Gone hunting...

The rains have subsided and brought with them a bounty of mushrooms.

I took advantage of the beautiful day and went foraging in the woods.

 I wish I could have let you hear the woods today...

ravens calling to each other, big leaves softly falling, winter wrens chattering, the breeze just enough to rustle the maples...

I have learned over the past 5 years to identify about 10 edible wild mushrooms 

and a few of the not so edible and a few of the very not edible, poisoness ones.

 This one is probably one of the more famous mushrooms and known to be toxic although rarely killing people. Aminita muscaria...quite pretty actually...

Next are some of the ink cap family, named for the sticky, black yucky, inky looking stuff that comes when they get old...

 Apparently slugs like them!

The next few photos I can't identify but found them lovely all the same...these first ones were about the size of a dime...so delicate...

These ones are called turkey tales...

Some people are afraid to eat mushrooms from the woods and have only had the white button ones from the store. I encourage you to learn from a knowledgeable source and dive into the world of these delicious free foods! 

These are the more popular edible and tasty as anything you'll ever try...

The Chanterelle.

...and another type of the same family, the Golden foot...

a little stubbier without the big flared edges...

When you get them home, just dust any bits of earth and twigs away with a soft brush and VOILA!

Ready for the pan!

Of course the best partners for mushrooms?

Yup, garlic and butter!

Bon appetit!

Song for Friday...for the gals...

This ones for all the fun times with the gals, listening to all our girly music.

 Driving for miles with cd's on the go...

I've been fortunate to see The Waifs a few times.

Amazing songwriters, gorgeous harmonies.

   Have a great weekend all!

Back at it....

Our usually beautiful Indian summer has been, in a word,

a deluge.

Potatoes and pumpkins are rotting in the fields.

So to make lemonade from lemons, I've been back in the studio felting away whilst the rain beats down.

Now, I ask..."who shall fill these boots?"

"smoke this pipe?"

"use these pruners?"

"drink this mug of tea?"

Perhaps a retired stone mason?

Taking care of his old roses...

And taking advantage of a sunny day in the garden...

Introducing Fergus...

Tagged and ready to go in my etsy shop tomorrow...

Originally he was supposed to be Charles Darwin but something about him through the spring and summer whispered...

quiet, content gardener.

So be it.

A Good place...

There's a place in Sooke where I go a few times a week.

Ahimsa translates to this:

     "non-judgement, non-harm, acceptance and compassion for all"

 On Wednesdays I spend 4 hours at the front desk in exchange for yoga classes.

In this beautiful studio...

I have practiced yoga off and on throughout the years and have found it incredibly beneficial.
On the coast here, where the weather is so damp, it can creep into your bones so not only 

physically for my arthritis, (yes the old body is getting creaky!) but also mentally to soothe the mind and listen to the breath.

Props are provided for both yoga...

  and  fitness classes...

Childcare is provided...

As well as lovely things for your body...

It's a peaceful, nurturing place run by two beautiful ladies, Paula and Tamara.

Paula starts her class with positive words to think about and continues that energy throughout the class.

There are a number of different classes to take but right now I'm focusing on reminding myself what I had forgotten over the past few years.

I did try to practice at home but found it hard to motivate myself and to be disciplined.

There is something energizing about being in a class with a group.

We are all at different levels but we are all on the same path.

So I'm thankful that Ahimsa has come to Sooke.

If you're in the neighborhood, come by for a drop in...you'll love it...

www.ahimsasooke.com