Sunday Afternoon Laurus nobilis
That’s bay laurel to you.
So my MIL has a bay tree. A big one. So it was that one day, she gave me a gallon and a half of dried bay laurel leaves (and three more gallons of other herbs from her garden!).
I thought to myself, “Self, what ARE you going to do with all those? You cook a lot, but not nearly THAT much.”
And so I made a wreath.
It was one of those lazy Sunday evenings. The day was nearly done but it was not yet time to make dinner. I had reserved an hour or so to plant myself on the couch with some tea and a movie.
Supplies were simple. A green foam florist’s wreath, a thin needle, green thread, and some very tiny needle-like tacks. And patience.
For an hour, it was (1) thread five leaves (2) tack to foam (3) repeat.
At the end the whole from was covered in a continuous stack of leaves, and I just tacked a few extra on the inside and outside to finish covering the foam. Add a simple gingham ribbon for hanging, and there you go. Bay Laurel wreath for about $4.
Doesn’t Pottery Barn sell fresh versions of these things at the holidays for some ridiculous amount of money?
Did you know? Bay laurel wreaths, in the medieval period, were used in people’s houses because they were supposed to ward off evil. Pretty fancy. Bay laurel is really just a small evergreen tree, usually used decoratively in the Mediterranean places from which it hails. It’s also one of my favorite herbs, has various well-known symbolism, a common usage in architecture and a notable place in Greek history. I also just learned it’s the 2009 Herb of the Year of the International Herb Association. I’ve read it has applications in witchcraft as well as in herbal medicine, but I’ve never tried.
I mostly think having a dried version around smells nice and looks pretty.
7 Comments
feel free to leave a few words of your own...Anna — Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 3:13 pm (link)Since everyone must have smelled pretty evil in the medieval period, I’m sure they did ward off evil!
Pretty wreath.
Jennifer — Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 5:31 pm (link)Now I may just have to do something like that. It looks really awesome. Who would have guesses? Besides you I mean. If you need fresh leaves for Christmas, here’s plenty left. Hahaha,
Miriam — Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 9:11 pm (link)I’m not sure they smelled bad. Some medievalists would take your head off for suggesting that people didn’t bathe in the middle ages. I never was particularly opinionated about that.
Jennifer, I might take your tree’s leaves at Christmas. You just wait. One day you’ll wake up and your tree will be naked.
Jennifer — Thu Jun 11, 2009 at 4:51 pm (link)Well, I guess I’ll have to in the attic and get a tree skirt. This way when the tree’s naked it won’t be embarrassed.
Diane — Sun Jun 21, 2009 at 9:27 pm (link)Love the wreath! Did you know bay leaves in your pantry can keep out pests? Bay is one of my favorites too. I keep a leaf in my flour jars.
Miriam — Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 9:51 am (link)Diane – Thanks
I did not know that, but I will fish some out and stick them in my flour. I detest finding unwelcome guests in the pantry.
Jennifer – I will leave some leaves so as not to offend the tree’s modesty
Teena – Thank you! I forgot!
