Postcard No. 10
Hay May!
I thought it would be fun to do what I’m calling a “May Round Up” today. I’ll share what I’m reading, what I’m listening to, and what I’m sipping these days as we inch towards a sweet, sweet summer at the inn.
What I’m reading
At breakfast last week, while chatting about gardening, native plants, and herbalism, a lovely guest from Chicago shared a recommendation for books by Robin Wall Kimmerer, specifically her book “Braiding Sweetgrass”. Kimmerer, a trained botanist studies plants by marrying science with indigenous teachings. I also ordered “Gathering Moss”, a book of personal essays about how moss lives and what role it plays in the ecosystem. I love moss (duh!) and I’ve been cultivating a carpet of moss on the brick patio in the garden at the inn. And by “cultivating” I mean, I named a piece of moss I found by the lavender, Matilda and moved her to where the moss carpet is growing. I hope to share the insight I learn from Robin Wall Kimmerer on a later date!
What I’m listening to
Cleaning/Chores: Sun Structures album by Temples - good focus music with a beat to get ‘er done, especially when there is a lot to tackle before guests arrive!
Cooking: I’m a sucker for nostalgia while in the kitchen, so this Turntable playlist on Spotify checks that box in all the best ways.
Gardening: When gardening, I find I like upbeat and groovy. I’ve been opting for the South Hill Experiment Radio on Spotify, which when mixed with birds chirping, takes gardening to the next level!
Sleeping: I’ve been working on creating better night time rituals for myself. I’ve been enjoying listening to songs tuned to 639 Hz as I’m laying down for the night. It’s a nice sound frequency for calming down for the evening, releasing whatever burdens you might have acquired that day, and making way for a peaceful sleep. This 639 Hz playlist in particular is lovely!
What I’m sipping
You know those freshly squeezed and shaken lemonades you get in the summer from festivals, art shows, and fairs? I crave them the INSTANT the weather gets nice, because typically I have the ingredients lying around, and chances are you do too. The recipe I use:
You’ll need a large cup you can muddle in, like a mason jar, large deli container, or big cup with a lid, as well as something to muddle with. A wooden spoon or spatula will do just the trick.
1 lemon
2 tbsp of honey (or +/- 1/4 cup of sugar, depends on how sweet you like it) - dealer’s choice!
ice
water
Start with cutting your lemon, and placing in the bottom of your large cup. Add your honey (or sugar), and smash the lemon and the sugar together with your muddler. Add a few scoops of ice, and then fill with water. Close lid, shake vigorously, and enjoy!
If you really want to get fancy, try adding lime, grapefruit, berries, lavender buds, or violets. The options are endless.
Those are my May shares- chat soon!
