A New Leaf

I cannot believe it has been over a month since I last posted. I guess I'm still getting used to my new co-op job and trying to balance work, life, grad school searching and prep, and creative outlets. Honestly, whenever I have found free time lately I have spent much of it watching Netflix and reading reddit, both habits I am trying to make a conscious effort to cut down.

But recently, something wonderful happened. The Autumn Equinox. Mabon. A day of pure balance. Day and night become equal in length and the world equalizes for the second time in a year.

This year I have been trying to recognize and celebrate the Sabbats (the 8 high holy days according to Pagan beliefs). It started back in May when I attended an herbal conference, known as the Gaia Gathering, which occurred during Beltane. I then missed Midsummer (the Summer Solstice), but in August I celebrated the first harvest, also known as Lughnasadh.

Summer's sun

And now last weekend was Mabon, the celebration of the second harvest as well as the departure of light. Traditionally, Mabon is the time when the Sun King descends to the otherworld and the Goddess makes her transition into the old, dark Crone. It is also when Persephone traveled to the underworld to be with her husband, Hades until the next equinox, leaving her mother, Demeter to mourn.

We are now in the dark part of the year and with wisdom, and patience we may maintain light for ourselves.

A carved pumpkin display at the pumpkin patch last year!

The celebration I held was simple.  An altar was placed near my fall vegetable garden, candles were lit, fruits of summer and fall were consumed, and blessings were spoken.

For me, the Sabbats are not about worshiping any God or Goddess in particular, but about understanding and appreciating our connection with the Earth organism and spirit, as well as the universe.

And with that brief universal balance, I am going to better balance my own life. Tonight is the first full moon of autumn. And by some stroke of luck I have been blessed with a three-day weekend. I am attempting to finish much of what I have been putting off: grad school application materials, seeing some friends, finding photos for a possible show, registering for a new yoga class, and writing.

The full moon has charged me with energy, both physically and creatively. And the coming of this new, crisp season has instilled in me an excitement to create. I was to experience the fullness of this season completely. The colors, the scents, the tastes. It is such a rich season, and for that, it is my favorite time of year.

This is the only season in which life and death are so closely intertwined. Life can be seen in the harvesting of crops, the forage for food, the sparks of fires, and the new colors of leaves dulled by summer's heat. Contrarily, the decomposing crops, the fall of light, the withering leaves all show us death and its natural process. This time is one of remembrance and reinvention that reminds us what it means to be alive.

My favorite gravestone in our town's main cemetery.

Soon it will be Samhain and the wall between out world and another will become a thin curtain. We are given a chance to celebrate those who have passed and to come to grips with our own mortality. And is there no more a beautiful time to do so?

Herb of the Week: Apple

1.

 There once was a tree.

It lived in the parking lot of Matt's old apartment building, right next to the daycare that up until a week ago was my place of employment. Everyday I would see the little green apples hanging in the tree, and over time those little green apples grew bigger and bigger and started turning pink.

Every so often I would go and pick a bag to bring home, or just one to eat on my break. They were pretty good, although I'm not sure what kind of apples they were, possibly crab apples but bigger?

But then one day, all the apples within reach were gone or rotten. All the upper branches were bursting with apples but there was no way for us to reach them. So last weekend when I was visiting my parents, I happened to call Matt while he and Lyndsey were picking the topmost apples, having borrowed a ladder from our neighbor.

"We want to make apple butter," he said.

And I was sold.

So yesterday we finally got around to making it and it turned out to be delicious. We used this recipe . At first I was very unsure because I've never canned anything and it looked to me like we had more apples than the recipe called for. But with a little tweaking here and there, we were quite successful and ended up making 10 pints!
(I did have photos of my own, but for some reason my computer won't recognize them, I'll try again later.)

It's pretty fitting that we made this now, since September 2nd starts the 10th month of the Celtic Tree Calendar, represented by the Apple tree. And with that, here's some quick apple-lore!

2

-Apples are known for their powers with love, healing, and immortality.
-The ancient isle of Avalon (most known from the King Arthur legends as home to the Lady of the Lake and Morgaine le Fey) which was known for its apple orchards, and was the place King Arthur was taken to heal when he was close to death.
-To utilize some of its healing powers, practitioners of magic may suggest to cut an apple into 3 pieces, rub each on the affected part of your body and bury them.
-It is also known as a food of the dead, and is used in rites during Samhain (Halloween), and may be buried to provide food for those souls during the cold winter months.
-And my favorite apple tidbit, one which I was practicing long before I knew it had any folkloric or magical significance, is to rub an apple before eating it. This scares away any demons who may be hiding inside!

Plus, eating apples apparently can ward off fevers and keep the doctor away! I just hope that jars upon jars of apple butter can do the same thing.


All the lore information came from these two books: Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs and The Wisdom of Trees

Photo credits: 1. flickr
                         2. flickr

Things I Learned this Week

This week I learned that I might actually like cantaloupe after all,

when prepared as a drink or sorbet. We have a lot of fruit in our house right now, and it all started off with Matt buying several $1 local cantaloupes and making agua de melon earlier this week. Now I have never been a fan of cantaloupe, the texture completely freaks me out and I've always thought it tastes like a rotten watermelon, but I was willing to give it a try because he was so excited about it. Plus the addition of mint and honey didn't hurt.

It was delicious. It was so refreshing, not too sweet but not too cantaloupe-y either.

He didn't strain the pulp like you normally would for agua de melon, so it turned out more like a smoothie. The second time we used frozen cantaloupe (from more of those $1 melons) and it turned out like you see above. I'm so glad we still have almost a whole gallon bag full of frozen 'lopes in the freezer, just waiting to be blended up later!

I also learned that Ferris Wheels aren't as scary as I thought

This week was the county fair, which to me meant only one thing: funnel cake. So I rounded up a group of friends to go one evening so I could get my fill, but was subsequently convinced by Matt to try at least one ride. In all my 23 years, I have never once wanted to get on a rickety, metal contraption that takes me up into the air and I've done a pretty good job of avoiding them. So since there is absolutely no foreseeable way I will get on a ride that spins you, drops you, or takes you upside down, I was left with the Funhouse and the Ferris Wheel.

I did both, and the Ferris Wheel was obviously more fun. It was a really small one, but that was a-ok with me, little miss scaredy-pants, since it was my first time. Getting into the little carriage made me a little anxious, but I was excited. Once the ride started I was convinced I had made a terrible mistake. I may have even teared up a little. But when we started actually moving and I got used to the ups and downs, I really liked it. I even looked down (which Matt told me not to do, but I did anyway)! I can't believe it took me so long to try it. Matt is now certain I'll try a roller coaster with him, but I sincerely doubt it.


I also learned how to gut a fish,

That's my dad

and cook octopus!

On Friday I headed up to the DC area for a doctor's appointment and to spend some time with my parents on my dad's cool new (to him) boat! But first, I had to take a trip downtown to the Maine Ave Fish Market. Both Matt and I have been craving fish lately, and despite all the other local foods we have, living in the Shenandoah Valley doesn't exactly equal fresh seafood. I've never cooked fish before, so naturally I wanted to try the most difficult thing possible: octopus. Because it has no bones, there is nothing to support the muscles in the tentacles, so they support each other. This makes the meat tough and difficult to work with, especially with large specimens. And so I chose two little baby octopi for my kitchen experiment. Plus, they were cute.

Since my dad has never cooked octopus, he suggested I get something else with it that he could help me with. So upon his and the man behind the counter's suggestion, I chose two whole sea trouts. When we got home, pops showed me how to gut it so that it wouldn't spoil en route to home.

 
It was slimy. And smelly. And sort of gross. But pretty fun too. And totally worth it because tonight I cooked up both trouts and octopi and it was super yummy.

The trout kept falling apart in the pan. I'm not sure what that was about, but it tasted good despite its monstrous appearance. (I'll spare you a visual). We even gave a little to Penelope, who seemed completely turned off from her dry cat food after eating just a taste.  I guess I'm going to have to give her fresh food more often.

The octopus was a little chewy, so next time I think I may need to cook it a little longer, but they tasted great. I covered them in a garlic, lemon and parsley sauce that was one of the most simple, yet delectable toppings I have ever used.

Not only is it delicious, it's one of my favorite animals

I used these recipes, both of which used lemon and parsley: Trout and Octopi.

I can't wait to go back to Maine Ave and buy a meal's worth of those baby octopi and make a plate to share with my family (and maybe even the cat).

Weekly Inspiration

Over the weekend Matt and I met several of my family members for a camping trip in the western part of Maryland. It was a lovely, relaxing weekend full of waterfalls, ferns, mushrooms, wildflowers, and meteor showers. I will have pictures up soon after I get them developed.

But, did you know that this weekend was the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower? I didn't, but my aunt made sure we went out to see it Saturday night, and it was beautiful. The night sky never ceases to amaze me, especially when I can get away from all the artificiality of civilization and just lie there and be blanketed by it. The expanse can oftentimes be overwhelming and questions like "What else is out there?" start to arise. And while I can't help but be curious about what answers those questions may lead us to, sometimes I simply can't fathom them because I am so very small.
But from here, the stars themselves look small too. As I whispered to Matt last night, "Those are what we're made of." So maybe we really aren't so small; in fact, it is comforting and inspiring to know that something so big is in all of us, further connecting us to that great expanse.

The meteor shower is still peaking tonight, so Matt went with our friends Lyndsey and Jeremy to watch it again, but after a 6 hour hike yesterday, a canoe ride and a 3.5-4 hour drive today and still work in the morning, the thought of driving 30 minutes outside of town and not knowing when we would come home just wasn't super appealing. Plus, I saw some pretty memorable stars last night that I don't think even my exhausted mind will forget any time soon.

So in honor of the Perseid Meteor Shower, the Milky Way and the stardust making up our physical beings, I wanted to show you this picture. I found it earlier this evening and thought it was just too beautiful not to share. 

The photo came from here. And that's no Photoshop, just a 71 second exposure and an incredibly patient couple.

And with that, goodnight.

Things I Learned this Week

I love learning. I truly consider us all to be life long learners, and I think we should revel in that. This world is such a big place, full of learning opportunities for people of every age.

Despite being out of school, I still want to learn as much as possible. And sometimes it seems too much. But when I really sit and put things in perspective, I realize that I am only 23. I have so much time to absorb all I want and need to, that there is really no use in rushing myself.

And that's where this blog comes in. I want to write about the things I learn, no matter how small they may seem. And in turn, maybe you'll learn something new too.

So here it goes, things I learned this week:

1. I learned the do's and don'ts of making elderberry syrup. see here.

2. I learned that my town's Parks and Rec has adult ballet classes! My mom did ballet when she was younger, and I've sometimes regretted not having a great interest in it as a child (or enough to warrant paying for lessons). But these classes here in town are only $60 for 11 classes! That's a really good deal if you ask me and I'm really excited to at least try it out. I am not a dancer by any means, but I don't think it's ever too late to learn. And the opportunity to have another creatively physical outlet is very appealing.

3. I learned that work aprons are oddly exciting. Especially when it is an apron for a place you've been hoping to work at for the past six months! And that it isn't unusual to receive a job offer phone call at 7:30 in the morning while getting out of the shower.
Yep, I got a new job!
I am beyond excited. Several weeks ago I applied for and interviewed at our local food co-op to work in the produce department. Finally after weeks of anxiously waiting, my phone call came yesterday morning. I also learned how to give a two weeks notice, since I did just that at the daycare I have been working for.
My boss took it well, and my last day there will be the 23 and I start at my new gig on the 24! It's completely official, I went in this morning to fill out my paperwork.
To celebrate we went to eat at the best Mexican restaurant in town with some friends. I got a larger than anticipated margarita but we had a lot of fun.

Now today I get to go see my immediate and extended family at our annual family camping trip! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures as we will be staying at a beautiful park in Maryland called Swallow Falls. It has several waterfalls and I'm very ready to go lay underneath one of them.

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a lovely weekend!

Adventures of a Cast Iron Skillet

This past weekend I finally got around to re-seasoning my cast iron skillets. A few months ago, my mom gave me an old skillet that had once belonged to my great Aunt Ethel. Forgotten in a kitchen cabinet, my mom found it while cleaning out her kitchen. Not wanting to get rid of a family heirloom of sorts, she offered it to me when Matt and I moved to keep it in the family. She also gave me a little egg pan. But then, they both just sat on my kitchen counter for ages.

That is, until this weekend. I really don't know why it took me so long, it was easy enough and oh so worth it. I now have two, beautiful skillets to use for whatever, whenever I want! I feel so grown up. I've used them every night since the re-seasoning and the results have thus far been delicious.

Last night after much debate about what to eat, we decided on breakfast for dinner, one of my favorite meals! I just love breakfast; there's something oddly decadent about it. As a kid I would get ecstatic if we went to a hotel with a breakfast buffet. I would imagine I was some queen and pile my plate with eggs, pancakes, waffles, crepes, bacon, fruit, whatever. It was always delicious and always too filling. But I loved it anyway.

So when Matt suggested flaxmeal pancakes last night, I got all giddy again. First, because I was so happy we had finally made a decision. Second, because my mind instantly went to the sparkling (ok, not really) skillet sitting on my shelf.

We quickly bought the flaxmeal and headed home to start the baking.

I whipped up a delicious batch of Honey Lavender Flaxjacks and it was a dinner much enjoyed.

Tonight, I did something even more adventurous with my new iron friend; I made lamb burgers. Now I know that doesn't sound particularly adventurous, but here's the thing: I've been a vegetarian for 5 years.

Recently however, I've been eating small amounts of meat for several reasons.
   1. I live in a part of Virginia where there is an abundance of local, pasture-raised meat and dairy. Therefore, it is arguably more sustainable to eat a little meat now and again than to constantly consume protein sources shipped in from all over the country or even the globe.
   2. Matt and I would like to move to Mexico in the near future. Knowing that it would be more difficult to eat vegetarian all the time there, I started eating little bits here and there to ease my system back into omnivorism.
   3. Soy is ridiculously bad for you. Especially processed soy like Boca burgers and whatnot. And it is really easy to get tired of beans, quinoa and incomplete proteins from vegetable. Plus, your body needs fats. And it is equally as easy to get tired of coconut, nuts and avocados for this necessity. So very occasionally, I treat my body to complete, fatty proteins in the form of animal products.

I still have reservations about abandoning my vegetarian lifestyle all together, but that is a topic for another time. For now we're discussing lamb burgers.

For my first ever meat entree, it was pretty darn good. The lamb was locally bought at the Farmers' Market this morning and simply seasoned with onion, garlic and rosemary, and topped with some sage from my porch. Fried up in my cast iron skillet, it provided a nice punch of protein and iron all in a tasty little package.

Plus, now my skillet is taking in an array of seasonings, which I think would make great Aunt Ethel proud!


(Also, just a note on last night's post. I realized I messed up my syrup which is pretty disappointing. It just isn't reducing like I hoped and the berries didn't cook long enough. But today I talked to a woman I know in an herbalism program and she gave me ideas to fix it! So hopefully I'll get that done this week and all will be well.)

Herb of the Week: Elderberries

Last night I tried my first attempt at making my very own medicine, (supposedly delicious medicine, I might add) in the form of Elderberry syrup!

Back in May I attended an herbal gathering outside of Charlottesville, VA. There I learned some basic herbal skills, like how to identify many popular herbs, make medicines and foods from said herbs, and overall, how to be self-sufficient in terms of personal health and well-being. It was a truly eye-opening experience, and it really got me excited to start actually trying it. One of my favorite hobbies now is to go out around town and see how many plants I can identify (I think I’m getting better!) and what uses they may have medicinally and magically (yes, magically. Check out Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. I got it at a thrift store and it is super cool). 

Some of the books I study herbs from

One of these first spottings was a group of Elder trees growing along a creek downtown. I first saw them earlier this summer when the bunches of delicate white flowers were all in bloom. I recognized it almost immediately because at the conference I was told the flowers look akin to Queen Anne’s Lace, which happens to be a favorite roadside flower of mine.

I saw these particular elders on a walk home from the Farmers’ Market and was anxious for them to fruit so that I could make syrup. I always ingest some form of elder when I have a cold and I’ve heard that the syrup is great because it not only delivers an immunity boost, it also brings warm memories of summer into even your deepest winter cold.

All summer long I have checked on them and finally yesterday, there were several bunches of berries ready and willing to come home with me!

And the de-stemming begins!

After some quick internet research to settle Matt's concerns that we could ingest the berries, we set to work de-stemming them. Luckily, I had my handy partner with me to quicken the process along!

Since it was my first time making it, I was pretty unsure of myself and kept referring back to my book, despite the simplicity of the process. I dissolved the honey into water (I prefer honey to sugar, especially for medicinal purposes) and added the berries as directed. After letting them cook together, I checked its progress. It still looked pretty liquidy to me, but our friend Lyndsey said it should reduce further while it steeps. Trusting her words, I took it off the heat and let it steep overnight.

This morning I was excited to see the finished product before heading to work. It was still in a liquid state but after seeing that the product in the book looked similar, I was put more at ease. I have a feeling the honey threw off the liquid ratio. But regardless, I jarred it up (THREE different jars!) and stocked it away for winter colds and ice cream toppings! We’ll see if it continues to reduce and take a more syrupy consistency.

Finished product!

Here’s the recipe I used, it’s from a book called The Complete Illustrated Guide to Herbal Home Remedies:

1 ¼ lb of honey or sugar

4 cups of water

5 oz (10 tbsp) of herb matter (in this case elderberries)

Add honey and water to a pan. Heat gently and stir to dissolve. Add berries and heat together for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep overnight. Strain and store into airtight containers in fridge for up to 18 months.

Has anyone else ever made elderberry or any other kind of syrup and can offer any words of wisdom?