Earth and Tree

Friday, 7 October 2011

Moon

Just the view from my bedroom window yesterday evening. Love to watch the moon. Suddenly all the little things are just that, little. And I'm back in the bigger picture. As I watch I think all the people who went before me looked up at the moon, and all the people who come after me will do just the same. And its a nice feeling.

Tuesday, 4 October 2011

Blackberries

What a wonderful morning! We went blackberrying in the sunshine yesterday and came home stained but happy.

Combined with some aged eating apples in a crumble, and have three bags stashed away in the freezer for future puddings and smoothies.

Also made a blackberry oxymel - this is a new thing for me, its from the 'A Year with James Wong' book. Have put the blackberries in a jam jar and covered with cider vinegar and in ten days' time I have to strain it and then it should keep in the fridge. Plan is to dilute it in hot water with honey for a vitamin C drink for the little'un in cold and flu season (and me too, come to that!).

Sunday, 2 October 2011

Tree Tribute

Thought I'd reinstate the monthly Tree Tribute post, as I'm very excited about two wonderful tree projects I stumbled across over the weekend. The first was The Tree Year where participants are observing and blogging about a particular tree throughout the cycle of the year.. I love the idea of forming this special relationship and just taking the time to stop and notice on a regular basis. I am looking about for suitable candidates and pondering, hmmm.... Then I came across this fascinating tree wrapping project in which people are tying cloth around trees and leaving them for a few seasons then removing them dyed with the plant's secretions and weathering to make unique textiles. This strongly appeals to both the spiritual need to connect with nature and also the desire to make craft to celebrate and reflect the earth. Double hmmmm... Here is an interesting article on reviving the ancient custom of tree-wrapping found in many cultures:

By wrapping certain trees we are re-establishing a respectful partnership between people and plants. When we wrap the trunks of our beloved trees, we are subtly advocating a kind of tree awareness which in turn promotes an active stewardship of the trees in our midst.

Jan Johnsen

Saturday, 1 October 2011

Conker

It may be 28 degrees C, but it is also trying to be autumn! I thought you might like to see the little'uns collection of treasures from our recent outing to the nearby Beth Chatto Gardens which has a wonderful woodland area. We collected some beautiful leaves, some acorns (which didn't make it home - expect they'll turn up in the glove compartment or my glasses case or somewhere untoward!) and this fantastic feather, which we think might have belonged to an owl? The conker is from Brightlingsea, the first one of the season. I've always loved picking up conkers, so I was pleased to discover in one of the James Wong books that you can actually use them for healing, rather than just knocking the seven bells out of other conkers with them (must be a boy thing!). If I had, or knew anyone with, varicose veins I would definitely be making them this.

Thursday, 29 September 2011

Indian Summer

Glorious sunshine, not a cloud in the sky! A good chance to have a look at what's happening in the garden.

Most of the vegetable patch is long over, but it is still home to a bumper patch of rainbow chard and a thriving row of chives. I planted calendula and nasturtium seeds in the little strip of soil between the veg bed and the path and have been pleased with the colourful display.

I have had masses and masses of calendula flowers for making oils, salves and tincture and drying for teas and the more you cut it the more it comes again (everything in my part of the garden has to be useful as well as beautiful and beautiful as well as useful, if you see what I mean!)

Tuesday, 27 September 2011

New Moon

Hello and welcome back! I have had a long pause in my blogging (and crafting) while I became a mum and moved house from London to the Essex coast .. the last two years have been a demanding but exciting time for me and my family. I've loved every minute, but as I am not someone who welcomes upheaval, generally, I can't say I'm sorry to at last feel settled. As the autumn leaves have begun to fall, I have found the ideas starting to flow and the urge to craft and create becoming overwhelming again. And now that I have the time and inspiration again, I am so looking forward to reviving Earth and Tree and reconnecting with like-minded bloggers. So New Moon, new beginnings! Please bear with me while I re-arrange the blog furniture and make myself comfortable, then settle down and enjoy.