Lovage

Just got back from a craft group at the University. It was a fun group of women who were mostly knitting, I myself am finishing a crocheted blanket that I've been working on for over a year. I was told by one of the older English ladies that I will knit next since I will have people to learn from-sounds like a good plan. There are other new mothers there too.  Fun mix of women from around the world. I love that there are older English ladies there.

One of the best parts about traveling (maybe not the right word for my situation) is sitting around with others talking about cultural differences (guess that is why I enjoyed studying Anthropology). Well gee, half of my blog is about these differences...anyway today I learned about lovage, a herb, very often used in soups. Tastes similar to celery. It is grown here, a couple of the English women said they grew it in their gardens, but you won't find it at the store. My friend Tina said it is widely used in Germany. So when I got home I got good ol' wikipedia out to read up on it.  Which led to learning about the spice ajwain which lead to ghee which lead to anglosphere, oh wiki. 

Back to lovage and ajwain, and all the herbs and spices in the world- so complex. There are different names for the same plants, but then names that are similar for different plants (this was the case in the southern Appalachians for rhododendrons and laurel plants- very confusing). Then the uses of plants in cooking and for medicinal purposes, internationally- wow what a neat world that could be to drive into. I'll be lucky to remember lovage and that it is only second to capers for the amount of quercetin (a flavonoid). If I could see the wizard of oz about a new hippocampus, maybe herbs would be what I'd venture into or maybe even later when mommy life is calmer.