Summer flowers...

"Every breath is a giveaway dance between you and the plants." - Susun Weed

Summer class...

A class I will be teaching at the local library!

Summer Solstice

We were working so we did not get to celebrate the Summer Solstice today. Which is okay.

Tomorrow we will celebrate the sun by harvesting St. John's Wort from a very special place. We'll try to harvest it mid-day, as that is the best time to collect this sun-worshiping plant. It is open and in full energy at that time.

Mama-daughter collaborative sun drawings

The beautiful and bright St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort growing by the stone fence

Resting on the steps

Dada in the garden tying up the peas, which are taller than us now!

Summer Solstice artwork adorning our kitchen window :)

We will eat some celebratory summer food, have a fire in the backyard, spend time in the garden, and eat our dinner outdoors. I hope to draw and color lots of suns to decorate the house, make hibiscus-lemon sun tea, and make a flower/plant wreath to adorn our door or heads. Most importantly I will take a moment and thank the sun for all that it does for us and welcome with joy and anticipation the summer months to come.
Happy Summer Solstice!

Recently...

Whistling with grass at Westport Town Farm

 A little fuzzy head & lots of snuggles

 Quinoa black bean burgers

 A walk at Touisset Marsh

 Our growing garden

 Picnic lunch with the babes

 A date with my husband at Mi Guatemala

 Sage Flower tea, from our garden--amazing tasting!

Allen's Pond

The Spring Equinox (also called the Vernal Equinox)

We welcome the balance of light and dark today and the beginning of the spring season. It is a time of balance, rebirth, and renewal; a special time for intentions, new projects, change, and growth.

As we celebrate today, our little part of the world is still adorned with winter's snow, however, despite the snow and cold I can feel spring and have been feeling her presence more strongly this past week. Remember that the last cold bite of winter  is strengthening all the buds and seeds and small plants (us too!) that are starting to emerge from the earth--this last bit of winter toughens them and will help keep them strong and healthy through the rest of the spring, summer, and fall. The overlap of the seasons is magical, and all together necessary, as all aspects of the natural world are.

Celebrate the coming of warmer weather, soft dirt, longer days, and young plants today. Here are some ideas:

·         Grow something (inside or out)

·         Sprout something

·         Create a spring alter in your home with objects that remind you of spring

·         Drink warming, sunny-colored mead

·         Drink tea using herbs from last year's spring or herbs that first show up at the start of spring, like nettle

·         If you have fresh, young nettle or dandelion greens steam them and eat

·         Take hair from your brushes & lint from your drying and bring out side for the birds to collect for their nests

·         Create a meal in honor of the equinox (eat eggs, a sign of fertility)

·         Dye eggs with natural dyes

·         Clean/organize a space that hasn't been touched in awhile

·         Make a space for creativity/creative energy in your home

·         Create a space in your home for growth of something--drawing, writing, babies, spirituality

·         Take a walk outside and find signs of spring (collect objects for your alter)

·         Start clearing your garden, if you can, or begin planning out your garden map

·         Clean your yard and neighborhood of litter with friends and neighbors

·         Wear bright colored clothing

·         Practice balancing yoga, dance, or stretching

·         Burn incense that is sweet and invigorating to cleanse the air

·         Do a white sage smudge ceremony with your loved ones

·         Meditate on rebirth. What parts of your life need to be given new life and awareness?