spring glimmers
Late spring blessings, everyone!
May and early June have been all about processing after the previous month’s experience, so it seems appropriate to start today’s transmission with a process too, albeit different…
After years of not being sure about the landscaping of the back of our house, things are finally starting to take shape. One of Sam’s many talents is building stone retaining walls that merge beautifully with the shape of the land and, with time, our little hill is being terraced under his skilled hands. So we’ve finally come up with a plan for this part of the land, which until now has been a shapeless slope with soil washed away by rain so that even plants found it hard to call it home.
With the help of a digger and a few loads of earth, the creation of a new garden bed behind the house starts.
Loquat, apple, and raspberry bushes were already somewhat established here, and were now joined by grapevine, orange, peach, and endless pink yarrow. This area has some shade from the house during the morning, but from 11 on is under full sun, so we wanted strong, sun-loving plants here.
We’re concentrating the smaller plants and bushes on the edge of the bed, where the soil is lighter (since we don’t step on it) and some compost has been incorporated. There we now have hollyhock, yarrow, sunflowers, and even some pumpkins growing, all mulched with last year’s wool from our sheep.
The landscaping of the back of the house isn’t finished yet, but it felt very good to sort this portion out. It seems obvious this was the way to go now that it’s finished, but let me tell you, it wasn’t obvious at all for years. That’s the fun part about landscaping — it can go a hundred different ways! Here in-between us, I’m still dreaming of a pond…
In May, I celebrated my birthday. I wasn’t feeling too expansive yet, so kept it small and familiar with a garden picnic surrounded by heart-warming friends. It was lovely. I made honey lavender pannacotta and the classical nettle and rose cake from Spencre’s book, Forest+Home.
During May’s waning moon, I also had the immense pleasure of facilitating two lavender wand workshops, which filled my heart on so many levels, like a return of my creativity flow after such a significant damper. The first one was a dream come true — a workshop at my favorite store ever, Retrosaria Rosa Pomar!
The second one was a workshop at what has already become a highlight of my spring: Chelsea Fuss’ Flower & Garden Retreat. I can’t express how magical being part of such an event is… To see people come together over botanicals for a week of beauty and creativity that stay for well over those few days. I wish I could stay in the retreat forever! And yes, as you can guess, this was most definitely part of my healing process.
So I’m moving through June with renewed energy. Flowers are blooming, early summer fruits are being harvested, and jams are being made. The garden is a happy riot of flowers and ripening vegetables. Just like the seasons, the inward phase of grief has given room for color, joy, and inspiration to permeate life again — and it feels good.
Before I go, here’s something for the hot day ahead, friends. I simply call it…
Recipe for A Very Good Nettle Popsicle
(makes 6)
ingredients300 ml (1.25 cups) strong overnight nettle (Urtica dioica) infusion
300 ml (1.25 cups) Greek yogurt (use creamy coconut milk as an alternative!)
1 banana
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
a pinch of powdered spirulina, for extra green powers (optional)
Blend everything using an immersion blender, divide by your popsicle molds, and pop in the freezer for a few hours. Get your minerals, iron, antihistamine et al, y’all!
Until next time,
Cat 🌸
