The Little Herb House

The Little House to Remember!

5800 Holland Church Road

Raleigh, NC  27603

(919) 772-3543

 

 

 

 

 

January/February 2007

Volume 6, Issue 1

 

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Herbal greetings in the New Year!!  I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season and that your new year

has gotten off to a great start.  My new year has begun with lots of reflection on where I would like to take

The Little Herb House from here.  It all began in January 2001, with about 200 sq. ft., in a little shack on the farm

(thus the name The “Little” Herb House).  I started out selling my hand-crafted potpourri and a few herb plants.

Next came wreaths and arrangements.  And then, we renovated the old hay barn and I moved into my current location.

With lots more room to grow, that’s exactly what I did.  And now, 6 years later, I find myself at a crossroads.  I feel it is

time to take things to a new level.  I have really searched my heart and soul the past few weeks about where I would

like to go from here.  This summer, as I gave a tour of the display gardens, a gentleman asked me “what is your 5-year

plan?”  At first I just laughed and said, “This is it!”  But then I began to think about the next 5 years.  It was true – I had

accomplished what I had set out to do in 2001.  My goals were to begin an herbal business, grow herbs, have a gift shop

and a display herb garden that people could come to tour.  I had accomplished this and more in about 5 years.  This got

me to thinking about the next five years.  What were my goals from here?

 

I have tossed around several ideas, many of which I will probably begin to institute.  However, recently, I read a business

article that suggested a really simple, yet often not considered, way to figure out your niche in the marketplace -

ask your customers!!  I thought, “What a great idea!”  So, I decided to include a survey in the first newsletter of 2007.  I

would really appreciate your input and response to the following questions.  It is simple, straight-forward, and you can simply

e-mail your responses back to ltway@bellsouth.net .  Copy and paste the following to a new e-mail, then type in your answers

underneath the questions, and e-mail back to me (once I receive your survey, I will e-mail you a 25%-Off coupon to use any

one time this year at The Little Herb House):

 

 

 

The Little Herb House 2007 Survey

 

1.      What do you enjoy most about visiting The Little Herb House?

 

2.     What is your main interest in herbs:  gardening, medicinal, aromatherapy, cooking, or other?

 

3.     What do you usually purchase when you visit The Little Herb House?

 

4.     What would you like to purchase that is currently not available?

 

5.     Would you like to see more classes/workshops offered, and if so, what is your best day to attend?

 

 

6.     Would you like to see The Little Herb House open for regular business hours or on a part-time basis?

     If so, what days of the week would you be able to come out?

 

7.     Are you a member of a club or group that you think might be interested in visiting The Little Herb House?

     If so, would your group be interested in having an herbal luncheon or tea?

 

8.     If you could suggest something to improve the current operation of The Little Herb House, what

            would it be?

Thank you for your participation and now, let’s move on to other matters! 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

              China Bayles Herbal Mysteries by Susan Wittig Albert

 

The China Bayles Herbal Mysteries is a series of fictional mysteries about an

herbalist, China Bayles, who abandoned her career as a hot-shot Houston criminal attorney to buy an herb shop

 in a small town located half-way between Austin and San Antonio, Texas. China wants the things that many

 contemporary women seek: a quieter life, rewarding work, a close relationship, friends, and community.

Each of her mysteries has a signature herb that is connected to a major theme, and each is liberally sprinkled

 with information on growing and using herbs. The China Bayles novels have been praised for their intelligent plots,

quirky and appealing characters, interesting settings, and strong writing.

You may join the Herbal Library Club at The Little Herb House by clicking on this link to get all the details and subscribe:             http://www.littleherbhouse.com/herbal%20library%20club.htm

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Herbal Recipes

Many have asked for various recipes over the years.  I will begin including at least one in every issue of the 2007 newsletter.

If you have an herbal recipe that you would like included in future issues, please e-mail it to ltway@bellsouth.net

 

 

                   This one is for all the ladies of The Victorian Tea Society:                                                       

2 Tbsp. Butter                                            3 Tbsp. dried rosemary, crushed 2 Tbsp. olive oil                                          1½ tsp. ground nutmeg, or to taste 1 lb. pecans                                               2 tsp. sea salt       Preheat oven to 325°.  Melt butter and oil in a raised-edge cookie sheet and then stir in nuts to coat evenly.  Sprinkle rosemary, nutmeg and sea salt on nuts and toss.  Bake 20 to 25 minutes, stirring several times, or until golden brown.  Additional nutmeg may be sprinkled on to taste. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

 

 

 This one is a simple, yet delicious, hot meal to serve on a cold winter’s eve.

 

(Slow Cooker Style) 3-to-4-lb. roaster or fryer chicken               Juice of 1 lemon 1 whole onion                                             1 tsp. parsley flakes ¼ c. onion, chopped                                  ¼ tsp. dried thyme 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine                      ¼ tsp. paprika ½ tsp. salt      Wash chicken and pat dry.  Place whole onion in chicken’s cavity.  Mix chopped onion, butter and salt; rub over chicken and place in slow cooker.  Squeeze lemon juice over chicken and sprinkle with remaining seasonings.  Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of lemon,

            2007 Herb of the Year: 

             Lemon Balm

                                                        This year’s Herb-of-the-Year (HOY) is Melissa officinalis, or Lemon Balm.

                                                        The next newsletter (March/April) will highlight this lemony fragrant,

                                                         medicinal herb.  Learn more about growing lemon balm, its medicinal

                                                         properties and recipes for teas, side dishes, cookies and much more!

                                                         Also, look for a workshop about lemon balm this spring/summer.

 

                                                        

 

 

Speaking of workshops,

 

I am in the process of putting together the Spring/Summer schedule for the Classes/Workshops being offered at The Little Herb House this year.  Look for this schedule in the upcoming newsletter (March/April).  I think you will get very motivated to attend one or several of these classes when you see the topics!!  And if you pre-register to attend two classes, you will receive a “Frequent Herb House Herbie” 15% discount off each class/workshop fee!  Three or more classes, take a “Frequent Herb House Herbie” 20% discount off each class!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 Other Brief Items of Interest:

 

         The Little Herb House has begun accepting appointments for visits, group tours, luncheons/teas and workshops.  Appointments will begin the week of March 5, 2007.  If you or your club would like to schedule an appointment for this Spring/Summer, you may do so by calling, e-mailing or visiting our web-site.

         Also beginning in March, you may purchase Renee’s Garden seeds at The Little Herb House.  I will be carrying mostly herbs, edible flowers and a few select gourmet vegetables.

         Spring Open House Dates are May 4 – 6, 2007 – mark your calendars now!   More details to follow.

         Many of you have asked about printing a hardcopy of this newsletter.  I played around with doing this, and here’s the best way I have found: 

1.      Make sure your printer is set to “Landscape” instead of “Portrait” orientation.

2.     Go to “View” , click, and then click on “Print Layout”

3.     This gives you the view of how the newsletter will look when it is printed.  Just click on “Print” from here.

 

Herbally yours,                                                                                                            

Lisa  

                               

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

 1 There is a time for everything,
       and a season for every activity under heaven:

 2 a time to be born and a time to die,
       a time to plant and a time to uproot,

12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.

 

13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.

 

 

                                                       

That’s all for this issue!  Until next time, “Find a way, to enjoy herbs every day.” 

The Little Herb House

  www.littleherbhouse.com Link to the Newsletter, Events, Workshops, and Herbal Luncheons & Teas

  

 

 

 

 

 

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