Robin's Blue Nest

Better Than Catnip?

 I fell in love with this cat, Maru.  He loves boxes....all sorts, and all sizes of boxes.  He also loves this "silvervine" stick.

He is so taken with it, that I wanted a silvervine stick for my cat Dude.  So, I went on the internet to find out what I could about this "silvervine".   I wanted to find,  if possible, a place to purchase one (or maybe the plant on which it grows).

What I Found....

Silver Vine (Actinidina Polygama - a member of the botanical family Actinidiaceae) is a non-toxic, climbing vine, kin to the common kiwi fruit.  Originating in the mountainous areas of China and Japan, it is available here in the United States, having a USDA hardiness zone tolerance of 4 to 9.  It is a fast grower and can grow to fifteen feet sometimes more.  Because of its size and weight it needs strong support; making it great for hiding a fence or trained on a trellis.  Although the plant requires moist well drained soil, it is drought tolerant, and is disease and insect resistant.

Silver Vine produces small white aromatic flowers with bright yellow anthers  (usually in clusters of 3 or 4, scattered along vine) from late June to early July.  The oblong 3 to 5 inch long leaves, when they open, are bronze in color which quickly turn to green during the flowering season.   
They then become randomly splotched with white and silver; which is where the plant gets it's name.   The flowers last approximately 2 to 3 days, followed by yellow to yellow-red, egg shaped, multi-seed fruit.   The fruit matures through the months of September and October.  When cut open, the fruit resembles that of the common grocer bought kiwi, but is orange in color.

I am now thinking I would like to purchase the plant.  We have a fence out back that I have been thinking about hiding behind bushes and trees.  Might I dare grow this silver vine out there as well?  The area gets full sun and is well drained.  I read on and found that I will need a male plant as well for pollination, if I want my female to bare the fruit.  So maybe I will purchase one female and one male and plant them at opposite ends of the fence. 

I went on to find that the fruit that this vine bares contains ten times more vitamin C than is found in most green tea and surpasses the vitamin C of strawberries and blueberries.  It is also rich in potassium, calcium, antioxidants,  a number of other vitamins and fiber.  The plant itself has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to treat the pain and inflammation due to arthritis.  Through studies with mice, it has been found that A. Polygama lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and has had positive results in the treatment of some forms of cancer.  It is also being used today in many anti-aging skin creams to promote skin translucency.   "...the ingredient is designed to brighten the skin by inhibiting protein carbonylation in the horny layer, thus promoting skin translucency..."

 But what about Maru and his Silver Vine stick?  Well, it turns out that A. Polygama gives off a sent that attracts cats.  Cats tend to rub up against the plant, sometimes licking it.  It is the sent of the plant, working on the olfactory system of the cat that sends them into a euphoric state; much like that of catnip.....but only greater.  This can last for 5 to 30 minutes at which the cat may return for more.  In studies, the cats weren't interested in eating the plant so much as rubbing and rolling in it. Even if the cat were to eat or lick the plant, it is non-toxic....safe for the cat to enjoy.

If you would like to purchase a Silver Vine or two (you will need both male and female to bare fruit) and haven't a nursery that carries it, there are a few on-line nurseries that carry an assortment of A. Polygama.

Forset Farm
http://www.forestfarm.com/product.php?id=5054

One Green World
http://www.onegreenworld.com//index.php?cPath=6_150&sort=2a&page=2

Lazy S'S Farm
http://www.lazyssfarm.com/Plants/Vines/vines.htm#VINE1035

If you are not interested in growing the vine(s), yet would like to get some Silver Vine sticks for your cat, you might try here:

http://www.shopbot.com.au/ps-silvervine-chew-stick-health-cat-toys-21454093.html

I also came across this in my searchs and , if you have a cat, you might find it of interest:

CATNIP, VALERIAN, HONEYSUCKLE AND OTHER CAT-ATTRACTANT PLANTS

 

Although I have read that it is widely consumed in Asia, I couldn't find silver vine tea for sale in the U.S.  But I did find catnip tea!

 

I feel it is just a matter of time and we will be seeing silver vine tea in herbal shops and then on our grocer's shelves.

 

If you get a chance, stop by How sweet The sound where Beverly hosts her weekly Pink Saturday and many link up with all their lovely pink.
 

And while you're at it, take the time to check out Sandi's fabulous roses over on Rose Chintz Cottage 

 And you still have time to enter my

Mary Kay makeup brush set giveaway

 

 

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=20017904 
http://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/formulating/ingredient/active/84957277.html
http://www.onegreenworld.com//index.php?cPath=6_150
http://www.freebase.com/view/en/actinidia_polygama
http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_97c4.html
http://www.forestfarm.com/product.php?id=5054

 

 

 

It's a Mad Tea Party!

 

 Welcome!  
  

 

This is the 4th Annual
Virtual Mad Tea Party
Hosted by the lovely Vanessa Valencia
over on A fanciful Twist.

Please do come in and stay a while.

Alice should be here shortly.

 
She's out in the garden
cutting flowers for the table.
 

We're waiting the arrival of the
White Rabbit

 

Dear me.....he is never on time.

 

 Oh please do sit.

 

I have made banana bread
for our tea today.
We also have shortbread
and biscuits, and berries too.

 
There is Bencheley tea;
Irish,
Raspberry
and Orange Spice

 
Do you care for sugar or honey?

 

I have set out my eggs
and there are more in my shop

 The Blue Nest

 

 

The flowers that Alice cut are beautiful.
Thank you Alice!

 


 

I love your outfit,
and your hat is so you.
What do you think of my hat?
 

 

Some have asked me for my
Summer Pudding recipe.

 

Please help yourself

 
 

Oh dear me....
Where does the time go?

 

 

 
It's best you head on back to
A Fanciful Twist
to check and see who else is
having tea today.

 

 

And before you go....
Please take the White Rabbit
with you.

 


Thank you for stopping by
It's been lovely having you
over for tea.

Please do come again
and
Have a beautiful day

 

Sleeping It Off Sunday's Video

 

Now that I am back to blogging again, I thought I would get back to posting Sunday videos.  And to kick off my little Sunday blog posts, I have found a most stunning piece by  TSO Photography. 

It is a time-lapse movie, set atop El Teide; an active volcano (last errupted 1909), the heighest mountain in Spain and home of the Teide Observatory. 

 

"The Mountain" by TSO Photography

 Music: "Nuvole Bianche" by Ludovico Einaudi

 

 

"The goal was to capture the beautiful Milky Way galaxy along with one of the most amazing mountains I know, El Teide."  - TSO Photography

 

 

 if you click on the four arrows, you can exspand the screen for better viewing

The Mountain from TSO Photography on Vimeo.

Last Minute Shopping for Dad

 Father's Day is just around the corner.....Sunday, June 19th to be exact.  That's this Sunday! 

What's that you say; you haven't a gift for dad?  I know that feeling.  You told yourself last year that you wouldn't forget and put it off till the last moment.  Yet, here it is June and still you haven't come up with anything.  And as the days, hours and minutes tick by, it only gets worse.  Anxiety creeps in, your nerves get frayed and before you know it your snapping at the kids.  It gets to the point that you start making excuses to ease the guilt that you are feeling; because lets face it, you have had a whole year.  And to make matters worse, he surprised you with that fabulous gift, the one that left you all emotional.

Okay...you forgot....you haven't had the time....whatever.
You are here now on the internet. What better place?  Let's go shopping!

If you haven't a credit card or if your bank account is low, may I suggest heading on over to Martha Stewart's web site and grab a few ideas, maybe download a template or two and make dad something he would love.  She has templates and clip art you can download to make great cards and labels.  She has recipes and sewing idea galore, and that which you haven't already in the house (which can be repurposed), you can pick up at your grocer's when you go to shop for the big day meal.  Just type "father's day" into her search bar, located at the top left hand corner of her front page....or click on the photo here. This is just one of the many great crafty gift ideas at Martha Stewart.com 

Now, if you have a credit card and you are into internet shopping, may I suggest the items below.

For the man who loves chocolate and bacon, or chocolate with bacon.  I suggest you head on over to Vosges' for some truly fabulous gourmet delights.  Their delectable delights were featured on the Food Network.  Also, more importantly, they can be delivered next day.  They will be there in time for Father's Day.

 

How about Lobster!  Does the man of the house love lobster?  Catch a Piece of Maine takes phone order and ships overnight, and the shipping is included in the price.  They sell live whole lobsters.  How fun would that be; for dad to open live lobsters for Father's Day?   You can also purchase whole meals with all the fixings.  They even have clubs and shares in the business for sale.  Best of all, it's fresh and shipped overnight!

 

How about something for the tech inspired dad?
You can shop Amazon and find great tech stuff that can be shipped next day, Saturday and even overnight.

     ZBoost Wireless Booster

      Kindle E-Book Reader

  

                              Logitech Revue w/ Google TV


All these are sure to be a hit with dad; making him feel like he's the king of his castle.

 

Thanks for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

 

 

Today is Flag Day

 

June 14, 1777, the original United States flag of 13 stars was officially adopted by the Second Continental Congress.  It wasn't until 1916 that the then President Woodrow Wilson put forth a proclamation that officially established June 14 as day of commemoration; and not until 1949, when by an act of Congress, was June 14 declared National Flag day.  Although Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, all states observe it and most who are patriotic celebrate the day and / or take special homage to the flag.

 

 

 Official Statue on Flag Day

Title 36 of the United Sates Code, subtitle I, Part A, Chapter 1

(a) Designation.— June 14 is Flag Day.

(b) Proclamation.— The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation—

(1) calling on United States Government officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on Flag Day; and

(2) urging the people of the United States to observe Flag Day as the anniversary of the adoption on June 14, 1777, by the Continental Congress of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States.

 

June 14 is also the birthday of the United States Army. 
Today is their 236th birthday.

 

 Happy Birthday!

 
http://www.army.mil/Birthday/236/

 

 

 

Wishing all those who pass this way a most beautiful Flag day 
 

Thank you for stopping by

 

Another Mad Tea Party!

Yes.....that's right.  It's that time again!  And, what a fantastically fabulous fun time it is.  The lovely Vanessa Valencia of Fanciful Twist is hosting the annual Mad Tea Party.  And if you haven't already signed on, here is your invitation to do so. 

Won't you please join me and all the other wonderful bloggers for a spot of tea and some lovely cake, and goodness know what else you may trip, stumble and tumble onto.  In any case, it should be great fun....so keep the date....June 25, 2011

The rules are easy peasy and nothing to fret;

1)  Share the flyer and/or the button on your blog as soon as possible and link back to A Fanciful Twist.  Vanessa will then add your name to the "Mad Tea Partiers" list in her LEFT hand side bar, which links back to you. 

2)  On the day of the party, June 25th 2011, please make sure to post a Mad Tea Party post of your own, on your blog, linking to Vanessa's blog.  Other partiers will be visiting you on that date, and this makes it easy for them to head back to the list and visit someone else (after they have visited you).

3)  IMPORTANT - On the day of the party, after you have your own Mad Tea Party blog post up and running, please leave a comment at Vanessa's Mad Tea Party post, including your "Actual Party Link."  It will serve as an archive of all partier links. 

4)  Then blog hop with the other partiers on the day of the event and have a mad blast!

Note:  Please make sure you post a party post on your blog on June 25th if you sign up.  If you sign up and later find that you can't make the event, let Vanessa know so she can remove your name from the list.  It's the right thing to do....

You may copy the flyer and side bar invites (for use on your blog) from here or from Vanessa's blog, The Fanciful Twist.

Well, I hope you can join us.  Until then....

Thank you for stopping by

and

Have a beautiful day

 

I've Added New Items In The Shop!!

 
 

    I've added some new washi eggs and some new bracelets too.

                                                 
 

Think'n Pink!

It's been a while since I contributed anything to Pink Saturday.  But I've been working on some new bracelets for summer sales and many are in shades of pink.  I even put a few in my little on-line shop, The Blue Nest.  You might say I've been thinking pink.  When I saw that several of my bracelets were pink, I immediately thought of Pink Saturday.  And so I thought I might share one with you here and get back into the fun of all things pink on Saturday.

 
 This bracelet is made of hand crafted washi beads 
(created by me). 

 

 

I've created these cute washi bracelets in lots of fun summer colors; and no better summer color than pink.....right?   All of my washi bracelets are strung with rhinestone spacers on jeweler's elastic.

 
 Thanks for stopping by.

and

Have a beautiful Pink Day.

 
Now be sure to head on over to Beverly's blog
How Sweet the Sound
and check out all those who are into PINK.
 

 

 

Time To Break Out The Flamingos!

 

  If you haven't already put them out, if you haven't had them out all year, now is the time to do it.  There is no better time, than the month of June, to bring out your flamingos. 

 June is the month of celebration.  There is Flag Day, and Father's Day.  There is always a wedding and everyday a new birthday.  But most of all, here in the northern hemisphere, June is the month of Summer Solstice; the first day of summer.  Summer Solstice (or the first day of summer) will begin on June 21st; which will be the longest day and the shortest night of the year.  What better time to show off your pink ladies, then when the days are growing longer (nights shorter)?  It's all the more beautiful daylight for them to flock in. 

For those of you who live in the southern hemisphere and so inclined; go ahead and pull those bad girls out.  Maybe you could make them a simple scarf and ear muffs.    ;-)

The last I counted, I had some 24 pink flamingos.  I tend to herd them in come late October early November; depending on the weather.  Our strong winter winds have been known to send them flying into neighbor yards and deep into hedgerow.   I have a very large box down in the basement where they hibernate till summer.  Well, that is all but the seven snow lovin' gals that I put out in Santa hats in December.  Once Christmas has passed, I bring them in and let them thaw a bit.  I then give them a good cleaning, and it's off to the basement they go. 

Come June (sometimes earlier) I start bringing them out.  I like to let them make a gradual appearance.  Three here, two there and on it goes over a period of days (sometimes weeks) till I have them in all corners of the yard.....lurking behind trees, peeking through bushes, some in the flower beds and some just standing about on the lawn.

And while I have your attention; if you love the color pink and would love to share some pink with others, head on over to  How Sweet The Sound where Beverly is hosting her always Pink Saturday every Saturday.

 

Thanks for stopping by

and

Have a Beautiful Day

 

June

 

If you live in the northern hemisphere, as I do, June is the first of summer months.  Days are at their longest and the flowers are in bloom.   I love the month of June.

Living here in Rhode Island, the days are warmer but not so hot and humid as those of July and August.  The mornings and nights are quite cool, making for pleasant sleep and a refreshing morning start. 

The rains of May had really kick started the grass growth as well as our trees, flowering shrubs and flower gardens.  Now in June, we (my husband and I) mow, mend, manicure and prune the yard into our lovely cool and inviting oasis; a haven from the blistering hot pavement that lies just beyond the lawn's edge.  I think this not a chore but a duty that I have; much similar to one caring for children and spouse.  To take care of my yard, my garden, I, in return, receive much reward; great personal satisfaction and pleasure.  And although we have never really spoken aloud on it, I believe my husband feels the same. 

Most of our yard and garden is planted with perennials.  This makes it all the more a pleasure.  Once a perrenial (be it flower, tree or shrub) has been planted and cared for, it takes little to maintain yet rewards you year after year and quite often with greater display (each subsequent year).  Now and then I will move something or change something out....only because I want to see something new. 

We hope to add a new front porch and terrace before summers end.  This will mean the removal of four mature hydrangeas,  two very old and lovely rhododendrons, my sweet dragon heads, balloon / bellflower, day lilies, lavender, phlox, asters, speedwell, sedum, as well as all my bulbs.  That which can not be saved (most likely the rhododendrons and hydrangeas) will be a sad loss, but I look forward to the new front on the house and a new garden to design. 

For now, we are enjoying the warmer weather, the fragrant flowers, meals out on the porch and cool nights for sleep.

 

 Thank you for stopping by
and
Have a beautiful day