Bountiful Garden

The edible flowers in our garden are glorious this time of year. May thru October produces a wide range of blossoms that can be utilized as garnish or added to a favorite salad or tea sandwich for a colorful feast for the eyes. These tea sandwiches have first been spread with a cream cheese base. I added a touch of white wine to soften the cream cheese so it will spread easily (mayonnaise or sour cream will work well also). I then added freshly snipped chives and burnet for additional flavor. Burnet mimics the flavor of cucumber, and is a beautiful herb to grow. Spread this mixture on the round slices of bread. Top each with a beautiful edible flower blossom, (nasturtium, pansy, marigold, roses, etc., all organic, pesticide free) and add a small green herb leaf to offset the blossom. What a special treat for your guests. Elegant, yet simple too.

Yoga in the Garden

We have a very full calendar in the month of May with quite a number of classes and workshops going on. One of our classes was Yoga in the Garden, while our garden is in town and you can hear the traffic noises in the background it still provides an ideal setting for meditation, relaxation and learning. The garden feels cloistered behind the shop and tearoom and the pleasant chirping of the birds and the lovely fragrances of the herbs and the beauty of the flowers enhance the experience. Our instructor Betsy May taught us how to salute the sun, twist like ivy and open like lilies to enrich our gardening experiences and to release tension in the body caused by gardening. It was a great class for all ages.

Happy Birthday!

Today is my Mother's Best Friend's birthday and this past weekend our families gathered at her daughter's home and celebrated this joyous occasion. It was a festive celebration, complete with a cake full of roses. My Mother and Missy K. first met in New Jersey in the 1950's. They developed their friendship over coffee, thru Garden Club, and during the school years, even coordinating memorable family vacations at a beach house in New Jersey. They maintained this friendship over the years and across the miles as we eventually moved to PA when my father was transferred here, and they later moved to DC. There were many road trips between households. Long distance phone bills were never questioned by husbands, merely accepted. Although separated by many miles, our families have grown up together, her children have married and now have their own families, and yet we still gather as if the years have stood still. I wish you a very Happy Birthday Missy K! You were such an important part of my Mother's life, and for that, I know my sisters and I are all grateful as you have graced our lives with many blessings and taught us the value of true friendship.

Remember when?

Remember the good old days, when your imagination could take you anywhere? Do something fun today, hop on your horse or unicorn, don your pink hat, and ride around town, carefree! It's good for the soul.

In Remembrance

Memorial Day - C W Johnson

We walked among the crosses
Where our fallen soldiers lay.
And listened to the bugle
As TAPS began to play
The Chaplin led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.
They came from every city
Across this fertile land.
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here 'neath the sand.
I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men lost their all.
Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say,
Thanks for what you've given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in heaven
From now through evermore.

Remembering the brave service men and women that have valiantly fought for our country so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today. Thank you.

Horse Party

In anticipation of our Wagon Train vacation in North Dakota, we spent this past Friday evening getting used to riding a horse. We had an intensive training session at a local horse farm which included instruction on tacking up, mounting, riding, guiding, grooming, and cleaning the hooves. The instruction included a lot of information and encouragement. It was a pleasant evening, including a picnic in their gazebo while the kids chased the farm kittens. In addition to the opportunity to ride in the wagon train, or walk alongside, there will be 2 horses that will be our responsibility. Between the 11 of us, (family and friends) there won't be a lot of time on the horses, but just enough to provide additional enjoyment for our vacation.

We have often been on trail rides, but this adventure will require a bit more responsibility on our part.

For additional information regarding our wagon train adventure, visit Fort Seward Wagon Train. We leave for two weeks in June and July. Be prepared for additional stories and photos upon our return. This will be a unique vacation which involves camping and assigned chores. We're also required to dress in Prairie clothing, unless riding the horses, then blue jeans are acceptable.

Living history.

And multiple lessons for all in attendance.

And stories, I'm sure there will be stories to tell; with photos.

Garden Party - the menu

As part of our ongoing 40th Anniversary celebration for The Rosemary House, we featured a Garden Party this past weekend. Sandwiched between two rainy dreary days was a perfectly delightful Saturday, providing a respite from the rains, lush gardens, and a wonderful gathering of family and friends; complete with a champagne toast at noon.

Garden Party Menu

Strawberries with Mascarpone Cheese

Minted Pineapple

Hot Ice Box Pickles

French Style Cheese Spread & Crackers

Basil Pesto Cheese Spread

Savory Feta Cheese & Olive Spread

Herbed Vegetable Bars

Burnet & Chives Sandwiches

Tomato Basil Rounds with Basil Butter

Peach & Brie on French Baguette

Lavender Egg Salad

Orange Basil Cookies

Chocolate Nut Cracker Cookies

Rosemary Lemon Verbena Decorated Cake

Rosemary Lemonade

The Pouring Teapot

Enjoy this sampling of teapots that can be found throughout the house. What fun it is to collect these treasures and to be able to display them also! Thanks to Gracious Hospitality for hosting this tea themed blog-a-thon. It has been fun participating in the weekly themes.

(For detail, click on the collage to enlarge it.)

The Wedding Gift - Happy Anniversary!

Today marks our parents Wedding Anniversary - May 19, 1945. Before my Mother passed away, they celebrated 54 years together! My Mother would refer to my Father as 'The King', 'Friend Husband', and even 'Supperman' as once he retired, he started preparing their evening meals, using herbs of course! This lovely luster tea pot with matching creamer and sugar bowl was a wedding gift presented to my Mother and Father in 1945 by her brother Harold. The markings on the bottom say Eggshell, nautilus, U.S.A. It has graced our family home for well over 50 years, but when it came time to leave the old homestead, my father gifted this set to me which I now proudly display in the china cupboard in the tea room. It is a treasure, a definite family heirloom, and one I am proud to own. It takes center stage, subtly reminding me of the strong foundation of their love that has nurtured not only our family and extended families, but the friendships that have developed and the businesses that have been established and grown with love and hard work.

As part of the Gracious Hospitality Blog-a-Thon this week, we are to share our Favorite Teapot and its story. This one was meant to be shared today, on their Anniversary, and conveniently it ties in with this weeks theme.

Lavender Egg Salad Sandwiches

10 hard boiled eggs, chopped fine
1 tsp. curry
1 Tbsp. lavender blossoms, dried
1/3 - 1/2 c. mayonnaise
white bread

Combine chopped eggs, curry, lavender blossoms and mayonnaise until well mixed. Add enough mayonnaise as you prefer, for spreading ease. Let flavors blend overnight. Spread mixture onto slices of white bread. Remove crusts, and cut into triangles, or any other shape. Cover until serving.

Happy Mother's Day!

Love, Love, Love, Love,


In loving memory of Bertha Peplau Reppert, forever in our hearts.



There's rosemary, that's for remembrance;
Pray, love, remember... Shakespeare

Minted Pineapple

Looking for something quick and refreshing to serve, and full of fresh flavor? Try Minted Pineapple. Peel, core, slice, and cube a fresh pineapple. (Canned will work, but using fresh is recommended.) Snip fresh mint, spearmint or peppermint will do, until fine. Toss the pineapple, the fresh mint, and 1/4 c. orange juice in a bowl. Allow flavors to blend for an hour or so. Serve at room temperature. This is a delightful accompaniment to a lunch or dinner menu.