Lazy Lady Living: Permaculture Design Course

Do you dream of being a farmer, of living simply, and in tune with the rhythms of the earth?

You want to get connected to your food, it’s production, preparation and its sharing. You dream of village harmony, rhythm and connection without being in denial, pretending there are no problems, or trying to be nice when you really don’t see eye to eye with your neighbor. You crave traditional wisdom and simple living. You want the real thing: shared goat herding and milking, backyard eggs and poultry, community and connection, shared meals and an end to the isolation of parenting – for REAL.

Check out MamaMuse's Lady Lazy Living Permaculture Design Online Course.

It includes 16 lessons, assignments, readings,  & videos. 

I love the simplicity yet great wisdom found within this course.  I highly recommend it. 

You can be a Farmer too!

Even if you’re a rank beginner, a depressed veteran looking for fresh inspiration, or an overwhelmed mama just trying to hold it together, Lazy-Lady Living will help you get some perspective and make a realistic and inspirational plan. My family has been urban farming and immersing ourselves in traditional foods for over 6 years and this course includes the philosophy behind it all. We have specifically designed Lazy-Lady Living to take the stress and overwhelm out of farming. That’s the Lazy part. We strive to do as little work as is possible for the greatest benefit and that is what the course is about, making your life simpler, easier, lazier. That is the essence of the Permaculture Design Course – at least ours.

Visit MamaMuse!

MamaMuse: When you need support on the Mother's Journey

Interested in permaculture, (un)midwifery studies, and/or trauma & grief? How about seasonal celebration, story telling and/or DIY folklore foods?  These interconnected issues are woven together at MamaMuse in an accessible and supportive way.  I've been spending time studying with Krista and highly recommed her articles and classes.  She's located in Portland, OR but you can access much of her work virtually. 

How MamaMuse can help you find, live, and mother from your instinctual, Soft Animal, self:

If you want less overwhelm as a mother, you’re in the right place.

If you long for a rest from other people’s ideals or opinions, then you’re in the right place.

If you want to resolve your worries and regrets, you’re definitely in the right place.

If you long for traditional wisdom, connection, family, and community, then welcome.

Please visit her website and dig in:

Click Here: MamaMuse

Kurent: A Journal of Permaculture for Children

"Fireweed" contributor and friend Roman recently 

released the first issue of...

KURENT:

A Journal of Permaculture for Children, 

Parents, and Educators

In his own words "This journal is an attempt to provide a regular publication of practical and theoretical information to both youth and adults. It will reflect the needs of the larger permaculture community so feedback, critique, and suggestions are encouraged. Furthermore, I hope to established a connection with the reader and give them a sense of involvement, so I would appreciate any submissions or contributions – especially from children."

Highly recommended!  There are excellent articles on games & activities for parents and educators to try with kids.  Roman also reviews a big selection of some of my all time favorite books!  And in the second half there is a word search, jokes, activities and projects such as learning to build a lean-to-shelter.  

Please support this project and check out Kurent at:

kurentjournal@hotmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/KurentAJournalOfPermacultureForChildren

I am very thankful to Roman for helping to get "Fireweed" started years ago.  I imagine this journal connecting people and acting as a valuable resource for years to come!

Lovely Linden

The time is almost upon us when Linden tree flowers will be ready to harvest.  I had my first taste of locally collected Linden flowers several years ago from herbalist Linda Conroy and there was no going back to commercially dried ones!  Linden trees are often planted in parks and in yards and are recognizable by their slightly uneven heart shaped leaves.  In the woods they are often growing in a tight group clump with a bigger mama tree and many smaller babies. Tilia americana seems to be the most common species that grows in this area but to be honest I haven’t keyed them out.  Any Tilia with a fragrant bloom work for me!

Linden is also referred to as Basswood or Lime tree.  In the early spring the fresh new leaves are a delicious wild edible.  The flower usually appears near midsummer but watch the blossoms carefully, as the season is short.  It is recommended to harvest when the flowers just begin to open and look pale yellow without browning.  They can be dried on screens or preserved as a tincture. 

Linden flowers are sweet tasting and perfect for relieving nervous, stressed out energy and anxiety.  The flowers are also slightly mucilaginous which I imagine soothes frayed nerves.  They are gentle yet effective, wonderful for children and useful as a hot tea for fevers and colds.  I love this tree so much; I gave my son the middle name of Linden.

 

If you are lucky to be near a flowering Linden on a warm summer day you may find yourself humming along with the bees collecting this amazing gift.

Books for Young Ones

Fellow Midwestern herbalist, Jim McDonald, created a dandy list of herbal books for kids. What are your favorites?

Check it out here:
http://www.herbcraft.org/kids

Register for the Midwest Women's Herbal Conference!

The early bird registration deadline is quickly approaching for the 1st Annual Midwest Women's Herbal Conference. If you register after April 15th the price will increase by $50. If you plan to attend...register soon! The conference will be held June 29th-July 1st, 2012 in Willard, WI.

For more information:

http://midwestwomensherbal.com/

You can listen to a free replay of a teleseminar chat between the conferences two special guests, Susun Weed and Isla Burgess here:

http://www.wisewomantradition.com/wisewomanweb/2012/03/fireside-chat-isla-susun.html

1st Annual...

Midwest Women's Herbal Conference

June 29th-July 1st, 2012

The Christine Center near Willard WI

Special guests: Isla Burgess & Susun Weed

I'll be teaching a class called: "WombWise: Health in the Childbearing Year"

Plus workshops with a wise spectrum of earth based speakers & herbalists. Kids Herbal Camp with Kristine Brown and music with Magic Mama!

Registration is now open!

http://midwestwomensherbal.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Midwest-Womens-Herbal-Conference/316233141755866