I am a Jamaican woman in my 50s, a container gardener, and a herbal tea lover who grows what she drinks. After a season of loss, illness, and eventually Hurricane Melissa, I began growing herbs and food more intentionally in a small space. What started as a garden became part of my journey toward wellness, purpose, confidence, and a more intentional life. Here you will find my container gardening journey, traditional Jamaican bush tea recipes and rituals, small-space growing ideas, and honest reflections on life as a woman in her 50s. This is a space for the lessons, discoveries, and simple rituals that help me keep growing, one pot, one cup, and one small step at a time.
I Didn't Know I Was Building Her
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Hello Reader, Today I woke up unusually peaceful, and it got me thinking about the woman I have become. At 50+, I can see my life hasn't been a straight line. It started with a job in radio that I thought was administrative, until I was handed a receipt book and told to go into sales. I was also given the microphone, which led me to artistes' interviews, hosting events, crocheting for joy, and tending a little container garden. I realized that I didn't know I was building her. Every skill I taught myself, every "no" and every detour became part of who I am today. And I have learned that not everything I love has to become a business. If you are in a season of figuring things out, I hope my story reminds you that small things can grow. Read the full story here: I Didn’t Know I Was Building Her. Have a lovely weekend and happy October 2026. Gillian 💛 |
Gillian Larmond | Queen Gee
I am a Jamaican woman in my 50s, a container gardener, and a herbal tea lover who grows what she drinks. After a season of loss, illness, and eventually Hurricane Melissa, I began growing herbs and food more intentionally in a small space. What started as a garden became part of my journey toward wellness, purpose, confidence, and a more intentional life. Here you will find my container gardening journey, traditional Jamaican bush tea recipes and rituals, small-space growing ideas, and honest reflections on life as a woman in her 50s. This is a space for the lessons, discoveries, and simple rituals that help me keep growing, one pot, one cup, and one small step at a time.
Hello Reader I hope your day is going well. A few months ago, I place a blue vervain cutting in a glass of water to root. It is now a flourishing plant in my container garden, and I have rooted a second cutting, so I will have enough to share with anyone who stops by. Last week I also researched Jamaican blue vervain. Tradition calls it a nerve herb. Scientists have only studied it in labs and animals, so I share it as tradition and personal experience, not proof. Read the full post here. I...
Hello Reader, I hope you're having a peaceful Sunday and are looking forward to a new week filled with possibilities. As we step into another week, I want to encourage you to keep growing, keep learning, and keep making room for the things that bring meaning and joy to your life. For me, one of those things is my little backyard container garden. 🌱 I am currently experimenting with growing cucumbers, and I'm excited to see what happens next! I'm growing it because I enjoy eating it, but also...
Hi Reader, If you have been following my container garden journey or brewing along with recipes from The Herbal Tea Wellness Starter Guide, you know how much I love keeping things simple, intentional, and rooted in traditional Caribbean wellness. Whether I'm harvesting fresh mint from my containers or steeping a soothing cup of soursop leaf tea after a busy week, I frequently get asked the same couple of questions: Queen Gee, where do you source the herbs you can't grow yourself? What...