Herbal Magick

I know, I know, it's still winter...but the New Year always finds me looking ahead to spring.....

Seed catalogs start arriving in the mail, and my thoughts turn to the annual planting of the herb garden. Now, I'm not much of a gardener, lacking both the time and the physical stamina to spend long hours planting and weeding. Most of the flowers and plants around here are low maintenance perrenials, roses and climbing vines, or are of the water garden variety and pretty much take care of themselves. My herb garden is the single exception, requiring a bit of tending and weeding, but well worth the small effort.

Although I like to mix it up a bit each year (trying new varieties of sage and mint and so on) the basics remain the same: Sweet basil, lemon thyme, greek oregano, rosemary, lavender, sage, cilantro, tarragon, dill, chamomile and mint. Although the mint, planted in patio containers, is technically not part of the herb garden.

If you're into cooking, I can't recommmend herb gardening highly enough. There's nothing better than stepping outside and snipping a few basil leaves for a pasta dish, a bit of cilantro for fresh salsa, or a few mint sprigs for a big pitcher of iced tea - absolute heaven!

I'll post photos here as mine progresses this year, but in the meantime here's a little birdhouse I just had to share. Listed now, it's the Witch's Herbal Cottage, complete with broom and cauldron, potted herbs around the sides of the house, and black cats in the windows....I had a lot of fun with this one - as I'm having with yet another herb inspired piece to be listed soon - the Witch's Pantry. :)

In the meantime it's still winter; still time for cocoa and candles, ear muffs and mittens and so on...but the beauty of these cycles is not only enjoying the moment we're IN, but anticipating what comes next.

So I'll sign off today wishing everyone a happy and blessed season now, and another to come....

~ Carolee