an early morning herb walk...

Good Morning... it is a simply beautiful day here in New Brunswick.  There is something about the early morning sun that just calls you outside... eh?  Coffee and sitting on the deck just seem to go together... So while I was out this morning I thought I would check on my herbs..which I love as you know...

I noticed that herbs are mentioned a lot in the Bible.. from aloe to wormwood, actually.. Anyway, back to my meandering this fine day..  the sun also brings out my creative spirit .. as does the rain and wind..LOL..

Therefore... I decided to pick some lovage and make my vinegar.. just a bottle or two to use for now... Lovage is lovely all summer so I can actually make more later for the shop...

I thought perhaps you girls would like to know how to make herbal vinegars... you do not need lovage.. that is just my favorite.. but I picked some rosemary on the way in and decided to make a bottle of that also.

First of all..find some bottles that you can use.. I pick them up at yard sales, the dollar stores or just use mason jars.. Sterilize your bottles with boiling water and let them set for a few minutes while you wash your herbs.. Shake out the water and blot with paper towel... I know that there are recipes but I just pick a few good size pieces and stuff them in the bottles..

If the neck of the bottle is narrow then use a wooden spoon handle to make sure the herbs are down far enough to be covered... as you use the vinegar make sure to remove any exposed herbs..

Then fill the bottles with vinegar.. I used just ordinary white vinegar... using a funnel..

Then I just cork the bottles and put away on my pantry shelf for a few days... lovage does not take long..and you can smell the flavor in it... after a week or two.. just strain it and put back in your bottles and use.. you can even add a bit of fresh for appearances sake..

Now, if you can't just go out and snip some herbs then you can pick some up at the grocers.. they all carry fresh herbs now or even from your garden centre.  Use some of them and let them keep growing or plant outside in a pot or evcn among your flowers... There is so much you can do with this vinegar such as add to your oils for salad dressings, add to mustards, use it for marinades for chicken or add to fish as you poach it.. lovely flavors... just google for herbal recipes...or email me and I will post some..

My sweet husband bought me a few lobsters for Mothers Day and there was one left so I made us a fish chowder with a leftover one and of course I added some lovage to the top for garnish.. it flavors it so much..

I had to tell you what happened as I was coming in from the herb bed.. I bent down to pick some forget-me-nots for my window sill...

I did not realize our dog--Sammi--was also doing his early morning gardening....there is a part of a row of carrots in our veggie garden that did not get picked last fall...

So.. here comes Sammi  with a very healthey breakfast...LOl...

Well, girls I hope I haven't bored you to tears with my early morning stroll...

Really, I  would like to hear from you as to whether you have made any of these vinegars or not..my email address is on the sidebar.. I also love your pics...

Or even if you can start putting some fresh herbs in your everyday cooking.. they are so good and healthy for your families....

Have a blessed day..

Hugs...Faye.