Save the Earth - Make Dirt!

A few weekends ago, I attended the Home Gardeners School sponsored by Rutgers New Jersey Agriculture Experiment Station (NJEAS). The day long program was presented by the Office of continuing Professional Education. It was a wonderful, fun, and educational day with a mix of gardening talent – professional to us mere amateurs.

One of my favorite classes was on Backyard Composting. Now, I’m a recycler from way back. When I first got married, newspaper and cans and such had to be carted away to the recycling center. So every couple of weeks, my husband and I would load up the car and schlep all the garbage to the facility. I didn’t mind. I could see how much we were keeping out of the landfills. We still recycle everything we can today. Only now I’m lucky enough to live in a town that has curbside pick up for just about: cans, plastics, cardboard, newspapers and office paper.

When we bought our house, one of the first things we did was start a compost heap. Gardening wasn’t my forte at the time (heck, I’m still learning!), but I did know that compost was great for soil and it helped reduce garbage.

And composting is easy. Here are a few tips and links to get you composting


- So many things from your kitchen and home can be composted: vegetative food scraps, egg shells, lint, hair, shredded newspaper, coffee grinds, etc. There are some things to stay away from: meats, fats, oils, dairy products and poisonous or diseased plants. All makes sense, right?

- Carbon and nitrogen need to be in balance. That means making sure you have a mix of greens and browns. If you’ve just tossed on some kitchen goods, toss on a layer of dried leaves. This will hold in the moisture and keep things in balance.

- Chop up leaves, banana peels, whatever is going in to the compost bin to help speed up the process.

- Compost should be damp, like a rung out sponge. Too dry and the materials won’t deteriorate. Too wet and it stinks.

- Grass clippings are great for compost – but not too much! Even better, “Grasscycle” – just leave short clippings on the lawn. They deteriorate quickly and provide mulch and moisture for the lawn.

It may take a full season for your garbage to turn to rich, warm dirt, but as Alton Brown says, “Your patience will be rewarded.” Once you have some of that gardening gold, it will be a wonderful additive to your soil. To find out more about composting, check the links below and make dirt!

NJEAS Gardening & Landscaping Publications

Composting Basics

Backyard Composting Basics from Garden.com

Lots of Composting Tips & Tricks at HGTV

Fair Season Begins this Weekend

On Sunday,March 30th, we hope you'll stop by the Paramus High School Annual Spring Craft Show. It's a great show, with over 125 crafters. On Century Road in Paramus, NJ, it's been a kick off to spring and the start of the fair and festival season for years.

Celtic Chairde Creations will be there, waiting to show you our full line of sooth body butters, fabulous face masks, lip balms, the always popular lotion bars, and many exciting new creations to keep your skin soft and your spirit soaring.

We've been busy these past few weeks. We've been making fresh products, packing them up and getting them ready for the fair. We also have some exciting new products to share.

*New scents for body butters, such as Tropical Paradise. It hints of blooming plumeria, fresh pineapple, and romantic walks on the beach.

* Salt and sugar scrubs like Orange Ginger. They gentle exfoliate your skin, removing the tiredness of winter and getting your skin ready for the summer to come.

* Look for yummy new lip balms as well as our best selling healing lip balm - Tingles!

Check back often, as we update our list of fairs we'll be attending. And if there are any fairs you think we should attend - just let us know!

Celebrate As Young As You Feel Day!

Today is, officially, As Young as You Feel Day! Chronological age doesn't always affect how you truly feel inside. Sometimes young people feel older - and some times older people just feel younger.

Today is the day that anyone can go and sit on a swing set, climb the monkey bars, or eat that Twinkie you haven't had since you were a kid!

Don't worry about acting your age - get out and feel peppy! Here are some things you can do to celebrate As Young As You Feel Day!

1. Go to a playground and swing or slide.

2. Shop at all the stores your kids do. Try on the clothes and ask other people there how they look. If you like the clothes - buy them.

3. Go to an arcade and play the video games.

4. Watch cartoons or your favorite movies from when you were younger.

And if any one says, "Act your age", you can say with all sincerity - "I am acting my age because it's As Young As You Feel Day!"

What will you do for As Young As You Feel Day?


As Young As You Feel Day is copyrighted by Well Cat Herbs, For more information, see Well Cat Holidays.

Balance and New Beginnings - Welcome Spring!

The first day of spring is a day full of promise. As light and dark balance, we are invited to wake up from our sleepy winter hibernation and start anew.

For me, spring has always felt more like New Years than January 1st. Who wants to think about revitalizing, resolutions and new beginnings when you're still recovering from Christmas and the whirlwind of madness that surrounds it. In January, you want to just relax and rest - but when Spring begins you're ready to take on the world again.



There was a time when the start of spring was considered the New Year. The old Roman calender looked at this as the time to start fresh, just as the flowers and plants were starting again.

During spring we throw open the doors and windows, letting in the fresh air. Although today it was a little too breezy for opening all the windows. I use this time of year to sort through those pesky little pockets of mess that have been piling up. I just take 15 to 30 minutes and concentrate on one spot. Sometimes, hectic lives lead to lots of mess around the house. If you look at it all together, you might not want to start. But just picking one section and one spot starts you on something. And with time those somethings will add up. I picked up that tidbit from Fly Lady, a true source of inspiration for those of us who have chaotic lives.

I also run out to the garden in spring, following the same process. It will be time to start the herbs soon, so the beds must be cleaned and readied. This is very important, because many of these herbs end up in our beauty care products.

Now is the time we plan our line for the year. What scents sound sensational? What ingredients seem interesting? How will we combine them to bring our customers, friends and family body butters, lotion bars and skin satisfying treats? It's all a part of the rejuvenation of spring.

You can help,too. What are your favorite spring and summer scents? How do you start fresh in spring?

An Unusual Weekend of Goings and Comings

It's been a long week, and it's only Wednesday. But it all started last Friday.

Our dear and faithful friend, Tasha, passed away on Friday. Tasha was, as most dog owners will tell you, more than just our pet, she was part of our family. For 16 of her 18 years, she was the family playmate, vacuum cleaner and guardian (we adopted her from a shelter when she was about 2 years old). But 18 is very old for a dog, and her health was failing. My husband, son, daughter and my self were all there to see her off. I know she's somewhere, running at full speed as she had years ago.

Naturally, there was a sadness over the house as we remembered the things that were Tasha's, and the way she was in healthier times. But on Sunday, it was time for another parting, one mixed with happiness and sadness.

Rhonda is a loving, sweet little kitten, about 5 or 6 months old. She came to us in a rather unusual way.

I was getting ready to head to my day job when I received a call from my boss. "When will you be here?" he wanted to know. For a second I thought I had missed a meeting or something, but he needed me there because a kitten had almost been hit by a car and it looked terrified. As the resident office cat lady, he figured I'd be the best to handle it.

So I loaded the pet carrier into the car, along with a little food, and headed to work. When I got there he took me to the spot where the little angel was hiding. Sure enough, she was terrified, letting out little meows. She was hiding under a bramble of wild blackberries, so I wasn't thrilled about having to climb through to get her. A little coaxing and sweet talking, though, and out she came, right into my arms. She rubbed and meowed and munched up the food I brought. I had to give her only a little, because you could see she was starving.

I brought her home at lunch time, and she took to my husband right away, following him around and demanding his attention. You could feel every bone in her back and side, the poor thing.

But time and kitten chow and lots of loving heal many things. Within three weeks, she was looking more as a regular kitten should look. Having a few too many cats already, I took her to my favorite shelter, the Animal Rescue Force. There, one of the volunteers fell in love with our sweet tuxedo girl. The Sunday after dear Tasha left us, Rhonda's new family came to pick her up. They were delighted, and excited, and she took to them right away. It was a sad but happy farewell.

There's more though. I spoke of comings. You see, there's another cat that lives outside our house. She's a feral cat, who tolerates only rare pets from the people who feed her. She usually hangs around when she's pregnant. Guess what she did on St. Patrick's Day?

So, at the moment, it's a little quieter in our house. The older cats are all settled in their ways, barely making a fuss. We still have to put Tasha's things away. All the quiet will change soon enough, though, when the Irish brood come in for people training before we send them to their new homes.

See, we're animal people around here. That's why, if you'll notice, there's a cat in the logo of Celtic Chairde Creations. They add such interest to our lives. With all the comings and goings, I still wouldn't trade getting to know and love them all.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

And in Irish it's Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh
(La ale-lah pwad-rig son-ah jeev.

In celebration of one my favorite days, I thought I'd share a few of my Grandmother's favorite Irish recipes. Today, St. Patrick's Day, was also her birthday, so it was a day doubly celebrated in our house.

My Grandmother was also a wonderful cook. She loved being in the kitchen. My Grandfather was Hungarian, so many of her specialties were Hungarian, but these are a few of her wonderful Irish favorites - Potatoes Kay, Irish Soda Bread, and an after St. Patrick's Day tip.

Potatoes Kay
Ingredients:
1 pound of washed, peeled, and thinly sliced potatoes
1/2 stick of butter (4 tbs), melted
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 small bunch of green onions (scallions), minced

Spread out the potatoe slices and pat them with paper towels to make sure they are thoroughly dried. In a 8 x 8 baking dish (or which ever size you prefer), put a layer of the potatoes. Sprinkle with some of the melted butter, salt & pepper. Place another layer of potatoes, overlapping the first, and sprinkle with butter, salt and pepper again. Continue making layers until all the potatoes are used

Bake at 350 degrees until well browned on all sides. Turn out onto a hot platter. Layer sour cream over the top, like your icing a cake, and sprinkle with green onions.

Variations include sprinkling shredded cheddar cheese in between layers and then sprinkling crumbled bacon on the top.

Irish Soda Bread
Ingredients
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp melted butter
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 tsp caraway seeds (more or less if you like)
1/2 cup raisins

Hand mix all the ingredients together in a bowl, added in the order above, using a wooden spoon. (I use a silicon spatula). When stiff, turn onto a board and knead until smooth. Place into a round cake pan and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before cutting.

Great fresh from the oven with some home made jam - or even plain!

One last tip....

Now, my Grandmother, in her later years, lived about 3 blocks from a fine, upstanding Irish establishment called Murphy's. As crowded as it would be on St. Patrick's Day, she would walk in and announce, "My name is Katherine Bridget Dalton and today is my birthday!" She'd always get a seat and she wouldn't pay for a drink all night.

The next morning, would come all to early, and with all the difficulty you would expect. To help rid her of the hangover, she always had a bowl of vanilla ice cream. Within an hour, she'd be back to her regular, jovial self.

Have a wonderful, blessed, fun filled - and safe - St. Patrick's Day.

What could be more Irish.....

Than potatoes! You can mash them, whip them, bake them, and boil them. They are all sizes and shapes with a variety of textures suitable for all occasions. I don't know if it's because I'm part Irish, but I just LOVE potatoes.

These versatile tubers are more than just a perfect side dish. This vitamin and mineral packed package has so many other uses.

Place a slice of peeled, fresh potato on your tied eyes to help sooth and cool them.

A slice can also be used to help relieve redness and pain from burns.

Save the watery juice from boiled or mashed potatoes! Drinking it is said to help with stomach problems.

Vodka can be made from potatoes!

I love this tidbit - after you've boiled your potatoes and removed them from the pot, throw in your silver! Potato water is said to help remove tarnish and brighten silver.

And, there's always the potato stamp! Just cut a potato in half, carve a pattern into one side. Pull out the ink and start stamping.

To find out some other nifty tater tidbits, check out these web sites:
Botanical Online
Plants for a Future
Geomestic

Heavenly Heather

Although it was a blustery, rainy, chilly weekend here in New Jersey, there were some lovely spots of sunshine. I took the time to get out in the yard and take inventory of all the things I have to do as the weather warms its way into spring. As I walked the yard making my voluminous list, I froze in my tracks. My heather was blooming! What a treat and delight to see those pretty pink blossoms in such profusion! March and heather - what a great combination!

When I was but a wee lass, I was lucky enough to go to Ireland. My Dear Old Sainted Grandmother, my grandfather, my grandmother's friend Mary, and I took at 15 day trip to England and Ireland. It was on this trip that I fell in love with heather.


It grows all over - in fields and along roadways, and in stately gardens. Heathers folk lore states that it can be worn for protection. And it can also used in beer! And this wild growing plant served as food for cattle that would nibble on the tender plant tips as they peaked through the snow. I think I still have a spring of heather from Connemara pressed into my travel journal.

It wasn't until a few years ago I found out that heather was not the national flower, but of Norway, that it's really more closely associated with Scotland, and is native to Canada. But to me, heather is still Ireland.

So, after the discovery of my blooming heather, I ran inside and got a cup and collected several handfuls of blossoms. We at Celtic Chairde use heather in several of our products, including our Mela Tae Bright Eye Refreshers (tea bags filled with cucumber, heather and eyebright - a refreshing and soothing treat to tired eyes!) and in our face toner. It's slightly astringent quality is one reason we use it, but I think it adds a little touch of heavenly Irish magic.

There's Something About the Irish

March is one of my favorite months. It's the month the brings you the in's and out's like a lion or lamb. It's the month that daylight savings time begins. It's the month that holds within it the promise of spring and increasing sunshine, of lovely little flowers and plants pushing their way through the soil. It's my birthday month! And it is the month where everyone, no matter their race, creed or color, can make the claim of being Irish and the only repercussion is a hearty pat on the back and a welcoming smile.

There's just something about the Irish. Just mention "Irish" and stereotyping, however un-PC it is, makes many people think of: beer and bars; bawdy songs or haunting ballads; parades; green; comhrá (that's talk in Irish); bagpipes; beer; storytelling; and a general joy that warms like the upcoming spring sun.

I've often wondered why that is?

Certainly, Ireland hasn't always had it very easy - wars and disputes, starvation and poverty. Doesn't sound like a jolly spot, does it? There are volumes of websites and books on Irish history. In fact New Jersey has a very large population boasting Irish decent. In fact, there's a book - The Irish in New Jersey - written by Dermott Quinn, that talks to this very point. But all you need do is look at the grace and elegance of the land, the friendly faces of the people, and hear that lilt in their speech, and your heart open up like a flower.

This enchantment with the Emerald Isle and her people has been with me my whole life. My dear old sainted grandmother, Katherine Bridge nee Dalton Papp, may she rest in peace, was born on March 17th. She was a woman who enjoyed life immensely. It was because of her I took a shine to my Irish heritage.

So, through out my life, I've gravitated to all things Irish. Ireland is one of the Celtic nations, having once been home to the Celts. I've been to Ireland - although it was many years ago - and was enthralled with the history and beauty. I'm part of an Irish theatre company. I like potatoes! I follow the Celtic wheel of the year and have a real love of the land that many Irish share. Some of my dearest friends are in an Irish musical group called Croi na mBan (A Woman's Heart) . And I'm a partner in Celtic Chairde Creations.

Chairde means friend in Irish. And my business partner, Cindy, is one of my oldest and dearest friends (oldest as in I've known her a long time - not that she's old). We went to college together, were and still are involved with Irish theatre, and we both have Dalton's in our lineage (althgouh we don't think we're related). That's where the Chairde comes from.

So you see, there really is something about the Irish. And this is the month to celebrate and discover just what that something is.