Another day of projects

While Steve is with his mom in OKC, I’m staying very busy with the garden and my various herbal projects. One advantage of him not being around was that I was able to play one song on repeat literally ALL day. That would have driven Steve crazy after the third time.

I started the morning by harvesting more herbs to dry and weeding my entire 40’ perennial bed. Tomorrow I will be bringing up a bale of hay to mulch it, so I wanted it to be as clean as possible (even though it is messy and rangey by design).

Then I got busy making my herbal and fruit botanical syrups. These are a set of six flavored simple syrups to use in iced tea or lemonade. I tried the huckleberry (yes!) first, and I will try the rest in the next few days. In addition huckleberry, I made raspberry, dark cherry, mint, and honey thyme to go with the lavender I already made. The bottles are little and cute, and they have to stay refrigerated. So I’m working on how to make the small batches as quick and easy as possible to remake.

My adorable labels.

This one is PARTICULARLY tasty!

What a cute little holder, the antique find that led to the entire project: “This is so cute - What the heck could I do with it?”

MMMMMMM huckleberry iced tea

Then it was a quick trip to the lavender farm around the corner. I’m not sure why I don’t just pull up a cot and sleep in this field this time of year. It blooms for the entire month of July and becomes even more amazing every time I see it. I can’t believe had the entire field to myself.

I cut some bundles of her long-stemmed French variety to try another lavender wand. It was MUCH easier with those long stems.

The prettiest road in Green Bluff! The lavender farm is to the far right. My good friend lives to the far left. The front right and left just recently sold, and sadly they are building a house in the back of the front right plot (ruining the lavender farm view!. But good news, the owners of the left-hand plot are planning a peony farm!

Even some white lavender still blooming!

Those pictures never get old. The scented air at this place is incredible.

I brought home a whole bunch, but this little set will be more than enough to make a lavender wand (I use 21 stems).

SOOOO far from perfect (can you see my mistakes?) But 100% better with the longer stems from the pro.

I set up my latest mahjong table for Wednesday night’s get together. This one is blue and pink, so cute. I openly admit I may have an addiction to these beautiful tile setups!

Then I tortured myself by playing a solitaire version where I am all 4 players managing different hands, each going for a different line on the card. If you are interested, the top rack won this hand.