Christmas Goodies

Santa's Reindeer!

What are those purple triangular boxes hanging in the trees?

In my ventures out over the last week I have noticed some purple triangular boxes hanging in trees along some back roads in rural Northeast Missouri. My first instinct was to call them swarm traps, but my gut instinct insisted something else.  My curiosity got the best of me and I have done some digging to see what these distinctive looking boxes are all about.
Turns out it's all about EAB, or Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), an insect invader from eastern Russia, northern China, Japan, and Korea.  It's not clear how it got here, but it is likely that it came in ash wood used for stabilizing cargo in ships or for crating consumer products.

It appears to be that the boxes are insect traps of the emerald ash borer, a small, highly destructive wood-boring beetle that's devastating ash trees throughout the northeastern United States.

I contacted the Missouri Department of Conservation to see if my findings were correct, but as luck would have it, today is a state holiday and no one answered my calls. 

I have found two along county roads here in Marion county.  Has anyone spotted them?

How to substitute honey in place of sugar in your favorite recipes

Honey is primarily carbohydrates (natural sugars) and water.  It also has some enzymes, vitamins, minerals and amino acids.  Honey is an all-natural sweetener providing 17 grams of carbohydrates and 64 calories per tablespoon. 

Substituting honey for other sugars in a recipe is easy. You are adding more liquid so keep this in mind and adjust the recipe accordingly.  When baking, substitute honey for up to half of the granulated sugar called for in the recipe.  For every cup added, reduce the other liquids in the recipe by 1/4 cup,add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and lower the oven temperature by 25 degrees to prevent over-browning. 

So next time your buzzing around the kitchen, make sure you reach for the honey for your sweet ingredient.  You'll be delighted with a naturally sweet treat. 

Please feel free to share your honey recipes in the comment section.

Honey-Almond Scrub

8 whole unblanched almonds

2 tbsp rolled oats, uncooked

1 tbsp honey

2 tsp. yogurt, sour cream or lightly beaten egg white

Process almonds and oats in blender until they are finely ground.  In a small bowl, mix ground almonds and oats, honey and yougurt until blended.  Pat and scrub on face and neck; leave it on for up to 10 minutes for extra softening.  Wet your hands and massage gently to exfoliate.  Rinse off.  Makes enough for 1 scrub.



Did you know...

*The color and flavor of honey differ depending on the bees' nectar souce (blossoms).
*There are more than 300 unique kinds of honey in the United States.
*Lighter colored honeys are mild in flavor, while darker honeys are usually more robust in flavor.
*Honey is a rich source of carbohydrates, providing 17 grams at just 64 calories per tablespoon.
*A hive of bees has to fly more than 55,000 miles to make a pound of honey.
*The lifespan of a queen bee is two to eight years.

Ever wonder what really goes on at a quilting retreat?

Let me just tell you. It was 3 1/2 days of heaven on earth. We were surrounded by friends, new and old that are joined by a strong thread called quilting. Shadow Rest Ministries that over looks a pond and had several cabins along with walking trails scattered around was our home for the weekend. We were pampered with homemade meals 3 times a day and didn't even have to do the dishes.  It just doesn't get any better than that. This was my second year to attend and I do have to say, I don't ever want to miss another one. I packed all my sewing supplies, my knitting, magazines and books to read incase I got tired of sewing. Needless to say, my knitting never made it out of its bag and I never did tire of sewing. Here is what went on at this year's retreat (well, almost everything).

Here one of my friends are using a hand applique technique. You cut a piece of fabric into a certain shape, apply a fusible backing and attach it by hand with pretty stitches to your quilt and it makes a beautiful picture. They make nice heirloom quilts to hand down to family for years to come.

Lori is using a light box to trace her pattern onto her fusible piece before attaching to her quilt.

This is Bonnie and Rhonda adding rows of a brightly colored quilt together.

Nancy, Glenda and Cindy are like the energizer bunnies, they kept sewing and sewing and sewing. Their knowledge with quilting made this trip even more rewarding as I was constantly learning new techniques and ideas from them. Actually, everyone there was more than willing to share new ideas and help when needed. (See the pond out the window?  The view was amazing and so relaxing)

Here Molly, Lori and Jan model their tye died hair.... hmm what would you call them?, hair sleeves? It happened by accident, as Jan was working on a t-shirt quilt and her hair kept getting into her eyes. One of the sleeves that she had cut off a t-shirt was laying there and she pulled it over her head. They worked like a charm. Aren't they the coolest thing. Note to self, post this to pinterest.

This is Anna, the youngest quilter at the retreat, with her Potato Chip quilt. What a charming, beautiful and talented 18 year old.

Yes, another Potato Chip quilt, because you can't make just one.

This is Angie using a rotary cutter to make blocks for her quilt.

In a nutshell quilting is taking large pieces of material, cutting them up and sewing them back together to make something more beautiful. A quilting retreat is taking our large pieces of stress, worries and hustle and bustle of everyday life apart and putting it back together to make a more rested, more loving wife and beautiful mother and it just doesn't get any better than that.

Recipe for Lavendar Honey

Lavender's sweet, floral flavor turns your usual tea into a real treat. 
Bring 1 cup mild honey and 1/4 cup dried lavender flowers to a boil, stirring frequently. 
Reduce heat; simmer for 30-45 minutes. 
Remove from heat and let cool. 
Gently reheat to pourable consistency and strain through cheesecloth into a heatproof container.