Indoor Crafty ideas for winter, How Tuesday

There is nothing so bad as posting an interesting title, but leaving the post blank!

Last Week I was going to be away from my computer so I posted a few blogs ahead. But few of them posted exactly right, so for those who looked at this before, I am sorry.  Here is the actual info:

Terracotta Bird Feeder / Bird Bath

Make the outdoor animals happy and give yourself something fun to view.

Make a bird feeder from a terracotta pot.

These make good gifts too!

Using a plain colored terracotta pot with a tray, invert the pot and the tray.  Use the upside down pot as a base and the right side up tray on top of the pot bottom.  Super glue the tray onto the pot bottom. You can use any size you like.  Now using paints, stamps, or permanent markers, decorate the pot.  Fill it with seed to create a bird feeder.  In the summer fill it with water to be a bird bath.






Tortilla Snow Flakes

We have not had a snow storm of any consequence here in Chicagoland this year, much to my disappointment, so when I found this activity in files I just had to try it.  It is very fun to try with your kids.

All you need is a few flour tortillas, melted butter and colored sugar (or food coloring and white sugar)
    or for a more adult tasting treat use olive oil and a blend of dried herbs like thyme, savory, parsley and oregano

Fold the tortillas like you fold paper to make snowflakes.

Cut out all the little bits just like you would for paper snowflakes.

Then open them up.

Place them on a baking sheet and paint with melted butter.  Sprinkle on colored sugar and bake for a few minutes. It's a great snack and a craft in one!

Scented Stones

I tried these with the Girl Scouts a few years ago and they were a big hit.

1 ½ cups white flour
¼ cup salt
¼ tsp cornstarch
2/3 cup distilled water, brought to a boil
1 Tbls essential oil or fragrance oil (any scent you want or make smaller batches and use multiple scents.)
2 tsp dried herbs if desired

Mix all the ingredients together in a disposable container until a dough forms.  Roll the dough into balls about the size of a large marble.  Flatten them with your fingers to look like pebbles and rocks. 

They must be allowed to dry very thoroughly.  If you are not sure if they are dry spread on parchment paper on a baking sheet and set in low oven 200 degrees for several hours.  Once they are dry place a few pebbles in a terracotta tray with a few dried herbs or leaves and pine cones for a decorative display.

Using dried herbs in the blend will give them a more earthy coloring.


 

Valentine Gift Sets

I have to admit we were well into January before I realized Valentine’s is right around the corner. It's time to think about that special someone for Valentine's Day.  And I will make it easy for you, just click and order--no need to shop or mail.  I'll do it for you. You'll have to order right away, though.

Here's what we've got for the romantic day:

Premium Valentine's gift set: You get Pink Champagne Bath salts, Champagne truffles, Fizzing Romantic Rose salts in a test tube, and a bottle of luscious body lotion.  Comes in Romantic Rose scent, unless you request another scent. Beautifully packaged in a pink & red Pillow Box. All this for $24!

Pink Petite Valentine's gift set: This lovely set includes Pink Champagne Bath Salts, luscious body lotion, and fizzy bath salts. This one is also beautifully packaged, ready for gift-giving, and scented in Romantic Rose, unless you request another scent. Just $15 for this set!

Sizzling Conversation Set – This set contains three Fizzy Bath salts, each in a test tube and packaged in an organza bag. Three scents or one single scent.  We will package the romantic rose or any other scent you choose.  They're cute, unique, and only $10!
 
Pair of Hearts: This cute paring is perfect for a wife, girlfriend, friend, or anyone you'd like to bestow a novel, but inexpensive gift on.  This pairing is a lavender bath salt blend with a lavender-based Herbal Tea.  Nestled on colorful shred in a takeout box. Ready for gift-giving. It's a great little something for only $5 






Fragrances available: Lemon Citrus (a grapefruit, orange and lemon blend), Romantic Rose, Lavender, Lavender Patch (lavender & patchouli), or Dreamy Herbal Blend (notes of Palmarosa, Lavender, and Clary Sage marry to create a provocative blend)

To see other items from the Backyard patch, check out our Website: www.backyardpatch.com or our Etsy Shoppe where we post all the seasonal specials like these gift sets.

Brew up a Cup of Tea

For Hot Tea Month, I decided I should share more about tea on my blog.  But first I think you should just brew some!

A cup of fragrant herb tea is a natural choice when you want to avoid caffeine. And best of all, you can grow a variety of wonderfully scented herbs and snip off a couple of sprigs whenever you want a comforting cup of tea. You can also dry them and keep them for winter use during cold season or to give as gifts.

Add them to your garden and it comes alive with their spicy scents and with appreciative wildlife. Bees, hummingbirds and butterflies love the flowers of many herbs. It’s a pleasure to rub the leaves and enjoy a whiff of all the different perfumes while working in the garden. Many will do well potted into containers for your porch or patio.

Some of my favorites are: lemon verbena, bee balm, chamomile, scented geraniums, catnip (aka, catmint), pineapple sage, and lemon balm. But you may enjoy a more savory flavor with marjoram, thyme, especially the flavored thymes, like lemon or orange, and Holy Basil.

Brewing Herbal Tea

To brew herb tea just add a few leaves or sprigs to your tea pot, or follow this basic method from Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs:

1. Use a non-metal tea pot to preserve the true flavors.

2. For hot tea use 2 tablespoons of fresh herbs or 1/2 tablespoon of dry per cup of water.

3. For iced tea use 3 tablespoons of fresh herbs or 1 1/2 tablespoon of dry per cup of water (to allow for ice cubes).

4. Bring water to a boil, then pour over the herbs in the tea pot; cover to steep.

5. Steep for at least 5 minutes, test for taste, steep longer if desired.

Serve with honey, lemon or orange slices, or sprigs of fresh herbs. I like to add a dab of honey to both hot and iced tea. For iced tea add the honey before chilling the tea so it will dissolve.

Teapot Therapy

The pleasant ritual of brewing tea and enjoying a couple of cups from my teapot is very soothing. If you don’t have a teapot you can brew your tea right in your cup, just cover it while it’s steeping and strain out the herbs by pouring it into another cup to drink. Then keep an eye out at garage sales or pottery sales for interesting teapots to collect and enjoy a daily herbal tea ritual.

Winter Blahs - Quick cures

Now that the holiday season is over, but the days are still so short, it is easy to feel a bit lackluster in energy.  I thought I would share a few quick and easy recipes that will help you improve your mood and energy as the winter months drag on.  I did a post last winter about this same time detailing some of the herbs that will lift spirits in winter.  Check it out with this link.

Enjoying the Cold

This recipe I found in the Essential Herbal Magazine December 2012 edition.  Michael Blackmore wrote an article about making herbal ice pops.  One of his suggestions was a blend of heart healthy and uplifting herbs he called Happy Heart.  Here is how he made it.

1 1/2 cups boiling water
2 ounces of lavender buds
2 ounces rose hips
1 ounce hawthorn berries
1/2 cup honey

In a pint-sized mason jar combine the herbs and berries and allow to steep for several hours.  Filter out the herbs from the water, placing the liquid in a measuring cup.  Add the honey and stir until dissolved.  Pour the result into molds, leaving head space for expansion.  Freeze for several hours (between 2 and 6 depending on the freezer.)

Using Aromatherapy

Another way to lift spirits is with scents.  This combination of essential oils can be used in salves, lotions, room sprays or scent infusers.  Combine the following oils in a jar and shake well.  Then add by drop to terra cotta infusers or other scent holding items.  This is may favorite blend as it citrus base adds a ray of sunshine:

5 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
5 drops of Orange Essential Oil
3 drops of Geranium Essential Oil (I use Lemon geranium)
2 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

Five Benefits of Herbal Tea

Whether you want to shed some few pounds or simply desire to have good heath, herbal tea is definitely good for you. Herbal tea is a great substitute if you find drinking mineral water plain. Make sure you drink five glasses every day to relish all the benefits. Here are five top reasons  (one for each cup of tea) why you should drink herbal tea.

1. Great for weight loss

Herbal tea has been known to help in losing weight. This is a popular topic, reason being that teas can actually help in weight loss as they increase the body’s metabolism thus improving your blood circulation, cholesterol level and ultimately enhances cardiovascular health.

2. Prevents Cancer

People who drink herbal tea are less susceptible to lung cancer and other common diseases. Believe it or not, research indicates that herbal tea helps to treat stroke, heart ailments and even certain cancers.  But it could also be the lifestyle those that drink tea tend to adopt?!

3. Cures stomach ailments

If you suffer from frequent stomach ailments, try drinking at least a cup of tea every day after your meals. Herbal tea reduces the acids in the stomach and therefore digestion takes place ably.  Ginger and any of the mints can quiet digestive ailments.

4. Enhances the immune system

According to recent scientific studies, herbal teal strengthens the body’s immune system to ensure you are not prone to flu and other lung diseases. With a strong immune system, your body now has the ability to repair and regenerate the damage cells rapidly.  Echinacea is said to be a marginal assist with this, but germ fighters like lemon grass, thyme and sage will certain help.  And a bit of extra Vitamin C you get from parsley and rosehips cannot hurt either.

5. Reduces stress

When your work and lifestyle seems stressful, drink one cup of tea. It is relaxing and therefore very effective at minimizing stress levels.  Lavender and chamomile will both help your body calm down in stressful situations.

On the other hand, herbal tea has been known to interfere with medication, so always consult your physician. For instance, it prevents proper absorption of iron in the gut. Herbal tea is also considered an expensive habit, especially if you become addicted, like me – it could lead to large gardens and tea pot collections and many other bad habits.

What to do with leftovers? - Weekend Recipe

My husband likes a turkey sandwich the next day, but after that he would rather I put away the turkey in the freezer for a time several weeks int he future.  I on the other hand can eat cold turkey sandwiches for weeks after Thanksgiving and Christmas and be very happy!

This idea came from his need to put food away for later.  I actually saw an improvement to it in the November 2012 Better Homes and Gardens!

Take pie dough.  You can make your own from scratch or use some store bought pie crust.  Press the crust down into muffin tins and bake in a 425 degree F oven for 8 to 10 minutes.  Then you fill these mini pies with left overs.  A bit of turkey with gravy and some cranberries.  Or maybe turkey with gravy and green beans.  top them with mashed potatoes and sprinkle with chopped chives, thyme and parsley.  You can serve them at room temperature or pop the filled crusts into the microwave to make a warm left over treat.

I fill the pie crusts and seal with the mashed potatoes creating a mini pot pot.  Then I pop them out and place them in a freezer container.  One makes a mini meal, two a dinner, so you can relive Thanksgiving or Christmas all through the rest of the winter.

Cat and Dog Treats you can make at home!

My cats are bored.  The squirrels that play on my patio keep then entertained when there is daylight, but as you all know in the northern hemisphere this time of year the days are shorter and the nights are longer. 

As a result the cats get bored and start picking on each other.  We got them many new toys for the holidays, a catnip mouse and a small stuffed cigar that can be carried around in the mouth, which my one cat loves to do.  We even created a new cat sleeping area under my husband's desk that is getting rave reviews.   However, they still wake us up in the middle of the night with cat wrestling matches.

Malo Gato

So we decided to reward good behavior with treats.  Let us sleep through the night and you get treats in the morning.  Don't and you have to wait until night time for anything special.

I can make treats with tuna and chicken, but these cheese bites seem to be the most popular in the morning.  They are even more popular than squirrel watching!

Savory Cheese Treats

·   3/4 cup white flour

·   3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

·   5 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

·   1/4 cup plain yogurt or sour cream

·   1/4 cup cornmeal

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine cheeses and yogurt. Add flour and cornmeal. If needed, add a small amount of water to create a nice dough. Knead dough into a ball and roll to 1/4 inch. Cut into one inch sized pieces and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake for 25 minutes. Makes 2 dozen.

PaddyWhack

Now, just because the cats are getting treats, we cannot leave out the dog, so here is a treat for the pooch as well!

Dog Treats

biscuit dough:
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 Tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup water
glaze:
1 large egg
2 Tablespoons milk

1. Preheat the oven to 275°.
2. In a large bowl: combine the flour, oatmeal, wheat germ, peanut butter, vegetable oil, honey, baking powder and water.
3. Mix the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
4. Roll the dough out to a ½-inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes and place on baking sheets.
5. In a small bowl, mix together the egg and milk. Brush the glaze on the biscuits.
6. Bake for 30 minutes. Rotate the pans, and bake for an additional 20 - 30 minutes, until biscuits are golden and firm.