Elderberry Tincture

Elderberry Tincture Tis’ the season for Elderberries here in New England. The lacy flowers have fallen, meaning the small green berries that form are starting to plump up and turn dark blue to black. The flowers are the reproductive organs and therefore will turn to fruit when pollinated. Elder, to me, marks the change of…

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Sage Honey – Sore Throat Remedy

Sage Salvia officinalis Common sage, what a remarkable plant. Its true healing properties have been captured in its name, Salvia. Salvia derives from the Latin salvere, meaning “to feel well and healthy, health, heal.” Sage herbal actions include: anti-bacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, sore throat, excessive sweating, infections, type 2 diabetes, toothache, sore muscles, hot…

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Buchujeon – Garlic Chive Pancakes

Buchujeon Garlic Chive Pancakes A few days ago, while strolling through my yard, I noticed one of my onion chive plants flowering again. Instead of the puffy purple flowers that sway in the breeze in early summer there were white star-like flowers! I quickly realized I was growing garlic chives and didn’t know it! As…

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Elderberry Breakfast Syrup & Crepes

Elderberry Breakfast Syrup & Crepes Crepes were the first dish I made as a child. Years ago, my Latvian grandmother taught me to make them the plain ol’ simple way – flour, eggs, milk. Through the years I have made them for my family, Fathers Day for my dad, and now for my children. Crepes…

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Wild Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)

Wild Black Cherry Prunus serotina Have you ever wondered why most cough syrups are cherry flavored? The taste of course would be one reason, but in fact cherry has an affinity for treating coughs. The wild cherry bark, and fruit were commonly used for medicinal purposes to treat coughs, diarrhea, digestive complaints, red rashes, and…

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Garden Lawn

Garden Lawn by Lois & Jay What got you started? Jay and I decided to start converting our yard into different gardens, because grass was annoying to maintain. Sure, it looks nice but we soon realized after buying our house, that we were not suited for that kind of maintenance. We care less about how…

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Three Sisters Garden

Three Sisters Garden by Lauren Ritz When you only have 2.87 acres to grow and raise your food, you start to see the lawn as precious garden space and less as a lawn full of pretty green grass. If I am going to water something daily, I need to be eating it! Corn, beans and…

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White Bean Hummus Stuffed Flowers

White Bean Hummus Stuffed Flowers (Vegan & Gluten Free) Here’s a little story about The Three Sisters The Three Sisters are the three main agricultural crops in various Native American groups in North America: winter squash, maize (corn), and climbing beans. These lovely sisters are inter-planted with one another because they thrive in each others…

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Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

Black Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa The name, Chokeberry, might suggest you should leave this plant alone but in fact there’s no need! I happily stumbled upon this plump little berry in mid August and glad I did. The dark purple, almost black clusters of fruit hang on a stout deciduous shrub. Showy white flowers bloom in…

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Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)

Indian Pipe Monotropa uniflora While taking a stroll in the rich dense woods of New Hampshire we came across several clusters of these pale plants. Their appearance and story of survival are so unique I felt compelled to share. First, Indian Pipe also known as Ghost Pipe, is indeed a plant and not a fungus….

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