Ginger Mojitos

Last summer I was drinking a lot of iced green tea with mint.  My mint was growing really well and this year it is already growing well too. Every time I brew up some iced tea, I have been throwing 5-6 stems of mint in there to steep with the tea. It is very refreshing [...]

Read Full Post »

Rose Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)

My Gram always grew red geraniums in the summer. Each fall she would severely cut them back and they would sit through the winter on the high window ledge in the laundry room in our basement where it stayed cool. Those common geraniums have a district smell to them; sort of like a tomato plant [...]

Read Full Post »

My Best Intentions…

I was knocked down by yet another cold this season. This is hard for me to wrap my brain around (especially in the cold-induced foggy state.) I have been healthy and cold free for about 2 years and this year is completely different. I have learned a lot over the past few years about herbs [...]

Read Full Post »

Handmade Concoctions

Sometimes we think that putting up food is all about canning, drying, and freezing. But there are items that compliment our foodstuffs that we can also put up for the lean times of the year. Items like extracts, wines, and vinegars are a few things that many people don’t realize they can make at home [...]

Read Full Post »

A bit of dabbling in South Texas

Is this really true?  Pinch me? Am I really writing here with all these other wonderful contributors? What an honor. My husband and I have been living north of San Antonio on the edge of the Hill Country for almost four years. When I arrived here I really wasn’t sure what I was going to [...]

Read Full Post »

Keeping It Simple

This time of year tends to sweep us gardeners and outdoors-y types away with projects and plans. Even if you’re not a gardener, there are plenty of activities that spring adds to our Honey-Do lists; family gatherings, spring cleaning, graduations, vacations, weddings, cookouts…. In the midst of all this madness I find that keeping just [...]

Read Full Post »

Mulling Spice Gift Jars

Here at Chiot’s Run I like to be prepared by keeping a few little gifts on hand for last minute holiday parties or surprise guests. If you’re in need of a quick hostess gift or something for a gift exchange a mix of mulling spices in a pretty jar is a great option. They can [...]

Read Full Post »

Quick Herbal Bug Bite Salve

Several years ago I read about the wonders of Broad Leaved Plantain, a “weed” that grows everywhere. It’s also known as: Bird’s Meat, Common Plantain, Great Plantain, Rat-tail Plantain, White Man’s Foot. I have it growing all over the gardens here at Chiot’s Run and I’m quite happy about it. It comes in very handy [...]

Read Full Post »

Sunday Photos…Herbs, Herbs, Herbs

“Fresh herbs offer an astounding palette of vibrant and glorious tastes, but their delights go beyond the flavors they lend to food. For a cook, there is joy in simply handling fresh herbs in the kitchen. Who can resist stroking the proud sticky needles of rosemary, rubbing a plush sage leaf, or crushing a crinkled [...]

Read Full Post »

Enjoying Homegrown Tea

This past fall I harvested a lot of my herbs for warming winter teas. I should have harvested them all summer long, but I got busy and forgot to do it until winter threatened, so I didn’t get as many as I wanted. When I harvest tea I carry a big bowl around with me [...]

Read Full Post »