Once there was a boy ,while carving his pumpkin, saved the seeds to plant the next spring. His mother, knowing that this was a "store-bought" pumpkin, shared with him that the seeds would not grow and produce pumpkins for next year because of seed engineering.
"Seed Engineering? A seed won't grow?" he questioned. How does one engineer a seed to not grow?
And that's when the mother told him the story of Monsanto and their quest to rule and own our food source by deciding what seeds would grow, who could grow them, and how they engineer seeds to only produce vegetables for one year so that we would have to buy seeds every year.
"You mean like a monopoly for gardens and farms?" he asked his mother.
"Yes exactly."
The boy doubting that such a thing could even exist, carefully guarded his seeds until the next spring, when he threw all of them by the bird bath, stating that "If all of these seeds grow it will look like mars. We'll have more pumpkins then we'll know what to do with."
And just like the mother had warned, nothing grew. Nothing sprouted, not in two weeks, not in three weeks, not even after a month. Finally on the fifth week a plant started to grow. It became a big strong vine and had many blossoms.
Over the summer the blossoms faded away and no pumpkins appeared. The boy couldn't believe that someone or anyone for that matter would want to intentionally make a seed not grow. His mother noticed how disappointed he was when he spoke of it.
One day, the boy happened to pick up the vine and there he saw it, one orange and small pie pumpkin.
Rushing for his camera he took a picture of it. "This is our sacred pumpkin! It has refused to be modified or engineered in anyway. Let's save the seeds from this pumpkin so that we have a source of seeds for next year."
Though the boy continues to take care of his pumpkin, his mother suspects that the growing seed is a fluke of nature or engineering. The mother is visiting her organic garden daily and sharing seed saving knowledge with her son so that they will have seeds for next year.
(Today's photos are from the press kit of Queen of the Sun.)
Recently I had the great occasion to see the most inspiring of movies, Queen of the Sun. We so often hear how our world is in peril and well just plain doomed. The solution is always the same, that we must change the way we are doing things.
Last year, while I was in Sweden, I got to observe first hand the life of a beekeeper. It absolutely fascinated me. I had been afraid of bees all of my life because of that whole stinging thing. Being a gardener, I know how important the bee is but I just acknowledged them and kept my distance.
Donning a bee-suit and going in to a hive of drones, I lost my fear and was introduced into the most spectacular world of bees.
During the movie, one of the featured beekeepers was saying that the bees choose the beekeeper. By the end of this movie, I was hoping that the bees would one day choose me.
It was also so heartwarming to see an "old-friend" so to speak. Rudolf Steiner has been a force in my life as of late and once again not only does he deal with the whole person through their seasons of living but the whole earth as well.
(From Queen of the Sun)
In 1923, Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian scientist, philosopher & social innovator, predicted that in 80 to 100 years honeybees would collapse. Now, beekeepers around the United States and around the worldare reporting an incredible loss of honeybees, a phenomenon deemed “Colony Collapse Disorder.” This “pandemic” isindicatedby bees disappearing in mass numbers from their hives with no clear single explanation. The queen is there, honey is there, but the bees are gone.
For the first time, in an alarming inquiry into the insights behind Steiner’s prediction QUEEN OF THE SUN: What Are the Bees Telling Us? investigates the long-term causes behind the dire global bee crisis through the eyes of biodynamic beekeepers, commercial beekeepers, scientists and philosophers. QUEEN OF THE SUN features world renowned biodynamic beekeeper Gunther Hauk, New York Times bestselling-author Michael Pollan, Indian Activist Vandana Shiva, and a compelling cast of characters from around the world. Together they take us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and into the mysterious world of the beehive. The film unveils 10,000 years of beekeeping, illuminating the deep link between humans and bees and how that historic and sacred relationship has been lost due to highly mechanized industrial practices. Beekeeper Gunther Hauk calls the crisis, “More important even than predictor of gloom. The film weaves the ‘beauty with the beast’: landscapes and beescapes contrast chillingly with the harshness of the Monsanto-dominated global agriculture. The expertise of the scientists and philosophers is clear as they present their cases in an easy-to-digest, unfolding manner, complemented by artful animation and clear compelling imagery.
The characters in Queen of The Sun share a common belief that solutions to the bee crisis lie in a renewal of agriculture and beekeeping that supports the needs of the bee and therefore supports the planet. While their solutions are simple and practical, they are not easy. Queen of The Sun demonstrates their immense efforts to rebuild a community in balance with nature.
Queen of The Sun presents a compassionate inquiry into the struggle of commercial beekeepers who, when faced with skyrocketing demand and staggering losses, do their best with the methods they were taught, often unaware that their standard practices are seriously flawed. For example, artificially bred bees are malnourished on a diet of high-fructose corn-syrup, are confined in plastic hives and are transported thousands of miles, bombarded by exhaust fumes, only to be over-worked in crops soaked in pesticides. A stunning revelation- that to manufacture a single non-organic cotton tee shirt, one third of a pound of pesticide is used- underscores the sheer volume of toxic chemicals commonly being applied to crops. Because of these conditions, the exhausted and weakened pollinators become easy prey for mites, climate change, environmental radiation, viruses, air and water pollution, and the challenging effects of genetically modified crops.
Media amplifies alarm about the worldwide collapse of bee colonies and scientists hunt for a silver bullet cure. In the meantime, bee advocates strive to renew a culture that takes its cues from the hive. They have wisely recognized that the bees, themselves, are our guides and they have looked to the bees’ example of collaboration and community as the model for their own actions. Einstein was right: it is impossible to change any problem by using the same tools that created it. With that in mind, Queen of The Sun highlights non-traditional approaches that do much to create positive global change.
The world is at an opportune moment to see the film. The current possibility for positive change and the universal commitment to saving our planet’s future are linked. Queen of The Sun mirrors the hopefulness of this time of volatile transformation and reassessment. The optimistic response of those who saw The Real Dirt on Farmer John leads us to believe that people are ready to confront the decline of the honeybee population and its dire consequences and to embrace the changes illuminated in the film. It is the positive and hope-laden message of Queen of The Sun that opens its viewers’ minds to the real possibility of a sustainable, healthy and verdant future.
This movie isn't to be missed. I was mesmerized throughout the entire film. Here's a short inspiring clip.
I think by now you've figured out that everything is in full bloom around here. Between the smell of the honeysuckle and all of my roses blooming, the fragrance around the house is almost unbearable......in a good sort of way.
My zephrine rose which smells like raspberries is flourishing and so before the bugs get to it I thought I would pull a few blossoms off and make some rose jam.
Carefully we cut the roses.
Carefully we pull the petals off the rosehip.
Measure out 6 cups of rose petals.
Soak them in water for about an hour.
Pick up a handful of rose petals and squeeze the water out of them.
Bruise and squeeze the petals well.
After you've brusied one handful of petals, place it in the tray and sprinkle a little sugar so that each petal is touched by sugar. Keep repeating this process until all the petals have been brusied and sugared. They can be in the same tray. Cover and refridgerate over night. Save the remaining sugar for the following day.
Place the remaining sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan. dissolve contents over a low heat. Stir the rose petals into the mixture and allow to simmer 20 minutes.
Bring to a boil and continue to boil for about 15 minutes until the mixture thickens. If you have a candy or jam thermometer, cook and stir until the jam reaches 221F or 105 C. Remove from heat and stir in one box of pectin. Place in a steril and warm jar.
Rose Jam Recipe
6 cups red, pink, or white rose petals.
2 cups of sugar
4 1/2 cups of water
juice of 2 lemons
one box of pectin
* Very important tip. Do not use roses which you have sprayed with insecticide. Your roses should smell very fragrant and be chemical free.
There I was on Earth Day wishfully planting my sunflower forest. By the time I woke up on Saturday my garden was in full color and the sun was shining brightly.
From the smallest of herbs, my thyme......
to the Irises my father planted 10 years ago.
The garden is alive and well. I spent a little time under my fig tree, shading myself in all the glory of Spring. Hope you enjoyed your weekend and any celebrating you may have done.
In the fields surrounding Avonlea farm bees take their treasures back to their hives to make the liquid gold we call honey.
Though I love honey and buy many organic jars of the beautiful stuff, I had never really thought about a bee's life and how needed they are.
Luella prepares to smoke the hives to calm the bees.
Once the bees are calmed, they start looking to see how much honey there is and if it's ready to be harvested.
With the bees still on the comb, Pavo decides it's time to shake them loose and put this one away to harvest the honey.
Once back at the barn, Luella combs off the wax so she can extract the honey. She leaves just enough wax on the comb for the bees to store more food for winter and have enough warmth from the wax to survive the long cold dark winters of Sweden.
This one is ready for the extractor.
A honey extractor.
A bucket at the bottom of the extractor catches the honey.
All in an afternoon's work.
The only time I really think of bees is when I'm working in the garden. Their buzzing signals a welcome sign of a healthy garden. I deliberately plant flowering plants and trees which attract the bees. Though I've heard occasionally that the earth's bee population is dwindling due to " cell phone" usuage, I hadn't given it much thought other than this urban myth.
Over the weekend I picked up the "Friday, What's Happening in the Area" paper with the cover story "What's Killing Our Bees?" Once inside I was informed that since 2005, 35% of Tennessee bees have been dying. Luckily for us here in Tennessee we have a research lab at U.T. who are trying to figure out why bee colony collapse is happening. It isn't just Tennessee but it has been happening throughout the United States and heavily hit in California. On the global level it is becoming so extreme that China is now hand pollinating it's fruit trees. Though there are many speculations as to what could be killing the bees, the fingers are pointing at fertilization of crops and a european bee disease called foulbrood. Here's the bottom line....without bees, we will not have food.
Ok, I know this is pretty gloomy talk for a Monday but I promise to turn this around. While in Sweden this summer I had my very first occasion to see how honey was made. In Sweden the problem isn't bee collapse but a shortage of beekeepers. Sweden has offered to pay for the education of anyone who would like to keep bees so that the tradition remains living and well. Luella has been raising bees for two seasons now and was happy to let me watch. It was a fascinating experience and immediately created a connection with honey and the bees that I hadn't had previously.
Being totally mesmerized by the "Bee World", I understand that our survival is truly based on their survival.
By purchasing local organic vegetables, fruit, and honey we are helping to sustain their world. This is a very simple step I realize but I've just begun researching this issue and I know that in the space of a little blog post I have definately over simplified things. I want to know more. If any of you have any information on how to restore the bee population or great bee websites please let me know in the comment section. Bee Happy and have a great day.
Today is the day,... the new edition of Rhythm of the Home is out today. This issue is completely incredible. It is chalked full of creative moments to have and share with your families. About a week before the new edition comes out I start getting just plain giddy. It is a completely magical moment of discovering what other blogging friends have contributed and what their view of a created life looks like. Once again, I've had the great occasion to contribute to this edition as well. Writing for Rhythm of the Home is just as powerful as discovering the treasures in the new issue. The process always starts out the same and then inspiration takes over and the chosen idea takes on a life of it's own. The kids and I make a big list of all the potential things we would like to share with our reading friends. Slowly, we cut the list down to just three choices and from this, the project becomes an article in Rhythm of the Home.
Once we know what we are writing about, many happy moments are collected and shared as we prepare for the photo shoot. In just a short time, writing for ROTH has become a family celebration of capturing the moments that completey inspire our lives and imaginations here in the hills of The Smoky Mountains.
In this edition we share one of the most amazing evenings we've ever had, and that's the one we shared with a bunch of fairies weaving an invisible cloak. At the end of it all they left us with a gift for us to share with all of you. Please come and join us as we have some fairy fun of our very own.
Bernadette,Heather, and Julia have brought these projects, recipes, and thoughtful moments to life via their creative eyes and heartfelt intentions. To them, I give much thanks.
Please join us in reading and celebrating the third edition of Rhythm of the Home. May your summer days be filled with much joy, crafting, and creative living. Oh I almost forgot.....Rhythm of the Home Blog is having a huge giveaway. Good luck.
It's Saturday. Crystal clear blue beautiful sky. A melodic voice singing with a guitar. The smell of freshly roasted coffee. Yes, it's clearly spring because it's time for the Farmer's Market!!!!!
Nothing is better than speaking with a friend over gorgeous tomatoes.
Why are these people waiting in line?
It's the bread line. There are now a couple of bakers at the farmer's market. It use to sell out 10 minutes after opening. Now it takes a little longer but I love fresh bread. I came home with bread and bagels.
It's also good to see all of the vendors again. Winter was very long this year and I really missed everybody. A new friend is Jenny, here with her lovely daughter.
In our attempts to reduce our footprint we have been trying to eat local. It got very hard towards the end of winter. There wasn't a lot of variety. It was so good to see the berries,vegetables, and plants all coming back to the farmer's market. The average fruit travels 1200 miles. By eating local, we can definitely feel the earth's bounty via the seasons, cut down our energy footprint by not consuming petrol, and providing a source of income for our local farmer's. What's growing locally in your area now?
Sweetie Pie Cans
In our efforts to recycle and reuse, I was greatly inspired by Jenny's idea to put her garden cuttings in tin cans to transport them. There is nothing better than sharing my blooming garden with friends but what to put it in? I came home and dug a few cans out of the recycling bins and made some clippings to take to some friends. I transported them in a crate and they were greatly received.
Greetings dear friends. After the last two weeks of not sitting down for a moment, I've decided to take the rest of the week off. I will be back on Monday and I look forward to getting caught up on all of my blog reading. Until then I'm leaving you in my blooming garden where I am sitting and taking a little respose. Be Well ~
Yesterday morning at 5:30 a.m., I was catapulted out of my deep sleep by something which sounded like an explosion. The explosion was so forceful that my house was shaking. As I was quickly moving out of my slumber, the first thought that came to mind was "The Volcano's Erupting.!!!!" Just before bed, little "O" and I had been speaking about the volcano in Iceland, which lead to me sharing about the Mount St. Helen's eruption of 1980.
No it wasn't that but I quickly realized that it was an earthquake. As I went to each child's room, everyone was sitting up in bed with wide-eyes. I, then saw lights coming on in every house around us and neighbors were clamoring to their front porches to confirm that "yes, we felt and heard that too". It was the talk of the town yesterday. So much so that I couldn't get to this space. No one was hurt, no damage was reported.The epicenter was a mile from our house.
Today, I'm finding my way to this space, but only for a moment because there are breaks in the clouds and my little garden is calling me. I'll be back tomorrow with the Fox Diaries. Have a great day everyone.
Saturday we woke up to light sprinkles and some colder weather than we've been having all week. As I sat knitting, little "O" asked, "Would you like some tea?"
"That would be very nice. Thanks "O".
Never having made tea before, I didn't press him further, I just let him go into the kitchen himself and if he needed help he knew where I was at.
A few moments later, a bevy of questions were coming from the galley. "Do you put the tea leaves in the pot? " Do you add the honey to the pot of tea or to the cup? Why do you use a strainer? Do I have to use a strainer? Do you put the tea in when the waters boiling or when it's heating up? Do I have to use tea or can some of your plants be used as tea?
After all of these questions I had to ask,"Are you ok buddy? Need any help?" "The only leaves you can use from outside are the mint leaves because they are the only ones you know." "Need any help?" I asked again.
"Nope Mom , I got it."
A few minutes after that, I was invited on the screen porch. Waiting for me there was two small lit candles,two cups of mint tea, and a boy who was very proud of himself for taking care of me. Thanks little man for my great cup of tea.
