Stop to smell the Witch Hazel
The shiny decorations are gone, the skies are grey and the weather is cold.
This time of year, I am drawn to anything that exudes warmth ~ colors, scents, tastes… one of the outdoor sights that really stirs my senses is the lovely display of Witch Hazel. I love the pile of delicate yellow ribbons, ruby at the bases, which create these unusual fluffs of flowers.
It’s so interesting to see the contrast between these delicate puffs and the rough brown nubs (buds) from which they emerge. What an unlikely home for these delicate ribbon clusters to form within ~ can you see the first ribbons, just coming out of the bud in the upper left section?
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| Witch Hazel (Hamamelis molis) |
Making this plant even more splendid is the refreshing fragrance which spills out from the flowers. It is slightly sweet, and extremely fresh smelling. If you can’t find a flower to smell, pick up a bottle of Witch Hazel at the drugstore, it makes a nice toner, and I think you’ll love the fresh scent.
On another important note, we have shipped off the restaurant readers to the winner of our drawing. Lisa Lemieur, a “reluctant foodie” from North Carolina is the splendid reader who’s name was drawn. Lisa writes a great blog called Pickles and Cheese. I hope you will take a visit, it is about life, food and family in the south and is home to many delicious recipes. In fact, I am thinking of trying her version of French Onion Soup for dinner tonight!
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| Restaurant Readers |
After leafing through her recipe file, I am now more eagerly awaiting summer. She has fabulous looking recipe for refrigerator pickles too.
Congratulations Lisa, enjoy!
I have never seen the actual plant – how fascinating!! The scent of witch hazel will always remind me of my mother who did indeed use it as a toner. She had beautiful skin – perhaps the witch hazel contributed!!
I used to use Witch Hazel as a toner back in my college days. I should give it another try. Thanks for the reminder. And, a big thank you for the Restaurant Readers from your giveaway and for the very kind words on your blog here today!!
Q & L — I need to pick up a bottle of Witch Hazel — I am craving it now!
Love that plant! Include it in almost every project if the location is right. One caveat though it retaind its brown & crunchy leaves throughout the winter.
My mom has fabulous skin (89 years old) and she used Witch Hazel & Rose water. She mixed it herself.
can you go to lunch or dinner? i will be in tomorrow come see me if you can… i really need to talk to you about it all as well… so sorry i missed you today! xx
LOVE your Blog, so therefore I would like to give you THE STYLISH BLOGGER AWARD, which you can copy and paste from my blog….p/s please make sure to link back to me please. Have a great week!
Lovely post, I've never smelled it, I must look out for it next time I'm out walking.