Dear reader,

I'm sending a mid month newsletter to remind you of some workshops coming up before Christmas and an early warning of two in 2016. Amazing how the time is flying and with all the busyness we can forget what is coming up on offer.

This Saturday 21st November is the first workshop called Weeds as Wisdom Teachers that I'm offering and it will be a mixture of a meeting plants in a relaxed sensory, way and practical hands on making things like weed vinegar, oil and pesto plus a soothing face cream.  See images of it below. Go here to book.  I'm looking forward to this new workshop, so hope to see you there.

Following that on Sunday 29th November one I'm off to Havelock North for a full day's program where I offer a wild edible weed workshop in the morning and Setha of Setha's Seeds offers a workshop in the afternoon.  Pauline is preparing a wonderful lunch as part of the full day experience.  There's more about this on the workshop page.

The final workshop for the year is over in Raglan-by-the-sea on Saturday 5th December from 10-1pm at Bev and Ted's 86 Upper Wainui Road, Raglan. Go here to learn more, register and pay to attend.  It would be great to see you there.

There are already workshops planned for next year.  The first is at Wakanui Bach at Wakanui Beach, 17 Kms out from Ashburton. I have never been there before so that will be an interesting journey.  Information is on my website about this here.  You can already book and get signed up.   On the way down I want to visit a friend in Nelson and will pass through Christchurch, so if anyone would like to host a workshop, or knows someone interested in those two places, let me know. It's going to be a fun trip.

On Saturday 2nd April I'll be going to Kerikeri to a venue called FlourFlower If you'd like to attend you can book early. Here is the link.

I've included some photos of plants who are all flowering or fruiting at this time of year.
Till next time,

Warm wishes,

Julia

Above is an alpine strawberry with white flowers and developing juicy fruit. This one has pink/red fruit but there is also a white variety.

Cleavers is in flower now and as you can see the flower is tiny. Just below the flower is a round seed head - the things that when ripe get stuck to your clothes.  In the past I've pulled tons of this out and it does have to be controlled in some places.  It has wonderful medicinal qualities and is a powerful lymph and blood cleanser. Recently someone wrote and told me that a naturopath had suggested they pick 25-30 tips of cleavers soak it in cold water overnight and drink the water in the morning.  The person relayed that since doing this during  winter,  they have not had colds or flu.  It is very pleasant to drink and I found it quite refreshing.