And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves, . . I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald
Spring awakened what winter held in silence. Summer invites us to shine with what has been growing within us.
Summer is a season for ripening - not rushing. It is a time to savor the sweetness of ordinary days and to delight in abundance and growth. It is a time to nurture dreams, deepen friendships, and gather joy in simple moments. Whether you are romping in the ocean or a lake, making memories with family and friends at your back yard barbecue, or sitting under the stars to watch miraculous firefly displays, we are reminded that life is meant to be treasured.
There is wisdom in summer. Roses bloom without hurrying and tomatoes ripen in the their own time. In his book The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Deepak Choprah reminds us in his fourth law, The Law of Least Effort, to do less and accomplish more”, We’ve envisioned our desires, planted and nurtured our seeds. Now is the time to accept things as they are and allow them to unfold.
Summer is the season of light, delight and gratitude. Herbs embody the season’s abundance. The greatest challenge of this guide was limiting it to five herbs. You may have others you’d like to explore and consider. The possibilities are endless!
Summer is a season for ripening - not rushing. It is a time to savor the sweetness of ordinary days and to delight in abundance and growth. It is a time to nurture dreams, deepen friendships, and gather joy in simple moments. Whether you are romping in the ocean or a lake, making memories with family and friends at your back yard barbecue, or sitting under the stars to watch miraculous firefly displays, we are reminded that life is meant to be treasured.
There is wisdom in summer. Roses bloom without hurrying and tomatoes ripen in the their own time. In his book The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Deepak Choprah reminds us in his fourth law, The Law of Least Effort, to do less and accomplish more”, We’ve envisioned our desires, planted and nurtured our seeds. Now is the time to accept things as they are and allow them to unfold.
Summer is the season of light, delight and gratitude. Herbs embody the season’s abundance. The greatest challenge of this guide was limiting it to five herbs. You may have others you’d like to explore and consider. The possibilities are endless!
Summer Herbal Companions
Basil
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Bergamot
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Calendula
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Parsley
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Sunflower
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Illustrated Journal Prompts
Create water colors of each herb listed below and follow the reflections prompts in your illustrated journal. Be creative in the parts of the plant you choose to illustrate - leaves, pods, roots, seeds - you don’t always need to focus on the flowers.
Basil - Sacred Presence
Some say evil is unable to exist when basil is present and its presence brings a sense of the sacred.
Reflection
Are there any situations in your life that would benefit from basil? Are there ways you can honor the sacred woven through out each day?
Bergmot - Joy and Clarity
Wild bergamot is used to bring clarity and joy to any situation.
Reflection
Where could you benefit from more clarity? What steps can you take to create a clearer vision?
Calendula - Warmth and Healing
Calendulas are credited with comfort, protection and resilience. .
Reflection
How can you create kindness and healing in your life - for yourself and others?
Parsley - Protection and Cleansing
Romans were known for tucking parsley into their togas to offer protection.
Reflection
Are there places where you feel you need more protection? What can you do to create more safety in your life?
Sunflowers - Joy and Radiance
Sunflowers turn their blossoms to follow the sun. Instead of focusing on darkness they continually look for the light.
Reflection
What are you ready to face and follow to bring more light and joy into your life? How can you turn your heart toward what nourishes and inspires?
Some say evil is unable to exist when basil is present and its presence brings a sense of the sacred.
Reflection
Are there any situations in your life that would benefit from basil? Are there ways you can honor the sacred woven through out each day?
Bergmot - Joy and Clarity
Wild bergamot is used to bring clarity and joy to any situation.
Reflection
Where could you benefit from more clarity? What steps can you take to create a clearer vision?
Calendula - Warmth and Healing
Calendulas are credited with comfort, protection and resilience. .
Reflection
How can you create kindness and healing in your life - for yourself and others?
Parsley - Protection and Cleansing
Romans were known for tucking parsley into their togas to offer protection.
Reflection
Are there places where you feel you need more protection? What can you do to create more safety in your life?
Sunflowers - Joy and Radiance
Sunflowers turn their blossoms to follow the sun. Instead of focusing on darkness they continually look for the light.
Reflection
What are you ready to face and follow to bring more light and joy into your life? How can you turn your heart toward what nourishes and inspires?
Artistic Prompts
Summer offers endless inspiration for noticing, playing and creating.
- Capture the different stages of plants development. Developing buds, flowers in full bloom, gently wilting blossoms and seed pods. All can be beautiful in their own way.
- Create a color palette of vibrant summer herbs—intense greens, radiant golds and oranges, deep reds.. What colors will you choose to wear. live with and create with this season? Art in summer cherishes our attention! Take the time to notice the intensity of colors! Summer invites us to celebrate vibrancy!
- Write a short nature haiku about your favorite thoughts about summer. Is it a time to relax and vacation? Do you work with enthusiasm and intensity in your garden? Are you drawn to back yard barbecues, volley ball and family events? Are you a baseball fan, watching as many games as possible? Are you drawn to water - body surfing in the ocean, kayaking in a lake, or swimming at a local pool?
- Arrange a glorious bouquet of summer herbs and flowers —and create a seasonal still life. You might want to use fruits and vegetables as your preferred subject matter!
From the Cabin’s Kitchen
Basil
Pesto on Pasta - My absolute favorite!
Basic Basil Pesto:
I/2 cup toasted pine nuts
minced garlic cloves, to taste. I like several!
1/2 teas. sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
2 cups cleaned and completely dried basil leaved
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Instructions
Combine all ingredients except the olive oil and parmesan in a food processor and pulse.
With the food processor running, drizzle in the olive oil until well combined.
Add parmesan cheese.
Serve on pasta. Garnish with sprigs of basil and cherry tomatoes.
Pesto on Pasta - My absolute favorite!
Basic Basil Pesto:
I/2 cup toasted pine nuts
minced garlic cloves, to taste. I like several!
1/2 teas. sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
2 cups cleaned and completely dried basil leaved
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Instructions
Combine all ingredients except the olive oil and parmesan in a food processor and pulse.
With the food processor running, drizzle in the olive oil until well combined.
Add parmesan cheese.
Serve on pasta. Garnish with sprigs of basil and cherry tomatoes.
Bergamot
Years ago - when Capriland was in its glory before Adelma Simmons passed on - I purchased the most phenomenal herbal blend made with bergamot.
I recently acquired the recipe though it isn’t quite the same. I distincly remember the blend had whole dried bergamot flowers in it. If you add those to this recipe, that will probably be as close as you can come to creating it!
Capriland’s Savory Bergamot Seasoning Blend
4 parts dried wild bergamot leaves
2 parts dried winter (or summer) savory leaves
2 parts dried thyme
1 part sweet marjoram
1 part dried rosemary
1 part dried parsley flakes
Grind in mortar and pestle or pulse in food processor. Grind gently. You want a rustic, textured blend - not a fine powder.
Variation: Savory Herbal Salt Blend - Mix 1 part of this herbal blend with two parts of coarse kosher or sea salt.
Years ago - when Capriland was in its glory before Adelma Simmons passed on - I purchased the most phenomenal herbal blend made with bergamot.
I recently acquired the recipe though it isn’t quite the same. I distincly remember the blend had whole dried bergamot flowers in it. If you add those to this recipe, that will probably be as close as you can come to creating it!
Capriland’s Savory Bergamot Seasoning Blend
4 parts dried wild bergamot leaves
2 parts dried winter (or summer) savory leaves
2 parts dried thyme
1 part sweet marjoram
1 part dried rosemary
1 part dried parsley flakes
Grind in mortar and pestle or pulse in food processor. Grind gently. You want a rustic, textured blend - not a fine powder.
Variation: Savory Herbal Salt Blend - Mix 1 part of this herbal blend with two parts of coarse kosher or sea salt.
Calendula
Calendula can add a tangy flavor and golden glow to a variety of summer dishes.
Calendula can add a tangy flavor and golden glow to a variety of summer dishes.
- Add 1/2 cup calendula flowers to
- *rice,
- *corn muffins, or sprinkle on a
- *fruit salad or
- *tossed salad.
Parsley
Parsley is sadly often limited to a simple garnish on a plate. Experiment with different possibilities. Here are a few!
*Chop parsley, other herbs, lemon and garlic and use on fish, seafoods and baked potatoes.
*Substitute half parsley with the basil and make pesto - scroll up to see recipe for basil pesto above.
Mojo Verde
2 medium bunches of fresh parsley
2 medium bunches fresh cilantro
1 bunch fresh chives
4 cloves garlic
1/2 teas. cumin
2 Tablespoons lime juice
1 chili pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
Combine ingredients except the olive oil in a food processor.
Slowly pour in the olive oil in a steady stream.
Serve with wrinkled potatoes, grilled meats, scrambled eggs or use as a dipping sauce for bread and appetizers.
Parsley is sadly often limited to a simple garnish on a plate. Experiment with different possibilities. Here are a few!
*Chop parsley, other herbs, lemon and garlic and use on fish, seafoods and baked potatoes.
*Substitute half parsley with the basil and make pesto - scroll up to see recipe for basil pesto above.
Mojo Verde
2 medium bunches of fresh parsley
2 medium bunches fresh cilantro
1 bunch fresh chives
4 cloves garlic
1/2 teas. cumin
2 Tablespoons lime juice
1 chili pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
Combine ingredients except the olive oil in a food processor.
Slowly pour in the olive oil in a steady stream.
Serve with wrinkled potatoes, grilled meats, scrambled eggs or use as a dipping sauce for bread and appetizers.
Sunflowers
Grilled Sunflower Heads
I haven’t tried them yet, but I can hardly wait! They are said to taste like sweet corn! The heads need to be harvested with the seeds are still soft and the petals are still yellow. If you try them, please let me know!
Remove the small flowerlets to expose the seeds. Brush the heads with oil - maybe sunflower oil? - and grill face down for 5 to 10 minutes until charred! Brush with butter, lime juice and chili powder. Scoop out the soft seeds with a fork to serve.
Grilled Sunflower Heads
I haven’t tried them yet, but I can hardly wait! They are said to taste like sweet corn! The heads need to be harvested with the seeds are still soft and the petals are still yellow. If you try them, please let me know!
Remove the small flowerlets to expose the seeds. Brush the heads with oil - maybe sunflower oil? - and grill face down for 5 to 10 minutes until charred! Brush with butter, lime juice and chili powder. Scoop out the soft seeds with a fork to serve.