To bathe or cleanse oneself in wild waters is a gift everyone should experience in their lifetime. It is not at all like a swim, a shower, or even a tub soak at home. A wild water bathing cleanse transports the naked to a transcendental state of mind. Here it is possible to commune with the spirit of the river and the betrothed land in which it penetrates. Here it is possible for the secrets of the land and the heart, that have long been locked up frozen, to flow freely.
Read MoreI long to see a renaissance of deeply meaningful traditions that encourage human connection, like the nature-rooted festivals of the Wheel of the Year. As a gardener and forager, I find the celebrations that invoke connection to self, community and nature to be much more rewarding than those centered around commerce. This Beltane I’ll foster community connection through hosting a bonfire and surprise-gifting May Day posies to friends and family. I want to capture the whimsy, magic, and community joy of May Day, so I crafted these beribboned paper cones to hold flowers. On the eve of Beltane I’ll surprise-gift these to neighbors, family, and friends by hanging them on them on doorknobs.
Read MoreThis Easter holiday I’m crafting up a simple yet delicious cast iron skillet carrot cake. This skillet cake has all the yumminess of traditional carrot cake, but much less fuss. With a single tier and fabulous ingredients this recipe is adapted for cooking outdoors in a backyard or camp setting.
Read MoreThis year we found ourselves with loads of bits and scraps of paper from various learning activities + projects, and I was inspired by a pen pal to give paper making a go. For a little extra fun, we added wildflower seeds, so the paper can be returned to the earth and provide for our pollinator friends.
Read MoreWhile I’m sequestered at home during this pandemic I’m on a mission to occupy my time with any seasonal nature-based craft that I can. I love crafting with plants and finding new ways to use up old kitchen scraps to minimize my food waste. Because of our economic circumstances, I’ve been inclined to be a bit more thrifty - to use every last lit bit and use what resources I already have wisely, instead of going out and spending money on non-essentials. Since Easter is right around the corner, I decided to dye easter eggs using only a few natural and readily available ingredients from my kitchen. This seasonal craft is insanely easy to do, and the color possibilities are so limitless that it’s the perfect nature craft for both adults and kids.
Read MoreThe seasonal changes that occur in Spring are more than just natural spectacles - they are cues for our own seasonal living habits. To the gardener, they are prompts to pick up shovel and seed, then get to work. To the mindful, they are cues to begin a different type of tending - an internal sort of gardening. The springtime blossoms are our beautiful teachers in nature. They share the message that life is short, imperfect, and cyclical. They bring tidings of potential and possibility. They also teach us that at some point in our journey, letting go and accepting the process of becoming is not only possible but necessary for happiness and growth.
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