Gail Banks, president of the Memphis Herb Society, has a country garden and Victorian home in a once rural section of DeSoto County.

Her herb garden is surrounded by a iron fence and filled with all kinds of culinary herbs and an arbor covered with Carolina jessamine.

An old iron bedstead frames a collection of perennials and annuals. On a "night stand" next to it, Gail has attached a teapot, tea cup and saucer, just one of the clues to her love of tea and giving tea parties.

You can read more about her favorite way to entertain in a story I wrote for the Wednesday Aug. 9th edition of the Commercial Appeal's Food section.

Gail also grows lots of old-fashioned roses and she uses the petals to flavor cakes, jellies, jams, tea sandwiches and beverages.

Visiting Gail at her home is a delight for the senses. You will see her inviting front porch and lovingly executed decor; you can smell her roses and, no doubt, the aroma of something she has baked just for you; you will hear her soothing southern accent and feel the warmth and hospitality she exudes.

Here are a few of the photos I took while interviewing Gail for the Commercial Appeal.

You can read the story at http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/lifestyle