lots of cookie baking going on

our family learned to love the flavor of anise from living in southern france. many people associate southern france with either lavender or, perhaps, herbes de drovence which is an aromatic mixture of dried provençal herbs and spices (raditionally includes thyme, basil, rosemary, tarragon, savory, marjoram, oregano, and bay leaf). but, as far as i am concerned, the real scent of southern france is anise–specifically the anise smell of wild fennel.  nise is not a flavor little kids normally like without some repeated exposure. for our kids, and for steve and i for that matter, when we smell anise, we are instantly transported to our tiny village in southern france, where my arms would get whipped by the wild fennel as we drive along the narrow rural roads.

star anise (Illicium verum)