A Sunday in June Garden Tour

We had the opportunity to tour several local gardens last month. The little decorative touches that were to be found in each garden were special little discoveries. This lace covered table provides the perfect spot to sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of this garden. Tucked among the green, it offers a little haven to sit and simply be still.

Practicing poses for senior pictures, Angelica happily perched on the steps of the rock garden. At the first garden that we visited, they offered small sample of ice cream! That was a fun surprise!

Every little corner of this garden had some unique ornamentation. It's fun to see how creative the homeowners can be with garden art. And of course, the little collections of teacups caught our eye!

TasteBuds Luncheon

Our seasonal luncheon hosted by Linda Gauvry of TasteBuds Personal Chef Service was held last week. Fresh tasty summer delights were the theme for the menu. Prior to serving lunch, the guests were served individual pots of tea of their choice. The appetizer began with a bowl of  Watermelon, Cucumber, Feta cheese and garden mint. That was served alongside two slices of moist and flavorful lemon zucchini bread. 

As usual, there were two entrees offered. You could select between:

Tortellini Pasta Salad (cheese tortellini tossed with tomatoes, spinach, fresh corn, and basil in a herb vinaigrette) served with Cornbread Roll and honey butter.

or, if you preferred,

Honey Mustard Chicken Salad (tender chicken breast strips on a bed of mixed greens with bacon, tomatoes, basil, fresh corn, and honey mustard dressing) served with Cornbread Roll and honey butter.

Dessert featured a generous portion of homemade Raspberry Chocolate Cake (moist chocolate cake with a raspberry filling and cream cheese frosting, topped with fresh berries). Yum!

We hope you find the opportunity to join us for one of TasteBuds Luncheons. The next luncheon is scheduled for Saturday, August 26th at 1:00. Be sure to contact Susanna to make your reservations! The menu is equally delicious! Here's a sneak peek!

Appetizer:

Balsamic Blueberry Salad - mixed greens with blueberries, herbs, and toasted pecans tossed with a balsamic dressing

Glazed Peach Bread

Choice of Entree:

Chicken Pesto Sandwich - tender chicken breast in a creamy pesto dressing on a crusty roll with mozzarella cheese, served with a fresh corn and tomato salad

Mediterranean Couscous Salad - couscous with chickpeas, cucumber, sweet peppers, and kalamata olives in a herb vinaigrette, served with a fresh corn and tomato salad

Dessert:

Vanilla Cupcakes with Berry Buttercream Frosting

Gnome Invasion!

We have had an invasion of the cutest little gnomes. If you wander around the herb gardens, you might just find a little guy tucked here or there. This sweet little mushroom forest is home to a hand painted scene featuring assorted mushrooms and a little blue stream. A touch of wooly thyme is growing beneath the metal mushroom collection.

Nestled under the bay tree in another corner of the garden is this little gnome fruit and veggie vendor. We are the happy to be the guardians of these creative and artistic gnome scenes that were recently gifted to Susanna.

These little guys are poking their heads out from below some shrubbery.

And, if you look closely, tucked in a corner beside the gazebo is another one of Steve Hoke's gnome homes. We won this one during a fund raising event, and are happy to add it to the growing collection.

Lemon Balm Tea

The Essential Herbal magazine, featuring all things herbs, has included an article on summer herbal brews in their July/August 2017 issue. This informative herbal magazine offers six issues per year and includes a wide range of information pertaining to herbs. For the summer issue, iced beverages are one of the topics featured. We are pleased to note that one of mom's recipes was included in the article.

With an abundance of lemon balm growing in the herb garden during the summer, a refreshing lemon balm tea is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day, and a delicious way to enjoy the fresh lemon flavor of this prolific herb. Add a touch of honey to sweeten the brew and a few cloves to add a hint of spice along with freshly squeezed lemon to highlight the lemon flavor, and you have a delicious summery drink without any caffeine.

Kutztown Folk Festival - July 1 - 9

Look for Susanna (representing The Rosemary House) and Molly (representing The Essential Herbal) vending at the herb booth at the 68th annual Kutztown Folk Festival. This week long event honors the heritage of the Pennsylvania Dutch. The little Herb Garden sign marks the location of the booth and the four square herb garden right beside it. At the Herb Garden, you'll discover medicinal herbs utilized in a myriad of ways crafted into healing salves for example, along with culinary herbs used to flavor and enhance home cooking or pickling.

Quilts, crafts, food, and fun are all highlights of a visit to the folk festival. These cinnamon rolls are baked continuously all day, served warm, oozing with a sweet glaze and rolled with love, they are a must-have treat! And another staple of the festival is a large mug of sarsaparilla. Root beer or birch beer are also options. There's plenty to eat and enjoy from corn fritters to stuffed pretzels.

Happy Fourth of July!

Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all!

By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall.

~John Dickinson

#NationalCreamTeaDay

Sweet Remembrances Cream Scones

The Cream Tea Society in England has announced that this year, the 3rd annual National Cream Tea Day is June 30th. Established by Rodda's Cornish Clotted Cream, it's a celebration that I think we should consider making international!

Celebrate with family and friends, with fellow coworkers during break, or simply with a good book, a pot of tea and a scone with cream and jam. Just do it!

The Tea Lady, Judy Larkin, and her English Scones

Kathy's Kove, NJ

 Cream Tea is a much simpler form of Afternoon Tea. It is just the basics! Cream (lots of it), jelly (preferably strawberry), scones fresh from the oven is best, and tea. Endless pots of tea!

Stratford-upon-Avon, England

Roadside Pub, England

 Is it pronounced Scone (like cone) or Scone (like gone)? It's a regional thing, either (long e) or either (long i) is correct. While in England, a young lady (maybe 7 or 8 y/o) listened as we ordered scones (like cone). We overheard her ask her mother, 'mummy is it scone (long o) or scone (soft o)? Her mother replied, it's scone (like gone), they are American and pronounce it differently.

The Empress, Victoria, BC

 And then there is the controversy, which do you slather on first? Cream, and then jam? or Jam, and then cream? It is an ongoing debate, all about personal preference or which region of England you hail from. Devon vs. Cornish. Devon is cream first, jam on top. Cornish is the other way around. It makes no difference in how it tastes!

My preference, cream first, then jam!

Cream Tea? Yes, please!

Tea Flavored Ice Cream!

We welcomed Mike and Deb Raab of Tea-for-All to the tea room yesterday for a class about making tea-infused ice cream. This dynamic duo demonstrated the four step process for making a French style ice cream which includes preparing the tea-infusion, custard preparation, freezing, and enjoying!

The tea infusion is approximately 1/4 c. of loose leaf tea steeped overnight in milk to pull the flavors of the tea. When ready to make the ice cream, strain the milk and follow your favorite recipe, using the infused milk in addition to eggs, heavy cream and sugar. While the Breville Ice Cream Maker whirred softly in the background, processing and freezing the ice cream that we just watched Mike make, Deb served forth some pre-made tea infused ice cream.

We sampled four types of delicious and flavorful ice cream. The soft tan color let you know there was something unique about this ice cream. There was a Lemon Souffle which is actually a base of rooibos and honeybush tisanes. This was the all around favorite flavor. In addition we sampled Chai Masala, a smooth spicy ice cream and Cordially Yours, a chocolate cherry flavored tea ice cream to which Mike added miniature chocolate chips. Once the ice cream maker finished its work, we sampled Lavender Earl Grey with blueberries. Yum!

In addition, assorted toppings were offered that included toasted coconut, toasted sliced almonds, and a crunchy almond brickle. They were fun additions to an already tasty and unique variation on ice cream. 

Deb and Mike, Specialty Tea Institute mentors will be back in the tea room in August to present the Foundations of Tea, Level 1 and Level 2 classes offered by STI. If you are looking to advance your knowledge of tea, these classes are highly recommended.

Shoes!

We had a fun themed event this past Sunday in the tea room. 'Never Enough Shoes' was the subject, and a bountiful collection of shoes were on display. Deb Kramer developed a wonderful presentation of shoe fashions from around the world - shoes of all sizes and all styles were shared. And coming out of the kitchen was a collection of edible shoes. After an Internet search, these cute little heals formed using Nutter Butter cookies and molded tootsie rolls were discovered, created, and served as dessert along side Lavender Earl Grey cookies and petite baby booties using an old familiar recipe for DreaMint Candies.

Mechanicsburg PA Rocks!

Susanna was out front watering the window boxes and little herb plants when she discovered a variety of painted rocks secretly tucked here and there. Hidden, but not really, they were a surprise to discover, and offered a bright moment in an otherwise routinely normal day.

 When we picked up the little ladybug, we discovered a message on the bottom of the rock. It didn't take us long to look up the Facebook page for Mechanicsburg PA Rocks!

According to the Facebook page, the inspiration for these little rocks occurred when Erica saw a segment on the Today Show which prompted her to create a local painted rock community. Apparently these hide-and-seek painted rock communities are spreading across the country. The FB page lists some basic instructions and simple guidelines to follow if you want to participate. The premise is fairly simple - to decorate rocks and hide them in various locations to brighten someone's day. And that is indeed what happened in our case! When Susanna noticed the rocks, she was eager to share her discovery. It is such a simple way to bring a moment of joy and happiness to an unsuspecting person, at the same time it's important to be respectful of the surroundings. The Kindness Rocks Project has some instructions and how-to information if you want more details on rock painting.

Have you discovered any painted rocks where you live?

Happy Father's Day!

Space Baby! A delightful and entertaining moment for each of his four daughters. You have given us a wealth of memories built upon a deep foundation of love and trust, and for that, we will forever thank you! Love you so much!          Happy Father's Day, Dad!                

Castle Creek Lavender Thyme Faire

Susanna is again vending at this local lavender festival only 10 miles from us, at Castle Creek Farm! It is so exciting to have an herbal event so close to home. Castle Creek Lavender Thyme Faire celebrates their 4th year for this festival where they promote all things herbal, along with lavender, thyme, honey, and fiber.

 This event features talks and vendors focused on lavender. The gardens are well labeled so you can discover which lavender plant you want to plant in your own gardens.

While it is a relatively new event and you can see that reflected in the size of the lavender plants in the field, it is going to be fun to watch this festival grow. Susanna reports that there are move vendors this year, and more home made lavender items in the gift shop. Castle Creek Herb Farm in Dillsburg, PA is the host of this festival. If you are in the area, we hope you get a chance to stop by! The festival is today and tomorrow, June 16th and 17th. Come on out and sample some lavender ice cream!