Monday, March 18, 2013

minty moonday

 
Since it's time to think about what to grow this year, I needed to taste-test the dried chocolate mint, Mentha piperita, to see if it's a go or not. It's too bad it sat so long in the cupboard. I think I thought I was saving it for something special. 
 
That's a Celestial Seasoning Mint Magic teabag in cup 1, dried chocolate mint in cup 2, and both in cup 3. I brought the kettle to a boil and let it sit off-heat for 10-15 seconds because mints don't like boiling water. Mints also turn bitter if steeped too long -- 4 minutes was stretching it but I like my herbal teas strong.
 

The color of the chocolate mint is much lighter and looks to be weaker but oh boy don't ever go by that alone. What I decided is that chocolate mint is most definitely worth growing, and more of it.  I like it best as a simple -- that means one herb only -- even a small amount overpowered the Mint Magic, which is a blend. And, my old favorite, Mint Magic, will continue to be just that.
 
This dandelion clump is going into a salad today. The before and after of the felted nest follows. It felted up nicely and I think it'll be a good thread holder.
 

Today is a waxing moonday in the sign of Gemini, just two days from equal light and dark. Waxing moons favor growth so our time is well-spent nurturing, enriching, fertilizing, building, and strengthening plants, soil, projects and intentions. Airy Gemini days are great for making changes, moving from one thing to another easily, and chatty get-togethers. The shoulders, arms and hands are most affected by Gemini.
 
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with the moon in the sign of moist and fruitful Cancer will be ideal days for sowing seeds in the garden. It's a little early for us here in Colorado but if the weather holds, I have potatoes and onion sets to plant.
 
To growing! And mint tea.....


9 comments:

  1. such pretty cups and oh that felted nest turned out great.

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  2. Thanks, Deanna -- it's really due to such great yarn for felting!

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  3. How timely to see that you are thinking about mint as well. I have been buying some mint from the store and putting it in a jar to root. I planted one batch and now have another handful of mint that I planted today. I didn't plant any chocolate mint. I will have to leave room in my mint garden. I decided to grow mint because it doesn't (or it doesn't have to) get very high. I have some garden beds that I am worried about getting shaded, but I think that mint will work well where I have them, on a wall.

    I haven't been blogging for a while. I decided to do a post and see what everyone else has been up to. I always enjoy your moon studies. Thank you

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  4. I saw the moon last night and I thought of you! Love all your teacups. The photos are great too by the way! Hugs Nat

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  5. Hi Becky, so good to hear from you, it has been a while. That's a great way to do it -- by rooting store-bought stems! And I think mints are definitely worth a try in any less-than-ideal location. I'll have to come visit you now, too!

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  6. Hi Nat and thank you. The teacups were a Yule gift from my husband, he did a good job! :)

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  7. Love how the nest turned out. Don't those thread colors look so lovely against it too?!

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  8. Myself--longing for the moon...but this snow--the last I think, will do untill it shows itself at full. I'm starting to itch for the garden. How do you separate your mints since they travel underground so well? In a larger space than I tend now, I used to sink garbage cans with the bottom cut off, then plant each mint in one separately.

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  9. Peggy, I also grown chocolate mint, I am so amazed how it smells just like Chocolate Mint! I've used it in with black tea, hot and cold, but never alone, I'll give it a try this spring. No planting will be done this week here in Michigan, we have a strong north wind with lots of blowing snow. Only good for curling up by the fire and quilting.
    Love the felted nest, what a great idea using it for threads.

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