Forging for Wild Edibles

For years now we have been forging for wild edibles. We have eaten wild strawberries, raspberries and blackberries on the side of the trail as we hike. We have fried up dandelion flowers and added the leaves to smoothies and salads, and this year we made dandelion lemonade. We have always played it safe, which is good thing when you are searching for and eating wild edibles. All that changed last summer when I did a little one day herbal walk with a herbalist. I knew right then I wanted to take our forging to the next level.

During that herbal walk we identified many wild herbs and wild edibles. We talked about their medicinal benefits, tried them and took some time to make an oil and a tincture before heading home. It was a wonderful day with some really wonderful people.

This spring, armed with my plant identification book, we have been heading to the forest to look for food. Actually before we even headed to the forest to look for food I found some growing right in the wooded area of our backyard. Ramps, also known as wild leeks, were growing right under my nose. We cooked them up right away in a frittata and enjoyed every last bite. Since that first discovery we have found and enjoyed more ramps as well as trout lilies and garlic mustard. Trout lilies were added to salads and garlic mustard was blended up into the pesto you see above, which we served over quinoa pasta for dinner and then spread on grilled vegetable sandwiches for lunch the next day.

All three of us are enjoying our walks in the woods searching for and identifying plants. Justin and I had a little chuckle last weekend as we walked the wooded bike path near my parents place while Reece rode his bike. I was collecting garlic mustard, Reece stopped every now and then to pick some wild flowers and Justin was deep among the trees picking up pieces of fallen branches to create with. I am sure we looked hilarious coming out of the woods with everything we were carrying. We didn't care though. We had a great time in the woods, and we came home with flowers for the table, food for dinner and a little something to create with. What more can you ask for when you go for a walk in the woods.

Have you been forging this season? What are you bringing home to enjoy?

On My Kitchen Counter

Tadpoles!

Yes they are on my kitchen counter as we speak. They spend their days on the back deck and come in to the kitchen counter at night. The little man is quite excited about his tadpoles and is eagerly awaiting their metamorphosis into frogs.

We picked up this book from the library a few weeks ago and now have the tadpoles to make the book come alive for Reece. Connecting what we read in a book to real life is fascinating for him and wonderful to watch. I can almost hear the click in his mind as the connections between the two are made. Amazing!

What's on your kitchen counter right now?

The Medicinal Herb Garden

I spent most of the weekend barefoot in the garden. The sun was shining, the temperatures were above normal and the birds were singing their lovely songs. It was exactly what my soul needed.

Time was spent sowing seeds...kale, Swiss chard, beets, snow peas and more salad greens. Butternut squash, zucchini and cucumbers were moved from the cold frame to the garden. More strawberries were planted and the garlic was admired.

Then there was a little road trip to this lovely herb market to pick up some herbs for the new medicinal herb garden I have been planning. Yarrow, lavender, St John's wort, comfrey, calendula, chamomile, motherwort, lemon balm, nettles, peppermint, echinacea and bergamot were brought home and planted. Culinary herbs were planted too...basil, parsley, rosemary and sage. Chives, thyme, and dill still have to go in.

For me, this time of year is filled with both excitement, for the act of getting my hands in the dirt and anticipation of the beauty that will come in the form of food, grown on our land, under the care of our hands.

The journey from seed to plate never gets old and the magic of it continues to amaze me and fill me with hope and gratitude.

Dandelions and Lemons

When life hands you lemons 

and a field of dandelions 

you make dandelion lemonade. 

Enjoy!

***Please stop by Small Town Simplicity today where I am sharing a post for Mindful Mothering Monday.

Weekend Links

:: great tips on rocking parenting

:: a little garden inspiration...and yes we will have one in our yard this summer

:: I can't wait to paint the sky with Reece

:: looking forward to trying this soup

:: a fun craft for this time of year

:: we should all linger just a little longer in nature

:: this tunic is on the sewing to do list

:: turn your life into an abundant garden with these tips

:: imagine the world if we all did this

:: the work of parenting

I hope your weekend is filled with love, laughter and adventure. Enjoy!

{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soulemama.

Walking Among the Trilliums

After dinner walks become a little magical at this time of the year. Our neighbour's forest floor is a blanket of trilliums and we take time every day, for the short time they bloom, to walk down and see them. It is breathtaking and beautiful.

Nature continues to amaze me, year after year, season after season, day after day. Her simple, quiet beauty fills me with gratitude and makes me smile.

What's blooming in your part of the world?