women’s conference - new berlin Area community center

It’s not my nature to brag but I had the best group EVER for my workshop at the Women’s Conference in New Berlin on Saturday, March 22nd! Their enthusiasm, energy, creativity, and humor made it one of the most delightful sessions I’ve had in ages! (Ever?) Look at those smiles! Who wouldn’t love hanging out with this group?

Our workshop was creating herbal swags using herbal symbolism. Herbs have been used throughout history to protect, destroy, predict, inspire, lure and cure, and season. They were introduced to a potpourri of herbal history, symbolism, legend and lore, and learned about the magical properties of herbs. Then they  layered the ones that most appealed. Their creations were unique and beautiful - just like them!

This time last year, my garden was filled with herbs to share, but it’s been a long, cold winter. I gathered what I could from my garden, and visited Royer’s in Carlisle (Angel was so helpful!). We had baby’s breath, boxwood, eucalyptus, ivy, lavender, lunaria, roses, rosemary, and thyme.

The ivy was long, lanky, and hard to control, so I wove it into wreaths and made one for everyone. I turned my back for a minute, turned around and saw Kirsta wearing hers as a crown! 

Then I realized everyone in the group was wearing theirs! I was simply giddy with elation and took a photo of all of them wearing their crowns (see group photo!)

Kirsta holding her herbal swag and wearing her ivy crown!

Brandy holding her herbal creation!

Virginia’s smile brightened the room and her swag was gorgeous!

Mother and Daughter team, Shelly and Brandy! Brandy’s t-shirt featured one of her favorite herbs - the dandelion!

Dorothy’s pink ribbon edged in gold was the perfect compliment to her pink rose!

Dixie hung her rose in the center of her ivy wreath and created a totally unique swag! LOVE it!!!!

Stacy made an herbal version without the rose that was absolutely divine! Also looked perfect with those beautifully manicured fingernails!

As delightful as my day was, it got even better when Pamalee Lady, a life long friend from Girl Scouts, and the Operations Director of the East Berlin Area Community Center, (EBACC), presented me with a painting by artist Miriam Barnhart, her mother, who had passed in January. The painting is of the Laughlin Mill in Newville. It is a log structure, similar to my little log cabin! What an honor to have this prize in my home!

Laughlin Mill in Newville, painted by artist Miriam Barnhart