Happy 2010!

Revenge of The Bay Tree

Once upon a time there was a tiny bay tree. It was no more than a foot in height.
It found a nice spot in our little garden in Central London. It liked its blue pot and sat just outside our window where the sun would gently warm its leaves.
Occasionally we felt brave enough to harvest the odd bay leaf to flavour some soup.
The bay tree was quite content and so were we.
But then: madness! We moved! To Holland!
This was a major upheaval for us but also for our little bay tree.
Having just about survived the journey on a bumpy removal lorry ride, it ended up being neglected outside on the roof terrace amongst a heap of junk.
No regular water. Then harsh conditions when chilly winter winds arrived.
Worst of all were the iron poles needed to keep the tree upright.
They were starting to rust.
Brown leaves appeared.
Our cute little bay tree was suffering and sick. It was not impressed at all.
However with building works finally finished and with the arrival of spring, it was gardening time at last! Now we were able to give the bay tree proper care.
We found a more secluded patch amongst other herbs in our new south facing garden.
The bay tree started to recover. Each year it grew a little more and we knew that it was in a much better place amongst friendly herbs.
Then last summer everything changed! Again!

Innocently we went away for more than 5 weeks to the other side of the world!
We drove from Washington to New York to Chicago to LA via Route 66.
Coast to coast in 33 days. Half century: I just have to do this - kind of thing.
Meantime, back at home our little tree had never had it so good.
No soups or gravies to infuse. Lots of undisturbed sunshine, plenty of water.
Nothing else to do but GROW!
When we returned, the cute little bay tree had gone!
Instead a domineering Big Mama Bay Bush ruled the herby patch! We were dumbstruck and, honestly, a bit in awe. But we knew we had to take action.
After much negotiation we reached a truce.
At the onset of winter we managed to clear a path so light would reach inside the house again. Many branches were cut and the bay leaf smell was gorgeous and overpowering.
But we were overwhelmed. We just could not cope with that many leaves.
There are only so many soups, stews or gravies we can make in a year. What a waste!
By now you would have found the answer to our dilemma in your envelope.
Sharing these little pieces of our garden amongst family and friends seems the perfect start to the new year. So why not begin it with some hearty soup flavoured with the natural goodness of Big Mama Bay Bush!
We wish everyone a warm and comforting bay-leaf-infused 2010! Love, Neil Marijke Sasha Ben

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• Happy
• New
• Year
• 2010
• animation
• bayleaves
• soup
• snow
• snowball
• smoke
• on
• mac
• osx

[NeilMarijkeSashaBen]

FURTHER NEWS FROM BAY LEAF HQ;

Reports from the UK that Big Mama Bay Bush is continuing her revenge in North London. Watch the video response (thanks Ella and family!) for full details! Shocking reports from South London are that the Bay Leaf WAS FORGOTTEN for yesterday's steak stew. A from South London confirms she needs to concentrate more.

Nearer to home, true Amsterdam stylie, bay leaves have been used to roll a spliff.

KEEP US POSTED with more Bay Leaf News from around the world!

[NeilMarijkeSashaBen]

LATEST NEWS FROM BAYLEAF HQ

We have been receiving reports of BayLeaf usage in spaghetti sauce, more soups and plans for a paella.

We had a fab mulled wine based on Jamie Olivers recipe.

Cheers!

[NeilMarijkeSashaBen]

Fantastisch! Heel leuk goed om te zien dat the Bay Leaves get put to good use!!. Echt in the spirit gedaan!

Dank ook aan degenen die ons al bericht hebben over soep successen!~ tomatensoep, erwtensoep, groentesoep van de week... en smullen maar!

grtz!!

[omgsandstorm]

hello from california! this is amy ! Your cousin Connie Bergkamp is my mom. happy new year to you as well! <3

[1234gambi]

Leuke video! We hebben zojuist soep gegeten met bayleave en er ook een filmpje van gemaakt hahahaha kijk maar bij 1234gambi op youtube.

Groeten JP

[1234gambi]

Hoi Neil, Marijke, Sasha en Ben,

wat een geinig filmpje. Jullie hebben er een heel project van gemaakt zeg! Dank voor de lekker geurige laurierblaadjes, we gaan ze zsm gebruiken!!!

Jullie ook van harte geluk gewenst voor het nieuwe jaar, dat wordt nog flink door-soepen in 2010, lijkt me......

Groetjes van Carla (van Jan Peter, Wijdenes)