Learning something new

My husband was recently watching a lecture by Neil deGrasse Tyson and we was talking about all the teachers that one has from the start of school to the finish and how that only 1-2 really influence you and lots of times their influence shapes you into what you do when you grow up. My 25 year old daughter has a degree in English. At an early age she loved to write stories and was fortunate enough to have a few teachers who really encouraged her. My 20 year old is a chemistry major and minoring in French. Once again there were a few teachers in her life that encouraged and helped that grow. My 18 year old son loves History and computers and his major will definitely have something to do with those areas. i would think that their father and I had something t do with their smart little brains and I think we did a good job and encouraging them to do what ever challenges them and brings them joy.

When I think back on all the teachers I had I do feel as if I had some really nice teachers but honestly I am dont think any of them made me passionate about any real subjects. I am not blaming them either. My husband and  I got married really early, he was sent off to the Gulf War shortly after, he came back, got out of the army, we had a child and he went to a trade school. That was sort of the end of our education process and thats how lots of people are and there is nothing wrong with that. But we wanted our children to feel that the world was their oyster. Thats really a strange saying since oysters are actually gross but you get my point. But i guess the meaning of the saying is that you have to crack open the icky oyster to find your pearl? I have no idea.

So in the process of encouraging our children and basically growing up with them I think we found our passions as well and so everything works out. My hubby can build just about anything and he did take woodworking in high school so maybe he did have a teacher. I am always showing him things on Pinterest or texting him something and saying "make this happen".

I was fortunate enough to grow up in a house of readers. My mom, dad, and granny were always reading. I remember walking to our downtown library with my mom and granny to get new books each week. I loved how the stairs squeaked as you walked up them to the childrens section. I can still smell that library. They have since closed that one down and built a few more libraries but my middle daughter tutors once a week there now.

I just recently realized that I love history. We are always watching documentaries and I am always reading books about how to do things like they use to before we had walmart. My husband and I are always looking for something new to try and so we are always learning new things. I have recently gotten into herbal home remedies but I also wanted to learn more about plants and their names. So I have gotten into flower pressing as well and of course my husband made me a flower press. Here are a few of our adventures this past Sunday and what we have learned.

Starting with the top left pic that is as most of you already know Showy Goldenrod. Its our state flower hear in Kentucky and you can use its flowers to make a tincture thats suppose to help with seasonal allergies. Since I had a gallon ziplock bag of it in the kitchen and my allergy prone son got pretty stuffed up I think I will ask his doctor before I try it out on him. I learned that my son like one of my friends is allergice to Goldenrod.

The top right is Giant Ironweed. I love the purple flowers. I have yet to find out a lot about this flower except the bees love it and well I love the bees.

Bottom left is Orange Jewelweed. This one is very interesting. You usually find it growing near poison ivy and it helps with relieving itching from poison ivy. I plan on heading to my secret location of this plant to forage more and make anti itch salve.

The last picture is of Jerusalem Artichoke. Which really isnt an artichoke at all but is edible. I did read that you shouldnt eat too much at at time and you should boil it like crazy. I did not realize you could eat the roots so I just clipped a few of the flowers to press.

If you do not have flower press you can use a big book. I used unbleached coffee filters to  lay my flowers on. This is much cheaper and easier than the special paper they sell online for flower pressing.

Something else I learned this weekend was how to do the pearl stitch when using a loom. I found a great youtube video and I will soon be cranking out knitted mittens on my loom like a boss.

Have a great day and learn something new. You knew know when it will come in handy. Did you notice my pun there from the mittens. I crack me up!


Lots of Love

Mrs Ladybug