Sunday, April 26, 2015

We Found Them




We found the first flowers of spring on our hike this morning....coltsfoot. It was so exciting to see these beautiful, bright, yellow flowers peeking up from the forest floor as we walked. It certainly brought a smile to my face. Reece and I will head back later this week to harvest some of those beautiful flowers to make coltsfoot honey.

Let the foraging begin!

33 comments:

  1. They're beautiful- and coltsfoot honey sounds yummy, very sunshiny!

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    1. Aren't they? I love them so much, the perfect sign that spring is truly here. And of course it also means my spring foraging begins :)

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  2. Beautiful! They are called Tussilago in swedish and are also the first flowers of the spring you would normally find there;)

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    1. Yes, that is the Latin name for it...derived from tussis meaning cough, which is exactly what coltsfoot honey is good for. That, and sore throats.

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  3. Hooray Kim and Reece! Yes, let the foraging begin, have fun.
    Coltsfoot honey? Do tell, I've never heard of it.

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    1. Thanks Tracey, so much fun searching for wild foods. Coltsfoot honey...gather the flowers, pour over some local honey, let it sit for 6 weeks, then strain away the flowers. It is wonderful for coughs and sore throats.

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  4. So bright and cheery!

    I'd love to read about the process of making coltsfoot honey.

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    1. They are such lovely flowers. Super easy to make....gather the flowers, pour over some local honey, let it sit for 6 weeks, then strain away the flowers. It is wonderful for coughs and sore throats.

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  5. Awesome! We are still looking forward to green and all of the buds to blossom.

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    1. I hope it happens for you soon my friend. xo

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  6. Just like in the Elsa Beskow books. Do you have most the European flowers there?

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    1. We have some, and those we do have, have often been brought over here by early settlers :)

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    1. Yes, made by infusing the flowers in honey for 6 weeks. So good for coughs, and sore throats.

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  8. I went to a talk on foraging this week and was learning all about coltsfoot rock which used to be a popular cough sweet here...we also ate wild garlic and hosta pesto and had elderberry drizzle cake...I am definitely inspired to get out and discover what's growing right now...
    Your nature walks sound so good, I am really enjoying walking with you! Xxx

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    1. That is wonderful Em! I can't wait to share foraging stories with you through our letters. And when we do meet up in person one day we can add that to the list of things we need to do together :)

      Have fun foraging!

      Awe, thanks my friend, wish you could be here in person...now that would be wonderful. One day.

      xo

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  9. Replies
    1. They just make you smile when you see them :)

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  10. they are gorgeous!!! I've never tried cotsfoot honey... sounds delish. Happy foraging Kim!!!xoxo

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  11. We get so excited when the coltsfoot come out and they have just started. A true sign of spring. We will be driving in the car or on a trail and the boys yell out "coltsfoot!". Never made honey before - that sounds interesting. :)

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    1. Oh so do we. I did a little happy dance in the woods when we found them yesterday. Always a pleasure to see them each year.

      It is wonderful, great for coughs and sore throats.

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  12. They are so sweet! So glad that you find some and shared their loveliness with all of us! Happy Spring! xo

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  13. Beautiful, as is your morning ritual that you wrote about. So much sweetness.

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  14. We found the first a little over a week ago... they are popping up everywhere here. Coltsfoot honey! Thank you for the recipe. Is it the same idea as infused oils? Just pack a Mason jar full and fill to the rim with honey? Or is the ration different?

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    1. Wow, that surprises me with our different temperatures. Cool! Yes, totally the same. There is a link in today's post, Project Complete, on how to make it.

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  15. Replies
    1. They certainly are, and they always make me smile.

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  16. What a gorgeous colour, and I've never heard of the combination with honey before.

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    1. They are beautiful, and now on their way out. They last such a short time. Yes, excellent with honey for coughs and sore throats.

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