Dreaming of Spring

I can't wait until spring comes. Not that I'm wishing my life away or anything. But if it means we can finally shake all this illness I'll be grateful to lose a few months of my life. Becky's tests came back negative for strep and although I'm glad, it just means that it was a wicked kinda cold thing. And she passed it right along to Luke. Yippie. He's home from school today with a wicked sore throat and all I can do is say "I'm sorry" and keep drowning him in cold meds.

We had some wonderfully warm weather lately and I loved it. We have snow again now and although it's not as bad as I feared it would be (yet) it's still winter. When I was outside in the great weather though, I was thinking to myself there's something different about warm winter weather and warm spring weather. Not being the most perceptive thing in the world on occasion, it took me a few days to realize it was the smell. Winter warm smells cold. That's it. Spring warm smells like thawing earth and growing things. I love the warm spring smell. Such promises of things to come.

I think I'll take today to decide what to do about my herb garden. I started one last year and am so thrilled with it. I'd never in my lame life had fresh herbs and I am hooked. I had no idea. I started small with just parsley, oregano and basil. My chives should take off this year. But I know less than nothing about herbs. I'll do some internet research, but in the meantime if anyone has any wise advice to give I'll be glad to read it.

And here's a question. Is it feasible to grow these things in small pots in windowsills for winter use? Or does that smack of growing pot?

20 comments:

girlymom said...

I don't know the first thing about growing herbs, sounds interesting though. We had that warm winter weather too, such a tease because now they say an artic freeze is on it's way- Yuck. The kids are so confused and asking all the time if it is spring yet and then they wake up to a snow covered ground. Hope you're staying warm.

Burgh Baby said...

I'm sorry to hear the illnesses just keep coming your way. It seems to me that you've had more than your fair share and it's about time it stopped.

I've been doing herb gardens for about ten years. I started with them planted in the ground and went to pots after we moved. A lot of them are just so invasive and I hate having to do any sort of maintenance in the yard. The pots keep them under control. I keep everything out on my deck and usually bring in my favorites for the winter. My kitchen window probably does look like I'm growing weed, but oh well! At least our spaghetti sauce always tastes good!

kimmy said...

I hope you all feel better soon! My son had strep throat before Chrismas, but luckily nobody else caught it!

Good luck with growing an herb garden. My Mom used to do it, but I've never tried!

Kimmy

Andrea said...

I know nothing about herbs. Sorry. I couldn't grow flowers if I tried. My husband does all the landscaping. I too love the smell of spring. It smells so good!! All summer I wish for winter and all winter I wish for summer. I can't win!!

AutoSysGene said...

Wow, you guys just can't catch a break in the illness department, huh? Here's hoping Luke is it and then your done.

Yup, you can grow herbs inside.

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

If you can grow it and keep it alive, what difference does it make if it is like pot? I kill everything!! I couldnt grow an herb to save my life!!

I love that Micah loves Letters from War - it truly is a wonderful song...

Hallie'

Suburban Correspondent said...

We've done the Sprouthouse thing for having some green things in winter - worked really well...

Spammon said...

Why yes, you can grow these indoors. Here's a post of me growing some hot peppers at my desk

Tootsie Farklepants said...

I have two black thumbs. I literally do not have one living plant inside my house. So, no advice. But glad to hear the strep test was negative! Boy-Child#1 just brought a notice home yesterday warning that someone in his class has it (AGAIN!!!!). Fortunately this child hasn't been back to school now that our winter break is over so hopefully no one has been exposed.

Karen said...

Tootsie - I sometimes wish our school sent home notes. I'm seriously wondering where on earth we got the chicken pox from. Seriously. How could a school not notice that?!

Aimee said...

It's totally feasible to grow things in pots for the winter.

Even pot.

Of course, feasible does not equal legal. Plus, you need a really good hiding place for the pot. And an irrigation system and special lights. Or so I read in the paper about the huge pot operation that was busted about two neighborhoods over from mine.

Irene said...

Just chiming in....yes you can definitely have indoor herbs. My mom does it all the time.

Karen said...

Okay, I realize how that comment sounds. Like, DUH, you can grow plants indoors. Provided you have the skills. That's debatable in my house. But I guess I was wondering if herbs do well in pots indoors. Apparently they do. Thanks for the input.

Cecily R said...

For mother's day a few years ago the kids decorated terracotta pots and we planted herbs in them for Grandmas. They all got to use their presents during the winter. It was fun!

Sorry you guys are still sick. Since I am always up with Evie, send your kids my way. We'll have a party.

caramama said...

Sorry you guys are sick, but at least it's not strep. I hated strep.

You are dead on about the smell of winter/spring. It's so true.

I'm not a plant person. I'm great with animals, but not plants. But I've always wanted fresh herbs so I was considering getting the Chia Herb Garden (that's right, by the makers of Chia Pet! Maybe I'll get a Chia Pet too!). Let us know how the indoor herb growth goes.

Kellan said...

I'd love to have a herb garden! I think you could grow them in your window - people do it (not me, of course)!

Thanks for your sweet comment on my site today - you are my good friend and you have been a truly blessing in my life and I love your site and your stories and I am always here for you! Take care. Kellan

Maria (also Bia) said...

There is NOTHING like fresh basil. French bread (slightly toasted), fresh tomatoes with fresh basil leaves, all drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil...and if you have fresh mozzarella then it's a complete meal in my (Italian!) book! Of course, a glass of red wine would just add to the perfection...

God bless!

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

I've tried to grow various herbs through the years. Of course moving as much as we have hasn't helped. I've got thyme right now that I really like and want to add something else. I grow basil on occasion, but it's not a perineal, so I don't always get it replanted. I wanted to grow parsley year round in a pot but someone told me it wouldn't really survive the winter indoors. I never actually get the plants inside to find out if they will survive, so I don't know the answer.

Shellie said...

I start my herbs indoors a lot of times, or I'm lazy and buy started ones too. They do pretty good usually. Hope everyone's better. I'll be glad when spring is here too.

Wineplz said...

so growing weed in the kitchen window is bad?
Okay, no, I'm really just in a silly mood today. ;)
I tried doing some herbs in my kitchen window and my one cat kept nibbling on them (I was dumb enough to do mint, parsley, and lavendar...and mint is closely related to catnip). But now that my kitty is in the Big Catnip Den in the Sky, I think I may try again. Hopefully the other three knucklehead kitties don't get tempted and start climbing up to backfill the dead kitty's duties. :)
I do have lavendar out in my yard, in a 1-foot by 12-foot area running along my fence. It's great because it really doesn't require you to do anything (they love drought-weather), which is good since I was lucky to water them more than once a week.