Laurie's Everyday Notions

Last week someone posted this on facebook: So our homeschooling day began with an experiment to test the soil in our garden. Unfortunately I only had my "orange infused vinegar" but I thought that the acidic vinegar, which is necessary for the test, coupled with the acid from my orange peels, this wouldn't alter the experiment in any way. The soil mixed with vinegar only created a few bubbles while the soil mixed with the baking soda created none. As the bubbles were only slight, we concluded that our soil was closer to the middle of the spectrum. Now with the snow gone (finally!) I guess it's time to start planting!

It has been a lllllllooooooooonggggg winter here in Minnesota. But today? Today gave me hope that spring will indeed return to the Minnesota tundra. Here's what I saw today: Tulips! Bleeding Heart! Searching for bugs!  The kids love moving my landscaping blocks to search for bugs. :) Turning the dirt in the garden! Baby Sedum! My bees arrived (shipped from somewhere warmer than here). Thankfully sunshine and warmer temperatures arrived just in time to make today the perfect day to introduce my bees to their new homes.  It was a lovely day and I am so happy to see signs of spring! 

In May I found a large roll of new chain linked fencing at a garage sale for $5. I was overjoyed at this cheap find and was anxious to create a chicken run. In July my dad built a frame for the fencing and constructed the chicken run. The chickens loved their increased living space. It was amazing to watch them peck at the ground, feasting on greens and bugs. Within a week their run was completely dirt. This caused me to think that my chickens would do a fabulous job of "rooting" up my garden once the growing season was over.  I wanted a temporary fence to keep them in the confines of my yard. I live in town and completely free ranged chickens are kind of frowned upon. This is what I came up with: The orange "fencing" spans the width of the the garden. I still had beets and carrots to harvest in one of the garden boxes so I just blocked off the back third of the garden.  I used twist ties to sturdy the fence against tomato cages, bean cages, and the...

Yes, my lavender is upside down. It's been cut and hung to dry.  I love the smell of lavender. It is the scent I use most in my homemade soaps and bath salts. Lavender not only has a lovely scent but it also has many benefits. It is one of the most versatile herbs which can be used for a wide range of ailments.  The Latin word lavare (lavender) means "to wash". Lavender was used by Egyptians for embalming, added to bath water in Ancient Rome, used by the monks during the Middle Ages, fought infection during the Renaissance, and during the Victorian Era lavender was used for to repel insects yet attract suitors (I don't think citronella can boast both of these claims!).  Cleopatra also used lavender to entice both Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony. Lavender's aroma is relaxing so it's no surprise that it can aid in eliminating, or lessening, the effects of depression, insomnia, anxiety and headaches (even migraines). Aromatherapists say that is gi...

Beans on the trellis ~ I am almost positive that the seed package said peas however that was four months ago that I planted these seeds. Poor memory, lack of notes and a distracted summer....I may remember wrong (that happens on occasion).  Tomatoes, cucumbers and beets. Roasted tomatoes and garlic drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with basil. This made the BEST spaghetti sauce! "The land yields it's harvest;  God, our God, blesses us.  May God bless us still,  so that all the ends of the earth  will fear Him."   Psalm 67: 6-7

 Mint in the herb garden, pile o' mint and drying mint A month later..... Filling my jars with dried mint. My flexible cutting board made this job even easier. In the background of right, bottom picture is my home "brewed" vanilla extract. 

My little herb garden. Stevia, lemon verbena, lemon balm and mint. Mint is rich is Vitamin A and Vitamin C as well as containing a small amount of Vitamin B2.   Benefits of mint: Aids digestion and can ease an upset tummy Here's an obvious one ~ discourages, or covers up, bad breath.  Eases morning sickness. I remember mint chocolate chip ice cream being one of my favorite "cures" for morning sickness when I was pregnant with my daughter. Unfortunately, when I was pregnant with my son, I only found Pringles to give me temporary relief from morning sickness. Stress reducer. A cup of tea, with the warm scent of mint, can be so relaxing. Reduce migraines with a cup of mint tea (goes along with the stress reducing properties of mint). Antioxidant which may prevent cancer. Helps alleviate nasal allergies. Relieves congestion and head colds. I've found the easiest way to dry herbs is on a hanger. I secure a rubber band around the hanger. I th...

I'm slowly adding herbs to my yard. This pot houses rosemary, lavender, and nasturtium.  I love using lavender in my soaps and lotions. Lavender oil aids in decreasing stress and depression, decreases headaches and helps fight insomnia. It is also antiseptic and anti-fungal which makes it good for skin ailments such as eczema, acne, and minor cuts and burns. Rosemary had phyto-chemical properties to prevent disease and promote health. Used in shampoo it can fight dandruff and stimulates hair growth. From LIVESTRONG :  " Drinking rosemary tea is a good way to receive a variety of vitamins. Rosemary leaves are high in the following: beta-carotene/Vitamin A, thiamin/Vitamin B1, riboflavin/Vitamin B2, niacin/Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Vitamin K." Nasturtium is new to me but is an edible plant that is high in Vitamin C and it's peppery tasting leaves are a great addition to a...