Heritage Museums and Gardens Our next stop was the Heritage museums and gardens with over 100 acres of gardens and nature trails! The antique auto display, From Carriage to Classic: How Automobiles Transformed America, featured 26 cars from the late 1800s to the 1960s. An 1899 Winton Motor Carriage, 1910 Sears Model P Surrey, and a 1915 Ford Model T Roadster Pickup Truck were a few of the vehicles on display.  Labyrinth
Lego Insects
Chasing a Windmill
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The first stop was on our trip was Sandwich, the oldest town in Cape Cod, founded in 1637. We toured the Sandwich Glass Museum, founded on July 4, 1825. Deming Jarves, a merchant from Boson, opened his factory, originally featuring blown glass, and shortly followed, in 1827, to include pressed glass.
  The Sandwich Glass Museum has an extensive collection of glass, including blown and pressed pieces, both plain and decorated, created over 62 years. The factory closed on January 1, 1888, due to financial difficulties from completion from other factories and a worker’s strike. The factory buildings were torn down in the 1920s and 1940s. A bronze tablet marks the location. Viewing the glass, and the information on the text through out the museum, gives a fascinating view of the part glass played in our history. Featured pieces range from practical every day wear to elegant, extravagant creations. In addition to the displays, every hour on the hour, there are demonstrations of different glass blowing techniques. The gift shop features contemporary glass for sale with a wide range of variety and prices!   1/2 cup sugar 2 Tablespoons fresh lavender blossoms I cup (two sticks) butter at room temperature 2 cups almond flour 1 cup flour Combine the sugar and fresh lavender blossoms using a food processor. Add the butter and combine. Next add the flours. Mix until thoroughly combined. The batter will be soft. Chill for 30 minutes. Flour both sides of the dough and place between two long sheets of waxed paper. Using a rolling pin, roll to 1/4 inch thickness. Work quickly. The dough will get soft again as you work with it. Cut cookies with a floured cookie cutter. Remove all the excess dough and return to the 'fridge. This will make it easier to move your shaped cookies. Gently lift cookies onto a cookie sheet lined with baking parchment paper. Chill the cookies on the baking sheets for 30 minutes Set oven temperature to 300 degrees F. Once the oven is preheated, bake for about 30 minutes. Begin checking at 20 minutes and don't let the edges of the cookies brown. Cool on a wire rack placed. Glaze 1/2 cup confectioners sugar 1 Tablespoon water. Mix thoroughly with a fork. Add a little more water if needed. Keeping the cookies on the wire rack, move them over the sink if your rack fits, or place waxed paper under neath for easy clean up. This can get messy! Use a spoon to lightly glaze the cookies. Top with lavender blossoms. Let the glaze set up and serve.  My last harvest of lavender and almond lavender cookies to celebrate the summer solstice.
 One of the simplest ways to use lavender is to simply gather the stalks of lavender and tie with a ribbon. It's best to cut them as soon as the flowers are in bloom in the spring. Cut them a few inches above the woody growth so you won't harm the plant. Gather first thing in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun becomes intense. Hang to dry in a cool dark place.  Lavender hearts You'll need 6 stalks of lavender Ribbon - I've been using 3/16 inch lavender satin ribbon for all my projects. It's not too large to over power the lightness of the flowers. Make two lavender braids using 3 stalks for each braid. When they are braided, bend into a loop. Put the two loops together to form a heart, keeping the flowers on top. Cut off the stems in the back and tie with a ribbon.  Lavender garnishes 12 to 18 stalks of lavender One egg white, beaten until frothy 1/3 Granulated sugar Waxed paper or parchment paper Dip just the flowers of the lavender into the egg whites to completely cover, then dip them into the sugar. Place on waxed paper or parchment paper and let dry away from heat or sun. Use as a garnish with fruit salad, lemonade, or iced tea. Stir some fresh lavender flowers into your favorite sugar cookie recipe, vanilla ice cream or lemon sherbet.
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 Cut lavender stems as close to the base as possible. Remove the leaves to use for potpourris or other projects. Gather and loosely tie the flowers at the base with thread. Trim the stalks to an even length.  Begin weaving the ribbon over and under each stalk. |  Tuck the end of the ribbon into the stalks to secure it. Gently turn each of the stems over the lavender flowers.  Continue weaving to the base of the flowers.Secure the ribbon in a knot but don't cut it. |
Wrap the ribbon diagonally down the stem, secure at the base of the stem with a couple of knots, then cut the ribbon.
Monarda didyma
Scarlet Beebalm
Gender: Feminine
Element: Water
Planet: Mercury
The brilliant scarlet bee balm, is a perennial herb and belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. My fondest memories are the patches that grew at Camp Arcona, a much loved Girl Scout Camp in Mechanicsburg, PA. Sadly, the camp was sold for real estate development. Our beloved camp may be gone, but our memories remain. When day camp began in June, the gorgeous crimson flowers were always there to greet us!
There are two reasons bergamot has the folk name bee balm. One is bees are attracted to it, and another is the leaves are soothing when rubbed on a bee sting.
The flowers are edible and the petals add a tangy flavor, in addition to a splash of color, to garden salads and fruit salads. Add to corn muffins or corn bread for unexpected zest! They compliment sweet as well as savory. Use your imagination and make this versatile herb a part of your welcoming summer ritual!
There are two reasons bergamot has the folk name bee balm. One is bees are attracted to it, and another is the leaves are soothing when rubbed on a bee sting.
The flowers are edible and the petals add a tangy flavor, in addition to a splash of color, to garden salads and fruit salads. Add to corn muffins or corn bread for unexpected zest! They compliment sweet as well as savory. Use your imagination and make this versatile herb a part of your welcoming summer ritual!
Salvia officinalis
Gender: Masculine
Element: Air
Planet: Jupiter
Gender: Masculine
Element: Air
Planet: Jupiter
The sage is ready to harvest so I've been making Sage Bundles. Sage and other herbs, such as red cedar, have been burned by cultures and tribes through out the world for thousands of years. Sage is most often associated with Native American Indians, yet not all tribes participate and the uses may vary, or even be taboo, depending on the time of the year and the tribe's beliefs.
Burning sage, or smudging, is purifying, cleanses the air of bacteria and repels insects, can improve your mood, the quality of your sleep, and more. I'll go into more detail about the numerous benefits and how to use them when the sage bundles have dried. This post gives directions for creating them with the sage in your garden or purchased. I like to make my own so I'm sure of the quality of ingredients.
The first step is growing the sage. It is best gathered in the early morning after any dew evaporates. Trim into 5 or 6 inch lengths, being sure to leave half of the plant so it will remain healthy. Remove any discolored or wilted leaves,
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Once the herbs are harvested, spread them out on cloth or paper to dry for 24 hours to begin the drying process. I use burlap but newspaper, brown paper or muslin will work. Turn them over several times to begin the drying process
Divide herbs into bundles. Measure pieces of natural colored twine or string 5 or 6 times the length of your bundles. Place the stem end of the sage over the center of the twine and tie a knot, wrapping several times. Cross the string in x patterns as you work up the bundle toward the top of the leaves. Tie securely. Trim the stem ends. Hang the bundles in a dark, dry area and allow to dry thoroughly, about 4 to 6 weeks. When mine are dry, I'll post on additional benefits and how to use them.
Magnolia grandifolia
Gender: Feminine
Element: Earth
Planet: Venus
Gender: Feminine
Element: Earth
Planet: Venus
"My mission is
to help others see and cherish the beauty,
romance and treasures within and around them
that are often dismissed or completely overlooked."
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Mikell
Mikell is a writer, artist and professional treasure hunter, finding the greatest treasures in the wonderful people who enter her life!
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