Loving greetings to you all in the month of love. I love February. Not just because of valentines (especially the chocolate kind), and not just because of my birthday on the 8th, but also because spring begins. The tree buds swell. Green shoots emerge. Spring starts on February 2, that's Groundhog Day, the Feast of Flames, Bridgette's Day. Celebrate spring and love. Feel the love of the Earth for you; there in every step. Feel the love of the plants for you; there in every breath. And here's your top-of-the-month green report:
Look what I found: snowdrops blooming!
White pine needles, just what we need for Homemade Balsamic Vinegar (see recipe below).
White Pine needles are in groups of five
Wild chives, yummy minced into butter, omelets, and salads. They make a fab vinegar.
Wild cresses, in abundance now, so they will be our focus this month.
Barbara's cress has shiny leaves
Rock cress is tiny
Winter leaves of Queen of the Night, a cress
Look for garlic mustard in protected corners
A couple of words about the photos accompanying these reports. The pictures are taken in my yard a few days before I write the report (and about a week before you read it). They show the plants as they are, right now. You probably can't use them to identify plants.
It is almost impossible to make a trustworthy identification of a plant from a photo. Instead, join me for a class or two this year. Every class includes time outside identifying plants. Being with the plants allows you to see their true colors, and most importantly, to smell and taste them (these are the most stable characteristics, persisting in all stages of growth and all times of the year).
Green blessings,
Susun Weed susunweed.com | 
Every issue of Aspire speaks to the heart of a woman! Enjoy immediate access to Susun Weed's article, Bare Foot Meditation (pg. 52) in the Feb/Mar "The Power of Belief" issue. Filled inspiring content to inspire, empower & uplift women around the world. Share the love!
We invite women to gather for retreat and replenishment on Isla Mujeres, an island in the Mexican Caribbean, sacred to Ixchel, the Mayan Moon Goddess and historically a place for healing rituals among the Mayan people.
This friendly herbal guide features hands-on projects, fresh ideas, and advice for herb enthusiasts of all skill levels. 
