ThymeSense

Ahh ~ Spring!

2009-03-20T09:06:00.007-04:00

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens

How did Dickens know what March in Michigan is like. While this picture was taken in May last year, it is a reminder of what is coming. With the first day of spring our bulbs are barely poking their new leaves out of the ground. The frost still lies deep underneath. Today is sunny, the breezes are chilly, and the buds on the lilac and cherry tree are swelling. The Robins are coming out to play.

Today is the perfect day to take a walk and observe Mother Nature's rebirth as the world around us is showing the first signs of reawakening after a long winter's sleep. In the greenhouse and house our seeds are sprouting and seedlings are getting their first true leavings. In a few short weeks they will grow into plants for the garden. It's time to start thinking about starting your annual herb and vegetable seeds. Depending upon where you're located, and your last frost free date is they should be started about 4 to 6 weeks prior. Growing our own plants from seeds is a wonderful reminder and reconnection of what life and the earth is about.

Starting seeds is a great project to do with children. You don't need anything fancy. Let them make a mini greenhouse for their seed. Take a pop/water bottle and cut it one third of the way up from the bottom. Punch a few holes for drainage in the bottom (you can place it on a saucer or make one of foil). Fill the bottom with a soiless potting mix (peat based mix) and plant your seed according to it's depth directions. Water then place the top part of the bottle on top. (You may need to make small cuts around the edge of the bottle top (like fringe), so that the bottle top stays on.) Leave the cap off the bottle top so it can breath a little, otherwise it may stay to wet. Clear plastic containers that open & close from the grocery also work well, as do McDonald's salad containers for instant mini greenhouses. Place in a sunny window. Water only as needed. Most annual seed only take a week to 10 days to germinate. The kids will love watching their own little seedling grow. For more great kids (and big kids) projects, like starting seeds outdoors, check out the Winter Sown website. They even offer free seeds!

Happy Spring!

New Website!

2009-02-13T19:34:00.004-05:00

I have finally put my website for our greenhouse back online! My site for 'A Sense of Thyme' can be found at www.asenseofthyme.com. Come check it out. I will be adding more to it daily for awhile.

The season is just beginning. I'm starting more seeds and cuttings daily getting ready for spring. I am also offering seeds for sale online through Botanical Interests. A great family owned seed company that offers quality organic, non genetically engineered seeds, many are heirlooms. To check them out click on the button below.

It's time to think about starting your seeds soon too. Spring will be here in just a few short weeks. Have you thought about what your going to grow this year? This is a great time to make a simple drawing of your garden or yard and start developing a plan. Make a list of what you want to grow this year, it will help you stay focused when you shop for seeds and plants. I'll be putting some tips for growing up on my new website soon. Along with some ideas to help you save money by growing you own this year.

Cabin Fever....Plan a garden.

2009-01-29T14:09:00.000-05:00

As I look out the window next to me it's snowing again. While I'm glad that for the moment I'm inside and warm, it is beautiful out there. It has been a long time since I've posted on here. Busy with other things. First there was getting ready for winter, then the holidays. Now, with new seed catalogs in hand, I'm thinking more and more about spring. It's time to start spending more time in my little greenhouse and get things growing.

This year I will be growing my herbs as usual but adding to my list of vegetables. We're also expanding on what we grow in our own vegetable gardens. My seed order from Johnny's Seeds came. Some of the tomato varieties I had gotten from them last year are not being carried this year, so will have to look elsewhere for them. They did have some interesting new Basil's I'm going to try this year. Right now it's time to pot up some of the cuttings I took last fall and start taking new ones. I described how to do this on here about this time last year.

When you start felling a little cabin feverish, get out your pictures of last summers gardens and start thinking about planning what your gardens will look like a few short months from now. Think about what worked, what didn't, what should be moved or replaced, and what's new to get excited about trying this year! I found some seed for a blue pumpkin that our grandchildren can't wait to grow....what have you found?

Herbal Autumn

2008-09-11T07:52:00.000-04:00

There's a feeling of fall in the air. It's hard to believe the summer has passed so quickly. While getting off to a slow start with too much rain and some cool temperatures the herb and vegetable gardens have done well this year. We're enjoying a bountiful harvest. Canning and freezing has become a full time job for Ron lately. It's also time to collect seeds and start getting your plants ready to bring indoors that you want to save. Plants like Rosemary especially need to be moved into a more shady area to get used to lower light before bringing them into the house for the winter.

I hope everyone is harvesting and using the herbs they bought last spring. Your Basil can be made into Pesto, frozen in ice cube trays and stored in zip lock bags, infused in vinegar, or dried. Herbs such as Sage, Thyme, Lemon Verbena and Oregano I like to dry. Hanging them in small bunches in a dark, well ventilated place or lay on screens to retain color and flavor. While you can speed up the process by using a dehydrator or low oven, you will loose some quality of your herbs. I would never recommend using a microwave. Store your dried herbs in jars in a dark location. You'll be glad you did this winter!

Herbal Kitchen Wreath
Right now is also a good time to go out into your garden an make your own kitchen wreath. All you need are some scissors, pruners and some fish line. Harvest enough dill or Silver King or Queen Artemesia to make a small circle (6"-8") about 1"-2" thick. Shape your wreath. Tie on the fish line and wrap around at about a 1/2" apart all around the wreath twice. Using good strong tension - your herbs will shrink as they dry. Now go out in your garden an pick bunches of herb tips. Sage, thyme, oregano, mint, savory, budded lavender, hyssop, etc. (Basil doesn't hold up very well in this application.) Flowers like Feverfew, Tansy, Anise Hyssop, etc. add color. Gather small bouquets in your hand, about 2"-3" long, that will cover the top of the wreath and wrap with fish line a couple times. Place the next little bouquet on top of the last one a little farther down and wrap. Continue until the wreath is covered. Tuck the last bouquet under the first, wrap and tie off your fish line. Hang your wreath upside down on a wire hanger to dry. There will be some shrinkage. Only takes a few days. Fill in open spots with dried flowers by working them in or hot gluing. Your wreath will be a beautiful addition to your kitchen or home - and smell wonderful!

In the Garden
There's still time to divide overgrown herbs and perennials this month. Mints, oreganos, monardas, etc. can be kept under control by digging them up and putting back 1/4 to 1/3, depending on how much they've grown over the summer.

We've had a busy summer this year. Lots of visitors. More to come. The farmers market is winding down, but will continue as long as the weather holds. Locally the Bluewater Shore Herb Guild will be having a booth at the Lexington Days Craft Show September 20th. Lots of herbal goodies. Soaps, cleaning products, baked goods, wreaths, arrangements, cards, more. Stop by and visit if you're in the area.

Get Set to Grow

2008-05-02T08:22:00.000-04:00

Spring is getting underway. My greenhouse is overflowing and we're now adding more cold frames. With our crazy weather, going from hot to freezing, it's still to early to plant here. Ground and night temperatures won't be warm enough for a few weeks yet. I know its tempting to see all the pretty flowers available at your local greenhouses, but planting them in cold soil will only stunt them. My herbs and vegetables will be ready closer to the end of the month. I won't start selling at the Croswell market until then. The greenhouse will be open on weekends and by appointment after May 15th, weather permitting. I'm already taking orders for tomatoes.

Herb List for 2008

Anise Hyssop
Basils: Sweet, Cinnamon, Genovese, Holy, Large Leaf, Lemon, Rubin, Serata, Spicy Glob, Thai Magic
Borage
Burnet
Catnip
Chamomile, German & Roman
Chervil
Chives: Fine leaf & Garlic
Calendula: Deja Vous
Coriander/Cilantro
Dill: Bouquet, Dukat, Fernleaf
Fennel, Bronze
Feverfew
Horehound
Hyssop
Lavender: Hidcote, Lady, Munstead, Rosea
Lemon Balm
Lemon Verbena
Marjorams: Sweet, Variegated, Zatar
Marigold, Sweet Mexican/Spanish Tarragon
Mint: Peppermint, Kentucky Colonel Spearmint, Orange, Mountain - will have Apple, Chocolate & others a little latter.
Nasturiums
Oreganos: Compact, Ditany of Crete, Golden, Greek, Hot N Spicy
Parsley: Curly & Plain Italian
Pennyroyal
Rosemaries: Arp, Goriza, Huntington's Carpet, Salem, Spice Island, Prostrate, White
Sages: Bergaten, Common, Golden, Pineapple, Purple, Tricolor, White
Savory: Dwarf winter, Summer
Scented Geraniums: Apricot, Atomic Snowflake, Citronella, Ginger, Lady Plymouth, Rober's Lemon Rose, Rose, Snowflake Rose & more.
Sorrel
Stevia
Tarragon, French
Thymes: English, Lemon Variegated, Miniature, Mother of, Oregano, Silver

Tomato List for 2008
Heirlooms:

Brandywine
Cherokee Purple
Giant White
Oregon Spring
Red Oxheart
Rutgers
Striped German

Small/Cherry Tomatoes:

Tumblin Tom
Supersweet 100
Sweet Olive (grape)
Yellow Pear

Other Tomatoes:

Beefsteak
Better Boy
Early Girl
Giant Delicious
Celebrity
La Rossa

I'm also growing a large variety of peppers this year. So start getting your gardens ready. It's time to clean them out, amend the soil and plan on a great harvest this year. Peas should be in, mine are already up. Potatoes can go in now too. Spinach and lettuce are also great early crops. We're expanding our vegetable gardening area and will also have produce available in season.

We're looking forward to a great gardening year!

2008-03-17T17:34:00.001-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I've always loved this holiday as a harbinger of spring and the wonderful Celtic music everyone plays. Today everyone is Irish! We all done the green of spring, whether our ancestors wore it or not and cheerfully celebrate.

The celebration of St. Patrick's Day began in 1737 in Boston. The city of New York still has the largest parade and celebration. May the luck of this day be with everyone who reads this!

An Irish blessing:
May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow
And may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

I've been doing genealogy research since my grandmother got me started at the age of 14. That's well over 40 years. It's been a fun, challenging and overall interesting experience. I'm not sure why I do it. It's almost an obsession. I enjoy fitting the pieces of the puzzle together, digging up minute details and fitting into the picture. I've met some really interesting distant relatives along the way. I guess I feel that we can't go forward without knowing where we came from.

So for those other researchers who stumble upon this post, here is my family. Feel free to contact me if you're also researching any of these names.

Tipton, Hill/Hille, Wagaman, Byer, Greisher, Armstrong, Aikelbarger, Tinkle, Lake, Defibaugh/Tiefenbaugh, Lantz, Pritchard, MacClelland, McArthur, McGlaughlin, McKinney, McLaughlin, Myers, Winstandley, Heyward, Stewart, Orr, Redman, Baker, Hambleton, Marchant, Wyn/Wynn, King, Dunning, Ebden, Brooks, Cunningham, Ford, Hugh, Fitch, McEwen/McQuown, Clark, Herron, Johnson, Kitchen, Bennett, Dalton, Dinsinger, Hollenbaugh, Staub, Koser, Sicher, Walbert, Mayer, Dietemer, Schwarz, McIntyre, McIntire, Harwood, Marsh, Snyder, Locke/Lock, Bishop, Perren, Gale, Bly, Eaton and a few more.

Ron's family: Houston, Whitehead, Schramm, Kreger, Gregory, Wilson, Borah, Roy, and Cochran.

So many of our ancestors culturally revered their ancestors in some manor, I guess this is just my way of honoring them.

Is It Spring Yet?

2008-03-14T21:20:00.000-04:00

We still have lots of snow on the ground. Hard to believe it's mid March. Ron's been busy making lots more wooden bowls and things for his etsy shop. I really like this pear bowl. He always seems to be working on something new.

While he's been hard as work I've been off playing. Went to the annual Herb conference at MSU. It's really nice to visit old friends and meet lots of other herb enthusiasts. Now that I'm back home I'm busy getting ready for spring. Starting lots of seeds and cuttings for the new growing season. I'm planning on growing even more heirloom tomato varieties this year. As well as more peppers and vegetables. I'm also adding a few more perennials. The list of herbs I'm starting continues to grow. Hope I have room for all this!

Our new greenhouse is working out pretty well. We're still having to heat it on really cold nights. But with more sunny days it's heating up fast and I'm seeing lots of new growth on the plants that were dormant for the winter. Some of the seeds I've started are already up. It's always heartening to see that flush of new bright green growth. I'm starting to feel like spring is really going to come, in spite of the snow still on the ground.

Some of My Etsy Favorites

2008-02-17T11:01:00.001-05:00

I love this photo taken by Catherine. She's fairly new to etsy and does some wonderful photography. Cat is also our daughter-in-law's sister-in-law - that makes her family. She's very talented and I know she'll do well.
Cat's etsy site: racergirl
The listing for this photograph. Let The Sun Shine
This would be beautiful framed and added to any decor.

YappsCottageDecor, does some really wonderful goat's milk soaps. These guest soaps have the essential oils of some of my favorite herbs. Rosemary, lemon grass, tea tree and orange. I've been using goats milk soap for years. It lathers beautifully and leaves your skin feeling soft. Great in our cold, drying winters!

This lamp from Nonnie60 on etsy has to be one of my all time favorites. You can find it at Stained Glass Lamp 1. You can find more of Nonnie's stained glass and jewelry on her site at: Nonnie60. She does some really beautiful work!

This fussed glass pendant from Chris1, Blossoms is really lovely! Fussing and working with glass is an art form I find really interesting. Chris does some really nice work. Vist her shop on etsy here: Chris1

I have a real soft spot for pottery, especially Raku. This Raku stoneware decorative bowl is wonderful! Pearl is really talented, you can see more of her work by visiting her etsy shop, Fehu Stoneware.

Our Feathered Friends

2008-02-16T11:21:00.000-05:00

Every morning as I sit at the computer checking my spam, ah...email, this guy greets me. Ron calls him a Flicker, but I think he's a small, Downy Woodpecker. He always seems so cheerful! He's been visiting us since last year. This week he was joined by a small flock of wrens and other birds. But, doesn't seem to mind sharing. With all the cold and snow their food must be getting scarce. The deer have become quite active this week as well. They've started in on all the evergreen shrubs around the house. Wait until it's dark and the dog is safely inside for the night!

Cabin Fever, Thinking Spring!

2008-02-12T08:14:00.001-05:00

It's been below zero degrees two nights in a row now! While our frozen world is quite beautiful, we can't wait for spring! Even Rosie, the lab, doesn't linger long outside these days. We've been managing to keep the greenhouse from going below 40 at night with the help of a kerosene heater. More snow coming today.

I've been pouring over seed catalogs in my spare time. Need to get my orders in soon! Have already started planting some seed flats inside. Can't wait for the seeds to sprout! All that beautiful spring green. But, I'm greatly enjoying all the wonderful Rosemary in bloom in the greenhouse.

Started some more cuttings in the greenhouse too. Over the next few weeks I will be doing lots more. Growing from cuttings is so gratifying and easy to do. I have found most plants will grow from cuttings. Things like the Rosemary that have a woody stem, just take longer to root. Geraniums (Pelargoniums), coleus, and other green stemmed tender perennials root very quickly. Anyone can do it at home. Just get yourself some soil-less potting mix, without fertilizers mixed in. Use small containers, (I use grower flats divided into small cells.) a recycled annual pack or dixie cup with a whole for drainage will work great. Or purchase a domed planting flat. They're widely available at most places that sell seeds. Take healthy tip cuttings from your favorite plants. About 2" to 4". Remove the leaves from the lower 2 or 3 leaf nodes (where the leaves connect to the stem). Insert into the potting mix with 2 or 3 sets of leaves above the soil. Water well and cover with dome or tent with plastic wrap to maintain moisture level. But not too tightly, the baby plants need some air circulation. A great project with kids is to use an empty clear plastic drink bottle. Cut around the bottom so you have about 3" or so in depth for soil. Put a few holes in the bottom for drainage. Insert your cuttings and use the top of the bottle (without the cap) to form a mini greenhouse. Within a week you will begin to see roots on plants like geraniums and coleus. I have found that it is better not to use rooting hormone for these plants. But it does help with more woody stemmed plants. The enjoyment you feel watching things grow is something the whole family can participate in!

Happy Valentine's Day!
Think Green!

It's A New Year!

2008-01-02T14:56:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone had a safe and Happy New Year! It started snowing here a little before midnight. We got dumped on again. Sixteen inches. Then to top it off we lost power from 9 AM until almost 7 PM! We postponed our family dinner until later in the week. We did some shoveling. Played with Rosie, who loves sitting in the snow waiting for something interesting to come by. And, went a little stir crazy without the computer or TV. It's amazing how many things we do that require electricity! But it's so pretty to look at. We got some more lake effect snow this morning. Big fluffy flakes. I hope we don't loose to many more limbs off the trees. It's really heavy wet snow. The evergreens look like they have a thick layer of white frosting covering their boughs while they nod their heads at each other. Smaller trees and bushes are bent all the way to the ground. Beautiful, but hard on them. Still don't have the driveway cleared. Ron's spent today working on it going between using the snow blower and the little tractor with a blade.

While I spent the last couple weeks working on finishing my projects that were to be Christmas presents, (Unfortunately I lost the pictures I took when my mac mini crashed the day after Christmas!) Ron's been busy making more wooden bowls and things. I really love some of the new ones. The pictures don't do them justice. The grains are beautiful and they feel wonderful!

Visit Ron's Etsy shop via the link in the right column to see more of what he's been working on.

Projects For Christmas & Blizzard

2007-12-16T10:28:00.000-05:00

I finish knitting this great sweater for my grandson this week. I'm working on sweater two for the other grandson. I used Hearts Symphony for both. The pattern can be found at: http://www.coatsandclark.com You may have to do a search under baby/child for pattern lw1329.

For the second sweater I'm actually knitting the front and back at the same time and will do the same with the sleeves, when I get to them. This one is child's size 6. I'm a little concerned about the size of the neck opening being big enough, but I think it will be OK. The second one is a size 4, shouldn't take to long. Especially now that I have the pattern down and don't have to think about it quite so much.

Today I should be working on some things for my granddaughters. Making doll clothes for one and puppets for the other plus the grandsons. Want to make some more tote/book bags too. Among other things. Only 9 days left. Have to get busy! ;)

We're under blizzard conditions here along the shores of Lake Huron. A great day to stay home and indoors! Ron's been going out periodically to sweep off the top of our greenhouse. He's worried about snow loads. He even went out in the middle of the night! Now the wind seems to be blowing most of it off. We're supposed to get 12"-16" with lots of drifting. But, since this is Michigan, tomorrow and the day after are supposed to be sunny.

Sewing For the Holidays

2007-12-04T16:44:00.001-05:00

It's snowy and cold outside here, good time to stay inside and make things. I needed a present to exchange and found some nice upholstery fabric on sale. I only bought a yard, but got 4 bags out of it. 3 book size bags and one a little larger. They're lined with a nice, heavy duck cloth and should be really durable. For this one I made a hammered copper piece with jasper and quartz and hung it on a loop to keep the bag closed.

I'm thinking about a design for a clasp to close the largest bag out of copper. Something that hinges on a piece of copper and folds over the front. Not sure if I can make it work yet. Will have to just make it and see.

This is the first time I've had the sewing machine out in a very long time. I want to make some doll clothes for one of my granddaughters. Will have to go though my old stash of fabric and get busy. I'm enjoying sewing again. May make some more bags too. If I can find some more interesting material to use.

I'm also doing some knitting for the holidays, and making jewelry again. So many projects. Hope I can get it all done in time. Better get busy....

Wood Crafts

2007-11-30T01:02:00.000-05:00

I though I'd give my husband some time here too. Since we can't be outside, it's way too cold right now, working in the gardens we're both busy at our crafts. Ron loves working with wood and I love how it looks and feels. Lately he's been making some really nice bowls. I'm hoping I can get a few to give as gifts. But He's putting most of them on his Etsy site for sale! You can see his work at RonH.etsy.com

This bowl was carved of hickory. He calls it his folded bowl. The picture doesn't do it justice. There are more from different angles on his site.

Handmade for the Holidays

2007-11-30T00:42:00.000-05:00

This year I'm going back to either making or purchasing handmade gifts for my family and friends. If you haven't found it yet, there is a wonderful site called Etsy.com where really talented artists and crafters from all over the world sell only handmade items. There really is something for everyone there. And why not buy directly from the maker.

I like to work with stones and copper mostly. Love garden art, but also do other things. In the spring I grow and sell herb plants from my home greenhouse (licensed) as well. My newest listing on etsy is a set of 5 teal colored Brazilian agate ornaments. They can be used as suncatchers after the holidays. Please visit thymesense.etsy.com and take a look.