oooh, the beauty i've seen!

Spring has brought us so much beauty already. Every day, as I walk with wonder down dirt roads, or skirt the edge of yellow rapeseed fields, my love for this country grows deeper. This morning I took a thin path through silver birch trees bursting with green, and as I looked up at the lacey network of branches, a group of crows took off from a tree top...it was so quiet that I could hear their wings flapping....and bits of leaf-scales drifted down on shafts of sunlight. I had to stand still for a very long time, just to be able to wrap my heart around that moment. Even now, as I sit typing this with the window open, the birdsong is so loud, the trees are so green, and the sky is so blue...and I feel the woods calling to me.
You were with me in my thoughts as I took today's morning walk, and I snapped photographs so I could share the beauty with you.

To get to the woods, I walk past the farmer's field, which is full of blossoming rapeseed now. Gold, stretching out to a horizon of blue. To the left you see the wooded hillside where I am headed...I have a bottle of water with me, and a bag for collecting wild herbs...and I have Kiki, too, of course.

I enter the woods, which is made up mainly of silver birch trees, all wearing their green spring dresses now, nodding on the breeze, towering up to the sky. The forest has a secretive quality to it. The shade and the rustling of the wind in the leaves enclose you, and the open fields are a sunny contrast.

Kiki and I stop to listen. I am listening to the birds while she listens for anything suspicious. 

We discovered this lovely patch of woodruff, my favorite herb (learn more about it by clicking on it's botanical picture, gallium oderatum, on the sidebar). It's called Waldmeister in german, which translates to Forest Lord or Forest Master. I collect some every morning, and dry it overnight to use the next day in lemonade and appleade. 

Above is another favorite herb of mine, Sanicle . So little is written about it nowadays, though it was once used by witches and herbalists for many healing potions and salves. It's not all too common here, and I always celebrate seeing it. I like knowing where to find Sanicle...you know...in case I need it for an emergency magical potion. 

I also love finding hunter's look-outs. I always consider climbing up and taking in the sights, but then I get scared and leave it be. I don't know how long they have been there...or how well the nails will hold. So I just take a picture. 

My whole being is soaking up the green. Trees move differently now that they have their leaves again. They are magestic, and sway, and nod. There are so many roads and pathways here in Gablitz. It would take a lifetime to know them all by heart. 


Stepping out of the woods into the bright sunlight and heading back home, I passed the rapeseed field again and took notice of all those dandelions.

And I knew: it's time to make this year's Dandelion Honey. 


I really hope that my internet connection is here to stay now. It's been frustrating to not be able to communicate with you all. I'm so happy to be back, and am knocking on wood that I'm back permanently now!


I hope the sun is shining, wherever you are...


xoxo country girl