Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Misty Day Happy

Veda waiting ahead on the trail.

 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.

Woodland textures and color.

Many leaves are in full bloom, but some are still working hard and beginning to open.

Moss and lichen taking over a fallen log.

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...

Lichen on a tree. I love the color!!!

The lady slippers are beginning to bloom!!!

Love fern, love the symmetry.

Don't be shy, stand tall and bloom Lady Slipper!

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.

Mountain Laurel branches are so windy.

Walking, observing, calling the dogs... Testing out how comfy the sample indigo dyed skirt is.

I want to be able to walk for miles.
And explore new place.
Find new favorite trees.

Deciduous. Everything is blooming.

A look into the side wood.

American Sarsparilla is everywhere right now! And blooming!!!

American Sarsparilla flowers.

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.)

Ferns unfurling in perfect harmony.

A group of fiddleheads reaching high and leafing out.

Vibrant green ferns.

Little brook we came across.

In some areas there is a sea of ferns!

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.

One of the main paths. This one in particular is one of my favorites in the park. There is something comforting and calming about this particular part of the trail.

More ferns unfurling.

Wild violets, what a sweet find, hiding under all the lush foliage!

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.

Monday, May 26, 2014

Wild Tide

A peaceful moment driving along a coastal road in Magnolia.

I enjoy watching the ocean breathe over the rocks along the coast.

A view along the coastal road. Looking out at the ocean and towards a neighboring town.

Kettle Island.

Beach roses and beyond that an ocean front estate.


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!



Saturday, May 24, 2014

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!






Thursday, May 22, 2014

Garden Majesty

The kale has gone wild!

And it has gone to flower (it was left over from last season).

This kale has turned into a giant bush, almost as tall as me!

Anise Hyssop coming back for another season!

The lavender made it through... Can't wait for it to flower!

Happy garlic!!!

Oregano


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...)

.........................................

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!


@larch_and_lager in her little owl "three sisters" hoodie holding a beautiful bouquet. Via instagram.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

handful of garden fresh herbs for tea.

oregano, thyme and lemonbalm make a fantastic herbal tisane!

Vibrant spring greens, the first of the herbs to be abundant enough to harvest for tea!


<<<<<>>>>>
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.
<<<<<>>>>>




Friday, May 16, 2014

Rhus Typhina

Staghorn sumac starting to leaf out.

Staghorn sumac.




~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?