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Ding Dong season is here! Last night we gathered to sing carols and learn new harmonies. Challenging and so much fun. This group is amazing and our director, Jessica Johnson, is brilliantly talented (not to mention kind and gorgeous!) I took some herbal treats and thought you might like to try them so recipes are included. Lavender Mint Cucumbers
Green Beans Vinaigrette
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Our assignment for Imagining was to draw a "red line", or figure out how to connect sketched from day to day. The hurricanes and floods were on my mind and I began with dark clouds and rain, leading to water - a stream - that became my thread. As the days progressed, my stream expanded to hold fish and eventually a turtle emerged carrying his home on his back, a concept that occurred to me frequently after the flood. What an amazing process. Can't wait to begin week 2!    This is a question I posted on Facebook yesterday and I've been giving it a lot of thought. There are so many exciting possibilities! Mary Oliver's words and wisdom always inspire and just looking at this beautiful art work makes me want to head for the paints and brushes! Hopefully, you'll be inspired too, and consider some creative new ways to fill your life with more joy!
 I just brought in some rosemary to dry for the winter. Zippy joined me in the garden, then on the porch as I cut and sorted it into bunches. As you can see, he is not happy about coming inside!
Living in Maryland has it's advantages. Last year I had rosemary available all year long. The plant is an evergreen and it flourished, even though it was a little worse for wear by midwinter. The reason I cut it was to clear the path my daughter is beginning to call a jungle so it would be easier to get through for our evening walks with Zippy! I'll dry some and share with friends. Rosemary can be hung to dry in a cool dark place, similar to what I described for Sweet Annie. Smaller bunches can be dried in an oven if you can remember not to turn your oven on for a couple of days! Place springs of rosemary on baking sheets covered with parchment paper, set to warm or simply use the pilot light if you have a gas oven, and in a day or two the sprigs should be ready to cool and store. If you'll go to my welcome page and type in Rosemary in the search bar, you'll find a few more uses for Rosemary! As always, my treasures are hidden so it's up to you to search!  Gregory Thompkins, Robert Shahid, Justin Taylor, Calaire Daaley, Steve Zerlin, Carl Filipiak Photo courtesy of Robert Shahid's Facebook page! Gregory Thompkins and FriendsGregory Thompkins, playing saxophone and leader of the jazz band, Robert Shahid on drums, Justin Taylor on keyboard, Calaire Daaley joined them from NYC on baritone saxophone, Steve Zerlin on bass and Carl Filipiak on guitar. Each musician is extraordinarily accomplished with a mastery in their field. Together, they took the music to an even higher level. The gardens at the Rawlings Conservatory at Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, MD were a perfect back drop for a night of musical entertainment. Gregory Thompkins and Friends shared their extraordinary talents for over two hours of jazz.
"There's rosemary, that's for remembrance", Shakespeare's Ophelia reminds us.
Herbs are delightful in so many ways - fragrance, flavor, visually. When we add symbolism, and they are gifts from a friend, it lifts them to an even higher level. My friend Janet is moving and she is sharing special gifts with friends as she downsizes. She took my class on Enhancing Your Life with Herbs and she knows how I love them, so she offered me a set of herbal pots. In addition, she brought a bag filled with colorful beads, two copies of Flow magazine, a favorite, and a book on Ancient Herbs for the J. Paul Getty Museum. This morning I transplanted oregano, rosemary and basil from my garden to the pots. The herbs seem to know they've gotten a reprieve from winter's cold and are happily looking out the dining room window at their less fortunate friends, still in the garden. If only I had a greenhouse and could bring them all indoors. Thank you Janet! These delightful gifts are not only today's treasures, but will be loved and enjoyed for a long time to come. |
Welcome!! I’m Mikell (pronounced Michael). If you love spicing up your life with herbs, recipes, decorating and crafts, symbolism and rituals like I do, I hope you’ll sign up for my newsletter and free Enhancing Your Life with Herbs e-book!
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MikellMikell is a writer, artist and professional treasure hunter, finding the greatest treasures in the wonderful people who enter her life! |
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