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 

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Did you know...? Chives...

Chives are a perennial herb that look like little onions. They are in fact part of the onion family. They are not, however, the same as green onions or scallions.
 
Chives have a mild onion flavour that serves as a delicious accent to lots of different foods, including salads, dips and soups. One of my favourite combinations is chives sprinkled on sour cream on top of a baked potato. Yum!
 
Chives are easy to grow and require little care. They are not invasive. One plant will probably give you enough for modest use.
 
Chives are great for a pollinator garden. The bees love the purple flowers.
 
Chives can be harvested throughout the growing season. They can be enjoyed throughout the year if you dry them. Chives dry well. I use a dehydrator, but you can also hang them in bunches in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space or dry them in the oven at a very low temperature.
 
I have fond memories of our next-door neighbour dropping by my garden to pick chives throughout the summer. She loved them and I loved sharing them with her.
 
If you like onions, but they don’t always like you, chives may just be the answer to your craving. Enjoy!

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June: On Being Green....

June is my favourite month of the year. The colour green has a lot to do with that. I love seeing all of the beautiful shades of green as nature bursts forth with such verdant enthusiasm. Fresh colours not yet suppressed by the heat and dust of summer.

It turns out that spring leaves don't just look more green, they actually are. During new growth, chlorophyll, the green pigment responsible for photosynthesis, is the predominant influence on leaf colour. Young leaves are also more translucent, allowing the light to shine through the leaves making them brilliantly green. As the leaves mature, other pigments influence the colour of the leaf and the summer colours settle in.

Even for leaves, it's not easy being green.

When I first heard Kermit the Frog singing "It's Not Easy Being Green", the lyrics got stuck in my head and they are still there fifty-five years later. As I grew up and grew into myself, "It's not easy being green." became one of my favourite quotes. 

It's not easy being green, or being different. It doesn't matter what age you are, we all feel different and overlooked at times throughout our lives. Unfortunately, some people feel different or are made to feel different because they don't fit into other people's expectations. 

Kermit's song reminds us that green is "important like a mountain" and "beautiful" and in the end, "it's what [he/Kermit] wants to be."

Everyone struggles at some point with their sense of self and with trying to determine who they are. For those facing gender identity or sexual orientation questions, the struggle is not only dealing with their own thoughts and feelings, but also coping with the ideas and expectations of others. Facing family, friends, the church, schools, the medical community, government and the judicial system is overwhelming when you are different.

June is Pride Month. Supporting LGBTQ friends and family is not just something we celebrate thirty days of the year. It's a year round commitment. Being different is not easy. Being a friend should be. 

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Journaling #11: A Reading Journal

Have you ever thought about keeping a list of the books that you have read? If you have, then a reading journal is for you. Choose a notebook, pick a pen and get started. 

Recording the basic information about the books that you have read is a good place to start. Include things like title, author and publication information. You could also add information about when you read the book and possibly where you were (e.g.: on vacation, on the subway, in the backyard, etc.). Beyond that it’s up to you what other information you want to include. 
 
Some people like to record what they have learned from a book or how it has changed them. Others keep track of quotes from the book that they like. Some will include a brief plot summary. A review of the books that you have read is another possibility for a reading journal. You could also include whether you bought the book or borrowed it.
 
Creative responses can be part of your reading journal. Perhaps you like to doodle or draw. Go for it! Maybe you like stickers or maybe you like to experiment with watercolours. Adding your own personal artistic touches will really help to personalize your reading journal.
 
If you are into personal analysis, a reading journal can be part of your personal reflections on life. It can also be a great motivator if you want to read more. Best of all, remember that #readingisFUNdamental and who doesn’t want more fun in life?

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

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Early Literacy #7: Print Awareness

 Print awareness is one of the key skills in early literacy. It involves understanding that print carries meaning and that it is used in different ways.
 
Children need to be aware of words before they can read them. Understanding how a book works is part of print awareness.
 
Board books and cloth books are a great resource for helping an infant or toddler understand that books have a front cover and that the story starts at that end of the book. Pointing to words as you read helps to demonstrate that we read from left to right.
 
Talking about print is also important. Help little ones recognize that print exists in our environment in lots of different places (signs, labels, lists, advertising, etc.).
 
Helping your little become aware of print is a basic building block for literacy. Early literacy is important and it's never too early.

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 

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Reference: https://www.clel.org/early-literacy/early-literacy-story-times/six-early-literacy-skills/

Did you know...? Summer Savory...

Summer savory is an annual herb that grows well in southern Canada and in the Maritimes. It likes rich, well drained soil and is easy to grow from seeds or seedlings.

Summer savory’s flavour is often compared to oregano and thyme. It has a delicate peppery, almost minty taste. Summer savory is used to flavour many different foods, including meat, fish, eggs, soups and beans.

Since our move to the Niagara area, I have grown summer savory in a large pot. Summer savory can be used fresh or dried. It is more aromatic when dried. I harvest my summer savory in early summer before it flowers and dry it in a dehydrator.

Summer savory is one of the herbs that I use most. It is so versatile. You can quite literally, use it in almost anything that you are cooking. Sprinkle it on chicken or fish, mix it into scrambled eggs, add it to baked beans. The flavour is subtle and serves as an accent to whatever you are cooking.

Summer savory is a traditional herb in the Maritimes. It is used in dressings, stews and meat pies.
Summer savory is one of the signature ingredients in herbes de Provence. 

Summer savory has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including cough and diarrhea, but so far there has been little scientific research to support these claims.

Summer savory’s claim to fame is its use in the culinary arts. If you haven’t tried this herb, now is the time to add a fresh sprig to your salad or a dash of dried summer savory to your baked chicken recipe. It might just become one of your favourite herbs, too.

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Journaling #10: Three-minute Mental Makeover (3MMM)

 Have you ever thought about using expressive writing to help you cope with stress, but never felt like you had the time? Have you got three minutes? 

The Three-minute Mental Makeover (3MMM) is an expressive writing activity that was developed at a Chicago area children’s hospital. The goal of the program was to “reduce perceived stress and improve communication for patients, family members, and health care practitioners.”
 
The health care practitioner and the patient/family wrote at the same time, using the following prompts: “1. Write 3 things you are grateful for (be specific). 2. Write the story of your life in 6 words. 3. Write 3 wishes you have.” After writing, the practitioner invited the patient/family participants to join in sharing what they had written. Sharing was optional.
 
A study was conducted with some of the 3MMM participants, and it found that individuals reported a significant reduction in stress and an improvement in communication with the other participants. The study supported previous findings that expressive writing can improve mental health and decrease stress.
 
The Three-minute Mental Makeover stands out as an example of an expressive writing activity that does not require a huge investment of time but demonstrates a high level of efficacy. In other words, you don’t have to commit to writing ad infinitum to reap the mental health benefits of writing.
 
So, have you got three minutes?

• Cupola Corner sells a selection of handmade and handbound journals that would be perfect for the Three-minute Mental Makeover.

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Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6907914/

Paper Palooza: Cardstock

Cardstock is essentially a thick, heavy paper. It is very durable and is used in printing and crafting. Most home printers can handle a 65 lb cardstock, but anything heavier will require commercial printing. Cardstock is used in cardmaking, scrapbooking and other paper crafts.

Cardstock is made the same way that regular printer paper is made. The paper pulp is a combination of hardwood and softwood. Kraft cardstock is made from wood pulp that is unbleached and includes recycled wood fibres.

The paper pulp is spread onto a wire mesh and the water is pressed out of the paper by a machine called a Fourdrinier. Cardstock gets it thickness from more pulp being used than for printer paper. Sometimes, two or more sheets are glued together. Textures and coatings are added to create the finished product.

Cardstock can have a smooth, textured, glossy or metallic surface. It comes in lots of different colours and can have a solid core or a coloured/white core.

Cardstock can have a variety of weights and sizes. The lightest weight for cardstock is 65 lb. The heaviest weight is 110 lb. For cardmaking, an 80 lb weight is perfect for a card base. Your cards will be able to stand up for display. You will also be able to score and fold without breaking the paper. Lighter weight cardstocks are great for mats and as part of your card design.

You can easily use a 65 lb cardstock in a cutting machine (Cricut, Silhouette, etc.). It also takes an impression well and cuts easily in a manual die cutting and embossing machine (Sizzix, etc.).

Cardstock is the work horse of the paper crafting world. There are so many varieties and colours to choose from that you can almost always find what you are looking for. Use cardstock techniques like sanding, scoring, paper tearing or embossing to add a new dimension to your cardmaking. So many creative possibilities!

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Did you know...? Oregano...

 

Oregano is one of my favourite herbs. I grow it every summer and dry most of it for winter use. It’s great in pasta sauce or on pizza.

Oregano is a hardy perennial in my zone (6b). Since we moved, I have been growing it in large pots and treating it like an annual. This winter I am experimenting with over-wintering it in the garage. I am hopeful that it will revive in the spring.

Oregano is part of the mint family. It originated in the Mediterranean area. Oregano has little purple-pink flowers. It is sometimes called wild marjoram.

Oregano oil has been used for centuries in herbal medicine. There is some evidence that it can help fight bacteria, relieve inflammation and even regulate blood sugar.

You can add fresh or dried oregano leaves to a variety of foods. If you are using fresh oregano, make sure that you are just using the leaves. The stems can be woody and pose a choking hazard. For maximum flavour, add oregano towards the end of the cooking process. 

If you are going to dry your oregano, pick it just before it flowers. Hang to dry or use a dehydrator. Store in an airtight container.

Oregano doesn’t require a lot of care making it a great choice for the busy gardener or chef.

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#didyouknow

Early Literacy #6: Literary Fiction & Empathy

There is recent evidence to suggest that children who read literary fiction are more likely to demonstrate empathy towards others. Literary fiction is fiction that focuses on character development and theme, as opposed to genre or popular fiction which follows a formula, and characters develop according to the expectations of the genre.
 
The findings have implications not only for the socialization of children, but also for other groups as well. It was suggested that reading programs in prisons could help improve the ability of inmates to understand others and demonstrate empathy. The authors also hoped that their findings will encourage autistic individuals to read literary fiction in the hope it could improve their ability to empathize without the side effects of medication.
 
When choosing literary fiction for children, look for books that focus on theme as opposed to plot. Theme is the message of the story. It is often thought of as a universal truth that is expressed in the story. Some common themes in children’s literature include, friendship, self-discovery, self-acceptance, overcoming challenges, growing up, courage/bravery, loss/grief and school.

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. 

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Journaling #9: Quote, Unquote

Do you have a favourite quote? Or maybe two or three? If so, keeping a quote journal is a great idea for you. Record quotes that you find inspirational or memorable. Perhaps it was something that you read, maybe something said by someone famous or even words from a song. If it resonates with you, write it in your quote journal. It’s as easy as that. 

If you are looking to take your quote journal to the next level, consider putting just one quote to a page and then write down your reflections about this quote. You can come back later and update your thoughts. 
If you like to doodle or draw, be creative with your entries. Artsy isn’t your thing? Try using coloured pens, highlighters or calligraphy markers to add some flair to your quote journal. 

I’m guessing that you’ll want to look back at your quote journal often. After all, these words mean something to you and as such they say something about you. They may be someone else’s words, but a favourite quote helps to express your thoughts and feelings. 

What is your favourite quote?

• Cupola Corner sells a curated selection of handmade and handbound journals that would be perfect for recording your favourite quotes.

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Did you know...? Peppermint...

Did you know that peppermint is a cross between water mint and spearmint? It is just one of over 7000 varieties of mint.

Peppermint is one of my favourite herbs. I use it to make jelly for toast and I love peppermint patties.

Mint can be grown outdoors or inside. In the garden it can be invasive. In fact, I've taken to growing it in large pots that I overwinter in the garage. Inside, it requires a pot with good drainage and some sunshine.

Mint is popular in cooking. It is used to treat a myriad of health problems, such as digestive issues and headaches. It is also a natural option for repelling mice and insects. And, of course, who doesn't love peppermint candies?

Don't use peppermint if you have GERD or are taking an acid reducing medication. Peppermint may also make gallstones worse. If you are considering using peppermint for medicinal purposes, remember to check with your doctor or pharmacist about contraindications.

Reference: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/peppermint

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Paper Palooza: Washi Tape

Yes, it’s true! Washi tape is made from paper. The paper used can be made from a variety of materials, including mulberry bark and hemp. Washi tape is typically made from Japanese rice paper.
Washi tape was originally a masking tape that was produced by a Japanese company. They received requests for different colours and the washi tape phenomenon took off.
 
The glue on the back of washi tape is made from rubber that has been kneaded and heated. It is mixed with a resin and then applied to the back of the tape. Next, the decorative designs are printed onto the tape.
 
Washi tape is semi-translucent and comes in a wide range of designs and patterns. It is easy to reposition. You can tear it. You can write on it and it works on many different surfaces.
 
Washi tape is used in scrapbooking, journaling, crafting, home décor and cardmaking. Because it is easily repositionable, it’s perfect for your own designs and creations. It you don’t like the look, simply lift off the tape and try it in another spot.
 
Lots of people have tried to make their own washi tapes. Some of them look lovely, but none of them have that “je ne sais quoi” of a true washi tape.
 
A word of warning: Washi tape can be highly addictive. I mean, really, it’s just so gorgeous. Maybe it’s not really an addiction, though, but rather a curated collection. Yes, that’s it!

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