Celebrate A New Beginning~

Spring is really all about new beginning's, rebirth, and improving on, or refurbishing that which you may have started at an earlier time.

Walk through your garden, the park, or the woods, everywhere you look , new life is awakening.

Lambs, calves, and baby chicks are born in the spring. All these beautiful happenings tend to confirm...Mother Nature really does know what she is doing ~
~
I choose this spring to re-confirm my desire to be healthier and less caught up in stressful events of which I have no control....I will revel in the colors, aroma's, and spirit of spring.

I will remember to be ever so grateful for where I am rooted, my beautiful friend's, awesome family, and My Gardens !
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Little flights of fancy are essential to the contentment of the soul...make room for imagination and small pleasures created for the moment and simply for fun.
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I will aim to simplify my food choices and eat with honor and respect for my body.
I will feed my mind with exciting books and conversation.
I will feed my spirit with the Word Of God, from whence all good things begin.

Come join me in the Rites of spring~

Bea Rigsby-Kunz
Happy Spring~Happy Gardening :)
~
 

                                   March Madness in the Gardens

I believe I speak for many of us gardeners when I say....bring on the warm weather already ...please ))) She pleads while watching from the office window, the huge , beautiful, snowflakes falling from the sky !

Sage Hill has a lot of new projects to share once spring arrives and construction can take hold.

Beds and plots are all in tip top condition and ready to plant.

We are also growing some things in the greenhouse this year that are new to our growing list, follow along and see our success, or not !

Lemongrass and ginger are two of the newbies. Going to be an interesting summer. :)

Some reconstruction happening on the SH website, still much to be added and changed.
A new blog for your pleasure and need to know things.  ' good things .' :)

http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com/wellness-wealth/


I found this article to be very good reading, most of it we all know, but kinda updates all that knowledge and puts it into better focus.

http://www.fooddialogues.com/foodsource/topics/biotech-seeds?gclid=CN-9saTf3rUCFQ4GnQodljMACA

Ok, while waiting for spring I'm headed out to wander in the snow :)

Enjoy, whatever is happening in your world today~

Bea Rigsby-Kunz
Culinary Herbalist/teacher/speaker

Loving February--We are having cold, some snow, and just around the bend from spring :) What is not to love ?

Indeed it is too early to think about putting anything into the ground except trees and shrubs, some perennials and bulbs, but it is not too early to start flats in the greenhouse environment.

Herbs, spring onion, and lettuces will do well if started now and then transition them to the ground in very early spring.

Looking for a plant ( herb ) to attract beneficial insects to your garden...think Yarrow--this pretty bloomer has earned quite the reputation for all the goodness it brings to the space around it.
It feeds lacewings, lady beetles, parasitic wasp, syrphid flies, and tachinid flies. Having one of these in your gardens is a blessing, having more than one or all of them is a Hallelujah time !

Fennel--another herb that brings something very special to the mix...it is fodder for caterpillars of the anise butterfly. We can never have too many butterflies.

Parsley--feeds the caterpillar of the Black Swallowtail-the most beautiful butterfly in my opinion--if you look close you'll discover they have many shades of blue and black.

So much to think and talk about this time of year.

Do remember to plan and order seed early if you haven't saved your own....everyone who gardens will be doing the same, and it is first come , first served, for the pick of the best.

If it's sunny in your world...think spring~
If it's cold and wintry...enjoy the magic of whatever that brings.

Plenty to celebrate this month...Lunar New Year on the 10th, Lincoln's birthday on the 12th, Ash Wednesday on the 13th, Valentine's Day on the 14th,  Washington's birthday on the 22nd, and Flag Day on the 24th.  Have fun and give a little extra thought to each of these special dates-the importance of who and what.

May the best of yesterday merge with the best of today and bring the most amazing tomorrow :) Make it so~

Bea Rigsby-Kunz



 

This was posted on my blog January 13th-2012.

Sage Hill has the first snow of the season this Friday13, a good thing, I love the trees with snow in the branches. It seems to bring a slowing of the mind, the body, and the 'traffic.' :)

Our planning for the spring gardens and other additions to the farm scene are well underway.

I trust you are planning a spring garden, fresh grown foods are the best way to have the proper nutrition for you and your family.

Need help getting started ? I'm a call or email away. You will also find many helpful articles on the website and by researching this blog archive.
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com/

The best of 2012 and Friday the 13th.
 EatWell-BeWell~
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2012 has been a fabulous year, the farm has grown, seen and dealt with changes unexpected, came through with awesome results and we once again find ourselves welcoming a new year with new plans, and excitement for all the unknowns to come as well.

As the photo shows, last year at this time we had a beautiful snow on the ground, this year, lots and lots of rain, not even much cold, so we adjust and wait for the gift of tomorrow, with gratitude for whatever it brings.
~
Bea Rigsby-Kunz
Culinary Herbalist/Teacher/Speaker
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

The Joy Of Christmas~

The Joy of Christmas-let me count them one by one-so many, you'll be sleeping before I'm done.
There's holly and cedar, rosemary and Red Birds.
Paper Whites and Poinsettias , Red Roses and Tartan skirts.
Stockings of red, green and beyond, bows and bells, oh my, what great fun.
Candles in the windows, sleighs by the stoop, hot coco and mama's homemade soup.
Snowflakes and snow-balls for some there will be, alas, just rain and wind I see.
Chestnuts by the fire, cranberries strung above, and a toast to the one you love.
Pretty paper, pretty ribbon, pretty cards from far and near.
Silent night and happy dreams for those you hold dear.
Chocolate, red velvet, coconut and caramel tarts.
Snickerdoodles and Thumbprints, all tugging at our hearts.
Memories and flashbacks, from days carved in stone.
History indeed, but never really gone.
Carols for the neighbor, prayers for our Troops.
Christmas trees of all description-Presents all around-everything Merry and Bright, not like in Bethlehem.
Look into your heart-and find the tiny spark-turn up the flame and light the way, for yet another Christmas Day.

God Bless and may we keep the spirit of Christmas always in our hearts.

See you in 2013~

Bea Rigsby-Kunz

Rejoice~Tis The Season~

Merry Christmas from the 'Sage Hill Farms' family~

December is the month of many joyful reunions, family and friends who see each other on a daily basis, and those who travel far to make the connection at this special time of year.

There is magic in the air! The twinkling of the lights seem to say, awake, go forth, and celebrate.
The falling of frosty snowflakes and cold windy gust, all seems to be a little less harsh during December.
Perhaps it is because we know there is a warm and ready fire awaiting us inside, hot frothy chocolate or simmering cider on the stove.
Or, perhaps it is the spirit that comes to celebrate the most important birthday of the year, our Lord Jesus Christ.

We hear much about the commercialization of this amazing season, to this I say, tune out the hustle and bustle if it bothers you, but do not allow the actions of others to discolor your reason for the season.
Gifting is part of the celebration, that which comes from the heart is perfect for this display of love and inclusion.

May you, your family, and all those you include, have the most blessed Christmas ever.

A Recipe to Tempt Your Taste-buds~

( Cranberry and Port Sauce with Lemon Thyme~)

Makes about 1 pint-can easily be doubled

4 Tbsp port
4 Tbsp orange juice
4 oz brown sugar
8 oz fresh cranberries
1 Tbsp finely grated orange rind
1 Tbsp finely chopped lemon thyme

Pour the port and orange juice into a saucepan and add the sugar.
Place over low heat and stir with a metal spoon until the sugar dissolves.

Transfer the mixture to a larger pan, increase the heat a little and add the cranberries.
bring mixture to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the berries are just tender and the skins begin to burst.

Remove pan from heat and mix in the orange rind and thyme.

Leave to cool...you can then pour into jars and seal for later use or for gifts...or place in a container for use on your holiday meats...it's delicious on turkey, chicken, duck, or ham...

Enjoy!

Bea Rigsby-Kunz
Sage Hill Farms
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

Winterizing~

We winterize our homes, our cars, boats, and gardens...doesn't it make sense to do the same for our most precious possession?  Our Self~

Salmon, sardines, and other oily fish are high in omega-3 fats, which boost immune system activity. These fats also help balance excess omega-6 fats.

Other good sources of omega 3s, include flax seeds, walnuts,and omega-3-enriched eggs.

OR, you can take a supplement-250 mg EPA from fish oil, morning and night is best.

We can also add a powerful punch to the strength of our immune system by taking Andrographis, this is highly recommended by herbalist (Karta Purkh Singh Khalas, DN-C,RH.) Taken throughout the cold/flu season, especially if you are traveling or under stress, will fortify your system.

Scandinavians have been using andrographis for 20 years to reduce the symptoms and duration of infections.

In the early stages of a cold take 10 to 15 g of andrographis per day as tea or in capsules, or up to 20 ml per day of the tincture.

(Andrographis paniculata is an herb commonly used in China, India and other countries in subtropical and Southeast Asia. Both the fresh and dried leaves, as well as the fresh juice of the whole plant, have been used in a variety of cultures. In traditional Chinese herbalism, Andrographis is used to support healthy digestive, cardiovascular and urinary systems. In Sweden, Andrographis has been used for more than 10 years as a primary herb for the winter season for immune support.)

(PS) keep a small bowl of water with a cup of white vinegar and a few drops of Lemon oil in your kitchen sink, leave your dish towel in this mixture when not using it, it will stay clean and fresh all day. Plus, anything you wipe with it will be germ free.

And for goodness sake...add herbs to your daily diet-they add awesome flavor to any dish, each and every one is packed with nutrients of all accounting...what's not to embrace ?

Stay safe and healthy for the holiday's and all winter~

Bea Rigsby-Kunz
Culinary Herbalist/teacher/speaker
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com