So back in the day Caprilands was an herbal Mecca of sorts. Here is the main house. The Herbal Husband and I visited on the Summer Solstice, a high day of herbal celebration. We had lunch in the main house with the floors strewn with rose petals. We had mugwort wreathes on our heads to revive the weary traveler. Photos do exist at least of me and maybe in another post, I will share them! Here are those rose strewn floors.
Caprilands Strawberry Soup
2 cups of strawberries
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup sour cream
Run strawberries through blender, add cream, blend. Add sour cream and a few whole berries before serving.
It was decadent in its simplicity. As I recall recipes, I will share them with you. I remember she took a recipe from this book and another recipe from another book. She was a very smart herbal business woman! I remember a chicken (The more I think about it the more I think it was a seafood casserole and The Herbal Husband ate it! He is not a big fan of seafood! I happily make up for his dislike of seafood!) casserole of some kind. Adelma had a fabulous cook, but in the end it was all about herbs.
You can always find Adelma's books on Bookfinder. As you know, I get in a lot of trouble on that website. If you click Caprilands Herb Farm link above, it does not take you to a website for Caprilands, but to a story on About.com that describes a visit to Caprilands in 2001 or so. I tried to get on the Caprilands website and could not find it. I read on another site that it is closed. So hope you live vicariously through The Herbal Husband and I. Enjoy Caprilands Herb Farm!
I have several of her books and lucky you to visit that wonderful garden -- she was certainly ahead of the pack with herbs and her herbal knowledge.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
I did know that she passed away (but don't remember when) so perhaps there was no one to carry on her work at Caprilands.
Hi Martha,
ReplyDeleteShe passed away in 1997 at 93. Her third husband tried to continue, but he had a court battle with her children who wanted the property sold. He did win the battle, but in the end I guess lost the war. The last time I was there was in 1999 with The Rosemary House. The gardens were in disarray and dinner was not like it was in Adelma's day. I thought he was making progress, but in the end, it couldn't stay open. Thanks as always for your comments.
That soup recipe sounds heavenly. Especially on these super hot days we've been having here in Missouri. I just may have to serve that tomorrow night.
ReplyDeleteIt is so delicious, Carol and obviously very simple to make. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I could help spur you on to share your travels (and yummy recipes) with us. How wonderful to have met - and still be meeting - so many of these icons in the herbal world. Thank you for letting us adventure with you.
ReplyDeleteYes, Adelma was a real herbal character in every sense! Thanks for triggering great memories, Julie!
ReplyDeleteSo enjoyed reading your Caprilands memories. You are fortunate to have photos! I cannot locate mine from my day there back in 1989. If you have time, please visit my recent blog entry "Come Dance With Me" where I also share memories of Adelma. It is fun to compare notes.
ReplyDeleteHope you can drop by soon.
This was a fun tribute Nancy. Loved the photos! I enjoyed the step back in time!
ReplyDeleteNancy
The grounds at Caprilands are still open to the public, but the gardens are not what they used to be. No more lectures or luncheons, or shops. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI,too,will never forget Ms.Simmons ,and her herbal magic that I have never found anywhere else in my travels. I never wanted to leave the farm. I was enchanted with the food,the gardens,and the wonderful smells.Luckily,I have 3 autographed books of hers that I cherish.
ReplyDeleteMy family moved to Coventry in 1985, into a little cape cod house, just up the road from the herb farm. There were days that I would walk down and stroll through the gardens for hours before finally realizing that I had to hurry home to be there for the kids when they got home from school. I loved it so much that I finally submitted an application for a job, willing to do anything needed, just to spend time working along side everyone at Caprilands. On the day before I was to start my job, my car was hit from behind and demolished, along with my ability to get around (for quite a few years). I'm still moved to tears when I think of that missed opportunity and the times that were to never be mine. I miss the teas, the luncheons and the special times of instruction from Mrs. Simmons. Most of all, I miss her kindness and that beautiful smile...
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