Holidays, Herbs, and Spices

Cinnamon is the spice of home and hearth. It is derived from the bark of an evergreen tree in China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The best quality cinnamon is harvested from the truck and graded according to its length, breadth, and…

As I look back over the many years I have been doing these holidays gatherings, there are certain herbs and spices that always make their way into the limelight. I find these herbs in the garden or stored in my dried…

Did you know that the name clove is derived from the Latin word claus,  meaning nail?  At one time I was a bit intimidated by the strong scent of this spice. Today I love to use cloves but sparingly so…

In November I like to make orange pomander balls to scent my home. Lemons, limes, grapefruit, and even apples can be used to make pomander balls. What is a pomander? Pomanders are a mixture of fragrant, dried herbs in cloth…