stitching a good heart of green

Stitching and mending the earth flag continues with a good heart of green. And every now and then I get the urge to work in my art journal. 

Elderberry syrup was made using homegrown elderberries from the freezer. Here is how...simmer one cup fresh or frozen berries (or 1/2 cup dried) in two cups water until reduced by half; strain and cool; stir in three quarters cup of raw honey, store in refrigerator. You can add a cinnamon stick and a few whole cloves to the simmering process, if desired. I use a big spoonful of the syrup in my hot water and lemon in the morning. It seems to help with my coffee withdrawal symptoms as well as my cold and cough symptoms. Since I was already miserable, I just went all in and quit the coffee too. 

The nettle patch is beginning to fill in. For this year's spring clean-up, I'm incorporating the permaculture method of chop & drop as much as possible to recycle nutrients and build better soil. A form of as-you-go sheet composting, you just chop up dried stems and stalks into small pieces, leave the dried leaves right where they are, and then cover it all with a generous layer of soil, compost or other mulch. 

Many times throughout the day, I go outside and stand as close to the beehive as I can to watch the bees just to make sure they're going to make it. Then I visit each little tree and shrub I planted last year just to make sure it'll make it. Saying grow, baby, grow. I will take care of you. 

Thanks for visiting and happy weekending to you. xx