It’s been good weather for gardening this year - plenty of sun and warmth, with rain now and then to keep the plants happy. The nasturtiums are plump and lovely (last year they were anaemic and absolutely pitiful); I have calendula everywhere, and new poppies opening every day. The peas are almost finished, the gooseberries are done, and there are still more black currants on the plants than I will be able to harvest or use. The raspberries are beautiful red jewels, the first sunflower opened yesterday, and the beans need to be picked. The chickpea experiment continues - I planted dried chickpeas from the grocery store, and ate the first green one a few days ago - it was delicious! The first honey has been harvested, and it is spectacular. (And magical - quite literally summer in a jar!) I wish there were enough time and energy to both do all of the garden work and document it all throughout the season. I post quite a bit on my Instagram - @grahamsherrie, and mostly in my Stories, so you can take a peek over there for more.
It’s Lughnasadh! (Also known as Lammas, or Lunasa.) It’s the first of the harvest festivals in the wheel of the year, and I’m celebrating today by making two things: lemon balm tincture (from The Wheel of the Year, an absolutely gorgeous book intended for kids but which I adore), and a rosemary crusty bread - this recipe, but with a few tablespoons of dried, chopped rosemary from the garden. The festivals in the wheel of the year feel so good and right and aligned with everything I see and experience throughout the seasons - it brings me a lot of joy and delight each time one rolls around. (Heh heh, see what I did there?)
There was a shift in the light yesterday, and it brought notes of September to the morning. I dreamed of being back in schools last night. I love all of the seasons, and I certainly love having summers off, but fall is my absolute favourite. I’m already thinking ahead to a fall party - think apples, a campfire, lots of cinnamon, mums, pumpkins and squash - cozy sweaters and a cool breeze - the thought of that is very welcome on this extremely muggy day. But I’ll hold that thought for another month or so, and appreciate what August brings my way. I hope that it brings you all good things - rest, warmth, and abundance.