Posted in Cooking, Crafts on May 17, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Last weekend I got a chance to visit this wonderful festival on Lopez Island in the San Juan’s. It was held at the Lopez Center for Community and the Arts and the free outdoor and indoor events included: Sheep shearing and fleece analysis Sheep dog demonstrations Various breeds of sheep and goats on display Sheep-to-shawl demonstration [...]
Posted in Cooking on May 17, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
This week I think my arugula plants have grown about three inches. This spicy plant can be eaten in salads with an oil and vinegar dressing or used as a zesty garnish. We really like to top a just baked pizza with this richly flavored plant. Arugula likes cool weather and a nitrogen rich soil. [...]
Posted in Cooking on May 15, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Now that you have dried herbs making your own blends is easy! These make great gifts as well as stepping up the flavor of your own dishes. Here are some of my favorite blends: Herbes de Provence Herbes de Provence usually contains basil, bay leaf, marjoram, rosemary, summer savory and lots of thyme. Lavender can be [...]
Posted in Cooking on May 14, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Drying your own herbs is a great way to spice up your dishes, make nice presents and save money. The fragrant oils are at their peak around mid-morning so this is a great time to harvest. If you need to wash them then give a light spray with the hose first thing in the [...]
Posted in Cooking on May 10, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Do you have lemon balm, (Melissa officinalis) coming out your ears this time of year? Mine is ready to take over the entire perennial bed. In addition to tasting great it’s also supposed to decrease stress and increase mental function so it’s time to get cooking! Here are some of my favorite ways to use this abundant [...]
Posted in Cooking on May 9, 2013 | 2 Comments »
Elderberries are in bloom now in the lower elevations of Puget Sound. The Blue Elderberry is the one to use instead of the Red Elderberry. These fragrant white flowers can be gathered, steeped then the liquid sugared to make a delicious syrup. If you have the patience to wait, the dark blue berries can be gathered in the [...]
Posted in Cooking on May 6, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
What to do with all those dandelions? Roast the roots and make coffee! I had wanted to try this beverage out for a while and with a nice pile of roots from recent weeding gave it a go. I was really surprised at how good it tasted; it actually does taste very much like coffee [...]
Posted in Cooking, Growing on May 4, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Sleep Away music to look at herbs… What are you growing in your garden? Do you have a favorite use for herbs?
Posted in Cooking on May 1, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Chive flower vinegar is delicious and easy to make! Pick fresh chive flowers. Pack a clean jar two-thirds full with the flowers. Add white vinegar. Let sit for two weeks in a cool, dark place then strain and enjoy! Someone just commented that they like making a chive butter too. What do you like doing [...]
Posted in Cooking on April 29, 2013 | Leave a Comment »
Last night after having a Dark and Stormy cocktail, (a delectable blend of ginger beer and rum), I decided it was high time to use my ginger bug and make some soda from it. The first step is to chop up some ginger and put this in a pot with water and a bunch [...]