spring

Ah the wonderful things that Spring has brought us this year.  For starters, I am sad and happy to say, that I am closing my day care.  It is time that I rejoin the outside world of work.  I am seriously going to miss the kids, all of my crafting, cooking, mothering and loving, but it is time for me to move on.  We initially opened the day care so that I could make money and be able to raise our own kids here instead of sending them to day care.  A year into my business we found out that I couldn't have children.  I am thankful that I had loving kids around me at that time and since then, otherwise I might not have made it through the depression of life not turning out the way I had expected. 

Katie Bug and I have spent a lot of time in the woods lately.  She plays in the creek while I hunt for mushrooms and all of the wonders that Spring brings.  I am so happy to say that I found five mushrooms this year... as of yet.  Most years I only find one.  I don't know if I am getting better at spotting them or if this is just a good year for them.  I think I am getting better at it and knowing were to look.  Each one I found was nearest to a Sycamore tree.  I have tried to make mental notes on the condition of the ground, the leaves and what was going on around the sites where I found them.  You just never know.  They have been the tastiest morels ever! 

I got really sick last week.  Sicker than I think I have ever been.  The doctor said it could be from tick bites as I also picked up some of them while mushroom hunting.  I went back in the woods as soon as I was better.  Call me silly... but I've killed a lot more ticks than ticks have killed me!  You gotta get right back on that bike. 

I got a new job!  I am supposed to start on the 25th so please say a little prayer for me.  My new job came a lot faster than I really expected.  I made the decision to close my business and start job hunting and within two weeks had a job to go to.  I feel it is a sign that I am doing the right thing. 

Here is a peek of mine and Kate's time in the woods.


The first morel I found this year on 3/26/16. 

Along with a shed that One Nut found while mowing.

One of the many gorgeous sparkly rocks on our place.

These come up down the creek.

We got to see all of the dog toothed violets in all of their beauty.

Trillium everywhere.

Lots of little violets.

I didn't pick and fry any fiddleheads this year.

The second morel I found.

And third.

And fourth... hiding under a downed tree.

This is where Kate stays while I hunt.  She splashes and barks at the water until she hears a gun shot somewhere and becomes attached to me.

I cam across Shaun's dad hunting for mushrooms last Saturday.  He found some good ones and when I got home he had left them on our front porch!  Thanks Gary!

windrocks

Our four wheeling trip to the mountains last week was fantastic.  We rode over three hundred miles.  Our longest day was about one hundred miles through the mountains.  We went all the way to an area called "The Flats" which is exactly what it was.  Flat mesa type hilltops with no trees and green grass.  I didn't take my camera four wheeling this time at all, sad to say.  But in this area we saw six wild elks along with some white tailed deer, multiple fantastic views of Tennessee and I found shiny rocks everywhere around there which I really like!  I stuck a few in my pocket to bring home.

 

I wish you could really tell how brilliant these are and how they catch the light.  Amazing.

 

 

These came from a different area of the mountain where my little friend and I were playing in the creek.  Not as pretty as the others but I will not forget where they came from.

 



herb hike

I am pleased beyond words to report that one of my dreams of our farms and it's nature has come true!  A month or more ago, my yoga teacher Tracy had a spark in her eye when I walked into class as she saw me walk in.  She asked me about our land and if it had water and woods as well as field.  I answered "of course!"  and she told me that the iridologist there at the store was interested in finding a good spot to hold a wild herbs walk and class.  My first thought was "do I want a bunch of people up?" then the V8 commercial, palm to forehead, hit me saying "hello!  this is exactly what you have been dreaming of!"  So a couple of Fridays in a row Nathan and his wife Ida came up to our place and we walked through the woods and on the trails to see what we could find.  I have always known there are plants here that could be medicinal but knowing what they are was beyond me.  The class date was scheduled and we were ready to go!

This past Saturday morning everyone arrived with open ears and minds read to learn just like I was.  We had a perfect morning as the rain held off and the temperature was mild.  We began right by the driveway as he pointed out the black walnut, slippery elm and wild cherry trees.  Then walked along the tree line from the back of the house and down the trail as he pointed out all sorts of herbs and allowing us to sample some by feel, smell and even taste.  He explained the medicinal purposes of each and what parts of each plant were useful whether it was the root, flower, leaves and/or stem.  He showed us the differences in leaves, their veins, edges and sorts.  I was in sheer herbal heaven. 

The walk lasted a few hours.  Then they gathered a bit of passion flower vine and leaves to show us how to properly make a tincture once we got back to the store.  We took a break for lunch and all met back at the health food store where he had a slide show prepared for us showing more herbs and also talked about making teas, tinctures and salves.  We also were able to purchase a copy of his herb book which I am in awe over.  It is by far the most valuable herb book that I own because not only does it explain and have diagrams of plants and pictures of herbs with descriptions of each and telling their many uses and preparation techniques but also I love it because it shows plants that are native to my back yard.  I have vowed to myself to study his work and become the lady who knows all about the land she has been blessed to live on.  I feel I have been granted this dream come true for a reason and maybe will be able to use it in wonderful ways. 

They plan to do more hikes next year and I really am excited.  I am positive that this alone will get me through the cold winter months with a smile on my face in anticipation of our next hike!

Remember when I had the urge to begin a Farm Documentary?

And my Herbal Morning walk?

It just really goes to show you that new dreams can become reality.  I don't know what I did right to deserve this one coming true.  Maybe if I keep dreaming and wishing the greenhouse one will come true too!