Thyme

“I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,

Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,

Quite overcanopied with luscious woodbine,

With sweet musk-roses, and with eglantine:

There sleeps Titania sometime of the night,

Lulled in these flowers with dances and delight.”

—William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

I particularly like this variegated lemon thyme, and keep it it on the kitchen window throughout the summer.  It's fabulous on an herbed vinaigrette, or simply scattered on a fresh tomato salad, or on fish or chicken . . .

Legend has it that thyme was an essential ingredient in a magic potion that allowed the drinker to see the fairies.  Simply touching the leaves infuses the kitchen with a delightful lemony scent, and it's so delicate-looking, one might easily imagine fairies fluttering amongst its leaves . . .  Another of the pleasures of summer . . . there’s never enough thyme . . .