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Monday, March 5, 2012

IT BEGINS AGAIN

Hello everyone!  Well!  March certainly came in like a lion, didn't it?  Hope this post finds you all safe and sound. 

We started our seeds!   Can spring be far away?   Just the usual tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.  Plus we needed to start some more Alpine strawberries, as I'm concerned how all the freezing and frost has affected them this winter.  Another thing that we discovered is that we get just as good results from onions when we start them from seed as we do when we buy those onion sets.  It's always a source of wonderment to watch those tiny blades of grass develop into lovely onions.  Whoever doesn't believe in miracles has never planted a seed!  We're growing an antique variety that dates from the 1700s.  It's always fun to plant those unusual varieties.  Plus these are supposed to be good winter keepers!  Another seed we are trying is soapwort or Bouncing Bet (love the old name, don't you?).  I used to have some at another house, but  neglected to  dig any when we moved.  Never could find any plants again.  So hopefully we'll be able to grow our own "soap".  Here's how to make a shampoo from the leaves:

Soapwort  Shampoo

a dozen leafy soapwort stems (roughly chopped)
1 pint water

Bruise the stems lightly with the back of a spoon in an enamelware  or any non-metallic pot. Add the water and simmer for 15 minutes.  Remove from the heat.  At this point, you can add a handful of fresh  herbs, such as chamomile for blonde hair or rosemary for dark hair.  Just toss into the infusion and cover the pot.  Allow to cool, then strain and use immediately or store in the fridge for up to two days.

Ta Da!  Paraban free shampoo!  Oh!  And lavender would be a lovely addition too!

This weekend we hung some circa 1940s wallpaper in our little hallway.   Now I know this style wouldn't be for everybody, as a matter of fact, it probably only appeals to three people on Earth.  And fortunately those three people happen to abide at Sweet Briar Cottage!  This is a very special wallpaper because it is the exact one that is in the set of my favorite movie, The Trouble with Harry.  Different colourway though.  For that matter, the movie is a rather strange comedy that a lot of people don't "get".  But I love everything about it, from the clever dialogue, the beautiful Vermont setting, the Bernard Hermann score (love this guy), to the wonderful character actors (Edmund Gwynn and Mildred Natwick).  But isn't it funny that I'd come across the very same wallpaper?  After all it was manufactured over sixty years ago!   And isn't it fortunate that I'm married to probably one of the few men that knows how to hang old, unpasted wallpaper?  And isn't it a miracle that our little old-fashioned hardware store still stocks wallpaper paste?  I'd say, it was meant to be!

PS:  When I enlarged this picture I noticed that now I need to touch up the green trim.  One thing leads to another!

31 comments:

  1. My folks were cutting up and planting their seed potatos this weekend, along with some onion sets. Their plum tree is full of blooms, too--the strange warn/cool/warm/cool weather and finally, after last year's drought, lots and lots of rain, has all kinds of things blooming out early this year. Time for me to bite the bullet and clean out my raised beds.

    It does seem that whenever we work on one project around the house, it always extends to two or three more!

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  2. My sound that lives in North Carolina sent me pictures of the plum trees in front of house in blossom this week, Charlene. Must be getting beautiful down your way! We had thunder and lightning the other day. That's very unusual. Guess that old wives tale that the first frost is 100 days after the first thunder. Otherwise, we'd be having a frost in July! Hope that doesn't happen!

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    1. PS: That's supposed to be son. How did it turn out to be "sound"? Sometimes I think I might need a vacation!

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  3. dear jane,
    i have also started my seeds.peppers,tomatoes,chillis and next week maybe different flowers.today is it cold and windy.
    the wallpaper is very,very great!!!!!
    wish you a nice week,
    love regina

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    1. Hi Regina! Are you getting that cold weather that we read about in the news? I have some flowers to start too. White Jupiter's Beard and a columbine called Pink Petticoats. Doesn't that sound dear?

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  4. How exciting to think of getting seeds started, I can't wait to get mine started, I am eager to get back to my garden. Soapwort sounds like an interesting plant! How wonderful that you found wallpaper that is the same as from the set of your favorite movie, I love when stuff like that happens. I think it is a pretty pattern, I love vintage wallpapers. Hope you are having a nice Monday morning. :)

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    1. It is exciting, April! Just seems to be an affirmation From Above that we will have another spring. Having a beautiful sunny Monday here!

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  5. Love the wallpaper finding those items that speak to you are such a blessing. I love antique stores but only buy a thing a two and that is if it speaks to me.

    We started seedlings a couple of weeks ago and they are doing horrible with this weather we are having I guess. I needed to put them under lamps but it was so nice and warm outside. OH well...

    Have a wonderful week. Oh thanks for the soapwort shampoo recipes my daughter and I wash our hair with baking soda but this would be fun to try.

    Erika

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    1. Hi Erika! The remarkable thing is that I found the wallpaper in a thrift store. What are the odds? Just meant to be, I'm thinking. We bought little warming mats this year to start our seeds. Hopefully that will speed things up!

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  6. Dear Jane,

    I like the wallpaper! It looks very homey. You know what, I've never seen "The Trouble With Harry," but now I'm going to have to, just to look for the wallpaper!

    We have sunny skies today; hopefully the winds will take a break from tormenting folks in the Midwest.

    Love,

    Marqueta

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    1. Trouble with Harry, is a bit of an odd movie, Marqueta. It was Alfred Hitchcock's only flop and one of his few comedies. Most people don't get it, but by now you've probably figured out I'm a bit of a kook so it would appeal to me. I'm worried about all the folks in the Midwest. If the storms are already starting, what will summer be like? Keep safe!

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  7. Oh Jane...what a wonderful idea for the shampoo! Something to try. Spring is just around the corner. I'll be missing the garden this year, it is my husband's turn to take care of it. That is OK, I'll be focusing on the interior of the cottage.

    Peace be with you Jane,

    Maria

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    1. I like the idea that I can grow it, Maria. Talk about thrifty! I remember from when it used to grow at my other home, that it spreads and reproduces easily. It looks like you have your hands full without gardening, too. Can't wait until Ran moves here to stay so he can take care of the vegetable garden and I can devote more time to the flowers. I would love to have gardens like my friend Rainey, below.

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  8. Dear Jane ~ Your gardens are on their way. What do you use for a seed starting mix? Soapwort sounds interesting.

    Enjoy your new wallpaper. Where on earth did you find it?

    Have a great week ~ FlowerLady

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    1. I defer to Jackie Clay, who claims Pro Start is the best for starting plants. I was just dreaming over the roses after looking at your blog. I think I want an Apothecary rose for the herb garden. Now to hunt one down! Found the wallpaper in a thrift store. Can you believe it? I have the best luck!

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  9. The wall paper is very pretty - can't believe you found it at a thrift store! Now soapwart - that is something I have never heard of!

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    1. Hi Jane! Soapwort's been around since the colonial days. Guess it's time for it to make a comeback. Been reading about paraban in toiletries. When I checked out the ingredients in them,it's hard to get away from it. So it looks like I'll be back to making my own soaps again. Oh well, it's a fun hobby!

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  10. I've never heard of soapwort. Cool!

    I love the wall paper. Has that "proper lady" feel to it.

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    1. Hi Shara! If it has a "proper lady" feel to it, what's it doing on my walls? LOL! :) Seriously though, I hope your foot is getting better.

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  11. Oh no, you are not the only 3 people who love that wallpaper! I would have it in a heartbeat... Apparently I need to check out a movie!

    You've started your garden. Sigh. Soon.

    Blessings, Debbie

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    1. I know Debbie! This waiting around to get outside and dig in the garden is making me a bit antsy. Especially when I see pictures from friends and family in the south showing the trees blossoming. Winter just seems to last a tad bit too long.

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  12. Hi Jane! The wallpaper is very beautiful! I love the colors and the style is very pleasant to the eye. It has a design that is timeless. It is wonderful that your husband knows how to hang this kind of wall paper. I remember watching my dad do it once when I was a kid. My husband and I both spent so much time helping our parents and others remove wallpaper that we were kind of burned out when it came to putting it up for ourselves. Our master bedroom here in Georgia has a very high two tiered octagon shaped ceiling. I guess they do that quite a bit here in the south so that the hot air will rise, making the room cooler in the summer. The people who lived here before us put up a wallpaper boarder of leaves and red/burgundy roses. It just makes the room come alive. The walls are kind of a light butter cream yellow. The curtains are a sage green, that just matches the leaves in the border. It took awhile but I finally found a quilt that has all the same colors along with some burgundy throw pillows. I can't wait to see what your wallpaper looks like when you are finished, be sure and post some pics. Have a lovely and restful evening ahead! Delisa :)

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    1. Yeah, there's nothing that will put you off of wallpaper faster than removing a bunch that you don't like, Delisa. Bet that was quite a challenge to find a quilt. I miss the olden days when Laura Ashley had all the room furnishings to match the wallpaper. Sure made decorating easy! Your room sounds beautiful!

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  13. I'm wanting to start seeds, but I put them in the trays too early last year. They sat and sulked indoors until it was warm enough for them to spend days on the south facing shelf in the garage. Our weather has been so unsettled that I'm putting seeds on hold for now. Finding a safe place indoors for seed trays is challenging as our windowsills are very shallow, and then there are the cats!
    But the garden has been 'turned' so perhaps cool weather crops can go in soon.

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    1. We use a grow light and warming pads to start our seeds. Only problem is that it takes up half of the dining room table. I suppose you could plant your peas and lettuce and maybe the potatoes in your area. It's always so exciting when we can finally get out and turn the garden!

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  14. Hi Jane! I was in the mood for a movie last night so after reading your glowing review of The Trouble with Harry, I ordered it in instant play through Amazon. I am so glad I did; what a fun movie - Especially seeing those young actors! And of course seeing the "wall-paper" just made it all the more fun! Thanks for a fun evening. (Got some serious knitting done!)

    Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

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    1. Hi Sandy! I'm so glad to here from you! I was worried! But I didn't want to intrude lest something was the matter. So now you know what the trouble with Harry is. Nice to take a trip to Vermont in the autumn for a couple of hours. Wouldn't it be nice to live in a beautiful village like that? And I certainly wouldn't mind hearing John Forsythe sing Flaggin' the Train throughout the entire village. Well, I'm looking forward to seeing all your knitting! Not to mention reading your wise words!

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  15. Maravilhoso é ser mulher!
    Com altos e baixos, sorrisos e lágrimas.
    Parabéns pelo nosso dia!
    Beijinhos.
    Brasil
    ¸.•°`♥✿⊱╮

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  16. You actually found wallpaper from 1940? They made things to last back then, didn't they!

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    1. That's because it was made in the good ole USA back then! Gosh that was 70 years ago! Now I'm starting to feel old! Achhhhhh!

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