heres a little peak into our blossoming gardens so far this summer…
May 24, 2012
A little bit of magic at the castle…
May 5, 2012
Embrace your weeds!
WEEDS can save the world. So many of our every day, villainized weeds are actually highly useful- both medicinally and nutritionally. They are growing for a reason. Their pesky presence in your lawn or garden is working to purify the planet and restore the earth- through the soil, the air and it’s people. Check out the links below for some more information on our most nutritious and medicinal weeds from the one and only Susan Weed
Weeds in Your Garden? Bite Back
Edible Weeds: Herbal Medicine Chest in Your Backyard
Roadside Harvest
January 17, 2012
Home Made Herbal Goodies
This past holiday season, I wanted to make my friends and family something infused with love to last them throughout the year. I decided to make a few things…salves- one for the ladies and one for the fellas, dream pillows and oatscrubs.
December 28, 2011
Moon Garden 2011
Moonflower.photo by Morgan DeVoe.
This year, we were excited to go all out with garden space we have at our Elm St Castle. Morganalefay & EternalInnerSmile busted their humps cleaning up the beds and fixing the weathered greenhouse that we are also SO lucky to have on the property. They started the bounty of veggies, tons of cooking herbs and many many medicinal herbs. Not sure what to flourish next, I decided to surprise the girls with a little project of my own- a Witch Inspired Moon Garden.
November 29, 2011
Butterfly Hospital- the monarch story
The first patient at Butterfly Hospital- photo by Morgan DeVoe
I skipped outside one gorgeous September day to collect some Calendula flowers to dry. Over by Ye Old Stump, I noticed a Monarch butterfly on the ground, fluttering about with a broken wing. Maybe a young bird had tried to eat him, but thought better of it and spit him out, as Monarchs are distasteful and poisonous to birds.
Monarchs reproduce on Milkweed plants and migrate 2,500 miles to Mexico and southern California where they overwinter for 6-8 months. They reproduce on the east and west coast of the US. White spots on the body of the butterfly and their bright orange color warn birds of their toxicity. The Viceroy butterfly, which is the Monarchs look-alike, has a semi circular black band on the bottom wings, its only differentiating characteristic from a true monarch (see slideshow for photo).
I felt an immediate connection with this Monarch trying to go south, I had to help. As he was flopping around on the ground, his wings were becoming more and more battered in his attempts to fly. My initial thought was to cut the broken wing off. It was hanging by a thread, and a hindrance to movement as it flopped back and forth rubbing more and more of the magic dust off his wings. I ran and got my sewing scissors. As I attempted to get close the broken wing with the sharp intention, the butterfly flapped even more vigorously. Several attempts later, I realized he was not going to let me near the wing with the scissors. I carefully scooped him up in my hands and brought him inside. With this, he was very compliant and ceased flopping.
