Summer Dreaming: Planning our Herb Shop

The temperatures are soaring and the grass feels crisp underfoot here in Ohio. You can almost hear the trees and plants cry out for rain. The land has gained a golden hue as autumn creeps closer, and the air is scented with sweet passion flowers and spearmint that are happily growing everywhere except the places I have originally planted them.

Everything seems to slow down in the dusty heat, even me.

For example, enjoying a tall glass of iced tea on my front porch rocking chair, snapping beans and watching the many hummingbirds sip from nectar feeders feels like the perfect speed. Playing in my herb garden harvesting rosemary, thyme, oregano, lavender, and calendula to bring in the house to dry for winter. Husking, blanching, cutting, and freezing bags of fresh yellow sweet corn to enjoy over the cold months. I snip feathery yarrow leaves and fat little elderberries to create fresh tinctures, and cut bundles of teasle, silver king, statis, and amaranth to use in wreaths and ornaments once dry. My linens hang in the sunshine on the clothesline, clusters of deep purple grapes hang from our arbor waiting to be picked, and our pups laze on our wooden floors before electric fans. Neighbors sneak shopping bags full of cucumbers on to our porch like ninjas, and everyone I meet asks if I like to eat zucchini. My mama had a rich peach harvest and is canning them and creating jams and jellies to share with my gran, and with us. Once again, the farmers markets have tables ready to buckle under the weight of this year's harvest, and farmers are waiting for us to come see them and support their work. Art and craft shows run nearly every weekend full of local artisans with fresh ideas and inspiration on display.

All of these slow days and late summer activities encourage me to dream. I am a self-professed daydreamer. I am guilty of gazing out the window instead of focusing on emails. I have missed many questions asked while "away with the faeries." Should I make a batch of bread and butter pickles with all these cucumbers? Could I find enough teasle to create a wreath and some darling teasle bear ornaments a friend told me about? I have an abundance of thyme, should I pass it out to friends or ask my mama for some new recipe ideas? Should I turn my grapes into juice, or put up some jelly this year? Our old apple tree is ailing and not long for this world, should I plant a baby now or wait? What kind of handmade gift could I create for my grandson's birthday this year? Would my neighbors be willing share their apples in return for a few jars of resulting apple butter?

The constant pull to creativity and daydreaming intensifies for me in late summer. The long and hot days, the endless possibilities offered by mother nature, and steady stream of inspiration from the talented people around me all contribute to my glazed stare. This summer has been a trial to all who have tried to get me to focus on something. This summer our family is working toward opening a small shop so people can visit Woodland Herbal in person. A room has been cleared in our workshop, cabinets stand ready, a large table sits empty and shelves are being built along the walls. We have sold herbal remedies online and attended busy local markets and fairs for years, but a brick-and-mortar shop is something very different, and very exciting! A place people can come to see our products in person, to ask questions and visit the family without fighting the festival crowds. It is also a chance to offer some wares that aren't suited for the website... and this is where the daydreams take me away!

I dream of a whole wall full of giant jars of herbs, so many you must climb to reach the top row. Tinctures of individual herbs ready to be mixed for each individual in need. Brandon dreams of a cabinet made to look like a window to the forest, full of moss, stones, branches and leaves. Maybe Mama and Leah's culinary gifts could shine with a table of fruit pies, scones, cookies, and breads filled with fresh herbs from our gardens. We could devote a shelf to those bread and butter pickles I'm thinking about making and some jars of our jelly, jam, hot pepper mustard, apple butter and chutney. Maybe some pretty bottles filled with rosemary and garlic infused olive oil? Bottles with lemon peel curls and bright red cayenne peppers floating in white wine vinegar ready to be added to salads and chicken dishes?

We could fill baskets with handmade creations in every corner. Hang dried flowers in bundles from the ceiling, perfect for winter arrangements and crafts. My extra thyme could find a home with someone who also wishes to try a new recipe with it. Holiday wreaths made with fresh evergreen branches that grow around the shop? Some dried herbs, red berries, dried orange slices tucked in the branches and rich ribbons would be beautiful and make the house smell amazing. Do we know anyone who harvests fresh mistletoe around here? Brandon's framed photographs would look lovely on the walls. My wood burned spoons would look cute propped in a jar, and I bet others would find little teasle animals wearing acorn caps charming too. My magic healing lotion that only lasts a brief time in the fridge is impossible to mail, but easy to share in person. What about perfume made from natural essential oils made special to suit the person standing in front of us? Grapevine crescent moons dripping with feathers, wind chimes made of found treasures, dream catchers covered in moss and dry flowers?

Can you blame me for spending so much of my time away with the faeries? This daydream is so nice, I feel guilty for keeping it. I am ready to share. I hope you all grab a tall glass of iced tea, head to the front porch, and gaze into the distance with me. What would you do? What would your herb shop look like? What treasures would you create to share? I can't wait to read about it in the comments! Until then, I have some more dreaming to do!

 

4 lbs. cucumbers, ends removed and cut in 1/4 inch slices

2 lbs. onions thinly sliced

1/3 c canning salt

2 c brown sugar

2 Tbs mustard seed

2 tsp turmeric

2 tsp lovage (can substitute celery seed)

1 tsp ginger

1 tsp coriander

1 tsp peppercorn

3 c cider vinegar

Combine cucumber slices and onions in a large bowl, layering with salt, cover in ice cubes. Let stand 2 hours. Drain and rinse. Bring remaining ingredients to a boil in large pot. Add the veggies and bring mixture back to a boil. Pack the hot pickles and liquid in canning jars leaving a 1/4 inch headspace. Tap gently to remove air bubbles and lid. Process 10 minutes in boiling water canner to seal. If you want bright green pickles with clear liquid, use white sugar and white vinegar. If you want them to taste good, use the brown sugar and good apple cider vinegar. Makes about 7 pints.