The Herbarie at Stoney Hill Farm blog

Winter changes into Spring…….Redbud bursts into glorious bloom!  Redbud is native to our area and is one of my favorite trees.  After the flowers fade, the heart shaped leaves appear.  I’ve planted a Redbud tree in Sally’s Memory Garden.

Johnny Jump-Up (Viola tricolor) in Secret Garden.

Viola species or Heart’s Ease – beautiful native plant with medicinal value.  More heart shaped leaves…….these young, tender leaves are delicious in salads.  Medicinal teas can be made to ease sore throat and congestion.  Some sources report that Viola contains anti-cancer compounds.

Viola is a significant part of The Herbarie’s Rose Phytolate and is soothing to skin.

House Finch nesting – five eggs!   Last year her nest was built on a narrow porch ledge and sadly fell to the ground.   This year her nest is strongly built, safe and secure.  When I brushed Sally, I always left some of her soft fur throughout the gardens for the birds to use as nesting material.  Notice how her fur is woven throughout the nest.  Two days ago the baby birds hatched – very exciting!  The cycle of life is without end.

Phlox, Lavender, Rosemary and Thyme…….lots and lots of Thyme in my garden!  Thyme and lavender make an excellent tea for congestion, colds or flu.  These herbs smell so good and make a nice addition to dream pillows.  I made a dream pillow with Rose Petals and Lavender buds for my niece Emma.

Phlox and Kiwi vine make a sweet spot for resting.

Pond with water fall.  The sound and rhythm of the water is very soothing to the senses.

According to the wisdom of the I Ching – Water reaches its goal by flowing continually.  It fills up all the places through which it flows; it does not shrink from any dangerous spot nor from any plunge and nothing can make it lose its essential nature.  It remains true to itself under all conditions.

This beautiful Peace rose was first planted by my dear brother Jay almost 40 years ago when he was a boy.  After his death, I transplanted it from my mother’s home to the farm and it’s been here about 15 years.  I call this rose “Jay’s Rose” and it blooms for me every year on my birthday!  This year it was the first rose to bloom and is still blooming.  Every time I pass by I think of Jay.

Reve dOr – Dream of Gold – Noisette climber with fragrant, creamy gold blossoms.  This rose is only two years old, but in another year will cover this pergola.

Lady Banksia in all her glory!  With one of my favorite White Oaks in the background.  This is the view from my new processing room – so beautiful!

Crepescule is a Noisette climber that lives beside the office door that leads into our break room.  These beautifully colored blossoms remind me of sunrise – all shades of peach, apricot, creamy pink.  I gave Jean a bouquet to take home last week.

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Today is rainy and cold and reminds me of Winter even though the roses are beginning to bloom.   After years of drought, the rain started in December and hasn’t stopped.  The pond is abundantly full and over flowing.  The water is powerful and persistent and has found another path around the dam and even formed a new water fall flowing into the creek on the other side.  The creek is flowing continuously and confidently around and over the rocks and through the crevices forming new shapes and creating new life.

Best Wishes for a new path filled with abundant blessings……..Angie

I enjoy the quiet stillness and solitude of nature that come with this time of year.  From the Winter Solstice throughout January and now into February, the woods behind my house silently beckon to me.  The White Oak and Red Cedar share their strength and integrity.  The Willow teaches me how to bend.  All have their stories to tell.  So each morning I walk into the woods and listen. 

I walk down to the pond and along the creek.  The creek ran strong when we bought this land in 1996.  But over time, with less and less rainfall each year, by last summer the creek stopped flowing and the pond was bone dry.  Our long drought made it seem like it would never flow again.  I think now about how I decided to make the drought an opportunity to dig a deeper pond.  The new “pond” was a big empty hole for weeks and weeks.  I remember hoping and believing that by the following spring the pond would be full.  With no rain for weeks the outlook was bleak.  But in December it started to rain and by the end of January, the pond was full!  I didn’t have to wait for Spring!  Now the creek is running strong again, the pond is full and the water is flowing!  I’m grateful and filled with joy.

 Our southern Winter is usually mild and colored mostly with soft greys, mossy greens and browns. 

In the winter I love to lie on the ground under the trees.  I like to imagine myself part of the earth and feel myself part of the trees and the birds and the air. I like to think of the Root Children, resting underground. 

The bare branches and vibrant green of pine and cedar against blue sky gives me a new perspective on life.

Winter is a beautiful and magical time of year.  This is the perfect time for introspection, for going deep, for long intimate visits with the Root Children.  I enjoy spending time with my woodland friends.

 But Spring is just around the corner.  The daffodils have been blooming since early January. 

The hyacinths and yellow jessamine are also blooming.  Just yesterday I noticed the early trees are waking up to bud.  In the garden the daylilies, lemon balm, spearmint and other summer plants are pushing up through the soil.  I can imagine the Root Children are very busy preparing for the glorious Spring show.  I am thinking that I may not be quite ready for Spring.  I’d like for Winter to stay for a while longer.   But no, it’s all a cycle, always changing, always ebbing and flowing.  Life is like that.

In Memory of My Beloved Sally 

July 12, 2004 – October 12, 2012

 Sweet Sally – Spring 2005

Rose and Sally – Goats are Fun!

Sally and Angie – Summer 2006

Sally in Crimson Clover – 2009

Sally at Kim’s House – 2010

Sally, Amy, and Angie at Kim’s Soccer Game – 2010

June 2010 – Soft Tissue Sarcoma Diagnosis – Surgery.  Brave Sally During Radiation Treatment  – Jean gave her the dolly

Sally finished the 19 radiation treatments!  Sweet Sally kept smiling through it all.

Sally Loves the Snow! – 2011

Sally and Angie – June 2012 – Hemangiosarcoma Diagnosis

Guardian Sally at Work – June 2012

Sally and Angie – July 2012 – After Surgery

Sally Enjoying the Morning – July 2012

Sally – Life Smells Good! – July 2012

Sally on her way to work – August 2012

Sally loves to go to work!

Or it might be nice to relax in the garden for a while.

Sally Beside the Cottage Garden – August 2012

Smiling Sally – Beside Cottage Garden – August 2012

Guardian Sally Back at Work – September 2012

Sally Relaxing After Work – But Always Keeping Watch – September 2012

Guardian Sally – Keeping Watch at Stoney Hill Farm

Sally Under the Pecan Tree – Being In The Moment – Enjoying Life

September 2012

Sally Being Beautiful – September 2012

Sally and Cottage Cat – October 2012

October 10, 2012

 Beautiful Sweet Sally – Beloved Guardian Dog

Dear Friend and Companion

Strong Enough to Be Gentle

Thank you for the Lessons

Forever In My Heart

*******

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow

I am the diamond glint of snow

I am the sunlight on ripened grain

I am the autumn’s rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there – I did not die.

Author unknown

That’s what I am looking at right now and yes, it brings me great joy 🙂

 

 

And most importantly her sweet spirit is back!

Love and all good wishes,
Angie & Sally