A most famous flower hailing from Europe that is often used to represent a budding spring, Daffodils have been a staple decorative flower.  With little to no healing properties, it is somewhat surprising that this trumpet shaped bulb broke through the scene, but it's strength of will during cold seasons had made it a symbol of hope and prosperity.  Join us today as we discuss the daffodil. Traveling around most of the European and even some of the Asian and African continents, the daffodil...

When you think of garden plants, one of the first plants that probably comes to mind is the Garden Pansy, a three toned flower that often adorns outdoor landscaping spaces and Lowes stores.  And you'd be right to think that, because this flower has been bred for years as a beautiful addition to many home gardens and the subject of many myths.  Come listen to us talk today about the Pansy. Pansies have been a part of European conciousness for a long time.  Going all the way back to the Greeks...

Allium is one of the more under rated garden flowers.  Great for yards with lots of grass and greenery, Allium can add a pop of color into any garden.  It's related to a plant that I personally love, Garlic!  Come join us today as we discuss Allium. Allium is a super cute flower that often gets pushed to the side in favor of more typical plants.  All different and sizes and colors, this plant produces a round ball of flowers at the top of a long stalk that can make a great addition to any...

Dahlias are often revered for their great beauty.  With their tall stocks and shockingly beautiful flowers, they are well known for being a very popular wedding and garden flower.  Finding their exact history proves to be a little bit more of a challenge. Initially hailing from Central America, the Dahlia was a popular flower for native populations of the area for many years.  Although it is difficult to decern it's exact origins, as the flower was not called Dahlias by native Central...

Most people know about the Sea Anemone (how could you not if you've watched Finding Nemo), but they've gotten their name from the beautiful terrestrial Anemone.  Also known as the WindFlower, this is a flower that can open and close it's "petals".  Join us as we take a look at the beautiful bright anemone! Anemones are known for their varied and amazing color variety.  Used in gardens and sold in florist shops, it's well known across the world for it's delicate beauty.  It's had a variety of...

Welcome to our latest season of PlantStories, Garden Flowers!  In an effort to reconnect with Spring, we're looking at some of the world's most famous garden flowers and what they mean to us.  Up first is the Rose.  The most classic of all flowers, it's...

You might think that you know everything about wine.  But if our alcohol season has taught me anything, it's that nothing is like I remember it.  Made from a plant who's beginnings are much older than you might imagine, wine is a beverage we've been...

Maybe you've had some of that strong sake at your local Japanese restaurant.  Maybe you weren't a huge fan.  But like many other alcohols we've covered, there's so much more to sake than that.  It's been around for almost as long as rice and has a...

Ah, vodka.  Clearly the most malable and, I might argue, widely used distiller liquor.  Born in Eastern Europe, it has spread the world to become one of the most disirable drinks around.  But really, at what cost?  Join us today as we figure out just...

Gin is an especially botanical beverage, it's major selling point boasting the use of Juniper to make for a tasty beverage.  So where did it come from, and how did the famous Gin and Tonic come about?  Join us today as we talk about Gin, a European...

Ever had questions about the beverage referred to as "The Green Fairy"?  The truth is absinthe has quite an exciting history, tied up in war, culture, and murder.  So join us this week as we take a dive into absinthe.For many people, the idea of...

Oh ho, oh ho, a pirate's life for me!  Take a seat and swig a drink as we talk about the history of the sugarcane and how it pertains to the creation of Rum, one of the finest (and darkest) beverages around.*It now occurs to me that it's supposed to be...

Most people who've sampled Tequila or Mezcal probably has an inkling that it comes from the Agave plant.  But just what is the agave plant, and how did we get from a large succulent to a clear strong alcohol?  Come party with us this week, as we talk...

Brrrrrrandy, you're a fine drink!  What a good time you will be!  A spirit made in many different parts of the world, brandy is another distilled form of alcohol that was popularized in Europe but has probably been around almost as long as distilling. ...

For this weeks riveting episode of our Alcohol series, we explore just a little bit of the expansive world of Whiskey.  It's been around for a long time, and one of the more popular beverages from the birth of America (among many other things).   Come...

Even if you're not an alcohol drinker, you've probably encountered beer because of its permeating presence in many cultures.  It's another one of the top drinks that we consume and there are a ton of different varieties around the world.  Join us as we...

On our second Holiday Special of this winter season, join us me as I butcher a bunch of French words trying to educate everyone about Champagne, one of the fanciest wines.Okay, I'm pretty sure most of us know that Champagne comes from the province of...

We're getting our cozy winter on, while we talk about the popular winter holiday drink Eggnog.  Turns out it has nothing to do with Yule and is pretty darn American (even if there are some European origins in there).  Join us as we discuss some of the...

Another season finale is upon us.  Echinacea has a pretty short history, and is an herb that grows exclusively in North America.  Most of it's history of use resides with Native Americans and so today we are going to talk about that history and some of...

Maybe the name Calendula sounds familiar to you, but you can't quite place it?  It's a common herb used to help soothe the skin, but we've been using it for quite a long time!  Join us as we talk about the history of Calendula, a plant that's sunny...

Ah, yes.  We have finally arrived at one of my favorite subjects Tea.  With an incredibly rich history, tea is a famous beverage from across the world that seems to be common in vernacular of many parts of the world.  So just how did this beverage get...

If you've participated in any kind of aromatherapy you've probably heard the name Tea Tree thrown around quite a bit.  Where does the name Tea Tree come from and what exactly are the properties associated with it?  Today we explore some of these...

Sandalwood is probably one of the most common scents in the perfume world, known for it's woody smell.  So what is the deal with Sandalwood, and why is it so prized?  Today we are going to talk about what exactly Sandalwood is and why its one of the...

It's that special time of year... Spooky Time!  In today's episode, we feature Halloween and it's history going from a old agricultural festival into the Americanized Halloween we know and love today.  Join us as we talk about the history of the...