Just sayin'...

  

A room that dreams are made of...

Love this... just sayin'!

Source: locatiarchitects.com via Denise on Pinterest

Moonlight...

"'Tis moonlight, summer moonlight,

                                 All soft and still and fair;

The solemn hour of midnight

Breathes sweet thoughts everywhere,

But most where trees are sending

Their breezy boughs on high,

Or stooping low are lending

A shelter from the sky.

And there in those wild bowers

A lovely form is laid;

Green grass and dew-steeped flowers

Wave gently round her head."

~ Emily Bronte

Moonlight, Summer Moonlight

The magic of moonlight... 
ah, yes!
Some of us love to go outside and just gaze at her wonder,
while others take to task the labors of love
while reaping the rewards 
that draw forth in Mother Nature's shadow.
I so much appreciate the special time when the moon is full,
when one dares to dream of all that may be possible.
The moment of losing oneself within romantic notions of dreams 
that once brought visions of what was to come, 
only to realize that those very dreams and gypsy visions 
have always been and always will be possible...

The moon is a reminder from Mother Nature to us all,
I believe that although we sometimes forget about her 
amidst our daily living, 
she is always there for us...
a constant, most powerful force.

The August Moon

Full Moon – August 2nd
Last Quarter – August 9th
New Moon – August 17th
First Quarter – August 24th
Full Moon (Blue Moon)– August 31st

Lovely Lavender...

                                                                              

I love having lavender throughout my kitchen.

The fragrant plant reminds me that I should not ignore it, but rather come up with more uses.  

Traditionally used in tea, my thoughts are turning to another form, such as a lovely creme brûlée...

ingredients

• 2 vanilla pods
• 300ml double cream
• 200ml whole milk
• 8 large free-range or organic egg yolks
• 75g sugar
• a bunch of lavender, flowers picked
• 4 tablespoons caster sugar

prepare...

Lavender has a clean fresh flavor and is surprisingly good in cooking. 

Preheat the oven to 275°F. Score the vanilla pods lengthways and scrape out the vanilla seeds with a knife or a teaspoon. Place the seeds into a saucepan, add the pods, cream and milk and slowly bring to the boil. Remove from the heat.

Get a large bowl that will fit over your pan and beat together the egg yolks and sugar until light and fluffy. Remove the vanilla pods from the pan and, little by little, add the milk and cream to the egg mixture in the bowl, whisking continuously. Add 2.5cm of hot water to your dirty pan, bring to a simmer and put the bowl on top of the pan. Cook the mixture for 5 minutes over the simmering water, stirring often, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Stir in a small handful of lavender flowers, but the trick is to be delicate – you only need a hint of its distinctive flavor. 

Remove any bubbles or froth from the mixture before dividing it between your ramekins. Stand these in a high-sided roasting tray, and fill the tray with water halfway up the ramekins. Place carefully in the preheated oven and cook for around 30 to 45 minutes or until the mixture has set but is still slightly wobbly in the centre. Allow to cool at room temperature then place in the fridge until ready.

To serve, sprinkle each crème brûlée with a tablespoon of caster sugar and some more of the lavender flowers and caramelize under a very hot grill or using the chef’s torch.

Another use for lavender in the kitchen would be to make a rub for chicken or meat.  

One very well known use is a Mediterranean mixture called Herbes de Provence. 

 Ingredients:  Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Savory, Basil, Fennel, Marjoram...
be sure to use olive oil to lock in the wonderful aromas & natural juices!

I love to mix it in any dish that I prepare with feta cheese 

(had this last night, and thoroughly enjoyed every bite... 

perfect for a simple summer appetizer or outside meal 

along with a glass of your favorite wine or sangria!)

Lavender Sugar

The wonderful aromas in my kitchen coming from herbs 

makes it a welcome place to be.

Other great uses for Lavender in the home...

Lavender Brooms

Lavender Decor

                                                  

Lavender Wands...

                               

Lavender Quotes...

“There are some things, after all, that Sally Owens knows for certain: 
Always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder. 
Keep rosemary by your garden gate. 
Add pepper to your mashed potatoes. 
Plant roses and lavender, for luck. 
Fall in love whenever you can.”
~ Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic

Lavender is for lovers true, Which evermore be faine; 
Desiring always for to have Some pleasure for their paine: 
And when that they obtained have The love that they require, 
Then have they all their perfect joie, 
And quenched is the fire.
~Lavender and Clement Robinson 
(Handefull of Pleasant Delites, 1584)

Happy Lammas!

It was upon a Lammas night,

When corn rigs are bonnie

Beneath the moon's unclouded light,

I held awe' to Annie

~ Robert Burns~

The Rigs O'Barley

Lammas, or hlafmaesse (loaf mass),

originates from the pagan lughnasadh,

and was once a very important festival

marking the beginning of the harvest season...

The feast of the first fruits

celebrated the first crop to be harvested,

which tended to be wheat...

thus making it the tradition for parishioners to 

offer a loaf of bread 

made from the new crop to fellow villagers

Today, of all days, let us honor our traditions & make some delicious rustic loaves!!!