Herbs and flowers.....

are emerging from their warm beds. I must say that the cold spring has really helped. It was the first Spring in a long time that felt like a real Spring. My herbs are huge. The Lovage and burdock plants are as tall as me. My Black cohosh as well as my blue cohosh are strong and vibrant. The goldenseal I planted last year is twice it's size as last year.
Once I learn how to post pictures I will.I can hardly imagine what they will look like in a month or so. I planted many seeds this year. Many I received from Ritcher's I am trying to see how it will work out. It seems so much more cost efficient. I never had much luck in the past starting them inside so I decide to plant directly. So far so good.
I sent out my brochures for my soap and obtained information on insurance to sell at the farmers market. It may be to late this year but I will definitely work on it for next year. I wish there were indoor farmers markets during the winter and spring months. Now I will sit and wait to see how it goes.
I planted yellow jewel weed last year. I collected the seeds from my son's friends yard one day when I was giving him a ride. The pink ones (inpatients grandiflora) that I collected when I was at Sage mountain studying under Rosemary Gladstar are huge. Micky(her gardener and teachers assistant) sent the seed to me. I do not really understand the connection I have with the lovely plant. Could it be it's healing properties or perhaps it's magical way of dispersing seed. The seed pod swells and then when ripe will pop. Such fun. I remember touching the seed pods when i was a little girl and laughing as they burst in front of eyes ans sent them flying. They lined the road that I lived on. There was this amazing woman Beverly, that lived there her road side property had bunches of it. Now looking back on it she was most likely an herbalist and perhaps even a green witch. She would teach me the flowers. I carry alot of what she taught me still. It is a shame that she will never know. But what a gift she gave me.
Paul my manager gave me some lovey veal fat. I made the most amazing soap with it. It is a shame that so many people shun animal fat. Silly I think. It does not have a harsh smell and I am sure it will be moisturizing.
I attended a wonderful tea party the other day. The women I meet with are so amazing. They are supportive and informative. We all have different passions but are connected through Spirit. If all women could be so evolved (as well as men) what a world this would be. They are so positive and did I mention smart? I think I did.
It was a wonderful day.
My son and his wife are waiting for the arrival of their baby. I can remember those days. The excitement, fear and the amazing desire to see the child. I am sure they are experiencing the same things. My son has developed a passion for planting! What a nice surprise. Originally he had asked me to help him. This generally means that I would be doing it with his help. But much to my surprise it is turning out to be the other way around. When he lived home he had no interest in yard work but would assist me in my job sites for pay. But owning his own place and making it his sacred space has changed all that. I am so pleased. It makes me beam. I am not hurt by any of this, If there is one thing I can understand it is desire to created my own gardens.
One of the many reasons I love my husband so much is that he has no desire or knowledge of where,when and how to plant a garden. But he loves mine. I think I would have a hard time if he were to start partaking in the planting. I would freak if I went out to my garden and realized something had been added or dug up and placed somewhere else. I share everything with him but my gardens are some thing all together different. They are my sacred space. I feel grounded and connected when My feet and hands are in the earth. It is the only time when I am free of inner chatter. What a gift.

The sun is out!

So much rain.. But now it is so beautiful out. I have made soap this morning for my dear husbands physical therapist's son. I had a great time formulating it. I hope it works well. I designed it to heal and soothe his poor skin. It will also work for diaper rash.I think that I would like to sell the custom soap in 2 LB. bars. That way they could cut it as they use it. I have to find out first if this can work. That way I would not have extra soap around. I figure that I should sell it a little cheaper than single 3.5 oz bars. I am thinking of adding this to my intentional soap page on my web site www.withseedsofintention.com

I have been gathering all my info and getting ready to go out and plant the summer displays for my clients. I think I will try to use different plants this year. Then I will have a wider selection for clients to view on my web site. Then they can choose from a wider variety of annuals and a larger variety of colors. I am trying to be more adventurous.

My herb garden looks beautiful this year . The cold really let them get a good start. Many I planted last year and thought I lost came back to my surprise. It was a nice treat. I am going to try Astragalus again. It is such a great herb. I was sad when it did not return. I am going to try it both by seed and plant. I also replacing a Coltsfoot plant that I lost last year. I really liked this herb when I tried it at Sage Mountain last year when we were studying the effects of certain herbs. I was very asthmatic and it helped open my breathing passages. Rosemary prepared it as a tea.

Rosemary Gladstar is an amazing teacher. I am furthering my education with her this fall. I am saving to take her class the Ecstasy of Teaching. I am hoping to learn how too teach, organize and finance so that I can start hosting workshops. I really think that it will be an great experience. I also love that I will get to meet more amazing people interested in teaching the beauty way. I am so grateful for having this advantage. I have given up agetting all gifts and asked that instead it be contributed to my class fee. It has and will be worth it.

Just a short while and my new grandchild will be here. Brian and his wife, Brianna are getting ready and looking forward to the arrival of Madison Jane.....

May flowers...

Soon the flowers will be blooming and the sun will be shining. It has been a cooler spring than the past. I really think it is great for the plant starts. I noticed that they are very hardy. The rain helps too. Soon it will be so warm.
I begin summer displays this week. I have a client that insists on flowers for mothers day. Which so far has been okay. I have not lost any plants to frost yet. I am crossing my fingers. It has been a hard year for my clients. Many have restaurants and people have just not been going out to eat. I have been bartering with them the last year or two. But truthfully it is really not working as well as I thought. The restaurants have risen their prices and therefore the meal that was $50 IS NOW $75. My rates have not increased so the deal is not as sweet as it once was.

I have had a busy few weeks and look forward to it slowing down so I can get back to my soap making. I have been asked to make custom soaps for people lately. Which is really kind of neat. I guess people like it! My beautiful husband has been going to PT (physical therapy) and one of the therapists has been asking for a soap for his child. So I will be working on that. It is funny that it comes along the same time as me formulating one for my grandchild to be. My calendula has arrived and I need to make more oil. The flowers look lovely. I ordered it from Jean's Greens they are awesome. I totally love that I get the order so fast usually in 2-3 days!

The baby is to arrive in the beginning of June. Can not wait to see that baby once it blooms!

April showers continue....
I really don't mind the rain. I prefer to work in it to tell you the truth. It is better than 1oo degree heat. I have been making soaps the past week. It takes two weeks to cure before I can send them out. I am almost ready to send out the brochures. It seems to take so much time to organize it all. I thought that I WOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT MORE TIMELY.
I decided to redo my small (7X11) pond. I had put it in when the boys were small. I had been patching it for the last two years. Bidding time. I did make it deeper and more professional then the first. But then again there were no children to run after or keep an eye on whilst I was preparing the hole. That alone is tricky. I saved most of my original plants but the fish did not make it. My hands are sore from holding the shovel! I think it will be much nicer than the first. Soon my granddaughter will be here and she can put her little hands in the water to touch the fish. I look forward to teaching her all the things I know. If her parents will let me. It is hard being the boys mom. If the woman they chose does not feel like sharing it could be hard. I am hoping for the best.
I am getting ready to design the displays for my customers now for the summer. I want to do some really nice work.

Another Rainy day.....
Well it is still cloudy. More rain on the way. I am planting today. Daffodils and tulips showing their faces. I have just finished making soap. Gearing up so I am ready for those orders to come in. I made a batch of Protection and Passion yesterday. I am hoping that the alkanet root that I am using turns pink (it is still purple). I guess maybe the name of the name of the soap should be purple passion. I am trying to use different natural ingredients to color the soaps. Maybe when the ph drops a bit while curing it will turn pink. Fingers crossed.
I have been using a tincture of Reishi mushroom to help with my Immune system. I got it from a friend I met while at Sage Mountain. Nancy Scarcello she lives in the Catskills.She is a great gal and wonderful medicine maker. I have a case of the shingles and am building my immune system with the tincture. So far so good. I think it is really helping I am also taking a good vitamin B complex.
I hope everyone is getting outside even if it is in between rain drops to see what plants have made it back from last year. This too me is the most magical time. I totally love seeing the emerging plants. Gives me such incredible energy. Planted the peas already. I just wish it would get warmer. The almanac predicted a cold april and so far it is right on the mark. I long for those warm may days. They are coming!

April Showers....

Well this is my first real post. One that I am actually writing for the blog. I hope that anyone who reads this will enjoy it and hopefully feel free to write and exchange ideas. I have just finished stuffing envelopes with my new brochure to introduce my soaps. I have been working on a line a soap that will attract specific intention. Hopefully I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT COULD USE A LITTLE LOVE, PROTECTION OR HEALING.
I really loved doing the research and developing of them. It was a nice way to put together all the knowledge I have soaked in to work. I have to admit they are really nice soaps.I feel confident that anyone can use them. Herbalist, aromatherapists and the wonderful Witches too will enjoy them for their healing ability.
I am also gearing up for a busy spring. Having my own gardening business has been a great experience for me. My clients are eagerly awaiting their Spring displays. The economic situation has been difficult for many. I have been bartering with some clients. I also had the opportunity to get rid of the dead weight. For the most part it has been a positive experience for me. I think it is because I am in not in it for the money. I totally love being able to bring the beauty of the flowers to my community. It makes me feel blessed. I am Oh so grateful!

With Seeds Of Intention

MARITA ORR

Professional gardener, Herbalist, Reiki Master, Plant Lore Historian, Remedy Maker, Creator of fine cuisine, Wife, Mother, and lover of all things found in nature.

EDUCATION

Gardening and Herbalism:
New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx:
Herb Garden Design, History of Herbalism, Container Gardening, Botanical Latin and Overview Gardening Classes.

Rosemary Gladstar
Apprentice Program Fall of 2007 & Summer of 2008.Science & Art of Herbalism Home Study Program. Natural Cosmetics, Creams, Lotions and Medicinal Preparations.

Susun Weed
Herbal Medicine Chest Hands and Herbal Medicine/Summer: Identifying, Harvesting, Making Herbal Remedies, Teas, Infusions, Vinegars, and Tinctures.

Reiki:
Received Reiki 1: From
Rhianna Essential Reiki Master and owner of the DREAMING GODDESS SHOP of Poughkeepsie, New York .
Reiki 2 and Master: From Kat Manaan at THE WOMAN WILD (TM) SCHOOL OF REIKI A non-traditional approach to Reiki incorporating the intuitive wisdom of the Wild Feminine.

Business:
Dutchess Community College
and received 52 credits with a GPA of 3.52 with Accounting as major and Business as a minor.

WORK EXPERIENCE

I Worked under Julie Helberg, the head perennial gardener from 1996-1999 as her assistant. When she dissolved the business she gave me the commercial sites. I began my own business Boxes and Borders in 1999. It consists of commercial as well as residential accounts. It has been a wonderful experience working in the public eye. I love being able to bring the flowers and plants to people to live amongst in their own sacred space. I have been learning to plant with intention for over 5 years. It is exciting to be able to create sacred space for myself and others. I find it very exciting and purposeful. I believe that the gardens I tend to help all those that visit them.
I worked in the Food Service Industry for over 20 years. Including, Putnam Hospital Center as sanitation supervisor. EFCO as a lab tech in their kitchens, Adams Fair acre farms 10 years in the Deli Department - involved with platters and catering .I also assisted in some recipe formulation, Creator of the Marita‘s Sesame noodles. Which by now has been adapted, .
I am also a Professional Stained Glass Artisan. I apprenticeship with Joanne Guarante owner of the Kaleidoscope Glasswork in Poughkeepsie in 1986-1989. I have sold some large pieces on my own and got to work on some outstanding pieces as well. It was an honor to be able to study with some one so talented.

Member of:
United Plant Saver
New York Botanical Garden's in the Bronx
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York
Madd Gardeners of Sharon Connecticut.
North East Herbal Association

PRESS

Wrote an article for The Essential Herbal titled With Seeds of Intention May/June ‘08
Current writer for The Essential Herbal the Column is titled The Global Herbal March '09-current

Articles written about Marita:
The Taconic Weekend May 3-9, 2007 edition written by Mark Adams in his Let’s Grow column titled Flower Power.

FAMILY HISTORY

My maternal grandparents were both very gifted with the plants and vegetables as well as cooking . The owned there own tavern. My grandfather was an old Irish farmer and taught me how to use the gifts from the ocean as fertilizer for my gardens along with his stories of capturing mermaids and understanding the Celtic ways. My grandmother Was an amazing cook as well as flower gardener. She loved the smell of roses and a good pot roast cooking. She was one of the first people to bring the flowers to me. Along with my late Uncle and God Father Val Gallagher founder of The China Trade Bonsai Society is a non-profit organization founded in 1998. He taught me anything was possible by showing me how to make a big tree fit into a small pot.
My paternal great great grandmother has a medicine woman of the Mohegan long house. Her daughter as well as granddaughter were both very gifted. They were active horticulturist winning many awards for their gifts.
The biggest influence on me was my parents. My Mom was most amazing horticulturist I knew. People came from miles around to see her gardens and receive her maternal support. She brought the flowers to me to learn from. She was also the most amazing cook. I still count on her recipes they are tried and true. She also taught me compassion. Up to the day he died my Dad was and will always be my sweet heart. He gave me unconditional love and support and a few of his cynical ways. Their lives taught me to steadfast and believe.
I have a beautiful and supportive Husband. Who enters my gardens only to enjoy it's beauty and contribute his strength and carpentry skills when needed. We have grown together like an old tree since 1981. We have two amazing sons. They are totally awesome inside and out. What awesome gifts I have been given.