Warm and pleasant greetings to all. We hope you and your family are doing well. It’s June, for sure. As you step outside, the flying insects are at the door waiting to find you!
One way to help avoid the insects is to make yourself less attractive to them by avoiding scented soaps, lotions, perfumes, hairspray and aftershave. Insects like the good smelling scents, too. Be mindful of mosquitoes, ants, flies, gnats, ticks and lice. These are enemies waiting to attach you, especially when you are outside. It’s good to keep insect repellent handy at the door.
Be sure to read the label for directions and store it safely. You can find homemade recipes for insect repellents and bug spray using essential oils.
Be sure you label your mixtures with its ingredients and store in a dark-colored bottle to keep in a dark storage place. This will keep ingredients active for a longer time.
Remember, some mixtures can be harmful or irritating. Be sure to test any homemade bug spray for possible allergic reactions before using it more liberally. Some may be dangerous to your pets, too.
Folklore says rosemary can keep mosquitoes and flies from ruining your cookout. Just one insect can be annoying until it gets a killing swat!
Throw a few sprigs of rosemary on the grill and the aromatic smoke will help drive mosquitoes away. Basil is another culinary dish that does double duty by repelling flies and mosquitoes, too. Basil has a strong scent without crushing the leaves.
Something more tasteful, colorful and springlike to talk about are my spring and summertime favorite fruits.
Strawberries top the list.
As children, we learned how to pick, preserve and enjoy many dishes with strawberries being the main ingredient.
Fresh jams and jellies, pies, cake, fresh strawberry ice cream, salads, garnishes and fresh fruit were snack dishes our family enjoyed, especially during the strawberry season.
Strawberries were not on the grocery list. However, as I glanced at the produce display for apples, the big, red, juicy strawberries ended up in my grocery cart! Could not resist these beauties and were they sweet!
The Mile High Strawberry Pie, topped with whipped cream, was delicious! I hope you will enjoy some of your favorite fresh fruits and vegetables this spring and summer.
Enjoy the day. Be blessed.
