The Hollyhock

It's that time of year again! The hollyhocks are growing and setting forth blossoms. Their vibrant clusters of blossoms really bring cheer to the heart.

I can remember hollyhocks as a child. They grew abundantly in the apartment complex where our family lived when I was very young. My sister and I enjoyed gathering the flowers to make dolls out of....and reveled in collecting the dried seed pods after the blooming season was past. When we opened the pod there were hundreds of tiny, black seeds that were all packed together so perfectly and tightly. Mother considered them a "junk" flower, so never grew any in her gardens in subsequent homes we lived in. Initially I accepted that as truth, but in recent years have enjoyed the abundance and beauty of this pretty plant.

When I clean up the garden each autumn, I am careful to break open the seed pods and sprinkle the seeds all around in the area where they grow so that I'll have another crop of pretty hollyhocks in the spring.

Do you like the humble hollyhock? Any memories to share?

Arugula, Blackberry & Nasturtium Salad

This paring of ripe berries, spicy ginger, peppery greens, and fresh flowers is as close to sublime as food gets! Nasturtium is one of my favorite eatable flowers. This spring I made sure to plant an entire pack of nasturtium seeds so that I would have enough blossoms to use in salads and appetizers. They make the plate such a delight!

12-15 cups lightly packed arugula leaves or small spinach leaves
2 Tbsp walnut or olive oil
2 Tbsp raspberry vinegar
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp honey
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 cup fresh blackberries
2 Tbsp finely slivered or minced crystallized ginger
Edible flowers, such as nasturtium

(Use only flowers you know are free of chemicals -- systemic or sprays --
keeping in mind that spray from fruit trees or lawns may drift onto flower
beds.)

Pinch stems from arugula. Rinse leaves well then spin or pat dry and place
in a large bowl. Combine oil, raspberry and balsamic vinegars, honey, and
Dijon in a bowl and whisk until blended (or shake in a jar).  Just before
serving, drizzle dressing over greens and toss until leaves are coated.
Sprinkle with berries, ginger, and flowers and toss gently.

Here's a short list of edible flowers: nasturtium, pansy, rose, calendula,
Johnny Jump-Up, geranium, bachelor button, and the flowers of herb plants
such as rosemary, thyme, chive, borage, mint, sage, and
lavender.

The Traveling Teapot is Traveling Again!

The online group, Afternoon Tea Across America, is sending out two traveling teapots this year for travels throughout the United States and Canada. Hosts have started blogging about the teapot adventures. If you'd like to read about those adventures, be sure to check into the ATAA Traveling Teapot II blog. Comments are most welcome!

"Oh look, there's the TARDIS!  I filled her with peonies. . ."

Red Floral Quilt ~ 1855

Quilts have been on my mind. Somehow I've been pulled into stitching two new quilt tops. I always feel like I have accomplished something if I complete one, and now I have two that I am sewing on at the same time. A little bit here and a little bit there.  I wonder --- will I actually achieve my goal of two completed quilt tops? Of course! Both are king size. I am motivated and both are Bonnie Hunter designs. I am enjoying learning her techniques and I really enjoy how there is a flow and ease to stitching her patterns.

Speaking of quilts, I thought I would share pictures of a quilt I found at an old flour mill and restaurant recently. It was on display along one wall of the eating area. The stitching is amazing! All hand-quilted, each stitch looks perfect to me, and I admit that I examined the quilt for awhile. The hand applique was also stunning. This quilt was made in 1855. It's easy to envision that the stitcher of this quilt was a pioneer who came west on the Oregon trail. Imagine the hours and hours of work that were spent in careful creation of this practical project. Don't you wish you knew the whole story?

Although it's not my place to worry about things like lack of protection from light and dust, I was concerned that it was displayed in an open area where it could be touched and handled. The note pinned to the quilt with an old pin concerns me as well, as it looks to be on the verge of rusting. What would you do? Would you talk to the business owner about care of the gem of this antique quilt? Sometimes it is really tough to mind your own business when you have appreciation for the stitching of another. An inquiring mind wants to know.

French Milled Rose Cinnamon Molded Soap

French Milled Rose Cinnamon Molded Soap is fragrant and so easy to make. The fragrance lingers and the oil in the recipe make your hands feel soft and smooth. Here's the recipe:

French Milled Rose Cinnamon Molded Soap

1 cup grated soap (mild, non-scented, like Ivory)
1/4 cup rose water
1/4 cup coconut oil

Place the above ingredients in a large glass measuring cup. Place this in a kettle of boiling water. Melt and stir the soap until it becomes like marshmallow cream with a small amount of stringiness or rope-like. This takes 10 - 15 minutes with constant stirring. When this stage is reached, remove from heat. Add:

1/4 tsp. powdered cinnamon
Red or pink candle dye melted in 1 Tbsp. almond oil
10 drops rose oil
5 drops cinnamon oil

Stir well and place soap mixture on waxed paper. Then, drop by tablespoons or scoops onto anothersheet of axed paper. Allow to harden, gently molding and forming to smooth surface over time.

Fragrant; gently soapy. Place in a crystal bowl or pretty basket on a rose-embroidered hanky. Enjoy!

Most Consoling and Comfortable

"I enjoy tea, first of all, because it reminds me of my father who was
English and only drank tea. We never used tea bags in the home. We always
brewed tea, and I remember the lovely aroma and the feel of the warm pot. I
also, somehow, find tea very consoling."

"To me, afternoon tea is a very great pleasure and luxury. However, I am
rarely at home at that time. When visiting London, I think there is nothing
lovelier than afternoon tea with little watercress or cucumber sandwiches. .
.yum yum. . .I wish I could do this at home."

"It seems to me that tea is the most consoling and comfortable of beverages,
and also, if one drinks tea, herb tea is probably the healthiest."

Barbara Walters