☼ Forest & Field Happenings ☼ ~ minty

My summers are filled with a lot, what some might call, work.  I'll let you in on a little secret, I wonder about my Self sometimes.  Do I work too much? What would I do if I didn't do what I do.  When I stop and think about it, it is all a choice and do I love it...I must right?  The question has been coming up more since it is a transition time in my life...post parent...sort of (I think in 3 years when college is done I will feel more finished).  You might be wondering, what has this got to do with mint?  Well, I came across this bit in an online book that I have been reading by Thich Nhat Hanh, The Sun My Heart.  This discovery happened on the day that I HAD harvested my peppermint along with asking my Self all those questions!  It AMAZES me how these things just "happen" ~ an answer!  

  

Now for my peppermint harvesting tips & story...

It is pretty easy and a wonderfully fragrant task.  I have read it is best to harvest herbs in the morning just after the dew has dried on a cloudy day... so this is my practice... allowing the plant to retain more of their essential oils.  It is also best to harvest before the flowers form and only collect about a third of the plant.  I have this handy hanging drier so I like to pluck the leaves off and then dry them on trays.  I had more than would fit on the trays so I bundled some too.  I sort through and remove any leaves that look questionable so when the drying it complete it will be tea time!

Bent paperclips make nice hanging hooks

Now the story!

I was given a little bundle of peppermint plant by my Mother-in-law back in 1981.  A friend had given it to her.  Ever place that I have lived since I have planted some of that mint.  Of course, I leaving some behind.  I have divided it and tried it in many places.  I have never seen it happier than by the pond! I give some to anyone who has asked.  This is a very minty peppermint.  It makes a tea that will warm you on a cold winters day and refresh you during the sultry summer.  The first place I planted it was around our little log cabin in Western Maine...I wonder if it is still growing?  I certainly am ~~~