Lemon Verbena All-Purpose Cleaner

It’s the time of year for harvesting herbs — to dry, freeze, make into medicine, and for use in recipes.

Continue reading →

Mabon. The Start of Fall.

Saturday was Mabon, the beginning of fall, and I can feel the change in many ways.  It’s amazing how abruptly it becomes obvious that the days are shortening, shadows are longer, the humidity of summer has broken, and that nights now require blankets. Continue reading →

Healing Plantain Salve

Awhile back, I posted about the medicinal benefits of the common “weed” plantain (Plantago spp.) and described the process of infusing it in olive oil.  (Read about it here!)  Continue reading →

Magical Monarchs – Part 2

As you’ll recall from Part 1 of Magical Monarchs, we witnessed the transformation of tiny monarch larvae into fat caterpillars.  Ultimately, the caterpillars underwent an amazing metamorphosis and became chrysalises that we transferred into emergence chambers.  Once in their emergence chambers they sat in their beautiful green capsules for nearly two weeks. Continue reading →

A Monarch’s Message

My month has been consumed with monarchs – raising, watching, & tagging them. And if you’re going to be consumed by something, a butterfly is a pretty good way to go. Continue reading →

Colorful Bean & Corn Salad

I’m surprised I haven’t shared this recipe yet – it’s another of my summer favorites, and it always works well for potlucks.  It’s easy to prepare and even easier to share! Continue reading →

Late Summer Pasta with Herbs and Veggies

I’m a bit lazier as a cook in the summer.  I tend to stay closer to the raw foods and make a variety of summer salads (like tomato basil mozzarella!).  It’s just too hot to turn on the stove, and there are so many other things to do! Continue reading →

Magical Monarchs – Part 1

An Amazing Journey

Last weekend, a monarch was feasting in my backyard. As I sat outside watching her flutter around the flowers and amidst the bees, I noticed several other monarchs catching air currents just above the treeline.

These butterflies are preparing for one of the most astounding migrations on the planet — one that is longer than any other butterfly in the world. Continue reading →