Rose-Petal Beads
Rose beads were first made in ancient Rome, and by the Middle Ages the rose had become a symbol of faith for early European Christians. Their first string of prayer-counting beads was named the rosary, and this symbol of faith was very likely made of roses as well.
Recipes for creating rose beads vary widely. In fact, the only common ingredients are rose petals. Follow this simple recipe to make your own beads:
What You Need
Rose petals--4 cups or more
Chopping knife
Saucepan or skillet for simmering petals (cast iron if you want black beads)
Water
Spoon
Rose oil
Pins or needles to create holes
Nylon beading thread
What You Do
1. Chop rose petals into small pieces.
2. Put chopped petals into a saucepan or skillet and cover with water. Simmer for an hour.
3. Add a bit of rose oil to the pot and simmer an hour a day for four or five days until the petal mixture begins to look like clay.
4. Squeeze as much moisture as possible out of the mixture and save the rose liquid in a small covered container.
5. Form small beads with the rose mixture. Keep in mind that the beads will shrink as they dry. Poke a hole in each bead and set aside to dry.
6. Check the beads each day. When fully dry, rub some of the reserved rose liquid on each bead. Do this for several days to harden the bead surface.
7. String beads on a beading thread, and enjoy the long-lasting fragrance.
Adapted from the January/February, 2001 issue of HGTV Ideas magazine
Flower Lore
Roses symbolize different things according to their colors.
A Red Rose reveals passion.
A Yellow Rose promises fidelity.
A White Rose symbolizes purity.
Pink is for the delight of honest friendship.
In the homeopathic realm: the Bach Flowers Remedies (from England) Wild Rose Essence is said to alleviate these symptoms:
Resignation, apathy. Whether it's illness, a monotonous life or poor working conditions, these people do not complain but simply plod unhappily on. Their apathetic behavior assures that their condition will not change and they miss even the simplest of life's pleasures...
You can find out more about Bach Flowers at a good health food store. If you love flowers, the reading itself is very interesting.
from THE ROSE, Bette Midler:
"...just remember, in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows, lies the seed that, with the sun's love, in the spring becomes the rose..."
Rose Delicacies
Disney Insitute Senior Chef Instructor Darin Sehnert provides an in-depth demonstration on harvesting roses (both from the garden and from containers). He also shows us how to use the blossoms in several delicious recipes. Sehnert recommends using gallica, musk, and cabbage rose varieties for cooking since they tend to have the best flavor and are disease-resistant.
Rose Water
Ingredients
2 cups rose petals with the white ends snipped off
2 cups water
Steps
Bring the water to a boil and pour over the petals. Cover and seal with plastic wrap to allow the essence of the petals to fuse with the water (about 45 minutes to an hour). Strain the mixture with a coffee filter colander or cheesecloth colander. Use the water to flavor ice tea or pour over fruit salad.
Rose Butter
Ingredients
4 ounces unsalted butter
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Enough roses to yield 2 tablespoons of chopped petals
Steps
Using a very sharp knife, mince the flowers and any leaves. (Mincing is easier if the blossoms are rolled into a small ball before they are cut.) Cut a stick of butter (at room temperature) into six or eight pieces, then mash with a fork. When the butter is fairly soft, slowly incorporate any flavorings, along with the flowers and leaves. With a rubber spatula, place the mixture in a small butter crock or decorative bowl. Refrigerate until serving time. (Frozen butter can be preserved in sealed containers for up to two months.)
Rose Petal Jam
Ingredients
1 lb. heavily scented red or pink rose petals
2 cups water
2-1/2 cups superfine sugar
Juice of two lemons
1 tablespoon rosewater
Steps
Remove the bitter white base from each petal, then rinse and drain all petals. Bring the water to a boil in a large, heavy saucepan. Reduce to the simmering point, then add the rose petals. (The mixture will froth up considerably, so the pan should not be filled more than halfway.) Simmer gently for 5 minutes, until petals are soft. Add the sugar and lemon juice. Bring back to a boil and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture begins to thicken. Add the rosewater.
Allow the mixture to bubble up substantially. When the bubbles have become mostly foam, test the mixture for a setting point. (To do this, first remove the pan from the heat. Then, place a spoonful of the jam on a cold saucer, allow to cool and push the surface slightly -- if it wrinkles, it's ready. Allow the jam to cool slightly, then pour into sterilized jars. Label and seal. From H&G website
Flower Lore
Roses symbolize different things according to their colors.
A Red Rose reveals passion.
A Yellow Rose promises fidelity.
A White Rose symbolizes purity.
Pink is for the delight of honest friendship.
In the homeopathic realm: the Bach Flowers Remedies (from England) Wild Rose Essence is said to alleviate these symptoms:
Resignation, apathy. Whether it's illness, a monotonous life or poor working conditions, these people do not complain but simply plod unhappily on. Their apathetic behavior assures that their condition will not change and they miss even the simplest of life's pleasures...
You can find out more about Bach Flowers at a good health food store. If you love flowers, the reading itself is very interesting.
from THE ROSE, Bette Midler:
"...just remember, in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows, lies the seed that, with the sun's love, in the spring becomes the rose..."
