Comfrey Balm ~ Green Goo of Goodness

 Step into my herb garden and you'll see my blue-bottle tree , a blue bird bath, a dovecote my husband built me that houses a pair of white doves, and many herbs that grow abundantly all year long with little tending. Comfrey is one of those herbs. Sometimes it is considered almost a weed for it's ability to thrive and take over a flower or herb bed. I don't have a problem with that though because any comfrey I don't keep for our pantry or medicine chest is promptly pulled up in the fall and fed to our sheep and chickens. They LOVE it ! We can't grow enough for them.

 

 Comfrey ( Symphytum officinale ) ointment for bruises and cuts. It encourages the growth of scar tissue. " 'New Book of Herbs ' by Jekka McVicar.   Here is a comfrey plant that grows in the shade of the dovecote. You can see the slugs love to eat it too. I am going to show you a simple healing balm recipe using comfrey. First I cut baskets' full of comfrey, washed it and then dried it all in my small dehydrator. After I had a few gallon ziplock bags full I stored most in my pantry for future use, then I began to make my healing Comfrey Balm. You will need 1 pound of petroleum jelly or soft paraffin wax  and 2 ounces of dried or 5 ounces of fresh comfrey leaves.

 Melt the petroleum jelly in a glass bowl over a pan of boiling water. Add the comfrey leaves and simmer, stirring constantly for about an hour.

 Here you can see the petroleum jelly is dark green and the simmered comfrey leaves look like spinach.

 Pour the mixture into a jelly bag or strainer , squeezing and smashing the leaves to get as much liquid out of them as possible, after all, it is the healing properties of the comfrey you're after for the balm.

 I poured the comfrey balm into the jar the petroleum jelly came in and store it labeled and covered in the refrigerator. It can be kept and used for about 3 months. So there you go, some wonderful Green Goo of Goodness !

I use this balm all the time for my feet. I have always had very dry feet that crack and bleed all year around and this truly soothes and heals them. I also use the balm on my other cuts and bruises. For years before I made a balm I would cut the comfrey, chop it up and simmer in a pot of boiling water, cool a bit, and soak my hurting feet in it. You can do that too, but this balm is so simple and affordable, much better than so many other healing creams you pay a lot for in the stores.  Comfrey grows very well in city lots and suburban yards too.

 A baby comfrey plant popped up in the oregano & thyme.

Comfrey : " This invasive plant may be considered a weed by many, but the nutrients it contains are useful to an organic gardener. The leaves are naturally high in protein, potash, and potassium, and make a wonderful mulch or liquid fertilizer. Medically, its potential for healing external wounds and broken bones is unchallenged, hence its common name "knitbone" and "boneset". Currently one of the key constituents ,allantoin, which stimulates the growth of new cells , is undergoing research. Do not take comfrey internally unless it has been prescribed by a qualified herbalist. "  'J McVicar  New Book Of Herbs '

I am linking with *

Inconvenient Truth

 This past Thursday the Thursday Ladies met once again to study I Samuel using 'After God's Heart ' by Myrna Alexander as a guide . As I studied and read I just wasn't "feeling" the study. Usually I get very excited studying the Bible, especially the Old Testament. I knew at least one of the ladies would have something to share that would be insightful and thought that would have to do this week.

 I thought about this as I set the table the night before the luncheon, and I prayed yet again that God would bring just the right ladies to the table and they would be uplifted & encouraged , as I know I am when we gather round His word.

It was not until I went to bed the thought came to me ( of course, why didn't I go to bed before 3:00 a.m. ? ) the key to King Saul's rage and repeated attempts to kill David, and also his own son, was that Saul was consumed by jealousy & rebellion. The two go hand in hand . I thought about the many instances in my half-century plus lifetime that jealousy & rebellion reared their ugly heads and wreaked havoc and ruin in not only the lives of those under the merciless tyranny of these sins, but also the path of destruction they left in the lives of their families and friends. Jealousy and rebellion ... Satan's downfall, Cain's downfall ,Saul's downfall, and on & on. I know I have succumbed to their lies with woeful consequences. "jealousy : Unpleasant fear ,suspicion, resentment, arising from mistrust of another, grudging envy " Webster's Collegiate Dictionary

We ladies began to discuss this as we continued on in the study , and I thank God and praise Him for how He reveals Himself to us in simple stories of long ago tragedies , knowing if we read them, think about them, ask for His wisdom & discernment regarding them, He will honor us with His truth. Unfortunately, His truth is often uncomfortable, convicting, and if we accept His word as truth, we are obligated to act upon it. God's word is an inconvenient truth. This causes many to turn away. Please God, may I never turn away from Your ways and Your wisdom when You've revealed it to me through Your word.

If you've never read the stories in the Old testament about the kings and prophets, you've been missing out. If you prefer plain American English ( is this an oxymoron ? ) then read a paraphrase. It is so worth it. There really is nothing new under the sun and if you enjoy ongoing dramas on t.v. with murder, intrigue, romance, heroism, valor, war, scandal...well, you ain't read or seen nothing yet until you read the Old Testament !

Anyway... we had one of the best studies ever, and these ladies are so encouraging & uplifting I am thanking God all the more for them and for His word ! "A godly perspective transfers to present circumstances what God has taught us in the past ."  & " For a problem to be met correctly , the challenge of Scripture is to confront the difficulty with a divine perspective in the strength of the Lord." Myrna Alexander

"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart , do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth... for where jealousy and selfish ambition exist there is disorder and every evil thing." James 3 : 14, 16

Pinecone Tea-Time

Pinecones or pine-cones , I am not sure what the proper spelling is, but I do love pinecones. I bought this hand painted teacup & saucer 2 years ago and it is still one of my favorites. Maybe because I love pinecones of all kinds. In case you can't see it clearly because of my inadequate photography, each and every bit of the hand painted pinecones is outlined with gold paint. The teacup and saucer shine brilliantly when tea is sipped from the cup or the saucer is moved ever so slightly. Even the needles of the painted pine branch are so illuminated.

In celebration of my teacup and the season I decided to make a cheese ball for my husband & myself . I was inspired by a cheeseball my husband's sister Jean brought to a family celebration last year. A pinecone cheeseball * ! Very easy to make and so pretty.

I am not a football fan, and don't enjoy football games at all ( please don't hate me for that ! ) but this cheeseball is a good snack for those get-togethers with friends to watch a sport's game of any kind. I was perfectly agreeable to my husband sharing this with friends while they watched a game together during a power outage here , causing my husband to drive to their home so he could rejoice in his team's victory with appreciative friends.

Pinecone teacup (Norcrest Fine China , hand painted, made in Japan ), pinecone cheeseball, good snacks shared with friends....priceless, especially when shared with those you love !

 

I love linking with these ladies for Tea-Time Tuesday ~

• Antiques & Teacups *
• Bernideen's Teatime Blog *
• Terri's Artful Affirmations *
• Martha's Favrites *
• Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage *

The History Maker is the Same Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow !

 "God of the ages , History's Maker , planning our pathway, holding us fast , Shaping in mercy all that concerns us : Father, we praise You , Lord of the past."

 " God of this morning , gladly Your children worship before you , trustingly bow ; Teach us to know you always among us , quietly sovereign - Lord of our now."

 "God of tomorrow , strong overcomer , princes of darkness own Your command ; What then can harm us ? We are Your people, now and forever kept by Your hand."

 "Lord of past ages , Lord of this morning , Lord of the future , help us we pray ; Teach us to trust You, love and obey You, crown You each moment Lord of today."  'God Of The Ages ' lyrics 1982 Margaret Clarkson Christianity Today.

" Before the mountains were born , or Thou didst give birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting , Thou art God. " Psalm 90:2

 

" Thou Lord , in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands ;..As a garment they will also be changed. But Thou art the same ,and Thy years will not come to an end." Hebrews 1 : 10-12 

 

* The pictures were taken by me in the secret places around Cedar Pond.

Spotted Chickens , More Eggs, & A Plan

 Spotted chickens seem meant for me don't you think ? After all I have spotted sheep, spotted ducks, and a blog called Spot on Cedar Pond ! These are my new chickens, Paint Silkies. They are immature half-grown chicks,  and I am pretty excited about them.

My hens are finally laying more eggs . Next month I can begin to expect lambs , order my new chicks, and begin thinking about..... well, check out some of my goals for my poultry here* and tell me what you think !

A Winter Tea-Time

 Winter weather around our home calls for hot tea to warm the tummy, a cookie to tingle the taste-buds, and greenery to soothe the eye. Ahhhhhh, now for a break . A Tea-Time Tuesday break !

 This Colclough china cup was made in England in the 1940's. I believe the pattern is Grape Vine. The cucumber mint tea was a Christmas gift and I am hoping the tea really proves to be "green tea for youth recovery " ! It is delicious tea.

 I gather a tray I bought before Christmas. This tray really can serve all winter though, don't you think ? The scene on the tray is one you can see in many rural areas of the U.S. this time of the year.

 I chose the chickadee teapot my husband's parents gave us for Christmas one year because I love the sprigs of greenery and pinecones surrounding the little chickadee on the pot. The teapot is Winterwood by Pfaltzgraff. I grabbed the last three Berry Butternuts * my husband made before Christmas. He only makes these cookies once a year and their rich buttery taste improves when they are stored in a sealed container. The trick is to hide them so they last long enough for me to enjoy  AFTER Christmas !

"The first weeks of the year are often a time of quiet reflection for many people ~ days when the wintry white landscape outside sets the tone for thoughtful contemplation inside." Tea Time Magazine

I am linking with the ladies below for Tea~Time Tuesday :

• Terri at Artful Affirmations *
• Martha at Martha's Favorites *
• Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage *
• Bernideen at Bernideen's Tea Time Blog *
• Ruth at Antiques & Teacups *

A New Year Of Possiblities & Blessings

 The Christmas decorations are all put away. The only indication of our festivities are the boxes of Christmas candy and Christmas cookies on the kitchen counter. I love Christmas and all the Christmas decorating that comes with it but by the end of December I crave clear counter-tops and simple, almost bland home adornment. I finally got my thank-you cards and a few very late Christmas cards off in the mail and now am preparing practically  for the new year around here.

 Today I separated my pregnant ewes ( female sheep ) from the ewes I did not have bred this past year. The un-bred ewes will be wormed & vaccinated Sunday, while the bred ewes will have increased rations. I put my ewes in with the rams later this year so am not expecting any lambs before the end of February. Here are a few of my favorite ewes. I can't help myself, I just love their faces and love to watch them.

 I also cleaned poultry pens today. Boy, that was back-breaking work and my husband came home just in time to help. And he was a big help ! He shoveled & carted at least 6 wheelbarrows of poultry poop & built up shavings from their pens to his vegetable garden. I shoveled and carted at least that many to areas in the back of our home needing such precious fill. I also dusted my chickens with the powder that rids them of poultry lice , added hen grit to their pens and contentedly watched them settle in for the night in freshly cleaned pens & nest boxes. I have to admit that all this heavy work takes a toll on me now-a-days and after this much work I need aspirin, hot tea, and rest. But tomorrow I'll be fine.

Now I feel I can begin again to craft with my wool , making more little sheep, weaving more rugs , and spinning up the wool my beloved flock produces into yarn. There is of course the anticipation of new lambs and new chicks in the spring, more special times with my husband of over 40 years, and the joy knowing we are able to spend much time with our grown children and their children. My home is clean, my animal pens are clean, a new year of possibilities lies ahead . My cup of blessings is full to overflowing. God is good, praise Him !