I love seeing the chives as they bloom in the Spring and they're one of the first plants in my herb garden to do so. The bees and other creatures seem to particularly love them as well. Every season I wonder what to make of them and aside from including them fresh in a salad, … Continue reading Chive and Raspberry Vinaigrette
Category: Folk Recipes and Lore
Elderberry and Rose Liqueur
"Elderberry Wine has a curative power of established repute as a remedy, taken hot, at night, for promoting perspiration in the early stages of severe catarrh, accompanied by shivering, sore throat, etc. Like Elder-flower Tea, it is one of the best preventives known against the advance of influenza and the ill effects of a chill. … Continue reading Elderberry and Rose Liqueur
Autumn Equinox Herb Harvests
John Everett Millais "He who doesn't sow in March will not reap in Autumn." Irish proverb I have been doing lots of harvesting lately as the growing season is coming to a close. Some herbs have just come to flower while others are picked mostly just to catch them before they die off.Traditionally, this was … Continue reading Autumn Equinox Herb Harvests
How to Make a Lemon and Vanilla Elderflower Cordial
"It is said by the wise women and fairy doctors that the roots of the elder tree, and the roots of an apple tree that bears red apples, if boiled together and drunk fasting will expel any evil living thing or evil spirit that may have taken up its abode in the body of a … Continue reading How to Make a Lemon and Vanilla Elderflower Cordial
Midsummer Herb Harvests
"Time glided onward without our noting, Soft as the fall of the summer rain." Lady Wilde Mary Cicely Barker I've been a busy bee harvesting herbs constantly! Lots of mint, anise hyssop, bee balm, spotted bee balm, nasturtium, St. John's wort, calendula, mugwort, yarrow, borage, lavender, chamomile and elderberry flowers. I'm enjoying watching all of … Continue reading Midsummer Herb Harvests
How to Make Violet or Dandelion Jelly
"What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again." Suzanne Collins One of my favorite things to make in the spring is dandelion and violet jelly! They … Continue reading How to Make Violet or Dandelion Jelly
Folk Symbolism – Snowdrop
The Fair Maid of February, Candlemas Bells, Eve’s Tear, Death’s Flower and Snowpiercer – just a few of the many names that are used to describe the simplistic beauty of the snowdrop. Snowdrops begin to flower all over Europe from late January to mid-March and are a sign that the long dark days of winter … Continue reading Folk Symbolism – Snowdrop
Why the Evergreen Trees Keep Their Leaves in Winter
One day, a long, long time ago, it was very cold; winter was coming. And all the birds flew away to the warm south, to wait for the spring. But one little bird had a broken wing and could not fly. He did not know what to do. He looked all round, to see if … Continue reading Why the Evergreen Trees Keep Their Leaves in Winter
Isla Skye Herbals 