Herb Wreath

I finally got outside to pick my forest of basil. I'm not sure this picture really conveys how much is there, but that bowl on the left is the biggest bowl I own. I wanted to make enough to freeze pesto for the winter, but I think I grew enough to feed an army for a winter! While I was out there, I ended up picking all the oregano as well that had become a pretty well established groundcover. All that oregano came from a single plant.

The plan was to make pesto, but I started washing and drying the oregano getting it ready for drying and started thinking how no one needs that much oregano. I always grow too much. I didn't want to waste it, but what do I do with it? Then, I thought of the $1 store wreath forms I'd never gotten around to using and floral wire leftover from my wedding.

The kitchen wreath idea was born. I started laying the stems and wrapping the wire.

Before long, the whole wreath was covered. Mr. T walked in expecting to see me busy at work on pesto to find me making a wreath. I think he was being sarcastic when he said that I should add the lavendar I'd picked a few days before. Good idea! I tied that on as well with some raffia and added a raffia bow.

Then, I ran into a problem. I wanted to hang this over my kitchen window, but to save my life I couldn't find my wreath hanger (like the kind you use for doors. I had to improvise. I took a wire hanger and bent it like this ...

Then, I wrapped more raffia around it and ended up with this ...

Voila!

Very happy with it ... Sorry about the glare with the light. It was starting to get dark out so I need to take a better picture tomorrow.

I eventually did get to the pesto, but with that insane amount of basil, I need about 5 gallons of olive oil and several pounds of pine nuts, garlic and parmesan cheese so I didn't even come close to finishing. Grocery store trip planned for tomorrow.

Head on over to A Soft Place to Land to see all the other DIY Day projects and The DIY Showoff for the surprise party!

One last thing ... My parents are coming to visit for the day and they're bringing my mantle. I got it last month at the flea market and my dad spent so much time stripping it. He finished painting it this week. I'm beyond excited. I've never had a mantle in any house I've lived in and I cannot wait to have one installed and ready to decorate. Of course, I'll be sharing the results!

EDIT: I just wanted to add a note about the herbs ... There are a number of herbs you can do this with that I can think of besides the oregano that I used. Thyme would work well and I think Rosemary would work similar to a pine wreath for the holidays. I would stay away from things like basil, cilantro, parsley, etc. since those will wilt and not hold their shape.