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Bay laurel, or laurus nobilis is a drought tolerant perennial tree native to the Mediterranean region. The fragrant, leathery leaves are dried for use as a cooking herb and in the pantry. Other names for this aromatic plant with deep green leaves are Sweet Bay, Grecian Laurel or Roman Laurel. Bay leaves can be added to spaghetti sauces, stews or soups for flavor. Mature Grecian Laurel trees flower in clusters of white to yellow blooms which turn into small berries. Bay leaves are dark green and up to 4 inches long and 2 inches across.
Sweet bay can grow into a tree 40 feet tall. Bay can tolerate low water in the garden and poor soils. They like full sun to part shade although in hot areas they benefit from a bit of shade during the hottest part of the day for the help www.july4-recipes.com. They are hardy to about 20 degrees, or USDA Zones 8 – 10. Perfect for low water landscapes, these are compact plants which grow slowly. Generally, bay doesn’t need pruning thanks to its compact growth habit, but they tolerate being trimmed and shaped into hedges. Perhaps as a result of their insecticidal properties, bay trees are generally not bothered by pests.
This is also the bay leaf used in the kitchen. Bay leaves can be used fresh from the garden, but their flavor is a bit different. Dried bay leaves are added to spaghetti and other sauces, soups and stews. They add extra flavor, but are not meant to be eaten with your dish. Bay leaves also have insecticidal properties. They are kept in kitchen cabinets to protect grains from moths and other pests. My mother always kept a bay leaf in the flour bin to keep flour beetles from hatching, now science has proven this belief to be true. Harvest older leaves for use in the kitchen. To keep them from curling press them between paper towels under a heavy book or board,
Bay Laurel is also known as a magical plant in mythology. It is associated with victory, strength and protection. Conquering heroes wore laurel wreaths upon returning to Rome in victory. A crown of bay is worn by Apollo the Greek god of the sun, and it is known as one of his emblems. When consulting the Oracle at Delphi the priestesses of Apollo held a bay leaf under their tongue to help induce their trances. It has been used to banish poltergeists, bad luck and to break evil spells. The sudden withering of a bay tree was said to be a bad omen for its’ owner.
Another similar fragrant tree is called California Bay, Oregon Myrtle, or Umbellularia Californica. These shrubs are native to California and the US southwest. They can grows to 20 feet tall, or taller with more water. California Bay should be used carefully in the garden as it has been identified as a host plant for spores carrying Sudden Oak Death. Buy only from reputable nurseries and this should probably not be used outdoors as an insecticide. Their leaves are much more fragrant and more bitter. It can be used in cooking but in much smaller proportions. Use in moderation; California Bay is also called Headache Tree. The almond sized nuts can also be roasted and eaten.

Everybody likes to revamp the home to bring changes in its look. While some people get their homes painted some focus on beautifying the interior. But giving a facelift to a home is not an easy task, simply because time is too short to invest on it. Besides, to give a home ac suitable new look, one needs to have a clear concept of interior decoration. If something goes wrong, all efforts may go in vein. In that case you will need to hire a professional decorator to beatify your home. Not interested? Want to do it all by yourself? Then opt for DISH Network. One of the leading Satellite TV service providers in US, the DISH Network offers a plethora of channels that show endless varieties of programs including home makeover.

Picture this:  you have just come in from your vegetable garden or your nearby farmers’ market with a bevy of wonderful seasonal produce.  Glorious eggplant, shiny sweet peppers and onions are in your clutches.  You are inspired to turn it into something wonderful for dinner.  You get out a cutting board, a knife, and put a pan on the stove with a little oil to begin heating.  You decide that you are going to create an Asian-style dish, and so you reach into your spice rack for some ginger and garlic powder.  And that is when you realize that you are out of your bulk spices needed to flavor your newly inspired dish.  

During the long, hot days of summer, the last thing we think about is Christmas shopping.  After all, that’s a task we usually relegate to the month of December, right?  But the truth is, the job of shopping for Christmas gifts is something many people loathe.  Parking lots are crowded, malls are jam packed, and finding just the right gift for that special someone can take hours, or even days.  What if there was a way to get some of your Christmas gifts ready during the summertime and put them away in storage so they’ll be ready to go when the holiday season rolls around?  Before you grab your keys and jump in the car to go shopping now, stop and take a look around your own home and garden.  There may be some gift possibilities lurking right under your own nose that are homemade, thoughtful, and very inexpensive.

HC intelligent home network   April 20, 2010 Shanghai Expo will be held first trial operation test, the Shanghai World Expo of the numerous technological, architectural mystery opened along. The Expo the only kitchen supplier?? Oulin group effort to build the “World Expo carbon smart kitchen” area in the Expo, “We Are the World” Museum brilliant appearance. The kitchen in the forward-looking design and high-tech production reveals the life of the kitchen after 2015, its convenience, environmental friendliness and intelligence make people life is full of expectations for the future.