snippet of Herbs & Things email from Sept 13th 2010

Hello From Herbs & Things :)


Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.
Hal Borland http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Borland

Thursday last week I climbed a tree. I've not done so since I was a child, but every time I work a Wheel for myself, it keeps telling me to search my inner child and have some fun once in a while...so I climbed a tree. It was wonderful...It reminded of when I was around 8 or 9 and climbed a neighbors tall pine tree. I went up and up and up....then looked down. I found I was above their house and the view was breathtaking...because it took my breath away when I realized just how far I had climbed, the dilemma, I had to get down. However while I contemplated going down and not falling, which I did not think of while going up, I enjoyed my wonderful time with the tree. I thought how amazing to be a bird and live in a tree, walking out on branches and seeing the world from all points of view. It was a memorable experience in my childhood and I am glad I climbed a tree Thursday to revisited that time. For sure though this time, I was not that far off the ground, I might have only been up two foot, but for a moment, standing in the apple tree, though 56 years old the child within emerged and hugging the tree as the winds rocked me gently in its limbs, the feeling was unexplainable as an adult, but the child inside understood why a child instinctively NEEDS to climb trees. You should try it...it will awaken things you've not felt in a while...I promise:)

Its the time of the year for the angels of Virgo (August 22-Sept 21) Their keynote is Patience, inspiration and organization. Music that will help you connect to them---Ludwig Von Beethoven(Pastoral) http://www.all-about-beethoven.com/symphony6.html Angels of Virgo help awaken our magical sparks. They bring wisdom and more. (Ted Andrews 'The Intercession of Spirits')

Recently Spirit has been emphatic about me journaling, every day. Usually they tell me to go to the Magical place under the pine trees, sit on the mound and write what I remember...which I've started doing. What I've remembered with pen in hand has been amazing and made me wonder how could I have forgotten these things. I will try to share a very profound and emotional experience next week, inked from my memories, on Herbs & Things blog, I've just not had time to write it there and do it justice this week. I've told a couple people and each time its brought me and them to tears.

Rick my husband is on vacation, and the project for this vacation is putting new water lines through the whole house. Not sure if the upstairs will get done, because the ceiling in the bathroom has to come out (which is ok it needs to be replaced) as will the stairway wall leading up to the once used to be apartment that is now Herbs & Things 'warehouse':). He might need more vacation time for that I expect, but hey one never knows, maybe it will get done this week? :) During this new water line time, I've had to take 'sink baths' and use a bucket of water to flush the toilet. Its fine for a couple days, but wow this is what they use to do all the time years ago. How spoiled we are now, with the turn of a knob and walla, a nice hot shower or the whir of the potty going down.

Beaver Meadows Sept 11th 2010 was nice. The day couldn't have been more beautiful and it was the perfect day for me to be there, because Rick did the hot water lines that day and had it all but done by time I got home. COOL...:)

Still canning too. Right now I have Chili Sauce cooking and it smells...marvelous! Soon, but not last the potatoes...then one of my favorites...Applesauce~

Sept 24th-Oct 3rd 2010 retreat

Teaching the Lifeways
with Rick McBride...
Pre registration is required
open RETREAT attachment for more Info
You may register....
Via, kelliem@roadrunner.com and mail check.
Phone...716-861-4851 and mail check
Come directly to Herbs & Things
or by clicking the link to see classes and or to pay by debit or credit card
http://www.coldensherbsandthings.com/retreat.html
No monies will be transacted until retreat starts.
Workshops are filling up...


Did you know?

Check out one bench I got made from donation monies. I'll get going on more benches soon AND a place of magic.... http://coldensherbsandthings.blogspot.com/

The Super Bug might be here... http://www.examiner.com/headlines-in-san-francisco/breaking-news-drug-resistant-super-bug-found-three-states What can you do? Stop using antibacterial soaps, exposing your system to germs and bugs is natures best way of building resistance. As in a horse, if a horse gets strangles, the best way to prevent it from happening again, is to let it run its course, as long as the glandular swelling does not close their airways...let the fever, snots and other pleasantries run their course. Keep you horse comfortable, in a well ventilated area but warm, plenty of fresh water, maybe something for the achy, and your horse will probably never get it again. Antibiotics often will prolong the duration of strangles and may cause a rare condition call bastard strangles that is usually fatal. We humans can learn from the animals.

There are 7 wonders of the Underwater world
http://www.7wonders.org/wonders/underwater-wonders.aspx

There are 7 Wonders of the Ancient World
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/artarchaeologyarchitect/tp/7WondersWorld.htm?nl=1

Natural Wonders
http://www.7wonders.org/wonders/natural-wonders.aspx

New and Returning to Herbs & Things

Red Raspberry Pretzel Dip is Returning (5 big yums!)
New scents from Funky Chunks (the ultimate castile olive oil soap)
Twice the Spice, Poison Apple,Pumpkin Patch, Sunshine
these and other scents available in smaller sizes for $2.00

Recipes
Baked Stuffed Peppers
by WKBW Programming/Mr. Food
Originally printed at http://www.wkbw.com/lifestyle/mr-food/100873539.html

Ingredients
Our over-stuffed Baked Stuffed Peppers are a super change-of-pace easy side dish. Colorful red and green bell peppers serve as tasty edible bowls that team with any go-along.
Serves: 4
Ingredients
2 medium-sized red or green bell peppers, split lengthwise and cleaned (see Options)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium-sized onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 ripe tomato, finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and sauté just until softened. Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients except pepper halves and Parmesan cheese; mix well.
Fill peppers evenly with mixture and place in prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Add 1/4 cup water to baking dish, cover with foil, and bake 15 minutes. Remove dish from oven and carefully remove foil; return dish to oven and bake for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until heated through. Serve immediately.
Options :Try stuffing Cubanelle or Serrano peppers for a different gourmet flavor.

Hamburger Pie

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
2 packages (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent rolls
Your favorite shredded cheese
1. Cook the beef in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off any fat. Stir the soup in the skillet.
2. Unroll 1 package crescent roll dough and press on the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Press the seams to seal. Layer half the beef mixture and half the cheese in the pie plate. Repeat the layers. Unroll the remaining dough. Place the dough over the filling and press the edges to seal, if desired.
3. Bake at 350°F. for 15 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
Makes: 6 servings.


Be well
Laugh often
Love large
Dig in the dirt
Grow a garden
and may the sun light your way
Kellie
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Herbs & Things

HOURS
Wed/Thurs....10am-5:30pm
Fri/Sat..............9am-3pm
Closed...Mon/Tues
Sunday/Starting May 1st -Oct
Holland Farmers Market
8:30am-1pm

One bench down and more to come AND a Magical Place

New Bench in Meditation Garden

Water Fairy

Bench made from donation monies



Enter and sit on a Fairy Mound...it's a magical place



Look as see what you see and hear

There's magic in them there trees...

I asked God a question and this is what he said.

During Herbs & Things full moon walk in the Wheel  August 24th, 2010, I realized on a bigger scale, the number of hurting people in today's world. People hurt and walking around with open wounds, where proud flesh can grow, leaving them unable to heal. Thus the anger, depression, and illnesses we see so prominent today.

I realized too, many are not as fortunate as I to live on land that has healing properties. They've no place to go, to Connect, and ask for help with their worries, anxieties, resentments and/or regrets.

The walk made me re-ponder the questions I've frequently been asked over the years, "How am I able to move away and move on from bad things. How is it I have no regrets. How can I so easily forgive those who've done me wrong?"

My answer was always "I don't know".

Until now.

Now I understand, it is this land. It has the capability of helping to heal and push aside hurts. I'm not sure it will help everyone, but I know it can help many. Understanding this about the land, I still questioned why I was instructed by 'The Voice" to put a Native American Medicine Wheel on the land across the road in May. Though the Wheel is still new, I've seen many who've come experience healing in one form or another. But they too question why are they drawn to this and feel good, but also feel like they are doing something wrong, because of what they've been taught in their religion. That believing in something else other than what you are taught, is a sin.

So a few days ago, I decided to do a sitting meditation under the Poplar tree near the Wheel in the meditation garden. I smudged the area with sage, quieted my mind and started my conversation with God.

"God, are you here?" I asked,

"Yes"

"I need to get down to the nitty gritty about this Medicine Wheel."

"Yes, I know, go ahead."

"I am confused, and once and for all, I'd like to know, why have I been instructed to build a Native American Medicine Wheel, and not move towards you in the way I was baptized, in Catholicism?"
I heard nothing for a moment, then the answer was...

"You are an example, of knowing I am one, no matter what you choose to call me. I am in you, in the Pine trees that sing music to your ears, the flowers that give you peace through fragrance, in the animals that tug at your heart through their unconditional love. I am in the dark sky's of night and the blue sky's of day.
I am in the waters that you drink which give you life, or the waters that bathe and soothe you.

I am the winds that caress your cheeks and dry your tears. I am the stability beneath your feet, upon the earth of which you stand. All you have to do, is take off your shoes, and you will feel me. All you have to do, is touch a tree, smell a flower, dig in the soil, listen to the music in the trees, the songs of the birds, frogs, crickets, or the howl of a coyote and you will find me. All you have to do is watch the miracle of a birds flight, let the sun shine on your face, be amazed at the flower that opens, or simply give someone a kind word or hug and you will see me.

I've used you in this way, because I want my children to come back to me. Religion though it a good thing, at this time in the world, people are feeling disconnected and their trust is diminishing. You ask me why the Native American Medicine Wheel. The Wheel is nature, using nature to connect to Me, and people will learn to trust it, because Nature cannot lie. When My children experience this they will no longer disbelieve or fear me.

Native Americans always knew this. They, even through the worst times of their lives, stayed connected to me through nature. They, as many I've used, have a better understanding of the sacrifice of the only son.
And those who chose to follow the ways of Nature, eventually learn to trust again, because it connects them to something tangible they can hear, feel, smell and see...Me".

Whew...a little emotional here. Just wrote what I was told to tell you.
Kellie