Sharon Wray's Blog, page 59

January 5, 2022

Prep & Plan: Week Eleven

The holidays are almost over and while I’m exhausted, we had a wonderful celebration. Although I have to admit that my decorations are still up since I don’t take them down until the Epiphany on January sixth.

Christmas is over, but there are still leftover cookies to enjoy. So grab your favorite treat and let's work on our Family Holiday Notebook so we can regroup and plan ahead for the 2022 holidays.

Since I still have some company and will be serving a big dinner on the Epiphany, I always considered this week a Prep & Plan regroup week. Just like the week after Thanksgiving, this week is a time for regrouping and recovering. And since we’ve been saving our receipts like we discussed during the Prep & Plan Week Week 9 post, we’re going to pull those out today as well.

The first thing we’ll need is the Family Holiday Notebook we made in Prep & Plan Week 8. If you don’t remember, here’s a quick rundown on what that is.

For a regroup week after a holiday, I use a cheap notebook I got at Dollar Tree. This notebook will be for an annual review of holidays and other large family events. And you’ll need a separate piece of paper for a shopping list. In this notebook, I mark a new page with the title Christmas 2021. Below that, I begin listing things that worked and things that didn’t. I’m talking about food, cleaning, guests, etc–anything that you had to do or deal with during the holidays. In my case, I made Christmas Eve dinner for 12 people and had company all weekend. I also served a Christmas breakfast for six people and made appetizers to bring to my sister’s house later in the day.

I use this list as a total brain dump. As I drink my coffee, and eat leftover Christmas cookies, I write down anything I can think of that went right, went wrong, and what I would do differently next year that I know I’ll forget if I don’t write it down now. I also note anything I need to buy for next year’s holidays. If I need it for next year’s Christmas, I can start looking for post-Christmas sales or shop for it throughout the year. As I work in this notebook, I use the separate shopping list to write down anything I ran out of and need to pick up now while the post-Christmas sales are still running.

I will also write down any gifts that still need to be exchanged or returned, as well as any refunds I’m waiting for. And I keep a separate list of any gift cards that still have credit on them.

HERE’S AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT I WROTE IN MY NOTEBOOK:Buy a new set of towels for guests (dog ruined the bath towels!)Order 4 tumblers in my Christmas china pattern, but only if I can find them on eBay or Etsy. I’m not paying Replacement’s prices.We did not need the dinner rolls.Send my Christmas linens to the dry cleaner.Order new table pads for the dining room table.Buy some Christmas cocktail napkins, if I can find them on sale.Buy some Christmas wrapping paper and tissue paper on sale.Order a pumpernickel bread round four weeks out instead of two weeks out. The cinnamon bread casserole for breakfast was a huge hit! The poinsettias were beautiful but I don’t know if they were worth the money.I love Ina Garten’s do ahead Chicken Pot Pie recipe. It was fabulous, and I am definitely doing that again next year.

So you get the idea…. it’s a list of all the things in your head that you’ll be grateful you kept note of when you begin preparing for next year’s holiday.

TRACKING THE BUDGET:

Once I finish my list, and leave some room on the next page for things I’ll think of next week, I take the envelope where I stuffed all of my receipts (we discussed this in Prep & Plan Week 9) and sort them by type: food, presents, etc. Then on the next page in the Family Holiday Notebook, I begin to tape in the receipts I saved. I keep the receipts for everything from dry cleaning the linens to the last minute gifts and bottles of wine. Yes, I keep all those receipts–but I didn’t always do that. Years ago, the habit was recommended by a Certified Financial Planner I know, and it’s been eye-opening. Because I use one notebook for about five years worth of family events (I keep track of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July, Family Reunions, and birthday/anniversary parties), it’s easy to see what I’ve spent over the years and track the inflation. As I plan for next year’s events, being able to see what I paid makes it easy to budget ahead. Yes, keeping receipts is kind of “extra”, but it does help me when I do the household budget for next year. (which we’ll talk about in January). It also helps me keep track of the “emotional” last minute purchases.

So that’s the homework for this week. Work in your Family Holiday Notebook and add the holiday receipts. From that work, begin a shopping list of things you need to replenish in your pantry for the week and anything you may be able to get during the post-holiday sales. If you organized your holiday wrapping supplies like we discussed in Prep & Plan Week 10, you’ll already have list of what you need for next year! This exercise takes less than 30 minutes, and you’ve set yourself up for an even better prepared 2022.

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Published on January 05, 2022 03:30

January 4, 2022

Sarah Munro’s Echinacea Tea

It’s January and so it must be time for an immune boost. This recipe dates back to colonial times, and is part of Sarah Munro’s collection of herbal remedies (Sarah, a PhD historian, is the heroine in book 2 of the Deadly Force series, ONE DARK WISH.) For centuries, Echinacea has been known to boost the immune system and help with inflammation which, in turn, prevents winter illnesses, like the common cold.

It's January and time to boost my immune system with a minty echinacea tea that helps ward off colds and keeps me warm.

When mixed with lemongrass and mint, this tea also helps clear the sinuses, preventing sinus infections. Starting in January, I drink this tea a few times a week. But when I feel a cold coming on, I may drink a cup of day. If you use some honey to the tea for sweetness, you’ll also be adding in a natural humectant that can help suppress coughs. If you don’t grow and dry your own herbs, you can purchase the dried leaves online or in any health food store. Even if you’re not sick, this is just a great winter tea that’s the perfect blend of flavor and sweetness.

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In a small teapot, mix together all the dried leaves. Pour 8 ounces of boiling water over the tea leaves and allow to steep for about 12 minutes, more if you like a stronger tea. Using a strainer, pour the tea into a mug. Add a dash of honey for some sweetness.

You can make a larger batch of this tea and store in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. But I would strain it before pouring it into the jar. This tea will keep in refrigerator for two weeks. If you add the honey, remember to do it while the water is hot. Also, you could mix up a larger batch of the dried leaves and store them in an airtight container. Use a 1/4 cup of dried leaves for every 8 ounces of boiling water.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER ABOUT WILD PLANTS, FORAGING , AND MAKING HERBAL REMEDIES:

I am not a medical professional and nothing written on this blog is medical advice. None of my statements have been evaluated by the FDA (I am legally required to give you this disclaimer).

It is important to do your due diligence before foraging, harvesting, and/or consuming any type of medicinal plant.

If you are taking any medications, talk to your doctor about any potential drug interactions.If you are allergic to anything, make sure whatever you are foraging is not in the same family. Example: While dandelions are typically considered safe, those who are allergic to ragweed, latex, daisies, or any other plants in the same or similar families, may not be able to consume dandelion.

Always research potential side effects, dosage recommendations, and how to properly prepare and consume each medicinal plant.

Always make sure you are foraging what you believe to be. Fully prepare and study the anatomy before harvesting wild plants.

Always make sure your kitchen/work area is clean and that all materials are sterilized.

Do not forage plants from areas that have been sprayed within the past 2 years at the very least.

I am not legally or morally responsible for the health of any of my readers. Please do your own research!

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Published on January 04, 2022 03:30

January 3, 2022

Yay for the Public Domain!

A few days ago, a list was released for all the books that will drop into the Public Domain! What does that mean for us? It means that throughout the year 2022, the works listed here will become available to be quoted or used for free without needing permission from estates. You want to read aloud on Instagram A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh? I’ll watch and comment! If you want to use a quote from T.E. Lawrence’s famous memoir Seven Pillars of Wisdom, quote away!

It's that time of year when new books drop into the public domain. Here is a list of those I'm most excited about.

Because this year’s list is extensive, below are a few of the highlights:Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne

Written in 1926 by A. A. Milne, a successful playwright and poet, Winnie the Pooh has collected accolades all over the world and been translated into over sixty languages. These sweet bedtime stories of a bear and his best friends were based on the real nursery toys of his son Christopher Robin. These stories still delight readers of all ages.

Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence

T. E. Lawrence came from inauspicious beginnings as one of five illegitimate children of the Seventh Baron of Westmeath in Wales. Educated at Oxford, he eventually worked for British Intelligence during WWI and fought with the Arabs to defeat the Turks. He earned the name Lawrence of Arabia and eventually wrote this book which is his autobiography of his time living and fighting in Arabia. This is a fascinating account of a period of time that few remember. It is filled with colorful stories, sorrowful regrets, and an historical overview of an area of the world that is often misunderstood.

My Mortal Enemy by Willa Cather

This is a fictional story of a marriage that suffers from love in the same way it suffers from resentment and regret. The question becomes is “love enough to save a marriage?” You’ll have to read this amazing book to find out!

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

This is Hemingway’s first published novel. It’s about a wounded WWI veteran who works as a journalist in Paris and chronicles his friendships, lovers, and the despair he fights against daily. It’s a study in friendship and love across continents backdropped by a war that was supposed to end all wars… yet didn’t. It’s a powerful novel that will leave you feeling haunted.

The Dancing Girl of Izu by Yasunari Kawabata

This story was published in Japan in 1925 and caused a stir even back then. It’s about a university student who is traveling through Tokyo and falls in love with a young dancer in a dance troupe…until he realizes she’s just a child. His feelings for the girl change, and he undergoes a powerful realization. It’s a poignant story, although it’s not for everyone.

Don Segundo Sombra by Ricardo Güiraldes

About a rebellious teenager desperate to become a gaucho of the pampas under the mentorship of Don Segundo Sombra. Don Segundo Sombra is the perfect gaucho who symbolizes freedom and complete anonymity in the world…until the world changes and the gauchos are either forced to change or die off along with their horses.

These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer

A Georgian romance, this book was Georgette Heyer’s first commercial success and the first of a four-book series. This book placed her firmly in the world of popular romance authors. This is about the truly wicked Duke of Avon who ends up saving a street urchin in Paris. This urchin, whom Avon believes is a boy, turns out to be the heroine. Think the Scarlet Pimpernel meets Pygmalion with lots of quirky characters and great dialog.

The Blind Owl by Sadegh Hedayat

This is one of the most important pieces of literature to come from Iran in the last century. It is a cross between a love story and a psychological thriller told from the point of view of an unreliable (mentally ill) narrator. His memories, many of which are tragic, appear out of order which makes this a more difficult story to read. This is a powerful story of pain and suffering without a happy ending. It is sad but it’s also unforgettable.

Soldier’s Pay by William Faulkner

Written in 1926, this is Faulkner’s first novel and one of many that emerged from WWI. It’s about a wounded veteran’s homecoming and how he deals with the trauma of war. It takes a particularly forlorn look at the people–especially the women–who were left behind.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

A Hercule Poirot mystery by the master of the genre. This story, written in 1927, is considered one of her best mysteries. It’s both a love story and a murder mystery filled with quirky characters, funny dialog, and so many red herrings that you’ll never see the end coming.

The Blue Lagoon by Henry De Vere Stacpoole

This romantic tale of two children marooned on a tropical island has been made into multiple movies and even songs. It’s a moving story that follows a young boy and a young girl as they grow up alone on an uninhabited island in the South Pacific and eventually fall in love. It’s a beautifully descriptive book with a blossoming love story set against a restless sea.

Ulysses by James Joyce

This book was banned until 1934 and still, to this day, causes quite a stir. It’s a modern take on the journey of Ulysses that spans one June day in Dublin in 1904. Some called it pornographic, others still complain that it’s unreadable due to the psychological voice of the POV narrator which is told in stream of consciousness. Essentially it’s about two friends who wander around Dublin, during one nondescript day, and keep running into each other. Since James Joyce was Irish, there’s lot of lamenting and scenes in graveyards that represent the hopelessness of the Irish situation of the time. But it’s worth reading because the story jams every kind of human emotion into a twenty-four period–a story technique that will keep you turning the pages until you finish.

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Published on January 03, 2022 03:30

January 1, 2022

Happy New Year!

It’s been another hard year but I sincerely hope that we all have a wonderful 2022! And may we look forward with excitement and let the past stay behind us, where it belongs!

It's been another hard year but I sincerely hope that we all have a wonderful 2021! And may we look forward with excitement and let the past stay behind us, where it belongs!

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Published on January 01, 2022 03:35

December 31, 2021

Since Long Ago…

Although Robert Burns, the famous Scottish poet, is credited with creating the poem that became the song “Auld Lang Syne,” the truth is that he was just the first person to write down the words. Auld Lang Syne had been an oral story, in an old Scottish dialect, that everyone knew but now one really knew why they knew it. It was one of those poems passed around from generation to generation, in a language that fewer and fewer people understood as the times changed.

The Scottish poet Robert Burns is credited with writing Auld Lang Syne, but the truth is more complicated than that.

Similar poems existed in Scotland long before Robert Burns wrote down the lyrics. Other poets, including Sir Robert Anton (1711) and Allan Ramsay (1720), mentioned this poem in their own works. But since Burns was the first to write the words down in an official document, he gets all the credit. It wasn’t until 1799 that the words and music that we are familiar with today appeared together in a compilation published by George Thomson. Eventually, after so many reprints, the song became synonymous with Hogmanay (Scottish New Year’s). Then, thanks to the famous Canadian band leader Guy Lombardo, it became popular in North America as well. Lombardo’s band, The Royal Canadians, played the song on a popular radio show on New Year’s Eve in 1929, and it became a huge hit, and I’m sure that no one would be more surprised than Robert Burns. Historians still have all of Burns’ notes and have found multiple Scottish and English translations. Below I’ve posted the English translation (I can barely understand the Scottish!), and luckily for us it’s in the public domain.

Auld Lang Syne (English Version)

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And old lang syne?

(Chorus)
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
And surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

We two have run about the slopes,
And picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
Since auld lang syne.

We two have paddled in the stream,
From morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
Since auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
For auld lang syne.

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Published on December 31, 2021 03:30

December 30, 2021

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Bog Fog

Every year during my childhood, my parents threw a huge Christmas Eve party. Everyone in the neighborhood was invited, including all the kids, and it was tons of fun. But the thing I remember the most about this party is the punch bowl.

Every year during my childhood, my parents threw a huge Christmas Eve party. The entire neighborhood was invited, including all the kids, and it was tons of fun. But the best part was the punch bowl filled with Bog Fog.

We had family up in South Boston and Cape Cod, and we used to spend our summers on Nantucket. During our visits to New England, my father discovered a cocktail called Bog Fog. After switching up a few ingredients, he came up with the version below that could be served in a large punch bowl (with an ice ring filled with cranberries and orange slices) or it could be served individually in martini glasses lined with sugar. Because of this punch bowl, I think the parents had more fun than the kids. He also made a non-alcoholic version for the kids by substituting Seven-Up for the vodka. This is a fun recipe for any holiday party and don’t skip on the sugared rims–they’re the best part!

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year’s Eve and a Happy 2022!

Sharon Wray

Yields 2 drinks

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Bog Fog

Every year during my childhood, my parents threw a Christmas Eve party. It was a huge affair and the entire neighborhood came, with all of their kids. It was tons of fun but I think the parents had an even better time once they tasted my father's version of the Cape Cod classic cocktail known as Bog Fog. It can be made and served individually, or you can do a larger batch and serve it in a glass punch bowl with an ice ring.

3 minPrep Time

3 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

Crushed iceCoarse sugar1 slice of fresh orange1/2 cup orange juice1/2 cup cranberry juice1/4 cup vodka

Instructions

Pour some coarse sugar onto a luncheon-sized plate.Line the rims of two martini glasses with the slice of fresh orange. Dip the rims into the coarse sugar until the rims are coated with sugar.In a glass pitcher or cocktail shaker, combine the orange juice, cranberry juice, and vodka. Stir or shake well.Put some ice into the martini glasses and pour the cocktail over the ice.Serve immediately.7.8.1.2201https://sharonwray.com/the-hungry-writer/the-hungry-romance-writer-bog-fog/ { "@context": "http://schema.org/", "url": [ "https:\/\/sharonwray.com\/the-hungry-writer\/the-hungry-romance-writer-bog-fog\/" ],"name" : "The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Bog Fog","description" : "Every year during my childhood, my parents threw a Christmas Eve party. It was a huge affair and the entire neighborhood came, with all of their kids. It was tons of fun but I think the parents had an even better time once they tasted my father's version of the Cape Cod classic cocktail known as Bog Fog. It can be made and served individually, or you can do a larger batch and serve it in a glass punch bowl with an ice ring. ","prepTime" : "PT3M","recipeYield" : "2 drinks","datePublished" : "2021-11-16 07:22:57","recipeInstructions":[ { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Pour some coarse sugar onto a luncheon-sized plate." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Line the rims of two martini glasses with the slice of fresh orange. Dip the rims into the coarse sugar until the rims are coated with sugar. " }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "In a glass pitcher or cocktail shaker, combine the orange juice, cranberry juice, and vodka. Stir or shake well. " }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Put some ice into the martini glasses and pour the cocktail over the ice." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "text": "Serve immediately." }],"keywords" : "The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Bog Fog","recipeIngredient" : ["Crushed ice","Coarse sugar","1 slice of fresh orange","1\/2 cup orange juice","1\/2 cup cranberry juice","1\/4 cup vodka"], "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https:\/\/sharonwray.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/tijana-drndarski-Rbqc49NLMHw-unsplash.jpg" }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sharon Wray" }, "@type": "Recipe"}

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Published on December 30, 2021 03:35

December 29, 2021

The Christmas Spider: A Story of Faith

It seems like every type of decoration during the Christmas season is a symbol of something else. And the tinsel and garland, as well as the lights that we put on trees, are no exception.

There are so many beautiful stories around this time of year, but the tale about the faith of a baby spider is my favorites.

I first heard the story of the Christmas Spider as a child at a Christmas Eve mass, and it has since become one of my favorite Christmas stories. It’s about a baby spider who saves the life of Baby Jesus during his family’s flight to Egypt, not long after his birth. It all starts with a jealous King Herod who was terrified of the idea of a messiah coming for the Jewish people. During the year of Our Lord’s birth, Herod had been visited by all sorts of people, including the three kings from the East, who were searching for Baby Jesus. Because Herod was so terrified of losing power, especially to a baby who was supposed to save the world, that he ordered every baby two and under to be slaughtered in the town of Bethlehem.

Since Joseph had been warned about this by an angel in a dream, he packed up Mary and Jesus and headed toward Egypt. Except it was a long, hazardous journey across high mountains and desert plains. As they fled, the Roman soldiers followed. Joseph and his little family mostly traveled at night so the soldiers wouldn’t see them, but they were still in pursuit. As they made their way over the high, rugged mountains, they were guided by angels through the darkness. But it was an exhausting journey, especially since Mary had just given birth and Jesus was a newborn baby. Right before dawn, they would seek a safe place to shelter and sleep. But Joseph tried to stay awake to guard his family. Yet every time they stopped to sleep, Joseph could see the campfires of the Roman soldiers… and they always seemed closer.

One night Mary was so exhausted, she had to stop traveling. Joseph explored a bunch of caves high in the mountains and finally found one that was deep enough that they couldn’t see the entrance, yet also deep enough that hopefully the Roman soldiers would assume wild animals lived inside. As Mary and Jesus fell asleep, Joseph (who was a carpenter and had made himself a crude weapon), stood guard. He could hear the Roman soldiers at the foot of the mountain and smell the smoke from their fires. Joseph could hear them cooking and sharpening their weapons and knew that, come morning, they would be searching the caves above them.

Unbeknownst to Joseph, the empty cave had one inhabitant. A tiny baby spider who was awoken when Joseph searched the cave before helping Mary and Jesus rest. As Joseph paced the long length of the cave, from where Mary and Jesus were sleeping to the opening (which could not be seen from their refuge), the baby spider watched and wondered about Joseph’s anxiety. When Joseph decided to leave the cave and check on the soldiers, the baby spider hopped onto his shoulder to see what was going on. When they saw the soldiers below, Joseph prayed aloud,

“Father, I was guided by an angel in a dream to marry Mary. Then the angel ordered me to protect her and the baby. Yet all I see below me is death. While it would be easy to leave now, by myself and unseen by the soldiers, that be a fate worse than death itself. I may never fully understand what is happening, but I will die protecting those I love, those you have entrusted to my care. I will follow my heart and stand ready, regardless of what my reason tells me to do. I am terrified but swear to you that I will protect them, even if it means my own death. “

The baby spider was so moved by Joseph’s prayer, he knew had to help. Although he knew nothing about baby Messiahs or new mothers, his heart was filled with love because of the sacrifices of the father. When Joseph returned to the cave, the baby spider jumped off. He wanted to help but had no idea how. After all, how could a baby spider save this family? Then he had an idea.

The baby spider made his way to the cave’s opening and began to spin a web. Although this was his very first web, he wanted it to be the biggest and best web any spider had ever made. Throughout the long cold night, and despite the fact he was a baby and spinning took him a long time, he kept weaving his beautiful web. He never rested and kept swinging through the air, desperate to finish before dawn.

When the sun rose, the Roman soldiers began their trek up the mountain. Joseph, who’d never slept, was deep in the cave watching over Mary and Jesus. As the soldiers climbed, the spider worked furiously to finish. Because he was so tiny, the job was taking him much longer compared to older spiders but he kept spinning his web as the soldiers moved closer and closer.

Finally the soldiers stopped before the cave where Joseph and his family were hidden. But all the soldiers could see was the most magnificent spider web they’d ever seen. It’d been so cold throughout the night, that the moisture in the air had frozen on the web. When the sun hit the web, it sparkled and threw off every color of the rainbow. As the soldiers moved closer, the colors appeared to shift and shine, almost blinding them. It appeared so mystical and almost…. heavenly.

When the commander appeared, he too was astounded by the web’s beauty and couldn’t look away. It seemed as if the colors were sparkling with shifting patterns of all types of symbols. Not a soldier in the unit had ever seen anything so lovely and no one wanted to damage it. Some of the soldiers even wanted to protect it. The commander then came to the logical conclusion that since it was encrusted with ice crystals, no one could have entered the cave without disturbing the web. Therefore, no one could be inside.

As the soldiers discussed the situation, Joseph was in the back of the cave, listening. Finally, so curious about what they were talking about, he crawled towards the entrance only to be shocked by the web protecting him and his family. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus stayed in the cave for another day, both protected and kept warm by the web. When Joseph was sure the soldiers had moved toward other mountains, he led Mary and Jesus to the entrance.

They could still see the beautiful sparkling web, like shooting rainbow rays, that reflected in the sun’s setting. Jesus, upon seeing the web, laughed with joy. After the sun set, Joseph cut the web and they continued their journey to Egypt. Except, as they were leaving, Jesus waved towards the cave. Mary and Joseph were curious about what their baby was seeing because they saw nothing. They didn’t realize that Jesus was waving at the baby spider who’d saved their lives.

Eventually, Joseph and his family made it to Egypt where they lived for years until it was safe to return home. The little spider was so honored to have helped save their lives, he spent his life teaching other spiders how to spin beautiful webs. In return, we now decorate our trees with rainbow-colored lights and sparkling tinsel, garland, and even icicles–all in honor of the baby spider who was moved by prayer and spurred on by faith to build a miracle. A miracle that saved the life of Jesus.

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Published on December 29, 2021 03:30

December 28, 2021

Sarah Munro’s Frankincense Water

Frankincense is a shrub that grows in the deserts from India to Saudi Arabia. The resin from this plant has, for over 5,000 years, offered relief from stress, arthritis, pain and inflammation, and it boosts immunity. For a long time, because it was such a powerful medicinal, the resin pieces were worth more than gold.

But, despite its popularity, it is most known for the part it plays in the Nativity story. King Gaspar, one of the three kings who visited Jesus after his birth, brought frankincense as a gift. Since the resin was also used as an anointing oil and perfume (for the living and the dead), and was burned in temples and holy places, Gaspar offered it as symbol of Jesus’ priesthood.

But frankincense is still around today. It’s an ingredient in skin care products and medicinals as an anti-inflammatory and as an antiseptic that can eliminate viruses and bacteria. Its astringent properties make it a powerful anti-congestive agent. It dries up mucous and makes breathing easier. And when the oil is rubbed on joints, it can help eliminate the pain of arthritis. Many religions around the world use frankincense in their ceremonies, often burning the resin as incense in order to cleanse sacred spaces. Some believe that the smoke from the burning resin carries prayers to Heaven.

Frankincense water is a particular use of this resin that was popular during the 17th and 18th centuries. Resin pieces were dropped into water and once they dissolved, people drank it for its anti-inflammatory and other healing properties. Sarah Munro, the heroine of ONE DARK WISH (book 2 in the Deadly Force series) even found a note about it during her study of colonial-era herbal remedies. Luckily for us, frankincense resin is easily available in health food stores and online, including Amazon. One note though–due to its emmenagogue and astringent qualities, it should not be used during pregnancy.

Sarah Munro’s Frankincense WaterINGREDIENTS:1 quart-sized glass jar with a tight-fitting lid4-5 small pieces of frankincense resin**Filtered waterDIRECTIONS:

Place the resin pieces into the glass jar. Boil the water and fill the jar to within a 1/4 inch of the top rim. Cover with the lid and let steep for at least 8 hours or overnight. Once it is steeped and cooled, and the resin has dissolved, the water will be a light caramel color and slightly cloudy. Drink up to a cup a day whenever you are feeling congested or are dealing with arthritic or joint pain. It has a strong flavor, and sometimes I add honey to make it a bit sweeter. You can drink it cold or warmed up. It will last up to two weeks if kept in the refrigerator.

**Frankincense should not be used during pregnancy due to its emmenagogue and astringent qualities.