A cool July -

It has been amazingly cool around the Smoky Mountains this summer.  It is not that there have not been hot days.  There just have not been many.  Or, hey have been interspersed with cool days.  It is only 58 here this evening.  I have on a light coat - in July.  Weird.  But, so it is.  The gardens have loved it.  Grass has grown slowly.  There has been a splendid array of color.

The goldenseal and ginseng are showing berries.  Bright red on the goldenseal - still green on the ginseng.  I await the "turning" of color so I can spread the red berries around the hillside.  This year on the land I have counted over 50 ginseng plants.  I love this plant.  It is magical.

This gourd plant appeared at the office garden.  Planted by birds I imagine.

It is getting so big it may need it own parking space.  It makes me smile.  I love the feel of these gourds.  Smooth and bumpy.  And such cool colors.

As July turns to August I begin my birthday month.  Anyone who knows me knows that I celebrate "me" the entire month.  That means I take care of myself.  Get my teeth cleaned, get a facial, or a massage.  Meet friends for lunch.  And go somewhere I have not visited in my 11 years here in the Smoky Mountains.  And there are many places.  I have been busy "setting up camp" so to speak these years and not appreciated the wonder of the surroundings all around me.  I have begun the exploring.  This year Cades Cove.

MoonMaid is now on Instagram.  I take pictures constantly and it encourages me to share them more then I had previously.  It is easy and I am enjoying this format.

I got early drawings of the CottageClassroom building from my friend Corvus.  It is exciting to be in the planning stages of this new structure that will serve as classroom, guest cottage, and office.
I hope to be started with deconstrution of an existing building by late fall.  It won't be done in time for the Gals Glampout, but it will be in progress.  GlampOut you say.  What's that?  Fancy camping here @ the Botanical Sanctuary, which has officially been named MoonMaid's Botanical Sanctuary - Preserving, Protecting, and Propagating Native Medicinal Species.  It has taken a long while to find something that just rolls off the tongue.  I think this does.  Back to the GlampOut, You can find more information here.    We will provide you with all the gear and food you need to enjoy a night or two here with me and learn about this living breathing classroom.  There is info about other classes as well.  I am also excited to be the herbalist for a Women in Wilderness Weekend with my friend Vesna Plakanis of A Walk in the Woods.

I hope you will sign up for my newsletter.  I have a monthly special that is always worth taking advantage of.  A free product, free shipping, or who knows.  This month it has been 20% off all wild yam products and free shipping.  You still have a few days to take advantage of that.  The discount is automatically given @ checkout.  I will never share your information nor will I bombard you with emails.  Just one email at the beginning of the month and a reminder 1/2 way through.  I think you will appreciate the specials.

That's the news for this week.  I it is a good one for you.  Cynthia @ MoonMaid Botanicals