The Herbal Pantry

The photo above shows what is serving as my still room and herbal pantry at present.   Though I dream of a 'real' still room some day, I am a firm believer in making the best of what you have at the moment, rather than waiting for the someday that may never come.  These items, tucked into a corner of the kitchen, serve my purposes well for now-

a rather funky scavenged shelf that needs a back on it

a great old hutch that we got for a very good price at a benefit sale

the little spice rack turned essential oil cabinet that my husband gave me many Christmases ago (Yes, we do celebrate Christmas ... just for those who might be told otherwise ... oh, and if you don't have a clue why I put that little tidbit in there, just ignore it ;) ... you know we herb people often get the strangest labels attached to us).

the very used, much loved oak dining table that my aunt gave me years ago (You can just see the corner of it in the photo, right next to the salvaged windows that I have great, artsy-crafty plans for.). 

The open shelves house jars of dried herbs.  I tried tucking them inside the hutch but it was a pain to get them out, so back on the shelves they went.  The shelf is in a very low-light area, so I don't worry about the light harming the herbs; though I am considering making a curtain for the front of the shelf.  On the top of the shelf you will see a basket with an assortment of tea bags, ingredients for bath and body products, and so forth.  There are also pickled peppers and okra on the shelf for now (we have no real food pantry, either in this house). 

The hutch is home to tea pots, a variety of teas (the tea chest and cabinet were also Christmas gifts from my husband), assorted herbal oil infusions and tinctures are tucked away inside the doors, along with empty jars and other storage containers, seeds, and various herb related items.  Of course, there is often a child-created art project that needs some attention from Mom left on the hutch for me, as in the case of the perler bead creations needing to be ironed. 

The essential oil cabinet is without a doubt the most used item in my herbal pantry.  It is opened daily for various things, such as scenting the bathwater (nothing like a rose geranium and lavender bath), making an herbal steam to clear up stuffy noses or a headache, freshening the air or adding a bit of extra cleaning power to the laundry or mop bucket, soothing an insect bite, or making something lovely like a perfumed lotion or oil.  Essential oils are most definitely an essential in my herbal pantry. 

Here are 8 that I wouldn't be without:

Lavender

Rose Geranium

Lemon

Bergamot

Peppermint

Rosemary

Tea Tree

Eucalyptus

I'll delve into what I use these for in a later post. 

If you use essential oils, please share with us which are the most essential to you. 

And I'd love to peek into your herbal pantry or still room if you have one, please share a photo or post about your own space for herbal creativity with us, too! 

Blessings,

Catherine  

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Hot Weather Herbs

Beautiful Blue Borage

Sadly, the borage that was blooming so beautifully in the photo is not a hot weather lover.  My container grown borage died from heat exhaustion a few weeks ago. Even with frequent watering and pampering- it. just. died.  Oh well, to be expected I suppose.  I'll replant later when the weather is more suitable for it.  For now, I'll just enjoy the photo and dream of pretty borage flower ice cubes to cool off a glass of herb tea (and make a mental note not to forget to make some this fall).

There are herbs that seem to thrive, or at least survive, even the brutal heat of a Texas summer. 

Below are 6 herbs that are doing well in my back yard, despite the drought and triple digit temperatures for days on end this summer-

Basil- Basil seems to love the heat.  The biggest challenge is keeping it from blooming and going to seed, daily pruning helps and provides me with tasty leaves for pesto, pasta sauce, or pest control (rub a basil leaf on your skin to repel insects).

Bay- My bay stick (the poor thing may never reach tree status) has grown more this summer than it has in the 3 years I've had it ... strange but true. 

Marjoram- The marjoram is doing well, soaking up the sun, flavoring grilled veggies and chicken.

Rosemary- Holding its own and being snipped almost daily for pasta sauce and such.

Lavender- It actually bloomed this year and seems to enjoy the dry heat (humidity and heat it doesn't like).

Thyme- Growing in a semi-shady spot, it seems quite content.

If you are looking for herbs that can take the heat, these may be just what you are looking for.

Please note: All of the herbs mentioned above are container grown and are receiving daily, sometimes twice daily, watering.  They can take heat, but nothing can survive without water, and lots of it these days!  Around here, the grass is dead, the trees and bushes get just enough water just to keep them alive until it rains, but the herb containers get a drink every morning!  It takes much less water to keep a few potted herbs (and the herbalist) happy than it does to keep a lawn green (and then I'd just have to mow it, and that wouldn't make me happy either). 

Which herbs thrive during the summer where you live?

   



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Herbal Helpers for Summer





Lavender Lemonade

I'm posting at The Renegade Farmer today.  Stop by to read about my Herbal Treats to Help Beat the Summer Heat. While you're there, don't miss Five Herbs for Safe Summer Skin, a great post by Briscoe White of The Grower's Exchange.

 I'll be posting more recipes and tips for the summer next week ... please share your own with me! 

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Summertime Herbal Teas and Treats

  With a forecast of 108 (yes, really), I'll be focusing on keeping everyone cool and hydrated today.
It is time for icy cold herbal treats, I do believe.

This Lavender Lemon Quencher sounds refreshing. 

Lavender Lemonade is a favorite in our family, too.  I think I'll brew up a batch and then freeze it in ice pop molds for an afternoon snack. 

My iced herb tea of choice is simply to go out early in the morning and pluck a few sprigs of whatever herbs catch my eye- usually lemon balm, lemon verbena, ginger mint, spearmint, and a bit of lavender or rose geranium.  Those go into a pitcher of water and sit on my sunny kitchen windowsill to infuse until lunchtime.
If I've thought ahead, I will have some pretty herbal ice cubes made with borage blossoms or mint and lemon balm leaves to make my iced tea even more delightful. 
Sweetened with a bit of honey or agave nectar, this is the perfect summer day drink for me. 

How about you? 
What summery herbal treats do you brew up this time of year?
What is your favorite iced tea herb?
Please share, I'm always grateful for a new herbal treat to try! 

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Summer Days

Happy July! 

Sorry things have been so quiet in the stillroom lately, but summer beckons me outdoors to enjoy the beauty of the garden and nature.  Herbs are growing by leaps and bounds, flowers are in bloom, and the bees, birds, and other small creatures are keeping me entertained with their daily visits to the garden and bird bath.  I have enjoyed spending lots of time just "being".  No agenda, no plan, no work ... just sitting quietly and enjoying whatever the day might bring.  It has been a blessing. 

But, July is now upon us and the heat will soon keep me indoors except for the early morning hours before the sun becomes unbearable.  Texas heat can be brutal, and I am an admitted wimp when it comes to scorching sun!  I've been dreaming up some herbal creations over the last few days, and starting next week I plan to share some of those with you.  Cool weather treats is at the forefront of my mind these days! 

Have a great weekend, stay cool, enjoy the blessings of summer!

p.s. Did you know sunflower petals make a pretty yellow to gold colored dye?  Another of my plans for the summer- creating plant dyes.  :)



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Herbal Tip of the Day

If your mint is growing by leaps and bounds (or even just a little bit), snip a few stems and put them in a little jar of water on a sunny windowsill. 
Check them daily and give them fresh water every couple of days and in no time you will have rooted cuttings to pot up or plant elsewhere. 
Pot them and let them continue to live on the windowsill, or slowly acclimate them to outdoor life by putting them out in a shady spot for a few hours at a time over a week or so. 
In my area mint needs a shady spot to thrive, so I just place it wherever its going to live for the warm weather and let it be. 

Ginger mint that started as a small division from a friend. 

What is your favorite mint?  I like them all, but the Ginger mint is a new to me favorite.  If I could grow "just one" (as sad as that would be) I would choose spearmint, though.





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Quietly Waiting for Tea Time

Wordless Wednesday

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