Lavender Water

What a beautiful colour this lavender water turned out to be. Lavender has been used throughout the centuries for cleaning and purifying, as anyone who has ever smelled the fresh scent of the blooms would be able to guess. This lavender water was made from this season’s first blooms. To learn a simple way of making lavender water, you can use the same method as I described in my Rose Water post of May 30, 2010. Besides all the lovely things you can do with the water, I’d want to make it just because it's so decorative when poured into a pretty container. But just to review, you can also use it to spray on linens, sheets, curtains, clothes or anything else you'd like to be ever so-lightly scented. Put into a spray bottle you can mist your hair with it or your face to refresh on a hot summer's day. Or wash your face in it at the end of a long day to cleanse and restore your spirits. The uses of lavender are endless. Stay tuned for more ideas over the coming days!

Rose Water

Rose water ... a delectable beautifully scented liquid made from the petals of fragrant roses. Used widely in cooking in places such as India and the Middle East to make exotic treats, it may have originated from Persia.

I like to make my own version that I use, not for cooking, but for scenting bath water, as a face wash or to scent linens. Poured into a spray bottle you can use it to spray on yourself to revive your spirits or lightly scent your hair. You can use a fine mist on your linens, sheets and pillow cases to lull you to sleep as the scent of roses helps with stress, to relax and calm the nerves.

My method for making rose water is quick and easy but it is important to remember that it should be kept refrigerated and will last for less than a week. There are no preservatives in it so the water will grow bacteria if kept too long. But it is so easy to make that you can quickly produce a fresh batch as needed, as long as your roses are in bloom. I used petals from a “Cabot” variety from the Explorer series, but the dark pink very fragrant wild roses seem to yield the best results, both for their colour and heady aroma.

Method:
1. Gather a bunch of fragrant roses.
2. Remove the petals and place in a glass or metal bowl.
3. Pour boiling water over the petals. You will notice that the colour immediately bleaches from the petals.
4. Let steep until the water has cooled.
5. Strain into an airtight jar or bottle.
6. Refrigerate between uses. Keep for up to 1 week , less if you notice any discolouration or bacteria growth.

Fountains #2

And of course following yesterday's post I can't forget my very own wee fountain. I bought it a couple of year's ago when I put in what I call my Zen garden. This part of my garden is tucked away in the back yard, half in shade half in sun. This photo was taken the first year it was put in.

The ferns and moss have now made themselves totally at home in the shady portion. The Japanese maple that I planted last summer came out of its first winter looking so strong and healthy. What a pleasure to see its beautiful deep red foliage. The hostas have become immense this year, and it's still only June! Everything seems to be very happy in this patch, must be the Zen quality that has everything thriving. It is all at peace.

The residents, however, are not at peace. We have some traffic now at the back of our house, but we like to dine outside on the deck, so the soothing water sounds from the fountain block out the traffic noises somewhat. Still we do tend to read and sit in the front much more now. Sad how "progress" and development over time really changes the way you experience and enjoy your home. Nothing is forever, you have to adapt with the changes.

Fountains

It's spring and the fountains have been turned on! Our city's parks have their fair share of fountains. Here is a sampling...