I always find this time of year so challenging. I am continually torn between two of my greatest passions: sitting at my sewing machine creating pretty things and digging in the earth and helping pretty things to grow. All in all, I find this a pretty good problem to have.
I am blessed with two gifts that are valued and that keep me connected to Mother Earth.
Our large outdoor greenhouse did not survive the powerful winds that Lake Erie blew over our little piece of paradise this past winter. For now, I have an indoor greenhouse for starting all the little seedlings. I just love the smell of earth in my home while waiting for Gaia to fully awaken and ready herself for these little babies I have been taking care of. I love watching the seedlings grow every day for all of the promises they offer: the time outside with my girls nurturing the plants from fragile new growth to hearty fruit bearing plants; the beautiful healthy meals these plants will provide for my family; the medicine and healing they provide; the opportunity to take time to visit with friends and family to share our bounty; the opportunity to connect to our community to trade our bounty with others; the time in my kitchen with my husband preparing the fruits of Gaia and our labours to put by for the long cold winter months ahead; the opening of jars by the wood stove midwinter that taste of summer.
For all of those promises, my favourite crop to grow are tomatoes. There are so many beautiful hearty organic heirloom types to choose from. They are also my favourite to put by at the end of the season because they can be used in so many different ways throughout the winter. Tomatoes canned with fresh basil from the garden are almost good enough to eat all by themselves.
Even though it is time-consuming, I enjoy the meditative task of planning the garden for the year. To reduce disease and increase soil health, it is important to rotate crops, even in a home kitchen garden. I also take care to plan companion planting. This reduces my physical efforts through the growing season and ensures plants are helping each other by providing important nutrition, attracting good pollinators and keeping away harmful pests. In some instances, this planning can also ensure the right environmental conditions, such as larger leafy plants and providing shade for smaller, more delicate ones.
Once the outdoor greenhouse is back up, I look forward to escaping in there when the afternoons are still chilly outside, but bright, warm and fragrant with the smell of earth and growth inside. On days when nothing needs tending to and even on days when everything needs tending to all at once, I sometimes will just sit and bask with all of the lovely little leafy beings in the warmth the greenhouse has collected from the sun. I love it even more when it is rainy outside and I can run to the greenhouse stay warm and dry while working.
This all often makes it so difficult to force myself to sit inside at my sewing machine.
I feel so fortunate to have Wrapped in Wild as an excuse to take time for something that is so important to me, that I often lose connection to throughout the warmer months, to be able to make beautiful things for all you lovely souls and know my garden is waiting for me when I am finished.
Blooming with the flowers in the height of spring is our Beltane 2023 Collection!
Featuring our first Men's outfit, a Women's blouse and skirt and a Girl's peasant dress, this contemporary, yet comfortable collection has a timeless elegance. Made mostly of woven hemp, with the exception of the Women's blouse in our hemp stretch, all garments can be dyed in a mottled, solid, or ice dye effect in the colours of your choosing.
And if you order a Mumma & Me outfit by May 15, you will receive two special gifts for both Mumma & Little. Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful and beautiful Mummas out there!
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