Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Farms of All Sorts!

Susanna, our travel coordinator at The Rosemary House recently sponsored a traveling Herb Seminar (our 70th!) to eastern PA to experience herb farms and more. Our first stop was at Deer Creek Farm in Reading PA. This stop featured over 400 varieties of potted plants for sale plus a lovely herb shop and a morning snack which included lavender pound cake with fresh strawberry sauce and a tasty iced tea.
These gorgeous hydrangeas were drying in one of the out buildings on this lovely country farm.
Our second stop, the grand estate of Meadowbrook Farm features the world-famous garden design of J. Liddon Pennock, Jr. who spent decades perfecting the formal gardens on the property. This was also our lunch stop where we enjoyed a basket lunch prepared by Nancy of Sweet Remembrances. The lunch menu included Savory Feta Cheese Spread and crackers, Dilled Apple-Chicken Salad, a vegetable salad of Broccoli, snow peas and more, Dilly Cheese Muffins and Coconut Pecan Cake. Once lunch was complete, we hopped aboard the bus and headed to Kings Herb Nook.This small but mighty herb shop is located in Honeybrook, PA where Rosanna King and her family welcomed us with freshly brewed mint tea, a very tasty and delicious combination of applemint, spearmint, and chocolate mint.
Herb plants, stump planters, and more were tucked under the bus, treasures to be planted and displayed in herb gardens at home. Our final stop was at Farm at Coventry in Pottstown, where we strolled the lovely gardens, marvelled at the variety of hops plants, and cackled with the free range chickens.Our casual evening supper, prepared by owner Susan Hess was enjoyed here. Asparagus Quiche with fresh eggs, a beautiful salad of spring greens with an herbal dressing, fresh strawberries and orange slices, roasted new potatoes, and tasty chocolate hazelnut candies completed the meal. Beautiful, colorful, flavorful, and joyful, we enjoyed a delightful evening here.
Needless to say, the bus was pretty quiet as we headed back to our final destination,
home sweet home.

3 comments:

Marilyn Miller said...

Good to have you back. It sounds like you have been having fun while you were away. That's good.

Linda Jennings said...

What a fun trip!

Anonymous said...

A wonderful trip, tasty food, great shopping and special experience. - jp