A couple weeks ago.
When things were lush and green.
And harvesting was really just beginning.
Admiring everything in bloom and the bees happy dance.
Showing posts with label lavender. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lavender. Show all posts
Friday, August 29, 2014
Monday, August 4, 2014
Harvest: Food is your Medicine.
With the unending anticipation of moving (and not an exact date... yet.), my garden space has been set free a bit. I have done very little planting and most of what grows are perennial or re-seeded from last year. Except the garlic. That I made sure to plant last fall.
There are always a few staple plants I make sure to plant. I tend to be more of an herbal gardener, I encourage herbs and flowers (many of which are considered weeds) to grow and to use both in and as food or medicine. Among the verdure springing forth from the earth are staples, such as sage, thyme and basil, as well as lavender, lemonbalm, calendula, anise hyssp, chamomile, and echinacea. Plus a few wild volunteers, like the St. John's wort, mugwort, evening primrose... But aside from these plants whose delicate leaves and flowers I harvest, I always try to plant garlic. Even if it is just a few cloves to have a few homegrown bulbs.
It was difficult a few years ago when I moved in winter and had to leave my whole garden, many of the plants I had for over 10 years and had moved with me from a handful of different locations. I had a relationship with these plants, I tended them and harvested them year to year and they provided me with sustenance and healing. But then there are times to let go. It is good to start fresh and to develop relationships with plants who grow wild.
There are always a few staple plants I make sure to plant. I tend to be more of an herbal gardener, I encourage herbs and flowers (many of which are considered weeds) to grow and to use both in and as food or medicine. Among the verdure springing forth from the earth are staples, such as sage, thyme and basil, as well as lavender, lemonbalm, calendula, anise hyssp, chamomile, and echinacea. Plus a few wild volunteers, like the St. John's wort, mugwort, evening primrose... But aside from these plants whose delicate leaves and flowers I harvest, I always try to plant garlic. Even if it is just a few cloves to have a few homegrown bulbs.
It was difficult a few years ago when I moved in winter and had to leave my whole garden, many of the plants I had for over 10 years and had moved with me from a handful of different locations. I had a relationship with these plants, I tended them and harvested them year to year and they provided me with sustenance and healing. But then there are times to let go. It is good to start fresh and to develop relationships with plants who grow wild.
So now these few plants growing out in the yard are extra special.
So the other day I noticed it was time for the garlic to be dug up. There is nothing like harvesting your own food, with the intention of well being and nourishment. And as I slowly moved through the little spaces where plants weren't growing to harvest the garlic bulbs, I thought about what I would use it for. Of course some will be used as food, added to pizzas, sauces, stir fry, etc.. But some will be made into remedies and added to honey for fighting off colds and flus in the colder months.
The garden is such a wonderful sanctuary. A place of calm and peace. Regeneration.
Do you have a garden space?
What things do you grow?
So the other day I noticed it was time for the garlic to be dug up. There is nothing like harvesting your own food, with the intention of well being and nourishment. And as I slowly moved through the little spaces where plants weren't growing to harvest the garlic bulbs, I thought about what I would use it for. Of course some will be used as food, added to pizzas, sauces, stir fry, etc.. But some will be made into remedies and added to honey for fighting off colds and flus in the colder months.
The garden is such a wonderful sanctuary. A place of calm and peace. Regeneration.
Do you have a garden space?
What things do you grow?
Thursday, May 22, 2014
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...)
.........................................
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!
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!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Very Fine House, Vibeke, and Lola Nova... This is for you!
Ok.
Here we go...
This is WAAAAAY overdue and for that I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart!
Now, first and foremost I want to say THANK YOU!!!
There are 3 wonderful packages that I received from 3 wonderful people!!!
I won these lovely bird related beauties from a giveaway on Micaela's blog Dolce Vita.
It is a wonderful blog by a wonderful girl!
The gifts are from Kate at Very Fine House!
I love birds and was so excited when I won this!!!
I love them both!
Next, a HUGE thank you to Vibeke from a butterfly in my hair!!!
I LOVE her blog so much, she always has such wonderful photos to look at!
I signed up for her Pay It Forward and she sent me the most wonderful package of goodies!!!
First I opened the card... A Dottie Angel card! Amazing!
But it got better!!!
Next was a little package of all her favorite herbal teas.
I LOVE tea and drink it all day long!
So I can't wait to try these ones, they sound so delicious!
And last, she sent me 2 little faery tales wrapped in the most beautiful paper (shown under all the display of goodies).
They are absolutely precious and I love children's books, so I was very happy!
Thank you so much, Vibeke!!!!!
And lastly, but most recently, my Pay It Forward from Alex over at Lola Nova-Whatever Lola Wants.
Again, another spot on gift!
I couldn't be more appreciative!
First was a wonderful crocheted ornament which I cannot wait to hang!
Also, there was a wonderful hand sewn pouch... WITH OWLS!!!
I was so excited to see this, what a great personal touch!
And inside was a hand printed, hand sewn lavender sachet.
I LOVE lavender and thought this was a great addition because I noticed how wonderful the package smelled before I even tore into the beautiful wrapping!
(I also love her personal postcard!)
Alex, you really did a wonderful job, I love it all!!!
Whew! That was a lot!
So now it will be my turn to post another Pay It Forward which I will do in a few days.
I am sorry it took so long to share a post with my thank you's,
but I will have to blame it all on my finicky camera
which would not let me upload photos for a while.
Obviously problem solved...
After much time at the computer store and on the phone with the computer people and spending unnecessary money to fix a problem that wasn't really the problem at all...
Oh well, live and learn... Right?!?
*Much Love*
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