Woodland Wanderings

Moving the Blog!

Hi!  A quick note to let you fellow woodland-wanderers know that I'm moving the Blog back over to Blogger.  It's free, and seems easy enough to navigate so far :)  Hope you can wander on over and say hi!

My Enchanted Woodland Blog

 

Magical New Inks and Listening to Your Inner Self ...

Terrific find at the flea market yesterday!  Mom and I will often head over to this market to see if there are any treasures lurking in the trash :)  It's total  chaos there, but always an experience for the senses!  I was thrilled to find this cool little pen and ink set lurking on the shelves just waiting for me!  The inks are vibrant and I'll have fun with them.  Six adorable little bottles and two lovely glass caligraphy pens for less than $3.00!  I've added them to my ink collection and hope they'll inspire some magic in my next creation!

And speaking of ink and studio creations, here is one of my newest angel affirmations.  How often do we push that voice away, not listen or trust that quiet voice inside? This collage was inspired by that "inner voice" to tune in to what your feelings are, to trust and love yourself! To ground and center-- LISTEN! She is currently available in my

Healing Angels Etsy Shop if you'd like to purchase her, or another one of my affirmation angels.

Thanks for your visit, looks like a rainy day here in my little woodland.  Hope to catch up on some routine house chores, do some reading and perhaps some time in the studio!

Another Exploration in Abandonment ... Drive-By-Shooting (photo shoot that is!)

Exploring another rural MD area this past weekend and came up this scary but magnificent find.  No idea what's going on with this house, but had to snap a few shots.  I'm known for this strange obsession with discovering old homes and abandoned places.  This one resulted in the loss of my favorite pair of sunglasses and some nasty scratches around the ankles when trecking out to photograph the old shed!  No, it's not Halloween yet, but had to post them anyway.

And this one is my favorite...

 

Long Time No Bees ....

Happy Summer all.  It's been quite awhile since I've posted anything, too long. I've noticed this happening with others as well, many of my favorite blogs have been quieter lately.  I suppose this is because our lives are full, and this is good.  I have not had much slow-down time, and work is not letting up, but this is good too.  It's good to be needed, and in this economy to even have a  job, and for this I am thankful.  My garden in ripe with growth (literally and figuratively :)  This is probably the best one yet!  Tomatoes, herbs, peppers, all doing well.  I did not have a bee hive this year, which is the only thing making me sad, and they would have loved this new garden design and would have been swooning over my lavender, thyme, and bergamot.  I miss them and will have to plan earlier next year for a new hive.  I'm planning a restful visit to the ocean soon, my book bag is packed and have promised myself some yoga time and daughter time while there.  Life is good.  Now time to check the garden and have some tea outside before it gets hotter!

This is "Bee Girl"

One of my latest ATC Creations

 

Plant Ponderings ... Rosa canina

The sweet scent of briar roses and honeysuckles remind me of being a young girl again, goofing off in the woods as often as I could during recess in elementary school.  I was always being reprimanded for straying too close to the woods during outdoor recess, never wanting to join in much on the organized games, a little woodland wanderer even back then!  One of the things I most loved about this old house we purchased now over 14 years ago is that my little forest here is full of huge old honeysuckles and what we call briar roses, or "brambly hedges."  The common name of this rose is the "Dog Rose" but that's hardly as endearing a name as Brambly Hedge!  And here a bit of interesting herbal facts about the Dog Rose:

Botanical Name: Rosa canina  Other Names: Wild Rose, Brier Rose, Dog Berry
Hardiness Zone: 5-8
Soil Requirements: Tolerates most soil types moist or well drained
Light Conditions: Full sun
Size at Maturity: Up to 10'
Propagation: Root division

History: Dog rose, a common wild rose, was thought of as useless by the Greeks, thus the name 'dog' (in this case used as a derogatory term) was attached to it. However, after a little research one may discover that the dog rose is tremendously beneficial.

Properties: Aromatic, vitamin C in hips; a diuretic, gentle laxative and an astringent.

Uses: The petals - cake decorating, tea,  rosewater, a mild rose honey, potpourri, natural incense, sachets, perfumes, and soaps.

The Leaves - tea
The fruit - jellies, syrups, tinctures

Description: A very hardy, thorny shrub with fragrant flowers ranging in color from white (as ours are) to pink to hot pink.

Harvesting Tips: Pick the petals when the plant buds or flowers to dry and use in potpourris. Pick the hips (seed pods) after the petals have fallen off (before they start to shrivel) and they have turned bright red in colour. Use them fresh or in jams or syrups, or dry them for use in teas.

Modest Glimpses of Spring ...

Spring is here!  Spring is here!  A few modest glimpses around my woodland.  To most, the appearance of dandelions and violets is hardly cause for a celebration... but here in my woodland the bees and I are giddy with anticipation of the abundance to follow.  My woods are plumping up, everything is green, buds are popping, bees are buzzing, my herbal allies are making their appearances.  Life is good!  I will take my tea outside this morning... and enjoy the lovely day!

Down in a green and shady bed,
A modest violet grew;
Its stalk was bent, it hung its head
As if to hide from view.
And yet it was a lovely flower,
Its colour bright and fair;
It might have graced a rosy bower,
Instead of hiding there.

Yet thus it was content to bloom,
In modest tints arrayed;
And there diffused a sweet perfume,
Within the silent shade.

Then let me to the valley go
This pretty flower to see;
That I may also learn to grow
In sweet humility.

Jane Taylor

Easter Blessings to All!

Joyous Easter Blessings to All and Happy Spring!

 

Beautiful Handmade Bag From OWOH!

I came home last week to the loveliest of surprises!  Well actually, I knew it was coming but it was still a lovely surprise!  I participated for the first time this year in OWOH and came upon  Martha Brown's most inspiring blog, and was lucky enough to win this gorgeous bag!  The picture here taken from her blog is gorgeous enough, but in person it's even better.  The combination of fabrics used are perfect for me and the colors just pop!  The bag has a kind of romantic boehmian vibe.. I love it and wi'll be using it often.  Also loved the handmade card that accompanied it!  THANKS to Martha for tracking me down and offering the most generous of items for OWOH.  I'll definitely be participating again next year!

 

Dreaming Time ... Spring is Coming

Things are finally starting to thaw... I can feel it!  I've reacted so far with a terrible bit of flu that knocked me out for a few days, but I did what I'm supposed to do.. lots of rest, liquids, and though I'm not entirely in the clear yet, I'm better than I was.  Overwhelmed to the point of exhaustion at work, I've decided that I'm going to step back a bit.  Slow the pace, breathe, focus, DREAM.

I've started my spring renewal already, clearing spaces at home, making new spaces, rediscovering my library, finishing up on some projects, dreaming up new ones.  I even cleared out a nook in my bedroom in front of a dormer window that makes the perfect "mini studio" area.  It's away from the rest of the house, and just enough room to set my little vintage desk, mount my inspiration boards, and some collages I've recently finished, and the desk space is just perfect for my laptop, or whatever I feel like working on.  It's cozy, private, and I can listen to music, light my candles and create to my heart's content here away from everything!  Best part is that the space used to be kind of a catch-all for junk that I've since either trashed, given away or gave new life... and now it's a functional, fun creative space for me!  I will post a picture later of my new nook!

My Angel of Hope collage from the OWOH give-away has found her new home!

Sue, thanks for taking the time to write me and post a blurb about her on your blog!  I got such a kick seeing her there in your gorgeous studio!  Sue has absolutely beautiful photos on her blog, and her beadwork is amazing!

Until next time... stay calm and keep dreaming!

 

 

 

One World One Heart Angel of Hope Winner Announced!

Wow.. it's already time to announce the winner of my One World One Heart give-away!  What a wild ride it's been too!  I managed to lose power a couple of times due to the 2010 Blizzard, develop some computer problems (still can't use my laptop or printer yet) and somehow got even more swamped with work demands.. but I'm still so glad I participated for the first time ever this year!

If I'd known how many of you would be dropping in, I'd have organized more than one give-away!  It's been so terrific "meeting" everyone and discovering so many inspirational blogs!  When things calm down for me a bit I will continue visiting and I hope you will do the same!  Thanks out to Lisa again for organizing this event, and getting the word out so I could find out about it!  I look forward to joining in again next year.

And now, on to the WINNER!  With the help of my angel guide, and the random number generator provided by Lisa I was able to choose the winner for my Angel of Hope collage piece.  And the winner is:

SUE from SC where I hear they even got some snow! :)

  You can visit Sue's blog here.

Congratulations  Sue, I'm so glad you stopped by Woodland Wanderings.  May this angel always be a gentle reminder that there is always hope!

Blessings to all!