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Japanese Honeysuckle (Wild-crafted)

There are over 180 varieties of honeysuckle, which include both deciduous and evergreen types. All varieties have sweet-smelling flowers that range from white and yellow to red.

Japanese HoneysuckleThe most common honeysuckle is the Japanese variety. The vine has deciduous green leaves one to three inches in length and yellow, trumpet-like, two-lipped flowers. The vine can grow in excess of 30 feet and can be supported by a trellis or grow up a structure.

Honeysuckle is an invasive plant, so it must be constantly clipped back so it does not escape from the garden and into the fields. The stems are slightly hairy when new and form a bark as they get a little older. The plant dies back in the winter in cold climates but comes back in the spring. Honeysuckle attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Japanese honeysuckle is native to Japan and Korea. It was brought to the state of New York in 1806 to be used as a food source for wildlife in the state, and because of its appeal as a plant. It was used to control and prevent earth erosion, and it worked well. In fact, the plant became invasive and had to be controlled after a while.

This is the honeysuckle used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating the heart and lung meridians. In western herbalism it is a trusted treatment for many forms of arthritis, including rhuematoid and osteo arthritis pain and inflamation. It also is an excellent treatment for gout. This is the stems only, the stem and flower mixture treats upper respiritory ailments. The stem alone is an important medicinal, besides treating joint pain and swelling, it also lowers Blood Pressure, and breaks fevers..

There are two ways to enjoy this and any Wild Crafted Tisane….

Japanese HoneysuckleSteep 1-3 teaspoons of blend in 8-ounces of water that reached a boiling point—cover and steep 5 minutes for sipping pleasure.

For medicinal results steep from 7 to 15 minutes, depending on strength desired. The longer steeped, the stronger the taste/benefits.

Most Wild Crafted herbs/plants are best dried before using. Drying preserves and strengthens the oils/flavors.

What are Capers?

CapersCapers are the un-ripened flower buds of Capparis spinosa, a prickly, perennial plant.

Capers probably originated from dry regions in west or central Asia. Known and used for millennia, capers were mentioned by Dioscorides as being a marketable product of the ancient Greeks. Capers are also mentioned by the Roman scholar, Pliny the Elder.The relationship between capers and human beings can be traced back to the stone age.

Remains of C. spinosa were unearthed in archaeological sites as early as the lower Mesolithic. (Cultural period between paleolithic and Neolithic)

CapersAfter the buds are harvested and dried, the pungent, almost peppery, lemony taste… is brought out by the pickling process in vinegar, brine, salt or wine.

Being a desert plant, the caper bush needs very little water or nutrients.

The earliest known mention of the caper bush is in a Sumerian epic of 2000 BC. … Besides its value as food and medicine, the plant is highly ornamental .

Teacher of the yearRed Quilt

 

Creating beauty that can be looked upon and enjoyed for years and years to come…yes…Blissful~

I wanted to share my long-time friend Debbie Maddys beautiful art of quilting with you. I thought it best to let her explain…so here it is…please visit Debbie on FB, friend her if you are so inclined…and get to know the lovely work she turns out.

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This is a red and white quilt made with my Hunters Star Simplified pattern. My patterns are based on my “No Diamonds No “Y” Seams” technique. Everything is made with half square triangles and squares, no bias edge diamonds. My patterns are on my website

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You don’t always see the frogs at Sage Hill…but when you do…they are dressed and ready to rock the day!!

My friend Jonas shared a lovely frog post last night and started my wheels turning…I see a “frog” project taking shape.

Stay tuned…there are frogs and there are toads…however, they all croak the same!

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Bliss can and often does have a bitter-sweet taste.

Yesterday is history preserved-

Today is history in the making-

Tomorrow is history in the balance-

We can each write our history…none however can rewrite it…..

Own yesterday, accept today, and strive for the best journey into tomorrow.

 

 

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Birthday’s are better when celebrated with sisters who understand “fabulous!”

Happy Birthday to my fabulous sister…Judy Pink…celebrating in fashion…will there be dancing with Cappuccino on a rooftop ?

Inquiring sisters want to know….

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f63eaf_d9f3683fc66c4f558b4888e47f7041a8_jpg_srz_630_473_75_22_0_50_1_20_0Good heart nutrition comes in more ways than eating the proper foods and conducting the proper movements….it is also that dose of energy that laughter brings, the release of a healing hug, the stress burner from a passionate kiss…and…it is knowing one has a special little shop where all things glamorous and good can be found.

For my friends in the UK that is a quaint little shop at E7 Number 8 in Forest Gate. My good friend and extended family members Andie and Jeff are the proprietor’s-talented, fun, and always ready to help you find the perfect gift…for someone else or for self….

I bet you could even get a cup of tea while you shop 🙂

Enjoy and take care of the Heart…in all ways.

That is Bliss in action~