Reub's journey

11 July 2013

Yesterday's task


Passionflowers

 The second of our 3 children currently lives in Nairobi, Kenya, doing research related to her degree in emergency nutrition. Working with Concern Worldwide in the area of mother-infant nutrition and famine, she is not in an easy place physically or mentally to think about her wedding next summer. It seems so far away, both in time and space.

In fact when she gets back in December there should be plenty of time to plan a nice ceremony; I'm sure of it.  As mother-of-the-bride I'm thinking of it as a big dinner party, mostly planned by somebody else. Easy, right?



But one of the first things that needs to be settled, waaay ahead of time, is the venue. That's why John and I paid a visit to The Thyme Garden, nestled in the Coast Range about 30 minutes west of town.



The Thyme Garden is a small organic seed company run by a husband/wife/daughter; we had to check it out and report back to Team Kenya. I took about 150 pics because there was a lot to see.




First off: the thyme garden. Oh my gosh. 60 kinds of thyme?




Eleven bee hives.




An edible flower garden.



A utilitarian garden, for plants that have everyday household uses: cleaning, lubricating, etc.




Echinacea
A medicinal garden.




A culinary garden.





A moon garden, planted in pale colors that shimmer in moonlight. (gasp!!)




Lions Ear, used in shamanic rites in North Africa
Interesting ceremonial plants.



Milkweed
 A  butterfly garden




 A small conservatory with fragrant tropical plants.




Salmon-bearing streams running throughout.


During June and July The Thyme Garden offers luncheons on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so we took advantage of that. This place is out in the sticks; where else are you going to eat? Besides, the owners used to run a highly regarded restaurant and we wanted to treat ourselves. There were only 11 of us ponying up the 30 bucks for tour-and-lunch, but it was worth every penny, and here is why:



Verbena-infused ice water.



Hibiscus lemonade with passionflowers




Organic salad loaded with edible flowers.


 
Three dressings: Smoky orange sesame oil, creamy dill, muchi curry.



Oregano cheese spread




Honey butter herb spread




Three-sage spread. Note the dragonfly is made entirely of sage leaves.



Three fabulous breads





Basil, asparagus, ham, and Provolone wrapped in chicken breast, cucumber salad, fresh pasta.






Save room for dessert! Blueberry meringue, with whipped cream.


So while J works her tail off over in Kenya, you can see John and I have been taking on the onerous task of wedding planning. Incredibly stressful, this. I hope she and B (who god bless 'im is over there at her side) appreciate it.

Anyway, what do you think? This place looks good, doesn't it? Or should we keep looking?
Posted by Kerry at 2:38 PM

36 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlJuly 11, 2013 at 2:43 PM

    oh my goodness! beauty and deliciousness all in one! and perfect for someone studying/working in nutrition!

    i'm guessing she and her intended will have final say-so, but i think you started the search with a bang!

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    Replies
    1. KerryJuly 11, 2013 at 2:53 PM

      A bit ironic that we had a lunch like that when she is enveloped in fighting famine, isn't it?

      And you're right: they have the say-so!

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  2. TaborJuly 11, 2013 at 2:54 PM

    OK...having just been through this with an outside eye. What is she wearing? How hot or cold will it be? Do they have an inside alternative in case of a storm? Is the ceremony here? If so, can you envision the bridal walk? Do they have enough chairs? Parking? Food looks tremendous!! Got lots of ideas for pretty dishes.

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    1. KerryJuly 11, 2013 at 2:58 PM

      You're a pro, Tabor. We don't know what she's wearing! It will probably be hot during the day (80's) and cool at night. Storms rarely occur in an Oregon August, but there is a large shelter in case. Gotta rent chairs:( Parking in a mown field. The foooooooood!! Isn't even over-priced at $16/head, which includes edible dragonflies.

      Delete
  3. slim pickinsJuly 11, 2013 at 3:00 PM

    oh!! oh,oh,oh!!! oh! oh! oh! oh! OH!! oh! oh! oh!

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    1. KerryJuly 11, 2013 at 3:21 PM

      OMG SLIM!!! This place + you = the perfect match. I thought of you the whole time I was there!

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  4. SuzeJuly 11, 2013 at 3:22 PM

    Kerry, this post was refreshing to my spirit. So uplifting and beautiful on so many counts. First, congratulations to your daughter, and to you, as well!

    The rest I don't know how to put in any order but I love the spreads with the herbal dragonflies, I've been trying to muster the courage to try edible flowers on my morning fruit and feta salads, the infused waters make me thirsty -- and I have a cold water sitting next to me on the table! -- and what was Lion's Ear used for in the shamanic rituals, I wonder?

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    1. KerryJuly 11, 2013 at 3:33 PM

      Hi Suze, Thanks!
      Edible flowers are a delight. There are quite a few of them: johnny-jump-ups, carnations, calendula, fuschia, nasturtium, impatiens...

      The infused water was special. Sometimes I just add a slice of citrus to my water & feel like I've treated myself.

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    2. KerryJuly 12, 2013 at 10:41 AM

      I don't know what the shamans use Lion's Ear for, but it is quite a dramatic, tall plant with spiky balls. Full of mysterious portent.

      Delete
  5. ellen abbottJuly 11, 2013 at 3:49 PM

    You sold me but it would be a shame not to sample the others too. You know, just to be sure.

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    1. KerryJuly 11, 2013 at 4:32 PM

      I know, right? But this one is hard to beat.

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  6. KerryJuly 11, 2013 at 4:33 PM

    I was entranced. Almost wore my camera out.

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  7. merryJuly 11, 2013 at 4:49 PM

    I don't know. I think you should give this place a second chance. I mean, you need to try everything on the menu, right? I don't know which is more beautiful, the gardens, the food or the decorations on the food!! And yes, it's definitely weird drooling over all of this knowing how J and B are living in Kenya!! Nothing at all this glamorous or delicious!!! Hmmmmm......

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    1. KerryJuly 14, 2013 at 10:14 AM

      A second chance! That's it. I do think that if they come home early we should take J and B to the salmon observation night in November, where everybody goes to the creek, watches spawning salmon, learns about their life cycle, then comes back to have salmon baked on alder stakes next to a big fire.

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  8. Ms. YWJuly 11, 2013 at 5:01 PM

    It looks amazing! I think J and B will like it too. Can't wait for the wedding (with the little one)!! :)

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    1. KerryJuly 11, 2013 at 5:44 PM

      I hope they like it, but ya know what. A simple, darkest-winter, candle-lit, ceremony with parents, siblings and dogs, that would be fine too.

      Wait.

      ...LITTLE ONE?...what did you say? Is there something I don't know yet?...who ARE you?

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    2. Ms. YWJuly 11, 2013 at 7:41 PM

      It is Marilyn! and I am pretty sure you did know, but in case you didn't....little Marilyn/Miguel coming to you next Christmas :) And we are excited to get Christopher in our neighborhood soon too!! Love to the family!!

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    3. KerryJuly 11, 2013 at 8:08 PM

      Aha!!! Marilyn! Yes I did know about your little one. But I thought you meant J&B were gonna have one! I'm so excited about your baby, and hope you are feeling well. What a Christmas present!

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    4. KerryJuly 11, 2013 at 8:10 PM

      C really enjoyed getting to know Miguel. Glad there is somebody in Boston that he's met & likes.

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    5. Ms. YWJuly 12, 2013 at 5:47 AM

      Sorry for the mix up :) I am just excited that we will all be together for the wedding! I am doing great and happy to be on summer break finally. And yes, C and Miguel did hit it off. We are trying to help him find a good place to move that can take Hobbes too. But his job is near where we live, so we are hopeful we will see him a bunch. Hugs all around and keep enjoying that Oregon summer, there is nothing else like it!!

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    6. KerryJuly 12, 2013 at 8:06 AM

      It was a lovely ambiguity, Ms. YW! Save August 9th, 2014, 'kay?

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    7. Ms. YWJuly 14, 2013 at 7:10 AM

      Already on the calendar!! :)

      Delete
  9. SultanJuly 12, 2013 at 1:53 PM

    Your daughter is doing wonderful work. I can help her with her wedding in only one word: Viva!

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    1. KerryJuly 12, 2013 at 2:11 PM

      Why, how did you guess, Laoch, that word sums up everything about her?

      Because I know you are a voracious reader of a wide variety of interesting stuff, here is a link to J's blog, from her Peace Corps experience in 2007-2009. Towards the end she was able to post things herself, but 95% of the blog was me re-typing her letters & trying to match them to photos from the memory cards she mailed home. The blog is an interesting look at a distant and little-traveled part of the world.

      http://jrobinpcv.blogspot.com/

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    2. SultanJuly 15, 2013 at 7:40 PM

      Thank you for the link. I have been reading it avidly.

      You must be bursting with pride.

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    3. KerryJuly 15, 2013 at 8:09 PM

      She has the strange ability to radiate light. I'm amazed by her, always have been, and wish I were more like she is.

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    4. SultanJuly 15, 2013 at 9:27 PM

      I was going to say that she deserves something much grander than Viva (much as I like Viva). Then it occurred to me that one place would be good as another. Wherever it takes place will be ennobled by her presence.

      Good wishes to her and her intended.

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    5. KerryJuly 15, 2013 at 10:21 PM

      So nice. :)

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    6. jbJuly 23, 2013 at 1:10 AM

      You also radiate light, you just can't see it because you are the source.

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    7. KerryJuly 31, 2013 at 5:27 PM

      jb, I love you too.

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  10. PaulineJuly 14, 2013 at 5:01 AM

    Book the place yesterday and hang the cost.

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  11. DarylJuly 15, 2013 at 6:59 AM

    if the food tastes half as good as it looks .. book it now ... what a perfect place

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    1. KerryJuly 15, 2013 at 9:23 AM

      The food is at least as good as it looks:) We think this is the place.

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  12. HilaryJuly 17, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    Oh my! That's just amazing in so many ways. You would be hard pressed to find something more interesting and affordable but really, Kerry.. if it means more captivating blogs posts, by all means, keep on looking. Because really, it's all about the blogging. ;)

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    1. KerryJuly 17, 2013 at 11:53 AM

      haha! I knew I had to blog about this place after visiting & having that lunch. J & B like this place (especially since they give it over to you for the whole weekend, with camping on Saturday night) so we're going to go with it. But it would be pretty fun to tour multiple venues and write about each one. The gardens! The food possibilities!

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