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!

lovin right now

 

1~The Secret Garden adult coloring book by Johanna Brasford.  I actually bought this a year ago and pick it up from time to time.  Lately I have really enjoyed stepping into calm and creating by coloring.  I have found it's best to use gel pens of which I have several... even neon, shimmer and glittered colors.

 

2~I am in love with pre-peppered pork loin from Kroger.  All you do is pop it in the oven for thirty minutes and it's ready to go with whatever sides you prefer.  So good!

 

3~This is the second book of Alice Hoffman's I have read lately.  I started this one on Monday of this week after reading Practical Magic last week.  I am really enjoying the ease of reading in her writing and so far am enjoying this one to the bone.  I want more of this oddities museum!

 

4~I bought this sunscreen in 30 spf last year when I went to Florida with my family.  I am still enjoying it.  It's not greasy or heavy and I've even been wearing it on my face everyday and have yet to over do it in the sun and I am out in it a lot.

 

5~Guilty pleasure in snack size.  Little Kit Kats have me hooked right now.

Recent Shots

Well howdy doo.  It's been a couple of weeks since my last confession... I mean post.  As I posted a little bit ago I have had some computer problems and for a couple of weeks I ignored my computer and left it at home instead of taking it to work with me and getting frustrated.  Then I took it to my repair guy where it spent several days and I got it back last week.  In all truth I have enjoyed not having it for the most part.  I've read a couple of books and colored in my coloring book to pass the time during naptime.  I even sat out on the back porch and worked on my farm girl tan... you know arms and calves with my face covered of course. 

Since I've been gone I have had a niece graduate from college, have started walking the driveway at day break again, have had an Amish couple come up for a possible wild herb class to be held here, I've planted seedlings and bulbs, had more ticks attached to me than ever and haven't finished my quilt!  Plus we finally bought a new gas grill that I am thrilled about.  It's been busy as ever around here.  Hopefully we will get the garden planted this coming long weekend although I wish we were going camping somewhere.  If we could pull the camper down to the creek camp sight I would be thrilled and pretend I was on vacation! 


Killdeer Nest and Eggs

My quilt top finished.

A couple of the graduation party.

A morning walk in the creek.

No wonder my feet like to have froze when we went four wheeling.  They held water the second she hit the creek.

literally on the library hold shelf

 

My library list today consists of a few finds and one old favorite.  The first one sparked my interest while reading a list in the New York Times on great gifts for college graduates.  I didn't feel that  my college graduating niece would be the slightest bit interested in this book but thought maybe I would.  I did read some reviews on Amazon and one said that cities are more big cites and not off the beaten path type stuff.  I don't know which I would be more interested in anyway.  I more like Waymore... drinking and dreamin, knowing damn well I won't go.  Until the Provost comes into play someday.  But then it will be campgrounds and such.

If you saw my post from Tuesday of this week then you know why I want the Tennessee wildflowers book.  I found a few new blooms in the woods this year that I've not seen before and am interested in finding out what they are.  

The Golden Girls I've seen bunches of times in the past.  Both when they were prime time and reruns on Lifetime.  Since we have an outside antenna for our television source and no cable or satellite to watch reruns, if they even still show them, I resort to my beloved library.  I have a tv in the kitchen that is not hooked up to the antenna but does have a dvd player so that's where I watch my old sitcoms and favorite movies over and over again.  I will switch it on in the mornings for a laugh while making coffee and cooking breakfast and in the evenings if Shaun is watching something in the living room that I'm not particularly interested in... which most of the time involves Dirty Harry or Burt Reynolds. He's old fashioned too... just in a different way.  I even sit on the countertop where my tv is in the kitchen to watch it and lately I've noticed that over the last six years I've worn the color off of the drawer handle by putting my foot on it.  

I have seen and loved the movie Practical Magic for many years but have never taken the time to read the book.  So often or maybe every time, the book is better than the movie and I am really hoping so in this case.  I adore the kitchen and plant room/conservatory in the house and hope to goodness the author explains these rooms in detail so my imagination can run wild with it.  Here is the movie version.

 

Gasp!  What I would give for that room.... and that enamelware bin under the table!

 And the kitchen...

 And let us not forget the outside of the beautiful Victorian home and the garden that surrounds it.  

OK.. enough day dreaming already!  I've got library books to pick up!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  I plan on doing some reading in the Oasis! 

p.s. Practical Magic pictures found on pinterest