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! 

​Monarda didyma
Scarlet Beebalm

Gender: Feminine
Element: Water
Planet: Mercury
​

The brilliant scarlet bee balm,  is a perennial herb and belongs to  the mint family, Lamiaceae. My fondest memories  are the patches that grew at Camp  Arcona, a much loved Girl Scout Camp in Mechanicsburg,  PA. Sadly, the camp was sold for real estate development. Our beloved camp  may be gone,  but our memories remain. When day camp began in June, the gorgeous crimson flowers were always there  to  greet us!
There are two reasons bergamot  has the folk name bee  balm. One is  bees are attracted to it, and another  is the leaves are soothing  when rubbed on a bee sting. 
The  flowers are edible and the petals add a tangy flavor, in  addition to a  splash of color, to garden salads and fruit salads. Add to corn muffins or corn bread for unexpected zest! They compliment sweet as well as savory.   Use your imagination and  make  this versatile herb a part of  your welcoming  summer ritual! 

Magnolia grandifolia

Gender: Feminine
Element: Earth
Planet: Venus