Man in the Moon Herbs

"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun." ~Mary Lou Clark~

My favorite mosquito bite remedy is Hens and Chicks, Sempervivum tectorum. It is easily grown in a well drained, sunny area and survives our harsh winters without a problem. Simply break off a nice fleshy leaf, give it a squeeze to release the soothing, cooling juice inside and dab on the mosquito bite. You may have to do this a couple of times depending on how potent the mosquito happens to be. Avoid scratching the bite while the hens and chicks works its magic and the bite will disappear! It is safe to use on most anyone. (The plant is eaten in salads in the Netherlands, I hear.) I have it planted throughout my garden so I always have a leaf handy.Mosquitoes love me! You can also use the soothing juice on minor burns, cuts and nettle stings.

This is a very forgiving and adaptable recipe. The original calls for 2 cups of cooked turkey or chicken and a 10 ounce package of frozen spinach, thawed, but you can substitute most any veggie or meat and you don't have to use half and half. Use whatever milk you have on hand. It is equally good without meat as a main or side dish. This version was inspired by what I bought at the Cooperstown Farmers market and the fact that I forgot to take meat out to thaw! The asparagus is from Lucky Dog Farm, Hamden, NY luckydogorganic.com The egg is from Hare and Feather Farm, Laurens, NY. The Asiago cheese came from Raindance Farm in Schenevus,NY. Siobhan only makes this rich, mellow cheese during the summer when her "girls" are eating fresh grass. That is her cheese in the opening photo. Yummy! Rice Tetrazzini 8 small mushrooms, quartered 5 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour 2 1/2 cups half and half or milk 1/2 teaspoon salt dash of pepper 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 egg yolk...

Every now and then I think I should get a real job with regular hours and a steady paycheck. Then I have the priveledge of doing my work on the porch with my furry friend Heidi Bear while the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the warm breeze is blowing. This is when I realize the rewards of my chosen occupation include something way more important and elusive than than money- freedom and peace. My wish for you is to find the beauty wherever your work takes you this week! ~Gail~

"To know what you prefer, instead of humbly saying "Amen" to what this world tells you you ought to prefer, is to keep your soul alive." ~Henri Matisse~

The poet Gerard wrote wh en the delicate sweet woodruff is added to a cup of wine it will "make a man merry" Galium odoratum , or sweet woodruff is a hardy perennial plant that prefers semi shade and moist, porous loam. Provided these conditions, it will happily grow and spread to m ake a pretty spring ground cover. When dr ied it has a delicate hay-like scent that isn't present when it is fresh. To make an "exhilarating drink to lift the spirits and create a carefree atmosphere" do the following- May Wine dry a small handful of sweet woodruff in a warm dry place for 3-4 hours place the dried leaves in a glass pitcher and add the juice of one lemon and half a bottle of good Rhine wine let set in a warm place for 3-4 hours add 4-6 tablespoons of sugar and the other half bottle of Rhine wine Chill add a bottle of sparkling white wine just before serving. Enjoy with the best of friends!

OK, I confess, my garden is a mess! When I first created it I had summers off and spent the greater part of every day weeding, planting, pruning, manicuring and pampering the plants that live there. It was beautiful! The work was my greatest joy. Now I work my longest hours during the summer and have little time to "play" in the little patch of Earth I have the honor of caring for. Gardening had become one more chore I just didn't really have enough time to do. Until yesterday, that is! It was cold and windy and my arthritis was flaring. I made a deal with myself that if I just cleaned up the miscanthus by the pond that would be enough. I bundled up and dragged my aching bones out to the pond to cut back the old grass from the bed by the wall. As I was clipping away and cursing my old back, this handsome fellow was revealed! Obviously, he was perfectly content with the old grass. It was his home. It offered protection from those that might have him for dinner and the biti...

"Balm, given every morning, will renew youth, strengthen the brain and relieve languishing nature." so claimed the London Dispensary in 1696. The is quite a tall order for this pretty little plant! Lemon balm is an easily grown perennial with lemon scented somewhat hairy leaves. It likes a moist soil in a sunny spot with a bit of midday shade. The leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant and are best used fresh as they lose most of their scent when dried. Harvest before the plant flowers for the best flavor. Lemon balm is good finely chopped in salads, added to white sauces and makes an excellent tea. To make a simple tea, steep 2 tablespoons of lemon balm leaves in a cup of boiled water for 10-15 minutes. It is an especially refreshing and cooling iced tea when blended with a little fresh peppermint. Add some honey if you like a sweeter tea. Traditionally, lemon balm was used to treat heart problems, insomnia and gas.Charlemagne insisted it be planted in every ...

This recipe was given to me by my friend Celeste many, many years ago. It came from a Wisconsin church cookbook and is to die for! Almost literally to die for, as it has a half pound of butter in it! We indulge once a year during rhubarb season and pretend it is a spring tonic in a cookie crust. The rhubarb measurement is vague- that is the way it was written. Just use however much you have on hand. It will be delicious! RHUBARB TORTE by Mary Geurts CRUST 2 CUPS OF FLOUR 3/4 CUP OF SUGAR 1/2 CUP OF BUTTER Put these ingredients in a bowl and cut into a crumbly mixture with a pastry blender or two forks. Press into the bottom of a greased 13X9 pan. Cut up however much rhubarb you have on hand into 1/2 inch pieces and distibute evenly on top of the crust. Sprinkle one 3 ounce package of strawberry gelatin mix over the top. TOPPING 1 CUP OF SUGAR 1/2 CUP OF FLOUR 1/2 CUP OF BUTTER Mix these three ingredients into a coarse crumble. Use your fingers- it's messy but easiest. Sprinkle even...

Why do the most beautiful of the Universe's creations have to be the most fleeting? Rene Eve Kirk 5/10/75-4/29/09

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending" Maria Robinson