Parsley, Sage, Rosemary… and Me

How I’m Creating My Own Happiness

When I was a kid learning piano, there was a simple tune in my book called “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.” For reasons I can’t fully explain, that song planted itself in my memory and has lived there ever since.

At the time, it was just another practice piece, something my small hands stumbled through. But as I grew older and found myself more and more at home in the kitchen and garden, that little melody kept coming back to me. It became a soundtrack in the background of my life—reminding me of the beauty in simple things.

Fast forward to today: I have my own herb garden. And while thyme didn’t make it into this year’s planting, I stepped outside this morning and harvested parsley, sage, rosemary, oregano, and basil—fragrant handfuls of green inspiration. As I carried them into the kitchen, I smiled to myself, thinking how full-circle it felt.

What once was just a childhood piano exercise has become a kind of gentle guide. Every time I make a one-skillet chicken dish or season lamb for roasting, that little song comes back to me. And it’s a reminder that sometimes the things we crave, the whispers from childhood, or the ideas tucked away in our subconscious are actually invitations—to create our own happiness, to root ourselves in the things that delight us, to bring old songs into new seasons.

I’ve learned that joy doesn’t always come in grand, sweeping gestures. Sometimes, it’s in the way fresh herbs perfume a kitchen, or how a melody reminds you that you can choose to make life soulful and delicious.

Today, I turned that harvest into dinner. Here’s the recipe, in case you’d like to bring a little music of your own to the table.

Herby Skillet Chicken with Garden Herbs

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or breasts if you prefer)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 small onion, finely sliced

• 1 handful fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 handful fresh basil leaves, chopped

• 1 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped

• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

• 1 tsp fresh oregano, chopped

• Juice of 1 lemon

• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Pat the chicken dry and season generously with salt and pepper.

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down until golden and crispy (about 5–6 minutes), then flip and cook another 5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.

3. In the same pan, sauté onions and garlic until softened and fragrant.

4. Stir in the fresh herbs, letting them release their aroma in the oil.

5. Return chicken to the skillet. Squeeze over lemon juice, cover, and let cook on low for 20–25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

6. Garnish with extra parsley or basil and serve with roasted potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the herby juices.

Maybe for you it isn’t a piano tune—it could be a childhood flavor, a smell, or a simple memory. But those things are worth paying attention to. They can guide you toward creating a life that feels present, grounded, and joyful.

After all, happiness isn’t only found out there somewhere—it’s often waiting right here, in your own kitchen, garden, or heart. And if you’ve been here long enough, you know we’re all about creating your own!