Welcome to Hill Country Herbalist

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Decorating with Herbs from the Hill Country Garden

Where has the time gone? We are in mid Spring and enjoying the beautiful wildlife here in the Texas Hill Country.  Butterflies are amazing this year....oh, and so are the leaf munching caterpillars :)  These days, we are being creative with what we have and taking full advantage of bringing the outdoors inside and vice-versa.  It's a harmonious time of year when the outdoors feels just as comfortable as the indoors.  We are certainly blessed with green abundance this year.  Rain and sunshine have been our friends.  Green Blessings.





I recently updated my Facebook page showing you how we can use the recently fading Cleavers into your daily life.  Besides being a wonderful spring tonic for our lymph system, Cleavers (Galium aparine) has wonderful uses in the garden! Since it is self clinging, it can be molded into almost any shape.  Take advantage of this herb all you can.  Before it went into seed, I harvested Cleavers and infused it into oil.  I make "Healing Hands" lotion featuring this very healing and nourishing herb.  It's a simple lotion but holds moisture in the hands like no other lotion I make.  It's perfect for people in the health care industry who wash hands often or for people whose hands simply need the healing touch.
Above, you can see how I molded and used Cleavers to line a plant basket.  Since then, it has dried and is very functional as a plant basket liner.  Why purchase from big box stores, when you can use the herb that is ever giving in your very own back yard? Truly an amazing plant. This past Easter, I used it to make "nests" to hold eggs.  I am not sure how I dreamt up the the idea of decorating with Cleavers - but I'm so glad I did.  It will be an ongoing tradition in our herb home. 

Our Parsley has also gone into full bloom.  I planted it last fall and now it has reached full bloom and it is just gorgeous.  As I pruned this sweet smooth herb, I could not help myself ...I had to find purpose in my cuttings.  I gathered up the blooms in my arms and carried the bundle into my home.  I found a large vase and just made sure they were comfortable.  What a magnificent herb.  I smile each time I walk past the Parsley blooms.  They are so happy and soothing.  Just like they are when we add their fresh leaves to our food.  Makes our tummies happy ~ Makes our minds happy.....Makes us happy and whole.  Never under estimate the powerful impact surrounding yourself with beautiful herbs has on our mind, spirit and body.
Recently, I hurt my back working in the garden.  I haven't been much for blogging or digging or harvesting,etc.  However, with my herbal friends Lobelia, Cramp Bark, Chamomile, Lavender, and Arnica...I am healing very well.  I have so many more garden pictures and stories to share.  I will take time while I'm healing to catch up with you. Until then...many green and herbal blessings and don't forget to grow where you are planted.  Much love, HCH.



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