“The breeze and the dew make tranquil the clear dawn; Behind a curtain there is one who alone is up betimes. The Orioles sing and the flowers smile - whose then, after all is the spring.  Li Shange-Yin

Flowers enhance the appearance of any room

Participants in the Harvard study reported the greatest mood-boosting effects when fresh cut flowers were placed in common areas of the home such as the kitchen, dining room and family room. To make a small room appear more spacious use bold colored arrangements near the entrance of the rooms and more subtle shades of the same color theme around the room.

Or brighten an office with colorful, spring flowers.  Here are just a few ideas

 Place bud vases in high traffic home areas – with even just a few flowers. Any decorative glass from the kitchen will do!

The kitchen table might be the best place for flowers, because it’s where people gather together.

Stop by a florist or supermarket, where you’ll find a wide selection of flowers from which to choose.

Decorate any table in the house with fresh flowers to brighten a corner, or add life to a room.

 The foyer, entryway or sunny window always look good with a vase of fresh flowers. 

 Fill open spaces bold flowers. An abundant arrangement of lilies, gladiolus, sunflowers and other large blooms create an inviting environment for an expansive entryway or dining room.  A bouquet can also perk up personal spaces such as bathrooms and bedrooms.

flowers on a windowsill make a perfect accent to your view.   Those looking in and those looking out can enjoy the healing power of fresh flowers.

 Make it a family affair! Gather flowers from your favorite florist and let the kids help put them together.

For more information on how flowers in the home can lift the spirits, visit http://www.aboutflowers.com/decorating_b3.html

Stop by your local florist and pick up a beautiful bouquet (or several) of your favorite cut flowers.  If you are in South Broward (Florida) be sure to stop by Eden Florist (in lovely downtown Miramar).  Tell them Heidi sent you! (Society of American Florists - aboutflowers.com)

Rose Water Skin Tonic - one of the oldest skin-fresheners discovered by an Arabian dermatologist in the tenth century - in Victorian times rose water was mixed with glycerin for use as a skin softening treatment.  
Rose Water is still used today in many beauty products from toners to soaps to lotions to sea salts and is very easy to make.

“Earth laughs in flowers.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Start with a wooden frame.  The frame back can be stapled easily to the frame. Metal and plastic frames come equipped with clips allowing the back of the frame to be opened and closed easily.Flowers can be secured on acid free card or on a piece of soft fabric such as velvet. When using fabric, cut the fabric the same size as the glass (otherwise it tends to wrinkle around the edges).

Using tweezers,  arrange the flowers and greens on the card or fabric to create your “picture.”  Carefully, put a drop of craft glue, using a toothpick, and press the flower down firmly into its final position. Let the glue dry completely before framing the picture. With a calligraphy or metallic pen, write the name of each flower and foliage used and any other notes about the picture, before framing. 

Cover with the glass and secure the backboard onto the frame. For long-lasting results it is best to make an air tight seal when framing. Premature fading and deterioration of pressed flowers can occur when air seeps into the picture.

Avoid displaying your new work of art in direct sunlight (also causing fading) and keep out of rooms with high humidity such as bathrooms or kitchens.

For other ideas for making fabulous floral picture frames visit: Maddylane Designs

Broccoli, cauliflower, and artichokes are all flowers. The top portion of broccoli are actually flower buds. Over time the top will burst into a bright yellow flower, hence the name broccoli “florets.” The small yellow flowers have a mild spiciness (mild broccoli flavor), and are perfect for salads and stir-fry (unless of course, you don’t like broccoli). 

The spice saffron is the stamen from the crocus flower.  Dried Mexican saffron (Safflower) is used as a food colorant in place of the more expensive and pungent Spanish Saffron. 

Capers are unopened flower buds to a bush native in the Mediterranean and Asian nations. 

Carnation petals are sweet and  can be used in wine, candy, or deserts such as cake decorating. Carnation petals are one of “secret ingredients” that has been used to make Chartreuse, a French liqueur, since the 17th century. 

Check out the 234 Edible Flowers Suitable for Winemaking for a list of other flowers that can be used in wines.

 People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us. - Iris Murdoch

Yarrow – For Beautiful Skin  Yarrow is a wonderful herb with many uses, and it’s so easy to grow.  Just check out your local garden center for the seeds.  In this issue you will find some simple skin and hair care products you can make at home from yarrow.

Cleanser For Oily Skin:

Place a tablespoon of yarrow in a bowl and fill the bowl half full with boiling water. Lean over the bowl, and cover your head with a towel so that no steam escapes. You should be 12-18 inches from the water. After steaming, splash your face with cool water and pat dry.

For added benefit, you could add one or more of the following herbs:

Stimulating Herbs: Rosemary, Sage, Mint
Healing Herbs: Comfrey, Thyme
Soothing Herbs: Lavender, Chamomile

Yarrow and Chamomile Compress:

1 teaspoon of dried yarrow flowers
1 teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers
1 cup of boiling water

Pour the boiling water over the herbs and steep for 20 minutes. Strain out the herbs and discard. Cool the liquid to a comfortable temperature. Dip a tea towel into the liquid and squeeze out the excess.

Rinse your face in lukewarm water. Place the towel over your face and relax for 15-20 minutes. Pat your face dry. If you want to apply a moisturizer afterwards, choose one that doesn’t contain alcohol.

Tip: You can also use this compress to soothe rough, red, or cracked hands.  If your hands are dry, coat with almond oil before applying compress.