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Over the course of last year, I read Ashkenazi Herbalism by Adam Siegel and Deatra Cohen, one of the first books of its kind exploring the medicinal and cultural plants of the Pale of the Settlement ( more commonly seen through examples of shtetl living). As the case with many fringe groups, plants were not just a traditional preference but of seeing and knowing their community by means of healing practices. While less of us these days are putting potatoes on our heads to absorb fevers, Judaism (both the religious and cultural elements) have a high emphasis on plants and what the symbolism can offer from a literal and spiritual perspective. A hamsa is a cross cultural symbol used by many people and practices to evoke guarding from the evil eye (five fingers being significant in Judaism being the number that represent protection as well). The symbol is commonly seen amongst Jews as being an amulet of sorts, changing meaning depending on direction. The plants inside are pomegranates, cedar, garlic, apple blossoms, and almond blossoms, all plants often an associated with Judaism and customs that bring elements of newness, hope, strength, and prosperity into their presence.
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While winter isn’t the most exciting time to forage, there are some subtle preserved beauties out there to find. Some of my favorites are making tea with conifer leaves and turkey tails, jams from the mushier rose hips, and collecting frozen sap. What’s your favorite foraged finds during the cold season?
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Today is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. What ways will you be celebrating the winter solstice? ❄️
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Cozy winter mornings ❄️
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Crossing my fingers for a very snowy December ❄️
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Well, if you can believe it Hanukkah is only 2 weeks away ❤️ I’m quite smitten with this card design this year, I would like nothing more than to be playing dreidel in a little mouse home. Since the holidays are creeping up early this year, everything in my shop is 20% off (including cards and stickers). Enter code SALE at the end of your purchase! I’ll be doing a smaller prints only sale later, but like so many small business, it will be so helpful to shop early this year!
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A crow happily in his home ❤️
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I am so excited to finally share my collaboration with @hudsonvalleyseedco’s lovely artist seed packs. Yarrow is one of the first plants I ever learned to forage on my own. While working on a cow farm for a summer, one of the farmers pointed out to me that the leaves had culinary properties, and that the flowers could be ingested through steeping. Yarrow has been one of my favorite plants to work with because it’s ability to transport you to a very specific season, both in taste and smell. Working on this seed packet was such a personal delight, and am looking forward to planting mine this spring. Seeds are available on their website 🌸
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Made some fairy and elf versions of my partner and me 
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Cute Elf Boy Sits on Mushroom 
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Shana Tova! Today is the first day of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish near year. May it bring the best for everyone!
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One of my favorite pieces from the upcoming @enormoustinyart show! Excited to share the rest in this series of tiny tea kettle homes ❤️
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A painting for a dear friend.
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Recently, my partner and I got a sweet little pup named Ginny. We’ve both wanted a dog for years now and finally the perfect time aligned! She’s an absolute goofball but has been such an absolute delight to have in our family ❤️
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TIPS FOR MUSHROOM FORAGING: I first learned how to forage when I was living on a cow farm for a summer. A few nights a week, one of the farmers and I would go out and he’d show me how to I.D. edible mushrooms and plants. I am not an expert mycologist by any means, but foraging mushrooms has become one of the great joys of my summers. Here’s a few tips that I’ve learned (or been taught) over the years. While everyone has different style, my go to is safety comes first. No mushroom is so tasty its worth dying over. Get to know a few safe, and easy to I.D. species: this is key. It can be overwhelming first getting started seeing mushrooms and thinking, can I eat that? I recommend starting with just a few to really get to know and build your comfortability and confidence from there. When in doubt, just leave it: If you can’t confidently I.D., I wouldn’t suggest eating it. If you’re interested in learning more, you can always take it home, spore print it, do some research, etc., but I would be weary of eating something you’re not totally sure about. Think about look-a-likes, season, habitat, and bioregions: this is a big one. Asking yourself questions like “would this mushroom grow near this kind of tree, water source, this time of year?” Can give context clues to whether or not this is the mushroom you’re looking to find. Learn how to use field guides: While the internet is a vastly helpful place, look to field guides to give the best context about different species and look-a-likes. Always leave some behind: Like in any foraging practice, be respectful. Especially with mushrooms, by leaving some behind you may have a perennial spot to look for the next year.
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Happy mushroom hunting season 🍄 this year, I found the biggest patch of black trumpets I’ve ever collected and couldn’t have been happier. What have you been collecting this year?
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Tea for Three ❤️
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