#Aromatic Herb Infusion

[tkhuluq]

French Ratatouille: Mastering the Art of Provencal Delight in Your Kitchen

Start a cooking trip to the sun-soaked areas of Provence with the timeless French Ratatouille. In this detailed assist, we will discover the art of crafting this classic recipe, showcasing the lively tastes as well as aromas that specify the heart of French provincial food. Sign up with us as we unwind the keys to developing the best Ratatouille as well as bring the preference of Provence in your table.

Area 1: The Significance of Provencal Food

Submerse on your own in the significance of Provencal food, where fresh veggies as well as fragrant natural herbs take facility phase. Ratatouille, a medley of seasonal generate, encapsulates the rustic beauty as well as durable tastes that personify the cooking spirit of the French countryside.

Area 2: Crucial Active ingredients

Uncover the crucial active ingredients that create the structure of a fascinating Ratatouille. From lively tomatoes as well as zucchini to vivid bell peppers as well as eggplant, each veggie adds to the symphony of tastes that make this recipe a party of Provencal bounty.

Area 3: Careful Veggie Prep work

Understand the art of careful veggie prep work, as we assist you via the correct strategies for cutting as well as setting up the active ingredients. Attain the best stabilize of appearances by making sure also food preparation, developing a Ratatouille that's not just aesthetically enticing yet a happiness to relish.

Area 4: Fragrant Natural herb Mixture

Discover the fragrant natural herb mixture that boosts Ratatouille to brand-new elevations. Find out the art of incorporating fresh  mint and tulsi, rosemary, as well as basil to boost the all-natural tastes of the veggies, instilling your recipe with the great smelling significance of Provence.

Area 5: Food preparation Strategies

Reveal the keys to improving the food preparation strategies that generate a Ratatouille with tender yet distinctive veggies. Whether you select stovetop simmering or stove roasting, we will assist you via the actions to attain that ultimate melt-in-your-mouth benefits.

Area 6: Discussion as well as Pairing

Understand the art of discussion to display the lively shades as well as layers of your Ratatouille. Uncover pairing ideas to boost your eating experience, whether worked as a standalone recipe, a side, or also as a fascinating covering for crusty French bread.

Verdict:

Finally, crafting French Ratatouille is an art that permits you to bring the tastes of Provence in your very own cooking area. With its lively shades, fragrant natural herbs, as well as unified medley of veggies, this timeless recipe records the significance of French provincial food. Dive right into our skilled assist as well as relish the happiness of developing a Ratatouille that's as fascinating making as it's to relish, bringing the preference of Provence in your table with every mouthful.

Tags : French Ratatouille, Provencal Cuisine, Rustic French Dish

[lifelikesimz]

LIFELIKESIMZ - ISLAND FUSION CARRIBEAN CUISINE FOOD TRUCK

With this food truck includes 15 new items. That's 11 dishes and 4 drinks total. ONLY available by purchasing at food truck.

✧JERK CHICKEN & RICE  -Marinated in a fiery blend of scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, garlic, and spices, then grilled to smoky, crispy perfection. Paired with fluffy, coconut-infused rice that balances the heat, the dish offers a perfect harmony of smoky, spicy, and subtly sweet notes. - §15 ✧JERK PORK & RICE  -Marinated in a spicy-sweet blend of scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, and thyme, then grilled to smoky perfection. The tender, juicy pork packs bold heat and flavor, while the coconut-infused rice adds a creamy, slightly sweet balance. It's a fiery, savory combination that's pure comfort. - §10 ✧CURRY GOAT & RICE  -Tender, slow-cooked in a rich, aromatic blend of curry powder, garlic, ginger, and spices, creating a deep, savory flavor. The meat is melt-in-your-mouth juicy, with a slight heat and earthiness. Paired with fluffy rice that soaks up the flavorful curry sauce, it's a comforting, spicy, and satisfying dish. - §15 ✧BEEF PATTIES -Flaky, golden pastry pockets filled with seasoned, spiced ground beef. The filling is savory with hints of curry, thyme, and heat from scotch bonnet peppers, creating a perfect balance of flavors. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, they're a deliciously satisfying snack or meal. - §10 ✧RASTA PASTA -A vibrant, creamy dish featuring al dente pasta tossed in a rich, flavorful sauce made with bell peppers, onions, garlic, shrimp, and a hint of jerk seasoning. It's a perfect blend of spice, creaminess, and color, creating a comforting, bold dish that's both savory and satisfying. - §13 ✧OXTAILS & RICE -Slow-cooked to tender, fall-off-the-bone perfection in a rich, savory stew of spices, herbs, and aromatic vegetables. The deep, flavorful sauce soaks into the meat, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Paired with fluffy rice that absorbs the delicious sauce, it's a hearty, comforting, and satisfying dish. - §18 ✧OXTAILS & MAC-N-CHEESE -Slow-cooked to tender perfection in a savory, spiced stew, are paired with rich, creamy macaroni and cheese. The oxtail's deep, flavorful sauce seeps into the cheesy, velvety pasta, creating a satisfying, indulgent combination of savory, creamy, and hearty goodness. - §18 ✧SEAFOOD GUMBO -  A hearty, flavorful stew brimming with shrimp, crab, and fish, simmered in a rich, spicy broth made with a roux, bell peppers, onions, and aromatic spices.  - §25 ✧STEAK & SHRIMP -  a mouthwatering combo of juicy, perfectly seared steak with a savory crust and tender shrimp, seasoned to perfection. The rich, smoky flavor of the steak pairs beautifully with the shrimp's sweet, delicate taste, creating a satisfying, flavorful dish.  - §22 ✧PORK RIBS -  Pork ribs are tender and juicy, slow-cooked until the meat falls off the bone. Coated in a smoky, sweet, and tangy barbecue glaze, each bite is a perfect balance of charred, caramelized edges and flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth meat.  - §25 ✧GRIZZADA TARTS -   Sweet, flaky pastries filled with a rich, coconut-based filling that's both creamy and slightly chewy. Infused with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, each bite offers a perfect balance of warmth and sweetness in a delightful, bite-sized treat. - §6 ✧SUNRISE DRINK -A vibrant, tropical blend of refreshing fruit juices, with hints of citrus and a touch of sweetness. It's the perfect balance of tart and fruity.  - §5 ✧SEASIDE DRINK -A refreshing blend of crisp, tangy citrus and tropical fruit flavors, with a hint of sweetness and a cool, breezy finish. It's light, invigorating, and perfect for sipping on a sunny day by the ocean. -  §5 ✧LIME LIGHT DRINK -A refreshing, tangy beverage with a zesty citrus punch. It's bright, slightly tart, and perfectly sweetened, offering a cool, crisp sip that's both invigorating and thirst-quenching. -  §5 ✧RUM PUNCH COCKTAIL -A vibrant cocktail blending tropical fruit juices with smooth rum, creating a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors.  - §8 (BASEMENTAL MOD COMPATIBLE)

These dishes will be released each week   over the month of February

SILVER TIER EARLY ACCESS - 2 WEEKS

BRONZE TIER EARLY ACCESS - 1 WEEK

PUBLIC RELEASE - 3 WEEKS FROM DATE OF RELEASE

DOWNLOAD HERE

[hrrtshape]

hi emma!!!! i loved reading all your historical drs, have you ever considered being a writer omg!!! i was wondering if you could do one of ancient china or ancient korea! i’ve been setting up a nobility dr for each!

also, i started burning incense while i take baths, and omg if that’s even kind of like what it was in babylon im so thrilled for you. i feel like a princess.

a guide on how to survive in ancient china.

hello, intrepid time traveler. i’m emma, your self-appointed shifting guidée and general lifeline as you hurl yourself into the vast, intricate, and utterly fascinating world of ancient china. this is not for the faint of heart, OK??? you are stepping into a civilisation spanning thousands of years, shifting (pun not intended) dynasties, and mind-bending customs. you need to be prepared. the great wall won’t save you, and confucius won’t be there to give you a pep talk. so i will.

your survival depends on understanding the nuances of daily life, from the silk-clad heights of imperial courts to the dusty roads of peasant villages. let’s get into it. how to dress, eat, navigate society, and, most importantly, how to not offend the wrong noble and end up in a very unfortunate situation (and by that, i mean executed).

꒰ 𝐝ynastic context . . .where are you in time?

ancient china isn’t just a single moment in history. it’s thousands of years of shifting rulers, laws, and customs. each period has its own political and cultural landscape, so research where you’re landing. here’s a quick guide to some of the major time periods you might find yourself in.

shang dynasty ( 1600 – 1046 bce ) : the bronze age, oracle bones, and human sacrifices. if you’re here, be careful. early china was intense.

zhou dynasty ( 1046 – 256 bce ) : the age of confucius, the mandate of heaven, and the rise of philosophy.

qin dynasty ( 221 – 206 bce ) : the first emperor, legalist rule, and the construction of the great wall. harsh punishments, so keep your head down.

han dynasty ( 206 bce – 220 ) : the golden age of china. silk road trade, confucian ideals, and thriving arts and sciences.

tang dynasty ( 618 – 907 ) : the height of chinese cultural brilliance. poetry, tea, and flourishing trade. if you’re here, congratulations. you’ve landed in one of the best times.

song dynasty ( 960 – 1279 ) : economic prosperity, gunpowder, and great advancements in technology. just watch out for the mongols.

 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　┊

꒰ 𝐰hat to wear.

fabric and style : if you’re nobility, you’ll be wearing silk robes with intricate embroidery. if you’re a commoner, it’s hemp or cotton tunics and pants. men and women both wear hanfu, the traditional robe-like attire with wide sleeves and layered skirts. hair : hair is a BIG deal. long, neatly styled hair is a sign of respectability. women will have their hair pinned up with elaborate ornaments, while men tie theirs in a topknot or wear hats. colours : certain colours indicate status. yellow is reserved for the emperor, so do not wear it unless you want serious trouble. shoes : cloth or leather shoes for commoners, embroidered silk shoes for the wealthy. lotus shoes (for bound feet) exist but are not universal.

❛ pro tip from your travel guide ! clothes often reflect rank, so don’t dress above your station unless you want to get called out.

 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　┊

꒰ 𝐡ygiene and personal care.

bathing : hot baths were a thing, especially for the wealthy, but commoners bathed in rivers or public bathhouses. soap existed, but herbal infusions were more common.

teeth cleaning : chew sticks made of aromatic wood or herbal pastes.

perfume and skincare : scented powders and oils made from flowers and herbs were common, especially among noblewomen.

toilets : public latrines existed, often near marketplaces. rich households had chamber pots.

 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　┊

꒰ 𝐟ood and what you'll be eating.

staple foods : rice (southern china), millet and wheat (northern china), vegetables, and tofu.

meat or fish : pork was the most common, followed by chicken and duck. beef was rare due to buddhist influence.

street food : dumplings, noodles, and grilled skewers were available in bustling markets.

tea : a must-have, especially in later dynasties. if you’re in tang or song china, tea culture is booming.

chopsticks : learn how to use them. forks are not an option.

 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　┊

꒰ 𝐦oney and shopping.

ancient china used copper coins with square holes in the centre, strung together for convenience. paper money appears in the song dynasty.

everything from silk to fresh produce to exotic spices can be found in bustling markets. bargaining is expected, so don’t accept the first price.

trade : silk, porcelain, and tea are major commodities. if you want to make money, consider trading luxury goods.

 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　┊

꒰ 𝐬ocial class.

emperors or nobility : untouchable. bow deeply, avoid direct eye contact, and NEVER question them. scholars and officials : the ruling class of confucian-trained bureaucrats. respect them. merchants : despite their wealth, merchants were looked down upon as lower-class (confucian ideals valued scholars over businessmen). peasants and labourers : the majority of the population, hardworking and tied to their land. if you're asking what were women’s roles, it varies by dynasty, but generally, women are expected to be modest, obedient, and skilled in household arts.

❛ pro tip from your travel guide ! bowing is essential. use honourifics, speak respectfully, and never address a superior informally.

 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　┊

꒰ 𝐩ersonal safety.

crime and punishment : punishments are often brutal, especially under legalist rule (think qin dynasty). avoid breaking the law.

superstitions : witchcraft accusations or defying social norms can be dangerous, especially for women.

if you're travelling, roads are dangerous, with bandits common in rural areas. if possible, travel with an armed escort.

military : avoid battles unless you’re a trained warrior. war is frequent between dynasties and neighbouring states.

 　　　　　 　　　　　 　　　　　┊

꒰ 𝐟inal tips for a successful integration.

please.....learn basic mandarin (or classical chinese). speaking the language is key. written chinese changes over time, so be aware of your era.

adopt confucian values, such as respect for elders, duty, and harmony are essential cultural pillars.

stay in your lane, because blending in is survival. don’t attract unnecessary attention.

rituals, festivals, and ancestral worship are vital parts of daily life. follow traditions.

if all else fails, claim to be a wandering scholar or lost noble (but tread carefully).

congratulations!!!! you now have the basic knowledge needed to navigate ancient china without causing a diplomatic incident. or worse, getting yourself executed. step lightly, speak wisely, and drink your tea politely. happy shifting, time traveler!!!!!

( p.s., the pretty dividers were inspired by the ever-so-lovely @solanasreality and i think @elysian-fawn 's beautiful creativity possessed as i edited this. so. )

[bumblebeesfromvenus]

La vie en Amour 🩷

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ────── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

This is inspired by my Renaissance!Leon hcs that I did last Novemeber! You all loved it so much, and I did say I'd make a full story, so here it is!

I hope you enjoy 😚

♠︎

《Content》: NSFW. proceed with caution. Breast worship. PiV. creampie. Semi public sex? (They fuck in a carriage). Disgustingly in love individuals. So much love. Sickening. Sapphics. R's chamber maid is gay af. Basically a fantasy version of the Renaissance Era.

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ────── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

As the wife of Duke Kennedy, it's not unusual for you to attend events. Your husband, as doting as ever, insists to dress you up himself. What is unusual, however, is the two of you having a quick, passionate romp on your way to the ball <3

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ────── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

"Which gown would you like to wear tonight, my lady?" Your maid, Rosalinde, asked while you were sat at your vanity.

Your fingers smoothed over your skin, working in the herb-infused oil.

The pleasant smell hit your nose, leaving a faint taste on your tongue. You smiled, looking at Rosalinde through the mirror.

"The light pink one with the lace. Just like the roses he gave me." You sighed dreamily, the pad of your thumb brushing against one of the many soft petals of the luscious bouquet that decorated your vanity.

She returned a sweet smile of her own, giving you a nod before dismissing herself to prepare your gown.

You were clothed in a soft, silken rob, waiting for your bath. You'd been invited to a grand ball this evening, and as the Duchess and Wife of Duke Kennedy, you had every plan to show the best side of yourself at such an extravagant event.

In the background you could pick up the sound of your bathtub being filled with bucket after bucket of steaming water.

Your fingers moved down your neck to massage in the oil, and through the mirror, you caught a glimpse of Rosalinde, watching, admiring you, partially hidden by the door frame.

You locked gazes, and she shyed away quickly, but a warm feeling rose on your cheeks and inside your chest.

The smell of lavender, honey, and creamy milk lingered in the air, signaling that your bath must be ready.

Your husband spoiled you, insisting you only get the best and most luxurious treatment.

You were hopelessly in love, daydreaming of how you would dance tonight, his gentle touches and a soft smile that never failed to have your heart oozing out of your ribcage, coating your insides.

You were pulled out of your love-induced fantasies by Rosalinde as she came to stand by your side.

"You may take your bath now, your grace." She spoke, an ever so gentle and calm tone to her voice.

You figured she'd collected herself but you could see the faintest hint of pink on her face.

"Thank you, my dear." You replied warmly, walking beside her on your way to your bath chamber.

Steam was rising from the tub, thickening the air.

She helped you out of your robe, her fingers grazing your shoulders. The touch made you sigh quietly, a pleasant feeling crawling up your spine.

You carefully stepped into the bath, sinking into the aromatic water with a relieved hum. You were evenloped by warmth and calming smells, the tension in your flesh slowly melting away.

Rosalinde settled behind you, attending to your hair.

Brushes, combs, oils, her fingers scratching your scalp. All of it made your eyes fall shut as you reveled in the comfort of your bath.

"Have you picked your jewels yet, my lady?" She asked quietly as not to disturb your peace.

A smile stretched over your face.

"The Duke insists he pick them himself." You heard your most trusted chamber maid chuckle behind you.

"Has he? He is quite smitten with you. Even as your husband." She responded, amused.

You giggled, dragging your hand through the water.

"I'm truly lucky to have him." You spoke softly.

A beat of comfortable silence fell over the room before Rosalinde spoke again.

"I wish to have such a blooming love like you and the Duke have once in my life." Your expression softened, and you turned your head to look at her, gently reaching your hand up to your shoulders and grasping hers in your palm.

"And you will, dear girl. I know you will. Although it feels torturous to have patience, it will be worth it." You said softly, hoping the sincerity in your words wasn't lost on her.

Your maid gave you a small smile, a flustered chuckled escaping her lips.

"Thank you, your grace. You are far too gentle and have a soul that is much too kind to be a noble. You're a true conundrum." Rosalinde chuckled, making you laugh softly.

Your heartfelt conversation was interrupted by a knock on your chamber doors.

Her hands slipped from your hair, and she dismissed herself with a mumbled excuse, rising to her feet and hastily walking to the door.

Your brows were furrowed in confusion. Who would knock at this hour?

All your tasks for the day were done, and everyone knew you'd be out of the house tonight. Surely there couldn't be an emergency?

You frowned slightly, hoping it wasn't a servant stumbling over his words to summon you to the council for more Duchessly duties.

Rosalinde came back with a smile, the door just out of your eyesight.

"The Duke wishes to see you, my lady."

A soft and playful roll of your eyes accompanied by a chuckle echoed through the room.

"All this time and he still asks. Of course he can see me." You replied with a smile, sitting up in the tub.

She nodded and quickly made her way back to the door, returning with your husband just a moment later.

"My darling wife." Leon announced, a soft expression on his features.

You lit up, pulling yourself out of the water, hands grasping the edge of the bathtub. Rosalinde rushed over to you and offered you her hand to steady you.

Rivulets of water and oil were running down the curves of your bare body, your skin shining. You stood at your full height and carefully stepped over the edge of the tub.

From the corner of your vision, you could've sworn you saw Rosalinde blush, her eyes admiring your glistening breasts before she quickly averted her eyes.

You glanced over at her.

"Thank you, Rosa. Go rest. I'll call for you if needed." You said kindly, watching as she nodded quickly and scurried off.

Both you and Leon watched her leave before he stepped forward.

"My Venus." He whispered, pressing his lips to yours in a soft kiss, his arms resting on your slick waist.

You smiled into the kiss, wrapping your arms around his neck. He didn't care that his shirt got soaked, all he wanted was to hold you.

You rested your forehead against his, your lips brushing occasionally.

"You truly know the way to a woman's heart." You giggled.

He cracked a smile and huffed softly.

"I know the way to your heart." He muttered, placing one peck after the other on your lips.

You squealed softly, trying to push him away, your hands flat on his chest.

"Let's get you dried off. We need to get you ready for that ball, hm? I know you'll look positively ravishing." Leon nosed at your neck, letting his lips graze your collarbone before pulling away.

The water on your skin had dried to a dull sheen.

"Oh, you'll get me ready, will you?" You asked amused, making your way towards your husband who was holding open a large linen cloth, ready to dry you.

"Do you doubt me, my love?" A sly grin sitting on his face.

You rolled your eyes, turning your back to him as he covered you in the linen, holding you in an embrace simultaneously.

"I would never. Pray and tell, why do I have maids when you want to do everything yourself?" He chuckled softly.

"I enjoy pampering you, dear. Can a husband not love on his wife?" Leon pressed a kiss to your cheek.

"No shame in that. But what will my girls do all day? They'll bore to death." You leaned your head back, resting it against his shoulder.

"They can attend to you when I've had my fill." He hummed, rubbing his hands up and down your arms to dry them off.

"And when will that be?" You chuckled, smiling.

"When I'm dead."

"Oh, you!" You scolded, slapping his arm while he only broke into laughter.

"Get yourself dry. I'll pick out your jewels in the meantime." He spoke softly, stifling a chuckle when you huffed, a pout on your lips.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

You stepped out in your cotton chemise, the fabric brushing loosely against your skin.

Leon was hunched over your vast collection of jewelery, touching the cooling precious stones and metals. He turned at the sound of your feet on the floor, greeting you with a smile.

"There you are. Come, sit." He beckoned, motioning to your bed.

With a soft chuckle you situated yourself on the cushy layers of feathers and silk.

He knelt down on one knee in front of you, pushing up the hem of your chemise, slipping one of your stockings on your leg and pressing a kiss to your knee.

The other went on in the same fashion, and he took his time carefully tying a ribbon around them so they wouldn't shift or fall down all evening.

You smiled down at him gently, your heart swelling at the softness he was displaying.

Your hands stroked his sandy locks, coming down to caress his cheek.

"You still need to get ready yourself." You muttered, sighing when he dragged his hands up your thighs, grasping your hips.

"And here I was looking forward to dressing you like my own little doll." He chuckled lowly.

"I'll let you put on all the jewels. But I don't need my laces coming undone in the middle of the dance floor." You smirked, laughing when he huffed and lightly jabbed you in the side.

You cupped his chin and lifted his head towards you.

"You clean up nicely, my love. Go on." You spoke softly, placing a kiss to his lips, urging him to get dressed himself.

Leon hummed contently, pulling away and rising from his knees.

"You'll save the good things for me?" He asked, his thumb stroking over your cheekbone.

"I promise." You smiled, holding his wrist in a gentle grasp.

His gaze softened as he leaned down to press a kiss to your forehead.

"Until then." He whispered, the warmth of his touch slipping as he departed to his own chambers.

A soft chuckle escaped you and you glanced at the luscious roses sitting on your vanity before pulling on the tassel that would ring the bell in the servants quarters, successfully calling for Rosalinde.

Just a moment later the door opened and she peaked her head in.

"You called for me, your grace?"

You gave her a smile and beckoned her inside with a wave of your hand.

"Would you be so kind to dress me?" You asked, getting up from your place on the bed.

"But of course, my lady. You needn't ask." She smiled, beginning to whizz around the room to get everything ready.

"But leave my shoes and jewels, will you?"

She stopped and looked at you with a puzzled expression.

"Your grace?"

"Duke's orders."

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

And so, the great cinching began.

First came your stays, the boned structure keeping your bosom secure while also helping with your posture.

Next was any padding such as a bumroll or a crinoline. Whatever you fancied that night.

Now, petticoat after petticoat to build the voluptuous skirt of your gown. Some simple, made from cotton, while the last one was made from silk trimmed with lace.

Rosalinde reached around your waist to tie on your pocket before holding your dress for you to step into.

She laced it in the front, making sure to add an ornately embroidered stomacher.

"You look absolutely wonderful, my lady." Rosalinde sighed, staring at you with awe.

You looked at yourself in the mirror, smoothing your hands over the rich fabrics.

"I feel wonderful. All thanks to you." You smiled softly, catching her eye.

A faint blush dusted her cheeks and she chuckled nervously.

"Oh, please, your grace- Hair?" She said quickly, clearing her throat.

You laughed and nodded.

"Yes, hair."

Rosalinde worked her fingers through your locks, pinning a curl here, brading a stand there.

You watched her through the mirror, taking notice of the concentrated furrow between her brows, making you crack a faint smile.

In the end, your hair was decorated with pearls, ribbons, feathers, whatever your heart desired.

"You did marvously, as always." You smiled widely.

"Thank you, my lady." She replied with a smile.

You stood up from your seat, turning and taking her hands in yours.

"Thank you." You spoke sincerely.

"Of course. Just ring for me when you get back later-"

"We'll manage. You deserve some time for yourself. I'll see you in the morning, please enjoy your evening." You gave her hands a gentle squeeze.

Rosalinde looked stunned, her eyes wide and her lips parted.

"I-... are you sure, your grace? I'm grateful, but-" You chuckled and gently interrupted her.

"Hush. Please, I insist."

"W-Well then. Whatever you wish, my lady." She chuckled nervously, averting her eyes with a shy smile.

You gave her knuckles one last caress before letting her hands slide from your grasp.

"Good. Off you go." You smiled.

Rosalinde nodded with kind expression and made her way to the door, sparing you one glance over her shoulder before she slipped out of the room.

With content sigh, you made your way to the full-length mirror in your chambers.

Your reflection was almost blinding with the amount of pearls and crystals that were sewn onto your gown.

The silk gave off a faint shimmer as you smoothed your hands down the slightly cool material.

The lace on your sleeves brushed against your skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

The sound of a distinctive knocking pattern echoed from the heavy wooden door. A smile cracked on your lips, the familiarity and comfort of the signal sitting in your chest.

"Come in." You called out, turning away from the mirror.

The door opened with a creak, and your polished husband stepped inside, a soft smile gracing his features.

"Husband." You greeted gently, meeting him halfway.

His arms wrapped around your waist and he pressed his forehead against yours, his quiet exhale a warm breeze on your face.

"My love. My pearl. My Venus. The light of my life. I never thought it true, but Cupid strikes me with an arrow anew every day. No words a poet could manage to write would be enough to describe how you reign over my heart, soul, and flesh."

His confession tumbled off his lips with ease, making your heart beat faster while the grip on your middle tightened.

Your hand went to cup his face, gently caressing his cheekbone.

"My heart. My sapphire. My Mars. The very air I breathe. The sight of you makes the affection spill between my ribs, and my lips ache for just one more kiss."

A soft huff left Leon before be pulled you in for a kiss so gentle, your bones were ready to melt beneath his touch. You hummed against his lips, a pleasant tingle crawling up your spine.

A firm hand slid up your back to rest between your shoulder blades, closing the distance.

To your dismay, he detached his mouth first, a chuckle leaving him at your protests.

"Why must you tease me so?" You pouted, fixing a stray lock of blond hair.

"I have no ill intent, I assure you. You're simply irresistible, my darling." He purred, nuzzling your neck, making you giggle.

"Alright, alright. Unfortunately, we have a ball to intend to, so your physical affections must wait, my love." You cooed, smoothing your hands down the lapels of his jacket.

"A shame indeed." He hummed, taking your hand and guiding it up to his face to press a kiss to your knuckles.

"However, I believe you were promised something." You spoke gently, stepping to the side to reveal your vanity where your jewels were laid out.

A pair of your shoes were sitting neatly beside the chair, waiting to be danced in. Leon's expression softened, and he pulled you after him.

"I do get to dress my pretty little doll after all, hm?" He smiled, dropping to one knee before you to guide your foot into your shoe.

His grip on your ankle was firm but gentle, leaving you to steady yourself with your hands on his shoulders. The second one went on just as easy.

Before he had a chance to stand back up, you pressed a peck to the top of his head. Leon's hands rested on your hips, his forehead falling against your stomach as he reveled in the tenderness of the moment.

A cloud of gentleness and love seemed to follow the both of you everywhere, leaving the world around you in a pink tint.

With a sigh he rose to his feet, stroking his knuckles down the side of your face with a sugary smile before stepping around you.

The dangling jewels that were your earrings were carefully secured to your lobe, a peck beneath each ear.

Lastly, the necklace he chose, rose quartz and pearls, was draped around your neck and fastened with the clasp before a kiss was placed at the base of your skull.

A gentle hand on your waist turned you to face him, an almost lovesick expression gracing his handsome features.

"Look at you, my angel. As pretty as ever." His words were soft, a quiet truth straight from his heart.

"You're too good to me." You chuckled, pressing one last kiss to his lips.

"The carriage must be ready by now. Shall we, darling?" You asked, resting your hand in the crook of his elbow.

He hummed, amused.

"Are you that eager to leave our little cocoon?" He teased, leading the way to the door.

You let out a soft laugh.

"Not quite. But... I have to show an entire noble society how handsome my husband is." You grinned cheekily, pulling him along while Leon was left laughing with a blush dusted across his cheeks, shaking his head at you.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

The carriage was dimly illuminated, throwing shadows on the intricate fabrics that cushioned the walls.

It was a bumpy ride, the wooden wheels of the vessel having to best rocks, loose cobblestone roads, and mud.

You were seated next to Leon, your hand in his while you occupied yourself with following the swirling pattern of the interior of the carriage.

He was quiet beside you, occasionally glancing out the small window. The rough calloused pads of his fingers traced the bones in your hand, gently caressing the skin.

"Look," Leon said with a small smile, pointing out of the window. "A pair of swans."

You followed his finger, getting up from your seated position and leaning over him while you marveled at the heartwarming picture before you.

"Aren't they precious! Oh, how lovely.." you sighed dreamily, watching as the two lovers swam into the sunset.

Your hand was planted on his shoulder, steadying yourself against the rocking of the carriage.

While you were busy marveling at the picturesque scene unfolding in front of you, Leon's eyes were glued to the glistening skin of your cleavage.

Your stays did wonders for your bosom, keeping them right in his line of sight.

He leaned in, gently nosing at your neck, taking in the irresistible smell of your perfume and of you.

His hands first grasped at your waist, pulling you onto his lap, your legs swung over his.

Your knees were almost up against the door as Leon held you sideways in his arms. You giggled softly, wrapping your arms around him, carding your fingers through the sandy curls at the base of his skull.

Your lover was busy breathing you in, brushing his lips against the exposed swell of your breasts, almost bewitched.

"You smell absolutely wonderful, my darling love..." he said lowly, the words a deep rumble in his throat.

"Yes? I'm wearing that new perfume you gifted me. I take it its gotten your approval?" You grinned slightly, running the pad of your thumb along his soft jawline.

Leon chuckled darkly, placing a firm hand around the back of your neck. The touch wasn't rough, no, it was gentle as always. A mere suggestion instead than a demand.

"You have no idea." He breathed, quickly guiding your head towards his, connecting your mouths in a feverish kiss.

You clutched at him anywhere you could, moaning against his lips. His teeth clashed with yours, your tongues dancing together in a familiar waltz of passion.

Leon hummed contently, reveling the taste of you on his tastebuds. You pulled back for air, panting softly while you cupped his cheek, smiling at him with your puffy lips. He cupped your chin and slightly turned your head towards him.

"You are the image of divinity." He said quietly, pupils blown, as if he were in a trance, caught in your spell.

Heat crawled up your neck onto your cheeks, dozens of butterflies hatching from their cocoons in the pit of your stomach.

"You flatter me far too much, my sweet." You chuckled, placing a soft kiss to his lips.

Leon groaned softly, the grip on your chin tightening slightly.

"There's no such thing." He smirked, snaking a hand up to the middle of your back and pressing you further into him.

Your playful eyeroll and any witty remark you would've made was cut short as his head dipped down to run his hot tongue over the curve of your breasts, pressing sloppy kisses to your soft skin.

A gasp caught in your throat, your hand flying to the back of his head to keep him right where he was. Soft moans and sighs fell from your lips while Leon gently sucked and licked your flesh.

The squealed when his teeth nipped at your tits, pulling him back with a firm grip on his hair.

"No marks, my love. You can't leave any- not now." You panted, your chest heaving.

Leon made a displeased sound, something akin to soft growl, before he looked back up at you.

"Later?"

You nodded hastily.

"When we get back, I'll gladly be your canvas. But I cannot show my face at such an event with lovebites all over my décolletage." You chuckled, resting your forehead against his.

He huffed, amused, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"I suppose you're right." He muttered, chasing your mouth for another kiss.

You moaned when you felt his hard cock through the fabric of his pants. Leon groaned, quickly helping you to straddle his lap.

The many layers of your gown were hiked up to your wide hips, draping across the entirety of his legs, covering them completely.

He reached between your plush thighs, dragging his fingers over your sopping wet slit. You were desperately trying to stay attached to his mouth, not knowing whether you wanted to be devoured whole or if you wanted to be the one to devour him.

Your breath hitched when the rough pads of his fingers caught on your sensitive clit, rubbing at the bundle of nerves. Your hips began moving on their own, craving the euphoric feeling of his fingers on your cunt.

"So wet..." he sighed into your mouth. He pulled away, breathless.

"May I be inside you? Please?" Leon asked, face flushed and chest heaving.

"Yes."

The word tumbled from your lips faster than you could think. He tugged his dick from his breaches and gave it a few strokes, your slick lubricating him perfectly.

The head of his cock nudged your hole, sending a spark up your spine, a whine ripping from your throat.

"Are you sure you want this, my pearl?" Leon asked softly, trying his best, but failing, to hide the desperate strain in his voice.

"If you do not get inside of me right this second-"

you began with a huff, cutting yourself off by kissing him once again.

He was startled, chuckling into your mouth before finally sinking inside of you. You mewled against eachother at the familiar feeling.

With a heavy fog of pleasure clouding your senses, you began moving, even just to hear that gasp that fell from Leon's lips just a moment later.

His hands gripped your hips to help you move but also to steady you. The carriage ride was rough and jolty, making you bounce on his lap.

Your arms were tightly wrapped around his neck as you cried out for him, the coil of bliss in your belly tightening.

"Oh, Gods, yes-!" You moaned, hiding your face in the crook of his neck.

Leon was lost in pleasure as much as you were, groans and grunts ripping from his throat. You moved your hips up and down, back and forth, needing to feel every ridge and vein of his cock against your velveteen walls.

His thumb found its way between your bodies and your petticoats to rub at your clit just how you liked.

You melted at the sensation, a string of moans leaving you. Leon continued to move you up and down his dick, gently kissing your cheek. The dull ache in your thighs made you pause, simply sitting on him to take a breather.

He admired you, stroking his thumb along your jaw. The vessel was still shaking, hitting a rock or an uneven part of the road as you jolted in his lap, forcing his cock even deeper.

You yelped and fell against him, a high-pitched, strangled noise similar to mewl tumbling from your lips. Leon snorted, followed by a quick cackle.

"Oh, shut it!" You scolded, hitting his shoulder.

"Yes, Ma'am." He purred, shutting you up with another hungry kiss.

He began moving you again, your eyes rolling into the back of your head. His thumb stayed on your clit, his tongue licking into your mouth.

You gasped against his lips when the coil in your stomach kept on tightening. Leon pulled away from you to take a look at your face.

"Are you close?" He asked, panting, a hand cupping the back of your head.

You nodded quickly.

"Mhm-"

Leon leaned in, his lips brushing the shell of your ear.

"Unravel for me, my darling. Come undone around me and sing your symphonies of bliss, my sweet songbird."

His whisper was sultry, however the strain and shake in his tone betrayed him.

You felt him twitch inside you, and with a last rock of the carriage and his thumb on your bundle of nerves, the coil snapped, and you came around him.

Your cunt clenched, gripping him like a vice. Your hands clutched him just as tightly while a moan of your name left him and he spilled inside of you, filling you up.

Your head fell to his shoulder, the euphoria of your high pumping in your veins. Your chests were heaving in sync, your bodies lax against one another. Leon pressed a kiss to your sweaty temple, fully wrapping his arms around you.

"Must we go to this ball?" You mumbled, your eyes falling shut.

He chuckled softly.

"I recall you being the one who insisted on dragging me out here."

You groaned but managed to sit yourself upright, only slightly whining at the feeling of his softening cock inside you. Your foreheads rested against eachother, a comfortable silence between the both of you.

"I hope you know that I'm utterly in love with you." Leon spoke quietly, not wanting to disturb such a peaceful moment.

You smiled, meeting his gaze.

"And I hope you know that you're the blood in my veins, the air I breathe, what gives me life." You replied softly, your hand cradling his face.

He smiled at you softly, his eyes filled with adoration.

"I love you, my Duchess."

"As do I, my Duke."

─── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ────── ⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅ ───

Ah, yes.

Shit like this makes my heart and my pussy cry-

Anywayyyyy

I'm back!!! I think.... I just needed a break from the world for a little bit.

I can't promise I'll be posting a lot bc I'm fucking exhausted, but my goal is to be more active on here again (maybe accept some X-mas requests?👀)

Let me know what you think of Renaissance!Leon! 🩷

Where would you have a lil romp with him?

More Leon and others -> 💫

《Taglist》: @k-fallingstar @dmitriene @vampkennedy @allysunny @withonly-sweetheart @entr4p3 @leonslittlekennedy

Lmk if you want to be added <3

[kitchenwitchtingss]

50 KITCHEN WITCH TIPS TO MAKE YOU FEEL MORE WITCHY

(And other useful things I've learned over the years)

Hi! This is a list of dos, don'ts, tips, tricks, and other fun things that I've learned over the years. I always love finding more effective and efficient ways of doing things so if you have any cool things you'd like to add, leave them in the comments or reblog. I'd love to read it.

Anyways... On with the list ^_^

Light candles around your kitchen space (just make sure nothing flammable is near you)

Annotate your cookbooks with the correspondence of the ingredients.

Mediating is really good to calm the mind before cooking.

Cut oranges and lemons thinly, dry them, and hang them with twine around your kitchen

Need a cleansing tip? Open all your windows near your kitchen. Let some fresh air in.

Cutting sigils into apples, pie crusts, and carved potatoes.

Save lemon and orange rinds, freeze them, and then use them to clean the garbage disposal.

Make infused oils and honey: Things like garlic honey, lavender honey, herb oil, sun oil, moon oil, dandelion oil, and other different edible oils are very fun and useful to make.

Hid sigils in pages of your cookbooks and kitchen witch journals.

Add some plants! Snake plants and spider plants don't need too much light, and growing your own herbs in your kitchen is awesome too. Basil, lavender, thyme, aloe vera, rosemary, etc. are good fits. You could also add some plants that require more sunlight on the kitchen window sill. Like cacti and succulents.

Bring crystals into your kitchen space such as rose quartz, clear quartz, amethyst, or whatever you want the space's intentions to be.

I keep a small money tree on the sill, along with cacti for luck and protection.

Make a simmer Pot! Mostly because it makes the whole house smell good, easy, and fun.

Stir clockwise for best results!

Learning how to pickle things is actually pretty witchy. Plus, anyone could do it as it requires absolutely no kitchen experience. You could pickle any vegetable, even if you don't like pickles. I originally learned this after having to take shelter from a natural disaster. A person brought a bunch of stuff and taught us how to pickle things with different spices and herbs. Very fun!

Decorate your kitchen with your favorite stuff. Crystals, decor, heat mits, that cool mushroom cake stand you've been eyeing at the World Market for the past 2 weeks, cool looking curtains, sun catchers. Why stop there? Paint the walls, hang shelves full of marked-up cookbooks that are a little too well-loved and thumbed through.

Wanna be the person that has the amazing-smelling house every time people come over? Syrups take some time to simmer down, it's actually a pretty good time to leave it on the stove to simmer. Since syrups have a lot of aromatic ingredients, it acts as a really good-smelling simmer pot.

Hang up herbs to dry with twine from cabinets that are rarely used.

Invest in that new set of plates and cups.

Homemade jams, butter, sauces, and syrups are your best friend.

Crochet or knit your own dish rags, pot holders, etc.

Don't pour extremely hot things into a glass that's not Pyrex, it will break, and you will be very sad about it.

Don't cook anything while extremely upset or emotional (For safety reasons)

Make recipes you want to make, not just because you'll like the effect. Make it because you think it's tasty.

Chinese Five Spice works in place of herbs for protection and luck spells a lot of the time! It's cheaper to buy 1 spice than 4 different spices that total up to 15 dollars when you could just spend 3-4 dollars.

Take a shower before cooking (I don't know how to explain this one other than it makes you feel better)

Don't use microfiber/plastic material clothes on hot burners, it will fuse to the burner and melt. It is VERY hard to get off.

I don't know if I need to put this one but I did see someone do it so nonstick pan = wooden utensils and plastic utensils, metal pan = metal utensils. Do not use a metal spoon in a nonstick pan, please. It can make you very sick.

Keep your pets away from hot oil, open ovens, and hot pans.

You can proof bread dough in the fridge overnight if you don't have the time to bake, or want to eat fresh bread right in the morning.

Need a quick witchy meal for dinner in 12 minutes? Use premade tomato pasta sauce and doctor it up with thyme, rosemary, and garlic, for protection and distilling stagnant energies. Serve with pasta of your liking.

You can substitute Butter for Crisco/shortening, buttermilk for 1 cup of milk + 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, and heavy cream for 1 cup of half and half plus 2 tbsp of butter.

Use leftover animal bones to make bone broth

Teach yourself the art of bread scoring (It's fun, and you can show it off to your loved ones!)

Collect and hoard your own and others' family recipes.

Sometimes the food doesn't have to be a spell, sometimes it just makes you feel good and you don't know why.

Listen to your favorite music in the kitchen, it makes the monotonous things like chopping veggies move faster.

Invest in a vegetable chopper if you don't like chopping vegetables.

Find a really good hot cocoa recipe and make it once a week. Master it. Just for your own happiness because hot cocoa is really good. You could also be the friend/family member that makes the best hot cocoa ever.

Focaccia Bread Lasts a very long time, and it's very easy to make!

Keep a first aid kit near where the oven is, in case of burns, cuts, or serious injuries where time is everything.

Quick Bread and no-rise loaves are simple for beginners, tasty, and take little time. They also feel very witchy to make.

Study a bit of Herbalism! It's fun and really helps better understand the herbs you're putting into your food.

While something is boiling, put your wooden spoon over the pot to minimize the chance of something boiling over.

Try a bit of coffee magick, it's simple to get into, and gives you a boost of energy to take on the day!

If you're over 21, wine-making is a very interesting way to celebrate the sabbats. Just with that, make sure you KNOW what you're doing. With anything fermented, there's always a risk if you don't store things correctly. Apple wines, strawberry wines, dandelion wines, etc. all very cool to experiment with. If you're not over 21, vinegar is a similar way to experiment.

Hang up some witchy things, sigils, photos, cool magnets, and other things that give you joy on your fridge. (Sometimes if you are lucky they have some fun magnets at five below)

If you live in the US, for some reason, there are a lot of books in the book section dedicated to witchcraft and spirituality. At least where I live. And they are all under 5 dollars!

Teas are the cheapest and easiest things you can practice being a kitchen witch.

[ask-barbatos]

While the purity of Camellia Sinensis is a marvel in itself, the world of tea extends far beyond the simple leaf that is often called a True Tea. Let's talk about flavor-infused tea.

Infused tea

The practice of infusing tea with flavors dates back centuries, with evidence of flavored teas found in ancient Chinese and Indian cultures. Early methods of infusion involved adding herbs, spices, or flowers directly to the tea leaves during steeping. Over time, more sophisticated techniques were developed, such as extracting essential oils from aromatic plants and adding them to the tea.

Today, infused teas are typically created using one of two methods:

Direct Infusion: The most common method involves adding dried herbs, spices, or fruits directly to the tea leaves before steeping. This allows the flavors to infuse naturally into the tea, creating a harmonious blend.

Flavoring Oils: Essential oils extracted from aromatic plants can be added to the tea after steeping. This method allows for precise control over the intensity of the flavor and can be used to create subtle or bold infusions.

One of the most renowned flavor-infused teas is Earl Grey, a black tea infused with the fragrant oil of bergamot orange. The citrusy notes of bergamot dance harmoniously with the rich, full-bodied flavor of black tea, creating a truly exquisite beverage. Earl Grey is a versatile tea that can be enjoyed hot or iced, and it pairs well with a variety of foods.

Aside from Earl Grey, the world of flavor-infused teas is vast and varied. From the delicate floral notes of jasmine tea to the bold fruity flavors of berry teas, there is a flavor combination to suit every palate.

Pictured above: (top) Jasmine infused green tea from Fujian Tea Import & Export Co., (bottom) Blood Orange herbal tea from Harney & Sons Fine Teas. [Blend: Apple pieces, rose hips, hibiscus, beetroot, orange peel, orange flavor, marigold petals, safflower petals.]

Some of the other popular flavor-infused teas include:

Jasmine Tea: A green tea infused with jasmine flowers, offering a delicate floral aroma and a slightly sweet taste.

Chai Tea: A black tea spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, creating a warm and comforting blend.

Fruit Teas: A variety of teas infused with fruit flavors, such as strawberry, raspberry, or peach, providing a sweet and tangy taste.

Fruit teas are excellent for cold-brewed iced tea. I will cover cold-brewing later, so please look forward to that.

When choosing a flavor-infused tea, consider your personal preferences and the occasion. A delicate floral tea might be perfect for a relaxing afternoon, while a bold and spicy chai tea could be a comforting choice on a cold day.

The choice of infusion depends on the desired flavor profile and the characteristics of the ingredients being used. For example, delicate floral flavors may be best achieved using direct infusion, while strong, bold flavors can be created using flavoring oils.

If you wish to create your own infused tea, that will have to be a separate post. For now, it is enough to be able to identify the tea you are brewing so that you can handle it appropriately.

Brewing infused teas requires a balance of technique and intuition. First, identify the ingredients. When brewing a cup of tea, it's good to know what temperature and length of time to steep your tea for.

A tea labeled "Peach" may be a white tea with peach flavoring, and it may be best to brew it at a temperature appropriate for white tea. Blends may consist of varying ingredients that require different temperatures, so some experimentation may be in order to find the best brewing temperature to get the most of each flavor.

Herbal tea

Beyond the True Tea, there lies a world of herbal teas, each offering a unique blend of flavors and health benefits. Herbal teas are made from a variety of plants, including herbs, spices, and fruits. They are often enjoyed for their medicinal properties, as well as their delicious taste.

As no part of an herbal tea contains the Camellia Sinensis plant, these teas are not considered "True Teas". That does not mean we cannot enjoy them, however.

For the most part, an herbal tea will not contain any caffeine, unlike the tea produced from the Camellia Sinensis plant. This makes them more suitable to enjoy in the evening or late hours.

Pictured above: (from top to bottom) Roses, honeysuckle, chrysanthemums, mint and lavender.

Some popular herbal teas include:

Chamomile Tea: Made from chamomile flowers, this tea is known for its calming and relaxing properties.

Peppermint Tea: Made from peppermint leaves, this tea is refreshing and aids digestion.

Ginger Tea: Made from ginger root, this tea is warming and can help soothe an upset stomach.

Hibiscus Tea: Made from hibiscus flowers, this tea has a tart, fruity flavor and is rich in antioxidants.

As with many blends, it is helpful to experiment a little with the temperature and steep time to get the most of your tea. Intuition will follow experience.

The ideal steeping temperature for infused teas and herbal teas can vary depending on the specific ingredients and desired flavor intensity. However, here are some general guidelines:

Delicate floral or fruity teas: 175-185°F (79-85°C)

Bold, spicy teas: 195-212°F (90-100°C)

Herbal teas: 175-212°F (79-100°C), depending on the specific herbs used

Serving suggestions: Cream is usually not served with fruit teas, as the acidity in some will cause the milk to curdle. Lemon slices are commonly served with Earl Grey, however, as with the fruit tea, lemon can also cause cream to curdle. Sugar or honey are appropriate for nearly any tea.

It's always a good idea to experiment with different temperatures to find the perfect brew for your taste. I hope this has been informational and helpful to my students who wish to become better acquainted with tea.

[greenwitchcrafts]

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris | Thymus serpyllum

Known as: Common thyme & garden thyme

Related plants: There are hundreds of species of thyme. Some members of the genus thymus are aromatic evergreen herbs in the mint family Lamiaceae (Like shown) that include basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano,hyssop lavender, catnip, bee balm, salvia, wild dagga, oriental motherwort & perilla

Parts used : Leaves

Habitat and cultivation: This shrub is native to southern Europe from the western Mediterranean to southern Italy. It thrives in medium-dry, sandy, loose & well drained soils.

Plant type: Perennial

Region: 2-10 with zones below 5 using both mulch and protections from frost damage.

Harvest: Anytime

Growing tips: This plant does the best in full sun in a well draining container. Like rosemary, it is very hard to grow from seed and therefore should look into cuttings or getting a starter plant from a nursery. I highly recommend lemon thyme.

Medicinal information: Thyme contains the compound thymol, which can help control or neutralize some bacterial, parasitic, fungal, or viral infections and have  anti-inflammatory properties.  been used to strengthen the lungs, purge the body of  phlegm, as a remedy for shortness of breath, to kill worms. It was applied as an ointment to remove “hot swellings” and warts, and to ease pains in the spleen, the loins, and hips.

Cautions: Fresh and dried thyme is generally safe to eat or drink as a refreshing tea. But essential oils are different. They’re highly concentrated and can be toxic in their undiluted form. Ingesting too much thyme in essential oil could cause a risky drop in your blood pressure. 

Magickal properties

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Venus

Element: Water

Deities: Faeries

Magical uses:

• Place under your pillow to prevent nightmares & to ensure a restful night's sleep

• Wear in your hair to make you seem irresistible

• Plant in your garden to attract faeries

• A little under your tongue is said to allow you to see faery folk more clearly

• Make and infusion in boiled water & add to your bath to help you release the past

• Carry thyme with you to help develop psychic powers

• Smell to steady nerves, invoke courage & attract good health

• Burn to clear negative energies attached to you and renew them

• Hang to bring peace to a sad or angry space

• The ancient Greeks used it in their baths and burnt it as incense in their temples, believing it was a source of courage

[ratsoh-writes]

Even more magic crops/food!

Berriis: pronounced “berries”, this is a magical fruit native to all the underground AUs. It grows on a thick thorny bush. The little fruits grow in tight clusters. They’re wrinkly and metallic resembling little gold nuggets. They’re incredibly sour and have a sort of apple-ish flavor. They’re often used in marinades for seafoods and other meats. The fruits can only be eaten fresh however as any attempts to freeze or dry them cause the berriis to crumble to a bitter gross dust

Chimcheeps: this tuber vegetable is long, incredibly so. The roots of the plant can grow up to 12 feet into the ground. The root itself is nothing special, tasting like a red potato. The plant when ready to harvest though produces a large feathery brown flower that chirps clicks and hoots at any creature that draws near. Chimcheeps are native to birdswap only for some reason

Moongold apricot: this is a new crop in ebott bred by a farmtale monster. The apricots were crossbred with gauzeberries to create a pale milky white fruit that glows under the moonlight. They’re delicious with a light airy flavor not unlike any other fruit. Many claim that if you could eat the moon, that’s what it would taste like.

Mayobay: this is a herb native to the sea AUs. The underwater herb is small growing low to the ground. It has milky white leaves and gives off a faint smell of eggs when on land. It’s got a buttery taste and makes a great milk replacement in baking and cooking!

Lily of the tides: another crop native to the sea AUs, this magical plant is a MASSIVE ocean lily pad. The lily pads themselves are quite wide and can grow to be the size of cars. The largest one recorded was the size of a semi truck in diameter. The edible part of the plant is the seeds that are produced once a year after the plant flowers. They are difficult to harvest and grow and so are extremely expensive. The seeds taste just like almonds and have mild growing properties making them prized to young people hoping to gain an inch or two of height before they stop growing.

Butterspice: closely related to the basil plant, this magical herb has a yummy spring green leaf with a pale yellow underbelly. In the rainy seasons the leaves balloon into pockets of juice that taste just like unsalted butter! It doesn’t have the same fat content as actual butter so it’s no good for baking, but it makes a lovely spread.

The Mariana tea plant: this magical plant was bred by a monster in farmswap through crossbreeding various tea bushes with some less popular magical varieties. The result is a hardy bush designed to handle floods and overwatering easily, making it perfect to grow underground in waterfall. The bush’s tea leaves are sweet and fruity, and they get incredibly sour if sugar is added, so it’s best to drink the tea as is.

Blackgrass: native to the grimms, this tiny low growing herb consists of hundreds of pitch black blades carpeting the floor much like grass would. Blackgrass is extremely aromatic having a peppery scent. It has great antibacterial properties making it a common medicine and cleaning supply ingredient. A common household cleaner can be made from infusing a spray bottle of water with a handful of Blackgrass and some lemon. Its spicy flavor however is overpowering and rarely used in cooking. A single blade can turn a full cauldron of liquid into an eye watering spicy hell

Ash-choker: a thick woody vine native to lamiatale, the ashy choker is a difficult plant to maintain as it grows rapidly choking the life out of any trees it entangles. It’s a parasitic plant that steals nutrients from its hosts, but also craves ash. The plant reproduces with fire so is often first seen sprouting in campfires and fireplaces. A fully grown ashchoker produces a wrinkly grey fruit in the summers that has an avocado like texture and a peachy flavor.

Hawkweed: a thorny greenish grey herb that grows best in high places, hawkweed is native to all the bird AUs. The magical herb creates a spiky orange flower in the fall that can be eaten. It tastes a bit like dill and cloves and can be powdered into a spice. Eating one raw will temporarily enhance ones eyesight far beyond what that person could normally see.

Kingsfoil: previously known as the silver gourd, its name was changed to honor king, the royal who made the vegetable popular. Kingsfoil is a type of pumpkin developed by a farmfell mage. It has a handsome metallic silver skin and a deep crimson flesh when cut open. It’s incredibly juicy and soft inside when you get past the rough skin and tastes great in barbecues and skewers. The pumpkins when hallowed out and dried also make handsome decorations.

Barrelstalk: a magical plant native to Underwest, this plant is distantly related to celery if you trace its roots far enough back. The barrelstalk is a bright yellow plant with white tipped thin stringy leaves. The plant has a single yellow stalk that balloons out to the size of a watermelon in the rainy months. The stalk can be tapped, and the juice has moisturizing properties making it a great lotion or lubricant. It’s used often in factories to keep machinery running smoothly

Dead man’s guide: the dead man’s guide is a magical tree with a silvery grey bark, and pale blueish leaves. It’s a beautiful tree resembling a wisteria, and in the fall it produces gorgeous navy blooms packed in tight little balls all around the tree. The flowers can be eaten raw and are often sprinkled on salads and desserts for decorations. However owning a tree is highly controversial as a dead man’s guide will only grow on top of the burial spot of a dead human. No other animal seems to give the tree the boost it needs. Often the dead man’s guide has been a key piece of evidence in solving murder cases.

Rosedew: a magical variety of roses found in all the farm AUs before the crash, the rosebush only blooms in the early hours of the morning and produces a pretty lavender colored flower. When blooming season is over, the leftover rose hips can be sautéed and eaten in a variety of dishes. They have a crisp floral taste. The rosedew bush seems to attract all moisture around it always keeping the soil surrounding it damp within a 10 foot radius. Many gardeners use this bush in dry areas to save on water costs

Halo citrus: a magical citrus tree from the farm AUs, this tree resembles the classic orange tree. However its fruits instead have a pure white peel, and the flavor is incredibly tart. If one eats a halo fruit, they’ll find their insides start glowing like a beacon, causing glowing eyes, nostrils and mouths in most cases lol. The thick peel is a wonderful part of cooking and gives many recipes an orangey grapefruit flavor when grated. The fruit is also used in cosmetic potions that brighten a monsters magic color.

Bullrush bamboo: a magical variant of bamboo that is a dark brown in color, can be around 10-14 inches thick in diameter (per stem) and is incredibly tough. The bamboo magically strengthens itself with every physical impact it receives. Thankfully the effect lessens with inactivity or else it would be invulnerable. The plant is used as fencing for ranchers but has to be maintained regularly or else it will overrun the fields. The shoots of young plants can be eaten just like regular bamboo

Calcifern: found in lamiatale originally, this massive deep olive fern has bone white roots and a distinct chalky scent. It’s a bit woodsy tasting, but it seems to magically enhance bone strength and is an amazing superfood for those healing from breaks or growing children. Also the plant loves table scraps, and any bone and meat material left next to it will get scooped up by a moving root and dragged into the soil. Some dedicated calcifern forums claim the plant can be trained and shows signs of affection to its owners, but it hasn’t actually been proven.

Starseeds: a crop from the outer AUs, starseeds come from a small bush with navy blue stems and deep reddish purple leaves. The fruit of the plant is edible as well and is known as Star-bites, but the real magic is in the seeds. When the cluster of seeds inside each berry are eaten, one begins to produce quite a bit of body heat. It can be dangerous for humans to eat the seeds in large amounts, but most monster types find them delightful. They have a sort of fruity and cinnamon like flavor

Crimson ladies: a flower created by a farmfell monster and the rights completely bought up by Marcello goldenfoot for one of his mates anniversary gift. The crimson lady is a beautiful pitcher plant type flower with deep dark red petals that seem to blacken the closer you get to the flowers base. The flower has a wide opening and base, but a small middle giving it the appearance of a lady with an hour glass figure. The whole plant is edible, with the small spiked leaves being used in salads, the roots cooked like parsnips and the flowers able to be eaten raw. The huge petals are used as wraps for a tasty savory filling and steamed. They have a sort of nutty flavor.

Bun-Yums: a magical plant closely related to wild garlic, bun yums are adorable. The plant has two fuzzy green leaves resembling a bunny’s ears when poking out of the ground. The underground bulb of course is the edible part and is garlicky, and a tad spicier than its non magic counterpart. The plants ears vibrate when it senses rain and will give people a weather warning two days in advance.

Death-a-dil: a white petaled daffodil that looks a little bit like a birds skull. It’s a popular flower among alternative communities and is often used as inspiration for jewelry and clothing patterns. If the flowers need to be watered, they make little “ah ah ah” noises like a person in pain. Creepy. The bulbs can be picked and eaten and taste like any other flower bulb really.

Slugstool: a mushroom seen in almost every au, the slugstool is a slimy grey fungi with a flat top and wide stem. It emits a fishy flavor when ready to create spores in order to attract animals nearby. When the animal takes a bite, a little cloud of shrooms pores flies out of the stem. The slugstool is considered disgusting by most human standards with a vinegary fishy and mudlike flavor, but to monsters it’s absolutely delicious. They say it tastes just like snails.

Gravefist: a pale white mushrooms with five knobs that vaguely resemble a skeletons hand. The mushroom is native to undertale only and was a staple crop in the underground due to its hardy nature. It is strong against most pests and diseases and requires very little upkeep. It has a chicken like flavor and pairs well in any savory dish.

Jabberweed: from most underground AUs, the jabberweed is the echo flowers ugly cousin. It is a prickly puke green, thorny, and the flowers it produces are small and spaced too far apart to really provide decoration. The flowers will pick up sounds like echo flowers, but can’t quite piece them together, so the weed jabbers gibberish at people as they pass. It is edible, but rather flavorless. However it’s shelf life is unmatched, so is often used as a natural preservative in other foods. Almost every convenience food brand in ebott contains jabberweed.

Aaaaand more magic animals!

Fun-guys: not to be mistaken with fungi bitties, these little walking mushrooms come from undertale, underswap and underfell. They aren’t actually mushrooms but are more closely related to toads. The little animals have a shroom like top, and every spot on their head is in fact a little eyeball. Two legs underneath is what they walk with. They’re delicious, tasting like sweet pork when cooked, and they breed fast, so they’re quite popular as a meat animals. Some cuter varieties though are reaching the market as pets as well.

Earth wyrms: native to all the Drake AUs, this magical amphibian resembles a massive scaled earth worm. It reaches nearly 30 feet in length when fully grown but rarely gets wider than the average bagel. The scales are soft to the touch and warp and stretch with the skin underneath giving the animal a gummy feeling to it. The earth wyrm was domesticated and used as a farm aid for its ease in breaking apart soil. It also magically enriches the dirt it digs in saving farmers a fortune in fertilizer. In the winter, the wyrms lay clusters of slimy eggs that are also pickled and spread on toasts or stuffed in pies. Unfortunately the animal itself is quite toxic to humans, and tastes nasty to monsters.

Myrmidon: an ant variety from the bird AUs. These ants have wings themselves and share a hive mind in each colony with the Queen as the leader. The queens can be tamed and trained in order to control the colony. The ants are farmed as a cheap protein and can also be used to clear fields of all vegetation. They taste a bit sour and are often sprinkled on salads like bacon bits. The wings are delicious candied.

Stagglers: is it a deer, a pig, a beaver? Who knows? This strange animal boasts a round body, flat wide tail, long slender legs and antlers, and a hoglike snout with the teeth to match. The straggler is an animal only seen in the factory AU. The monsters and humans were quite puzzled to hear that other surface AUs didn’t have them, but they didn’t have giraffes so there was a trade off I guess. Anyways the straggler was kept by some hobbyist who raise them for their meat and antlers. They’re skittish animals and difficult to care for, and they breed like rabbits making the wild ones a real nuisance. They taste great though, just like venison!

Giant centipede: from lamiatale, this ancient massive bug grows to the size of cars, and is venomous as well. Despite the danger, many of the java people were successful in taming them, and eventually domesticating them. There’s a few different domesticated varieties from various Java clans, but generally the domesticated ones aren’t venomous. The centipede was used as a work horse, transportation, and a hunting hound. In many households today it’s also a beloved pet. Wild ones however are incredibly dangerous and must be reported if spotted.

Hippocampus: from Hadaltale exclusively, this magical horse has flippers for front legs and a beautiful fish tail in the back resembling a koi fish. Where a horses mane is also a fish’s dorsal fin. The hippocampus is carnivorous and uses as a hunting animal aiding the hadal monsters in their hunts, and when food was scarce, they were used as rations as well. They’re extremely popular pets and many purebred varieties can be found along ebotts coasts. The hadals host shows for them.

[theblackdahliaemporium]

Herbalism 101: Lavender

Fun Fact: Lavender is a part of the mint family; making it a natural insect repellent.

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an excellent way to add a mid-summer pop of color to your garden or patio. Planting is somewhere where you can enjoy its beautiful scent. English lavender is more tolerant of colder temperatures common in the Marquette area than French lavender, making it an excellent choice for herb gardens and perennial borders. This is a member of the mint family features aromatic leaves and flowers that are popular for cooking purposes, medicinal use, and home projects.

Lavender is prized as a culinary ingredient. Lemon and lavender make a great combination for baking cookies, cakes, and other delicacies. Lavender can also be used to infuse simple syrups for cocktails or lemonades.

Lavender’s lovely scent is known to reduce anxiety and calm the mind. The calming fragrance of a lavender plant is thought to provide relief from stress, depression, and migraines. It is also considered anti-inflammatory and has antiseptic properties.

Lavender attracts beneficial pollinators to its flowers. Adding lavender to your garden will attract butterflies, bees, and other helpful insects.

Lavender plants are deer resistant. Making them a welcome addition for many homeowners looking for plants they don’t have to share with the local wildlife.

Lavender from your garden can be dried and used to create items such as homemade lavender soap, bath salts, potpourri, sachets, and cleaning products.

Lavender does well in most climates. The plant is drought resistant and will form a large swath of flowering plants. The blue flowers are not only beautiful but smell fabulous. You can harvest the blooms through the summer and prune the plant back in the fall.

-flower works blog

Lavender is a flowering plant in the mint family that’s easily identified by its sweet floral scent. It’s believed to be native to the Mediterranean, The Middle East, and India, with a history dating as far back as 2,500 years.

 According to everyday health blog, Possible health benefits of Lavender include:

May help improve sleep.

Can help treat skein blemishes.

May offer a natural remedy for pain.

Reduce blood pressure and heart rate.

Could relieve asthma symptoms.

Help combat fungus growth.

Potentially promotes hair growth.

Helps relieve stress.

Lavender hasn’t been approved by the FDA, so it’s important to be aware of potential health risks or side effects of using this herb.

📷© Pinterest

[beautyandlifestyleblog86]

These pairings not only highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients but also demonstrate the importance of using herbs to add depth and complexity to a dish. Whether it's a simple grilled peach dessert with honey and thyme or a classic pasta with basil pesto, the combination of seasonal ingredients and herbs can create a culinary experience that is both delicious and memorable.

Examples of delicious pairings -

1. Grilled salmon with lemon and dill: Pairing fresh salmon with the bright flavors of lemon and dill creates a mouthwatering dish that is perfect for spring or summer. The citrusy notes of lemon complement the richness of the salmon, while the herbaceous freshness of dill adds a pop of flavor.

2. Roasted butternut squash soup with sage: Butternut squash is a fall favorite, and when roasted and blended into a creamy soup with fragrant sage, it becomes a comforting and flavorful dish. The earthy sweetness of the squash pairs beautifully with the savory, slightly peppery flavor of sage.

3. Grilled peaches with honey and thyme: Grilling ripe peaches and drizzling them with honey and a sprinkle of fresh thyme creates a deliciously sweet and savory dessert or side dish that is perfect for summer. The caramelized peaches, sweet honey, and aromatic thyme combine to create a flavor explosion that will tantalize your taste buds.

4. Lemon rosemary roasted chicken: Roasting a whole chicken with lemon slices and fresh rosemary sprigs creates a mouthwatering and aromatic dish that is perfect for any season. The tangy citrus of the lemon complements the woodsy, fragrant notes of rosemary, infusing the chicken with flavor and creating a deliciously juicy and tender result.

5. Pasta with basil pesto: Fresh basil pesto made with basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil is a classic pairing that creates a bright and flavorful pasta dish. The herbal, peppery notes of basil combined with the nutty richness of pine nuts and the salty tang of Parmesan cheese make for a deliciously satisfying meal that is perfect for spring or summer.

[ve1il]

Here is a list of perfumes that i think Nanami would wear.

Before starting let me explain my vision. The perfumes on this list vary between very strong scents and fresh ones, i feel he would have this big collection of perfumes and he would choose very wisely and planned for which occasion or when he feels like using it and of course he has a very refined taste.

(Everything here came from the sephora site, if you guys want to check it out)

TOM FORD Ombré Leather

Fragrance Family: Warm & Spicy

Scent Type: Woody Spices

Key Notes: Black Leather, Violet Flower, Jasmine Flower

Fragrance Description: A distinct floral leather, Ombre Leather Parfum intensifies the original scent, fusing heated leather florals with woods. This perfume merges black leather with powerful violet leaf and sensual cedarwood laced with a hint of green tobacco—capturing the unbridled sensuality of the American west.

$275.00

JO MALONE Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne

Fragrance Family: Earthy & Woody

Scent Type: Earthy Green & Herbs

Key Notes: Ambrette Seeds, Sea Salt, Sage

Fragrance Description: Enwrapping and joyful. Windswept walks along the beach, the air fresh with sea salt, the mineral scent of rugged cliffs and earthiness of sage.

$165.00

CLEAN RESERVE Reserve - rain

Fragrance Family: Fresh

Scent Type: Fresh Aquatics

Key Notes: Bergamot, White Flower, Vetiver

Fragrance Description: This unique unisex perfume captures the dewy scent that lingers in the air after a lush rainfall. Crisp, watery cucumber notes and airy musk blend with vetiver and patchouli adding a touch of earthiness to create the calming scent you inhale walking in the woods after a passing rain.

$110.00

ARMANI BEAUTY Armani cold parfum

Fragrance Family: Earthy & Woody

Scent Type: Citrus & Woods

Key Notes: Mandarin Essence, Bergamot Essence, Rosemary Essence, Vanilla Extract, Cedar Wood Essence

Fragrance Description: The Code Le Parfum rewrites the code of a timeless masculine fragrance, infusing the powerful and seductive signature tonka bean with fresh scent notes of iris, sage, and bergamot, to create a woody aromatic fragrance blend that is long-lasting and uniquely distinctive.

$144.00

YVES SAINT LAURENT L'Homme

Fragrance Family: Earthy & Woody

Scent Type: Citrus & Woods

Key Notes: Bitter Orange, Oakwood, Vetiver

Fragrance Description: L’Homme Eau de Parfum is a warm and woody men's cologne inspired by an orange bourbon sour. Sparkling bitter orange creates tension with the warmth of bourbon notes from oakwood infusion and vetiver, reinventing the iconic L'Homme signature in a more intense version with a sensual trail.

$129.00

TOM FORD Oud wood

Fragrance Family: Earthy & Woody

Scent Type: Classic Woods

Key Notes: Rare Oud Wood, Sandalwood, Chinese Pepper

Fragrance Description: A composition of exotic, smoky woods including rare oud, sandalwood, rosewood, eastern spices, and sensual amber—revealing oud‘s rich and compelling power.

$295.00

(I’m planning on doing with other jjk’s character too so stay tuned)

[lilacskiesapothecary]

“Bath”

Jjk

🤪 idk 🤷 in a mood, really want to take a nice soak but can’t 😭 so here’s a Drabble

Yuji would definitely make a soothing and relaxing herbal bath for you! He would gather some aromatic herbs like lavender, chamomile, and rose petals to create a calming atmosphere. The warm water infused with these herbs would help you relax, relieve any muscle tension, and promote a sense of well-being. It would be a perfect way for the you to unwind and take care of yourself while enjoying the healing properties of the herbs. 🛀🌿✨

Megumi would create a serene and rejuvenating herbal bath for you. He would carefully select herbs like eucalyptus, peppermint, and lemon balm to create a refreshing and invigorating experience. The aromatic steam from the bath would help clear your mind and relieve any congestion. It would be a blissful and revitalizing soak that leaves the reader feeling refreshed and energized. 🌿🛀✨

Nobara would make a herbal bath for you, she might choose a blend of relaxing lavender, invigorating mint, and soothing chamomile. It would be the perfect combination to help you unwind and rejuvenate after a long day. 🌿✨

Gojo would make a bath using a combination of relaxing ingredients like lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus. Lavender helps to calm the mind and promote relaxation, while chamomile has soothing properties that can help to ease stress. Eucalyptus is known for its refreshing scent and can help to clear the respiratory system. Together, these ingredients would create a rejuvenating and tranquil herbal bath experience. 🌿🛀

Toji would use a combination of invigorating ingredients like rosemary and citrus. Rosemary has a refreshing scent and can help to uplift the mood, while citrus fruits like lemon or orange can provide a burst of energy and invigoration. Together, these ingredients would create a revitalizing and refreshing herbal bath experience. 🌿🛀

Nanami would opt for a blend of invigorating ingredients like peppermint and eucalyptus. Peppermint has a refreshing and cooling effect, while eucalyptus can help to clear the respiratory system and provide a sense of revitalization. Together, these ingredients would create an energizing and refreshing herbal bath experience. 🌿🛀

✨🧼You can have your own nice relaxing bath, with our herbal infused milk tea baths 🧼✨



[cloudfox42]

Baizhu x Reader: A unique green tea

The gentle tinkle of the doorbell cut through the quiet murmur of Bubu pharmacy, drawing Baizhu's attention away from a delicate concoction he had been preparing.

"Welcome to Bubu Pharmacy," Baizhu greeted, his voice as soothing as the aromatic herbs that perfumed the air. "How may I assist you today?"

Intrigued by the peaceful ambiance and the soft, ethereal glow that seemed to emanate from the pharmacist, you hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I was wondering if you might have any green tea," you inquired.

Baizhu's eyes lit up with a gentle, knowing smile. "Ah, seeking solace in a cup of tea, are we?" he mused. "I believe I have just the thing. But, if you'd permit me, I'd like to offer something a tad more ... unique."

Curiosity piqued, you nodded, your weariness momentarily forgotten. Baizhu led you through a maze of shelves laden with jars of all shapes and sizes, each filled with mysterious substances, to a small, secluded table set by a window overlooking a lush, hidden garden.

As you settled into the comfortable silence, Baizhu brewed a pot of tea with an almost ceremonial grace. He poured the emerald liquid into two cups, the aroma comforting and yet unlike any tea you had ever encountered.

"This is a special blend of mine," Baizhu explained, "But your quest for green tea has inspired me. Have you ever wondered about the endless possibilities that nature holds, especially for those attuned to its deepest secrets?"

Sipping the warm tea, you felt a sense of tranquility wash over you. Emboldened by the serene environment and Baizhu's kindly demeanor, you ventured a question. "Have you ever used your Dendro powers to create something new? Perhaps a new kind of tea plant?"

Baizhu's eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and delight at your question. "A fascinating idea," he mused, a slow smile spreading across his face.

Without waiting for your response, Baizhu stood and beckoned you to follow him into the garden. With a gentle touch and a few whispered words, Baizhu's hands glowed with a soft, verdant light. Before your astonished eyes, a small, unassuming plant began to sprout from the rich earth.

"This," Baizhu announced with a hint of pride in his voice, "will be our tea. Unique to this moment, shared between new friends."

As the plant grew, so too did the bond between you and Baizhu. You spent many an hour in the garden, watching the tea plant flourish, your conversations meandering from the properties of herbs to the mysteries of the world.

When the time came to harvest the leaves, the tea you brewed together was unlike any other – infused not just with the essence of Dendro but with the warmth of newfound friendship.

[midwestbramble]

Mugwort Folklore

Artemisia vulgaris

ruled by ♀

⸙༄𓆤𓆩𓆪❁𓇢𓆸🏵

Content:

Overview

Folklore

Uses in Witchcraft

Safety Notes

Conclusion

⸙༄𓆤𓆩𓆪❁𓇢𓆸🏵

Overview

Mugwort grows to 4 feet tall with smooth, silvery, lobed and deeply cut leaves arranged in a spiral on its woody stem. Yellow lower clusters emerge from leaf axils from midsummer to early fall. Before flowering, it is fragrant in early spring when it’s best to harvest the leaves for aromatic qualities. After the spring, they are bitter. it enjoys rocky, craggy outcrops and disturbed areas with hot, dry soil in full sun. Harvesting new growth encourages new shoots.

⸙༄𓆤𓆩𓆪❁𓇢𓆸🏵

Folklore

-Zabytko-

A Slavic story about a young girl who was gathering mushrooms in the forest and fell into a deep pit, which turned out to be the home of snakes. The snakes did not harm her, and took care of her throughout the winter, during which time both she and the snakes got their nourishment from a mysterious glowing stone. When spring finally arrived, the snakes formed a ladder with their bodies, allowing the girl to climb out, and as a parting gift, the Serpent Queen taught her the language of the plants, but warned that if she should ever call Mugwort by name, she would immediately lose the ability. A long time afterwards, she was walking with her lover along a footpath when he asked her the name of a tall herb growing by the wayside. Without thinking, she answered “Mugwort” and immediately forgot the language of plants. The Russians know Mugwort as the herb of forgetfulness

-Nine Herbs Charm-

An Anglo-Saxon herb charm meant to heal ailments says:

“Be mindful, Mugwort, what you revealed, What you established at the great proclamation Una you are called, oldest of herbs, You are strong against three and against thirty, You are strong against poison and against onfliers [flying venoms] You are strong against the foe who goes through the land.”

⸙༄𓆤𓆩𓆪❁𓇢𓆸🏵

Uses in Witchcraft

Mugwort is an herb that can be used to heal and protect, but also to gain knowledge... or forget it. Many people use it in non-toxic flying ointments or as an infusion (see safety notes) to gain spirit flight and learn from the spirits in the otherworld. This plant can also be used in charm bags or dream pillows for a similar use. They can also be used in healing charms similar to what's seen in the Nine Herbs Charm. Incense may magically help with memory when learning something new. They can also be used in charms and oils to help a person forget... something.

⸙༄𓆤𓆩𓆪❁𓇢𓆸🏵

Safety Notes

Mugwort is not for use during pregnancy due to its emmenagogue nature. Mugwort is considered to possess cumulative toxicity due to its thujone content and should not be used long-term or at high doses. It may also dry milk during lactation

⸙༄𓆤𓆩𓆪❁𓇢𓆸🏵

Conclusion

Mugwort is a fairly popular herb that has been used in magic for a long time. What's seen here is just a couple things from folklore but there is much more to be found in folk practices around the world. What have you seen mugwort used for?

References:

Midwest Medicinal Plants

Peterson's Field Guide of Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America

Nine Herbs Charm

[ladysif8]

🍩 Sweet Heat 🍩

•Pairing: Firefighter Bucky Barnes/OFC

•Rating: General Audience

•Tags: Firefighter AU, Firemen Bucky, Curvy/Tall/Tattooed OFC, Firefighter Avengers, Flirting, Meet-Cute, Cat Rescue, Humor, Everyone Picks On Bucky

•Summary:

Fireman Bucky Barnes discovers the delicious doughnuts of Chubby Dough while at the local Farmers Market, and he is instantly smitten. When he meets Aria, the quirky doughnut goddess herself, sparks fly between them. However, fate intervenes when Bucky is called away on duty, missing the chance to get her number. Weeks later, fate as their paths cross again when Bucky receives a call about a cat stuck in a tree, which turns out to be Aria's.

The sky is a stretched canvas of endless blue, wisps of white clouds scattered like strokes of a painter’s brush sailing on a gentle breeze, casting fleeting shadows on the ground below. The air is filled with a warmth that wraps around everything, holding the promise of long, lazy days of adventures. It was a warm July Saturday in Pikesville, Indiana. Which only meant one thing… Farmer’s Markets.

The bustling energy made the air feel alive as the aroma of freshly picked fruits, fragrant herbs, and other seasonal produce mingled together—stalls overflowed with various colorful fruits and vegetables, showcasing the best summer harvest. Juicy, sweet watermelons, succulent peaches, and plump berries beckoned with their sweet smells and vibrant colors. Heirloom tomatoes, vibrant yellow, red, and green peppers, sweet candy onions, just-picked green beans, zucchini, and crisp cucumbers this morning. The local farmers proudly offered the fruits of their labor in their wide-brimmed hats and sun-kissed smiles. Baskets of sunflowers and bouquets of herbs add a rustic charm to the scene, and tables are filled with jars of freshly made jams and jellies. The air was filled with the enticing aroma of freshly baked bread, flaky pastries, and aromatic coffee contributions from the local artisans and bakers—stalls filled with handcrafted jewelry and pottery, offering unique treasures to discover. With booths from local organizations, the library is offering a free book per child, along with the local Police, Fire Department, and other various organizations. Conversation buzzed in the air as customers engaged with farmers and vendors alike.

Children scampered between aisles, clutching dripping ice cream cones, while families gathered around shaded picnic tables, enjoying farm-to-table meals prepared right there with nothing but the freshest ingredients by local food trucks. There was a wide variety of cuisine, such as a taco truck that specialized in authentic Mexican food, serving up mouth-watering tacos from traditional carne asada to vegetarian options—a burger truck offered everything from the classic cheeseburger to gourmet with a range of toppings. A BBQ truck known for its smokey and tender means, slow-cooked ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, and more. A pizza truck offers wood-fired oven pizzas on wheels, passing out freshly made slices or whole pies with a wide range of toppings. An Asian fusion truck is blending flavors and techniques from various Asian cuisines, serving up Korean tacos, Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, and Thai-inspired noodle bowls. A seafood truck offers a taste of the ocean in the form of fish tacos, lobster rolls, shrimp po’boys, and other seafood delicacies. Several dessert trucks specializing in tasty ice creams, decadent pastries, cupcakes, cookies, and doughnuts of every flavor were waiting to offer up sweet treats to round off the savory meals consumed. Local musicians strummed guitars and played lively tunes, infusing the market with a cheerful melody. Under the warm sun, the farmer’s market buzzed as a hub of the community, where neighbors greeted each other with smiles and shared stories. It was a place where the spirit of summer thrived—a place to savor the flavors of summer.

"Thank you for your support," Sam said with a smile as a group of giggling teenagers hurried away with copies of the Pikesville Fire Department yearly calendar.

The local Fire Department had chosen the Pikesville Animal Welfare as the non-profit organization to support through their calendar fundraisers this year.

"That's another one for me," Sam declared, walking over and placing a crumpled twenty-dollar bill into the cash box. "How many have you sold, Barnes?" he asked Bucky.

Bucky rolled his eyes but checked the unofficial tally sheet. "Uh, thirty-two," he replied.

"Thirty-four," Sam countered, a smug smirk on his face.

"Come on, guys," Steve interjected, stepping between them.

"He's just jealous," Sam said, slipping his thumbs between his navy PFD t-shirt and the red suspenders from his turnout pants.

Bucky scoffed, "As if," he retorted, crossing his muscular arms over his chest. "I think the heat is getting to your brain; you do remember the signs of heat stroke, right, Wilson?"

"Guys," Steve warned, trying to diffuse the tension.

Just then, Natasha reappeared like a redheaded angel, holding a bright pink pastry box. She gracefully made her way around the two tables covered in red tablecloths adorned with a Pikesville Fire Department banner. The tables were stacked with calendars, each featuring a member of the PFD for every month alongside an adorable shelter animal. In addition to the calendars, a poster board was prominently displayed, showcasing pictures of the shelter animals and their names and information. The board served as a visual representation, capturing the attention and hearts of passersby. Each photograph conveyed the unique personality and charm of the animals, inviting potential adopters to learn more about them. The information provided on the board offered insights into their age, breed, and endearing traits, further encouraging visitors to consider opening their homes and hearts to these furry companions.

"Alright, boys, I have doughnuts," Tasha sang happily, her voice brimming with delight. With a cheerful demeanor, she carefully placed the box of doughnuts on the table, elegantly flipping back the lid, and stepped away, creating an alluring display of sweet treats for everyone to enjoy. "Thor, Scott, Clint, come on over. I've got doughnuts!" Tasha called out to the other members of their squad, who were gathered by the fire engine.

"Oooh, yes!" Scott exclaimed, jogging over and energetically shaking his shoulders as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

Clint followed suit while Thor was preoccupied with allowing a young boy to try on his helmet, drawing the attention of the boy's mother, who couldn't help but check out the tall blonde firefighter.

The aroma of freshly baked doughnuts wafted through the air. The sight of the various flavors and toppings tantalized their taste buds, drawing the guys closer to the table to choose their favorite doughnuts.

Bucky swiftly snatched a doughnut with a thick brown glaze, chopped pecans, and a drizzle of chocolate. He settled back in his chair, taking a large bite.

"Holy shit," he mumbled around his mouthful, the doughnut tasting like a decadent caramel turtle.

Sounds of approval and satisfied hums echoed throughout their tent.

“Hey Tash, where’d you get these?” Scott asked, stuffing half a doughnut into his mouth.

Steve hummed, “These are the best doughnuts I’ve ever had,” he commented, taking a much smaller bite than the man next to him.

“Chubby Dough Doughnuts,” Tasha answered, ripping a piece of the sticky fried dough. “These two girls run the truck; Yelena kept going on and on about them,” she adds before plopping the piece in her mouth.

The tent was silent as everyone chowed down, but that didn’t last long. Barton just had to open his trap.

"So, who's winning so far?" Clint asked, jelly smudges adorning his mouth.

Steve groaned, "God damn it, Clint."

"I'm glad you asked, Barton," Sam said with a smile, taking another bite of his doughnut. "It's me," he proclaimed, his voice slightly muffled by the fullness of his mouth.

"Oh man, that's gonna suck cleaning all the engines alone, Buck," Scott remarked, licking some whipped filling off the side of his hand.

Bucky grunted, unamused. "There's still plenty of time for me to wipe the floor with Sam," he retorted.

Tasha produced a napkin for Clint, who sheepishly accepted it. "No manners, the lot of you," she shook her head, playfully scolding them.

"Ha!" Sam laughed sarcastically, his tone laced with playful annoyance.

"Alright, guys, come on, do we have to do this every year?" Steve asked, looking between Bucky and Sam.

"Yes," they both answered in unison, a mischievous glint in their eyes.

Steve sighed, his exasperation evident as he dragged a hand down his face.

Fortunately, another wave of people approached the booth. Several women and a few men purchased calendars, dropping a few dollars into the jar in front of the poster board. Some of the customers requested the squad to sign their pictures, a request that the firefighters gladly obliged. With smiles on their faces, they interacted with members of the community.

A beautiful woman with raven hair approached the table, her gaze fixed on the post board displaying various animals. She reached out and picked up a calendar, flipping through its pages.

“Those animals are all just a few tents down if you’re interested in adopting any of them,” Bucky said, sauntering over to the woman with a flirtatious smirk.

She raised an eyebrow, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “Are any of the firefighters available?” Her gaze traveled up and down Bucky’s form, and she teasingly licked her lips.

"They might be. Which month caught your eye?" he asked.

The woman pondered, twisting her lips in thought. "Well, Mister July has that All-American apple pie vibe," she remarked, stealing a glance at Steve. He was engaged in conversation with an older woman, her curly white hair framing her face. It was evident that she had taken a liking to him, her hand gently resting on his forearm and a blush coloring his cheeks.

"Is that so?" Bucky asked, his voice still carrying a flirty and playful tone.

The woman stepped closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But you know, Mister October has this tall, dark, and dangerous feel to him. He's the kind of guy I'd love to bring home to meet my parents, just to see their disapproval," she admitted, biting her bottom lip playfully.

Bucky winced, realizing his reaction had been more noticeable than intended. He quickly cleared his throat. "Well, we genuinely appreciate your contributions. All proceeds will go to the Animal Shelter to provide them with new equipment, enabling them to help the animals better," he explained.

The woman's eyes widened, then narrowed as she abruptly pulled a twenty-dollar bill from her wallet and slapped it onto Bucky's chest before walking away.

A low whistle caught Bucky's attention, and he turned to see Sam approaching him.

"You alright, Buck?" Sam asked, concern evident in his gaze.

Bucky frowned, turning on his heels and starting to walk around the table. "Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, his tone slightly curt.

"You don't look it, man," Sam pointed out, walking alongside Bucky.

Bucky let out a sigh. "It's always the same with every woman," he muttered, crossing his arms. His navy PFD t-shirt stretched across his chest, highlighting his muscular physique. "They look at me and automatically assume... well, they think I'm some sort of—"

"Fuckboy?" Sam interjected, raising an eyebrow.

Bucky's frown deepened. "Sure, let's go with that," he said, rolling his eyes in mild exasperation.

"Listen, man," Sam sighed, his voice filled with genuine concern. "You're a good guy, Barnes. You've got a good heart, you're smart and funny, and hell, you're easy on the eyes," he chuckled softly. "You'll find the one, somebody who sees beyond the surface." Sam reached out, giving Bucky's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Thanks, Sam," Bucky replied, mustering a grateful but slightly weary smile.

Sam nodded. "No problem, man. You good?" he asked, looking for confirmation.

"Yeah, I'm good," Bucky confirmed, appreciating the support.

Sam began to walk away.

"Hey, Wilson, let's try not to go through this again, alright?" Bucky called out, slumping down into a chair. "Kinda made me feel dirty."

"Oh, fuck you, man," Sam chuckled teasingly before leaving the tent. "I'm still gonna kick your ass," Sam tossed over his shoulder with a playful grin.

Bucky chuckled and shouted, "Only in your dreams, Wilson!"

Eventually, the competition between Sam and Bucky faded into the background, but it resurfaced when Thor finally made his way over to the group.

"How goes the competition, Barnes?" Thor inquired, grabbing a doughnut from the box. "Are you kicking Wilson's ass?"

Thor's words caused Steve to almost whine in exasperation, feeling like he wanted to repeatedly bash his head against a hard surface.

"Ha! I'm at... forty-eight," Sam declared confidently.

Bucky grinned. "Fifty-two," he countered, a playful spark in his eyes.

"Ain't no way," Sam crossed his arms, showcasing his bulging biceps.

Scott leaned forward, inspecting the tally sheet. "Yeah, Barnes is right," he confirmed, his tone revealing the truth of Bucky's higher count.

The friendly rivalry between Sam and Bucky was reignited.

"Alright, knock it off, guys," Tasha interjected, her voice carrying a note of authority from her perch on the table. "You're both hot, we get it, but you're going to give our Captain an aneurysm," she playfully scolded, gesturing toward Steve.

The squad chuckled, understanding that the good-natured teasing had its limits. With a collective nod, the firefighters refocused their attention on interacting with the customers, signing calendars, and polishing off the last of the doughnuts Natasha had brought.

Taking a much-needed break from running their booth, Bucky felt a sense of relief mingled with excitement at the prospect of indulging in some delicious treats and moseying about the other stalls and booths with Steve. While he enjoyed managing their booth, he knew that a short break would do him some good. The delightful aromas from the food trucks wafted through the air, luring them closer with each step.

Steve turned to Bucky, inquiring about his lunch preference, "What are you in the mood for?"

With a smile, the brunette replied, "That BBQ smells amazing."

Steve enthusiastically agreed, "Sounds good to me, as long as we make a stop at that doughnut truck before we head back Thor said they have blueberry streusel doughnuts."

Bucky chuckled, appreciating their love for food, “I knew you were my best friend for a reason.”

“I hope that’s not the only reason,” Steve chuckled, elbowing Bucky playfully.

Fifteen short minutes later, Bucky and Steve were happily munching on a little dish of crispy golden brown tater tots topped with sweet, smokey, and tangy pulled pork drenched in BBQ sauce, a drizzle of nacho cheese, thin slices of red onion, chopped green onions, and jalapeno slices from the BBQ food truck. As they strolled through the bustling stalls, they enjoyed their lunch and chatted with old high school friends and other folks from the community. They leisurely made their way around the market, pausing at tables filled with tempting goods.

"Oh man," Steve sighed contentedly as he tossed his little paper dish into the trash. "That was delicious," he said, stretching his arms above his head.

Bucky nodded in agreement, quickly finishing his last bite before following Steve's lead and disposing of his paper dish in the trash.

"Man, I'm so full," Bucky groaned, patting his belly as he walked alongside Steve, the band playing a cover of some Charlie Daniels song.

"Too stuffed for doughnuts?" Steve quipped, raising an eyebrow.

Bucky gave him an exaggerated hurt expression, shaking his head, “And here I thought we were friends—"

“—Best friends," Steve corrected with a grin.

" Right, right, best friends,” Bucky amended, “I'm utterly appalled you'd ever think I'm a quitter," he retorted, pretending to be outraged.

Steve couldn’t help but laugh at his friend’s expression as they joined the line at Cubby Dough Doughnuts.

"Oh, my bad, I forgot Mama Barnes didn't raise a quitter,” Steve teased, playfully nudging Bucky’s arm with his elbow.

“Damn straight; now, let’s if the beautiful doughnut goddesses can entice me into taking just on—”

Bucky’s words faded away as he got entranced by the captivating woman with a dark, messy bun, a neon green sticking out the side, her smokey eye makeup, and mesmerizing hazel blue eyes—a mix of brown, green, and blue that looked like a cosmic swirl framed in with dark thick-rimmed glasses, cute little button nose, her lip was a sight to behold with the most alluring shade of pink he had ever seen, a natural cupid’s bow—a perfectly formed curve that gave her smile this irresistible charm. She had on a black t-shirt, hot pink frosting, and bright pink letters with sprinkles, proudly stating Donut Squad, and when she turned around, he noticed the back of her shirt was the name Chubb Dough. Her smile was dazzling; he watched as she tucked a whisp of hair behind her ear, the many colorful bracelets around her wrist catching the light. Bucky was intrigued.

“Buck?” Steve said, trying to contain his laughter as he lightly chuckled, attempting to get his friend’s attention.

Still entranced by the doughnut goddess, Bucky turned to Steve with a dreamy look in his eyes. “I think I might be in doughnut heaven,” Bucky mumbled to Steve.

"Holy smokes, dude," Darcy groaned, leaning her head against the compact refrigerator. "They just keep coming and coming," she mumbled, opening the door to grab a water bottle.

Aria chuckled, "Isn’t that the point?" she asked, taking another tray of doughnuts from the warmer.

"I mean, I guess; I don't know why I let you talk me into this hair-brain scheme of yours," Darcy said, taking a long drink from the bottle.

"Ha! Because really, I had to twist your arm," Aria replied dryly, carrying the tray to the work table. "You know you secretly love this doughnut-making adventure!" she teased, rolling her eyes playfully.

Darcy couldn't resist teasing her friend further. She reached over and pinched Aria's cheek, playfully saying in a baby voice, "It's so hard to say no to this cute little face," while patting Aria's cheek.

Aria playfully batted Darcy's hand away, giving her a mock glare. "Yeah, yeah, very funny," she said, trying to suppress a smile.

The dinging of a bell echoed throughout the small food truck.

"Ah, they summon me," Darcy sighed, finishing off her bottle of water. "The public awaits," she announced with a playful flourish, crushing the bottle and making her way back to the front window, ready to serve the hungry customers.

Aria playfully rolled her eyes at Darcy's dramatic announcement. She then grabbed an icing bag filled with delicious cheesecake icing, adjusting her hold on the small bag. Starting at one end of the tray, she skillfully gave each golden brown, perfectly cooked doughnut a delightful drizzle of creamy and tangy icing, followed by their rich caramel sauce and decadent chocolate ganache to the doughnuts, making sure each one was beautifully coated. She artfully sprinkled chopped pecans across the top as a finishing touch, completing the mouthwatering treat—the enticing aroma of freshly made doughnuts filled the air, enticing the eagerly waiting customers.

Cubby Dough had humble beginnings as a tiny pop-up camper that Aria and Darcy purchased from a questionable gentleman on Craigslist. They embarked on the ambitious project of gutting and remodeling the entire camper themselves, and it was no easy task. They spent countless late nights watching YouTube videos, trying to figure out how to connect the plumbing and make everything work. Thankfully, Aria's Dad came to the rescue, offering his years of experience and a helping hand with his tools. With their determination and his guidance, within six months, Chubby Dough was finally transformed into a mobile doughnut haven. That was four years ago, and since then, the little food truck has been delighting customers with its delectable treats all over the southern part of the state.

Today the food truck is built on a 22ft trailer with black sheet metal sides and roof, giving it a modern and sleek appearance. The silver servicing window is not only functional but also adds a contrasting element to the black and wooden features; it can be easily closed and locked for security when the food truck is not in operation; outside the window is a practical butcher block counter bar on the outside, where customers are greeted. The wooden trim around the windows adds a touch of warmth and rustic charm to the overall look. Inside is a compacted modern kitchen, a double fryer, a large proofer, a warmer, and all the necessities one needs to operate a food truck; a large butcher block workspace and prep tables provide ample space for food preparation and serving. The crowning glory is the light-up sign that proudly displays the truck's name, "Chubby Dough," drawing attention and helping customers easily recognize and locate the food truck.

As the morning rush settled down, Aria and Darcy decided to switch spots; Darcy had reached her limit dealing with customers at the front.

"I'm just not built to deal with people," Darcy grumbled, washing her hands in the sink.

Aria couldn't help but laugh. "You're in the wrong business, my dude," she teased, finding humor in her friend's confession.

Darcy chuckled at Aria's playful response and played along, giving Aria an exaggeratedly sad expression. "Oh, I know, right?” she said dramatically. “It's a never-ending doughnut-filled nightmare," she joked, pretending to be overwhelmed.

Aria gave her a mock sympathetic look. "Oh, poor Darcy," she said, trying to hold back a laugh. "It must be so tough," she added before bursting into laughter.

As the pace picked up once more, doughnuts were flying out of the window as fast as Aria and Darcy could make them. They were in sync, their teamwork seamless as they worked together to keep up with the demand. It was a flurry of dough, icing, and toppings, all coming together in perfect harmony. The little food truck was once again buzzing with excitement, and the smiles on their customers' faces made all the hard work worthwhile.

Aria quickly excused herself, saying, "Give me just a second," as she grabbed a fresh notepad and reached for the green pen that was stuck in her messy bun. She spoke as she turned back around; she looked up to take the next-in-line orders. “Chub…Chubby Do—” she said, stumbling over her words.

One of the men was tall, sporting short blonde hair and baby blue eyes with a subtle hint of green around the iris. He had a solid and muscular build, dressed in a navy PFD shirt that emphasized his strength.

The other man was just an inch shorter than the blonde, with curly brown hair on top and tapered sides. His mesmerizing blue eyes resembled a stormy summer evening, bringing back memories of the scent of rain-soaked earth. His handsome face was adorned with a cleft chin and a set of the prettiest pink lips. Like his companion, he also wore a navy PFD shirt that barely contained his well-defined and impressive muscles.

Aria was taken aback, almost losing her balance in the process. She managed to offer a slightly awkward smile. "Welcome to Chubby Dough... Uh, what can I get you, gentlemen?" She quickly corrected herself as she almost knotted her pen in her hair.

The tall blonde man smiled warmly, his baby blue eyes twinkling with amusement. "You were close," he said with a gentle chuckle. "I'll have two of your blueberry streusel doughnuts, please."

The man with the captivating stormy blue eyes flashed a playful grin, making Aria’s heart flutter. As he glanced at the menu, he asked in a smooth and inviting voice, “What’s your favorite?”

Aria’s nerves got the best of her, and she pointed to herself, feeling like more of an awkward mess than she already was. “M-mine?” she stammered, blushing under his gaze. The man nodded, his smile still warm and encouraging. “Oh, uh, Jesus,” she muttered, nervously licking her lips as she pushed up her glasses.

He raised a curious eyebrow, intrigued by her reaction, then looked at the menu again. “I’ll take one of those,” he said, pointing to her favorite doughnut, “and a maple bacon, please.”

Aria nodded, trying her best not to make a fool out of herself further. "Sure thing! Two blueberry streusel, one Jesus, and one maple bacon coming right up," she replied, writing down their order on the notepad, trying to hide her flustered state while secretly thrilled that he had chosen her recommendation.

As she turned to start preparing their doughnuts, Darcy peeked over her shoulder, curious about the sudden change in her friend's demeanor. Aria couldn't help but blush slightly, secretly hoping she looked presentable despite the messy bun and lime green pin.

"Hey, who are these fine-looking specimens?" Darcy whispered teasingly, earning a playful nudge from Aria.

"Just focus on your doughnut-making, will you?" Aria whispered back, glancing over her shoulder at the two men chatting outside the truck.

“You’re no fun,” Darcy grumbled, heading back toward the fryer.

Darcy's pouty face made Aria chuckle as she continued working on the doughnuts. Every morning hours before an event, Aria and Darcy would head out early, starting on their batter for the day; they would start frying until the first customer arrived. By then, the warmers were filled with tray after tray of freshly fried doughnuts, each doughnut that left through Chubby Dough's window was freshly made to order, it was a bit time-consuming, but it was worth the short wait.

Aria started with two plain golden-brown doughnuts, dipping each in a thin white glaze. She added their homemade blueberry compote and topped them with a delightful streusel. Moving on, she took two more doughnuts and dipped one in a thick maple glaze, generously adding chunks of maple bacon. The other doughnut was lightly coated in a thin glaze before being tossed in cinnamon sugar, its top dipped into a vanilla frosting and topped with a drizzle of thick gooey caramel.

As Darcy assembled a box for the four heavenly treats, she playfully pointed out, "You know that guy keeps looking in here at you."

Curious, Aria glanced over her shoulder to see the brunette with stormy blue eyes giving her a wide, flirtatious smile. A hint of a blush crept up her cheeks, but she tried to maintain her composure while finishing the doughnut orders.

Aria carefully transferred the beautifully crafted doughnuts into the bright pink box that Darcy had left on her table. She looked down at the delectable treats, feeling a sense of pride in her creations. Closing the box, she made her way to the window and set it down on the countertop outside. Turning to the tablet used for processing payments, she greeted the two men with a friendly smile.

“Alright, gentlemen, your total is $16.20 after the first responder discount,” Aria said, glancing over at the two men.

Before the blonde man could even react, the brunette quickly pulled out his wallet and handed over a twenty-dollar bill. “Keep the change,” he said with a playful wink, taking charge of the payment.

Aria felt her heart race a little faster, but she managed to nod in response, inwardly cursing her nervousness. “Th—thank you,” she stammered, trying her best to keep her cool.

“Have a good one, ma’am,” the blonde said with a warm smile as he took the box of doughnuts. He nudged the brunette, who seemed entranced by Aria, prompting him to stumble back a few steps before they both walked away.

As Aria bit her lip, trying to hide her smile, she celebrated her small victory before she noticed that the brunette was still looking back at her with a wild grin. Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she quickly ducked back inside the truck, trying to hide from his gaze. The whole encounter left her heart racing, and she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d see him again.

Steve's excitement was evident as he eagerly opened the lid to the bright pink box, revealing the array of sticky sweet, and fresh doughnuts inside. The delightful aroma wafted into his face, making his mouth water.

"I think I'm in love," Bucky sighed dreamily, unable to resist the temptation of the delectable treats as he snatched one of his doughnuts out of the box. He took a large bite, “Jesus,” he mumbled with his mouthful looking down at the doughnut in his hand.

Steve paused with his doughnut almost at his mouth, giving Bucky a playful look. "With the doughnut or the girl?” he asked, laughing.

“Do they have to be mutually exclusive?” Bucky asked before taking another bite.

Steve chuckled at Bucky's response, thoroughly enjoying the banter between them. "Fair enough," he said, taking a bite of his doughnut. "Guess you can have your doughnut and eat it too," he teased before devouring the rest of his treat.

Bucky grinned, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Who says I can't have the best of both worlds?" he replied, savoring another mouthful of the delectable doughnut. They continued to enjoy their sweet indulgence on their way back to the Fire Department’s booth.

As Aria and Darcy finished packing up the food truck, they couldn't help but feel exhaustion and satisfaction from another successful day at Cubby Dough. It wasn't their first time running out of doughnuts, but they knew it meant they had served plenty of happy customers. The two friends decided to take advantage of their free afternoon and treat themselves. They locked up the truck and made their way to the farmers market, excited to explore and indulge in some of the delicious offerings from other vendors.

The farmers market was still bustling with activity, and Aria and Darcy relished in the sights and sounds around them. It was a well-deserved break for the duo, a chance to relax and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the local community.

“Oh hey, look who it is,” Darcy pointed toward the Pikesville Fire Department’s booth. “It’s the smokin’ hot fireman,” she says as the pair look through a display of hand-painted vases.

Darcy's playful comment about the "smokin' hot fireman" caught Aria's attention, and she followed Darcy's finger to spot the brunette at the Pikesville Fire Department's booth.

"Oh, cool, come on," Aria said, attempting to steer in the opposite direction.

Darcy was quick to intervene, snatching her friend's hand. "Ah ah ah," she chuckled, "Where do you think you're going?"

Aria blinked at her friend, puzzled by the question. "Isn't it obvious? Anywhere but near him, duh," she replied with a sheepish grin, trying to hide her mild embarrassment.

“Oh no, you don’t,” Darcy shook her head, laughing; she tugged Aria toward the booth.

When she got into this playful and determined mood, Aria knew better than to argue or stop Darcy. With a resigned sigh, she reluctantly followed her friend toward the Pikesville Fire Department's booth. Aria braced herself for whatever fun or mischief Darcy had in mind as they approached the booth.

A short blonde man greeted them warmly as they approached the table, offering them a Firemen's calendar to support the Pikesville Animal Welfare.

Darcy couldn't resist flipping through the calendar and teasingly muttered to Aria, "I'm gonna have to set my house on fire. Take a look at these guys." She tilted the calendar towards her friend, showcasing the tall blonde fireman who had come with the brunette. He was photographed wearing nothing but patriotic swim trunks and aviators, his chest glistening, and a flirty smile on his lips as he sprayed a hose; the golden retriever next to him was living her best life chomping at the water.

"Darcy," Aria said, trying to hide her amusement.

 Aria couldn't help but be drawn to the poster board displaying animals available for adoption. Among them was a black cat named Smokey, with shiny black fur and beautiful yellow eyes. She found herself contemplating the idea of adopting him.

Darcy's amused voice interrupted her thoughts, still ogling the firefighters' calendar. "I wouldn't even think about it," she advised. "Doom wouldn't even look at you for a week after you brought your goldfish home; I can't imagine how she'll react if you bring another cat home."

Aria frowned, acknowledging that Darcy had a valid point. Doom Kitty, her temperamental feline companion, was not the easiest to get along with. Despite her delicate appearance and sweet meow, she had a feisty side and often showed her claws to anyone other than Aria. Even with Aria, she sometimes seemed more tolerated than genuinely liked.

"Well, hello there, Mr. October," Darcy playfully sang out, cocking her head to the side. "Aria, you gotta see this," she said, turning the calendar toward her friend.

Aria blinked as the calendar was thrust into her face, and her eyes fell upon the stormy blue-eyed man, shirtless with red suspenders against his tanned, toned physique; his chest had a fine dusting of hair across it, dark pink nipples, the hair seem to disappear over his well defined six pack the dusting of dark hair narrowing just under his navel disappearing into the slung low waistband of his turnout pants, showing off his Adonis belt. He stood on a ladder propped against a beautiful tree with vibrant autumn leaves in reds, browns, orange, and yellow hues. Surrounding the tree were jack-o-lanterns and hay bales, adding to the seasonal charm. He firmly gripped the ladder in one hand while the other held a black cat against his naked torso. He smiled, half-smirking for the camera, his disheveled brown hair adding a hint of charm to his rugged appearance. The picture defiantly captured the essence of October and the spirit of the season.

"I can get him to sign that for you," the short blonde said with a friendly smile. He leaned over the table, propping his head on his elbows as he looked up at them.

Aria and Darcy exchanged glances, Darcy excited and mischievous, while Aria silently begged her friend not to go through with it. "Oh, that would be amazing!" Darcy exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with mischief, clearly ignoring her friend's silent plea.

Aria couldn't help but glare at Darcy, trying to convey her reluctance. "Oh, you really don't have to," she said to the friendly fireman, mustering a smile.

The short blonde nodded, his warm smile never fading. "Nonsense!" he assured them with a wave of his hand. "It's for a good cause, after all."

"Oh, I'm Darcy, by the way," she introduced herself with a smile, holding out her hand to the man.

"Clint," he replied, shaking her hand.

Darcy couldn't resist adding a playful twist to the introduction. "Oh, and this is Aria; she totally has a thing for Mr. October," Darcy grinned wickedly, teasing her friend.

Aria's face flushed with embarrassment, and she playfully nudged Darcy, trying to downplay the comment. "Ignore her, please," she said, chuckling softly. Clint chuckled, too, finding their banter amusing.

Clint playfully drummed his hand on the table. "Don't move, ladies. I'll be right back," he winked before quickly turning on his heels and jogging towards the fire engine.

Aria couldn't help but hiss at Darcy, feeling embarrassed. "I hate you," she whispered through clenched teeth.

Darcy laughed at her friend's reaction, teasingly insisting, "No, you don't. You love me," she said with a mischievous grin, knowing that Aria's frustration was all in good fun.

Clint couldn’t resist teasing his friend as he approached Bucky and Steve. “Hey Buck, got a pretty lady over here that has a thing for Mr. October,” he said with a sly grin.

Bucky’s interest was piqued, and he looked up eagerly. “Oh yeah?” he asked, licking his lips with curiosity.

Clint playfully pointed to the two women standing in front of their table, drawing Bucky’s attention to Aria and Darcy.

One of them had her hair braided in playful pigtails; she was dressed in denim capris and the same black t-shirt he had seen earlier. As Bucky’s eyes landed on the woman standing next to her friend, he couldn’t help but be captivated by her appearance all over again. Her hair was down from its messy bun, and the sunlight caught the purple hues mixed into her dark locks, adding a touch of uniqueness to her look. Now that he had the opportunity, Bucky let his eyes roam down her full body; he’d missed the purple crystal necklace hanging around her neck, resting on her full breast that stretched out the shirt. He licked his lips, admiring her soft-looking tummy, wondering how her curves would feel under his hands. God bless whoever made those denim shorts hugging her plump ass and thick thighs showing off her beautifully tattooed legs; Bucky wanted to get more aquatinted with legs.

“Oh ho ho,” Steve chuckled, playfully slapping Bucky’s shoulder. “Looks like the doughnut goddess has heard your prayers,” he teased, referring to Aria, who seemed to have captured Bucky’s attention.

Bucky laughed along, giving Steve a mock-annoyed look. “Yeah, yeah,” he replied, rolling his eyes in good humor.

As Bucky and Steve followed Clint over to where the women stood, they were introduced to the charming duo.

Clint pointed to Steve and said, “Ladies, this here is our Captain Steve Rogers, aka Mr. July.” Steve gave a friendly nod to Darcy and Aria, acknowledging the introduction.

Next, Clint gestured toward Bucky and said with a playful grin, “And this here is our Lieutenant Bucky Barnes, aka Mr. October.” He wagged his brows in Aria’s direction, adding a touch of flirtatiousness to the introduction.

Aria’s cheeks turned even redder, and she felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. The playful teasing and unexpected attention made her feel flustered, and she wished she could disappear.

“Aria here has a thing for Mr. October and wants him to sign her calendar,” Clint announced with a playful smile.

Bucky raised a curious eyebrow, “Is that so?” he asked, a smirk playing on his pretty pink lips as he held his hand out for the calendar. Which Darcy quickly handed over.

Aria was beginning to wonder if one could die from embarrassment. “I like black cats,” she blurted out awkwardly. Desperately wishing for a giant hole could appear and swallow her up.

Bucky chuckled warmly and teased, “I hope that’s not all you liked,” he winked, signing his name to the corner.

Aria’s cheeks reddened further; she was going to murder Darcy.

Before anyone could speak, a series of urgent tones came through the radio attached to Steve and Bucky’s belt, and everyone around the booth stilled to listen.

“Engine two, this is Central Dispatch—code 3. We have a report of a structure fire on 708 North Maple Street. Please respond immediately,” the voice on the other end urgently relayed.

Steve wasted no time and reached up to press the button on his microphone. “Engine two, Roger, over,” he replied promptly, his voice steady and focused.

Aria and Darcy stood in awe as Steve, Bucky, and Clint sprang into action, their years of training evident in their swift movements. The fire engine stood ready, its sirens blaring as the crew readied themselves to respond to the emergency; turnout gear seemingly appeared out of thin air as they efficiently dressed.

As the engine roared to life, Bucky gave Aria a reassuring wink before climbing aboard. Steve and Clint exchanged quick glances before they joined Bucky on the engine. In a matter of seconds, they were off, racing towards the structure fire. The engine’s sirens faded into the distance.

Inside the fire engine, Bucky glanced over at Steve, a hint of regret evident on his face. “I should have gotten her number,” he admitted, speaking into the coms.

Steve chuckled, a playful tone in his voice, “You didn’t write yours down when you signed the calendar?”

Bucky’s expression turned sheepish, and he shrugged, “Guess I was too focused on not tripping over my words.”

Clint, who was listening in on the conversation, chimed in with a teasing remark, “Smooth move, Barnes.”

Bucky rolled his eyes good-naturedly, “Thanks for the support, guys.”

Just then, Sam’s voice joined the coms, adding to the banter, “Hey, Bucky, don’t worry. You’ve got the charm of a superhero. I’m sure she won’t forget you that easily.”

Thor’s booming voice followed suit, “Indeed! Fear not, my friend. Many a warrior has stumbled in the presence of a fair maiden. It happens to the best of us!”

Natasha, who had been quiet until now, couldn’t resist joining in, “Oh, come on, boys. Give him a break. We’ve all been there. It’s not easy to flirt when your heart is racing faster than Quicksilver.” She winked at him.

Bucky couldn’t help but laugh at his friends’ comments. “Thanks, appreciate the pep talk.”

As the engine continued toward the scene of the fire, their camaraderie and playful banter lifted their spirits amidst the intensity of the situation.

Two weeks later….

“Doom, please come down,” Aria begged, her voice filled with concern as she looked up into the giant oak tree in her front yard. “Come on, Doom Kitty, please.”

The feline, perched high on a large branch, meowed softly, seemingly indifferent to Aria’s pleas. It stretched out leisurely, basking in the comfort of its elevated spot.

Aria’s heart sank with worry as she tried to coax the stubborn cat down. She sighed, reaching up as if she could physically coax the cat down. “I don’t know how you managed to get up there,” she said, half-amused and half-exasperated.

Doom let out another tiny meow as if acknowledging Aria but showed no intention of budging from its lofty perch.

Suddenly, Darcy appeared by Aria’s side, eating a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. “Still not budging?” she asked, looking up at the tree.

“It’s Doom Kitty; she doesn’t do anything she doesn’t want to do,” Aria replied, gesturing upward with one hand while the other rested on her hip.

Darcy chuckled, observing the defiant feline. “Looks like she’s quite content up there.”

“Yeah, I think she’s just enjoying the view,” Aria said with a small smile, but her concern was still evident.

The two friends exchanged glances before Darcy suggested, “Why don’t we try shaking the treat bag? Maybe that’ll tempt her down.”

Aria nodded, liking the idea. “Good thinking. Let’s give it a shot.”

As Darcy came back with the treat bag, Aria held her breath, praying Doom would actually be tempted by the treats. The sound of the treats rattling inside seemed to pique Doom’s curiosity. The cat perked up, its ears twitching.

“Come on, Doom Kitty,” Aria called gently, shaking the bag a bit more.

The feline looked around and then down at her owner, almost glaring as she turned around.

As minutes passed, and Doom showed no signs of budging, Aria's worry escalated. "I don't know what to do," she said, her voice tinged with concern.

Darcy pulled out her phone. "I think we should call for help," she suggested. "Let's dial the fire department. They'll have the right tools to get her down safely."

“Uh, no, I don’t think were—

“Too late,” Darcy interrupted happily as she walked back towards the house to explain the situation to the operator.

Aria sighed, defeated, “This is all you’re fault,” she grumbled, scowling at the cat in the tree.

Within minutes, the sound of sirens filled the air, and the fire engine pulled up in front of Aria's house.

Aria recognized the familiar figure stepping out of the fire engine, and her heart sank. It was Bucky; she couldn’t help but notice how good he looked in his turnout gear. The jacket hung open, revealing a navy PFD shirt underneath, and his hair appeared slightly disheveled and sweaty. When their eyes met, Bucky smirked, seemingly amused by Aria’s flushed cheeks and embarrassed expression. Aria couldn’t help but feel self-consciousness under his gaze.

“Hey there, Aria,” he greeted warmly, his voice carrying a hint of playful teasing. "I hear we have a daring feline in a tree?"

“Hey, Hi, um, Bucky,” Aria managed, pushing up her glasses, feeling a mix of relief and awkwardness at the same time. "Yes, that's Doom," she said, gesturing towards the tree. “I’m sorry, Darcy called; it’s just so cliché. Cat stuck up in a tree,” she rambled.

Bucky chuckled, his blue eyes twinkling. “It’s no problem at all; it’s not every day I get to rescue a pretty girl's kitty from a tree,” he replied, his smirk never leaving his lips.

Aria giggled; she actually giggled. Now she has to move out of town, out of the state, and change her name and hair color.  Bucky winked at her before he addressed the other two firefighters with him.

Aria and Darcy watched with careful coordination as a ladder extended into the tree; Bucky climbed up it. They watched as Bucky expertly made his way up the tree, reaching out toward Doom with gentle gestures.

"Hey there, Doom Kitty," he called softly, trying to calm the agitated feline. "No need to be scared. I won't hurt you."

However, Doom was having none of it. The closer Bucky got, the more she hissed and growled, clearly not pleased with this unexpected visitor in her domain.

Bucky kept his cool, softening his voice, "It's alright, girl. I just want to help you get down safely," he said, trying to soothe her nerves.

Aria and Darcy watched with concern and amusement as Bucky engaged in a subtle "dance" with Doom Kitty, attempting to gain her trust. There were several swipes with her claws extended at Bucky’s hand; he tugged the glove off, offering the feisty feline his hand for her to sniff. Finally, after a few tense moments, Doom's agitation seemed to subside slightly. She stopped hissing and growling, allowing Bucky to move closer.

"There we go, girl," Bucky said gently, inching closer to Doom with caution. "You're doing great."

With a few more patient efforts, Bucky reached Doom and gently cradled her in his arms. He carefully made his way back down the tree, ensuring the safety of both himself and the feisty feline.

Once they were safely on the ground, Aria rushed forward to take Doom into her arms, relieved to have her furry friend back on solid ground.

“Doom Kitty,” she sighed, taking the grumpy cat from Bucky’s arms. “Thank you,” she said, biting her bottom lip and looking up at the fireman through her lashes.

Doom looked around, seemingly unimpressed by the whole situation. Her feline eyes met Aria’s, and for a moment, it almost seemed as if Doom was giving her owner a disapproving glare.

Aria couldn’t help but chuckle at the comical expression on her cat’s face. “Oh, don’t give me that look, Doom,” she teased affectionately. “You’re the one who got yourself into that mess.”

Doom flicked her tail in response as if to say, “I did it my way.”

Bucky joined in the laughter, finding Doom’s attitude amusing. “She’s got quite the personality,” Bucky remarked, reaching out to pet the cat.

Aria chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease in Bucky's presence. "That's an understatement," she said, rubbing Doom's head affectionately. “She’s a little diva.”

Doom purred contently, enjoying the attention despite her earlier defiance.

As the rest of the team finished packing their equipment, Bucky stepped closer to Aria. “You know, despite the chaos, I’m glad we got to see each other again,” he said with a hint of sincerity.

Aria blushed even more, her heart fluttering at the genuine sentiment in his words. “Yeah, me too,” she admitted, trying to gather her thoughts through her nerves.

Bucky leaned in slightly, his voice lower and filled with charm. “My shift ends in two hours; maybe we could grab a coffee or something together?” he suggested a hopeful glimmer in his eyes.

“I’d like that,” she replied, mustering a confident smile.

As the two of them exchanged numbers, Bucky promised to text her later that day to set up a time for their coffee date. Aria felt excitement and anticipation as she watched him climb back into the fire engine. She couldn’t help but smile as she watched him drive away.

Aria felt a sense of possibility in the air. There was something different about this encounter with Bucky, something that made her heart flutter with the start of something new.

As she stood there, the cool breeze gently brushing against her cheeks, Aria realized that Doom’s mischievous adventure had unexpectedly led her to a chance encounter with Bucky.

“You didn’t plan that, did you?” she asked Doom.

“Murph,” Doom Kitty replied.

Aria raised an eyebrow, “I don’t believe you,” she mumbled, walking back inside her house; Aria’s phone buzzed, and she eagerly checked her messages.

It was Bucky, just as he promised, setting up their coffee date for later that day. Her excitement grew as she replied enthusiastically, looking forward to spending more time with him. Aria couldn’t help but feel the sparks of something special in the air as she lay on the couch that afternoon. She knew that this unexpected meeting had the potential to lead to new beginnings, and she embraced the feeling with an open heart.

Little did she know that the adventurous spirit of her mischievous grumpy cat and the bravery of the firefighter who came to her rescue had set the stage for a beautiful connection that would blossom into a meaningful journey together.

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5 Herbs for Protection in Witchcraft

In the realm of witchcraft, herbs have always played a vital role in their ability to harness natural properties and energies. When it comes to protection magic, specific herbs have gained prominence for their capacity to ward off negativity, shield against harm, and create a safe haven. In this blog post, we will explore five potent herbs frequently used for protection in witchcraft, delving into their properties and ways to incorporate them into your practice.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Rosemary, with its strong aromatic properties and cleansing qualities, has a long history steeped in folklore and protective magic. Burning dried rosemary as an incense or smudge stick can purify spaces and repel unwanted energies. Infusing rosemary into oils or waters can be used to anoint oneself or objects for protection. Carrying a small sachet of dried rosemary can act as a personal talisman, warding off evil influences.

Cedar (Juniperus spp.)

Cedar, a revered tree in many spiritual traditions, possesses powerful protective properties. Burning cedar leaves or using cedarwood oil can cleanse and purify spaces, while creating a shield against negativity. Incorporating cedar into your rituals or crafting protective talismans can help establish a secure and sacred environment. Cedar's unique scent is believed to repel negative energies and promote a sense of grounding.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

St. John's Wort has a longstanding reputation as a protective herb, known for warding off malevolent spirits and negative influences. This vibrant yellow flower is believed to possess potent energy that brings light and banishes darkness. Carrying a small sachet of dried St. John's Wort can protect against psychic attacks and negative energy. It can also be infused into oils or used in bath rituals for cleansing and protection. However, it's essential to note that St. John's Wort may interact with certain medications, so consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

Mugwort, with its silver-green leaves and strong aroma, has a rich history of use in protection magic and divination practices. It is often associated with enhancing intuition and psychic abilities. Burning dried mugwort can be used to cleanse and protect a space during rituals or before divination work. Placing mugwort under your pillow is believed to promote vivid dreams and protect against negative influences during sleep.

Black Salt (Salt mixed with protective herbs)

While not an herb on its own, black salt deserves mention for its potent protective qualities. Black salt is created by combining salt with protective herbs, such as rosemary, cedar, or lavender, and often adding charcoal or ash for its purifying properties. This powerful mixture can be sprinkled around doorways, windowsills, or boundaries to create a protective barrier. Black salt can also be used in ritual circles or added to bathwater for spiritual cleansing and protection.

Herbs are powerful allies in the practice of witchcraft, offering their unique energies and properties. When it comes to protection magic, the herbs mentioned above—rosemary, cedar, St. John's Wort, mugwort, and black salt—stand out for their ability to repel negativity, cleanse spaces, and provide personal protection. Whether used in incense, sachets, oils, or baths, these herbs connect us to the natural world and enhance our protective rituals. Choose the herbs that resonate with you and incorporate them into your witchcraft practice, embracing the power of nature's protection.