Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Spicy Ginger Mint, Surfaces & Herbal Table


 Tall glasses of Spicy Ginger Mint Tea over ice with lemon balm and thyme

Hi,

June already, still somewhat cool and wet weather especially when considered against last year's heat and drought.   Flower, herb and food gardens  everywhere seem to be doing very well.  

My last post was about a crowd funding campaign to help establish markets here.   Response from the campaign has allowed us to purchase a small refrigerator.  At this time we will not be opening the Morning Market or the Thursday Evening Farmers Market.  A few people asked why a market.  Our intent was to do something we thought would help meet expenses for the store front and be pleasing to the community.  Alas, some ideas have wings, and some do not.  It is always interesting, to me, to look back after a time and see which ideas worked and which did not. 

I am still feeling happy with my architectural cake being voted "best tasting" at last months 2nd Annual Architectural Cake Contest in Bloomington.  You can read about it and see some of the wonderful cakes by clicking this link to  Local Food Bloomington's blog
Thank you Quilter's Comfort Spicy Ginger Mint for giving my cake with the winning taste!

 Herbal Table Every First Friday


                  Elberberry Bush Jelly Scones               Eclairs and Puffs ready for filling 

Every first Friday, Patricia's Wellness Arts Cafe & Quilter's Comfort Teas hosts an arts opening.  This Friday, June 7, we open  "SURFACES & TEXTURES", an exhibition of fiber arts.  Gallery reception is 5:00pm to 8:00pm in the Wellness Arts Gallery (inside Patricia's Wellness Arts Cafe) at 725 West Kirkwood Avenue. "Surfaces & Textures" address the concept of surface design and structure. This first annual exhibit seeks to promote the appreciation of fiber art and support the creative development and continuance through artistic interpretations. 



"Woven Grace" by B.J. "Kish" Irvine
 
On July 5th, first Friday, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm the Wellness Arts Gallery reception for "Surfaces & Textures" will feature fiber art demonstrations through out the evening.
"Surfaces and Textures" exhibit runs from June 7th to July 31st, 2013.

Cafe/Gallery visitors will be able to sample a delicious variety of herbal treats. Foods for the evening will include Spicy Ginger Mint Cake accompanied by Quilter's Comfort's locally sourced Lavender Tranquility tea, a blend of lavender, red clover and hops, and this months special tea, Elderberry Boost, a delicious blend of certified organic Elderberries, Nettles, Red Raspberry Leaf, Lemon Balm, Red Clover, Calendula, Honeybush, Rose Hips, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley, Ginkyo.  This blend got its name because every herb in it supports the body toward aging well.  

In future post, I will write about the properties individual herbs and spices contribute to Quilter's Comfort teas and spices, and to our collective health.  You can find some information on the Quilter's Comfort About page by clicking here.  We are working on an update that will, once completed have some information about every herb, spice and ingredient we use in our products and in foods we make for our "herbal table".

Until then, 

Patricia