Dust! Why is it that everywhere I go today my dear readers, all I see is dust? Those pesky particles that get into everything and make the prettiest of things in the home look unkempt and unloved? I have no idea and today this reporter is going to try and banish it as best she can. I have been inspired by the spring-like freshness in the air and so as I write this column, you will find me sat before my cauldrons in the kitchen once more. I mercifully have the apartment to myself this weekend and that is going to allow me some time to open the windows, clear the clutter and restore order to my home without my darling roommate wreaking havoc on my plans.
So let's get down to business, shall we? This month I am going to show you a furniture polish recipe that my dear Grandmama has passed down to all the Grey women. And yes I can already hear you protesting that it is much easier to simply buy a large supply of Magical Mess Remover or some such mass-produced cleaner and polish, BUT, trust me, once you have seen the long term benefits that this mixture has on your beautiful wooden furniture, you will thank me for sure. Not only make your treasures sparkle like new, but it will also preserve and restore them for years to come. A simple wipe down once a month will make them completely water and pest-proof so you never have to worry about pesky critters spoiling your finest sideboard ever again.
The other advantage is that none of the ingredients are hard to find. A simple wander through Diagon Alley will help you gather all you need for fewer galleons than you would spend on those extortionately priced alternatives. So what do you need I hear you ask? I've given all the information right here, so you can read them at your leisure. I myself am going to brew up a batch today as I have a particularly grubby dresser to attend to thanks to Tabitha's latest habit of leaving boot polish all over the place. II swear one of these days, I'm going to invite her somewhat dishy brothers over to bear witness to the catastrophes she leaves behind. Maybe one of them may take pity and rescue me. Who knows?
Ingredients:
10 ladle fulls Beeswax, melted
2 measures Bundimun Secretion
5 Cowbane Stems, crushed
3 drops Dittany
1 ladle full Lady's Mantle Leaves, finely chopped
4 tsp Lemon Juice
2 Lionfish Spines, finely ground
3 drops Orange/Pine/Lavender Essential Oil
Directions:
1. Place the solid beeswax into a small copper cauldron and heat gently until it has thoroughly melted with no lumps.
2. Add the Bundimun Secretion and Dittany to the melted wax, stirring continuously clockwise until the potion turns light green in color.
3. Next add the Lemon Juice and Lionfish Spines (These should resemble sieved flour if ground correctly) and increase the heat to medium while stirring anti-clockwise for three minutes. The mixture should then turn to a pale yellow/gold color.
4. Once the correct color is achieved, add the Cowbane Stems and Lady's Mantle leaves. Leave the potion to simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.
5. Strain the potion through a sieve to remove the leaves and stems and pour it into a clean, pewter cauldron. Increase the heat to High and add the Essential Oil of your choice. Stir vigorously three times anti-clockwise and five times clockwise. The potion should then change to either orange, green or purple depending on your choice.
6. Pour the finished potion into a silver dish with a lid and allow it to completely cool and set for twelve hours before use.
7. The finished wax can then be applied to furniture with a soft, lint-free cloth.
That's unfortunately all that I have for you this month my lovely readers. So until next time, good luck with your brewing and cleaning and happy Spring! - Nikita