Parsely, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme

Parsely

Often used as garnishing as well as to flavour soups, stews and stocks, parsely leaves can be dried for making 'Parsely Tea'. Infuse 1/2 teaspoons of the parsely leaves or even its roots in a cup of near-boiling water and let it stand for about 10 minute in the covered cup. Parsely tea may help to flush out harmful toxins from the body and also in reduce flatulance problem. Can be use as a poultice - apply pounded parsley leaves on insect bites and stings to lessen its poison/pain.

Parsely grows well in most soils, must be well-drained in full sunlight or partly shaded.

Sage

Sage - its texture, colour and fragrane plus its many uses in the kitchen has become popular in "Kitchen Garden" - edible landscape , easy to grow . Sage also has medicinal properties, can be used as antiseptic and antifungal. To use sage as a tea drink or as a gargle, take 2to4 tablespoons of fresh leaves or 2 teaspoons of dried leaves in a cup of hot water. Care must be taken not to take too much for too long period because itc an cause rapid heartbeat, dizziness as it contains ' tactrine' which can cause pososibility of ulcer and liver problems.

Sage can be grown outdoors, in pots as well as hydroponic and need full sunlight.

Thyme
Thyme - Thymus vulgaris, is an aromatic herb that can be easily potted and placed on the kitchen sill/window ledge. It grows well in dry, sunny condition and lean soil because too much water can rot the plants. Can be grown from seed but growing from cuttings is much easier.

Thyme also has antiseptic an preservative properties. Thyme tea often used as a mouthwash to treat a sore throat or infected gum. Can also be used in perfumes making.


Rosemary - its Latin name , Rosemarinus officinalis - means "dew of the sea" is greatly used in the Mediterranean cooking/seasoning such as pastas, pizzas , soups and salads. A beautiful ornamental potted plant emits sweet fragrance , both leaves and the flowers can be eaten. Rosemary flowers come in shades of blue, pink and white. Can be used as an antiseptic and breath freshner. Its fragrance is said to have calming effects on the nerves. Rosemary tea is said to counter poor circulation, fights rheumatism, headaches and fever.

Can be grown from either seedlings and cuttings, which is much easier. It needs enough sun, good drainage and good air circulation.

Rosemary & Thyme

There is an English album in the 1960s titled ' Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme' by Simon & Garfunkel

Kitchen Garden

....dapat juga cari cawan bunga kangkong nih...

This six cups and a small teapot "bunga kangkong" , same design with my late mother's collection that I found in her kampung store. Bought this set with enamelled trays...wish could get another tea set complete with saucers and side plates...

This particular set was put up for sale..but a bit too pricey......

These snippets echoed from conversations when I was chatting/YM with my sister in Johor Bharu. The topic was on the coming 'Kenduri Tahlil' on 16 August, which has been much talked about between us sisters. My sis , already hooked on blogging and browsing blogs on brownies, cupcakes, cake decos that soon led to knowing other bloggers' interest on old china collections such as shown above. I was tempted to buy this particular set but changed my mind because a lit bit pricey. Will scout around the small crockery shops back home in my kampung

Our late mom collection of crockery dated years even before my sis was born and all were kept in the store. Me and hubby had the greatest joy of clearing up the store since last August 2008 in preparation of our eldest son, Azlan's wedding on 20 December 2008. We decided to hold the wedding themed "kampung" in mother's house, Tanjung Rimau Luar, Alor Gajah, Melaka. Food served in old China plates and enamel trays, mom's collection. Not buffet style which is commonly done now at weddings in towns or kampungs. The menu too was almost similar to the one that we had on our wedding more than 30 years ago. Our guests and our friends, especially my former officemates (very close friends of mine) were very happy at the wedding reception. The most happiest were our late mom and stepdad. Could see in their eyes and facial expression when they exchanged greetings with relatives and friends that they have not met long time. Me and hubby went all out to contact and invite those relatives that we could gather for this special occasion. I am grateful that we could do this for our parents............... Allhamdullilah.
.... and ....

Then these were pretty landscaping projects done by the schoolchildren of Putrajaya that caught my attention and I would like to share with all .....

Those shots above were taken at the Floria Putrajaya 2009 , portraying how attractive were the old china plates, teapots , cups and saucers displayed in the 'Kitchen Garden' among the herbs and plants commonly used during cooking. Turmeric plants in an old 2-handle wok and other tiny herbal shrubs plabted in coffee and tea jars as well as in an old tea pot.

THE YEAR 2009

Almost a year had passed. Today 14 Shaaban 1430 Hijrah and very soon all Muslims around the world will be observing Ramadhan Fasting followed by Eid celebration.

There were many events/happenings/comings and goings and loads of stories waiting to be jotted down in this blog. Both happy and sad , frightening and all sorts of intense feelings that words cannot describe. Whatever that have happened will be treasured in my heart and I will look up to Allah SWT for guidance and strength to move forward in this life and to do good for my family and mankind. Amin.

This particular blog has been silent for a long time but nevertheless, I have created and kept posting and uploading myriads of images in the family blog Tanjung Rimau (exclusive for Hajjah Sena Family) http://tanjungrimau.blogspot.com/ , my Cik Jah Online Flowers both in http://cikjahonlineflowers.blogspot.com/ and http://cikjahflowers.fotopages.com/ . My younger sister too was moved to blog her baking expertise plus trials and errors happily most probably blogging her achievements in http://thecakediary.blogspot.com/ . This was initiated when she paid me a visit last May together with the other two sisters . We are the four sisters in my family together with five brothers making up the number to eleven children of Hajjah Sena and Othman Md Zin.