March Break is at it's end and for those who had the option of taking the time off from the "norm", I hope that you had a very enjoyable time! The weather has been wonderful, snow has almost gone from the woods, new green is shooting up all over the place and soon we will be experiencing the sight of Trilliums, and the scent of wild leeks! Ah, spring! One of my favourite months after Autumn.
Seems funny that I like the time of harvest before the time of planting but that is me. Wonder if it means that I enjoy the benefits more than the planning? Hmmmm. Something to think about as I do the planting.
I am looking forward to the planting of a new garden in the courtyard this year and getting that all finished up. It has been sitting idle for the past 2 years as I decide what I want to do with it. Now that the snow guards are working and keeping the avalanches of snow on the roof, I can plant some bushes and such that won't be crushed under the onslaught of tons of snow sliding down on them during the winter and obliterating them under the weight! Now to deciding what to plant there!
It will be fun to wander through the garden center and take in the sights and smells of their offerings.
I am thinking of some rose bushes, or perhaps a snow ball bush, or maybe some small shrubbery. Maybe I will go for the overgrown English Garden with its' clumps of tall, medium and short bushy plants. So many choices, but for now, I think that I will curl up with my gardening books and dream!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Sights and Sounds
Wow, the weather has been so great, snow melting, birds chirping, squirrels going crazy and I saw my first chipmunk the other day. Guess that is a sure sign that spring is on the way. As a matter of fact, Brian and I saw 2 bats flying around, low to the ground earlier in the week. Guess they came out early as they looked disoriented. Saw them again clinging to the house in the sun. I know it is a bit early and don't know what they will feed on. I hope that they survive.
With the warmer sun, and the great sunshine, I am looking forward to it being warm enough to open windows and give the place an airing after the winter. Something about the spring air that is invigorating! Natural aromatherapy, ya gotta love it!
Yesterday was my spring General Contractor workshop for people wanting to build their own straw bale home. It was well attended and like always, they were all interesting people. I love doing these workshops to help people on their Bale journey. It is so nice to hear peoples stories about their dream home and see how enthusiastic about it. Reminds me of our Bale beginnings! The next workshop is in October for anyone interested.
Enjoy the day!
With the warmer sun, and the great sunshine, I am looking forward to it being warm enough to open windows and give the place an airing after the winter. Something about the spring air that is invigorating! Natural aromatherapy, ya gotta love it!
Yesterday was my spring General Contractor workshop for people wanting to build their own straw bale home. It was well attended and like always, they were all interesting people. I love doing these workshops to help people on their Bale journey. It is so nice to hear peoples stories about their dream home and see how enthusiastic about it. Reminds me of our Bale beginnings! The next workshop is in October for anyone interested.
Enjoy the day!
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Scent of Spring
There is a certain smell in the air that tells me that spring is truly on its way. I am waiting patiently for that smell expecially after the snowfalls of last week.
I have decided that I am not going to complain about what I can't control, the weather being a great example. Last week, I had spend about 2 hours or so with the snow blower and then a couple of days later, I needed to go at it again, and then yet again. Something like housework, it looks great once it is done but then, low and behold, it needs doing again.
When I got up on Saturday morning and saw the new snowfall blanketing the trees with a bleached whiteness, my first instinct was to groan No-o-o-o-o! Then I took a moment and allowed myself to be carried into how beautiful it all looked. That changed the tone for me for the day. Of course it didn't hurt that Brian was home and would be handling the snow blower instead of me!
But, back to smell. I love it when the spring smells start to grab hold of my nostrils. Subtly at first, then gradually that luscious scent of damp earth, new growth mixed with the warmer sun on my skin set me spiraling upwards filled with euphoric thoughts of what is to come!
Smell, scent, that aroma of springtime brings memories of taking off galoshes to take a turn at double dutch, or skipping to the alphabet, hop scotch on the school grounds at recess and a time of youth!
Scent takes us back to places of warmth and love, sometimes bringing physical as well as emotional memories. Aromatherapy can play a part in this journey as well as healing the physical, mental and emotional parts as well.
I was first drawn to aromatherapy because of the scent of the oils. Lavender reminded me of my grandmother and to me it was a soothing memory. Rosemary brings me a great feeling of peace. Geranium brings the warmth of summer to my body and Patchouli grounds me to the earth and that feeling of being at one with the universe!
Essential Oils bring so much power to our lives in the form of healing the physical hurts as much as it does the emotional. Blue Cypress helps with muscle and joint pain, Eucalyptus helps with the respiratory system, Lavender heals burns very quickly as well as cuts.
As with all things natural though, just because it is natural, it can be harmful if not used properly. If one is going to use the beneficial oils, then one should study up on them. It is not enough to know the benefits, you also need to know the harmful effects, how to mix them properly, and that they are not safe to take internally because of their concentration.
If you are interested in learning more about Essential Oils, I do teach an introductory class when I have enough interested people. You can email me for more information through the website.
I have decided that I am not going to complain about what I can't control, the weather being a great example. Last week, I had spend about 2 hours or so with the snow blower and then a couple of days later, I needed to go at it again, and then yet again. Something like housework, it looks great once it is done but then, low and behold, it needs doing again.
When I got up on Saturday morning and saw the new snowfall blanketing the trees with a bleached whiteness, my first instinct was to groan No-o-o-o-o! Then I took a moment and allowed myself to be carried into how beautiful it all looked. That changed the tone for me for the day. Of course it didn't hurt that Brian was home and would be handling the snow blower instead of me!
But, back to smell. I love it when the spring smells start to grab hold of my nostrils. Subtly at first, then gradually that luscious scent of damp earth, new growth mixed with the warmer sun on my skin set me spiraling upwards filled with euphoric thoughts of what is to come!
Smell, scent, that aroma of springtime brings memories of taking off galoshes to take a turn at double dutch, or skipping to the alphabet, hop scotch on the school grounds at recess and a time of youth!
Scent takes us back to places of warmth and love, sometimes bringing physical as well as emotional memories. Aromatherapy can play a part in this journey as well as healing the physical, mental and emotional parts as well.
I was first drawn to aromatherapy because of the scent of the oils. Lavender reminded me of my grandmother and to me it was a soothing memory. Rosemary brings me a great feeling of peace. Geranium brings the warmth of summer to my body and Patchouli grounds me to the earth and that feeling of being at one with the universe!
Essential Oils bring so much power to our lives in the form of healing the physical hurts as much as it does the emotional. Blue Cypress helps with muscle and joint pain, Eucalyptus helps with the respiratory system, Lavender heals burns very quickly as well as cuts.
As with all things natural though, just because it is natural, it can be harmful if not used properly. If one is going to use the beneficial oils, then one should study up on them. It is not enough to know the benefits, you also need to know the harmful effects, how to mix them properly, and that they are not safe to take internally because of their concentration.
If you are interested in learning more about Essential Oils, I do teach an introductory class when I have enough interested people. You can email me for more information through the website.
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