I’m a Southerner. I eat lots of fresh lemons. When I eat fried catfish, I douse my catch with lemons. [Fried Catfish Image Credit: The Cookful And when I drink iced tea, I load it up with some kind of sweetener, and at least 2 slivers of fresh, squeezed lemon. [Image credit for the iced…
Cedarwood Essential Oil – A Warm, Woodsy Fragrance – Health Benefits & Recipes for Blending Oils
“Cedarwood essential oil has a strong, woody scent with a variety of undertones, including citrus, balsamic, and camphorous. Some say it has a dry, resinous character, while others describe it as soft, fresh, and natural. Cedarwood oil can also be slightly sweet and spicy, and some say it’s reminiscent of pencil shavings, cigar boxes, or…
Cinnamon – Memories of Mom and Apple Pie – Health Benefits & Essential Oil Blends
Cinnamon has many potential health benefits, including: Blood sugar Cinnamon may help lower blood sugar levels, especially in people with type 2 diabetes. It may also improve insulin sensitivity, which helps regulate blood sugar. Heart health Cinnamon may help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and reduce blood pressure. Inflammation Cinnamon’s antioxidants may help reduce inflammation in…
Crackerjack Marigolds – Health Benefits of Marigolds – and Dyeing Fabrics with Marigolds
Crackerjack Marigolds in Jacki Kellum’s Garden August 19, 2024 African Marigold ‘Crackerjack’ (Tagetes erecta)| Height: 3′-4′ Tall Last year, I discovered Crackerjack Marigolds, and I fell in love with them. These shots of sunshine smell like their tiny cousins–the common, dimutive marigolds that my grandmother grew, but they are huge. In fact, they are the…
A Directory of Essential Oils – How to Use Them and Why
At least since the time of Ancient Egypt, people have used essential oils. This post is an overview of some of the most popular essential oils. For the following information, I will refer to the book Essential Oils for Beginners – Published by Althea Press Essential Oils for Beginners – Published by Althea Press, pg….
Eucalyptus Essential Oil – Health Benefits – Diffuse Eucalyptus Oil to Help Control Congestion & Joint Pain
Years ago, I diffused essential oils, but I gradually lost interest in what is actually a very good idea. I have recently begun making potpourri and herbal salves, and I purchased some essential oils for those pursuits. I decided to invest a bit more and get back into diffusing some of the oils again, too,…
Oh! How I Love Roses! – I Grow Them, I Paint Them, I Make Them with My Textile Art, and Today, I’m Making Rose Potpourri
Today, I searched for my recipes for rose potpourri, and in doing so, my computer reminded me of how many times I write about roses. You see, I grow roses in my garden, and I paint them: The Last Rose of Summer Jacki Kellum Traditional Watercolor Painting Painted in 2018 – Sold I make all…
Marshmallow Magic – How to Make & Dehydrate Homemade Marshmallows – Flavor Them Any Way – Try Peppermint Plus!
Today is only the middle of August, but Christmas is on its way and I’m ready to try making some new treats. Making and dehydrating peppermint marshmallows is at the top of my Christmas-making list, but I want to make my own flavored marshmallows for that. The following looks like a good recipe to try…
Getting Ready for Apple Time – Recipes, How to Dehydrate Them, & Using an Apple Corer and Peeler
It is only two weeks until September, and September is when I celebrate Apples. First, most childeren return to school in September — and Apples are symbollically linked to teachers and schools. Second, September is the month of the birthday of the USA’s Folk Hero Johnny Appleseed: I’ve recently gotten two new toys: a Cosori…
Peggy Martin Rose: Showers of Blessings for Southern Gardens – Massive, Thornless, Natural Screen
Peggy Martin Rose – Jacki Kellum Garden – April 2024 I added a Peggy Martin rose to my Mississippi garden in April of 2024, and in April, her blooms were a rich, true pink. But by July, her blooms were more of a whitish blush. In terms of a color shift, my Fairy rose does…