This
is the room where we not only prepare the food that nurtures body & soul –
we also concoct potions & elixirs, dip candles, dye eggs in Springtime, and
where many of Life’s Little Problems are discussed and resolved over such
mundane tasks as washing the dishes. Such a special room deserves
special blessings and protections. In
mine, I have made and hung a braided strand of garlic.
For extra protection, I include bay leaves, for peace – a few sprigs of
dill, some chili peppers to keep things exciting, marjoram flowers for love, and
dried orange peel for prosperity. It
looks lovely! |
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Simmering Potpourris
are a good way to fill your home with “Instant Magick”.
Say, for instance, the dog is harassing the cat, the kids are fighting,
your spouse is grouchy and every few minutes a salesman is calling on the phone.
Toss some herbs in a little pot along with a few drops of fragrant oil
and put it on to simmer.
As the properties of the herbs and oils are released
throughout the house, just watch the atmosphere change!
Simmering
Peace: vanilla
extract, almond extract, lemon balm, apple slices and/or apple oil or simply use
apple juice or cider in place of the water you would simmer the herbs in.
Simmering
Prosperity:
chamomile flowers, lemon slices, basil, bay leaves, pine needles, ginger,
Simmering Love: pink rose petals, rose oil, cardamom.
Simmering
Romance: red
rose petals, coriander seeds, patchouli, and red wine to simmer it in.
Simmering
Creativity:
yellow rose petals, star anise, orange slices, peel or oil, instant
coffee.
Simmering
Protection:
3 bay leaves, peppermint, rosemary, elder flowers, hyssop, lavender oil.
Apple Peel Divination:
This was passed on
to me many years ago by a delightful old lady who learned it as a girl:
The next time you are peeling apples, try to remove the peel in one long
single strand. Using your right
hand, toss the strand over your left shoulder.
The letter of the alphabet that it forms will be the initial of (a) in
old folklore, your future husband or (b) for teenage girls, your next boyfriend.
Divination by Pancake:
Some Sunday
morning when the family is gathered round, have each member try this:
Scoop some pancake batter in a ladle and, with your eyes closed, drizzle
it onto the pan. Then see what shape it forms (rather like seeing pictures in
clouds or tea leaves). Children are
especially good at this.
Of course, afterward, everybody must eat his or her fortune!
My
Granny always told me to add 3 bay leaves to a pot of stew.
Not one, not two, but three - the magic number for Luck!
Love in the Kitchen……
why is it a man always
seems more aroused by the sight of a woman busy in the kitchen than any other
time or place? It seems that the
busier you are, the less he can keep his hands off you!
You, barefoot, in jeans, T-shirt and an apron, up to your elbows in suds
is more seductive than high heels, plunging neckline and diamonds over a
candlelight dinner! Go figure!
But for those of us who
aren't complaining (!) try this:
Dab a bit of vanilla
extract at the nape of your neck and throat, behind your ears - and don’t
forget your cleavage... especially
if your man is a Taurus (like mine is!), Pisces or Cancer!
Bake
a Friendship Cake:
Start with a regular, golden vanilla cake mix.
Follow the instructions on the box and add a teaspoon of almond extract.
Pour the batter into your pan then lay fresh Rose Geranium leaves in a
random design on the top. As the
cake bakes, it becomes delicately infused with the flavor of the herb. Instead
of frosting, a thin transparent glaze over the top is much more effective. Steep
orange zest and rose geranium leaves in some hot white wine (you can also use
apple juice) – about 1/3 of a
cup should do. Strain and add ½
tsp vanilla and then enough powdered sugar to make a thin glaze. Spread over the cake while both are still warm. Decorate the
edges, if you like, with fresh rose petals and fern leaves.
Serve with a delicate sorbet on the side and light a pink candle, even if
it’s daytime. A lovely cake to begin or strengthen a friendship.
Raspberry
Vinegar…
Although I’ve never seen a man go into paroxysms of orgasmic ecstasy
over chocolate the way most women do, it still is an excellent aphrodisiac.
Here is a little “potion” that will enhance that effect- especially
for women: Add a bit of raspberry
vinegar anytime you’re baking something chocolate.
It will boost more than just the flavor – though it does that too!
To make raspberry vinegar - fill
a bottle ¾ full with fresh raspberries (okay, frozen works also) then add a
good apple cider vinegar to the top. Set
this in a sunny windowsill for 2 weeks (besides the warmth helping to “cook”
the concoction, the light streaming through the ruby red potion is beautiful!).
Strain; add more raspberries and set it back for another couple of weeks.
Add about
2 or 3 Tablespoons to a chocolate cake batter or a batch of brownies; a teaspoon or two to frosting,
hot cocoa etc.
Sweetened
& combined with sparkling water, this also makes a refreshing, old fashioned summer drink.
A pot of basil in your window sill will
attract |
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Parlor Nursery Bedroom Bathroom Attic Garden