hippie chick :: summer revival

Week Three :: Bohemian Crafting

Why Bohemian?

The answer is two-fold.

I married into a Bohemian family

and

my varied interests and

eclectic tastes

have me wearing the nationality

proudly...

I love trying new things

be it a recipe

crafting
outdoor activities

life long learning

is a part of who I am

deep in my soul...

My recent studies

have taken me down an

herbal path

discovering their 
medicinal uses

health benefits

harvesting practices

cosmetic properties and uses

substitutions

even contraindications

Is it any wonder 
that I look at my garden with
new and enlightened
eyes?

oregano

it has found a home

here

and like a loyal friend

it visits each and every year

prolific and plentiful

a little bunny has made this patch

its own

I'm fine with sharing

since it is such a bountiful crop

this is the first year

(I reluctantly admit)

that I have looked at its

potential

and thought

Let's give it a dry.

A quick-dry.

early in the morning

harvesting a small bouquet

washing it and spinning it dry

(A tip from Renee @ FIMBY)

 my favorite salad spinner

wrapping greens in a clean towel

taking it outside

and giving it a spin...

watering the surrounding plants is a perk!

I usually give it a little

more gentle drying

by dabbing with the towel

and airing for a bit

then laying it loosely

onto a cookie sheet

and preheating the oven to its lowest setting

mine is 170 degrees

propping the oven door open

with a wooden spoon

to allow air movement

I set the timer for a half hour

and kept close watch

careful not to burn it

taking a peek every

now and then

as the house filled with

oregano dreams

when the leaves looked fully dried

and were crispy to the touch

I turned off the oven and

left it there to completely dry

until the next day actually

then the fun 

really

started

holding the end of the stem

and dragging my fingers down

removing all the 

lovely leaves

filling two pint-sized mason jars

thinking Italian

delicious pizza

 spaghetti

even

gift giving...

oregano's endless possibilities.

Now that's what I call

practical magic!