GardenMama

.:Raspberry Jewels ~ A Gift Of Summer:.

 

.: We enjoyed creating raspberry lemonade at the close of our time gathering fresh berries! :.

Each new season always manages to convince me  that it's my favorite.  Happily this Summer is no different. I am amazed daily by the sweet gifts Summer offers to us through the garden and through her wild natural splendor. 

As the sun begins to fade and the air cools, we take a walk to where raspberry-colored jewels reveal themselves to us and we feast on these treasured treats as if we are little bears foraging in the wild!

Today with baskets in hand we picked some newly-plump berries that later refreshed us in lemonade!

.: The youngest one with raspberry stained lips and hands :.

Whether its gathering strawberries, blueberries, and now raspberries, my little one savors each bite.  As you can see with his berry-stained lips and fingertips, he is enjoying many that will never see the inside of his gathering basket! 

.: Three small sets of hands gathering raspberries together on this summer's day! :.

I appreciate process.  Today the process was enjoying a natural treasure hunt! Three small sets of hands excitedly gather up these fairy-sized treats! "Oh, look over here I found so many!" Excitement fills the air as these little ones focus on pushing aside green leaves to reveal these tender berries that will settle into gathering baskets and bellies!

.: Seeking and gathering the fullest raspberry jewels! :.

As we harvest together time slows just a bit. We work together to fill each basket, realizing that many hands working together brings this enjoyable task closer to completion.

 Later we will sit in the green grass to enjoy the fruits of our labors and decide what else these delicious berries will accompany while we create in the kitchen!

 

.: Many raspberries sharing themselves and many more hiding behind lush green leaves!:.

Each little raspberry proves more sweet than the last! I appreciate sitting back for moments to take in each child's careful attention, anticipation, and excitement over each new berry that is discovered.

The precious conversations that ensue over the greenery of the raspberry bushes are so beautiful.

I dream of my children remembering these summer days with their siblings far into the future.

.: Will this one make it into my gathering basket? :.

.: Each berry falls effortlessly into each hand  :.

As I place additional raspberries into each child's basket, I can clearly see there is more than enough to go around for sampling as well as for berry laden cereal in the morning. 

 My hopes for these berries are to include them into a special recipe for raspberry infused lemonade!
 

.: While the children enjoyed gathering berries, I enjoyed gathering wildflowers! :.

.: Our hands created bowls for these raspberries while we ate them in the grass! :.

We give thanks for these treasures and enjoy a rich feast as our hands are full with the freshness of summer! Each raspberry holds the energy of the sun and rain and of the wildflower fields surrounding it.

.: A refreshing drink of raspberry lemonade sits happily in front of a freshly gathered bouquet! :.

After the harvest we chilled some glasses and looked forward to the natural flavors of Raspberry lemonade with a sprig of garden mint. Process never tasted so good!

{To create your own Raspberry Lemonade!}

.:  Pour one cup of fresh lemon juice into a pitcher. Stir in 3/4 of a cup of honey until dissolved.  

.:  Using a spoon, mash 1 cup fresh raspberries into a small bowl. Press this mixture through a fine strainer         into the pitcher.

.: Complete by adding water to taste.

.:  We enjoyed adding a fresh mint leave and a single fresh raspberry into our glass to add a burst of flavor at       the end of the last sip!

.: A Natural Summer Blend :.

.: Mist bottles we use for essential oil mixtures :.

As the days continue to bring us an abundance of sunshine we find ourselves in the gardens, at the ocean, and enjoying our meals outdoors.  As the sun begins to fade and the air provides a cool breeze after a lovely day of play we are enjoying staying out a bit later into the early evening.    

Recently our time enjoyed outdoors has been met with unwanted visitors in the form of mosquito's.  It can be disappointing to be called away from the time we are enjoying outdoors when a simple natural remedy can be created to deter these insects.

 .: Mixing essential oils to create a blend for our mist bottles  :.

.: We started off our time first creating a "relaxing mist" of Lavender, Bergamot, and Frankincense paired with water into our mist bottles.  Next we created a "mosquito repellent" :.

With a mix of essential oils that naturally will deter mosquito's, we created a blend. This blend is held in travel-sized mist bottles that are easy enough for us to place into our pockets as we go about our days and early evenings outdoors.

 .: My oldest son using the essential oil mist to deter mosquitos as we play outdoors :.

To mix up your own homemade natural repellent: 

You will fill a travel-sized mist bottle almost full with distilled water then add up to six drops of lavender, citronella (or lemongrass) and cedarwood.

Make sure to shake this mixture before spraying so that the oil and water mix together. You can apply this mist every fifteen minutes for the best results. 

.: Oils paired with water into a spray bottle, a simple remedy to deter summertime insects :.

This year we are getting much enjoyment from sitting out on the covered porch.  I plan on planting a few Thai Lemon Grass plants around the perimeter of the porch to give an extra natural buffer against mosquito's.  (The leaves and stalks also can be pulled apart and rubbed directly onto your skin as an effective repellent against mosquito's.)

Your pets may appreciate a drop of lemongrass or citronella oil into their shampoo this summer too!  

I can imagine there are many mixtures as well as resources for purchasing oils. Our family has had a good experience with this farm's selection online.

Wishing you health and comfort outdoors with your family!

.: Sun Eggs :.

 

On this day the sun did shine as bright as it could.  The yellow seersucker curtains that shade the bottom of our kitchen windows were illuminated brightly today.  As I walked across the old wood floors three little sets of feet ran up beside me as we opened each window letting the morning air greet us on this new day.

My children asked if they could make fresh handmade orange juice today, as the sun had inspired them as much as it inspired these orange colored "Sun eggs" to grow.

Each child gathered them up and placed them on the kitchen table.  The children know just where the vintage glass hand juicer resides. They enjoy as much as I do the process of juicing fresh fruit.

I appreciate that this work of our hands is met with joy.  I hold dear the memories of juicing fruit with my Nana. I hope this will be a familiar rhythm to my children as they grow each new day.

 

What beauty to behold in the bottom of our cups.  Glowing and bright, this sun juice brings positive energy into our day!

My littlest one and his dimple do agree that there is sweetness and magic to be found in these Sun eggs!

With a smile and a tilt of his head my eldest certainly agrees.

As we drink up each drop each sip tastes even sweeter than the last.  This inspires the children to set out a few more oranges at the table in hopes of delighting again in this sweet drink! 

Mama enjoyed a sweet juice glass full and had a surprise up her sleeve! I gathered up some Chocolate Mint from the raised beds for an herbal twist and poured this sweet nectar back into it's shell to be frozen for later ( when the brightness of the sun warmed our cheeks, turning them pink like our Waldorf dolls.)

May your days be inspired by the sweetness found in nature!