Good Thymes
Hello!
It seems we have a bit of Mountain Mudroom Romantic going on here, if the replies I received last week are any indication – lives shaped by the seasons, full of projects, practicality and promise. Well-loved objects fill both our spaces and hearts and are right at home in the mix.
Heading north on Rt 219 toward Oakland this week there have been so many white trilliums! Cresting the mountain past the Fairfax quarry and looking slightly toward the right to avoid vertigo, I could not believe all the white! The clean white three-petal stars floating atop three large green leaves were everywhere. Descending the mountain towards the “highest point in Maryland”, I pulled over onto a patch of gravel to admire them. I realized there were also jack-in-the-pulpit at my feet, shiny Mayapple umbrellas, and airy, lacy thalictrum all over. These all have to stay in the woods, not in a garden or vases, but wow, what a delight!
For those of you who prefer to stay closer to your mudrooms in Tucker County, I am happy to report that herbs are here! Oregano, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, tarragon, mints, basil, dill, even Mexican culantro (in time for Cinco de Mayo). Most of them are potted up outdoors soaking up sun and recent showers – beautiful rain! – while a few of the more tender ones are sheltered in the greenhouse or under grow lights. Tom has a theory that herbs taste better from growing in cool mountain air. I don’t know. But, since just about everything else tastes better from fresh air, it makes sense herbs would too.
The stands will be open soon. Just a few final details to sort out – the responsible stuff takes a little time. I'll be sure to let you know.
Let there be flowers!
Lizz
PS – Got a nice email last week. Canaan Valley Flower Company has been accepted into the West Virginia Grown program! Our mountain grown flowers and herbs are now part of a statewide effort by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture to support local farms and food systems. I’ll be displaying that logo with pride.