Monthly Archives: October 2010

The Faeries’ Guide to Green Magick from the Garden – A Review

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Earlier this month, I was asked if I would like to review a newly published herbal on my blog.  “Sure” I said, “sounds like fun”.  Though I have to admit that part of me was apprehensive to spend my sparse free time looking through yet another herbal journal.  I have a gazillion of them at home already and most of them repeat the same basic herbal information.  Still, it sounded interesting so I thought I’d give it a whirl.

I’m happy to report that The Faeries’ Guide to Green Magic from the Garden by Jamie Wood and Lisa Steinke is a wonderful herbal journal that stole my heart from the get go.  Really, after receiving it, it was a few days before I actually read any of it.  The illustrations, done by Lisa Steinke, are so breathtaking that I had to take my time absorbing each of them before I could move on to the words.  Each of the 33 herbs in the book is represented by an image of a faerie that is absolutely captivating.  It’s hard to take your eyes off of them.  But if you move to the edges of the faerie figure you notice the images of the plant they represent.  You don’t really see it when you first look at the picture because your eyes are drawn to the faeire, but if you focus you see wonderful detail in each plant picture.  (And of course my faerie loving daughter needed to take her time devouring each picture before I could have the book back to read!)

I also really liked how this book was designed … each page adorned with flowing leaves or swirls.  This certainly isn’t necessary, but being a homeschooling mom who often doesn’t get out of my pajamas all day, it is nice to feel pampered when I’m reading a book.

Ok, so on to the words.  The beginning of the book does a brief but solid job of describing Green Gardening, Complementary Medicine, Faeries, and how they are interrelated.  I especially appreciated the mention of why Magick is spelled with a ‘k’ and what a faerie is.  I was not brought up with religion or taught much spirituality as a youngster, so believing in something I can’t see has been hard for me as an adult.  I thought the authors did a nice job at explaining faeries in a way that most people would be able to understand and not just see the image of Tinkerbell in their heads.

As I’ve mentioned, the majority of the book focuses on 33 herbs that can be easily grown in the house or garden.  Each herb description contains it’s scientific name, common names, and the parts used as well as a description of the plant.  I especially enjoyed reading about the energetics of the plant and the history.  (I love to hear how people in the past used plants, whether for physical medicine, spiritual use, or in cooking.)  There is also a recipe associated with each herb.  They range from edibles (Lavender Truffles!!) to cosmetics (Nettle Hair Tonic), to medicinal (Comfrey Salve), and spiritual (Cinnamon Protection Splash) recipes.

I’ve enjoyed this book.  It packs a lot of information into an enchanting design.  I think I’ll keep it in a prominent place among my herbals (if I can just get it back from my daughter).

(Note: I have not been paid for this review and have no association with the authors or the publisher.)

Squashes and Sweet Potatoes, Oh My!

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Well, the harvest is complete and most of the veggies have been canned or frozen for the winter.  The pantry looks pretty good and we have lots of soups to savor when it’s cold and bitter outside!  But, we also have many pounds of winter squash and sweet potatoes strewn about on the floor (we don’t have a basement or root cellar to store them in).  I’ve already canned up lots of squash soup and I have many gallons of puree in the freezer.  Unfortunately, I really don’t know what else to do with these veggies other than pies.  I’ve found a few yummy recipes on the internet that I’ve already tried, but I would love to hear some of your favorites!  Can you help me build my file of recipes?  Feel free to leave it in the comments, or if you post it on your blog, be sure to leave a link.

The Queen of the Night

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One day in the second grade, my music teacher played us some music by Mozart.  I remember thinking how lovely it was and fell under its spell as the notes traveled up and down the scale.  Then an aria came on that sent a shiver through my body and made the hair on my arms stand on end!  It was so powerful and strong that I wasn’t sure if I should jump out of my seat and start dancing, or flexing my muscles.  Mozart instantly became my favorite composer and I knew that, one day, I had to sing this song!

Years passed by and I could still hear the song in my head … the amazing high notes that sounded more like a flute than a woman … the wild anger in her voice.  Unfortunately, I’d never asked my music teacher what the name of the song was.

When I was about 12, I began voice lessons, hoping to sing opera one day.  I told my teacher about the song and that it was written by Mozart.  She immediately knew which one I meant.  She said “That is the Queen of the Night from The Magic Flute” and when she played it for me I was overcome by the same powerful emotions.  I was so excited to finally have a name to put to the song.

When I was about 16, I bought myself the CD of The Magic Flute (or Die Zauberflote – the opera is written in German) and listened to it over and over in the car, singing at the top of my lungs when I was by myself.  Def Leppard could kiss my butt!  I had Mozart!

I continued to sing through college, mostly in my car, some with choral groups, and very occasionally doing solos.  I had no desire to sing in front of people, I just wanted to sing.  Then, somehow, it just fell by the wayside.   It seemed like there was always someone in my car or in my house (room mates, husband, kids… it’s not easy to sing opera quietly, so I just sort of stopped).

But, this week, Kaia and I were offered free tickets to see the Asheville Lyric Opera put on a performance of  The Magic Flute and there was absolutely no way I was going to pass that up!!  We got seats front and center and had the most wonderful time!  The opera is actually much funnier than I’d realized.  Kaia loved the costumes, the set, and of course the princess.  For me, I held my breath for the moment I would hear the Queen of the Night, and she didn’t fail me.

So, I’m at it again.  I have the Magic Flute CD in my car and I plan a long ride by myself today so that I can start practicing!!!  One day, I will get up and sing it in front of an audience, even if it’s just an audience of two.  And YES, there will be make-up, costume, and one awesome crown!

So, for your listening pleasure, turn your volume on high and enjoy a little Queen!

(In this song, she is telling her daughter to kill the wise man, Sarastro, so that she can be queen of his domain.  She tells her daughter that she will be cast out and dead to her if she doesn’t do it.  Yes, she is a mean ol’ queen, but MAN, she can sing!!!)