So Succulent Gardens

This  serene picture  was  taken at 7 in the morning when the temperature was a minus 15 degrees. NO, I did stand outside, it was through my kitchen window.  You see I am like the groundhogs, I enjoy hibernating for the winter. 

I love having my children nine years apart, but on the day like today, I wish my 13 year old was a little older so I could bask in the florida sun and not wait for the school bus.

But it was a beautiful morning, can you see how the sun plays with the shadows of the lavender hills in the field.
Enjoy!

Symphytum officinalis
Comfrey or Knit bone
Height: 30"     Zone: 3-9     Light: sun to shade
Description:     Comfrey herbs contain the active ingredient allantoin, a skin healer proven to heal wounds and skin ulcers. Allantoin adheres to the skin to stimulate the growth of healthy tissue. Beware: it heals the wound so fast that many times the infection is still in the cut. Softening and soothing, it is used in creams, lotions and bath brews. Use it to treat burns, bed sores, insect bites, athlete’s foot, psoriasis, eczema, and sprains. Fresh leaves can be mashed in a blender and applied to the skin. In folk lore it was carried for protection during travel and is used in money spells. Comfrey produces a brown dye with a mordant iron.

COMFREY TONIC
Comfrey significantly is high in potash and other essential for plant nutrition, which makes it ideal for feeding your plants. Put comfrey leaves and water into a water tight container with a brick on top to weigh the leaves down and allow the mixture to stand for 4 weeks. The result is a ready to use evil smelling brew that can be diluted and watered onto plants. I add 1/8 to 1/4 of the comfrey tonic to a watering can and fill the rest with water to use the comfrey spray, dilute 1 tablespoon with 2 pints of water. Add a drop of dish soap as a spreader sticker.

COMFREY SALVE 
    2 oz dried comfrey leaves
    2 cups olive oil
    1 oz pure beeswax
    4 drops tea tree
    4 drops lavender essential oils
    1 400 vitamin E
Heat herbs in olive oil over low heat for about 5 hours. Do not let the oil boil or bubble. A Crock-Pot or the lowest temperature setting on a range should be suitable for heating this mixture. (If the lowest setting is too hot, turn off the heat once it has warmed the oil...it should keep warm for at least and hour....then repeat the process twice.) After cooking, strain out the herbs while oil is still warm. Place 1 1/4 cups of the herb oil in a pan, add beeswax and heat just enough to melt the wax. Add essential oil and stir. Finally, pour the salve into wide mouthed jars. Store at room temperature. Use for minor scrapes and cuts, to protect and promote healing.

HINT:  DIP METAL SPOON IN SALVE BEFORE POURING IN CONTAINERS, TO SEE IF IT HAS THE RIGHT THICKNESS.

While driving last week to visit Maumee Bay State Park, I notice beautiful bright red Staghorn Sumac seed heads still attached to the branches, it reminded me  of an old recipe for sumac lemonade.  I have only had it in fall when I was a child and thought this old recipe should be resurrected. This is an old recipe was used by early pioneers and Native Americans.

The name refers to the stout, velvety branches that look similar to the antlers of a buck. Harvest the berries in the late summer and fall, if you harvest too early the flavor has not yet developed, make sure they color is a deep red.   Also a  good source of vitamin C.

1 quart of sumac berries
1 gallon water
 sugar to taste

Bring water to a boil
Place sumac in a large teapot or non-metal container
Pour boiling water over the sumac
Steep for 20minutes - 2 hours
Strain through cheesecloth or a coffee filter
Enjoy over ice

Add sparkling water for a little fizz, make a stronger decoction to make into jelly or add other berries.

SAFETY NOTE ***** The red fruit spikes of the 'Staghorn Sumac' create a wonderful brew. The 'WHITE' fruit of the 'POISON SUMAC' is as deadly as its name. The fruits do not look the same, but ask someone who knows the difference to teach you