The Desiccation of Chili Peppers

The Desiccation of Chili Peppers

I survived making Red HOT Chili Pepper Flakes!! Over the course of several seventh grade volleyball games, my Mom has plunged into my arms a couple trays laden with enormous tomatoes that my super-gardener cousin grew. We quickly turned them into pico de gallo salsa.   

The Woolgathering Podcast!

The Woolgathering Podcast!

It’s a new episode of The Woolgathering Podcast! In this episode, Gloria finds a curious treasure in the attic. Listen here! Or wherever you get your podcasts!

Indulgent Rituals and Practices

Indulgent Rituals and Practices

I draw my dog Lucy like Jack draws one of his French girls. She is my muse and my inspiration. I don’t know why, but I find the shapes that she makes with her resting body to be so interesting. Part of me wishes I 

Making Mint Tea from Homegrown Dried Mint

Making Mint Tea from Homegrown Dried Mint

I dried some mint for tea this morning!  This was my first time doing so, and I am fairly content with my results.  We grow mint at several locations not only because it is a yummy herb, but because it spreads easily as a ground 

Cornelian Cherry Jelly

Cornelian Cherry Jelly

Okay, Part 2 of the cornelian cherries saga continues with homemade jelly.  This jelly, which Patrick made with a hefty amount of lemon juice, is just delicious! It’s tart and bright and lovely on buttermilk biscuits or as a topper on a scoop of vanilla 

Garden Booms and Busts

Garden Booms and Busts

Here are some drawings of things that we have been harvesting from our gardens this Summer. We’ve had SO many green beans. It’s been a bean bonanza!  Last year there were so many cucumbers and chile peppers. It’s interesting to see what is a boom 

Making Hammer Prints From Garden Flowers

Making Hammer Prints From Garden Flowers

This was a fun process to explore on this beautiful, sunny day.  Artist Janelle Rae (former artist in residence at Spring Bird/current creator of the honeysuckle meditation hut featured in the blue bench meadow) recommended making hammer prints with the zinnias that we are growing. 

The Dog Days of Summer and The Urge to Sploot

The Dog Days of Summer and The Urge to Sploot

In last week’s Woolgathering Podcast, I mentioned the Dog Days of Summer, and then immediately admitted I didn’t know the origin behind that phrase, which I understood to mean the really hot days of Summer that occur towards the end of the season.  So, I 

Cornelian Cherry Juice

Cornelian Cherry Juice

This is cornelian cherry juice. Pat made it by boiling cornelian cherries (with pits) in water for about a half an hour.  Then he strained it and heated the juice with sugar until the sugar dissolved.  (This is the ratio: 5 kilo cherries – 6 

Signs of Fall

Signs of Fall

There are some seasonal changes that are not necessarily connected to our natural worlds. As Summer starts to fade into Fall (don’t worry, there is still plenty of Summer ahead), two seasonal markers of Fall have shown themselves already. One is “Jean Jacket Weather”!  I 

Full Moon

Full Moon

Goodness, it’s another bright and shiny full moon! Happy full moon to you! For me, this full moon is inviting me to bring all that I have to the things that I cherish most.  I am all in on the Beloveds in my life, and 

New Episode of the Woolgathering Podcast!

New Episode of the Woolgathering Podcast!

It’s a new episode of the Woolgathering Podcast! In this episode, Beatriz has breakfast in the witch house, and Circe hunts down a new friend, who might have some answers.  Listen HERE or wherever you get your podcasts!

Pathways and Boundary Walks

Pathways and Boundary Walks

This week, Pat and I began a practice of walking the “boundaries” of the property. In reality, we are trying to touch feet to ground on as many paths as possible without doubling back. Each day, we choose a different route.  The main purpose behind 

Weaving Away The Woes

Weaving Away The Woes

This week, I had an excess of nervous energy, and so I channeled it into a tiny weaving.  I had forgotten how calming weaving it is. I used to have the best thoughts while working at my big, floor loom. It’s been far too long 

Summer Quilts

Summer Quilts

I made this illustration for the postcard for the Summer Issue of Woolgathering, our nature magazine about the seasons and our deep relationship to nature. It’s heavily inspired by quilts (of course). Quilts aren’t always associated with Summer (because of the hot weather), but I