International Coffee Coolers

Who can afford those expensive lattes, frappes, and other coffee treats? Not me! Not when I can make my own any time I want one for pennies!

For extra flavor, head over to World Market (if you have one handy) and get those flavored syrups like the coffee shops use. They even come sugar free! I've even added expresso crystals for an "extra shot" just like those expensive coffee shops.

Lena

What's In Season for August?

Besides all those luscious fresh items from the farmers' market, there's nothing like easy ice cream to enjoy after a hot day. I'm rabid to try the ice cream sandwich cake.

I love summer...

Lena

Recipe-- Egyptian Salad

I'm not much for romaine lettuce, but this salad was intriguing enough just by its name to make me try it. Hey! Not bad! The dressing was the best part. That tangy dressing is well worth noting.

It's perfect for when you want something light and refreshing. A personal tip: chill the cider vinegar in the fridge. I keep a small bottle in the chill chest all summer.

Lena

Personalize Your Picnic and Be Prepared

No pictures today, just great ideas.

1. Grab up a pair of storage totes with locking lids instead of a picnic basket and bulky cooler. If you can, get them in different colors. In one, you can dump a bag of ice and keep your drinks cool, and the other can stow all the "dry" supplies like paper plates, napkins, clear garbage bags (one for trash, one for dirty dishes and clear so you can tell which is which), condiments, utensils, can opener, swiss army knife (several jobs in one tool!) and a container of wet wipes for cleanup.

2. If you use plastic ware, consider using a Sharpie to mark each family member's name on their own personalized utensils, cups, and plates. This can cut down on confusion and sibling arguments. You'll save money and trees.

3. Grab an old tablecloth or sheet at the thrift store and decorate it to suit your personal tastes with fabric paint, buttons, and even embroidery if you're ambitious. Stick it in the "dry" tote and never have to worry about what to sit on again. If sibling rivalry is a serious problem, use a Sharpie to divide the table into each child's own "area." You can renew the marks as needed, and allow each child to decorate their area with handprints, their names, and other symbols of themselves. Long after they're gone, you'll have a lovely keepsake.

4. For outdoor rituals, don't hesitate to mark your cloth like an altar, noting where you'd like certain items to fit your trad. This really helps when you have others helping you set up.

The Pagan Garden-- Chamomile

Whew! Where did I get this much information on Chamomile? From Rodale's Encyclopedia of Herbs (ISBN 0-87857-699-1) Sorry about the crooked one. My poor book is falling apart after over twenty years.

I chose Chamomile because of its use --and upon occasion abuse-- by pagans and herbalists. While it is soothing, the tea can cause overdose. I know, I'm one of those who got overdosed and slept for nearly 24 hours!

Also, note that the oil is derived from the flower, so please don't give it to someone with a pollen allergy.

Coconut Rice Pudding

Whoops! Okay, so they're crooked. Still looks tasty. Skip the rose water if you like and just add a bit of water or coconut milk.

Fruit In Season: Plumbs and Plum Freezer Jam (Easy!)

Plums are in season and so good for you! They don't last long, so grab them and eat them. Or better yet, PRESERVE them! You won't believe how easy this is.

I used Ball brand Natural Gel No Sugar Needed Fruit Pectin, 'cause I'm always dieting. Besides the Pectin, you will need about pile (about 3-4 pounds) of cut up plum, minus the seeds. You can also take the skins off by blanching them in boiling water for just a minute or two, then dumping them in ice water. The skins should just rub right off. Now here's the rest:

1 cup of unsweetened white grape or apple juice

Lemon juice if listed in the recipe inside the box of pectin. You will need it for plums or peaches.

Sugar and/or an artificial sweetner like Splenda

Ball Brand Freezer Jars.

1. Gradually add the pectin into the juice(s) until dissolved. Bring to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Boil hard 1 minute, and keep stirring. Remove from heat.

2. Immediately add the prepared fruit into the pectin mixture. Stir vigorously for 1 minute. Stir in the sugar/sweetner, according to the guidelines inside the box. (Pay attention! Don't skip reading those guidelines.)

3. Ladle your freezer jam into clean Ball Freezer Jars, leaving 1/2" of headspace. Apply caps, and refrigerate until set, but NO LONGER than 24 hours if you intend to freeze. Serve immediately, refrigerate up to 3 weeks, or freeze up to a year.

Yield: 4-5 (8 oz) half-pints.

Recipe: How To Grill Fish

I admit before I read this I was terrified of grilling fish. How simple can you get?

Craft: How to Make a Seasonal Garland

I'm sure all of us have made chaplets for our heads at Beltane and the like. How simple can you get? No? Hmm. I'll have to make a note to tell you how. Lovely things.

Anyway...

Making a seasonal garland is as simple as braiding hair. Easier, in fact. Here's what you do. I'm going to assume you have access to *some* natural items like small branches of leaves and perhaps a few flowers, but not nearly enough to make a garland longer than the length of a coven's altar. Certainly not enough to encircle the magic space, if you desire to make a physical symbol of your will.

You'll need a length of rope at least long enough to cover your desired size, plus approximately one foot. I recommend cotton clothesline. Not only is it cheap, it's a natural material.
The greenery you've collected.
Silk flowers to fill in the gaps. Watch dollar stores for bargains, then fill in with a few very good pieces from craft stores if you need to save money.
Florist's wire or if you're really tight for money, use twine rolled up until it fits easily in your hand.
One permanent marker

Tie one end of the rope to the leg of a table, or at minimum a door knob and work while sitting on the floor. Double the rope up until you find the middle and mark it with the marker. This is your ending point. Lay the first bit of greenery near the doorknob or table leg and facing toward the end. Tie it down tightly, leaving the wire intact. Lay the next bit right up against it and wrap the wire to secure the greenery there. Contine adding greenery and wrapping unti the stem overlaps your middle mark. Stop. Tie off or cut the wire securely.

Now go to the other end and repeat the sequence, covering the rope with greenery in a pleasing pattern. Save one of the prettiest and fullest bits for the center to finish it off. I made one for Yule years ago, and we still use it now and then. They're pretty durable with care.

If you wish, you may also wrap the garland loosely with wired ribbon, feathered boas, or whatever suits your needs. While I never did this, another coven took the time to "write in Theban certain protective words and symbols on the wired ribbon." I learned of it when their HPS came to thank me for sharing the technique. (You'd be amazed what happens when you get three or more HPS' in the same room over coffee. No coven secrets of course! Just shared fun no worse than a gaggle of women at a quilting bee.)

I recommend storing the garland in a wreath holder, or a plastic tote. Take off the real greenery first. Silk greenery is best for long-term use, and you can add to the garland as money allows.

Lena

Report on Circle of Ivy Activities Meeting

Report of Circle of Ivy Activities Meeting
August 17, 2008

Today’s Activities
We made corn dollies, as previously discussed in the July meeting, using the method found by KD on DIYnetwork.com, listed as Make a Country Cornshuck Doll. Directions were entered into Lena’s BOS for use next year, if needed. For those who look at my Blog, the directions were given on 07/17/08.
Members are also reminded that we will be doing our Smelly Arts Workshop for incenses and bath salts in October, and to please make sure you purchase the essential oils and powders of your choice. Also recommended: Epsom Salts if you wish to make bath salts.

Next Meeting:

Choices for next meeting to celebrate Mabon were as follows:

Fruit Preserving, Baked Apples, and Apple Butter
Sun Wheel of Grape Vines – Members are still welcome to collect grape vines after grape harvest in Lena’s backyard.
Witches’ Ladder and Onion Braids—Members are welcome to bring sprouted onions for a fast braid to next meeting, but will not be an official event.
Wine, Brews and Wine tasting party – rejected for financial considerations
Fall Garland
Rattles, Gourd Dippers, Gourd Birdhouses, and/or Horn of Plenty
Quilting Bee – on hold until January
Mabon Incense – will be made during Smelly Arts Workshop
Stone Magic—Menhirs, Patio Stones, and Stone Painting (on hold until rainy season ends)
Grove Blessing and Rite of Thanks

Short List of Chosen Activities
Fruit Preserving, Baked Apples, and Apple Butter—Please bring apples and fresh fruits of your choice. (Peaches, plums, apricots, figs, seedless grapes)
Make Rattles and/or Horn of Plenty—Paper Mache and dry beans or nuts in shells will be needed.
Grove Blessing and Rite of Thanks

Drink: Toast the Tropics!

I personally don't drink alcohol, but many do. As long as you're safely ensconced in your own home and don't intend to drive, please feel free to indulge. I'll be interested to know how these turn out. Write me, won't you?

Recipe: Tropical Snacks

These snacks are crunchy and definitely low fat. Don't expect the taste of a potato chip!

Another thing you can do requires only a stack of tortilla chips, seasonings, a pizza cutter, and time in your oven.

Stack the tortillas several to a layer. Use the pizza cutter to cut them into wedges. Lay them out on a sheet pan. Sprinkle them with whatever are your favorite flavorings, such as chili powder for a Mexican flavor, creole seasoning for a taste of New Orleans, or garlic powder for an Italian flair. I've even sprinkled a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon to satisfy a sweet tooth. The choice is yours.

Bake in your oven for a few minutes. In mine, about 10-15 minutes was all I needed.

Set them out with a bit of salsa or cheese dip for the non-sweet ones, and enjoy. It may take a few tries to find your personal flavor. Be persistent. However, be warned they do not store well. After a few days they're more stale than yesterday's news. Break them up and use them on top of a casserole or something.

Recipe: Mexican Hero Sandwiches

Baby, it's too hot to cook! Let's have something easy and delicious. Look at those sauces!

Craft-- Wall Art You Can Change with the Seasons

Great Décor in a Flash



Whatever your decorating style, from formal to fanciful, wall art made with STYROFOAM® brand foam will enhance your home. Here are a few more ideas:

Papers: Cover it with scrapbook paper, textured paper, handmade paper, wallpaper, maps, travel brochures, newspapers, gift wrap, even household foil.

Photos: Create a personal photo gallery by ordering large prints of favorite digital snapshots from an online developer. Cut sheets of STYROFOAM brand foam to match print sizes. Adhere photos to foam sheets, cover edges with ribbon and hang.

Fabrics: Choose upholstery fabric, quilt fabric, scarves, bandanas, faux fur or table linens. Change your wall art every time you change your tablecloth by wrapping your creative foam canvas in coordinating dinner napkins. Wrap a square of STYROFOAM brand foam in a pillowcase for custom master suite style.

Many fabric stores sell Fat Quarters and remnants very cheaply. You might find a 1/4 yard of fabric perfectly in tune with not only your decor, but the seasonal celebrations as well. Think of a circle of sunflowers for Litha, a rectangular display of pumpkin fabric for Samhain, and wedding fabrics for Beltane, glued with lace and orange blossoms. (Do I really need to mention Yule?) Why, you could have an entire "wardrobe" of interchangeable shapes and colors for your walls! (I provided an example of a "picture" on fabric to give you ideas.)

Naturals: Get today’s eco-chic look by covering your foam canvas with textured or handmade papers and layer on twigs, bark, vines, leaves, grasses, moss, flowers, sea shells or river rocks.

Mosaics: Glue small tiles, beads and broken china onto the foam canvas, and then fill it with a grouting medium to create a lightweight mosaic.

Hang Around Awhile: To hang these custom wall art pieces, simply pin and glue a small sawtooth hanger to the top center back of each piece. Or, place reusable adhesive putty on each corner (the putty will not adhere to fabric). For more elegant effect, cut a length from luxurious ribbon and glue ends to top back corners of each piece. For multi-panel groupings, a level is an essential tool for professional results.

Click here for instructions for these and more home decor project ideas.
View some of the paper selections available at your local store.

Side Salad Garden

This is more or less for the visual, though the text explains more. What's important is the concept of packing a small garden into a small space, like this tiny little side yard.

You can do this in a pot, and have salad greens even in winter if you do this now. Give it a chance to get going before the cold winds blow.

Native Jewelry Holder

What a clever idea this is! My necklaces and bracelets for ritual use are varied and fun. I plan to use this project to put them on display.

http://www.hgtv.com/crafting/polymer-clay-native-jewelry-holder/index.html

Lena

Recipes-- Tropical Trifle and Dessert Gazpacho

Notes on the Trifle:

Fat Free pound cake is a royal pain to find. If you can't, you can either make your own or just get the regular one.

Trifle bowls are delighful to show off this dessert, but any good very large bowl will do.

Notes on the Gazpacho: I'm a recent convert to these. My first taste of a tomato gazpacho was memorable only for the nausea it induced. Needless to say, I was prejudiced until I tried my first cold fruit soup a year ago without knowing it was technically a gazpacho at all. Give it a try!

Recipes- Winning Snacks

Healthy, portable snacks are important these days. Who needs those tasteless cardboard granola bars or the expensive teensy "power" bars with more preservatives than a morgue?

Recipe-- Can-Do Tomatoes

Craft- Air Dry Your Flowers

Isn't this just the prettiest way to air dry your flowers? And who says it has to be just the flowers? Bundle up those herbs and get them hung, too.

Happy Lammas!

I hope you're enjoying your Sabbat by baking bread and enjoying the warmth of summer with fun things to eat and good friends to share with. I'll see you on Monday!

Lena