Word for the Day real beauty is perceived
our eyes can deceive
but our heart will not lie
for the heart perceives
whether
the beauty we see
the beauty we see
is real.
Robyn
BEING ME Being a homemaker
Being a homemaker is what gives some people, both men and women, a great sense of purpose and satisfaction.
What does one need in order to make a home? I think the most important ingredient is the people in the home - whether they live there or not - without the primary focus being on what the home looks like, or what things are in the home. Concentrating on people rather than things, is what counts.
Today was the BIG DAY with the British TV production company who by an uncanny string of events, were interviewing hubby and I, and filming our home and garden. They brought a British couple to see our home along with another 3 homes on the Sunshine Coast. I was more interested in the TV crew who were in our home than I was in how the home looked!
It has been such a busy week de-cluttering the home and hiding in the garage all of those treasures of books, photos, hobbies, ornaments etc that make a house a home. It was very exciting preparing our home for this event, and to think that OUR home and garden will be viewed on Channel 4 in Britain in a few months' time. I still can't believe it!
I actually completed my 7 day beauty treatment. The evening milk-and-honey baths were so very therapeutic and relaxing after extremely busy days of de-cluttering and cleaning. The baths were truly transforming for one's skin (see recipe a week ago on the blog titled Birds and Beauty Treatment). I hope to continue with a weekly milk-and-honey bath.
Was Moses a home-maker?
What does one need in order to make a home? I think the most important ingredient is the people in the home - whether they live there or not - without the primary focus being on what the home looks like, or what things are in the home. Concentrating on people rather than things, is what counts.
Today was the BIG DAY with the British TV production company who by an uncanny string of events, were interviewing hubby and I, and filming our home and garden. They brought a British couple to see our home along with another 3 homes on the Sunshine Coast. I was more interested in the TV crew who were in our home than I was in how the home looked!
It has been such a busy week de-cluttering the home and hiding in the garage all of those treasures of books, photos, hobbies, ornaments etc that make a house a home. It was very exciting preparing our home for this event, and to think that OUR home and garden will be viewed on Channel 4 in Britain in a few months' time. I still can't believe it!
Location, Location, Location is a British Channel 4 property programme, presented by Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer and produced by IWC Media, part of the RDF Media Group. The reality show follows Kirstie and Phil as they try to find each week, the perfect home for a different set of buyers.
I actually completed my 7 day beauty treatment. The evening milk-and-honey baths were so very therapeutic and relaxing after extremely busy days of de-cluttering and cleaning. The baths were truly transforming for one's skin (see recipe a week ago on the blog titled Birds and Beauty Treatment). I hope to continue with a weekly milk-and-honey bath.
Was Moses a home-maker?
Moses and his wife, Zipporah, made a home for themselves in Midian, a sheep district. This was the place Moses fled to after killing an Egyptian who had been beating a Hebrew slave.
After some years, the family travelled from Midian to Egypt because Moses had been given an errand by God. Zipporah and the two sons travelled the distance on a donkey. I can't imagine that the family made a home in Egypt, for it was a most terrible time of challenge and plague with a final escape, under Moses' leadership, of the Hebrew slaves who had been living under Pharoah's harsh hand.
During the 40 year exodus of the Hebrews, Moses and his family did not make a home as we know it. In fact, Moses sent his wife and two sons back to his father-in-law in Midian, but there is a record of them all visiting Moses on one occasion when the Hebrews were camped near the mountain of God. Story in Chapter 18 Old Testament) According to some scholars, the mountain of God was possibly Mt Sinai.
Just goes to show that important historical people may not necessarily live their lives in a traditional mold of "home-making".
After some years, the family travelled from Midian to Egypt because Moses had been given an errand by God. Zipporah and the two sons travelled the distance on a donkey. I can't imagine that the family made a home in Egypt, for it was a most terrible time of challenge and plague with a final escape, under Moses' leadership, of the Hebrew slaves who had been living under Pharoah's harsh hand.
During the 40 year exodus of the Hebrews, Moses and his family did not make a home as we know it. In fact, Moses sent his wife and two sons back to his father-in-law in Midian, but there is a record of them all visiting Moses on one occasion when the Hebrews were camped near the mountain of God. Story in Chapter 18 Old Testament) According to some scholars, the mountain of God was possibly Mt Sinai.
Just goes to show that important historical people may not necessarily live their lives in a traditional mold of "home-making".
Garden Asparagus
Constituents: volatile oil, rutin and other flavonoids, saponins, tannins, asparagin, resin, gum, steroidal and bitter glycosides, albumen, coniferin, vanillin, tyrosin, sugar, arginin, asparagose, chelindonic acid, protein, fibre, protein
Constituents: volatile oil, rutin and other flavonoids, saponins, tannins, asparagin, resin, gum, steroidal and bitter glycosides, albumen, coniferin, vanillin, tyrosin, sugar, arginin, asparagose, chelindonic acid, protein, fibre, protein
Vitamins: A, B, folic acid, C, E
Minerals:calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium sodium,
zinc,
selenium,
iodine, magnesium, manganese, sulphur, silicon, florine
Actions: aperient, diuretic, diaphoretic, antispasmodic,
anti-inflammatory, tonic, laxative, sedative, demulcent, aphrodisiac,
nutritive, decongestant
Growing asparagus:
When grown from seeds, asparagus takes 2-3 years
before picking. In early spring when dormant, you can dig and divide the
rhizome crowns for new plants, without damaging the tips of new shoots. After
several months of cutting selectively, allow the spears to develop into ferny
tops for the plant to regain strength for the following year’s crop. Plant
in well drained, loose, deep and
composted soil, in a permanent position, as it may grow for 10 or more years.
Companion Plants: tomatoes, pawpaws, parsley, rhubarb, raspberries, basil and comfrey. (Comfrey nearby provides a close source of mulch, asparagus loves comfrey liquid manure).
Companion Plants: tomatoes, pawpaws, parsley, rhubarb, raspberries, basil and comfrey. (Comfrey nearby provides a close source of mulch, asparagus loves comfrey liquid manure).
Medicinal Uses
*Stimulates
and strengthens kidney function. Fresh or juiced spears provide a strong
diuretic action, helping to clean and revitalize kidneys, bladder, relieve edema, especially from congestion around
the heart. (Note any strong odour and colour of urine – the body’s metabolism,
speeding up excretion of wastes.) Helpful with swollen joints & gout, helping dissolve uric acid deposits
and cholesterol build-up
in blood vessels. Some scientific truth to its aphrodisiac benefits. Very alkalizing to
the body, a powerful acid
reducer and a known therapy for cancer. Used for sleeplessness, female hormone balance and to assist the reproductive
system, to promote fertility,
relieve menstrual
discomfort and to increase
breast milk for nursing mothers; for respiratory diseases and strengthening the lungs; for tuberculosis, AIDS, chronic fatigue, back pain, sports burnout, arthritis, rheumatism,
gout, sciatica, coughs, to strengthen bones and marrow, hemorrhaging, stomach pains,
kidney stones, cramps, convulsions, gall and liver ailments, to assist with
weight loss, stress and nervous tension, intestinal worms, jaundice, skin
diseases and to brighten vision.
*An
old herbal treatment: macerate asparagus in white wine, then massage linament
into thighs and back for sciatica.
*Contains
a substance that can break up oxalate crystals.
*A
good source of fibre and useful as a bowel brush with a laxative action to
stimulate lazy bowels.
*Feeds the beneficial probiotic
bacteria, therefore good for people with candida and any digestive ailments.
*Asparagus therapy used to successfully treat cancer
(see Cancer Treatment p 43 in How Can I Use herbs by Isabel Shiphard : cook asparagus; canned asparagus can be used. Giant Giant and Stokely have no pesticides or preservatives. Place cooked asparagus in blender, liquify, store in fridge; 4 full tablesp. twice daily (morning and evening). Improvements usually seen after 2-4 weeks. Can dilute with water and used as a cold or hot drink. Larger amounts can do no harm.
Note: what cures can prevent!
Asparagus drink can substantially improve blood. Asparagus contains a protein called histones, believed to be active in controlling cell growth. The US National Cancer Institute has reported that asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body’s most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants.
Asparagus helps to dissolve uric and oxalic acid in the body, thereby benefiting arthritic conditions as well as kidney related problems.
Notes from How Can I Use Herbs in my Daily Life by Isabell Shipard
Asparagus
an important herb
which hopefully will heal,
bringing nourishment and cleansing
so that well-ness we may feel.
From my home to your home, I wish you health and happiness.
from Robyn
painting of robin by Brenda, my mum.