Class - what fun!

I had SO much fun with this last class!  It was very full so space was tight as you can see.  I had students from Tennessee, Virginia and Florida!

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Everyone worked hard and we accomplished a lot...even though we traveled down a few rabbit trails!



We all took turns peeking at the olive oil to make sure it was ready to make a maceration....



Passing the herbal cheese and crackers....about half-way through the afternoon we needed a snack!



Here we are getting ready to make a poultice...the herbs are ready!

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Learning the fine art of folding a poultice.

Every time I teach a class, I try to find some aspect to improve.  Up until now, I only demonstrated making a tincture.  This time I  had several herbs available so that my students could choose one that would benefit them and make their own tinctures to take home.  After spending a few minutes preparing the herbs that they chose, they passed around the vodka to fill their tincture bottles.  Labels, dates and they were good to go!



In addition to the tinctures the students made and took home, they also made Chamomile tea (and drank it!), Lavender Lemonade (drank that too!), Horehound cough syrup (each student took home a jar) and Lavender salve (everyone took home a tin).  Although they worked hard and listened attentively, there was also lots of laughter and fun.  I heard some great stories and got to tell a few tales on myself.

I found out that one of my students, Aggie, and I attended the same high school for two years.  We didn't know each other back then but what a small world we live in.  I really enjoyed meeting her and look forward to a deeper friendship if they end up settling here.  This is the one of the benefits I see with my classes, I get to know my students, end up corresponding with a great many of them and have developed some really close friends!  Of course, I'd like each and every one of you to move here!

After the class, I called the boys and they began breaking down the tables, putting chairs away and cleaning up.  My two Florida students, who willingly submitted themselves to be guinea pigs for my Bed and Breakfast experiment, pitched right in cleaning up and doing dishes. Julie worked up my bread dough to make dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls for breakfast while I whipped up a Pineapple Coconut Chicken Salad.  In the meantime, Elijah took Kay and Pam (our guinea pigs) on a tour of the farm.  Knowing Elijah and how thorough he is, I shudder to think of all that they were exposed to.  I believe they sampled some apples from the trees, a few figs and actually took a tour of the shop where the boys are incubating eggs.  Here on Stonewater Farm, Elijah leaves no stone unturned....if you come for a visit and ask for a tour you better bring your walking shoes!

I had asked Pam and Kay to share supper with us and Julie stayed to do the same.  We had a long leisurely meal while we got to know each other better.  Julie brought her famous Apple Cake...YUMMY!  Pam and Kay were a bundle of fun.  They have sweet spirits and wonderful testimonies.  How delightful to get to know these sisters in Christ.  Believe it or not, they came armed with gifts for Julie and I....wonderful, huge jars of orange blossom honey from Florida!  My favorite honey!!!

After the meal, they helped clean up just like family!  We got them settled in the "Cardinal Room" (my that sounds official!) but we really weren't ready to stop visiting.



Although Julie needed to head home, the three of us ended up in my personal sitting room and visiting for another few hours...what sweet fellowship!

Next morning, we had a lovely breakfast.  They asked for something light, so there was home churned butter for the fresh baked banana bread along with cinnamon rolls, hot tea and orange juice.  Again we got to visit, share and pray together.  They have really spoiled me.  I loved the B&B experience with them but realisticly I know that it won't always be this much fun.  Although I will always enjoy having guests in my home....this was more like having your best friends come for a visit.  Yup!  I'm spoiled.

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Pam and Kay! I miss y'all already.  I want to thank you both for your encouragement and the blessing you both were to me....y'all come back now...y'hear?

Now, it's time for me to scoot...I'm terribly behind on email and comments - if you are waiting to hear from me, I'll do my best over the next couple of days to get caught up.

Blessings!