We've had our first real chinook already and I'm thankful for the warmer temperatures.
It's really pleasant walking about the yard without slipping or traipsing through deep snow.
Plus it's easier to stay warm, especially since I'm sick (so sick my mom caught it over the phone!).
And chores can be enjoyable!
As the snow receded, it exposed these tenacious and happy violets,
still somehow in bloom despite three weeks of heavy snow and -25 degrees Celsius.
They remind me of the people who started out on a homestead quarter-section, and made it.
Hardy little wonders... I read violet's Spring 'blossoms' don't actually produce seeds,
which makes them a sort of non-flower,
and it seems they simply grow these lovely little faces purely for joy!
I conferred with a native species guide and it appears mine are wild.
There's a yellow faced type, too.
All the violet, viola, pansy, johnny jump ups, etc
are closely enough related it seems they can be used interchangeably in herbal remedies.
I wonder if the Dycks - our quarter-section patent earners -
ever saw these blossoms in similar conditions (I'll just go ahead and assume they had a
much closer relationship with nature than even I do, even if they did build our cozy
little house for us, it's not as though they had the same conveniences...)
and if they would have remarked on the strength of das Veilchen
(or simply used the English term)
and if they'd have used the flowers and leaves as a part of their medicine chest?
My throat could really go for a violet syrup just now...
I must remember to pick more of these next summer.
I'll guess they must have eaten them, if nothing else!
Flowers are a sort of gourmet food, I'd say.
Either way I hope they never got sick like I am now.
I do like to think I might stay healthy if I stayed put on my own wee homestead
and avoided passing around germs as we do in contact with the general public.
Then again, they'd likely have attended church - a fine enough place to share pathogens.
I've only ever captured the properties of violets in vinegar, which I use to make a hair rinse.
Since we are still really happy with our newest and improved Argan oil shampoo bar,
it's nice to follow it with a vinegar rinse. Do you want to make one? Maybe you already do.
In case you'd like to know, here's my method:
VIOLET VINEGAR RINSE
INGREDIENTS
🌿 Violet flowers (and leaves)
🌿 White vinegar, this is ideal because it's inexpensive and will capture the colour well
🌿 Water
🌿 Essential oils, I prefer a Citrus mixture
🌿 Spray bottle, easiest way to apply without getting in the eyes, or wasting it!
INFUSE THE VINEGAR Fill a jar half full with the plant material you've freshly picked.
Fill the jar with the vinegar, cap, and set in a cool, dark location, shaking when you think of it.
After a few weeks or so it's ready, but you can simply leave it longer until you're ready for it,
as I will over the winter.
MAKE UP THE RINSE When you're ready to mix up the Rinse, strain the vinegar
(all or just what you need), and discard the plant material.
I use a strainer over a funnel to directly pour the, now beautifully coloured,
vinegar directly into the spray bottle, filling halfway. You could use plain vinegar, too.
Add water to fill to (almost) the top, and essential oil to mask the vinegar scent.
The scent of the vinegar will not remain in your hair, so don't worry,
and depending on the amount of essential oil you use,
you may or may not smell that either once you're out of the tub.
USE THE RINSE Wash your hair, squeeze it out, spray wet hair with the rinse,
rinse with water, and use conditioner as you wish. I do. Boys/men love to skip a step,
and I say, "more conditioner for me!", but either way by using a vinegar rinse
your dried hair will leave it noticeably softer, and by using a violet infusion over time,
it'll keep your hair from drying out.
P.S. The traditional method is to pour the rinse (a more diluted version) over your hair,
which works of course, but I prefer to easily avoid my eyes,
and by using a spray bottle I find it goes a lot further. It also means fewer accidents.
P.P.S. Using any flower related to a violet should turn your white vinegar a lovely pink,
purple or blue! I like to use a clear spray bottle to enjoy these tooth fairy hues.
While I've been cooped up mainly inside, I've been finishing up with some over-due chores,
such as sorting seeds from their seed heads, and organizing them for next year.
Which is actually a pretty big job. Obviously I'm in need of new methods or contraption to assist me. Or just the two boys and five girls, plus spouse, of the early Dyck household...!
You'll be hearing more about the Dyck family as we discover more.
We are finding our farm's history to be quite fascinating,
as is the process of gradual information collection!
No comments:
Post a Comment