Hidden Treasure

I felt it was necessary to dedicate a separate post to one of the items I found in my blue tub of paperwork. Perhaps it was with good reason that I hadn't recycled the whole lot 4 months ago... because I found this:

This is a photo I took back in high school when I was in a photography class. Terrible processing aside, this photo is really something special. There is so much story here, so much depth and it would all have been lost had I just thrown everything into a recycling bin. The photo was tucked away in one of the binders, hidden between papers. I would have never known it was there had I not embarked on my paper making endeavors. 


This photo was taken in my grandparents's old home, the one I spent a lot of my childhood in. It was a very special house to me and all my cousins. In that closet on the right... that's where all our toys were- Lincoln Logs, Cowboys and Indians, farm animals and fences... we spent hours on that living room floor building our little homesteads and protecting them from enemies. The baseball game on the TV, grandpa in his chair, grandma in the kitchen or reading a book. Such incredible times, such amazing opportunities. So many memories.


From left to right, you can see in the photo: My aunt Janet, my grandmother's (Claire Mae) back, my cousin Jennifer, and my great grandmother (Millie Mae).


There are two sets of mothers and two sets of daughters in this photo: Janet is Jennifer's mother. Millie is Claire's. And both mother's have passed away in the last 8 years or so. 


In this photo my aunt is sitting in a wheel chair and her head is shaved. She had cancer and passed away some Christmases ago. 


In this photo, my great grandmother is sitting in her chair, watching her daughter walk into the kitchen. She passed away two Christmases ago, just after her 90th birthday. I wish I would have had more time with her. I had so much to learn.


This photo truly is a treasure and I am so thankful that I took the time to find it. Oddly, it came with an extra- two photos, same exposure. Maybe I will send one to my grandparents. I think they'd like it.


Searching for Treasures,
~Birdie

Making Paper from...well... Paper.

11 years worth of school work... oh what treasures might be hiding inside!?

There has been a project weighing on my mind for quite some time now... let's not discuss for how long because I am sure it has been floating around, lost in the abyss, since before Christmas...


Moving on. 


I had recently found a medium sized RubberMaid tub in my closet that was about 150 lbs and filled to the brim with binders, spiral notebooks, and homework from the last 11 years of school. Don't ask me why I kept it all, I just did. I have no explanation. Looking back I think, "Why did I keep 8th grade homework for so long? Why did I keep it at all? What was I thinking lugging this around to three different states, to 10 different homes?" I don't know. I can't explain it. Anyway.... I went through all the paper and binders and books and pulled the important pieces out. 

Awards from high school newspaper. Yeah... I rock.

Ughhh... floppy disks? Oh dear.

Note to self: Must find computer that reads floppies.

Articles I had written for the high school news paper. Poetry for a creative writing class. Track stats from freshman year... etc. I put all that aside for a scrap book and wrote the rest off to be recycled at a later date...apparently a much later date as it is 4 months later and TAH-DAH!!!! It's still here in our house. Progress is great. Then I started a class at SWIHA. A class called Optimum Health and Sustainability, instructed by Urban Farmer: Greg Peterson. And what I learned (among many many other things) was that while recycling is a great idea compared to just tossing everything in the garbage, it was still awfully wasteful. You see, there are these two other pieces to that loop we all learned about in elementary school. Reduce and Reuse. *Lightbulb* It all makes sense, really. Reduce your consumption of materials by reusing a lot of what we already have. Glass pasta sauce jars can be used to store food instead of plastic tupperware and instead of tossing or recycling them. Worn out clothes can be turned into rags for around the house. And so on. 


The class requires, as an assignment, to come up with a plan for sustainability. A plan of action, if you will. Now, as it stands, I already feel like Beau and I do a pretty good job at being as environmentally friendly as we can... we shop at farmer's markets and buy organic. We have stopped buying chemical cleaners, we have a garden that grows some seasonal veggies for us, we recycle more than we throw away, etc. But then there was this little blue tub of a monster in our bedroom, just sitting there saying "Do something with me for crying out loud!!!" And so I did.


I decided it was time to finally tackle that tub of paper, binders, and spiral notebooks once and for all. (Side note, I'm a freaking crazy person!) What I ended up doing for my assignment was make new paper out of my old papers. Not only am I reducing my consumption by creating new paper, I am also reusing the old paper I had saved up for 11 years thus minimizing what ended up in recycling or the trash. Not only that, but I decided I would put some seeds in the paper too so that once it was done being used it could be planted, biodegrade naturally and quickly, and grow beautiful herbs, flowers, or vegetables. Now we have come full circle.... and I think it is awesome. 

Here is how I did it and what you will need to do to try it out:

Project One: Creating the Paper Mold

• Purchase a few 8x11in frames from good will (look, reusing again!)
• Purchase a roll of fiberglass or metal window screen.
• Purchase or find an 8x11in piece of hard plastic that fits in the frame.
• Cut out a piece of screen the size of the frame and staple it to the frame.

Homemade frames (see note at the end.)
Before the screens.

After the screens.

Project Two: Making the Paper

Step One.

• Collect your paper. Be sure to avoid Magazine and newspaper print. Use minimal amounts, or none at all.

Step Two...it's oddly cleansing.... shredding early college notes.

I now have a rubbermaid tub full of shredded paper...
and I only shredded about 100 pieces. Oy.

• Shred the paper into strips or about 1x1 inch pieces of paper.

Paper soup.

• Take a few handfuls of paper and soak them in water over night.

Margaritas anyone?

Mmmmmm slop.

• Take about a cup of the soaked paper and place into a blender. Add about 3 cups of WARM water to the blender. Blend until you reach an oatmeal-like consistency. (Note: Batch will be very liquidy. That's a good thing.) Place blended mixture into a large container. Repeat process until all soaked paper is gone.

• Dip the frame (without the plastic) into the mixture of oatmeal-like paper and sift just above the surface of the water as if you were panning for gold.  (Note: This will spread the wet paper mixture evenly over the screen of the frame)

Spreading it out, time to strain it.

• Lift the frame out of the water and place the plastic piece on top of the paper mixture in the frame. (Add seeds at this point if you plan on doing so. You can also add dried herbs or pressed flowers/leaves if you would like.) Begin to press on the plastic to push the water out of the paper and through the screen.

• Once the paper mixture begins to separate from the screen you should be able to lift (gently) the "paper" out of the frame and place it on a table to dry. Pat with a sponge to soak up any access water if necessary. Repeat this process until complete.

Finished product... a light blue. Pretty. :)

• Let pieces of paper dry for 24 hours each side. Place each piece between two towels and iron on "warm" to help straighten the pieces out. 

Viola! You have recycled paper! Enjoy!

Please note- my photos are a little different than the instructions because I am enacting the "Do as I say, not as I do" rule. I chose to bite off more than I could chew this first time around and made frames from scratch that were 3x3ft and used one screened frame on top of the other to push the water out. It worked well, but took a few attempts to get it right. Overall, I'm pretty stoked about how it all turned out. 

Here are some additional photos from the experiment: 

All my binders ready for donation or recycle or upcycle/reuse...
not sure what to do with them just yet.

My "stapled" pile.... um... I hate staples. Officially.

The tiny pile destined for recycling.

Best of luck in your paper making adventures,

~Birdie

Mimi Kamp

Gnarly, right? Such a cool Saguaro.

We had a field trip on Thursday (3/10/2011) in my Western Herbalism- Herbal Flowers class. Before I go any further, I just have to say, without any doubt, my school is the coolest, most amazing educational facility on this Earth. There, I said it. I dare you to dispute me on this. 

White Tanks Recreational Park

My field trip led us to the White Tanks Mountain Reserve in West Phoenix where we took a nature walk with a woman who looked as if she was a part of the desert herself. With a delicate voice, weathered by years of life in the wild, she explained to us that collecting flower essences were more than just a walk in a park, but a deep rooted connection to the Earth and her creatures. Mimi spoke to us about positive intention and allowing nature to guide you to your answers. She wanted, more than anything, for us all to slow down in our daily lives and listen to what Mother Earth has to tell us. And, man, did She have a lot to say that day. Once our small lecture was over with Mimi we were encouraged to clear our minds and hearts and set out into the park with a set intent. 

My class field trips rock.

After centering myself, calming my mind and opening my heart, I allowed my intention to be "I to meet a plant who wants to play with me..." I didn't know what this would look like and I wasn't meant to. I simply started walking. I took off my sunglasses so that I could see through my real eyes, and I began to look around. I kept walking, away from most of my classmates (as we all had scattered throughout the thick of the desert off the beaten path), I passed a woman on a beautiful horse coming down the path, and a thought entered my mind... "I want shade." It was pretty warm that morning and we all had just stood in the sun for about an hour and a half, so shade really was a good idea. I began searching for shade and when I glanced left I found something worth investigating, hoping the tree gave out enough leaves to block some of the sun. 

Flowers making an essence.

I walked down a small hill, through a wash, up an incline, and came to a low tree (Foothill Palo Verde) surrounded by Buckhorn Cholla, Fiddlesticks, Blue Phacelia and white flowers, and a few other cactus specimens.  There was a nice flat rock nearby that acted as a perfect seat in the shade, so I sat down and began to look around closer. I felt drawn to the purpler, white, and yellow flowers, all scattered around me, but unassuming unless you were looking for them to be there. I decided to ask the flowers if they would allow me to use some of them to create a flower essence. They agreed and I picked a few, gently, and placed them in my small mason jar of water that Mimi had provided earlier. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to be still for a little while, listening to the birds and the bugs, the wind and the leaves. When I felt the time was right I opened my eyes and began taking notes on the things I was observing around the flowers and what feelings I was getting from them. These are my notes:

In the grass, if you look closely, you can see the tiny white flowers.

• Tiny purple (periwinkle in color), orange/yellow, white flowers
• White flowers cover the ground wherever there is open space.
• Orange and purple stay nearby areas where they will receive shade.
• Purple is so curious. Seems out of place, color sticks out. Don't notice it until you look closer at the other flowers.
• Orange is "furry" and bright. Eye catching. "Look at me!"
• Purple's leaves are round and gentle, soft, lobes.
• Orange's leaves are straight, to the point, furry.
• Orange's buds are grouped on a thick stem. 
• Purple's buds are singular, thick stem.
• White is more grass-like, blends in with grass, tiny, thin stem.
• White: Fearless, stubborn, grounding. Invisible unless sought after. Quiet. Delicate. Independent. (Short)
• Orange: Hello! Vibrant energy. "Look at me!" Inviting. Sweet. Friendship (Tall)
• Purple: Shy. Lots of leaves, spreads, few flowers. Subdued color. Shimmery petals. Blooms around orange. (Leans)

Purple with the Yellow.

Ugh. Please excuse the blur.
There was nothing I could do to get it to focus... that's how tiny they were.

Fiddleneck. No really, that's its name. Wonderful flower.
Please note the awesome blue spider to the right.
I had no idea he was spending the afternoon with me.
(Thankfully).

My summary of these flowers was that they grew together and went well together. Each held a personality trait like that of an individual in a group of friends. For that reason I felt most certain that these three flowers, combined in an essence, would be great for helping in the encouragement of friendships.

Thee White Tanks, perhaps?

After meditating and taking photos, I sealed up my jar and walked back to the group. We debriefed for a little while, shared our experiences, and then thanked the desert for allowing us to explore it. A quick drive home and I was ready for a shower, a nap, and a second class later that day.

Teddy bear Cholla. What do you think of when you see these beauties?
What words come to mind?

This experience was moving and peaceful. My feet are most definitely wet - I'm ready for my next adventure and hike around the desert. I wonder what else I will find.

Isn't her radiance beautiful?!

Flower Power,
~Birdie

The Power of Flower Essences

Snapdragons from last year's garden.

Flower Essences are highly medicinal and all too often over-looked. There is so much life in a plant that they are dying to share with us all, waiting for us to return to our natural roots of medicine and rekindle that loving relationship between (wo)man and plant. A Flower Essence is quite special and so very very simple. The flower is by far the most expressive part of a plant. It says: "Look at me! I'm here!" or it might say "Go away!" or "Please, be gentle." When we take the bud and leaves of a plant and place them in pure, clean water a transference begins to happen. By placing that glass bowl of water and buds into the sunlight the sun helps to magnify that transfer by warming the petals and pushing that flower/plant's energy into the water. In short, we are collecting the energy of the plant in the water. This energy and (natural) chemicals are what make the water capable of healing. Need proof that there is a some form of transferring happening? Take a sip of the water- can you taste the flavor? Rose Water is often made this way- very refreshing, yummy, and medicinal. It is quite similar to making sun tea with dried herbs.


Perhaps the best way to explain what they are is to explain how to make one yourself. (It is SO easy and such a wonderful experience.)


There are many schools of thought on how to make a flower essence. Some practice strict guidelines while others are more willie-nillie about it. My advice: do what feels right to you. That is one of the most amazing parts of creating and using Flower Essences. They are created by you, with your intentions, with your heart, and with your needs in mind. For the tutorial below I will focus on the more relaxed version as this is how I intend to gather my own essences. You can choose the plants in your back yard, at the park, or out in the "wild." Wild flowers and plants are likely to give you cleaner energy as they are further away from most pollutants such as pesticides, herbicides, and carbon monoxide. 

Supplies:

• 4-16 oz. Mason Jar with lid and ring (Makes for a great travel container)
• Clean water - fill jar with water ahead of time.
• Notepad and pen/pencil
• Extras- always, ALWAYS use precautions when out in the sun- bring lots of water, a snack, a hat, and guard yourself from over exposure to the sun. Vitamin D is wonderful for you, but too much can make you sick. 
• 80-100 proof Vodka (can remain at home for the second part of essence collecting)
• 8-32 oz. glass jar (You will need it to be double the size of your water jar)
• Glass dropper
• Amber bottles to put your essence into

Some supplies. Don't forget the big hat!

The Process:

When you arrive at the location in which you will be searching for your plant of interest take a moment to pause and clear your thoughts. Take a few deep breaths and close your eyes. Listen to what is going on around you; the birds, crickets, flies, water, and wind. What do you smell? Breathe in deep and concentrate. What do you want to find today? What are you looking for? Set your intention for the day.


Our intentions can range from the specific to the all encompassing. Connect with your inner self and begin your conversation: "Today, world, I need to heal my heart." or "Show me what I need most." It can truly be anything. There is no wrong way to do this. All that is asked is that you allow yourself to be in this moment. Own the journey you are about to embark on. Take your time and embrace your environment. 


Begin walking. Keep your eyes sharp, but also pay attention to your inner-energy. Are you being pulled in one way or another? Is something encouraging you to take the left fork instead of the right? Where are the animals leading you? It is known that, visually, we will be most attracted to the flowers we need. Once you have found that plant or flower that has caught your attention, go to it. Explore it for a moment and take a few more deep breaths. Try to align yourself with the plant and begin your conversation with it. Ask it "What would you like to share with me today?" Now, like most, you likely won't get a clear "Hello there, I am made for curing the whooping cough and other ancient illnesses." BUT if you sit near the plant and start to explore yourself, the answer to your question will come to you. So take a seat and enjoy being in the presence of your plant.


Once you feel you have connected with your plant friend (this can be however long it takes, 2 minutes... 20 minutes? Only you know when you are ready.) Open your jar and place it at the base of the plant or nearby, so long as it is in full sun. Ask the plant if you can take some of it's flower buds or leaves. (Very rarely will you get a "No.") Remove only as much as you feel you will need. Some use only a few buds, others will fill the surface of the water. Again, it is up to you. Place the buds in the water and let the water charge in the sunlight for however long you feel is necessary. (45 minutes is usually a good minimum). 


While letting your water charge, meditate with the plant you are using for a while. What words would you use to describe this plant/flower? Friendly, protective, stubborn, playful, whimsical, dominant, shy.... the list goes on forever. Write these words down. Be sure to record how you are feeling mentally, emotionally, and physically while working with the plant/flower. Take note of how the plant interacts with its neighbors. Who are its neighbors? What animals or insects are mingling with the plant/flower? 


Your descriptions are a crucial part to this process because they will ultimately tell you what this plant is for. When you feel it is complete and you are ready to go, be sure to thank the plant/flower for sharing with you and offer it some water (other than from the essence) as a sign of gratitude. Take the plant parts out of your essence jar and put the lid on it. Return home.


*For those who are looking for a more precise and exact method of Flower Essence harvesting, pay attention to the phases of the moon- new moon, full moon, eclipse, etc. Let the flowers set in the water of a glass bowl and charge in the sun (or moonlight) for 2-4 hours, under the plant, on the soil that surrounds the plant. Let the energy of the Earth help you charge the water with the essence of the flower.*

In process Flower Essence charging.

Preserving:

• Pour the flower essence water into a jar double its size (ex: 4 oz jar into an 8 oz jar, etc.)
• Add in the vodka to fill the remaining space of the jar (ex: add 4 oz to the 8 oz jar)
• (You could also use Brandy and vegetable glycerin, but I don't recommend it as Brandy has a very strong, distinct taste- to me at least. Yuck!)
• This initial mixture is called your Mother Essence. This is your stock jar that you will make your essences from for this particular plant. It will last you many years. (How cool is that?)

Dilutions and Dosages:

• Mother Essence: 50% Water (+Flower Essence) + 50 % Vodka in jar.
• Practitioner's Bottle: 7 drops of Mother Essence + 50% Water + 50% Vodka in 1 oz amber bottle
• Dosage Bottle: 7 drops of Practitioner's Bottle + 25% Alcohol + 75% Water in a 1 oz. amber bottle
• Take 5 drops from this bottle 5 times daily.
• This dosage will last about 3 weeks.
• If not 5 drops 5 times daily, try 25 drops in your morning tea/coffee or your water bottle.
• Important: 
• Store in a cool, dark place. 
• Label your Mother Essence, Practitioner's Bottle, and your Dosage Bottle.
• It is safe to use only the Mother Essence if you are looking for a little more bang-for-your-buck.

Most people need at least 21 days to make a shift internally, although it can occur sooner. If you begin to feel an aversion to the mixture this is your body telling you that you don't need it anymore. 

Benefits:

• Will not counter-indicate pharmaceuticals, blood pressure, psych meds, etc.
• Will bring you back to your natural balance.
• Won't make you feel something you are not (unlike the Rx Drugs)
• Babies LOVE Flower Essences and this can be very calming for them
• First 6 months - 5 drops in your hand and gently rub on the crown of baby's head.
• After 6 months - can be taken internally
• Works with pets - calming, healing, energizing - it all depends. Can be taken internally
• Plants benefit from them too! Put in a spray bottle with water and watch your plants grow faster!
• And, of course, the Medicinal properties for us humans. They heal the mental and emotional as well as the physical!

Some Desert Marigolds.

Additional Tips:

• Don't leave in the car or in the sun after creation. It will fry the essence.
• Psych meds may delay the break through, but it will happen.
• It's great to combine flowers together while charging, be sure to label them appropriately.
• Driving down the highway in the middle of nowhere and a flower/plant/bush catches your eye!? 
• Pull over, hop out, and collect an essence. Don't have time to sit around and connect with the plant beyond a few minutes? 
• Thank it gently, give your offering, and take your jar (with the flowers still in it) to the car- make a "Dashboard Essence" 
• Try to capture the plant's essence when it is at the peak of its bloom.
• If the plant blooms at night, allow the plant to charge in the moonlight instead of the daylight.
• If the bud can be bent at the stem, gently, and held in place in the water, do that instead of picking the buds- why take from the plant what we don't need to?

Great Resources:

• Organic Alchemist: Katie Hess of Lotus Wei - explore her website and take the flower quiz found on the homepage. She provides you with a journal that you can download to monitor your emotional health; as well as some of her products. Also partnering with Katie is Lisa Reinhardt of Wei of Chocolate (Delicious organic dark chocolate infused with flower essences!)
• Rhonda PallasDowney - founder of Living Flower Essence and author of numerous books about Flower Essences and their powers. Rhonda has a lifetime of experience working in harmony with the Earth. She loves to share her stories and help others begin their own journeys. Rhonda uses Brandy to preserve her essences which she takes straight from the Mother Essence. Perhaps most importantly, Rhonda connects our Chakras with plants that best embrace them. 
• Mimi Kamp - I participated in a nature walk and flower essence workshop with Mimi and was so glad that I did. As much as it was informative, it was also spiritual. We, as a class, bonded with nature and collected flower essences (blog to follow). Among her many talents, she also provides her own essences that she has collected and created. Mimi favors the desert and works closely with cacti and other desert plants. Never underestimate the greatness of a cactus - they, too, have so much to offer us! She can be contacted at: jumi@theriver.com.

Blessings in Your Journey,

~Birdie