the season of the witchy

I don't remember why I was researching herbs for kids, but I was, and found this book, A Kid's Herb Book, which I just bought. I love it. It's simple and easy to read because it's meant for kids but is perfect for adults learning about using herbs and plants for the first time. It has an overview of about 15 herbs that are safe and perfect for children. Then it includes recipes (teas, baths, salves, etc.) for each of them. Over the summer, the girls loved gathering basil and thyme for cooking so I thought they would also dig learning about using herbs for medicinal purposes. I need to find a good Portland shop for herbs (any suggestions?) because I didn't grow many of these this summer, so don't have any dried herbs on hand. I think I might get some dried herbs, muslin bags, and beeswax from Mountain Rose Herbs in Eugene if I don't find a good Portland shop. (There must be one.) I love this kind of stuff and love the idea of being able to make my own non-creepy vapor rub for little colds this winter.

In a similar theme, I just got this lovely print from the Tiny Showcase by Katy Horan and it's called The Healers. Perfect! I have loved Katy's work for a bit now and was super excited to see it for sale. (It sold out.) Pete suggested that the bison (?) which looks dead, is a tad creepy and the spooky masked figures might freak out the girls. I suppose he's right, but there's bunnies there too, see? It will probably go in my art pile of "too freaky for the girls" art for a while, anyway. I actually might put a bunch of prints in an album, so we can look at them whenever instead of stashing them away. Hey, that's a good idea! okay, I am going to do that.

Katy's work is so crazy cool and witchy-pagan without being too hippie/acid-ish. Sorry. That was probably the least elegant art description I have ever written--but there you go. It's Friday and I haven't had coffee yet.

Comments

[Lora]

I'm hoping that I remember correctly that you mean Portland, OR, not Maine (I read someone else who is in Portland, Maine and I can't remember who's who!). If you are in OR, I highly recommend Penzey's Spices. I'm originally from WI and they are my hometown spice company...I cannot say enough great things about them. And if you go to the store, they have an area set up for the kids to color pictures that are then displayed there. Their only location in southern California is still too hard for me to get to so I order everything online from them but I have to say, I don't use a spice or dried herb from anyone else. Here's the information:

Penzey's
11322 SE 82nd Ave
(503) 653-7779

Mon.-Fri.: 9:30AM - 5:30PM
Sat.: 9:30AM - 5:00PM
Sun.: 11:00AM - 5:00PM

[Kim]

I have a TON of lemon balm if you want some :) I don't know what it's good for. We bought it thinking it was lemon basil (it was labeled wrong). Anyway, if you can tell me what it's used for, I'll send you some :)

[Diana]

Hi there! I know Amy's from Portland OR, but if you look for herbs in Portland ME this is the place to go: HOMEGROWN HERB & TEA 195 Congress St. Yummy, yummy!

[samm]

Perhaps the Healers will help the buffalo? Just a thought. :O)samm

[-Michelle]

Limbo, on SE 39th, next to Trader Joe's has a huge wall of dried herbs. Great prices too.

[Grace]

Lovely!!

[amy]

There is a really cool herb place that's sort of dark inside and magical. It's on east ? Stark St. across from Flying Pie pizzeria. I think it's still there. When the name comes to me I will let you know. They have bulk herbs, incense, oils, etc.

[sharon]

whole foods? the coop? Herbs in bulk ... buy as much or as little as you need. both probably have the muslin bags as well.

[Nicki]

I have to second Limbos wall of herbs on 39th and Holgate. You can stop for local produce and a fresh juice at the same time.

[Meg]

I have that book and I use it ALL the time! I especially like the little herb songs that are scattered throughout - they definitely help me (ahem ... I mean children) remember some essential herb facts!

[cathy]

I may be wrong, and I truly don't mean to discourage anyone from visiting a local shop, but I -- personally -- have concerns about the quality of herbs available at Limbo. I say this because they're stored in the light, in clear containers, and they're opened frequently by customers.

I buy most of my herbs online from Mountain Rose, The Thyme Garden, and a few other places. I want to buy them from people who are selling them to other herbalists who are concerned about receiving the highest quality, harvested at peak times.

Maybe Limbo gets their herbs from a good source. I wish they stored them differently.

Another local herb shop is The Herb Shoppe on East Burnside. I've gotten some nice, locally-harvested herbs and tinctures there.

[Laural]

I bought that print too. I got so excited bc I never get there in time to get a tiny showcase print, then after I bought it I noticed it was a bit creepier than I had originally thought because I also didn't see at first that the bison seems dead. But it is pretty awesome still, and I think it will be a good conversation piece when I hang it on the wall!

[Mary Beth]

Ooh, I love this witchy stuff too, and the herbs. It's somehow so appealing.

[anja]

I haven't been here yet, but looked into the windows one night while waiting for the bus.

http://www.theherbshoppe.net/

It's on 24th and Burnside, and they give you a discount if you came by bike, which I think is pretty cool, very Portland.

[zoe]

that looks like a great book. we have another childrens' herb book called walking the world in wonder by ellen evert hopman. it lists herbs according to season and gives an explanation of each.

the herbalist i studied with in california recommends mountain rose above all others on the west coast for herbs. also, any health food store or co-op in portland should have a section of bulk herbs.

tashi and i once took a mother-daughter herb class with an herbalist in ann arbor, mi. it was so special. maybe someone in your area offers a class like that, or perhaps if you find a local herbalist and some other parents who would want a mother-daughter class, it can be arranged.

have fun!

[Bare Bones Gardener]

Looks like a great book to get kids of all ages into plants and herbs

[Amelia]

I just moved very near to a beautiful herb shop. it is on 24th and east burnside. they have a bike discount (10 percent i think?) and they hold classes in the evenings.

[sarah]

I was going to say limbo as well!

[Elise]

Have you heard of Avena Botanicals from Maine? You must try their Fairy Flower herbal tea, it is delicious. All organic, women-run coop, I love them.

http://www.avenabotanicals.com/

[Kirstin]

Also neat is Green Heron Nursery on Sauvie's Island. There is even a 'witches garden' there with all kinds of healing herbs, fun to visit at this time of year. According to the owner they have actual witches who visit/shop there, but at Halloween it's decorated along a more fictional Halloween sytle. They have a little shop with dried herbs and teas, and sell a lot of live herb plants, including an insane variety of lavendars. The guy who owns it is very funny and friendly, super relaxed.

[angeljoy]

I ordered your book from a local bookseller, (I live in a small(ish) town) and just picked it up today. I am so excited! It looks great and the photography is wonderful. You are clear in your concepts and also with the directions that I read thus far. I look forward to putting this to practical use! Thank you!

[Mama Urchin]

I suggest Penzeys too, we do mailorder from them but there is a retail outlet in Portland.

[June]

I use a lot of herbs and essential oils in any number of ways, some for my cleaning products, some for personal reasons. The very act of making something practical from a natural resource is so satisfying.

The buffalo is often used as a symbol of abundance and strength. The artist would have to be the one to tell you what it meant to her.

[Clare Adams]

I love using Mountain Rose Herbs company. All their herbs are highest quality. I have used them for over 10 years since I did an herbal apprenticeship. You will be pleased with their items.

[Mama Sensai]

Try: www.bulkherbstore.com
They are in Lobelville, TN

[Siri]

Crazy. I just saw that book at a Half Price Books yesterday in Seattle (now back home in Montana) but bypassed it, after much consideration, for some other books.

[Wendy]

The funny thing about the 'appropriateness' of art for kids is that I'm always way off on pre-determining what will freak my daughter out and what won't.

I would have thought that all of Frida's stuff would be too freaky, but she just loves it.

And I'm putting that herb book on my Christmas wish list.