Category Archives: Herbs, Wildcrafting and other things Earth related

There are so many things to say about garlic that I will easily be drawn off topic, which is braiding. Garlic is known to be a part of horticulture for at least 5000 years and most likely longer than our recorded history. It was grown by the ancient Egyptians, Indians, Chinese and Babylonians. There is […]

Lotion bars are usually made from equal parts beeswax, liquid oil and a harder oil like mango, coconut or shea butter. The addition of an essential oil is optional and depends on what you are looking for as an end result. The reason that you might chose to make a lotion bar over a salve […]

Before the last of the violets were washed away by all our liquid sunshine, I had to make a choice; vinegar, jelly or syrup? Deciding I could squeeze small amounts of two out of three,  the vinegar would need to wait until next year as I can already see the first crop of dandelions opening […]

Flowers are the perfect decoration for Beltane as it is perfectly symbolic to the energy of the season. Procreation. If the weather has been reasonable the landscape will be awash with wild and cultivated blossoms, some of them edible! Violets fall into that category. These highly scented and colourful appendages make tasty additions to salads […]

Earth Day will be here April 22nd and I wanted to do this post now so that if there is time this Easter weekend for family projects, this one could be added to the possibilities. Seed bombs or Seedles are a mixture of dirt, compost and wild flowers seeds, combined and dried and then offered […]

I have posted in the past about making lemon, orange and vanilla flavoured sugars for use throughout the year. At this time of year the violets are out and violet sugar is a simple way of preserving some of that lovely aroma for Beltane/May Day….. …and the rest of the year. Spring time is flower […]

In some parts of the world, spring has sprung and it may already be too late to gather fresh needles but if you are still buried under snow and ice, feeling like spring will never arrive, there is something that can be done before the shoots push up or buds open; collect new growth evergreen […]

Spring might be struggling to find a footing over winter but colds are a year round thing. If you are feeling that a boost to your immune system would be good, this tonic may be just the thing. Please consider this is a short term solution, used as added protection during ” cold season” or […]

Visiting Jean when she is in creating mode is always such a treat. Her kitchen is full of the smells and bounty of her garden and the treasures she finds along the way. Homegrown garlic in a bowl with a few fresh picked pieces of basil, hawthorn berries gathered from a walk, one last batch […]

Labour Day weekend, I worked in the garden, fixing our side of the new retaining wall the neigbours had built this summer. That gave the “weeds” the freedom of a lovely summer as I am not good in heat. Summer has however come to an end. I will always say, please, pick only what you […]