Thursday, April 10, 2008

Rose Petal Projects

Instead of sewing yesterday, I spent the day celebrating my roses. Early in the morning, I collected blooms that had reached the petal drop-off point for use as sachets, potpourri, edible sugared flowers, and rose petal ice cream.



I sorted out the petals for the drying process on a sweater-drying rack. The Old Farmer’s Almanac explains the best way to dry rose petals.



This is a large jar I found on eBay a few years ago in which I save dried petals from my own roses as well as those my husband gifts me throughout the year. The screw-on lid was decorated “shabby chic” style.



Some of the fresh rose petals were sugared; they’re drying on parchment paper overnight before I store them. Since I don’t use any type of chemicals on my roses, they are safe for consumption. It’s lovely to add a sugared petal or two and a sprig of fresh mint leaves to desserts. The sugared flower recipe I used is from Martha Stewart.



I also made ice cream with some of the freshly-picked rose petals.


Recipe card from The Vintage Workshop, text added by me

Here’s the recipe; I’d share the source if I could remember it. Click on the picture to enlarge and print.

One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon—instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today.” ~ Dale Carnegie ~

9 comments:

Thimbleanna said...

Oooh, they look so pretty Junie! What fun you must be having -- I need to get some rose bushes!

Kristi said...

How fun. I've never hear of eating rose petal and certainly not of rose petal ice cream. Very neat, you learn something new everyday. Love to keep up with your fun projects since I don't have much time for many myself.

Florence Knapp (Flossie Teacakes) said...

Your rose petal icecream looks amazing, what a lovely idea.

I really love the quote that you've posted too...so true. x

Rosie's Whimsy said...

Amazing, June! The petals are so beautiful laying there drying and dried in the jar. :-) Rosie

Lorrie said...

I love the sugared rose petal idea. How long will they last? Do you dry them after sugaring them? What a wonderful idea for summer! I can hardly wait.

* elizabeth * said...

You just gave me a rgeat flashback. My Nana and I made rose jelly once. We had roses froma friend of mine. It was pale pink and pretty and you just made me happy all over.

Unknown said...

Oh June, those are so pretty! I love lavender ice cream, and forgot about rose ice cream until now!

Jane said...

What a great quote! While I do not have a garden, I have enjoyed Rosewater Saffron ice cream at our local Irish/Iranian ice cream parlor: Mashti Malones!

Gumbo Lily said...

Wonderful, beautiful, and tasty-ful too! I've never heard of rose petal ice cream, but I'd love to try it! You're so smart!

Jody