A Very Happy New Year to you all!

May your New Year begin with Joy and Fun
that will extend throughout the year.

Christmas Trees, Chai Tea and Seed Catalogues

It was late into the evening. I was curled up on the couch, sipping a lovely cup of Ducky Life's Doreen's Green Classical Chai Tea. The lights on the Christmas tree twinkling like stars while I flipped through my catalog, marking pages and taking notes. The wind howled outside, making the 20 something degrees that it was feel more like single digits.

At one point, the catalog was not enough and I jumped up, startling one of my cats and creating momentary havoc when the cat startled the dog. I went to the computer. I pulled up the website and began clicking and filling up my shopping cart. It was about to start the checkout process when I stopped - frozen by realization.

"What the hell am I doing buying seeds right now?"

Yes indeed. I was shopping for seeds and seedlings for my garden. The candy canes were still hanging and yet I had an over whelming urge to start buying things for my garden.

Tis the season of the seed catalog, and it brings thoughts of lovely spring days digging in the dirt and coaxing little seeds to life. Now, many people have a true aptitude for starting seeds. Alas I'm not one of them. I'll keep trying, but it doesn't seem to be my forte.

Days are growing ever so slightly longer. The catalog's hold many temptations for new and exciting herbs to try: Toothache Plant, which soothes sore teeth and gums; Stinging Nettle, wonderful for hair and a nourishing tonic; Roselle, the form of hibiscus with which you make tea; the list goes on and on.

I will be daring, I will get my seeds and try again. I will make my sojourn to Well Sweep Farm and by an array of young plants to nurture. I will refresh my mints and bee balm from Mountain Valley Growers. But first....

I think I should take down the Christmas tree and finish paying off the holiday bills.

What are you looking forward to planting in your garden?

Support a Cause While you Shop - Join us at this weekend at the Holiday Progressive Shopping Event

Extended Arms Fourth Annual Holiday Progressive Shopping Event

Sunday December 7


11:00 am to 4 pm.
Event takes place in 4 homes in one neighborhood in Toms River, NJ.

This is a wonderful fundraiser to benefit Ocean's Harbor House and Contact of Ocean County.
Take time to shop in an informal, friendly atmosphere - right in one of the lovely homes in Toms River.
It's a unique craft fair that you won't want to miss. Make sure to find us while you're browsing
through through the rooms of handmade treasures We'll have some lovely gift sets perfect for the holidays - and maybe a few new creations to try.

For ticket information contact Donna at dloblein@comast.net or call: 732-244-6089

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lá an Altaithe sona duit!
(Happy Thanksgiving to you)

May your holiday be festive and fun and filled with love! Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving with family or friends or any combination, remember to be thankful for them and all the joys, wonder and magic this world has to offer.

It's almost here - The 29th Annual Granny's Attic craft fair!

Celtic Chairde Creations is delighted to be a part of
the 29th Annual Granny's Attic Craft Fair
Saturday, November 21, 2009
9 AM to 4 PM
Thompson Middle School, Middletown, NJ

We have heard about this event for a number of years, but have never participated. We've very excited to be a part of this enormously successful and popular holiday tradition. We'll be in space 135D, which is in a classroom off of the court yard. It will be like a treasure hunt - come and find us!

There are over 100 vendors presenting their hand crafted items for you to peruse - including, of course, Celtic Chairde Creations. From what we understand, there are also many shoppers, so the atmosphere is festive and fun. Just the right thing to kick off the holidays.

Let the Holiday Festivities Commence! Join us at St. Peter's Craft Fair in Pt. Pleasant!

It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating the sunny warmth of summer. Yet Autumn is now casting it's chilly spell, reminding us that winter is on it's way. And with winter comes the light in the darkness - the festive Holiday Season!

To get us in the spirit, we'll be at the St. Peter's 35th Annual Craft Fair this weekend, November 6 & 7th. That's right, it's a Friday and Saturday, from 9 until 4. This event is packed with wonderful handmade crafts. The perfect place to begin or (if you are much more organized than I)finish your Christmas shopping.

We hope you'll join us this weekend. Mention this blog post and receive $2.00 off your order of $15 or more! We might even have some new treats for you to try.

Let the merriment begin!

Flu Fighting

It seems to be a hot topic of conversation - how to prevent the flu, how to fight it if you've got it, who has it. Colds and flu are an inevitable part of winter. But there are ways to help keep the little beasties at bay. These are very simple, common sense things that we can all do with little effort.

• Wash your hands - often. It's a mantra you've heard over and over again, but it's a valid point. Wash you hands to be rid of germs and bacteria you pick up through out the day. If you're worried about over drying your hands, just keep a moisturizer like one of our Lotion Bars near by to keep hands clean - and soft.
  

• If you work in an office, wipe it down at least once a day. At my office, I wipe down my phone, keyboard, stapler, tape dispenser, mouse, desktop, pen, arm rest and anything else that not only I but others may have touched. I use a disinfectant wipe, or a little hand sanitizer on a napkin. I do this at least once a day - sometimes twice if it's been one of those hectic crazy days.
  

• Wipe it down at home too. At home, I have white distilled vinegar infused with mint and citrus. I use this to wipe down doorknobs, phones, keyboards, pens, cabinet handles, latches, remotes and other things we're all grabbing without thinking. Just be careful with electronics. I spray the dust cloth, not the keyboard.

• Use a tissue. Some people are handkerchief people. It has a certain convenience to it and is perfectly suitable for a single sneeze or a little wipe. But if you're fighting flu or flu season - go for tissues. And pitch them out as soon as they are used. There's nothing quite as yucky as a used tissue lying around on tables.

• Eat Right. Simple, and sensible. Adding beta-carotene rich foods (those orange colored goodies like orange-colored vegetables, including carrots, squash, pumpkins and sweet potatoes) have lots of vitamin C and help build your immune system.

• Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire - or in stew or salad. Chestnuts, those holiday gems fabled in song and story, are low fat and high fiber. They are and excellent source of potassium, folate, vitamins B6 and C, and bolster the immune system to fight infections and stave off the flu.

• Get your sleep. Getting at least 7 hours of sleep every night (8 is better) helps maintain your immune system and keeps your body working at it's best. After just 3 nights of reduced sleep, studies show your immune system function can drop as much as 60%. So go to bed.

And that's just what I'm going to do. After all, I don't want to catch the flu - I prefer to just talk about it.

Cape May Arts & Crafts for Victorian Week CANCELED

This event has been canceled due to the pending storm. It's a shame - but better to stay warm!

We're heading down to Cape May again this weekend for the

Crafts & Antiques for Victorian Week
Emlen Physick Estate
Saturday, October 17
10am-4pm

We love Cape May, and the Emlen Physick Estate is a beautiful, historic part of that lovely town. Over 50 crafters will be featured at this event.

This is a rain or shine event, and its free of charge. So, short of a monsoon, we'll be there. Bring an umbrella and stop by! Make a weekend of it because there are so many great things to do during Victorian Week.

Hope to see you there!

It's Wine Time! Come to the Cape May Wine Festival

Music, food, amazingly wonderful New Jersey wines and a spectacular view are just the beginnings of the Cape May Wine Festival. This is the last of the festivals sponsored by the Garden State Wine Growers Association - well, at least for the season.

Join us!

CAPE MAY WINE FESTIVAL OCT. 10 & 11 CAPE MAY LEWES FERRY TERMINAL, Cape May, NJ October 10 & 11 from noon to 5:00 p.m.

Tickets for the festival are $20 a person at the gate. Advance tickets for the festival can be purchased only at the association web site for $18 a person. A discount price of $16 per person is available for bus groups and group sales of 15 or more.

We always have a wonderful time at the wine festivals, and the cool autumn days are perfect for a picnic on the terminal grounds. Celebrate the bountiful harvest and growing wine industry of New Jersey! There will be craft vendors (like ourselves) as well as a wonderful selection of food and wines. Bring a chair and spend the day!

It's Grand Harvest Festival Time at Alba Vineyards

Autumn, the time of harvest and celebration. Cool, crisp days that may require a sweater of light jacket, but don't chase you in side. These are days to revel in natures beauty. How best to celebrate? Does sitting on the grounds of a vast vineyard, enjoying an amazing selection of award winning wines, listening to terrific music while enjoying a variety of yummy food offerings and browsing fine crafts and vendors sound good?

Then join us at the

GRAND HARVEST WINE FESTIVAL
October 3 & 4 from noon to 5:00 p.m.

at Alba Vineyard, Village of Finesville, Milford, NJ

This is one of the most fun filled wine events of the season. It takes place at the lovely Alba Vineyards in Hunterdon County. Entertaining the crowd with be the always lively and entertaining VooDUDEs. The event is sponsored by the Garden State Wine Growers Association, and over 20 vineyards from around the state are expected to participate. Admission is $20, which gets you a wrist band and wine tasting glass. If you aren't planning on drinking, admission is $10.

We're excited to be going to this wonderful all out party. And even if it rains, we'll be there having a great time. Hope you'll join us!

Join us at the Lakewood Lions Renaissance Faire this weekend

Lakewood Renaissance Faire The Lakewood Lions Club and
the Society for Creative Anachronism
will host their
28th Annual Renaissance Faire
on September 19 & 20 in Lakewood’s Pine Park.
Adults $10.00, Children ages 6 to 12 $1.00,
under 6 Free with a paying adult

Come one and all to the fair Pine Park in Lakewood for the celebration of times gone by, of chivalry and mirth. See the Daughters of Sophia Tribal Dance Troupe. Watch the great Joust! See combat among the finest Knights of the land. Shop in the marketplace for goods of imagination and creativity.

Join Celtic Chairde Creations at the the wonderful Lakewood Lions Renaissance Faire.

Type rest of the post here

This Saturday, Eat Your Apples Me Hearties!

This Saturday, September 19th, is one busy day! Celtic Chairde Creations will be greeting m'lords and ladies at the Lakewood Lions Renaissance Fair in Pine Park (more on that tomorrow). It is also International Eat an Apple Day ... AND.... International Talk Like A Pirate Day!

International Eat an Apple Day reminds us of the helpful benefits of apples. As this fruits of eden come into season, why not take some time and go pick some for yourself!

There is nothing quite as refreshing as eating a crisp Red Delicious or Gala straight from the tree. There are many pick-your-own farms around, but our favorite is Terhune's. This Saturday and Sunday is Apple Day on the farm, and it's a great day for the entire family. The next day you can come to the Ren Faire!

And talking like a pirate is perfect at either location! To celebrate Talk Like A Pirate Day you can: Watch all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies; watch Captain Blood or The Sea Hawk; call everyone matey; change your Facebook language to Pirate (really, you can do that!); fly the Jolly Roger; answer the phone "Aye matey"; etc.

Any way you look at it, the theme for this weekend is fun! Grab yourself an apple, unleash your inner buccaneer (in a good way) and come to the Lakewood Renaissance Fair, savvy?

September Weekends Continue to Sizzle with Shore Fun

Autumn may be fast approaching, and you can feel that nip of coolness in the air. But there's still plenty to do at the Jersey Shore - and Celtic Chairde Creations will be there!

First up this weekend is the Lavallette Heritage Festival. From 9 am to 5:30 pm, at Philadelphia Avenue and Bay Boulevard, you'll find crafters, artists, food to satisfy any palate, as well as music and games for all ages. Heritage Day celebrate the history of Lavallette with a festive day for all. The rain date is Sunday, September 13th. But...


On Sunday, we'll be at one of our favorite festivals of the year. The Friends of Island Beach State Park have prepared a great day with the 12th Annual Beach Plum Festival. Held in the park at Ocean Beach Bathing Area #1, this always turns out to be a wonderful, beautiful day. You can go on walking tours, pick beach plums, see a wide array of crafters, listen to great music, and learn about this natural wonder and the importance of keeping our estuary in the best possible shape it can be.

Plus, it's right on the beach. Who could ask for more.

We hope you'll join us at one - or both - of this sizzling end of summer celebrations. Mention this post and receive a free lip balm!

Crafts and Wine = a Fun Filled Weekend

The weather is cooler - but the fun is just heating up. It's going to be a busy weekend for Celtic Chairde Creations - and we hope you'll join us!

First up is The 27th Annual Giant Craft Fair in Ocean Grove. It's held on the Ocean Pathway in front of the Grand Auditorium, and the beach is right there. This fair features over 100 crafters and artisans with an amazing array of unique items. From jewelry to hand sculpted pottery, children's items to Celtic Chairde body products, you'll find something that will delight you. The Craft Fair is from 9 am to 4 pm and has free admission.

But that's not all...

Allaire State Park, one of our favorite venues, is home to the Jazz It Up Wine Festival on the 5th and 6th. Admission is $20. From noon to 5, you can sample the award winning wines from over 20 of New Jersey's own vineyards. Plus you can listen to some amazing Jazz from the Gambone Project and Jazz in Pastel. We'll be joining the festivities on Sunday, but what ever day you can attend - you should.

Summer isn't over yet, so join us celebrating the sea, some jazz, and a nice glass of wine.

And if you mention this post - this weekend only we'll give you 10% off your Celtic Chairde order of $10 or more. Let's keep that summer fun rolling until the last possible moment!

Celebrate the coming Fall at the Sharrott Winery Fall Festival

Join us at the beautiful Sharrott Winery vineyards for the Fall Festival. There will be amazing music with The Matt Noffsinger Band on Saturday and Shorty Long and the Jersey Horns on Sunday. The wine masters of Sharrott will be offering tastings of their award winning wines. There will be pony rides, face painting, terrific food - and craft vendors like us!


August 29 and 30th
12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
RAIN OR SHINE

Stop by our booth and mention this post and receive a free gift!

See you then!

Dog gone wonderful - It's National Dog Day!

I love cats. I have a whole passel of them and treasure each and every one. But there's something about my dog - Rudy. We adopted him from the Animal Rescue Force a little over a year ago. He's my constant companion, always looking out for me and I for him. Although he does eat my tomatoes and comfrey, which is down right annoying. You can't stay mad at that face though.

Dogs are still the most popular pet in the US. And it's only fair that they are entitled to their own special day. Find a little time on your busy Wednesday, August 26, and celebrate National Dog Day.


Started in 2004 by Colleen Paige, a pet lifestyle expert, National Dog Day is for celebrating all the dogs in our lives - whether they are family pets, K-9 corp members, companion pets for the disabled, or guardians. Even if you don't have a dog, you can show your appreciation for mans best friend by donating to a local shelter.

Dogs give love, loyalty and (usually) obedience without question, just to be a part of our pack. It's a relationship that is almost as old as mankind itself.

Give a pup a pet and a treat and know that you're a part of something bigger - a day of celebration for all dogs, great and small.

Baby It's Hot Outside! So Spritz it Away!

Ah, the joys of summer. Sunshine, gardening, picnics, beach days - all wonderful parts of the season of the sun.

And then there's the humidity and the oppressive heat. Oh yes, it's a New Jersey summer. But there are a few ways to help you freshen up and beat the heat with a few easy herbs.

Summer Fresh Spritz

What you'll need:

Chickweed is considered by many to be a common weed. But it's really a cooling dynamo that's readily available in most yards. Naturally, you want to make sure you collect any chickweed from an area that is not sprayed or treated in any way.

Mints also provide a wonderful cooling effect, both in fragrance and skin care. Spearmint or Peppermint work the best, but any variety that provides that minty freshness will do.

Rose petals. Yes, those silky little petals are wonderfully refreshing and toning for your skin. Again - select fragrant blossoms that haven't been treated in any way.

Gather a big hand full of each of these herbs and rinse well.

Bring 1 quart of water to a boil. Turn off the heat and add the herbs. Cover and let sit until completely cool.

Strain out the herbs, press to get every bit of goodness out of them. Put the tea into a spray bottle and you have a terrifically cooling and skin soothing spritz to use when ever you're feeling over heated. Be careful using it around your eyes - mint could sting a bit. I like to put it in the fridge to get it extra cool and help it keep longer.

You could also take some and put it in a glass, add some honey and ice, and have an interesting refreshing tea. Although an herb fan and game to try more anything - I prefer the spritz.

Do you have any tips for keeping it cool? Feel free to share!

New Location, New Name, but Same Great Gifts

We've been lucky to find a great partner with Laura and The Beachwood Boutique. Our products have been at the store since it first opened. But things change. Oh, we're still with Laura - but they've moved!

The new name is We've Got Your Gift. You can find them at 45 East Route 37 in Toms River, between Main Street and Hooper Ave. Stop by and wish them luck - and pick up a few Celtic Chairde goodies while you're there!

Rain, Rain Go Away! We have Festivals this weekend and Want to Play!

Keep your fingers crossed that the rain stays away this weekend - at least during the day. Celtic Chairde Creations has a busy weekend and we want to get out and meet everyone.

Saturday, July 25 is the Christmas in July Craft Show at the Emlen Physick Estate. From 10 to 4 we'll be on these lovely grounds with dozens of other crafters, getting in the holiday spirit!

On Sunday, July 26, we're in Lavallette at the Heritage Committee's Arts and Crafts Show. This is a great festival with over 100 craft vendors. We'll be there from 9:30 to 4:30, and it's always a great time. Get there early! See, for the past few years it's rained on this festival at about 2 - 2:30. We're looking to buck the trend this year, but the forecast isn't being cooperative.

So keep your fingers crossed for good weather and come and visit us at these great Jersey Shore spots.

Season of the Garden Pests! Phooey!

I love my garden. And this time of year, especially with the cooperative rain, it really starts to look lush. The Calendula is full and bright, the fennel is high and fluffy, the roses are still blooming, even as hips start to form on the rugosas, the chamomile is spreading it's cheer... you get the pictures. Many of you gardeners know, just as you look out and smile at the wonder, they appear. The pests - little buggies of all sorts including the evil Japanese Beetle.

Maybe not evil, but destructive for sure. Many of the herbs that get infused into our products come from my yard. I use no pesticides, but when I see these treacherous little herbivores, I'm tempted to head straight for the most lethal thing I can find.

I don't though. Through the years, I've discovered a few tricks that can help eradicated, or at least minimize the damage done by Japanese Beetles and some other garden bugs.


The most success I've had is with almost as simple as soap and water.

You'll need:
a bucket
a gallon sprayer
2 tablespoons of liquid dish detergent
2 tablespoons of neem oil
Optional - 4 tablespoons of neem powder * see optional steps below.

This is a two step process. Fill the bucket about 2/3 of the way with water and fill the sprayer to the line indicated with water. Into each container add 1 tablespoon of the liquid detergent and 1 tablespoon of the neem oil.

When you find any Japanese beetles, pick them off and toss them into the bucket or knock them into the bucket. Although I prefer the "knock them in" method, it can be tricky because the little buggers might fly off. You can also use the sprayer to spray them into the bucket. This helps coat the plants with a light protective coating while knocking the pests into the prepared water.

Don't do this in the heat of the day or it might cause the plants to overheat. It's best to do it early in the day or on an overcast day. I've found that if I do this every couple of days for about two weeks, I protect the plants for the rest of the season. The bad part is that you may hurt some beneficial bugs at the same time. Sadly, I'd rather save my rose plants.

Now, if I can only figure out how to protect my yard from the blasted gopher.

* The option format, to add a little extra punch, is to make a strong tea with the 4 tablespoons of neem powder in about 2 gallons of water. Let the tea steep until completely cooled. Then strain and use the tea in the bucket or sprayer.

Summer at Allaire - Here we come!

It's time once again for the Summer Crafters Market in the Historic Village of Allaire at Allaire State Park. We love going to Allaire. It's such a beautiful venue - a meandering path under the towering trees, surrounded by history and nature. What's not to love!

The event starts at 10 am on Saturday, July 11, and goes until 4 pm. The rain date is the following Saturday, the 18th, should it be needed.

Over 100 crafters will be there presenting a wide array of hand made products. We'll have our wonderful body products, including the sumptuous sugar scrubs, sun burn spray, lotion bars, gardeners salve and more!

We hope we'll see you there! Mention this post - and we'll even give you an extra treat. Happy summer everyone!

July Celebrates the Great Outdoors

I am jazzed for July! At last we have some great summer weather with sunshine and warm days. The gardens are getting ready for that big push towards harvest. The great outdoors calls us. And me - I'm ready to answer!

July is all about being outside. After all, it's National Grilling Month. My favorite place to get the best grilling tips happens to be Grill It with Bobby Flay. And the Grilling Companion has some great tips and recipes.

Of course, grilling is all about the food. July is also

National Blueberry Month, National Horseradish Month, National Hot Dog Month and National Ice Cream Month. Ok, you can't grill ice cream, but it's a fabulous dessert for afterwards!

Did you know that cultivated, domesticated blueberries were started right here in New Jersey? Just check out the info and Whitesbog Village. Best if read while munching on some fresh blueberries since they are in prime season right now!

To expand on your ice cream palate, you might want to join the Ice Cream Festival in Toms River.

Just think, if you have grilled hot dogs with a horseradish mustard and blueberry ice cream for desert, you've just taken part in five national celebrations!
Make your grillfest in a park at sunset with someone you love, and you've added two more special celebrations - National Recreation and Parks Month and National Share a Sunset with Your Lover Month.

That's why I love July, it's a month filled with flavorful days of note that bring us together and bring it all outside.

Happy Fourth of July!

May you have a wonderful, fun and laugh filled,
Fourth of July weekend.

Let freedom always be the cornerstone to our country.

Time to be on Skeeter Watch

At last the sun arrives! Here in New Jersey we've seen a rather endless stream of rainy, misty, stormy gray days. At last the sun was shining this weekend and it seems everyone went charging out to the gardens and barbecues. And I was right along with them.

As I was straightening and trimming and weeding, I realized that all of this rain has left many things damp and still puddley. There was some water in the bottom of one of the buckets and a few empty flower pots. A small puddle had also formed on the cover of my wood pile. Before I played in the dirt, I had to clean up the water before those pesky mosquitoes had a chance.

You see, in my youth I worked for the Middlesex County Mosquito Commission. It wasn't my favorite job in my life, but it did teach me a lot.

Those annoying summer bugs are fast and furious breeders. Even the smallest driblets of standing water can become their nurseries. To help keep your summer evening mosquito free, take some time to patrol your yard and empty out any area of standing water. Rain barrels, bird baths, dishes under pots can all be breeding grounds. Empty them out as often as possible.

Look for wet spots on the ground where the water is standing. Fill it in with dirt, splash it out, or spray with lemon dish detergent.

Be creative in looking for the watery areas. The more you dry out, the less likely you'll be attacked.

There are lots of products on the market to spray or fumigate, but those can be rather toxic. For me, it's the water hunt to make mosquitoes unhappy to live here.

Now - let the summer roll on!

Pt. Pleasant Jazz Wine and BluesFest this Weekend (we hope)!

Keep your fingers crossed!

The First Point Pleasant Jazz Wine and BluesFest is set for Saturday, June 20th, noon to 9 pm. There's an amazing line up of performers as well as 11 NJ vineyards and crafters and food and fun.

However.....

we all know that the weather is not necessarily supposed to cooperate. There is a raindate of June 21st - the perfect Fathers Day outing!

So - keep those positive thoughts going and one day this weekend, come see us at the Point Pleasant Boro Jazz and BluesFest!

Grab a Your Passport to a Greener Community and Join us at the Barnegat Bay Festival

There are few thing as wonderful as sitting by the bay on a sunny afternoon. Add music, great food, vendors and you've got a party. Include lots of interesting organizations with information about the great Barnegat Bay and how to live greener - and you've got the 12th Annual Barnegat Bay Festival!

Each year this festival has been getting bigger and better. Held at Wannamaker Park in Island Heights, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the bay while browsing through dozens of craft vendors and green organizations. Some of the highlights include:

• The Atlantic City Aquarium Touch Tank
• Native Plant Sale
• Canoe Eco Tours
• Fyke Net Demonstration
• Barlows Flowers - planting tips
• Tuckerton Seaport
• Crafters galore including CELTIC CHAIRDE CREATIONS! Mention this blog post and receive a free lip balm! (1 per person with a purchase of $10 or more. This offer is only good at the Barnegat Bay Festival and cannot be combined with any other offer. It seems only fair that way, don't you think?)

We hope to see you at the Barnegat Bay Festival. Admission is free, so there's no reason not the help make your community a greener place to be.

It's a Reunion! A High School Renunion - The Musical that is!

If you're weekend is looking a little short of laughs, you can up the giggles by going to see "High School Reunion: The Musical" at Brookdale Community College. There's only one weekend left and it's bound to be a barrel of laughs.

For tickets, contact Brookdale Community College. If you want to be up a little on the story, take a gander at the Asbury Park Press Review. My friend Glenn Jones is in the show, so we'll be there this Friday. I'm putting my giggle on, how about you?

Past Weekend was Smithville. Coming up - Blues & Wine Festival!

It may have been a drizzly, overcast weekend, but things were hopping in Historic Smithville. If you've never been there, you really should stop by. There are dozens of charming shops with unique treasures hidden in every corner. I recommend the Chai Lattes at the Cooks Corner. Make sure to stop by Evermore Herb Farm. That's a new shop that has a terrific selection of cooking, health and garden herbs - including some lovely teas! Smithville is a day long adventure well worth the trip - even if there isn't a craft fair taking place!

This coming weekend, May 23 & 24th, is the Blues & Wine Festival on the incredible Natirar Park grounds in Peapack/Gladstone.

Amid the over 20 New Jersey vineyards will be dozens of crafters displaying their wares - including Celtic Chairde Creations! And you'll hear the amazing Craig Thatcher Band and blues guitarists Matt O'Kee. The wine festivals, sponsored by The Garden State Wine Growers Association, are always fun. The wine festival runs from noon to 5 pm both days. We hope you'll stop by and visit us and the sample the wonderful wines from New Jersey's vineyards.

A Very Happy Mothers Day to All!

Just a wish to all the mom's out there - may you have a day to remember fondly for years to come.

And for everyone else - mom's work hard all year. Remember to say Thank You every now and then.

By the way - thank you, Mom. Love you!

Celebrate Beltaine at the Rutgers Farms Market

Joyous Beltaine! Happy May Day!

The ancient Celts basically had two seasons. Winter - the dark cold time - which began on Halloween or Samhain. Summer began on Beltain, or May Day, which began the season of the sun. So I like to look at today as the start of summer!

And what better way to celebrate the beginning of the sun shiny days than some lovely fresh veggies and fruit. My garden is just beginning, but luckily I know a source for great local produce, meats and baked goods - The Rutgers Farmers Market!

Today is the first day of the Rutgers Farm Market, and I've anxiously been awaiting their reopening. It's a delightful shopping experience, with knowledgeable people helping you narrow down your choices. They are open every Friday through the summer, from 1 until 6 pm. You can find them on Ryders Lane in East Brunswick at the entrance to the Rutgers Gardens.

If this open air market is too far for you to travel, find a market near you. Farmers deserve our support, and we deserve the finest in local goods at the peak of their season.

Let the summer begin!

Prepping for Victory in the Garden

I was just browsing through one of the myriad gardening magazines that flow into my house this time of year. The warm spell this past weekend really helped push me into the “get out and plant” frame of mind, but I wisely chose to mostly clean and prep the gardens and do the planting over the next few weeks.

See, I’m not a great gardener. Oh, I’m not bad, but by no means am I a pro. But I stay at it, and every year I get better. Most of my garden is herbs and annuals. Herbs are relatively easy – many of them are darn near weeds! (That’s another post). This year, I’m looking to give a wider variety of veggies a try. Like many of us, pennies need to be pinched. What better way to save than growing your own veggies. One $3.00 plant can give you $50 worth of food, with a fresh picked taste that cannot be duplicated by supermarket produce.


Usually, I buy plants. One of my favorite sources online is Mountain Valley Growers. They have a terrific selection and I’ve had great success with their plants. I also buy from local growers, such as Barlow’s or Timothy's. They have wonderful selections and very helpful staff.

Of course there are problems along the way. There are a few types of fungus and mildew I seem to fight every year. My biggest problem is a plump little gopher that seems to enjoy eating the leaves off my plants and my tomatoes. Then there’s Rudy. He’s my dog. He seems to like my tomatoes too.

As a true Jersey girl, my garden will prominently feature tomatoes. We’ll probably get at least 3 kinds – a plum, some kind of beefsteak, and some unusual heirloom.

String beans are always a favorite. We never get to cook them because we always eat them fresh from the plant or nibble of them with dip before dinner. I prefer bush plants, because they are a little easier to grow and maintain. I have enough vines roaming around the yard.

I’ve tried growing peas before. It always seems that something happens to them, but since they are one of my absolute favorite veggies, there will be another attempt this year.

Add to that an assortment of sweet and hot peppers. Peppers love my dirt, and I love peppers. They’ll join some unique type of eggplant and probably some zucchini. I may even attempt some spinach, beets and carrots this year.

Some of these plants I’ve attempted to start from seed. My father, the true green thumb in the family, can get amazing plants from old seeds and have them thrive. I don’t seem to do as well. Little seedlings will come up - then I forget to water them, or they get too cold, or too hot. I’ll figure it out sooner or later. But it’s fun to try.

For many people, getting out into the garden is about getting it right from the start. Everything is planted in perfect rows. Seeds that don’t come up or fail along the way are considered disasters. Those people miss so much. Half of the fun of digging in to dirt and planting your seeds or plants is about learning from your mistakes. I’ve discovered that eggplants grow best in my front garden with my flowers. They thrive there and look pretty too. What good is a garden if you can’t play in it!

What will you be planting this year? Will you try a new challenge or stay with what you know? I’ll keep you posted if you keep me posted.

Remember, Nature is a very patient teacher, if you don’t succeed this year, she’ll always give you another chance next year. Victory will come to the garden – and fresh veggies will be on your table!

Fair Season is about to begin!

The quiet vacation that was winter is over. As spring flowers begin to bloom, the gentle breezes warm, and life returns to the great outdoors, we at Celtic Chairde Creations return to the fair and festival circuit. And we're starting at a great event - the Spring Festival Crafts Fair at the Emlen Physick Estate in beautiful Cape May.

Join us on Saturday, April 25th on the lovely grounds of the Estate, which is home to The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts. MAC hosts a number of events in and around Cape May, and this is their Spring season kick off!

If you can't make it to the Spring Festival Crafts Fair, that's OK. This is just the beginning. Look for more events coming soon where you can try and sniff our skin care products. We have long time favorites like Gardeners Salve and Honey Lavender Lotion Bars, as well as some new tantalizing treats like Mintingle Toes!

Check back often, or sign up for updates or our newsletter.

Welcome Spring - Welcome Fair time!

Bring on the Bay!

I've always used bay leaves. They've been a part of our kitchen for as long as I can remember. They were tossed into sauces, stews and soups as a matter of course. But until I started reading up on this innocuous leaf, I never real thought about it. To tell the truth, I didn't even know if it added any flavor to all of those things I tossed it into.

But since Bay Laurel is Herb of the Year, I've taken a little more time to get to know it. The scent of bay is enchanting. It is said that the priestess of Delphi sat above burning bay laurel so the fumes would increase her prophetic visions. Me, I just like

to take a good sniff. This simple leaf is said to clear your mind allowing greater clarity. It is also calming and great for stress relief. I have a small sachet of a few leaves under my pillow which I find especially useful after a long hard day of work. The sweet yet spicy scent is also said to help respiration, which is another benefit that gives me a great nights sleep.

This ancient herb is also a symbol of protection. You can easily find bay leaf wreaths at places like Well Sweep Herb Farm, florists or other gift shops. You can find them most often during the holiday season, but a special scent like this is appropriate all year round.

I'll keep you informed of my discoveries of the lovely bay - and feel free to let me know about yours.

WELCOME SPRING!

Happy Ostara everyone and welcome to a new spring!

It's the spring equinox - a day in balance of night and day. A promise of more warmth and sunshine to come. And what a day it's been!

We had snow this morning, surprising the bulbs and plants starting to make their way through the earth towards the sun.

And we have kittens! 3 little ones, only hours old here. Gizelle, the outside cat that has claimed us as her own, delivered 3 littles amid the chill. But their cozy in their

cat house now, waiting to grow and find new peoples to love when they get bigger.

New beginnings, new determination, a sparkling start to spring.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A very Happy, Laughter filled
St. Patrick's Day to to Everyone!

A light heart lives longest.
Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad

How to make a Fruitilicious Frappe

March 2009 Indie Beauty Tag Party
Thanks to Debbie at Soapy Love Daily Ditties for the tag!

Sometimes, when I'm cooking, my mind starts to wonder. I was making one of my favorite smoothies for a quick breakfast and started thinking about one of the first face masks I ever made for myself. It was quick and easy and fresh from my fridge. It's a great little treat that will get your mind set for spring, and your face feeling smooth and fresh. And it's darn tasty too, but more about that later.

Fruitilicious Frappe
You'll need:
3 ripe strawberries
1 or two small pieces of pineapple
1 teaspoon honey
3 tablespoons (approximately) of plain yogurt


Stem the strawberries. Put the strawberries and the pineapple into a bowl.

Puree with a stick blender until smooth.

Drizzle in the honey and hit it again with the blender.

Add the yogurt. Change to the whip attachment and whip the mixture until smooth. (You can also use a regular blender)

Take a small amount of the mixture and smooth onto your face. Start at the neck and work upwards. You should apply a light layer all over your face, avoiding the eye area. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

You can follow with your favorite toner, although I just like to enjoy the fragrance for a while.

Cover and refrigerate the leftovers. It will last in there for 3 or 4 days. If you'd like it a little thicker, you can add a little cornstarch with the yogurt, or fold into an egg white that has been whipped to a stiff peak.

This easy face mask is packed with power:

• Pineapples contain bromelain, an enzyme which will help cleanse and exfoliate your skin. It's also has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Strawberries contain salicylic acid which will also help remove dead skin cells, as well as reducing pore size and redness. It's also an antioxidant.
• Yogurt will help soothe, cleanse and soften your skin.
• Honey - one of my favorite ingredients - is an all around wonder that moisturizes, is an antioxidant, antiviral, anti fungal, antibacterial, and filled with vitamins and minerals.

Even though you can refrigerate this and keep it for a few days, the very best part of this Fruitilicious Frappe - what you don't use on your face you can eat!

Want some more how to tips and cool information? Stop over at Dr. Flower's Handmade Soap. It's the Indie Beauty Networks' Blog Tag Party - and you're invited!

Mark Your Calenders - March is Marvelous

March has always been a special month for me. First - well, my birthday is in March. And my dear old Gram's birthday was in March. March 17th to be exact. Yep, Catherine Bridget Dalton Papp was born on St. Patrick's Day. March also welcomes in the first day of spring. What a great month!

Ah - but March is so much more!

Besides being Irish American Heritage Month, it is also International Mirth Month. What could be more mirthful than a festive St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Laughter is the best medicine, but being optimist can help you achieve better health and prosperity. So celebrate Optimism Month and help yourself become more successful. Seems

perfectly appropriate since March is also International Expect Success Month! If you expect success, and then work like that is the only option, you can be successful!

And what do you need to be successful? Well, it all starts with an idea. And during International Ideas Month, take some time to celebrate the good ideas that make things happen for you and for everyone.

If you like being a little more hands on, then March is for you with National Craft Month. Pick up an old craft project or start a new one. You may have to do some reading, so you'll also be a part of National March Into Literacy Month. Part of the Toys for Tots campaign, this month long celebration promotes the love of reading, especially among children. Reading is a fundamental skill needed for success.

With all this activity in March, you'll probably need a good nights rest. Luckily, it's also National Sleep Awareness Month. But getting to sleep shouldn't be a problem, if you realize it's also National Caffeine Awareness Month.

As you can see, there's a lot to celebrate in March. Whether you're sharing ideas with an eye towards success, or reading a humorous book, investigating Irish Heritage or getting a good nights sleep, March is one marvelous month. And you can always feel safe, because it also happens to be American Red Cross Month. This amazing organization provides first aid and CPR training and aid to those in the midst of disaster. I'm fairly fond of the Red Cross. My grandmother was a volunteer there for years.

Nollag Márta! Happy March!

Giving Bay it's Just Desserts

We often think of Bay leaves as those dry leaves we drop into soups, stews and sauces. It's a main meal type of herb. However, this pungent little leaf is more. And to honor it's place as Herb of the Year, I give you a tempting dessert recipe.

The main recipe appears in the International Herb Associations book "Bay (Laurus nobils) Herb of the Year 2009". This is a fascination collection of information, tips and recipes about and for Bay. I took the recipes from the book and played with them a little, and came up with this yummy dessert that's perfect any time of year.

Gingered Fruit with Bay Syrup


Start by making the Bay Syrup. Make a lot and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. It can also be frozen. Bay syrup can be used to flavor drinks, over pancakes, let your imagination run wild. The fragrance and flavor is spicy and sweet.

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 cups water
10 bay leaves (fresh works best but you can use dried)

Put the sugar, honey and water in a heavy sauce pan. Add the bay leaves (bruise fresh ones slightly with a spoon). Bring to a low boil over medium heat. Cover and remove from the heat. Let it sit for an hour, or until room temperature. Remove the bay leaves, squeezing lightly to get out all the goodness. Place in a container and refrigerate.

Gingered Fruit

1 pound of fruit (fresh summer fruit works best - nectarines, peaches, plums, cherries, pineapple. You can also add some dried fruit like, currants, raisins, etc.)
1/4 cup of Bay Syrup
2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice.
1 tablespoon agar agar or gelatin

Cut the fruit into pieces. In a sturdy medium saucepan, combine the fruit, syrup and ginger. Cover and simmer on medium for about 7 or 8 minutes, until the juices are flowing and the fruit is slightly tender.

Stir in the lemon juice and gelatin or agar agar (you can find this in some grocery stores, health food stores, and oriental markets). Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Turn off heat and remove from stove.

You can serve this warm or chilled. It thickens quite a bit when chilled. My favorite - take apiece of pound cake, put on a scoop of ice cream, add some of the gingered fruit and a little extra Bay Syrup. Wow, is that good.

Extra fruit can also be refrigerated and nibbled as needed.

Happy Valentines Day!

In the cold chill of winter, we celebrate the warmth of the heart.

Have a wonderful, love filled Valentine's Day.

Just Pondering about the word Change

Everyone's talking about change lately. I started thinking about it myself. I know what the word means, but I still looked it up. Here's the definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:

Change
Pronunciation: \ˈchānj\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): changed; chang·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French changer, from Latin cambiare to exchange, probably of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish camm crooked
Date: 13th century

transitive verb
1 a: to make different in some particular : alter (never bothered to change the will)
b: to make radically different : transform (can't change human nature)
c: to give a different position, course, or direction to
2 a: to replace with another (let's change the subject)
b: to make a shift from one to another : switch (always changes sides in an argument)
c: to exchange for an equivalent sum of money (as in smaller denominations or in a foreign currency) (change a dollar bill)
d: to undergo a modification of (foliage changing)
e: to put fresh clothes or covering on (change a bed)

intransitive verb
1: to become different (her mood changes every hour)
2: of the moon : to pass from one phase to another
3: to shift one's means of conveyance : transfer (on the bus trip he had to change twice)
4: of the voice : to shift to lower register : break
5: to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution (winter changed to spring)
6: to put on different clothes (need a few minutes to change for dinner)
7: exchange, switch (neither liked his seat so they changed with each other)

I find it interesting that, as a word, change is neither positive nor negative. Change just means moving from one place, circumstance, position, course, etc, to another.

That could be a positive thing. As human beings we wish for things to change for the better. But, it could also be a negative thing.

I guess we'll have to be more specific about what we wish for.

The Nobel Bay - The Herb of the Year 2009

Go take a look in your kitchen cabinet. Go ahead. I'll wait.

I bet you have bay leaves in there, don't you? Since ancient times, bay leaves have been an important part of human life. That history and it's place as a culinary staple are part of the reason why the International Herb Association has selected Laurus Nobilis (Sweet Bay Laurel) as the 2009 Herb of the Year.

Since 1995, the International Herb Association has selected an herb to celebrate and educate. The criteria for selection is for the herb to fully meet at least 2 of the following 3 criteria:

• Medicinal properties
• Culinary uses and expanse
• Decorative Value

Last years herb, Calendula, is one of my all time favorite herbs. This year's, Sweet Bay, comes close.

I'll be adding recipes and additional information about our 2009 Herb of the Year winner over the course of time. But I thought I'd start with a little mythology.

There are several versions of how Bay came to be. One is that Daphne, a nymph in ancient Greece, was a beautiful, strong and independent young thing. Apollo, god of sunlight, medicine, healing and more, sees the young nymph and is intrigued by her. Eros (or Cupid) is a bit or a trickster. He hits Apollo with a love arrow, while striking Daphne with an arrow that makes her revile Apollo. Valiantly she flees from Apollos ardorous pursuits. Exhausted she collapses at the river bank, where she calls to her father, the river god Ladonus, and asks for rescue. He transforms her into a richly green Bay tree.

Apollo comes to his sense, but still sees the beauty that the Bay tree holds. He declared the Bay Laurel to be a sacred tree of his own. From that day forth, it was used to wreath the heads of the most learned, wise, and strong.

I leave you there for now, with more information to come. In the meantime you can find out more about this grand herb at The International Herb Association or the Herb Society of America websites.