april investigations
I’m currently sitting at my dining table listening to the last chatter of the birds before the day is done. This time of year is really magical. The light is changing to a soft evening glow casting dappled light on everything, like the shimmer of water. I just bought a wind chime, something I have been wanting for a while. I wish it was something special but i am a bit ashamed to say i picked it up at Lowes on our last dirt run for the garden. it’s been breezy here in Nashville and the music is makes brings me so much peace, much like the birds do.
March was a whirlwind. People say march comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb, I’m here to say that is quite true. It was exhausting and endless. I feel it’s residue hanging on like oil coating my skin. Spring as we all know is a time for rebirth. I like to witness this rebirth first hand, with my hands in the earth and my eyes fixed on the sky. My garden is such a sanctuary and I feel so sad for people that have not had the opportunity to know a garden. It is such a kinship, an perfect example of reciprocity.
There is a momma robin that has decided to make her nest in the crook of our gutter down spout. I watched her for a week busy at her work, collecting the last bits of garden waste from the past year. To an animal nothing is waste, bits of dried grass, a dried hydrangea flowers, iris blades. Carefully she built this safe haven for the next generation of robins. Well I say carefully but really this momma should identify as a maximalist for sure, the nest is quite behemoth and precariously perched. This nest made me laugh out loud once she was finished. We had some terrible storms come through a few weeks ago and I was so worried about this momma and her nest. After each storm passed I would walk outside the front door to check on it and each time there it stood, unbothered by the storm. If this isn’t a metaphor for life I don’t know what is.
My garden is a wash of purple, which happens to be one of my least favorite colors besides red. I laugh every time I walk out of my completely neutral home into the color explosion that is my garden. My shaman told me last year that I needed to incorporate more purple into my life. The color purple is associated with the crown charka and our third eye. My search for a deeper connection to the spirit could only be deepened by adding this color into my daily life. I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to do it, because I sure as heck wasn’t going to start wearing purple. But in the end nature finds a way. I have bought quite a few plants that had a tag showing a white or peachy flower only to find out that when they bloomed they were in fact, you guessed it, purple. Did you know that purple and yellow compliment each other in nature, that together they attract more pollinators? So a purple and yellow garden is what we will have, leave the neutrals to the world we create inside.
Bradley my other half has been busy making my dreams pottery dreams come true and I am so happy to say I have listed some of his work on the website. More to come but my favorite right now are the wonky taper candlestick holders. If you buy one or 6 lol I recommend buying beeswax candles. This candlesticks are truly handmade and like their name states wonky. The beeswax molds nicely inside the holder and seems to stay more secure. Plus they are just a far superior candle.
I have been cooking loads. still haven’t tried the viral croissant sourdough bread yet but I will be. I wanted to share quite possibly one of my most favorite treats I’ve ever made/had. tahini cardamon oat fudge bars. just try to only eat one. They are fudgy magic and the cardamon is just perfection.
Tahini Cardamon Oat Fudge Bars
oat layer
2/3 cup tahini
1/3 c cup maple syrup
2 cup oats
1/2 cup oat flour
1/2 cup almond flour
1 -2 tsp cardamom ( depending on how much spice you like)
1 1/2 Tsp salt
filling
1 Tsp salt
1/4 cup coconut milk
2 tbsp tahini
1 cup chocolate chips or 170g dark chocolate
Mix together the maple syrup and tahini until well combined. Add in all the other dry ingredients. Press half of the mixture into a square 8x8 or 9x9 tin lined with parchment paper. Stick this oat base in the freezer while you mix up the fudge layer.
Next mix coconut milk and tahini together. Over a double boiler or in the microwave melt your chocolate and then add to the coconut and tahini mixture. The mixture will thicken quite a lot. Take the oat base out of the freezer, spoon and press this chocolate mixture on top of the oat base. Once your layer is even add the remaining oat mixture to the top. Place tin back in the freezer for 30 mins or in the fridge for an hour. Cut and enjoy! Keep these stored in the fridge. Should keep for 1-2 weeks!
I have been making a lot of playlists lately but one I feel is very fitting for this current moment is “ The light is changing”. give it a listen.
Things I am digging lately —
Donni’s new eco terry collection. i want it all but mainly the gray pants and shorts.
Searching for vintage french linen tops on etsy.
Shopping for bearded irises. try and choose just one.
Making gemstone beaded necklaces. coming soon to the website.
Ok until next time, be well.
xx Addison
