a bowl of plantain

When I was in my mid to late teens, I was a bit on the wild side. Not too much, just enough that I left school mid way through Year 11, got a job and a car and left home. All before I turned 18. Have car and money?….well, lets party!! And so it was. My three closest friends were 3 hillbilly boys and we would just hang out at a laid-back pub in Windsor (west of Sydney) till closing time and then head off back to someones house in Pete's very cool, black FJ Holden. My parents rarely drank alcohol, which meant that I'd not grown up thinking that was what happened when people got together and so I didn't drink either - but I had grown up using herbal teas and a few old fashioned remedies and that too had a bearing on my beliefs! 

The late 70's were just at the tail end of the true hippy era and I dressed accordingly - black Chinese 'happy shoes', King Gee overalls with various patches and cheesecloth Indian style shirts complete with embroidery and little mirrors! Ah, those were the days! But I digress - I just wanted to mention that my life as a 'herb witch' began right back then, when we sat around in that pub, playing pool, being cool and in my case at least, spouting what little knowledge I had about wayside weeds and garden herbs…..and gaining the fond nickname - "The Witch". 

And my love of all things natural and weedy hasn't left me to this day. I can identify many more wayside weeds, have used a whole heap of medicinal herbs with my children and still love to pootle about with oils and potions. 

My veggie garden has been much neglected over winter and I still haven't been able to bring it to some semblance of order, but yesterday as I was organising some boys to start weeding, I noticed a whole heap of fresh, lush plantain growing beside the raspberries. Perfect for a bit of magic salve making - good to use on babies bottoms, rough skin, itchy spots and many other skin irritations. 

I have the narrow leaved variety growing here Plantago lanceolata but there is also a broad leaved type which I'd love to have access to, as I've read it makes great 'kale' chips. The seed heads are interesting as they can be long or quite short, all on the same plant and the tiny cream flowers dance around on their fine stems like little creatures floating on the tides.

I started picking the youngest leaves as they are tender and succulent and I'm sure I've read that they have most of the 'good' bits in them……but then I thought, well, maybe the older leaves are more mature (and wiser, like older women ;) and may be better to use! So I just picked both and filled my bowl with fresh green goodness. I do know that when using the leaf of most herbs, the best time is in Spring when all the plants energy is being put into the leaves.

I didn't wash them since they were from my own garden and I know they are unsprayed but I did have to check each one for bits of blossom and the odd bug. I cut them into small pieces with a pair of scissors and packed then loosely into a clean glass jar, almost to the tippy top.

You can see here that the oil has already started to penetrate the leaves after only about 10 minutes. In a day or two they will all be a nice dark green and soaked through with oil.

Then a good quality olive oil to cover the greens, pop the lid on and store in a cool dark place for up to 6 weeks. And thats the part that is a bit tricky……I've made this several times before and its been hit and miss with mould growing on the surface after only a week or two. Sometimes its fine and other times I've needed to throw it out - which is why I don't use an expensive organic olive oil.
I do think though that I've found the secret to keeping it mould free - and that is to fill the jar right to the top with the oil so that theres only a small space for air and therefore less space for microbes. Thats my theory anyway and I'll let you know in the next instalment if it worked!

And if you are interested, here are a couple of links to more plantain goodness - a new to me permaculture and herbal blog.
I found another method of making salve by pureeing the herb, which looked interesting enough that I may try it too.
Of course, a discourse on plantain wouldn't be complete without some words from Susun Weed, a wise woman with a vast knowledge of herbs, weeds and women's business.

I hope you give salve or ointment making a try as its so very easy to do…. and so lovely to use ones self made remedies.

holidays are always fun…now its time to get busy!

Yes, our little jaunt to the warmth is over. I've been home for just on a week now almost a month and trying to get myself back into some sort of rhythm - I think its finally happening. We had the most beautiful weather in NSW - hot and hot - with just a few cooler days. I'm having a giggle right now because the weather does seem to come up a lot in my blog posts, and indeed in my thoughts! 

Anyway, we visited almost all the beloved friends and family that we'd wanted to catch up with (Granma and Granpa, your turn next time!) as well as some places that we hadn't expected to see……. Nimbin, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Lennox Head and Ballina were a day trip in the northern rivers area. I took along two 15 year olds - my Dj and a friend Lily - and following along with their ideas for the day was loads of fun! In Nimbin we were offered 'marijuana cake, the best in town' which gave us all the giggles (no, not coz we tried it!) and then a second time, although we decided to forego a bag of something green, which a happy young man thought we needed! An interesting place, that Nimbin!! Byron Bay is much busier. Lots of beautiful people, funky shops and a very leisurely feel to it. 

My lovely mum was very happy to see us all. She is a sprightly 87 years old and still gardens, goes on 5km walks and dances around her lounge room to Roger Whittaker and the Beatles! Yes, she's a hoot! Her garden was in disarray because she broke her wrist in June (she was playing chasing in the park with my 8yo nephew…but was too embarrassed to tell the doctor that, so just told him she fell) so my brother and sister in law, my youngest two, mum and I, spent a couple of days weeding and replanting her veggie garden. The weather was warm, (ha!) we chatted, wet each other with the hose, drank copious amounts of water and really soaked up our too infrequent time together. I think that was the highlight of the whole trip. I do so love to be with family.

I did a little sketching, stopped for a quick visit to a beautiful old cemetery and managed to catch up with most of my best-est friends. Alas the time slipped away and 4 weeks disappeared, just like that and once again I had to fly south. Luckily its for the summer!!

I've been busy since I've gotten home…. you may notice that my Etsy shop is stocked once again. Ah, yes, its time I cleaned out some of the very many old books I've collected and made space for some new ideas that Ive been fermenting! And on that note, I'll say goodbye!! Its lovely to be 'speaking' to you again…thanks so much for still dropping in!!

thoughts on thursday

Thank you all for your kind thoughts on my last post. I'm still not quite sure of how much to share about my state of mind, so for now I'll just share a few interesting books, websites and classes that I've stumbled across in my search for 'peace of mind'!

Have I mentioned that last October I participated in a SoulCollage facilitator course? Maybe I have and I'm having a seniors moment but I'll tell you again anyway. I first came across Soul Collage on a women's forum that I'd joined in 2013 and was interested enough to find out more. Without too much searching I found the main web page and was instantly excited…soul work and creativity all in one!! Wow! I was instantly engrossed, watched the two short videos, read through lots of interesting information and tucked it all away for later. Fast forward to mid 2014 and a fortnight visit to NSW, where I spent one wonderful weekend with my heart-sister totally immersed in cutting, pasting and admiring a whole bunch of newly made cards. It was fabulous and when we discovered that there was a facilitator weekend happening in Melbourne, we took the plunge and signed up! For my friend J it was another healing modality to add to her Transpersonal Counselling diploma that she is studying, but for me it seemed like a (scary) opportunity to learn a new skill and perhaps teach others how to dialogue with their inner voices. In theory it was a great idea. In reality I've been too afraid of….well…..lots of things….
….what if I forget something.
….I can't do that properly.
….Im just a mum.
….I'm not good enough.

You get the idea.
And thats still the case. However, I was prodded by an acquaintance to give her and two of her friends a free 'test run' class. And it went really well - they were happy, I felt great and I even printed some flyers for another class, but then…..nothing. So here I am, still scared, still worrying and still confused. Sigh.

Amongst all this angst regarding SoulCollage though, I have been doing various other self empowerment classes, reading books and doing a lot of journaling, drawing and creating art. I've joined with many empowering, positive thinking, artistic, creative and womens business websites this past year; I've even paid for some mentoring but the fear of failure is still there and over winter when the weather draws in and the light is dim, I struggle with what could be and what is.

So, in case you are interested in anything I've just unburdened myself with, I've put together a list of websites that I've found either useful or interesting. Some I just read; some send me lovely emails each week which I sometimes read or sometimes delete; others are sites that interest me and that I will perhaps look into a bit more when I'm ready. These are just a random selection and I have no affiliation with any of them (as in, making money!!)

Jamie Ridler Studios - Jamie has the most soothing voice and lovely manner and I really enjoy listening to her varied and encouraging podcasts. I have an iPhone and use an app called Podcasts - Jamies channel is called Creative Living with Jamie. (Just for interests sake, here is a comparison list of the top ten podcast apps) Jamie also sends me a lovely email once a week with all sorts of interesting and creative ideas.

And while we are on the topic of podcasts, Shann Vander Leek has some great ones too. Her podcasts are called Divine Feminine Spotlight.

Sounds True also have great speakers and LOTS of cd's to buy! Once or twice a year they have a sale and the prices are remarkably cheap. I have rather a big collection of Clarissa Pinkola Estes work (author of Women who run with the Wolves) ……finding time to listen is my dilemma!

Somewhere in my web travels, I came across Holding Womanspace and was very tempted to join in with their 'Birthing Ourselves into Being' year long course. I love the look of their web home and through their sporadic newsletter I found this great article written by a woman here in Australia….scroll right to the bottom and watch the video - so beautiful.

Just recently I took the time to look up Byron Katie, someone I'd heard about here and there. Check out her free The Work program. 

On a more creative note, Kathryn Costa, The Collage Diva has a fantastic year of Mandalas happening right now. Loads of inspiration, a lovely newsletter and the chance to send in your own mandalas for publication.

Tamara Laporte at Willowing Arts has an awesome free painting tutorial; Jennibellie from the UK has more inspiration and a free ning site with loads more inspiration; The Documented Life Project from the girls at Art to the 5th is also free with a new arty prompt every week.

Now there are many more that I either haven't remembered or haven't time to link to right now! I hope you have some fun following the links and maybe making some arty mayhem of your own. No doubt you will find many rabbit trails to follow!
I'm heading off to spend another wonderful 2 weeks with my heart-sister in NSW (on the plane in about 3 hours actually, which why I must stop sharing now!) We are celebrating Spring Equinox by the river, having a mamas sleep over gathering and spending loads of time catching up with those bits of each others lives that slipped by this past 5 months.

Wishing you all a lovely slide into Spring - I'll be back soon

Much love to you all xx

two things

Thing one - We have had snow!!! Not just once but twice! Twice, I say! Yes, indeed!
We woke one morning a couple of weeks ago to find a sparkling white world outside. Even better, the snow continued to fall several times in the course of the morning. My Fairy and I donned hats, gloves and boots and hurried outside to the unexpected winter wonderland. We walked the almost 1 kilometre into our little village and discovered how just a bit of snow could bring out the inner child in normally sedate adult humans! Everyone we met was wearing a silly smile (and layers of clothes!) and the whole atmosphere was one of excitement and anticipation! The footpaths were white and sludgy, the air was brisk with a very cold wind but it seemed that the snow had touched and warmed hearts everywhere.
Interestingly it snowed a second time exactly a week later.
Unheard of for many years, the old timers tell me.

Thing two - I have been struggling. Winter and I are not good bedfellows and every winter season is a challenge for my soul. I have written about my winter blues before, here. I find (every winter) that my tiny house and lack of suitable photography light and subjects, stifle my creativity…and so I have nothing tangible to blog about, as well little incentive.
This cold season though, has prompted me to continue looking within myself and to dig a little deeper into the many layers. The dark months have seen me planning, scheming and overcoming. I have discovered and discarded. Undone and understood. Sifted through beliefs and sorted strategies. And now, in the light of daffodils and plum blossoms, I feel maybe I am stronger and ready to face a new Spring. Literally and figuratively.

Friends, if you are still around and stopping by, thank you. I have loved blogging these past few years and I haven't lost that love.

I am still here.

my reading list is long…..

See that pile? That is what's sitting piled high on the small dresser beside my bed. It teeters and totters and occasionally slides to the side but always I stack it up neatly again and think to myself "Gotta read those, gotta read more"! And always, when I finally slip into bed at night and glance over at that growing pile, I'm just too tired to do more than groan and wish I could stay awake for 20 hours each day instead of only a measly 16!!

Now really, I didn't set out to read ALL of them. Most, but not all. Some came along because a daughter thought I needed educating and really should read her new purchases. I'll let you guess which ones they are ;) A couple were really good finds at our little op shop here in the village - The Womens Wheel of Life is a very good read indeed and was free! As were the two 'Verb' books at the top….and they are almost new too! The arty books I've bought here and there on the internet and have really only flicked through to admire the pictures and read the intro. These books though, all have one thing in common - they sit on my dresser and taunt me daily with their evocative titles and bright covers, daring me to stop my work and open one.

And relax.

Aaah yes, if only it were that easy!!

monthly9 - may 2015

I'm going to sneak in a very quick monthly9…..just before July! This one is my May round up and hopefully June's happenings are a little bit earlier next month! Actually I'm not really even sure of all that went on in May as it was…..well, a whole month ago, so I think I'll just mention what was going on in the photos and save my brain a lot of pain trying to recall too many forgotten details! 

In May I did quite a few watercolour sketches. I must have had a bit of extra time waiting for sporty children or perhaps I just made some time to paint but my sketchbook has several pages of shells, leaves and houses. And shoes. Yes, my shoes. I bought these when I went to Austria in 2012 and have been wearing them ever since, so I felt they deserved their first portrait! 

All my sketches end up with some writing as well although I mostly take a photo as I'm doing them because I always get a bit excited!! 

In May I managed to get up with the birds at least three times to take photos of the sunrise on the mountain and over our house. I do really love the early mornings when I force myself to rise at sun up but I am also equally fond of a nice warm bed and a lie in with my iPad or a good book.

In May we celebrated two birthdays - the Best Mans and our Dj who turned 15. I won't tell you the Best Mans age - suffice to say that 5 was the first number! The girls went wild with the cake and totally covered it in colourings and artificial flavourings sweets, none of which the Small Elf was allowed to eat. Fortunately she doesn't mind, never having had lollies, and contented herself with removing candles.

In May we also held the Blessing Way for my oldest girl.

In May I was busy. Very busy. Too busy, really. But May has been and gone and June is almost over too (and I think June was even busier), so I shall look back at May with fondness.

If you want to see how other people spent May, pop over to Lindas blog, The Greenhaven Goodlife, and check out what interesting things they did. They will have written up their month a little earlier and a lot more detailed ;)

baby, its cold down here...

Brrrr, the weather has been chilly lately - minus 4 and 5 each morning for the past week. Lots of lovely ice crystals all over the windscreen on my car and sometimes all over the whole car in great swathes! One morning I just had to brave the temperatures and head outside to take these photos and oh gosh, my fingers froze! This kind of cold always reminds me of the Laura Ingalls Wilder book - The Long Winter - with the snow piled high and Laura and her sister sleeping upstairs where the ice was on the inside of their bedroom ceiling! Its hard to imagine that!

Looking at these pics makes me realise that my camera is not the best at taking macro shots. I enjoy taking very very close ups but I'm feeling I need a better lens…..come to think of it, I think I also need to take a photography class. Hmm, now theres a thought, I even have some info about a local one coming up next month…….maybe, I could fit it in…??

I hope you are all keeping warm by the fire over these cold winter days….except my northern hemisphere friends who I'm sure are loving the halcyon days of summer. It will be our turn soon!!