Sweet Pea

1 c water

1 c honey or agave

2 tbsp lavender buds

 

Combine ingredients in saucepan. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat. Cook for 20 minutes. Strain out flowers.

 

*Add to 1 c fresh lemon juice & 2 c water for lemonade

* drizzle over fresh berries

* add to sparkling water. Add coconut milk for Italian cream soda

John Barleycorn Must Die

The character of John Barleycorn is part of English folklore, dating back to before Shakespearean times. He is the representation of the barley crop (and the drinks made from barley, including whiskey & beer), according to tradition.  In the traditional song, John Barleycorn is abused terribly before he ultimately dies. Folklorists compare this to the nature of farming: planting, growing, harvesting, death.

I know where my Rosemary Goes

Lammas is the first of the harvest festivals, celebrated by the early Celts on August 1^st. It is the celebration of the grain harvest. According to tradition, the first sheaf of wheat is ceremoniously harvested, reaped, milled and baked into bread. In Celtic tradition, this ceremonially bread was considered the bread of life, which is similar to the Christian tradition of communion.

 

Today, it is common to celebrate Lammas by baking bread. One of my favorite, easy recipes is perfect for this time of year:

 

1 ½ c water + 2 tbsp

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp salt (I use Celtic sea salt)

1/3 c organic sugar

4 ¼ c whole wheat flour

2 tsp active dry yeast

2 tbsp rosemary

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp basil

 

 

Put ingredients into the bread machine in the order listed in instructions. Use the whole wheat cycle. Serve with butter or non-dairy spread

Hello Dolly

Needed: corn husks, fabric scraps, yarn, twine

 

Fold corn husks into a doll shape. Use twine to hold together. Decorate with fabric & yarn. Give her a special spot for the year. Next spring, plant her with your garden, returning to the earth the blessings you have been given

Cider House Rules

10 apples quartered

¾ organic cane sugar

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 tbsp nutmeg

1 tbsp cloves

Water

 

Put the apples in a stockpot, cover with water. Add other ingredients. Boil uncovered 1 hour. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for additional 2 hours. Strain. Discard solids. Strain again. Pour into a bottle, keep refrigerated.

Harvest Moon

Needed:

Bread

Jelly/jam/spread/butter

Sparkling apple cider

Gold or yellow candle

Seasonal décor

 

Light candle.

 

Prayer:

On this 1^st day of August, I light a candle to celebrate the harvest

As the wheel of the year turns & the days grow shorter, I honor the seasons and thank them for the blessings & prosperity brought to me this year

I honor those who came before me and all living things on this earth

 

Have some bread and cider. Meditate on what you want to harvest in your life

 

Blow out candle, give leftovers to the earth.