Time began in a garden.
Two weeks ago, I was in Fredericksburg, Texas, on a business trip for travel-writers. We stayed at the Fredericksburg Herb Farm where we enjoyed herbs and inspiration. Nestled among greens, tastefully scattered throughout the gardens, is a collection of cast cement blocks and rocks blooming with quotes.
The earth laughs in flowers. – Emerson
Like the lodging, spa and gardens, the sayings are restorative. They were the bonus I needed to power me through 13-hour days touring, meeting and dining with strangers.
I was one of four members in our group who stayed in a replica Sunday cottage at the Farm. Sunday cottages are a historic notion; in the late 1800s German farmers built these simple structures for weekend visits to town for church services and supplies. While few original cottages remain, the town is dotted with replicas where tourists stay.
My Sunday cottage was a modern, one-bedroom affair with a spacious bathroom. The delightful front porch was furnished with two rocking chairs, a wooden swing and a rosemary shrub growing in a knee-high terracotta pot. As expected, the herb theme was woven throughout the property. The bedroom had tasteful touches of herb décor, while the bathroom boasted hand-crafted body products made on site. These included invigorating peppermint shampoo, conditioner and body wash as well as gentle chamomile face soap.
When I awoke my first morning, Basil-the-Cat greeted me on the front porch. A cat lady, I attract them wherever I go. Visitors may encounter three more cats – Yarrow, Milky and Pepper.
Amenities on the four-acre property include a modern spa, farm-to-table restaurant, charming gift shop and manicured garden with more than 40 herbs, vegetables and native plants. Oh, and the omnipresent inspiring quotes.
Two people make all lotions, gels, shampoos, conditioners, colognes, and other bath and beauty products on site for use in the Sunday cottages. These are available in the gift shop as well. The 30-plus scents include the traditional lavender and the unusual tomato leaf lotion. Yes, to some people like my boyfriend, tomato leaves
are a delicious-smelling reminder of summer.
Herbs grown on site are used in the restaurant. Perhaps one of the more creative concoctions is a refreshing lavender limeade made with St. Germain’s elderberry flower liqueur, gin and Collins mix muddled with fresh lavender and splashed with soda.
The best place to seek God is in a garden. You can dig for him there. – Shaw
If you make it to Fredericksburg, don’t miss the 200-acre Wildseed Farms just seven miles east of town. The company plants, harvests and sells seed of more than 100 species of wildflowers, herbs and garden variety flowers. The cool part is that you can visit the Farm and see the flower fields in full color.
