2010 Back To Basics in Pine River

Saturday, January 29th, 2010 Happy Dancing Turtle hosted another "Back To Basics" Event. I had been a presenter or a vendor for 4 years running. The Workshop I offered was "Top Ten Herbals & Botanicals for Wellness". Unfortunately I couldn't pick just ten and had fourteen to talk about!
The class was filled and well received. My only wish was that I had chosen a double session, as the single session of 45 minutes was not long enough at all! I briefed through which was a shame. Sooo many herbs, so little time!

I set up stations for everyone to look over. For each herb, I provided an informational sheet, a dried herb sample in a jar and product made from the herb. Most stations consisted of a tincture/extract and an infused oil.
 I handed out informational sheets for Nettle and Wild Rose/Rosehip as well as a recipe sheet.
Included were informational sheets on "Body Dowsing", "A 12th Century Herbalist Invocation", A list of resources from the web and books, "Herbal Procedures and Preparations".
Here are the Top 14 Herbal and Botanicals for Wellness!
Nettle (wild crafted), Wild Rose & Rosehips (wild crafted, but of course you may use cultivated rose), Elder (cultivated), Plantain (wild crafted), Calendula (cultivated), Borage (cultivated), St. Johns Wort (cultivated), Chamomile (cultivated) & Pineapple Weed (wild crafted), Yarrow (wild crafted), Catnip (cultivated, but I've found it escaped and growing "in the wild" like along a sidewalk!), Red Clover (cultivated & wild crafted), Comfrey (cultivated), Jewelweed (wild crafted),

Everyone seemed to enjoy the procedure of self-testing by "Energy Scanning" and also known as "Body Dowsing:". The website that I used for the hand out sheet is from Heron Herbals.
Barbara is known throughout the herbal community as the guru of self-testing. Here is her website, "Lady Barbara's Garden".
I saw many familiar faces from the years before who had taken my workshops and many new who were just exploring into the herbal world.

Rose Hips 2010 Wild Crafting

We had a killing frost Saturday night. This time of year, is Rose Hip gathering time. This is one of my favorite wild crafting botanical. I found a wonderfully loaded bush down by the old bridge along our Cedarbrook and they were huge! I now have four more trays drying in the dehydrator.
Most of my tea blends include powdered rose hips. My "Daily Wellness Tea" would not be the same without them. High in Vitamin C they provide this much needed nutrient throughout the winter months. 

Pixi

Our new horse Pixi. She has settled in nicely. She is 4 yrs. old and Quarterhorse Palomino Paint. A smaller horse and perfect for us ladies to ride.

Tribute

Enjoying the gardens; Summer 2010 on the Homestead

Flowers are still blooming and also many of the herbs. I am almost done with making Flower Essences. Perfect timing as the garden is calling for harvesting. The garden is lush this year. I've kept up on the weeding fairly well and it shows.
Zuchinni up the WAHZOO...I'll beable to make lots of relish.

Do you know what the one flaw in women is?

Do you know what the one flaw in women is?: "You've got to watch this beautiful 3-minute movie: http://www.theoneflawinwomen.com/"

Peak Season for Flower Essences

The flower season is at it's peak and I'm brewing Essences today. What joy to be working with the plant spirits. Because I grow many herbs and wildcraft on and around my homestead I have many varieties available for picking. Today I started eight flowers. Bee Balm, Oregano, St. John's Wort, Borage, Lady's Mantle, Elderberry, Thyme and Dill. I am especially excited about my Thyme blossoms as it's been a few years since the plants have done well here on the homestead.

This week I will be explaining the properties of each of my Essences. I will be offering Flower Essence for sale in a couple weeks.
On a personal note; I will be using a couple of these myself  to move me forward on my spiritual and emotional wellness.

I'm also sharing my other flower beds pictures, including my "Wave Petunias". They are waving and oh so pretty.

Sweet Summer Flower Blessings to you all!