The Inkwell

The Hotdog Vendor gives out Schnitzels & Snippets

Chili (about 45 minutes to prepare)
recipe by Charlotte Ann©

• 1 lb. Hamburg
• 1 or 2 cans of Kidney Beans
• 1 Can of Chopped Tomatoes
• 1 Jar of Spaghetti Sauce
• 1 Onion, Chopped (as much as you want)
• 1 Green Pepper, Chopped
(ingredient not absolutely necessary)
• About 1 tsp. of Chili Powder (more if you want)

In frying pan, put grease or oil, then add hamburg, peppers, onions. Fry.

Put in big kettle: sauce, tomatoes, cooked hamburg, chili powder, salt & pepper. Simmer about 1/2 hour then add kidney beans. Heat until hot and serve.

** Charlotte Ann© was a great cook, and didn't like to measure much. She was a strong believer that being a creative cook was what it was all about. Whatever her secret, her food was exceptional! Her idea was to add a pinch of this and a pinch of that.

Streetside Florist, Kathleen Baldwin

Monarda didyma, or commonly called Bee Balm

I find this herb completely beneficial...in the garden, for our bodies, for our noses, and for our insect and hummingbird friends. I do not personally use it for skin care. Since I grow a lot of herbs, I use Bee Balm for other things besides skin care.

It is called Bee Balm as the flower attracts bumblebees. Honey bees are unable to reach this flowers’ nectar unless holes have been made by other insects or hummingbirds. And, hummingbirds are very attracted to this flower, as well as butterflies.

The versatility of this herb includes using it as a cut flower, using the dried leaves and flowers in potpourri, as a garden attraction for pollinators, and as a culinary tea. It has traditionally been used as a medicinal herb, but one of my books writes it is no longer officially recommended for medicinal use today.

The aroma and flavor of this herb is likened to Oswego tea or Earl Grey tea when added to a china tea. One of its common names is Oswego Tea. It is very aromatic and very delicious to drink as an herbal tea – hot or cold by itself or added with other herbs. I have drunk several gallons of this tea over the years – I like it hot.

And, while it may not be “officially recommended” as a medicine, I find it is my best natural aspirin of all the herbs I’ve tried. I had read that it relaxes the muscles when drunk as a tea, all the muscles from headaches to menstrual pain. I read it may also relieve nausea, flatulence, and insomnia. I do find it quite relaxing and extremely aromatic. I have drunk this tea with catnip before, and I have drunk it with lemon balm. I like it best by itself, but it is quite good mixed, too.

What? You are asking me if it helps my tension headaches and muscle aches? Is the FDA listening? Yes, it does help – in fact, it seems to be quite relieving in the aches and tension department. :)

If you would like to begin your own herb garden or are expanding yours to include some tea herbs, look for this one. The best way to obtain it is from a friend or neighbor willing to divide it by the roots, or offer you stem cuttings that are very easy to root. Then, you are getting a plant that is already acclimated to your surroundings. Then, sit back, watch it grow, and drink some bee balm tea! Happy sipping!!!

To find out more about herbs, visit http://sweetcreekherbs.blogspot.com

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Posted by sbass

I was quite surprised and pleased to be "TAGGED" by a dear newfound friend who I admire, Crystal of Kizzdesigns. You must read the ten fun and interesting things she listed about herself. http://kizzdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/08/unvieling-awards-stuff.html Crystal specializes in unique, handmade, one-of -a-kind jewelry http://www.artfire.com/users/kizzdesigns and she was one of our INK-FAVES http://blog.inkwellalley.com/2009/07/26/this-little-piggy-went-to-market-2.aspx Now I know most people may not like being "tagged", but actually it gave me an opportunity to chill for awhile instead of running crazy... Whew, so finally, I'm sitting down and must think of 10 bizarre or interesting facts about myself. 1. My full name is Shirley Bass, with the pseudonym (pen name) Audrey. 2. My mom just passed away on January 28, 2008; this moment has really changed my life. New endeavors are ahead, and I can't wait to share them when they get a little closer. 3. My grandmother was born on Mother's Day which was her birthday, and had my mother on Mother's Day which was her birthday, and my grandmother died on Mother's Day which was her birthday and my mother's birthday... 3. I've been married forever...and have two children; everyone spoils me and treats me like a queen! I like that part :) 4. My first cat's name was Sims! I loved him lots, and there will never be another cat quite like him! He could open doors with his paws. 6. I am the art director at Augusta Magazine where I have worked for 11 years. I try not to color in the lines. 7. We have lived in South Carolina for 12 years; moved from Upstate NY...very country. My parents farmed...I said I would never marry a farmer. When I was dating my husband, I never asked him what he did for a living...after about three months--when I was already interested in keeping him around, I found out that he farmed. I guess it wasn't so bad... 8. I don't miss the snow of Upstate NY but I do miss the summers and the countryside. I miss my house in the country. 9. Bargain hunting, garage sales, estate sales, anything where I can feel like I'm Nancy Drew on a scavenger hunt. 10. I have a porche but I prefer my old 92 Chevy Pickup! Extra. I love to laugh and make people laugh. Everyone says I'm crazy. That's OK cuz' I have a lot of fun!

So now I'll tag ten interesting people who I know will have lots of fun stuff to tell us about themselves. 1.boylerpf 2. patti trostle fine art/ 3. claudia finn artist/4. anita rae of allie cates 5. paperwerks 6. peg of bistro305/ 7. claudia finn/ 8. joanne/9. am lindsey of indiestyleblog/10. addictedtobooks/

I hope ya'll have fun; it'll be great to find out something new about you! Audrey (sbass)

3 comments:

Patti Trostle Fine ArtAugust 19, 2009 at 6:33 AM
Thanks so much Audrey for the tag. It was a real joy reading about your life experiences! Love your blog. Blessings, Patti
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Alicia @ boylerpfAugust 19, 2009 at 8:54 AM
I love these memes where you can really get to know who is behind the writing! Thanks for the "tag" and I'll be posting the 10 interesting facts, altho I'm not THAT interesting..LOL! I laughed at your trying not to color in the lines and marrying a farmer...you just never know when the right guy pops up...one of those never say never lines!
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AnonymousAugust 27, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Shirley! thanx for taking my tag! Loved finding out this info about you.....farming....hhmmm what can we say about it...now that we don't..i miss it. Sorry for the loss of you mom last year. I can only imagine how life changing that would be. You are very interesting...and busy!
PSST...if you'd rather have the Chevy pickup....can i borrow your porche? LOL
Crystal from KIZZ
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