Muru

[dividers]

Welcome to Cxttagecharm, or Muru's cottage corner!

I am a cottagecore lifestyle fan, a pagan, cottage witch, and gardener !

Request guidelines:

Be specific on what you want! Currently taking requests for raising animals guides, growing plant guides, aesthetic posts, different seasonal bucket lists, and themed activities!

DNI:

People who are just here to try to convince me to leave my religion People who are just here to try to harass me Syscourse / discourse blogs NSFW Mainblogs

What I post is such as..

[ garden ]

Ideas Frost & Frost Protection

[ personal graphics (F2U)_ ]

Dividers 1 Dividers 2

[ Seasonal bucket lists ]

October November December January February

[ Food & Drinks ]

Hot Cocoa I made Pumpkin bread recipe Baked cinnamon apples recipe Lace Cookies recipe Mulled cider recipe

[ General aesthetic posts ]

Poll 1 Sleeping in Playlists & Songs garden theme poll

[ Growing plants guides ]

Pumpkins Basil Lotus

[ Animals ]

Squirrels for the garden Bees attracting & Maintaining

[ Activities ]

Nature journaling - autumn Cloudviewing Wildflower walk

[ Random extras ]

Request- motivation

[ Holidays ]

Samhain to do list Happy Halloween to all! Yule & Christmas to-do list

Outdoor

Take a walk around a new path!

Go hiking!

Look for signs of early spring or winter ending!

Look for animal tracks and write them down!

Make a snow angel if it snows

Learn about local animals' habitats & lives in the winter

watch the stars at night (Stargazing)

host a mini picnic with your friends or family!

Visit a planetarium or an observatory to watch the stars & planets at night!

Visit a museum or art gallery

Visit a local bakery!

Go thrifting for decorations & for your garden!

photograph pretty landscapes & plants

Go Sledding!

watch cardinals and birds from afar

pay for someone else's coffee

Indoor

Make/write valentines' letters or cards for loved ones

Play tic-tac-toe with a friend or loved one using hearts and x's

Try making Frozen Bubbles!

Buy a new succulent!

Make a list of things you love

Make play dough!

Make some valentines' crafts!

Have a board game night with family!

Send a surprise gift to a friend!

Put together new bouquets

Host a cozy spend-the-night with friends

Journal reflections & things you want to be better at

Reread a favorite book

Try a DIY craft like candlemaking!

Enjoy a warm bubble bath

Write letters to a loved one

Clean out your closet & donate clothing you don't need or use

Kitchen

Chocolate treats can be baked!

Make chocolate covered strawberries or fruit!

Bake banana bread!

Try making fairy toast/bread!

Learn a new dish!

Brew some spiced winter teas!

Bake cinnamon pastries!

Try a new winter recipe!

Make heart cookies or lace cookies

Try to make your own herbal blends!

Make new pancake types!

Check stored vegetables and plants; throw out all bad ones.

Freeze some of your herbs or plants if you aren't immediately going to use it

Clean & Organize the kitchen

Clean cupboard doors & insides

Clean out fridge and freezer

Organize pantry

Clean windows & window sill

Clean the oven & dishwasher & Stove

Garden

Start planting new seeds indoors.

You can buy mistreated or not-well-taken-care-of plants and try to bring them back to life

Treat yourself to fresh flowers

Make sure you have new or cleaned gloves for spring when it comes.

Watch the birds; accommodate & note which birds visit your garden

Plant a miniature herb garden indoors

Give your plants extra love!

harvest late-growing plants

prune fruit trees

Make a plan for spring

Study vegetables and plants you can start in february

Inventory or store leftover seeds

always look out for dead wood, bark, or plants.

fun fact!

water droplets bead up and roll off its leaves! This method gets rid of dirt from the plant very easily.

Sun & Planting

Lotuses need 8+ hours of sun a day. This means you want them in an open-ish area where they'll get the adequate amount of sunlight.

Plant the lotus seeds in a large, deep container with clay-rich soil (NOT potting mix.), make sure it doesn't float! IF it does float, give it some time. it'll either rot or sink to the bottom and begin growing.

Sinking will usually mean the seed is good, and will grow easily.

Feeding

You want to "feed" your lotuses with aquatic fertilizer after they sprout. This keeps them healthy and in good condition.

Lotus plant food can be bought on amazon, or for speciality shops.

Timing

During winter, do not plant. If you do, they may freeze. make sure the water is moving, this prevents freezing (not 100%, but it helps.) If your lotus has already sprouted and the leaf is at the top, let the leaf die and trim the stems that are above the water. Make sure the pot or container stays at the bottom of the location where it's warmer. In a pond, sink the pot to the bottom. in containers, keep them inside.

Make sure the tuber remains covered by water.

late spring - Planting your lotus should happen around spring to summer, when it's warming up. Lotuses need consistently warm water and air to thrive, so avoid planting too early. Aim for water consistently above 70°F (21°C) before putting them outside in a pond or pool.

Starting indoors too early and then moving outdoors when it's still cool can weaken the plant

Lotus Help

Gently file or nick the hard seed coat to help water penetrate, this is called "Scarring" the seed. This helps it grow since the water will help them sprout.

Pests

Aphids, Overwintering tubers, Spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects are all harmful to your lotus. Identify the types of these bugs and make sure they stay away. You can blast them with water, which will cause aphids and leafhoppers to drown, or you can use Neem oil-- natural pesticide that should not hurt the plant if used properly to get rid of pests

If you're having trouble with aphids, try looking into buying locational ladybugs or moving some from your yard to your plants. Locational ladybugs are going to be ones from around your area, since the other ones will be dangerous and may become invasive.

Bees are very good for gardens. you want bees and other pollinators around as often as they can stay. All bees help by pollinating plants, spreading their seeds (Especially the ones that have floating seed types), and keeping your plants Healthy!

Plants you should plant

Lavender -- provides a lot of nectar for bees, while at the same time repelling Mosquitoes Bee Balm -- A good pollinator magnet! Repels deer & Mosquitoes Marigold -- Naturally repels aphids, mosquitoes, and nematodes. very good for bees! Salvia -- low-maintenance, drought tolerant and good for bees & butterflies, deters rabbits & deer Coreopsis -- Long-lasting blooms perfect for bees and your garden! Coneflower -- nectar-rich blooms, their deep roots improve soil and their blooms stay open very long. Oregano -- its strong scent repels pests like aphids and cabbage moths, while attracting butterflies and bees. Zinnia -- are easy to grow in sun and heat, excellent cut flowers, and an excellent trap crop for pests like aphids, protecting your garden and vegetables Basil -- it's a fantastic companion plant that repels pests, attracts beneficial pollinators, while also enhancing the flavor and growth of nearby vegetables. Rosemary -- its strong scent repels pests like mosquitoes, flies, etc, while attracting pollinators (bees, butterflies) with its flowers Thyme -- Its pungent aroma confuses and repels common pests, Tiny flowers provide nectar for bees, Thrives in dry, rocky soil, requiring little water.

Ideas you can implement

Bee houses and hotels !! Bee baths (shallow water in bird baths for the bees. If it's too steep, keep a rock in the center to provide a safe spot for bees to rest. Plant trees with bees in mind Skip pesticides Skip weeding potential helpful plants like wildflowers or dandelions. Delay pruning until spring Educate kids on bees Don't kill any bees, make sure you let them go safely outside. Buy local honey, or ask someone to harvest the honey for you if you can't do it yourself. Place hives where they'll get morning sun and afternoon shade Ensure good airflow around hive placement Avoid hybrid plants that don't produce much nectar Opt for organic gardening help. Don't use chemicals.

Bonus ideas

Invite your friends or siblings' kids over to learn about bees! Do a lot of research when planning your garden and keeping it bee-friendly! Plant in Masses: Create large patches of plants for bees to identify the location easily Choose plants that flower in spring, summer, and fall for continuous food. Leave some areas unmown, allow brush piles to build up, or add a log with drilled holes for solitary bees

Extra

Outdoor

Make a snow angel if able to!

Go Cloudviewing; watch the winter clouds.

Photography!

Winter Hike

Go Stargazing!

Discover new trails or ones you don't usually take in the winter.

Take a brisk morning walk

Host a bonfire outdoors

Roast marshmallows with family & Friends

Go sledding somewhere!

Go birdwatching for cardinals

Go ice skating

Indoor

Cozy Picnic indoors with snacks & drinks.

Journal reflections on the previous year

Make wishing cranes

Make mini paper stars

Make a star garland

Frame some photos from last year

"My favorite part of today" Journal starting

Make a blanket fort!

Make a sun catcher or a windchime

Grow a new houseplant!

Tidy your room

Read some of your favorite books!

Make Clay fridge magnets

Start a memory jar for the new year

Kitchen

Bake cinnamon scented pastries

Pomegranate peeling & sorting the seeds into containers to eat

Make warm soups and grilled cheeses

Declutter the kitchen

Bake a new Muffin recipe

buy/make beeswax candles for around the kitchen

Bake delicious sweet treats for you and your neighbors

Embroider some towels or rags for your kitchen to feel more cozy

Herb drying rack refresh or harvest

Make sure your tea kettle is perfect in condition for the next year

Organize all cooking tools & the fridge

Clean Mortar and pestle.

Organize & refresh Spice rack

Garden

Put up new bird feeders & clean up old ones

Germinate new seeds indoors

Clean up the fallen pinecones or conifers.

Clean and disinfect all pots/trays

Sharpen & Oil pruners/cutters/clippers

Refresh soil and add mulch to current plants

Plan and sketch flower/plant bed layouts for the new year

Water evergreens during dry spells

Check stored bulbs for rot

Prune dormant roses for healthy spring blooms

Organize all seed packets

Cover remaining root crops with mulch or fresh soil

Remove yellow leaves from remaining plants

Shop for new plants to plant!

Check & Replace hoses or watering system as needed

What you will need:

4whole cinnamon sticks 1/8 tsp. ground cloves 8 whole allspice berries orange peel from 1 orange lemon peel from 1 lemon 1/2 cup maple syrup 6 cups apple cider or freshly squeezed apple juice apple slices and orange twists, to serve

How to make the Cider

In a medium saucepan, place all ingredients. Pour in the maple syrup and apple cider, bring to an almost-boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for around 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve

Extra tips to make it special

comforting cups in mugs with apple slices You can also add rum for an adults-only version. Feel free to add orange twists to it as well! Anise is also good for the cup of cider! Feel free to place cranberries in the drink! Experiment with different combos of fruit, spices, etc.

how it should turn out:

What you will need: (for one batch of 10)

cooking spray ½ cup butter ¾ cup white sugar 1 large egg, beaten 1 cup quick-cooking oats (such as Quaker) 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon salt

How to make the cookies

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), while preparing a sheet with aluminum foil and cooking spray. Heat butter in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave until melted. Add sugar and stir to combine Add beaten egg and mix well Then, you stir in the oats, flour, vanilla, salt, and baking powder. Make sure it's all mixed together. Place spoonfuls of dough 3 inches apart on the cooking sheet-- they need plenty of room. Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden brown, about 8 minutes Let cookies cool completely Remove from baking sheet

Extra tips to make it special

You can enjoy a warm drink with these cookies, like cider or milk or coffee. Store in airtight container for parties. You can make the cookies 3-7 days ahead of time. Add lemon extract for more of a sour taste. You can add chocolate melted between two to make a yummy sandwich! You can replace oats with nuts if needed. (Almonds, Pecans, Walnuts, or Pistachios for a unique greenish color) You can replace all-purpose flour with almond flour if needed. Enjoy!

how it should turn out:

Get a tree for decorating and placing gifts beneath

Make homemade ornaments

Cleansing rituals

Have a dinner or feast with loved ones

Make toffee pudding

Hang bells around to drive out negative energy

Light candles

Make handmade gifts for friends & family

Do some year-end spells

Write intentions for the new year & goals

Bake seasonal treats like gingerbread cookies, snickerdoodles, wassail..

Share stories with friends and family

participate in a gift exchange!

Take a winter walk

Write Down all your worries and burn them safely

Learn about winter deities or spirits

Outdoor

Enjoy the cold; but dress comfortably

If it snows, make snow angels

Play some wintery music or ambience while walking

Make sure your garden is covered

Start some plants for the spring and summer.

Go to a library and read some books!

Go thrifting for decorations, pots, and other stuff.

It'll be too cold to take too many walks, so you'll want to stay inside.

Go thrifting for warm winter clothes

Visit a carnival!

Collect any remaining plants that you might need-- mints, basil, chamomile, etc.

Go to a Christmas tree farm!

Go to one of those christmas light drive shows.

Go to an outdoor theater and watch a play!

Stay warm!

Rake all leaves up to use as mulch.

Indoor

decorate your Christmas tree or yule tree!

Take many warm baths.

Learn a new fact about Yule or christmas!

take some cool photos from your window.

Wearing your soft pjs and cozy slippers.

Watch some wintery movies!

Make a craft for your door, your kitchen, or for your room!

Make some garlands!

Get presents for your friends or family. Even handmade ones.

Be thankful for the colder seasons, which gives your plants a period of time to be dormant and not 24/7 blooming.

Check up on all pets or animals, make sure they're nice n toasty.

Invite family and friends over for your yule or Christmas.

Start planning what you want to do next year.

Kitchen

Make hot cocoas!

Try different recipes for warm baked goods

Write new recipes down in your recipe book!

Brew your teas and drink them accordingly to your feelings.

Make warm drinks, like coffee or cocoa or cider, and enjoy in front of the TV or fireplace!

Cook some ham or honey ham.

Make something new!

Bake gingerbread cookies, chocolate lava cake, or a yule log cake

Make seasonal/festive drinks or snacks.

Make your favorite wintery food!

Make hazelnut spread for your toast.

Make handmade jams or jellies for your family or friends.

Toffee pudding & Flan making!

Garden

start kale, broccoli, lettuce, garlic, or parsley (or all!)

Plant your tulip bulbs.

Cover all your plants if you haven't already.

Collect pine needles (if possible) for turning into soda or other recipes.

Drain hoses and bring all indoors.

Rearrange your watering cans

Turn off outdoor faucets

Bring non-winter-friendly plants indoors.

Cover plants with mulch or straw if needed

Keep planting until the ground is frozen.

Clear away all weeds & dead plants.

Provide food, water, and shelter for birds, squirrels, and animals that frequent your yard.

clean seed hulls from feeders when empty

Fun fact !

Basil is a type of mint.

Basil can be started from seeds or from cuttings!

For seeds, sow them indoors in pots with seed starting mix. Start the seeds before the last frost, or outdoors after the last frost has passed.

To start from a cutting, place a 4-inch stem in water, changing the water every few days, until roots form before planting it in soil

Basil is a Herb, which means it's used in medicinal situations.

basil is easy to grow and endlessly useful!

Growing

Basil is not usually seeded directly into the soil; gardeners transplant small starter plants purchased at a nursery

To plant outside, wait until the soil has warmed to at least 50°F (10°C)—Nighttime temperatures shouldn’t drop below 50°F (10°C).

If you are sowing seeds directly into the ground, sow no more than 1/4-inch deep

Once they have developed 2 to 3 pairs of true leaves, transplant them.

Space them 10-12 inches apart

Tomatoes are great for planting near basil.

Make sure that the soil is moist. Basil plants like moisture.

If you live in a hot area, use mulch around the plants . During the dry periods in summer, water the plants freely

After the seedlings have produced their first six leaves, prune above the second set. This encourages the plants to start branching, resulting in more leaves for harvest

Harvesting

If the weather is going to be cold or if a sudden frost is imminent, be sure to harvest your basil beforehand

Start picking the leaves of basil as soon as the plants are 6 to 8 inches tall.

Harvest in the early morning, when leaves are at their juiciest

Make sure to pick the leaves regularly to encourage growth throughout the summer

Even if you don’t need the leaves, pick them to keep the plant going. Store them for later use

twelve basil plants can produce 4 to 6 cups of leaves per week, if picked regularly

Things to watch out for

What you will need:

2 or 3 apples ! Red delicious are the best. 1/2 cups of honey 3 teaspoons of cinnamon (NOT cinnamon sugar!) 2 tablespoons of water

How to make the treat:

Wash the apples thoroughly no matter where you got them; you need to wash off any pesticides, anything made to make it look vibrant, etc. Cut all apples into 1/2 inch cubes OR shapes after removing core! put in a sauce pan with the cinnamon, honey, and water. cook on medium or medium-high heat for 10 minutes, or until apples soften and sauce thickens.

Little extras?:

Serve with syrup or apple cider for a nice touch! you can add caramelized sugar onto it if you'd like Feel free to enjoy during colder months, or put into ridge for the hotter months! Make sure you don't eat the core !! Honey can be substituted with maple syrup! Add walnuts, pecans, and chestnuts for a yummy trailmix bag! Feel free to add vanilla into your honey or ingredients to make it a lil sweeter, or anise for a more licorice-y tang!

How it should turn out (not my images)

Carve a Pumpkin into a Jack-O-Lantern!

reminisce on the past

Read ghost stories & Horror books!

Watch a spooky movie!

Visit and maintain the grave of a loved one

Divination

Bake mini cakes or pies

Candles

Sweet treat making! Candy apples, dipped bananas, etc.

Recreate old familyy recipes!

Share stories from your past & family

Create an altar to your ancestors!

Take a nature walk.

Make some crafts!

Get new stones that match the Samhain seaosn

Make soup & Stews

Make potato treats!

Work on some new spells

Work in your grimoire

Pass out candy to the kids!

Host a picnic!

happy Halloween & blessed Samhain to everyone!

For the season, and day, I will post a few new posts that match the holiday!

Absolutely! I got you!!

Kitchen things

Tea; chamomile, green, mint, matcha, Ginger, mate, earl grey, ginkgo, ginseng, turmeric, lemon balm, Rosemary, or black. nuts; pecans (you can make a pie!), chestnuts, almonds, oats, walnuts, cashews, peanuts, hazelnuts. sweets; dark chocolate, chocolate-covered strawberries (Fun to make too!), Dark choco-covered bananas, tiramisu, dark chocolate ice cream, cakepops, truffles, brownies. berries & Fruit; blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries (you can turn them into jams or jelly if you want!), apples (Red delicious, pink lady, granny Smith), bananas, oranges, lemons, plums, avocados, peaches, and goji berries. eggs ; (scrambled, sunny side up, whatever makes you happy!) Breakfast; Pancakes, oatmeal, pie, coffee (don't drink too much though.) hot chocolate, sweet potatoes, and peppermints!

Bake something, that will help soothe you. Think of things to do. can you clean the kitchen? dust it? organize? Find an interesting recipe using the ingredients you already have! (you can use this for help!) organize the food in your fridge, cans, or jars. Make a small spell jar to set beside the sink. Drink some water! make sure you have a bottle to refill whenever needed do not throw away most items; reuse and recycle. making tea or tea packets using herbs. Eating a proper meal each day. Make a specific thing you need to do, no matter how small. keep yourself going, keep doing said thing. Draw something! Drawing a picture for your kitchen or working on your grimoire will work.

garden things