When in the springtime of the year
When the trees are crowned with leaves
When the ash and oak, and the birch and yew
Are dressed in ribbons fair
Spring has arrived on the “wet coast”. We’ve had some days of relentless downpour but this evening the sunset is a bright yellow and even now, after 7pm, light streams through the windows and the kitties have found a warm sunny spot on the wood floor to stretch out and enjoy the last of the days light.
There’s much to do around the manor. Each season brings different chores. Late Summer is for harvesting and preserving food and there is no lack of things to do on my Springtime list. After a good house clean this past week, there’s space to do other things like taking stock of the pantry and replenishing anything needed. This season I’m planning on starting a sourdough starter. Starter is made with organic Rye flour, unbleached flour and water. After it ferments and rises it can be used for bread making, noodles, Pancakes, even Pierogi dough. Sourdough starter is considered a fermented food and the very process of fermentation helps the body digest whatever you make with it much easier.
Having a starter was very important to early settlers who would bring it with them on their long journeys. A strong starter is not only the base of many meals, the same starter can be used and kept for over 100 years!
These are some of the things I’ve added to my Springtime To-Do List
- Spring cleaning the home (wash walls, baseboards and doors)
- Washing all windows and balcony door and glass to let more light in.
- Change bedding from the heavy flannel sheets of Winter to lighter bamboo and cotton sheets
- Make hand rolled beeswax candles
- Plan what I want to can/preserve this year (Pizza Sauce!)
- Continue to stock the back-up pantry (emergency preparedness) – buying a few things each time I shop to build up to 3 months food & water supply
- Create a Sourdough Starter
- Pull out the Spring/Summer wardrobe from storage -steam them and store away winter sweaters and coats
- Redecorating the home from Winter Scandinavian to Farmstead -Go thrifting for natural wood bowls and candle holders. Inspired by Slow Living.
- Menu planning – seasonal eating – incorporating more raw veg, fruit. Continue with Intermittent Fasting
“We too can begin a new life, one that brings satisfaction and enrichment, whether this is by singing, dancing, running through the waves, walking barefoot on the grass or making love under the stars. Perhaps your dreams are greater than this, or perhaps more conservative, but whatever they are, Beltane is a wonderful time for expressing who you truly are.”
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Spring Blessings from our home to yours.
Jennifer