April 7: Today is the birthday of David Fairchild. (See "Things to Do" for why this is important.)

April 10: The first Arbor Day was observed, in Nebraska.

April 12: Licorice Day (Don't ask us. We don't invent these things.)

April 13: Today is Thomas Jefferson's birthday.

The Edible Pink
The pink most often used in cookery was the clove-scented pink (Dianthus caryophyllus), or gillyflower—what we now call the carnation. (Gilly comes from the French girofle, or clove, and refers to the spicy scent of the flower.) The blossom was used to make conserves, preserves, syrups, and vinegars, and as a flavoring for wine. The petals add a clove-like flavor to salads and fruit compotes. Don't include foliage or use flowers from the florist, for they have probably been sprayed. Here's an old-fashioned recipe for blush pink carnation-flavored vinegar.

Carnation Vinegar
(from the story "Violet Death," in An Unthymely Death)

1 cup red or pink carnation (Dianthus) petals
6 cloves
1 3-inch cinnamon stick
2 cups white wine vinegar

Pull the petals from the flower heads and snip off the white heels. Wash. Place petals in a jar with the cloves and cinnamon stick, and crush lightly. Add vinegar, and store in a dark place at room temperature until it has reached the desired intensity. Strain into a pretty bottle. Use on crisp greens or on a fruit salad.

The Medicinal Pink
John Gerard (1597) praised the clove pink as a restorative, which "wonderfully above measure doth comfort the heart." John Parkinson(1640) recommended it for headaches. Dianthus superbus has been used in Chinese medicine as a tonic for the nervous system, and to treat the kidneys, urinary tract, constipation, and eczema.

The Fragrant Pink
For most of us, the chief reason for including these beautiful plants in our gardens is their spicy-sweet fragrance. Dry the petals for use in sachets, and use the essential oil (purchased) in candles, bath and massage oils, soaps, and as a body oil.

Read more about Monticello and about colonial gardens in this website devoted to Monticello. To see the garden pinks currently growing in this historic garden, check out this page.

Find out more about colonial herbs in Herbs and Herb Lore of Colonial America, an inexpensive, invaluable reference guide, reprinted by Dover from an earlier edition.

Learn about David Fairchild, the botanist who introduced a superior horseradish from the little town of Malin in Bohemia to America. Horseradish isn't the only thing Fairchild gave us, either. Avocadoes, mangos, dates—find out more here. While you're at it, explore the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, another of his legacies. And for more on the horseradish, an herb prized both as a medicine and as a condiment, check out this page and its recipe links.

Finish reading Nightshade and loan your book to a friend. If you're still waiting for your name to reach the top of the library waiting list, don't despair. You can start reading right now, here. (Of course, you can always buy the book. Your purchase helps to support the Story Circle Network.)

You knew that the tomato is a nightshade, didn't you? If you didn't, you do now! Go here for the full story. This plant, native to our hemisphere, was thought to be evil and even poisonous when it was first introduced in Europe. Now, it's one of the most popular vegetables of any cuisine. It has valuable medicinal properties, as well.

Study up on licorice, an herb important enough to have its own day. For its valuable medicinal properties, check out this site. To find out how its made into a candy, go here.

This is the last week of Susan's blog tour. If you've missed the first couple of weeks, don't fret. Her posts are still available. Check out the calendar here. This week, she's visiting with two herbalists and two gardeners—and she and Bill have teamed up for a library interview. You're invited to come along. No admission, but it would be a good idea to something to drink. You might get thirsty out there.

Register your book club with Susan's Book Club Friends, and become eligible to participate in contests, giveaways, and phone chats with China's creator.

If you would have a lovely garden, You should have a lovely life. —Shaker Saying

To find out what's going on in Susan Albert's life in the Texas Hill Country, read Susan's blog.