Dear Farm Family & Friends,
Another year of getting used to writing a new year, and trying to figure out what in the world is going on with our weather. Here in Fredericksburg Texas we have not had much of a winter or rain. Which concerns farmers and gardeners. Have we had enough chilling hours, has it been cold enough to kill the bugs in the gardens, will many of our crops be growing this Spring with the lack of water.
We have been busy here at the herb farm, watering all of the fields and gardens to make sure we have a magnificent bounty for Spring.
February is also the month of Romance. In our book, Herbs Growing & Using the Plants of Romance, we look at herbs from an unusual "Romantic" view: The Plants of Romance.
Almost 2,000 years ago Ovid lamented, "Alas, there are no herbs to cure love." This may well have been true, but the addition of herbs certainly enhances many sweet pleasures that are important to a well-lived life.
On a personal level, I have reached an understanding of herbs that reflect my changing relationship with other people — in who we once were, who we are and who we will become. We call herbs the plants of romance. As we've come to know herbs, they have twined around our hearts' qualities and preferences. Herbs grow up close and personal. They are not just flowers, but calendulas, nasturtium and roses. They are not garnishes, but cinnamon basil and lemon basil, apple mint and chocolate mint, parsley, lavender and thyme. They are not bulbs, but garlic and chives, dill and fennel. That is why we encourage you to try your hand at growing savory, reputed to have earned its name from the satyrs who found it essential to their amorous activities.
Consider too, the advice of Nicholas Culpeper, herbalist of the 17th century, who suggested a garden of mustard, onion and prickly asparagus for sparking an enchanted evening. Even earlier, the Greek physician Dioscorides in A.D. 40 counseled that a species of sage, Salvia horminum, "doth revoke to conjunction." Cumin retained love along with basil and vervain. Partial to roses? Their sweet breath and delicate petals have long been considered the essence of romantic encounters. And small wonder that a secret garden aids and abets our romantic impulses so effectively.
Growing the plants of romance will be different for every individual, a distinction that's important to recognize. That's because it's easy to become limited in our thinking of what is romantic. Many people define romance as hearts and flowers, only pink satin and lace. Others may think only of physical love. A person who dares to try something new, who makes the choice to work at an herb farm that he or she loves, who makes time for little sprigs and blossoms of beauty and grace, we believe, speaks our language. We hope that as you read and learn about herbs that you will discover, as we have, ways to use herbs to make your meals more flavorful, your work more enjoyable and your life more pleasurable.
Peace and Love,
Bill Varney & All of the Fredericksburg
Herb Farm Folks
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~ February ~
the Month of
Romance at the
Herb Farm
In February, the month of Romance, we invite you to revisit our »» Herb of the Month Archives. Be sure to read about Roses — our Herb of The Month from February 2005. We also bring you a couple of Rosy recipes this month — Rosy Cooler Recipe and our Rose Milk Bath Recipe.
Looking for something special for Valentines? Something different? Tired of shopping and finding the same old cliche's? Join us at the Fredericksburg Herb Farm for a time that you both will treasure.
The Herb Farm is having a very special Valentines Dinner, not only on Tuesday, February 14th, but also on the previous Friday and Saturday nights, February 10th & 11th. Valentines Dinner Menu »»
Want a little more? How about a weekend package with optional spa treatments and dinner? Visit our website for more information »»
As always, we look forward to seeing you at Fredericksburg Herb Farm in the coming months. We expect some exciting new happenings — but you will always find wonderful food in our restaurant, relaxation at the day spa or B&B, and great products from the farm that range from personal care and aroma therapy to gourmet foods.
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