December blessings, friends! 🌲🌧️
Today was a rainy, cold, misty day in this neck of the woods. After a hot cup of morning coffee with warming spices, I put my yellow raincoat on and shepherded the sheep out of their fence. Together, we walked up the hill, to the old stone wall that crests the hilltop. I sat on a mossy rock, light rain drizzling on my coat’s hood, and took a deep breath, full of cool air and pine scents. From here, the highest point on the hill, on a clear day, one can overlook the hilly landscape all the way to Spain, dotted with olive trees, various oaks, pines, strawberry trees. This morning, however, the mist covered most of it. It was like being in a cloud.
There I sat, in the company of my sheep, the trees, the rocks, the moss, the birds, the raindrops, and my thoughts. Later, the sheep and I walked along the crest, spotting mushrooms, deceased trees that will make it to next year’s woodstove kindling, and spontaneous native tree saplings needing protection. Walking in their company is a newfound pleasure. Sometimes, they go ahead, and sometimes, I do. Often, they come to me, nuzzling my pocket where they know I always carry some treats for them. Not bribes, they’re too smart for that — they’re gifts for their trust. Through the bushes and trees, and over rocks and moss, their company is steady and dependable. And I’m starting to think they enjoy my company back. They never roam too far from where I am and oftentimes lift their heads from whatever sheepie thing they’re doing, only to lock gazes and see if I’m still around, before going back to their business. Funny, curious, gentle creatures, these two are.
But as I sat down to write this evening, while the rain patters on the roof and fire crackles in the woodstove, as potatoes bake inside, sheep weren’t on top of my mind. Truly, I sat down thinking how long it’s been since I’ve shared ongoing projects and crafts that have been keeping me busy. And so, off I go to do just that...
Our mushroom harvests this year have been abundant! We harvest mostly parasols (Macrolepiota procera) and saffron milk caps (Lactarius deliciosus), which we dehydrate in the woodstove, with the temperature low and the door slightly open, and then store in jars to enjoy throughout the year. Doing so is a tradition already!
I knitted small things for small people, and my favorite was this tiny wrap cardigan for my dear friend Ana’s baby. For those of you who are curious, here's the pattern I used!
I knitted a little jumper for my daughter too. Yes, it’s purple. Yes, it’s got unicorns. Yes, she chose the pattern herself! I texted my friend
the pattern. “It’s so cringey”, I said. “Nothing cringey about a love for magical creatures”, she texted back. And, of course, she was right. I love it, and so does little J.What’s the pattern?, I hear you say. Yes, yes, I got you.
For the last two weeks, we had two volunteers over, and they really brought joy and warmth to our home during this cold season. We read together, cooked together, and did work on the Land. Mostly clearing for fire protection and tree planting, which is so crucial, but also —behold— beautiful things in the garden. New steps, who this? Thank you, Alex and Dan 🤎
This weekend, I planted our garlic for the summer harvest. We have a saying in portuguese that goes no Natal, bico de pardal, which could be roughly translated to english as by Christmas, a sparrow’s beak. It simply means that you should get your garlic down in the ground in time to have it peaking out by Christmas time. I do love me some folk lore when it comes to gardening planting times, and have plenty of those up my sleeve!
Last but not least, I’ve been packing books to send out, too! I can’t make promises, but if you order one within the next few days, you may just receive it in time for gifting to loved ones. You can order The Wild Craft from me or from an online store, so see what’s the closest and swiftest if you’d like to share it with friends and family this season!
Before I go, here are a few stray links I’ve been saving to share with you:
✨ Animals in the Room, from Emergence Magazine podcast. What would it be like to expand our democratic imagination to include and represent animal voices in the decisions that affect them? A beautiful and rich listen.
✨ How to Waste Time, from The Atlantic’s How to Keep Time podcast. I listened to this episode while knitting, and it was such lovely company.
✨ Composer Francis Bebey shows how to play a one-note bamboo flute. Having a conversation with the instrument, really. Thank you to
✨ Films for Palestine, a resource recently shared by Sister Spinster. It lists 41 films and documentaries about Palestine / centering the Palestinian experience, with links to stream them for free. I know what I’ll be watching these cold, long winter nights.
As I put my laptop down to sleep now, here’s a question for you, dear reader: what do you want to see more of from me as we move into the new year?
Most times, I just sit down and write whatever comes to mind, but I know structure can be helpful. It’s been a year since I’ve left social media and, while navigating what sharing in this slow way once again can be, I sometimes miss the ease of sharing just one or two photos with one simple caption. What do you think, is that acceptable for a newsletter?
If you have special requests (more recipes! More gardening posts! Crafts! House-building things!), whatever they are, feel free to share them in the comments or by emailing me back. I’d love to hear how my transmissions can bring more joy and inspiration into your inbox and your life! 💌