Stephanie says

I drink a lot of tea and tisanes, (a non-tea herbal drink). I’ve been amassing recipes, searching for ingredients I can grow in my garden. There are gazillion tisanes besides the standard mint or chamomile drinks. Inspiration struck when I walked past a violet patch, its wonderful fragrance catching my nose and imagination. I take delight in growing or gathering edible foodstuff. I must have been a medicine woman in a past life, gathering roots and berries and making concoctions to soothe a bellyache or ease a sore throat. Or maybe it’s now that I really am on my way to becoming a herbalist. This all fascinates me. I found recipes for violet syrup, jellies, tisane and a LOVE POTION. “In some countries people wear a violet leaf in their shoe for 7 days to find a love and treble that in terms of leaf and days on occasions, depending how desperate they are I suppose. Mixed with lavender flowers, violets are said to be an aphrodisiac, whether in a tisane or just the smell is not clear.” (f...

Have read the first three chapters - and found this book to be uproariously funny. I've been chortling! Claire Dederer's writing sytle is conversational and breezy.

I recently attended a family wedding in Eugene. The entire event was well planned then well executed. And a whole lotta fun! We’d received “save the date” cards months back so Tyler promptly made reservations and scored a great deal, (My daughter is a typically frugal Thompson). We met up at the hotel room, I was staying with her - a new situation sponging off my kid. I like it! Determined not to be late we were the first ones seated. Well, I was determined not be late. Tyler thought I was going overboard. My brother and his family slipped in next to us at the last minute. We’d been watching for them and were happy to have them show as they’re always fun, often entertainment in their own right. A collective jaw-drop when the mother of the bride, my cousin Cathy, was escorted down the aisle. She was absolutely stunning, wearing a lovely dress, her hair upswept. She’s been kick-boxing and it’s certainly paid off. Jees, I hope I look that good when I’m her age. In nine months time. The br...

perfume wafting by of sweet violets abloom teases me with spring