Linderhof


Gardening, Cooking and Decorating on the Prairie of Kansas


Welcome to Linderhof, our 1920's home on the prairie, where there's usually something in the oven, flowers in the garden for tabletops and herbs in the garden for cooking. Where, when company comes, the teapot is always on and there are cookies and cakes to share in the larder.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

A Thyme for Herbs

Thursdays is always a favorite day because it is Tablescape Thursday and I can share with everyone what has been happening at Linderhof. Please join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to see all of the great tablescapes this Thursday.

I've not entertained this week but I did give an herb class on Monday to a garden club in the town 20 miles from ours. My presentation is "A Thyme for Herbs" and I enjoy sharing my knowledge of herbs with any and all. For I love herbs and the herb garden at Linderhof is a big part of my garden!

For the class, I always like to do "show and tell" and so I'm sharing with you my tablescape that I made for the class.
A favorite wicker tray with a wonderful piece of linen for everything always looks better against a linen background. My wee strawberry pot full of thyme, a wee bee skep, my breakfast room "vase" (for it's really part of a bedroom set but it does look well filled with flowers or herbs on the breakfast room table) full of garden herbs, a jar of lavender sugar, and some lavender wands or bottles from last year.
Some of my favorite herb books in the background. Although there are many good books out there, and I do have many, these are my favorite -- especially the Betty Crocker Kitchen Gardens book which I've had "forever" and is still my herbal bible.
A stem or two of most of the herbs in my garden so I can "show and tell" while I'm talking about the different herbs. The herbs, to be given away, for I always hold a drawing whenever I do a class.

The jar holds lavender sugar -- another "show and tell" for it is easy to make and I always have this small jar in my pantry filled with sugar and lavender. And although I didn't bring, I can tell about the rosemary salt that I make every year as well -- so good to add another dimension of rosemary flavor to pork, chicken or lamb.
The strawberry jar was my mother's -- I'm not sure when or where she got it but she had it a long time -- had hen and chicks in it for a long time but was empty when I inherited it. It makes a wonderful jar for thyme. And bees love thyme and thyme honey is the best -- thus the skep -- ornamental rather than useful. I have a couple that I like to use as centerpieces -- especially garden ones.

Not shown but also part of the tablescape was a plate of lavender cookies. I always like to bring an herbal treat when I do a class and I prefer a sweet rather than a savory because people know that herbs are good for savories but never think of them as being used in sweets.

The class went well -- I gave away my herbs and a couple of bottles or wands (to sweet ladies that said nice things).

Hopefully, some of the gardeners will decide to add some of the herbs to the garden. If you're going to garden, herbs are the best plants to start with for they are so forgiving and so easy to grow.

I had a great afternoon and was happy to share one of my passions -- herbs!

21 comments:

Kathleen said...

Lovely! I still don't know what type of lav to grow to use in sugars etc..
Have a wonderful Memorial Day. And yes, I hope we remember what it is all about!

Martha said...

Here on the prairie, the cultivar, Provence seems to do really well and so that is what I plant -- I've tried others (hidcote and mumstead) but often the cold of winter got them. That hasn't happened with provence.

Mary Bergfeld said...

A big hug from me to you. Martha, the visual aids for your class show the same though as your guest tables. You always give 100%.

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

great idea...herb tablescape! Happy Tablescape Thursday ~ Susan

Joyce said...

Lavender cookies. Your posts always are so interesting. Your Moms strawberry jar is so pretty.
Joyce

Anonymous said...

This is so pretty! I love the herbs! Be a sweetie,
Shelia :0

Casabella Cottage said...

Beautiful! I always love your posts! Liz

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVE growing herbs!

The Blushing Hostess said...

What a lovely gift to get for attending. They must have been thrilled.

Dana and Daisy said...

how lovely. I planted lavender last year and am tickled that it is blooming this year! But I'm not sure what to do with it! Maybe you'll give some DUY's like your lavender sugar!

xinex said...

Your tablescape is not just pretty but I bet it smells wonderful too....Christine

Martha said...

It does smell wonderful -- that's the best thing about working in the herb garden -- the fragrance. (and the bees and butterflys flitting about!)

Unknown said...

I can't seem to grow the lavender! I always kill it and I simply love it! Wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing! Stop by and see my table setting, if you like what you see, be sure to subscribe to my blog by clicking on "Follow" in the right hand column. This way we can inspire one another frequently! Be sure to stay a while when you're there and enjoy the experience!

Blondie's Journal said...

Martha,

Kudos to you for enlightening your class and us on just how pretty herbs can be displayed and some wonderful new uses. I am interested in how you make the sugars...

I have had a small herb garden for a couple of years. I like to add new things every year and I am so inspired to get out and get started.

The "Trayscape" was just so lovely. Enjoy the rest of the week, Martha!! :-D

xoxo
Jane

Linda Merrill said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! That herb class sounds very interesting!

Carrie said...

Oh, I would love to attend such a session on using herbs. Your setting for your demonstration is very appealing.

Cathy said...

A lovely post, Martha. I've just planted my strawberry jar with a variety of herbs. Hope they do well. Love the idea of rosemary salt. I'm going to try that. Thanks.

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

Your herb tablescape was great. I love how you displayed everything.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh it's been wonderful to read through your blog and catch up with you! Thanks for your visit to my "strawberry patch".
See ya!

Kathleen Ellis said...

FABulous! I bet your presentation is so interesting! My daughter really enjoys experimenting with different herbs, then she passes along the info to me!
happy holiday weekend!
;-D

Brenda Pruitt said...

Wow! I haven't seen herbs used in this way (sugar, etc.) since years ago in another state when I was a member of an herb society. I just loved that. And I have a gardening blog where I show lots of herbs. So I'll be back to look more for sure! Thanks for showing this today! I so enjoyed it.
Brenda