Very Old Fashioned Spice Cake

Most fabulous cake recipe circa the 1920's
Cream 1/2 butter (or even shortening) with1-1/2c brown sugar; add 2 well-beaten eggs.  Separately, mix 2-1/4c flour, 1t baking soda, 1t cinnamon, 1/2t nutmeg, 1/2t cloves, 1/4t salt.  Measure 1c sour milk (or even sour cream).  Alternately add about one-third of the mixed dry ingredients and about 1/3 of the milk to the creamed mix (1/3 flour, mix; 1/3 milk, mix; etc till all ingredients are blended).  Add 1c raison and 1/2c nuts (optional).  Bake in 9" x 13" pan at 350 about 30 minutes.
Frosting:  in a pan, melt 1/c butter or margarine; add 1c brown sugar.  Bring to a boil  and stir one minute or until slightly thick.  Cool.  Beat in 1/4c milk and 3-1/4c (or till spreading consistancy) confectioner's sugar.  Spread on cake.
The frosting is really wonderful -- don't skip making it as it makes the cake.
You can use hard raisins in this -- just soak first in boiling water to soften.

latest most favorite soap of all time: Lemongrass with Basil and Dill

Oooh, this is so pretty.  And smells like someone's cooking something really interesting.  Lemongrass with ground calendula.  Dill with powdered wheat sprouts.  Basil with spiralina.  Not your typical scented soap.  But awfully fun for a serious cook.  Or person with a serious appetite.

No Mixer Necessary Cake from Scratch

Just because you don't happen to have an electric mixer handy, doesn't mean you can't make a cake from scratch.  This is a dense, moist cake that is great fruit-topped with a brown sugar crumb topping (and no frosting).  Or, frosted with chocolate icing or even a fruit flavored frosting. Easy, one-pan cake.

Mix 2 C. flour and 1 ½ C. sugar.  Cut ½ C. butter into small pieces; add to flour/sugar and mix with hands till crumbly.  Add1 t. baking powder, 2 eggs, 1 C. milk, and 2 t. vanilla.  Stir till well combined; pour into greased 13 x 9 baking pan. Cover with the 2 C. diced fresh figs, blueberries, or apples (or canned pineapple slices -- anything that's not too wet; nix the strawberries or raspberries). Sprinkle crumb topping over the fruit:  1/3 C. dark brown sugar, 1/3 C. sugar, 1/2 C. butter, cut into small pieces, and 1 3/4 C. flour; mix well with hands to combine and create crumbs. Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes.

Pickles Anybody Can Make

Summer gardens mean some people have way too many cucumbers.  This is a great no-fail old fashioned bread and butter pickle that requires no canning.  But does require some odd herbs you may not have (this is when it's nice to live near a bulk store or near a spice store that sells small amounts).  Slice thinly (no thicker than 1/4 inch but half that is better) one large-ish cucumber (about 10") or enough small cucumbers to fill a 16oz jar.  To be fancy, you can alternate layers of cucumbers with layers of thinly sliced sweet onions (vidalia, walla walla, etc).  When your jar is full, you're ready to move onto the pickling liquid.  On stovetop, mix 3/4cup apple cider vinegar (regular white vinegar is okay) with 1/2cup sugar; stir till the sugar is dissolved.  Take off heat and add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds and 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds.  You can also add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric -- gives the liquid a gold tone.  Pour this very hot mixture over your cucumbers.  Cover with lid and cool somewhat; refrigerate.  Let sit in fridge 24 hours then enjoy!  These aren't really preserved so should be eaten within one month.  Easy to double recipe and it's fine to adjust the flavorings.

Tamanu oil comes from the dried nuts of a tree (Calophyllum inophyllum) in the South Pacific. The oil smells sort of like musty hay. But, if you can put aside that vision of rubbing musty hay on your skin, it creates a wonderful soothing effect.  It's used on sun burn, inflammation, insect bites and general rashes. Tamanu oil is also said to help regenerate skin cells, act as a anti-inflammatory, and have a hydrating effect on the skin.  In traditional medicine, the oil is used for its ability to help heal cuts and wounds while acting as a germicide to prevent infection. It's also known as tamanu, kamanu and Alexandrian laurel.

Very Quick, Very Good, Very Hot Fudge Sauce

Mix 1/3 cup cocoa and 1/4 cup sugar.  Add 1/4 cup skim milk and 2 tablespoons butter [note:  if you substitute whole milk or cream, you can cut down (or cut out) the butter].  Microwave 30 seconds.  Stir well.  Microwave another 1-1/2 minutes.  Taste.  Add sugar ( 1 teaspoon at a time) if not sweet enough for you and/or add cocoa (1-2 teaspoons at a time) if not chocolate-ly or bitter enough for you. If you like a denser, richer texture add a teaspoon or so more butter.  Once flavor is good, zap another 30 seconds, stir well.  If you want it very thick, cook out more of the liquid by microwaving one minute at a time (be careful for burning and also note it can easily volcano out of the bowl).  Once the sweetness, chocolate-ness, and thickness are good, add 1 teaspoon vanilla or brandy; stir well and enjoy!

Relatively Quick, Sort of Easy, Handmade English Toffee

Apropos to this sweet time of year, a do-able microwave recipe for decadent, butter-rich English Toffee.  Simply butter, corn syrup and sugar with liberal amounts of milk chocolate and almonds.  Plus a bit of real vanilla and a teaspoon of baking soda and that’s it.  You do need a microwave, at least a 2-quart microwave-safe bowl, and large baking sheet.  But you don’t need a thermometer or other rarely-used kitchen gadgets. 

Start by greasing the cookie sheet with butter; then put the sheet in the oven at about 350.  The sheet needs to be hot when you pour the liquid toffee onto it; the hot sheet will help the liquid toffee spread out as wide as possible – making a thinner, easier to eat hard candy.

Now, melt 1cup (2 sticks) real butter in your microwave-safe 2-3 qt bowl.  When melted, add 2 cups sugar and 1/4 cup corn syrup; mix well.  You're going to microwave this mixture till it's the color of a brown paper bag.  Since everyone's microwave is so different, you've got to cook in increments so you don't burn the candy.  Put back in the microwave and zap 3-5 minutes.  Open door and look at mix – it should be looking like molten lava:  all bubbly and rising up the side of the pan (it is VERY hot).  If it doesn't seem like molten lava yet, microwave another 1-3 minutes.  Stir every so often.  You will need a second spoon to get the lava off of your stirring spoon.  Again, it is VERY hot -- don't try to use your finger.  Keep cooking and looking at 1-3 minute intervals – you are looking at the color of the mix.  At first it is a light yellow.  When it starts turning beige, reduce your cooking intervals.  Keep cooking the butter/sugar until it is the color of a brown paper bag, or the color of a Kraft caramel candy.  When it’s getting darker then yellow and darker than beige, you're getting close. Take the cookie sheet out of the oven and sprinkle with 1/4 - 1/2 cup sliced almonds.  Place on a heat-proof surface.  Check on the lava color.  When it's finally dark enough, quickly add in 1 teaspoon pure vanilla and stir in.  Then quickly add 1 teaspoon baking soda.  The soda will make the mixture bubble up; you won't be able to stir it in completely but incorporate it as well as you can.  Remember:  it is VERY hot and will burn your skin if you touch it!  Quickly pour the molten lava onto the cookie sheet.  You want the finished product thinner rather than thicker so lean the sheet up to help it glide all over the pan.  It will start to harden immediately so you don't have much time.  It will be delicious no matter how thick so don't worry too much.  Finally, sprinkle 1-1/2 cups milk chocolate chips over the still very warm candy.  Let sit a minute or two then spread the now melted chocolate evenly over the top of the brittle.  You can sprinkle the wet chocolate chips with more almonds, if you like.  Put in a safe place to cool (not on the counter if you have pets who like chocolate).  Once completely cooled (at least a couple of hours), use a pick to crack the candy into bite size (or bigger) pieces.  This makes about two pounds of finished candy.  If you halve the recipe, keep in mind that the cooking will go faster so be very careful to watch for burning.

Galbanum

Galbanum is one of those fragrances where a teeny tiny bit really goes a long way.  And by itself it's really not especially great.  But add that teeny tiny bit to the right blend and you can get greater depth and character. Benzoin smells sweeter, oak moss has more of a forest depth.  Lavender doesn't seem so goody-two-shoes.  Sort of tweeks the scent to a slightly different dimension. 

More Gift Ideas You Can Be Sure They Don't Already Have...

Probably everyone needs a rabbit finger puppet:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/84187124/bunny-rabbit-finger-puppet-bruno 
Or possibly an antelope: http://www.etsy.com/listing/84089598/antelope-finger-puppet-annie

Unique Gifts...

It's time to think of unusual, memorable gifts.  For everyone on your list.  Within a budget.  And within the month.  Here's something I'll bet no one already has.  And if they have one, certainly two could only be better.  Cause everyone needs a faux fox scarf.   http://www.etsy.com/listing/82946874/faux-fox-scarf-spooky-with-scull

It's Fall so It's Cranberry Bread

Mix 1-1/2c flour, 1/2c whole wheat flour, 1-1/2t baking powder, 1/2t baking soda, 3/4c sugar and rind of one orange.  Separately, mix 2T oil, juice of one orange plus extra oj or water to fill 3/4c.  Mix liquid and add one beaten egg.  Add wet to dry.  Fold in 1c chopped cranberries.  Dump into greased loaf pan and bake at 325 about one hour.  Now it's really fall.

Not Necessary But Ever So Cute

Even though this is a knic-knac with absolutely no practical use -- can't you see it sitting on a windowsill waiting for spring?  Very cute.  Another Etsy find...etsy listing

Rosehip Oil

Rosehip oil doesn't smell like roses. And it doesn't have a rose-colored tint.  But it is very sweet for your skin -- one of those great all-purpose skin oils. It doesn't have a thick, sticky oil-feel.  You can smooth it directly on and it'll slowly be absorbed into your skin. And that absorption allows the oil's high levels of Vitamin C and A to penetrate your skin.  Rosehip oil's fatty acids are said to help reduce scarring and promote skin repair; and those fatty acids also act as emollients to improve skin flexibility.  Pretty sweet.

Carrot Seed Oil

They can actually get an oil out of a carrot seed?  Why would they bother?  Turns out, carrot seed essential oil has all sorts of anti-oxidants so is great for skin care.  Everything from eczema to wrinkles to excess oil.  40% of the carrot seed is made up of carotol -- something that assists with cell growth and thus helps skin stay healthy.  Carrot seed essential oil:  who would have thought...but it works for me.

Meadowfoam Oil: Quadruple Winner

 

Meadowfoam -- named because the flower blooms so profusely that a meadow full of it looks like a sea (or meadow) of foam.  Must be a sight.  Regardless, it's one of those you-can't-do-much-better-than-this oils:  environmentally healthy, great for your skin, and stabilizes the other oils it's mixed with.  Win-win-win.  Plus it's got a beautiful name because it is a beautiful plant.  Make that a win-win-win-win.

Cajeput and Her Sister

If somebody says, "Cajeput" -- do you respond with "God Bless You"?  Or possibly, "I beg your pardon?"  It may be more appropriate to immediately say, "Don't open that bottle near me; I hate the smell of cajeput -- it smells like turpentine.  Although not as bad as tea tree...".  And then you might launch into a heated discussion of the pros and cons of both essential oils.  I tend to stay with tea tree if only because it's easier to pronounce.  It's also easier to find and less likely to be a skin irritant.  But they both have antibacterial properties and have been used for years in their native lands.  Sister trees.  Similar but each their own personality.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

this one is embarrassingly easy but no so great if you have no patience.  Stick a vanilla bean in a pint of vodka or cheap brandy.  If the liquor is in a clear bottle, put the bottle in a brown paper bag.  Shake it weekly. Start using it in three to six months.  Best vanilla ever.

Matted Hair becomes Art

Have you ever had a dog's hair get matted to the point where there's no way you can clean let alone comb it out...it literally becomes a mat and can only be cut.  So this happy family ( http://www.etsy.com/listing/69325144/needle-felted-mother-with-children ) was made using the same principle:  mat up wool to the point where it won't ever come un-done -- but do it all on purpose with clean, colorful wool (and it works best if you're an artist).  Needle felting:  one barbed needle prick by prick matting up wool into something sculpted.

Odd Goat Stories

talk about a very cool oil:  Argan Oil comes from a tree that's been around for over 1-1/2 million years.  The tree can live as long as 200 years but only grows in a few places -- namely Morocco.  Thus the reason that sometimes it's referred to as "Moroccan Oil".  It's rich in skin-loving fatty acids and Vitamin E; great for helping to heal scars, is said to increase skin elasticity.  But the really great news is the goat story:  supposedly goats love to eat the fruit but can't digest the kernals (where the oil resides).  So if you want argan kernels, you just pick through goat poop during ripe argan fruit season, grind those kernals up and there's your precious argan oil.  I'm told the argan oil I bought didn't go through a goat's intentines.  But I don't know that for sure.

Borage Porridge

I hear the word, "borage" and immediately think, "porridge".  Both seem vaguely old European, in a thatched-roof sort of way.  Apparently it's an herb originally from Syria but is now all over.  And can spread pretty easily.  Has a really pretty blue star-shaped flower; the plant's also known as (surprise), "Starflower".  It's eaten as a fresh vegetable and used as a dried herb but it's greatest commercial value is the oil from the seed.  That oil is the highest known plant-based source for gamma-linolenic acid, said to help with inflammation and very dry skin conditions.  Still lots of research going on but in the meantime we use it in our dry skin oils.  Cause how can you resist rubbing borage porridge all over?

tis the season for...Peru Balsam?

Balsam equals Pine, right?  I expected this essential oil to have a very pine-esque scent.  But not so!  It's got a beautiful vanilla-like aroma instead.  It's considered a 'base' note so is the type of scent that sticks around and lingers.  Not fleeting like the quickly evaporating high notes.  Warm, woody  and sweetly vanilla.  A new take on visions of Christmas Fir.

91% and the Grand Tradition

I read somewhere that 91% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving.  And then someone told me about the pork tenderloin she was all excited to make for her Thanksgiving feast.  Someone else mentioned their "Thanksgiving Salmon" -- as if everyone had a Thanksgiving Salmon.  And I thought about my own turkey-less Thanksgiving dinner.  But regardless of the main protein source of the dinner, each of us was preparing for a grander than normal meal at our house or elsewhere.  So even if it's really not 91% of America sitting down to a turkey, if it's 91% of America sitting down to reflect on all they have to be thankful for -- what a grand tradition Thanksgiving is.

Canola Oil and Saving the Rainforest

In soap making, palm oil is king. It makes a great, hard white bar with lots of lather. Perfect bar! And not only do soap makers like palm oil but also the cookie and cracker manufacturers of the world. Palm oil is in everything! So happy were the governments and landowners of Indonesia and Malaysia! So let's mow down all of these rainforests that are in the way so we can plant more palm trees. Ooops, there goes another orangutan! Interestingly enough, plain old canola oil does a pretty good job in soap making -- not quite as white or hard or sudsy as palm, but pretty close. And in baked goods, it's much more healthy since it is lower in saturated fats. And not a single square foot of rainforest is affected by producing canola oil. Orangutans get to stay put. Seems like a fair trade.

Chamomile and bunnies, wrinkles, and Blue Man

Chamomile bring up images of Peter Rabbit getting his fortifying chamomile tea after that harrowing adventure with the farmer.  And images of a medieval German village with miniature daisy-looking flowers dotting the countryside.  Images of chamomile never included a very blue (think:  Blue Man color blue) essential oil that doesn't smell especially nice.  But that's chamomile:  all of the above...plus some amazing properties for your skin.  Chamomile essential oil is anti-inflammatory, skin softening and has properties to promote healing.  Soothes irritated skin, reduces puffiness, cleanse pores, promotes tissue regeneration. There's a Roman and a German Chamomile; Roman is considered more calming and German more anti-inflammatory -- and the German gets bonus points because it's BLUE.  Both are great for skin problems from acne to wrinkles to eczema.  A powerhouse for a miniature daisy-like flower.

Oakmoss

Oakmoss is just that -- a type of lichen that grows on, get this, certain oak trees.  It's used in perfumery and, ohh, does it smell amazing.  Very sweet and fresh and woodsy and lingering.  Smells like the outdoors on a good day -- what could propel you to fish out your hiking boots and hit the trail; remind you what it's like to be surrounded just by trees.  Oakmoss is a "base note" in a lot of  perfumes; used by everyone from the ancient Egyptians to Coty.  There was an uproar over Oakmoss cause it could be sensitizing to some people.  Considering that the concept of essential oils/absolutes is that they're extremely concentrated, it's not much of a surprise that some skin can be sensitive at that level of concentration.  Unfortunate for those sensitized but still a wonderful smell for the rest of us.

Labdanum vs Lab, damn him

Labdanum -- sounds like a derogatory name for a bad Labrador.  And that may well be, but it's also a resin used, among other things, as a base note and fixative in perfumery.  An odd fragrance.  Sort of an earthy, wet licorice that's somewhat reminiscent of patchouli.  The fragrance is often described as "leathery". Like so many base notes, it's not necessarily fabulous by itself but can add a depth and dimension that will make a particular fragrance mix fabulous.  Labdanum:  more than a leathery wet dog.

The Narc Squad and Ylang Ylang

I heard somebody describe the scent of Ylang Ylang as "narcotic" and thought that was an odd scent description.  But I guess I have to agree.  It is so deliriously intoxicating and sensual that "narcotic" does add some dimension to it's description.  Calling it, "a beautiful floral" doesn't do it justice.  It's not a light, girly floral but a really warm, rich, well...narcotic floral.

Deep, dark secrets of the commercial shell trade...

You know those little plastic-covered baskets filled with shells that they sell at the tourist places near the beach?  I guess I always figured locals picked the shells off the beach and sold them as is.  Turns out most of those shells were collected live in the ocean and then the animal inside was promptly killed and the shell cleaned out and sold.  Easiest way to get a perfect shell.  So all of those shells decorating mirrors and lamps etc were probably collected live and then killed just to make our mirrors and lamps etc seem beachy.  Hmmm.  Now that doesn't seem too peachy...

how to break down the scent of a fragrance

A know-it-all musician came up with the naming of essential oil fragrance weights: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. Top notes are the fleeting scents you smell immediately – and then they pretty quickly fade away. Citrus and mints are a couple of loud-mouth top notes that scream, “HERE I AM” and then quickly leave by the backdoor. The middle notes are noticed next but also fade fairly quickly. Herbs and flowers such as Rosemary, Lavender, Palmarosa, Pettitgrain, Rose, and Geranium are examples of middle notes. The lingering scents you notice the longest are the base notes. They tend to be woodsy, musky scents like Patchouli, Vetiver, Frankincense, Cedarwood, and Sandalwood. Sort of the full-figured fragrances that lounge around after everyone else has left the building. And then there are the oils that bridge the blend of fragrances. Instead of acting as a top, middle or base note, these bridge notes blend all of the other notes; they sort of act like the peace makers and work to make everybody get along. Litsea cubeba, lemongrass, lavender and ylang ylang are examples of those easy-to-get-along with bridge notes. And that's what a musician of long ago decided was the best way to dissect a fragrance.

It’s a perfume; no, it’s a cologne; no, it’s an aftershave…ok, I don’t know what it is

There really are definitions for these fragrances. It's based on the percentage of essential oil (or synthetic fragrance oil) to total weight. Perfume's the heaviest and aftershave the most diluted. And everything else is somewhere in between. Here's the general breakdown: Perfume - 20% to 30%, Cologne - 15% to 20%, Eau de Cologne - 12% to 17%, Eau de Toilette - 5% to 10%, Aftershave - 2% to 5%. And now you're ready for jeopardy perfume definition day...if it should ever come up.

Bergamot

Bergamot -- sort of a clumsy sounding name. But if you say "Bergamotto" in Italian, I'm sure it sounds much more stylish. It's a bitter orange grown in the Calabria region of Italy. It's the taste and fragrance that makes Earl Grey tea distinctive. The essential oil is described as warm and -- take your pick -- a little citrusy, a little floral, a little green, and/or a little spicy. I read that it's used in one-third of all men's perfumes and one-half of all women's. It's like the fragrance can mix in anywhere and bring out subtleties. I find it clean and bright and...good!

citronella bug repellent candle

I get asked for this recipe alot...

Melt 1/2 lb wax (old candles are fine); add 15ml (1T) citronella essential oil. Place a wick in an empty can and pour in melted wax. Let solidify (freezer works) and burn to help repel mosquitoes.

Lemongrass and Litsea -- what's the difference?

First off, Litsea Cubeba is also known as May Chang which sounds much more exotic than "lemon" and "grass".  But per their fragrance, they're both pretty much lemony in their scent.  Lemongrass is described as lemony with green, vegetative notes while Litsea is described as lemony with fruit and spice -- a sweeter smell.  Litsea essential oil straight almost smells like a fake synthetic lemon scent but holds up well in perfume mixes -- adds a smoothness where lemon itself can almost be too sharp.  Lemongrass holds up great in soap; lemon essential oil fades very quickly and you're left with just a subtle reminder that there was once a lemon involved.  But lemongrass soap retains that clean, citrusy scent that makes the shower at 6:00am almost seem worth it.  Almost.

Mango Butter -- not much for eating but great for skincare

Mango butter – another really rich oil/butter from the tropics.  It’s pressed from the seeds of the Mango tree. The mango's popularity is not especially new -- they've been cultivated for over 6,000 years.  Mango butter is a triple whammy in skin care:  has fatty acids to help protect the skin and retain moisture, emollients to soften and soothe the skin, and moisturizing properties to help make skin softer and suppler.  The only down side to it’s perfectness is that there is no associated wonderful, mango-ey, tropical scent.  Ok, so it doesn’t have much of a scent at all.  But it is still a wonderful buttery nut butter that is so much more fun to use than your average dry skin cream.

Neem Oil - stinky but effective

I had read that neem oil really smells bad -- somewhere between rotting garlic and sulfur.  But it's also supposed to be great for your skin and an effective bug repellent.  So I bought some.  It really does smell somewhere between rotting garlic and sulfur.  But it also really does repel mosquitoes.  You dilute it down quite a bit when you make the repellent and you can add essential oils like lemon eucalyptus and citronella to help drown out that lingering rotten garlic smell.  But when you watch mosquitoes still bite after you've sprayed yourself with deet, of all things, and then watch them just fly around but NOT bite you after you've slathered yourself with a neem repellent, the somewhat odorous smell seems not so bad afterall.

Lavender, mosquitoes, and sanity

So you forgot to put on the bug spray and now you've got two dozen mosquito bites all over (ok, so it was me who has the two dozen bites -- and, yes, I did count).  Lavender essential oil directly on the bite really does take the edge off that I'm-going-to-go-crazy-from-this-ITCHING feeling.  And you can just re-apply it as needed.  Lavender:  helps to keep you sane -- even in mosquito season.

Mosquitos and Martha Stewart

so if you're not Martha Stewart and into artful potpourris nor especially knowledgable in homeopathic medicine, what can you do with essential oils?  Make some quick, easy, and cheap bug spray is one thing:  mix 1/2 teaspoon citronella essential oil and/or 1/2 teaspoon lemon eucalyptus essential oil with 1/4 cup witch hazel in a spritz bottle.  Shake and apply often and liberally to skin to repel mosqutoes.  Citronella is not my absolute favorite scent but it's better than who-knows-what goes into Walmart's bug spray...

Refried Rice via a carton of ready-to-pitch Chinese Take-Out white rice

Somebody asked me what sort of rice to buy to make refried rice.  I just sort of blankly looked at the guy and said you don't BUY rice to make refried rice -- you ONLY use the dried-out leftover rice from Chinese take-out. Like, duh...  I think of refried rice as one of those magical kitchen leftover-makeovers:  take something you'd never eat by itself and turn it into something pretty tasty and filling and even nutritious.  I saute an onion and some garlic then add any firm leftover vegetables till all getting soft.  Then add the rice and any soft leftover vegetables and soy sauce and ginger and maybe more garlic powder or green onion.  Maybe stir in some beaten eggs and/or chick peas for protein.  When everything's as cooked as you like it, adjust the flavorings and add any quick cooking vegetables like spinach or pea pods.  And that's it.  Use up everything in your fridge -- including that dried up carton of plain white rice.

Cedarwood Atlas

"Cedarwood Atlas" -  almost sounds like a Marvel Comics superhero.  But it's really (as it's day job) a big pine tree from the Atlas Mountains in Northern Africa.  They say both the ancient Egyptians and Greeks used the oil for embalming and perfumery (somehow putting those uses together seems...unsettling?).  It's supposed to be great for skin. The essentail oil has a subtle sweet, woody aroma and very slight artificial mothball smell and sure enough, the wood has been used for linen chests for eons -- but it is different from the red cedar tree we generally think of for cedar closets.  It blends well with rosemary, bergamot, clary sage, Eucalyptus and Citrus Oils.  One of those subtle aromas that's hard to put a finger on -- but you notice it when it's missing.

A Reason to Knit

Now this is cute:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/37090132/hand-knit-toddler-sweater-shades-of  It's almost reason enough to learn to knit.  Of course, you'd need an impossibly cute toddler to knit for...

Aunt Carolyn's Lemon Squares

the best and everyone loves them...

Mix 2c flour & 1/2c powdered sugar with 2 sticks soft butter (only butter-no substitutions or you ruin EVERYTHING).  Press into very well greased (especially well greased around the corners) 13 x 9 baking pan (if you've got a choice, choose a glass pan over metal so you don't get that "tinny" flavor messing with your lemon squares) and bake at 350 20 minutes.  Meanwhile, beat 4 eggs with 1-1/2 c sugar, 1t baking powder, 1/4 c lemon juice, and the peel from all of those lemons before you juiced them.  Pour the lemon/egg mix over the cooked base and put back into the oven for 20-25 more minutes or till browned around the edges.  Let cool a bit before attempting to cut (the lemon filling will ooze all over the place if it's still hot when you cut)(not really a bad thing but a hot filling can hurt when it burns fingers then tongue).

note -- you can use bottled lemon juice and no peel but you lose a bit of flavor.

Patchouli

Patchouli may seem like a throw back to the incense-clouded 60's but it's been popular for centuries.  It's got a heady, earthy smell that's useful for a lot more than trying to cover up marijuana fumes.  Not surprisingly, it's burnt as incense in temples and used to help "grounding" during meditation.  It's actually a member of the mint family and is used for of all things--flavoring beverages!  Patchouli can be used directly or mixed with a carrier oil to help with skin problems like acne, dandruff, athlete's foot plus to help healing and reduce scarring.  And if that's not enough, it's a key ingredient in the famous perfume "Tabu".  Who knew.

Somewhat faster Roasted Spring Vegetables

At the Farmer's Market I bought carrots, red potatoes, sweet potatoes & baking potatoes.  Chopped them all up into hunks, then added hunks of red and green cabbage.  Put them all in a big microwave safe casserole, added maybe 1/2c water and zapped them for 8-10 minutes.  They were all basically cooked and pretty much soft (but not mushy).  I then dumped the casserole contents (plus 1/c can of chick peas) into a 9x13 metal baking pan, added a dollop of butter (olive oil works, too) and just added pepper and garlic salt (onions would have been a good idea to add).  Put it in the oven at 375 for about 20 minutes and had roasted vegetables for dinner!  The savings is that you don't have the oven on at 450 for 45 minutes. So you not only don't have to wait so long, you also don't have to pay for the higher heat for so long.  What a deal...

I guess I like miniatures or at least am intrigued by them.  Check out this book; it's hand-drawn and hand-bound:

Essential Oil Necessities -- Jojoba Oil

Soap, cream, & essential oil people love jojoba oil.  It's pricey but most skin types love it since it's more similar than other vegetable oils to the oil that our bodies manufacture to keep skin lubricated. They used to slaughter sperm whales for oil this good.  You can use it straight on your skin and in your hair and even around your eyes.  They refine jojoba to be odorless, colorless and stable so it's also great for essential oils as a carrier oil to dilute the EO and 'carry' and absorb the EO's good stuff into your skin. And if that weren't good enough -- they say it also has a potential use as a biodiesel fuel.  It will probably cure all types of cancer and stop global warming if they study it long enough...

Things to do with leftover sweetened condensed milk (if you don't eat it straight first)

Sweetened condensed milk morphed into Caramel Sauce via the microwave:  Pour sweetened condensed milk into 2-quart glass measuring cup. Cook on 50% power (medium) 4 minutes, stirring briskly every 2 minutes until smooth. Cook on 30% power (medium-low) 20 to 25 minutes or until very thick and caramel-colored, stirring briskly every 4 minutes during the first 16 minutes and every 2 minutes during the last 4 to 10 minutes.  If you use less than one full can, the cooking time will decrease so watch for burning

Coconut Easter Eggs - what could be better?

These are easy and very good.  Mix 1/4c butter with 1t vanilla, 1/3c sweetened condensed milk (yes, you'll have leftovers), 3c powdered sugar, 1/2c coconut.  Now form this coconut mix into eggs.  This is sort of messy (well, actually pretty messy).  You can make one giant egg or lots of other sized eggs.  Put on wax paper then put in fridge till firm.  Melt about 4oz chocolate chips (can do combo of milk and/or semi-sweet).  Dip eggs into chocolate to coat then put back on wax paper and fridge to harden chocolate.

Etsy finds - how in the world does she make these...

This woman is amazing.  But will she have any eyesight left at age 50?  I'm not sure what one does with a miniature tea service but it sure is cute...

aromatherapy.com's pretty exhaustive list of things to do with essential oils around the home

Keep in mind that not all essential oils will work with all of these suggestions...


Bath: fill the tub with bath water.  Add and swish 9-10 drops of essential oil into the bath water.  Some essential oils are more irritating to the skin than others.  Read the safety cautions for each essential oil. 

Liquid Soap: add about 30-45 drops of essential oil to 8 ounces of unscented liquid hand soap or unscented liquid shower body wash.  Shake vigorously.

Body Oil: add about 12-15 drops of essential oil to one ounce of carrier oil, such as jojoba oil and shake to blend.

Body Lotion: add 50-60 drops of essential oil to 16 ounces of unscented body lotion. Stir until smooth.

Body Mist: add 10-15 drops of essential oil to a 1 oz misting bottle filled with spring or distilled water.  Shake well and shake before each mist.

Liniment: add 25-20 drops of essential oil to one ounce of carrier oil, such as jojoba oil.  Shake well to blend.

Compress: mix 3-5 drops of essential oil to a bowl of warm or cool water. Soak a wash cloth, wring and apply.

Shampoo/Conditioner: add 12-15 drops of essential oil to one ounce of unscented or mild shampoo and conditioner.  Shake well to blend.

Hair Brush: place three drops of essential oil into the palm of your hand; rub over the natural bristles of a hair brush.  Brush your scalp and your hair.

Diffuser: add essential oils to a diffuser, candle burner or a lamp ring.

Room Mist: add 17-20 drops of essential oil to a 1 oz misting bottle filled with spring or distilled water.  Shake well and shake before each mist.

Scent:  add five drops of an essential oil to a hanky or tissue and carry with you throughout the day.  Or place under your pillow case to ease you into sleep.

Scent:  add five drops to a cotton ball and place in drawers and linen closets.

Place: a drop of essential oil in the palm of your hand, rub your hands together and inhale. (Keep away from your eyes). (A wonderful way to encourage a deep breath).  this would be nice with spearmint e.o.

Safety Precautions

• Never take essential oils internally.
  
• Read about an essential oil before applying it.  
  
• Essential oils are very concentrated substances and should be diluted before applying them to the skin. Follow guidelines or recipes which recommend a 2%-5% solution.
  
• Have a recipe’s concentration of essential oils when using with children. Do not use essential oils with infants.
  
• Do not apply citrus essential oils, especially Bergamot before direct exposure to the sun. These essential oils increase photosensitivity.
  
• Essential oils are not soluble in water. Make sure you dilute or fully disperse them when using water as a base.  
  
• Essential oils can cause a prickly, irritating sensation to the skin. Do not rub water on the area. Doing so will cause the oil to spread. Apply any vegetable/carrier oil to the area; this will cause the essential oil to be absorbed and ease the irritation in minutes.
  
• Keep essential oils away from your eyes.
  
• Keep essential oils out of the reach of children and animals.
  
• If skin irritation occurs or an allergic reaction occurs with any essential oil or product with essential oils in it, discontinue use.
  
• Essential oils should not replace proper health care. If you are under medical supervision consult with your health care provider before using essential oils.
  
• These suggestions for Your Safety are not to be considered complete and all-inclusive.

Using Essential Oils Around Home

Essential Oils aren't just for soap makers or perfumers.  Anyone can enjoy them -- if only for their amazing fragrances.  There's a lot of homeopathic use for essential oils.  You have to be careful, though, since not all of them can be used directly on skin let alone ingested.  And there's always that disclaimer:  "...not to be used by young children or pregnant women without a physician's advice etc...".  You can put a couple of drops in a stinky garbage can, vacuum cleaner bag, laundry rinse.  Some people make a spritzer to spray onto sheets.  Wake up a limping potpourri.  Patchouli typically isn't sensitizing and so is used in bath water and mixed with a carrier oil to use in massage.  And the uses and different essential oils go on and on...