About Me
I am, Laurine Byrne, a Master Gardener and Landscape Designer here in Zone 5 in Illinois. The Charmed Path shares my love of nature, gardens, gardening, cooking fresh from the garden, and designing gardens. I share my gardening tips, design tips, recipes, the best nature paths and prairie gardens. In our shop we bring the garden to your table with vintage items that are worthy of the meal you share, or create just for yourself.
Not all of us like to garden, but all of us can enjoy the benefits of a garden with a walk in green spaces or a picnic. I hope The Charmed Path will inspire you to find a place to plant yourself and absorb the good vibes from Mother Nature, then bring those vibes back home with you.
Featured Posts
Gardening with Herbs
Herbs in the garden are magical to me. They certainly give more than they take because they’re so very easy to grow. They attract pollinators, which increases the bounty in…
Plentiful Pollinators
I designed our Community Garden pollinator beds. Take a look and see what plants you might be able to include in your garden beds this Spring.
Soup, There it is!
Minestrone is a slightly sweet, mellow, tomato rich soup that even people who say they hate vegetables will like. Really.
18th Nov, 2021
Zucchini Cherry Walnut Muffins made with Gluten Free Flour
A recipe for gluten free zucchini cherry muffins with the added twist of lemon and walnuts. A moist, slightly sweet, richly textured treat for any time of the day. Read More
22nd Sep, 2021
Roasted Orange Tomato Soup with Thai Basil
Roasted tomato basil soup with a twist, using orange Roma Tomatoes and Purple Thai Basil. Read More
20th Jun, 2021
Gardening with Herbs
Herbs in the garden are magical to me. They certainly give more than they take because they’re so very easy to grow. They attract pollinators, which increases the bounty in your veggie garden. Their aromas… Read More
22nd Oct, 2019
The Big Beautiful Beet
Beets are beautiful and delicious. Roast your beets with your herbs for a spectacular salad. Read More
4th Aug, 2019
Plentiful Pollinators
I designed our Community Garden pollinator beds. Take a look and see what plants you might be able to include in your garden beds this Spring. Read More
24th Jan, 2019
The Winter Garden
Winter is a great time to take a visual inventory of your garden. Read More
15th Nov, 2018
Recipe for Apple, Carrot and Coconut Soup
A vegan soup recipe even meat eaters will like, just in time for your Thanksgiving Table. Read More
7th Nov, 2018
Slow Cooker Applesauce from the Windy City
Easy as it is delicious. This is a simple recipe for homemade applesauce that will become a favorite sugar free treat whether for yourself, for baking, or for giving. Read More
23rd Sep, 2018
Soup, There it is!
Minestrone is a slightly sweet, mellow, tomato rich soup that even people who say they hate vegetables will like. Really. Read More
22nd Oct, 2019
The Big Beautiful Beet
Beets are beautiful and delicious. Roast your beets with your herbs for a spectacular salad. Read More
15th Nov, 2018
Recipe for Apple, Carrot and Coconut Soup
A vegan soup recipe even meat eaters will like, just in time for your Thanksgiving Table. Read More
7th Nov, 2018
Slow Cooker Applesauce from the Windy City
Easy as it is delicious. This is a simple recipe for homemade applesauce that will become a favorite sugar free treat whether for yourself, for baking, or for giving. Read More
23rd Sep, 2018
Soup, There it is!
Minestrone is a slightly sweet, mellow, tomato rich soup that even people who say they hate vegetables will like. Really. Read More
4th Aug, 2019
Plentiful Pollinators
I designed our Community Garden pollinator beds. Take a look and see what plants you might be able to include in your garden beds this Spring. Read More
25th Jul, 2018
Summer Break in a Shakespeare Garden
A garden filled with native wildflowers and bushes is the perfect spot to watch the Moraine Valley Community College Theater perform Shakespeare or to just find your happy place. Read More
12th Jan, 2018
Winter Break
Trees can be beautiful garden inspiration in the doldrums of the winter. Read More
31st Oct, 2017
For Garden Inspiration, Think Big!!
Fall is a beautiful time of year. If you have a vegetable garden, you’re pretty much done with the harvest, unless you’re the one with the cold frame. If you’re a flower gardener, you’re also… Read More
27th Jul, 2017
Design inspiration in a Mid-Summer Night’s Shakespeare Garden
Small Shakespeare Garden uses simple design techniques to create a beautiful walk and a relaxing space. Read More
16th May, 2018
Front Yard Garden Design
Solve the problem of a soggy garden with the perfect design. Read More
5th Apr, 2018
The Dreaded Spring Freeze
Planning ahead helps keep your garden view bright through a chilly spring. Read More
19th Feb, 2018
Winter Beauty
No matter the size of your yard, you can have a beautiful, easy to care for, colorful trees and bushes. Read More
19th Nov, 2017
Good Garden Feels All Year Round
A well planned garden will bring happiness all year round. Read More
31st Oct, 2017
For Garden Inspiration, Think Big!!
Fall is a beautiful time of year. If you have a vegetable garden, you’re pretty much done with the harvest, unless you’re the one with the cold frame. If you’re a flower gardener, you’re also… Read More
9th Oct, 2017
Brilliant Fall Colors are Not Just in the Trees
How to Add Fall Color in your Perennial Garden Read More
10th Jul, 2017
Mid-Summer in the Garden
Time to think about design to connect your veggie garden to the rest of your yard. Read More
7th Mar, 2017
Small Garden Design Inspiration
Who says you can’t garden surrounded by cement? Check out this small garden design for inspiration. Read More
Recipes
Soup, There it is!
Almost Homemade Gluten Free Blueberry Lemon Muffins
Recipe for almost homemade Gluten Free blueberry lemon muffins This… Read More
Roasted Orange Tomato Soup with Thai Basil
Orange Romas plusThai Basil equalsa Garden Bounty for a delicious… Read More
The Big Beautiful Beet
Ruby Red Beets fresh from our Garden Beets add brilliant… Read More
Recipe for Apple, Carrot and Coconut Soup
The last of the last Farmers Market near us was… Read More
Slow Cooker Applesauce from the Windy City
Mother Nature has taken her time, but the cold has… Read More
Some Assembly (and Patience) Required
The past few weeks here in Oak Lawn, a south… Read More
It’s Better than Chicken Noodle Soup
Hello Everyone – Well we caught it. All but one… Read More
Your Favorite Skillet Hash
Holidays are over and the feasting has turned to fasting. … Read More
Homemade Holiday Cheer
Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Brownies Hey Gardeners… Read More
Quick Easy Savory Sweet Potatoes
It’s flat out winter here. So we’re cooking more and… Read More
Zen In the Kitchen
Here in Oak Lawn, the weather is cool (no snow… Read More
Roast ’em if You Got ’em
Over the last week I’ve harvested the last of the… Read More
Chili – ‘Nuf Said
It’s a beautiful fall day, not a cloud in the… Read More
Rosemary’s Sweet Side
Hello Everyone I’m delivering on my promise for a recipe… Read More
Shop
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French Crystal Wine Glass Set by Cristal De Flandres in the Salzburg pattern$37.50 -
Cut Fern Crystal Wine Glasses Set of 7$60.00 -
Noritake Hand Painted, Made in Japan, Creamer and Sugar Set$28.00 -
Vintage Wedgwood Greenwood Demitasse Cups and Saucers$20.00 -
Mid Century Champagne Coupe Cut Crystal Glasses Sold in Pairs$52.00 -
Blue Ridge Southern Pottery Sunny Spray Saucer Set of Six$16.00