My Farewells to September

October eve was cloudy, crisp and breezy, and I celebrated by making a little order from the assorted chaos of my world, by digging and roasting dandelion roots, by grilling steak and sweet potatoes for supper and getting my October Netflix queue in order for the assorted classic, campy and creepy movies that I reserve for the month of my birth. The Boy and I enjoyed our supper while watching a preview ... George Romero's 1968 horror classic, Night of the Living Dead. An awesome kick-off to an awesome month!

And hey, be sure to check out Mrs. B's Confession of a Pagan Soccer Mom every day in October because you won't want to miss a single day of Mrs. B's 31 days of Halloween! An entire month of contests, crafts, recipes and more - don't miss a single day! Besides, you never now when my item will come up in the give-aways. ;)

And hey-hey, join more October fun ~ Join the Domestic Witch: October Blog Party!

I love October!

My Way Here-n-There

Today was a day made of many errands and other run-abouts. One pleasurable run-about was made of a ride to the Colebrook dam and a stroll around the rather surreal and moody autumn landscape to return to town and a very early dinner at a local sandwich shop before more errands in Torrington. The day dims to evening and my gardens call to me and demand attention. Tomorrow, I tell them. As for now, I'm in my loungewear and cozy bathrobe, ready for the sun to set on a lovely September landscape kissed by October skies.

Renewed Value

It feels so good to wake up in my own little bed, in my own little hut, on my own little acre on the hill. Even if I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the depth and breadth of my ToDo list and the perceived confines that that damned linear time seems to wrap around us. Even so, already this morning I've renewed the value in my heart of simply putting things out there, talking through things with folks - even briefly. I am blessed in knowing some of the most amazing people on the face of this earth. I really am.

Now ... I have a list that needs tending. More later.

Quick Stop & Way West

(photo courtesy of the beautiful Jessica Potter)

Just making a quick stop to say hello to you, my bloggy friends. I miss you!

Last week I was camping with "Forest Folk" for our Harvest event at "the farm" and had a wonderful, wonderful time, even though my sweetest of sweeties had to work and couldn't be with me.

Today I make my way west into New York state to share some time and space with my mom. She has a biopsy tomorrow and that terrifies her. My sense is that it is (yet another procedure) all for naught (regardless of the "outcome"). In any event, any extra thoughts, prayers and intentions for my little 91-year-old (shhhh - that's still a secret) mother are welcomed. She often asks me to ask my (flaky) friends, though rarely for herself, to send - as she calls it - "your good vibes." I rather like that. I like, too, that she calls my herbal preparations, "potions." Anyway ...

We'll get to the doc, to an eye exam and to an apple orchard too. I have it all mapped out over the next several days and hope I don't tire her too much. See you all next week. Ciao!

A Warrior's Budget

It's true. I've been busy ... very busy. So much so that I've not made time to even take a few quick photos these past few days. Oh, I've made time for some playful silliness, sure - though not much. Sometimes it all comes down to prioritizing.

Today I have a another hefty ToDo list and with this one I'm assigning time constraints to each item. Why? Because every item on the list must get done today and without a budget for these tasks, my most valuable of perceived assets will get chewed up by that formidable, invisible force that we've all bought into. For me, it is by taking that invisible force and making it visible on paper that I will carry, care for, and - as a delightful consequence - conquer it.

Huzzah!

That's

That's what I made Today.

Simmers

Garlic, celery, carrots, and pattypan squash all hopped into the pot with some oil olive oil and thyme ...

... they had a grand time simmering together. Then the red beans elbowed their way in ...

... and zephyr squash and green onion joined the party just in time ...

... to make a very nice meal with homemade garlic toast.

And I simmered a quart of very yummy kale. That's what I made today.

My Way

After a weekend of solitary delight, solitary pondering and solitary plotting, the week has taken off with renewed vigor and momentum. A few vital tasks were managed this morning which will result in a very earth-centered energetic lift by the end of the week. An early afternoon stroll with the dog led us under the loving arms of Dunedrake, the red maple in my backyard, where I was inspired to reach down to claim two leaves.

The season of summer is waning, waning so that my season of birth and my season of Underworldly exploration may rise to the surface. I can see, with renewed clarity, the things that must be wrapped up in the coming weeks as well as those things that will require my focus and action as Autumn breezes in. It is with a fresh clarity of vision that I move forward and make my way.

Ashe. Ashe.

Green Love

Tincture of Eupatorium perfoliatum, commonly called boneset, a premier medicinal for flu treatment and prevention. I was inspired by Paul Bergner to make this fresh batch this year.

Infused vinegar of Solidago spp., better known as goldenrod. I love herbal vinegars, though this one is a new one for me and I was inspired to make it by Susun Weed.

Vanilla extract. Three beans, split, to eight ounces of brandy. This way, I can use it in all my recipes, even those that are gluten free.

Three ounces of dried Origanum vulgare, oregano leaf, stripped from the stems and jarred up. Three ounces may not seem like a lot, but that's a gallon jar.

About the same of Leonurus cardiaca, the lion-hearted motherwort.

And some other love too. Green love.

So Much

There are so many words I could use to describe all that I made today, but I can't imagine that they would do it justice, so here's a pic of the tip of the iceberg. Besides, I have a fireside to get to!

Veggie Stock & Bread

And time for the Moon.

Art & Lists

I finished, photographed and listed these four new "Impressions of Nature" ACEOs. I love the subtle boldness of these. These sturdy little works are done on masonite and there are more in the works, on watercolor paper as well as masonite. These little artworks are such a joy to create, and pulling out last autumn's pressed leaves and flowers simply magnifies the joy and the expression, intention and love that flows in the process.

On a dull note, after other failed fix-attempts, I reinstalled my MS Office and it fixed some of the issues that magically appeared of late. The only reason I ever purchased this (fill in expletive here) software is because it is such a universal standard. Why, I'm still at a loss for understanding. C'est la vie, eh?

This morning, as I often do, I pulled a card. This one was "Oneness" and my smile was as broad as the scope of understanding that surfaced from within. It pleased me, despite the challenges that wafted in on that understanding. I pulled out my Master List (I love my Master List) and added to it, then commenced a review to seek the "Oneness" patterns. The effort quickly overwhelmed me, so I set it aside - to macerate - and will continue that pleasing challenge in the coming quiet days. I am looking forward to this.

That's what I made today.

Bread -n- Wine

Today I made banana bread and played with layering paint, color and texture as I worked on some new ACEO pieces.

I puttered in the garden, machete in hand, sheers in pocket, clearing spent patches of vegetation. I'm still resisting the need to pull out the failing tomatoes. I guess I'm still mourning their demise. Even so, I was able to gather a modest harvest of summer squashes, green beans, green onion, kale and peppers.

Last night I bottled five bottles each of rhubarb mead, rhubarb wine and blueberry wine. Tomorrow I'll be doing freezer inventory of fruit to access my next brewing project. That's what I made today.