Herbs: G is for Ginger

ginger root by notafish/Flickr

Did you ever wonder where gingerbread, ginger ale, and ginger snaps got their zing?  Ginger of course!

Latin Name: Zingiber officinale Zingiberaceae

Description: Ginger is a herbaceous tropical perennial.   The blooms are 3 inch long flowers that appear on 6-12 inch stocks.  The leaves are grasslike with a plant reaching up to 4 feet tall.

 Habitat: Ginger is a native of the tropics and was brought to Europe and North America centuries ago as a treasured spice.  It was discovered that it grew very well in various climates around the world, even though it might not flower easily in "captivity".   

one of my baby ginger plants

Growing: Ginger can easily be grown in containers.  This is in fact the preferred method as it can become quite invasive if left unchecked.  Simply plant your ginger roots in a pot of well-drained, rich soil - just below the surface.  It needs a warm spot that is not too hot in the summer. Moisture and humidity are very important as this is a tropical plant. It doesn't do well in the cold and can be brought inside in the winter as a houseplant.

Harvesting:  The root is the part used, either fresh or dried.  To harvest, dig up your ginger roots that have been growing for a minimum of 8 months.  You may then either cut the stalk and leaves completely from the root or just cut off the bit of ginger that you would like to use and replant the plant.  I have done this using both methods and have had success with each, but it is easier to just chop the roots up and leave "eyes" like on potatoes so they will sprout. 

Uses:  One of my favorite uses is as a digestive aid.  We try to always have a bag of candied ginger on hand for upset stomachs or queasiness.  It is a fabulous ingredient for baking and cooking.

another of my own ginger plants

It has been in use for thousands of years and found to be good for various ailments such as motion sickness, flatulence, and circulatory issues.  Menstrual cramps and pain are also said to be relieved by taking ginger.

Some of my research found that holistic veterinarians are also using ginger in small animals for fever reduction and as a sedative or analgesic.  It's quite the versatile herb.

When I took the natural perfumery class last year, I discovered the essential oil that is widely used in perfumery all over the world.  It smells fabulous! 

Ginger Tea

Simply pour 1 pint of boiling water over approximately 1 ounce of chopped or sliced

ginger root.  Steep for 5-20 minutes.  Can be enjoyed hot or cold.  Very refreshing!

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Disclaimer: The information presented herein is intended for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. It is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider or your veterinarian before taking any supplements, herbs, or other substances or supplying them to your pets.

Herbs: F is for Feverfew

Used by the ancient Greeks and Romans, the name Feverfew comes from the Latin word febrifugia which means "driver out of fevers".  A very aptly named plant!

Latin Name: Tanacetum partenium of the sunflower family

Alternate Name(s):  Featherfoil

Description:  This fast-growing plant is native to Europe, but now grows wild in North America.  The bright green leaves are about 1" wide with small white flowers sporting yellow centers.  The entire plant is quite aromatic.   Feverfew can become bushy and will reach up to 3 feet tall. 

Habitat: Feverfew likes well drained soil in a sunny location.  It is a member of the mum or sunflower family and will grow just about anywhere.  It will reseed itself readily.

Growing: Can be grown as a hardy perennial or as a biannual with blooms occurring from June to August in most areas.  Will grow very easily from seed and may also be propagated via division or cuttings.  If growing from seed, you may sow indoors about 2 weeks before your last frost.  In mild climates, the seed may be sown directly in early spring or in the fall.  It is a very hardy plant that requires minimal fuss.

Harvesting:  Feverfew is best picked early in the morning after the dew has dried from the plant.  Drying in hanging bunches works very well, suspended over a tray to catch falling petals is helpful.  I've also hung them in brown paper lunch sacks while drying in order to keep the petals contained and dust from the plants.  Either hanging method will suffice.   All aerial parts of the plants are used.

Uses: The old herbals have many suggestions and uses listed for feverfew.  It can be used fresh, dried, as a tea, or a tincture.    Some of the suggested properties of feverfew are that it dilates blood vessels, helps reduce pain from arthritis, it can help promote menstruation, and has insecticidal benefits.  It has been touted for "women's troubles" and as an antidote for the over-indulgence of opiates.  The bitter taste can be hidden if mixed in with other salad greens.

I began growing it for both the purported migraine relief and for use as a dye plant: the leaves & stems make a greenish-yellow dye. In my research, I was also pleased to find that it has been used as an aspirin alternative.  Aspirin is toxic to cats while they can metabolize feverfew and gain the same relief.

The flowers also contain  pyrethrins (similar to marigolds).  This has been found to be effective against fleas and other insects.  A tincture of feverfew can be used as an insect repellent for humans as well as relief from insect bites.

Pet Flea Rinse

Gather some FRESH Feverfew and place in a bowl.  Pour enough boiling water over it to cover.  Cover the bowl and let cool.  Strain out the herbs and then pour the COOLED liquid over the pet's coat.  Let it soak to the skin and then dry by itself.  *Note that this is not a mixture that will keep, throw away any leftover liquid.

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Disclaimer: The information presented herein is intended for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. It is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider or your vetrinarian before taking any supplements, herbs, or other substances or supplying them to your pets.

What I See Wednesday

My calla lilies are hanging on in spite of the rising heat.

Little legs getting longer by the day.

Mr. MoonCat's "man-cave" aka my herb drying room

My own pest control team.

Herbs - E is for Elecampane

"Let no day pass without eating some of the roots of elecampane..

to help digestion, to expel melancholy, and to cause mirth." - Pliny

Many centuries ago, Roman scholar Pliny wrote of the benefits and uses of the herb elecampane. To this day, it is still being used in many of these same applications as well as in new formulations.

Latin Name:   Inula helinium of the family asteraceae

Alternate Name(s):  horseheal, elfdock, scabwort, elfwort, wild sunflower

Description:  Elecampane is a hardy perennial with tall softly hairy stems that can grow up to 6ft tall.  Pointed leaves with toothed edges showcase yellow flowers that are similar to shaggy daisies or some varieties of sunflowers.

Habitat: Likes damp, moist soil in a sunny location. Propagate by division of roots in spring or autumn or by seed which is much slower to germinate than many of the other herb seeds. pH levels are acceptable from almost 6 down to 4.5

Growing: It usually blooms in late summer and is fairly easy to grow, even for the novice herb gardener.

Harvesting: Elecampane roots can be harvested after the 2nd year of growth, while the aerial parts can be used immediately after the first blooming.  As with most harvests, it is best to do it early in the morning after the dew has dried and before the heat sets it.  This will ensure more of the oils will still be up in the aerial parts of the plants.

Uses: The roots and flowers are both used (both fresh & dried) and are usually combined with other herbs.  Many of the old herbals showed various uses as cough syrups and remedies as well as tonics.  The roots were often candied like ginger root and used as a digestive aid by ancient Greeks and Romans after their meals.  

In my researching of this plant I have come across many, many listed uses for elecampane.  As with all of my articles and posts about herbs - I am not suggesting or promoting their use for anything.  I am simply sharing what I have been told or have found during my studies.  Always talk to your doctor or do your own research before trying something new.  Even things found in nature in their natural state can be deadly.  Now, back to my findings:  Elecampane has supposedly been used as a natural sweetener for diabetics (interesting to find out how it compares to Stevia).  It seems to have many uses for respiratory distresses such as infections, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, etc.

One of my favorite tidbits was that early veterinarians used this herb in both horses and sheep very effectively.  It has also shown to be useful for kennel cough in cats and dogs as well as having fungicidal and sedative qualities.  I found it on several lists of herbs for expelling worms too.  Very interesting little herb!

Elecampane Tea
1 oz elecampane root
1 pt water

Simmer the root and water together for about 20 minutes.  Let cool before drinking.  This tea is said to be a great remedy for coughs and other minor respiratory ailments as well as having sedative properties.

Notes: People with allergies or sensitivities to plants in the sunflower (asteraceae) family have been shown to also have problems with this plant and should avoid its use.

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Disclaimer: The information presented herein is intended for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. It is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider before taking any supplements, herbs, or other substances.

What I See Wednesday

Damage from the last big storm

Promise of sweetness to come

Chandler's Serious Pose

Calien:  "Play?Play?Play?"

Valley Oak Scented Geranium

Yes, Mr. MoonCat is really a twelve year old!

Herbs - D is for Dandelion

Latin Name:  Taraxacum officinale of the family N.O. Compositae

Alternate Name(s): Priest's Crown, Swine's Snout, Blow Ball, Cankerwort, Dandelion, Lion's Tooth, Pissabed, Puff Ball, Pu Gong or Pu KungYing, Telltime, White or Wild Endive

Description: Shiny, smooth green leaves with many jagged or toothed edges form an almost flat rosette close to the ground. A single bright, golden-yellow bloom will appear on a purplish smooth stalk that has no leaves. This stalk comes straight up from the root itself as this is where the water concentrates in the plant.

Habitat:  Anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere where there is full sun and plenty of water. They grow wild in just about any meadow-type area as well as lawns. This is another of the plants that are very sensitive to the sun and the weather. The blooms will open fully to the sunlight and then close themselves up at night. They will also close tightly when it rains.

Growing:   Dandelions will grow wild in most parts of the world and are actually cultivated in some places such as France and Germany as a crop plant. It is started from seed in the early Spring or they will come back year after year on sturdy roots. Dandelions will bloom and scatter seed most of the year and is thus considered a great pest by most gardeners and farmers alike as they can never seem to eradicate them completely. It is a very hardy and persistent plant and thus very easy to grow when you chose to do so.

Harvesting: The young leaves can be taken at any time during the Spring while they are still tender. It is best to do this early in the morning before the heat has affected them. The roots should be harvested in the Fall when the plant is two years old.

Uses: Many people enjoy eating young dandelion greens in salads or steamed like spinach. They have been shown to be a great source of Vitamin A and potassium. Dandelions have been reported to be a potent diuretic for humans and is actually a considered a beneficial one as the dandelion may up the levels of potassium which is usually leached out by other diuretics. The dandelion root has been shown to possibly have a laxative effect on humans and may aid in cleansing the system. This is interesting since it basically acts just like coffee and is often used as a coffee substitute.

Extra Simple Dandelion Wine

4 cups White Wine

1 cup Dandelion flowers

Place flowers and wine in a sealed bottle or container. Place in a dark place for about 4 weeks. Remove the flowers and sweeten to taste. Stevia or honey are excellent natural sweeteners to use.

Even Simpler Dandelion Tea

1 cup boiling water

1 cup Dandelion flowers

Steep the flowers in the cup of boiling water for about 15-20 minutes. Remove the flowers and add sweetener to taste – I use stevia or honey.

Notes: Dandelions are a critical source of both nectar and pollen for honeybees. It is especially important as it provides a natural food source well into autumn for the bees to the beekeeper isn't feeding them the artificial food as early. Consider growing a couple pots full of dandelions even if only to keep the bees happy!

Sources:
http://www.botanical.com/
http://www.wikipedia.org/
http://www.freeherbphotos.com/ - photos courtesy of

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Disclaimer: The information presented herein is intended for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. It is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider before taking any supplements, herbs, or other substances.

Herbs - C is for Catnip

Nepeta cataria

Latin Name:  Nepeta of the family Lamiaceae

Alternate Name(s): Catmint

Description: Perennial herb that grows to about 3 or 4 feet high.  Some varieties are grown as annuals.  Catnip leaves are a greenish gray or green heart shape and grow opposite each other on sturdy stems.  The tube shaped flowers grow in clusters towards the stem ends and can be in various colors such as blue, pink, white or lavender.

Habitat: Catnip grows extensively and originates in Africa, Asia and Europe but is also very easy to find in the United States and the rest of North American now. 

Growing: Extremely easy to grow from seed.  To get an early jump on Spring, you can start the seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost in your neck of the woods.  Cover the seeds lightly with soil and keep moist.  If you cover the pots with plastic this will aid in keeping the humidity up.  It is very important to not let them dry out - now or once they've sprouted.  Keep the pots in a warm location until the seeds have sprouted.  Once they're up, put them in a sunny place until they are big enough to plant outside.  It is best to gradually introduce them to being outside in the wind and sunshine.  Above all, keep them moist.  Catnip sucks up lots of water for its entire life cycle. 

Full sun is a requirement, but in areas like mine where the heat can get well up into three digits, the plant pretty much needs to sit in a bowl of water during the day or it will not perform at its best.  It will handle short periods of drought, but it will definitely affect the growth.

I have found that in our area my plant will stay somewhat green most of the winter if in a sheltered spot with a lot of light (and if I keep it watered).  I am pretty ruthless in pruning the plant back to the ground when it warms up in Spring which will make my plant come back bushier and fuller than before.  This will also help it to produce more buds.

You can also find catnip plants at local garden stores in the Spring, but you need to be sure you get the right variety Nepeta cataria as some of the plants you find might be more suited towards ornamental uses.  They don't give your cats as much pleasure as the cataria variety.  The seeds may also be labeled as Common Catnip which should be the cataria. 

I personally keep my catnip in pots.  It will reseed itself as well as come back from the previous years plant.  Because it is of the mint family, it can become invasive if not monitored.  I just prefer to keep it in check to start with.

freeherbpictures.com

Harvesting: I regularly give my cats fresh leaves from the many catnip plants I have growing around our place.  Once the plant is established (about a foot or so tall), I start harvesting from it.  The buds are extremely potent for the cats and they enjoy the heck out of them along with the leaves. 

Harvesting is best done in the early mornings after the dew has evaporated and before it gets too warm.  Depending on what I'm going to do with it, I will usually cut several stems with leaves and buds and hang them to dry.  I bundle them up and tie them with string or a rubberband and then I use clothespins to hang them in a large closet to dry.  It is a good idea to have somewhere secure from your furry friends to dry catnip as they can do amazing feats to get to a bunch hanging above them.  Once dried I will store the bundles in labeled glass canning jars until I have need of them.

Uses: To provide our domestic felines with a legal, euphoric high.  Most cats will start rolling in, eating, and drooling over catnip or catnip toys.  They will play and have bouts of craziness until they flop over and sleep for an hour or two.  Some major studies are being conducted to determine the effects on the big cats (lions, tigers, jaguars, etc.). 

Catnip has been shown to be an insect repellant for humans.  It is being used in many natural preparations and where DEET is not desirable. 

A lovely mint tea can be made from catnip.  It is interesting that it tends to have a soothing effect like chamomile for us instead of the over-caffeinated buzz that the cats get from it.

Notes: The photos of the kitties above are from a recent treat I gave my furbabies.  I have a few different varieties of catnip/catmint and was experimenting on which they like the best.  It proved for me that the Nepeta cataria is definitely the one with the most "juice"!  The cats LOVE it.  Actually, 8 of 9 endorse it.  My old cat Sheena will have nothing to do with it. I just wish I'd taken a photo of them all sacked out on the futon after this episode.  They were all passed out in a row for about an hour.  Quiet time for Mommy! 

Check out my article: Catnip - Crank for Cats for some more personal insight on kitties & catnip

I will be offering some of our organically grown catnip as well as our homemade cat toys in the near future.

But for now, a quick and easy cat toy that will provide hours of enjoyment for your furry babies can be made in minutes.  Take an old (closely woven) sock that has lost its mate and stuff the toe with dried catnip.  Tie a tight knot in the top and let them have it.  Recycling, reusing, and repurposing at its best!  (Plus some major kitty fun)

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Disclaimer: The information presented herein is intended for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. It is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider before taking any supplements, herbs, or other substances.

Herbs - B is for Bee Balm or Bergamot

Bee Balm

Latin Name:  Monarda didyma of the family Lamiaceae

Alternate Name(s):  Scarlet Bee Balm, Wild Bergamot, Bergamot, Scarlet Monarda, Oswego Tea, or Crimson Beebalm)

Description:  The flowers themselves vary in appearance and color from light pinks to mauves and deep scarlet.  The most often seen are the bright red variety.   The tubular blooms usually show in clusters of about 30 or so.  This hardy perennial has opposing leaves on square stems.  They are mostly dark green with reddish leaf veins. 

Habitat:  The monarda tends to favor areas with moist, well-drained soil.  Full sun is its preferred lighting.  Bee Balm is an excellent companion plant in the vegetable garden, especially for tomatoes.  It tends to attract the pollinators as well as some of the beneficial predatory bugs.  The fact that it is a very attractive plant just adds to it's appeal.

Growing: Bee Balm can be started by seed, division, or by cuttings.  Seeds usually need to be scratched up a bit before planting.  They can be planted directly outdoors once the soil has warmed up considerably (70 degrees or above) or they can be started earlier indoors.  Root cuttings are possible and suggested in the spring, but division seems to be the most popular way to expand your Monarda collection.  It is actually very beneficial to the plant to divide them every few years as they can get too crowded  and not get enough air circulating through the lower sections.  They will also become susceptible to various ailments such as root rot and mildew if not allowed enough space.  The plant can reach up to 3 feet high.

Harvesting:  The leaves and flowers are the parts used.  Harvest on a sunny morning after the dew has dried.  After gathering bunches, tie them with string and hang upside down in a darkened, airy room until completely dry. Once they are dried, the leaves and flowers may be removed from the stems.

Uses:  Can be used as a digestive stimulant and as an aromatic in potpourris or the bath.  The taste of the leaves and flowers are rather citrusy and can be used in teas.  The teas can be made with either fresh leaves or dried.  It is also an ingredient in many modern mouthwashes as it has antiseptic properties.   It is not to be confused with the Citrus bergami which is where we get the bergamot flavoring that is used in my beloved Earl Grey tea.  It can be a bit much to seperate the two since they're both called "bergamot" and both are used in teas and cooking.  The bee balm is from the mint family while the latter is from the citrus family.  A distinct feature of these flowers is that they will hold their color when dried.

Notes:   I really love growing these gorgeous plants.  While they do have many varied uses, I pretty much grow them for the dried flowers and for the hummingbirds.  It is a lovely sight to see the plants covered by butterflies, bees, and the little hummers.

Photos courtesy of: freeherbpictures.com

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Disclaimer: The information presented herein is intended for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. It is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider before taking any supplements, herbs, or other substances.

Herbs - A is for Agrimony

This will be the first post on herbs that I will be attempting to grow this year. I am putting them in alphabetical order from A-Z to make it easier. Some of them I am familiar with and have grown in the past while others are new to me and I am sharing my discovery of them with you. I hope you'll enjoy my little learning adventure as much as I am.
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'If it be leyd under man's heed,

He shal sleepyn as he were deed;

He shal never drede ne wakyn

Til fro under his heed it be takyn.'

Agrimony

Latin Name: Agrimonia eupatoria of the family Rosaceae (Rose)

Alternate Name(s): Church Steeples, Cockeburr, Sticklewort, Philanthropos, Cockburr, Liverwort, Stickwort, Agrimonia, Harvest Lice, White Tansy, Rat's Tail

Description: Perennial herb that grows to about 3 or 4 feet high. The paired leaves are pretty with green topsides and silvery tones underneath. It has terminal spikes of small yellow star-shaped flowers. It is generally in bloom from early June until late September. Many have compared the pleasant scent to apricots while some liken it to lemons or citrus with the leaves retaining the scent even after being dried. The plant has seedpods that have little hooked ends that will grab onto anything that passes by (thus many of it's alternate names).

Habitat: Agrimony grows wild in Europe, Canada, and the United States. It prefers part to full sun, average soil, and regular watering. Will survive drier weather once established. It is shown to be hardy in Zones 5-9. Can be found in the wild.

Growing: Reported to be Moderately Easy to grow, Agrimony can be propagated from seed or from root cuttings. Root cuttings do well in the fall or spring, but if starting from seed Agrimony must be chilled for 4 to 6 weeks before germination. Seeds can then be sown once the ground temperature remains above 55 degrees. Organic blood or bone meal can be added to help the young plants start strong. The soil should be kept moist (not soggy) until the new seedlings emerge. To keep the roots moist and retain water, add mulch early in the growing stage. Once the plants have taken hold and are full-size, they can survive short dry spells.

Harvesting: Depends upon which part you're using and for what purpose. Gather the leaves and blossoms early on a dry, sunny day after the dew has evaporated. You will process and use the fresh material immediately. To dry Agrimony, harvest as above and then tie with string or use a rubber band to contain a small bunch. (It sometimes helps to strip the leaves near the base of the stem before tying the bunch together.) Hang the bunch upside-down, to dry in a dark, well-ventilated area. If using the root for dye, dig some (leave some if you wish to have a plant next year) up, wash off all soil and debris, then cut into small pieces and use immediately.

Uses: To stop bleeding/coagulent, for diarrhea, easing bed-wetting, clearing up infections – fungal and bacterial, skin astringent/toner, diuretic, jaundice and liver function ailments, wound dressing, yellow dye

Notes: Agrimony is a very astringent plant. Many use it for pimples and other facial complaints. While it is used for stopping diarrhea, it can go to the opposite extreme and intensify constipation – be warned. It is still used in modern Chinese medicine for heavy bleeding (menstrual or other) as it is a very effective coagulant. It is known there as Xian He Cao. Agrimony is also used in sleep pillows to aid in obtaining a deep rest (hence the little ditty at the start of the post which they believed in Medieval times). In Medieval times, Agrimony was used extensively by healers on the battlefields.

I am planning on growing it to experiment with it as a dye plant as it is reported to make a beautiful yellow gold color.  I understand that the deepness of the color varies with when you harvest the plant; the later in the growing season - the darker the dye.  This will be the first time I've tried to grow this plant.  We shall see how this plays out for my projects.

Agrimony Tea
Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 tsp dried Agrimony (you can use any or all parts of the plant for infusing). Brew for about 10-15 minutes and then strain. Can be flavored with honey as the Agrimony by itself can be a little bitter. Not to be taken more than once a day.

Photos courtesy of:  freeherbpictures.com

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Disclaimer: The information presented herein is intended for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. It is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider before taking any supplements, herbs, or other substances.

Harvest Arts and Peace Festival

What a great weekend we had. Hubby and I played hooky from all of the moving and rigmarole associated with it. We ran away to the foothills for a play date at the 17th Annual Harvest Arts & Peace Festival in Prather, held at the Intermountain Nursery (same place I took the wonderful Natural Perfumery Workshop that you can read about here).

The weather was perfect, warm with a slight breeze. Lots of patrons strolling the lovely grounds of the nursery looking at their plants and natural landscaping:

Lots of demonstrations and informational booths such as the one on falconry that this beautiful peregrine was staffing:

Way too many wonderful craft booths for someone on a tight budget like I am supposed to be following. I couldn't resist to add another piece of Halloween decor to our new home:

And thank goodness I have such an understanding and supportive husband. I couldn't leave the nursery without these new herb babies:

We ate delicious Portabella mushroom ciabatta sandwiches and drank natural root beer - YUM. It was a great day and we really enjoyed our little escape from the boxes and mess that is moving.

More on the rest of the weekend tomorrow.

Refreshing....

I can't believe it's been a month since I wrote something. I really do have a lot to say... We have been extremely busy here in our own wee (and we) little world. It seems that we are outside until after dark most days just trying to keep up with all of the tasks here at home. Lots of herbs, veggies, and fruits needing tending to. Not to mention the critters and their needs/demands/wants.. Then when I am inside, it's time on the sewing machine (which I must confess I love) and all of the other little chores before bedtime.

Today we're going to my mom's to have a bbq. I'm in the experimenting mood (sometimes good, sometimes sorta scary) so I am going to take some of my herbs that I harvested this morning and try to create something yummy. I'm thinking my theme is going to be "Refreshing". One of things I'm trying is the following recipe for Lavender Lemonade. I've had something similar at a bridal shower & have wanted to try my hand at it for a while:

Lavender Lemonade

• 1/3 cup dried lavender ( be sure it's food grade)
• 1/13 cup sugar
• 14 lemons
• 4 cups boiling water
• 2 trays of ice cubes
• 10 cups cold water or to taste

Put ice cubes into a large pitcher. Place dried lavender in a bowl and add the boiling water over the top of it. After about 10-15 minutes, strain the lavender out (with a strainer or a coffee filter will work). Discard the lavender. Add the sugar into the hot lavender water. When the sugar is dissolved, pour over the ice cubes in the pitcher. Squeeze as much juice as possible from the lemons into the pitcher. Add the cold water to the pitcher. Taste and adjust lemon juice or sugar as desired.

To continue along the "Refreshing" theme, I am going to make an Avocado-Cilantro soup. I love chilled soups and this one just sounds wonderful. (I am sorry that I don't know where these recipes originally came from so I can give credit. I have a habit of copying great ones down & not always getting their origins documented.)

Avocado-Cilantro Soup

• 4 avocados, diced
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 1/2 cups chicken broth, cold
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• 1 tsp hot pepper sauce
• 1 tablespoon tequila (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste
  
  Combine avocado, shallot, chicken broth, tomato paste, hot pepper sauce, lime juice and tequila in a large food processor. Add about 1/2 of the cilantro, saving some for garnishing. Process until mixture is smooth. Add salt and pepper. Pour mixture into a large bowl and refrigerate at least 2 hours, covered.
  When ready to serve, place the mixture into four chilled soup bowls. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and the remaining cilantro.

And lastly, on my creative front, I will make this lovely Pesto Butter/Dip. YUMMY! It doesn't necessarily go along with the Refreshing bit, but it's awesome and I picked the herbs specifically for this so here it goes.. (Now I just need to con Mom into making her Rosemary Bread..)

Pesto Butter/Dip

• 2 tbsp ground black pepper
• 2tbsp fresh oregano
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary
• 2 tbsp fresh basil
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 2 tbsp dried garlic powder
• 2 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  
  Grind together all ingredients except for the olive oil. Place the herb mixture onto a small plate and cover with a very thin layer of olive oil. Serve with warm bread or breadsticks.

Mom just called to tell me that she did make fresh bread so great minds are definitely on the same wavelength!!! Now just to fill in the rest of the meal. I'm thinking some grilled chicken breasts and strawberries for dessert......I'm hungry!

Lovely Lavender!

These beauties are living the good life. I had originally planted them (temporarily) in a gladiola bed just until we had finished the larger herb garden where I had planned to do a hedge of lavender as an outline for my working garden. BUT, they decided on their own that they wanted to stay put and take over the glads' home. I can't argue with them since they are so extremely happy and prolific.

Even though I am very allergic to bees (and any other bugs for that matter), I am really happy to see so many more out and about this year than over the last few. The crisis with the honeybees and the Colony Collapse Syndrome hit our area in a big way. The almond growers were really hurting as they depend on these tireless little workers to pollinate thousands of acres of almonds in our valley. On a much smaller front, our little gardens benefit greatly from the attention and wouldn't be able to survive without them. Somehow it seems that all is starting to right itself in our corner of the world when Spring finally arrives and you hear the unmistakable buzzing from your posies!
I will be harvesting some of the lavender this weekend, especially the English variety which is a little behind these beauties. I am playing with some different recipes and concotions based on the use of both fresh and dried lavender. By the end of the weekend, I will have projects strung all over the house in various stages of drying and curing. I am getting the feeling that Michael thinks I'm a mad scientist sometimes..poor guy really didn't know what he was getting into!