30 of 29 Faces and More

Today I got another 18 tomato plants in the earth, 18 cucumber plants too. I still have more tomatoes and tomatillos and peppers to get to, and more basil and parsley too. And onions and leeks. And still some seeds.

I did more preparation for the lecture I'm offering at this Saturday's HerbFest Country Fair, harvested a boatload of rhubarb and did some grocery shopping.

I inventoried my 29 Faces and realized I missed posting the little face at the top of this post, a tiny entry in a multi-day spread. The green-eye flower girl and the three (possibly unfinished) sisters from these past couple of days catch me up and actually surpass the 29 Faces in May commitment by one.

These faces filled up my Book of Days, titled, "Connections." So today I finished the cover for my next Book of Days art journal, and it pretty much continues the theme, only … different. Sorta.

The Boy has the next few days off, and we're sure to get a lot done, what with the magic of synergy and all. Saturday I'll be at Holcomb Farm in Granby, Connecticut celebrating and enjoying the HerbFest Country Fair. I sure to see some of you there! 

That's what I made today.

Peace.

Flowers, Butterfly and Face #25

Today, among a host of other garden tasks, I caught up on yesterday's intention of harvesting the sage flowers and giving my sage bush a nice May trim.

While I was photographing the basket of sage blossoms I spotted this lovely swallowtail butterfly fluttering and feeding. Like an angel, it is.

And I did get a batch of infused sage flower vinegar started. But take a look at that chive flower vinegar I started yesterday. How 'bout that color? Gorgeous, isn't it?

And I managed a quick sketch in my Book of Days to get another face created for 29 Faces in May. Four more to go!

That's what I made today. You?

Peace.

Chive Flower Vinegar and Face #24

Today I did something I haven't done for years. I can't remember the last time I used white distilled vinegar, other than for cleaning and weed maintenance, that is. I don't think I've used white vinegar for any culinary use in something like 20 years. But today I harvested the chive flowers, remembered the beautiful pink, fragrant and flavorful vinegar that I used to make in my first 10 years of organic gardening and thought, "What the heck." 

Infused vinegars are simple to make. Just fill a jar with a delicious or nutritious botanical, cover it with vinegar (I usually use apple cider), cap it, and let it macerate for several weeks, then strain, bottle, label and enjoy.

As I made the infusion I recalled friends, loved ones, old and new, and found myself organically offering love and gratitude to the process. I have some clear bottles in the ready, and they're sure to make a nice gift or two. I think I'll do the same with the sage flowers I'm about to harvest. Sage flower vinegar rocks a meat marinade or homemade barbecue sauce.

I made face number 24 for 29 Faces in May. She's in my BoD journal, offering the observation of the annual incessant whine of a neighbor's pool filter.

That's what I made today.

Peace.

Face Number 23

Today HerbFest was on my mind and in my heart, so I added an update on the Connecticut Herb Association blog, did some networking about the event, created some biz cards, and labels for my lecture take-away. I'll be continuing this theme tomorrow.

I made time and art in my Book of Days and created yet another Face for 29 Faces in May. I worked on other artful projects too.

Dinner is prepped, so now I think I'll head to the gardens before dinnertime creeps in and see about getting more plants into the earth, where they will be happy … and I will too.

Peace.

Face Number 22

Today I puttered in the gardens in between and with the raindrops. There's something magical about harvesting dinner bits in a light spring rain, with thunder and lightening happening somewhere in the backdrop. I finished some new mini journals, started others and played in my Book of Days and filled a page with another face for 29 Faces in May. I'm still listening to hear what she's saying. Can you hear?

That's what I made today.

Peace.

Face Number 21

I invested my morning in arting … creating this face in my BoD along with some other artful projects. I'll be adding journal aspects to this image and possibly other embellishments and adjustments, but for now she satisfies my commitment to 29 Faces in May.

Now … the sun is shining and it's garden time. Later!

Peace.

Another 2-fer, Faces 19 & 20

Today's entry in my Book of Days also fulfilled an additional two faces for 29 Faces in May. I am leveraging many aspects of life these days, mindfully multitasking and bending time respectfully. In addition to garden tasks, I made some herbal balms, began altering a book and prepping pages for a new Book of Days, as well as working on other journal pages and on a canvas. And the day's not even half over.

That's what I made today.

Peace.

A Mother Daughter Doodle - Faces 17 & 18

This little image was started on Mother's Day … a vague representation of my mom and me … gazing at each other … wondering who that odd and beautiful stranger could be … really be …

I'm sure we both do it. I know I do. In any event, I filled in the background today and thought I'd snag two faces in one for 29 Faces.

I also planted more broccoli and onions, tidied one of the flower gardens. More in the gardens tomorrow too! That's what I made today.

Peace.