Thursday 4 February 2010

Cabbages and Roses inspiration


Remember last week I had just bought the Cabbages and Roses Guide to Natural Housekeeping book?  Well, I had a quick flick through and thought I'd share some of my favourite ideas - ready?


Bouquet Garni Herbs - I used to use a lot of these in casseroles etc, but they are so expensive and hard to find.  C & R have come up with making your own.(let me know if you have problems reading it).  I love the idea of attaching a label to each 'type' of one you make so depending on what you are cooking, you can use the right Bouquet Garni.  Muslin is so cheap and how many of us have a glut of herbs in the garden which rarely get used? - I know I have.


Rosebud Potpourri.  Picking rosebuds off your rose bushes (great in theory) and then adding orange and lemon peel along with cinnamon sticks, cardamon pods or whole nutmegs.  It would be a great gift for someone if you could also find a pretty CS bowl to put it in - especially with Mother's Day approaching. I love the idea but not about picking the buds off the roses! 



On a number of posts recently there's been lots of talk about scraps of fabric.  C & R suggest binding those yucky metal wire coat hangers with fabric.  They mention the white waste selvedges from fabric, but equally our fabric scraps would also work.



I think the book is great as it's practical and it utilises by and large what we all have in our own home.  There's no unnecessary purchases needed, just some re-thinking about everyday items.


On a completely different note, I made a random purchase the other day after the school run - a polka dot raincoat, do you like it?  I thought it would be great for Spring and it had £5 off so the perfect excuse in my book. It's navy and with polka dots so had my name on. I have pondered about taking it back but seeing as I've now shared my purchase with you all, I'd better keep it!

Bye for now!

12 comments:

Michela said...

Hi Sarah,
what a great find! I bet you can't wait for spring for wearing it! xxx

Marigold Jam said...

Well I wouldn't want to take it back - it'll look great when you are wearing it and may well turn out to be a really useful purchase.

Jane

bellaboo said...

Lovely ideas in that book,thanks for those.
Don't take the raincoat back...it's lovely,and it's going to be well used knowing our English Spring weather!!

Bellaboo

Unknown said...

Great ideas! perhaps there is somewhere we could buy rosebuds - I bet there is - I just couldn't pick mine, t'would be a sin!

Keep the luscious coat!

Vicky x

VintageVicki said...

Have added that book to my amazon wishlist as I've a birthday next month.

Like the coat too - will be perfect when spring arrives :)

Dawn said...

Lovely coat - hope its warm enough for you to wear it soon!
Made a note of that book, too, it looks interesting.

Jennifer said...

I love the raincoat, you will feel so swish in it. Looks like a great book, thanks for sharing it.

Petit Filoux said...

Lovely ideas! Think I might try the hanger one!

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

I love the new coat!

Victoria xxx

Pea Green Kitty said...

Ooohh! Polka Dotty heaven! I love the coat, you really mustn't take it back, you may live to regret it!!!
I may have to head out and look for one in my size now.
x

bubble said...

great idea! love the coat!! xxx

Julia said...

That book looks excellent! I might have to seek that out and stick it on my wish list!!
Love the raincoat, perfect for spring!!

Love Julia x x x