~ Friday, August 10, 2012
 |
| Picking "San Marzano" tomatoes together |
It’s amazing how a mother’s
touch gives a house and garden a life of their own. A mother’s magic turns a house into a festive
castle, and transforms pebbles in the garden into enchanting dancing
fairies. (Okay, the fairy part might be after
I’ve had a couple glasses of wine!) Nevertheless,
when my mom injured her foot and was in a cast this summer—leaving her powerless!—the entire house felt gray. Confined to her recliner and wheelchair the
most part of the day, the main events of the day were scolding the squirrels
from the family room window for eating all of her peaches, and scolding my dad
for buying eggs with the wrong expiration date.
However, I am happy to report, as of this week, all is well in the world
again: The cast is off, and Mom’s back in action—which
means so am I!
I am starting with her creation
of simple summer bouquets. With the heat
of the summer, flowers are few; however, there is never a shortage of fresh
herbs growing in my mom’s garden. A few
sprigs of rosemary, mint, or sage will dress up any table. A tall, thin vase
with large sprigs of rosemary would be lovely as the backdrop for a display of
appetizers; or try two short vases set apart at the dinner table. Not to mention the herbs will produce a
wonderful scent in the house. And if you
haven’t done so yet, my mom reminds me, and
you, to pinch the flower growth from your basil, so the new leaves will
grow and your basil plant will maintain its fullness.
