Snow Daze

Monday January 20th at 6:00 pm the snow started to flurry. It delicately floated about and started to accumulate into a beautiful frosting of white upon the night woods. At 10:00 pm we bundled up and walked a bit, enjoying the crunch and echo under our boots. Tucking everyone in we proclaimed tomorrow we shall all play in the snow ❄️ 

These photos are from Tuesday , the next morning. No work, no school, a real snow day for everyone! And here I am posting on Wednesday still a snow day for everyone. The roads were still frozen over and too icy for commuting anywhere early, and everything is far from home by 40 min plus.

I have made a variety of soups and Chile accompanied by quesadillas & grilled cheese sandwiches. Plenty of mugs filled with coffee and homemade hot coco mix to the rescue when supply ran out. We dipped our failed gingerbread house walls and shingles in our hot beverages.

The garden greenhouse tunnel was finished just in time, although the lows still shocked a variety of plants, but most will recover hopefully. We did have a burst pipe at one of our spigots which was fixed earlier today. I've enjoyed this unplanned snowcation with my family. And as we hibernate , I'm writing and planning, future harvesting for the gathering . Stay warm and cozy, listen to your ancestors and stay resilient.

Beltane Blessings

Flame Dahlia

Deer Mushroom

Texas False Dandelion

Red Chanterelles

Giant Leopard Moth

P.S  I cant believe this is my first post of 2024! Mama & Nona hood keeps me pretty busy. Toddler years are upon us. In August our eldest daughter will bring into this world our first granddaughter. How blessed to have one of each!The family and the garden is growing. The poem of Beltane Blessings is from my instagram, you can connect with me there as well. Just keeping you posted and trying to be more present here.

 

December Garden Notitas

Sweet Potato Vines

  

Loofas

 

Tomato & Railroad Vine

Zinnia

Bok Choy

Zucchini & Lettuce 

Carrots & Basil Pots

Snapdragon & Lavender 

Mustard Greens & Kale

Bell Peppers 

Lupine

 Today was a beautiful spring like day in the garden. Although it is December the garden is still green and flourishing. Just thought I'd share a few plants and blooms. We are still getting a few migrating monarchs, and the bees are buzzing about. The garden is my therapy, and I realized this as I haven't been there for a few days. As I opened the gate and strolled myself and the Bambino ( Strega Nona's little apprentice) into the radiant fragrant space we tend to together, the real world and it's troubles released of my shoulders. The sun warmed our bodies and souls.

Into the Zen

Spring has sprung at the Sanctuary. The humidity has arrived so it's more like summertime heat. Morning house chores are done quicker so the gardens can get watered before the sun is on full beam. The Zen Garden has taken shape over the years, I walk it daily in meditation and listen to how it wants to take shape. We add plant rescues here and there, put in a few flowers for a pop of color. After strolling and watering , I like to do a bit of hammock reading. The wildlife and I just chill out, for we are one in this space.

Spring & Simplicity

Pink Ladies 

Hymenopappus

Opuntia Nopales

Sunflower

Flora enhancements for the Zen Garden

End of the zen path

Future Tea Time 

April is almost over and May is on it's heels. One more month of school left and simplicity will rule the day (hopefully). We have a Senior graduating this year and she just turned 18, we are full in the moments of milestones. In love am I with Spring this year, all that buzzes and blooms. Two gardens are simultaneously emerging. I'm kept productive as official keeper of the sanctuary( that sounds more soul fulfilling than housewife) for I care and tend to what lives within and outdoors.

                                                    Cheers to the emergence of life's blooming.

Purple Rain

Talk about Friday night lights! Thunder and lighting provided quite the light show over many parts of Texas last Friday evening. All my life I have been waiting for that moment when I would capture electricity in motion, and it has arrived. The storm lasted for about an hour, and then concluded with  golfball size hail! Luckily no vehicles were damaged, and the garden was unharmed.

~Notitas ~

  I used to have an intense fear of thunder & lightning. Throughout childhood and into my teens I would run to my mothers bed or need to huddle down with someone. As an adult I was still frightened. California storms are mild compared to all the storms we experienced here thus far. I now enjoy the energy that comes along with the sights and sounds. I can proudly check mark that as a fear I have overcome. Sending strength of all sorts to everyone riding out life's storms 💜

Mushroom Walk

We have many paths at the sanctuary, and each one reveals many wonders during the seasons of the year. Spring has brought it's chorus and bloom ! Homeschooling now has brung back the photographic studying in all of us especially {M}. The camera is with us when we go outside more often......reminds me of the good ol days at Astoria. But now we have acreage full of life. Texas weather is bi-polar, and the warm rains produce Mycology mysteries for us to discover.

UNKNOWN - POSSIBLE AMANITA

TRAMETES VERSICOLOR - TURKEY TAIL

TRAMETES LACTINEA

Both the Trametes can be used medicinally, dried out, ground, and made into tea. The white mushrooms we obviously left alone. We will delve into more depth of nature's medicine another time. Sending love & light for a beautiful weekend of discovery from your safe places.

Autumn's Song

There's a warbling melody towards the West in the pines of the hill as the sun rises in the East. Light dusky blue takes over the shadow of cobalt held by the moon and stars. Farmlands awaken with  earthsong of every animal greeting the new day.  Wildflowers lift there sleepy heads to say hello as the morning commences.

 Turkey vultures sit in the Raven Wood holding court before heading out to feed and do damage control. Scratchury of claws on bark, scurrying to the ground to prepare for Winter's icy grasp, squirrels march about. Sitting on the porch outside... looking in as a new day breaks and opportunities open.

 P.S. I'm feeling the extra sacredness of Autumn mornings, what is your favorite sacred morning ritual? If you greet the morning it will rise to greet you.