tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33825418363689818652024-02-25T01:28:51.410-07:00woman with wingswoman with wingsPeggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.comBlogger717125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-77693446627566402572020-09-18T13:45:00.003-06:002020-09-18T14:46:02.647-06:00still here...<p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvA5NNqLOT4qObs3_80sM-gVGtk2QNKqUIuOo7Q80R_76WJbOyqJSo_1xYhl-zRK3nvLFMSsXzrqc88o-BhqIIMzNrgiiRG-7A96pQXVgRfH9gI8M1r-cTESSbQ3Wb4_4hKDcrMfiYtOEV/s2048/moon+book+cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1370" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvA5NNqLOT4qObs3_80sM-gVGtk2QNKqUIuOo7Q80R_76WJbOyqJSo_1xYhl-zRK3nvLFMSsXzrqc88o-BhqIIMzNrgiiRG-7A96pQXVgRfH9gI8M1r-cTESSbQ3Wb4_4hKDcrMfiYtOEV/w640-h428/moon+book+cover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stitching and finally finishing a project gone dormant feels good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5AuQgwzyWEE1NCjcBE6Zq0sQ6mE7a0aIUliyUnyGQIquQQrPrSJ6UneTRGQWk3fZmbu77PKNuIhDnCWEq2DNajvPeWMZT5IUqb4sncictMaoPOtTWOBUpdxd4FYCPegt4WiyHKo2ynB_/s2048/moon+book+cover2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5AuQgwzyWEE1NCjcBE6Zq0sQ6mE7a0aIUliyUnyGQIquQQrPrSJ6UneTRGQWk3fZmbu77PKNuIhDnCWEq2DNajvPeWMZT5IUqb4sncictMaoPOtTWOBUpdxd4FYCPegt4WiyHKo2ynB_/w640-h426/moon+book+cover2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tacked onto a base of black linen, it became a book cover for my tarot journal -- now I want to make another one, only with a different card for inspiration. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRR1PaD_eSIXP_duxlbnC7Mi-NeqGcx36zT-gh3egywMU_0V2MMHuJvg4I76IFrfsgvl5SytcATkOy-TqM2onIc2kc3BjBs9TlHDJxMNY_FiSMGNzpp-0cbQoBuS40k-P4H0WpLuSH7-UO/s2048/tarot+journal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1465" data-original-width="2048" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRR1PaD_eSIXP_duxlbnC7Mi-NeqGcx36zT-gh3egywMU_0V2MMHuJvg4I76IFrfsgvl5SytcATkOy-TqM2onIc2kc3BjBs9TlHDJxMNY_FiSMGNzpp-0cbQoBuS40k-P4H0WpLuSH7-UO/w400-h286/tarot+journal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This year I have set Mondays aside as a day for watery, intuitive rituals. One thing is a constant -- I first light a candle and meditate and then draw tarot and/or oracle cards for the week ahead, using different decks each month. I definitely have my favorite decks to work with but by rotating them, I get to know all of them better. (I also give myself permission to buy new decks now.) Monday/Moonday is just a good day for me to stretch and learn. Some watery mundane things include watering plants, laundry, soup-making, medicine making, taking a bath -- it all depends on the season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLyw0PbKfbKvWeOeO7NYcBnEahkutvf0kWoSZfnZUznwcMrY8Zfy9o5zLVR1uXHDECHjoM8gO-eAfa_QiAtIL4fBr7DWpqQZS_1Vlaeb8NfZi9kr43RBdhVZ3XEXFLD4tlbMW1oqg-5Zy/s2048/newbees.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLyw0PbKfbKvWeOeO7NYcBnEahkutvf0kWoSZfnZUznwcMrY8Zfy9o5zLVR1uXHDECHjoM8gO-eAfa_QiAtIL4fBr7DWpqQZS_1Vlaeb8NfZi9kr43RBdhVZ3XEXFLD4tlbMW1oqg-5Zy/w640-h426/newbees.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A new colony of honeybees moved into the tree-house a few months ago. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRWxVumod8cThYVLcIEoDoptSLXrx1mJlwYft9wz6ctodZKTcDaYdg6c92zxAfaLQsZ42xp7cvR9NQueoVWP8b4vZuUYloVu3-R6MUGUWRdKI-L8HcVpwTUQ0cL1NGBw6zrGFpjExwF48/s2048/beehive1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="2048" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRWxVumod8cThYVLcIEoDoptSLXrx1mJlwYft9wz6ctodZKTcDaYdg6c92zxAfaLQsZ42xp7cvR9NQueoVWP8b4vZuUYloVu3-R6MUGUWRdKI-L8HcVpwTUQ0cL1NGBw6zrGFpjExwF48/w640-h422/beehive1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> This bee-house is occupied by a colony led by Queen Heidi II who is the daughter of the first Queen Heidi. I love that the women who raised and sold us the colony had a lineage established to pass along. <p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8w5LGe_KZJMKZUQ11oH0LzcnVUqAF915czoxhFzknhSeRjcXfb0l7mVyD9SnDGSX0gfbdiqP4GsmS5rACa8qwZnYqF-CTUsvf_M9-V1G6mMRsde6bVamrK3Yr8S2PffzbsLJZ6S-Lsov/s2048/stitching+woven.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8w5LGe_KZJMKZUQ11oH0LzcnVUqAF915czoxhFzknhSeRjcXfb0l7mVyD9SnDGSX0gfbdiqP4GsmS5rACa8qwZnYqF-CTUsvf_M9-V1G6mMRsde6bVamrK3Yr8S2PffzbsLJZ6S-Lsov/w640-h426/stitching+woven.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another cloth close to being finished. For months, I have been trying to decide whether to chop it in half or not. It seems like it would have more options to be useful if it were smaller.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienqd3-B6Vg2tmcNuuRyI-MhUjIdXXEVm3mZQW3g3VyjS_KbdZCkkxHQ7CWQL-vwwxrwuD2KxC-mlsZSGzJ_ANrmlweaW-Jdbka6NYBKiSDzanvVrx8pen8WB74Ei0wohGMDxjLpQSYazs/s2048/new+chickens.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="2048" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienqd3-B6Vg2tmcNuuRyI-MhUjIdXXEVm3mZQW3g3VyjS_KbdZCkkxHQ7CWQL-vwwxrwuD2KxC-mlsZSGzJ_ANrmlweaW-Jdbka6NYBKiSDzanvVrx8pen8WB74Ei0wohGMDxjLpQSYazs/w640-h436/new+chickens.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are the new girls, Liza and Amber. Liza is a French Cuckoo Marans (with feathers on her feet) and Amber is a Dutch Welsummer. I'm learning that having chickens is not for the weak of heart -- Lilith died one morning in my arms, out of the blue. Then another young pullet named Saphie was sick from the start and died after only a few weeks. I have seen and learned so much in such a short time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOrlO38DC8jGyc8xodnYOVldSwVLky7B_vHQtdY0asUB9XARZm4CNWYS6i-V3pge6X7J7ASwZqHwG0q_tFtEidbkZICVEp2Bvd81omCrRoJp7HabBMVSuhYgTEb6F3Hyl_grKIUojDgSg/s2048/3+moon+sisters.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1596" data-original-width="2048" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOrlO38DC8jGyc8xodnYOVldSwVLky7B_vHQtdY0asUB9XARZm4CNWYS6i-V3pge6X7J7ASwZqHwG0q_tFtEidbkZICVEp2Bvd81omCrRoJp7HabBMVSuhYgTEb6F3Hyl_grKIUojDgSg/w640-h498/3+moon+sisters.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The original Moon sisters -- Margaret Wise Moon, Honey Moon and Cinco Moon. True to form, they are very tough on the new girls, pecking order being so important and all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpU_lX-o4uCjW3hut9XyBiCk4T6miaH3bNM36_xccsI-hYpzpMGqdjndfnwiS1dTA33n4DLbc3w165xQ4G0gORK3NuKS3k6snV-Z9VVen2IAYqFcWbf5S_QTNaQhDjpUB0ERr6R3sG5gi9/s2048/marimo+balls.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpU_lX-o4uCjW3hut9XyBiCk4T6miaH3bNM36_xccsI-hYpzpMGqdjndfnwiS1dTA33n4DLbc3w165xQ4G0gORK3NuKS3k6snV-Z9VVen2IAYqFcWbf5S_QTNaQhDjpUB0ERr6R3sG5gi9/w640-h426/marimo+balls.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the kitchen table, some new-to-me plants -- Marimo moss balls. They aren't really moss balls, they are actually solid algae balls that live in the bottom of fresh water lakes. The movement of water currents makes them round so I try to help by spinning them around by hand when I think of it. Their water needs to be cold and they need to be kept out of direct sunlight. I squeeze them gently and replace their water every Monday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpNQ1t1nXi0T2uinU44CzAIZbZzMIH5U9zcot1J8Ocw6HTxidHZMtTtxGWQiWFAyi_i1Q2wBxXCkL9UBmGX73TzOWNKsAz4L1Xqa5sdHdk1YaDY2zbBww3M_elu3SSEet-Vcyhu28KGpF/s2048/red+sun.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpNQ1t1nXi0T2uinU44CzAIZbZzMIH5U9zcot1J8Ocw6HTxidHZMtTtxGWQiWFAyi_i1Q2wBxXCkL9UBmGX73TzOWNKsAz4L1Xqa5sdHdk1YaDY2zbBww3M_elu3SSEet-Vcyhu28KGpF/w640-h426/red+sun.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A red sun one afternoon with forest fires to the north and the west of Denver.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnVMaTCALY-rDfGYKXrJpEsRIeFIY5ua2b5OghMlMhWblMUiP-8EYPaR72CiMSdN7P_DroYtfiD12ECuQA7KV8nfu9kbR_zItvaPxxkf7zjZB7aZ_r3X3jhkNvhqRs1j-Jg8Wrcu04lWV/s2048/nasturtiums.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnVMaTCALY-rDfGYKXrJpEsRIeFIY5ua2b5OghMlMhWblMUiP-8EYPaR72CiMSdN7P_DroYtfiD12ECuQA7KV8nfu9kbR_zItvaPxxkf7zjZB7aZ_r3X3jhkNvhqRs1j-Jg8Wrcu04lWV/w640-h426/nasturtiums.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nasturtiums soon to be harvested for the kitchen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EleIT-s4JW7KDnR60JSqMQ5XL3MJQBbMy6LYeSl64FrLsjSaN1o6UanJe4DXtmbGPM3ftC6n0896DzsokXuE_Wm4ykdQPNcZ20RH0yhYuWPJUGQbwOFLveNhh1kTBKRTAA-HjobQwMRn/s2048/reading+and+knitting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EleIT-s4JW7KDnR60JSqMQ5XL3MJQBbMy6LYeSl64FrLsjSaN1o6UanJe4DXtmbGPM3ftC6n0896DzsokXuE_Wm4ykdQPNcZ20RH0yhYuWPJUGQbwOFLveNhh1kTBKRTAA-HjobQwMRn/w640-h426/reading+and+knitting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Assorted reading and easy knitting, hexipuffs for the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/PeggyVonburg/the-beekeepers-quilt">beekeeper quilt</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eGebxT08SartjAm0R321u7vVYksSdVKsy_92kYDb3zckApL53fj7NkWgqYxK49eQ_nuJpIWj1mrBXDfkxHysUixWytTEVk-qbk6l-R2Mu4f4HLkcHtvxDzwlt6Q4vX5eK5_Ie9Cud3Fr/s2048/brooms.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eGebxT08SartjAm0R321u7vVYksSdVKsy_92kYDb3zckApL53fj7NkWgqYxK49eQ_nuJpIWj1mrBXDfkxHysUixWytTEVk-qbk6l-R2Mu4f4HLkcHtvxDzwlt6Q4vX5eK5_Ie9Cud3Fr/w640-h426/brooms.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A project for autumn -- to partially deconstruct and then reconstruct craft-store brooms and then make my own broom from scratch using the lighter, greenish broom corn, <i>Sorghum bicolor</i>, that I grew last summer. The darker broom corn broom was a gift that will serve as a model of one way to do the stitching. I'm reading about broom folklore and magical uses and like the idea of an ancestral broom for the time when the veil thins next month. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxQMoRI33Ru0wKTLCmX1vKtKcTODlrL-vZHy-yoVTeOSOzo3Tulkddp9Dqx-Si_5mTOKwk7P71Bm1wUrY9LbHTILq4DiMqYiUI50_Aeg9SdPnapUT4LBF8UF1OHMQPXL1bYh_bBtS89Tj/s2048/buddha+garden+beginning.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxQMoRI33Ru0wKTLCmX1vKtKcTODlrL-vZHy-yoVTeOSOzo3Tulkddp9Dqx-Si_5mTOKwk7P71Bm1wUrY9LbHTILq4DiMqYiUI50_Aeg9SdPnapUT4LBF8UF1OHMQPXL1bYh_bBtS89Tj/w640-h426/buddha+garden+beginning.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The garden at the beginning. See the<a href="https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/kalettes/?source=google_johnny_seeds&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtZH7BRDzARIsAGjbK2YEu_lsrTBksFZuGDW15mB7kKkUKH7GxH5yQF6BFckZ0PAo4VUXT1oaArKjEALw_wcB"> kalette</a> plants grow around Buddha.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuT6oHSAxJiWnyGbDztDVCJGouOlb8KdOjODLKMTVvJ1ZCN1qmJMd-ZLZkq_NYi49KjAtEx1CVqcDdGtH9OGdDY1UrI7vXseKvJomYk76RbeTsMx9P3w6Jk8Krzago_UzmTjFah1R4DUsa/s2048/buddha+garden+kalettes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuT6oHSAxJiWnyGbDztDVCJGouOlb8KdOjODLKMTVvJ1ZCN1qmJMd-ZLZkq_NYi49KjAtEx1CVqcDdGtH9OGdDY1UrI7vXseKvJomYk76RbeTsMx9P3w6Jk8Krzago_UzmTjFah1R4DUsa/w640-h426/buddha+garden+kalettes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mid-to-late summer -- Buddha's mask. I planted kalettes all over the back yard because the chickens loved them last year and it was so fun to watch them jump to reach the leaves at the top. They are beautiful plants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhy590mJdIPFzvd89fvgI0nnYNhSyDzPsCODx35dd6xVYkUiuZiofkFzynCN9XGin-coow5I6eEbO11EVLrgHKAY3qEzTiqz7SxGu-EMQYwrAsHRo5kh39TyBpCt_045Y4ldIom4gwRRq/s2048/last+night+in+the+buddha+garden.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1574" data-original-width="2048" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhy590mJdIPFzvd89fvgI0nnYNhSyDzPsCODx35dd6xVYkUiuZiofkFzynCN9XGin-coow5I6eEbO11EVLrgHKAY3qEzTiqz7SxGu-EMQYwrAsHRo5kh39TyBpCt_045Y4ldIom4gwRRq/w640-h492/last+night+in+the+buddha+garden.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last night when it was nearly dark. Buddha wearing a headdress. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope you are happy in the now moment and also looking forward to good things in your life. I love the feeling of reconnecting after such a long time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">xo</div><p></p>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-24757103652313759772020-01-27T14:36:00.001-07:002020-01-27T15:55:52.090-07:00spells<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Nature has most certainly cast the spell of Winter upon us and there's no getting around it. Though I may at first resist this slower energy, on a deeper level I sense that darkness is necessary and eventually comply with the need to rest. I know that in the end tending my inner flame for these few months rejuvenates me for Spring.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgMqIKXwwKeiqKGN4YTEl9LOmZ85hzieFHw57wO43aVzIn694JkprRavamlCJvjo3yiISQd7SCMPN8FIC6JDiBrVcYCQRmDUYwyDSuO0KUk6_t1eZ-e8cFZRyjyey2tfjd14Ac2UbTIMq/s1600/winter+full+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgMqIKXwwKeiqKGN4YTEl9LOmZ85hzieFHw57wO43aVzIn694JkprRavamlCJvjo3yiISQd7SCMPN8FIC6JDiBrVcYCQRmDUYwyDSuO0KUk6_t1eZ-e8cFZRyjyey2tfjd14Ac2UbTIMq/s640/winter+full+moon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Spells are feelings, words, visions, objects and even fragrances that manifest their energies.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-InlB49cIA6WqbxQhGNTqJBmQ5hg6ArgLbi-7qd6bkQapDtSRwzD30dMjCsdF_Sb-p8Gp3tyl9jCDTWuVDAD64XP81kSTzbLBs1hru4e26uUMQyjJZpkpZ1DNkruPTN6r1nxt8v1b84gy/s1600/buddha+with+rose+hips2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1550" data-original-width="1600" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-InlB49cIA6WqbxQhGNTqJBmQ5hg6ArgLbi-7qd6bkQapDtSRwzD30dMjCsdF_Sb-p8Gp3tyl9jCDTWuVDAD64XP81kSTzbLBs1hru4e26uUMQyjJZpkpZ1DNkruPTN6r1nxt8v1b84gy/s640/buddha+with+rose+hips2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A garden Buddha wearing a rose hip necklace emits peace and calm whenever wherever. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_TOY7TZ6xW-63Q2kGBRtObQFqtspw06dXmAwxY0UMk5hVVigvm9aIjiea1wapMJNDw395mp9C-HSU8URRjTsnqSRhWL0STdzmzZV9qze3Fzf1ZivPo0GSBEILvvUAeo4IXm5Xop_KAJg/s1600/queen+bee+%2526+rose+hips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_TOY7TZ6xW-63Q2kGBRtObQFqtspw06dXmAwxY0UMk5hVVigvm9aIjiea1wapMJNDw395mp9C-HSU8URRjTsnqSRhWL0STdzmzZV9qze3Fzf1ZivPo0GSBEILvvUAeo4IXm5Xop_KAJg/s640/queen+bee+%2526+rose+hips.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">Every time I look at a rose hip I remember that pollinated rose blossoms (self-pollinated or by bees and other insects) must be left on the plant to form rose hips. The rose hips I gathered last autumn from a friend's garden were strung and dried -- about 8' or so. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmt1nOd49bs6qIJAdSYmm9P7K1Xm228nCfq9cMDfSBf7Ejku1Q_LVl5Pv3AN0Nxz955l6rDzavRGxS6mr888x6j-gJZ2gAWboy_YwfnSsuAHWwYRH4FDt7JIb_Uya2ZGc0jCUCCZPUhcb/s1600/brown+%2526+white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1600" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmt1nOd49bs6qIJAdSYmm9P7K1Xm228nCfq9cMDfSBf7Ejku1Q_LVl5Pv3AN0Nxz955l6rDzavRGxS6mr888x6j-gJZ2gAWboy_YwfnSsuAHWwYRH4FDt7JIb_Uya2ZGc0jCUCCZPUhcb/s640/brown+%2526+white.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Brown and white are the epitome of austere simplicity to me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHor6Sox0OzU5UXNNC3ViPosYzC0LDfVNXzzc8HJ5ViR5QYhBItOrGmA-_OeSl_Km7GjHMdVGIiVa0pM2AlWnrKx0zJEkzrPPeqHOG_EeZh5lZ8nwiPFCmqifIMWtDWZ4f25MuGshIBWsd/s1600/words+as+spells1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHor6Sox0OzU5UXNNC3ViPosYzC0LDfVNXzzc8HJ5ViR5QYhBItOrGmA-_OeSl_Km7GjHMdVGIiVa0pM2AlWnrKx0zJEkzrPPeqHOG_EeZh5lZ8nwiPFCmqifIMWtDWZ4f25MuGshIBWsd/s640/words+as+spells1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Words are spells in themselves and I do so love the feeling that something magical is about to happen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BaC1LvUbwhpx-NXpeXy9KOhC8gdQ0wR9qpA6J6sVwxEPdvdWaZ8ud89793VVXyItW1HMNgZFzRGVoG_wb3Q8AUX5zxM9MenwZXlx7K3ReZF8vnToJQeSQ8SI16FD6qo625YvxToxaVa2/s1600/butterfly+wings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1600" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BaC1LvUbwhpx-NXpeXy9KOhC8gdQ0wR9qpA6J6sVwxEPdvdWaZ8ud89793VVXyItW1HMNgZFzRGVoG_wb3Q8AUX5zxM9MenwZXlx7K3ReZF8vnToJQeSQ8SI16FD6qo625YvxToxaVa2/s640/butterfly+wings.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A little drawer of wings for spells -- also includes wasps and maybe some other unidentified winged creatures.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWNQaPVaqAf9eFFAYYaXSOOYC7FUpJlBcj2pr04E4gv5B59iOTG1k8jWUR3DQzncDJbjZGAVjiNYHoAV8krENQ-mDD_aZvkkgvKA2G_Iiw19TASBroPooi3j5LzcjNugzInj5KZOu-OZ6/s1600/brigid+icon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWNQaPVaqAf9eFFAYYaXSOOYC7FUpJlBcj2pr04E4gv5B59iOTG1k8jWUR3DQzncDJbjZGAVjiNYHoAV8krENQ-mDD_aZvkkgvKA2G_Iiw19TASBroPooi3j5LzcjNugzInj5KZOu-OZ6/s640/brigid+icon2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Words at the ready, this year I want to infuse my projects with magical words. This is a Brigid icon I made for myself last year around St. Brigid's Day/Imbolc. Brigid likenesses are rare in my experience so I made my own sacred work. I will be hanging this above my Brigid altar in time for her feast days which are February 1-2. See some of my past Brigid's Day rituals and activities <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2019/02/make-yourself-yours.html">here</a> and <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2017/02/enchanting-yourself.html">here</a> and <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2016/02/brigids-day-household-ritual.html">here</a> and <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2015/02/golden-milk-moonday.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO23y1dxfekS-p5eWIYW7fplxuMnjrbnK8ZXSIvlrSgXP2jQnZTP-IpNovCv1j9d0xUFIecrM-uCPuHRxjVqxEVSPXIttvyvCqMPOh6sNkH81DTk-Dldd_cPWiQjrB3rYNCsNO3V2M68aG/s1600/the+overstory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO23y1dxfekS-p5eWIYW7fplxuMnjrbnK8ZXSIvlrSgXP2jQnZTP-IpNovCv1j9d0xUFIecrM-uCPuHRxjVqxEVSPXIttvyvCqMPOh6sNkH81DTk-Dldd_cPWiQjrB3rYNCsNO3V2M68aG/s640/the+overstory.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A book of pure magic, this man's words changed me in unimaginable ways.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YCSVwvzjRWuSz3pKCZ6VjwyQ3uwj2MLyOV5eVCPzNWzeJmiG4w26b9aAXMLXxxJYj70ldv2pqkEUeec7Bciq-fgyFgWEn7jzOgyY9iAnwI9A1Hx4NEEMo5OjWw8Mdb9jlhRCMO6f8w9P/s1600/grove+with+sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YCSVwvzjRWuSz3pKCZ6VjwyQ3uwj2MLyOV5eVCPzNWzeJmiG4w26b9aAXMLXxxJYj70ldv2pqkEUeec7Bciq-fgyFgWEn7jzOgyY9iAnwI9A1Hx4NEEMo5OjWw8Mdb9jlhRCMO6f8w9P/s640/grove+with+sun.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Cloth strips, thread and needle with the intention of well-being for our trees.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmg0YmVyM9yqPfQmVNSUe-xmN_HeJQP-SGt2rbvScmWLr8JGflNSax3FQqmXLn76Uqf_4fXae2lHRdZPBffVtqC58nGE1BFrTcNzVKlpB53IskSQCJRUyMpDV1GYk3E6qUT_gUu8P3GyFN/s1600/still+in+the+eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmg0YmVyM9yqPfQmVNSUe-xmN_HeJQP-SGt2rbvScmWLr8JGflNSax3FQqmXLn76Uqf_4fXae2lHRdZPBffVtqC58nGE1BFrTcNzVKlpB53IskSQCJRUyMpDV1GYk3E6qUT_gUu8P3GyFN/s640/still+in+the+eggs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Recycling egg shells back to the hens who made them.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgqcEZZxVWTY__v2vTAbzZd-9cTghbhy2F3DOITtsSdLoTtgyJH5HtNtRp6IrqLvxymfWvL5az5FFq8wicEI3vjiBbEF5VKvG_t-wVp5QkKfOOYYJprn75fQhfSpMsOpepjB2RWb5bpY0/s1600/chickens%2527+treat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1600" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgqcEZZxVWTY__v2vTAbzZd-9cTghbhy2F3DOITtsSdLoTtgyJH5HtNtRp6IrqLvxymfWvL5az5FFq8wicEI3vjiBbEF5VKvG_t-wVp5QkKfOOYYJprn75fQhfSpMsOpepjB2RWb5bpY0/s640/chickens%2527+treat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sorrow visited here. A hawk somehow landed into a tight space in the outer run and killed Henna Penny. I came upon the scene before the hawk had mutilated her very much so we buried her in the garden and placed a heavy piece of concrete over the grave. Still, an animal dug the body out from the side during the night. Winter survival is very real.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3cY6YrY8BxfL1gjT2nbP_n8Z6AHhKUvnnA3rhclIh5ujf0uVOYVuS4tCgegrT84_g1iCf9Y1rUOZFOp3rnUMCviFawE7ePlxWFFrN_OPeUQbYnu_NJ3OoKiQmX_J_rYiFjx4sjyK2abi/s1600/chickens%2527+treat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3cY6YrY8BxfL1gjT2nbP_n8Z6AHhKUvnnA3rhclIh5ujf0uVOYVuS4tCgegrT84_g1iCf9Y1rUOZFOp3rnUMCviFawE7ePlxWFFrN_OPeUQbYnu_NJ3OoKiQmX_J_rYiFjx4sjyK2abi/s640/chickens%2527+treat2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The poor dears are molting. From left to right: Margaret, Cinco, Lilith and Honey Moon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPdyh3tnHAPUCBuSW2XOimRNQ503fKcUezwYOFEmSHDtf-L_cE2fXT-XVuRY9Qy9NryKP4vLkulWgEWeOSeSeTmTiWDr7U0f_TR99dBLwRWPxXQhwimmliv-6ufhjizado1tHt3IOPFpN/s1600/spells+%2526+bindings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPdyh3tnHAPUCBuSW2XOimRNQ503fKcUezwYOFEmSHDtf-L_cE2fXT-XVuRY9Qy9NryKP4vLkulWgEWeOSeSeTmTiWDr7U0f_TR99dBLwRWPxXQhwimmliv-6ufhjizado1tHt3IOPFpN/s640/spells+%2526+bindings.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I like thinking of everyday common phrases as positive word spells -- <i>good morning</i>, <i>good night</i> or <i>have a great day. </i>Although they may at times feel mundane and meaningless, just imagine their effect if they were of the opposite sentiment.<br />
<br />
And now it is time for me to say <i>happy new year, may you thrive and prosper </i>and<i> blessed be you!</i><br />
<i><br />
Love,</i><br />
<i>Peggy</i>Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-55590184120354922642019-11-17T22:29:00.000-07:002019-11-20T15:34:58.136-07:00home sweet home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My days begin and end with caring for the chickens. Every morning our dog Talula and I take them breakfast and fresh water -- when temperatures are above freezing, it's regular dry feed but when the thermometer drops below freezing, I make them oatmeal. At night, we again make the rounds to make sure that all is well. I love these daily rituals, I would even venture to say they have changed my life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPqONhm51bGlJDt757JmUxFpoCi9ZbNUqxtJnGplEPeOVng6nphgkqHdDHwOVN3xnfDmkdZcf6AvchCOkrZErrmuivy-RYld9oGCZhyJah-Jjr_S7WNqL-A-XKSd9uo73DOOvo3tXl_q3/s1600/5+eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1207" data-original-width="1600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPqONhm51bGlJDt757JmUxFpoCi9ZbNUqxtJnGplEPeOVng6nphgkqHdDHwOVN3xnfDmkdZcf6AvchCOkrZErrmuivy-RYld9oGCZhyJah-Jjr_S7WNqL-A-XKSd9uo73DOOvo3tXl_q3/s640/5+eggs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5 chickens, 5 colors, 5 miracles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT19vh5TjPE_DPcj8ALFapmYV1ntnBTjnSCMkyBzhTtMB8aW24cwP7AFcX_-s4xNRYCkT6zOg356CAPc8WtH0OiATyIrmMamqIvNvgMSsEBj_5_EfNSHcQJ5VDV4uHR7kAjSRfTahMuJeh/s1600/clootie+branch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT19vh5TjPE_DPcj8ALFapmYV1ntnBTjnSCMkyBzhTtMB8aW24cwP7AFcX_-s4xNRYCkT6zOg356CAPc8WtH0OiATyIrmMamqIvNvgMSsEBj_5_EfNSHcQJ5VDV4uHR7kAjSRfTahMuJeh/s640/clootie+branch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A branch of clooties -- clooties are simple gratitudes/wishes/blessings written on strips of cloth and tied to tree branches. The photo was taken right after I began this practice in late summer/early fall, but I continue to make and attach more clooties motivated by the symbolism of seeing good things grow. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJleg8HWB8OhtdGcChygC_gYc9d1ARuFSlVjpk5n-L0JT_j2XDw9JnjD4kKyqGfvpkO9z1l428NV3aWpN4qumagw0lGeQd6vZ4tFLCi3hL3rOXf4Ve5jP6VBmJMzZjOvpWLDnYznAllIj/s1600/book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1361" data-original-width="1600" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJleg8HWB8OhtdGcChygC_gYc9d1ARuFSlVjpk5n-L0JT_j2XDw9JnjD4kKyqGfvpkO9z1l428NV3aWpN4qumagw0lGeQd6vZ4tFLCi3hL3rOXf4Ve5jP6VBmJMzZjOvpWLDnYznAllIj/s640/book+cover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am finally attaching my tarot moon cloth to a basic black linen book cover I made a few years ago. It will cover the journal that I use to record my tarot and oracle draws. The reason I let it go for so long was nothing more than my own little dance with indecision on how to proceed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_aYKiuTG2EZNZK91PAa1kQthvhfBiBDlndRSRxsShWJQNEzO7ln-S-gs3tmxkzWOSDQq0zG4THtnTAGic6GXQitnkxGE4VtGUkDmpteotmuWmGjT-Ot6fzJWNbGX0jvBZ3aDOMzK4XZw/s1600/last+comfrey+harvest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1600" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_aYKiuTG2EZNZK91PAa1kQthvhfBiBDlndRSRxsShWJQNEzO7ln-S-gs3tmxkzWOSDQq0zG4THtnTAGic6GXQitnkxGE4VtGUkDmpteotmuWmGjT-Ot6fzJWNbGX0jvBZ3aDOMzK4XZw/s640/last+comfrey+harvest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One clump of healthy comfrey provided the chickens with greens all summer so I held off harvesting any for myself until the last minute. That one harvest turned out to be a considerable amount of leaves to dry so I stacked them 3-4 layers deep on a big window screen on the dining room table, changing the direction of the leaves with each layer. This method worked beautifully, it was a quick dry with no mold or browning. Imagine my surprise when all that plant material weighed out at just over 5 ounces which made only 5 quarts of medicinal infusion.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHd6iV8vy1E1OzvqMm44tNmcleGNSUT6UYQyeg8Xa6yCe0escBbVKJ34NlAhhNSjUGMiioR7f7QqGO1vJmDq2yrLimT_g8Yseorq6Os9way6EIxwXl_5ngTCUIh84d7VjlR1vw0JovWe31/s1600/comfrey+drying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHd6iV8vy1E1OzvqMm44tNmcleGNSUT6UYQyeg8Xa6yCe0escBbVKJ34NlAhhNSjUGMiioR7f7QqGO1vJmDq2yrLimT_g8Yseorq6Os9way6EIxwXl_5ngTCUIh84d7VjlR1vw0JovWe31/s640/comfrey+drying.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Comfrey is incredibly generous in providing food and medicine for all. Because I was regularly collecting leaves for the chickens, I was able to get acquainted with her like I never had before -- seeing new growth generating nearly overnight intrigued me to no end. And there is the medicine of the plant, which is <i>to mend</i> -- comfrey mends skin, bones, muscles and ligaments. Now that the heavy work of the yard and garden is mostly done for the year, my body is in need of mending. I crave this plant inside and outside...to drink as infusion and to smear as salve on my lips and hands and feet. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqh6z40zjxA8OhWUOeDyAjN7DpGGb13mDrRVmIS0nz3Bq5-EAHF1c86X1qZ0SE7Nxqoxki0eF8RFZutCYMxOFUA3o52GW3M-EHtWBlH0piukJCg4IKe1VMwXyimHPdAkCwLlS3qQvz5Zp/s1600/zinnias+with+bag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqh6z40zjxA8OhWUOeDyAjN7DpGGb13mDrRVmIS0nz3Bq5-EAHF1c86X1qZ0SE7Nxqoxki0eF8RFZutCYMxOFUA3o52GW3M-EHtWBlH0piukJCg4IKe1VMwXyimHPdAkCwLlS3qQvz5Zp/s640/zinnias+with+bag1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I came across this little bag right after cutting my last bouquet of flowers for the season. And it matched.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wiPX7kGfC5zgNxIA5QQW6lkG7ymbHvLRznt2va9MI5dFVercneBGaa-s_HbXlM5VNG5XxYPL6qxOAOM1QO2PHNWmk3a-jX4K5Ugd5_Emb98-8hWAe4L6hhgInm7S0GnrMs6aq6SIYsA1/s1600/zinnias+with+bag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wiPX7kGfC5zgNxIA5QQW6lkG7ymbHvLRznt2va9MI5dFVercneBGaa-s_HbXlM5VNG5XxYPL6qxOAOM1QO2PHNWmk3a-jX4K5Ugd5_Emb98-8hWAe4L6hhgInm7S0GnrMs6aq6SIYsA1/s640/zinnias+with+bag2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One that I embroidered and made for my grandmother a long time ago, it somehow found its way back to me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQdgYOm_UewzVgj9ElALiNSplreGSWVaTibpo-CDNYvpLS64Pv6CpBe8aiAQPlacfZGU212hY6iBJhadtwsXIAQnJOJPDa38iazzvHWxpxK9pK9YWJS9L8cxXtgs_YSVqnRtqe6NVq5Aj/s1600/purple+carrots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQdgYOm_UewzVgj9ElALiNSplreGSWVaTibpo-CDNYvpLS64Pv6CpBe8aiAQPlacfZGU212hY6iBJhadtwsXIAQnJOJPDa38iazzvHWxpxK9pK9YWJS9L8cxXtgs_YSVqnRtqe6NVq5Aj/s640/purple+carrots.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The last purple haze carrot, I grew them to use for dyeing cloth. But not a one was used to make dye because they were so good to eat.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFhN-bFuq7IPAbJq9sfcTZHv8P8wQ6I9XglVge05qri9F8uu_m14m-bBU3UqeKqbHIAzB169670j92-GlweSHnzT_g7d_vxGJhN4S-bZD2TXWzxggEKhrSJEnV7xge8mKUFK1q492Bxca/s1600/rosehips2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFhN-bFuq7IPAbJq9sfcTZHv8P8wQ6I9XglVge05qri9F8uu_m14m-bBU3UqeKqbHIAzB169670j92-GlweSHnzT_g7d_vxGJhN4S-bZD2TXWzxggEKhrSJEnV7xge8mKUFK1q492Bxca/s640/rosehips2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had the good fortune to harvest a friend's rosehips. I froze almost a half-gallon to make rosehip syrup and also made rosehip/elderberry oxymel. And still have some left to string onto thread, which is a way to dry rosehips for making tea but I'm thinking about using them as necklaces or bracelets. We'll see.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyn1ENoz0Wr6C7DYVJiQfaP7ADYrLfIlkvFT7rVKZJ5vJUYgzH8PdfJG8z48R2gfz0WzlXaN_d6oFRlF1p815jRtD0QJ60MZ6gitxxpWUF5qqPuA6gc1Cp29M67fkcxMC_suNRFFqr7Hr/s1600/raspberry+rose+liqeuer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyn1ENoz0Wr6C7DYVJiQfaP7ADYrLfIlkvFT7rVKZJ5vJUYgzH8PdfJG8z48R2gfz0WzlXaN_d6oFRlF1p815jRtD0QJ60MZ6gitxxpWUF5qqPuA6gc1Cp29M67fkcxMC_suNRFFqr7Hr/s640/raspberry+rose+liqeuer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Rose geranium/raspberry liqueur is nearly an annual tradition. Let me know if you'd like the recipe.<br />
<span style="color: #990000;">Update: I just put the recipe in the comments below!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeYH0Ucvdb0In6_OLeEisqdUHY2uSbLy-VA-O8E3CyejH_zeeB-T5htmNbwokZcAn1VXDjNXlzRiyPlGsr5Co29yPvUp6Q4fGwZEk77v_CTu1zmwWS3QF-WG3L1dlTZ0ODTCuHaUNwMVI/s1600/oatmeal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeYH0Ucvdb0In6_OLeEisqdUHY2uSbLy-VA-O8E3CyejH_zeeB-T5htmNbwokZcAn1VXDjNXlzRiyPlGsr5Co29yPvUp6Q4fGwZEk77v_CTu1zmwWS3QF-WG3L1dlTZ0ODTCuHaUNwMVI/s640/oatmeal2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5 chickens enjoying an oatmeal breakfast during one of our big snows (we've had several already here in Denver, CO).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY4pGw_NGhVpEx4_jWOu3Cidhm6Sy4aJwoIUjqfW-5lliihOEqbYO8GM3em3gQqal4_DndDMgYkYWM9KJP-AySU9KLvIPANOFhEkI93oKOKTKxnUTIIbPte6CSMTVqCppA1yXtjWVMHDr/s1600/oatmeal3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY4pGw_NGhVpEx4_jWOu3Cidhm6Sy4aJwoIUjqfW-5lliihOEqbYO8GM3em3gQqal4_DndDMgYkYWM9KJP-AySU9KLvIPANOFhEkI93oKOKTKxnUTIIbPte6CSMTVqCppA1yXtjWVMHDr/s640/oatmeal3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cozy and safe.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd298druaJKNDOkKOiNtV617Bk03zTeXF09gntEHYIhSJccat4WDl1LnNgzIsUHEvkS1o-aauknd1ER3jfOuPn1JRPtNHccr-myHdgsEaOUA2r-GTBW03lgVEWDYJRSBIZelw0X9Cwawz7/s1600/little+house+in+the+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd298druaJKNDOkKOiNtV617Bk03zTeXF09gntEHYIhSJccat4WDl1LnNgzIsUHEvkS1o-aauknd1ER3jfOuPn1JRPtNHccr-myHdgsEaOUA2r-GTBW03lgVEWDYJRSBIZelw0X9Cwawz7/s640/little+house+in+the+snow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Home sweet home.<br />
<br />
I hope you are well, I hope you are happy. And I hope to be back before another month goes by. xo<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOotEb9D_PbtvzYOY-RnEKxP2ojznjN0KdC-5BYSAVOIweLjQVf6gORaPJF_R9melhciaVOpMHHrpmlH1yOZ5BkqmXzWwc1izWvs1AvAkQssiaRTO8McUIo37_vbiAlf1NYGusUK538Ky9/s1600/5+eggs+in+nesting+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="1600" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOotEb9D_PbtvzYOY-RnEKxP2ojznjN0KdC-5BYSAVOIweLjQVf6gORaPJF_R9melhciaVOpMHHrpmlH1yOZ5BkqmXzWwc1izWvs1AvAkQssiaRTO8McUIo37_vbiAlf1NYGusUK538Ky9/s200/5+eggs+in+nesting+box.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-48094582491755250512019-08-01T14:44:00.002-06:002019-08-05T12:34:43.598-06:00harvests<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today is Lammas, the traditional time to mark and celebrate our first harvest. Since it's been a little while again since I've posted, my first-harvest photos will begin a few months back. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4FImtzgCM3zoVkXvFD0IaJyzzp6ZIQjvYdtK7SQE13c8pXBX7ZHFu3hlgJ5jXgYXgQxaV8TisKmVjPKpnCab3LNTFmt-yi8ylHQpe_45t_0-mI1N8v8Q8wKP4wORKqXoJPQEj6wbxtAg/s1600/orange+harvest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1600" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4FImtzgCM3zoVkXvFD0IaJyzzp6ZIQjvYdtK7SQE13c8pXBX7ZHFu3hlgJ5jXgYXgQxaV8TisKmVjPKpnCab3LNTFmt-yi8ylHQpe_45t_0-mI1N8v8Q8wKP4wORKqXoJPQEj6wbxtAg/s640/orange+harvest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The orange tree/houseplant that we bring inside every winter and take back outside every spring produced two oranges in May. This is the largest of the two and true to its botany, there are ten sections. We were so happy she finally succeeded in ripening her first fruits after one and a half years of carrying them in her branches.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrdmedpwhINw-2YKzSfvL00YCCfUKYivGzEEUcdXPK8zrX3ibacGS2tlomuFrUxUcXa_wM6rOyi9BXtAyBkklGriRwZb72ROF6F3wA4eg789MiSyt_dccOb4QtvHKpmYgw2JP3tMfPlir/s1600/lilac+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrdmedpwhINw-2YKzSfvL00YCCfUKYivGzEEUcdXPK8zrX3ibacGS2tlomuFrUxUcXa_wM6rOyi9BXtAyBkklGriRwZb72ROF6F3wA4eg789MiSyt_dccOb4QtvHKpmYgw2JP3tMfPlir/s640/lilac+water.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In May, lilac-infused water was made over and over.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp-yq6gcRsvVACq9UEDoYVQf2beVBD5-4N4pBC-hv9oc8bNzzwZm6sz-OmEM6uZUWSiJASg8gnhiEbro4TmpddsfzlQV6ZycL3yH0661OW1lBj5WVP39Tkh7zQznoR5jub4RKrpjffRYH/s1600/lilac+cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="1600" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp-yq6gcRsvVACq9UEDoYVQf2beVBD5-4N4pBC-hv9oc8bNzzwZm6sz-OmEM6uZUWSiJASg8gnhiEbro4TmpddsfzlQV6ZycL3yH0661OW1lBj5WVP39Tkh7zQznoR5jub4RKrpjffRYH/s640/lilac+cream.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In May, lilac-infused <a href="https://gathervictoria.com/2016/05/28/a-super-easy-old-fashioned-creamy-dessert-honey-lilac-posset-or-rose-elderflower-peony-lavender/">posset</a> was made, a rich cream and honey dessert.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2b72k44yoOLuXonyIE0LGHV4sbSSP6Py5oEJnHcWmeNX8_QTlVm7o5OdTQjzpGO3UNy-HSyIrz0gUW8y5d6tXii7mda_f_b-Uf-BcPHfFtwq5APQo5tihSLLz-gPI2J5LSWou_ItAVhKx/s1600/mullein+tincture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2b72k44yoOLuXonyIE0LGHV4sbSSP6Py5oEJnHcWmeNX8_QTlVm7o5OdTQjzpGO3UNy-HSyIrz0gUW8y5d6tXii7mda_f_b-Uf-BcPHfFtwq5APQo5tihSLLz-gPI2J5LSWou_ItAVhKx/s640/mullein+tincture.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In June, mullein root, leaf and stalk tincture was made. When I learned that mullein is used for spinal conditions (in addition to its other more common uses), it only made sense when you think how tall and erect the mature plant stands.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajFFeGS3Lbg7ErNCxs2b6-SYBSaaEJ5hH992SetjQrKei7ki2C6wdmKaVffhOMA_Teaq4qaZlDhPeKvpvpG5AcKzpc4cozSXiaEcV7j8kC6I1SPRtaXJwY3_nGTbZT5zLnpKvn1w_jcNP/s640/iris+bloomed.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In June, the iris bloomed -- one of my favorite displays of the month.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwSxePidryAtVshOIUqDoWvejsEUz4UgDV27bv5uOJPSrPQb3qdwx7_Un7Le3gCdGSYVNGT2xIqW0v5w6NXWVMVBTZFhZaAF0jffJ_TDThoUzlw4FJ7elYwc7CDLzHZ9oEx5WmJRnhBCz/s1600/chicken+coop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwSxePidryAtVshOIUqDoWvejsEUz4UgDV27bv5uOJPSrPQb3qdwx7_Un7Le3gCdGSYVNGT2xIqW0v5w6NXWVMVBTZFhZaAF0jffJ_TDThoUzlw4FJ7elYwc7CDLzHZ9oEx5WmJRnhBCz/s640/chicken+coop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In June, a chicken coop and fenced-in run were delivered to our home in the middle of the city.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyCl4VVPcTTJcjvIq3u6sRZln3gKZWZjD2o1Ln-z-fAqeSJU65wtxM9XcNpfR48SAhuZmNm1hW4aZBXm6ecWOOfKm-qqxL52bHueobKKk_2dZZ_O0lqvUOL1Rjy6zwQ2sK7fT6EsLtRy6/s1600/chickens1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyCl4VVPcTTJcjvIq3u6sRZln3gKZWZjD2o1Ln-z-fAqeSJU65wtxM9XcNpfR48SAhuZmNm1hW4aZBXm6ecWOOfKm-qqxL52bHueobKKk_2dZZ_O0lqvUOL1Rjy6zwQ2sK7fT6EsLtRy6/s640/chickens1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In June, two Barred Rocks and three Buff Orpingtons arrived.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_0OwR9TTOJpRNRsU6ItqWCasjSkkJ0czFQCxtVRyYIznUNAyRCavF3ZWUD-OEDkALygfAZ38m_V-9UFHRv7y8OSzlD6lgQnQS6He4k_pmN6EMwvDYMCR5qe6tXnh7rbF53RnCi37MR43/s1600/chickens2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_0OwR9TTOJpRNRsU6ItqWCasjSkkJ0czFQCxtVRyYIznUNAyRCavF3ZWUD-OEDkALygfAZ38m_V-9UFHRv7y8OSzlD6lgQnQS6He4k_pmN6EMwvDYMCR5qe6tXnh7rbF53RnCi37MR43/s640/chickens2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
They have changed my life forever.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIEuZOZ-RalWMcKtsWLPqExLTN_7hGXwG1-Yoa1Soeb7AJuXzXocq5Qtv6P-l29KAD1ITQ0dcFsvaXZIoV-ffW2jU8PXrl0xEjirr95eDTYqOEYBBW46ikU6-ViFa11-_o5JckjvYHlYX/s1600/monarda+tincture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIEuZOZ-RalWMcKtsWLPqExLTN_7hGXwG1-Yoa1Soeb7AJuXzXocq5Qtv6P-l29KAD1ITQ0dcFsvaXZIoV-ffW2jU8PXrl0xEjirr95eDTYqOEYBBW46ikU6-ViFa11-_o5JckjvYHlYX/s640/monarda+tincture.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In July, I made Monarda fistulosa leaf and flower tincture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pk-p1VyjbfSxLPTxP_-NqPTQXUzj4yFnWBK25GJau9AUNe9tHPB3XsGfBOXKokNY63pvJ6OxrliSRuskDlH6FyOGKlmay94g-47upy_GOuLqOOlHEGtVwE-Ojc_C5kbL7v5ajJIrV1tw/s1600/lavender+dried.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pk-p1VyjbfSxLPTxP_-NqPTQXUzj4yFnWBK25GJau9AUNe9tHPB3XsGfBOXKokNY63pvJ6OxrliSRuskDlH6FyOGKlmay94g-47upy_GOuLqOOlHEGtVwE-Ojc_C5kbL7v5ajJIrV1tw/s640/lavender+dried.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In July, lavender was dried.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMhCrOzSoDk4Z3gmz1JtDL_egBAN9rga7evvC6LBTqoHgYEv793o8fEy3BqpFpTF4lApY9zr5QCRSPX4Zs4TBjNWfQ4ktZeZL_f-XonXI5OBgxPmGjLH25uya5nX7cNlFlRFFuZvQullj/s1600/eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="1600" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMhCrOzSoDk4Z3gmz1JtDL_egBAN9rga7evvC6LBTqoHgYEv793o8fEy3BqpFpTF4lApY9zr5QCRSPX4Zs4TBjNWfQ4ktZeZL_f-XonXI5OBgxPmGjLH25uya5nX7cNlFlRFFuZvQullj/s640/eggs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In July, I remembered that I had made an egg basket about 25 years ago. That was a very long "build it and they will come," wasn't it?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOqtpH676-ZzCoULw2flNerpKNRtK71KcS6AxQs9NOvRWiZmdp2Sk55kW_CVX5VrrVpE5J-4zktNtGxTZtUixR02uL7k56g9pkdDISKvSx4VU_oGyByDhrL4TNYPdiSX6-gdxrra8-N2e/s1600/freeranging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOqtpH676-ZzCoULw2flNerpKNRtK71KcS6AxQs9NOvRWiZmdp2Sk55kW_CVX5VrrVpE5J-4zktNtGxTZtUixR02uL7k56g9pkdDISKvSx4VU_oGyByDhrL4TNYPdiSX6-gdxrra8-N2e/s640/freeranging.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In July, the chickens -- Margaret, Henna Penny, Lilith, Honey Moon and Cinco -- began to free-range in the evening until their bedtime. They always visit the Buddha garden first; it's so densely-planted they really can't cause much damage plus I already had wire cloches set up because of the rabbits.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcMUCoPOC_LHmFCHLqpe04qQYpoJ4x0HGXKEq7LnP_p4ro5L2fhk4zQuNDgeIyWDrNL2VzF0ZoVO7UxK4OBWg_OKZ8kbSpeuTXOMpxTPL9vQmpC86f2O1m_ngEmb3jdIvI9aWHISkbFoJ/s1600/freeranging2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="1600" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcMUCoPOC_LHmFCHLqpe04qQYpoJ4x0HGXKEq7LnP_p4ro5L2fhk4zQuNDgeIyWDrNL2VzF0ZoVO7UxK4OBWg_OKZ8kbSpeuTXOMpxTPL9vQmpC86f2O1m_ngEmb3jdIvI9aWHISkbFoJ/s640/freeranging2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I didn't know how much I wanted them until they came.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6iIte2ulHXXgUg3r20KB1XzyjFqvo0Nbew5I126bV8gk8fHs0p5GZXm9LjwA5wuW0jVepV3WOBE7LLQnkdZSRKm1oA5KM6S2Q0bz4LYHAa-zpaN9FeqRAHgiHNyf9SQDQDXQexuPfW-q/s1600/green+vases.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1499" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6iIte2ulHXXgUg3r20KB1XzyjFqvo0Nbew5I126bV8gk8fHs0p5GZXm9LjwA5wuW0jVepV3WOBE7LLQnkdZSRKm1oA5KM6S2Q0bz4LYHAa-zpaN9FeqRAHgiHNyf9SQDQDXQexuPfW-q/s640/green+vases.jpg" width="598" /></a></div>
<br />
Which brings me to now -- to mark the harvest today, I am filling all my little green vases with flowers and herbs to put all over the house.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHPZ8Bjy85ryD2n_ZknqkUo08VahvoHzHUTZ8jfGxXLtL_TirAT2wyoJOUCEeKOEcTddtNJUc5A_EziDPf1KLDcZguZuhGvTQqpyKncExRQtONq_4cZKvd7Rw3rGu9lPwWxZwq0tyErzw/s1600/santo+palo+wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1600" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHPZ8Bjy85ryD2n_ZknqkUo08VahvoHzHUTZ8jfGxXLtL_TirAT2wyoJOUCEeKOEcTddtNJUc5A_EziDPf1KLDcZguZuhGvTQqpyKncExRQtONq_4cZKvd7Rw3rGu9lPwWxZwq0tyErzw/s640/santo+palo+wood.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And making little incense bundles with Palo Santo wood, lavender, white sage and mullein.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzUNTvno30-cXQMyPEdz1tpiZNYWDsNI8-CeUOYlek6dBzWROaICB_XCi8nArtU_JdZSQM7MX6Dlgqd5oIBdP0xBh9A3rSRyGLbQ6GrjUmFxamF8o0yk3OeataGXctYKKS6NKn70R1LFd/s1600/tabletop+today+new+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1600" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzUNTvno30-cXQMyPEdz1tpiZNYWDsNI8-CeUOYlek6dBzWROaICB_XCi8nArtU_JdZSQM7MX6Dlgqd5oIBdP0xBh9A3rSRyGLbQ6GrjUmFxamF8o0yk3OeataGXctYKKS6NKn70R1LFd/s640/tabletop+today+new+moon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
August is the beginning of autumn and there is a definite shift in the light. The air seems to literally turn green and when I breath it in, I turn into a plant of the human kind.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinb-8iWIMJheIGH6k9hpaWFv5EzQMds8FFHLJFpake7klz_0k51sgr6IwFeDQxe_DICJbMXxlOvHqisAX-uyqZpEEU8FHIHkl7bmUzCvdt8IMTxEmGDVAurOemMxgP5Srw012Tff7XNqVP/s1600/the+garden+today.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinb-8iWIMJheIGH6k9hpaWFv5EzQMds8FFHLJFpake7klz_0k51sgr6IwFeDQxe_DICJbMXxlOvHqisAX-uyqZpEEU8FHIHkl7bmUzCvdt8IMTxEmGDVAurOemMxgP5Srw012Tff7XNqVP/s640/the+garden+today.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Today, I wish you all the beauty and abundance you can contain. xoPeggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-24180585486349937272019-04-30T16:09:00.000-06:002019-04-30T16:09:14.403-06:00may cloth and mycelium<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I recently did an exercise which called for recognizing what fulfills you, waking up to your real needs and then creating a new life design around them. So I made lists for each of those categories. Long lists. Then, over a period of time, I trimmed and purged the lists. And trimmed and purged some more. Mostly what I learned is that long lists can be reduced to very short lists, but I also learned that I really don't need or want that much.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkgsdtu7gOWZApVST_whvXbwdgLdxgZku68FBmOrL6iCT9UNXijDNKCO5bm8c_hLNO4DvIsmebW1CWLMVcHH1L8Rsc-Zk7KDEvx9kCFE7yPtWqzp535mbW5nmVEGCMExHfdquMHdviBEu/s1600/embroidery+branch+of+may1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkgsdtu7gOWZApVST_whvXbwdgLdxgZku68FBmOrL6iCT9UNXijDNKCO5bm8c_hLNO4DvIsmebW1CWLMVcHH1L8Rsc-Zk7KDEvx9kCFE7yPtWqzp535mbW5nmVEGCMExHfdquMHdviBEu/s640/embroidery+branch+of+may1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Bringing in the May once again with my <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2016/05/bringing-in-may.html">May cloth</a> -- the words are from the <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2016/05/bringing-in-may.html">Cambridge May Song</a>....I love this song so much. This piece of cloth is to be my only stitching focus for the next few days.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoIxYftQrcFY6O5l1q7lLH9maQJMQ8KR0h2u1Oom7g7NvW_HO2lgsAyNRk2wvmkhRchAPMwTLdoj3PHIhZ70MKRiEloreqmbEB0aiwPIO8aoC6Imz4BAZf6pRGf_nSg8YJNmv7Re_3p0j/s1600/corty%2527s+tulips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoIxYftQrcFY6O5l1q7lLH9maQJMQ8KR0h2u1Oom7g7NvW_HO2lgsAyNRk2wvmkhRchAPMwTLdoj3PHIhZ70MKRiEloreqmbEB0aiwPIO8aoC6Imz4BAZf6pRGf_nSg8YJNmv7Re_3p0j/s640/corty%2527s+tulips.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTcMgoWzNL_X8YZ58iyDvSYIzc4oPgh71s73IR-ug4UTlwQ5CJQ0F_roSHwkk8QZ9Jewh4TDAvB0FykthV_CXbTSSiYj7-AY6tBzST1DxpIrrH9stbDPvzGkMlQLe062lAX9Iuj60LdEx/s1600/forsythia+bush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTcMgoWzNL_X8YZ58iyDvSYIzc4oPgh71s73IR-ug4UTlwQ5CJQ0F_roSHwkk8QZ9Jewh4TDAvB0FykthV_CXbTSSiYj7-AY6tBzST1DxpIrrH9stbDPvzGkMlQLe062lAX9Iuj60LdEx/s640/forsythia+bush.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I planted the forsythia with forsythia syrup in mind.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBrm8e_lPbB534p0PnChByFB7mrbqlx7nv2X6rBlAhHu3GBfE0eNwA6XwmS2PmajVt1RmzzHe2rQsONDPd2fOKu_VFw-dQqViE3oE0qUD9DIMrmEISul7W1I8Fhcs5Prid3CumTTGMkp6/s1600/forsythia+petals+honey+syrup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBrm8e_lPbB534p0PnChByFB7mrbqlx7nv2X6rBlAhHu3GBfE0eNwA6XwmS2PmajVt1RmzzHe2rQsONDPd2fOKu_VFw-dQqViE3oE0qUD9DIMrmEISul7W1I8Fhcs5Prid3CumTTGMkp6/s640/forsythia+petals+honey+syrup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifI0Pyp8QCI-FBypCgAbhLcNLCY8aGOXtO8P6C7JmOiMvq6091NBeWW_PoDMOKRSllzVslhVv8nHOSt6FYc9o3Qakj2XWUfjhF3Yg3mI03aDjYT_rF0r8kaZ8iYHCKkQx5aGM709BpBWhq/s1600/forsythia+petals+steeping+honey+syrup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifI0Pyp8QCI-FBypCgAbhLcNLCY8aGOXtO8P6C7JmOiMvq6091NBeWW_PoDMOKRSllzVslhVv8nHOSt6FYc9o3Qakj2XWUfjhF3Yg3mI03aDjYT_rF0r8kaZ8iYHCKkQx5aGM709BpBWhq/s640/forsythia+petals+steeping+honey+syrup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 cup of forsythia blossoms, cover and let steep for several hours, then strain. Add 1/2 cup of honey and refrigerate up to 3-4 weeks. I used <a href="https://www.growforagecookferment.com/forsythia-syrup/">this</a> recipe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkN5hjDcQ8TMwJOcfno_QnMzSmxGTNVYnkYA7po-VDSRzJAKmdTTAU5U05XIPx2O4H_-EURQpDuZ9A1GyKjRAyfsGz-xl92Z-DIbYDiDM8FxI082pluQTf8k-uYNLi_f2CMRuUs0MEbkca/s1600/forsythia+honey+syrup+bottled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkN5hjDcQ8TMwJOcfno_QnMzSmxGTNVYnkYA7po-VDSRzJAKmdTTAU5U05XIPx2O4H_-EURQpDuZ9A1GyKjRAyfsGz-xl92Z-DIbYDiDM8FxI082pluQTf8k-uYNLi_f2CMRuUs0MEbkca/s640/forsythia+honey+syrup+bottled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzdpkxXS_Zsem_hm-msvQt-LFMOPjlbQVpTCVz7iEHt3BD7jVzFIh8lA1LLA1wRpigw1Kjzm2IEEDqXuEYAfWk20rfKpKGbD9i3b-RBjsnU9s82_vs8VYJcKxDd84zlx1hvJwYGFVpmvB/s1600/juniper+berries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzdpkxXS_Zsem_hm-msvQt-LFMOPjlbQVpTCVz7iEHt3BD7jVzFIh8lA1LLA1wRpigw1Kjzm2IEEDqXuEYAfWk20rfKpKGbD9i3b-RBjsnU9s82_vs8VYJcKxDd84zlx1hvJwYGFVpmvB/s640/juniper+berries.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The whole time I was collecting these juniper berries, I could hear the squirrels in the upper branches chewing and eating them. I have a few cooking/baking adventures in mind for these in addition to juniper's place in my herbal pharmacy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgallAiHIWitw_Fo_MLduXUcYP2tCgPdpvfEbys47Om2B4rzoaKNkmifpW09ntKJ1hrbvoIn-eYGK97FetzYvEai-2I2FCmlEJUkz4x6yQ9KGjArQ4Kpe_mRpg5tvwyU6G8vZFfbth7blXW/s1600/goddess+of+willendorf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgallAiHIWitw_Fo_MLduXUcYP2tCgPdpvfEbys47Om2B4rzoaKNkmifpW09ntKJ1hrbvoIn-eYGK97FetzYvEai-2I2FCmlEJUkz4x6yQ9KGjArQ4Kpe_mRpg5tvwyU6G8vZFfbth7blXW/s640/goddess+of+willendorf1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Venus-of-Willendorf">Venus of Willendorf</a> in the making -- the basic pattern idea was from Marie at Ancient Threads (her blog is no longer online). Easy to make, I just folded a legal-size piece of paper in half and drew it freehand.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXKEU3esTmc7iMHGEerj4rFNtb6ehGmH33yzkflpZpcr8uHpbc39EKRMtFaPY0j_B6WsJDDcVCcDzY9_3NMQWAOVubOOCh_5AbeC4-uA0NnftIv7-h4Va8jBtEObBTMY9azP61ihfX8ZH/s1600/goddess+of+willendorf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXKEU3esTmc7iMHGEerj4rFNtb6ehGmH33yzkflpZpcr8uHpbc39EKRMtFaPY0j_B6WsJDDcVCcDzY9_3NMQWAOVubOOCh_5AbeC4-uA0NnftIv7-h4Va8jBtEObBTMY9azP61ihfX8ZH/s640/goddess+of+willendorf2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Back and front.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqG74bJrdghlMEHypcQ053yAfnROgggz5mYE0RRI4HFfzx44-7qrNXQhX8b1aNGFMaiC6WRQtYaziNR6GwFMXT5mWFr2PFWG7PkbXiB8eMU1v-ujTguf_HHRgpukRuH3X5RyVXqjrFelZ/s640/goddess+of+willendorf+yoni.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Her yoni is a small triangular piece of millinery flowers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aJ-rnOYypH7PqsDnSEX4BmlDbfm6lcHLZMRymKp1GfqX3mUxp2rM6ihw2eWEt6DfJqfzH2THc73J92aqzLbvnaMC-XgnceiYnVQj7ZTa5LdwI2O-79EUMZPqHhj8L22HmKpejTdLlrDe/s1600/goddess+of+willendorf+headwear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aJ-rnOYypH7PqsDnSEX4BmlDbfm6lcHLZMRymKp1GfqX3mUxp2rM6ihw2eWEt6DfJqfzH2THc73J92aqzLbvnaMC-XgnceiYnVQj7ZTa5LdwI2O-79EUMZPqHhj8L22HmKpejTdLlrDe/s640/goddess+of+willendorf+headwear.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Her head-wear is another cluster of millinery flowers. She has wings.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismr_9SvIg7lz-ji8g46OBADsIGAQuFP2BWmQfoZqvzu5Z-BebwOMYxgcz5Cz6eDc22VAfUBANjPQfAeb-9CpjUjz5Olk7E08s_ShY9W_C8THFNIpZZ7F1pLgEdkWnRlIzjdHHAy-3OOcF/s1600/egg+spell+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismr_9SvIg7lz-ji8g46OBADsIGAQuFP2BWmQfoZqvzu5Z-BebwOMYxgcz5Cz6eDc22VAfUBANjPQfAeb-9CpjUjz5Olk7E08s_ShY9W_C8THFNIpZZ7F1pLgEdkWnRlIzjdHHAy-3OOcF/s640/egg+spell+2019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Every spring I enact a new moon egg spell for myself, writing my deepest desires for the coming season on an egg. Some things have changed over the years, but I usually place it on my little altar to serve as a reminder throughout the month -- then on the day of the dark moon, the egg is buried and a pansy planted over it. This kind of moon work can be done anytime of year but it's nice to be able to bury it in the ground and plant something atop.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIESNauoOtsS8Zty3pBgTbiVHZM2-2CGW6fe-j2AKc3poVfpbqZxES_64LzS4lD4deg7XeDPtUH9twDsZETYp04huAojwKhLfFQfoE2L92MiLqRTUf6xaKC1iyi3VKYtrC8Q0yUKBY1SsP/s1600/drawing+down+the+moon+redo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIESNauoOtsS8Zty3pBgTbiVHZM2-2CGW6fe-j2AKc3poVfpbqZxES_64LzS4lD4deg7XeDPtUH9twDsZETYp04huAojwKhLfFQfoE2L92MiLqRTUf6xaKC1iyi3VKYtrC8Q0yUKBY1SsP/s640/drawing+down+the+moon+redo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Revisiting and revamping an older cloth using new eyes. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPf5OXPFjOO_v2vbvmyyZ9kfUh8KgrcarzT9jj_RD1mjpHoxzDfkppaPv-A9cQW621lQ0HEYWPIwSZFxSSqxtXjxobHD1G-2g_UG6shmEn6jmlcrwr9yA8T_h4Qvd_kW9zRIZOFpLNE16t/s1600/pansies+wrapped+in+book+pages1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPf5OXPFjOO_v2vbvmyyZ9kfUh8KgrcarzT9jj_RD1mjpHoxzDfkppaPv-A9cQW621lQ0HEYWPIwSZFxSSqxtXjxobHD1G-2g_UG6shmEn6jmlcrwr9yA8T_h4Qvd_kW9zRIZOFpLNE16t/s640/pansies+wrapped+in+book+pages1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dinner party favors made with little pots of pansies loosely wrapped in old book pages and string. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZKyQ_BGezImPn4EM7hWdzvw0JWAu72qAc_k8Tg0gIAsGm5VBRI4zPzOlo3S3w863-XVbDbZO9tFuO0BTo9gFGArvoLVncUayu0nGTqjFHAIXASED8xS8MnwB9QDgbCJpjm4ejlXClW7s/s1600/pansies+wrapped+in+book+pages+table+favors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZKyQ_BGezImPn4EM7hWdzvw0JWAu72qAc_k8Tg0gIAsGm5VBRI4zPzOlo3S3w863-XVbDbZO9tFuO0BTo9gFGArvoLVncUayu0nGTqjFHAIXASED8xS8MnwB9QDgbCJpjm4ejlXClW7s/s640/pansies+wrapped+in+book+pages+table+favors.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAY6ujcoJQ4nVwRULn8j7FHx3AdAhedrirQeLU5J5CrgC9Fx8-4pf_55QG8yaJh5WBCrbRJje2JiqQ9-wayeZ_brbZGhaDXhJS5m9LER6bjcd3ZGjhFYND4Hn7fWPIJY4xrxQJueJC67O/s1600/goddess+of+willendorf+done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAY6ujcoJQ4nVwRULn8j7FHx3AdAhedrirQeLU5J5CrgC9Fx8-4pf_55QG8yaJh5WBCrbRJje2JiqQ9-wayeZ_brbZGhaDXhJS5m9LER6bjcd3ZGjhFYND4Hn7fWPIJY4xrxQJueJC67O/s640/goddess+of+willendorf+done.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
'Tis herself.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohU9JbynnK5jF-2frUT_VAgamGuuPi_Ty70NyxCe-ZObW2gxYS4A3Uu1lgn7t33iQMhl1-YrwAKXRrUSzookjKaXgGw78eF_3e9WlA3OT5eXkQORfr9DotjWOQPNAMWEHeCZI4wOOLHMB/s1600/embroidery+branch+of+may2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1600" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohU9JbynnK5jF-2frUT_VAgamGuuPi_Ty70NyxCe-ZObW2gxYS4A3Uu1lgn7t33iQMhl1-YrwAKXRrUSzookjKaXgGw78eF_3e9WlA3OT5eXkQORfr9DotjWOQPNAMWEHeCZI4wOOLHMB/s640/embroidery+branch+of+may2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Spring clean-up is well underway in my garden. I walk our little bit of land here in the city everyday. I try to notice the growth of plants from day to day and make future plans for planting food crops in and around established perennials, trees and bushes. The old saying "the best fertilizer is the farmer's footsteps" makes sense to me. For the last 10 or more years, I have not disturbed the soil except for planting. Each year I put a layer of compost on the soil along with other natural amendments. No more digging and churning and turning eliminates quite a bit wear and tear on my body and gives me more time for other things. The main reason being that I want to protect the mycelium from being damaged. A mycelium is a thread-like fungal network that unlocks nutrients for plants, helps plants resist pathogens, assists decomposition, releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, serves as a food source for earthworms and much more beyond my lay-person understanding. A mycelium network can be microscopic or it can be miles long.<br />
<br />
And we need it.<br />
<br />
Blessed be you. xo<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-45105686117062686842019-02-14T15:48:00.001-07:002019-02-14T15:53:52.282-07:00make yourself yours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We each have our own paths, dreams, visions, creations, experiences and lessons as we live our lives. These are the things I journal about here on this web log, sometimes with long pauses in between. Lately I've been listening and dreaming about the coming year. What seeds to sow, projects to begin, commitments to make, books to read...and on and on it goes. And I find great pleasure in figuring out the best way for me to live a happy, authentic existence. It's a job we've all been assigned -- to make ourselves real.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fE9sdZiNsoA1-Pq3YOxJfZKfdl2wqLCZi1LWnJqy6aN8gsNUSFKp4dtpPzQeH9UdgStg60RFycom8PjlGPvNM7CEVlcAd0ayBi5pE0QBOY2WBSohFKKY0nXWhacvGyqPcHdx-LT-buu2/s640/icon2.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've begun stitching a little, on paper instead of cloth -- this image was part of a promotional postcard and the frame is just a cardboard box decoupaged with bits of book pages. She's very Brigid-like to me with her fiery hair.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeP48jVSIGmDmqmyS2eySqfwjCIZuW_nJgPb_srTACxCZoSdTEgyAmCa3cJYKEAMIzDSIBkw20_GSVRHk8jWPTL6DcND6vo_QNS2ZvEDGRf1JDxFZrUhfdG1EdRYyMCpAjGMQktWzAwTy/s1600/avocado+toast+with+motherwort+leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1600" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeP48jVSIGmDmqmyS2eySqfwjCIZuW_nJgPb_srTACxCZoSdTEgyAmCa3cJYKEAMIzDSIBkw20_GSVRHk8jWPTL6DcND6vo_QNS2ZvEDGRf1JDxFZrUhfdG1EdRYyMCpAjGMQktWzAwTy/s640/avocado+toast+with+motherwort+leaves.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I looked for signs of life in the snowy garden the other day, I found a few new motherwort leaves that were perfect on my avocado toast. Motherwort isn't exactly a culinary herb but fresh anything has value. Only a month ago, there were still dandelions in the grass, but they've all disappeared now. This coming fall I vow to pot up and shelter a few dandelion and chive plants for winter use. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLRycWptqzuaGXNvahcCH9vu646ExDE3akjIoaKVOzbjZbbkZC4ohY4CVOtPjxepqvrZTb4D9Gs08nz2lQM9ntGTqujT0-eTC-qFaHEJ3DoQ4p2va1DDDsISz8ypoGmleoB1G35qdbPJR/s1600/postcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1414" data-original-width="1600" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLRycWptqzuaGXNvahcCH9vu646ExDE3akjIoaKVOzbjZbbkZC4ohY4CVOtPjxepqvrZTb4D9Gs08nz2lQM9ntGTqujT0-eTC-qFaHEJ3DoQ4p2va1DDDsISz8ypoGmleoB1G35qdbPJR/s640/postcard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blanket stitching on another old postcard-turned-button-card.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF3ykT8hSvmrGjifYfv8EBEgiHD04p3a6ihrqwEKyseLK1thiMzxeyyG0fRi1Dbv3K29hUF7G4mrPn7_TCm8Mh_5Se5ecPiIn4wf8kPxztT8SfefhKNM-OmZw6TEbOc4SJlt3OGfniFI0/s1600/brigid+altar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF3ykT8hSvmrGjifYfv8EBEgiHD04p3a6ihrqwEKyseLK1thiMzxeyyG0fRi1Dbv3K29hUF7G4mrPn7_TCm8Mh_5Se5ecPiIn4wf8kPxztT8SfefhKNM-OmZw6TEbOc4SJlt3OGfniFI0/s640/brigid+altar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am intrigued by the Fire Goddess Brigid, forerunner of St. Brigid. Every year on her name-day, also known as Candlemas or Imbolc, I begin setting up a little tabletop Brigid altar. This year I included a Brigid image -- a little corn husk doll -- and instead of using plant material for my Brigid's cross, I wove a torn calendar page and inscribed it with various meditations (idea from <a href="http://blog.susangaylord.com/2015/01/make-paper-st-brigids-cross.html">here</a>). The blue altar cloths were dyed with home-grown Japanese indigo. I still want to place a few more items on this altar -- some beeswax or a teeny-tiny jar of honey to represent all the activity about to resume in Nature, a little sun image for warmer days, and a lamb figurine for birth/rebirth. I am only touching on the surface of the Imbolc season here -- if you are so inclined to delve into the meaning or to explore the old ways and practices of Imbolc, there is still plenty of time. In the Celtic tradition Imbolc is three months long -- it begins now in late winter, goes through Spring Equinox and ends in late spring.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-eL5jrbGe_wMqes_PECaiPWfJ91YLlyp0yyTC10eW5p62_lFnPYmL5PqqRNS0DVv8anLpN9gaR1S2NKUjzlhfI09FOMVp0e4pn9Op7u8FlgByEB-b0U8Q7R8BW9HpUAp0lvP00_m1UnT/s1600/elderberry+syrup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-eL5jrbGe_wMqes_PECaiPWfJ91YLlyp0yyTC10eW5p62_lFnPYmL5PqqRNS0DVv8anLpN9gaR1S2NKUjzlhfI09FOMVp0e4pn9Op7u8FlgByEB-b0U8Q7R8BW9HpUAp0lvP00_m1UnT/s640/elderberry+syrup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Homemade elderberry syrup poured over a waffle is possibly the best way I've found to take an immunity-boosting herbal medicine. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljJ2jBa7uQsUfMy23lwUysh1o-xTZ4-LcHG3rJ-ZcfZY0hviATq5_VNruaZOvDKiF-QkwcFE4bMsqgMLytIJBx1KRZLoveTVotdd_tv4lKfM1HHr9ka3sWJIrbvfN9MssrX54K8urISdD/s1600/seeds+on+altar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljJ2jBa7uQsUfMy23lwUysh1o-xTZ4-LcHG3rJ-ZcfZY0hviATq5_VNruaZOvDKiF-QkwcFE4bMsqgMLytIJBx1KRZLoveTVotdd_tv4lKfM1HHr9ka3sWJIrbvfN9MssrX54K8urISdD/s640/seeds+on+altar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As Imbolc is also the time to bless and potentize our seeds for spring planting, the basket of seeds serves as a symbol of good crops to come.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yJXWi3hwpEtSB5ZKOy9xeMHqxYpB7Z8NvIB6QWKS28dW1eFEGcxZjQy22YEESoFbUeS_kr839wk0x-_gM9d1AKC66S_NCpIgunxq7jO0tOK8w32j2X-NuwMz_Uys9Uap3jGvq4xm9anQ/s1600/pillows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yJXWi3hwpEtSB5ZKOy9xeMHqxYpB7Z8NvIB6QWKS28dW1eFEGcxZjQy22YEESoFbUeS_kr839wk0x-_gM9d1AKC66S_NCpIgunxq7jO0tOK8w32j2X-NuwMz_Uys9Uap3jGvq4xm9anQ/s640/pillows.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Pillows taken from other parts of the house over the holidays ended up all together on this bed -- a nice show of homemade and store bought. I have pretty good memories of the song <i>You Are My Sunshine</i> -- my mom sang it to us kids and my dad whistled it as he drove. It may or may not have been "their" song. As I always saw myself as being "the sunshine," the part about being taken away was concerning though -- <i>please don't take my sunshine away. </i>In my mind it was please don't take my Peggy away.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRouqvSQ_rX2VO3Tqhak3skdFsRx9XUa2YoM1cwNA7jgy7jawetblx6PrM_0HTM8FHcEoPpHq-veRJggSvhQ9sOvtNOGM1Sm9OsaBSc57XHw-oqNkh7bhljY45F6hEw_aSLSmxNBBhzniq/s1600/echinacea1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRouqvSQ_rX2VO3Tqhak3skdFsRx9XUa2YoM1cwNA7jgy7jawetblx6PrM_0HTM8FHcEoPpHq-veRJggSvhQ9sOvtNOGM1Sm9OsaBSc57XHw-oqNkh7bhljY45F6hEw_aSLSmxNBBhzniq/s640/echinacea1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Nothing simpler or more wintry than glass cylinder candle holders slip-covered with white sweater sleeves.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYPonQ1Ip7SgXsh6jPBut1TBy_kIVU-yhobq1y1V_HgSbSnk_jGkg_67zjkSmoTlFpr0RHCD6Syrh7ANGsECC0XbLJN_YTLEWrg2WSA08rqnR45d1WNpsJgAjVX8fjLMNu-8C2PNZoKFo/s1600/fruit+bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1442" data-original-width="1600" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYPonQ1Ip7SgXsh6jPBut1TBy_kIVU-yhobq1y1V_HgSbSnk_jGkg_67zjkSmoTlFpr0RHCD6Syrh7ANGsECC0XbLJN_YTLEWrg2WSA08rqnR45d1WNpsJgAjVX8fjLMNu-8C2PNZoKFo/s640/fruit+bowl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Green.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBqFb83uMcs9gru9R5_LFU2DPPe_AyJzsgfcbumW5e1DOpp2sBY05tlOzFXKUsj-gmzr00R7jVcU_WWq4qKTnFeMxVq9MK_FqvZxF-O5WBYb-E4-3jePRl9W9LIH8irKrHGp6s2L7i17p/s1600/echinacea2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBqFb83uMcs9gru9R5_LFU2DPPe_AyJzsgfcbumW5e1DOpp2sBY05tlOzFXKUsj-gmzr00R7jVcU_WWq4qKTnFeMxVq9MK_FqvZxF-O5WBYb-E4-3jePRl9W9LIH8irKrHGp6s2L7i17p/s640/echinacea2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The last of the Echinacea angustifolia tincture has been decanted and more must be made.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAS2ZXzlLmvYopqXzWo7DkDjoKkFtUhaiuewElFig7ugeWo_RjdxuXrZxTkaT5NjgIXUzJSX64ipqvSHlTVpDoyN2CAGiK7jnA0-yECjFphmQI8rcRRKrEthVmLBA2XxCKxMCUmfdafwb/s1600/icon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAS2ZXzlLmvYopqXzWo7DkDjoKkFtUhaiuewElFig7ugeWo_RjdxuXrZxTkaT5NjgIXUzJSX64ipqvSHlTVpDoyN2CAGiK7jnA0-yECjFphmQI8rcRRKrEthVmLBA2XxCKxMCUmfdafwb/s640/icon1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Little propagation vases filled with slips of plants brighten up dark spaces around the house -- sweet bay leaf, <i>Laurus nobilis</i>, and pink nerve plant, <i>Fittonia albivenis</i> here. I seem to have lost my knitting mojo, I knit the little candle mat over a year ago just as it was slipping away. I don't know where it has gone.<br />
<br />
I'm enjoying walking our dog Talula on snowy days because we usually have the park to ourselves. Looking down, concentrating on being sure-footed on multi-layers of ice and snow -- my entire field of vision is such that I can imagine for just a moment that I live in another time and place. Maybe Finland or Sweden or even a mountaintop.<br />
<br />
<i>You need only to claim the events of your life to make yourself yours. When you truly possess all you have been and done, which may take some time, you are fierce with reality. </i> ~Florida Scott-Maxwell<br />
<br />
Wishing you sunny days and blue snow blessings. xo<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhr2Cr7GtCgYGAFfFZbtL0HLaa9i6Gz9lzJYBKK5WB6ByJGNANpCUC2SVZcfTs0rtuw2jj3FEh5PZbUb7GhfKg3a_VpRJpZCnKb9ug7F-sxtf3mCtjkoblXouvW4Hu9vxoPkofKIl6Ochi/s1600/sun+in+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1589" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhr2Cr7GtCgYGAFfFZbtL0HLaa9i6Gz9lzJYBKK5WB6ByJGNANpCUC2SVZcfTs0rtuw2jj3FEh5PZbUb7GhfKg3a_VpRJpZCnKb9ug7F-sxtf3mCtjkoblXouvW4Hu9vxoPkofKIl6Ochi/s400/sun+in+snow.jpg" width="396" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-28079024137117084402018-12-30T16:36:00.001-07:002018-12-30T16:36:46.802-07:00winter solstice season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have been enchanted by the idea of a 'winter solstice season' rather than a one-day or 12-day event. By expanding the December 21st date a few weeks before and after, I have been given the gift of time, relaxation, rest and greater enjoyment than ever before. The entire space and pace of Yule seems to have changed for the better.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2Tjgn17TZD4IOaE8EtfxK_d9aAm7MbI1z0QQqDQYFoNKmfzqZsrJpR-xTxUJ0MV5e0iFC_CBuj1zsYxzaz6Ys_vO1_2mfPh2l4k1n8RjNnqezTi3wbGC17spo1vxW92aKFBglM13K4jw/s1600/shine+light+into+the+darkness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1600" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2Tjgn17TZD4IOaE8EtfxK_d9aAm7MbI1z0QQqDQYFoNKmfzqZsrJpR-xTxUJ0MV5e0iFC_CBuj1zsYxzaz6Ys_vO1_2mfPh2l4k1n8RjNnqezTi3wbGC17spo1vxW92aKFBglM13K4jw/s640/shine+light+into+the+darkness.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
"shine light into the darkness" is my contribution to <a href="https://www.indiaflint.com/">India Flint</a>'s Gardens of the Heart poetry and cloth exhibit to be held at the Woollen Mill Artspace in Lobethal, South Australia in February. When I volunteered for the project, I was given the assignment of a few hand-stitched words (of my own choosing) for the second line of a three-line poem, to be stitched together and hung by India and her volunteers. An amazing sight it will be. Details <a href="https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/gardens-of-the-heart-af2019?venue=166%3A698">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYWo8XCnCppvG5Nko10bWPgjKLghYNFNdYE4MwlxELJhoY8gNFXdWKKclfpeP2wmVMH8QTgoRrA3BM82cbdDABiuXQL2FN1L6lDKZWR57mVVIi9mP_GBtZ5BjD9B-ZFsxNFaxWwBsX9Mn/s1600/candlelight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYWo8XCnCppvG5Nko10bWPgjKLghYNFNdYE4MwlxELJhoY8gNFXdWKKclfpeP2wmVMH8QTgoRrA3BM82cbdDABiuXQL2FN1L6lDKZWR57mVVIi9mP_GBtZ5BjD9B-ZFsxNFaxWwBsX9Mn/s640/candlelight.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Shining light into the darkness is something to aspire to.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVwAtR7QE5ZKLizyUFPwc-u5FMR6KBOS-VG6s58pgTKskZGJZbxOR30txtOwqs4Zy90N90cI1zBXi_2hXee7euL3duXRDRu2DxjkJs_zT1OiVpNMUgVAvbhqMC_LujjdoxezGWxGazvxW/s1600/fermented+elderberry+honey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVwAtR7QE5ZKLizyUFPwc-u5FMR6KBOS-VG6s58pgTKskZGJZbxOR30txtOwqs4Zy90N90cI1zBXi_2hXee7euL3duXRDRu2DxjkJs_zT1OiVpNMUgVAvbhqMC_LujjdoxezGWxGazvxW/s640/fermented+elderberry+honey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Fermented elderberry honey that I started in the fall and brewed until recently -- I'm not sure that it tastes any different than unfermented honey but hopefully it teems with invisible probiotic helpers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFhnLjQoBZd4XxOVpEwQdEcTcojzV8Dc9Vev2s_4WN7ifmT-aZIAXz9A98D_tIsDGH24sltdjAfDrgs9CVUKu4vaHV4r4ih41d-2wOlTioV3S6luhQyXDsK6WYf32jIEgWhr-JR6IfVqL/s1600/gifts1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFhnLjQoBZd4XxOVpEwQdEcTcojzV8Dc9Vev2s_4WN7ifmT-aZIAXz9A98D_tIsDGH24sltdjAfDrgs9CVUKu4vaHV4r4ih41d-2wOlTioV3S6luhQyXDsK6WYf32jIEgWhr-JR6IfVqL/s640/gifts1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The assembling of mostly home-made gift packages, each with a small peppermint essential oil soy candle, a bit of peppermint bark and a little poinsettia plant.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCvXrf-453q5-4RjjYJATuC2CfUYR6K-awnfW9XVuYjoZHplzFdyP75MNZuMsc2UfteZeBvIv5QjmjtH7XIuQPmt1eY2dVuot5U8yaZC_RWxru47sZetetRxBwY9KhlfZ3FZCLpVL-MqA/s1600/gifts2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCvXrf-453q5-4RjjYJATuC2CfUYR6K-awnfW9XVuYjoZHplzFdyP75MNZuMsc2UfteZeBvIv5QjmjtH7XIuQPmt1eY2dVuot5U8yaZC_RWxru47sZetetRxBwY9KhlfZ3FZCLpVL-MqA/s640/gifts2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It had been many years since I'd gone into full production like this for Yule gifts. I think we scared some of the neighbors when we came to their doors bearing gifts in the dark.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1k1n0pIa0crHdGFEG9AiPNbrFXwlTkbMhEjrXcZXDbXRFp2eKZKzt6DQxOLnLC-aZ2XUKLUAuY5ZGpp5Dy0FAjZmL0WDUvGH2jBLr5JDwHD-09ZWM-ebfT-mkjVJh40tDWOwyLsaRTVd/s1600/altar+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1k1n0pIa0crHdGFEG9AiPNbrFXwlTkbMhEjrXcZXDbXRFp2eKZKzt6DQxOLnLC-aZ2XUKLUAuY5ZGpp5Dy0FAjZmL0WDUvGH2jBLr5JDwHD-09ZWM-ebfT-mkjVJh40tDWOwyLsaRTVd/s640/altar+top.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Autumn altar gradually morphing into winter altar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEdsJuVK2ZnIyZSm3aE8_vo2pJzGzpVN4SapkFUl2G8GHUXylOZsN6XLu8hiVQzf0QnKWoLgEFXiQtk7btLUtk9jaTLb9IkShvYqT_sf1sDL3I3QH1zDK3_b50tEj4r5X9u5KSQ6_L5x4/s1600/a+beet+a+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEdsJuVK2ZnIyZSm3aE8_vo2pJzGzpVN4SapkFUl2G8GHUXylOZsN6XLu8hiVQzf0QnKWoLgEFXiQtk7btLUtk9jaTLb9IkShvYqT_sf1sDL3I3QH1zDK3_b50tEj4r5X9u5KSQ6_L5x4/s640/a+beet+a+day.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Roots to nourish and deepen my ancestral roots -- I imagine my people nodding in approval as I cook with them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErVZht4OLjbqT7s8BSYkdZRZq7Szm7LXkTkG6TSY3JOPy0whsEDbtDEf208C7jYCqiWPbQKIrkqyjdsDPqH72jnjjNbKqzv08cc0d5ufyIxae7tv3MbELCqCB8YltfGs83hruOfOD8vpH/s1600/tea+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErVZht4OLjbqT7s8BSYkdZRZq7Szm7LXkTkG6TSY3JOPy0whsEDbtDEf208C7jYCqiWPbQKIrkqyjdsDPqH72jnjjNbKqzv08cc0d5ufyIxae7tv3MbELCqCB8YltfGs83hruOfOD8vpH/s640/tea+time.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A lovely, solitary, winter tea time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbvzBS_wgxdz6jGZI2XiOXnWTxghIb8KDYA1uxlpamlSR3ojW78n_i_jyKhUsI0KUrnZwJnFlrzzxksaQXTvUx042AfkI15W7aXpZ3L6kARr6YuYKlQnwDi4U-naCeDxDqBaVSm0d8oNn/s1600/plants+are+magic+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbvzBS_wgxdz6jGZI2XiOXnWTxghIb8KDYA1uxlpamlSR3ojW78n_i_jyKhUsI0KUrnZwJnFlrzzxksaQXTvUx042AfkI15W7aXpZ3L6kARr6YuYKlQnwDi4U-naCeDxDqBaVSm0d8oNn/s640/plants+are+magic+book.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://rebeccadesnos.com/plants-are-magic-magazine/">Plants are Magic</a> by Rebecca Desnos is a magical publication, indeed. I recently ordered the first three volumes -- to date I've only read the first article in the first volume...but I've read it three times. I've been savoring Rebecca's beautiful writing about unusual, traditional dye methods beginning with making healing cloth by dyeing the cloth in medicinal (anti-bacterial) dye-baths -or- projecting pure intention into the dye-bath for well-being and healing. Another unusual practice (in our culture) is to continually dye and re-dye clothing to refresh both color and healing qualities. I see a whole wide vista opening up before me now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tM6y4xCR9QGRfKRal0cwMVLxbWw0z5nYVr1ZH6EBuDBZuze6tKNknlR8ky7T2_95bHAJUznO1nS2wX1B9svUjRVz9ppbqGxE7LFWJ7YmckoF3a4TcUMwTyuVZFllAj3j4-qqfGjZ-8ST/s1600/new+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1343" data-original-width="1600" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tM6y4xCR9QGRfKRal0cwMVLxbWw0z5nYVr1ZH6EBuDBZuze6tKNknlR8ky7T2_95bHAJUznO1nS2wX1B9svUjRVz9ppbqGxE7LFWJ7YmckoF3a4TcUMwTyuVZFllAj3j4-qqfGjZ-8ST/s640/new+books.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Einkorn is a cookbook/guide for the ancient variety of wheat known as Einkorn. I am excited about this because it could serve as yet another connection to the foods of my ancestors.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfUg-iq6WP5cAxIfm624tBTfOC2CO707rsJqvfWjG00xHXR-9cGj_ApTZqStfCbUvV19_-hNFJtpYB959k_G6RB-erYgSA9sJ0tvNxFv5J2KyWwiniza12cEEtaf5fQd_Ed7c50ihwdCH/s1600/Solstice+page1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfUg-iq6WP5cAxIfm624tBTfOC2CO707rsJqvfWjG00xHXR-9cGj_ApTZqStfCbUvV19_-hNFJtpYB959k_G6RB-erYgSA9sJ0tvNxFv5J2KyWwiniza12cEEtaf5fQd_Ed7c50ihwdCH/s640/Solstice+page1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
At the beginning of a new year I look forward to having something new to focus on and use as a guide of some sort. Before deciding on a new focus though, I decided to enter the season of winter solstice by simply reflecting on light in the darkness.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPKdTi2oK1wLI994ta_vbf3fGJvjeJ5-YUdV3zWl1DfnS0w9ZBtg0-HM48AJgu0cXYMolD7JbK_o_Hb94-NLycR0fp53frMoFO8Sc36vOAGnoUgSy_onE5mDCK-k9KPDFeVL78_7CIQHc/s1600/Solstice+page2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPKdTi2oK1wLI994ta_vbf3fGJvjeJ5-YUdV3zWl1DfnS0w9ZBtg0-HM48AJgu0cXYMolD7JbK_o_Hb94-NLycR0fp53frMoFO8Sc36vOAGnoUgSy_onE5mDCK-k9KPDFeVL78_7CIQHc/s640/Solstice+page2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I wrote myself A Litany of Light for the Winter Solstice Season in the manner of old-time church litanies, inspired by John Matthews in The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas. The response for each line of my litany is a little different than most -- rather than a phrase of words, it is to simply reflect in silence for a few seconds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTsg4H5Sz6uLuFaCrPe9MFveFTPrUojhopEbf7psNxeHDDqkIp1I9qU66R2iXUOFK66Dc7_qv1NLqJLanN_pZCTMM7IbqsjLyEAUmYNyTOOOo7AXTtetDPgsKHw7QYRq8SlIUFIGB-HYP/s1600/Solstice+page3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTsg4H5Sz6uLuFaCrPe9MFveFTPrUojhopEbf7psNxeHDDqkIp1I9qU66R2iXUOFK66Dc7_qv1NLqJLanN_pZCTMM7IbqsjLyEAUmYNyTOOOo7AXTtetDPgsKHw7QYRq8SlIUFIGB-HYP/s640/Solstice+page3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A photograph album with a good number of black pages intact once belonged to my parents and probably grandparents before them. It feels pretty old. I love it so much and plan to use it to take me through the new year. Who knows what will happen. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To all who read this, I wish you many wonders and miracles in the new year. xo</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmRCgIUqO841fVA_ULXqvR3oMsnbmAJksUQhjejUxwrUOUzYa7amyhFnTbEWZbEciyxg4-mlHcD-MJhRqBvDOa21Wcz2bDQe6U_05Kzu9jCj_BPDLX0FJzuCxglkkrhEpVTopnqpoedK2/s400/photographs+album.jpg" width="400" /></div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-30421899469227512062018-11-03T23:59:00.000-06:002018-11-04T00:02:40.841-06:00fire & flower cider vinegar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Time has slipped away and I scarcely know how to begin again. But my third eye, the camera, has documented these last months so I'll just use photos as my guide.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rw5l95hW2F2aVKvT4yQB-z4YxbQhb7RRHk2jJQqLGdVkEu6L1Vx55N3J0538r7Stbk8Fe8h0SAJtnSS1CX_dMazQk9OXRuL0qDt1Gb2c-eLy3lsaKWP7Dus7c_l2XOWVEEoILCeIpYA7/s1600/apples+creekside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rw5l95hW2F2aVKvT4yQB-z4YxbQhb7RRHk2jJQqLGdVkEu6L1Vx55N3J0538r7Stbk8Fe8h0SAJtnSS1CX_dMazQk9OXRuL0qDt1Gb2c-eLy3lsaKWP7Dus7c_l2XOWVEEoILCeIpYA7/s640/apples+creekside.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Around Autumn Equinox I learned that apples enhance and deepen our connection to the inner realms. Soon after, apples began to present themselves. First, some wild apples in a small tree along Cherry Creek, near where I walk Talula everyday. I had never really foraged here in the city before but this particular apple tree called to me. And once I began that tiny bit of foraging, I began to notice other people doing the same. Collecting food from abandoned trees or the ground beneath, imagine that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBCTfgOhK04PmSU8lUjaingdsZxH5trH-f3Fi5y_7yOjTw2BigBzNv0UiilkIBb17U9kLLAjXhrDsvhGC9EoJjh_98Y0k-jPVi68n7bfut7CdekzHYD1V_bqkUGFR3_MDKR3YStLOn8wB/s1600/corn+silk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBCTfgOhK04PmSU8lUjaingdsZxH5trH-f3Fi5y_7yOjTw2BigBzNv0UiilkIBb17U9kLLAjXhrDsvhGC9EoJjh_98Y0k-jPVi68n7bfut7CdekzHYD1V_bqkUGFR3_MDKR3YStLOn8wB/s640/corn+silk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
At the end of summer, I bought corn at the farmers' market to make and freeze creamed corn. I made and froze corn broth from the cobs, dried the husks for crafts and dried the corn silk for medicine. Corn silk, <i>Zea mays</i>, is a specific for the kidneys, bladder and prostrate and good to have in a home pharmacy. It is an anodyne (pain reliever), alterative (moves one toward improvement), antiseptic (antibacterial), demulcent (soothes and relieves inflammation), diuretic (removes water from the body through urination), and lithotriptic (dissolves stones). If needed, I would put a handful in a jar, cover with boiling water, and infuse overnight. I would drink a few cups of this infusion each day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixw68ynq3iaiMrCljk2tLY9WkslH6v2lxvxly4Sqq1NBiT0nJbATLBwHfSaUxvuW4wud6FZSxbggKtnuSGRas2p0jpNN-oXSBI0ASEXJ95f_WtCkSEVoH0GpQeU0gP2vnOEqvH_PKs0M6x/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixw68ynq3iaiMrCljk2tLY9WkslH6v2lxvxly4Sqq1NBiT0nJbATLBwHfSaUxvuW4wud6FZSxbggKtnuSGRas2p0jpNN-oXSBI0ASEXJ95f_WtCkSEVoH0GpQeU0gP2vnOEqvH_PKs0M6x/s640/flowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In early autumn, these colors were absolutely brilliant under the strong Colorado sun. Pastels have a tough time under our full sun, they look their best at dawn or dusk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl35pI2c-Ku-ynp_BjQh8PYZmVkTWzoIzqMmmwAih9hYDjMjTzLE9Wqsa1ugcTxKH-yrfJLtxQAs4zBBUyzOV-CVp4ke8SQEbmTj6jy4IpGdxw4Jk10oKvX_PRpmTHdmqGkan7o7XTDSI/s1600/apples+our+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl35pI2c-Ku-ynp_BjQh8PYZmVkTWzoIzqMmmwAih9hYDjMjTzLE9Wqsa1ugcTxKH-yrfJLtxQAs4zBBUyzOV-CVp4ke8SQEbmTj6jy4IpGdxw4Jk10oKvX_PRpmTHdmqGkan7o7XTDSI/s640/apples+our+tree.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">And then more apples -- a modest first crop from our own young apple tree in the front yard. I don't think there was a single worm in these and we didn't treat in any way. For whatever reason, the fruit crops were hugely successful here in Denver this year. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUKzbxOg-qgeiWQZed-UHq3m44yj71NXGpqF1OR_jIiUedBBiiW9dhbPSEBvISOipGn1XYjToLPhHi-fGiHz68MHSMwfPAFRjNdIbVy89j5rI8nzI4flhMVYbDj4Dr11U1eHtwR7gx_-j/s1600/fire+%2526+flower+vinegar1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUKzbxOg-qgeiWQZed-UHq3m44yj71NXGpqF1OR_jIiUedBBiiW9dhbPSEBvISOipGn1XYjToLPhHi-fGiHz68MHSMwfPAFRjNdIbVy89j5rI8nzI4flhMVYbDj4Dr11U1eHtwR7gx_-j/s640/fire+%2526+flower+vinegar1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I am still drawn toward making ancestral connections and food seems like a good way to reach out....here I started infusing fruit, flowers and herbs in apple cider vinegar. I know it's not likely that my foremothers made this exact same concoction, but I do know they would have gathered and foraged fruit, flowers, nuts and herbs to use and preserve. This "fire & flower cider vinegar" started out with apple cider vinegar and nasturtium flowers & pods. Shortly thereafter I added tiny crab apples, also foraged from along the creek.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUhLe4HuZaLxf46o9Z3LD4QNBRomx-hh_lso2lroenNB9iTmb1RtMiclPnK-CWBuEDD4OZC5-Y5wrAPGD3QiBb-510ltn1C4eQRGgWejFBguoeB0ibV65M55hNMrzvH2ZGBRUD-o05SUK/s1600/fire+%2526+flower+vinegar2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUhLe4HuZaLxf46o9Z3LD4QNBRomx-hh_lso2lroenNB9iTmb1RtMiclPnK-CWBuEDD4OZC5-Y5wrAPGD3QiBb-510ltn1C4eQRGgWejFBguoeB0ibV65M55hNMrzvH2ZGBRUD-o05SUK/s640/fire+%2526+flower+vinegar2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Every few days I added more ingredients to the vinegar as I found them -- rose hips, roses, more nasturtiums, jalapenos and ground mustard seed from lunaria seed pods.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNM14IJfNCXvtpuqIl1BlDj1oJv7gh3jHP2Wq3rqBMX3TVC25cAA58HcjNchdPVHxgvBcNLvJR6dHOXLDfKSzNln_f4L12SGnp_pq7cl4gV4b4_NwleVmeqRQURxl2WuznkVOemwsvg7JQ/s1600/fire+%2526+flower+vinegar3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="1600" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNM14IJfNCXvtpuqIl1BlDj1oJv7gh3jHP2Wq3rqBMX3TVC25cAA58HcjNchdPVHxgvBcNLvJR6dHOXLDfKSzNln_f4L12SGnp_pq7cl4gV4b4_NwleVmeqRQURxl2WuznkVOemwsvg7JQ/s640/fire+%2526+flower+vinegar3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Also, rosemary, sage and dandelion leaves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mbeGyIOpeHP8tcpbyYnR8kfD3vwzlh6VtGxzgJU8IrP97eigo_KY3iBwUlBLWrGanbekTahhaX_feSg2Fl_cWbzkM_HEWBPdbgtoKl-fBE9IWnNncM8DVKLbjCKkgmgkXwHFhNSx1nQG/s1600/fire+%2526+flower+vinegar4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mbeGyIOpeHP8tcpbyYnR8kfD3vwzlh6VtGxzgJU8IrP97eigo_KY3iBwUlBLWrGanbekTahhaX_feSg2Fl_cWbzkM_HEWBPdbgtoKl-fBE9IWnNncM8DVKLbjCKkgmgkXwHFhNSx1nQG/s640/fire+%2526+flower+vinegar4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Berries from the Oregon grape holly bushes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNge7XYD2iywzfJpbTI8b06QRnzCCZa2-0FWDoyToxb1c7PwnkyCvKNEzwVw6NCiCz-mLvieDCO2Nqq6on4YZHafK5OiGsnDLvVZVX2wswWF8cW3BE4_l8btiq39SOwk7TsfMQKi7TCVW/s1600/fire+%2526+flower+vinegar5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1600" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNge7XYD2iywzfJpbTI8b06QRnzCCZa2-0FWDoyToxb1c7PwnkyCvKNEzwVw6NCiCz-mLvieDCO2Nqq6on4YZHafK5OiGsnDLvVZVX2wswWF8cW3BE4_l8btiq39SOwk7TsfMQKi7TCVW/s640/fire+%2526+flower+vinegar5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
All topped off with apple chunks. This vinegar is still brewing and I can't wait to taste it. I think the grandmothers nudged me along but I do have to say, with deep gratitude, Gather Victoria's <a href="https://gathervictoria.com/2016/09/22/beautiful-venus-vinegar-autumn-medicine-magic/">Venus Vinegar</a> was hugely inspiring.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkCEgwu5Yalal8LqeK73Cu0mslqqyRUM0qjfMAMQRLiWZ7Vaf_Bgby2XJNOINWETxW_0dT9BB8OwnpLgOcjcmWtOpVW4XawmGQM9rIZCkN7DpbSOEAM99xfwm6sxEUPItMi3rfu8lmCd3/s1600/last+harvest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1600" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkCEgwu5Yalal8LqeK73Cu0mslqqyRUM0qjfMAMQRLiWZ7Vaf_Bgby2XJNOINWETxW_0dT9BB8OwnpLgOcjcmWtOpVW4XawmGQM9rIZCkN7DpbSOEAM99xfwm6sxEUPItMi3rfu8lmCd3/s640/last+harvest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The day before our first hard freeze, I harvested everything I could. I remember the last-harvest ritual with my mother when I was a girl....our frozen fingers, the growing dark, the scent of parsley -- flowers, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini filling bowls and baskets. The last harvest should be its own holiday -- it happens every year and although it may look different, it feels the same to me no matter my age.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYITly9Q8DgNzeN-ODWNh5Dd4eP2vrrNpZX6zE808-4EHxH32hQ2Ye_Qw5kvVkk1_McGwVVH2GWrNsAuY1OlmUJ2lYqvn2PxcY4mxxYpSHVquLDDGOHeci3wrnRx1jhVXU8Jy2Jug1WGm/s1600/Day+of+the+Dead+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYITly9Q8DgNzeN-ODWNh5Dd4eP2vrrNpZX6zE808-4EHxH32hQ2Ye_Qw5kvVkk1_McGwVVH2GWrNsAuY1OlmUJ2lYqvn2PxcY4mxxYpSHVquLDDGOHeci3wrnRx1jhVXU8Jy2Jug1WGm/s640/Day+of+the+Dead+2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The family altar. Over the last weeks, I have spent a good amount of time lighting candles and standing here. I search the photos of grandmothers and a great grandmother. And grandfathers and a great grandfather. I don't really know what I'm looking for but I think I'll feel it when I find it. I have read and believe we have more Otherworld relationships than our once-embodied familial lineages -- so I'm searching for those too because, in the end, we are all connected. Soul lineages, garden lineages, plant/medicinal lineages, handwork lineages and so on. If you have felt connections like these, I'd love to know and learn from your experiences if you would be willing to share.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRg8TMsY3SatDeuN70W8kT_sr0UcFOwzbCu9q5orMJJ5pcrKzFIZ7xiSq4e8_6XQNbSXAIFV3ifRMDuEuhvocIfjk9o3V5j2VuOMDaouLnSrBoP5jn9DtVAb8iveEU5v6JCpKq4GaUrcf/s1600/baked+potato+food+for+ancestors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRg8TMsY3SatDeuN70W8kT_sr0UcFOwzbCu9q5orMJJ5pcrKzFIZ7xiSq4e8_6XQNbSXAIFV3ifRMDuEuhvocIfjk9o3V5j2VuOMDaouLnSrBoP5jn9DtVAb8iveEU5v6JCpKq4GaUrcf/s640/baked+potato+food+for+ancestors.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A homage of baked potato to the ancestors for all the root crops over which they labored.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WDjketZTCv6TROAdGqsC18Y0IyGcStXoEnze7-9iGL07sEeNuTM26lYwaxwwc3vxEO3oydsEEhqIo0IqkYZdnjbXVytBb22rUQZUxUYjN63cNGG9pqN7_qIzBEpSSkhuhck_RHpnyey-/s1600/temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WDjketZTCv6TROAdGqsC18Y0IyGcStXoEnze7-9iGL07sEeNuTM26lYwaxwwc3vxEO3oydsEEhqIo0IqkYZdnjbXVytBb22rUQZUxUYjN63cNGG9pqN7_qIzBEpSSkhuhck_RHpnyey-/s640/temple.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The little temple was filled with autumn offerings of crystals, herbs and incense. When I remembered, I smudged and chanted and sang to the plants as I collected seeds, blossoms, fruits and leaves. The garden is really a garden of spirits, me included.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBG1ivqTOvDF0AgHWGAybzlyVYUHVHLmX2q_SxPzGdGP8dZ0lJwwcjdXH_i1NeKbJhpeXncVNM1nFJHaU5EyXulDBMiiWC6-dNDBB4_sWoDv9HRS8gwa8WoI4pWGpEMEqeEjiJVGZ-32m/s1600/autumn+leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBG1ivqTOvDF0AgHWGAybzlyVYUHVHLmX2q_SxPzGdGP8dZ0lJwwcjdXH_i1NeKbJhpeXncVNM1nFJHaU5EyXulDBMiiWC6-dNDBB4_sWoDv9HRS8gwa8WoI4pWGpEMEqeEjiJVGZ-32m/s640/autumn+leaves.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The turning of leaves is always beautiful but these patterns caught my eye. I know that leaves don't actually take on new colors in the autumn -- the green simply disappears as chlorophyll breaks down, revealing the true colors of red, orange and yellow. But these are exquisite.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8r-tpfAhADslPmKNkrjLkCcp9X8wIdBgcPCWXFjAzx6HK3JDQaoyUnaOF6CtFYPPrSmMKfWFAV1JIQ3hJRPv9OzH_7IndGrz4ZUuLmfpd-o5o99xCLNLDzpK1tiEHHRpS0ooRRCHDpYzj/s1600/orange+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8r-tpfAhADslPmKNkrjLkCcp9X8wIdBgcPCWXFjAzx6HK3JDQaoyUnaOF6CtFYPPrSmMKfWFAV1JIQ3hJRPv9OzH_7IndGrz4ZUuLmfpd-o5o99xCLNLDzpK1tiEHHRpS0ooRRCHDpYzj/s640/orange+tree.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And here is our potted orange tree with one of her two large oranges. It takes one year for an orange to develop from flowering to ripening. I'm not sure when this plant last flowered but would guess that it was in April. So that means in April of 2019 we will have two oranges.<br />
<br />
From my heart to yours. xoPeggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-78835616614900238022018-08-14T17:42:00.001-06:002018-08-14T17:42:03.881-06:00late summer and sweetgrass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's nice to always have some handwork going. Something that requires a bit of attention but not too much -- you won't lose your place by daydreaming or listening to someone or something. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdLd2wPADy0ugA4571iwFtekVGEFcm4-Z5zgd-vKK8h7ycEPR6Cf04rdziyotQozaUdRZ09UUu6wjtWFnzLFWiu6Ri43AZonl8R8MPqltcMUV5wlSxWynT1sp4PypYcmH5tdtV9pAFTAo/s1600/yellow+orange+flower+stitching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdLd2wPADy0ugA4571iwFtekVGEFcm4-Z5zgd-vKK8h7ycEPR6Cf04rdziyotQozaUdRZ09UUu6wjtWFnzLFWiu6Ri43AZonl8R8MPqltcMUV5wlSxWynT1sp4PypYcmH5tdtV9pAFTAo/s640/yellow+orange+flower+stitching.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm not sure what a person would call this. Coloring with fabric, maybe?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYwc986og3M4WZ4BUac8NE0-S3eHJCrHStB_sKJyZAbdPQ1x8VLs0Z55JP1PHZ5Ew0xqfbAQyt9O7tnDkvUSeA4EIlSlkHwMNDlLWGwnnVI5zHI0iZCywtqujHUW9JpzDBeX_3wDOQR0d/s1600/both+appliqued+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYwc986og3M4WZ4BUac8NE0-S3eHJCrHStB_sKJyZAbdPQ1x8VLs0Z55JP1PHZ5Ew0xqfbAQyt9O7tnDkvUSeA4EIlSlkHwMNDlLWGwnnVI5zHI0iZCywtqujHUW9JpzDBeX_3wDOQR0d/s640/both+appliqued+flowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Patchwork/applique stitched onto a piece of medium-weight decorator fabric. The cloth is probably heavy enough to upholster a chair seat but still easy to get a needle through. I use mostly odds and ends of thread and cloth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSY8kWF5tbpLgX1gPaWPWXFOof1y4wR9m9JmcsA0kW5qbYz8ZiAial2qCBsC_Nscl0ahpFv8HCjaPhfb41Q_ImsHewUkA2xeVo5xO1Y25DMSDPJOiV40LCVjy9-EpdiqzVuEds9Aqhome/s1600/red+blue+flower+stitching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSY8kWF5tbpLgX1gPaWPWXFOof1y4wR9m9JmcsA0kW5qbYz8ZiAial2qCBsC_Nscl0ahpFv8HCjaPhfb41Q_ImsHewUkA2xeVo5xO1Y25DMSDPJOiV40LCVjy9-EpdiqzVuEds9Aqhome/s640/red+blue+flower+stitching.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I will probably color in one more flower and then make a pillow cover with it...or something easy like that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Sk0Vy9jdo946kwInHT6C9KniSXkS0swO5pnFXrkNnJHGinvDeFZw155tlUaBDaNaa3F5CN7TEJjfyzKAVDkDD67d5MfNJ4n5Ns8dpGaZZHqTQc1KK9Vmp_HFGn6XXZ-n9mwZtPSl5_cy/s1600/altar+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Sk0Vy9jdo946kwInHT6C9KniSXkS0swO5pnFXrkNnJHGinvDeFZw155tlUaBDaNaa3F5CN7TEJjfyzKAVDkDD67d5MfNJ4n5Ns8dpGaZZHqTQc1KK9Vmp_HFGn6XXZ-n9mwZtPSl5_cy/s640/altar+top.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As I plan to make a triple tincture with the flowers, seeds and roots of some Echinacea purpurea that grows along our front walkway, the echinacea altar seemed most appropriate.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe0Hc6kjnSuD09_50nCCB8zmt8P1k4bU7gnVI_KGOCWFNS0TRzatZ9nhm79Ia768xx6pVIk67Dv6oj3s5Nyxd-zlbYsupwQaV9WEQPcv3_d67P-_vWN5gQHuRHqpo9zfN-PGDuuiwMdPP/s1600/echinacea+blossom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1600" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBe0Hc6kjnSuD09_50nCCB8zmt8P1k4bU7gnVI_KGOCWFNS0TRzatZ9nhm79Ia768xx6pVIk67Dv6oj3s5Nyxd-zlbYsupwQaV9WEQPcv3_d67P-_vWN5gQHuRHqpo9zfN-PGDuuiwMdPP/s640/echinacea+blossom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The blossom and her leaves lasted for days and days.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYISWwWiKAuOBy9G2q1shvGAGQfgW0jn_dqZdBFkhRy6vVzIKIx_GC3xtQ3jc6Y6wdfzpO5t1oAZDZdbP5dT0POoU5Ii3dHmtqmpStEpIyk3R7ZTGhX0qRfu_hMWJ9VWcs2ZsEvX3ql61/s1600/cilantro+blossoms+in+guac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1452" data-original-width="1600" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYISWwWiKAuOBy9G2q1shvGAGQfgW0jn_dqZdBFkhRy6vVzIKIx_GC3xtQ3jc6Y6wdfzpO5t1oAZDZdbP5dT0POoU5Ii3dHmtqmpStEpIyk3R7ZTGhX0qRfu_hMWJ9VWcs2ZsEvX3ql61/s640/cilantro+blossoms+in+guac.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Cilantro always bolts as soon as the heat sets in but this summer I discovered the blossoms are just as tasty as the leaves. Pretty happy about that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwHo-7VfD047PduVqEqlHrjuF3ncgsX8LmgRA3Jxj9-HwCc5v7JUZKtJChM21MbxoCfZ3uVUNi1UfO2ihsB5umcNY4Kboidyc1KfE-xTguN0NSAIQDaQHpUCXVx9qTHRpiteRg0ZGlnZI/s1600/juice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwHo-7VfD047PduVqEqlHrjuF3ncgsX8LmgRA3Jxj9-HwCc5v7JUZKtJChM21MbxoCfZ3uVUNi1UfO2ihsB5umcNY4Kboidyc1KfE-xTguN0NSAIQDaQHpUCXVx9qTHRpiteRg0ZGlnZI/s640/juice.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I couldn't get over the colors in this juice before I stirred them together and everything turned drab brown/green.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JFDwhvj6NOSgZtRmWScyMSHzol_24kI-7p3W_KolXs0x9U56vuh90BefbIYpLQC-5T0r9tl8j_JNWTvtWKuD1MxKF_bTlBupXCd-es2Xiyl4yudWx5khpkvXtWjdNDbyr2kQAzWgrw6_/s1600/drum+altar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1600" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JFDwhvj6NOSgZtRmWScyMSHzol_24kI-7p3W_KolXs0x9U56vuh90BefbIYpLQC-5T0r9tl8j_JNWTvtWKuD1MxKF_bTlBupXCd-es2Xiyl4yudWx5khpkvXtWjdNDbyr2kQAzWgrw6_/s640/drum+altar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The magician playing an ashiko drum, flowers, feather and rock placed on my ashiko drum.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKTBHQO0IsTOX-R55Y3MgWrH2X0-liQ3yVmMSG2YrLINQ_txvJhBB3JU244MgC6WEXMeIgxYIWTHYs4dypaS0e3dE7ZRVC6-Jh94YbXkWiXfUiMTyopGG06o2ZIEaSsU3ySSHBvdpNI5j/s1600/sweetgrass+to+braid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKTBHQO0IsTOX-R55Y3MgWrH2X0-liQ3yVmMSG2YrLINQ_txvJhBB3JU244MgC6WEXMeIgxYIWTHYs4dypaS0e3dE7ZRVC6-Jh94YbXkWiXfUiMTyopGG06o2ZIEaSsU3ySSHBvdpNI5j/s640/sweetgrass+to+braid.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Sweetgrass was braided on Lammas (Lughnasadh), the first harvest celebration on the old-time wheel of the year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLIdN6FT1cql4DZJWTeS1hmVLZLp1bFRM7U1ekai7Jiza_UMbuzdHlC0mmqxRhv9cPml38flH_dMNWw7OVVhddae8I6hGyi1QAktI4WDlo169D8EYwDrD-nhrgicV7wFjIOiMwMqOf_SD/s1600/sweetgrass+cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLIdN6FT1cql4DZJWTeS1hmVLZLp1bFRM7U1ekai7Jiza_UMbuzdHlC0mmqxRhv9cPml38flH_dMNWw7OVVhddae8I6hGyi1QAktI4WDlo169D8EYwDrD-nhrgicV7wFjIOiMwMqOf_SD/s640/sweetgrass+cut.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Lammas is usually a busy time for most people and it's sometimes hard to get together with friends. When that happens I try to do something special by myself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIDHcs36H0OR3qpCS4c2mq5hgbyEr4UivE1slB5HbWRlZ_H24uXj4P66jS4vFZ15AmnErJeVkyZetgiSNpUQ9-uw7A7TYYlCBFaiU68-m3KSb-AqjeGa28_E7qGkN2FQcvFGjKw-lRydi/s1600/amethyst+in+sweetgrass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIDHcs36H0OR3qpCS4c2mq5hgbyEr4UivE1slB5HbWRlZ_H24uXj4P66jS4vFZ15AmnErJeVkyZetgiSNpUQ9-uw7A7TYYlCBFaiU68-m3KSb-AqjeGa28_E7qGkN2FQcvFGjKw-lRydi/s640/amethyst+in+sweetgrass.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Sweetgrass is considered to be the hair of Mother Earth. As an offering, I placed several scoops of vermicompost and an amethyst crystal in the pot.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5i1nv5SBd48MLAS5sPoK5q2ptv5aynvxgjB7d6s1pgYx2goRjY656M8c_C59oFPKuaWgsnfRTcRtrqIzcrX2uxGeW4REfEf4vEqO9dd536jQrv1onJ7Y4dHHuXR3OVbZMoCo6_BJzP-I/s1600/sweetgrass+braids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5i1nv5SBd48MLAS5sPoK5q2ptv5aynvxgjB7d6s1pgYx2goRjY656M8c_C59oFPKuaWgsnfRTcRtrqIzcrX2uxGeW4REfEf4vEqO9dd536jQrv1onJ7Y4dHHuXR3OVbZMoCo6_BJzP-I/s640/sweetgrass+braids.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I always thought sweetgrass was native to North America but learned recently that it is also native to Eurasia all the way from north of Switzerland right on up to the Arctic Circle. So now I find myself imagining my own ancestors harvesting long strands of the Mother's hair for medicine, basketry, flavoring and fragrance. I find it interesting that I had been looking for ways other than cooking or handwork to connect with my ancestors when out of the blue sweetgrass presented herself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR2s1dsOFOvJFa-jAubjr1NPUT-1ETUcOU97V0YdXheBCMGS4Wj8gCNTQsYKm2R0KLxXmJEHdyrnZEy-gEB1WiDspaf-8Lvjw2mJDwR_44xqbubQ0SWPSEPh-RDslNl82_TlNcbFWPzus/s1600/st.+joan%2527s+wort+oil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR2s1dsOFOvJFa-jAubjr1NPUT-1ETUcOU97V0YdXheBCMGS4Wj8gCNTQsYKm2R0KLxXmJEHdyrnZEy-gEB1WiDspaf-8Lvjw2mJDwR_44xqbubQ0SWPSEPh-RDslNl82_TlNcbFWPzus/s640/st.+joan%2527s+wort+oil.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Making herbal preparations is much of what I do in late summer. Last year's red oil still smells nice and fresh but for some reason never got labeled. Suffice it to say, I will be using this oil generously over the next few months.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Hve3USZHZCXmMUU1xPSsd_8r6MZnUHixn0Ivu7ucT4NUP-dHP5BATFBZUjmRthybPRATm_0XE-TgAoc7HTQaj17uQ6BaOpfE9qx8FQRGZZ37dkcvDT9bxjRHZhtirYG8Mz1f6Hjq7ht0/s1600/black+currant+cough+syrup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="1600" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Hve3USZHZCXmMUU1xPSsd_8r6MZnUHixn0Ivu7ucT4NUP-dHP5BATFBZUjmRthybPRATm_0XE-TgAoc7HTQaj17uQ6BaOpfE9qx8FQRGZZ37dkcvDT9bxjRHZhtirYG8Mz1f6Hjq7ht0/s640/black+currant+cough+syrup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We had loads of black currants on one bush. They are not as tasty as red currants so I've not used them much -- however, this "cough syrup" is absolutely delicious. I prefer to call it juice from now on. I made it by simmering the berries in water, straining and adding a few tablespoons of honey.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0pEz-bAc6mrXmwFsIUKCrLzyNS7CkZLwR6503DxRldqt-xmm0fzSFjxeuqKahvhb8BcttUXnsnHBue2GgPFFS9jr-NRNipMH4M12y_kLziYyUW-HXPlEs9g6E_pJUwpku_044W4EsIRA/s1600/black+currant+in+vodka+for+liqeuer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0pEz-bAc6mrXmwFsIUKCrLzyNS7CkZLwR6503DxRldqt-xmm0fzSFjxeuqKahvhb8BcttUXnsnHBue2GgPFFS9jr-NRNipMH4M12y_kLziYyUW-HXPlEs9g6E_pJUwpku_044W4EsIRA/s640/black+currant+in+vodka+for+liqeuer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And a liqueur seemed like a good use, as well, since I know now how much flavor those little nuggets have hidden inside.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNoQU2iAMU3DUbPuW5-081eU-MBOp5beewKxp1AYYS4NyXmbxzia_Z29t7lWYFt7CFobuSHoGlLDxoVTzAjA2vo0JM5cRNXPbYExVXtz4SPsEPZnieR1ZNQlzYGGOllGpxZWO1ntwmzaQ/s1600/lavender+honey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNoQU2iAMU3DUbPuW5-081eU-MBOp5beewKxp1AYYS4NyXmbxzia_Z29t7lWYFt7CFobuSHoGlLDxoVTzAjA2vo0JM5cRNXPbYExVXtz4SPsEPZnieR1ZNQlzYGGOllGpxZWO1ntwmzaQ/s640/lavender+honey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The lavender in the front circle garden was nice this year, too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0lQ1X50m80XvE3Lmz4GmSsyzlI0In3AVPIPiKnmTRWKh2DDf3JGY6RAP88IXmiLZqNwRVsNZ4st4EIJEvk1Rr0lfwxMGvn4Cwoe24sk9Pwso-78Yur69W7UOOfi8N-7GFhc6J36ldJAC/s1600/motherwort+honey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="1600" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0lQ1X50m80XvE3Lmz4GmSsyzlI0In3AVPIPiKnmTRWKh2DDf3JGY6RAP88IXmiLZqNwRVsNZ4st4EIJEvk1Rr0lfwxMGvn4Cwoe24sk9Pwso-78Yur69W7UOOfi8N-7GFhc6J36ldJAC/s640/motherwort+honey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Motherwort grows everywhere in our back yard, the bees love it and I do, too, in this honey. Motherwort is usually taken as tincture because it makes a bitter infusion, indeed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWq7MquKx-ZZOdgmLh5wd177ReKq2OgoeJ_IVamZ0wk94EKApjZ99qHrZnyukkqKwEK-lHI7eT9JMxN-MB9M1SIRIvRCbGvKmb_siqiK-uqNx0d7u94Mukxb8sp0YnV9p2W15CGz_5aWd/s1600/watercolor+labels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWq7MquKx-ZZOdgmLh5wd177ReKq2OgoeJ_IVamZ0wk94EKApjZ99qHrZnyukkqKwEK-lHI7eT9JMxN-MB9M1SIRIvRCbGvKmb_siqiK-uqNx0d7u94Mukxb8sp0YnV9p2W15CGz_5aWd/s640/watercolor+labels.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I loved watercoloring some pages to use for my labels.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8G9ltR8w5QytQmBMw7nuu_Q7FK2dONFOBsB2ST7JaZUTwWrGDRXYZU2IGwpOAmUHLRFE_Do4Zzq4gDWVrvwOXR47rEnfg9IrYE6oYqlmiRhap4gdbdTVUSfYC4zUCLfj4gJhZor1Tf-Na/s1600/watercolor+hibiscus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8G9ltR8w5QytQmBMw7nuu_Q7FK2dONFOBsB2ST7JaZUTwWrGDRXYZU2IGwpOAmUHLRFE_Do4Zzq4gDWVrvwOXR47rEnfg9IrYE6oYqlmiRhap4gdbdTVUSfYC4zUCLfj4gJhZor1Tf-Na/s640/watercolor+hibiscus.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This hibiscus plant has been watercolored, too, don't you think? The Japanese beetles love her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nuJi84oP6ZbK1wrzsVZospNHeQnISsbeHEtKbdJVRyFQVzyTBSpl0c5MHMLDgmyx6oEv7xdLoznqZu29XgFdbjnwlP8U9S6P8jaUw0dP0ITru-Pbnx1ZuHte3o-hO84MMDtkT2MZWNyY/s1600/burning+sweetgrass2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nuJi84oP6ZbK1wrzsVZospNHeQnISsbeHEtKbdJVRyFQVzyTBSpl0c5MHMLDgmyx6oEv7xdLoznqZu29XgFdbjnwlP8U9S6P8jaUw0dP0ITru-Pbnx1ZuHte3o-hO84MMDtkT2MZWNyY/s640/burning+sweetgrass2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In the mornings lately, I have been making holy smoke with last year's remaining sweetgrass braid. I smudge myself while invoking the spirits to help me as I begin to create my day. The scent on my clothes and body is a sweet reminder.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3hwez5Ie0NGX8UIna5SQSb8329xB1uqQY32wN3OWXdN2WNrn_ZUQJhX-vJAegLcB7RJsxGL3QC87Nbh57wFIv05ubFBaTbj6zOxgNth7o3v6zVejB2grSnzaVJSIbA_Ts4Q4Ts2IjVTF/s1600/burning+sweetgrass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3hwez5Ie0NGX8UIna5SQSb8329xB1uqQY32wN3OWXdN2WNrn_ZUQJhX-vJAegLcB7RJsxGL3QC87Nbh57wFIv05ubFBaTbj6zOxgNth7o3v6zVejB2grSnzaVJSIbA_Ts4Q4Ts2IjVTF/s640/burning+sweetgrass.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Blessings of late summer and sweetgrass to you. xoPeggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-14623398114182925552018-06-10T12:42:00.001-06:002018-06-10T12:42:29.103-06:00all the flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I'm not sure why exactly, but the blooming season has been extraordinary around here these past weeks. Some say it's because we didn't have that last regular killer cold snap, others say it's because we had measurable spring snow/rain at the perfect time. Regardless, all this beauty and fragrance has been the main topic of conversation among neighbors and gardening friends...and even strangers connect over "oh-those-lilacs" (which actually happened to me recently at the grocery store). Usually it's bad weather and devastation that bring people together but here it's been <i>all the flowers</i>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDSM8Lp-Vt4wdnJE3YMmMYH81zAxz69o6rB_W_rBhd4fwgQHqdHJmaF1WJI8anpmRaih-Oyvo3DhBFdvgKsJUuvW-28hOWcFpgbNkiclMH2cMDRkd7HVCDzbWbGntJTpO6CTVKr9ZGfAY/s1600/lunaria+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDSM8Lp-Vt4wdnJE3YMmMYH81zAxz69o6rB_W_rBhd4fwgQHqdHJmaF1WJI8anpmRaih-Oyvo3DhBFdvgKsJUuvW-28hOWcFpgbNkiclMH2cMDRkd7HVCDzbWbGntJTpO6CTVKr9ZGfAY/s640/lunaria+garden.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dusk is the best time for lunaria and blue pansies.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnhMBbwbHhcr_Egt058ApBCI1abX83Du3XAz9epMgzAXmzz7lGkJYSJtmVP_tl_iY9LcBbW_-qL7yq50ImXescSRiAMi45v_hUmcdZBes1HkvlKzKPNvy9lyE0aUNSJwxa0XZ7VUt8wQr/s1600/dandelions1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="1600" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnhMBbwbHhcr_Egt058ApBCI1abX83Du3XAz9epMgzAXmzz7lGkJYSJtmVP_tl_iY9LcBbW_-qL7yq50ImXescSRiAMi45v_hUmcdZBes1HkvlKzKPNvy9lyE0aUNSJwxa0XZ7VUt8wQr/s640/dandelions1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Going back in time, <a href="https://cabinorganic.com/tag/dandelion-cupcakes/">dandelion cupcakes</a> were made.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2Nh55_X7w6Ujyp5aADkiItcOhp6mvtzFwUt3XzwMCrLwaiv3cPplSCZkPuSYvL3iTO95k_JXjQyU_DzGTL2xtmvC_JVcf5VWCJDSOedHoVbumKUk8PdClLLtotfXl5ZRnItfgKfZZKy_/s1600/dandelion+cupcakes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2Nh55_X7w6Ujyp5aADkiItcOhp6mvtzFwUt3XzwMCrLwaiv3cPplSCZkPuSYvL3iTO95k_JXjQyU_DzGTL2xtmvC_JVcf5VWCJDSOedHoVbumKUk8PdClLLtotfXl5ZRnItfgKfZZKy_/s640/dandelion+cupcakes1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
About 3/4 cup of dandelion petals were added to the flour/flower mix.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YDR0X44vEcy2jcU39UL1xmuydFCre_T3Zs-oJND1HqbIu4t3qOIza1aapeLgh5-oXsySJ6uMXbQBNOch7GnWurWe5dcCV6R1600TIA0lWHsotrZciauavjexzuyI97D1zeOyWDo7DNet/s1600/dandelion+cupcakes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8YDR0X44vEcy2jcU39UL1xmuydFCre_T3Zs-oJND1HqbIu4t3qOIza1aapeLgh5-oXsySJ6uMXbQBNOch7GnWurWe5dcCV6R1600TIA0lWHsotrZciauavjexzuyI97D1zeOyWDo7DNet/s640/dandelion+cupcakes2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Finished off with a basic <a href="http://www.twosisterscrafting.com/buttercream-frosting/">buttercream frosting</a> and a few more flower petals. I don't usually bake much but Jan loved these, I took some to a get-together and there are still some in the freezer...so it was worth it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTsqiXkKwgEMx5C_JPgkQf9rk9hiJmoH7kphV69sy8HvqWc3oWov46Kzd2op8dvNS08RuRY1fSBrrfrixSt0S_UdPmY4oBZ7eqijePNX-JVx7x06s7NqBCUTOnEIQUc7Ncfq_KHZ2rH9j/s1600/glorious+spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTsqiXkKwgEMx5C_JPgkQf9rk9hiJmoH7kphV69sy8HvqWc3oWov46Kzd2op8dvNS08RuRY1fSBrrfrixSt0S_UdPmY4oBZ7eqijePNX-JVx7x06s7NqBCUTOnEIQUc7Ncfq_KHZ2rH9j/s640/glorious+spring.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Right outside the bedroom window, the elder blossoms were breathtaking.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNhJQmMh7TSbsxZIiqluHfYOrQjALfV1FClDQAOOLGQOzWf_aeUhdZpSEOhc03eRYE7LzYhFNStkLsFc1EtKSd-biFfStC8tjvcFlhMq9YZGlTLLPdZGtPqPOe-B8HU-KlzQTu64hBj8a/s1600/moonbag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1390" data-original-width="1600" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNhJQmMh7TSbsxZIiqluHfYOrQjALfV1FClDQAOOLGQOzWf_aeUhdZpSEOhc03eRYE7LzYhFNStkLsFc1EtKSd-biFfStC8tjvcFlhMq9YZGlTLLPdZGtPqPOe-B8HU-KlzQTu64hBj8a/s640/moonbag1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I filled my moonbag with enough flowers to both dry for tea and make a syrup. I made the handstitched bag with home/plant-dyed cotton and linen moon squares using a bag pattern by <a href="https://www.indiaflint.net/">India Flint</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNziCzZ9Fd9CHxgOZIiSXopCE56X-Krnc1eOJru9AYR13oeVs1BHwG2h_1kFzkBj4t6NyScQD5x5H_ivh_d63oPsFGmbPlMWyjneXub3Hu6VBY5O4hMeZpFgwaXMPCDukCou3BWwmmjE_/s1600/drying+elderflowers+and+roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNziCzZ9Fd9CHxgOZIiSXopCE56X-Krnc1eOJru9AYR13oeVs1BHwG2h_1kFzkBj4t6NyScQD5x5H_ivh_d63oPsFGmbPlMWyjneXub3Hu6VBY5O4hMeZpFgwaXMPCDukCou3BWwmmjE_/s640/drying+elderflowers+and+roses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Elder flowers and Gertrude Jekyl roses drying on screens -- I left the roses intact this year as an experiment to see if they hold their color and fragrance better or worse than loose petals.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh049tQ1lPF4NFoA0Sf8tMasML79Vwci4-G7RhYEQL2imy2PVUVmx5ly2mUJ_IlqXOVms6TnjekuJ95VuBWJsmFEVf-At2_tzKt3xasEqA6RCOT1O6TihWukFq2k77xFJiaTe4ab87g4EcT/s1600/moonbag3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh049tQ1lPF4NFoA0Sf8tMasML79Vwci4-G7RhYEQL2imy2PVUVmx5ly2mUJ_IlqXOVms6TnjekuJ95VuBWJsmFEVf-At2_tzKt3xasEqA6RCOT1O6TihWukFq2k77xFJiaTe4ab87g4EcT/s640/moonbag3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The bag's inside is pretty stitchy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLmvJqGJ2ytnxch3pPy5cjRNBJHx1HUFYTcgP3ak47M3dH1finy7VRhgi7yE3AW9Woac3Z50r8UchpEcazWSIh4_G7JCucTu3tS0efD8mrfDM3y3s10rPwBVHYw6dTonNjTozinVM4mOc/s1600/elderflower+syrup2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLmvJqGJ2ytnxch3pPy5cjRNBJHx1HUFYTcgP3ak47M3dH1finy7VRhgi7yE3AW9Woac3Z50r8UchpEcazWSIh4_G7JCucTu3tS0efD8mrfDM3y3s10rPwBVHYw6dTonNjTozinVM4mOc/s640/elderflower+syrup2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
An elder flower syrup began by infusing flowers in water for several hours, then simmering the strained liquid combined with an equal amount of sugar for a half hour.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1E7mycSK3D1FUARAuAp-LJYSOM8ROtAvaQi_4LfejM9Dxmg6_36xBwheSiqvq20VmTbBosTlBNpxmuI8t_QVvwfJeCrCZKssu3yrSowB7PBvteWDrf96pO8p7mxfjqPIu8wG1Vg5cymFg/s1600/elderflower+syrup3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1E7mycSK3D1FUARAuAp-LJYSOM8ROtAvaQi_4LfejM9Dxmg6_36xBwheSiqvq20VmTbBosTlBNpxmuI8t_QVvwfJeCrCZKssu3yrSowB7PBvteWDrf96pO8p7mxfjqPIu8wG1Vg5cymFg/s640/elderflower+syrup3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Cocktail. Two tablespoons of elder flower syrup topped with club soda. On the rocks. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4WVhl6XEnxoFj6T-Z7bmwOxZ52qKUKxjzqlYvF8lYWmEv05MakWK9xsS_ejnm0MtHm_gbuLAQ09upgYI2fa8zQOlvuWkrYWj4G8XiSoub3ybHPZTnOQDzU1-b7FivWbUrllx6VKP4Q9j/s1600/lunaria%252C+honeysuckle%252C+pansies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4WVhl6XEnxoFj6T-Z7bmwOxZ52qKUKxjzqlYvF8lYWmEv05MakWK9xsS_ejnm0MtHm_gbuLAQ09upgYI2fa8zQOlvuWkrYWj4G8XiSoub3ybHPZTnOQDzU1-b7FivWbUrllx6VKP4Q9j/s640/lunaria%252C+honeysuckle%252C+pansies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The bee yard. This new colony is expanding fast -- I've already added a second story and a third is going on soon. On the other side of the garden, the beehive in the <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-language-of-spring.html">tree trunk</a> reached full capacity and swarmed twice (both swarms went to good homes). The colony left behind must love how roomy the tree trunk is now because it is thriving as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbAVrJgBWS8XYwYt5QXqrJ0ICdzozkx5sVMhJxICPF-fVy155_D_J18VZLBu3ydoPX_Hb6ThtMGAPsfBwbvqmsNoBc7oNJX2JvzMPY0dV3uv0ST298mtKADsdnpOteOEWlr2-GTzbudgk/s1600/yellowhorn+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbAVrJgBWS8XYwYt5QXqrJ0ICdzozkx5sVMhJxICPF-fVy155_D_J18VZLBu3ydoPX_Hb6ThtMGAPsfBwbvqmsNoBc7oNJX2JvzMPY0dV3uv0ST298mtKADsdnpOteOEWlr2-GTzbudgk/s640/yellowhorn+tree.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Have you ever seen a yellowhorn tree?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHVw-gKnRc7SkmvhGsxEUP0qEZDLhZUnP_1icHpS3Ne633hAIeWyPVcLVh3c6hVa1hsyc110jYME-eP0bWcaHER3_adQPB01aPDxHn1AAEBFnuwFB6KbsKeHxiWGWLVAenQfIsovT-Bjp/s1600/sage+blossom+pesto1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHVw-gKnRc7SkmvhGsxEUP0qEZDLhZUnP_1icHpS3Ne633hAIeWyPVcLVh3c6hVa1hsyc110jYME-eP0bWcaHER3_adQPB01aPDxHn1AAEBFnuwFB6KbsKeHxiWGWLVAenQfIsovT-Bjp/s640/sage+blossom+pesto1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A few days ago, I plucked blossoms off sage flower stalks. Since they were already past their prime, it took a lot of stalks to get enough blossoms for sage flower pesto.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OKHIJ0lT2Hd6t95y80W13-T1ScnfHEtJ0GNpmCylyNbcMZGOMG3jai2bee-uB-c50kj32ie2fdCXW74hi0RGPowFL4qUEDhOeTOHa_Bj3FR1UBxV9qdGUOE0eCavdaucVT7QhsCaNW7M/s1600/sage+blossom+pesto2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OKHIJ0lT2Hd6t95y80W13-T1ScnfHEtJ0GNpmCylyNbcMZGOMG3jai2bee-uB-c50kj32ie2fdCXW74hi0RGPowFL4qUEDhOeTOHa_Bj3FR1UBxV9qdGUOE0eCavdaucVT7QhsCaNW7M/s640/sage+blossom+pesto2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A very small batch but definitely worth the effort -- just under a cup of sage blossoms, a few chive blossoms, about 1/4 cup walnuts, a clove of garlic and some nice olive oil went into the food processor. The last ingredient of 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese was stirred in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEFWWVkjLtDvpcynIbombSMUPuS7UToQ6ZFyW6O3V-MsZzQU1bncfZQ2aPynBobX64P0S8tovcECL_qqtzsLqtpcfRWoWl5Q6svaPzJVzrn87JMvJRKvF9v53WoSNTaOukBdFg7tEq7-l/s1600/sage+blossom+pesto3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEFWWVkjLtDvpcynIbombSMUPuS7UToQ6ZFyW6O3V-MsZzQU1bncfZQ2aPynBobX64P0S8tovcECL_qqtzsLqtpcfRWoWl5Q6svaPzJVzrn87JMvJRKvF9v53WoSNTaOukBdFg7tEq7-l/s640/sage+blossom+pesto3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The pesto had a subtle sage flavor and was delicious. Pretty sure I'll be making more pesto with different flowers all summer long.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42Z0LGqu1n70ow2kO5ryArPExPqfemMomlyjAJMthT1V0EifBEmBzHXuRcfQ1FyYiA2-Q3sJEF_2DqZT8UuHAnFTTFtQ6cwjpLK02KN332qMxKCKO661wzkYS1Cy12F_nysq1b72HkhKx/s1600/moonbag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42Z0LGqu1n70ow2kO5ryArPExPqfemMomlyjAJMthT1V0EifBEmBzHXuRcfQ1FyYiA2-Q3sJEF_2DqZT8UuHAnFTTFtQ6cwjpLK02KN332qMxKCKO661wzkYS1Cy12F_nysq1b72HkhKx/s640/moonbag2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am liking learning from and connecting with flowers on a daily basis. I am trying not to complicate things by setting goals or collecting lots of recipes because then it turns into something else. I just want to go visit whoever is blooming in the garden and see what happens.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I hope you get to visit <i>all the flowers.</i> xo</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-46304566766830219552018-05-02T22:00:00.002-06:002018-05-02T22:04:55.298-06:00queen of swords <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
With spring in full force, I've either been researching or experiencing spring tonics nearly every day. By definition, a tonic is simply something that restores or refreshes one's being...a tonic could affect someone on mental, physical or spiritual levels and by various means. Activities, exercises, nourishment, art forms and even ritual practices could all be subtle magical tonics.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHLOSub1uxEelMyMavNlZ25l7tlZ01LDsyp_23YOtUIRPI2KReI0m-mHSXZjoMijBSaq8FESLTb7OgoX9fWZUYANqx6W5kyh3UaMY-mZ9HpdBDraT_AnFsgu7cfmd-FFEdjfrs9oLq_HM/s1600/iris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1459" data-original-width="1600" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHLOSub1uxEelMyMavNlZ25l7tlZ01LDsyp_23YOtUIRPI2KReI0m-mHSXZjoMijBSaq8FESLTb7OgoX9fWZUYANqx6W5kyh3UaMY-mZ9HpdBDraT_AnFsgu7cfmd-FFEdjfrs9oLq_HM/s640/iris.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I think I have the nose of a dog. Inhaling spring blossom fragrance daily is a favorite restorative of mine and there are many items on that menu -- apple trees, plum trees; golden currants, lilacs, sand cherries, grape hyacinth and Oregon grape holly bushes for starters. The beautiful iris was accidentally snapped off a few days ago and is developing her fragrance even without sunlight and birdsong.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VHPrbkM0w48d4UXdqNaSAD3KR8I1Dzpzp8msK-zeR-Nch_8eVDSCevcZtqV9tJMqkI8YpWFWnhRDp8O5sARNm2UFpgyKgal4dLjgIavfPQ77mcb6so1Bs325NWPBUxbUkAk2Pd_dQ7SA/s1600/language+of+name+and+place.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="1600" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VHPrbkM0w48d4UXdqNaSAD3KR8I1Dzpzp8msK-zeR-Nch_8eVDSCevcZtqV9tJMqkI8YpWFWnhRDp8O5sARNm2UFpgyKgal4dLjgIavfPQ77mcb6so1Bs325NWPBUxbUkAk2Pd_dQ7SA/s640/language+of+name+and+place.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I've begun a sort of art journal practice in a new handmade journal -- the first section of the book is dedicated to the Queen of Swords with a focus on the element of air and its corresponding attributes. It begins with the language of name and place...thinking about where I come from brought both people and sweet memories back to life. I loved doing this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6wG_iQGnpon_FLVOz7DK16jZ1Gy_xEzTzKD6OzVoj8CS0oUTi73PKtW0zRFr7UGFHK8rbW_63mkaB5Awiaz8LoBlJzmQdSg56xKMZPnWPV9aWV_Wu8xfBWr3XPKLDTnr7qNInX3cVV-2/s1600/nettle+pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1600" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6wG_iQGnpon_FLVOz7DK16jZ1Gy_xEzTzKD6OzVoj8CS0oUTi73PKtW0zRFr7UGFHK8rbW_63mkaB5Awiaz8LoBlJzmQdSg56xKMZPnWPV9aWV_Wu8xfBWr3XPKLDTnr7qNInX3cVV-2/s640/nettle+pot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Every spring I look forward to collecting and cooking wild weeds from right outside the back door...tonic foods. My weedy stalwarts are always <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/a-mystical-kinship.html">steamed nettles with onion and garlic</a>, <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2017/06/herb-bundles-band-aids.html">nettle pesto</a> and <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/dandelion-italiano.html">dandelion Italiano</a> on toasted sour dough bread.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhxBtoMSmdtsSNnR7r5ThcFNazarobr8d00g1fPXqSJ68pyXCtcza2jehTSHaBFBoEPaMrw1yIZyemN62SPxTT5m88e2-gqdK2UgXKn7cbZHygQyhVBEGqVub6tE9_IG2Ger34D-9qEn0/s1600/nettles+for+lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhxBtoMSmdtsSNnR7r5ThcFNazarobr8d00g1fPXqSJ68pyXCtcza2jehTSHaBFBoEPaMrw1yIZyemN62SPxTT5m88e2-gqdK2UgXKn7cbZHygQyhVBEGqVub6tE9_IG2Ger34D-9qEn0/s640/nettles+for+lunch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I yearn to connect to the ways of my grandmothers, I tell myself that surely they cooked these same greens in the spring. The bowl of nettles is placed on my grandmother's table, now my dining table. She lived and died many years before I was born. When I feel sad that I have nothing to know or remember her by other than a few old photos, I remind myself that she rested her hands on this very table, maybe even in the exact same places that I rest mine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWe0K4eJ9RONTav-TO2t96TslVBweuT4jkwqjhQQHyG1ZyqnoUBmLXvvMxRF5fufGzcBc1zzPBM5i3e_TXIfefCHXucMkL0oiL_jiA8E_l1TFw-8V-7SbCVZez7qM5pYGfE4Mo81CnH03/s1600/prayer+flag+bookmark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWe0K4eJ9RONTav-TO2t96TslVBweuT4jkwqjhQQHyG1ZyqnoUBmLXvvMxRF5fufGzcBc1zzPBM5i3e_TXIfefCHXucMkL0oiL_jiA8E_l1TFw-8V-7SbCVZez7qM5pYGfE4Mo81CnH03/s640/prayer+flag+bookmark.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A tiny prayer flag became a book mark on the full moon -- the chain-stitched spiral symbolizes air and wind.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3x6vBrn_5JkhURGhr4_fnFxc2aC8FXsynMz8REx_HzuJitkGg6To0HYM9-4O1JrwsZlPLAhsDA5mrYmn6GumcYI-2eTk17w0cyIB5qCiF3fSe3RSNeU9ZCBAlP1MmoLy148pXgdZu2Av/s1600/pear+wood+bundle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3x6vBrn_5JkhURGhr4_fnFxc2aC8FXsynMz8REx_HzuJitkGg6To0HYM9-4O1JrwsZlPLAhsDA5mrYmn6GumcYI-2eTk17w0cyIB5qCiF3fSe3RSNeU9ZCBAlP1MmoLy148pXgdZu2Av/s640/pear+wood+bundle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We removed two dead trees this past week -- a pear tree and a juniper tree, both from which I kept mementos. The little bundle is a tiny pear twig tied together with some nearby plants. From the juniper trunk, Jan sawed me a small section revealing rings and colors and fragrance that surprised and delighted us. I'm finding that saving and holding natural objects like these as sacred is one way for me to express gratitude, no matter what the season.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR-nRTinEnWzamMN9yH1pTtbFrDEbhCMJUaZ7YYtBlg9rHka8Q7PcYYP30wtFxWomLYxPqJ4zUa_HVgq96dV_G4nY2cgAw0NcNmsp4MpINPZcQuj5GHfkCP7yWKxx02tFiiUvQ2MnaJRj/s1600/queen+of+swords+papering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYR-nRTinEnWzamMN9yH1pTtbFrDEbhCMJUaZ7YYtBlg9rHka8Q7PcYYP30wtFxWomLYxPqJ4zUa_HVgq96dV_G4nY2cgAw0NcNmsp4MpINPZcQuj5GHfkCP7yWKxx02tFiiUvQ2MnaJRj/s640/queen+of+swords+papering.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Queen of Swords has clear, piercing vision which the likeness of Frida Kahlo epitomizes for me on the bit of collage (the back of a greeting card). The handmade journal to the right, which I adore, was made by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/katejacksontextiles/?hl=en">Kate Jackson</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78rqw-iP7GLrmlcG1kst3-ReIub6qcS_PojGmPuFYBwuVp7qdof7_BX-cl4Hghe0p6rUDr722mOwQs19zkU6pALLMBHWOL-Hu9WIkrvTJi0k2jJD3wOdsH5c90AcUn4vQwbiB-_1yevgr/s1600/queen+of+swords+prayer+flag+bookmark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78rqw-iP7GLrmlcG1kst3-ReIub6qcS_PojGmPuFYBwuVp7qdof7_BX-cl4Hghe0p6rUDr722mOwQs19zkU6pALLMBHWOL-Hu9WIkrvTJi0k2jJD3wOdsH5c90AcUn4vQwbiB-_1yevgr/s640/queen+of+swords+prayer+flag+bookmark.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In case you're wondering, the Queen of Spades is the equivalent of the Queen of Swords.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhwESXuA1V09GQBO0UB9IDiGzFE9t4_9XKsTrODnYgb5YfQrhzT-2_vdpdBxM_O7C-56OgbI2QeXDldp2y5f2f0hsUDEsjOhCVlMyFNuiqOiFhyphenhyphenWqyoiloOF0P_8Ti6OVtfQi7ew3ZG5W/s1600/bee+house+new+%252718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1343" data-original-width="1600" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhwESXuA1V09GQBO0UB9IDiGzFE9t4_9XKsTrODnYgb5YfQrhzT-2_vdpdBxM_O7C-56OgbI2QeXDldp2y5f2f0hsUDEsjOhCVlMyFNuiqOiFhyphenhyphenWqyoiloOF0P_8Ti6OVtfQi7ew3ZG5W/s640/bee+house+new+%252718.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm ending this post with yet another photo of our many-years-old bee house holding a brand new colony of Italian honeybees. This house was vacant all last summer due to colony failure and I am so happy to have a full house again. At present, we have one wild bee colony in a <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-language-of-spring.html">tree trunk</a> to the west and the new bees live on the east side of our back yard. At last it feels like things are back to normal around here.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My spring tonic practices have felt short-lived, almost elusive -- there is still so much I want to read and make and think about. But as we approach the threshold of summer, it will soon be time to begin focusing on the element of fire and the Queen of Wands. I am excited to see how they will show up in my life.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Late spring/early summer blessings of nettles and iris to you. xx</div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-11584442642248417602018-03-30T13:46:00.002-06:002018-03-30T15:47:25.486-06:00the language of spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, it's been another little while, hasn't it? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xVTqQdQo0bBbQo1ajncKiH5yWJP-R6NZZWxJO6IecmJNMZywUt0OFhI415NmwZxw-ro6tJm85Lkoq3__cO_Ieshz2XVqt9_4bbjVWfvGtZXCD-xIpoh4HvZRXKzDf91WnIYiZhxuBkr4/s1600/wild+eggs1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="1600" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xVTqQdQo0bBbQo1ajncKiH5yWJP-R6NZZWxJO6IecmJNMZywUt0OFhI415NmwZxw-ro6tJm85Lkoq3__cO_Ieshz2XVqt9_4bbjVWfvGtZXCD-xIpoh4HvZRXKzDf91WnIYiZhxuBkr4/s640/wild+eggs1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I like to add as many wild ingredients as possible into everyday food prep. The snow has melted (once again) so I walked the garden this crisp spring morning to see what would be good in scrambled eggs. I found yellow dock, chives, dandelion and violets -- everything looked clean enough so no washing...I don't usually wash wild/garden food unless it is absolutely necessary.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltTA4ezYyjhIqe589dcUtzygwNMc1SKc20aERpxUJlPJzk6fQKydpEPktoL4pkKcIy4gv2k4UI4YwJlhYyGRA3ZN5IPJbK_dyaCnCycl8_hmnY2Tg_XHAtDjgodZBwqPm1cAlYEVQoHCH/s1600/wild+eggs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltTA4ezYyjhIqe589dcUtzygwNMc1SKc20aERpxUJlPJzk6fQKydpEPktoL4pkKcIy4gv2k4UI4YwJlhYyGRA3ZN5IPJbK_dyaCnCycl8_hmnY2Tg_XHAtDjgodZBwqPm1cAlYEVQoHCH/s640/wild+eggs2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Something new around here is an old-time practice -- cooking with cast iron cookware. Currently I have three pans -- one is newish and two are from thrift shopping and appear to be very old. I like using cast iron for the usual reasons but one benefit I haven't seen mentioned is that it is so heavy that maneuvering a big frying pan is like lifting weights. I'm all for life exercise like that.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEius-T0N2w77OGVYoqy0DAtuseRI5Tbx_uuuHijAtiHHPFb3XXvjrNCTaW4zKmRYHoA6MmU8azkuU4BB0f9chTsvKuiWU6gMOyOq6r6jXm3VXZDU8LpCF14BrpSF4TxncafPAGgwFanJBuk/s1600/egg+spell+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1415" data-original-width="1600" height="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEius-T0N2w77OGVYoqy0DAtuseRI5Tbx_uuuHijAtiHHPFb3XXvjrNCTaW4zKmRYHoA6MmU8azkuU4BB0f9chTsvKuiWU6gMOyOq6r6jXm3VXZDU8LpCF14BrpSF4TxncafPAGgwFanJBuk/s640/egg+spell+2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
An <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2016/04/egg-spell.html">egg-spell</a> practice. It will be buried on the dark moon and a pansy planted over it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNB9kiEfHAp-tJCUvwXEkgBJQMMr1p3nSp_h7ZomLpzZRunMTWhN17MQoV3OwEFHOMKDHxWwrJPLyDgqTkY6iBdp5JpS-2c3rcux8d3QhyTmbDZO-qwdl2NQme99_859JrwFGqy_Sq0qh/s1600/bee+hive+in+a+tree+trunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1217" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNB9kiEfHAp-tJCUvwXEkgBJQMMr1p3nSp_h7ZomLpzZRunMTWhN17MQoV3OwEFHOMKDHxWwrJPLyDgqTkY6iBdp5JpS-2c3rcux8d3QhyTmbDZO-qwdl2NQme99_859JrwFGqy_Sq0qh/s640/bee+hive+in+a+tree+trunk.jpg" width="483" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Some wild honeybees moved here. The colony had lived for many years in a neighbor's tree. When the tree died, our neighbors had the tree removal experts cut out a 7-8' section and cart it over to our back yard. It was estimated that the hive area itself is several feet in height within that middle section. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqUtJupkAiazPJNhCBfIwd4b9h1mOiYXVQe45gd1B9knfUq23p4-v93qrCbsN3Iydjkn5wqodkDHEznWs7VI6bHTypdhtVSTvpoeQiQVu6rxD4e9WCcHqegFxweQBXSi3yQjYeIbZEsFe/s1600/wild+bees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqUtJupkAiazPJNhCBfIwd4b9h1mOiYXVQe45gd1B9knfUq23p4-v93qrCbsN3Iydjkn5wqodkDHEznWs7VI6bHTypdhtVSTvpoeQiQVu6rxD4e9WCcHqegFxweQBXSi3yQjYeIbZEsFe/s640/wild+bees.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The bees seem content and we are thrilled and grateful to be part of such a unique endeavor. Plus this satisfies my secret fantasy to live inside a tree. I can imagine the hollow space of this tree divided by walls of honeycomb -- over here is the nursery and there is the capped honey area, up there is the nectar room, the drones are out back, the queen in the center of it all. It must be so warm and cozy with just the perfect level of humidity. The chanting of bees....zzzz....the fragrance...heaven.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqC5K_uXLkNpSfMR94pSpb0S33nwksClJwTb31JMi2ADWTms-4BLqIo6jIRHjM9z5tydAiDqvy5v-a5t-bncGQLeaiCrZJUBwsGAAicdcXgTrmxw1EVlFDFIzbyC_CBY3kflUcrJTHznW/s1600/rikke+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqC5K_uXLkNpSfMR94pSpb0S33nwksClJwTb31JMi2ADWTms-4BLqIo6jIRHjM9z5tydAiDqvy5v-a5t-bncGQLeaiCrZJUBwsGAAicdcXgTrmxw1EVlFDFIzbyC_CBY3kflUcrJTHznW/s640/rikke+hat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rikke-hat">Rikke hat</a> was finished -- it is a slouch hat and was fun to make, garter stitch on circular needles so there's still purling involved. I worked on this during wedding planning in December and January and finally got it blocked last month.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDLZWTtzLPpsAml8JPMYB2Xb5ORL6Rs4b6XhbTDcEgucZIW3ECrRseo_qgsofsq-phTJfv8yRxvj-_qBtnLwWj4XNguC5vfC3UEfTsV4ltqUZEWviQ5QAuoLoUezedx7M-TSAgVh3guVz/s1600/cauldron+items.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1600" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDLZWTtzLPpsAml8JPMYB2Xb5ORL6Rs4b6XhbTDcEgucZIW3ECrRseo_qgsofsq-phTJfv8yRxvj-_qBtnLwWj4XNguC5vfC3UEfTsV4ltqUZEWviQ5QAuoLoUezedx7M-TSAgVh3guVz/s640/cauldron+items.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Holy smoke. Dried plant materials, having served their purpose, burned outside in the cauldron on a cold day. Ashes placed in the garden. Burning things takes me somewhere otherworldly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckK0ox6VPqnF0waAwpIYXrgENize5qdOF7oTWhMdkt0nu41fOz3EeR3-EE2KtEhZNGubwyLNYiDgCwssc7ldjZllbypT-VvTJS_ERSiShOCbWI93KvI2DaFGTVZY5NcdARjH4p4lgW5mr/s1600/gatsby+headband.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckK0ox6VPqnF0waAwpIYXrgENize5qdOF7oTWhMdkt0nu41fOz3EeR3-EE2KtEhZNGubwyLNYiDgCwssc7ldjZllbypT-VvTJS_ERSiShOCbWI93KvI2DaFGTVZY5NcdARjH4p4lgW5mr/s640/gatsby+headband.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A headband knitted in seed stitch. The last time I shopped for yarn with a friend, we decided I pick the same color every time. And she does too. Maybe everybody does.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIvEvWWtBTW6edj8GWhuQRYjlMNTPV5xi-qPfSVcLZFALaILKQv8KjCFQhCGG4vap-SQRKVAvnmDTSYYCE_ATJ-M1U_HrxjTlF7oSKK4IFuR7PV08qW7bPk8m9_1bQbNkvpAzgJ-0LA6y/s1600/mossy+goodness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIvEvWWtBTW6edj8GWhuQRYjlMNTPV5xi-qPfSVcLZFALaILKQv8KjCFQhCGG4vap-SQRKVAvnmDTSYYCE_ATJ-M1U_HrxjTlF7oSKK4IFuR7PV08qW7bPk8m9_1bQbNkvpAzgJ-0LA6y/s640/mossy+goodness.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A mossy altar was good medicine for the cold and dark months. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've been intentionally focused on resting over the last few months. No garden plans have been made, no seeds ordered, no new projects begun, no clothing bought or made to speak of. Like that. Now, though, I am feeling creative stirrings and the desire for clarity. Beginning to learn to listen to the language of spring and receive the messages sent by the element of air. Thinking about my inner and outer spring cleaning and taking the winds of change idea through to completion. What boons do I request. What are my visions and dreams and their meaning. Am I looking for signs and symbols, they are everywhere if only I notice. Are my grandmothers whispering to me, am I listening. What plants call to me and what dyes, medicines and meals might they offer. I hope that by learning the language and lessons of spring, I will better hear the messages of summer, fall and winter. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have never in all my life approached spring in quite this way. And so it goes, 'round and 'round. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Happy Spring. xx </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhbmwR1qJjgWIRSczT7puAEEyZMhallVPkTiGUn9JgxYSp_QBR_mSjKCTY4JHpNWjDP8VcqF0eU2kEu_sWJmlhMiOp695CDTGeLMmKwsat8MdCUwWYw66eUgQeHLJDCbvoQ4sQQbLin2g/s1600/wild+eggs3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhbmwR1qJjgWIRSczT7puAEEyZMhallVPkTiGUn9JgxYSp_QBR_mSjKCTY4JHpNWjDP8VcqF0eU2kEu_sWJmlhMiOp695CDTGeLMmKwsat8MdCUwWYw66eUgQeHLJDCbvoQ4sQQbLin2g/s320/wild+eggs3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-41440533481822795672018-02-06T21:54:00.002-07:002018-02-06T22:01:06.788-07:00a little while<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's been a little while.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh661njdz_iAdiZyQtJeCfDglwLZDOWSeOn8rRBXF8xGGs6tTFkIBdij3Lgjz6-cQPBk52TBGmvAg9Lf2X7dRRBTrG9IWvFwEsBX1eAYDkl6hF9ndEwVfapn9069p-fTrisDuubgMqJZpXU/s1600/box+of+moss+and+crystals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh661njdz_iAdiZyQtJeCfDglwLZDOWSeOn8rRBXF8xGGs6tTFkIBdij3Lgjz6-cQPBk52TBGmvAg9Lf2X7dRRBTrG9IWvFwEsBX1eAYDkl6hF9ndEwVfapn9069p-fTrisDuubgMqJZpXU/s640/box+of+moss+and+crystals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I put most of my crystals to bed on their very own mossy mattress to rest and rejuvenate. This is sort of what I've been doing too, resting and rejuvenating, after the bustle of the holidays followed by our youngest daughter's wedding.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibG7yiumhDyqE18aA9LQOk_ymnPDlfhIxS1TRlMfaNQ2b7JJXKJWNmQZPSrF1r9qtAEv7GtjvuU-mKwR8hTJN-FA8j14RqC8HO9z1QJNbezYOkaTWh7K7MocA6buyRXjRpQ3XCW1Iv7Hvq/s1600/4+square+of+things+in+the+works.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="1600" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibG7yiumhDyqE18aA9LQOk_ymnPDlfhIxS1TRlMfaNQ2b7JJXKJWNmQZPSrF1r9qtAEv7GtjvuU-mKwR8hTJN-FA8j14RqC8HO9z1QJNbezYOkaTWh7K7MocA6buyRXjRpQ3XCW1Iv7Hvq/s640/4+square+of+things+in+the+works.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In January I found my sewing mojo again when three moons and a butterfly started coming together. The paper fans were components for a holiday decoration that never quite made it to the finish line.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUjmT2Bv9wgI7Vc0lxY2ShXDspB9pxQfUw2BfEwbD-b5CbJ4h-O8GAaTvy7YtIs5XXFgeXWfnw0FY95WFnFkNyborjZv0u-EmnZE-YPaOaHqZ_1FOhyQEvOROwM_VbVaffmxU24wjv_5H/s1600/socks+first+wash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUjmT2Bv9wgI7Vc0lxY2ShXDspB9pxQfUw2BfEwbD-b5CbJ4h-O8GAaTvy7YtIs5XXFgeXWfnw0FY95WFnFkNyborjZv0u-EmnZE-YPaOaHqZ_1FOhyQEvOROwM_VbVaffmxU24wjv_5H/s640/socks+first+wash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My first knitted socks were washed and blocked.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBgHJ7SD_FAs73bB8CcYBeaaY3kAF81oR6SUgczNAqbtRzgaAIw-eLTMWMnSOj0tK3NoBMs7U2ThIJ23ToGR9nMzp1AJqbHT7WKXDcA71ySY7FXeZ2a8QcowavqU43KQCZBWZsi7Oqo1a/s1600/first+pair+of+knitted+socks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1188" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBgHJ7SD_FAs73bB8CcYBeaaY3kAF81oR6SUgczNAqbtRzgaAIw-eLTMWMnSOj0tK3NoBMs7U2ThIJ23ToGR9nMzp1AJqbHT7WKXDcA71ySY7FXeZ2a8QcowavqU43KQCZBWZsi7Oqo1a/s640/first+pair+of+knitted+socks.jpg" width="474" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love the rabbit sock blockers from the <a href="http://theknittingshed.com/">Knitting Shed</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUdg-I84udBXvcAtUqvZTK6PGt3itEwPxNOpAs0mUTZOqhB0kyl53xqHPdIShbQM_fks1gsBJyl3ys8J9xvmxFQmtKhPWVdC99rLo_lG0Jp-P9la-FkOgXEkQy0PmQw7awjYQvptFtwN0/s1600/altar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUdg-I84udBXvcAtUqvZTK6PGt3itEwPxNOpAs0mUTZOqhB0kyl53xqHPdIShbQM_fks1gsBJyl3ys8J9xvmxFQmtKhPWVdC99rLo_lG0Jp-P9la-FkOgXEkQy0PmQw7awjYQvptFtwN0/s640/altar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm back to sitting at my little altar table to meditate, read or journal. At the beginning of the year I drew The Star as my theme card for 2018 and I've had it on the table every since. Today I wistfully put it back into its deck and shuffled the entire deck thoroughly. After a quiet time, I drew a new card for today's guidance and it was The Star, which made me very happy indeed. Most appropriately, the herb shown on the card is skullcap, a calming relaxant and a good sleep aid. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNUg6jymvA2Snji0_pjXlkYnjhZHJg-MXKMbC8Z4l9IanHoqC5c8tLioKCzK_-2hxRht1L3aLCwdEMWVaBaXiSdW9JVEp2Nab8nvecO51PfJvP_SjVOKFcKOm2OXhOf9JZOVmu7wRjLuD/s1600/wedding+centerpieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNUg6jymvA2Snji0_pjXlkYnjhZHJg-MXKMbC8Z4l9IanHoqC5c8tLioKCzK_-2hxRht1L3aLCwdEMWVaBaXiSdW9JVEp2Nab8nvecO51PfJvP_SjVOKFcKOm2OXhOf9JZOVmu7wRjLuD/s640/wedding+centerpieces.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I pulled out roses and eucalyptus from some of the wedding centerpieces -- then hung and dried the roses in bunches and saved the eucalyptus for the dye-pot some day soon.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlS4uMgu8ltFDTMjM4MwTa1WT-AWbQrCVt9I88pMj49yd9ifG4yKnqYtKJ0o1iG6CD3AQwaR96UwYmcWL40e2m8E7D4LAL3wCmky-ztTcGl3k4VNB-oSEYdcbGUsFfV2uC4t5H2KZWFET/s1600/juice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlS4uMgu8ltFDTMjM4MwTa1WT-AWbQrCVt9I88pMj49yd9ifG4yKnqYtKJ0o1iG6CD3AQwaR96UwYmcWL40e2m8E7D4LAL3wCmky-ztTcGl3k4VNB-oSEYdcbGUsFfV2uC4t5H2KZWFET/s640/juice.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am juicing nearly every day now. I've tried many different combinations of vegetables and we pretty much love them all...the only constants are celery, cucumber and lime, the other ingredients vary. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h17MoL6RJWLzFhLPiYYl2WJEQ_NeTPa7SaJY4UgKKRRDQHv6eyoeadFE0-zsjn-dM1m4KApD4Z1KdRPI2NXbdbK9I6-em7zqKeT_q8wgCQJFvGyivgHuiw5S4PSlYtkiy96HXTc89oBL/s1600/moon+squares+two+sides+now.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h17MoL6RJWLzFhLPiYYl2WJEQ_NeTPa7SaJY4UgKKRRDQHv6eyoeadFE0-zsjn-dM1m4KApD4Z1KdRPI2NXbdbK9I6-em7zqKeT_q8wgCQJFvGyivgHuiw5S4PSlYtkiy96HXTc89oBL/s640/moon+squares+two+sides+now.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Twenty-five moon squares made from plant-dyed cloth are being backed by hand with more plant-dyed cloth. And then assembled into rows of three. As I stitch, I think about all the women before me who sewed everything for their families by hand -- before sewing machines. They made dresses and skirts and pants and shirts. They made jackets and coats and linens and undergarments. I wonder what they think, seeing me sew these squares together...because I know they're watching, I can feel them.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Even though we're well into the month of February, I keep reading (and then reminding myself) that this is still a time of deep rest in Nature where I live and should be for people who live here, too. I very much like not hurrying on to the next thing or even thinking about what comes next. It's a dreamy time for sure. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Good days to you. xo</div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-58662070028394582242017-12-21T17:50:00.001-07:002017-12-21T18:48:32.340-07:00a holy day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-t2UvF4A1P5_2677vMTM-aikozYN1GwQTb2pPyhyphenhyphen2D66Laes58io_TS6_Z6oTZU6Uoqh7KuynVXuKovMJi6VL3seCIHRqajKa6511n_GtGg7vqsVcP8Nfb5cqWNvH9tjW_2-8SoqG_po/s1600/solstice+candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-t2UvF4A1P5_2677vMTM-aikozYN1GwQTb2pPyhyphenhyphen2D66Laes58io_TS6_Z6oTZU6Uoqh7KuynVXuKovMJi6VL3seCIHRqajKa6511n_GtGg7vqsVcP8Nfb5cqWNvH9tjW_2-8SoqG_po/s640/solstice+candle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_U9UHt1vEVyoksJV2fdAvHmau0tYIiS3rLCwhCoIkUme5MDmpMCWB8SMitMD3-6hy0s2uNjrl8YBrlh_aoMgu4j0qXuEsBzkM1Y3E1L7QtXgfXnVUb75C97Gzac-3C5XyesLysVhyPz6s/s1600/knitted+turban.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_U9UHt1vEVyoksJV2fdAvHmau0tYIiS3rLCwhCoIkUme5MDmpMCWB8SMitMD3-6hy0s2uNjrl8YBrlh_aoMgu4j0qXuEsBzkM1Y3E1L7QtXgfXnVUb75C97Gzac-3C5XyesLysVhyPz6s/s640/knitted+turban.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHb4YosdQaZpYf2I6fZ7Tms2wXx2y4sonJzDvvqimikVFiBtC1WVZeLZrZS6dDv04t1Nhz7i8PnIGWwIRGYSOMl-ZpI1jRLt8J5cJpcKpK6QCIibaKA7PQZrvarpzwQ8tr1jIqoY4vl0kj/s1600/sunrise+st.+lucia%2527s+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHb4YosdQaZpYf2I6fZ7Tms2wXx2y4sonJzDvvqimikVFiBtC1WVZeLZrZS6dDv04t1Nhz7i8PnIGWwIRGYSOMl-ZpI1jRLt8J5cJpcKpK6QCIibaKA7PQZrvarpzwQ8tr1jIqoY4vl0kj/s640/sunrise+st.+lucia%2527s+day.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJG0-polBA8iKuQsfR67DuWGnra0gfLUFb4-8Lf7BUx0Hb565_BYRUt24UpnirEBHROf9RWgPP7wESlWT9HOrDyqWpAK9csLlz_Je39tCNixLMY7AIEE-Z83yqQXMniRfDzjDv9WgSS33/s1600/kitchen+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJG0-polBA8iKuQsfR67DuWGnra0gfLUFb4-8Lf7BUx0Hb565_BYRUt24UpnirEBHROf9RWgPP7wESlWT9HOrDyqWpAK9csLlz_Je39tCNixLMY7AIEE-Z83yqQXMniRfDzjDv9WgSS33/s640/kitchen+table.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Today is Winter Solstice, the shortest, darkest day on the wheel of the year. It's the day I had my fourth baby and it's the day he was cremated exactly seven years later. Today is a holy day.<br />
<br />
On this cold, snowy Solstice day, I want to savor any sense of wholeness that I can feel. All day long I have been imagining how life would look if I was completely whole -- with no limitations, beyond time and unaffected by current reality. What would a perfect day look like, what would I be doing, where would I live, who would I love. Tonight by candlelight I will write my wholeness into being. I'm thinking that when all is said and done, things may not look much different than how they are now. And that's good.<br />
<br />
Toward contentment. xx<br />
<br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-25662147460003753232017-12-07T23:11:00.001-07:002017-12-07T23:16:42.127-07:00a sacred pause<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Every so often, I do a writing exercise comparing "now" with the same time one year ago. How things have changed, what has ended and what is new. If I'm in a great place, the words come easy...if not, I have to go deeper.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc1JyW-SKelTcV7RSwiSMT-FdZ3WFEPimPKs71X2Oy2H2Np62_atyzbJeeHGyUeUvosnvECOfA01uoZvYAD_E7Vc0kzD6EI8NJqrKflvOu1_9NGezqkJwghBeKsO6nnjjyqS_vie8gJL7/s1600/velvet+star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc1JyW-SKelTcV7RSwiSMT-FdZ3WFEPimPKs71X2Oy2H2Np62_atyzbJeeHGyUeUvosnvECOfA01uoZvYAD_E7Vc0kzD6EI8NJqrKflvOu1_9NGezqkJwghBeKsO6nnjjyqS_vie8gJL7/s640/velvet+star.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am sewing less now...but woke up the other day wanting to make a simple star. It might have had something to do with a line that I recently read and loved...."the way to the stars is not outward but rather inward." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzHdAbAn-w7ZXAn5skBPOh3jto1QdK2ml5E2f_rwKI6fkVnQxygeCSa4YIZEbtNeSYx7IX_qMExceivYJj5jqgDK4UfNeDIRZl7x1X6y4wVzRRzo8OFFcDChypNNBUghV6WzVnFX4UCTS/s1600/velvet+star1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzHdAbAn-w7ZXAn5skBPOh3jto1QdK2ml5E2f_rwKI6fkVnQxygeCSa4YIZEbtNeSYx7IX_qMExceivYJj5jqgDK4UfNeDIRZl7x1X6y4wVzRRzo8OFFcDChypNNBUghV6WzVnFX4UCTS/s640/velvet+star1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I miss sewing but know it's a cycle and it probably won't be long before things change.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5HW9AuppQMU-ZOl2uu88ZJrIibnzYzesrXR3SPkLXh7P6n1LvzB_zzXCNH_VhT6do0hNOYPUdsTwKhUMRsUBLMBZ39jiF7Sc0_flBwTGY_N-X8nDFPw62RB63maD4og5lP7sn6wydK6w/s1600/patchwork+star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5HW9AuppQMU-ZOl2uu88ZJrIibnzYzesrXR3SPkLXh7P6n1LvzB_zzXCNH_VhT6do0hNOYPUdsTwKhUMRsUBLMBZ39jiF7Sc0_flBwTGY_N-X8nDFPw62RB63maD4og5lP7sn6wydK6w/s640/patchwork+star.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
A scrap of blue velvet for one side and a handstitched 9-patch for the other, stuffed with wool and decorated with beads and blue pins.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioex_EDKJWQ4q5RKGrBzZ9aG_Wan4xyLS5pIDHjmcpfChN-eTPY9W5ZrxJYJyK3xdNm-LgjbrnDPUNvOmgkliH4T0mH_PqFOWtnxwDwzjvqc3asoADOVB1lTHsQOL0J6WPpsXdgTtdHJN/s1600/lightning+wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioex_EDKJWQ4q5RKGrBzZ9aG_Wan4xyLS5pIDHjmcpfChN-eTPY9W5ZrxJYJyK3xdNm-LgjbrnDPUNvOmgkliH4T0mH_PqFOWtnxwDwzjvqc3asoADOVB1lTHsQOL0J6WPpsXdgTtdHJN/s640/lightning+wood.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am better about labeling things now.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4iSRweGOGLXt-L5r_Bp1DWORpj5SKln4FwrJuntnR_02SruR7ngiBkZdG-Q9VBbwEGOXO3Hy19uprafbQPcYlsHn9LIFE8roDNBFJ1LHfgP9gyaFlK3YZ8XAwBwrJ4PHxOTVUSc1IWSv/s1600/african+violets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4iSRweGOGLXt-L5r_Bp1DWORpj5SKln4FwrJuntnR_02SruR7ngiBkZdG-Q9VBbwEGOXO3Hy19uprafbQPcYlsHn9LIFE8roDNBFJ1LHfgP9gyaFlK3YZ8XAwBwrJ4PHxOTVUSc1IWSv/s640/african+violets.jpg" width="640" /></a> <img height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFf164cLvpyPTPxq0scGljKoX-buY0AFf_JqmzBmygilZ5S0zyeAdGaKUVuxkRh1ud8tNEKcZOUZJrMlXXNT7GBaHzdnsCsCFkiFsBJ2XRxAHnSDnqWcvLh_N16njNU4NhD7BCPCC_EUZk/s640/baking+beets.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm eating more roots now...baking several beets at a time to have on hand for lunches, one a day. I think I'd rather have a beet a day than an apple a day. But that could change at any time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzyO9Gtl9eT25YdednUJ17a-TNie8AaWBvugqnNz2hQCwK2a8u5qtoALgMgR5oOcW75R4IafeDvPLmUAGae3X8J65sk7NgtAQeaa910gpR8MJFBckgkxzHd8EQCKMtUTM_l7nP-hM55wd/s640/yarn+basket.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm knitting way more now and I can knit socks now. That's my first pair in the basket waiting for sock blockers to come all the way from England. I know you don't really need sock blockers but I see it as part of the experience.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuhDrUJVKZecysvz3pxJDLxDBxVE3CyYKijS_HB2VznrtI9Ii_DuRPp3zI72XXwXAxhJ2JYAUdb1GIAwYCMo0YmaIamjeMdcmYqQ2esWX0C4zeiLh1WVG03oGFw9tcdaw8X3zq5KZvMqV/s1600/baking+beets2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuhDrUJVKZecysvz3pxJDLxDBxVE3CyYKijS_HB2VznrtI9Ii_DuRPp3zI72XXwXAxhJ2JYAUdb1GIAwYCMo0YmaIamjeMdcmYqQ2esWX0C4zeiLh1WVG03oGFw9tcdaw8X3zq5KZvMqV/s640/baking+beets2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw3QKEEBHajRAQLV6zaI-DvbkN7_cobJRtHtmRYOA31vzLKKDRiTgbCU9dviZ-rC1XjwIdQs30caDtahBuVYH99R3kT8iUhreMGMeWk4pF06qHY1oBFrcTMy8lnPjfDXHtwXpiSis0lyN/s1600/painted++thanksgiving+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1318" data-original-width="1600" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNw3QKEEBHajRAQLV6zaI-DvbkN7_cobJRtHtmRYOA31vzLKKDRiTgbCU9dviZ-rC1XjwIdQs30caDtahBuVYH99R3kT8iUhreMGMeWk4pF06qHY1oBFrcTMy8lnPjfDXHtwXpiSis0lyN/s640/painted++thanksgiving+dinner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I know my camera has a painting filter now, turned on by accident on Thanksgiving Day. All my photos from that day are like this. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKlR2drP0FN08M3_78PCPMrTp7zvrLNxPE85JM2HgNBz4L2Bnr1Lle2yS6_RgU4gV25FHE7hwQ42VDbIESZTXFhsinQvw1R-2E_QOhvYOFN5WmUZjEZP7rMLhZAqwsFJAvQcxAgRsDw22/s1600/heart+stone+in+nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKlR2drP0FN08M3_78PCPMrTp7zvrLNxPE85JM2HgNBz4L2Bnr1Lle2yS6_RgU4gV25FHE7hwQ42VDbIESZTXFhsinQvw1R-2E_QOhvYOFN5WmUZjEZP7rMLhZAqwsFJAvQcxAgRsDw22/s640/heart+stone+in+nest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My youngest daughter and I are planning her wedding now.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuIbOq6rWn3_b_NXpGoG6WhvbSQSMeBxZSL15_OCKMIRF438WJVJ7AiYACNCEholwhQeymFXd3MQGyTl7AkFdHbt-GDAunKlEwUpR_xPYpfB22TacvGgDSPiq5zfqustgX4XRaDl9abN4/s1600/peace+angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuIbOq6rWn3_b_NXpGoG6WhvbSQSMeBxZSL15_OCKMIRF438WJVJ7AiYACNCEholwhQeymFXd3MQGyTl7AkFdHbt-GDAunKlEwUpR_xPYpfB22TacvGgDSPiq5zfqustgX4XRaDl9abN4/s640/peace+angel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sometimes I feel that I'm doing less of everything I normally do. Some of that is because of wedding planning but it's also the shorter days and longer nights that gently lull us into rest and restoration. I've heard this time referred to as a sacred pause. And then I remember that trees only appear to be dormant while their roots continue to grow, all the while sinking deeper into the earth. Maybe we too grow deeper as we take our sacred pause. xx</div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-9622123791504638212017-11-01T15:17:00.003-06:002017-11-01T15:17:21.145-06:00letters to the otherworld<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGD_rITY5dMnSaArNzhkamIvEvi_FHxqtr10D6fMdzmMuIcuGabVZppnUhp65h-aLx5XIxQzj_q5XouMkbcGfm2lbtt_HE979LpCoK6QHyjKYgdartXxFUbyM1cHdN8HfrHD_hvjl9MZUI/s1600/skeleton+with+wings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGD_rITY5dMnSaArNzhkamIvEvi_FHxqtr10D6fMdzmMuIcuGabVZppnUhp65h-aLx5XIxQzj_q5XouMkbcGfm2lbtt_HE979LpCoK6QHyjKYgdartXxFUbyM1cHdN8HfrHD_hvjl9MZUI/s640/skeleton+with+wings.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Every October my family gets together for our version of the Mexican Day of the Dead tradition. We craft, play outside, watch football and snack in the afternoon. As darkness sets in, the altar candles are lit, smoke is made in the cauldron, we have dinner and we remember our loved ones. And there is always at least one new photo on the altar of a loved one who passed over in the last year. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP84fNxVZU3N5XjXmt5WjB7ZjnV3MzRpu6vMLv8i-tSYrVWLDYxaPEoJBFHB_m3340GxzvSl-fAqNkZreMMEQD6TM8aoAnHpK1M90lb0ghlz-LDAZCFvOFYPI5drbTlmHW9_VMUCITIT0r/s1600/crow+garland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP84fNxVZU3N5XjXmt5WjB7ZjnV3MzRpu6vMLv8i-tSYrVWLDYxaPEoJBFHB_m3340GxzvSl-fAqNkZreMMEQD6TM8aoAnHpK1M90lb0ghlz-LDAZCFvOFYPI5drbTlmHW9_VMUCITIT0r/s640/crow+garland.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_4DkKhlsSNg3O8qka0cQkUoDtFanhbdAgIkhfcN7i8fkq9oLpm5IsbnVaXzUZGxn0m3t3g9-IUSGHdRwy3BM1UD6f1BRdHT3WyqvR2tZjXpTgR5XV9h-W-TZjxunDqqS4JmhX8WWc7l0/s1600/eucalyptus+tree+in+my+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_4DkKhlsSNg3O8qka0cQkUoDtFanhbdAgIkhfcN7i8fkq9oLpm5IsbnVaXzUZGxn0m3t3g9-IUSGHdRwy3BM1UD6f1BRdHT3WyqvR2tZjXpTgR5XV9h-W-TZjxunDqqS4JmhX8WWc7l0/s640/eucalyptus+tree+in+my+kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a> <img height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIdka9gP7iJVuGWt6xO9FD3qHjqOa7IOAhjNCmk2-tuKvrlxmEGi5Qc1jeFwdVZCcgUQgUV7fCxZwklMLOd9NZRinX5blXRKl8nS-_vb2qttMqsebWX-Iajo-lee3u9v88I04rEDzFYSW/s640/samhain+acorns+and+crystals.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I feel very strongly that these last weeks of autumn are a time for connection between the worlds. I woke up this morning thinking that as my outer world looks bleak and barren with a sense of withdrawal, that my inner world was actually stretching and energized. That I was ready to reach through any veil of separation between the visible and the invisible worlds.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciGyFJVj4jh0CP7_EHxUocu5wN2TpqC-7f7WjLRXSVccbVn5tB9OKoCKS532F5S4oVxAYHWcFk991JI4So_76wau6tfx-8r7At1VNuUTPPC6wPb6TLaqPEovKMtTa0-WmutKSf6Gr3SSN/s1600/writing+samhain+letters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciGyFJVj4jh0CP7_EHxUocu5wN2TpqC-7f7WjLRXSVccbVn5tB9OKoCKS532F5S4oVxAYHWcFk991JI4So_76wau6tfx-8r7At1VNuUTPPC6wPb6TLaqPEovKMtTa0-WmutKSf6Gr3SSN/s640/writing+samhain+letters.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And just like that, I knew that I would write letters today and that this practice would be a new tradition for me to look forward to every Samhain (All Saints' Day/All Souls' Day) from now on. I wrote three letters today...to my little boy who passed at age seven, to my mother and to my dad. As I wrote, I held something that I knew they had touched -- to my heart and to my lips. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0DYFT-J70zHiG0UC45TpjKUMzDJ9In7BIzBgYdjh_iD21QvIQLoWw34L6ucjiug5vd_Cm117dppzoB-M27VhcRhJp6PWvxmhWOEF1JKk8NL8h23zOyc37zaKzn1Yv5vgG5oMiu37-KMg/s1600/samhain+altar3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0DYFT-J70zHiG0UC45TpjKUMzDJ9In7BIzBgYdjh_iD21QvIQLoWw34L6ucjiug5vd_Cm117dppzoB-M27VhcRhJp6PWvxmhWOEF1JKk8NL8h23zOyc37zaKzn1Yv5vgG5oMiu37-KMg/s640/samhain+altar3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wrote what I loved most about them. I said I was sorry for certain situations. I asked them to help me know and feel more than I know and feel now. Then I filled all the candle holders with new tealights and set the altar ablaze. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZSJJSY4pqsYVSIb0tW-SLLfwT7w4bw2cWaG694yXXD-vE0YfQUO_U4jN4MOLcVt0VlhOptevog76PHGNUXn3qYcjyZyYuekd5xWSAsMxI4qVTDSVL9qdnEoSawUy4kEq3j5YVG4zfpnj/s1600/samhain+altar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZSJJSY4pqsYVSIb0tW-SLLfwT7w4bw2cWaG694yXXD-vE0YfQUO_U4jN4MOLcVt0VlhOptevog76PHGNUXn3qYcjyZyYuekd5xWSAsMxI4qVTDSVL9qdnEoSawUy4kEq3j5YVG4zfpnj/s640/samhain+altar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I stood watch. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXGwAHN8VXS-T5PYks2CkNN_R9QkUFaIXEXh303K5g3Ws__6wfSs7ie-4quLK3CwB2Qw8SIaRIZJpM5Jhn1yPSaC_EHM7T4EAUw9BA1-Z18uL7GrXEDVmsftc2xoAj8q2Uk_JOrfUz0wN/s1600/one+sock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXGwAHN8VXS-T5PYks2CkNN_R9QkUFaIXEXh303K5g3Ws__6wfSs7ie-4quLK3CwB2Qw8SIaRIZJpM5Jhn1yPSaC_EHM7T4EAUw9BA1-Z18uL7GrXEDVmsftc2xoAj8q2Uk_JOrfUz0wN/s640/one+sock.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I may have done some knitting. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ypo-BH_-lxiXAnT4oqnTQbi4mHVQe5weZgK9QbUjFBwCBT6kzxPzQXBwtA2o9vq_av2yiiXQUfj_9n3hyphenhyphenwbkpLT-5-ckyQrA1WRorGq8GAzNEOzBpti67zDC1GfbwW4QaynFqTJCSDKD/s1600/goddess+in+the+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ypo-BH_-lxiXAnT4oqnTQbi4mHVQe5weZgK9QbUjFBwCBT6kzxPzQXBwtA2o9vq_av2yiiXQUfj_9n3hyphenhyphenwbkpLT-5-ckyQrA1WRorGq8GAzNEOzBpti67zDC1GfbwW4QaynFqTJCSDKD/s640/goddess+in+the+garden.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And taken a short walk around the garden.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_AtSagwkd_XEV8zDoS4-WyAK6D955fEdm_yj4FUaU8uuCa7UAAriusbTmsPeKNoPA3YzacU2jdmE2EiUVWPlmwgHpRXOkI8iBdPlv3PCbPjf_2c8Kj6nEiw7TmdtDfFHNVp5LcknpsAt/s1600/rose+and+lady+bug+freezedried.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_AtSagwkd_XEV8zDoS4-WyAK6D955fEdm_yj4FUaU8uuCa7UAAriusbTmsPeKNoPA3YzacU2jdmE2EiUVWPlmwgHpRXOkI8iBdPlv3PCbPjf_2c8Kj6nEiw7TmdtDfFHNVp5LcknpsAt/s640/rose+and+lady+bug+freezedried.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPNVZuIiP2v5O8e6KOfqWrPGvfUIAvthNHMgLHlhZqO-iwcuAjgI0dDFActn1pojxe5gQWsfmw9Kx1-0mWd6GneReJbDBCmc6_bocgqVh2Tg9_7lqX-WHRnMtandZRdD9XnosSzrsMg2E/s1600/skeleton+with+wings2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZPNVZuIiP2v5O8e6KOfqWrPGvfUIAvthNHMgLHlhZqO-iwcuAjgI0dDFActn1pojxe5gQWsfmw9Kx1-0mWd6GneReJbDBCmc6_bocgqVh2Tg9_7lqX-WHRnMtandZRdD9XnosSzrsMg2E/s640/skeleton+with+wings2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There are more letters to be written over the next several weeks. It appears that I have quite a long mailing list.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheL4hXj-fUIRxyoZEevEC1_tVJI6QgbOR5P0iYx4Pzb0oTeYTGzOgQHDFPACc7jdDf91mXy8wuIno3g6q6nIujuB5O-e4OpBpR1R-6Pd8no0dIC1_DrS2xB_V3vh0Tpfc9iS0Ryfw0d5i/s1600/letters+at+samhain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheL4hXj-fUIRxyoZEevEC1_tVJI6QgbOR5P0iYx4Pzb0oTeYTGzOgQHDFPACc7jdDf91mXy8wuIno3g6q6nIujuB5O-e4OpBpR1R-6Pd8no0dIC1_DrS2xB_V3vh0Tpfc9iS0Ryfw0d5i/s320/letters+at+samhain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
xx</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-66075409117551568912017-10-05T22:28:00.003-06:002017-10-05T22:28:40.732-06:00happy tears onions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXDlgrVSqr_rKaGeksB0EYpYoxc4giRl8d4V9g_iiAlQpkc9IC4cQyDPvqv0_1tR1iOUkWRyANJZ-Ln8kgUr_UkdtnsYk78kgzhTzs1rniuJw1XKWYucFYOO9QPEcRNNFE5cjYpOJR59k/s1600/2+of+swords+sun+cloth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXDlgrVSqr_rKaGeksB0EYpYoxc4giRl8d4V9g_iiAlQpkc9IC4cQyDPvqv0_1tR1iOUkWRyANJZ-Ln8kgUr_UkdtnsYk78kgzhTzs1rniuJw1XKWYucFYOO9QPEcRNNFE5cjYpOJR59k/s640/2+of+swords+sun+cloth.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've been stitching a little sunrise/sunset cloth -- the sun is berry-dyed silk, the river is Japanese indigo-dyed silk, the pink sky is a cotton square cut from one of my baby dresses...from when I was a baby. The mountains are calendar cloth. I don't feel like it's done yet but I'm taking a break. Funny how we can spend hours and hours on such tiny little things.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C4xMOf0lRbWwAPvP5zdpv5ob04WoPZuRv4O2QYPpoRXOR8fEHYhxR1sHtHB2b5hFKgvPSRx8F6_RJ0Q63iuE_87Kw-pjhmAE_j572-PzKYfxenLlL1SuOXGLYq6-idGZghdlNed1JNrw/s1600/new+wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C4xMOf0lRbWwAPvP5zdpv5ob04WoPZuRv4O2QYPpoRXOR8fEHYhxR1sHtHB2b5hFKgvPSRx8F6_RJ0Q63iuE_87Kw-pjhmAE_j572-PzKYfxenLlL1SuOXGLYq6-idGZghdlNed1JNrw/s640/new+wreath.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I got this wreath from Target because I thought it would match the curtains in the living room. And it does.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2UBlYOTGrQnmSHF3DL3YB7zyesbqbcBI6e6KKkcM7irbt9kGLTVsFW5IltVg9lDHxK8UbZuNTc0vay7Wm3rBwcRzO1F8K7C0Qx30GQ_cguuhSXO1ReukCtk15vJkAH3_eBpll-Z86l-U/s1600/zinnia+dyebath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1600" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2UBlYOTGrQnmSHF3DL3YB7zyesbqbcBI6e6KKkcM7irbt9kGLTVsFW5IltVg9lDHxK8UbZuNTc0vay7Wm3rBwcRzO1F8K7C0Qx30GQ_cguuhSXO1ReukCtk15vJkAH3_eBpll-Z86l-U/s640/zinnia+dyebath.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A year of brewing is long enough, don't you think? I think it was prettier in the jar than out of the jar.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAII6UPPUqGyr7QQrWC0uvN_xta_QZi9BH4g9AFO-Ggpe81b0zg-XIYBvb8eCsVIKgW3bRZyHvYCfKPpxjm6OXkmbcrBiy2b07YFSKxkP27GFPbSQrc-rhWZ_ubwtVC9dHdclPm_xPD3Vh/s1600/zinnia+dyed+cloth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAII6UPPUqGyr7QQrWC0uvN_xta_QZi9BH4g9AFO-Ggpe81b0zg-XIYBvb8eCsVIKgW3bRZyHvYCfKPpxjm6OXkmbcrBiy2b07YFSKxkP27GFPbSQrc-rhWZ_ubwtVC9dHdclPm_xPD3Vh/s640/zinnia+dyed+cloth.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6BAaNR_4hReJHZwLMEMppjfw8qeThb7k5kPvEaHUzLQlSOJj0yNBP8ctunF84cnSgXhTGBnmLLGLXEE0cZO4oetKJiTkxjYkqpIRPnznkeWnFdCS1fBZEULP20TV7lZsTiUQ5XTojjC-/s1600/plant+cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="1600" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6BAaNR_4hReJHZwLMEMppjfw8qeThb7k5kPvEaHUzLQlSOJj0yNBP8ctunF84cnSgXhTGBnmLLGLXEE0cZO4oetKJiTkxjYkqpIRPnznkeWnFdCS1fBZEULP20TV7lZsTiUQ5XTojjC-/s640/plant+cart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The middle plant in the largest pot is a henna plant. It has grown so well and is about three or four feet tall. It will overwinter inside, hopefully I can keep it alive. The top right plant is patchouli and the bottom left is curry. There's also one small carob tree and a spicy scented geranium in the mix.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWodqGPKDuCyl1MZ4W50uGgO8RXYs0Olg_SkG2dU_8L9LmLgqu5B6Wtq_YTw-3ZqSbpnbnq9aEEob0lt37JRctkim6wxbY1aduilo3ZVU5AmJOnSayY2fDWV2tHmLAlCx18lCE6pt2-n3/s1600/goji+berries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1600" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWodqGPKDuCyl1MZ4W50uGgO8RXYs0Olg_SkG2dU_8L9LmLgqu5B6Wtq_YTw-3ZqSbpnbnq9aEEob0lt37JRctkim6wxbY1aduilo3ZVU5AmJOnSayY2fDWV2tHmLAlCx18lCE6pt2-n3/s640/goji+berries.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is the goji berry bush for which I still need to find a permanent home before winter. I find that fresh goji berries are not very tasty although the birds like them -- they are much better dried.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm_DWw7x8pzxJl_a_8Rwzd9A5WQOcP6eGU8ouZhgIQpqHGormDcZy46LFDOz4lwZjG8zS0b-hkLfzld0-6r4A9Pz_sY7NH9EeAkpfo2NvBwM9m-A_qNzrcF4KsjjnznvRy2ECaYOCvMV7/s1600/knitted+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm_DWw7x8pzxJl_a_8Rwzd9A5WQOcP6eGU8ouZhgIQpqHGormDcZy46LFDOz4lwZjG8zS0b-hkLfzld0-6r4A9Pz_sY7NH9EeAkpfo2NvBwM9m-A_qNzrcF4KsjjnznvRy2ECaYOCvMV7/s640/knitted+bag.jpg" width="630" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is a <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/PeggyVonburg/deep-sea-flower-dice-bag---anemone-de-mer">deep sea flower dice bag</a> on which mistakes were made but I'm not going to tink it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8ah23JZsdzKZ9yldd9k7bM2LwLNWI9aNN8eTM-mKA3ZIQEkoWdUCQtwQh6SSJJW7mAVqrwlSFykeCoZUsZ6UH2Lrkl1-DxyEamjnXdv6iEkUfr9xnIiLU9gFQ3TXgvqGvu0H7oharbc_/s1600/onion+flowerheads3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8ah23JZsdzKZ9yldd9k7bM2LwLNWI9aNN8eTM-mKA3ZIQEkoWdUCQtwQh6SSJJW7mAVqrwlSFykeCoZUsZ6UH2Lrkl1-DxyEamjnXdv6iEkUfr9xnIiLU9gFQ3TXgvqGvu0H7oharbc_/s640/onion+flowerheads3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lots of <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2017/06/right-outside-door.html">onions</a> overwintered from 2016's garden producing big, beautiful flower heads this past summer and some decent size onions as well. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7ct-J3ScguBCMiLLFpp0P87zvlDn46ZUmqkS6bfahyeTMnanCQi8NtzVO5vxqCWf-b8Y2oR5Z4u4L0Gv579U_fAl408ReOr0d06GZJVAuU8bRoYV6ojUKJDd9hpmtv8GzZAOJBBPbchI/s1600/onions+overwintered+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7ct-J3ScguBCMiLLFpp0P87zvlDn46ZUmqkS6bfahyeTMnanCQi8NtzVO5vxqCWf-b8Y2oR5Z4u4L0Gv579U_fAl408ReOr0d06GZJVAuU8bRoYV6ojUKJDd9hpmtv8GzZAOJBBPbchI/s640/onions+overwintered+crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I read that at one time in ancient Lemuria, onions made people cry tears of joy, that there was no need to be sad for the world. As civilization evolved, onions took on a different purpose, that of helping people to cry out the sadness that blocked joy -- and in turn their hearts would soften and they could experience greater clarity. I know how good it feels to experience tears of joy but don't think it's ever happened from peeling onions. Maybe I can change that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyY8nixWyRmxPR-Dr796k0JnZYtQ-f42CpKI1KXJhSMoi6h_UXajXXax07VQFqGwP_I8tm0mdnx925wT80qc2X1kmgaAR61aDS-grXksp6t2dMm3oTQ7Ta1vd0K2qn-r6m0L5IbI3ZEDG/s1600/onion+flowerheads2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyY8nixWyRmxPR-Dr796k0JnZYtQ-f42CpKI1KXJhSMoi6h_UXajXXax07VQFqGwP_I8tm0mdnx925wT80qc2X1kmgaAR61aDS-grXksp6t2dMm3oTQ7Ta1vd0K2qn-r6m0L5IbI3ZEDG/s640/onion+flowerheads2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NDK_qTFQ_px6vDWJHA5LYUrgfAMfLXKjQ5G7FvwjGpgljxkNSEgdcoNdomvwEddZSGb5OC9rOU9af6Y_-Jo-vOe__K3m73x9uZ9ry_rt862gw4OJsgAYcfDvbGq3u_nk35p5HEVy5_iH/s1600/happy+tears+onion+seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="1600" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NDK_qTFQ_px6vDWJHA5LYUrgfAMfLXKjQ5G7FvwjGpgljxkNSEgdcoNdomvwEddZSGb5OC9rOU9af6Y_-Jo-vOe__K3m73x9uZ9ry_rt862gw4OJsgAYcfDvbGq3u_nk35p5HEVy5_iH/s640/happy+tears+onion+seeds.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I labeled the seeds <i>Happy Tears Onion</i>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l3qDZ38R2HWZx6_TVG8zQ8G0EcVBwy8vEnw2i1kf7XKsW78fDGtSPHFlQ-dF7JY_g79H6dFQfqgSA-w9heVXEW8ItxuPObGRIdGG8OSdozWnrZmN-PyDxwd2uBUTI85sJ6MnPXSHbhSS/s1600/skeleton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1600" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9l3qDZ38R2HWZx6_TVG8zQ8G0EcVBwy8vEnw2i1kf7XKsW78fDGtSPHFlQ-dF7JY_g79H6dFQfqgSA-w9heVXEW8ItxuPObGRIdGG8OSdozWnrZmN-PyDxwd2uBUTI85sJ6MnPXSHbhSS/s640/skeleton.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
She's going to get a new outfit soon, probably a skirt and maybe a few accessories.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLF_lHQML_xhaFPMjm64F_mp4K2sEnNOSkq4fTrb7xGgfY2O8hn5cy7QKKnb2UbFBgsicP556jTFFnO-Jz3MDTUHaEnFpJJyJfpd2y72wvjAAlwDCD5ebpp6gWW3dB2xJNqi-qa-FksnT/s1600/october+moon+cloth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1306" data-original-width="1600" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLF_lHQML_xhaFPMjm64F_mp4K2sEnNOSkq4fTrb7xGgfY2O8hn5cy7QKKnb2UbFBgsicP556jTFFnO-Jz3MDTUHaEnFpJJyJfpd2y72wvjAAlwDCD5ebpp6gWW3dB2xJNqi-qa-FksnT/s640/october+moon+cloth.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
An October moon cloth that I stitched a few years ago as part of a <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/p/drawing-down-moon.html">moon & stitch ritual. </a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Tonight Talula and I will go out for our nightly stroll, first the front yard, then the back. We'll see the full moon, listen for night sounds and make absolutely sure there are no rabbits around. Then we'll come inside to hang the moon cloth and light a candle. And I'll wish for times of joy. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
xx</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-9648119688890748062017-09-16T17:55:00.002-06:002017-09-16T17:55:55.560-06:00knitting and dyeing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRr0MB87QeT7Yed0DTs7Dc-Lmxkb4j6Z7hYtryMf46FJgCW9IdkQpnlMiDKbRLyZibEAWsNOJbzayL83eCivtKqovRN23R3fIaK4XluMN5V_HB6gtF29chh673kibxlyBpMwO2E_Ln4aR/s1600/knitted+bag+bottom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRr0MB87QeT7Yed0DTs7Dc-Lmxkb4j6Z7hYtryMf46FJgCW9IdkQpnlMiDKbRLyZibEAWsNOJbzayL83eCivtKqovRN23R3fIaK4XluMN5V_HB6gtF29chh673kibxlyBpMwO2E_Ln4aR/s640/knitted+bag+bottom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDjDoWaxVnuDMJwLxh82mofglODKRyC6jKE3vEp3KtWaPTUzw1ww17F4CvXb9XhZywdveOslXtCfCNA3P_iSe2Ww52Ws6NKZ_nKKXlegdt5sOKmeH6owsgqKIObIfbOnDZKbkKICojG1i/s1600/knitted+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDjDoWaxVnuDMJwLxh82mofglODKRyC6jKE3vEp3KtWaPTUzw1ww17F4CvXb9XhZywdveOslXtCfCNA3P_iSe2Ww52Ws6NKZ_nKKXlegdt5sOKmeH6owsgqKIObIfbOnDZKbkKICojG1i/s640/knitted+bag.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSF90vV3iCSqtwC-WDQdzhktNf4Vr2cPychYOTVqvTxoOOYoUoqC7c_vrRQPsDo_Q3eR_HseV-O-tlMu64NBqLxseJxxcp4qRA6fUmN1D5ucoBc7H_DMAbNXL9-aVDvyLbaJzURSCjjDW/s1600/butterfly+on+maximillian+sunflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSF90vV3iCSqtwC-WDQdzhktNf4Vr2cPychYOTVqvTxoOOYoUoqC7c_vrRQPsDo_Q3eR_HseV-O-tlMu64NBqLxseJxxcp4qRA6fUmN1D5ucoBc7H_DMAbNXL9-aVDvyLbaJzURSCjjDW/s640/butterfly+on+maximillian+sunflower.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmKJiUINXduAPDVwLjwnX65CdandwmPqd-FB6md3cPCNvkitJmaXtrnOjYPrFWZy_hgTZYuXu__BdZ2U8v5_kq5ffmk973sE_qcds4Rl5eDkW1sDW-8ssomUGm-pXiRIzjSTljkTyhqz5/s1600/rasta+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="1600" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmKJiUINXduAPDVwLjwnX65CdandwmPqd-FB6md3cPCNvkitJmaXtrnOjYPrFWZy_hgTZYuXu__BdZ2U8v5_kq5ffmk973sE_qcds4Rl5eDkW1sDW-8ssomUGm-pXiRIzjSTljkTyhqz5/s640/rasta+hat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoYpytJKzHTdANr4IbJbdHP1rYNZ5B3sbBzMQ5UCp7AP7P32IQrimF-5IqD-pe0kZDuwC4oP7mkD8end7slI7HCa9RcskA1R6ql2RJMUNn4DtHJwtIZ10d-rjDHGl4v2db6SYLsqLuYdb/s1600/dye+station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="1600" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoYpytJKzHTdANr4IbJbdHP1rYNZ5B3sbBzMQ5UCp7AP7P32IQrimF-5IqD-pe0kZDuwC4oP7mkD8end7slI7HCa9RcskA1R6ql2RJMUNn4DtHJwtIZ10d-rjDHGl4v2db6SYLsqLuYdb/s640/dye+station.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjHW4lYEsggY3sGLJpYZcU7ZhyMsoiauT2iOhzQ3hQ4Mnh-iqN5IqSS6amqm06bw_GIxL_OgTcyxIhvJxnkX5HZ7J3e89_5EFGeIp_YCYxSFp40XdAxvZTuIpG7QSNx98-DivAEWVt_4w/s1600/japanese+indigo+dyebath+preparation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjHW4lYEsggY3sGLJpYZcU7ZhyMsoiauT2iOhzQ3hQ4Mnh-iqN5IqSS6amqm06bw_GIxL_OgTcyxIhvJxnkX5HZ7J3e89_5EFGeIp_YCYxSFp40XdAxvZTuIpG7QSNx98-DivAEWVt_4w/s640/japanese+indigo+dyebath+preparation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAAlKVzgBI88BQhGhaWgGgA979n7DfUmVa-Kx6X1P8iLYY9-PjbWyN-IwEg3s7TeMTcpxBh-zeLWzbb4NIURWNiD1ecEz1VgVfz0mv-nmqSRwMIHEVHZhyphenhyphenrRUbJzRc-PUm_QxBA3F4rLk/s1600/japanese+indigo+shibori.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAAlKVzgBI88BQhGhaWgGgA979n7DfUmVa-Kx6X1P8iLYY9-PjbWyN-IwEg3s7TeMTcpxBh-zeLWzbb4NIURWNiD1ecEz1VgVfz0mv-nmqSRwMIHEVHZhyphenhyphenrRUbJzRc-PUm_QxBA3F4rLk/s640/japanese+indigo+shibori.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZ-2FduXWDCvawXNkJPVE2mIxz6qHYD4FctHwPRQmxETgyhCV0R2xeAnMaQTgglamt6zwCRq20f4i077qyRPHtR9mgRHvyMZQk-f2mYz4yWOmG3M-tlYUUStmdico0yD2Z3fIR_CqIZUW/s1600/japanese+indigo+dyebath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZ-2FduXWDCvawXNkJPVE2mIxz6qHYD4FctHwPRQmxETgyhCV0R2xeAnMaQTgglamt6zwCRq20f4i077qyRPHtR9mgRHvyMZQk-f2mYz4yWOmG3M-tlYUUStmdico0yD2Z3fIR_CqIZUW/s640/japanese+indigo+dyebath.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYbhXn7p3tSinLk_Udl5o6zBWgt05A9d0hRPcsevQW0DY1N1lDJUfa756yrbSsX1Kj23xw0svmDvUGknvzqTMeyU2xISNuqAdIFoUu1ZD9NxYevqPya-lg3ptU0yABUx729L-hiiw-G2O/s1600/japanese+indigo+day+1st+batch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="1600" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYbhXn7p3tSinLk_Udl5o6zBWgt05A9d0hRPcsevQW0DY1N1lDJUfa756yrbSsX1Kj23xw0svmDvUGknvzqTMeyU2xISNuqAdIFoUu1ZD9NxYevqPya-lg3ptU0yABUx729L-hiiw-G2O/s640/japanese+indigo+day+1st+batch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9Xk_wzU2H-KmovuqIYXEAbPnJapkG750fV4-f1XCy4JF2oGKGkfltEea9Uv7PT4TqhhwN0M62KVRjXZHjPr-mh0oHrIHsg6ENiES0doqOORO0x55mAwAfZdIZlZgTv21M9PRdWT8h_Nz/s1600/japanese+indigo+day+2nd+batch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9Xk_wzU2H-KmovuqIYXEAbPnJapkG750fV4-f1XCy4JF2oGKGkfltEea9Uv7PT4TqhhwN0M62KVRjXZHjPr-mh0oHrIHsg6ENiES0doqOORO0x55mAwAfZdIZlZgTv21M9PRdWT8h_Nz/s640/japanese+indigo+day+2nd+batch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP6HxsQKntm8BYCMpBuy3tQLANPU7s4v0VhAFIT5PA8tRT_GQNap60jwWzRx6qKvY5av9F2F7TfwiHZ5YVX7HYClb5ow6v17yiVT_gbqqrCspoEjyAmRXcU27wKlsgFdtIa8ul7CDrZN3/s1600/jerusalem+artichokes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP6HxsQKntm8BYCMpBuy3tQLANPU7s4v0VhAFIT5PA8tRT_GQNap60jwWzRx6qKvY5av9F2F7TfwiHZ5YVX7HYClb5ow6v17yiVT_gbqqrCspoEjyAmRXcU27wKlsgFdtIa8ul7CDrZN3/s640/jerusalem+artichokes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGqt-Uuyo9nDu_UD6B6Z5LUhNhCHRrdehATMu837w09FlMQzdtjRrfFb3xnoTCEVEsff7BuG0zNXzjKBk5e0G5xhYwyYelyHN47tFvHkR0xeFVI_U1iHPP3b-Y_8Kd0syrbwFaYkPEOq3/s1600/japanese+indigo+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGqt-Uuyo9nDu_UD6B6Z5LUhNhCHRrdehATMu837w09FlMQzdtjRrfFb3xnoTCEVEsff7BuG0zNXzjKBk5e0G5xhYwyYelyHN47tFvHkR0xeFVI_U1iHPP3b-Y_8Kd0syrbwFaYkPEOq3/s640/japanese+indigo+day.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tfda_jKuXdJGoiU4zHOXiknqio_b_vRnC2JflRE9svscSTEWlVCjDBoe9KtvmkYlxUNkpvYJhMnLTgfMmEUiqpA4dnjYBknpQsvr-8LhHAO-VSa0YrEMMETYb6N76r-J5agKmoNj0y5n/s1600/japanese+indigo+day+tools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tfda_jKuXdJGoiU4zHOXiknqio_b_vRnC2JflRE9svscSTEWlVCjDBoe9KtvmkYlxUNkpvYJhMnLTgfMmEUiqpA4dnjYBknpQsvr-8LhHAO-VSa0YrEMMETYb6N76r-J5agKmoNj0y5n/s640/japanese+indigo+day+tools.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nLfCalx6NQjZPkHtghuQi4jYYVpdIaIO7LD_GMVJKVwffn_drGFaBs8RzICO9jIkCNgvdisXdVXC7CnED4j7I5tWbw9KSk7wwdnmUN2g7s81eP-DH7AWplQwJygeD-_DhKLJ1MdroKtS/s1600/butterfly+on+maximillian+sunflower2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1600" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nLfCalx6NQjZPkHtghuQi4jYYVpdIaIO7LD_GMVJKVwffn_drGFaBs8RzICO9jIkCNgvdisXdVXC7CnED4j7I5tWbw9KSk7wwdnmUN2g7s81eP-DH7AWplQwJygeD-_DhKLJ1MdroKtS/s640/butterfly+on+maximillian+sunflower2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXK7__aXo2AD-4_ifGK6W_Dw94nw3wpr4FZ_lBYeawlDeUKZGMXQg0imLaF2HQzVgvX9t7l5srbPK1ArohABu27HaxJaITVWS50tZiFsRAA_PuRCBYeyHcuESVYWgnU-Z2VntSJeFzmvA/s1600/knitted+hexipuffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXK7__aXo2AD-4_ifGK6W_Dw94nw3wpr4FZ_lBYeawlDeUKZGMXQg0imLaF2HQzVgvX9t7l5srbPK1ArohABu27HaxJaITVWS50tZiFsRAA_PuRCBYeyHcuESVYWgnU-Z2VntSJeFzmvA/s640/knitted+hexipuffs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AHV95meL4Yox72UT3klkYP3G5wnreE0l1ELvqAvvZi1prekVpkH-ByS666RJUDLM3ceIXeAgVEBT6D5fM4Mu_XdV-MUxfQjKae7D-9HVS5tO-lQVnx3SFnrHT_vUBSOWLssni0wqibN6/s1600/chalkboard+altar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AHV95meL4Yox72UT3klkYP3G5wnreE0l1ELvqAvvZi1prekVpkH-ByS666RJUDLM3ceIXeAgVEBT6D5fM4Mu_XdV-MUxfQjKae7D-9HVS5tO-lQVnx3SFnrHT_vUBSOWLssni0wqibN6/s640/chalkboard+altar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Butterflies were everywhere today, it was so cool. You sort of can't feel too bad about anything when there are dozens of butterflies fluttering around you. On flowers, in the grass, everywhere, some even brushed ever so lightly by my hair.<br />
<br />
I am knitting more lately and if I'm not knitting I'm thinking about knitting...a little <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/PeggyVonburg/deep-sea-flower-dice-bag---anemone-de-mer">bag</a> being worked with five needles...and more <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/PeggyVonburg/the-beekeepers-quilt">hexipuffs</a> worked with three needles to someday be assembled into the beekeeper quilt. I feel like I've gently slipped into a groove where knitting comes easy so I'm going to ride it out as long as it lasts.<br />
<br />
The Japanese indigo has been maturing for some time and I knew I couldn't delay much longer before the leaves would be unusable. It was perfect timing, the leaves were not only supple and abundant, their color held strong as well. I tried some simple shibori techniques that came out a little wonky but still...it was a glorious day and I am so happy with the outcome. I just wish I had been better prepared with a few skeins of naked yarn to dye.<br />
<br />
I love these darker days with cooler nights and getting to wear a sweater again. I am rearranging tabletops all over the house with stones and candles and seed pods and acorns and whatever else I find. The other day when I was out walking Talula, a man in the neighborhood gave me a plastic grocery bagful of acorns he'd just picked off his lawn. I'd never seen so many acorns from one oak tree, it must have been the perfect year for them, unusual for here.<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting and happy weekending. I will either be knitting or thinking about it.<br />
<br />
xxPeggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-70968059284800808272017-08-30T17:45:00.003-06:002017-08-31T12:56:00.769-06:00a cornucopia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURUf1pWyUAh-qGeC4Sj82fIFkjTR8eH-WFESl_654D5PplqodpzEkv0x_a3lCXlB1H4IRv-neYXPaIb6mAH5MIM87BHUjjmx42DPXbu0oxdutNkMSjJC9LVwD0DB1hc4_L-omtenYy_Xj/s1600/cornucopia1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURUf1pWyUAh-qGeC4Sj82fIFkjTR8eH-WFESl_654D5PplqodpzEkv0x_a3lCXlB1H4IRv-neYXPaIb6mAH5MIM87BHUjjmx42DPXbu0oxdutNkMSjJC9LVwD0DB1hc4_L-omtenYy_Xj/s640/cornucopia1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Starting with the new moon in Leo on August 21st, I began a focus on abundance with the Roman goddess Abundantia. At first I didn't feel any connection with Abundantia whatsoever but after learning that her symbol was the cornucopia, I was all in. I love cornucopias, I have no idea why but I do. After I dug mine out of storage, I created an abundance altar. I began filling the cornucopia with reminders of abundance -- small (in size) gifts from friends, pieces of paper I'd written on and folded little, a flower from the garden and so on. Each day I add something and by the time of the full moon, this cornucopia will be overflowing. Abundantia, in case you're wondering, has a more well-known counterpart -- the Greek goddess Gaia.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYDGC8ecmL6Y8MS_83dJ6X5t9PHUSVdif9IbLj4mzEqRl7W055KxoUyJkfWEpm3Cn0tj9n9nbc_TbpWqg7AAGaO63MM890H3cBII0ga_85u_Vp9JELvmanSV2dckjhGgp0Q7RgXAXRc-H/s1600/cornucopia2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYDGC8ecmL6Y8MS_83dJ6X5t9PHUSVdif9IbLj4mzEqRl7W055KxoUyJkfWEpm3Cn0tj9n9nbc_TbpWqg7AAGaO63MM890H3cBII0ga_85u_Vp9JELvmanSV2dckjhGgp0Q7RgXAXRc-H/s640/cornucopia2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love that the light has changed enough that I feel like lighting candles during the day again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPvfEQjcLO883mY29ZblUDL98xKepaRI4F8UO4ZUev5n-8rrJFYpNQKcOdW9NHzlzqr3PzIw78jbDgToKchyphenhyphenhCz0EoDUDdTrOODOYD4tO5b6k-W0K4zJEPDhvcSkk4zATJ0KMPtvli2QY/s1600/dyers+coreopsis+on+stove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPvfEQjcLO883mY29ZblUDL98xKepaRI4F8UO4ZUev5n-8rrJFYpNQKcOdW9NHzlzqr3PzIw78jbDgToKchyphenhyphenhCz0EoDUDdTrOODOYD4tO5b6k-W0K4zJEPDhvcSkk4zATJ0KMPtvli2QY/s640/dyers+coreopsis+on+stove.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My newest garden ritual: Every morning there are dozens more dyer's coreopsis flowers to be picked and dried for making future dye. My little granddaughter helped me one morning, we both loved that, I hope she remembers doing it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YpTKr2r6G3UAAU8pbXfQ-_poHPoIdvyFCD7SPgTk_bn888HA7LVYMvRdzKRdYwG4Dx3SxtAAlMIMQpWC9VabFVzBu55CvG80T77YvQo0Ufbzaeg4rXrZ9KRcZ1ctwx3pCsp_2t6kTI0b/s1600/first+morning+glory+of+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YpTKr2r6G3UAAU8pbXfQ-_poHPoIdvyFCD7SPgTk_bn888HA7LVYMvRdzKRdYwG4Dx3SxtAAlMIMQpWC9VabFVzBu55CvG80T77YvQo0Ufbzaeg4rXrZ9KRcZ1ctwx3pCsp_2t6kTI0b/s640/first+morning+glory+of+2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our first morning glory blossom floating in the middle of the air.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghxpQunS304bjekACkg_NRom3rVz6A9LjZerTW3hy17n-SMM5i1_VIFuGvvlBk6_o8Q_DC4MCVeHOaNTZrE5AgOdYOW4tHU-F9tuQxK8vLE71pQnb9EHGXOxYNMnmTzU5eiRbJmoKW8Ei/s1600/sunflowers+maiden+mother+crone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghxpQunS304bjekACkg_NRom3rVz6A9LjZerTW3hy17n-SMM5i1_VIFuGvvlBk6_o8Q_DC4MCVeHOaNTZrE5AgOdYOW4tHU-F9tuQxK8vLE71pQnb9EHGXOxYNMnmTzU5eiRbJmoKW8Ei/s640/sunflowers+maiden+mother+crone.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Various stages of drying...maiden, mother, crone.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Qol0a71LXkesrD2J95DFZydwx7nHrtAbRy0EMJN2o6n4udjhY8Zd2yuVJBBjqNYABSx0f60oSR0iWdjSLEOp1xBOtOjLx0ZOL-ucBDcqwYxBB0cGfpZwGSAoAKND7ExbaUAPYWwxIa8k/s1600/knitted+sampler+shawl+finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1397" data-original-width="1600" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Qol0a71LXkesrD2J95DFZydwx7nHrtAbRy0EMJN2o6n4udjhY8Zd2yuVJBBjqNYABSx0f60oSR0iWdjSLEOp1xBOtOjLx0ZOL-ucBDcqwYxBB0cGfpZwGSAoAKND7ExbaUAPYWwxIa8k/s640/knitted+sampler+shawl+finished.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I finished knitting and blocking the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/PeggyVonburg/stitch-sampler-shawl">Stitch Sampler Shawl</a>. It's a generous size, about 17"x62" and was wonderful fun to knit. I almost want to start another one.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm intentionally slowing down at this, the busiest time of year. There is something about just going along, doing my thing. Not thinking about how time flies or whether there's enough time to do it all.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I want to hold onto this feeling. Thanks for visiting here. xx </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-30345318435264170152017-08-09T18:12:00.000-06:002017-08-09T18:12:44.739-06:00more than expected<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvVT0bL0HNW7zRWvvJePivDaV7o0oSIRCKw6521ryCRRxC5yVrh7W1_lrjxQXmP1v2lFeolUCIju28jkhQgYu05_zFBra1RvDNFApsnlO-QvYxZHxMqTPAJ0tKiqbwiViIgf2UZ7rdJGu/s1600/dyers+coreopsis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvVT0bL0HNW7zRWvvJePivDaV7o0oSIRCKw6521ryCRRxC5yVrh7W1_lrjxQXmP1v2lFeolUCIju28jkhQgYu05_zFBra1RvDNFApsnlO-QvYxZHxMqTPAJ0tKiqbwiViIgf2UZ7rdJGu/s640/dyers+coreopsis.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And there is more Dyer's coreopsis for drying and dyeing. Everyday there is more, this plant blooms her heart out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZRu6s4fb3U3PBeq0mwifzU5CZkt8GEcP1nJk5V6cIQBreitqwigy1SXbVpzs-7c-b15DJJVwUtBoIj1d2hyphenhyphenyo_gAEDXa2Hgwun1b50cb2z9wMZjN6XEq4HMw27SbWdbDXwgi4ocyiUD1/s1600/patchwork+16+squares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZRu6s4fb3U3PBeq0mwifzU5CZkt8GEcP1nJk5V6cIQBreitqwigy1SXbVpzs-7c-b15DJJVwUtBoIj1d2hyphenhyphenyo_gAEDXa2Hgwun1b50cb2z9wMZjN6XEq4HMw27SbWdbDXwgi4ocyiUD1/s640/patchwork+16+squares.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It started with needing a cloth for my little altar table, something that would reflect this month of August with all its vibrant colors -- too soon to go into the dark.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1x-HdO7_XZ0E7touKq3vGDtBhjhnh3AO27uzdhkjMWLdR4fv4rbr_rsAmoPkhFGTIpLZlD57jwyfRjcA2JtGZqtzuWFg6PgVKuycqZVhKtpbHbXy-4Ou2HO5zc4bqvL3D9hzQ1YyIUsH/s1600/patchwork36+squares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1525" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1x-HdO7_XZ0E7touKq3vGDtBhjhnh3AO27uzdhkjMWLdR4fv4rbr_rsAmoPkhFGTIpLZlD57jwyfRjcA2JtGZqtzuWFg6PgVKuycqZVhKtpbHbXy-4Ou2HO5zc4bqvL3D9hzQ1YyIUsH/s640/patchwork36+squares.jpg" width="610" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A pre-cut stack of cotton squares was put to good use. A spontaneous project from the start, I didn't want to overthink it or be too precise. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndCF7L1vt9GWgjql6ommW-B32fuMFM0NezriCYyQ8aKfk-XgQYgpgBumRoqKfJOvvfxApQ2-zwblmbJWCztc33LBrWfExbEWrI9Gl8X8TPunSzOS6LtRLThByYSsuqp7GYf1KNizYsKJN/s1600/talula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="1600" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndCF7L1vt9GWgjql6ommW-B32fuMFM0NezriCYyQ8aKfk-XgQYgpgBumRoqKfJOvvfxApQ2-zwblmbJWCztc33LBrWfExbEWrI9Gl8X8TPunSzOS6LtRLThByYSsuqp7GYf1KNizYsKJN/s640/talula.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our Talula on her spot outside the back door gnawing down a rib bone for both calcium and cleaning her teeth. It was meaty when she started.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MjFRzuCRc5UzKhVcFylXiZD-kbXkdlm0RLDOPU8NJc1lNspmZHdkoCweOuvW3qW8xx062pr4h-A1aZ69Bj-hKtmp6dNFRjMHzCfZxSfHp3Nis6VORwyIguIyoHkszR8IoWev1s0md0MM/s1600/bindweed+dyeing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1600" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MjFRzuCRc5UzKhVcFylXiZD-kbXkdlm0RLDOPU8NJc1lNspmZHdkoCweOuvW3qW8xx062pr4h-A1aZ69Bj-hKtmp6dNFRjMHzCfZxSfHp3Nis6VORwyIguIyoHkszR8IoWev1s0md0MM/s640/bindweed+dyeing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The result of the bindweed dye I made with homegrown bindweed vines (ha)...a soft gold on silk and cotton, darker on wool. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStP0TUcI8du1QDfLMkJd7EjyCi7TEB_9qNpHbmqXPWYp_kfXPRu0LtZGmwBbvwCeVe7CbXt54544XaVTHwqWlkgo0CGP4yUD6vWDdyauffu5KXzjTMGEaA5aufSoF3pC58hi0P0gO5sBP/s1600/flowers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1600" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStP0TUcI8du1QDfLMkJd7EjyCi7TEB_9qNpHbmqXPWYp_kfXPRu0LtZGmwBbvwCeVe7CbXt54544XaVTHwqWlkgo0CGP4yUD6vWDdyauffu5KXzjTMGEaA5aufSoF3pC58hi0P0gO5sBP/s640/flowers2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Flowers were picked during a drizzle. Once I had the cloth ironed I couldn't wait for a vase of flowers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCL46q3KIUnEMkh09UwvNvq_0nAWivgEvyfDA1BBGa17sjzXWQssrvBK4NB9ezP1vg-Wgxzj_Tqh-oqPwx9sVBw7Qh81eZCvyx9UXNvjO_8IBGvl6od0hvrImFDyezSTo4MZADM7MtogIQ/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1414" data-original-width="1600" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCL46q3KIUnEMkh09UwvNvq_0nAWivgEvyfDA1BBGa17sjzXWQssrvBK4NB9ezP1vg-Wgxzj_Tqh-oqPwx9sVBw7Qh81eZCvyx9UXNvjO_8IBGvl6od0hvrImFDyezSTo4MZADM7MtogIQ/s640/flowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The patchwork isn't backed and bound yet, I couldn't wait for that either. I'll do that in September with some kantha stitching as well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1NpRcleANA-4C-4sYLd3SmLnj6Et4dP8PcWVn3N7jlhs04JL-D2iHrFhvr4uzUdkNsjjjJqSI29lU5CxcqpH4baDumO7qYmSvbovFkWJpqthk3pyiYIobOehZG3AoRvmY3QCxlBzmxeE/s1600/onion+blossom+with+ladybug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1600" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1NpRcleANA-4C-4sYLd3SmLnj6Et4dP8PcWVn3N7jlhs04JL-D2iHrFhvr4uzUdkNsjjjJqSI29lU5CxcqpH4baDumO7qYmSvbovFkWJpqthk3pyiYIobOehZG3AoRvmY3QCxlBzmxeE/s640/onion+blossom+with+ladybug.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The onion blossoms are setting seed, more than anyone could ever want. I'll save a bit but hope for some to self-seed which might be a long shot. There were at least three ladybugs nestled inside this one blossom.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmQulXhTdNhnAn7zOKLpGYmzE0ZC0-q2mkb-XKdZPCBq9sz6QmqLr1xwnUTjHq9tXQwL9k5AhcDCAMYEYvWNzgs6qhaHNDhBlWzg5u-dDF58pJlFFQJZ02jT8vtLr5btX1gQKrlI7qXtD/s1600/instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmQulXhTdNhnAn7zOKLpGYmzE0ZC0-q2mkb-XKdZPCBq9sz6QmqLr1xwnUTjHq9tXQwL9k5AhcDCAMYEYvWNzgs6qhaHNDhBlWzg5u-dDF58pJlFFQJZ02jT8vtLr5btX1gQKrlI7qXtD/s640/instagram.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I have been posting on Instagram regularly lately. There is a link on the sidebar if you are interested -- you don't need to use a smart phone to view photos on Instagram.<br />
<br />
The garden in August is lush and productive, always offering so much more than I think it will. One year before a harvest ritual, my friends and I left written prayers of gratitude here and there in the garden...pinned to tomato cages, attached to plants or placed on the ground and held down with stones or candles. The next day I collected all the papers with the beautiful prayers, some were written from the heart, some were poems or short essays. I want to do this again on my own. I feel deep gratitude for this life, this place where I have landed.<br />
<br />
August does that to a person. xo<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-61562517754753503512017-07-27T21:52:00.001-06:002017-07-28T10:17:28.374-06:00dyed and dried<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRT1SyJjYdEh9F2NCjj3j4LCw7KIFrSbRYkmGLilKn6B04jln8N9RbnhbnF4bL4VAWfTQjKD6q5i619EyvNcH8pbBatUMhP0NVzX5of8TPNxRnnMxlvijf5AA4sliY9VP4KqJ_w1GVG7p/s1600/doilies+red+basil+%2526+dyers+coreopsis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRT1SyJjYdEh9F2NCjj3j4LCw7KIFrSbRYkmGLilKn6B04jln8N9RbnhbnF4bL4VAWfTQjKD6q5i619EyvNcH8pbBatUMhP0NVzX5of8TPNxRnnMxlvijf5AA4sliY9VP4KqJ_w1GVG7p/s640/doilies+red+basil+%2526+dyers+coreopsis.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQs8y8WMZmLgqEFTmozfgD9gNX-dNsMgIWsP7X7hDMmseqbG96xEoV_cSy5ZQ1lPhDC8I2XcCFKcBuEt9rhEHUXjpVDgnFZmwa_AI3fHfdeiqxMlhBxacevETjmiVioqp4o0YVUpySSIf/s1600/tarot+cloth+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQs8y8WMZmLgqEFTmozfgD9gNX-dNsMgIWsP7X7hDMmseqbG96xEoV_cSy5ZQ1lPhDC8I2XcCFKcBuEt9rhEHUXjpVDgnFZmwa_AI3fHfdeiqxMlhBxacevETjmiVioqp4o0YVUpySSIf/s640/tarot+cloth+book+cover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlU7NSfwrQ5LO96MwcH3JR8NqYwsjpYWpDWd1p45bCRct3XDwRcOI7G3C8bmC-NOqIr9DMWbEHGR-rw48q_iIyCZMbiWM_5xJJ70ubZDOjktOhJmq03m1d0Ia6ww_x-_ICezY5qSYDhQAh/s1600/dyers+coreopsis+dyepot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlU7NSfwrQ5LO96MwcH3JR8NqYwsjpYWpDWd1p45bCRct3XDwRcOI7G3C8bmC-NOqIr9DMWbEHGR-rw48q_iIyCZMbiWM_5xJJ70ubZDOjktOhJmq03m1d0Ia6ww_x-_ICezY5qSYDhQAh/s640/dyers+coreopsis+dyepot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzocc0taqZwAv1wT-RLSo_6tIBaOXidnqrYnebhCO142wXZHDIVIkL17F88X3oLrJHjEuFm-nAiKX637biTOIdFb2PkykXrmPJAAoOHjJ3UNML1cvHy6uJYyInDzYZMJZ5hL43ZByKcNW/s1600/dyers+coreopsis+dyed+%2526+dried+with+talula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzocc0taqZwAv1wT-RLSo_6tIBaOXidnqrYnebhCO142wXZHDIVIkL17F88X3oLrJHjEuFm-nAiKX637biTOIdFb2PkykXrmPJAAoOHjJ3UNML1cvHy6uJYyInDzYZMJZ5hL43ZByKcNW/s640/dyers+coreopsis+dyed+%2526+dried+with+talula.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_jS2uADw-n5KxBXQRVZhaOTi1gvlyVNxnIJGhcj147zVpR0W6pdyW5DvMRZdkx0m7PZh9by6xOdZ-SstgdffSYjxZEPM2hcZIVaYg2CVsT2oCQsIaT3VOeVtE8t9hDfQnhvvHcKAOUgq/s1600/dyers+coreopsis+dyed+and+ironed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_jS2uADw-n5KxBXQRVZhaOTi1gvlyVNxnIJGhcj147zVpR0W6pdyW5DvMRZdkx0m7PZh9by6xOdZ-SstgdffSYjxZEPM2hcZIVaYg2CVsT2oCQsIaT3VOeVtE8t9hDfQnhvvHcKAOUgq/s640/dyers+coreopsis+dyed+and+ironed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4-A12A0aN1gTYWvM1Iv0k9XgW4vCsF8vpRg8vGP6D-nWX09jcQEmTJKZOwKQKjJ0PBVHt3A0V5pk-YK9wQmxKw5zJ4X6Y6_p1dx4NMvTbXjaPwZpNBBHT2q_6z3gTaZcDofoz38Q3jpp/s1600/first+green+pepper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4-A12A0aN1gTYWvM1Iv0k9XgW4vCsF8vpRg8vGP6D-nWX09jcQEmTJKZOwKQKjJ0PBVHt3A0V5pk-YK9wQmxKw5zJ4X6Y6_p1dx4NMvTbXjaPwZpNBBHT2q_6z3gTaZcDofoz38Q3jpp/s640/first+green+pepper.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bNkB9Ta6EuEpGDQ5jA3WtYjsr7QKTx15sNWM9g0TmJAwY45rxErtciieP7i6RlrvIhSKQqpJQ2NQVpbV6Z299brKv-CTrjd3pisbxG8dmgL8cKhgIJPstG2mUvPkgVkYJHyl88m-XXnN/s1600/red+basil+into+the+dyepot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bNkB9Ta6EuEpGDQ5jA3WtYjsr7QKTx15sNWM9g0TmJAwY45rxErtciieP7i6RlrvIhSKQqpJQ2NQVpbV6Z299brKv-CTrjd3pisbxG8dmgL8cKhgIJPstG2mUvPkgVkYJHyl88m-XXnN/s640/red+basil+into+the+dyepot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXcV3ccEMiFejML5VNNnGUnegqf2YMqfbddKf029OznhryUgLClQ2moBQBEMT4I_hJN5LA1u83Ev5YeG8SZsHQ1kGgKQTUJ55pT4vguJWltcD-VeIx_ClbL7rx_0Uo_p7sn1weoZkqfJa/s1600/red+basil+out+of+the+dyepot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXcV3ccEMiFejML5VNNnGUnegqf2YMqfbddKf029OznhryUgLClQ2moBQBEMT4I_hJN5LA1u83Ev5YeG8SZsHQ1kGgKQTUJ55pT4vguJWltcD-VeIx_ClbL7rx_0Uo_p7sn1weoZkqfJa/s640/red+basil+out+of+the+dyepot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOZuwS9F-gkI5JXVa3phkqdwR0HjCFd7PSEFuHbzsvFcwwzsvNFI5OE5isIufymIK2uyKw7r-FJjpt45-44swFPqbQBnel3cz7g_FeGleqZUp72h_TZ2XCyjtocqSt0dOa9JCYACC7DII/s1600/red+basil+so+pretty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="1600" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOZuwS9F-gkI5JXVa3phkqdwR0HjCFd7PSEFuHbzsvFcwwzsvNFI5OE5isIufymIK2uyKw7r-FJjpt45-44swFPqbQBnel3cz7g_FeGleqZUp72h_TZ2XCyjtocqSt0dOa9JCYACC7DII/s640/red+basil+so+pretty.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGRrihmQtdMKFxDihmBVni7cJvpGGvpoX8Xbclr_J8ylj-ItUmWKTd2gVpRq2sHaOBK568C9gqjEAYBBR6caU0cp4gscAqVzANDYLP0lLqVX3stuieY9Xo5XVgOSP5Nfx1PuQsjIQtgK0/s1600/red+basil+dyed+ironed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGRrihmQtdMKFxDihmBVni7cJvpGGvpoX8Xbclr_J8ylj-ItUmWKTd2gVpRq2sHaOBK568C9gqjEAYBBR6caU0cp4gscAqVzANDYLP0lLqVX3stuieY9Xo5XVgOSP5Nfx1PuQsjIQtgK0/s640/red+basil+dyed+ironed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xYvQqPfHvQR6QiOe_zQvSwWSCw-JUY_OKXNy8C2Y3mr5KtpEfpH6SBWwYCky4K5yWzLL0nYkC6sJBceSXYjxqguwwJlTjdwbxaH88c1pp3SdYlWv6_L9Y_DEHX6_JyjkUJGUrdQV-2BI/s1600/dyed+cloths+red+basil+%2526+dyers+coreopsis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xYvQqPfHvQR6QiOe_zQvSwWSCw-JUY_OKXNy8C2Y3mr5KtpEfpH6SBWwYCky4K5yWzLL0nYkC6sJBceSXYjxqguwwJlTjdwbxaH88c1pp3SdYlWv6_L9Y_DEHX6_JyjkUJGUrdQV-2BI/s640/dyed+cloths+red+basil+%2526+dyers+coreopsis.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYk9GmU1uAXhMD2wQ-xmj2fMcI4MWlOOpsavgTU9DvmXlib4GBaSGj4ZvewACXMrofkMfdYMo-fyapqOY0BjePlTpDhThcD4uhjh6laTCULhGgJaX7cI6m5GEc5Z3Bhvt8xt0qwOBbPlgw/s1600/bindweed+blossoms+and+vines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYk9GmU1uAXhMD2wQ-xmj2fMcI4MWlOOpsavgTU9DvmXlib4GBaSGj4ZvewACXMrofkMfdYMo-fyapqOY0BjePlTpDhThcD4uhjh6laTCULhGgJaX7cI6m5GEc5Z3Bhvt8xt0qwOBbPlgw/s640/bindweed+blossoms+and+vines.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Late July. Early August. Something comes over me this time of year and I have a hard time putting that something into words but I want to try. It's the thickness of the air and how it looks and feels green to me now. It's about the pace and intensity of insect sounds and bird songs and kids playing outside at dusk. It's the way my bare feet seem to spring roots that sink into the ground with each step, how I am drawn to lie down on the grass to be pulled oh so close to the mother. And for some reason, I just seem to quit caring about all the things I thought needed doing. Instead, I wander.<br />
<br />
The dye and mordant pots have been in use. With a mixture of fibers, the gray results are from red basil aerial parts and the golds/rusts are from dyer's coreopsis aerial parts, with a pup to match. My favorite pieces are the two doilies. This growing season one small bed in the Buddha garden was dedicated to just dye plants and it's done so well. Soon the Japanese indigo will be ready, maybe using some simple shibori.<br />
<br />
I stitched a likeness of a tarot card from The Herbal Tarot and decided to pin-storm (pinning up a storm) it to the black linen journal cover as a sort of preview. I like it -- and can use the journal to record tarot/oracle cards and layouts and aha moments that I always think I'll remember forever but never do. The misty star patch is from Spirit Cloth's <a href="http://spiritcloth.typepad.com/spirit_cloth/the-threadcrumbs-shop.html">ThreadCrumbs Shop</a> and the moon was cut from my handwritten <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/rumi-cloth.html">Rumi cloth.</a><br />
<br />
The first green pepper from plants grown from seed was eaten. A bowl of bindweed blossoms was picked to dry and burn and a big pot of bindweed vines is on the stove right now making dye.<br />
<br />
That's about it. Thanks for visiting and happy weekending.<br />
<br />
xo<br />
<br />
<br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-31091397930074755292017-07-08T15:03:00.002-06:002017-07-08T16:12:04.547-06:00woman drummer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today is the full moon, a time to acknowledge and maybe even celebrate what has come to fruition, my scrap-linen drum case being one such thing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaSxvHvwfknNJg2zx_iSxM4yhqUK0kSJOnFR9nS5FdV-o4OStLBWih3KlZY3BfgOGHmFggFHX8DRL91UB2_r5HCULskJ4b0YA09pwbokgIy3kZnK4xR6ZqOK8Yk9MEpLCkv8k3Q2p9tYg/s1600/drum+case1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="1600" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaSxvHvwfknNJg2zx_iSxM4yhqUK0kSJOnFR9nS5FdV-o4OStLBWih3KlZY3BfgOGHmFggFHX8DRL91UB2_r5HCULskJ4b0YA09pwbokgIy3kZnK4xR6ZqOK8Yk9MEpLCkv8k3Q2p9tYg/s640/drum+case1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
'</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The three moon squares are hand-dyed bits of cotton and I only used threads from the thread nest for all the handwork. It was French-seamed together on the sewing machine -- the tie is an odd length of plant-dyed silk. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DfJLz2UmXsix96y8iloQZdB23RZtr9RLpXhfc1D3ps1kQW3pjE6PrLsFc7tdc0syR2stvh5Mo-GcWUP2rhfvhPF6QI4NgFffMpVOX0jCxhfKKdNuPlTLmukUGjooMYk-Te9V24uLOImR/s1600/drum+case2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1331" data-original-width="1600" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DfJLz2UmXsix96y8iloQZdB23RZtr9RLpXhfc1D3ps1kQW3pjE6PrLsFc7tdc0syR2stvh5Mo-GcWUP2rhfvhPF6QI4NgFffMpVOX0jCxhfKKdNuPlTLmukUGjooMYk-Te9V24uLOImR/s640/drum+case2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love working with linen, it looks and feels beautiful no matter what you do to it. I have a good amount of plant-dyed cloth to use in projects, this is hopefully just the beginning.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-tHTcPjSdHXoVuIY49SZdWTMUeq04zVG0qHpllMsd91cdTvXH1UG4CXGPkdG6hyphenhyphenmXoa_uHwgHkbZS6BTFz_Jr0LRM7PCtne7a1O_sgf7vdeJk0vIMhTdA9D06DB2mlAvOrLuDt2wLrPJ/s1600/sweetgrass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-tHTcPjSdHXoVuIY49SZdWTMUeq04zVG0qHpllMsd91cdTvXH1UG4CXGPkdG6hyphenhyphenmXoa_uHwgHkbZS6BTFz_Jr0LRM7PCtne7a1O_sgf7vdeJk0vIMhTdA9D06DB2mlAvOrLuDt2wLrPJ/s640/sweetgrass.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our sweet grass grows in one big clay pot in order to contain it. I want to make up a jar of sweet grass oil with this first cutting -- I read that it should dry for a few days and then infuse the oil for six months. It exudes a heavenly fragrance as it dries and when it burns, so I have high hopes for what it does in oil.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0denjhFu06979GDZY71GtJuU8i_wSUXSAhPkSsW_hZufLFOiADnoe-QaYHZ-CRfTvnnHP9q00bNT6hVBs8in_05DCC4dGYnTpBfCbY_Hcql0MT8qWSn4Hl0cxt-LiezTmtVbSSQtK3Ujh/s1600/butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1404" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0denjhFu06979GDZY71GtJuU8i_wSUXSAhPkSsW_hZufLFOiADnoe-QaYHZ-CRfTvnnHP9q00bNT6hVBs8in_05DCC4dGYnTpBfCbY_Hcql0MT8qWSn4Hl0cxt-LiezTmtVbSSQtK3Ujh/s640/butterfly.jpg" width="560" /></a></div>
<br />
The almost 2-year-old and I followed a huge butterfly as it flitted all around the Buddha garden feeding on larkspur blossoms. A Western Tiger Swallowtail. Huge.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Zo9zUBNESLoHMJVlM019q0LINFNIRT4HduhwAwoNeGBlsOt3xGhG__T3S5DOcb2lVV1pz-V329hsBMqTVU5_y-ckPW-XhFj57ROzKg1o6WR-zlDq1BHd0JlevpuAfcZm1_ZKkG_3x30B/s1600/sweetgrass2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Zo9zUBNESLoHMJVlM019q0LINFNIRT4HduhwAwoNeGBlsOt3xGhG__T3S5DOcb2lVV1pz-V329hsBMqTVU5_y-ckPW-XhFj57ROzKg1o6WR-zlDq1BHd0JlevpuAfcZm1_ZKkG_3x30B/s640/sweetgrass2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Things I'm noticing...the woad has gone to seed, a section of snow pea vines is kaput and the crickets started up on July 4. Belladonna plants are blooming and forming berries. Our nights are cool, random leaves on trees have turned yellow and red. I think there's a touch of early autumn in the air, the seasons are blurring together again. xx</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-70433882452673157792017-06-30T10:57:00.000-06:002017-06-30T10:59:12.324-06:00right outside the door<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZMF-K09VRmdgbJCxYQdnA5MOwPfKWIT3Rf6nQrfBuvwXjFmqbtBP1XAEMf3WI_ael0P25tKqmZLT5P5iXMT_1DhJqncGfpppTR2iPI0s9Sxq1339UGK49LGbApjhGZluUilkSWMp66yB/s1600/butterfly+on+moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZMF-K09VRmdgbJCxYQdnA5MOwPfKWIT3Rf6nQrfBuvwXjFmqbtBP1XAEMf3WI_ael0P25tKqmZLT5P5iXMT_1DhJqncGfpppTR2iPI0s9Sxq1339UGK49LGbApjhGZluUilkSWMp66yB/s640/butterfly+on+moon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I found perfection right outside the door the other morning -- rigor mortis had already set in so she'll join some fluff and pods and such in my little curio cabinet. Even if I could open her wings, I don't think I could mount her onto a piece of paper. That would just be wrong, to pin down someone's wings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmHkMs6eHkl_hq81XG4HlYsPEKncpepgTzo5LxS2VfNFNYUkCVsRFRqyd1ejNefxw_7McI-ndJRYW6HKdmhp4vgpXsFEizOMYQ5M9wK5Ww8xtmqQsS2jx1gv-FlaCHff20itpTnsLDUp4/s1600/clary+sage+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1600" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmHkMs6eHkl_hq81XG4HlYsPEKncpepgTzo5LxS2VfNFNYUkCVsRFRqyd1ejNefxw_7McI-ndJRYW6HKdmhp4vgpXsFEizOMYQ5M9wK5Ww8xtmqQsS2jx1gv-FlaCHff20itpTnsLDUp4/s640/clary+sage+garden.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This is part of a small grove of bluish-white clary sage, <i>Salvia sclarea, </i>in our front moon garden. I adore this variety -- stocky with huge flower stalks, it glows on cloudy days and shimmers at night.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-gyayi3DzL9k9iTyeegz7sEC5Z2J06lm-62di_pf9xSMU32sWTXUK1mauUPAFsfWUXLMM4-sIvYTujh5SnIBVhnn1PX1gtjcolgXah5tODmmmZMnTxqLJio9PSFgxzcd-J3i3RU8CrkM/s1600/bluish+white+clary+sage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-gyayi3DzL9k9iTyeegz7sEC5Z2J06lm-62di_pf9xSMU32sWTXUK1mauUPAFsfWUXLMM4-sIvYTujh5SnIBVhnn1PX1gtjcolgXah5tODmmmZMnTxqLJio9PSFgxzcd-J3i3RU8CrkM/s640/bluish+white+clary+sage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A bundle of the bluish-white clary sage was hung to dry. Do you notice that plant catalogs often refer to the color purple as blue?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtyzlnmP5jx5W5MxJPF-ceTh2UgqSUgOuBYxixiwjRss2ItjFQBy-_F_GJN26MHJheo_BLLxpncahnmLF3aetvDl8cl8-7fC-GC84WvuouFCIlsCmW4MuA8CowpNZiZD3mJ5LC6o65_Ia/s1600/drum+case+with+three+moons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtyzlnmP5jx5W5MxJPF-ceTh2UgqSUgOuBYxixiwjRss2ItjFQBy-_F_GJN26MHJheo_BLLxpncahnmLF3aetvDl8cl8-7fC-GC84WvuouFCIlsCmW4MuA8CowpNZiZD3mJ5LC6o65_Ia/s640/drum+case+with+three+moons.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Almost done stitching the last eco-dyed moon square on the linen drum case, but there is one more thing I want to add before hemming the edges and calling it done.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALw4tivmypU_eH-SN9TDq-kqL5KGXDVTiEJ4xswSpP-q4VkLtlc2kyDj1twQ6Ij3-eSoZBkpuX5cimr20nqZHMPQLMwEXi67TaLiT4aBhBD_iSe0Y7EqX_8HV-5EURaa8XZ-jMnc8_p7b/s1600/elderberry+blossoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALw4tivmypU_eH-SN9TDq-kqL5KGXDVTiEJ4xswSpP-q4VkLtlc2kyDj1twQ6Ij3-eSoZBkpuX5cimr20nqZHMPQLMwEXi67TaLiT4aBhBD_iSe0Y7EqX_8HV-5EURaa8XZ-jMnc8_p7b/s640/elderberry+blossoms.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Elder flowers and more elder flowers. One of those white hollyhock flowers held a sleeping Japanese beetle. I let her sleep even though I knew she would go straight to the grape vines to devour at least three leaves immediately upon awakening.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hUVv5bNKbc2FS53mshblbxV6X2F51Dp4XTmbZ_K_bljkb9SM2T_OVdRsAdMgK9k3ybYN0zayxxGMOS1c2echHlfbqnLGcidr3K0lralyVRaqV75M7-5JbhGJ73D_9zMcdE2CeOzZ3EpB/s1600/elderflowers+for+liqueur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hUVv5bNKbc2FS53mshblbxV6X2F51Dp4XTmbZ_K_bljkb9SM2T_OVdRsAdMgK9k3ybYN0zayxxGMOS1c2echHlfbqnLGcidr3K0lralyVRaqV75M7-5JbhGJ73D_9zMcdE2CeOzZ3EpB/s640/elderflowers+for+liqueur.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Elder flower liqueur was begun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrZgigzny61Z8dcQSgjqwxZ25QXekAZXJIJOXPgrgFtpfXDwapE_3cxQNM8iYG4nzIJm3335iU5nTG_4uJO0_V8OjzWRv1NHJckR8rQwqNnYoGB1qolSLXk4b6XjcxogNGpKF6ZY0TzoB/s1600/elderflowers+for+liqueur2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrZgigzny61Z8dcQSgjqwxZ25QXekAZXJIJOXPgrgFtpfXDwapE_3cxQNM8iYG4nzIJm3335iU5nTG_4uJO0_V8OjzWRv1NHJckR8rQwqNnYoGB1qolSLXk4b6XjcxogNGpKF6ZY0TzoB/s640/elderflowers+for+liqueur2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I filled a quart jar to just below the shoulder with the flowers and filled it again with 100 proof vodka. After a few weeks I'll strain out the flowers and add other ingredients, maybe a sugar syrup or some honey, depending on the taste.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJygZJu1XFclIoudmsCQ78tY7Alfvmr-xJa4sxqPi5n19i244jH1gJbR_6Sslw0BnSgR2394jLnXy8DVbqS8sFuyDE1v2-4bUM9HQEwTdFoDwRh4aCEoCeqCm6NuyGv-FgO1UQD6xc521u/s1600/lavender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJygZJu1XFclIoudmsCQ78tY7Alfvmr-xJa4sxqPi5n19i244jH1gJbR_6Sslw0BnSgR2394jLnXy8DVbqS8sFuyDE1v2-4bUM9HQEwTdFoDwRh4aCEoCeqCm6NuyGv-FgO1UQD6xc521u/s640/lavender.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpy0fZvCLeCJXLAcsI4qT40udO44j7NMRjwTJRdJODMg_U8U22VicEp7c1fkkb_CZ1aiyOn9YncaLZkL8_4HXPOhlqThWUnYanYvotaRKOray1xgb1fxri_Owz-9gIPTUkn_D2796Kk-Qp/s1600/lemon+balm+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpy0fZvCLeCJXLAcsI4qT40udO44j7NMRjwTJRdJODMg_U8U22VicEp7c1fkkb_CZ1aiyOn9YncaLZkL8_4HXPOhlqThWUnYanYvotaRKOray1xgb1fxri_Owz-9gIPTUkn_D2796Kk-Qp/s640/lemon+balm+water.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Lemon balm water infused under a full moon followed by a full day of sun...I make this pretty often, even when the moon isn't full.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJaUMpemzRPUXNwT4JNaPqj3l846cZjGDUci-7ShqgLrhEDUtFcMT-benCOJT8iLMeOctlyNfEUo28Cg5XflAZLfTzt3rmIODyqI7LwrqYsMh9keAnbQPzrsh2rd2Ejj6c5MuvydwoSZB/s1600/onion+blossoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJaUMpemzRPUXNwT4JNaPqj3l846cZjGDUci-7ShqgLrhEDUtFcMT-benCOJT8iLMeOctlyNfEUo28Cg5XflAZLfTzt3rmIODyqI7LwrqYsMh9keAnbQPzrsh2rd2Ejj6c5MuvydwoSZB/s640/onion+blossoms.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I love seeing flower heads on some of last summer's onions that I missed. The flowers are delicious mashed into butter but the bees like them too so not sure about cutting them. I read that you should cut the flowers off and harvest the onions immediately as they will start to rot if left in the ground. But harvesting and using every single thing in the garden isn't really the point for me -- if I use just a little bit of something once or even take time to notice and appreciate a plant, then our connection feels complete.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeamuUTwiY2tKx3SEsmeAJv6l2lUEZjbBRkrOEj2QCppPFEYw5UxgNE8HqiMq-jX4VQ1QNcac5MwDtsmez5-e3JPj9PAK3TYaxKXho2S68kVdDJvQMxblgnGXb7yg-m_VeIfTvhgFicEou/s1600/peas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeamuUTwiY2tKx3SEsmeAJv6l2lUEZjbBRkrOEj2QCppPFEYw5UxgNE8HqiMq-jX4VQ1QNcac5MwDtsmez5-e3JPj9PAK3TYaxKXho2S68kVdDJvQMxblgnGXb7yg-m_VeIfTvhgFicEou/s640/peas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jcqH9M1_RAL2f3alwf8XVqkafQlvyz-U6jk1RD7hBGsgt3AN2DIBebc6Py17qI6L66QDzsSOVFhxjCDSyZhMDK5ek-cxWcpzgs7OZLApimiwyMJFGaddiqMj__qp6mqMQbEUBqNZnEDY/s1600/st.+joan%2527s+wort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jcqH9M1_RAL2f3alwf8XVqkafQlvyz-U6jk1RD7hBGsgt3AN2DIBebc6Py17qI6L66QDzsSOVFhxjCDSyZhMDK5ek-cxWcpzgs7OZLApimiwyMJFGaddiqMj__qp6mqMQbEUBqNZnEDY/s640/st.+joan%2527s+wort.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
St. Joan's wort, <i>Hypericum perforatum</i>, flowers started blooming right in time for Summer Solstice. At solar noon a friend and I sat before her holiness and made flower oils. One of the plant's most common uses is to soothe burns and other skin afflictions. By the way, I learned to call this plant St. Joan's wort instead of St. John's wort from Herbalist Susun Weed who says St. Joan knows more about burns than St. John. I agree.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtnUDK8kMjV2BZS3N8RdvYv9xHSjYAwNJEyNp7oU1rDIIpldyAotKjmXPFtM8UkBAE5KEVj72EBK2diP9YZFBaGiCXnhc5HuIdnzvsircRUWU2pq1e5DtcFDr8Q2dcSESXI2TpDwWmn56/s1600/elderberries+and+clematis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtnUDK8kMjV2BZS3N8RdvYv9xHSjYAwNJEyNp7oU1rDIIpldyAotKjmXPFtM8UkBAE5KEVj72EBK2diP9YZFBaGiCXnhc5HuIdnzvsircRUWU2pq1e5DtcFDr8Q2dcSESXI2TpDwWmn56/s640/elderberries+and+clematis.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Garden love. Right outside the door. Connecting to the natural world just always brings out the best in us. Where else would you ever find, and leave be, one beautiful little Japanese beetle, all covered in pollen, asleep inside one perfect hollyhock blossom?<br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting and happy weekending. xx<br />
<br />
<br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-54886625328862793552017-06-07T15:46:00.001-06:002017-06-07T15:51:34.827-06:00herb bundles & band-aids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_lHSUYM0cDW03OKEQpscKALmFnHp0xsntrfWhn2ES4bMu1kLM9Uf4xiEk-0-G1JOtm0Ul3HDG4LxzvPnoxRP8KvaCrAt7p5z8_A6L4u-xf_xYZQljBF6ym8F95jhyphenhyphenH3_gvt1ypnDs6VS/s1600/herbal+smudge+bundles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="1600" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_lHSUYM0cDW03OKEQpscKALmFnHp0xsntrfWhn2ES4bMu1kLM9Uf4xiEk-0-G1JOtm0Ul3HDG4LxzvPnoxRP8KvaCrAt7p5z8_A6L4u-xf_xYZQljBF6ym8F95jhyphenhyphenH3_gvt1ypnDs6VS/s640/herbal+smudge+bundles.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIM9Yl68zrxPYCdgcpiA9MC_DnQ4u5XY-Jb-d_ZksmmYe_fv0nOJoUov2zlw-iMslV-FAGhd3Fplf8cOXNsGuWGmSz24OW3-eyUoBAY48FwPFlK6g3gHDIkiDYEv3ULahyphenhyphenJYW27dtBf39/s1600/3+moons+drum+case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIM9Yl68zrxPYCdgcpiA9MC_DnQ4u5XY-Jb-d_ZksmmYe_fv0nOJoUov2zlw-iMslV-FAGhd3Fplf8cOXNsGuWGmSz24OW3-eyUoBAY48FwPFlK6g3gHDIkiDYEv3ULahyphenhyphenJYW27dtBf39/s640/3+moons+drum+case.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_PBzQ3tcYdQV9aYPsz72uU8RObXCuTn0MdY_hBv9Qi7O_fQFelTckgXPq_wLM64qkfii5tNp98NmSGPr5mtbrIp8gQqMnjxdgFmVZtH5LHzSWO-xA6XNdXbBKP0ljZfBgyLJaOYfq0GF/s1600/arugula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_PBzQ3tcYdQV9aYPsz72uU8RObXCuTn0MdY_hBv9Qi7O_fQFelTckgXPq_wLM64qkfii5tNp98NmSGPr5mtbrIp8gQqMnjxdgFmVZtH5LHzSWO-xA6XNdXbBKP0ljZfBgyLJaOYfq0GF/s640/arugula.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhCh0ROqAHmOuSlWV4sU7XaHEOJeF0xF-sL54GG2_51expY_CrDYoldfcDZ6ezfBty2pIsx5yETp7KPuVuRXeMvx82wnoe98VKNFMEP8QRZrOnAH1TQAKlgZkyJlc-lr3_Darj_SmrfY4/s1600/gertrude+jekyl+roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1483" data-original-width="1600" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhCh0ROqAHmOuSlWV4sU7XaHEOJeF0xF-sL54GG2_51expY_CrDYoldfcDZ6ezfBty2pIsx5yETp7KPuVuRXeMvx82wnoe98VKNFMEP8QRZrOnAH1TQAKlgZkyJlc-lr3_Darj_SmrfY4/s640/gertrude+jekyl+roses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtE94hlXNzipP0h2umONlzAfSv4s6tK4CZVHF29b7_y2z9de-OPdTlXVueE7sMPPVf9GhQjGAa4rGPiJbA6me0foXvDVgcjUAyoxVcsjREjkqxu0mkSmHSmneWI9-0xkJQHcLe4SdVISU/s1600/another+nettle+harvest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1377" data-original-width="1600" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtE94hlXNzipP0h2umONlzAfSv4s6tK4CZVHF29b7_y2z9de-OPdTlXVueE7sMPPVf9GhQjGAa4rGPiJbA6me0foXvDVgcjUAyoxVcsjREjkqxu0mkSmHSmneWI9-0xkJQHcLe4SdVISU/s640/another+nettle+harvest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIQmWfMo3YMX86cePIYI8hoBuvtf2HL59Q-OLUTvqFx835LgBvBVQo0T8nZ8sv2I5tkTDoZwduEviYOVGr-HVFhLbhuwO05O-iigBy119SS_YyLTq5CHvq8IppYo6RRj7TAsQPKafX7kv/s1600/nettle+pesto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIQmWfMo3YMX86cePIYI8hoBuvtf2HL59Q-OLUTvqFx835LgBvBVQo0T8nZ8sv2I5tkTDoZwduEviYOVGr-HVFhLbhuwO05O-iigBy119SS_YyLTq5CHvq8IppYo6RRj7TAsQPKafX7kv/s640/nettle+pesto.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgmRHmgwdF0RO3n9-BVnbMP8A-OEPalCkocZcTDsN-eNWFoEEw7JrG2QJPXUr1SiwqMO9xQ7olI8Mq5BSO4GJWspyI89wxlZd5pJYLZyVKQ5e9hgfFOF29TLtta_Ab0GmR1gm4giUqSAj/s1600/nettle-stuffed+mushroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgmRHmgwdF0RO3n9-BVnbMP8A-OEPalCkocZcTDsN-eNWFoEEw7JrG2QJPXUr1SiwqMO9xQ7olI8Mq5BSO4GJWspyI89wxlZd5pJYLZyVKQ5e9hgfFOF29TLtta_Ab0GmR1gm4giUqSAj/s640/nettle-stuffed+mushroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHh_LoxTb_n_8KsuGkquKBJ34mYJTqKG3wcXt0bUJjEcsLT-JfYxr_ex2iwew21oy068YTc1hpvpYzdJqq7T1yQHTm3fHtdptFtg4gMQp_n1WOwKj090rU3U2FJUeqjpXsg47AU0M2hEb/s1600/herbal+band-aid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHh_LoxTb_n_8KsuGkquKBJ34mYJTqKG3wcXt0bUJjEcsLT-JfYxr_ex2iwew21oy068YTc1hpvpYzdJqq7T1yQHTm3fHtdptFtg4gMQp_n1WOwKj090rU3U2FJUeqjpXsg47AU0M2hEb/s640/herbal+band-aid.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvhvacyXgiXoRCdZHWZZCXgotuncgIaTBpwblX-ty-HHp9Yp5yTbpCPvIADg0GoClK3-nqPfYU2r-qN_TNycUzOGAEqF77WV5VOy9amx8CSgfD1SHYYix3Dl5KjhtbFFjOtM9s8J4pESL/s1600/3+herbal+smudge+bundles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvhvacyXgiXoRCdZHWZZCXgotuncgIaTBpwblX-ty-HHp9Yp5yTbpCPvIADg0GoClK3-nqPfYU2r-qN_TNycUzOGAEqF77WV5VOy9amx8CSgfD1SHYYix3Dl5KjhtbFFjOtM9s8J4pESL/s640/3+herbal+smudge+bundles.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This is how June looks for me. I use something from the garden everyday, you never know what will happen out there. One day is cutting a swath of arugula before it bolts, the next is making tiny herbal smudge-type bundles to dry and burn on Summer Solstice and other holy-days. These are eucalyptus leaves, lavender stalks and roses but potential combinations are endless. Like mini smudge sticks, the bundles can be made according to healing qualities, fragrance, color and more. You could drop one in a cup of hot water for tea like <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/moonday-homekeeping.html">this</a>. Or in a little vodka for tincture. Endless.<br />
<br />
One day I cut my finger knuckle to the bone so applied a comfrey leaf spit poultice followed up by simple comfrey leaf band-aids for protection -- it healed amazingly fast. A piece of a cabbage leaf would have also worked.<br />
<br />
I pick a few roses daily for drying to make <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/rose-petal-recipes.html">rose syrup</a> or to infuse in body oil. Nettles are collected regularly -- <a href="http://womanwithwingsblog.blogspot.com/2017/04/a-good-drum.html">simmered</a> in a big pot to keep on hand in the refrigerator or blanched and ground with oil, garlic and toasted pecans for pesto. Consider eating pesto as eating your greens. And a lot can be done with a pesto plus it can be frozen. My new thing is stuffing raw mushrooms with it.<br />
<br />
There's been more playing the drum than stitching on the drum case. The dog doesn't mind and I love drumming, even by myself.<br />
<br />
We have a <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">full moon</span> rising this Friday -- I hope to wrap up more herbal bundles and write my gratitude list during the day...that night I'll set out a jar filled with lemon balm leaves and water to be infused by the full moon and other cosmic energies. I like leaving this water out the following day as well to be infused by the sun, after which I strain it. Lemon balm water helps us to be centered in the midst of chaos, also helps meditation. xx<br />
<br />
<b>Good Nettle Pesto</b><br />
Simmer a half-pound of nettle leaves and tender leaf tops in a large pot of salted water for a few minutes. Drain and when cool enough to handle, put them in a towel to squeeze out all the water. In a food processor, grind up a few cloves of garlic with 1/2 toasted pecans and 1/2 t. salt and some ground black pepper. Add the nettles and 1 T. fresh lemon juice. Add 1 c. olive oil, keep going until you're satisfied with the texture. Stir in 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese. Based on a pasta recipe by Jess Thomson.<br />
<br />
<br />Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3382541836368981865.post-89736566630877212442017-05-26T17:11:00.003-06:002017-05-26T17:11:38.473-06:00may days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KOhQC_W5HK_MiFzHxMPWgquz-BxMj-c1i10Kjewy1YKmxHbo8_cPI9KRxDSdgFyMxCQOOcEva0iSkFYFkn1pb94DLxlXXRS60MkFWEn7tbq-vch6-tG5C3eBg_lCBCsJuIm5-LwoJ-uP/s1600/imagine+peace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KOhQC_W5HK_MiFzHxMPWgquz-BxMj-c1i10Kjewy1YKmxHbo8_cPI9KRxDSdgFyMxCQOOcEva0iSkFYFkn1pb94DLxlXXRS60MkFWEn7tbq-vch6-tG5C3eBg_lCBCsJuIm5-LwoJ-uP/s640/imagine+peace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It is small but mighty...I love <i><b>imagine peace</b></i> so much. Pinned onto a small bag for now, it is one of the exquisite peace offerings created by <a href="http://imgoingtotexas.blogspot.com/">Liz</a> (I'm Going to Texas is her blog name) as part of a personal outreach practice...completely dyed and stitched by hand. I am honored to have it and know it was successfully imbued with the intention of peace because I can feel it when I hold it to my heart. Thank you, Liz. (Details on mine <a href="http://imgoingtotexas.blogspot.com/2017/05/continuing.html">here</a>.) </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbW1DMS4IAmM6zGm0CGqip62OH4ZT2pGSADfVaa2NofA7SeFaTIOI7LUJBSp2M7tYDx8dZKa8qiS2KBa9TQs93Xuwa40PioCaHhGC8fA9h6tA-nl96D9poYmTi8NztW5ZM1LnbiwghXEi/s1600/drum+case.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbW1DMS4IAmM6zGm0CGqip62OH4ZT2pGSADfVaa2NofA7SeFaTIOI7LUJBSp2M7tYDx8dZKa8qiS2KBa9TQs93Xuwa40PioCaHhGC8fA9h6tA-nl96D9poYmTi8NztW5ZM1LnbiwghXEi/s640/drum+case.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A linen drum case is taking shape at last. The moons are made with home-dyed cotton and the bag itself is a large scrap of natural linen. The drum beater is rolled up in a vintage dresser scarf. The top of the bag will either be a drawstring or just bunched up and wrapped with a strip of cloth. I tinkered around with this quite a bit but in the end simple is best.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86NDjB0L5esaicGlAEOWGaIZan3KPifx5pUugNyM7JWYR5wB9usBATZLwVE9CfJNsiKSNP9nGsqMYnWdL-JqctFPo6UzKI5WAmUttS3itmSV9jdfbwNFGSOe_0RFqw45nKNwoD56Xey7B/s1600/tabletop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86NDjB0L5esaicGlAEOWGaIZan3KPifx5pUugNyM7JWYR5wB9usBATZLwVE9CfJNsiKSNP9nGsqMYnWdL-JqctFPo6UzKI5WAmUttS3itmSV9jdfbwNFGSOe_0RFqw45nKNwoD56Xey7B/s640/tabletop.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Slips of coleus and passion flower vine rooting in a glass of water...looks like <i><b>a branch of May</b></i> will be carried over into 2018 as it has lost top billing in the sewing room. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg82Fc9w54DkIXWds4xqYDMwO9WiyD7MSUUhj2htt3WoKV5BKxXok2SXeFxCi8If-yDJBeVQfLyq_O3DPxVVihGAmkPPEqG5QxWv_QV3Lw3s_giiEOvbZZ_dqvY1BXXWAP6EaQgSURTZn7/s1600/congo+pink+chive+vinegar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg82Fc9w54DkIXWds4xqYDMwO9WiyD7MSUUhj2htt3WoKV5BKxXok2SXeFxCi8If-yDJBeVQfLyq_O3DPxVVihGAmkPPEqG5QxWv_QV3Lw3s_giiEOvbZZ_dqvY1BXXWAP6EaQgSURTZn7/s640/congo+pink+chive+vinegar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The chive blossom vinegar from early May was strained, decanted and labeled. I looked up shades of pink online and found congo pink matched perfectly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNnL72Qnj76ilhAlWM9CotUfO2HBEkxBbG3xXNJz2YkZRimacK-YS58_2qmN8SxNsiGBU95raCrp7-bTgeO4TPRoG2zioBgFGVVB4hAqdTN14mzYUdei8w-ee6HrefS84ZKmhDUatFv-4/s1600/back+of+chive+vinegar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNnL72Qnj76ilhAlWM9CotUfO2HBEkxBbG3xXNJz2YkZRimacK-YS58_2qmN8SxNsiGBU95raCrp7-bTgeO4TPRoG2zioBgFGVVB4hAqdTN14mzYUdei8w-ee6HrefS84ZKmhDUatFv-4/s640/back+of+chive+vinegar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is the strongest color I've seen in any of my chive flower vinegars. Maybe it was the weather.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJJ2F3b2La3dufN9WD98ZvcDQlEJfpX8PmUiLNWXaOPqJmkJLvY_96aN06cdeNeubQ955UAtsDP2mam1asT70F7RRWVJdbO4zZoElhMuCziwupwl33-D2kGXD779KFNkcZ5RwJpNLb0a9/s1600/chive+flower+butter+roll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJJ2F3b2La3dufN9WD98ZvcDQlEJfpX8PmUiLNWXaOPqJmkJLvY_96aN06cdeNeubQ955UAtsDP2mam1asT70F7RRWVJdbO4zZoElhMuCziwupwl33-D2kGXD779KFNkcZ5RwJpNLb0a9/s640/chive+flower+butter+roll.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chive blossom mashed into softened butter, rolled and sliced. Good.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQjUKA4syxseVFYVvCHUHxltQ_OdpxFfwZ6O9ptht3w8jcQSOZR8_mKqR3kJmRJDG0Zd0q32X8u2v7yg9g1U7J-LXmo22kkn0UbAfQUS7eJ09ELpVFIQ5iYW6UqVDXL4xvUCrJWcL3C24/s1600/eco-dyed+cloth+to+be+ironed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQjUKA4syxseVFYVvCHUHxltQ_OdpxFfwZ6O9ptht3w8jcQSOZR8_mKqR3kJmRJDG0Zd0q32X8u2v7yg9g1U7J-LXmo22kkn0UbAfQUS7eJ09ELpVFIQ5iYW6UqVDXL4xvUCrJWcL3C24/s640/eco-dyed+cloth+to+be+ironed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
An easy before and after. Before.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs5c3RH3h6Hgpt3LkQG7-L14FrlR2UdWfqc14vmijqCqOI87D_7qDJWJJ8ypvSYaUREyIk8UZQ-8Hw1XFNl7bp1jpOh5yDH22b1HeWJj1dljF_uKCcpipqNqjdj92TpWUPsFb1p49dUYl/s1600/ironing+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHs5c3RH3h6Hgpt3LkQG7-L14FrlR2UdWfqc14vmijqCqOI87D_7qDJWJJ8ypvSYaUREyIk8UZQ-8Hw1XFNl7bp1jpOh5yDH22b1HeWJj1dljF_uKCcpipqNqjdj92TpWUPsFb1p49dUYl/s640/ironing+day.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After. Enjoyed it immensely, ironing's not so bad anymore. Liked the quiet-slow-and-steady of it all.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This last month of spring has been wild here in Denver, Colorado. There have been several nights below freezing with snowfall (3-12" depending on which storm) and one record-breaking hail storm. On the other hand, the random 70+ degree days we're having now are glorious and it is very green outside. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thank you, friends, for visiting and happy weekending. And imagine peace. xx</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I want this:<i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>May the beauty of your life become more visible to you, that you may glimpse your wild divinity. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Excerpt from A Blessing for Beauty by John O'Donohue</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Peggyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18071261854957363637noreply@blogger.com13