DIY Cool Ice Treat For Dogs

There are dog ice treat kits you can buy, but they’re easily do-it-yourself with an ice cream pail, some water, and dog toys. Here’s how…

Fill an ice cream pail 1/3 full with water and place a couple dog toys in it. Freeze. Fill with more water until 2/3 full, add a few treats–freeze. Repeat one more layer like this until you have filled the ice cream pail.

Once everything’s fully frozen, set the pail in a sink full of warm water until you can pop out the big ice block filled with dog treats. Set the dog treat filled ice block out in the yard, and let your dog have at it.

Your puppy might not have a clue what this is all about until you make him one a time or two. As the block melts down and reveals his toys and treats, make sure you spend time acquainting him with it. Once he gets the idea, he’ll be all over it and happily lick away at the ice to get at the treats.

Another way to keep your pup cool in summer is to soak and freeze a bandana and then tie it around the dog's neck and if you add a few insect repelling herbs like lemongrass, pennyroyal and rosemary to the water you use to soak the bandana you can help keep away pests as well.

Doggy Bandana Freeze

Add a few sprigs of pennyroyal, lemongrass and/or rosemary to 2 cups of hot water.  Allow to steep 15 to 30 minutes.  Soak a puppy bandana in the resulting liquid than fold and place in the freezer.  Once frozen tie around the neck of your pooch to help cool the day and repel the bugs.

 

courtesy of animal planet

Plants to Honor Mary

In the Spring I presented a garden theme idea of a Garden of Mary.  Now on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, which was first celebrated in 529 AD, I thought we could learn a few more plants whose names were changed to Honor Mary.

Our Lady's Herbs

          Spearmint was known as Our Lady's Mint. 

Marjoram was Mother of God's Flower. 

          Bee balm and lemon balm were both called Sweet Mary. 

 

Lemon Balm

Catnip was Mary's Nettle.  

Sage was Mary's shawl. 

Dandelion was known as Mary's Bitter Sorrow.

A group of herbs became known as Manger Herbs because they made a bed for the Infant Jesus when he was born. 

Sweet Woodruff

·        Sweet woodruff and yellow bedstraw were called Our Lady's Bedstraw 

·        creeping thyme was Mary's Bedstraw. 

·        Mints and pennyroyal were also said to have been used in the manger. 

This information came from a hard to locate book entitled Mary’s Flowers: Gardens, Legends & Meditations, by Vincenzina Krymow.

I have never been able to locate this book, but I have read excepts and paraphrases of it from other blogs and articles.  If anyone knows where I can get a copy, please let me know.  My library, normally the best at locating the obscure and rare, has been unable to obtain a copy real or digital.

The Unlucky Ides of March

I had a Latin teacher in High School who held a party on the Ides of March each year.  As a result as soon as March 15 comes around I am feeling a need to say something so the Ides of March does not pass without comment.

According to the Romans the Ides, or the 15^th, of the month was considered unlucky, I am sure Julius Caesar would agree! But how does one ward off the negativity of an unlucky day?

There are many herbs you can use to ward off evil or at least bad behavior.  Here is a short list:

1. Angelica - Wear a sprig inside your lapel to protect yourself from evil, but be careful you could also keep yourself from seeing opportunities.

2. Borage (see the herb of the month post on Borage) Borage leaves or flowers placed nearby will encourage people to tell the truth so you can avoid secrets, and dishonesty.

borage about to bloom

3. Caraway – wear the seeds in an amulet to protect against disease and ill health.  And if you put some in your spouses pockets it will protect against infidelity.

4. Dill – Hang a bundle of dill over a child’s bed to protect against evil fairies.

5. Fennel – bunches hung over the door were believed to keep away witchcraft.

6. Lavender will shield you and your home from negative energy.  This can be fresh or dried lavender, lavender essential oil or perfume or even incense in a lavender scent.

7. Marjoram – long known as a protector and healing herb, you can sprinkle it by the doorjamb to keep away burglars and unwanted visitors.

marjoram

8.  Pennyroyal – this mint plant has a musky scent and can be burned to protect a home against domestic abuse or violence.

9. Rue: Wear a sprig fresh or dried in an amulet to protect yourself against illness.

rue seeds

10. Rosemary – used in a bath can protect the bather from negativity and evil.

11. Yarrow – packed into amulets to protect against blindness, robbers and barking dogs.

Herb Flea Repellant Pillow

I thought it was time to give a little focus on the pets for a change.  Our cats like to wander on our porch once the weather warms, and this year they have been waiting extra long.  Now the squirrels visit in the winter and give the cats a free show each morning, which means once I open the door I am inviting fleas into the apartment.  So to keep my cats flea free  I make this pet pillow blend which I slip into bags and line the edges of the couch, place under cats other favorite sleeping areas, and sprinkle along the door edge to the patio. 

It is quick and easy to make and you can place the blend in mini tea bags, sew it into the lining of a pet bed, or make a muslin pouch or bag and slip it into the pets bed.

Herb Flea Repellant Pillow

2 parts pennyroyal
1 part thyme
1 part wormwood

Herbs may be cut or whole.  Combine them in a bowl then divide evenly into pouches or containers or sprinkle on the floor.  Do not mix or use if you are pregnant.