~ Blackberries and Honeysuckle ~

The blackberries and honeysuckle have bloomed ..........

the berries have emerged. Waiting and anticipating those delicious berries ripening and making the first fresh blackbery cobbler of the season !

~ Natural Blessings ~
JoyceAnn

* Honeysuckle and Mullein Cough Syrup *

Yesterday I made honeysuckle and mullein cough syrup , hopefully it will not be needed anytime soon. But I'll be ready for next winter when cold season hits. Although I'm pleased to say I started taking my dandelion/yellow dock tincture back in the winter for digestive woes and apparently it helped my immune system too. I didn't get sick at all this past winter , no allergies or major sinus problems this Spring. I told my hubby it was a miracle , considering all the snotty noses I wiped this past winter (LOL). But I thought the cough syrup would be great to have on hand for the grand kids. Since the honeysuckle is blooming , decided I would go ahead and make the syrup. I plan to dry some honeysuckle blooms in case I need to make more syrup next winter. If you're interested in making this cough syrup , click here ~ http://www.ehow.com/how_4732153_honeysuckle-cough-syrup.html ~. This is the first time I've made this cough syrup , so I'm not sure how well it work. I'll let you know when we use it.

~ Happy Herbal Blessings ~

JoyceAnn

~ ~ Mother's Day Herbal Hike ~ ~

My gift to myself on Mother's Day was a hike through the woods and nature was feeling the " Love ". I saw a tree with this heart shaped hole , although it was upside down , with a little rotating of the photo , you can see it's form. If you look below the hole , you can see what appears to look like another heart etched into the tree.

As I strolled on I found this vine with heart shaped leaves , I believe it is a wild potato-vine. I'll be watching for the blooms to see if I can make a positive i.d. soon.

Shadow went along with me on the hike , he enjoyed the stream and found an herb to enjoy himself. He's eating some grass that grows along the bank of the stream.

The Jack-in-the pulpits are blooming , I found several patches of them.


Shadow got a whiff of something and started digging in this spot , but he gave up and moved on quickly.

The Oregon grape has fruits that are ripening. You can read about this plant here , if you're interested ~ http://herbalspirits.blogspot.com/2010/03/oregon-grape-holly.html ~ .

I'm not sure what this plant is , plan to watch it and see if it blooms.

Does anyone else know what it is ?

False Solomon Seal


A beautiful Jack-in-the-Pulpit , this plant was in a sunny location and about knee high tall.

This is why it smells so delightful around here , the blackberries , honeysuckle and multiflora roses are blooming.

And remember this plant ..............................

Thanks to Flassie , the plant has been identified , it's a Carolina Geranium also known as Crane's Bill because of it's fruit.

~ http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/gerca.htm ~

This photo shows the Crane's Bill , Thanks Flassie !!

Hope Everyone had a Great Mother's Day !

~ Green Blessings ~

JoyceAnn