the maple in the yard

Maple trees are common and we almost don't even notice them.  In the early spring, sugar maples are tapped for their sweet sap, but otherwise their usefulness and beauty is pretty much taken for granted. Walking up the back steps after working in the yard today, I paused in the shade of the maple tree and thought back to other maples I've loved over the years.

Growing up, we lived in an old farm house with 2 giant maples in the front corners of the house and a third along the side.  They stood guard over the house with their leaves swaying sweetly in the summer breezes.  We didn't have air conditioning, but the deep shade offered by their dense growth made it bearable.  The trunks of those trees were immense and their canopy met over the top of the 3 story house.  In the side tree, my brothers built a tree house.  It was higher than the second floor bedroom windows.  Looking back, there was no adult supervision and the safety of this structure built by kids of around 12 was never checked out.  Boards nailed to the trunk were the ladder.  It was a little scary to be honest, but on the few occasions I found the nerve to climb those boards and rest in the middle of the tree were magical.  The swaying branches with the leaves singing gently in the moving air mesmerized me and allowed my mind to wander unfettered.  Those trees were as much a part of the house and our childhood as any wall, window, furnace or pipe.

Later, when my daughter was little, we lived in a house with a row of large maples between the yard and the road.  Many hours were spent watching the trees dancing in the wind, and she named them all "Maple-y."  We watched the moon sail between the upper branches, and thrilled in the spring to see them quickly go from bud to leaf.  Eventually there was a rope swing hanging from the largest tree, and she loved to play among the exposed roots and trunks on hot days when the shade welcomed her.

As soon as this house was built, a maple tree went in.  It now shades the kitchen and one side of the deck in the morning.  The branches tickle us as we go up the steps.  As each season passes, the tree trumpets its arrival, changing leaf color, dropping leaves, swelling buds, blooming, leafing out in the brightest of spring greens, and finally settling on a deep cool green before starting over again.  Each of those colors and seasons changes the whole feel of the house.  Spring green casts a cheery glow in the morning, and walking into the kitchen to make coffee just makes me happy - right off the bat, first thing in the morning.  The clear, mellow yellow of autumn does the same thing, but brings a certain coolness with it.

The shade in the middle of summer is a blessing that cannot be matched.  Even in the dead of winter, I can see where the buds will be swelling in a month or so, and am warmed at the thought.  Ice sometimes clings to the branches in a stunning display.  When a friend from the city visits, we find ourselves sitting beneath the branches in the grass, talking quietly. It is simply always beautiful.

So often with herbs, the question, "What is it used for?" comes up.  Before writing this, it crossed my mind to put together some medicinal or culinary uses, or maybe a craft using the whirling seed pods, but that would be overkill.  This tree is used for comfort, joy, beauty and as an anchor in time and space.
  It doesn't really need to be more than that.

Violet Leaf Experiment #1

 Disclaimer - I am so far from a scientist that my high school science teacher probably rolls around uncomfortably in his grave every time I even use the *word* scientist.  This is an interesting hobby, but no testing is done except with my senses.

A few days ago I decided that it would be interesting to try to distill violet leaf.  To the best of my knowledge, true violet FLOWER essential oil is non-existent.  You will possibly find people who sell it, but my guess is that they are either misinformed or dishonest.  The LEAF oil is available and is obtained through solvent extraction.  The leaf oil is soothing and relaxing, green and earthy at the same time.  It is often used in skin care products.  So even though I knew there would be no essential oil produced from a steam distillation, sometimes I get some pretty interesting hydrosols.  That would be pretty cool in a lotion, if it works...
Originally my thought was to wait until fall when the leaves would be more substantial, but I just couldn't wait.  Now it will be fun to do it again at that time and compare the results.  
As it turns out, in the spring it is almost as time-consuming to pick a basketful of leaves as it is to pick a basket full of blossoms.  The young leaves are still below the flowers, making the picking a little complicated.  It took a few hours to do, but it was such a gorgeous day that the time flew.  The best leaves were in the woods, along the path.

Getting set up, I packed the still with the leaves.

There is a full market basket of leaves crammed into that globe.

Usually it doesn't really get stuffed, but I wanted as much material in there as possible.  It was so tightly packed that after the water below started to boil, I started to ponder what would happen if the steam was unable to penetrate the leaves and gave the boiling flask a wide berth until it was clear that it could.
The first few tablespoons of hydrosol to be produced had an almost melon-y scent.  Very interesting and complex.  However, over the course of the next 45 minutes, the green bean scent that is typical of leaves with little or no essential oil became more pronounced.  Plantain, jewelweed, comfrey, chickweed - all produce a green bean type aroma.  In many cases, the hydrosol still has the property we're looking for, especially jewelweed and comfrey.
So the basketful of leaves eventually steams down to about 3 cups worth of green goo.  In less than an hour, the steam finds a direct channel through the goo and bubbles up through that one spot consistently.  It occurs to me that the distillation is finished, because it is pretty much just steam anymore - not passing through the material, but making a straight shot through it instead.

If you look just below the clamp and compare it to the picture above, you'll see the mesh plug protruding downward.

The heat is turned off and we have a couple of cups of the clear hydrosol.  The bean scent is prominent, but there is more... a very light floral, and something that makes me want to keep sniffing it from time to time.  If the bean fades, it might turn out to be pretty nice (but not holding my breath).

It was late, so I left the still to cool and went to bed.  This morning the goo had really settled in and was starting to ooze out of the bottom of the flask.  There's a mesh plug that is not a tight fit - but it never got pushed out before.  Fortunately the goo was pretty intertwined in the mesh...  Not my favorite before-breakfast activity, but it all worked out.
I'm very curious to see what happens in a few months with leaves that are not so tender, and also to see if the background fragrance will develop. 

Missing my little violet picker

When my daughter was little, she was always my companion and helper during violet season.  For a week or two each spring, on sunny afternoons we'd go down to the orchard with baskets and sit under the blossoming trees picking violets for drying, syrups and jelly.  During those hours, she and I would discuss all the burning questions of the day.  Why aren't there violets all year long?  Why does the dog always chase the rabbits and groundhogs?  Do bird mamas love their babies?  And so the days would pass.  Quickly.  Ever so quickly.
Eventually Aunt Susie taught her to see 4-leaf clovers, and that took her focus for a little while, but she was still around, talking and singing and chewing on a piece of onion grass.  We'd string rosebud necklaces as soon as that time came, and we'd walk along the creek and make discoveries as soon as it got warm (we usually waited until it was warm because bodies of water seem to have a magnetic pull on her - have water, will fall in).  I can sometimes convince people to do some of those things with me, but she was always game for everything.

  I used to tell her that she wasn't allowed to grow up and my mother would gasp and say, "Don't EVER say that!"  Mom had 5 of us and perhaps missed my point, having been pretty happy to have us grow up and get on with our lives.  It wasn't that she didn't adore the "little us's", it was just exhausting, I suppose.
I never knew that each stage of life - infancy, early childhood, kid-ness, young adulthood, and onward would all be like different people that I would come to miss.  That little kid is now a young lady who is a joy to be around, but I miss all of the others as if they were separate individuals.  Especially during violet season.
So now I sit in the yard and pick by myself.  She's off earning a living.  It doesn't make me sad so much as it gives me time to reflect on how perfect those days were and wonder if I appreciated them as fully as I should have.  It truly is the everyday occurrences that we most treasure later on.

Mamas -  stop a minute and take a mental picture of this day.  Write it down, savor it and know that the day will come that you will miss the little person who is in the process of growing up.  That's all.

The View from this Side of the Fence

Because of what I do for a living, more than half of my close friends are business owners.  Most likely they have no employees and pour their hearts and souls into their businesses.  We call our various businesses our "babies," and are often raising our kids at the same time, again often without help.
So when a friend wrote to me the other day hurt and angry that she was being slandered on a large plant/herb forum by (oddly enough) a brand new woman in business, my heart really went out to her. 
My friend is a wholesale supplier.  She accepts orders and then produces to fill those orders.
When those orders are cancelled, she scrambles to find another way to sell the items.

The complaint was about the cost of shipping.  She doesn't make a cent on it, and every year she agonizes over how to shave some of that cost off for the customer.  I'm not talking about her spending 15 minutes looking at websites.  She researches the various shipping companies, box measurements, the weight of boxes and every other minutiae one could possibly think of - while still ensuring that the product arrives in good shape.  Other than that, shipping is completely out of her control.

I won't name her business (nor that of the newbie complainer - Karma will take care of that), but can tell you that the order was not charged for several months while it was in production.  The shipping charge was clearly stated, yet ignored for all that time.  When the order was cancelled, a small restocking charge was levied (also clearly stated), causing newbie complainer to howl like a banshee. 

So the thing is, in all the years I've been in business (more than 20), there have been very few times when I've noticed people owning businesses who don't make huge sacrifices for their customers - even if the customer doesn't know it.  Occasionally there are greedy business owners, but they go for a lot more than a few dollars in excess shipping. 

Maybe she thought she could get my friend to pay her shipping, thinking she had her over a barrel.  Maybe she ran out of funds, changed her mind, or found a local supplier.  Either way, that wasn't the fault of the business she's complaining about any more than the cost of shipping is. 

Get to know your suppliers. Ask other people for recommendations If you feel like they're taking you for a ride, find someone else.  If you have a complaint, take it to them - not a public forum.   And if it is something that they have no control over, get a grip.
Stepping off soapbox.

The Woodland Cure

Being inside today means being in some way connected to the news of the manhunt in Boston.  Even several states away, it is surreal and it saturates everything with fear and the feeling that bad people are everywhere.  Enough!  Into the woods!
I happily snapped as I went along, but the pictures are in no particular order.  They are all taken between my backyard and the far edge of the property.  Come on.  It'll make you feel better.  It sure did help me!

A tiny barberry plant growing right next to a dead nettle.

Blackberry canes have arched across some parts of the path.  They are very prickly.

Missed the blooms of the Bloodroot, but the seedpods are ripening.

In a few square inches, we have the leaves of Bloodroot, Jewelweed, and Trout Lily. 

The creeksides are waking up and really getting gussied up.

Overnight (seriously!) the dandelions have burst into bloom.

Dutchman's Breeches.  We introduced these, and love to watch them spread.

False Solomon's Seal are one of the most prevalent plants on the forest floor.

Standing in the forsythia by the pond turned the world bright yellow for a few minutes.

I've not identified the ferns in the woods, but this frilly little lovely caught my eye.

Garlic Mustard is already in bloom.  If we could convince people to eat this as much as we eat lettuce, we'd never run out of it.  Very invasive, it is very aggressively moving across the floor of the woods.

These actually have a sweet pink blush, but my camera isn't picking up some colors lately.  I'll have to look these up.  The Spring Beauties that carpet the other hillside across the creek have petals that are more oval shaped and separate.

Although this doesn't look impressive, it made me let out a little "whoop" when I saw it.  Ramps are another introduced species here, and this singleton showed up nearly 10 feet from the nearest spreading clump.  Awesome!

Mayapple preparing to unfold.  The center bud will become a flower and the "shoulders" are 2 individual leaves.

This is the pathway between our homes - my sister and I.  It is lined with fruit trees and bayberry bushes.

The lush, gorgeous, full spreading clumps of ramps.

Also introduced, the blood-red trillium has made herself at home and is spreading very slowly.

One of the 2 introduced wild gingers, this one shiny leaved, the other fuzzy leaves and stems.  Both are doing well and stretching out, covering ground.

Introduced white trillium is even slower to reproduce than the reds.  Still, it does seem to be forming clumps rather than single stems in close proximity like the others.

Spicebushes are everywhere throughout the woods and are in full bloom right now.  They are what spring looks like in my mind's eye.  That color, caught in the sunlight is the essence of spring.

Just in the past few years the trout lilies have found their way to the near side of the creek.  This is a nice clump right off the main path.  I appreciate their cooperation in helping me avoid falling in the water.  Maybe they can have a word with the red Trillium, the Dutchman's Breeches, and all the Spring Beauties.

We have also introduced Solomon's Seal (although we've recently found huge plants near one of the bamboo patches).  It started with one stem, and I counted 6 this morning.  The uppermost of these plants is a false Solomon's Seal.

All along the path, violets carpet my footsteps.

A nice clump of white Trillium.  It makes me so happy to see them getting comfortable here.

Yellow is a nearly impossible color to pick up for some reason.  It washes out for me, but there are tons of bright yellow violets all along the woodland floor, along with various shades of blue and purple violets.

Greater Celandine is just starting to bloom, and I was thrilled to see that 2 out of 3 of the Pawpaws we planted last year were not eaten, and have leaves.  Didn't see a single Jack in the Pulpit up yet, which seems odd, especially that they have been plentiful in years past.
I still think we need to put some VA bluebells in there, and we've got some native foxgloves ready to go in along the edges of the woods.  I have no doubt that an herb festival or visit to a garden center will bring other natives into reach, and we'll add them.  A third attempt at wintergreen is not excessive in my opinion, especially because we'd really like to have it handy.

There.  Doesn't it feel like you can breathe a little more deeply now?

Spring is Bustin' Out

All last week we were hustling around getting the writer/advertiser/wholesale copies of the magazine packed to ship, mini-magazines off to conferences and shops, An Elder Gathering picked up from the printer in time for the herb festival on Friday and Saturday that we were also busy packing for, and trying to straighten up the digs for a visit starting Sunday from a very sweet house-guest.  It was a little bonkers around here, and the whole time there was that tick-tocking of the earth waking up.  We passed drifts of dutchman's breeches on the way to the festival, and splashes of spring green on the tips of trees.  Spring bulbs blazed from every front yard and baby farm animals pranced and kicked up their heels everywhere we went.  I was dying to get outside so in spite of the light rain today, I had to at least check the yard.  Everything has changed in a week and a half.

The field to the one side of the house has very few trees and the ground is scattered with jewels.  Dead nettle, dandelions, speedwell, violets, shepherd's purse, and mustards are just some of the blooms adding to the colors on the ground.

The black raspberries that we transplanted a few weeks ago are sending out leaves.

Yellow mustard will soon turn vast swatches of fields a brilliant yellow.  Often these patches are beside large patches of red dead nettle, turning the countryside into a patchwork quilt of beautiful colors.

All of the blueberry bushes are happy.  Several of them are blooming while a few others won't bloom for a few more weeks.  There is something so beautiful about these plants.  They mesmerize me.

The currants are already in bloom too.  The fruit trees (cherry, persimmon, elderberry) are still concentrating on leaves, but the bush berries are going like gangbusters.

These dandelion buds are amazing in that they are a bit bigger than a penny.  Looking around, they are all like that!  Must be something about the weather, or perhaps the difference between last spring and this one.  Whatever, they're huge.

Gooseberries with leaves full of rainwater.  They surprise me every year with the pure vibrancy they bring to the garden.

These simple unassuming maple flowers are such a bright spot in the yard!  You can barely see a leaf preparing to unfurl.  There is about a 2 week period each spring when the morning light is filtered through tender leaves that are such a perfect spring green.  It makes the kitchen feel magical, as if the air itself were full of springtime.  I love this tree.

One of the mustards.  Black, perhaps?  It is very sturdy and the leaves quite pungent in a salad.

Shepherd's purse has suddenly appeared everywhere.  The path between my gardens and the fields are full of it.  Lots of work to do, but in the meantime, this is beautiful too.

Pausing to look down over the back field, the white splashes are fruit trees lining the path down to the soap workshop.  Seriously, if I ever complain about my life, smack me.

This little tulip is very special.  Molly brought me a box of bulbs back from her trip to Amsterdam to participate in the Model United Nations with several of her schoolmates.  It's been 4 years, and this is the first bloom.  Her achievement in being on that team made me so proud, and the tulips will always glow and remind me each spring.

Violets have been steadily marching across the yard, and I've been happily allowing it.  There is very little grass in our yard.

When the violet flowers are finished, I intend to distill the leaves and see what we get.  We all know that violet FLOWER essential oil is found only in amulets worn by unicorns during the full moon, but violet LEAF essential oil is beautiful and I suspect that the hydrosol would be great for aging skin.  We'll see.  It seems like it would be best when the plant is finished concentrating on blooms to harvest leaves for this purpose.

There were many, many other lovely things that caught my eye.  Even the buzzards playing in the updrafts looks joyful! 
Tomorrow it should be dry enough to go into the woods and see what is happening there, and soon we'll take a trip to Shenk's Ferry to visit the unbelievable drifts of spring wildflowers.

The Essential Herbal May/June '13 Issue

The May/June issue of The Essential Herbal Magazine went into the mail last week, and should be hitting subscriber mailboxes shortly.  On the 20th, our ezine subscribers will receive a link to this issue too.  If you're not getting this magazine and you're interested in herbs, you just might be missing out on exactly what you've been looking for!  Over the last 12 years, our grassroots effort has consistently provided information in a down to earth way that our readers tell us they love.  In fact, most of our content comes from our readers!  Only $24 for 6 issues a year, either print or on-line.

Here's what we have for you in the new issue!

Field Notes, Tina Sams, editor
Exciting news going on here in the office!

Planting a Healing Garden, Marcia Lautanen Raleigh
A healing garden plan using 12 herbs

Herbal Preparation Primer, Tina Sams
Quick overview on how to make the most often discussed herbal preparations.

Making Your Own Garden Journal, Marnie Plunkett
Marnie wanted the perfect journal, so she made it herself!

Ethical Wildcrafting, Stephany Hoffelt
The details of wildcrafting that leaves no damage.

Favorite Herbal Remedies, Part 1, Compilation
We were going to do a book, but you get the recipes we gathered here in article form instead

The Noble Mullein, Sandy Michelsen
Ear oil, and lots of storage, harvesting, and uses of this wondrous weed.

Project:  Community Medicine Garden, Suzan T Scholl
Gather your neighbors and begin this great project that could eventually include plants for all sorts of purposes, including food.  Start with Medicine.

How to Gather Wild Herbs with Intention, Heddy Johannesen
Being very present and in the moment while gathering wild plants

Baked Oatmeal, Tina Sams
A very popular breakfast food in our area, easy to make, delicious, and very nourishing.

Monarda - It's About Time! Jackie Johnson
The "Notable Native" for 2013 is Monarda, and Jackie shares some great knowledge.

Ode to Calendula & Castile Soap, Marci Tsohonis
Great information on all aspects of calendula, and then as if that weren't enough, Marci walks us through castile soap using calendula.

Provence in the Pacific Northwest, Jacquie Beveridge
The Pacific Northwest is giving Provence a run for their money, with hills covered with lavender.

Potager-Your Go-to Garden, Rita Richardson
Start a Potager, and always be ready to prepare a delicious soup (or potager).

Plant-based Medicine, Joe Smulevitz
We often talk about how many medicines are derived from herbs, and Joe talks about a great many of them.

Sweet Summer Herbs, Catherine Love
Herbs grow when many other things won't if the weather is uncooperative.  They are such beautiful, delicious, delightful plants!

Wild Greens, Where to Start, Tina Sams
You want to eat the weeds, but the recipes out there are almost too complex.  Start simple with some of these ideas, and gradually become familiar with them.