Dear Friends,
I have been publishing my almanac since 2009 and it has been such a wonderful experience for me and I hope for you also.
This quarterly issue of the almanac will be my last.
When I first came up with the idea of the almanac, it was to be a platform where I could share interesting, helpful and inspiring stories and resources as well as positive news about the environment. I hope that I have fulfilled that for you.
My newsletter will continue and I’ll send one out every once in a while, so please sign up so we can stay in touch.
Onwards to the Winter Issue!
So many things I love are being featured in this issue, like the story about why bees bite leaves to the bee loving Electric Daisy Farm (the name alone is brilliant) in England.
This past year was a busy one at my organic mini River’s Edge Farm, especially since I discovered all sorts of wild edibles in the adjacent woodland. I also established a medicinal herb garden where I am growing my own medicine and harvested enough vegetables that I could donate a weekly bundle to my local food pantry, the Recovery Kitchen in Hudson, NY.
I have also added many new products to my online store. I hope you like them.
Over the years it’s wonderful to see how solutions to our environmental problems are working, from water scarcity to reducing plastic waste. The lack of available water prompted the creation of an ice stupa in India, and Algramo, a mobile refill station for house cleaning products using reusable containers.
Because I’m a darner of socks and moth bitten sweaters, I was thrilled to read a recent article in the Financial Times about wearing your repaired sweaters with pride. Another phenomenon that is growing in popularity, are Repair Cafés. Even though I haven’t been to one yet, they are making it easier to hold on to things you love, therefore reducing waste.
The artist featured cares deeply for the environment and uses his art to raise awareness about the effects of climate change, and the film that I recommend is beautifully made by photographer and director Yann Arthus-Bertrand.
The Gamechanger was mentioned in a post in the almanac Fall Issue. She is a remarkable woman who is doing such important work as a food justice activist, amongst other things.
Are you a Citizen Scientist? Find out how to be one. Join in sharing data on wildlife in areas where universities don’t have funding to send naturalists.
As you read/scroll through the almanac, you’ll find several books I recommend, some for adults and others for children and adults to enjoy together. A book I recommended a few years ago has published the first major update about solutions to climate change, which you can download for free.
For everyone interested in natural treasures, The Cabinet of Green Curiosities has three new additions: a mushroom egg, golden chrysalis and tixinda. In addition, learn why Trees aren’t resting during the winter, even though they may look like they are.
To finish off, I shared two recipes I really love and have made several times already: a lentil soup and a butternut squash gratin.I’ve also shared a health tip that I just learned recently about why we should soak rice before cooking it and another tip about trusted organic and sustainable food brands, several which I love.
Even though this is my last almanac, I’m not disappearing and will continue to share via my newsletter (please sign up!) and on social media, instagram in particular. I’m excited about new projects in their developing phase, so stay tuned.
The journey continues….
Wishing you and your family the very best for the holidays and the New Year (which can’t be here soon enough!) and may you and your loved ones always be healthy.
Be safe and be well,
Priscilla
