SUMMER on the bog .... JUNE/JULY and AUGUST ACTIVITIES

It has been a while since I posted anything new.

Not because nothing happened, but more that too much is happening and time and muse to write something creative, often doesn’t go hand in hand.

There were workshops in March and April and an Inspiring and enjoyable walk on the Camino in May ( a  blog on this subject is promised sometimes soon ). In between there was ‘ordinary’ Floristry Work due to Mothersday and also Easter, Communions and Confirmations and lots of other celebrations of life and sadly death. 

Now facing summertime, there are weddings and summer-workshops on the agenda.
But most work I do in between is somehow connected to producing basic seasonal food by working in the garden or on our smallhold farm. It really is something I deeply enjoy and believe in throughout all my life. Our principals are basic and rather old fashioned and definitely not profitable. Therefor we don’t use any machinery, apart from a strimmer very occasionally – well I use it, my husband even quietly swings his side to create a way or cut some feeding for the goats in the evening of a rainy day. But most of the time we just let everything grow … for the free roaming geese, the chicks and ducks, the goats, the bees and butterflies. Noxious weeds like ragworth and docks get pulled out by hand ….not by a bottle of weedkiller.  On evening walks I do count my blessings, well or I might say our great biodiversity of various plants ….. I am talking about 50 + different wild species, not included are the ones we added to our environment. A bit of a blog will follow on this subject as well – very soon  - 2.promise of today....

So what are the Workshops about in the summer months?

They will be all tailor-made to suit your own individual needs.
Date – time – duration – subject – numbers ( 4 – 10 people ) – cost – lunch option …. All and everything is open for discussions.
Children are welcome and are reasonably priced accordingly. 

Subjects/ ideas on offer are: 

- Flower-arranging in all and any aspect.
Ideas for decorating your own home, your special event (wedding/birthdays/anniversaries …. ), using your own flowers or a mixture of purchased ones and homegrown foliage/flowers.

-  herbal talk and walk. Introduction of wild herbs and cultivated ones, how to grow                   and use them.

- walk/talk on biodiversity.  Identification of wild plants and support to make your own list of the vegetation around your home. Suggestions of improvement of your biodiversity.

- introduction to self-sufficiency

- a mixture of all of them topics .... :)

- your own ideas

In the meantime enjoy those long summer nights .... switch of the TV and the phone .... wander around in full moons night or early dawn .... listen .... smell .... touch .....create a secret place .... 

'EMERGING'

a workshop idea with a difference.
For the month of March, April and May I do invite interested people to come along for a bit of 'strolling around'. On our walk we try to identify the rich flora, pick wild herbs and other plant material. We will use some in our lunch and make herbal tea. The workshop will end with a relaxing flower arranging session, where we use up some of our wild material together with fresh flowers.

There will be a trail workshop on THURSDAY, the 16th of March from 11 am to 2 pm

But if you have a group/friends of 4 - 8 people just contact me for a suitable date and time.

Biodiversity at its best ... at least 12 different species within a tiny patch

It is this fascinating time in Nature, when new live seems to emerge out of nothing. There is this giddy spring feeling in the air, when some people feel the urge to loose weight, others suddenly start cleaning their house from top to toe and different folk again want to renew everything, like their clothes, shoes or even their car.
I definitely could do with any of those urges just mentioned above, but with the days becoming remarkably longer, I just increase my 'strolling around' a bit more and try to detect the sometimes nearly invisible newcomers within the hedgerows or alongside the lane.

My goats are actually a great company for this venture,  as they are somehow on the same mission. like looking out for new bits of green, emerging out from last years dead and gone natural cover. There is really so much to discover, to pick and to try. 

The other day I did spice up my lunch salad with all sorts of wild herbs and cultivated ones from the garden and the tunnel. There were very young nettle, cleavers, dandelion, chickweed, rocket, parsley, mustard leaves and radicchio. 

From a Florists point of view it is great to collect all the dead material, like cut off twigs, dead grass, twisted and curly material and anything in between. Especially with your own emerging Garden flowers it can be a worth while experiment to arrange a very individual masterpiece.

and in between the whole Spring Beauty there are rainbows ... many, beautiful rainbows between the showers of rain, hail and snow.

The Beauty and the Beast ....

Yesterday I did, what I do most weekends .... go for a little hike.
Sometimes I might go somewhere specific. Therefor I would use the car, drive to an parking area a few miles away and go up the mountains, around a Lake ( Lough Easkey or Lough Talt ) or even better I might hop on the bike, hide it somewhere in the bushes and go from there. But the very best of all options is just getting my booties on, a rain-jacket and the high viz bib and start walking. Lucy the spaniel-collie Mix would just run ahead and off we go. Poor Murphy, the 15/16 year old sheepdog only goes now for as far as a 2 - 3 miles stroll, as he is getting rather slow and Arthritis seems to be a problem too.

Just about 1 km down the road, there is a large bog-area, which has fascinated me since our arrival 27 years ago. We don't have a lot of boggy areas left in Germany and it would be a strictly protected area, as flora and fauna within Bogs are rare and unique. But Clooneen Bog has more to offer. The roads and little tracks are well maintained and I often stroll into a grassy lane, just to find out, that it’s a dead end. Many people in the area have their turf cutting rights since decades and maybe longer. In summer time it is a busy enough place. Turf cutting machines bring up the soggy wet peat and leave long lines of moist, dark brown turf on the top ground. After a few days drying, the top part develops a hard skin and now it is ready to be turned. If the weather is really content and even sunny you leave it just another while and foot it straight away. We have done this for many years with our old neighbour Pat Smith, who surely also had a traditional turf spade and was able to demonstrate it to us and to many of our visitors. It is not all idyllic, as people are anxious to get their turf saved and weather plays a big part in this. If it rains heavy straight after cutting, the lines of peat just get washed back into the ground. Well and then there are the midges … tiny little biting insects, which appears on a calm day, when rain is lingering about. As you might imagine, the weather  in the North-West of Ireland is just ideal for it.

But for me it is a heaven of unique plants and mosses, which only grow in such an specific environment. There are the different types of orchids, carnivores plants, rushes and other types of ‘grasses’ (cotton-grass is a very obvious one), mosses and lichens, ferns, heather, pond-weeds, bilberry, gorse, foxglove, primroses … to name just a few. Also some of the willows, ash, alder and birch developed smaller types, which can grow very well on even acid soil.
If you are lucky you might encounter a bit of wildlife, like fasans, wild ducks and other birds, otters, foxes, hares, Insects and spiders, frogs and newts ….
It is also an important fact, that intact blanket bogs are a huge benefit when it comes to climate change and issues about reaching international goals to combat climate change.
If you are interested in more information about the pure magic of common peatland, check up this:http://www.ipcc.ie/a-to-z-peatlands/blanket-bogs/, one of many educational web-pages about our bogs.

From that webpage a few facts about this exciting habitat, which is a blanket bog:
* Only a small amount of blanket bog exists in the world. Ireland possesses 8% of the world’s blanket bog and is the most important country in Europe for this type of habitat.
* Blanket bog landscapes provide a refuge for a rich biodiversity of species including several rare plants, birds and invertebrate species.
* Blanket bogs are commonly used as rough grazing land for sheep and cattle, grouse shooting, deer stalking and fishing.
* Blanket bogs preserve prehistoric farming landscapes beneath the peat as well as a diverse range of artefacts within the peat mass.
* The patterns of pools on the flatter areas of blanket bog is of particular conservation significance. * * The pools support a specialized range of mosses (especially species of Sphagnum) and plants and they provide essential feeding habitats for wetland birds.
* Within their peat layers, blanket bogs preserve a record of their own growth and development and on a larger scale, they provide insights into regional vegetation change, climate change, atmospheric pollution and act as chronometers for other events such as volcanic eruptions.
* Blanket bogs accumulate and store millions of tonnes of carbon and have a vital function in controlling the green house gases that cause climate change.
* Blanket bogs contain in excess of 90% water and act as vast water reservoirs. They have a vital role to play in the management of water within river catchments.
* Blanket bogs and their utilization for recreation can have positive benefits on the health of people.

Back to my long, inspiring and beautiful walk and to some very disappointing and disturbing scenes. There are some people out there, who see this sensitive habitat as a waste-land, a patch of useless ground, a real dumping place. Especially after the Christmas 'clear-out' the amount of rubbish is just appalling. Would love to hear about your opinion about this issue and maybe ideas, how to combat this major problem.
Disturbing scenes ... the pictures speak for themselves....

February Activities :)

let there be SPRING

Today it is February the first and the Irish people celebrate St. Bridget's-Day.

the old St.Bridget's crosses above the portrait of our neighbor Pat

Many rituals are connected within Irish History and Folklore about that special day. But most of all it is famous for the St. Bridget's cross, which is made out of rushes from the marshy land. Also people say, that you should leave a blue cloth or ribbon outside on one of the hedges. St. Bridget would bless it while passing and this material can be used for hanging around your neck or head to keep sore throats and headache away. Today it's also said to be the start of Spring.


Spring actually already had a step-visit in mid/late January. Therefor I spent any free time of those last two weeks in January mostly in the garden and the tunnel. The weather was reasonable mild, actually that inviting, that I just couldn't resist. While digging the ground and fighting with nettle roots and other invasive plants for hours I also listened to the birds singing.  It is a very different tone ... no croaky chirping or gentle peeping, like in wintertime. They seem to give their best and it just sounds like a melodic symphony concert to me.

Over 20 boxes all weeded and manured with our own compost

Any kind of work in the garden or on the land is a great healing act. While using your body through physical work, your mind drifts off and memories emerge out of nothing while philosophy kicks in. My late Dad always comes into my mind when working in the garden. Year after years he used to visit us in Springtime - mostly in March/April. around  the time of his and my birthday. Beside doing plenty of day-tours to the great blue ocean ( as he loved the sea ), he always supported me greatly in the garden. He was like a machine, like an engine, like a magic apparatus.  Working as a bricklayer all his live, he was used to work extremely hard day in day out .... and if he didn't work he exercised, cycling, hiking, jogging... for endless miles and miles. Even after his strokes and with a severe Dementia he still kept going. That was somehow a bit worrying for me, as he would just leave after lunch and go for a walk. It is easy to get lost between the small lane ways or on the mountain - even without Dementia - and considering that he had no English at all. But having visited us for almost 20 years and celebrated communions and confirmations within the local community, many people knew his face and would have 'an eye' on him, that particular way without attracting attention like only rural community would perform. Sometimes I did follow him on the bicycle for a while, just to calm myself down. Nothing ever happened ... he always found his way home.

Dad's having a picnic at Dunmoran  beach during his last visit

But back to the pile of weeds, I must admit, that I admire the perfect constructed root network of any of those hardy plants .... no wonder that they cant be fully distinguished - even not by weedkiller, as they always come back. No weedkiller goes EVER on our land, as it is never worth it. Why would I poison the soil, where I grow food on, where my animals and we all walk on, sit on, play on? Not my game!

Another work I still have to do is cutting down some of the herbs and reducing the heavy shoots of my currant-bushes and raspberries. I pile them up on my rough wood heap beside the compost or use them within my workshop. Cuttings of all sorts and other 'dead material' come in very handy when creating spring arrangements. Especially if you want to demonstrate the emerging of springtime with twigs, moos and dry, wild, strawy materials.


So the Workshops in February are:

Valentines - Workshop for Men - 11th of February
Valentines Workshop for everybody on Valentinesday, 14th of February 
More information in my last blog 'BE my VALENTINE

a frame out of willow 

the finished product

Some people cant make the weekday-workshops, so I will also offer a Saturday workshop:

Spring -weaving and arranging, 
Saturday, 18th of February 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm

Spring -weaving and arranging
Tuesday, 28th of February 11.00 am to 2.00 pm

As always there is homebaking/lunch included.
Places are limited.

If none of the times suit you and you would like a bit of spring-feeling 'delivered', you can contact me with any query.

BE my VALENTINE

WORKSHOPS for VALENTINES DAY

Saturday, 11th.of February
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Corsallagh - Cloonacool

Valentines day workshop for MEN:
Always wonder what to give your girlfriend/wife/partner for Valentines-day ?
There are a lot of ( often overpriced ) ‘Standard’ gifts out there – but maybe your Loved one isn’t just ‘Standard’, doesn’t really appreciate ‘Standard’ bouquets?
Maybe you want to surprise her with something unique, something created by YOU with only HER in mind.

Well then why not book a place on the first ever VALENTINES DAY WORKSHOP for MEN.

There will be a lot of high quality seasonal flowers and also some traditional Red Roses, pots and baskets, willow and natural wilderness, bows and hearts available and together with Expert-help and your own creativity you will be drafting your very personal arrangement.

Contact Martina 0872403005
Places are limited
40 Euro pp
Complimentary tea/coffee and homebaking


Valentine’s for All:

Tuesday, 14.2. - Valentinesday <3
11.00 pm – 2.00 pm
Corsallagh - Cloonacool

Treat yourself for this Valentines-day, by attending this special workshop.
There will be a talk about the history of Valentines-day and also highlights the trends and traditions over the past 5 decades by demonstrating different arrangements.

Lunch will follow with homemade soup and homebaking.

Afterwards its all ‘hands on’ and you create your very own Valentine’s arrangement.

Contact Martina 0872403005
Places are limited
35 Euro pp

 

Nature inspires : Hello 2017: workshops and more

Nature inspires : Hello 2017: workshops and more: time created this masterpiece of nature in the Ox Mountains  Dear Friends of 'NATURE INSPIRES' may I wish you all a very happy...

Hello 2017: workshops and more

time created this masterpiece of nature in the Ox Mountains 

Dear Friends of 'NATURE INSPIRES'

may I wish you all a very happy New Year and may 2017 be kind to you where ever you are.

looks like new years fireworks 

New morning of a new year 2017

A new year, a new beginning, a new 'me' ... hopes and dreams, expectations and determination, resolutions and disillusions ..... I didn't make any extraordinary resolutions, any particular plans nor do I have huge expectations in this upcoming year. Maybe I just wait and see how everything unfolds.


Once the Christmas gander ( from our own stock ) was eaten, the obligatory bottle of commercial Whiskey ( when the old neighbors were alive the Fairy's would have left a bottle of the clear stuff on the doormat ) was transformed into 'hot ones' to keep the flue away ( ya right ... ) and the sweet stuff disappearing one after the other, leaving multicolored wrappers all over the place, then it was time to clear the cobwebs and go walking and let nature inspire you.
Overall the weather was just right … maybe sometimes a tiny bit wet or foggy, but most of the times ideal for strolling along for hours over beaches, through forests, up high cliffs or boggy mountains. We are surrounded by a great diversity of most amazing scenery, which involves sometimes just a short drive , but most of the times I just step out the door and walk on.

Magic Lough Talt 

just stepping out the door and keep on walking

Strandhill with view to Benbulben

weekend hike in Donegal

Christmas hike in the Ox Mountains up to the stirring Rock

Before I give a brief over-view of what is available for 2017, I would like to take a glimpse back and reflect on the Christmas workshops of 2016.
It was an amazing experience and I want to thank everybody who invited me to either do a workshop, a demonstration or a talk. Such a privilege to meet so many different people, of different age-groups and from all walks of life.
The youngest were the giddy girls celebrating their friends 10th birthday and then my oldest Lady participating was 87.
My largest workshop had 24 participants at the great SHELL’s Café at the sea in Strandhill. Usually you wouldn’t associate a wreath workshop with such a young clientele, but I must say we had an amazing time and the 24 totally different examples of modern and traditional wreaths proofed wreath making is rather ‘hip’ and not 'out'.
A workshop with the Nazareth House Ladys ( Senior Citizen Ladies ) was the most emotional one for me – even though I tried hard not to let it on.  Many of the elderly Ladies just remembered me so much of my late Mum who passed away over a year ago.

But overall all the women groups, be it organised like the ICA or just meeting up  on a regular base, deserve a great praise. There is usually a wonderful sense of acceptance, lightheartedness, helping out and sharing between the Ladies and they always include their tutor, too.

To some of the groups I have been back now for many years and try hard to make their few hours an enjoyable time.

Now I am looking forward to 2017,  I feel highly motivated and excited to inspire more and more people about the plain, but powerful benefits of engaging with any kind of natural material. At the moment I think up lots and lots of ideas of new workshops, classes, talks .... .
So you might wonder, what can you expect and what services are available:
All I can say is: challenge me with your request, your order, your idea … be it a workshop, a school request, a wedding or any other event.
There are also often those frequent asked questions:
- Are you offering vouchers?
Yes, there are vouchers available, which can be used either for a workshop or any arrangement.

Are you just operating in County Sligo?
No, I do travel and have worked in all neighboring counties. I would also travel longer distances if required.

Do you do weddings? 
Strange isn't it? Yes for sure I do and I do also wedding consultations for all your floral needs.  Once more, do challenge me with your request, your order, your ideas.

Some of the Workshop ideas for the first half of the year are :
- Spring is peeping around the corner
- Valentins ideas for MEN - it doesn't always have to be the 12 Reds or a standard Bouquet. If you think your girl/partner isn't standard - then this might be for YOU.
- Willow techniques … weaving wild fences and handtie supports and decorate them
- Honor MUM – arranging that special creation for Mums alive and gone - but never forgotten
- Childrens Partys: fun ideas while introducing plant material and creating a ‘happy fence and garden, a fairy wand, a flower crown or a dream catcher.
- Surprise wrap: challenge yourself by creating an arrangement with a random seasonal bunch
- Recycle me - bring a broken dish, a tea-pot, a bowl, anything which would face the bin and we bring it back to live and it's former beauty.
- EASTER decorations
- Confirmation and Communion ideas: decorate your home for your child's special day
- the popular Herbal talk
-  School projects: Trees, birds, bees and butterflies, native flora and fauna, recycling projects …..
Dates, Times and Venue will be released soon.


Finally, as a reward for my regular customers I will introduce a Loyalty card….and the good news is, it includes last years workshops too. So if you had booked 6 workshops, the 7th will be absolutely free.