Asclepias syriaca

Gender: Feminine
Planet: Moon
Element: Water

Taraxacum officiale

Gender:  Masculine
Planet:  Jupiter
Element:  Air
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At one time, basil represented hate, but later it was thought to represent love. 
During the Victorian era, it represented good wishes. 

Ocimum basilicum

Gender:  Masculine
Planet:  Mars
Element:  Fire
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Basil is one of my most cherished herbs, and every year, it is prominent in my garden. But this year, since I was in the middle of moving out of state, I didn’t have a garden. Both of my daughters knew I’d miss my favorite plants, so they both started growing basil, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, flowers and herbs for a cabin garden. Today was the first day I had enough basil to harvest and make pesto!

Pesto, from the Italian word pester, means to crush or pound. You could use a mortar and pestle, but a food processor will make your job much easier!

Prepare your favorite pasta - angel hair, linguini, etc. - and have it ready so you can put the sauce on top and eat it immediately!

Pesto will turn a dark green when exposed to the air, so if you have extra, top it with a spoonful of olive oil spread over the top and cover with plastic wrap, pressing down to keep any air from reaching the pesto.

Pesto 

4 - 5 peeled garlic cloves
1/4 cup pine nuts
2 cups fresh, tender basil leaves
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
I/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt
​

Drop the garlic cloves and pine nuts into a food processor and process until finely chopped.
Add the fresh basil and cheese and continue to blend until pulverized. 
Scrape down the sides to be certain everything is blended. 
In a steady stream, slowly pour the olive oil into the food processor tube. 
Add salt to taste - you won’t need much because of the parmesan cheese. 

Pour on prepared pasta and serve immediately. 

The Calendula symbolizes joy and protection. Wishing you both! 

Calendula officinalis

Gender: Masculine
Element: Fire
Planet: ​Sun

In January, my intention was to post an herbal collage every week, but my life changed dramatically and “life got in  the  way”, as the  saying goes. 
Zippy, my  precious 17 year old puggle, passed over the rainbow bridge in mid April. Loving  and  supporting  him through  the transition was difficult. His no  longer being by my side was  even more difficult. Many of you sent me warm condolences and they were greatly appreciated.
Preparing to sell the house in Maryland, a greatly  needed escape with a dear friend to Cape Cod, and finding, purchasing and setting up  a home, limited my time in the garden, art room and on line. 
Several things played  into my deciding to sell my house and move back  to central  PA - most of all my two lovely daughters and my  new son (in-law)! Moving closer to them has brought me  great joy.!  
Since the calendula represents joy, it seems a perfect segue back to my  illustrations, collages, gardening  and herbal experience and research!  It also symbolizes protection. I wish each  of you good health and a feeling of safety and calm in these challenging times!

Calendula blossoms gathered and prepared to dry. 

Red and Golden Beets and Mangos in  Honey, sprinkled with Calendula
​

2 medium red beets, peeled and diced
2 medium golden beets, peeled and diced
Cover beets with water, bring to a boil, and simmer until tender. Drain. 
​
Add
2 Tablespoons honey
​1 mango, peeled and diced
Heat until all  ingredients are warm.
Sprinkle with calendula and serve. 
​

My new cabinet from Carlisle Antique Mall has added much needed storage and counter space to the kitchen  in my new home. This morning  I made a peach pie for our family brunch.  Over the past few  months, cooking has literally  been put on the back  burner, with my attention focused on staging and selling my home in Baltimore, finding and buying my home  in central PA, and moving and settlements. Antiquing with family to find the perfect pieces for the log cabin has been  delightful! The antique stores near by are over flowing with reasonably  priced treasures! 
Over the last two weeks I’ve finished unpacking, found  the perfect furniture to fine tune  and arrange  each room, scheduled professionals for upkeep, and I’m ready to get  back to creative projects, including cooking, sewing, art work, and entertaining!

Since returning from Cape Cod, I’ve packed all my belongings, sold my home in Baltimore, and moved to a precious little log cabin in an historic district in central PA! The days have been spent  unpacking, arranging, antiquing, gardening and finding professionals to  get my little home ready for fall!

Family and friends have made the move more delightful  than I could have imagined! We’ve shared many meals here already - mostly delivered by loved ones so I can  spend my time moving in - not cooking. Yesterday evening the troops showed up with hedge trimmers, clippers and a chain saw, to weed, trim bushes, and trees. Having help is  such a blessing and makes getting settled so much  more fun! I don’t think I’ve ever felt so welcome anywhere in my entire life! 

The former owners gave me a stack of papers at settlement with articles and information from people who have lived here over the span of more  than 200 years. It includes a map of all of the plants that surrounded the cabin. Lambs ears, day lilies and lilacs remain, and it includes a list of those that need to be replaced. Many of my favorites are on the map and will be added in time - bleeding hearts, rosemary, foxgloves and more.

Both of my daughters brought me herbs and vegetables they started growing months ago so I’d have a ready made garden when I arrived! I have four huge pots filled with 1. tomatoes and basil plants, 2. a pepper plant, 3. a cucumber (who has already given me 7 cucumbers) and 4. a container with sage, parsley and dill!  I’ve also planted a garden behind the house with my gifts of  tomatoes, basil, peppers, lavender, marigolds, zinnias, Brussel sprouts and broccoli.

I’ve spent  hours unpacking and arranging inside, but the herbs and plants outside are what make the cabin most dear to my heart. The surrounding area, with the the mill, stream and Cumberland County Rails to Trails, offers a wealth of outdoor activities! The fountain, lovely every day, has a Last Friday of the month event, featuring a live band!

One of the members of  the Historical Society, located next door, said they have a lot more information about  the cabin, the people who lived here, and the events that unfolded during its many years of existence. It’s humbling to live in this dear little cabin, and I’m looking forward to learning more about it! 

Our next stop was the Heritage museums and gardens with over 100 acres of gardens and nature trails! The antique auto display, From Carriage to  Classic: How Automobiles Transformed America, featured 26 cars from the late 1800s to the 1960s. An 1899 Winton Motor Carriage, 1910 Sears Model P Surrey,  and a 1915 Ford Model T Roadster Pickup Truck were a few of the vehicles on display.  

The first stop was on our trip was Sandwich, the oldest town in Cape Cod, founded in  1637. We toured the Sandwich Glass Museum, founded on July 4, 1825. Deming Jarves, a merchant from Boson, opened his factory, originally featuring blown glass, and shortly followed, in 1827, to include pressed  glass. 

 The  Sandwich Glass Museum has an extensive  collection of glass, including blown and pressed pieces, both plain and decorated,  created over 62 years. The factory closed on January  1, 1888, due  to financial difficulties from completion from other factories and a worker’s strike. The factory  buildings were torn down in the 1920s and 1940s. A bronze tablet marks the location. 

Viewing the glass, and the information on the text through out the museum, gives a fascinating view of the part glass played in our history. Featured pieces range from practical every  day wear to elegant, extravagant creations. 

In addition to the displays, every hour on the hour, there are demonstrations of different glass blowing techniques. The gift shop features contemporary glass for sale with a wide range of variety and  prices!