The weather over the last few days has been amazing. Sunny, warm, beautiful. I’m trying to store it up for the winter months to come, like freezing pesto to eat in the depths of January. I know that the cold and dark days are just around the corner but I feel okay about it. Winter has its own stark beauty, its own gifts to give. For one thing, you get to really see the shape of trees and of the land itself. And for another, the park is more peaceful and clean. I like that people enjoy it in the warm weather but sometimes it becomes incredibly noisy and there is always a ton of trash. I know people who like to bring things to the park as offerings. My offering to nature is to pick up trash, to take at least one thing out every time I go to the park. Sadly, there is always at least one thing to take and in the warm months, many things. In winter we get a break from it all.
Now is the time when I start to make my deep winter remedies. Wild cherry bark cough syrup, slippery elm lozenges, and balm for dry skin. It’s very satisfying to have these things ready, to know they will be there when I need them. I’m also making my Christmas lists. A few years ago I stopped buying things for people and started giving homemade gifts, mostly food. I make cookies and chocolates, preserves, conserves, and liqueurs. I make bath milks, balms, soaps, and sprays. And then there’s the knitted, crocheted, woven, and sewn items. I’ve always enjoyed finding just the right gift for each person and making gifts myself ups the satisfaction. I highly recommend it.
I will share the process as I go along.
rootleafandflower 