On sunny days like this....

I just have to take a moment to go lay in the grass and feel the sun on my face while the dogs run and play.

<<<<<>>>>>

Things have been a bit wonky lately.

A crazy lunar eclipse and full moon madness and now Mercury is in retrograde.
This means that it was a bad idea for me to make an appointment to bring my car to the shop for them to fix a few things (that has turned into a week of me not having my car).

I have succumbed to the fact that I just shouldn't plan anything and let go of expecting to fully accomplish things. I have a "to-do" list that feels about a mile long, with very few things crossed off
.

I still haven't finished going through and editing the gazillion photos from California.

I need to actually MAKE the applesauce (instead of just sifting thought the apples sitting in boxed on the kitchen floor turning into worm food). And on that note I still need to make pickles...
Oh, and I missed the goldenrod (although, I still have my heart set on finding a small secret patch that is blooming just right to make herbal immune honey with).

With that said, it has been beautiful out. We have gotten some much needed rain, but lately the weather has been perfect! I have been working with a friend in her garden and helping her catch up with herbal products. I have been feeling some severe wanderlust, but haven't gone far (sad!). There are a few things I have gotten done, though and am slowly chipping away at the list:
I have started Fire Cider,
teasel root tincture,
Kloss' liniment (pictured above)
and tulsi-rose honey.
I made a big batch of elderberry syrup (woo!). The whole house lives on this stuff.
And I have a new design- that needs photographing and listing, ha!- and have a few new things I am working on debuting in the shop.

How have you been, lovelies?

<<<<<>>>>>

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.
<<<<<>>>>>

Healing through the earth

Powerful and thought-provoking words of wisdom from Paul Stamen.

.....

I have found in my work with plants as not only food, but medicine, that mycology is showing itself to be more and more important to the health and wellness of both humans and then environment.

Powerful and potent, I have seen wonderful healing resulting from using different fungi as part of or as a whole healing modality.

Now, if we can just learn how to listen and continue to stay in that flow, imagine the possibilities?

There seems to be unavoidable shifts going on in my life,

the kinds that even if I wanted to protest or put a stop to it there is no option,

time keeps moving on,

and yet standing still.

I am endlessly happy, but also have some sadness in my heart.

These are things that I grow stronger and better from.

I am learning to let go of control and just trust myself in return...

I have been living by the new Feist album.

It seems to be covering all the emotions I am feeling

and evoking all of the strength that my spirit needs.

I can't even really put it into words.

Lately I have been thankful for my knowledge of using plants as medicine,

Elderberry (syrup) has been a real comfort for this obstinate cough that seems to persist

and for the numerous herbal tea concoctions that I combine for health and for pleasure...

Have I ever mentioned how grateful I am for tea?

In my mind it is a perfect and invaluable medicine,

both for the body and the soul.

When I do consultations or educate others about herbal medicine

making tea is always the first and foremost remedy that I teach.

It is a wonderful way to be present in the process of your own healing.

It requires more than just swallowing a pill or gulping down a tincture.

You have to have patience,

to wait for the time to pass and then slowly sip...

There is a need for purpose.

The plant world has helped me find purpose.

It is a lifestyle and a passion, not just an interest, hobby or job.

It is steep in passion which creates relationships with these green spirits.

A quick Elderberry syrup recipe:

1 cup fresh (or 1/2 cup dried) elderberries (always the blue ones!)

3 cups water

1 cup honey

In a saucepan bring elderberries to a boil in the water, then reduce and simmer for 30-45 minutes.

When done, smash the berries and strain the mixture through a fine cheesecloth.

Add the cup of honey (or honey to taste, which is what I do because I never really measure anything!)

Bottle and store in the refrigerator.

Should keep for a few months.

*Optional to add while simmering:

Ginger

Echinacea

Astragalus

Happy medicine making!

...

Things that I am grateful for today:

-Tea.

-That spark in my solar plexus that makes me want to create...

and have a dance party, even if I'm all by myself.

-Knowledge... Of any kind, this directly connects us to the universe, to spirit.

-Laughter and good friends to share it with.

-Music that speaks directly to my soul.

What are you thankful today?

I love the colors out in nature this time of year!

The holly is so happy (maybe because it has been let to run completely wild...) and has sprout vibrant red berries!

The leaves on the trees are all turning golden yellow

and there seems to be a whole lot of mycology thriving!

I was excited when looking at the woodpile the other day at how many of the logs had mushrooms growing on them!

It was kind of like a treasure hunt of sorts...

Ones woodpile: utilitarian for sure.

For warmth, for life... for medicine?

I was excited to see turkey tails growing,

they are one of my favorite medicinals!

They are great for the immune system and help to invigorate the spirit.

It is amazing seeing things around us that we never think of as having a purpose, never think of as medicine.

But just like humans thrive on interaction and relationships, so do these plants and fungi.

They like to be used and honored.

They know they have gifts to give.

The ones with the gills are unknown to me, any thoughts?

Do you use plants or mushrooms as medicine?

Do you have a favorite?