My friend Jeannie is always looking out for us.
When she saw large pots of basil at Trader Joe’s for $2.99, she knew it was a good deal (way cheaper than buying a bag at the grocery store), so she bought us a plant.
And look what showed up at our front doorstep! Mmm, it smelled SO delicious! Along with a beautiful iris bouquet from her yard.
You can never have enough fresh basil, right?
Especially as our tomatoes continue to ripen. I can already taste our roasted tomatoes with fresh basil and lots of garlic, as the plant has grown to full size now. Yum!
My husband and I especially love our garden tours through Jeannie’s beautiful yard!
Hospitality happens non-stop for Jeannie. And we are often the lucky recipients!
Do you buy basil in the store, or do you grow your own?
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this “icon” portrays a great message. It says that dinner parties are attainable, they are affordable, and that they can be beautiful even when on a budget. 
Every time I bought basil in the store, half of it went bad before I could use it…it was a race to use it up. Now I make sure I buy a couple plants each year. I plan to let some branches go to seed and plant those next year. My sister does that and says the "from seed" basil is hardier.
[Reply]
So thoughtful and lovely, we try to do the same with the seedlings we start each spring… give a man a fish and…
[Reply]
I want to be like Jeannie when I grow up… living a life with a generous, hospitable attitude. You wrote once that anyone can take hospitable attitude anywhere, even to the grocery store. With God's help I'll learn to do that.
[Reply]
In the summer I grow my own! I've got two plants tucked into planter boxes on my deck (easy access to the kitchen). I've got basil plants tucked into my veggie garden…plus the dark purple variety are just pretty to look at!
[Reply]
In the summer I always grow my own herbs. Basil is one of my faves! I love to make pesto or have fresh basil for my tomatoes & mozz. Yummy! Enjoy! What a nice friend. Love your inspiring site!
[Reply]
I'm blessed by the Florida weather when it comes to growing herbs, veggies and other edibles. My herb garden produces year round with the exeption of a few tender herbs. I love to crush a leaf or two in my fingers when I'm in my garden and keep the scent with me. Mmmmm.
Blessings!
[Reply]
I always buy it in the store, but I'm going to hit our Trader Joe's and see if I can get myself a plant. I know the perfect place for it. Thanks!
[Reply]
You bet I grow my own! I love cooking with basil and especially in salads!
[Reply]
I have a lovely basil plant on my kitchen window sill but don't know what to use it for besides tomatoes and speg. sauce. I can't seem to use it fast enough and need some new ways to use it. Any ideas?
[Reply]
I wish my basil plant was looking as healthy as that!! Love having fresh basil on hand…
[Reply]
My basil comes from my mama. She always has an overflowing supply from her garden.
[Reply]
What beautiful basil! I do grow miine in the summer, and try my best not to buy it at the store during the winter-it makes it seem so much more special that way!
Waiting on tomatoes to ripen so we can enjoy them together!
[Reply]
I'm growing my own this year….yummy! along with thyme, oregano, parsley and chives, oh and some cilantro…
[Reply]
Yummmm…grow my own!
[Reply]
What a wonderful friend!
I use to have a herb garden in my old house…I just buy it!
Oh…how I love Traders Joes!!!
sandy toe
[Reply]
I plant in the spring AND buy full grown pots in the summer because I can never get enough basil : )
PESTO on hot whole grain spaghetti….yum.
deb meyers
[Reply]
For the first time this year I am growing my own…and loving EVERY minute of it!!!
Jamie
[Reply]
I got some 'trader joe' basil too and am enjoying it alot. I got it mothers day weekend. I usually buy at growers market. Never have started from seed…doubt if that would work for me. Wish we had a Trader Joes closer to us!!!!
[Reply]
We grow our own along with oregano, chives, italian parsley and cilantro. I LOVE herbs!
[Reply]
I'm growing my own for the second summer….that and a few more herbs. When I started cooking with some fresh ones and saw the prices in the grocery, I thought "I can do this!"
Jeannie sounds like a real treasure!
[Reply]
first year growing!!!! and it is doing great.
[Reply]
I have a basil plant that we use. I love it! I am hosting Bunco this month and need to have three $5.00 gifts prepared for winners. Guess what they are getting…a basil plant and some basil recipes on recipe cards!
[Reply]
I "borrow" a bunch from my very generous neighbor's garden! All the pleasure with none of the work. Ha!
[Reply]
I was "borrowing" basil from our very generous neighbor too, until one day I "borrowed" too much. I put in in water and never got around to using it. That basil ended up living through the winter in nothing more than water!!! So this spring I planted it, and lo and behold — I don't have to "borrow" anymore. I just pick from my "borrowed" transplant.
[Reply]
Since I've been seriously laid up… my garden has become a sad, sad state of affairs. Lettuce and brocolie bolted, herbs bolted… but on the upside… the tomatoes and cukes are going CRAZY!!!
[Reply]