More Too

Today I made two loaves of Curry Bread with garlic chives. All I have to show you is the kneaded dough. The loaves came out beautiful and I'll be tasting some in the morning as my breakfast toast. If I like it, I'll make two more. 

There was more too.

Myself Busy

Today was a day of many small tasks, so I made myself busy with all of them.

It all started with hot coffee as I observed, agitated and blessed my violet flowers macerating in the morning sun. It's amazing to see the change since Sunday . I strolled my morning gardens and took photos for tomorrow's exciting episode of In the Garden. That's right - photos for a radio show - puzzle that for a while. I baked two more loaves of bread, these with cracked wheat, amaranth and cocoa powder. I continued painting the Forest Folk directional sign I committed myself to. I'll finish that tomorrow. I hope. I did two oracle readings. I reviewed two client files that are long-long-long overdue for addressing. I've been neglectful on this front.

I had ginger root that needed to be used, so into the blender it went with some garlic, olive oil, apple cider vinegar and miso. This went into the pasta salad I made for dinner, complete with fresh greens both wild and cultivated.

Before dinner, garden stakes for the new pea trellis were put up with the help of The Boy. I watered the newly planted seeds and seedlings as I prayed for suitable rain. Then, I marveled at just how GREEN everything is getting as we relaxed on the deck and sipped the last of our 2006 rhubarb mead.

Time for Good Folk

The day started early with time made and shared with my friend Brien, one of the eight coordinators for our Forest Folk Festival. He is our liaison for the CT Food Bank and I am the liaison for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. We enjoyed fresh coffee and homemade cheese biscuits as we worked out our festival "workshop" presentation called, "Hunger, Healing & Hope." 

Despite the heat, I made two more loaves of bread. This effort is part of a two-loaf-a-day goal that will ensure me loaves enough to share over the coming weeks with both my mother and my beloved Forest Folk.

This evening my Krazy friend Kate is stopping by to bring me her Forest Folk registrations (she has a few), and visit a bit. She is one of those special friends that surfaced as a gift from the universe when I first moved to Connecticut. We've both grown over the years, in ways similar and different, and we manage still to get together and nurture our friendship together. It's been over thirty years now and for this friendship I am so grateful. Ashe. Ashe.

A Little Spirit & Hope

All of my "Pure and Simple" Spirit Cords are being offered at a very special price of $5.00 and each sale will result in a $1.00 donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

This is part of the Forest Folk Festival, a Connecticut event that takes place every May in order to bring community together and raise funds for the HOPEful works of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I will be selling these at the Festival, and for those who can't make it, but would like to be with us in spirit - you can purchase you very own, one of kind "Pure & Simple" Spirit Cord exclusively in my Walk in the Woods ArtFire Studio!

Peace.

Brews

Today I started a new gallon batch of yet another ale-experiment that I'm calling it Apple Spice, though the final name hinges on the flavor of the finished brew. I simmered together dried apples, cardamom seed, cinnamon bark, orange peel and wormwood, then added hibiscus flowers too steep - all organic. It will be ready to prime and bottle in a few weeks, then ready to taste a few weeks after that. I wonder what I'll brew next?

The boy and I scoured the back "lawn" and harvested a few violet flowers. It is a pleasant, zen-like task in any weather, yet one that is especially pleasing on a day like today.

With these lovely flowers I opted to make a brew of another sort - an infused vinegar. I'm looking forward to harvesting more ... and then, as they mature, the leaves for skin-softening infused oils. All in good time, my pretty. All in good time.

There was more, but for most part, that's what I made today.

My Way, My Dinner, My Music

Today I made my way to Meriden to meet with fine folk of the forest for one of the final planning meetings before our festival in May. Food, friendship, homebrew, hospitality, love and laughter were shared, complete with a sweet dollop of generosity. It was a worthy day. Once home I made my way into the garden where a hand full of green harvests were cooked up as a hot side dish and the rest added to a most savory salad, all served outdoors under the faded green umbrella. Twilight drew a drum outside for a lively rhythmic duet. Now, it is time to make rest, renewal 

That's what I made today.

Earth Day Honor

Every day is Earth Day for me, tree-hugging, weed-nibbling, earth-worshiping, Gaia-loving wench that I am! Even so, today I raised my own earth-consciousness and made an effort or two to help others do the same. The day was a damp one, so to honor it I leveraged the wisdom of springtime Nature and transplanted several outdoor seedlings and other plants without running any water. A small gesture, to be sure, and one that I would have done on auto-pilot, yet today it was a gesture heightened with awareness that honored the earth and my place in it.

It was another good soup day, so I made an Italian Wedding soup. Wedding soup seemed fitting to renew my vows to Gaia, on this, a day we collectively honor her. The Boy worked outdoors all day, so this soup warmed us both, body and soul.

To extend this Earth Day honor, this Thursday's In the Garden show we welcome Bill Duesing to discuss aspects of "The Sustainable Garden." Bill is, among other things, the Executive Director of the Connecticut Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association.

Love in the Kitchen

Today I bottled a gallon of cardamom ale.

I made two more loaves of bread to warm the hut, and heart, and freezer too.

I made simple egg noodles.

They went into the chicken soup I made.

That's what I made today.

Bread of Life

Today I made a little progress in the garden. I planted more peas and some beet and turnip seeds. Radishes too, but I plant those frequently to mark my rows. I took the dog for a walk. I went out to tend to a few local errands and came home to start more indoor seedlings: Sweet basil, parsley, cilantro and collards. I made two loaves of bread, one of which - as you can see - has been enjoyed, hot out of the oven, slathered with butter. Life is good.

Welcome Home Cooking

For the past ten days I've been away from my little acre, short of a couple visits home to tend to seedlings and a radio show, that is, and man-oh-man-oh-man it is so-so-so good to be home! I was delighted to see that the peas had sprouted and so I planted more. Dandelions were dug and cleaned and are now roasting away in the oven, and they smell heavenly. I'm looking forward to the beverage that they will become. 

The wild garlic ramps, not visible three days ago, were up and ripe for harvest and they made a delicious salad to accompany this evening's simple welcome home dinner.

My version of welcome home cooking. Ahhhh . . . 

A Day Most Sacred

The day didn't play out as planned and rather than be bothered by it, I snagged the dogs and wandered down the path through the woods to the pond. We played fetch, the dogs swam and I got dirty and wet with love. We wandered some more and then I returned to the lovely wooden chair at the pond, and there I sat, walking stick in hand. I grounded, centered and quieted mySelf. The dogs quieted too, each in their own way. I was able to sit ... and to witness ...

My world perceived as reflection ... smooth like glass ... rippled like cheap wine ... muddy ... clear ... silent ... peeping ... the hammer of a pecker ... the scent of loving decay ... swelling red bud of swamp maple ... dusty blue of a moody sky ... green needle of white pine and hemlock ... fragrant resin ... spring ... awakening ... harmony ... all ...

And a crisp, clean, almost dull flavor of a dry cranberry wine to toast the observances of a day most sacred. Ashe. Ashe.

April Goodness

Fresh, homemade kielbasa (purchased, I didn't make it), cooked with lots of onions, carrots, new red potatoes, some red pepper, and some heady homebrew is what I'm making for supper this fine mid-April evening. Bon appetite!

Just Time to Be

Today was a perfect Moon's day. A day to be. A day to walk the dogs. A day to spin more cords of hopeful intention. A day to chat with loved ones. A day to watch the light of day fall gracefully into the west. A day to sit quietly. A day to involve. A day to witness. A day to act. A day to relax. A day to be in the moment. Each and every one. Ashe. Ashe. 

Time to Spin

Man oh man. What a fantabulous day. Ya know? Today has been the kind of day that has a little bit of everything in it, from extreme to extreme and everything in between. The energy of the day itself has been decidedly vibrant with wind and sun and cloud, warmth and chill. It's no wonder I feel super-charged ... and the day's not over yet. Once back indoors, cheeks ruddy and hair a-tangle, my Spirit Cord spinning frenzy returned and the seed of an idea is planted. I'm not certain, but I suspect that it will sprout at Forest Folk.

With that, I have a screwdriver to sip, lamb chops and new red potatoes to prepare and a hot soak under the stars to look forward to. Ashe. Ashe.

Something We're Calling "April Apple"

Merry! Merry!

Brewing Intentions

I only have a pint-sized jar of last year's roasted dandelion roots and today my body and being sung to me a song that led me to that jar. I put the kettle on, ground the lovely roots that had been harvested and roasted last growing season, and let the brew steep. I loved the vibrant colors that were expressed as the infusion began its magic, and how they continued to warm and mute as the time ticked.  I strained and sipped the loving brew all afternoon from my Nono's afternoon teacup.

I sipped and spun more Spirit Cords, allowing my mind to relax and intention to spiral into it from my heart. I sipped and reviewed some of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital literature that arrived today to prepare for one of my coordinator roles for our Forest Folk Festival. I sipped and considered the value of good intentions and the power of good deeds. I sipped and considered that we are also collecting non-perishable foods and other needed goods at Forest Folk for the CT Food Bank this year. I considered BHR's Pay it Forward intentions which have manifested as the BHR Charity Sampler Box. I sipped and delighted in my recent Sampler Box donations and the donations yet to come. I sipped and considered my many blessings, including those that afford me the opportunities to play an active role in all these Good Deeds.

Will you join me in this Brew of Deeds? I would like that. Join me in any way that you are able.

Ashe. Ashe.

Victorian Earl Grey

My friend Ruth told me about a Victorian Earl Grey that she had recently enjoyed. I asked her about it and she said it was Earl Grey with rose petals and touch of lavender. Well, I have all those - and organic too. So today, as I attempted - yet again - to get myself out from under all that is on my plate, I enjoyed a lovely pot of "Victorian Earl Grey" tea. Mmmmm.

That's what I made today.

Springtime Spirit

I spun and spun and spun ... cord after cord after cord ...

Gluten Free Cookies

Masa Cranberry Cookies - gluten free

Combine and blend the dry ingredients in an incidental bowl:

1 2/3 cups Masa (nixtamolized corn flour)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Cream together in a mixing bowl:

1/2 cup coconut oil (or butter)

1/3 cup sugar

add

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

Add the dry ingredients to the wet, blend slightly and add:

1/2 cup of dried and sweetened cranberries

Continue blending until a smooth dough forms.

You can shape these any way you wish, but formed them into little balls about the size of a walnut.

Bake 14 minutes at 375 degrees fahrenheit. Cool, store gently and enjoy!

~~~~~

These are really tasty, though still quite delicate, yet they hold up much better than the first batches I attempted. Even so, a few crumbs on the floor of the cookie jar sure will be nice on top of some real ice cream. 

Try them and let me know what you think! Peace.

BHR Q & A

Q: How can I rack up BHR Frequent Stalker Points?

A: Join us In the Garden today (and every Thursday) on BHR, at 11:30 AM, eastern time.

A: Get a BHR username and join us in chat during the show.

A: Check the BHR Calender, listen to all your favorite shows, show up in chat for extra points.

A: Vote in the BHR Artisans Challenge.

A: Make a donation to the BHR Charity Sampler Box.

A: Check out the BHR Blog, leave comments, follow, and take cues there for earning additional Stalking points.

A: Keep the BHR player open, listen to great indie music and listen for more clues.

A: Stalk the BHR Host blogs, follow them, and leave comments so they know you were there.

A: Be creative in your BHR stalking and have fun!

Time Bend

In the past few days I've said to more than a couple of friends that "I'm as busy as I've ever been," and today was no exception.

This morning, as I sipped my steaming cup-o-joe I looked at my to-do list and my first thought was, "no way in Hades can I do all that in one day." Then I paused in the surprise of my own negativity. I paused and considered one of my life mantras, one that happens to mirror the subtitle of this very blog. I paused and said out loud, "I've negotiated with you before, Linear Time, and I invite you to the table again." In that very moment, time began to bend. It bent around me, hugging me with a surprisingly familiar comfort. I smiled and sprung into actiton.

Here I am several "hours" later with all but one item crossed off my list. I even made a phase I experiment of gluten free cookies, and plan to make phase II this evening. Check in tomorrow, I'll share the recipe and my critique. They look good, don't they? They are quite tastey ... just a little too tender ...

Anyway, I have a couple of friends who often tell me that I bend time and I feel that, on occasion, I do. Today was a reminder that things are not always as they seem, that we need to catch and correct ourselves in our (negative) assumptions, and that ... if we can dream something, we can act on it and ... make it manifest.