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Herbs are intricately woven into Christmas tradition. Several are brought to us directly from the biblical Christmas tale itself. Myrrh and Frankincense were of course given to the infant Jesus by the Magi. Other herbs such as Sage, for immortality and happiness, Lavender, a symbol of purity and virtue, horehound, representitive of giving good health, Thyme, a symbol of bravery, and Costmary, also called bible leaf, represents everlasting life- all have also become associated with the holiday. But perhaps the best known herb associated with Christmas is Rosemary… the herb for remembrance.
It’s beauty is as classic as a Christmas tree. It’s piney, camphorous fragrance can fill a house as quickly as that of balsam. And it’s association with Christmas is far older than that of the familiar poinsettia.. rosemary is believed to be one of the herbs in the manger that cradled the baby Jesus. What better herb to keep on hand during this season when friends and family gather together to celebrate and look back on yet another year together?
Potted and decorated with tiny twinkly lights becomes a tabletop Christmas tree or deck the halls with sprigs of rosemary entwined in your mantle greenery and wreaths, or flavor Yuletide cordials and wines. A sprig of rosemary tucked into your holiday christmas card or under a ribbon on a gift box saying, ‘remember me?’. Those who are clever enough will understand the message.
“Rosemary is to the spirit as lavender is to the soul”, an old saying goes, and I do admit I feel a gardening ’spirit’ as I brush up against my rosemary pots growing. Of all the herbs I grow, rosemary blooms in the bleakest of times.. our New England winter. But as I brush against the foliage, its fragrance reminiscent of pine forests is always uplifting and refreshing to me.
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Any dog lovers out there?
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Wow, what a busy weekend! The celebration of Christmas Prelude and I finished my last three shows of the year! It was a super sunny day for visitors and shoppers alike. So I stole away a few moments to take some shots.
I just knew as I was typing my last post…. something was in the air–late Saturday afternoon that white stuff began to fall. The timing was so perfect for Santa’s arrival via lobster boat, carolling and the tree lighting. Looks like we’ll be seeing a white Christmas after all. Now where did I put my hat and mittens?
Posted in Christmas, Christmas Prelude, Kennebunkport, Maine, New England, nature, photography | Tagged Cape Porpoise, Cape Porpoise Tree lighting, Christmas Prelude, Kennebunkport, nature | 4 Comments »
Only a month until Christmas! Would you believe folks are already counting down? I can’t even get into the spirit of the holiday until I need to wear my hat and mittens. Who would have thought so much would still be blooming in the garden around here?
I guess I’m just trying to squeeze as much our of fall as I can. So every warmer than normal day always brings me down to the farm just to see what’s hanging in there. It’s a gorgeous unseasonably warm day here, sunny 68 degrees with high winds. So after I got off the beach for my walk I headed back down to the farm. Today I harvested more of the kales, peas, some salad greens, rosemary, tarragon & parsley. In the cold frame, the second sowing of beets, shallots, and carrots are doing splendid. And here I was only hoping to be able to harvest up until Christmas.. but the way things are growing.. perhaps even a bit longer! The lovely calendula continues to drop their seed and re-sow and continue to provide sunshine in the garden, even if we can’t always see it in the sky this time of year.
Secretly, I wish we could jump right back into Spring with the exception of snowfall on Christmas Eve or day. Time will only tell. But I can hope
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