Misty Day Happy

 I love days like these.

Heavy, foggy, damp.

The woods feel more alive and you can almost see the plant life

growing right in front of you as you pass by.

It is all so alive.

Truly alive and breathing.

And I am realizing that I constantly need this force in my everyday life.

I need alive

and wild,

and birdsong,

and green... and brown...

Trees and leaves and flowers.

And mountains and oceans...

I need to live where things are wild and free.

Where there are more animals roaming than people.

I need to smell the forest floor, of limbs and leaves decomposing.

I want to be able to walk for miles.

And explore new place.

Find new favorite trees.

I miss the mountains.

I love the ocean, but I yearn to live where the mountains meet the sea.

I think that is the Capricorn in me.

But water is a necessity.

(There is also Aquarian in me.)

I need to roam

and explore.

To work for a breath-taking view.

Ramble my way through fern and bramble,

scramble up past trees- reaching out to touch the bark as I pass.

Looking around, there are so many things to catch my eye, both big and small.

It is a good reminder to slow down and really look around.

There is no rush here.

Wild Tide

On a trip through my old stomping ground last week.
Only about 5 minutes from where I live now, but really, it is a whole different world over there.
This road wraps around the coast and all you see is ocean for miles!

When You Have To Wait...

The other day I had to run some "errands". These were enjoyable, I got to drive my new car (did I mention I had to get a new car? A VW Jetta TDI Sportswagon, yeah baby!!!), the day was beautiful, picking up eggs from a friend on the way to stopping at the farm store a couple towns over for local milk... I got to the store a little early and decided to wait the 20 minutes in the car until they were open.

Sunroof open (I have an AMAZING sunroof, it is HUGE!!!), windows down, sunny with a slight breeze and in the mid 60's. The dogs were tuckered out and napping from their morning woodland adventure and were now enjoying the sunlight streaming in.

Sometimes it is really easy to get swept up in the moment and forget to (quite literally) stop to smell the roses. While I was sitting, waiting, I realized there was a beautiful blooming tree right in front of me!

So, don't forget to look UP!

Garden Majesty

The garden will be minimal this year, while we are preparing to explore and transition.
I hope it won't mind...
There are still a few left-over kale plants that have exploded and become regal kale bushes plopped dead center of all the vibrantly growing herb perennials.

On the list of "old friends" coming back for another round, another year are the endless sea of calendula (which spread themselves like wildfire each year, HOORAY!!!), lavender, anise hyssop, echinacea (for the bees!), thyme, oregano and sage. There are also a few carrots and parsley plants that are growing on  of their own will, we will see what happens. I am also eagerly awaiting verbena to pop up, I was hoping it seeded itself, but I haven't had great luck with this in the past.

The garlic is getting bigger as well! After waiting all winter to see green shoots, but only seeing brown earth and white mounds, it is finally up and off like a rocket! I was worried it wasn't protected enough, but lo and behold! Garlic a plenty!
(well, there is never really enough garlic, if I must be honest...)

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A lovely new friend (via Instagram, how wonderful!!!) posted a couple wonderful photos of herself in her beloved Little Owl "Three Sisters" hoodie in front of a towering lilac bush. It was fantastic, and then she posted this photo below.
Swoon, right?!? (Many thanks, Lo!)
That bouquet, just the perfect little wildflower collection to match the charcoal of the hoodie!

I am so honored she let me use her beautiful photos.
I have to be honest, I have found photographing my screen printed clothing very challenging and have yet to really be satisfied with any of the photos I have taken myself.
So, here is inspiration and a challenge to myself to work harder, to get better, to create photos that are beyond lovely and make you just want to jump in and get cozy, or tug at delicate heart strings.
There. I've said it, now I must work to follow through!

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I have been waiting all winter (and it has been a long one) for these green leaves!

There is nothing like a fresh, herby tisane.

This one will include oregano, thyme and lemonbalm (one of my absolute favorites and one I have a special healing connection to). I am a religious tea drinker, it is part of my everyday spiritual path. It is morning, noon and nighttime ritual. And I prefer tea as my chosen healing modality.

Making a cup of tea, whether for healing or for pleasure, engages the participant. It encourages one to be a direct part of their own wellbeing. You have to prepare, wait, pour, steep, breath in, sip...

Tea invokes fluidity and patience.

It is a balm for the soul.

Slowing down, you can sit and truly enjoy that moment.
True connection.
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Rhus Typhina

~Staghorn Sumac~

I am patiently waiting for the sumac to "flower" for dyeing.

I had such wonderful variation last year, I am curious to see what this year brings.

Definitely one of my favorites!

Do you have a favorite plant?