Lemon Balm Tea

Hi friends,

I have been busy working in the garden.

 Summer will be here soon

and I need to do some 

clean up and Larkspur seed collecting today.

One of my favorite plants is Lemon Balm

 it needs to be cut back today before it blooms.

I love to grow LEMON BALM.

The scent is amazing.

If you enjoy the fresh scent of Lemons 

this plant is a must for your garden.

It grows very well in my area- it fact I hear some say 

it can take over. It is part of the mint family. 

The plant does not spread with runners it spreads by seed.

To keep your Lemon Balm neat and tidy 

trim the plant when you see it flowering.

It can be cut way back !

If you have a small space, it can be kept in a pot on a patio.

It does repel most insects.

My chickens loved to eat it!

...but most of all it makes great tea-

It's easy

Trim about 2 cups of fresh leaves.

Wash well, I like to use a salad spinner.

Fill jar with Lemon Balm leaves

I had to boil water in a kettle and then cover leaves to steep.

I used about 4 cups of water to cover the leaves

Just a few minutes-

 This makes just enough for you and a friend-

Soothing and delicious served warm

...but I recommend you make more.

I let the rest cool and transferred to a pitcher.

Store in the fridge.

You may decide to add more filtered water.

The tea is naturally sweet to us, but if you like a sweeter tea

add a bit of honey, agave or stevia.

Refreshing over ice !

You can dry the leaves too-

I prefer the taste of the fresh leaves.

What are some of the benefits of Lemon Balm Tea ?

The tea can improve sleep quality, and aid in digestion.

In can help with relieving anxiety and stress.

It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Always check with a healthcare professional

 if you have any concerns about trying something new.

What a treat for summer!

xo Lisa S

Easy to Sew- Baby Rattle

 Today I wanted to make a rattle for my sweet granddaughter-

She is just starting to enjoy her toys and trying to reach for them.

Soon she will be able to grab them.

I found a perfect Rattle pattern, made by Crystal for

Makeit-Loveit.com

Crystal shares the free pattern here.

https://makeit-loveit.com/sew-plush-rattle-baby-bunny-cat-mouse

Don't forget to thank her !

Perfect project for using scraps.

I wanted some soft fur type material and I found some

at the Dollar Tree.

These small shaker/ rattle pieces can be purchased on Amazon,

but you will have to buy a whole lot of them!

I found puppy toys at the Dollar Tree for $1.25

I bought one to cut open and yes it was the same plastic piece.

Don't forget to thank her !

I fell in love with the bunny-

The pattern shows the stitch lines so add a 1/4'' more when cutting fabric.

I cut out the pieces needed 2 each of the gray and 2 each of

the contrast fabric.

I marked the stitch lines and pinned the piece together.

Stitch ears first !

 Leave the base of ears open and then turn right side out.

I used embroidery floss to stitch a face.

I pinched the base of the ears and stitched the fold.

Then pinned the ear to head with contrast fabric

facing inward toward the face.

Carefully pin front and back together.

Ears are inside the body when pinned together. 

Sew around the sides leaving a small opening to

turn right side out.

Turn right side out and begin to stuff head with

poly-fil stuffing.

When the head has been stuffed, then push rattle piece

into the center of head.

Stuffing should be firm so the rattle piece

 can not be felt when squeezed.

Fill body, pin together and stitch closed.

Here's the front-

and here is the back

Ears stand up on their own!

I folded them over for a peck-a-boo game.

.....quickly release

and the ears pop up!

My Granddaughter will love it and

I adore the giggles !

Thanks  for visiting today-

xo Lisa S