UPCOMING EVENTS

Welcome to 'Hummingbird Harmonies'!

My intention was to record a 'Six Minute Respite in the Key of C' for this issue, but while I was watching the hummingbirds the other morning, I thought I would film them to share with you! They are definitely tiny, vibrating, incredible musical miracles! I love everything about them!!

We are not really set up to record them, but this has inspired me to make more of a 'set up' for future opportunities! Sound is included! I hope you enjoy it!

If you have experience filming & recording birds, et al, I would love to hear your thoughts!

We have had nesting hummingbirds here since 2006, our first summer on the farm! I was in the barn & there was a hummingbird up in the rafters flitting around. Thought maybe it was confused or ...??!

When I told our good Icelandic shepherd friend, Tom McDowell, (who, long story, we met at the 1997 MN State Fair along with his lovely wife, Judy, which resulted in our Icelandic adventures!!), he said, "Melinda, you have nesting hummingbirds!"! And, so I did!!

Back in the day, I was feeding at least two full quarts a day of my homemade nectar!!! When I would be outside 'gardening' (pulling thistle), they would be flitting all around my head!! It was wonderful❣️

Our summer 'flock' kept getting larger & larger, but now it is getting smaller. While they will always be my summer focus, it is hard to see ... climate ...

Wellspring Kitchen is the spot for all things related to nourishing ourselves & our loved ones, with food prep, gardening, herbs, body care …. It will all be in this space! I welcome positive feedback & ideas! I also love to research & try new things, so if there is anything in the plant-based world you would like to learn about, please reach out!

"Sharing good food & good company is an art that feeds body & soul."
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A peak back into 2008 with Eve & her darling twins, Brynja & Bjork! Every one of our Icelandic mothers were incredibly caring & protective of their babies. Each & every one of them!! There were several mother/daughter pairs that were never, ever separated, even when the daughter was full grown. They had incredible relationships!

It was a wonder to see that they instinctively knew when I was with them to help do something or just hang out & 'play' with the lambs. The lambs were sooo cute & fun! They were fierce if they thought their babies were being threatened. At all.

One day I will never forget, Linzi, our youngest daughter, who was old enough to know better, was in the nursery with me & the lambs. She was making quite a racket 😝 Yelling, goofing off. I kept telling her this was their home & she needed to be quiet & calm. Linzi was not listening to me. At all.

And, then before I knew it, Fiona had put Linzi in the corner! So quickly I hadn't seen it. Now Fiona had all of Linzi's attention. Scared & crying, but not making the racket she had just been making. I knew Fiona wouldn't touch her, just had to make her stop upsetting her lambs, Bjorn & Bjarni.

I picked Linzi up & put her over the gate. Told her in future she had to be nice. Calm. Linzi always was after that. Lesson learned! Respect matters.

Bogi with Catelin & Bjorn with Linzi! Everyone looks pretty happy!

My studio was my 'magic place'!! Walking in the door & turning on the lights always felt so good! It was my very own inspiring spot to just be!

"... in a time lacking in truth & certainty & filled with anguish and despair, no human should be shamefaced in attempting to give back to the world, through their work, a portion of its lost heart."

- Louise Bogan

​(Just the other day I found this quote in my Photos dated September 4, 2018. I have no idea where it came from & yet it seemed perfect in these times of ours. I put in 'human//their' for 'woman/her'. I believe these days more than ever we need all. Actually always have.)
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