Planting Day 05.26.2015

Not sure if the hot coffee was better or the Mai Wine, but despite the cold rain, we got the majority of the planting done at the MN Landscape Arboretum, swapped plants,  and had a wonderful al fresco lunch.  Even in the rain, the pavilion proved to be a beautiful spot to enjoy the wonderful dishes created by the Herb Society members. 

Nursery Tour 05.21.2015

We had a great time last Thursday on our annual nursery tour.  We started out the with a fabulous brunch at Wise Acre Eatery and followed with a stop at Tangletown Gardens to check out their wonderful plant selection.  Check out the post from May, 2014 for pics and more background on the farm that supplies Tangletown & Wise Acre Eatery.  A few wallets went home a little lighter that day.

Honey Oat Crackers

Here is the recipe for the Savory Crackers that Minnesota Herb Society members enjoyed at the Planting Day Luncheon

2 tbsp. honey
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 c. hot water
4 c. quick oats
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. minced, dried savory
1 tbsp. minced,dried marjoram

   In a large bowl, stir together oats, salt, and herbs. In another bowl stir together the honey, oil and water. Stir the liquids into the oat mixture until a dough is formed. Shape into 3 balls, wrap them in wax paper and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until the dough has cooled.
   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a rimless cookie sheet or use an upside-down rimmed cookie sheet. When the dough has cooled, shape a portion roughly into a rectangle and roll it out directly onto the pan to about 1/8 inch thickness. Sprinkle with kosher salt, if desired. Score into squares, pierce with a fork. Bake for about 15 minutes. Cool on a rack. Makes about 5 dozen crackers.
 

If you make them with catnip, will they become cat treats?

A Quilt that took 74 years to complete

Since its been a little cool the last few night & extra coverings were needed on the bed,  I was recalled a conversation that I had with another Herb Society member, Shirley E.  She was telling me about a quilt that was given to her mother many moons ago.

"The embroidered center quilt blocks were given to my mother by ladies in her church and farm community in 1940.  They were a farewell gift as my parents were moving from Nebraska to Iowa.  My mother was a seamstress, but not a quilter, so the squares were carefully tucked away until her death in 1999.  It then took me until 2014 to finally decide on a pattern and complete the quilt."

The beauty and the simplicity of these embroidered squares were a lovely gift.  I can imagine the dear friends of Shirley's mom bent over their embroidery hoops each evening, stitching these various flowers, some perhaps with tears in their eyes.  It's a sweet long story of friendship that is now finally complete, 74 years after it first began.