Dear Friends,
I wrote this last week in response to a wonderful event that I attended for an organization I belong to, an organization that has endured for many years but like so many others is emerging into a post Covid world, where we are all learning how to be together again.
We experienced a delightful gathering filled with wonderful food, laughter and the warmth of real friendship.
The event was truly fun and inspiring, leaving me with the desire to create an herbal tea that might capture the essence of such a beautiful day. Just as we blend herbs and flowers to create healing potions, we can also use them to craft remarkable love spells for lasting friendships. So, I invite you to join me in my garden, gathering basket in hand, as we embark on a journey to create a blend of herbs and flowers that will cultivate deep connections and a lifetime of fellowship.
It only seems fitting to start with a piney sprig of rosemary, always a favorite and historically thought to enhance memory and remembrance. As we cherish our old friendships and forge new connections, let's honor our shared moments and treasure the fragrant memories that linger in our hearts.
I love a bit of lavender in my tea, so I gather a small handful of it for our brew, knowing it to be useful for its calming properties and association with peaceful mindfulness, loyalty, and devotion. Let’s allow peace be the foundation of our friendships, and let love and caring guide our interactions. With lavender's sweet and gentle touch, we can foster a nurturing environment of serenity and trust.
While walking through my garden, I notice the invigorating and joyful scent of spearmint growing alongside my blackberries. Spearmint is a perfect herb for infusing our friendships with spirited new life and a delicious good cheer! As the seasons change and our lives ebb and flow, let's embrace a refreshing new perspective, welcoming the ever-evolving nature of our connections with unabashed enthusiasm.
To infuse our potion with courage, happiness, and strength, a pinch or three of lemon thyme will be essential. Just as the strong flavor of thyme enhances many of our favorite dishes, its essence strengthens our bonds and encourages us to face our challenges with resilience, supported unwaveringly by our friends.
A handful of soothing chamomile flowers will help to bring comfort to our friendships. When storms brew all around us and the weight of the world becomes heavy, instead of anger, let us offer solace and a patient ear, allowing our compassionate hearts to speak soothingly instead of sowing unnecessary discord.
To infuse our tea with unadulterated joy and delight, I mix in huge handfuls of Rosa Mundi, my favorite old garden rose! The intoxicating perfume of its fuchsia and white petals mirrors the vivid and joy-filled moments we can share together, allowing laughter to dance through our conversations and creating an atmosphere that is merry and brimming with joy.
No recipe for enduring friendships would ever be complete without a touch of minty sage, the herbal embodiment of wisdom and insight, and finally, with a gentle stir of sweetly scented and crystallized violet flowers, we infuse our tea with the essence of pure friendship and a wee bit of magic! Like these delicate blooms, lets nurture relationships based on trust, empathy, and unconditional support. May the beauty of our friendships blossom and radiate in every moment we share.
With love and laughter we blend together this harmonious concoction of herbs and flowers, honoring our enduring friendships. These carefully mixed ingredients will help to create friendships that stand the test of time, bringing immeasurable joy to our lives. Just put a handful of these herbs and flowers into a lovely teapot, add boiled water and several tablespoons of raw honey to add the sweetness of pleasure, truth and knowledge. Steep for 6 minutes and serve.
I hope that you’ll gather with me to share this brew, embarking on a journey together filled with gardening, camaraderie, laughter, and a lifetime of cherished memories. Let us celebrate the bonds we have created and the friendships that enrich our lives. May they continue to flourish and bring us so much joy in the years to come.
Thymeless Wisdom
Reference: Flora’s Dictionary, written by my dear friend Kathleen Gips
Beautiful images, and the tea so very lovely!