Road Trip--Fallingwater!

No, you say to yourself, "That doesn't look like Fallingwater!" You are correct. It's not! I was going to write a wonderful story about Frank Lloyd Wright even had room for an herb garden at Fallingwater. They have planted new herbs in the bed. It actually looks a little better than my garden at the moment! They have security cameras everywhere now even at the famous outlook that shows the house and falls. Just picture it, because I can't show it to you. I got some outside pictures when I wasn't supposed to be taking pictures! Oops! I even pleaded my case to take pictures of the herb garden! Our guide was by the book! I didn't want my blog shut down or taken away. So click on the link above and you will get a glimpse of what we saw today.

Seriously, if you are going to be in the western Pennsylvania area this summer, please come and see one of the Smithsonian Institution's 28 Sights to See Before You Pass to the Great Beyond! There are only two in this country and the others are in the west (the Grand Canyon) and other places in the world (too far)! Oh, the picture above is of a lone trillium along the path to the house that you can't see because they don't want just any picture of Fallingwater on the internet. I'm sure there are thousands of pictures of Fallingwater out there, just not one of mine! The trillium trail protected by deer fencing is in full bloom in the Fox Chapel area of Pittsburgh. Hope you get to enjoy it!

Self Indulgence as Mothers Day Approaches

A few days ago, my sister and I took my daughter out to purchase the white dress that will serve as her graduation "gown". Her school does not get the gown and mortar board, the girls all wear white dresses. We had a great time, and Molly chattered and laughed. It was good.
Last night I took her for her prom gown. She tried on a bunch of dresses, looking terrific in all of them, grousing about non-existent body issues, and we did more giggling and gabbing. We ran into some of her friends at the second store. They were with their mom (I went to school with her...) shopping for dresses for a wedding. Soon Molly's bff Lisa showed up and the whole gang of us took over the dressing room while the girls modeled their choices. We wound up getting our hair done and giving Lisa a ride home.
I can't stop thinking about my mom now, Ja-Ja to our kids.
Our mom raised 5 kids alone. She didn't get any support, so she started a home business so she could keep the family together. In those days, the most prevalent recommendation was to "farm us out" or give us up to the state. As the late 60's approached, Mom was faced with raising 4 teenagers. The oldest daughter was married and out of the house. It was a hard life for Mom. I'm sure she was lonely and frightened much of the time, and it is hard for me to try and put myself in those shoes.
As time passed, she sold the business and took a 9-5 with the Commonwealth of PA. Her life got easier, and there were things like insurance and days off. We grew up--- or as her friend Mr. Malloy would say, "she drug us up". And so it was. She always told us that she raised her kids, so she wouldn't be babysitting for us. That was while we were young. At a certain point, the youngest of us was heading towards 30 and there weren't any grandbabies. Mom decided that perhaps she'd like some babies around - PLEASE!
Fast forward to Molly's long-awaited birth. I think I was pregnant with her for 6 or 7 years if you count all the trial and error of infertility. Mom went along with me for an ultrasound the day before Molly's birth was induced, and fell in love in that instant. She took care of Molly while Maryanne and I built the herb shop business. She took her everywhere... they'd get their hair done together, go visit Mimi (Mom's mom) and then stop at some posh restaurant (Molly loved candlelight). They'd go shopping or to dance lessons or whatever they felt like doing. She was so kind, loving, and generous with my daughter, saying she deserved to be spoiled. I know in my heart that for Mom, taking care of Molly was an opportunity to get it right and do all the things she'd wished she'd been able to do for us when we were kids.
Mom always told me that she wouldn't be here to see Molly graduate. I would just laugh and tell her she'd be at her wedding. How could there be a world without Mom? Of course she'd be there!
She was right, you know.
Mom died about 4 years ago. Somehow this month has already been more emotional than some that were very close to her death. I think about how proud she would have been. Molly has turned into a wonderful woman, filled with life, creativity, brilliance, personality and wit... all things that Ja-Ja gave to her. As the days march towards graduation and beyond, I won't forget everything she gave to Molly.

And as we approach Mothers Day, I just want to thank my mom one more time.

It's Travel Thursday--Food of Spain and Peru too!

We ate very well while we were in Spain. Bacalao (salted cod) with olive oil, tomato on toasted bread at a local restaurant in Riogordo.
Vegetable tortilla at a restaurant called El Chinitas in Malaga.

The Herbal Husband cooked carapulca with his famous rice. Memories of Peru for our host.









My favorite was paella at the Parador de Nerja. It is a beautiful resort by the Mediterranean Sea. I handled the lobster quite well. It was delish! All of the food we had was spectacular! The view was breathtaking!

Lots of Life in the Veggie Bed!

This is a fairly large bed and it is starting to fill up with all kinds of lettuces, arugula, radishes, (both seeded ones and volunteers), spinach and that lovely herbal space hog, borage! That full green strip to the right is the arugula and the radishes are everywhere! They are such fast growers and delicious when picked at the right time. The Herbal Husband sometimes thinks bigger is better! Not when it comes to picking radishes. I have to convince him every year! So hope your spring crops are coming along!

Another Favorite Spring Edible Flower Shrub!

I grew up with a lilac bush under my window. It was wonderful this time of year. This is Syringa vulgaris or the common lilac. This one above is called 'Sensation'. It has a violet center with a white edge. It is not too fragrant, but it has that wow factor. I use it on dessert plates when entertaining. The Sensation needs to be pruned because it is reaching for the skies. You should prune it right after it blooms and take out about 1/3 of the older stems and let the young stems take over. This one below is my neighbor's. Don't know the variety. It seems to me that it is more white than purple. It has the old fashioned fragrance that reminds me of home and my grandmother. Lilacs have a variety of tastes, some good and some taste like metal. Hope you find one that is enjoyable to you even if you just use it as decoration on your dessert plates!

My Favorite Edible Flower Tree!

This is by far and away my favorite tree in the spring. The eastern redbud (Cercis canadenis) is a beautiful small tree in the landscape and it has a bonus, edible flowers. The tree is a member of the pea family, but the flowers taste like beans. The tree grows up to 25 feet in size. Very nice in a city landscape. Use it as an understory tree! This one is suffering from the full sun. Only half of this tree is blooming. It just keeps trying to thrive. The bottom picture is of a variety of redbud called 'Forest Pansy'. It has beautiful purple heart shaped leaves and magenta flowers in the spring. This one is thriving outside of The Rosemary House and Sweet Remembrances Tearoom in Mechanicsburg. Best scones and herbal bus trips ever! I first saw redbuds on a trip south to South Carolina. They are found growing out of limestone outcroppings in their native areas. Find a place for this special tree in your landscape!

Speakers Schedule at Landis Valley Herb Faire

I noticed that this hasn't been posted on the website for the faire yet - nor any mention of speakers at all, in fact, so hey... this is better than nothing. Susanna Reppert put this schedule together and we hope some of you will get to hear some of the talks! They are free to those attending the faire. The faire is May 8th and 9th. My sister and I have been vending there for 15 or 16 years now and love to reconnect with vendors and customers.

LECTURE TENT

FRIDAY
NOON What are Heirloom Seeds ? – Heirloom Seed Foundation
1 P.M. Wild Foods – Free, Tasty and Fun by Ym-health, The Essential Herbal
2 P.M. Herb Gardening Basics – Susanna Reppert, The Rosemary House
3 P.M Barn Stars – A unique look at farming architecture – Fred Will, Sugar Grove Herbs

SATURDAY
11 A.M A Look at the Landis Valley Herb Garden with Sarah Campbell of Herbs of the Labyrinth
NOON Creating a Sustainable Back Yard – Homegrown Edible Landscaping Company.
Natasha Herr and Wilson Alvarez
1 P.M Growing Mushrooms - Brushwood Farm – Diane Wiest
2 P.M Medicinal Herbs you can grow – Maureen Rogers, www.Herbal Net.com
3 P.M Wild Foods – Free, Tasty and Fun - Ym-health, The Essential Herbal

DEMO TENT

FRIDAY
12:30 The Art of Creating Medicinal Tinctures – Susanna Reppert, The Rosemary House
1:30 Preparing a proper Pot of Tea – Barbara Will, Sugar Grove Herbs
2:30 Salves and Balms you can make yourself – Ym-health, The Essential Herbal
3:30 Hands on – Make and Take your own culinary Bouquet Garni

SATURDAY
11:30 What are the Ingredients in Soap – Maryanne Schwartz, Torchsong Studio
12:30 Create your own Incense – Ym-health, The Essential Herbal
1:30 Pot pourri as easy as 1-2-3 – Susanna Reppert, The Rosemary House
2:30 Blending Herbal Tisanes – Barbara Will, Sugar Grove Herbs
3:30 Hands-on - Make and Take your own culinary Bouquet Garni

Cheesy Chive Scrambled Eggs and Chocolate!

The chive blossoms have started to bloom and I thought about my cheesy chive scrambled eggs! YUMMY! So I got some fresh chives out of the garden and made my concoction. Eggs, a hand full of chopped chives, a sprinkle or two of herb mix whatever you like, a couple glugs of milk and a couple handfuls of shredded cheese. Again, what you like. It seems like the chives are going to go to one person, but they seem to find an equalization in the end. Well, I thought I had a hit on my hands until the Herbal Husband said, "These are really good, but you know those little sausages would make them even better!" YIKES! List to self, remember those sausages next time! Tastes do change over the years. The Herbal Husband's love of eggs in general has declined. We have a couple of eggs a week spread out over the week. Today we had a lot on our plates at once. He said, "I'm going to have some chocolate to take the taste of egg away!" So again if you are inclined to have some chocolate after your eggs, go for it! Life is too short not to enjoy it! What is your favorite way to make scrambled eggs?

Local Plant Sales

May is the greatest month in the spring! Why you may ask? Because of the all the local plant sales. We don't get to every one! We do always get to the local garden club's annual sale in the neighborhood. It is always the first weekend in May. The Herbal Husband was ready to roll. I'm not a great morning person so I was a little grumpy. When I saw all of the new mostly herbal babies, I was happy! My master gardening friend always laughs because I buy herbs mostly from her yard! She has good taste! We got a rosemary, Robers lemon rose scented geranium, a silver mint, a couple of Helen Von Stein lambs ears (They are the homes for ladybugs in the winter! I knew those girls are smart bugs!) and a wild geranium (in keeping with our out of control garden)! So you know what I'm going to say next. Go to your local plant sales so that it benefits you and your community!

Violet Syrup, Et Cetera

For many years now, long before The Essential Herbal existed, we've made violet syrup. It isn't medicinal - unless you consider the incredible luxury of it, or the whimsy, or the pleasure. Yes, now that I think about it, it is very medicinal. This batch was made on the eve of May Day, so it is some of the most special ever.
In any case it was always one of Molly's favorite things to help with. At three years of age, she could feel pretty important and accomplished. The less stem, the better, and everyone knows little kids just pop off the flower with no stem. Yesterday she wasn't home, but I heard the weed-whacker in the distance and decided it was time to go pick violets.
What follows is the results and the directions. I walked down the path with a bucket, picking all the way. The different colors of blossoms blended together to make a wonderful bouquet, and sticking my schnoz in the bucket, I was able to inhale the fleeting sweet treat that is the scent of the violet flower. Note the blues above. The recent record hot weather seems to have affected the flowers and their color.A quart jar was about 3/4 packed with the flowers when the picking was done. A hamstring muscle was screaming, but don't those flowers look pretty? Meanwhile, about a quart of water was set to boil.

The boiling water is poured over the flowers in the jar. Notice that immediately the water turns a shade of aqua blue? That color deepens to a cobalt blue as time passes. This color is very odd. Violets usually dye the water some shade of pink, lavender, mauve, or purple. This blue is why I think the temperatures have changed the quality of the color. Here we strain the flowers from the water. This water is then set to boil with about 2 cups of sugar. It was 3 cups of the violet water to 2 cups of sugar. It is allowed to come to a rolling boil. If there is any scum, it should be removed. There was none with this batch.

The syrup was poured into two pint jars. Each jar got a single drop of rose geranium essential oil. The color of the syrup was inky kelly green last night. It needed to settle down!

This morning I strained the syrup again - for good measure. This cheerful color is how it turned out. Nature... ya gotta love her! Doesn't that look like something that fairies might pour on their crepes? NOTE: Later I added some lemon juice and it turned pale PURPLE.
Batch made 4/16/11
If you want to try violet jelly, check out Prairieland Herb's blog!
http://prairielandherbs.com/violetjelly.htm

So then, we were talking about violet candies on the group the other day, and so I got these in for the market and shows - gum and mints (available here).They will make a lovely display with the syrup - AND our raspberry violet soap and salt glo! Our little ode to Spring :-).