China Bayles' Book of Days (75 page)

Your Backyard Herb Garden: A Gardener’s Guide to Growing Over 50 Herbs Plus How to Use Them in Cooking, Crafts, Companion Planting and More
, by Miranda Smith

China, Ruby, and the Pecan Springs gang send their very best wishes for a bright and happy New Year!

INDEX OF RECIPES

Apple-Spice Nut Bars, Jan 6

Baked Eggs with Garden Herbs, Feb 17

Banana-Yogurt Frappe, Oct 8

Basil Bocconcini, Dec 9

Basil Pesto Cheesecake, July 31

Basil Pesto, July 31

Bay Blend for Meat & Poultry, Nov 12

Berry-Minty Dessert Frappe, Oct 8

Bill’s Incendiary Salsa, July 26

Bishop’s Wine, Dec 16

Bisochito, Dec 17

Bouquet Garni, Nov 7

Boursin Basil Rollups, May 16

Boursin, May 16

Braided Herb Loaf, Aug 1

Burgundy with Thyme, Marjoram, and Parsley, Jan 22

Burnet Butter, Oct 12

Burnet Vinegar, Oct 12

Candied Angelica, Sept 29

Candied Flowers and Herbs, June 23

Carnation Vinegar, April 13

Chardonnay with Rosemary, Basil, and Garlic, Jan 22

Chocolate Pudding with Bay, June 26

Chunky Tomato Sauce, Oct 25

Cilantro-Mint Yogurt Sauce, May 7

Cranberry Cordial, Nov 23

Curry Cookies, July 9

Date-Nut Cookies, Oct 24

Deviled Eggs, July 30

Doggie Biscuits, Feb 23

Dried is Fine Herb Butter, Mar 4

Easy Twelfth Night Cake, Jan 4

Egg Soup with Lemon and Herbs, Oct 7

Elder Vinegar (1723), Nov 25

Elderberry Jelly, Nov 25

Election Cake (1800), Nov 4

Faerie Blossom Cookies, May 1

Fennel and Tomato Pesto, Sept 10

Flowerpot Herb Bread, Nov 17

Frijoles de Olla
from the Indigo Café, Jan 24

Fruit Vinegars, Aug 11

Garam Marsala, Nov 14

Garden Punch, Aug 30

Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Aug 20

Ginger Beer (1841), Nov 16

Ginger-Peachy Breakfast Frappe, Oct 8

Gingery Daylily Buds with Rice, July 24

Gingery-Mint Fruit Salsa, May 29

Gingko Nut Porridge, Oct 26

Goose Stuffing (1861), Nov 24

Gourmet Mustard, Aug 7

Green Chile Eggs, April 26

Grilled Tarragon Chicken, July 19

Haroset, April 4

Hawthorn Berry Syrup, Nov 29

Hawthorn Tea, Jan 5

Headache Tea, Feb 21

Herb Biscuits, Jan 12

Herb Bread, Jan 12

Herb Jellies, Aug 8

Herb Marinade for Vegetables, June 17

Herb-Stuffed Mushrooms, Sept 30

Herb Vinegars, Sept 12

Herbal Candies, Jan 31

Herbal Honey, Sept 1

Herbal Syrup, Sept 26

Herbal Tea Blends, Jan 11

Herbed Olive Oil, Nov 30

Herbes de Provence, Aug 15

Holiday Mini-Fritatas, Dec 24

Horseradish Dip, Oct 3

Hot ’N’ Spicy Chocolate, Feb 14

Hot Lips Cookie Crisps, April 21

Hungarian Goulash, Aug 21

Iced Herb Teas, June 16

Lemon Butter, June 13

Lemon Dill Butter, Mar 4

Liberty Tea, July 4

Major Grey’s Mango Chutney, Oct 13

Maple and Balsamic Vinaigrette, Mar 10

Marigold Custard, July 22

May Wine, May 24

Mexican Garlic Soup, April 19

Mint Butter Cookies, July 9

Mint Julep, May 17

Minted Watermelon and Cucumber Salad, Sept 18

Miss Beecher’s Famous Ginger Beer (1857), Jan 13

Mulling Spice, Nov 16

Norwegian Pepper Cookies, Dec 4

Oatmeal Apple Cupcakes with Nuts and Rosemary, Nov 1

Oatmeal Gingerbread, Jan 25

Oatmeal and Lemon Peel, Drying and Candying, Nov 13

Orange-Mint Fruit Soup, Oct 7

Orange-Mint Mardi Gras Crepes, Feb 4

Orange Poppy-Seed Fruit Salad Dressing, Dec 28

Oven-Poached Pears with Cinnamon Basil Crème Fraîche, Oct 14

Parsley Butter, Mar 4

Parsnip Cakes (1732), Nov 30

Peach of a Salsa, May 29

Pedernales Chile, Oct 11

Pepper Butter, Dec 27

Pickled Broom Buds (1756), Oct 28

Pickled Nasturtium Seeds, April 24

Pickled Pink Eggs, April 27

Pickled Rosebuds (1650), Oct 4

Popcorn Sprinkles, Jan 19

Pomegranate Muffins, Oct 9

Potato Leek Soup, Mar 1

Potato Pancakes, Dec 15

Potato Soup with Plenty of Parsley, April 9

Reasonable Doubt Ginger-Mesquite Jelly, Nov 9

Rhubarb Streusel Pie, Mar 26

Rose Geranium Berry Liqueur, Jan 16

Rose Hip Syrup, Sept 2

Rose Sugar, Aug 10

Rosemary Biscuits, Feb 29

Rosemary Friendship Squares, Sept 25

Rosemary Walnuts, Dec 24

Rosemary-Garlic Potatoes, Aug 20

Saffronsbrod, Dec 13

Sage Fritters, Sept 7

Salt-Free Herb Blends, Aug 29

Sautéed Okra, Dec 26

Savory French Toast & Ham with Broiled Tomatoes, Nov 28

Slow Cooker Zuchini-Basil Bread, April 25

Smoked Salmon Dip, Mar 23

Southernwood Tea (1772), Nov 15

South-of-the-Border Stuffing, Dec 25

Spiced Cider Wassail, Jan 1

Spiced Cranberry Orange Sauce, Nov 23

Spiced Pear Liqueur, Jan 16

Split Pea Soup, Nov 5

Spring Green Sorrel Soup, Mar 24

Stewed Cucumbers (1769), June 3

Sweet Violet Syrup, Feb 15

Tansy Pudding, April 7

Tulip Cup Salad, May 13

Vanilla Extract, Sept 8

Vanilla Power Frappe, Oct 8

Waffles with Savory Herbs, Mar 25

Wattleseed Chocolate Sauce, Jan 26

INDEX OF COSMETICS, CRAFTS, AND MEDICINES

Aloe Moisturizer, June 5

Bath Salts, Feb 27

Brighid’s Candle, Feb 1

Bug-Bee-Gone, Aug 28

Catnip Mosquito Repellent, May 19

Chamomile Spa Oil, Aug 13

Clay Pots, Feb 25

Cosmetic Herbal Vinegars, Mar 13

Cucumber-Mint After-Bath Spritzer, Oct 20

Dream Pillow Blend, Jan 15

Dream Pillows, Dec 12

Energizing Eucalyptus Bath Soak, Nov 10

Eucalyptus Insect Repellent, Nov 10

Eucalyptus-Peppermint Inhalant, Nov 10

Eucalyptus-Peppermint Tea, Nov 10

Facial Mask, Jan 10

Fairy Garden, April 30

Flea Repellent Oil, July 1

Four Thieves Vinegar (1860), July 29

Ginger and Lemon Tea for Colds and Flu, Dec 1

Gingerbread Tree Decorations, Dec 6

Herb Topiary, Aug 24

Herbal Bath Oils and Milk Bath Bags, Dec 30

Herbal Doggie Shampoo, July 1

Herbal First-Aid Kit, Feb 22

Herbal Mouth Rinse, Feb 9

Herbal Oils and Salves, June 25

Herbal Shampoo, Jan 28

Herbal Soap, Dec 2

Herbal Tinctures, June 4

Herbal Vinegar Housekeeping Tips, July 29

Herbarium Project, May 15

Herbs & Flowers Paper Project, May 10-11

Holly Wreath, Dec 3

Hydrosol Mists, June 18

Insect-Repellent Tea, May 27

Just-for-Birds Pudding, Jan 17

Lavender Bubble Bath, Jan 8

Lavender Ink, Jan 23

Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme Tea for Headaches, Dec 1

Living Ivy Wreath, Sept 28

Mint Soap, July 13

Mint Toothpaste, Nov 8

Moth Foolers, April 28

Nettle Garden Fertilizer and Spray, Mar 3

Nettle Hair Rinse, Mar 3

Oak Gall-Iron Ink (17th century), Jan 23

Pastel Easter Eggs, April 10

Plant Printing, Sept 5

Pomander, Dec 10

Potpourri for Sharing, Nov 24

Potpourri, Sept 9

Pressed Flower Gifts and Cards, Dec 20

Pressed flowers, Sept 11

Red Clover Remedy for Chapped Lips, July 21

Red Clover Tea, July 21

Rose Beads, May 20

Rose Oil, Aug 10

Rose Potpourri, May 2

Rose Rustling, June 24

Rose Water, Aug 10

Rosemary and Egg Conditioner, Feb 16

Rosemary Jojoba Conditioner, Feb 16

Sleepy-time Teas, June 30

Stovetop Potpourri, Dec 19

Strewing Herbs, June 29

Sweet Annie Wreath, Sept 20

Thyme, Sage, and Peppermint Tea for Coughs and Fever, Dec 1

Tussie-Mussie, June 6

Walnut Hull Ink, Jan 23

Willow Rooting Stimulant, July 3

Wintertime Treats for Birds, Jan 17

Yule Log, Dec 23

SPECIAL FEATURES

ABOUT CHINA’S BOOKS:

Thyme of Death
and
Witches’ Bane
, Jan 18, 20

Bleeding Hearts
, Feb 8, 41

Rosemary Remembered
, Feb 29, 62

Rueful Death
, Mar 8, 70

Love Lies Bleeding
, April 21, 117

Hangman’s Root
, May 18, 144

A Dilly of a Death
, May 28, 154

Bloodroot
, June 15, 172

Chile Death
, July 26, 216

Lavender Lies
, Aug 9, 230

Indigo Dying
, Aug 17, 238

Dead Man’s Bones
, Sept 19, 270

Mistletoe Man
, Dec 14, 359

FROM SUSAN’S JOURNAL:

Just for the Birds, Jan 17, 19

A Green Life, Feb 26, 59

Mesquite Spring, Mar 22, 84

Mustard Greens Are Sacred, Mar 28, 90

Good Beginnings, April 15, 111

A Desirable Dock, May 25, 151

Prickly Pear, May 26, 152

Spanish Dagger, June 11, 168

Milkweed and Monarchs, July 12, 202

Time Is Still A-Flying, Aug 13, 234

Elderberry-Sumac Rob, Oct 2, 286

Golden, Golden, Goldenrod, Oct 22, 306

Hedge Apples, Oct 27, 311

Outside-In, Dec 7, 352

THE MYRA MERRYWEATHER HERB GUILD

All About the Myra Merryweather Herb Guild, Jan 9, 11

An Excerpt from
Happy Thymes: A Calendula of Herbal Dillies
, Feb 27, 60

The Merryweathers Dip Their Chips, Mar 23, 85

The Merryweathers Do Mint, May 7, 133

Herb Guild Holds Big Basil Bash, June 14, 171

The Merryweathers’ Passalong Plant Sale, July 27, 217

Lyle Bippert and his Bug-Bee-Gone, Aug 28, 249

The Merryweathers Pick a Peck of Pestos! Sept 10, 261

“What Folk Do with Herbs”: The Sixteenth Annual Myra Merryweather Lecture, Oct 29, 313

China Bayles Wins Big in Jelly! Nov 9, 324

THEME GARDENS

A Petting Garden, Jan 7, 9

A Garden of the Heart, Feb 10, 43

A Fragrance Garden, Mar 20, 82

A Shakespeare Garden, April 23, 119

A Moon Garden, May 6, 132

An Apothecary Garden, June 27, 184

A Peter Rabbit Garden, July 28, 218

A Tea Garden, Aug 12, 233

A Zodiac Garden, Sept 3, 254

A Garden of Old Roses, Oct 4, 288

A Scripture Garden, Nov 11, 326

A Windowsill Garden, Dec 11, 356

CELTIC TREE MONTHS

Rowan, Jan 21, 23

Ash, Feb 18, 51

Alder, Mar 18, 81

Willow, April 17, 113

Hawthorn, May 12, 138

Oak, June 10, 167

Holly, July 8 (See Dec 3), 198

Hazel, Aug 5, 226

Brambles, Sept 2, 253

Ivy, Sept 28, 278

Reed, Oct 28, 312

Elder, Nov 25, 340

HERBS OF THE ZODIAC

Aquarius, Jan 20, 22

Pisces, Feb 20, 53

Aries, Mar 21, 83

Taurus, April 20, 116

Gemini, May 21, 147

Cancer, June 21, 178

Leo, July 23, 213

Virgo, Aug 22, 243

Libra, Sept 23, 274

Scorpio, Oct 21, 307

Sagittarius, Nov 22, 337

Capricorn, Dec 21, 366

PLACES TO GO

Fredericksburg Herb Farm (TX), April 18, 114

Buffalo Springs Herb Farm (VA), May 3, 129

National Herb Garden (DC), June 12, 169

Carolee’s Herb Farm (IN), June 22, 179

Shady Acres Herb Farm (MN) July 14, 204

The Herb Farm (WA), Aug 19, 240

Long Creek Herbs (MO), Sept 13, 264

Willow Pond Farm (PA), Oct 17, 301

Summers Past Herb Farm (CA), Nov 6, 321

SUSAN WITTIG ALBERT
grew up on a farm in Illinois and earned her Ph.D. at the University of California at Berkeley. A former professor of English and a university administrator and vice president, she is the author of the China Bayles Mysteries and a family-friendly mystery series set in the early 1900s featuring Beatrix Potter. She and her husband Bill co-author a series of Victorian-Edwardian mysteries under the name of Robin Paige. The Alberts live near Austin, Texas. Visit their website at
www.mysterypartners.com
.

PEGGY TURCHETTE
lives and works in Boulder, Colorado, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, where she draws inspiration from her home and garden. Her work graces a wide range of products, including books, stationery, table-tops, giftware, needlework, packaging, calendars, textiles, wallpaper, and rugs. She enjoys hiking in the mountains with her son, Quentin, and daughter-in-law, Alicia.