Did you know...? Holly

Holly is an evergreen plant that can be a shrub, a tree or a climber. Fossil evidence indicates that the holly species has been around since the time of dinosaurs.
 
There are many different varieties of holly. Most have spiny leaves that are green year-round. Holly berries (drupes) are red, brown or black. Rarely, they can be green or yellow. Holly leaves and berries are toxic and can be fatal if ingested by children.
 
This hardy plant has made its home in many parts of the world. Unfortunately, some varieties that are produced commercially have spread into native forest habitats and are crowding out native species.
 
Holly is an important food source for birds and animals, especially in the winter. It also offers them shelter from cold and windy storms.
 
Early European cultures believed holly to be a symbol of eternal life because the leaves stayed green all winter. Holly later became a part of Christian symbolism and is associated with Jesus Christ.   
 
At Christmas when we decorate our homes with boughs of holly, we aren’t just doing it because it looks nice. We are following traditions from cultures and people all the way back to ancient times. Holly symbolizes eternal life, happiness, protection, peace, hope and good luck. All good things to celebrate at Christmas. So go ahead. Have a holly, jolly Christmas.

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Journaling #16: Creating a Travel Journal

A travel journal is where you document your experiences out and about in the world. As you explore, you write.
 
Perhaps you’ve packed a suitcase or maybe a backpack. You might be day tripping. You might be a weekend warrior. If you are visiting or exploring away from your home base, consider recording your adventures in a travel journal.
 
In addition to writing about where you are and what you’re doing, you can also include photos, ticket stubs, maps, brochures and small mementos in your travel journal. Write about new discoveries and new perspectives on life &/or the world.
 
Your travel observations can be not only about the places that you visit, but also about the people whom you see or meet. People watching can help you learn about places, especially if you are experiencing a different culture or society.
 
Try using your five senses to guide your journal entries. What did you see, hear, smell, taste or touch today? Beautiful sunsets. Noisy traffic. Fragrant cherry blossoms. Sweet milk chocolate. Hot sand between your toes.
 
Emotional and cognitive experiences can also be recorded in your travel journal. Fear, surprise, anger and joy come with you as you travel. Thinking, learning and making memories are part of every travel experience.
 
Creating a travel journal is a great way to help you remember your experiences. It can be fun to look back on the places and people that were a part of your travels.
 
Travel can change you and a travel journal can help you process those changes. Gaining new perspectives and having new experiences makes you a different person. Writing can help as you integrate your past and present.
 
The next time that you jump into your car or hop onto an airplane for a travel experience, pack a notebook and give writing en route a try.

•Cupola Corner sells a selection of handmade coil bound journals that would be perfect for travel journaling.

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Did you know...? Parsley

 

Parsley is from the carrot family. It is a flowering herb that is native to the Mediterranean area but is grown worldwide.
 
Parsley requires full sun and well-drained soil. Parsley is a biennial but it is usually grown as an annual. In your home garden you can harvest as you require, picking the outside leaves first.
 
Parsley can be dried and then stored in an airtight container for use throughout the winter. If you have a sunny window, you could also repot a plant and bring it inside for the winter. I have successfully grown parsley in my miniature indoor hydroponic garden.
 
Flat-leaf parsley (Italian) is used in cooking. It is used in sauces, soups and salads. I love a bit of parsley in pasta dishes. Curly-leaf parsley (French) is most often used as a garnish.
 
Parsley has lots of nutrients, is rich in antioxidants and just like its carrot cousin it helps to protect your eyes. Lots of good reasons to grow some parsley in both your indoor or outdoor gardens.
 
"Parsley - the jewel of herbs, both in the pot and on the plate." Albert Stockli

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Journaling #15: Nature Journaling

 A nature journal is where you record your observations about your experiences in nature. It can take several different formats, including sketches, writing and photographs. Your nature journal can be whatever you want it to be.

Use your five senses to guide your journal entries. Photograph the animal prints that you see. Write about the bird that you hear. Smell, taste* and touch the world around you.

Your nature journal could include quotes, poetry (perhaps even your own), lists and leaf rubbings. So many possibilities!

Consider recording not only your observations, but also your reactions. What is your inner response to your experience? Emotional, cognitive, spiritual.

People often talk about being connected to nature. Have you ever experienced this connectedness? A nature journal is the perfect place to explore this awareness.

Getting out in nature can help lower blood pressure, boost mood and decrease levels of stress and anxiety. Nature journaling gives you the opportunity to take advantage of these benefits plus engage in mindfulness as you focus on the present moment.

Keeping a nature journal is an activity that can be enjoyed by all ages, including children. Making it a multi-generational activity adds even more potential for positive experiences and outcomes. Step up, step out and step into nature.
 
*Tasting in nature is not recommended without appropriate supervision. Not all plants are edible, and some are toxic to people and animals.

•Cupola Corner sells a selection of handmade coil bound journals that would be perfect for nature journaling.

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Did you know...? Thyme

Is it “thyme” for you to give this hardy perennial a spot in your garden? Aside from the many opportunities for some pun fun, thyme really is worth consideration when planning your garden.
 
There are over fifty varieties of thyme, only three of which are commonly used in cooking. French or English thyme is the most common culinary variety. Lemon thyme will give you a hint of lemony flavour, while caraway thyme has a nice caraway fragrance. Thyme has been described as having an earthy flavour.
 
The culinary varieties of thyme are all evergreen. They have small leaves and woody stems. You can harvest thyme during the summer and into the fall, as well. Take five or six inches off the top of the plants before they flower. You may want to leave some thyme to flower as it’s a pollinator plant and bees love it.
 
Thyme leaves can be used fresh, but you can also dry them by hanging bunches in a well-ventilated, dark place. You can also dry them in a dehydrator or at low heat in your oven.
 
Thyme is used with vegetables, soups, stews and meats like chicken and beef. You can even use it when baking. Use thyme sparingly until you know your preferences for it. Thyme is part of the Herbes de Provence blend.
 
Thyme is drought-friendly and does not like wet feet. Plant it in a well drained area. You can also plant it in a pot with drainage, and it will overwinter nicely right outside. Now that’s a “thyme” saving feature worth consideration!

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Journaling #14: Coffee Tasting Journal

If you love coffee, then a coffee tasting journal is a great way to turn your caffeine craze into a fun pastime. There are lots of commercially available coffee journals out there, but you can easily create your own using a blank notebook. So, grab yourself a cuppa and start doing your coffee tasting research.

At a minimum, an entry in your coffee journal should include the coffee shop that you are visiting, the date, the name of the coffee and your rating. Your rating scale could be a number scale (e.g.: 1 to 5), a star rating (e.g.: 5 ★) or a descriptive evaluation (e.g.: dishwater all the way to ambrosia).

You could also include information about the origin of the coffee, the grind and brew method. Additionally, use your five senses to comment on or rate your cup of coffee.

Professional coffee tasters (cuppers) consider sweetness, body, acidity, flavour and finish. Lots of opportunities here for expanding your coffee vocabulary.

Your coffee experience can also be influenced by your environment. Other suggestions for your coffee journal would include commenting on the shop that you are visiting. Make notes about the cup in which your coffee was served. Note the background sounds, such as, music or customer chatter.

You could take a photo of your cup of coffee and include it in your coffee journal entry. Coffee themed washi tape or stickers are great options for adding some colour to your journal. Use a pen with brown ink to write your notes. There are lots of fun ways to create a coffee journal that you will enjoy reading again and again.

Drinking coffee in moderation has positive health benefits, as does journaling. Together they have the potential to impact both your physical and mental health. Get out there, grab a cup of java and start journaling.

•Cupola Corner sells a selection of handmade coil bound journals that would be perfect for a coffee tasting journal.

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Check out other journaling posts here: Journaling Posts

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“Let Me Know If There’s Anything That I Can Do”

“Let me know if there’s anything that I can do.”

How many times have you said it? Lots, I’m guessing. I’m also guessing that you were being completely sincere when you said it. Did you get any takers? Probably not many, if any...

"Let me know..." can actually be unhelpful. It puts the burden on the person who is already in crisis. Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate your offer or maybe it’s time to not even ask, but just do. After all, actions do speak louder than words.

When someone is experiencing a crisis, small or large, chances are they’ll have neither the time nor the inclination to contact you or any of their friends or acquaintances to ask a favour. Perhaps they are hesitant to impose or maybe they are just overwhelmed and don’t even think about asking for help.

Here is list of things that you can do to be helpful and kind to friends who are in crisis or who are experiencing stress due to circumstances or as a result of health issues, such as, surgery, illness, depression or anxiety. Chose to do something that you are comfortable with, and that takes into account the comfort level of your friend. This list is not lengthy, but will hopefully start you thinking about the things that you can do instead of saying, “Let me know if there’s anything that I can do.”

1. Give Food: Food has always been a great communicator. It says a lot when you drop off a casserole, a tray of muffins or a plate of cookies. If you aren’t into cooking or baking or if you don’t have the time, there’s always M&M or your local bakery. A gift certificate from a local restaurant that delivers is another possibility. If your friend has special dietary restrictions, you may have to take these into account.

2. Send a Card: If you can’t figure out what to say in a note card, buy one with a “Thinking of You” note already printed in it. For the cost of a card and a stamp, you’ll have done something and your deed will be appreciated.

3. Do Chores: This one can be a bit tricky, but if it’s appropriate, cut the lawn or shovel the driveway. Take your own mower or shovel. Perhaps an afternoon of housecleaning or a gift certificate for maid service would be appreciated.

4. Suggest an Outing: A lunch date may not always be practical, but it might be. Sometimes just getting out of the house can be therapeutic.

5. Make a Book Bag: Books make great gifts for any occasion or circumstance. They can be a wonderful distraction. Deliver your book or books in a nicely decorated gift bag. Perhaps include a bookmark. A Book Bag can be theme or author based.

6. Give a Small Handmade Gift: If you are crafty, you’ve probably got things around the house that would say “Thinking of You”. Perhaps a jar of jam, a sachet or a bar of handmade soap.  If you aren’t into making, you probably know someone who is and who could help you out. The next time that you visit a craft fair, pick up a couple of items to keep on hand for unexpected events or occasions.

7. Send a Text: Hi! How’s it going? (Copy & Paste)

8. Send Flowers: It will cost a little more, but “saying it with flowers” is a long standing and greatly appreciated tradition. If you have a garden, use your own flowers. Wrap them with a piece of ribbon or arrange them in a vase or jar.

9. Give a Potted House Plant: There are literally dozens of awesome plant pots out there. Check a local nursery or gift shop for really unique items. Add a plant and you’ve got an amazing gift that keeps on giving. If your friend can’t keep a plant alive, try a succulent or a small terrarium.

10. Give an iTunes Gift Card: These handy gift cards can be used to purchase music, books, movies and apps. Something for just about everyone.

If this list gets you thinking, that’s good. If it gets you doing, that’s even better.

Be a doer.

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Did you know...? Chamomile

If you love chamomile tea, you should try growing this daisy-like herb. It’s very easy to grow and you can harvest the flowers in about 8 to 9 weeks after planting the seeds.
 
Chamomile blossoms from midsummer to early fall so you will always have a source of fresh flowers throughout the growing season. Dry the flowers for your winter cuppa by hanging them in a warm, dry spot or use a dehydrator. 
 
Most varieties of chamomile are considered perennial. That being said, chamomile self seeds so easily that you will always have new plants for years to come. They won’t always be where you want them, but you will have lots of them.
 
Chamomile is considered a medicinal herb. Studies have suggested that chamomile can be useful in the treatment of menstrual symptoms, diabetes, osteoporosis, inflammation, cancer, sleep & relaxation, cold symptoms and mild skin conditions.
 
If you are considering using chamomile for medicinal purposes, remember to check with your doctor or pharmacist about contraindications. Additionally, chamomile could produce an allergic reaction, especially if you have a known allergy to ragweed, daisy, chrysanthemum or marigolds. You should not use chamomile if you are pregnant. Do not give chamomile to infants and young children.
 
In addition to its many benefits, chamomile creates a lovely, delicate display and adds a fresh apple-y fragrance to your garden. Beneficial insects, like bees, like chamomile and you will often see butterflies flitting about. Chamomile brings lots of enjoyment, both in the garden and in your cup. Chamomile is the beau-tea-ful herb.

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References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320031#benefits

Journaling #13: Pen Meets Paper (Mindful Journaling)

Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of and focusing on the present moment. You are not thinking about the past or the future. It’s all about the here and now.

Mindful journaling is writing in a way that helps you to become more aware of yourself in your environment at that moment in time when pen meets paper.

Mindfulness has many advantages from reducing stress and improving sleep to cultivating better relationships. Mindfulness has even been shown to help manage pain.

There are lots of different ways to approach mindful journaling, all with the goal of deepening your awareness of yourself in the present moment. Doodling and colouring in your journal have been suggested as alternatives to writing. Both require you to pay attention to what you are doing now.

Writing that focuses on the five senses is a relatively easy place to start if you are interested in mindful journaling. Apparently, this is possible with or without a snack.

Start your mindfulness journey by recording what you see, hear, smell, touch/feel and taste as you sit with pen in hand. In doing so, you are being in the moment, observing and noting your experience.  

You could use the 5-4-3-2-1 method for mindful journaling and record five things you see, four things you hear, etc. One source suggested that if you do this activity outside, you could taste the air. Interesting.

The goal of mindful journaling is to create awareness of the here and now. To be in the present. The benefits of mindfulness are a spinoff of this state of awareness. You don’t write about your stress or your sleep habits or your relationships. You write about what is happening right here, right now when pen meets paper.

•Cupola Corner sells a selection of handmade coil bound journals that would be perfect for mindful journaling.

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Check out other journaling posts here: Journaling Posts

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Paper Palooza: Rice Paper

Rice paper used in crafting and art projects is not the same as rice paper that you eat. Don’t go painting on those spring roll wraps. You will be disappointed.
 
Rice paper used in cooking is basically rice flour and water. Rice paper that you use in arts and crafts is made from materials like mulberry, hemp or rice straw.
 
To make rice paper, the raw materials are soaked in water and then beaten to separate the fibres. The fibres are mixed with water and a formation aid. The formation aid slows down the water flow allowing the paper maker more time to complete the process. The pulp is spread onto a screen and pressed. The sheets are then dried. Texture, colour and design are the last step in the process.
 
Rice paper is used in origami and calligraphy. It’s also used for decoupage, mixed media art, scrapbooking, card making, and art journaling. It is used for printing and painting, as well. A unique and versatile paper.
 
You can cut, tear or water tear rice paper. You attach it using a rice paper glue. Apply the glue to the item to which you want to adhere the rice paper using a soft brush. Don’t put the glue directly onto the rice paper. You can also spread a layer of glue over top of the paper to seal it. If you decide to experiment with other types of glue, make sure that what you are using isn’t too watery or your rice paper will tear.
 
Rice papers come in lots of different colours and designs. Some rice papers are so gorgeous that you just want to look at them, but don’t. You will enjoy them much more by using them to add a unique element to your creative projects. Oh, and remember, they are not consumable.