Beat Those Skeeters
You may think that because it hasn't rained much over the past week or so, at least around the central New Jersey area, that mosquitos aren't going to be a problem. But it only takes a small amount of standing water for those rotten little buggers to breed.
Do a yard search - any old tires, buckets, tarps, birdbaths, garden pots or such around? Make sure they are emptied. Be careful with rain barrels. They can be a grand breeding place if water sits too long. And dounle check recycling or garbage cans to make sure there isn't any water puddled up in the bottom. Check for low spots or containers when you water your plants to assure that water gets absorbed into the ground within a few hours.
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Fruity Goodness
all year long
This time of year I love to make home made fruit leather. It's easy to do and is a great healthy snack for everyone!
~ Fresh fruit of choice (blueberries, strawberries, apples, pears, pineapple - whatever)
~ 2 apples or a small jar of unsweetened apple sauce.
If you are using fresh apples, roughly cut them, core and all, and put into a pot with about 2 inches of water. Simmer until mushy. Push through a strainer to remove pits and core pieces and skin and return the much to the pot.
If you are using unsweetened apple sauce, just pour it and your collection of fruit into the pot. Cover and simmer until everything is mushy (that's a technical term for softened sufficiently).
Puree everything, either in a blender or with a stick blender. (I've also run it all through a ricer). And return to the pot one more time. Let this boil on low for about 10 minutes.
Take what will be a gloopy mess and pour onto a jelly roll sheet for the dehydrator or a jelly roll pan that has been lined with a silpat or sprayed with Pam or the like. Spread it out so it's a thin, even layer.
For dehydrators, follow the directions on your machine for length of time. If you have a gas oven with a pilot light, you can just put the pans in the oven. Check periodically, but they'll take 12 to 18 hours to dry out. You can also put the oven on to 135°F (convection settings work really well for this. This will still take 8 to 10 hours.
Trust me, you'll never want prepackaged fruit rolls again once you start creating your own fruit leather combinations.
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Feeling Rosy
The roses have been providing a constant fragrant joy in the garden. Rugged and prolific rugosas, dainty and eager climbing tea roses, as well as elegant hybrids. June was rose month, and they seemed to know it was their time to shine.
I've been busily collecting petals, finding inspiration in the heady uplifting scent. Roses are so beneficial - both sensorial and medicinally. The lovely petals are gently astringent, stimulant, antibiotic, and tonic to the system.
Vinegar infused with rose petals has been used to help with headaches. It's also a good treatment for burns, as is rose honey.
I've even endeavored to make rose water, which has turned out marvelously fragrant and soothing. I keep it stored in the refrigerator and use it as a toner on these beastly hot and humid summer days. So very refreshing and good for your skin.
 Rose petals power is an important ingredient in our
Dó Gréine Sunburn Spray and the lifting aroma in our Moonlight & Roses Body Butter. Naturally, it's benefits are front and scenter in Honey & Roses Bath Vinegar. But this rosy season has inspired two new products:
Roseberry Adventure Body Cream - A soothing, rich body cream that's moisturizing and revitalizing for worn, tired skin.
Rose N' Dew Sugar Scrub - Roses and rose geranium are infused in to sugar and jojoba oil creating a fragrant, exfoliating shower scrub.
Rose Garden
Ceo Brionglóid (Dream Mist)
Linen Spray - a relaxing, sexy fragrance to carry your dreams to the gardens and fairies.
Treasure the time with our garden gifts of summer. And they are the gifts that keep on giving, because in the fall roses bring us rose hips, those rip little berries filled with vitamin C power. But for now... as always... let's just stop and smell the roses.
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July is gonna be Hot!
Here's where we'll be...
June might have felt hot, but July is going to be hot. Stop by and visit us at one of these great events.
Annual Summer Crafters Market at Allaire
Saturday July 10 (Rain Date July 17) · 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Admission $1 Adults · Children Under 12 Free ·
State Park Parking Fee $5.00 Admission Free
Allaire State Park, 4265 Atlantic Ave, Wall Township, NJ Spend a summer day under the trees of beautiful Allaire Village and browse among the various crafters and historic buildings. You're bound to find a treasure or two.
Saturday, July 31, 2010 · 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. $10 Fee for wine tasting · Crafters and Farm Market · Speakers and Tours throughout the Day
112 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick, NJ If you've never had the opportunity to go to the Rutgers Gardens, now is your chance. This is one of the most beautiful, best kept secrets in New Jersey. There will be a variety of vendors, the Farmers Market, and a series of wonderful lectures that will help you make the best of your garden.
Many more to come! Remember to check our blog,
the Celtic Chairde Creations Comhrá for the most current listings.
You can also find Celtic Chairde Creations products at this
new location: The Cottage Shop
495 Route 9
Bayville, NJ |
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What Makes July so Special
Did you know that America's first zoo was founded in July? It also happens to be one of the places I truly love - the Philadelphia Zoo! I still have my first Elephant Key (it was used to operate the story boxes located by all the different animals). It's still a place well worth visiting.
It's also National Blueberry month! Now that's a month long celebration to get into. How many recipes can you come up with for blue berries!
Zip codes first went into affect in July of 1963. Does anyone else think that wasn't that long ago?
 National Grilling and National Hot Dog months are celebrated in July. A perfect - and yummy pairing.
The list of good eats in July continues, as it's National Ice Cream Month. It looks to be a fairly warm July, too. So stock up on your favorites - or may be some of your own with blueberries!
You are probably familiar with the phrase "dog days of summer." Officially, those days go between July 3 and August 11, and typically the hottest days of the year in the northern hemisphere.
So welcome to the dog days of summer. Let the ice cream, blueberries, hot dogs and good time flow!
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