Another day of canning and making cool stuff with fresh food gifts. Today was fresh picked okra and apples. Firstly, I made pickled okra....enough for eight 32oz jars!! I got all the jars made and then went looking for my pickling salt. I was out!! I could have used traditional salt, but with the minerals in them it causes the brine to become cloudy and unappetizing. So, Stephen went to the store and saved the day. Regardless, I had some red peppers, jalpeno and Thai chilies, all freshly picked to add to the jars as well as garlic, peppercorns, pickling spices and dill. Then I poured a hot vinegar and water brine over them and water canned them for shelf stability. You know you live more southern when someone gifts you okra! I'm all about it. Oh, and the apples and pears I got are in the crockpot for apple/pear butter. All the cinnamon, clove, numeg and ginger smells are driving me nuts as all I can think about is a tasty piece of bread with that schmeared all over it. I think I have enough apples for 2 weeks worth of apple butter making!! Its the season. #dailydaisybotanicals #okra #southern #southernliving #pickling #okrapickles #freshfoodgifts #waterbathcanning #shelfstable #foodforweeks #giftsfromfriends #blessed #lucky #amazedatthekindnessofothers #autumncanning #endofsummercanning #autumnfeels #autumn #fall

Last chance to grab a ticket for my Kitchen Witch Series on Incense. We will make stick incense from scratch as well as some cones. We will also learn how to scent fragrance free sticks so they are exactly the smell and intention we want. Then, even if that isn't enough, we will work with resins and how and when to burn those as well how to find our own in nature. It's going to be so much fun!! Register with www.thestinkingrosesa.com as there are just a couple seats left.

I was gifted 7 pounds of strawberries yesterday and was really trying to come up with something fun to make with them. I thought about a jelly, but I didn't want to waste any bit of the fruit. Then, I thought jam would be good, but I have some other jars I made this past spring. So I made strawberry preserves two ways; one is a traditional take, and the other is a more French style using balsamic vinegar to give it a little tart with the sweet. The burgundy color is so gorgeous!! But what's the difference between a jelly, jam, and preserves, you ask? A jelly is basically the fruit, juiced, and then some sugar, lemon, and pectin are added. There are no fruit pieces in a jelly. A jam is a jelly with pureed fruit. The pieces of fruit are small and unidentifiable, really. Lastly, a preserve is a more syrupy concoction with sugar, citrus (or other acidic items like balsalmic vinegar), but no pectin. There are generally larger pieces of fruit in these that are still spreadable but could be a little more messy. With preserves, it's likely you may be able to tell what the fruit was, but sometimes not. I like my preserves on top of cream cheese or brie and then on bread and/or artisinal crackers. 😋 How do you enjoy yours? #dailydaisybotanicals #strawberrypreserves #strawberry #gifted #canning #watercan #preserving #preserve #homestead #prepare #skills #lostskills #friendsthatshare

Happy National Black Dog Day. Here's my "baby," Chopper. He is one of the loves of my life. He's goofy, fun, protective, sweet, and just the best at living life. One of my favorite things about him, well 2 things, is the gentle way he is with his 20-pound brother. So sweet as he knows he's so much bigger (90 pounds!) and more powerful than him, yet he chooses to be loving instead of a dick. The 2nd thing is his love of nature. He chases all the lizards to make friends. We have so many flying insects like butterflies, fig beetles, easps (sky peppers) as well as birds and he chases after them barking and being goofy. It's so fun to watch him in his element, so proud of himself for protecting our space. So many black dogs get left at the shelters for lots of reasons. Its silly the stigma they have. If you are looking for a dog, please don't look over the black ones. They are so special and they need homes, too. Chopper was a rescue from @westlashelter (as is his brother) and couldn't have been happier with them. #nationalblackdogday #nationalblackdogday2024 #blackdog #blackdogs #adopt #gototheshelter #gotoshelters #chopper #Labrador #mastiff #canecorso #sweet #loving #naturelover #brother

What do you do when you have 13 butternut squashes gifted to you? You make a healthier version of macaroni and "cheese." I've been roasting butternut squash the past few days as it takes a few minutes to cut, deseed, roast, cool, pull the squash from the skin, and make it into whatever you want. So, I've been roasting 3 a day, and today was the last day with 4. I've made soups, frozen some for a "pumpkin pie" later in October, and today the faux Mac and cheese. Roasting butternut squash is super easy: cut in half, scoop out seeds and throw them outside for your bird friends, put on a cookie sheet with the insides facing up. Brush with a light coating of coconut oil and salt. Roast in a 375F oven for 1 hour and check. If a fork slides through the skin easily, it's done. If not, check again in 15 minutes incriminate until done. Let cool and scrape out flesh for the recipe below. Recipe for Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese: I used 1 roasted squash, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup feta spread dip (or use mashed up feta cheese), 1/2 cup grated parmesean cheese, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1 tablespoon (smoked) paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon dried parsley and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or use fire cider seasoning), 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, pepper to taste (I used 1/4 tsp), 1 head of roasted garlic and 4 to 6 ladles of pasta water. Blend together until smooth in a blender or using a handheld immersion blender while your pasta (1 box) is cooking. If you need more pasta water, add it to the mixture as consistency is such a personal thing. Add more salt, pepper, etc, to taste. Once blended, add the cooked pasta and fold them together. Serve with a few sprinkles of parmesean cheese, crushed pepper flakes, and parsley on top. #dailydaisybotanicals #butternutsquash #cookingfall #autumndish #whosreadyforthetempstogetcooler #abundance #workwithwhatigot #gifts #squash #herbalism #herbalist #herbalistfoodie #gardener #fruitsoftheseason #sustainable #sustainability #wheeloftime #wheeloftimerecipe

What is happening over in the Daisy Daisy Botanicals headquarters?? LOTS of NEW scents and a brand new look! Keep watching as this week will be the reveal of all that has transpired throughout the summer months. It's so exciting, and I can't wait to share all of the things soon. #dailydaisybotanicals #newfallscents #newcandles #newlineofcandles #classy #sassy #classyhomestyle #black #herbalist #soycandle #nontoxic #health #healthy #newlook #soexcited #herbalism #luxury #luxurylifestyle #onlythebest

🍅 When a friend gives you a thousand tomatoes...well, maybe not a thousand, but you get the gist... then you make tomato sauce. This made 128 ounces total. To put that into perspective, that's a gallon of sauce! I'll water can some for later use and put the big jar in the frig. I'll be making lasagna this week. 😋 Instructions: 🍅 Preheat oven 400 degrees F. I first cut all the tomatoes in half or fourths, depending on how big the tomato and placed into a large bowl. I probably had 15 pounds of tomatoes, but I'm not 100% sure. I left the skins and seeds on as my Vitamix demolishes those when blended later, and honestly, I'm not one to waste anything. If you want to skin the tomatoes and deseed them, that's totally cool as well. Next, I cut up two large yellow (or sweet) onions and one purple onion into chunks and add them in the tomato bowl. Then I measured 1/4 cup avocado oil, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper into the tomato bowl and mixed well until all coated. Divide the tomato mixture onto 2 cookie sheets and place in oven. They are roasted well when some parts start to turn a little black on the edges, but not burned to a crisp! My batch took 1 hour and 15 minutes. Also, I added a bulb of garlic wrapped in a piece of aluminum foil, top cut, with a little oil and salt on it to bake to caramelized perfection next to the cookie sheets. After the tomato mixture is done cooking, let them rest for 20-30 minutes to cool. When cooled, add the mixture to the blender, add dried basil, stinging nettles, oregano, and other herbs to your choosing and the garlic from the bulb. It's so satisfying squishing the garlic out of the bulb! Blend until desired consistency. Taste for needed seasoning and add if necessary. Enjoy! 🍅 #dailydaisybotanicals #herbalist #tomatoes #summerabundance #tomatosauce #homemadefromscratch #homemade #herbsfortaste #herbsfornutrition #herbsforhealth #healthy #health #herbalism #usewhatyougot #sustainable #nowaste #lasagna #easyrecipes #tasteofsummer #lastdaysofsummer

Look how cute!!!!! Making elderberry gummies for immunity today. It's going to be that time soon when people get sick. So..... Tomorrow, I have a class @thestinkingrosesa where we will be making shelf stable herbal elderberry syrup and immunity gummies. These gummies set up so well and so fast, which is good if you need help getting over the sick quickly. Elderberry is such a great help to the immune system when those first symptoms of sickness start like achy body, tickle in the throat, sinus pressure, etc. Taking elderberry syrup when first symptoms appear has been said to relieve sickness days faster than other methods. In my recipe for syrup and gummies, there are other tough fighting immunity herbs to support and enhance the immune system. So, come and learn all about those herbs as well as a great way to make shelf stable syrups. There are still a couple spots left. Check out @thestinkingrosesa website to register. #dailydaisybotanicals #elderberrysyrup #elderberry #gummies #immunitygummies #elderberrygummies #immunity #syrup #thestinkingrosesa #herbalist #herbalism #herbs #health #wellness #kitchenwitchery #kitchenwitch #kitcheninspiration

Leaping Lizards! Check out this little baby in my California Bay tree. I "happened" to find this little one when I was checking out my plants since we had a pretty hard rain early this morning. While checking that there were no broken branches, I stumbled on a leaf that looked strange. When I really looked, it was this tiny guy. He was perfectly camouflaged from the top as that is how I was looking at the plant. Nature is always giving me these precious gifts. Im so blessed to have wildlife in my backyard (birds, snakes, opposum, squirrel, water bugs, etc.) When I got closer to take the picture he held super still, but his eyes were watching me the whole time. He wasn't stupid. Lizards will always watch the biggest (predator) in the area. Spiritually, seeing a lizard is a good omen. They represent resilience, abundance, and growth. For me, this was such a necessary reminder that, yes, I'm going the right way. Good to be nudged once in awhile. In San Antonio, we are forecasted more rain this week, so I will keep my eyes peeled for more precious creatures in my yard. I hope to see many, many more! #dailydaisybotanicals #lizard #californiabay #littletreasure #naturewins #nature #omen #resilience #abundance #growth #aftertherain #rain #reminder #backyardwildlife #camouflage #lifelessons #enjoyingnature #predatorprey #hangoutinmyyardanytimelittlelizard #thankyou #blessing #naturelover #herbalist

September line-up is all ready. Check out the classes and markets that DDB will be attending this month. Sept 8- Kitchen Witch Series workshop- Get Back, Witch! All about immunity- we will make shelf stable elderberry syrup and elderberry gummies 1 to 3:30pm Register @thestinkingrosesa Sept 15- Healing Dragon Market at the Airport Marriott in San Antonio. 11am to 5pm Sept 21- St. Matthew's Episcopal Church Fall Market in Universal City 78148. 9am to 3pm Hope to see you at one of these events. #dailydaisybotanicals #thestinkingrosesa #class #kitchenwitchseries #kitchenwitchery #September #immunity #elderberry #elderberrysyrup #elderberrygummies #herbalism #herbalist #herbs #herbalremedy #folkmedicine #Market #metaphysical #healingdragon #episcopalchurch #fallmarket #holidayshopping #fall #autumn #seasonalchange

Experimenting for my class on August 25 called "Ice Ice Baby." In class, we will make homemade herbal cold dessert treats. In the pictures above are the first steps to one of these concoctions; homemade Greek yogurt!! It only takes a day to make and is so much cheaper, creamier and tastes waaaaay better than the store bought stuff. It's an ingredient in one (maybe 2) of the recipes we will be making in class @thestinkingrosesa. I think this may need some chocolate and black sage. Ohhhh, or maybe lemon and lavender. No, maybe orange and bay leaf. There are so many possibilities!! I can't wait to see what I finally decide for this treat. Come join us and find out on Sunday, August 25th @thestinkingrosesa. 15033 Nacogdoches #103 in San Antonio. The class is from 1 pm to 3:30pm. Registration is with The Stinking Rose, so sign up before these tickets sell out. #dailydaisybotanicals #thestinkingrosesa #yogurt #greekyogurt #homemadegreekyogurt #sogood #makingdesserts #herbalpopsicles #herbsandfruit #herbalism #herbalist #greenwitch #kitchenwitch #recipes #easyrecipes #workshop

August events for Daily Daisy Botanicals look different this month. I will not be at markets, but I will be teaching 2 classes @thestinkingrosesa instead. Sometimes, we have to switch things up to not be stagnant....and I was feeling a little "stuck in a rut." Don't worry, I'll be back at markets next month, but just wanted to teach in August. Aug 11 class- Flower Power. How to make flower essences for energetic healing. This was requested many times for me to bring it back...so here it is. We will be working with a different flower than we did in April, so even if you came to the first class, this one will be a different experience, so join us again! Everyone will make a flower essence that day to take home as well as all instructions to make even more! Registration is with @thestinkingrosesa. Aug 25 class- Ice, Ice Baby! How to make cold, sweet treats like popsicles & ice creams using herbs and fruit. We will make our own in class to take home as well as taste test some already prepared. Lots of recipes, laughs, and knowledge will be given in class. Limited spaces, so register sooner than later. Registration is with @thestinkingrosesa. #dailydaisybotanicals #thestinkingrosesa #flower #floweressence #heal #healing #remedy #Ice #icecream #popsicle #cooltreat #sweettreat #herbs #herb #herbalism #herbalist #kitchenwitch

The next Kitchen Witch Series class has been announced called "Spilling Tea." Have you ever wondered how to make a looseleaf tea that tastes good as well as helps with ailments? This class will go into some detail on how to pick herbs for tea making as well as work with plant spirit. Working with plant spirit truly allows a relationship with the herbs, which, IMHO, leads to better tasting and healing teas, foods, remedies, etc. Everyone will make a tea blend for themselves to take home and participate in a plant spirit meditation to connect even more fully to the herbs that day. To register, go to www.thestinkingrosesa.com @thestinkingrosesa #dailydaisybotanicals #thestinkingrosesa #spillingtea #plantspirit #meditation #herbs #herbalism #herbalist #herbalistintraining #harbalistintrainingclasses #kitchenwitch #kitchenwitchseries #tea #herbaltea #healing

Happy Gotcha Day, my sweet Buzby. July 2, 2016 was when we adopted this this little man. He was @westlashelter and his name was Patrick. Our senior dog, Arjuna, had passed in April and I was now ready for another pup. Because shelters are over flowing in the summers, especially around July 4th, I went online to see if any dog listed there pulled at my heart strings. I saw "Patrick" and knew we needed to go and check him out. We went to the shelter and as soon as he was leashed and brought out of the kennel, we knew we were taking him home. He had this little happy bounce in his step and a sweet disposition. He also gave lots of kisses. He is still the same....happy, sweet and LOVES giving kisses at a moments notice. He is a mommies boy for sure and is "my" dog as he follows me everywhere....everywhere. I cannot believe we've had him for 8 years! He has become my best friend and I love him more than words can adequately describe. Here's to another 8 or more years with good health and infinite kisses. #buzby #mybestfriend #puppylove #gotchadayanniversary #gotchaday #happy8 #kisses #westlashelter

With all this Texas summer heat, I'm longing for the cooler days of December. So....let's have a Christmas in July sale @thestinkingrosesa. All Daily Daisy Botanicals products will be 15% off the whole month of JULY!!! The sale includes candles, room/energy sprays, salves, whipped body butters, fire cider and elderberry syrups. This is a great time to stock up for yourself or put away for Christmas gifts. I'll even have some Fall and Christmas scents available to get you ready for that upcoming time of the year. Check it all out at The Stinking Rose in San Antonio while enjoying the air conditioning! Sale starts July 1st and concludes on July 31st in store only. *Kitchen Witch Series classes are not part of the sale, sorry. #dailydaisybotanicals #thestinkingrosesa #christmasinjuly #christmasinjulysale #Christmas #discount #sale #candles #roomsprays #whippedbodybutter #salve #firecider #elderberrysyrup #Fall #candlescents

The next Kitchen Witch Series class is up for registration. On Sunday, June 30th, from 1 to 3:30pm, come and join us. We are making an amazing immunity elixir that not only helps when you feel crummy but can also be used daily either as the elixir itself or made into a food item. Come make a batch to take home with me and learn all about this folk remedy. We will also be eating some great food made with this incredible tonic, too. Dont worry...recipes will be shared! @thestinkingrosesa Register at www thestinkingrosesa.com #dailydaisybotanicals #thestinkingrosesa #firecider #immunity #tonic #elixir #foodie #herbalist #herbalism #folkremedy #folk #remedy #herbs #gardening #hot

Today, I learned one of my dearest friends passed away. To say that I'm sad is such an understatement as this woman was such a blessing in my life. We met in August of 2020 as she had moved into an apartment in Santa Monica and needed help getting settled. She had many medical issues going on as she had had a liver transplant not long before we met, hence needing this help. She had put a message up on a FB page I was part of,and I responded. I was getting ready for our move and really didn't need another thing on my plate, but something called me to answer her. I went over and helped as much as I could. She was friendly, talkative, & so full of life. But when we talked about what made us tick, we had very little in common. Regardless, we had a pleasant conversation with love and grace, and that's what hit me the most. I really liked her despite all we didn't have much in common. The following week, I went back, and we continued to talk, laugh, and just get to know each other. We found out we did have more in common, like our love for pets, humanity, and learning and so much more. We kept learning about each other. Every Tuesday, I'd go to her place, and we would chat for 2 to 3 hours until I moved from CA in April 2021. During those months we became the best of friends. We could tell each other anything, and we would just be there for one another. For anything! The dreaded day of my move came, and we cried so much when we met for the last time. Why is it you find the friend you've needed for all the years right before moving away? It was a cruel miracle. Regardless, every few months,we would speak on the phone or text. We kept in touch. This year, every time she went back into the hospital, she would call to make sure she said everything she needed to say in case she passed. Unfortunately, her going into the hospital happened often. But we both said everything we needed to say to each other so there were no regrets. How often in life does that actually happen?? I'm so grateful to her, her friendship, the lessons I learned with & from her, unconditional love & so much more. Thank you, Lori Schwartz. We will see each other again. I love you. ❤️

The next class in the Kitchen Witch Series is up for registration @thestinkingrosesa. This class is all about fermented drinks like wild sodas, kombucha, herbal brews, meads, and wines using herbs to add flavor and nutrition. This is the perfect time to learn this skill as it's getting hot outside, and these are cold, natural, and super tasty! In class, we will taste a variety of different fermentation drinks that I've been creating for over a decade (as some have aged), and then we will make an herbal soda to take home. Please bring to class a 16-oz Mason jar with a lid, 1 lemon, cutting board and knife, and writing utensil. Like normal, this series sells out quickly, so reserve asap as there are limited seats. The week before class will be too late as these classes are selling out waaaay in advance. Go to www.thestinkingrosesa.com and go to the events tab. You will find this flyer when scrolling down. See you there! #dailydaisybotanicals #thestinkingrosesa #herbalsoda #ferment #fermenteddrinks #coldsoda #herbalsodas #herbalism #herbalist #Greenwitch #foodie #kitchenwitch #kitchenwitchseries #fermentation #sodainaday #homemade #from scratch #herbsforflavor #herbsfornutrition #heal #healing #play #timetolearn #timetoplay #timeforyourself

I'm so excited and proud to announce a collaboration between @thestinkingrosesa and Daily Daisy Botanicals for their shop candle. This candle is called "Authentically Rose" as it represents Rose as owner and friend to the community of San Antonio. A few months ago, I had asked her if she would like to have a candle for the shop, and luckily, she said, "Yes." I wanted it to reflect her personality and all that she brings to the SA community as well as adding "the magic is you" into the mix. I created the candle as a prototype and let her burn it, think about it, etc. Thankfully, she loved it, and the scent reminded her of something that personally touched her. Truly, that made this an even bigger honor! So I got to work making a batch of them for the store for this weekend. This Sunday, May 5, is the 1 year anniversary party/market for the opening of The Stinking Rose. It's from 12 pm to 4 pm. This will be the day the candle will be released and sold to the public. Candle details: They come in either 4oz or 7 oz sizes and have flower and crystals chips. All flowers were chosen for the magic they represent. Calendula is a healing flower, roses are for love and boundaries in all shapes in sizes, and the green aventurine represents abundance and prosperity. The scent used is all encompassing; happiness, comfort, spontaneity, kindness, compassion, sassiness, intention, and more. It smells so good! Come out and celebrate with us at The Stinking Rose this weekend and get an "Authentically Rose" candle, dance, shop the many vendors present, eat, laugh, and socialize! #dailydaisybotanicals #thestinkingrosesa #collaboration #shopcandle #witchcandle #intentioncandle #intention #herbs #flowers #calendula #Rose #authenticallyrose #herbalist #herbalism #metaphysical #shop #shoplocal #shopsmallbusiness #anniversaryparty #anniversarymarket #market #greenaventurine