Dreaming in Sepia ~

There are herbs in my summer garden. Oh, not in neat tidy rows in the manner of the kitchen garden, but instead jumbled in masses flowing out of large planters strewn on front and back porches, deep containers in the pergola, a big pot on the tiny deck outside my bedroom. 

If it rains, or if a summer breeze comes up, or should I drag my hand over the foliage, the leaves give off such a scent, such a glorious nose-tickling smell, that I can not imagine ever limiting myself to just flowers in my garden, I must always have herbs nearby.  I love lemon thyme, and spearmint, and rosemary.  The kitties chew on the leaves, and dearest Star eats mint all summer long. 

We put Nasturtiums in our salads.  I love their peppery taste and bright orange color. 

In the summer sun I make mint tea from a bed of peppermint and spearmint beside the garden gate.  It steeps in a huge glass jug along with a few leaves of Earl Grey, its color and flavor developing over the day, just in time for an icy glass at dinner. Rustic cubes of raw sugar and slices of sharp lemon or sweet orange are added and the whole is poured over cracked ice. 

Just what could possibly be better than good ice tea on a hot summer day?

Sweet basil and oregano and marjoram flavor stews or sauces, or even gathered up in plain bouquets with a few pansy blossoms to scent the kitchen table, placed hurriedly in a jelly jar next to fresh muffins and poached eggs. 

As the summer fades the herbs grow more wildly, their scent deepens.  They are harvested and dried for winter's use.  Small muslin bags are filled and used as sachets around the house.  It must have been a very wise person who said that memories are triggered by scent more than any other sense.  (I must Google to find out more  even it is is, perhaps, medical fact?)

I plan to pick the best specimens for my Garden Book and mount them on these beautiful sepia colored tags.  Can you imagine how the scent will greet me each time I open the pages? 

I've made more to share.  Eight beautiful tags and labels, 7 in sepia tones, and one richly colored - "Reward of Merit", all printed on high quality ivory cover stock, a lacy edge on the tallest tag.  I've included a old button (each one is different and wonderful), and a scrap of vintage wallpaper in a lovely green pattern, plus a few yards of red and white butcher's thread to tie your specimens to your labels.

Eileen

Comments

[Susie Mitchell]

Hi Eileen...I love seeing the beautiful pictures you share with us...what wonderful creations. Your journals have no equal that I've found. I have rosemary, sage, mint, and oregano near my front door...I love just reaching down to touch the fragrant plants as I go by...and how wonderful they are to cook with.
Please check out my latest entry at Susie's Heart. I am passing an award button to you.
Thank you so much for sharing your sweet creative ideas.
Blessings, Susie

[Diane Knott]

Eileen, such beautiful images. And you're making me wish for my own herbs to be ready for picking! There's nothing like brushing past them in the garden, is there.

Diane

[Jen]

I can only imagine how wonderful your garden journal is going to be! Your photographs are so lovely and serene, & what a wonderful collection of vintage floral frogs you have!
Cheers,
Jen

[Dawn @ The Feathered Nest]

Oh Eileen...each and every thing you create is just beautiful!!! I look forward to seeing these as you add the samples to them ~ just beautiful! xxoo, Dawn

[Colette]

This is one of the prettiest blogs I've seen. I love your "garden."

I also appreciated your comment on my Native series and what you said about the Inuit. My Inuit artwork has mostly been based on the inukshuk, but they will appear on quilts, I'm sure. One of my closest friends here is Inuit from Newfoundland.

Have a great week!
Colette

[mary]

Eileen I love these old cards and graphics! I am needing to figure out a graphic for my business cards and would love it to have this old time kind of look!!!

Would you maybe do a blog on tips for photography- I would love to do a better job on mine but am not sure where to start!!

blessings
mary

[Sharon A. Kyser]

What a lovely blog page! I adore the borders most of all but it all ties in so pleasingly. (Is that a word? pleasingly) I think the cards a absolutely beautiful too. I can see you keep very busy in Alaska. Someday soon I want to just take the time to go to all of you bloglist and see what you love best. Thank you for sharing your treasures with me...sharon

[tiffany]

just beautiful eileen! You have such a pretty blog. Let me know what colors/ fabrics you are wanting for your pillow, I am going to start it soon!
looking forward to it!
xoxo, Tiffany