Wild roses, honeysuckle, hydrangeas, comfrey and blue flag iris are bloomin' there little hearts out. I love love love my gardens!!! And my life in the woods!!!

Heard the Whipporwill for the first time last evening!!! A definite harbinger of Spring. And, the columbine, the primrose, mustard, and Dogwoods are blooming. The Ginseng is barely peeking out of the ground in a few spots.  So very happy to see all of my plant friends.   A few photos for your pleasure.....though some of them are from last year they give a good idea of what is going on @ Shady Acres.

Here is my first Bloodroot blossoms.......I love this plant.  And a few other shots from the garden as she begins to bloom.

 Grape Hyacinths

 Calendula Blooms - my first in my garden

 Chickweed

 Bunch O' Dandy's

 another Dandy....love the greens

 The new HeartGarden...ready for plantin'

 Purple Tulips

 Tulip Bed

 Daffy, Tulip and Burdock

Purple Violet

Today.....

Here are some more lovely shots of he garden.....

A walk in my garden

Today on my walk about the garden I was absolutely amazed at the signs of Spring.  I will begin in earnest this week composting the beds, laying gravel, moving rocks and so forth.  It is good to be outside.  Sunny days, cool nights.  I have experienced a personal shock and mistrust this past week, I find being among my plants, digging in the soil, tidying up, to be a wonderful therapy.  I am grateful for the gift of ShadyAcres, my little spot in the Smoky Mountains.

No podcast this week.  They will resume March 1  with Vesna Plakanis of A Walk In The Woods.  Topic....Women of a Certain Age and The Great Outdoors.  Many more wonderful guests with potent information for you as the year goes on.  Better to get it all organized, me thinks, then to proceed in a rush.

Specials this week are a free soap with every order!!! 

Also announcing that as of tomorrow, you will be able to place an order right on FaceBook.  Thanks to another woman business owner for making me aware of this time saving tool!!!

I hope you enjoy the following photos as much as I enjoyed being on a little jaunt and taking them.

Have a Green Week!!!  Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals

This was a wonderful weekend filled with plans and then the actual event, Indie Business Meet-up!!!  Many folks around the country gathered with other like-minded business owners for events and get togethers everywhere!!!  I had a fantastic time with women who are future guests on my podcast, Women of A Certain Age and....., as well as local business owners who might are potential members of Indie Beauty Network. 

Because I am travelling there will not be a podcast this week.  Next week we start again with topics such as Women of A Certain Age and Retirement, The Great Outdoors and much more. I will keep you posted. 

I will have an article posted tomorrow on WildYam.  A very important herb here @ MoonMaid as it is the key ingredient in 3 of our signature formulas; ProMeno Women's Wild Yam Cream and ProAndro Men's Wild Yam Cream as well as VitalVulva Wild Yam Salve.  All are alternatives to bio-identical and chemical hormone products.

Get them here      http://www.moonmaidbotanicals.com/products.htm

Meanwhile, enjoy the pictures of our get together and launching Wish Laterns off into the sky @ rhia link
       http://on.fb.me/A29Eew


Have a wonder day....may it be blessed with an interaction with at least one fabulous Herb!!!

This Week at MoonMaid

Free shipping all this week on phone orders....place yours @ 877.253.7853

BlogTalkRadio Show is tomorrow @ 2 PM EST with guest Nomi Shannon, raw food expert, educator and author.  Check out information about Nomi and how to listen to this informative and educational call @ this link  http://bit.ly/zuvTAP  Nomi is a wealth of knowledge on the benefits of raw, how to do it and has lots of recipes.  Please call in during the show and Nomi can answer your questions directly.  The call in number is 818.475.9319 at 2 PM EST, tomorrow, Tuesday January 10, 2012. 

Herb of the week is Calendula (Calendula officinalis) I particularly love this bright "happy" plant!!!

I use it in my CalendulaBlossom Cream which is available separately or in my flower kit.  Get yours here http://bit.ly/waxIfK

Not only a beautiful flower in the garden, it has many medicinal uses for the home herbalist. This fabulous blossom is not only anti-inflammatory making it a possible choice for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, it is also anti-fungal and anti-microbial.  Used internally is it excellent for digestive inflammation and may be effective for ulcers.  Not only internal ulcers may benefit but external inflammation, cuts and abrasions are all soothed by this healing plant.  An infused oil of this blossom is a must have in any herbal first aid kit.

According to Culpeper, an renowed 19 century herbalist, calendula would strengthen the heart.  It is a plant of the sun and blooms all summer, beautiful orange, golden or yellow blossoms.  Summer allergies that effect the eyes may be relieved by an eyewash of calendula. Minor bruises, cuts, scrapes, and bites will all be soothed by an infused oil.

Create a wash for eyes or any wound by simply steeping the petals in water…similar to making a cup of tea. Use muslin or organic cotton soaked in the tea to wash the eyes or skin.  To make an oil infusion substitute the warm water with warm oil (olive, sunflower or almond are my favorites), cover the blossoms with oil and let stand, tightly sealed,  in a cupboard for 2 weeks.  Then strain the oil from the plant and you have a potent oil for immediate use.  You can create a salve by adding a mix of melted beeswax and coconut oil, cocoa butter or shea butter to your calendula oil.  Blending  all or some of the substances together will create a “hard” oil or salve.  The beeswax is a necessity while the other ingredients are added as desired.

In food, the blossoms were once used to color cheese, often used in soups and stews or salads as the petals add a slight peppery taste to any dish.  Growing this plant in your garden between other vegetables creates natural pest control.  The strong aroma of this plant keeps many pests at bay.  Try planting it between your greens, spinach and lettuces.

However you use this wonderful plant, I hope it will become a staple in your garden, kitchen and medicine cabinet.

Until next week.....Herbal Blessings!!!  Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals