Lately I have been in love with the Hawthorn tree, زعرور in Arabic (za3rour).   This beautiful thorny tree has leaves that look like parsley, sharp thorny branches, and edible berries that grow in the fall.  It grows wild in various parts of Jordan, and can be found all over the Dibeen forest (the video … More Hawthorn زعرور

Growing up for Lent, we were often encouraged to give something up for the 40 day fast before Easter.  Giving up chocolate for an extended period of time, for me is always a big accomplishment.  While I haven’t fasted or given anything up for lent in a very long time, I am fascinated by the … More Lent – Spring

Lately I have been fascinated by all the plants that have references to Mary in their names.  Rosemary, Meramieh (Arabic for sage), Bukhoor Maryam (Arabic for Maryams incense referring to the native cyclamen flower – will discuss at a later point).  There seem to be so many references to Mary, even to plants that don’t … More Plants with Mary in their name