Wandering

Hi, folks!

Today was a scorching hot day, which is pretty unique for mid-september. Oh well, it's better than rain and cold!

Remember my last blogpost, a few months ago? I wrote about Kralingsebos, a forest/lake in my city. Today, I went there and visited the small botanical garden next to the lake.

The botanical garden

Small, but cozy and quite pretty!

I don't know why, but this statue really appealed to me.

The yellow flowers in the centre are from the Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis). (Click!)

Common marigold (Calendula officinalis) (Click!) in the medicinal herb garden.

One of the most spiritual trees in the word: the fig. Here the common fig (Ficus carica). (Click!)

Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale). Actually not a crocus! (Click!)

I met this beautiful frog, today. Frogs symbolize peace, fun and transformation and are often related to emotional healing. The frog is connected to the healing ceremony of water.

The lake

During my wander around the lake (not the entire lake: way too hot!) I ran into a massive amount of hops! Naturally, being a true hedgewitch, I couldn't resist and harvested some strands to take home. They are now drying for medicinal use in herbal teas.

Hops (Humulus lupulus). (Click!)

One of the most charismatic herbs. Aren't they pretty?

When the sun shines in th clear water and you can see all those water plants and small critters... Oh, boy!

For questions and comments: leave a message below. I always respond!

**********

Strolling though the woods

Although I live in a big city, I always try to find the best spots of nature to explore. Today, I went for a hike in Krlingsebos; a forest in Rotterdam with a lake in the middle. The area is around 700 acres and known for it's passable paths (even for wheelchairs).

The spring weather was so nice and I really enjoyed my walk! It was nice and quiet and I almost forgot the forest lies in the middle of my crowded city.

A hart's-tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) under the trees. Click here for more information about this fern.

Citrus peel vinegar cleaner (DIY)

Hi folks!

Last week, I came across an article (click!) about the uses of orange peels. One of them was about making your own all-purpose cleaner! For I eat lots of tangerines during winter, I always have heaps and heaps of citrus peels at my disposal, so I decided to make my own.

I've always used vinegar as a cleaner for my windows, floors, bathroom and furniture. It's a fabulous degreaser and descales every tap and tile. It's very cheap and harmless to all animals (including humans, yay!)

Want to make some yourself? Here is a simple guide.

You will need:

• an empty pot (or bottle with wide bottleneck)
• citrus peels (fresh or frozen)
• white vinegar

Tear or cut the peels into smaller pieces and put them loosely in the jar until approximately 1/2 to 1 inch under the rim.

Cover with white vinegar, nearly until the rim. Close the lid tightly and shake the jar.

Put the jar in a dark spot or cupboard and let sit for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, sieve the content and throw away the peels. Mix the citrus infused vinegar 1:1 with water and put in a (spray) bottle. Use a desired. It leaves a very fresh scent after using!

Note: do not use vinegar cleaner on waxed or untreated wood!

The herbal encyclopedia

A while ago, my uncle gave me an old herbal encyclopedia. The book is from the year 1934, has the Dutch title 'Kruidenboek' and was written by A.P.Dinand, a biology teacher.

The book mostly contains information about the herbs used in herbal medicine; their history, how to use them and for what physical complaints. But above all, the book contains the most beautiful vintage herbal pictures. I'm not going to tell much about it; just take a look for yourself!

Pen for scale.

A gift from the sky

Several weeks ago, my flatmate texted me that she found a pigeon on the street, right in front of our front door. I was out for groceries, and when I came back, I took the bird inside to examine it.

It was a young common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) that probably crashed into a window, fell down and broke it's neck.

There I possess no taxidermy skills whatsoever, so I decided to make the best out of this bird. I've always had the wish to dry a bird's wings, so this was my opportunity! I clipped the wings off the bird, pinned them down on a piece of cardboard, salted the flesh and waited. Patiently.

Last week, they were fully dried. I took them off the cardboard and brushed the excessive salt off the dried flesh.

They make perfect smudge wings, don't you think?