" in the comments box at checkout for the DISCOUNT.

Every Purchase will be entered into a Drawing for $25 Gift CertDrawing held on Dec 15th

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5158752

HOLIDAY SHIPPING CUT OFF DATES USA DEC 15TH

DEC 18TH WITH PRIORITY MAIL

INTERNATIONAL DEC 13TH WITH PRIORITY MAIL

$13.00 FOR UP TO 1 AND 1/2 POUND PKG

20 HOLIDAY SHOPPING DAYS LEFT DONT MISS THESE GREAT DEALS IN MY ETSY SHOP!!

2008-12-05T04:34:00.000-08:00

HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA SALE

Mens and Womens Sprays buy 1 get 1 half off

Sachets buy 1 Set get the 2nd set half off

Tinctures Buy 1 Get 1 half off

Teas and Incense 15% off

Gift Baskets 25% off

Or choose to get 25% off your total order of $25 or more

For the discount Please pay with "other" and wait for a revised invoice from me with your new total.

Put "HOLIDAYS" in the comments box at checkout for the 25% off.Every Purchase will be entered into a Drawing for $25 Gift CertDrawing held on Dec 15th

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5158752

HOLIDAY SHIPPING CUT OFF DATES USA DEC 15TH 1ST CLASS SHIPPING
DEC 18TH WITH PRIORITY MAIL OR ANOTHER CARRIER OF YOUR CHOICE

INTERNATIONAL DEC 13TH WITH PRIORITY MAIL $13.00 FOR UP TO 1 AND 1/2 POUND PKG OR ANOTHER CARRIER OF YOUR CHOIC

BLACK FRIDAY SALE

2008-11-25T14:20:00.000-08:00

HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING

BLACK FRIDAY SALE
Now thru Dec 1st

Mens and Womens Sprays buy 1 get 1 half off

Sachets buy 1 get 1 half off

Tinctures Buy 1 Get 1 half off

Teas and Incense 15% off

Gift Baskets 25% off

Or choose to get 25% off your total order of $20 or more

For the discount Please pay with "other" and wait for a revised invoice from me with your new total.
Put "Black Friday" in the comments box at checkout for the 25% off.
Every Purchase will be entered into a Drawing for $25 Gift CertDrawing held on Dec 1st http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5158752

Fun and Unique Etsy Shop

2008-11-24T07:05:00.000-08:00

GlitterStar is my pic for the day
Stop by this Fun and Unique shop for that hard to find gift for the Teenage girl you need to find a gift for. A Fun selection of Button and other Jewelry to choose from.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5164070

More Holiday Shopping In Etsy Shops

2008-11-20T02:02:00.000-08:00

More Fabulous Shop Finds on Etsy for those hard to find gifts and those hard to shop for Family Members and Friends

www.shupg.etsy.com

SHUP(G) (pronounced "shoop". G can be silent, or not! Whatever hits you at that time :D) sells handmade NECKLACES and ACCESSORIES (including earrings, brooches and rings

www.littlepinkplum.etsy.com

Little Pink Plum carries a variety of pocket mirrors & magnets, plus wood tile and scrabble tile necklaces made with pretty papers and high quality images.

So Stop by and check out these shops, and find the perfect Handmade Holiday Gifts!

Another Great Shop on Etsy

2008-11-18T17:48:00.000-08:00

Need supplies? This shop is full of them!

www.renewedresources.etsy.com

They even have a Special going on right now, so stop by and have a look around
Im sure they have something you just cant leave without

Helping Fellow Etstians One Shop at a Time

Wow I Won An Award!

2008-11-17T18:17:00.000-08:00

I won the Marie-Antionette Real Person Real Award Today

and this is whom I recieved it from

http://www.auntjanecan.blogspot.com/

And this is her Etsy Shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5955973

I am Honored and Humbled to recieve this Award

Thank you so much Aunt Jane.

NEW ADVERTISING - NEW SHOPS

2008-11-17T12:56:00.000-08:00

I have joined a New Advertising Campaign and will be featuring a New shop everyday of the week in hopes to get some shop names out there and generate some Holiday Sales for Fellow Etsy members.

Todays Shop is http://www.zeba.etsy.com/

A Wonderful selection of Jewelry finds in this shop, so if your in the holiday Jewelry mood for gift giving, Please stop by this shop.

MY NEWEST PROJECT

2008-11-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

I believe wholeheartedly in Recycling, and am constantly taking old things and turning them into useful sometimes almost new items. I will be the first to stop along side the road and pick something up if I feel its fixable, especially in this day and age when somethings are expensive especially if you are on a fixed or limited income.

Anyway Todays project is from something the office here at my Apt complex disposed of, they are always throwing away good reusable things.

Someone had taken a large Dry Erase Board and put masking tape all over it, Im still trying to figure out why? I can see them wanting to make seperate boxes for whatever reason but why not just draw them on?????

Anyway there is this Wonderful stuff called Goo Gone, it's great for removing sticky residue on things such as gummy residue from labels, tape, stickers, ect.

Well I couldnt finds my bottle of it, so I useed the Carpet Goo Gone instead, same affects only the stuff in the bottle is thicker, and would have saturated it better. I also couldnt find my single edged razor blades, so I used a very paring knife that I have for projects.

I had to soak it pretty good as the tape was really old and really stuck to the board. As you can see it is working......................To Be Continued

BLOG POLL AND GIVEAWAY

2008-11-07T07:51:00.000-08:00

With Christmas only 42 days away, I wanted to find out what kinds Cologne and Body Spray Natural Scents people liked. And as a prize, I will give away a Tea Basket for 2 and a Sample of the Winning entry.

How To Enter and Win:

Post a comment here on my blog with your choice of a Natural Scent that you would like me to offer in my shop, and a Name to go with it.

Choose either a Cologne for Men or Body Spray/Spritz for Women, only 1 entry per person,

We will choose 2 Winners 1 from each catagory.

I will post the Winner Here, so be sure and check back.

It cannot be a Designer Scent

We will be looking for the Most Creative and Unique Scent or Scent Combination and Name

There are Alot of Natural Essential Oils and Herbs out there to choose from or make combinations of.

I have a panel of 4 people and myself to be judges and will choose the Winner on November 22nd, the Winners will be Posted Here on my blog on November 23rd.

Good Luck to Everyone

Blessings

Lavender

http://www.lavenderdragonherbs.net

DO YOU TWITTER?

2008-11-05T15:22:00.000-08:00

Do you use Twitter? if so what do you use it for?

I use it as a way to Advertise my Etsy shop http://twitter.com/LavenderDragon

And now Twitter has a Directory where you can list your shop or business

Join the Twitterectory! A voluntary directory of Twitter users!http://www.twitterectory.com

Everyone is Twittering and Twitterpated are You?

NOVEMBER SALE AND GIVE AWAY

2008-11-05T02:48:00.000-08:00

For the Whole Month of November Im having a Sale in My Etsy Shop

Spend $25 or more and recieve a free set of Sachets or a Room/Antibacterial 4 oz spray for free.

Spend $30 or more and recieve and 8 oz Room/AntiBacterial Spray for Free

Buy a 4 oz Mens Cologne and recieve a 4 oz Womens Body Spray for Free

Buy Any set of Sachets and get another Sachet Free

Buy 1 Tincture at Regular price and get the 2nd one 1/2 off

Or get 25% off your total order

Please check my Shops Policies Page for Holiday Order Deadlines, to make sure we can get your packages to you in time for your gift giving, or Just have us Ship Direct to the Recipient.

For the discount Please pay with "other" and wait for a revised invoice from me with your new total.
Put "November Sale" in the comments box at checkout for the 25% off.

Every Purchase will be entered into a Drawing for $25 Gift Certificate Drawing held on Dec 1.

NEW BODY SPRAYS AND SPRITZ'S:

FAIRY SPIRIT BODY SPRITZ
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16919052

ELFLING LEMON ROSE BODY SPRITZ
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16921676

BLK CHERRY FAIRY BODY SPRAY
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16919961

NEW COLOGNES FOR MEN:

BAY RUM
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16779184

GALANT KNIGHT COLOGNE
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16270642

MERLIN'S APPRENTICE
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16270532

HELPING THOSE IN NEED

2008-11-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

From My Friend Maisy H's Blog, I have her permission to post this here too
Please Help if you can:

What can you do to help those in need?
When I logged into Etsy over my cereal bowl this morning, I found that one of my HOST buddies had linked another thread into our HOST chat thread. She said there were lots of sellers in need posting, so I went to check it out figuring ok, I don't really have much spare cash but I can at least bump it for them... (the thread is linked at the end of this post).Well a couple of sniffs later, I found myself feeling thoroughly depressed by the number of folk in so much financial and personal difficulty; it's awful year round but somehow it seems worse at this time of year, especially if kids are involved... I only just had the thought yesterday: "OMGosh, Christmas is literally around the corner now!"Then I got to thinking well, I can't buy everything from everyone, and I can bump the thread to try and help get these shops noticed but well, I'd like to try and do more... So here's the plan. It's just a little plan and I can't guarantee it will work but we don't know until we try - and you can get involved with no cost to yourselves other than a little time and effort for people who will really appreciate it.GET BLOGGING:
Most of you readers and Etsians have blogs, so start running a 'help' feature. Even if you just choose one shop, or one item from a few shops and blog it, you might help those guys towards some much needed sales.
Start a little 'help' section in your sidebars: add a few Etsy minis for shops that really NEED the exposure!
Tell your friends and readers about these guys and link the Etsy thread(s) for them to read and scroll through the different shops. We all have different tastes and wishlists: chances are your pals will find items they won't be able to resist!

ON ETSY:
Stalk those treasuries! Not just the main treasury but the treasury west too! Forget just making pretty ones in perfect coordinated colours, or clever choices of unusual things from your favourites: just pick shops who are in need!! If you run out of shops from the forum thread(s) that inspired this, go to POUNCE and pick only stores that are waiting for their first sale!
Tell your Street Teams! Get your team-mates on board - get them bumping threads; get them treasury stalking, get them blogging this too!
Add even one shop referral to your shop announcements - just pick one seller that is in need so your own buyer traffic will see it.

PROJECT WONDERFUL:
Have you got FREE ad spaces? Invite bids from sellers in need.
If they don't have ads they can use, can you spend a few minutes turning their avatars into ads for them while they go open their PW accounts and bid?

CHARITY:
Do you donate to childrens' charities for Christmas? Well our Etsians in need have kids... give to them!
Do you donate to animal charities? These Etsians have beloved pets that need feeding and caring for too! And don't forget, you can choose AWBAR and EFA on Etsy for your donations or purchases!

Do you donate to medical charities? These Etsians have serious illnesses - or their children or other family members do - and they are struggling with medical bills. Why not donate to them through purchases from their shops? Remember, there are Etsians who support charities by donating part of their shop sales proceeds... search them out on Etsy and shop, shop, SHOP!!!

We see so many discussion in the forums about how Etsy doesn't advertise itself and how it relies on US to promote it to help ourselves... Well let's pull together now and help promote each other! We are a pretty big team of creative people - I'm sure there will be others out there who will get to thinking what they can do to bring a little festive cheer to those in need. What is that expression about "six degrees of separation"? Well, let's apply it to Etsy for the holidays and see what we can achieve.

My next stop is to post a forum thread on Etsy where you can all post to let everyone know a) what are you doing to help? and b) if you were able to make a purchase from one of these sellers in difficulty, come show us what you bought, so we can all cheer for you and the seller :) And one more thing: when you post in the new thread, let everyone know if you are open to TRADES. People have few resources but they may happen to have just the thing you need, so be open minded about approaching your Christmas shopping this year and consider trades!Here is the thread that inspired this post: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5886701And here is my new thread where you can come let us know what you are doing to help: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5887805Thank you all so much for reading all this and thank you even more for anything you do to help these guys out :)

snopes.com: Pirate's Gold Chocolate Coin Recall

2008-10-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

snopes.com: Pirate's Gold Chocolate Coin Recall

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

2008-10-23T17:28:00.000-07:00

Wow how Magnificent! And what an Extremely gifted and Talented artist to have put all that time and hard work into a costume for her child! I am totally blown away by all the little details and detailing that was done by hand. I would never have the patience to take on such a task.

Some people are just born with talent, and it really shows here in this piece.

And what a Lovely and Precious little model to boot!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Please stop by and checkout all the hard work that went into this dress/costume

Brand new MEN'S RANGE!!

2008-10-18T09:11:00.000-07:00

Well, here they are: my first products for MEN!!! Now the man in your life won't feel left out... These items would also make great gifts items, given that Christmas is fast approaching!

'Merlin's Apprentice' men's cologne - 4 ounce spray bottle for $12 (8oz bottle also available).

All natural, wonderfully fresh and invigorating woodsy scent, made with fresh wildcrafted and organic herbs - contains no alcohol.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16270532

'Dragon's Infusion' tea for men - a 2 ounce packet for $12 (makes 10 to 14 cups).

This men's health tea is an all natural, caffeine-free, blend of herbs and spices that will help the man in your life to relax and de-stress after that long day at work...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16275411

'Gallant Knight' men's cologne - 4 ounce spray bottle for $14 (larger 8oz bottle also available).

A down to earth, all natural, fresh, citrus blend of herbs - the perfect scent for men.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16270642

When you try these items for your guy, please do come back and leave feedback for me - as well as your ideas or suggestions for any more additions to the range! I want to hear from you :)

Blessings,

Lavender

New scented sachets - LEMON VERBENA

2008-10-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

My new lemon verbena sachets are just perfect to have around the home, in closets, cupboards, drawers, even in your car this season. The scent is wonderful: fresh aromatic, and uplifting! This scent has wide appeal, so these sachets would make a lovely gift or stocking stuffer for the festive season...

Two 1.5 ounce sachets for $12
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16270711

A great friend - and an Etsy shop owner...

2008-10-18T07:02:00.000-07:00

I want to give a shout out to a Very Special Friend, fellow Etsyian and Hostie Maisyh. She has been there for me through thick and thin, good times and bad times, and never asks anything in return. She is what a true friend means and those are almost a dying breed these days. No matter what I have needed, she has been there - whether it be a question about something, or if I need help with my blog! In fact my new-look blog was all her doing! Doesnt it look Smashing!?

Anyway, please help me show her some love and visit her blog:
http://www.teaandjewels.blogspot.com/

And check out her Etsy Shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5793841

She make gorgeous jewelry and does custom orders... Stop by her shop today for some lovely holiday gifts for your loved ones!

Blessings,
Lavender

Scrumptious new teas

2008-10-18T06:16:00.000-07:00

I have been super busy harvesting, researching, tasting and experimenting with different combinations to come up with some new tea blends for the Fall/Winter season and I am very excited to reveal that several new teas are available in my Etsy shop! Let me introduce them...

'Dragons Vitamin C' tea - 2 ounce packet for $12 (makes 10 to 14 cups).

Just what you need for the approaching cold weather! This blend is packed with herbs that will activate and build your immune system - keeping colds and flu at bay.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16270404

This is my 'Nervous Gnome' blend - a 2 ounce packet for $12 (makes approx 10 to 14 cups).

This tea will help to calm nerves; lift depression; relax you; and help you to sleep.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16270754

This is my new 'Autumn Dreams' tea - a 2 ounce packet for $12 (makes approx 10 to 14 cups).

This is a rich, strong blend of China black tea with herbs and spices.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16276420

This is my 'Fairies Fibro' tea - a 3 ounce package for $20 (makes 15 to 18 cups).

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16270936

I am especially excited about this tea! After two years of research I have finally come up with this blend for those who suffer from chronic pain. It will help alleviate fibromyalgia, neuralgia, migraines, stabbing nerve pain, and other debilitating, chronic forms of pain. It also helps with insomnia and contains herbs that are anti-inflammatories, and anti-spasmodics.

Ahh... 'Chocolate Fairy Fantasy' tea - a 2 ounce packet for $13 (makes 10 to 14 cups).

This is a wonderful blend of decadent chocolate and aromatic mint - perfect for Winter evenings, though just as delicious cold!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16277055

As with all of my teas, it is important that you read the descriptions in my Etsy store carefully as they include important advice since some of my teas can not be taken in combination with certain prescribed medications. If in doubt, please just contact me through the store, and I will be happy to offer a free consultation, advise you, and put together a compatible blend for you.

NEWSFLASH - Trunk Show

2008-10-14T12:49:00.000-07:00

As you know, I am a member of the Etsy Helping Others Street Team - HOST - and I just wanted to let my readers know about the next HOST event (see below).

Join us if you can - and if you feel the urge for retail therapy, you may be interested to know that 10% of any members' sales on the night will be donated to HOST and used to help Etsians in need :)

OCTOBERFEST SALE

2008-10-06T23:35:00.000-07:00

*** OCTOBERFEST SALE ***

6 Oct through 31 Oct

Buy any 25 pk incense and get a 4 stick sample pk FREE
Buy 1 - any tea - and get 1 extra ounce FREE
Buy 1 dog or cat sachet and get 1 extra FREE
Buy a set of moth sachets and get 1 extra sachet FREE
25% off all gift baskets
15% off all tinctures
10% off all other items in my shop
Each purchase will be entered in my monthly $25 gift certificate giveaway
The next prize drawing will take place on 5 Nov

Please put "Octoberfest" in the comments box at checkout; select "pay with other" and wait for a revised invoice before paying.

Come save some holiday cash by shopping early in my shop! I have gift baskets (you make up); stocking stuffers; items for men, children and even the family pets are not forgotten!

I will be adding new items all month long, so check back often... Don't see a tea flavor/combination that you like? Join me for a free consultation, and I can blend one especially for you. I have been known to name some of my products after customers that have come up with great ideas for products!!

This is the place to be: http://LavenderDragonHerbs.etsy.com

Happy shopping!
Lavender

FALL BACK INTO FALL SALE - PRE HOLIDAY SALE

2008-09-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

Daylight Savings Time is just a few weeks away
So in Recognition Im having a Fall Back Sale.

25% off Gift Baskets
25% off Tinctures
20% off Non Medicinal Teas
15% off Medicinal Teas
10% off Incense (except Sample Packs)
10% off all other items in my shop

Come on in and Save some Holiday Cash, and get some gift shopping done early

Gift wrapping and gift card included at No Extra charge
Will also ship Direct if needed

Purchase $100 or more and recieve a $25 Visa Gift Card

Also ALL purchases will be enetered into my monthly drawing for $25 gift certificate to my shop.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5158752

MABON blessings

2008-09-22T04:43:00.000-07:00

HAPPY AUTUMN EQUINOX

Mabon is very much like Thanksgiving. Most of the crops have been reaped and abundance is more noticeable than ever! Mabon is the time when we reap the fruits of our labor and lessons, both crops and experiences. It is a time of joy, to celebrate that which is passing (for why should we mourn the beauty of the year or dwindling sunlight?), looking joyously at the experience the year has shared with us. And it is a time to gaze into the bright future. We are reminded once again of the cyclic universe; endings are merely new beginnings.

Since it is the time of dying sun, effort is also made to celebrate the dead with joyous remembrance. It is considered taboo to pass a burial site and not honor the dead. Natural energies are aligned towards protection, wealth, prosperity, security, and boosting self-confidence.

Celebrants offer thanks in this festival also called Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio de Autunno, Cornucopia, Winter Finding and Alben Elfred.

The Autumn Equinox is when day and night are equal. A moment is taken to pay respects to the approaching darkness. Gratitude is given to the waning sunlight, as the harvest is of this year’s crops is stored.

Plants: Vines, Garlands (made of these various plants), Gourds, Pine Cones, Acorns, Wheat, Dried Leaves, Corn, Pomegranate, Ivy, Hazel, Hops, Cedar, and Tobacco.

Herbs: Myrhh, Thistles, Tobacco, Oak Leaves, Hazel, Mums, Hops, Acorns, Marigold, Roses, Sage, Milkweed, Solomon's Seal, Asters, Ferns, Honeysuckle, Benzoin, Passionflower, Pine, and Cedar.

Incense would include: Aloes Wood, Cinnamon, Cloves, Benzoin, Jasmine, Frankincense, Myrrh, and Sage.

Celebrate with family and friends with some gorgeous food and spirits!

Wild Rice with Apples and Walnuts

1 cup wild rice
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
Cook rice and oil in water for 50 minutes.
1 cup walnuts
1 rib of celery, chopped
4 chopped scallions
1 cup raisins
1 red apple, peeled and chopped, set aside in lemon water
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind

Combine nuts, celery, onions, raisins, drained apple and lemon rind and set aside.

3 T. lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 t. salt
1/3 cup olive oil
pepper, to taste

Whisk together juice, salt and pepper, garlic and oil and add to cooked rice.
Add fruit mixture to the rice (to which has been added oil, spices and juice) and mix well. May be served cold or heated.

Sweet Potato Casserole

3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and steamed until completely soft
3/4 cup orange juice
2 eggs, beaten
2 Tablespoons melted butter
2 T. sugar
1 1/2 Teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg

Mix juice, eggs, sugar and spices and blend thoroughly with potatoes using an electric mixer. Spread into a greased 9"x13" pan.

1/2 cup flour
1/4 c plus 2 T. brown sugar
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 c. chopped butter
1/2 c. chopped pecans

Mix together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter and nuts until crumbly, spread on top of sweet potatoes and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Mabon Apple Crisp

6 cups sliced and peeled apples
2/3 cup flour
1 1/3 cup Oatmeal
1 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
2/3 cup Melted Butter
½ cup of walnut (optional)

Spread apples evenly on the bottom of an oblong baking dish. In a bowl mix together remaining ingredients until everything is moistened. Spread evenly over top of apples. Bake in a 375 degree oven until apples are soft (about 30 minutes) and topping is crisp.

Cranberry Cornbread Native American Harvest Recipes

Although European settlers nicknamed Native American cornbread "johnny cake" or "hoe cake," some credit was allowed the originators in early recipes, which usually referred to corn meal as Indian meal.

Ingredients: 1 cup unbleached white flour, 1-1/3 cups yellow cornmeal, 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 2 large eggs, ore egg replacer 1/4 cup honey 1 cup plain soy or nonfat milk 2 tablespoons sunflower oil Cooking spray

Method: Preheat oven to 400 degrees and lightly spray an 8-inch square baking pan. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. Stir in cranberries and set aside. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, honey, and oil. Add to dry ingredients and mix just until blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake until top is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
Makes 12 servings.

OLD-FASHIONED GINGER BEER

For the starter: 1/2 Ounce Yeast2 Teaspoons SugarTo Feed The "Plant":7 Teaspoons Ground Ginger7 Teaspoons SugarTo Flavour:1 1/2 Pounds SugarJuice Of 2 Lemons

Mix starter ingredients with 3/4 pint of warm water in a glass jar. Stir, cover and leave in a warm place for 24 hours. This is your starter "plant". Feed the "plant" with 1 teaspoon each of ground ginger and sugar each day. After 7 days strain through a fine sieve. Dissolve the sugar in 2 pints of water. Add the lemon juice and the liquid from the "plant". Dilute with 5 pints of water, mix well and store in corked bottles for at least 7 days.Use strong bottles as pressure may build up which will cause thin bottles to explode. For the same reason use corked bottles rather than those with a more secure closure that will not 'give' under pressure.The amount of sugar in the final stage can be varied according to taste.

Crock Pot Mulled Cider

Ingredients:
2 qts. apple cider
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/8 tsp. ground ginger
1 orange (unpeeled)
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp. whole cloves
brandy

Preparation: Combine cider, sugar, ginger and orange in slow cooker. Tie cinnamon and cloves in a small cheesecloth bag; add to crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW 2 to 4 hours. The entire house will smell great! Remove the bag of spices. In a mug put a shot of brandy, then fill with hot mix from cooker.Makes 10 to 12 servings

Autumn blessings,
Lavender

End of Summer SALE

2008-09-21T21:20:00.000-07:00

****** END OF SUMMER SALE ******

From 19 Sept to 1 Oct at 12 midnight PST

Buy 1 item and get 50% off your next item - mix and match (except incense)

All incense is now 10% off (except sample packs)

All Gift Baskets $5.00 off listed prices

Free tea or incense sample with you order.

Please pay with "other" and wait for a revised invoice.

Please put your choice of tea or incense in "comments" box at checkout.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5158752

From now until 5 October, every order placed will be entered into a drawing for $25 GIFT CERTIFICATE to spend in my shop!

Harvest Time

2008-09-14T03:08:00.000-07:00

Now is the time of year when my house is overrun with the sights, sounds, and smells of the harvest! Besides all the work that goes into a harvest, it is also one of my favorite times of year. Hay rides, pumpkin patches, crisp Autumn evenings, and favorite holidays Mabon/Autumn Equinox/Fall Harvest, Samhain/Halloween. It is the time when all my blood, sweat, and tears pay off; and when all my painstaking hard work of nurturing my herbs can be carefully handpicked, dried and put away to someday help make someone's life a little better.

First things first, I gather together everything I need to make this Harvest happen: tools such as latex doctors gloves (several pairs as I change gloves with each different herb I harvest, so I don't contaminate the herbs or mix the herb oils together). I guess I'm a little picky that way but actually it could cause problems if the oils are mixed between a medicinal and a non medicinal herb, or an herb that is for culinary purposes. I need dark glass jars and other containers and I gather these early before the herbs are dried, to get them all washed, dried and clean to store the herbs in once they are dried. These keep out the light - which is a bad thing for herbs, as it kills the medicinal qualities and dries out the herbs even more. Heat and cold fluctuations also kill any medicinal qualities of the herbs, so they should be stored where there is a constant temperature, like in a closet or cupboard away from light and drafts.

All herbs have different shelf lives, whether it be seeds, seed pods, barks, leaves, buds, flowers, etc. Most last between 6 months to a year; some a few months longer. Tinctures made with alcohol can last indefinitely, and tinctures made with vegetable glycerin and other natural preservatives last up to 6 months. You should NEVER take or use expired herbs as this can be dangerous since the dosage can fluctuate and or not work as well anymore. Throw away expired herbs - either bury them in the ground, or compost them so they are recycled back into the earth. Do not flush them down your toilet, as some people do with medicines, as they can end up in your drinking water supply since sometimes there are no chemicals to dissipate the medicines at water treatment plants (this has been proven in environmental studies).

When I harvest herbs, I ensure that I label the containers - whether I am dry storing them or freezing them (yes, some herbs can be frozen), or making them into tinctures, salves, creams, etc. I label and date everything religiously! Other tools I gather and use are four old fashioned wooden clothes dryers - I use these to hang the bundled herbs and paper bags of drying herbs from with twine. I also twine wrap and hang bundles of herbs up to dry, if my dryer shelves are full. I use small paper bags - like the ones used for school lunches; these are used after I gather and bunch some herbs together, tie them with twine, and put the bunch upside down in the paper bag, so that when the herbs dry, the seeds fall into the bag, making seed gathering a whole lot easier! Plastic zip lock bags in different sizes to gather seeds that have already dried on the vine, or on/in the plants. A couple of permanent marker pens to labels the bags with and to remark on the plant stakes/wooden popcicle sticks that I use to mark the plants with. I hate to find a plant that the marker has faded so badly from the sun and watering that I cant read the name on it and so am constantly re-doing them so that I don't have to try and hunt for the plant again online, or in one of my hundreds of gardening and herbs books :)

I use several different sizes of scissors and pruning shears for harvesting the herbs and for pruning the plants as I am going along. A roll of wet paper towels with rubbing alcohol on them to wipe down the scissors and pruning shears to prevent mixing the herbs oils. I also do this throughout the growing season to prevent the spreading of diseases from plant to plant. Several baskets of different sizes and shapes to gather the herbs in. My harvest binder and ink pen so I can write about and list the herbs I'm harvesting on that particular day and time - and in which month - as herbs can be harvested year round, depending on what they are. My camera, to take photographs to post online; I also save a record on cd/dvd files.

I also need my shovel, spade and a hand trowel in case some that are planted in pots need to be transplanted to bigger posts or moved and planted in the ground. Things that didn't grow so well this year might get moved elsewhere to see if they do better next year. Other plants may need to be uprooted and put in pots to be brought into the house for the Winter. Sometimes I just plant them in the ground in a pot in the Spring and leave there until the Fall, then dig up the pot and all and bring them indoors. I use an assortment of pot sizes for transplanting if needed, and fertilizer, as some herbs will continue to grow till the first freeze and give me another harvest.

I use mulch to cover those plants that can handle being out all Winter; I give them a heavy layer of mulch to protect their roots from getting frozen, which would kill the plant. I also use shredded paper - shredded in my own shredder! and mix that with the mulch for added protection to the bigger plants, and shrubs.

To be continued......

Knock your socks off with my newest products!

2008-09-13T03:50:00.000-07:00

Good news: I have decided to extend my

* 40% REDUCTIONS - KNOCK YOUR ETSY SOCKS OFF SALE *

through until Sunday 14 September 2008.

This is a great opportunity to do some early gift shopping for the holidays and many of the items in my Etsy shop would also make great stocking fillers - or you might choose to use the discount to sample some more of the new products now available in my Etsy shop, LavenderDragonHerbs

Lavender tincture

Since ancient times, lavender has been used as a digestive aid; a sleep aid and tranquilizer. Because of its mood altering effects, it is also known as an antidepressent. It can be used as a preventitive for acne, headaches, migraines, insomnia, restlessness, sunstroke, and to help with diabetes, faintness, muscle spasms, infection, irritability and to treat wounds. It also helps with womens issues such as menstrual cramping and in recovery from childbirth.My tincture is a medicinal liquid that can be added to juice, food, or taken under your tongue. You can also apply it with a poultice on a piece of cloth or gauze, laid over small wounds or cuts. I am offering a 1 ounce dropper bottle for $16 - and if you return your empty bottle to me to refill, you will receive 10% off your next purchase of this item.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15142980

Autumn's embrace sachets

These lovely sachets of Autumn/Fall scents will delight the senses and make your home cozy during those crisp days and nights. I make them from herbs, seeds, barks and other all natural, handpicked ingredients. These are wonderful in the home; you can hang them in a seasonal wreath on your front door to welcome guests; put one in your vehicle, or on your office desk; or they make wonderful stocking fillers or gifts for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. You will receive 3 sachets for $13 and can choose from the following scents:

"Fall"ing in Love - vanilla with a hint of cinnamon
Spiced Tea - manderin and spice
Eucalyptus/Lemon - smells great and is also a spider repellant!
Autumn Breezes - baked pear crisp
Summer Memories - lemon myrtle and citrusCitrus Dreams - 5 citrus mix

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15074434

Magnificent harvest incense

Do you remember Harvest time as a child? All the wonderful smells of the pies baking, and the hay rides? Well take a trip down memory lane with this new addition to the Dragon incense line. This incense has high notes of pumpkin and undertones of fig with a secret middle note. All incense sticks are 11" long and burn for 1.5 hrs. They are specially made to smoke less than store bought incense, so you get the true scent. I handmake my incense in small batches at the time of your order and package the sticks in a resealable bag to ensure freshness. I am offering a pack of 25 sticks for $11

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15131586

Learning how to heal - part 4

2008-09-09T03:08:00.000-07:00

Making it through the Winter with all that had to be done to get ready for Spring, was sometimes quite a chore but one that was enjoyed by all six of us girls - most of the time anyway! Each of us would have our chores: Judy would post a list for the week/weekend on the fridge and the earliest riser got the best job/s. Back then, I was not one of the early risers - especially on the weekends - so I usually got stuck with the worst and the messiest job on the list. Even if I thought I was being smart, one of my foster sisters would sabotage my plan and sneakily turn the alarm of without my knowledge!

Thinking back, I remember the worst job EVER was the cleaning of the chicken coop! It wasnt so bad in the Winter but as the weather started heating up in the Summer months, it was the worst! The smell of chicken poop is bad enough without heat added to it... As Winter faded and Spring showed itself around the farm, it was my most favorite time of year. New farm babies were everywhere; there was the annual Spring cattle drive to move the cattle from their Winter pasture to the Spring pasture - that was a week long adventure in itself as we would be involved with giving vaccinations; de-horning the steers; castrating the ones we didn't want to be breeding bulls; finding wandering cows with their new born calves and so on. It was a very busy time and once all the animal and critter related work was taken care of, then came the gardening - my favorite part of Spring! Time for all those plants and herbs to come out of the cellars and be planted in the gardens. To see all the hard work we had done over the Winter: all the nurturing of the seeds to turn them into seedlings and plants - they were now to be planted to make a huge Fall harvest once again and this was very exciting to me.

The huge task of gardening and cultivating began...... Using the tractor to till the soil; hooking up Margeret the mule to make the rows; then the planting and making homemade trellis's, tomato cages, raised beds, and a compost pile. We were up by 4am every morning - some of us making breakfast, some chopping wood, hand milking the cows, feeding the other critters, gathering eggs from all the fowl (chickens, geese, chukars, guinea hens) excetera. Morning chores took until about 10am to finish, then it was off to the gardens: sowing, planting, watering, running soaker hose lines, and setting up sprinkler systems after everything was gathered from the tool barn and cleaned and repaired if needed.

When we stopped for lunch, the food preparation took a good couple hours as there were a family of 16, with up to 46 ranch hands, so it was a mad house in the kitchen some days/nights. After lunch came the afternoon/evening chores, which were basically the same as the morning ones with the addition of anything left over, plus making sure everything was put to bed for the night. Then, somehow, there was time for homework, dinner, baths and bed. Depending on how busy and long the day was, sometimes bedtime didn't come before 11pm - long days for sure but you knew the meaning of hard work and what wonderful rewards it brought at the end of the day.

Sometimes in the evenings we would make Spring tonics and refurbish our stock of handmade soaps, lotions and any salves we had run low on from the Winter. We handmade taper candles from the tallow of the spring slaughter of the beef, or from bees wax from hives that had been gathered the previous day. Sue would sit with one of us girls (we would rotate, so everyone learned something new) and show us how to turn raw freshwool into yarn for spinning and knitting in the Winter months. I loved the farm. Everyday was learning experience of some kind and yes, there were bad times but good lessons were learned......

Lessons like when a mother cow would die, leaving her calf all alone, or when a calf would die, and the mother cow was mourning badly, we would take the hide from the dead calf and tie it to the orphaned one, so the mourning mother would accept it as her own. If that didn't work, many times we would bottle feed the orphans. Occasionally, groups of unruly cows would get through the fence into one of the gardens and tear things up pretty badly so that sometimes, we would have to start from square one again with our planting. Once, my new Labrador puppy, Goober, was in the yard "helping" Judy to plant new flowers and he was bitten by a rattle snake, whilst trying to protect Judy. His poor little nose swelled up bigger than his head, the poor little soul. Sue made a poultice for his nose that pulled out the poison. She also made an herbal concoction of anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory herbs that she mixed in with his food. He was a very sick little guy for a few days but he survived and after that he had hero status around the ranch! :)

Everyday there were trials and tribulations of one kind or another but all in all we girls could not have had a better environment for learning. All the while, no matter what situation arose, Sue was there with her magic books of herbal recipes, making things better. Here are a few homemade remedies to share with you...... Raw ingredients from your kitchen cupboard - such as garlic, ginger, and herbal teas provide some of the most useful first aid remedies.

Garlic is highly antiseptic and can be rubbed on acne and other pimples, and even applied crushed to draw on corns.
Aloe vera can be used to soothe sun burn, burns and scalds: just break off a leaf of the plant; squeeze out the jelly, and apply to affected areas.
Onion brings rapid relief to insect stings, nettle rash or hives caused by food allergies.
Ginger - chewing a piece of crystalized ginger prevents nausea and travel sickness.

To be continued......

40% REDUCTIONS FOR 48 HRS - KNOCK YOUR ETSY SOCKS OFF SALE!!!

2008-09-07T16:03:00.000-07:00

I have decided to knock your Etsy socks off with a...

* FORTY * P E R * C E N T * R E D U C T I O N * S A L E *

...for the next 48 hours!!!

I have added many new items to my shop! Come and take a look at my:

hand-dipped incense
tea blends to soothe, calm, and help with PMS, headaches, and weight loss
bath teas
immune boosting tinctures
anti-bacterial and room sprays
scented sachets for the home
sleep sachets- moth-away sachets
kitty flea sachets

I am a Master Herbalist and I hand-craft all of my strictly organic products especially to order, using only the freshest and very best of ingredients.

VISIT MY ETSY SHOP NOW AND DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS FABULOUS OFFER!

* Offer applies to ALL current listings *

Blessings, Lavender

http://lavenderdragonherbs.etsy.com/

My newest offerings

2008-09-04T08:28:00.000-07:00

These are the my newest products, now listed in my Etsy shop: Lavender Dragon Herbs

NO MORE SCALES - BATH TEA

Wash away rough, dry, scaly skin with this bath tea blend. For luxuriously baby soft skin, this blend includes rooibos tea, which is packed full of therapeutic skin minerals including zinc, sodium, alpha hydroxy acid and anti-oxidants. This blend also soothes skin irritations such as eczema. As with all of my tea blends, each one is handmade to order, to ensure optimum freshness. All tea blends are made with wildcrafted and organic herbs - either from my wildcrafters farms; reputable organic growers, or my own garden. I am offering 6 x half ounce bags - which should be sufficient for 3 to 4 baths - for $15

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11262570

ROSE and HIBISCUS - SACHETS

A subtle, romantic and alluring fragrance. Fresh ingredients, hand picked and dried from my own gardens straight to your home. No essential oils are used; these sachets contain only herbs in their natural state. These can be used anywhere in the home: in linen drawers; in your clothes dryer; even in your motor vehicle. Re-usable, as well as refillable, the fragrance will last for several months. I am offering 2 x 1 ounce sachets for $13

Other scents coming soon...
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14497422

SECRETS OF THE GLEN - TEA

Uplifting - Rejuvenating - Relaxing

Escape the stress of your day with this bath tea blend of all natural, organic herbs. As with all of my tea blends, each one is handmade to order to ensure optimum freshness. All tea blends are made with wildcrafted and organic herbs - either from my wildcrafters farms; reputable organic growers; or my own garden. This bath tea will suit all skin types (including men!). I am offering 4 x half ounce bags for $13 These are reusable for at least 3 to 4 baths.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11260177

"Pleasantly Plump" - WEIGHT LOSS TEA BLEND

Need to get in shape for the holidays?!

This all natural tea blend suppresses your appetite and kicks starts your metabolism. It prevents the formation of fat and cholesterol in the l; blocks the conversion of sugary foods and starches into fats; and raises seratonin levels in the brain (which is a key factor in appetite control). Eat well-balanced, healthy meals and exercise to your choosing - even if it's just a walk around the block! Drink 1 cup 30 to 60 minutes before meals, 3 times a day. Do not eat too many high fiber content foods with this tea, and do not use with any other weight loss products. Also, do not use if pregnant or nursing; or if you are taking any cholesterol medications of any kind. This tea blend is safe for your heart and is completely natural. Please note: this tea is not the most pleasant tasting! You can sweeten it with honey, or your choice of sweetener! I am offering a 2 ounce packet for $17.50 This amount will make 10 to 14 cups of tea.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14829351

PLEASE NOTE: all products, pictures and descriptions in my Etsy store are the sole property of Lavender Dragon Herbs under Copyright and Trademark Laws.

A Lavender's Garden promotion

2008-09-02T04:15:00.000-07:00

I would like to let you all know about a promotion that I am currently running on Etsy!

Below are the details, as well as an Etsy link that will take you directly into my promotion forum thread. I will be running this as an ongoing promotion for my Etsy shop LavenderDragonHerbs, so why not stop by and join in the chat, or see if there are any items that interest you in my shop? Remember, if you are looking for something particular, I am convo friendly and would be very happy to work with you and make up a blend of herbs or tea especially to meet your needs.

Super INTRODUCTORY and LOYALTY OFFER with EVERY PURCHASE!

Etsy promotion forums link: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5786646

My name is Lavender, and I own http://LavenderDragonHerbs.etsy.com

I am a Master Herbalist and I hand-craft all of my strictly organic products especially to order, using only the freshest and very best of ingredients.

In preparation for the holiday season, I have been listing some wonderful new items, including:

- all of us need a wonderful pick-me-up when the days draw in, and this one will do just the trick - morning and mid afternoon http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7777456

- fabulous herbal moth-repel sachets to safeguard your clothes when you pack away lighter pieces and pull out the warm clothes again http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14108795

- wonderful aromatic Autumn incense to ease you into the Fall season gently and with an 'ahhhhh...' http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8155316

This promo thread is to let you know that for every purchase made, you will also receive a full half ounce sample of one of my fabulous tea blends.

My offer is available to both INTRODUCE you to my tea range, and as my THANK YOU for your repeat custom. Please convo me, or add in the 'note to seller' at checkout, which tea sample you would like to try.

My teas are also blended to help you with a variety of ailments - please see my EXCELLENT FEEDBACK to read about the positive effects! I also do CONSULTATIONS and will create blends specifically to help with your own health issues - please convo me privately, so we can discuss your needs.

I am looking forward to helping you towards a healthy Holiday season :)

Learning how to heal - part 3

2008-09-01T01:47:00.000-07:00

With Winter came slips and falls, strains and sprains, and there would always be Sue with her books of remedies to make us all better. Her recipes seemed to work better and faster than conventional medicines, we rarely if ever went to the doctor, unless it was for something like a broken bone. Sue would make poultices smeared with herbs - these had a similar action to a compress but the whole herb rather than the liquid extract were applied.

Poultices are generally applied hot but cold, fresh leaves can also be used. Chop the fresh herbs in a food processor for a few seconds or boil in a little water for 2 to 5 minutes. Dried herbs can be decocted, or powders can be mixed with a little water to make a paste.

#Method 1: boil the fresh herbs, squeeze out any excess liquid and spread onto the affected area. Smooth a little oil onto the skin first, to prevent the herb mix from sticking.

# Method 2: apply gauze or cotton strips to hold the poultice carefully in place.

For a standard application: use sufficient herbs to cover the whole of the affected area and replace every 2 to 4 hours, or sooner as needed. An example of use would be: for boils and abcesses, use a poultice of figwort leaves and Xuan Shen - both have anti-inflammatory value, are anti-bacterial and cleansing for toxic conditions.

Note: these are also heart stimulant herbs and should not be used if heartbeat irregularities are present. Do not use with any other heart herbs or heart medications without checking with a professional herbalist, or medical doctor first.

For strains and sprains, injuries to joints and muscles - including back strain: use 5 to 10 drops of essential oils of thyme, lavender, rosemary and mix these with 20 ml of water. Soak a compress and apply this to the injured area. This will encourage blood flow to the injury and promote tissue repair. NOTE: do not massage too soon after injury, and do not use on broken skin.

To be continued......

Learning how to heal - part 2

2008-08-11T23:06:00.000-07:00

In the Winter months, with the cold winds blowing and snow on the ground, we would start in February to get the seeds sown and put under lights in the basement to make them germinate. We used all kinds of things from milk cartons cut in half to small plastic cups to sow our seeds in. Sue would make up a special potting mix of vermiculite, peat moss, sterilized soil (no weeds or other foreign materials in it in other words), cow manure, a little chicken manure (well rotted over a couple of Summers!), and other goodies to give the seeds the best possible start.

Then we would painstakingly take the seeds that we had harvested from the previous Fall's crops and begin the task of planting in the 'start' pots. We would plant the seeds and then use the popsicle sticks that we had saved and washed from our homemade popsicles to mark the names of the seeds on! I rememberwe always used a red pen because this lasted better on the wood, and did not fade with watering!

For the next few months untill Spring arrived, the tiny seeds would sprout, and sometimes - depending on the type of seeds - we would rinse them in warm water to keep the soil warm! I also learned that with some plants and herbs, you can make them bushier to produce more if you pinch out the second set of leaves every month or so.

Other tasks we did during the Winter months was to use some of the herbs we had harvested to make our own salves, tinctures, cough syrups, elixers, teas, soap, shampoo, conditioner - the list just goes on and on! We always had plenty of stock of those handmade items to use during the rest of the months until the next harvest; then in Winter, we would start the process over agian.

We also made our own gifts for giving throughout the year and even had a little roadside stand where we would sell some of our vegetables, fruit, and homegrown honey, as well as some of our handmade herbal concoctions. The tinctures were the easiest to make so we always did those first! We would take gallon jars and half gallon canning jars and fill them to the top with herbs; then cover the herbs with boiling water and then let them steep for hours to get every last ounce of goodness out! Once they had steeped, they were strained, and then the liquid was put back into the jars. We then mixed vodka with water at a 50:50 ratio and added that to the herbs before sealing the jars. We made tinctures using a vegetable glycerin in the same way for people that did not want the alcohol blend, and so that the mixture could also be given to children. When all the jars were sealed, we would store them down in the root cellar, where they could be kept cool and in the dark.

To be continued......

Learning how to heal - part 1

2008-08-10T01:07:00.000-07:00

Learning how to 'heal' from the old ways came at a young age for me, age 12. At that time, I was fostered along with eight other girls aged 6 to 16. We had two sets of foster parents: Judy and her husband Bill were our regular parents, and Sue and Jim were also there and took over when Judy and Bill were away.

We were a self-sustaining farm; we butchered our own meat; we had chickens for eggs and meat; a smoke house; and we made almost everything by hand - from cottage cheese and yoghurt, to our own clothes! We had two huge root cellars where we stored our vegetables and home canned goods - and we had three fabulous gardens, with every fruit and vegetable we could possibly grow, and another garden for nothing but herbs! There were two large greenhouses and a huge shed which I called 'the hanging shack' - where all the herbs we harvested went to be hung in bundles in the rafters, or were put on racks or drying screens fashioned from two saw horses with framed screens set on top. I loved being in that hanging shack whenever I got the chance! I would sit for hours and smell all the different herbs as they dried. My first experience of making something with herbs was when I watched Sue making tinctures in the kitchen one day - and from that moment on, I was hooked.

Sue was amazing when it came to healing. She had a stack of binders and old leather-bound books full of recipes that had been handed down in her family for generations. A lot of what she did also came from her head and instinct. No matter what the ailment: menstrual cramps, fevers, colds, she always had a natural remedy.

I was amazed at the healing powers of these varied plants. If treating an open, bleeding wound, Sue would get fresh, wet herbs straight off the bush, or out of the ground, and place them directly in the wound to stop the bleeding. Sometimes she would steep herbs in simmering water; grind them; and smear them on a strip of cloth or muslin to cover a huge bruise - which would invariably then fade within a matter of minutes. Her treatments would leave me amazed and I just wanted to soak up as much information as I could from her about all the wonderful herbs and plants that she used.

To be continued......

My first blog!

2008-08-08T00:05:00.000-07:00

Well here I am, with not much clue of what I'm doing so please be patient while this blog is under construction... I have joined the blogging community because I want to share my knowledge and love of herbs with you! I will be writing about my herbal business; my gardening; my friends; and whatever else comes to mind that may interest you or be of some help.

Have a beautiful day,
Lavender