Locust Light Farm

This year, I'm taking an EcoSpirituality course through Cherry Hill Seminary. I'm excited to be learning more formally about "eco-spirituality" but mostly I joined this program because I knew it would force me to do something I'd wanted to do for years, but couldn't enforce without accountability: maintain a daily sit spot practice.

Admittedly, my "sits" often happen while I'm watering the garden, or stealing moments of presence when I can. But the goal of having a daily "sit" has sustained my attention for noticing.

I'm most interested in noticing is who's interacting: which insects are here, what are birds actually eating, etc. I've been excited to spy on hummingbirds, and I've realize how impatient I am for flowers to open once the buds form (this takes so many days!).

Lately I've been delighted by another creature in the garden: Althea.

In addition to the "meadow patch" we have a large garden "for harvesting." This is mostly herbs, with a few veggies and fruits. I intentionally planted crops that would foster interaction (i.e. "snacktivities") -- ground cherries, cherry tomatoes, raspberries, blueberries, sugar snap peas, and potatoes. I wanted Althea to feel that she could freely graze through the garden.

Well, in a funny herbal twist, turns out that Althea did not need "snacktivities" to engage with the garden. She loves harvesting herbs. She loves making teas. And lately, she's become excited about making flower crowns.

Now, you might be thinking "Of course she's into herbs!" But my father's an astronomer, and you won't find me setting up a telescope on clear nights. So it's not a given, and I try not to push it.

I don't know where Althea learned about flower crowns, but it was all her idea to wear one to her cousin's Arangetram (very big deal solo dance recital) two weeks ago. This weekend, we went to the ballet, and she wanted to wear a flower crown and a "costume" so we made a wearable garland together.

While she was out harvesting flowers for the garland, I realized that she was yet another creature interacting in the most natural way with the plants. Flowers are beautiful, and so we adorn ourselves with them. Althea has the freedom of spirit to wear a flower crown to a special occasion because, after all, what's more celebratory and fancy than a flower crown?

My sustained noticing has me seeing Althea on the same plane as the hummingbird, flitting about, making home and delight amid the plants.

May we all be out among the plants this week, making delight and spying on noticing the creatures around us.

yours in flower crowns,

Amanda

Meadow Patch Update

The Meadow Patch is full and blooming. There was one plant that I planted whose name I couldn't remember, so I was waiting for them to bloom. Turns out they're Silphium laciniatum, Compass plant. Their yellow flowers perfectly complement the Echinacea.

The Monarda didyma is waning just as the Mexican Sunflower blooms. My hope is that the Mexican Sunflower can replace the Monarda as food for the hummingbirds, though I still see the hummingbirds poking around the Monarda.

I was able to see a hummingbird resting in the branches of the Elder tree. I'd never seen one perching before. This is the benefit of having windows over the garden -- a perfect spying spot.

Because side-by-side comparisons are so fun...

Crafting Herbal Mocktails at Grounds for Sculpture​

I have one more mocktails classes this summer!

Learn to craft delicious herbal mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails) with oxymels, simple syrups, hydrosols, and more! You’ll make your own tasty oxymel (a mixture of honey and vinegar) and receive delicious mocktail recipes to take home, all while sipping delicious mocktails.
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Saturday, July 15th, 10:30am-12:30pm

Register here

Would you rather Adorn yourself in flowers Brew fresh herbal tea

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