Harvest Tyme by Silver RavenWolf
Like a brilliant, delightful harvest moon, life around here has been full—in the best kind of way!
I just finished my Country Cozy quilt. I really like this one because I changed the center a bit by adding rag quilt blocks within the body of the quilt. There’s nothing like the feeling you get when you sew the last stitch, spread out your work, step back, and think, ‘This one turned out just right.’ Each one seems to take on a life of its own, and this one really has that welcoming, homey vibe that reminds me of playful, spooky, crisp nights, and a favorite scary movie!
The weather’s been beautiful, too, so I’ve spent a lot of time outside, tidying up the garden and getting things wrapped up for the season. One thing I like to do when I’m putting the garden to bed is take a little time to honor what it gave me. I gather what I can use for a small ritual from what is around me. A broken pot for blessed water, an old basket with dried leaves that I can burn in the ritual pit, and sticks! I LOVE using sticks! To make runes, designs, pathways…there is so much you can do by just going with the flow of the energies around you! Once I finish my personal ceremony, I release all the objects in a safe and environmentally friendly way.
This is also the time I pull in the last of the plants I want to dry. Here, in South Central Pennsylvania, the oregano and sage can actually hold on through Thanksgiving if there isn’t a smacker of a frost! There is nothing like walking outside early turkey morning and gathering herbs to add to your holiday dishes! Some years I’m not so lucky, but other years there's an amazing bounty to choose from! This week, the last big scoop of herbs will be given away or hung to dry in the craft room. My favorite method is to tie small bundles together and hang them upside down in a warm, dry spot with plenty of air circulation—they dry beautifully and keep their flavor. If you’re drying herbs at home, keep them out of direct sunlight, and shake them gently now and then to prevent mildew. I usually put a large leaf bag on the floor underneath the hanging plants to catch what drops. That way my room doesn’t get too messy. This year my selection is a bit different because I’ll be using several herbs exactly as they dried, rather than breaking them up for those gelli prints! I carefully mark every bundle because I want to make sure the non-edible plants don’t become a munchable!
New for me this season was raising calico corn — I had an arguement with a worm or two, but it looks like it is coming along beautifully and the stalks and the dried corn should be ready for both our Halloween party and our Samhain celebration.
I’ve been doing an hour or two in the garden each day, and by the time the first frost hits, I’ll be able to cover the beds for the season. This year I had a HUGE buck as a frequent dinner guest, so I had to create a crazy structure with plastic chicken fencing that looked like a big tinker-toy in my yard. My husband says it is the biggest buck he’s ever seen with a rack you wouldn’t believe. He says it visits around 11:00 PM most nights. Although I am grateful for the blessings — I was a little perturbed that he took most of the veggies until I figured out what was going on.
This Autumn feels more like, ‘Well, we made it.’ I’ve got to admit it was a wild year, where the garden had to try and take care of itself, and it didn’t do too bad a job! I actually harvested more than I thought I would — lavender, anise hyssop, oregano, basil, horehound, lemongrass, lemon balm, rue, sweetgrass, tomatoes, peppers, and mint. Not as much as I normally have — but? Didn’t do too darned bad!
And, of course, once the garden moves through the winding-down process, my brain immediately starts looking ahead. I’ve been considering how I want to spend my efforts when the months grow colder. Last year at this time I was raising two puppies, lol, which kept me busy for most of the winter. This year, in September, I took two genealogy courses (just short ones), and I have another poised to dive in. I found my classes through NGS Genealogy and through the local library’s resources. Still, there are so many educational offerings out there—from Ancestry.com tutorials to community-run groups online. Don't forget the freebies (FamilySearch and more). I think this is a fascinating way to honor one’s body-house ancestors by chronicling their stories! And with today’s amazing DNA advancements, there’s plenty to help you! I particularly like the mysteries and the interesting things I discover! Plus, I know my children appreciate my work, and they will use it long after I am gone.
Here’s hoping your early October has been sweet! I’m looking forward to carving pumpkins, warm apple cider, hayrides, and an amazing Samhain ritual! Did you miss out on one of my quilts? I'm working on another! How about you?
In Service!
Silver
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