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 and handbound journals that would be perfect for a coffee tasting journal. 

#journaling

“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 and handbound journals that would be perfect for mindful journaling.

#journaling

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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.

Early Literacy #9: "Read it again!"

I’m guessing that you have probably heard it before… “Read it again!” Young children love to hear their favourite stories read to them over and over and over again. Even my grandson who doesn’t yet talk, easily communicates when he wants me to read The Itsy Bitsy Spider again and again and again. Well, you get the picture, right? 

Rereading books to children is a good thing. Rereading familiar stories is not only a source of comfort, but it also helps to build vocabulary and language skills. Research indicates that repetition is key to language acquisition. Comprehension and an understanding of narrative structures are strengthened through repetition. 

Making connections to a familiar story helps young children to develop a sense of mastery and to build confidence. Rereading a book is not just about liking the story, it is a powerful tool for early literacy. The next time your little asks, go ahead and “Read it again.” 

The Cupola Corner Literacy Project purchases books for young children. When you buy a product that generates funds for The Cupola Corner Literacy Project you are helping to promote early literacy and helping young children learn to love reading. #readingisFUNdamental  

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Reference: Wheeler, S. (2025, February 4). Read it Again: Why Rereading Books Is Good for Kids. Spinning Wheel Stories. https://spinningwheelstories.com/blogs/threads-of-wonder/read-it-again-why-rereading-books-is-good-for-kids#:~:text=Children%20thrive%20on%20routines%20and,and%20insights%20with%20each%20reading.

Did you know...? Milkweed...

Common milkweed is a native plant in my area of Canada. I started growing it about three years ago when I created my butterfly garden. Monarch butterflies love it and lay their eggs on the leaves so that the newly hatched larvae can munch on the milkweed leaves. This is the only food source for monarch larvae, making common milkweed a critical link in the survival of this beautiful, but endangered species of butterfly.

For decades, common milkweed was once listed as a noxious weed, but due to lobbying on behalf of monarch butterflies, it has been removed from the list here in Ontario. Some provinces still have it listed on their noxious weed lists. 

Common milkweed can be dangerous to some livestock and poultry. Pets can be poisoned if they ingest it. Common milkweed is also toxic to people. 

Common milkweed can be very invasive. I have mine planted in a raised bed that confines the propagative roots. It’s also within a fenced in area that keeps the grandchildren out of harm’s way. 

Monarch butterflies are attracted to the heavily scented flowers of the common milkweed. The blooms are usually pink or purple, but can also be white. Common milkweed is perennial so once it’s established, you’ll always have a supply. 

With some safety considerations, common milkweed makes a great addition to your summer garden. We have monarchs flitting about most of the summer and they are amazing to watch. Such beautiful creatures! We’ve had some monarchs lay eggs but have yet to see a larva survive to the chrysalis stage. Fingers crossed for next summer!

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Journaling #12: Rock-a-Bye Journal

Journaling has been shown to not only improve quality of sleep but to also help you fall asleep faster. Pass me a pen!

Using expressive/personal writing (sharing experiences, thoughts, feelings, ideas) for journaling can help people process emotions, thereby, helping to reduce the “mental chatter” that often interferes with sleep. Reflective writing (exploring the impact of experiences) can produce a calmer state of mind that is more conducive to sleep.

A basic sleep journal or log is an option that can help you and your doctor identify patterns and hopefully lead to better sleep habits. A sleep journal or log would include things like hours slept, time taken to fall asleep, exercise and eating patterns, among other things.

The real (night) light at the end of the tunnel is research demonstrating that something as simple as taking five minutes before bedtime to write a specific to-do list can facilitate falling asleep. The study showed that the more specific the list, the faster participants fell asleep. Wow!

One-quarter of adults aged 18 to 79 in Canada report problems with falling or staying asleep most of or all the time. If you are one of these people, you may want to consider some type of bedtime journaling.

So, grab a pencil, pen, marker, piece of chalk or maybe even a quill and start writing. I’ll be using my colourful Ink-Joy gel pens to make my to-do lists.

• Cupola Corner sells a selection of handmade and handbound journals that would be perfect for a sleep journal.

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#journaling

References:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5758411/

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/health-promotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-43-no-5-2023/associations-sleep-duration-sleep-quality-indicators-mental-health-among-youth-and-adults.html

Early Literacy #8: Phonological Awareness

Recognizing and manipulating sounds in spoken words is referred to as phonological awareness. It is a key skill in early literacy and playing with sounds is a great way to help children develop phonological awareness.
 
Simple rhyming games can be fun for young children and will help them to develop phonological awareness. Give a few examples and let your little chime in. Pretend words are acceptable! (cat…hat…bat…zat) Rhyming stories and songs are also great for identifying rhyme.
 
Syllable awareness is another way to promote phonological awareness. Tap, clap or stomp out the syllables in a word. Extend this activity by counting the syllables as you clap.
 
Identifying initial sounds in words will also help children to develop phonological awareness. Cat starts with /k/. Dog starts with /d/. You could also try an “I Spy” game and look for things that start with /k/, /d/, etc. “I spy with my little eye something that starts with /k/.”
 
Young children like to play games and playing with sounds can be lots of fun. Keep it light and keep in mind that every opportunity to develop phonological awareness is a chance to help your child or grandchild acquire an important early literacy skill.

The Cupola Corner Literacy Project promotes early literacy and helping young children learn to love reading because #readingisFUNdamental. 

The Cupola Corner Literacy Project purchases books for young children. When you buy a product that generates funds for The Cupola Corner Literacy Project you are helping to promote early literacy and helping young children learn to love reading. #readingisFUNdamental 

🔍To return to the main page, please click on the banner at the top of this page or click on this link: Cupola Corner Blog