Over the winter, the herbs that we were trying to grow in the house grew spindly, then started to dry up, no matter how diligently we cared for them. Then we decided to salvage what we could, and brush away winter with fresh herbs.
At first, I was sad that we had failed. Then I saw the opportunities that failing opened up to us.
Herb Brooms
Before returning the dormant (I hope) herbs to the back deck, I snipped off stems, 5 – 7 inches long, and tossed them onto a cookie sheet. Kyra and I bundled the stems into groups of 4 or 5, and tied the bundles with thread. Depending upon which stems Kyra grabbed from the cookie sheet, a bundle may have only one kind of herb, or it may have any combination of oregano, thyme, rosemary, and mint. Finally, I tied a loop in the end of the threads, and hung the bundles upside down to dry.
We hadn’t failed after all! A week or so later, we had several varieties of “herb brooms” that were ready to give as gifts, decorate our kitchen, and use in winter stews. It wasn’t what we’d expected, but our winter herb adventure was a success after all.
Fresh herbs in vases are both pretty and tasty.
Happy Herb Ideas
When the dreariness of winter starts to get you down, try some of these out-of-season sensory activities to put the spring back in your step.
Buy a tiny potted herb or two from your local grocery store or nursery. Slip the pot into an oversized coffee mug, and keep it on your kitchen window or countertop. At least once daily, gently brush your hand over the leaves, and breathe deeply.
Instead of using the dried, pulverized herbs that come in those tiny plastic cylinders, choose a few fresh-cut herbs from the organic produce section of your grocery store, and arrange them in a small flower vase. (The handmade vases I bought at Alewine Pottery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee are perfect for this.) Add bits of your herb bouquets into your soup or stew, or sprinkle on chicken, fish, meat, and veggies. If you change the water in the vase daily, the herbs should last at least a week (unless you eat them all first!) Then, simply purchase a few new packages of herbs, and add a brand-new taste, and maybe some brand-new conversation, to your family meals.
Peace and happy herbing,
Sara & Kyra
