Super Simple, Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe

I wrote this up in August 2016. It was a dinner I put together for my husband and myself, on the fly. It was so good and so easy, I wanted to share it with you all, my Gypsy Herbal blog readers. :-) Just sorry I never hit "publish"! (Perhaps none of you are left around, after all.) I'm especially glad to have another simple soup recipe to share, since my Simple Butternut Soup Recipe continues to be the top read post on the blog! :-)

Super Simple, Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe

In a med/large cast iron skillet over medium heat:
2 TBS Olive Oil

When hot, add:
1 tsp dehydrated onion bits
1-2 TBS white flour, organic
1/2 - 1 tsp salt
garlic, fresh minced (3 cloves, or 1 tsp) or 1/2 tsp dried/granulated
Cook rue for a couple minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. 

Then add in: 
1/2 can tomato paste, organic
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Dash of ground pepper

Whisk in: 
1 c water
1/4-1/2 c half-and-half or heavy cream
add more water (up to 1 1/2 c) for desired consistency.

And that's it!  Serve right away with hot buttered toast or grilled cheese. :-)

Under Construction

Hello, dear old Readers. I'm sorry I've neglected this report for so long!

What's going on?

I do not yet have a detailed update - sorry! -
But meanwhile, there are changes coming to the blog, with older posts updated and outdated things being removed. We might even change location (but would leave you a link, in case you'd like to follow)....  Thanks for reading, and if you have been waiting around, thank you for not giving up on us entirely!

Why the changes?

I've been in a blog re-construction mode; I've changed the way I use herbs, the methods used in learning what and how to use home remedies, and from where I gather my information. I'm working toward making the blog reflect those changes; towards the goal of being more helpful to provide information on  safe and effective herbs to use in the home, with more of an emphasis on scientifically researched information.

(If you should miss anything that used to be around, please just drop me a line, I'll probably have a copy of it stashed away!) 

BHS is closing!

*Edit: in the end, BHS did not close it's doors. They're currently selling a more limited supply of herbs/products than in the past.

On a side note, I do want to just mention - an old favorite place is shutting down; Bulk Herb Store is closing their doors (along with taking down their blog and YouTube channel). So make sure you pop over there and check for any old favorite (or something you always wanted to try), and print a copy of any blog posts you want to reference back to! Here is my affiliate link: Bulk Herb Store

Herbs & Flowers in My Garden: Spring 2016

A new spring is here, and brisk weather to match!  Some days have been sunny and warm, others covered in clouds with dreich rain. But today there's a lovely Spring Shower! Not dull and windy like dreary Winter days, nor strong and pouring like a Summer storm; just pleasant and soft, like a mother's gentle kisses. All around, flowers are budding and blooming!

Spring is here!

Last year, I was enjoying herbs in my backyard. This year, I'm excited to say I have a bit of a real garden of my own! Do you have any space for a garden? Maybe you should consider starting one this spring if you haven't one yet. It could be tiny potted window-boxes or a huge backyard spread.

These are herbs and flowers I have already growing in my garden:

• Lavender  (read about lavender at Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth and at Vintage Remedies)
• Rosemary
• Mullein
• Yarrow

These I have to plant in my garden this spring:

• Calendula (read about calendula at Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth and at Vintage Remedies)
• Thyme (read about thyme at Vintage Remedies)
• Garlic Chives
• Basil (read about basil at Vintage Remedies)
• Garlic (read about garlic at Vintage Remedies)
• Mint

And these flowers are blooming all about, in my garden and around where we see them:

• daffodils
• lilacs
• fruit trees
• flowering quince
• red bud
• hen-bit
• red maid
• chickweed
• stock

 They share such pretty colors; bright yellow heads, white crowns, soft purples, cheery pink, deep violet, something between purple and red (though not maroon), sweet little white faces. Don't you love the spring time too?

 

 What flowers and herbs are growing in your garden this spring? Will you start a new garden if you don't have one going already?

Winter 2016: a Time of Tending Homefires

Winter 2016

We're in our cold winter season; tending fires to keep warm, making candles for light and fun, and gathering in extra supplies to supplement our provisions.  Winter can be a great time for indoor projects, studying, reading, and planning for Spring gardening.

 

My New Season

 My home has changed from the little studio with the tiny kitchenette - I've married and moved!
We have a wonderful place, which comes with a lot of responsibilities and work. But oh how I love living here with my husband, keeping our home, and planning for our future together! How blessed we are!

 We've been married for a few months now, and we've had a lot going on. We've built shelving in our shed and moved all my things, we keep adding wood to the woodshed, have been working out the budget and figuring out housework schedules & planning our daily routine. I enjoy helping my husband with his work when I can.

 Most fun of all? He's encouraging me to restart my online course at Vintage Remedies. So I'm preparing to start up my herbal studies again, as soon as we have a few more plans in place for the home - and I can hardly wait!  I'm so excited to add to my herbal knowledge and be better preparing to help my family be healthy and well!

Leave me a comment - what are you working on and studying this Winter?

Photo by Kendra T. 

Our Favorite Autumn Idea and Recipe lists {2015}

  There have been some major changes behind the scenes here at A Gypsy Herbal ...but more on that later. Fall is back, and we're so happy! Here are all of our 2013-2014 Fall Round-ups and Autumn posts linked together in one post so you can find old favorite lists and links. Enjoy!

Photo by Kendra T. 

To Cook and Eat

Simple Butternut Soup
Warm & Cozy Fall Foods 15+ links
60+ Warm and Cozy Fall Foods & Recipes

To Drink

Mexican "Red Hot" Tea
More Fall Links: 10 Fall-Time Spices

To Do

Another Awesome Autumn Link List - Links for over 10 Fall Activities!
Autumn Potpourri A DIY Mason Jar Gift Idea
Homemade Candle Info & DIY Candle Instructions Round-up

Share your favorite Fall Time links in the comments!

This post shared on The Art of Home-Making Monday

Our Favorite Summer Remedies: 2015 {short} list

 It's official; summer is here!

   Well, as you can see, my June 21st post has been waiting around a while too, not just the Bath Salts posts!

Dealing with bugs, summer heat, sunshine and traveling, these are some of our favorite remedies to have on hand. Enjoy!

• Managing Bug Bites with Herbal Remedies
• Soothing Flower Bug-Bite Salve
• How-to Start Using and Saving Fresh Plantain Today
• 100+ Cold Drinks You Can Make for Hot Days!

• Health & Safety Traveling Tip: Seat Belt Story (and how it saved my friends life!)
• Health & Safety Traveling Tip: Drink Clean Water (duh, right?)
• Don't Be Stuffy About Flying (and why I regetting doing so)
• A Little Travel Tip (hardly worth mentioning, but hey, might help someone) :)

Also, see our Summer Pinboard for a lot more links and ideas.

How do you deal with Summer time heat, bugs and sun? 

 

This post has been share at The Art of Home-Making Mondays link-up #63