Sprouting



Even on a wintry Wednesday, I see signs of spring sprouting in my world.  Cilantro and dill self-seeded in my garden and are just the perfect size for snipping and adding to soups,salads, and salsa.

Bronze fennel is beginning to put forth ferny branches.
Lemongrass which was cut back hard at the beginning of winter is showing some greening here and there.

Earlier this week it was warm outdoors, so I cut back the sage which had grown leggy and wild, trimmed the roses, and tried to free the Mediterranean garden from the grass that invaded over the winter.  Still lots more pulling and digging to do there, but I did uncover a hidden lemon thyme, a surprisingly healthy and fragrant marjoram, and a dianthus already in bloom as I yanked out pesky grass and weeds.  Sweet discoveries like that make weeding worthwhile!

Today it is back to winter weather, so I'm planning to enjoy a cup of tea and doing some plotting and planning for my new garden area complete with a small greenhouse and potting area.

What is happening in your world today?





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Snippings


Simple pleasures from the herb garden-
sprigs of lavender, sweet marjoram, and rose scented geranium ... springtime to my soul!

After a bit of a funky, stressful morning, I slipped out the back door with a cup of green tea to collect my thoughts and found myself picking a pinch here and there of the herbs that have braved the winter weather.  After just a few moments of enjoying the scent and sight of these glorious greens, the not-so-great mood lifted and I was snapping photos (rather sad ones I'm afraid due to a worn out camera), sniffing sweet smells, and planning new planting schemes.
Herbs are great therapy!

Weekend Blessings ... I'm planning on a little seed sowing (indoors) myself.
How about you, what is on your agenda for this weekend?




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Simple Herbal Gifts


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Dream pillows are simple gifts I make for Christmas gifting.  I use Dream Herbs  Pillow Mix from Mountain Rose Herbs but you could easily mix up your own blend using your favorite relaxing herbs such as lavender, rose petals, hops, chamomile, mugwort, and a few drops of rose or lavender essential oil.
I tuck the dream herbs mix into drawstring muslin bags or sew up simple pillow shapes that can be slipped into a pillowcase.    
Add a tag wishing your loved one Sweet Dreams and you have a simple gift that will be a sweet reminder of you each time they put their head on the pillow.

Herb infused oils also make excellent gifts.  Sweet Almond or Olive oil infused with calendula, lavender, or other herbs of your choice can be placed in decorative bottles and given as body/massage oils.   A few drops of a coordinating essential oil added to the oil will give you a sweet smelling perfume oil to share.

Bath salts can be as simple to mix up as adding essential oils to sea salt, though you can get creative and mix in other ingredients like epsom salts, baking soda, even a small amount of liquid soap to make foaming bath salts.  Peppermint oil makes a nice Christmas scent, or how about frankincense and myrrh, or my personal favorite lavender and rose geranium?   Put the salts in a pretty container, label, and add a pretty shell or vintage spoon to scoop out the salts and you have a great gift for someone special.

These 3 simple herbal gifts can be customized with different herbs and essential oils to please most anyone on your gift-giving list. You could get all of them on amazon.com.

And don't forget herb plants or seeds for the herb lover on your list!  These are almost always at the top of my own wish list.


Next week I'll share some tasty herbal treats for gifting.

What is your favorite simple herbal gift to give or receive?

Wishing you a peaceful holiday season,














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Fall Fun with Herbs


I organized the still room pantry this week.  In the process I discovered jars of herbs and spices that I had forgotten about- star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange peel.  It is time for some fall herb crafting around here!  Last fall I used those ingredients to make a pretty potpourri.  This season I think I'll make pomanders with oranges and lemons. Usually i buy them from Amazon.com

 I've got some other herb crafts in mind too, which I'll share with you in the coming days.  It is time for steaming cups of spiced tea, gingerbread, apple pie, and all the other warm and wonderful treats that remind me of fall.

What is your favorite herb for fall?  Today I'd have to say cinnamon, probably because I can smell the acorn squash that I am baking with butter, brown sugar and lots of cinnamon!  
Have a blessed fall day!  I'll be back soon to share some of my favorite fall herb creations.


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Soon ...

our resident toad that loves to soak in the dog's water bowl

I'll be back soon ... fall is coming (so ready for this) and I'll have more time (and energy!) for posting here.
While I'm here ...
My herb garden has suffered this summer- heat, neglect, and a very naughty puppy have made things quite the challenge.  But, a new season is at hand and I'm ready to 'begin again'!
How about you?
How did your garden fare this summer?
Planting anything new this fall?  I've got plans to move my raised beds from the back yard to the front (out of digging dog's reach!) and I'm dreaming up a foundation planting scheme- rosemary, lavender, thyme, and ________ (what else?) .

Hope your summer has been filled with abundant harvests and herbal blessings!

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Summer Garden~ Pineapple Sage


One of my summer garden favorites- Salvia elegans, Pineapple Sage

A tender perennial in my area, it seldom survives the heat of August; but just maybe this year it will persevere.  Thus far it is lush and lovely, though no longer blooming.  The red blossoms are loved by hummingbirds as well as humans, and make a sweet addition to a summer fruit salad.  I like to add a few leaves and flowers to a pitcher of herbal sun tea.  Pineapple Sage also makes a sweet smelling addition to a floral arrangement (in my case, a few flowers and herbs tucked into a Mason jar).
For other delicious uses for Pineapple Sage, check out this post at The Essential Herbal Blog (my favorite herb magazine)!

What herbs are thriving in your summer garden?  



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Cool Drinks for Hot Days

Sunny summer days call for refreshing drinks.  Herbs make fabulous teas and flavored waters.  One of the simplest is also a favorite here in the Love household.  A few sprigs of lemon balm, ginger mint, and spearmint in a pitcher of water.  I set it on the windowsill in the morning and by lunch time it is ready to drink.  We sometimes add a slice of lemon or lime to make it extra tasty.

Please share your favorite herbal drinks for summer!
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